Daylight Savings Mix ups

Daylight savings was a rude wake-up (literally) at our house. Before the one hour change, Patrick was already waking up at six. We were dreading it and now a week after we know the horrors. The Saturday of the change, we took the boys to see Christian's Mom and take Maddie to the vet. The boys had a blast playing at the mall play place and Carousel. I really wish we had a mall here.

After we ate lunch, we started driving home and the boys fell asleep for 30 minutes. We thought we'd just transfer them to their beds. When we got home though they were AWAKE and wouldn't not go to sleep. So that night we put them to bed about 7:30 (6:30 new time) because of the 30 min nap. They woke up at 4:45 (new time) the next morning. Both were coughing pretty cranky but wide awake. We decided against church in order to see if we could somehow sneak 2 naps in. In the end they took a nap in the morning and missed the one in the afternoon.

The next week just got WORSE. We had 4:30, 5:15, 5:30, and 6:00 wake-ups. Today was 5:45 which was okay. Because of the early wake-ups, naps also have been all messed up because they are so tired. I feel like they don't get good naps and then go to bed early to start the wole cycle again! Wish I could get them to go back asleep after but to no avail. I have decided they don't get out of their cribs till 6 but it's so hard when it's mostly Patrick waking early and then he wakes his brother with his jabbering. At least they're still in their cribs; I do have that.

Hopefully this next week, we'll somehow adjust and keep at six o'clock wake ups... I could be happy with that! It's definitely a learning experience.

Catch up with the Benedicts - Halloween

We dressed the boys as cowboys for Halloween this year. They had their red plaid shirts and jeans and their cowboy hats. Plus they had their bandana. Christian's mom asked if I wanted her to buy play holsters/guns but I told her no. I didn't want play guns until they understood what they were for and how to treat them. My luck they would just put the end of it in their mouths. Plus at almost two, I thought they were too young. Christian agreed though he thought they looked more like farmers than cowboys. I'll let you judge for yourself.

Here's the only picture I have, when I have more from Lindsay, I'll post them here.


We took them to the Ward Trunk or Treat the Saturday before and I think it was a little overwhelming. To save their little legs, we put them in the stroller and Payden was done in very little time. When I ran out of candy to pass out to other kids, I joined Christian and we took the boys around.

The boys still didn't understand the whole "asking for candy thing" which was okay by me. In the end Patrick has realized that candy tasted pretty good. So far he likes Starbursts, Reeses Pieces, and licorice. Now and then he'll find a wrapper lying around and bring it to me to ask for some.

I'll See you In the Morning

For the past couple weeks, this has been a very favorite book of Payden's. The Title is, "I'll See you in the Morning," by Mike Jolley and Mique Moriuchi.

It reads:

I'll see you in the Morning. For now it's time to sleep.
I will stay and watch a while Till you are counting sheep

Don't be afraid of Darkness Don't be afraid my sweet.
The Night is just a blanket that helps the earth to sleep.

Creatures great and Creatures small will all be sleeping soon.
Under the same blanket...

...Under the same Moon.

So Close your eyes and go to sleep by the light of the Moon above
I'll see you in the morning in the light of the sun my love.

Dream your dream of moon beams. Let the night become your friend
The twinkling starts will keep you safe till morning comes again.

I"ll be here if you need me. I'm only steps away.
So close your eyes and go to sleep

and dream of a brand new day.

Good Night... Sleep Tight... ... I"ll see you in the morning!

After cleaning up lunch today, I rounded the corner of the kitchen to the living room and this is what I saw. Payden sitting in Daddy's recliner and reading page by page in his favorite book.


I have to admit there were days last week, I hid this book and only brought it out at bedtime since some days I had read it more than 10 times. It has such a sweet message and has the power to help me remember the importance of my purpose in raising these two wonderful boys!

This week: In Pictures

Monday - I made some delicious cinnamon rolls. They were SO good!
Find the recipe here.


Tuesday - Patrick for some reason LOVED to sit on the grass. This picture shows him looking up on our neighbor's patio to see their dog. It was cute that he just sat since he is always on the go these days! I'd like to label it "The Thinker."


