Cooper asked Bryant this week if he and Reeves wanted to go dove hunting with him and some other guys at a place up in Summerton. Of course, he jumped at the chance. I must admit, part of me was a little sad that I wouldn't be there on Reeves' first hunt, but an even bigger part of me knew that this was going to be a super special day for R and his dad, just like every hunt I have ever been on with my dad has been. And since I stay home with the boys, I get to have a lot of special times with them that Bryant often misses out on, so this was really good for them.
Cooper picked them up around 1:30 and they headed out. Reeves was so excited. He was dressed all in camoflauge. He had his camo stool all loaded up with ear muffs and snacks. He wanted to bring his own gun, but I think it will be a few years before he makes that step. He has to be a good retriever first.
I took a picture of the boys before they left. (This would be the last time I would see Reeves awake that day.)
Here is my little bird dog ready to go retrieve.
I sent the little camera out with Bryant, and I'm so glad I did. B got a bird, so Reeves got to really see what it was all about.
I remember doing the same things at my father's feet. For some reason, the first few birds are so fascinating.
Bryant said he examined every bit of it, and then even noticed that after a while, the body was becoming stiff, so B got to have the rigor mortis talk with him. Maybe a bit early, but if he's gonna hunt, he's gonna learn about it. I'm just glad he wasn't freaked out by it.
Reeves took some pictures of the field.
I must say, I'm pretty impressed with his eye for composition. What a perfect place for a hunt.
He got a really good picture of B in the blind.
I'm so glad they got to have this special day together. I can't thank Cooper enough for including them. It meant so much to both of them, and it brings a tear to my eyes to realize just how fast Reeves is growing up.
UPDATE: I just learned today that Reeves apparently told his daddy that he also needed some camoflauge boxers. Maybe Santa can hook him up.
My little Benny. Looks like Daddy's a good teacher. I can't believe how quickly he's growing up. 
We were at Preston's 8th birthday party, and this little man insisted on getting his own pair of shoes and going right out there to the lanes with all the big kids. He's getting pretty good at holding his own. 
We're so proud of our Bowlin' Bennett!
Here he is all geared up for the first attempt. It literally took only about 4 or 5 times up and down the driveway before he got it. After he mastered the art of riding in a straight line, we headed across the street to the big grassy field to attempt turning. This took a bit more practice and angst because it is so different than what he did with the training wheels, but it wasn't long before he got the hang of that too.
I wish we had taken more still shots of him on this little 12" bike because it wasn't but a day or two before we realized he really needed to move up to 16". 
He rode with Bryant all the way to The Back that weekend, and his little legs were moving way more and way faster than they needed to to get him where he was going. Luckily, Preston had graduated from his 16", so we were able to inherit that. 
And who knew, it's blue! We still have a ways to go before he's starting on his own. (This part is driving me crazy!) He has done it a couple of times, and as soon as he remembers that he can do it, I know we'll be fine. 
Now Reeves is beaming because there truly is nowhere Preston can go that he can't follow. As for Reeves' old bike, it has found a perfectly wonderful new home in the very capable hands of a two year old little brother who absolutely adores that he gets his big brother's bike now.
It’s not that I didn’t want to cut his hair out of some fear that it would make him look too old, it’s just that, even though it was such an disorderly mess, it was my baby’s disorderly mess, and I was afraid I would miss seeing that toeheaded rat’s nest every morning, miss trying to put his hair in a ponytail or pigtails, or miss having people mistake him for a girl just because he happens to have on something smocked and have longish hair. OK, maybe I wouldn’t miss that last one too much.
Anyway, we finally bit the bullet and made the appointment. Bryant met us there. Reeves was thankfully at the beach. Sometimes, despite their best intentions to make the little brothers happy, big brothers create nothing but a rambunctious child and a stressed out mommy. Bennett did a great job masking his immense nervousness about going under the scissors. He drank his milkshake, talked on the phone, and played right into the hands of all the grannies waiting their turns along with him. 
Finally it was his turn. He sat right up there on his daddy’s lap and let Ms. Cindy do her thing. He didn’t squirm too much, didn’t cry, and didn’t get distracted by all the hair falling around him. 
He was very focused on the task at hand.
He was definitely ready to leave. Little does he know he will be back in just a few short months to repeat the whole process. And no, I do not take for granted the fact that my children only need haircuts every few months. It’s nice to be able to have at least one thing we don’t have to do too often! 
The first time, Reeves did not want to put on his robe (even though I showed him that it had a bow tie just like Daddy's) and cowered behind the corner before going into church. But he did it. He stood up in front of the church, and, although I don't think he actually sang, he did manage to be strong and not cry or make a spectacle. We were so proud of him.
He happily donned his robe, and marched right in to the church. We couldn't tell if he was actually singing, but I am going to assume he did, since I had heard snippets of the song in the days before the "production".
Here he is, fourth up from the bottom on the front row. We are so proud of our little angel for looking fear right in the eye and overcoming it. I won't make him do it next year if he really doesn't want to, but it makes me happy to see how well he has acclimated to this new activity.
Friday evening, David took the boys fishing in the pond in their neighborhood. On his Scooby Doo rod, all 26 inches of it, Reeves reeled in at least 8 fish. Henry was equally successful on his Spiderman rod. I, on the other hand, failed to even hook a single fish. 
