3.06 What went wrong this week?

January 28, 2014
By Cyndi

Two weeks ago, Tyler was sick.  Last week, the furnace started making noise, but stopped after a day so we are going to pretend it didn't happen.

And you ask, what happened this week?  Yup, it is only Tuesday but the garage door wouldn't open this morning.  I woke Matt up and he bundled up and headed out to help me.  We were able to lift it manually so after a bit I left for work.  Luckily Matt had today off, so he was able to take the first appointment time and a few hundred dollars later, we have a new motor.  But, of course, the story doesn't end there.  Matt went to leave an hour or two later and guess what?  It didn't open, again!  He called and they were going to send someone back in an hour.  This time, the guy couldn't fix it and has to come back tomorrow with another new motor.  Ugh!

It seems like every week, something doesn't go right.... Enough complaining .....

T&Z moved officially into the preschool room and seem to be doing well!  They are doing more tracing of words, making patterns & peeing while standing up!!  The last one we are only allowing at school for the moment :)

Top Right picture is of Zach playing with his pulley!  Matt & I couldn't figure out it was meant to be when we brought home their art, so we asked them.  They promptly went and hung it on a door knob and showed us how to lift it up and down!

Twin Teamwork!!

3.05 Sicky & Potty "Fun"

By Cyndi
January 21, 2014

After Tyler being home sick 3.5 days last week, with the final diagnosis of strep, it was a welcome change to have both in school for a full day Monday.  Of course, with the snow yesterday, daycare closed early so we enjoyed a movie afternoon while I worked a bit.

We've received a few more birthday gifts for the kids and the recent favorite is this ......

Zach has continued to do well with potty training but with Tyler not progressing on #2, he is back in pull ups.  We will re-evaluate after they move rooms next week and get acquainted with their new teacher and room.

A little brotherly love ....

Hopefully they acclimate well as the past few times visiting friends have been awful.  This past weekend they sat at the front door of a friend's house for 15 minutes and then hung on to Matt & I for the next hour.  By the time they were ready to play, it was time to go home and neither of us had a chance to talk to any of our friends.

3.04 Party time & Potty time

January 13, 2014
By Cyndi

Let's just say that from the title, I MUCH prefer party time over potty time.  I received the pictures from our friend Julie at Julie DiMarzio Photography and so happy that she helped for a very reasonable cost to help capture the party.

Here's a few of my favorites .....

      That's Mr. Knick Knack performing ... the kids LOVED him!!!  So glad we had him come and perform and he even stayed for an hour singing and reading books to them!

And now onto potty training .... Zach is doing GREAT!  Not a single accident and wearing underwear all day at school including nap time.  Tyler isn't doing as well.  He has stayed dry at school each day but had a few accidents at home.  The problem is he won't poop on the potty.  We finally got him to do the deed on Thursday and Friday and rewarded both boys with new superman slippers.  By Sunday, when he needed to poop again, he just kept dirtying his underwear.  So by the afternoon, he was back in a pull-up and went to school today in a pull-up. He was upset at this, but hopefully seeing his brother continue with big guy underwear while he is in a pull-up will encourage him to want to poop on the potty.

It has been tough, because if one is on the potty, which is happening at least every hour, the other one is always needing something.  I hope Tyler can become comfortable soon with #2.  This was NOT part of why I wanted to be a parent.  Wish us luck as it is hard enough to take them out and now this complicates life so much more.

Reward for staying dry all day at school on day #1 -- a cookie!

Enjoying some of their birthday gifts

3.03 Birthday Party and .............

January 7, 2014
By Cyndi

The boys birthday party was this past Sunday and we had a great time!  A few families couldn't make it because of the weather, but we still had about 7 friends.  I asked a friend/photographer to help take pictures so I could enjoy the moment and chat with friends, so this is the only photo so far ... .

The "and ......" is we have started potty training.  I am not jinxing anything so come back next week for updates :)

3.02 2013 Year in Review

By Cyndi
December 31, 2013

This year, like last year with moving, has had a handful of changes, especially in my department.  I left Hughes after almost 7 years, had a short stint consulting and moved to the current project management position.

We changed a zillion or more diapers and hope to be diaper free (atleast daytime) very, very soon.  Watch for updates on this coming soon!

Matt worked a decent amount of overtime during 2013, but not nearly as much as 2012, which was over 40 weeks.  The extra money is great and is being used for house fixes and plan for upgrades, which include a patio, landscaping & renovation of the master bathroom.

After a year of being in the new house, we have painted and have completed the main level, as it will be for a few years, until I can take back the dining for its real purpose and furnish it along with the living room.

We only took two flights this year, to Dallas to visit the Acks' and to Chicago for family.  T&Z were pretty good flyers (after we explained why Zach had to leave his carseat at the end of the jetway).  The major travel stress is keeping them entertained and away from breakables!  2013 will bring two trips for Matt & I but only one for the boys to Chicago, for both of Matt's brothers' weddings.

(From 2011 & 2012 reviews, and nothing has changed here ... Matt rocks bath time still!!)  Matt has bathed the boys every single time this year, except once. I made a huge mess with the infant tub and have been banned from this activity until further notice, three plus years later!!

It has become evident that Tyler is the leader of the two.  Zach will often ask if Tyler did xyz so that he can do it the same way.  They both know their clothes and sock colors and will remind you very quickly if you give them the wrong color.

They love the parks and are playing on larger and larger equipment each time we go!  They also generally stay near each other now, since they play with each other.

Tyler is always "winning" in the ER visit department. Add two more to the list for the limp and emergency dental visit.  We are very lucky that they are healthy and major accident free.

We are still in the cribs for life and we plan to stay there until daytime potty training is successful.  I've seen the horrors of letting them roam free in their room and I'm scared!  

We have taken over 4500 pictures again this year (almost 14gig of memory).  Last year it took until mid-summer  to complete the 2012 photo album, so hopefully this year, I will be able to complete it sooner!!