TravelingMel

When you are the second child, you get the shaft sometimes. I try to make all things "equal," but here I am on Sept. 2 reporting about Finn's birthday on Aug. 19. In all fairness, he was 11 days late coming out, so two weeks late with birthday thoughts isn't too bad.

Finn has added so much joy and consternation to the last two years. He has a wider range of emotions than anyone else in this little family. He can be overtaken with joy and giggles. He can also be found laying on the floor, screaming and beating his legs, arms and head against the hardwood.

Finn has strong opinions on everything. He knows what he wants and just as importantly, what he doesn't want. He gets that from Rigby.

Finny wants to do whatever Anders does. He wants to be a big boy. He is a more of a risk taker than Anders and physically coordinated. He knows a lot more than he lets on.

We had a garage sale a few weeks ago and got rid of the last of the baby stuff. It made me a little wistful, even though babies were tough on us. (No, there will not be anymore babies.)

Now that Finn's two, we are officially through the infant stage and firmly into little boyhood.

Anders and I waiting to meet the new guy or gal (we didn't know until Finn was born whether he was a boy or girl. With Anders I was so sure he was a boy, with Finn I was a little surprised he wasn't a girl.)

Anders and Finn in the Sweet Pea Children's Run on Finn's due date. We still had 11 days to wait...

Just a couple minutes old. Luckily, he got much cuter.

Swaddled up and ready to sleep.

Anders left for daycare as an only child. He came home to find this.

Finn enjoys his first cupcake at his first first birthday party in California.

Finn enjoys his first piece of cake at his second first birthday party in California.

For his second birthday I made a double batch of chocolate cupcakes so he could take some to daycare on his actual birthday, and have some for his weekend party. I'm kind of super mom.

The boys are ready to celebrate Finn turning 2.

"Good grief, people," Finn thought. "Stop your yammering and start feeding me cupcakes."

"I can taste those cupcakes already," Finn thought.

Mogie and Big H enjoy some tortellini.

Bring on the cupcakes!

Anders wanders off to climb a tower.

"Please, no singing. I hate the singing," Finn said to himself.

It's a party.

Finally, the cupcake is served and the singing is over.

Mom enjoys a cupcake with the boys.

Mogie notices how delicious Anders' cupcake looks...

...so she gets one of her own.

Where'd all the frosting go?

The party was fun until I got roped.

Of course, Anders thought roping mom was the best part.

Anders took swim lessons. Now he puts his face in the water and jumps off the side into the pool.

Finn is psyched to be at Anders' lessons.

Ring around the otter, pocket full of water, splashing, splashing. We all go under!

Not quite ready to jump off the diving board.

For the third year, we entered Anders in the Sweet Pea Children's Run. For the second year, Anders didn't really like it.

Before the kids' run we volunteered at the Bozeman Classic. Anders and I stopped traffic at one corner and H and Finn were at another.

Finn's looking pretty happy...for now.

Anders is happy to be there, too.

Lots and lots of people join in the kids' run fun.

Not so happy anymore.

Finn and I are falling behind. H and Anders are up there somewhere.

Just 27 minutes to go 1 kilometer.

Playing with rocks is much more fun than participating in a race.

After the race we went the the brand new Baja Fresh in Bozeman. Baja Fresh started out in little ol' Newbury Park where I grew up. I think the original one was better.

Finn liked the chips and salsa, though.

Anders dug the quesadillas.

Then we decided to get the boys haircuts. Again, Finn was not happy.

Anders liked the car and didn't mind the haircut.

Mom, Anders, Finn and I spent a little time playing by the Yellowstone River on a lazy Sunday.

Mom and Anders make their way over the rocks.

Finn finds a stick.

Anders found a stick, too.

It's nice to have a place like this in the neighborhood.

Mom.

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to attend the birthday party of one of the most generous men in Livingston.

Rob volunteers all over the place--and always has a smile on his face. On this day he was celebrating his 60th birthday and the 10 year anniversary of a brain aneurysm.

Hawaiian shirts are Rob's signature, and they were found all over the party, from the guests to the decorations.

Partying in Sacajawea Park.

Enjoying the party.

The cake. Yum.

How embarrassing. Kathy and I showed up in the same dress.

Anders pushes Phoebe on the swing.

Ben, Anders and Phoebe.

Anders gets swallowed in the mouth of a lion.

Lighting the candles on the cake.

Mmmmm cake coma.

Rob appreciates all his friends.

Tim performs some magic.

Little Sofia...

...and mama Madeleine.

The decorations.