1.33 Twins aren't so bad ...

July 30, 2012
By Cyndi

Twins ......
I've been thinking that after last week's post, when I received calls from a few friends who I haven't talked to in a while, I wondered if the post was showing only the rough spots and not showing some of the fun twin sides.

Even though life is crazy, with something always going on, it is the only thing Matt & I have known.  There are many times where I think, two kids at once might be easier.   We never had to debate over changing diapers, we each had to change one kid.  Same with feedings, you do one bottle, I'll do the other.

We are quite lucky that T&Z are mostly good kids, there are still tantrums, meltdowns and the tears, but at least its over with in one shot!!

There are moments where they help each other ..... whether they go somewhere that is off limits or double team Dada, there's always someone else around.  But it is all we know and we've figured out how to make it work (on most days).



(And not to offend my singleton friends) Going out with one is like a cakewalk.  It is rare, but there's actually time to connect to one!

Matt took off Saturday and we had a great day as a family!  We went to a local animal park and then went to a pool (sorry no pictures) in the afternoon.

The boys were slightly intimidated by the animals but warmed up as we were there.  Personally, the turkeys being two feet from me freaked me out.

And we ended our trip at the animal park with a little "action" ....

1.32 Twin thinking ....

By Cyndi
July 23, 2012

Besides the fact that for the entire past week, we've been dealing with sick-ish kids, they seem to be on the mend.  It is tough when they are not feeling well since they are not able to tell us.  It is "seen" with increased fussiness, inability to play properly with any toys, and rejection of good food.

Examples below:

Sicky Tyler 

Recently in a few different discussions with friends, I have realized how skewed my view of raising kids truly is.  

• I only know of buying diapers by the case and always having at least two packages as spares.
• Bedtime is quick since half of the week, I am alone.  Up the stairs, sleep sacks, kiss and done.
• Parks, mall play areas, zoos, etc events can't be done by yourself.  And since Matt works different hours than M-F 8-5, these activities must wait until we are both home.
• Newborn was NOT a good time.  Feeding took us an hour, entertainment for a hour and recoup for an hour before we started it again.  Ugh!
• Two crying kids looking at you is no fun.  
• One puzzle, four hands ... you know how this ends and it isn't pretty.
• Swimming lessons require one adult per child and 99% of the classes are Saturday morning, a time when Matt will be at work for the next few years.
• Keeping to a schedule, even at 1.5yrs + is a MUST.  When you are alone and have a double meltdown on your hands, it is so embarrassing and I personally try to avoid!

In other news, T&Z have started to dance.  It is funny and I finally caught a quick video!

We also had a visit from Matt's brother Daniel & Jill ....

Word Count: Ball, Cheese, Bye, Uh Oh, bubu (bubble), Down, Choo Choo, Beep Beep
Signs: More (both), Milk (both)
What does this animal say: Dog, Horse, Sheep, Cow


PS.  We have surpassed 150 posts on our blog!!!

1.31 I need a nap!

July 17, 2012
By Cyndi

It has been a busy week of trying to keep up with two running kids and that I need a week off.  Come again next week!!

Morning ....

Morning world ... 
Why would my mama ever want to cut my beautiful hair ...

Love,
Tyler & Zachary

1.30 Parade Time

July 9, 2012
By Cyndi

What a crazy week!!  Last week Friday, a crazy storm rolled over and within about 15 minutes, hundreds of thousands in the DC metro area were without power.  We were one of the lucky ones to never lose it.  When I arrived at work Monday morning, our building had no power.  They kept us until 930a and let us go home.  We did it again on Tuesday to be sent home again.  Power came on and it was back to normal on July 5th.

It was nice to arrive home by 10a, do a few chores and take a nap!!  On July 3rd, we headed out to celebrate with some friends.  Their town has a small parade!  This was the first parade we've taken T&Z and they loved it!!!  I was worried about the heat (95 degrees) and the noise, but they just watched it all pass by while I gathered all of the candy thrown to our cutie kids.

The remainder of the weekend was spent indoors.  It was 105 Saturday and Sunday ... too HOT to do any activities outside.  Zach wasn't feeling so great on Sunday (read: hadn't pooped in 48 hours) and after 5 ounces of prune juice and lots of pushing, he did what he needed to do and started to be his happy self.  

Why walk up to your toys when you can ride and sit comfortably as you unload everything onto the floor?

Poor Zach .... spent his day in a diaper ... 

And fell asleep at lunch and then napped 30 minutes later too!

Word Count: Ball, Cheese, Bye, Uh Oh, bubu (bubble), Down, Choo Choo, Beep Beep

Signs: More (both), Milk (both)

What does this animal say: Dog, Horse, & Sheep

PS.  Toddler-hood is going to be so fun ..... ugh ...

1.29 Can you catch me??

July 2, 2012
By Cyndi

It has been a fairly standard week here.  We've been working on words and teaching them things like "What does a doggie say?  Woof Woof" and "What does a train say?  Choo Choo".  Their pronunciation isn't perfect but they respond with the correct phrase!

Word Count: Ball, Cheese, Bye, Uh Oh, bubu (bubble), Down, Choo Choo
Signs: More (Zach only), Milk (both)

We made a quick trip to Smithsonian Air and Space at Dulles with Todd, Stacie & Linc.  As soon as we took the guys out of the stroller, we chased them everywhere and lost the Isaacs.  We did see Space Shuttle Discovery for the first time!!

On Sunday, we went to an indoor playground which was great for the guys but somewhat overwhelming, but they had a great time and we'll go back on another hot day.

Tyler wasn't happy ... other kids were riding around in "his" cozy coupes ...

  

We have been doing a video to help with speech.  Each time they watch it, they seem to mimic more and more of the words and sounds!!  I'm so glad our friends suggested it to us.