1.11 Can they walk yet?

By Cyndi
February 28, 2012

Booo, hiss .... I know, its me again.  The week hasn't been overly exciting, so I will amuse you with the few pictures we took.  Both guys are still cruising but letting go and standing on their own more often.  They are also becoming more creative to get to the toys (aka plastic bowls) they want also.

The easiest path to the bowl ....

Is under the chair?!!?

Tyler being too cool to drink his sippy with two hands

Mommy follows pjs-only on Saturday (until right before Daddy gets home!)

 

Zach and Meigs having fun

Which involves lots of doggie kisses!

1.10 Drawers are fun!

February 20, 2012
By Cyndi

Sorry folks, Matt's been busy working overtime and hasn't had enough time to write up a good post, so it is me again. T&Z are still cruising all over. No steps yet and doesn't even seem like they are considering it. I really hope they are walking by spring, so I can take them to parks and other places where crawling kids just can't go. We have been working with them on some simple words, but nothing official yet.

We had a fun afternoon at Todd & Stacie's. They even blew up the bouncy house and T&Z were able to experience it for the first time. They had a great time followed up by a yummy dinner for the adults, PHO!

We have cabinet locks throughout the kitchen, but nothing on the drawers. They have found enjoyment in opening and closing the drawers.

As I've mentioned before, I've been working to try new recipes. This delightful dessert was made for a bake sale at Matt's work for their gym. Hope it makes lots of money!!

Here's the recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

That's all for now ... have a great week!!

1.09 14 Month Memories

By Cyndi February 13, 2012 I can't believe that it has been 2 months since their first birthday. I have a feeling this year is going to fly by! It is only 6 weeks till Matt & I leave for Europe with our freinds the Acks', 9 (or so) weeks until we are in Chicago for a short weekend to celebrate Nana's big birthday, %$^ weeks until are guys start to walk (we hope!) .... For inquiring minds, here's where Tyler & Zach were two months ago: 12 Month Memories Here are the 14 month memories:

• Bottles: 4 sippies, three are WCM (whole cow's milk) & one is 1:4 apple juice to water. They are both starting to show less interest in the sippy after dinner, so I'm hoping to drop it soon and offer more milk at the other two times during the day.
• Schedule: Same Same ... 730a to 630/7p, with two naps. We are going to try to keep the two nap per day schedule until April and then depending on the guys, might look at moving to one afternoon.
• Solids: Same Same ... 3 meals per day and all finger foods. We are struggling with new foods. They immediately take them and throw them on the floor without even trying them! (Mind you, Meigs LOVES all the new treats he gets without even working for any of them.) No allergies yet (but we have not tried nuts yet. My brother is allergic to Brazil nuts, so we will be very cautious here).
• Movement: Tyler & Zach are both standing and furniture cruising. Tyler has even let go a few times and stood in place for 3-5 seconds.
• Clothes: Same Same ... 18 month tops &12 month pants (but these are just long enough).
• Diapers: Size 4, but will move to size 5 after our stockpile of 4's is depleted.
• Fine Motor skills: Fine tuning the pinch grasp, but nothing beyond that yet.
• Gross Motor skills: They crawl like speed demons, which makes me wonder if they will ever want to walk.
• Language: Both babble but no defined words yet. Lately, Tyler has loved saying "Va ... Va ....." We've been doing a few simple signs for months (milk, all done, more, water) but they have not signed back yet.
• Teeth: Tyler has 10 (top four + 2 molars, bottom four), Zach has the same!
• Interaction: They love to copy each other whining, which is lovely. They play individually, but love to take each others' books or toys they are holding. They both can high five! Now we are working on clapping and pointing.
• Mommy: I've been working out 3 hours a week since the beginning of the year. So far, I've lost 8 lbs. I'd be thrilled with another 5 by our March vacation & 5 more after that would bring me back to pre-pregnancy weight. This should be just in time for Spring and BOB, Tyler, Zach and I will become best friends! For those who don't know, BOB is our running stroller.
• Daddy: He hasn't had a haircut since the last memory post! And he just might make the time to write another blog post soon!!

And a few pictures from the past few weeks ...

Uncle Daniel came to visit for Superbowl Sunday

Tyler keeps trying to stand during bath time

Tyler let go of Matt's legs!!

14 months old!

And a video from Sunday night ... Tyler would not stop laughing.  It was so cute!  Even when we laid him down in his crib, we still heard a few laughs!