Also on Tuesday...Payden got his first safety pin! For the life of him, his pants WOULD not stay up. The length was perfect though! I guess it's because of his no waist or bum!


Wednesday - Patrick has started to become obsessed with climbing IN everything. While I was cooking dinner, he emptied my canned food drawer only to climb in!

They are both into the climbing thing now. We've found (and removed) them from climbing table chairs, all couches, end tables and our bed! I'm just waiting for the kitchen table!

Thursday- we took a walk to Hyvee like we do almost daily to get some awesome sales. On the way back we saw this construction worker. Patrick started freaking out and pointing at it. Apparently I went by it too fast! I backed up and got as close as I could so he could watch and point and watch the guy work! He loved it!


Friday - Again with the climbing... Patrick climbing in Maddie's dog crate. Funny too that Payden will stand outside it and hold it shut so Patrick can't open it. Too Funny!


Also Friday - Payden finally discovered the outside! Usually he's content to stay and play inside but today Patrick ran off and found a mini hill to go UP and DOWN and did it for about 15 minutes. I ran over to get him.. he was pretty far away from the back door. I see Payden coming out walking on the grass which is SO good for him. He still has trouble with uneven surfaces so this was big! Walking back he grabbed for my hand.

He has a blast playing with a beach ball in the sun!

I'm going to get you!

I got you!

Ooh, I found a pillow!

Cinnamon Rolls - A Yummy and easy Recipe!

Last Monday, I made these delicious Cinnamon Rolls. I had been thinking about them for a couple of days and mulling over the recipe in my head and wondering if I had everything for them. I had to take one stop to Hyvee to grab Evaporated milk but other than that I was good to go!

Here is the recipe. I got this from my mom and made it countless times during college and my marriage. It has been used so many times in our family among my brothers and sisters. If I remember correctly.. I think my brother made them for his future wife for their first date! They're legendary! I confess I don't know where exactly she got it from though. :)



Cinnamon Rolls

2 cups scalded milk (or powdered)
1 cup sugar
½ cup sugar
½ cup shortening
1 cup mashed potatoes (you can use real, pearls or flakes)
2 eggs beaten
2 pkg yeast in ½ cup water
1 tsp salt
7 cups flour

Icing:
½ package powdered sugar (3 cups)
½ cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
enough canned milk to make spreadable

Instructions:

Make sponge of milk, sugar, shortening, salt, and poatoes, eggas and 4 cups flour. Beat for 5 mnutes. Add yeast mixture, rest of flour and 1 cup raisens. Stir the last cup by hand. Mix until smooth. Dough will be sticky. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before rolling out. Roll our—spread with soft butter and sprinkle with cinnamon/ sugar. Roll up like jellyroll. Cut with floss. Let rise until doubled (at least 2 hours). Bake at 375 for 12 minutes. Spread on icing when rolls are hot. Dough can be frozen for 30 days.

(This recipe is REALLY easy to HALF. It makes 16 large rolls if halved).

Have fun!

Bus Trip!

The boys and I got to ride a bus on Wednesday! We rode the bus to the library for the story time there this morning. I have wanted to do this for awhile but thought it would be nuts to do it by myself with just the two boys. So instead, we have been planning for a month with the boy's Physical Therapist and Speech Therapist through the Tiny-K program. They really want me to get out more which is super hard because I don't have a car at home. I told them that I was thinking of trying to take the bus but hadn't done so. They immediately offered to clear their schedules for an entire morning so we could all go!

What a adventure it was!

Kristin and Candice arrived right at nine and we put the boys in the stroller and walked towards the bus stop. The bus stop is right in front of the grocery story and maybe a block or so away. Very easy distance. We got there right as the bus pulled up. The boys loved it! I think they loved not being in their car seats too! They sat on their seats like big boys and LOVED looking out the window at all the cars and trucks we passed.

Patrick totally enjoying himself.. and pointing at objects out the window.

Payden is more laid back..

We took one bus for about 15 min and then transferred to another bus that took us the rest of the way downtown. I found that as we rode this particular bus it could take me to: Target, Walmart and even Checkers, a grocery store I love! Oh the possibilities!!

