The good stuff...

Conner, our first born, was quite the challenge. His birth was awful and left me barely able to walk or sit. That was followed by a cranky baby with colic who spent most of his days needing to be held, followed by an evening of screaming (mostly 5-10). We used all the tricks - sitting him in a bouncy seat on dryer, swinging him in his carseat, running water (we must have used an insane amount of water those first few months), standing by the dishwasher at nights trying to get him to sleep, you name it - we most likely tried it. I avoided most raw vegetables because it seemed to make the colic worse. My mom (raised 11 kids) was known as the baby whisperer. She didn't stand a chance with Conner. He was quite particular and most of the time only his mama would do. I remember a friend of mine, who used to work in a daycare, said she had never seen anyone so young, know his mother so well. This was at 2 months when he would cry when in the arms of stranger but calm as soon as he was back in my arms. I should have known then that he was going to be unique. And that he is. By 12 months his vocabulary was huge and I talked to the little guy like he was an adult. He has loved books since he was a baby and now I find him sitting in his room, with a stack of books next to him, flipping the pages 1 after another and he says "I'm reading mom". We had a staircase, no gate. The house wasn't baby proofed in the slightest way, but it was never an issue. I told him "no", he looked at me and left it alone. No problem. He's now 3 years old, and other than being incredibly argumentative (which I blame on his intelligence) he is a pretty easy child.

Then came Biruk, baby-proofing is an understatement. There can be NOTHING left in his path. I repeat nothing. You shout "no" and he stares back at you and gets right back to work (be it shoving a cheerio in an outlet or climbing on the bed to get to the dresser - you get the picture). And boy can he climb. And if he can't get to it from the ground he just finds one of the cars or step stools, slides it over and gets what ever he was after. And the stairs. We have the gate at the top and the TWO times we've accidentally left it open, he made is break. Once found on the 5th step down, standing up, staring back up at me. Meanwhile my heart was racing out of control and I'm trying to act calm and cool so he doesn't freak out and fall. His latest and greatest is opening every dresser drawer and pulling all the articles of clothing out. It's a constant challenge figuring out ways to make it more complicated for him. And he graciously accepts those challenges.
(there is a point to this story).

Today I spent the morning organizing Biruk's room and moving Conner in with him. Tonight is their first night together. And normally Biruk falls asleep pretty fast and then we planned on lying Conner down. Well this is their first night and Biruk isn't in the mood to sleep (thanks to late nap) and so I sent Conner in the room and said "quickly crawl under your sheets and go to bed". Fast forward 20 minutes. The conversations coming from that room are hilarious.

Conner: It's okay Biruk-ee, go night night. Do you hear the baby crying (referring to Landon). Can you say baby? Can you say daddy? Huh Biruk-ee
Biruk: bbbllll bbblllluuu (making blowing noises with his lips). Bahh bahhhh....
Conner: Shh... Biruk
Biruk: dddooo doooo (tongue noises again).
(enter dad)
Biruk: DADDY

They are all in their together right now. It should be an interesting night. But I'm hoping after a few nights we will get a pattern down with them and then little Landon can move out of our room, into his own space. Wish us luck!

Report from Dad just now -
He said he shut the lights off, picked up Biruk and sang the abc's (easiest song ever) and he heard Conner say "I like it in here".

There are times I shake my head and say "3 boys - this close together" but in all honesty, I look forward to what lies ahead. I'm hoping Conner's level headed, cautious, caring personality will help to keep the other 2 in line. Otherwise, I'm doomed.

Time for a "date" with the hubby. Ya know the stay at home, popcorn & soda, watching a movie date. Peace out.