3 Months and more 3 year old stories

It's hard to believe Zoe is 3 months now. It seems that the time goes so fast and while I enjoy each milestone, part of me is a little sad my baby is growing so quickly and my little boy keeps reminding me that "I am a big boy now mom...I am almost four. And four is big, but six is really big." I think I was in such a sleep deprived daze most of Derick's first year of life (understandable since the boy was NOT a good sleeper until he was about 2 1/2.) Yet since Zoe is such and awesome sleeper (about 10 hours a night--praise the Lord!) and I am not in that same tired state...I treasure my days with my kids. It's kind of funny that I feel I almost forgot about the stage she is in. I remembered the newborn stage, then in my mind remembered Derick sitting up playing with toys on a mat. I mentally skipped over this stage where the baby pretty much has to be held, in the swing, bouncy, or something as they can't do much yet. Yet the pure joy of their smiling faces and willingness to engage socially makes it all worth it and is so rewarding.

Derick continues to crack me up...but not always at the ideal moments to laugh:

-A few weeks ago he was acting up. As I was punishing him and sending him to his room he tells me that he needs cold water. Knowing he already had a water bottle by his bed, I told him too bad and to drink what he had. He started telling me..."When I am big and Kurt Warner and my dad is 'that other guy' and we play for the Cardinals...you can't watch."
-Ricky convinced Derick to go with him to the man store (Lowes or Home Depot) by advising him they could also stop at WalMart to ride the motorcylce [a video game in the arcade there]. Ricky said he only had $1 so he could only do 2 rides and made sure Derick knew what he was saying..only 2 rides. Derick replied..."Yes daddy, cause you have to save the other money for poker." [side note--Ricky had gone to play poker the previous night with some work friends for the first time, yet the guilt that the thought his 3yr old son thought he was holding out on him led him to provide his son with 2 additional motorcycle rides :)]

-With all the hype of Derick talking about turning 4, I asked him if he knew when his birthday was. Derick tells me "July". I reply, "Yes, but do you know what day?" Derick says, "8/ 7 central." Thankfully I had the video camera rolling to capture that classic moment! [sidenote--he really does NOT watch that much TV]

-My sister has taken Derick hiking a few times which he really seems to love. After returning from his hike up to the top of Squaw Peak (which can be a pretty intense climb, over an hour and half each way for them to hike), Derick tells me, "Next we are gonna hike Camelback, then the Grand Canyon!
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I do have to report though he is doing so much better with his sister. He has really grown to love her and is sometimes just a little too affectionate. I spend half my day telling him to give her some space, to back off, be gentle, etc. We try our best to maintain her wellbeing while not discouraging him too much from showing his love. I think the days of him being an only child are beginning to fade in his mind and he seems to be forgetting what life is like without her. Yet I know we both look forward to spending some mommy/son time together at the waterpark this summer.