Then we walked for about 4 blocks to the library where we were just in time for story time. This story time is called Books and Babies and is designed for 8-23 month old children. It was all about the body they did 6 books and probably 7 songs for them. I wasn't sure how Patrick and Payden would do since they usually like to walk and explore a new place. They did some exploring toward the end but for the most part sat on or by their carpet squares with rapt attention.

One of the books, the lady read was one we had read at home together. Payden went right up to the librarian and helped her fold up the flap as she read the book. I was impressed he recognized it so well!

After it was over, I changed a Patrick's diaper and away we left to catch the bus home. Again, the boys were great. The bus trip home went pretty smooth. I think Payden wanted to walk around the bus which wasn't safe so I brought out books that he could read on the chair. Luckily a couple of these books were in our Sunday bag and it had been a few days since he had read them. Patrick was happily pointing at things out the window to Candice who was his little friend the entire time.

One of the cutest things though was Patrick singing the entire way home. He has this thing now he just throws in whatever jabber and does it in a sing-song type way. He did that the rest of the time home.. Even once we put him in the stroller for the walk home... he continued singing.

Best part of the day by far: I put boys down for nap at 1:15 and both were asleep in minutes and not ONE peep until 4:00. A wonderful nap for all!!

Even better news: We are going to do more in the future! Maybe once a month until I get to the point where I can do it all by myself.

Edible Playdough - in pictures

Yesterday, I made the boys edible playdough to see what they would do. I was looking for an edible recipe as I'm afraid they will just try to eat it. 

Apparently I was right!  

 

In the end, this recipe was WAY too sticky but still fun to experiment with.  After he was done, we changed his socks, shirt and pants.  I guess I need to keep looking since, I don't see us using this recipe again.  But it was good for the time we used it. 


Disclaimer - I know that these pictures only show one of my boys (Patrick) but Payden was happily reading books and playing with toys; Patrick was the grumpy/bored one so I decided to try this out first with him. I wasn't entirely sure I could handle two toddlers + playdough.

Random Thoughts Thursday

• I know I mentioned this but it's so darn cute and I love it. Patrick loves to point. Today he actually came and was trying to tell me something. He pulled my pant leg towards the kitchen. I kept asking him what he wanted and he was pointing up. I picked him up and he pointed toward 3 big bowls. He had one but wanted more. I think he LOVES that he can get what he wants because he now can tell us. I LOVE this communication thing!

• This piggy-backs the last bullet point.. I know that kids at earlier ages communicate like this but for us this is big. Believe me I have worried and continue to worry so much because I know my kids are behind but they are gaining and continuing to learn; I have to keep telling myself that!

• No one ever told me how worrisome it was to be a mother. Maybe someone did but I guess I refused to listen I worry that kids will learn everything that they need to learn at this stage of development...and worried that they are not too bored at home. It's hard to read about other kids online or even about family and hear what new things kids are doing. I try to be happy for them but then start worrying all over again. I keep telling myself that they will do things in their own time... it just needs to sink in!
  

• This morning, Payden screamed for over an hour. By 10:30, I had a monster headache and didn't understand what was wrong. I have a feeling that he is really constipated. He has been on Miralax since April and it is helped immensely. Then at our family reunion in July, he found raisens and they have been a Godsend. So I gently weaned him off the Miralax and it's been maybe 2 weeks. But he's constipated again.. Yesterday morning I finally got him to go but it was so hard... I fear that his stomach is cramping and it plain just hurts. On the other hand, Patrick is as predictable as the sun... nice to have one that way.. Any suggestions on something that worked for you? He's still a picky eater and unfortunately LOVES yogurt, milk, and especially bananas...
  

• A Mommy Smile moment... I was calming Payden down after lunch (he had fallen) and was reading a favorite book. I could tell Patrick wanted something. I asked him what he wanted and he pointed to my other leg that was free. He wanted up in my lap too to read the book. So cute.
  

