What a difference 2 children make versus 1! My oldest (We will call him Lu) was so sweet and calm, if anyone took a toy away from him he would kind of just stare at them like "dude! That was mine" and then move on. But my little guy (We call him Bubby), at nearly 14 months, already knows how to fight! I'm caring for my friends baby this morning and they are close in age. He is 8 months (same size! haha), and Bubby is already taking toys away from him, and even tried swatting at him! I'm not used to this! But I guess as a little brother you learn to stick up for yourself quick. Even if it isn't actually "sticking up". Lu used to be the BEST big brother. I would brag about him. He would give his baby kisses, bring him toys, introduce him to everyone, and he would tell us "I love this baby SO much." I was such a proud mama. Then Bubby turned around 7-8 months old and things started slowly changing. He was still pretty immobile. He wasn't interested in crawling yet like Lu was at this age. So I would often sit him down and toss a few toys his way so I could get a few things done. Yeah right... I would come back into the room and every single toy would be as far away from him as possible, thanks to Lu. And it's just gotten worse from there. Bubby is now crawling and climbing like a champ. Lu is always instigating. Bubby can get all the toys he wants now and Lu hates this. He doesn't want to share ANYTHING. It could be a toy he hasn't noticed in months, but if Bubby touches it... he claims to have had it first. I know its just a 3yo phase. But I'm over it. All done! Both my babies have been so sweet. Fairly calm, happy babies. But add a big brother to the happy baby and let the screaming begin. Let's get one thing straight. It is NOT terrible two's. Age 2 is wonderful. Enjoy it. Age 3 sucks. I love him to death. But man he sure does test me daily. Still haven't figured out how to "do" age 3. I'll work on it and get back to you. Luckily we are exactly (today!) half way through with with age 3.

Good Evening

It's late. I've had coffee too late and should be asleep. But I'm not. I recently decided I'd like to blog again. I have learned so much in the last 2 years and I have a LOT to share. And I have a lot more to learn. So here is me... I'm Brooklyn. I am nearly 25. I have TWO boys now, ages 3 and 1. Man time flies! After living in AK for 3 years with my husband, we divorced and me and my (at the time) 2yo and pregnant belly moved back to NH to be with my family. I've found LOVE. Like the real kind. Not only with my 2 sweet boys, but with a MAN, thats right a MAN. The true definition of a man. He LOVES my boys. He was there for the birth of my second son and was amazing, (more on that later). I am a once carnivore, now wannabe vegan. (I'm SO not there yet. but I WANT to be). I have lots of passion for birth, health, green living, gentle parenting (but to be honest, I need some REAL work in this area), simple living, cloth diapering, and much more. I'm overweight, in the process of starting my career, and definitely need some new like minded friends. Since moving to NH I've reconnected with high school friends and that's great. But to be honest, nothing replaces the ladies I met through the military. I will have a bond with them for life. The playdates were amazing. Sounds silly, but I loved them. I always had people I could count on. And while I know I have a couple people I can count on here, it's still not the same. I will always have a special place in my heart for Alaska. So this may be a little random, but at least I'm writing, it feels good. I want to keep it up! Good Night!

Emotional

Sometimes I'm so overwhelmed with emotion that I don't know whether to fight or flee. I want to stand my ground and defend my opinion to the max. But I also want to give up because it seems like nothing I say will really matter or get through to people. I'm still learning. Still learning to remain calm and listen to everyone with their different opinions. I'm so passionate. I feel like as a mother I have learned SO much. My whole life did a 180 when I had my first son. My life began. I now know what I want to do with my life and definitely feel I have a purpose... even beyond my role as a mother. I want to change the world. And its so defeating that I know I won't. It makes me want to give up. It also makes me want to go back to a simpler time. I often "joke" with my boyfriend about moving to a cabin in the woods and living like hippies. Growing our own food, and teaching our children to enjoy the earth.