California, Chapter Three: Three Musketeers... and a Princess

Our time in California was really special, mostly because our boys got to know each other a little better. Now that they're a little older they can interact and play more. I'm sure it will only get better as they get older!

What's kind of neat about our three little musketeers is that they are each almost exactly 5 months apart. Luke was born July 21, 2009. Benjamin was born December 27, 2009. And Hugh was born May 17, 2010. 5 months apart. It's really cool. Don't you think?


The first musketeer, you know. It's my Luke:

("Yeah, mom, what's up?")

Luke is almost 19 months old. He's quiet. He's really sweet and a lot of fun. Cautious by nature - he still prefers cruising (walking while holding onto someone/something) or good, old fashioned crawling to independent walking. He loves watered down apple juice and hates milk.


Then there is Benjamin:

He is about 13 (and a half!) months old. He is adventurous and loves to explore. He started walking a few months ago, and is always on the go. He's a lot of fun and his pretty blue eyes will suck you right in.


And, last but certainly not least: Hugh!

Hugh is almost 9 months old. He's a good crawler and he likes to pull himself to standing. It seems like he's a good balance of Luke's cautiousness and Ben's adventurousness - he always wants to be in on the action, without being aggressive. His favorite food is avocado. The way he hums when he eats is too stinkin' cute to try to describe. He has a cute raspy/husky tone to his voice that's awesome when he laughs, but heart-breaking when he cries.

And my favorite thing about Hugh: there's something elvish about the way he smiles, the tips of his ears stick out just a bit that is so charming and endearing.


The boys had a lot of fun playing together. Most days Grandma and Grandpa got in on the action - allowing for Megan and I to sneak away to run some overdue errands, and spend some quality, quiet sister time. I love these next to pictures because they're so indicative of our visit - Hugh and Luke playing with toys, staying in one spot for at least a few minutes at a time, while Ben is on. the. go. nonstop.

I had a desire to capture a picture with all three boys, standing or sitting side by side. Now, you wouldn't think it would be that difficult.

Oh, but it is.



In this one, Hugh and Luke were ready. But Ben didn't think the idea of standing still in one spot sounded like that much fun - Grandpa was there trying to wrangle him into place... but then Ben looked away at the last second.

Then Ben decided to be a good sport, but by that time Luke started to get bugged.

And THEN, Ben decided that his first instinct was correct - that standing still for a picture really wasn't that much fun and he bailed. Meanwhile, Luke was still bugged.

Hugh can't figure out what's irking his cousin.

("Dude, chill, it's just a few pictures!")

When the other two folded, my little nephew, Hugh, was still there, camera-ready:

Such a cute kid!

Speaking of camera-ready....

Besides the three musketeers, we had a fourth character in our troop: a Princess.

AKA Audrey. She loved hanging out with the boys. She even challenged them to a few races up the stairs.

(Hugh, Luke, Audrey: bottom to top)

As usual, one of Audrey's absolute favorite things about a visit to Megan's is getting to see (and occasionally pet) their cats, Einstein and Watson.

(Einstein tolerating my toddler's attention.)

(Audrey loving every minute of it!)

It was really fun to watch how Ben and Hugh interact. They are good kids.

Even better, for me, was to see all three boys get together on their own and play.

There is something that is just right about seeing all three together - so close in age, on the same level, enjoying being together.


These moments were my favorite.

But, they also left an aching in my chest - wishing that we lived closer so that these didn't have to be special moments. More than anything, I wish that these three being together, in the same room, could be mundane and common and boring - just an everyday occurrence. (I'd even settle for a weekly or biweekly occurrence, I'm not picky!)



I love this next picture because it shows the moment when Hugh decided to break away from the little pack...

and come say hi to his Aunt Mandi.

I loved getting to hold, talk to, play with, and get to know my cute little nephews better. It was so much fun.




Chapter Four, up next....