• It is getting hard to do things with just one of the boys.. because inevitably, the other comes over and wants to do the same thing or takes the book/toy away. If one wants in my lap, the other does too

• Big sucess last night! I made Sloppy Joes and Patrick LOVED them.. It was a huge surprise. I gave him a little pile of meat and sprinkled some cheese and he ate every bit. He then ate 4 more piles. He ate 3 more piles for lunch today. This is the FIRST EVER ground beef for him and he likes it! This has opened so much for me... maybe he'll like taco meat too! :)

Random pictures from my phone... So Cute! Something to smile about!

Patrick eating breakfast..had to have Monkey in one hand.

Payden - yesterday during our walk to Hyvee. He is wearing a new jacket my mil and I found on a great sale!
Patrick- yesterday during our walk to Hyvee. He is wearing a new jacket my mil and I found on a great sale!Patrick just lounging on our new bean bag! Christian's co-worker gave it to us. They love it and so does Maddie. If ever I get a chance to sit; she paws my leg wanting to snuggle and sleep too.
I didn't pose his hands there... that was all him!

Payden during lunch.. had to have his feet up!

18-19 Month Post

Patrick and Payden are now 19 months old..

Here is a bit of what they're up to!

Patrick

Weight: 23 lbs (12%)
Head Circ: 19.75 inches
Height: 31.75 inches

• Can get into to trouble in no time! His all time favorite toy are cups and it doesn't matter what kind. They are the first thing he grabs in the kitchen whether on the floor on the counter.
  

• Christian's mom gave us a couple puppets (monkey and elephant) to take on the plane. After bringing Monkey to church with us a couple weeks ago.. Patrick hasn't let it out of his sight since. For a couple days, it ate every meal with us; clutched in his hand. It is about he same feel as his blanket.. maybe that's why.
  

• He can make the sounds of a dog (panting), monkey (beating on chest) and fish (moving mouth). However lately everything has been monkey

• He absolutely loves books now and has to be the one to choose the one to read next. Usually it is the same one over and over again.. Thankfully this changes daily so I get a break :)

• Patrick is now showing us what he wants by pointing. Usually I ask him to show me what he wants and he either points outside or the fridge where his milk sippy is kept. One time it was the fruit snacks in the cupboard. Mostly it's outside; we go for walks a lot since his favorite place is to go to our neighbors and splash in bowls of water that she keeps to collect rain water.
  

• He is SO close to opening doors... I hope that day doesn't come too soon.
  

• I think he FINALLY has his 4 molars in after months of teething. Yay!

Payden

Weight: 22 lbs 8 oz (8%) We were so happy that he gained so much!
Head Circ: 20 inches
Height: 32 inches

• Payden has just started to jabber and it's the cutest thing ever! Mostly it's Ba Ba and Ya Ya. Then it switched to Da Da Da. I think that's either for Doggie or Daddy.
  

• A full fledged walker! Happened right exactly 18 months and he is getting so much better. He still has a hard time on certain surfaces and has had a few bonks to show for it!

• One of his clear favorites are books. He will just sit and look at a book. If he's fussing at me and I'm making dinner.. Usually if I hand him a book, he'll sit down and look at it.
  

• He has just started escaping upstairs and usually without me knowing about it. Once I heard Patrick carrying on (jabbering) a the bottom of the stairs. Apparently he was tattling on his brother who had climbed up and was playing in our bedroom. Usually he escapes to climb on our bed or play with the computer or slam doors.

• Whenever we get home from going anywhere and Maddie is in our kennel. All I have to say is "Can you get the doggie for me?." Both of them go to the kennel and unlock it and let Maddie out. Also.. a clear favorite (and EASIEST way to get them in the house after playing outside) is ask them to give Maddie a cookie treat. They both get so excited to feed her a doggie cookie treat.
  

Catching up - an update of sorts

Here's what we've been up to list format since that's easiest.

• In early June, we moved to a much bigger town-home. It has 3 bedrooms and a full walk out basement which works wonderfully as a toy room. The boys love the extra space and much fuller kitchen. Seems like there are always some things strewn on the floor that they've been playing with in there. Payden's favorite - Maddie's food bowl and the clang it makes on the tile floor. Patrick's favorite - lets see... fridge, pans, canned food... and the list goes on.
  