1.08 Our Favorite Things

By Cyndi
February 6, 2012

It has been about 5 months since the last edition of our favorite things, so I thought it was time again. 5 months ago T&Z weren't even crawling yet. When I went back and read 34 Weeks Old - Our Favorite Things, I still agree with all of them. Here's our new list:


Oldie but a goodie ... Halo Sleepsacks (fleece for the winter)

T&Z destroy - with love - any and all board books. But they do love Goodnight moon and to be honest, it is growing on me too

At first, we had the legs off, but when they started to get up on their knees, this was a great toy. They still go straight to this in the mornings and press every button possible. This is the Fisher Price Music Table

These rings are so simple and yet they love them. They crawl around with one in each hand!

I scored the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn house at a consignment sale for $20 (retails for $99). I immediately called Matt and said, please don't be mad at me, but it was a great deal that I couldn't pass up. Stacie was along and helped plot and secure it. Those sales are crazy but have been a great way to save a few bucks. Oh, and the guys play with this every morning!

Another consignment sale steal ... they love this! It is the Vtech Learn & Discover Driver

One last book that they love ... well they specifically love the train and when we say "Chug-a Chug-a Choo Choo"!

And who could forget a ball ... this isn't the exact one they have, but you get the idea ...

What are some of your favorite things? There's another consignment sale in March, what should I look for?

1.07 We're boring, but read this anyways!

By Cyndi
January 30, 2012

Every Monday, on my drive home from work, I call my dad.  He has his routine questions ... how was work?  SOS different day?  Yup.  How are the boys?  Fine.  Are they walking?  No, they aren't close.  Do they say Saba yet?  No and that better not be their first word.

If you want the gory details about Tyler's diaper rash, their excessive whining before dinner, the 4 poopy diapers by noon on Sunday I changed, or the awesome variety of dinner I've been cooking, I can discuss that here.  But I will save you boredom and tell you that life is about the same.  Tyler seems to be a bit more daring when he is cruising.  Zach is catching up quickly.  They both love reading books, can almost high five & love the oven drawer (we are on our second device to keep it closed and this one seems to be working).

And what you've been waiting for ....

We have a few apps on the iPad that they love to watch ... they giggle and smile like crazy.  We only use it once or twice a week at this time.

Matt and Baylor (a 125lb bull mastiff) ... And no, honey, we aren't getting another dog

1.06 Haircut #2

By Cyndi
January 23, 2012

Tyler loves to throw out as many balls as possible
while I get Zach out of the car

Our week was fairly normal, or as normal as our lives can be.  Matt has transitioned to his 2012 schedule where he is off T & W.  This schedule is easier on me since I will only have the guys on TH & F nights by myself and all day on the weekends.  The nights are what is tough ... two hungry kids and one tired mamma.

Vietnamese Pho ... our first meal once we arrived in Hanoi

The excitement of our weekend entailed Dulles Air & Space Museum for an afternoon walk (parking is free after 4pm), followed up by pho at a new place.  Reminded me our of Vietnam trip ...

Halong Bay (Jan 2010)

Sunday was haircut day.  It was originally scheduled for a two weeks ago, but we were too busy.  I did it myself and it turned out fairly well.  Only problem is they look more alike now than before!

 

I know .... it was bad ....

Can you tell who is who??

1.05 13 Months & Molars?

By Cyndi
January 17, 2011

Fairly uneventful week here in our house.  Matt is still working 6 day weeks and will continue at least through the end of February.  Zach has been struggling with standing up, but is learning to use his legs to help, instead of pulling up with only his arms.  Just yesterday, he finally started to bend his knees to get down. Otherwise, he just stood there as his legs slowly drifted apart and his whining became louder and louder.

We also learned this week that lots of blueberries is not the best idea at this age.  Oops.  We are still working to get rid of the diaper rash.  Sorry guys, I know they tasted good, but your bodies aren't ready for them yet.

On Saturday, both guys had runny noses.  I wasn't concerned but they had no other signs of a cold.  Upon Matt's comment that they may be teething, I stuck my finger in.  Yup, we've sprouted molars ... two top ones for Zach and one top one for Tyler.

Zach's "I'm HUNGRY" face.  I couldn't resist a picture.

Tyler

All of our holiday cards displayed.
I love looking at them, but it is time to take them down

Favorite Play Spot #1 (Under the kitchen table)

Favorite Play Spot #2 (coffee table "reading" books)
Note: Meigs is taking his mid-morning nap

13 months!

And a fun animated set of pictures of what happens after we take our awesome monthly picture!