This Day: Rowan Turns Two

Today started at five fifty in the morning. I had one day off before going back to work tomorrow, five fifty wasn't when I wanted to start it. We tried sending Zane back to bed, which ended in door slamming, fit throwing, and everyone in the house being awake by six. That's too early to call the ball on a day so we powered forward. Zach made Halloween pancakes, complete with a No Noggin one, and was almost late to work. Once Zach was on his way we pulled ourselves together and made it to the gym by 8:15 when child watch opened. I did a random spattering of exercise and left feeling like I was terribly out of shape and fat, but trying to move forward. The boys were rewarded for their wonderful behavior in child watch with some time at the playground. Zane quickly found a friend and played Ninja Turtles while Rowan wandered around the playground, searching for Bobo, downtrodden that his playmate had been stolen from him.

All of this seems well and good, we had turned the corner, moved on from the morning meltdowns, and gotten lots of things accomplished by 10am when we returned home from our trip to the Y and the bank (side note who knew that there would be a million people at the bank at 10 am on a Wed morning, annoying). Let me just start by saying, unlike his brother, Rowan falls asleep in the car everyday, wakes up, and then easily goes back to sleep at nap time. He's lazy and gets bored in the car, is my assessment of the situation. That being said when we got home at ten Rowan had woken up from his ten minute snooze in the car. We ate lunch, played, read Halloween books. Then it was nap time.

Up until this point it had been a normal day. Then Rowan decided to turn two. Yes, today was that day, not his second birthday, but the day his mind, body, and spirit began to embody all that is two years old. I remember the day Zane turned two (see blog post here)vividly, not June 19th, 2012, but the day he starting acting like a crazy, strong willed, do the opposite of what I say, throw huge fits, make my own decisions, have strong opinions about everything, two year old. Today was that day for little tiny, body of a nine month old, Rowan. Sad was the day. The wheels had completely fallen off here by noon and they were no where in sight by the time Zach got home at seven fifteen this evening.

 Rowan Danny Korenak, Oct. 8th, 2014. Nineteen months old, two years old at heart!

Rowan wanted no part of nap time, going back and forth between playing happily in his crib, to screaming mamma, not a sad mamma crying, an angry, demanding mamma scream. Think Will Ferrell in Wedding Crashers, trying to get meat loaf. We cuddled, we rocked, I tried to let him cry it out, I changed a poopy diaper, at which point I'm pretty sure he said "surprise" when I opened it. We ate a snack, we drank milk, but no this child had made up his little exhaustion filled mind that there would be no nap today!!!

So since Ro is the second child, after about an hour of this nonsense, I gave up and we moved on. There were things to be done and I only had one day off to do them. But as you can imagine the day was a disaster, made worse by Rowan's new two year old personality. He cried randomly and hit his brother the entire grocery shopping trip, he threw everything he could reach off the table at dinner time, then said "uh oh mamma and pointed." He bit Zane, successfully, twice, with multiple failed attempts in between. He climbed all over me while I tried to cook, clean, fold clothes, or just come up for air. He threw water at me during bath time, hit his brother with two different baseball bats, couldn't share anything, needed to be eating constantly, fell on the floor screaming randomly, or when I so rudely wouldn't let him eat the entire bag of croutons. At one point Rowan found himself in naked, sopping wet, timeout, on the bathroom floor, after refusing to stand up to be dried off and trying to hit me in the face. At which point he busted out a face that could not have looked more like Zach, so I died laughing, and I'm sure nothing was learned.

 Something like this, furrowed eye brows, "How dare you put me in timeout" type of look.

The tipping point, where I almost went into hysterics, well after I had a minor mental breakdown when Zach texted that he was still golfing with his boss and would be late, was after baths when I was laying on the floor of Rowan's room, being used as a jungle gym. Rowan sat on me, farted, then laughed hysterically, saying "I farted" in two year old speak. Meanwhile Zane is in the room next door singing and opera, he has composed himself, about how he was bad, and lost his skeleton privileges, (yes this is true), and that he tried to be good, but couldn't, and that he was never going to get his skeleton back. This song went on and on, I'm sure he was naked, dancing around, the whole time. That's when I died laughing at the state of my life at that moment and this crazy day.

When Zach got home I had to break the news to him that our tiny tiny boy, who is months away from being two had become two today and that I almost lost my mind. His response was that he felt like that was much sooner than Zane, but I mean look at Rowan's roll model. There were moments of cuteness, as there always are, and with all the craziness I decided to bring my camera outside and try to capture these two insane boys being them. Try to catch a freeze frame of the faces that can drive me insane now, but that I know I will so dearly miss soon. Here are my sweet blonde headed boys, being amazingly adorable. It shows the true power of motherhood, that I can still love these two so much it hurts, after all they put me through. It's a miracle!

Ro looking like daddy,

 then looking just like brother

 Crazy Zane

 Best buds

 My blue eyed boys

"Ahh Baa" 

 Rowan did learn how to say "I sorry bobo" after lots and lots of practice today. They adore each other, but somehow can't stop fighting. I guess that's the life of brothers.