• I got my very own piano! After being so jealous of my siblings who found some really good deals, I couldn't believe when I learned that we were going to get our own. It is a Yamaha Baby Grand and a beauty! It's a sad situation since my sister-in-law's mother-in-law gave it to us as a request when she died in July. It sits in the corner of our basement and I love the stress relief of playing it! She also gave us a 42+ inch flat screen TV that now sits in our living room. All I can say is Wow!
  

• Both boy are fully walking - Patrick is getting faster and faster and harder to catch! Payden has been going on his own for probably a good 2-3 weeks. He'll still lose his balance some but doing better and better! They are so much harder to chase but lots of fun!
  

• Since the boys turned 18 months (I know, I know.. 18 month post coming too!) we have been trying to go to nursery but that's another story for another post since my frustrations are about up to eye level. For example: 13 kids and 2 leaders in a small room, leaders that don't watch the kids very well, and also helping my kids overcome tiredness to make it through the morning. All in all.. very stressful and I'll be so happy when this transition is complete as I am really missing my classes.

That's all for now... I promise I'll try to be better!

If you're happy and you know it... splash in the pool!

Here are Patrick and Payden in their little pool having a blast...

A New Favorite Recipe: Banana Muffins

A couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon this recipes on www.allrecipes.com. After I made it I knew I had to post it because of how good it was! It was something on first glance, I knew my boys would eat them and I could use them for many meals and perhaps freeze.

Banana Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt (any flavor yogurt works... I used strawberry banana or vanilla).
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips ( I omitted these)
  

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

These muffins come out so fluffy and soft and stay good forever! Plus they are toddler friendly too! Typically, my husband doesn't eat a lot of the banana bread that I make but these; he was asking me every day if he could have one of the "boy's" muffins for breakfast!

The Different Faces of Eating

Yesterday, I grabbed my camera while they were eating. They were happy and eating so well. I got a few cute ones. Now, today, if I would of taken pictures they would both by crying.

What a difference a day makes in the lives of twins! Guess I need to remember that when I have days like today.

Patrick:




Payden:

RRT - Random Thoughts and happenings

FYI - I had this completed yesterday but saved instead of posted it... was going to add pictures.

I'll do another post with pictures later today.

------------------------------

We have had quite the week so far.. hopefully there are yet more surprises in store...

• Patrick took 5 steps consecutively into his Daddy's arms yesterday! But this morning has seem to forgotten that he did. Hopefully this weekend, will lead to many more opportunities

• Payden is talking more and more. Lately he has been copying what he have been saying. So far we have heard: fish, read, cheese and also clean. The clean is a funny one, Christian washed him up after dinner yesterday and said you're clean in a high pitched voice and Payden completed copied it! He did it over and over again! Also when I gave him a piece of ham, he picked it up and declared, "ham" and put it in his mouth. So totally priceless!
  

• Patrick is also teething again and once we put him down, he is SO restless between 11 and 2:30 that by 3, he'll crash and wake up grumpy. Of course, I didn't get any sleep either so it's makes for a long day. I tried to give him Motrin early this morning but couldn't get him to take it and he just screamed. But he crashed from 12:30 to 6:45am without a peep. Sure wish these teeth would hurry and come in!

• Last night I wish I had my camera close for Patrick's walking and also Payden's climbing. We have quite a stack of boxes collecting in our living room as we prepare to move to our 3 bedroom town-home (Yay). I put some toys up on top of boxes (stacked 2 high). There was one box (one high) sitting next to it and apparently Payden wanted those toys. He climbed up there on his feet (no crawling) and got the toys down.
  

• Then today before breakfast, the boys are making a mess in the kitchen: Payden is emptying my kitchen drawers and throwing cutting boards every which way. Patrick has found the dryer and is emptying it of clean clothes that he found in there. Then Patrick finds the dog bowl and picks it up and puts it is the garbage. But then finds a soda can in the garbage and is so excited to play with it. This twin toddler-chasing thing is going to get so fun! (enter sarcasm). I have to admit it's definitely cute once!

