What's next?

I think I heard communication between the boys tonight. I was changing Alex when I heard him say "hey, Eli" or something like it and as I was processing what he was saying Eli peaked his head around the corner and said "yeah?". They carry on forever in their rooms after their nap and I wonder what they are saying and laughing at but this was the first time they "dumbed it down" for Mommy. Yesterday they also gave each other a big kiss. We hold them up to each other and say "kiss your bubby" but they usually put their faces up to one another. This was an actual smack on the lips. It was SO precious! I love that I get to be around for this stuff. I truly live a blessed life. I look forward to every day just to see what is next. What could these boys possible throw at me (literally and figuratively)? Here are some of their recent big boy accomplishments. Alex is actually whistling in this picture. Eli and Alex, both push their trucks, cars and buses around. It just looks so grown up doesn't it???

Yay, For ME!

Alex has begun to stand for quite a while. I think he is so close to taking steps unassisted. We are so thrilled. The cutest part is that he thoroughly enjoys clapping for himself when he successfully stands. Eli usually chimes in and claps also. Here are some pics of our proud little boy.

The Apple Orchard

Jared and I LOVE fall! We love fall traditions. We just Absolutely. LOVE. fall. I guess I have made that clear enough. We always watch "You've Got Mail" (for whatever reason this is a "fall" movie for us), go to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch, enjoy the changing colors of the leaves, drink hot apple cider, and the newly added salted caramel hot chocolates (thank you Starbucks) the list goes on. We even love raking the leaves together. All this to say that we took the boys to the apple orchard yesterday. This was their 2nd time going but the first year that they actually enjoyed it. Last year we picked a very windy, busy, weekend day. This year the weather was mild, sunny, and it was pretty

much a perfect visit.

The boys thoroughly enjoyed the petting farm. Alex, who was hesitant to pet anything the last time we took him to a petting farm, got up close to all of the animals. It was shocking. I swear he is full of surprises. They had an ostrich that made me nervous (something about the creepy long neck and the big googly eyes) and the boys were not phased. We enjoyed cider and donuts and bought some pumpkins. I had to corral the boys while Jared purchased these things which was pretty interesting. People have always said to me "wait until they can move and they go 2 different directions". Well this was the moment when I felt that most heavily. I did, however, manage to get them into a gazebo and then block the entrance and exit. See, you just have to be resourceful, people! All in all it was a perfect, fall excursion and I look forward to more. I cannot wait for my sister's annual Halloween Party!

So I am curious....what is your favorite fall tradition? I'm always up for something new to add to our list.

When does this end???

This picture beautifully portrays how we are all feeling lately. I think in our household we've confused summer with flu season so I was hoping that as we closed in on actual flu season we would start to feel better but that is not the case. Despite being sick on and off since July the boys have decided to carry it over into fall. Jared was sick all of last week as were the boys and then I finally got it on Saturday. We are doing breathing treatments around the clock and giving medicines while half asleep due to Alex's crazy outbursts at night. These are not the "usual" outbursts. They've been lasting hours. I am pretty sure he would just like Mommy to rock him to sleep every night and never put him down. I draw the line here though so we have had to let him CIO (cry it out) in between snuggles which has been torture. Last night was our first time sleeping through the night in about a week which of course felt like a month. We weren't even up with them this much at night when they were infants. We tend to thank the NICU, who kindly put our boys on a schedule, for this blessing. They have always been good sleepers so this has been quite an adjustment. As always, I cannot complain about these minor illnesses when I am well aware of the blessing that each of my children's health and development are. I am so thankful for these crazy boys.

Despite how they feel the boys are doing new things constantly and I am hoping to catch up on some posting so that I can have it all documented. We will see whether or not I can pull it off :) Wish me luck!

Flashback Friday 9/07

Almost 5 months old

Ahhh, back when they didn't know how to use their limbs for evil (well, not purposely anyways).

Share!!!!!

I utter these words more times a day than I care to recall. The ironic part is that I am pretty sure that my 17 month old sons don't have a clue what it means that is unless they think it means to pull harder and screech more loudly and maybe Mommy will choose you as the blessed one who gets to keep the toy based on your sheer determination and brute strength. They truly are not capable of the whole "last shall be first" mentality and who could blame them. I, on more days than I care to admit, don't get it either. But needless to say, again, this sharing issue fills my days. I have to admit that I understand their frustration. They lay down a toy for .01 seconds and it is no longer theirs for an undisclosed amount of time. I get so tired of wondering "who had it first?" that I often take whatever it is and put it away (so that they can find another toy to go to war over). Recently, I had to laugh at myself when I realized that I yanked a toy from Alex's hand in frustration and said "do NOT grab things out of your brother's hands!" Yeah, kind of like I just did when I grabbed it from you. I since have said "____, please give me the toy back, _____ was playing with it." Amazingly enough it has been working most of the time. Sometimes it isn't entirely effective but once I pry each, individual, chubby, little, finger from the stolen item I say thank you and it is still better than my aforementioned grabbing method. The verse that comes to mind is "Soft speech crushes strong opposition". I found this a couple of months ago when I realized that I didn't want to be a screechy, naggy, Mommy and that my sometimes shrill voice got on my own nerves. It also applied because toddlers are definitely the strongest opposition I have ever had to face.

*I have to add that Alex has begun to say "thank you" which is so sweet and adorable. Maybe there is hope yet :)


Things we refuse to share:

Don't try and come between a boy and his steed! Is a zebra even called a steed? and seriously Fisher Price who rides zebras? I always find myself saying "Go Eli, Ride 'Em Cowboy" and realizing umm...nope, it is still a zebra. (I am kidding, I get the whole imagination thing. I mean it's wearing tennis shoes). Anyways, Eli is extremely possessive of this thing!

The Little People School Bus! I am well aware of the fact that this seems to be a peaceful toy, however, don't be fooled. This causes some serious conflict in our house. I bought a fire engine at the same time but trust me it is inferior. I wish there was some way of knowing these things in advance but you can only live and learn in this crazy parenting world.

Daddy, Can I Help?

I couldn't resist taking this picture of Eli with Jared. I have one of me with my grandmother (that I am determined to track down and post) that is similar and it of course is special to me. She passed away when I was 10 and I still think of her and wonder what she would think about this, or that, whatever the "something" might be. One thing that I know is that she would adore my sweet boys.

On a lighter note, this picture also reminds me of the time I had dinner with Jared at his parents house LONG, really, really, LONG (but we won't get into the "friend" phase of our relationship) before we ended up married. I noticed that as dinner ended his Dad got up and started doing the dishes and cleaning up. Don't worry ladies, I quickly took a mental note and deducted that if Daddy does dishes I bet his son does too. I thought hmmm, yet ANOTHER reason I want to marry this man. Here I am SEVERAL :) years later and yes he does do dishes. Thanks honey! I am sure that you will make your future daughter in law's happy too :)