Granted, my focus lay mainly on taking pictures and half-heartedly trying to quiet the screaming toddler, but nonetheless, I'm beginning to think I will never catch another fish again. Reeves, however, will be able to pick up the salt water soaked match that I have dropped and revive it into a burning torch of piscine glory.
So, here I sit, typing away about an instance in which my child has surpassed me. I know there will be more times like this for me, and I am sincerely happy about it. I just didn't think it would be so soon. Seriously?!? I'm losing out to a three year old already? I think it's time to dust off the old Ugly Stick and see if the fish really do prefer cartoon characters of if it's just me they loathe.
Way to go, Reeves! I love seeing you this happy. I love that you finally have a real fish on the end of that rod and not jst a little orange rubber one. I'm so proud of you!
He's content to hold your hands and walk forever, at least it seems like forever when you're only slightly hunched over. You have to pry your fingers from his grasp, and before he realizes it, he's taking steps. We have learned not to applaud while he is walking. Rather than encouraging further forward progress, when he hears the clapping, he stops and starts clapping himself. This, of course, only leads to a breakdown in the precarious balancing act he is preforming, and he topples.
Last year was tough for me. I was sending my baby off to school, still in diapers and jonjons. Today, it's our little boy taking these big steps. I can't believe how much he's grown in just a year. We are so proud of him, and I can't wait to hear how his first day was.
Bennett and I were in the front of the house; Reeves was playing in his room. It was Bennett's naptime, so I went to put him in his crib. As I entered the hall, I saw that the full length mirror at the back of the hall had been pulled from the wall, hangers and all. Luckily, it was propped up against a fan back there, so it wasn't broken and no one (Reeves) was hurt. I put Bennett down, went into Reeves' room and asked him what happened. I got no response. I asked him who knocked the mirror down. He told me that Bennett had done it. Enter the "Here Is An Important Parenting Moment So Take Advantage Of It" thought. I didn't blow my top; I didn't yell; I sat him down and talked to him. I told him that while I was upset about the mirror, I knew it was an accident, and even though he should know better, that is not what I was the most angry about. "I know you just lied to me about who knoked the mirror down." We talked about how bad lying is and how he should never, never do it. "You are being punished now, not because of the mirror, but because you lied about it when I asked you."
He's growing up too fast. I'm not ready for the "shades of grey" that come with parenting as they get older. Sometimes it makes me long for those first three months of sleep deprivation. They were hard on the body but easy on the soul.
Reeves had his first dentist's appointment on April 8. Luckily, I'd been preparing him for this day since he was a month old by making fairly regular visits to the office just to go ahead and get him acquainted. Well, that and I suppose visiting his grandfather had something to do with it. Actually, I am convinced that those past visits did indeed get him excited about finally getting into the chair where he has seen his Pops working on so many people.
Like anyone who goes to the dentist, we made sure to brush his teeth right before we went. He first got to watch me get me teeth cleaned. (No cavities, thank you!) Kim, Dad's wonderful hygenist, let Reeves assist her with my cleaning. 
When it was finally his turn, he jumped right up in the chair, where he got to wear some "pretty tool" sunglasses. She counted his teeth (20) and even polished a few. 
She told him and showed him everything she was going to do. I can't thank her enough for being so patient with him. It's not really a pediatric dental office, so I'm glad we were able to pull some strings to get in!
Reeves thought it was really neat when Pops came in to check out his teeth. And naturally, I thought it was very special that Reeves got to have his grandfather do this.
Reeves was a little unsure about sharing his treasured bath toys with his little brother, but ultimately relented as long as Bennett didn't play with any of his "my favorite color blue" toys. 
It really was too cute, and despite the reason behind the necessary second bath of the night, I'm glad it happened. Bryant got the camera to document the occasion. It amazes me looking at these pictures now, how big Bennett looks. He's not an infant any more. I can't believe it. He really did a good job in the tub, sitting up most of the time, only slipping a couple of times.
I just hope we haven't created a monster who doesn't like his baby tub any more. Unfortunately, I've never seen him have this much fun in the tub on the kitchen sink, even when his big brother gets on the counter and washes his toes. I think Reeves liked having a buddy in the tub too.
He stopped, looked at me, and opened his mouth again. I couldn't believe it. He liked the peas!! Hey Mikie!! To be sure it wasn't a fluke, I put more peas into the open mouth. It worked. Oh joy! I added a little rice cereal to them to give them a thicker consistency with equal success. Maybe this is the breakthrough we've been needeing. He's not inhaling them, but he's at least amenable to the idea that all of his nourishment doesn't have to come from me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more success today. If motherhood has taught me nothing else, it has at least made me realize that what works one day doesn't necessarily work the next, but you can always hope.
I can't believe it. I knew Reeves had already rolled over by this age, so I was getting a little concerned that not only had Bennett not done it, but he had made no indication that he was even remotely interested in it. These poor children. Bennett's not even 6 months old, and I'm already comparing them.
Finally, with the help of his "artwork" and a little Mary Poppins, we were able to make it through that rainy Saturday. When we got back from church and lunch on Sunday, he jumped out of the car and ran to his bicycle. It fits him perfectly. Even the pedals are within his reach. The joy this recycled toy has brought into my son's life is amazing. He still doesn't quite grasp the concept of moving his feet in forward circles to get it to go, but I know it will only take a few more practice runs, and he'll be doing laps around us. Here I am trying to get him to understand that he must transfer pressure from his bottom foot to his top foot. (Next we're working on the theory of relativity.) I might have confused him even more by using my hands instead of my feet to do this.