• Did I mention we're moving? I am so excited but worried that we won't have enough help to get the boys taken care of, everything moved over and then this old place cleaned. I'm embarrassed as with two little ones, we haven't cleaned as much as we should and I know it's gross and will probable take awhile.

• Ok, enough with worries, I'm excited to move though. It is a 3 bedroom town-home . It has a basement that will soon become the boys toy room and we'll actually have a living room that we can keep clean (we hope!) I'm sure there will be toys sometimes but the bulk of them can be downstairs. We will finally have an office for the computer and a place to put my sewing machine!
  

• Payden has turned into a little cuddle-bug as of late. He'll crawl over to me and stand up and then put his head on my shoulder or start jumping. My favorite is when he grabs my back and pulls my ponytail; all the while jumping up and down. He is such a little character!
  

• Patrick is just busy, busy, busy... he'll be so glad for some extra space to crawl and explore. His favorite is the stairs and I've lost him a few times as he can scale them SO quickly now. He also is jabbering all the time, all nonsense of course but seems to think it means something.
  

15 to 16 months

Can you believe it? Patrick and Payden are almost 16 months!

One of the cutest things that they are doing right now is around naptime. I'll bring them upstairs to wind down and give them their pacifiers. They'll BOTH crawl to their cribs and pull out their blankets. Payden will usually lay down on his while Patrick starts his moany/groany sound that indicates tiredness. Until they are put down (and during story time before naptime) they both are clutching their blankets.

We went to the doctor last week and here are the Stats:

Patrick:
Weight: 22 lbs 8 oz (19th percentile)
Head Circ: 19.25 inches
Height: 31.5 inches

Payden:
Weight: 20 lbs 5 oz (3rd percentile)
Head Circ: 19.50 inches
Height: 31 inches

Now here's a bit on each of them - what they're up to currently.

Patrick

• Absolutely LOVES to crawl and explore. When we are at Christian's moms house, he is constantly crawling everywhere and getting into things.
  
• He really likes the stairs and has escaped from me on a few occasions. (ie. I find him upstairs in our room playing with the computer or in the bathroom putting toys in the toilet.)
• Likes his straw sippy cup and still doesn't understand that you have to tip back the regular sippy cup.
  
• LOVES to be outside and will escape out the door and down the sidewalk to go explore. Stroller rides are a favorite for him right now.

Payden

• The last week, he has started saying "eee." I have been helping him find things that have "eee" in them. Like cheese and read. Much to my complete surprise, a couple days ago, he brought me a book, shoved it in my face and said "eee." He wanted me to read it. Now it is a constant. He also says it when a toy like "look at this."
  
• He is always bringing me things that he finds whether they are toys or even a plastic wrapper on the floor that he found. It is cutest thing as he shows you what he finds. When he finds it, he expects you to tell him what it is, then he smiles and continues playing.
  
• Definitely has his favorites with books.
  
• When music is playing, he is dancing! It is so cute. We ask him, where's your music? And he'll crawl to the nearest toy and push a button for the music.
• Requests bananas at every meal - also best indicator if he is full. If he won't heat a banana chunk, most likely he is full!
  

Fun with our new Car

A couple weeks ago, Christian found a Cozy Coupe at Aldi and for a great price! We thought it would be fun for our boys and something that they'll use for many years to come. We started setting it up at 6:30pm and didn't finish until 9:30. Little Tykes really needs to clarify that on the instructions (only pictures). It was hard work to put together.

The other day, it was overcast and not as hot as it usually was... Perfect for pictures!




And not to be left out... Maddie.

RTT - Random Thoughts Thursday

Here's some random thoughts for today...

1). I officially have a climber! While I was playing with Payden, I looked to see that Patrick had climbed on top of the box of books and pulled to standing against the shelf of books. They LOVE to pull books off the shelves; I guess he just figured out how to get the books on the higher shelves..
After pulling him down time after time, I had to think fast! I pulled some cushions down for the couch and that got his attention. In no time he found that the couch was way easier to climb up on and after 10-15 minutes, his new climbing fascinations was tempered for maybe 20 minutes (until he remembered how fun it was to pull at all the books...)

My life is definitely getting busier...