Ten on Tuesday

1. In a twist of fate I got to go home early Saturday and got called off Sunday. I haven't been able to have weekends at home with just our family in forever, and it was a wonderful surprise. We did lots of Halloween projects, decorating, baseball watching, football watching, all sorts of fun. Side note: I took lots of photos on my real camera for the first time in awhile and then accidentally deleted them all. After two hours in the allergy clinic yesterday morning, downloading free recovery software, like a spy, they are back!!! I might be a little too proud of myself.

Zach hanging our light up spider, all our decorations fared amazingly well during the gale force winds and rain Sunday night.

 The finished product of our creepy, spider themed, house.

 My fall scarecrows were not nearly creepy enough so we turned one into No Noggin, a la Curious George Halloween, and wrapped them all in spiderwebs. Now they are much more spooky!

 

Rowan thought the family dog, Iggy, should be outside for the decorating fun.

2. Zane is plowing through all the Halloween craft projects I have lined up for him. We have made a skeleton, bats, pumpkins of all sorts, spiders, and have lots more to do. Everything we make goes into our Halloween decorations around the house.

 On tap Sunday, Q-tip Skeleton guy and egg carton bats.

 

 This is Zane showing me the picture of the skeleton he is making. Thank you google and pinterest.

 Ro gets in on the fun too, mostly scribbling on pumpkins. Oh yeah and we tried spiking his hair up Sunday was well, pretty cute, but didn't last long.

3. On Friday the weather was too gorgeous not to get out and enjoy it so the boys and I had an impromptu trip to the zoo, which ended up being fantastic. We saw the new baby Rhino, who I hear is named Rupert. We went through the Oklahoma Trail, a first for us, and it did not disappoint. There were deer, fox, a random one legged bird, bears, snakes, fish, lizards, and the highlight by far, Danger the Freedom Eagle x 2!!! Zane was thrilled and I was excited that we actually saw some animals this trip.

Look closely, behind him you can see two bald Eagles. I didn't read why they couldn't fly, I assume they were injured and the zoo rescued them.

 The lion statue was lots of fun to climb on, though Zane did almost take a header of Mufasia over there.

 Back in the far right is the mamma Rhino and baby Rupert.

 No trip is complete with Carousel selfies

4. The other highlight of the zoo was the huge pretzel with cheese that we got. I had very low expectations but it was amazing and only three dollars. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the OKC Zoo. We got ours at the concession stand by the OK trails. Fair warning it apparently closes at 3:30pm, even though the zoo doesn't close until five.

5. We are deep into post season baseball with the highlight so far being little Rowan learning how to say Cardinals!!! And of course the Cardinals winning the NLDS tonight!!! GO CARDS!! Friday evening we had a watch party with the Richards, in theory so Brendan could watch the professionals play, since he too his now a big time baseball player. You can guess how much baseball Brendan actually watched, zero, what with all the cousin fun going on. Here are the boys, ready for the first post season game, which was a wonderfully exciting win for the red birds.

Look at those Blakley ears on Zane

I'm not sure how Rowan gets away with having his binki so much. I swear I take it away in the morning and then he finds it or his brother gives it back to him and it's hours before I realize that he's gotten it back. This day I let it slide though because his binki was baseball themed.

6. We baked our next door neighbors some congrats on the new baby cookies. They were no bake cookies, like you would normally make, but using Savory Spice Shop Black Onyx Cocoa Powder instead of regular cocoa powder. Let me just tell you they were 100% better than regular no baked cookies. Everyone I know is getting some for Christmas if for no other reason than these fabulous cookies. 

 

Yes, we sampled quite a few before giving the neighbors their batch. Pretty sure Rowan approved. We made another batch Monday because they were just too good.

 7. Zane has rediscovered Curious George Halloween, this year on Netflix and he loves it just as much as he did last year. I think it might even inspire him to be Curious George for Halloween, don't worry the costume still fits. I think Zach would make an incredible Man in the Yellow Hat as well. 

Here he is pretending to be No Noggin.

 Then he morphed into a full on cowboy!

8. Every time I think it is actually fall it ends up being ninety degrees the next day. We have our long pants and jackets at the ready, but always end up in shorts. Rowan is going to be a dinosaur all fall, very cute. And we have new kid Adirondack chairs we got on super clearance at Lowes, for three dollars, that are perfect for backyard lounging. Come on fall we are ready for you!!

 Not sure why Zane's winking

9. Yesterday, on yet another fun trip to the dollar store, look what we found. These were a dollar a piece, obviously, and so worth the money. Nothing is more funny than two little boys in mustache glasses, except maybe when one of them is randomly wearing a Sheriff's badge.

10. I finally gave in and paid my library fees so we could check out some Halloween books. I think we might have checked out all of them that were available, but such is life. Zane loves them all and we even found some of our favorites from last year to re-read. Added bonus, one of the books has even more craft ideas in it!!! We have lots to do tomorrow. 

