Wednesday, December 26, 2012

2.02 1 ... 2... 3... 5... Blastoff!

By Cyndi
December 26, 2012

I can't believe this year is coming to a close.  I still remember a year ago, the boys' first birthday, watching them knee-walk everywhere and probably enjoying the silence since they didn't talk yet.

Nana came for a visit and quick visit from Uncle Michael & Aunt Lanie also was very nice.  Nana watched the guys on Christmas eve since daycare was closed.  She brought a few books with them which have become huge hits within a day!


They are counting 1-10 and singing their ABC's.  I will try to get a video of the them soon.  By the time they start and I grab the camera, they are done.  They can also recognize some numbers, which is awesome!

Auntie Stacie practicing hold two kids on her lap ... baby girl is due in a month!

Happy guys love playing in boxes!

Just a few of their art projects from school ....




Happy almost 2013!

PS.  Zach's phrase of the week is "NO THANK YOU MOMMY"  Yup, manners and all as he YELLS this when I do something he doesn't like. 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

2.01 Birthday & Hanukkah

By Cyndi
December 18, 2012

Well, we survived our first week of terrible twos and it wasn't too bad.  Of course, they have their moments, but it has been a good week.

Here's a few more pictures from their birthday:

Cards from their teachers



We lit candles each night and while the guys don't fully understand why yet, they enjoyed it and have started to learn "Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel" song!!



A visit from Uncle Daniel ... Aunt Jill wasn't feeling so great ....



And just lots of fun around the house!



Thursday, December 13, 2012

1.52 24 month review

By Cyndi
December 13, 2012

We are TWO!!  Happy Birthday Tyler & Zachary!!

Two smiles and tons of accessories!!


Here are the 24 month memories:

Bottles: Bottles?  What are those?  We haven't used those in a year ... daycare has been practicing open cups and we will be starting this at home too.  After the 2 year pediatrician appointment, we will ask about switching off WCM or if they recommend we stay on it.

Schedule: No change here with one two-hour nap per day and Mommy hopes this nap stays for years to come.

Food: Sadly, only small baby steps of improvement here.  Both guys are very tentative to even touch any new foods, but without forcing them, we are working on it.  When we moved to the new house, we removed the trays off their high chairs and pulled them to the table.  They also are served more "adult" food and since then, slowly, they are adding more foods to their "like" list.

Movement: Terrible twos ... do I need to say more, they jump, run, hide and think its all great fun!

Clothes: 2T tops & 18-24 pants, though having the adjustable waist is helping since Z's belly seems a little larger than T's.

Diapers: Moving up in the world to size 6!

Fine Motor skills: We were released from OT in early August.  They are doing just fine and spoon feeding is actually not too messy.  Now, we haven't practiced eating with a fork much yet, but that will come soon.

Gross Motor skills: All is good! We are slowing helping them to walk up the steps, holding one of their hands, though often times they would rather do it themselves.

Language: We were released from Speech in late August when the guys started showing signs of two word phrases.  Since then, they repeat and pick up on anything & everything.

Teeth: 16 each ... still waiting on those 2 year molars.

Interaction: Oh boy, this category is a "fun" one. Again, let me remind you of their age of terrible twos.  Sharing is hard to come by, screaming is often, but there are moments that they will talk to each other and on a few rare occasions, give each other a high-five!

ABC's and 123's:  Both guys can count to ten and usually throw in a "Blast Off" at the end!  They can also recognize most numbers.  They can make it through all of their abc but about 50% is unrecognizable.

Mommy: Its fourth quarter at work, also known as month of insanity, but surviving.  I have been thinking a lot about decorating the house, but without a complete plan, I have yet to take action on anything. 

Daddy: Daddy really enjoys his beer fridge!  And loves restocking it!

Early Intervention: All done in this category.  Yes!



Tyler ... 

  • My "little & quiet" baby who entered the world first, so technically baby A, who was measuring a tad small & was squished for 3+  months by "little brother" Zach
  • Is more inquisitive and more apt to explore
  • Loves dancing (which involves swinging his arms) while riding in the car
  • My pickier eater who takes an hour to eat three apple slices and half a bagel (no joke!)
  • Attention seeker and slightly more dramatic.  Oh no, I bumped my head, I'm going to throw a huge FIT!  (Slyly looks around to see who is watching) Continue huge FIT!!









Zachary ...
  • My "big" baby B who is more of a follower, but somehow seems to get himself into more trouble.  Maybe he needs to learn his brother's sly ways and stop when I say "2", since "3" means time out!
  • Loves to eat and slightly more willing to try new foods, like mommy's steak the other day!
  • Enjoys singing whether he knows the words or not .... Twinkle Twinkle blah blah STARRRRRRR ..... 
  • Must have a hat on at all time; isn't life more fun with a hat!?!!
  • Loves his doggy ... he carries it around 60+% of the time while at home.  He will talk to him and give him hugs & kisses.


And a few additional Hanukkah pictures ....











Monday, December 10, 2012

Happy Hanukkah!

December 10, 2012
By Cyndi

For the 7th year in a row, we attended the National Menorah Lighting on the Ellipse in DC.  Let's walk down memory lane ....

Happy Hanukkah to all!


2012
2012




















2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006 - Matt proposed between the Menorah Lighting & Dinner!!!


Monday, December 3, 2012

1.51 I am not prepared ...

By Cyndi
December 3, 2012

I am NOT prepared for terrible twos.  Not prepared at all.  To be honest, I feel like it was Kids 1, Mommy 0 for this weekend when reviewing the tantrums.

Look at my new trick ... climbing in all by myself

And my new trick ... eating an apple off the core!

Saturday was practically bad to the point that Matt even asked if I wanted him to come home an hour early.  I said no, once I make it to nap time, I only have to survive snack and he's home.  Spoons banging on the table, throwing breakfast plates during the first hour of being awake.



We saw the Isaacs on Saturday and all of the ATC families for a gift exchange on Sunday (and when I say "all," it was 11 families, 17 kids and two on the way).  It was a great time and hope we are able to do it again next year.



I realized when we were home from Thanksgiving that I have never given a tour of the new house via pictures once we decorated the walls, etc.  I will try to do that soon.

Until then, we are going to try to enjoy a quiet week .....