Wedding Festivities Recap

Somehow I managed to take close to zero photos during wedding weekend, which is highly annoying now. I guess I was trying to be in the moment, soak everything in, and not turn into a hot, crying, mess. I succeeded in all of that, but failed to take very many pictures, so my apologies in advance. The pictures I do have are from Abbey and my cousins, all taken on cellphone cameras, so not always the best. Rest assured there was a photographer there so stay tuned for the professional pictures, which are sure to be amazing!!!

Ok so here goes, Thursday afternoon the boys and I headed to the farm to be beary workers. We helped pull the house and grounds together, though I admittedly was pretty useless Thursday after working the three days before. We somehow managed to get the party lights up, food made, and everything cleaned. Zane helped dust and organize, as much as a four year old can. Friday was better, we cut wild flowers, got the house ready for guests, set up tables, and even managed to do a little decorating before the guests arrived.

The evening was full of fun, food, laughter, kids playing wonderfully together, old and new relatives catching up, meeting and greeting. It was wonderful to having everyone there, from both sides of the family. Able and Kari were giddy with excitement and could not wait for their big day. We got the bouquet and boutonnieres made in the evening and I feel into bed while there was still laughter and conversations going on in the living room. It was a rough night in the Korenak room with Zane keeping us up. Sounds like we should have had one big party, since no one slept well that night.

 Grant and Rowan, chatting on the patio!

 Mom and Crystal

 The bride and groom with Grandpa Dotter. So glad he made it over for the celebration Friday.

Saturday morning arrived, the big day. I had some porch time with Able before he and Kari headed to the church to get ready. From there it was a mad rush of trying to pull ourselves together, feed the boys, get them dressed, get us dressed, but somehow we did managed to get in the car just in time to get there for family pictures. No, I didn't take any pictures with my good camera of the boys in their matching, adorable outfits. Failure!

 Here are the couple I got before the ceremony.

 Able had his life long best friend by his side, acting has an amazing best man in chief. He was ready for anything and everything. There was a coffee crisis, he brought the coffee. Able had some stray strings on his vest, Grant had scissors. Grant guarded the top hat and was there for everything Able needed. Grant has always been there for whatever Able needed. I consider him a brother as well.

Going over the plan

 Mom putting the finishing touches on Able's outfit!

 Able's getting married, but first, let me take a selfie!!!!

There were photos before the ceremony and my boys wondered around the church and the church grounds like they owned the place. There were lots of comments like, "Oh there are two of them." And "Oh my goodness he looks just like your dad." Turns out a lot of people hadn't seen Zane since he was four months old and yes he does look like his Grandpa. There cuteness did not disappoint and in the end they both did amazingly well during the ceremony. Praise God.

The ceremony was beautifully simple. Just the two of them, standing up in front of God and their loved ones, making a commitment to spend the rest of their lives together. As a side note, I realized on the way to the church that I hadn't put on my waterproof mascara, so I spent most of the ceremony fighting back tears, because I knew there would be no coming back if I let myself cry and I would look like a raccoon by the end of the service. I did good keeping it together, until I went to give Kari a hug afterwards. I kind of lost it, tears of joy, beyond thrilled to have her as sister, so grateful that she has made Able so happy!

Watching people take their wedding vows always makes me cry. In that moment all is perfect, but when you take the vows, " for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health" you can't help but think about all that they will walk through together. It's such a blessing to not have to walk through it alone. I couldn't help but miss dad terribly and I so wished he could be there to see how happy Able was with his new bride. It was wonderful that they got married in the same church where Abbey and I got married. It is filled with memories of our own weddings, Dad walking me down the aisle, and all the celebrations from Zach and I's day.  I know Dad was watching it all from above, I'm sure having a big celebration with our Grandmothers and all our loved ones that have gone before us.

 The boys and I ready for the main event.

Saying their vows

Mr. & Mrs. Blakley

 Zane with his Godfather!!

 After the ceremony we headed back to OKC. I helped decorate the reception space, got my hair done, then back home for a wardrobe change, before heading down to the party. The boys stayed with a babysitter so we could fully enjoy our evening, celebrating with Able and his new bride. It was a wonderful party. Lots to eat and drink, lots of time on the dance floor, wonderful time catching up with family and friends. My best friend Anna was there with her husband and it was so much fun getting to celebrate with them. I think Able and Kari had a blast, surrounded by everyone who loves them.

 Able, making sure everyone knows that there was Savory Spices used in the wedding cake. 

 Their first dance.

 My party companions, Anna and Jarret.

 Cousin Nick and Jess, I spent a lot of time on the dance floor with these two.

A random highlight of my night was when, at one point in the evening, somehow myself, Zach, Nick, Jess, Kira, Able, and my Aunt Ann found ourselves in a kick line on the dance floor. That was something I did not see coming, but definitely makes my top ten highlight reel from the wedding.

One last picture with Nick before everyone headed home.

Sunday morning we helped take down decorations and had a quick brunch with the bride and groom before they flew off to Chicago for a little mini moon. A great time was had by all. I can't wait to see what the next big family event!