2) We almost have 2 toddlers (in every meaning of the word). They are so close to walking, I can taste it!!

Payden has been cruising ALL OVER and walks just about everywhere as long as he is holding onto something. He loves to walk with you holding his hands. Just lately, he has started letting go for short periods of time to play with a toy and just stand all by himself. Also, today we played Ring around the Rosy 5 different times until I got a little dizzy. It's only a matter of time.

Patrick has only been pulling up for a short while but he is also starting to cruise. The one thing that Patrick has shown tons of interest in is standing by himself. It's all a game to him until he falls forward. It doesn't matter where he is, he'll just let go and stand there! We have a little game the Physical Therapist taught us. We stand them in front of us and hold there hands and do "Shake shake" and twist their arms and upper body and then let go as they practice standing. Patrick will now stand up to us and shake our hands to play over and over again.

3). On the feeding front - they ate real spaghetti!!! I was so happy. We've had 3 times now and they just love it. Maybe it's the Italian blood in them (from my husband's side of the family.). I just used a bottle of sauce, added bananas and applesauce to it and then ground up the noodles. I was thinking today that I could make a bunch of sauce and put it in baby food jars to freeze and have on hand for some easy lunches. I thought too that maybe I could continue to grind but just not so fine so they get used to bigger and bigger pieces. It excites me that we're finally gaining a little bit in this department! Yay!!

Lastly here a few photos - courtesy of my cell phone.. I promise I have some cute ones (from my camera no less) coming in my next post if I can get to it today.

RTT - Mostly an update!

Yay! I finally have regular visiting teachers! I love contact with the outside world!! It was so nice to sit and chat and talk to her. And she brought me these beautiful daffodils from her garden...

Random updates of information for today..

1. Payden has a new word: his favorite food. Banana. He calls it a "Ba." Today I gave them cut up pears for breakfast but he wasn't eating them real well. Toward the end, I asked if he wanted a banana and he repeated Ba four times. I gave in and gave him his banana. It's so cute as he will lift it up and say Ba before putting it in his mouth!

2. Today Patrick discovered a new game - putting every shoe from our shoe rack in a laundry basket and then started with his toys too. He definitely understands the word, "in" We're working on "out."

3. It's been a tough week and a half for us as Patrick is apparently getting his molars in. Last week around Wednesday I realized that he was really tugging on his ears and not sleeping at all. He wakes up every hour to two hours and cries for his pacifier. When he's not sick or teething, he plops it right back in the soothes himself. Last night was HORRIBLE night for me. This last weekend we were able to get him to sleep better with motrin which dulled the pain. The trick is getting him to take it. Anyone know if you can add medicine in their milk or food? I really think he'd feel better if he took it but he'll just spit it out. He usually give it in a bottle nipple but he's caught onto that and won't take it. Please pray these teeth come in soon!!!!

4. Also with the teething and a milestone I think for this age (almost 15 months) his separation anxiet is really bad. Patrick will scream when Christian leaves for work and also cries at the window because he wants outside. If it was just crying, I could handle that but it's not. When he cries, it escalates and he throws up. Yeah, smell of rotten milk.. not appetizing at the least. Anyone used to this and know what to do or will it always happen like this? It's frustrating.

5. We're holding stead at 2 bottles a day: just morning and night. They love their bottles. However on Sunday I brought out the straw sippy cups (Payden was going after a little girls sippy at church, he wanted it so bad). We were so surprised that Patrick just sipped and sipped his milk. We were so happy because he just won't tip back the other Gerber sippy that we have. I guess we need to go buy more straw sippy cups! :) Hopefully one more step closer to getting rid of bottles.

6. On the Feeding front, it also have been a frustrating point. But in my search I realized that we went from puree right to table food. I really didn't transition and boy is there a transition. So starting this week I have been grinding real food and helping them used to regular food and the different textures. So far it has been good. I made homemade macaroni and cheese the other night and ground it up. Then added some of their sweet potato chicken baby food to it and also peaches. They loved it. I had enough for 2 meals! Then today, I had a Gerber 3rd meal of spaghetti but didn't have high hopes about it. Now they like the texture and ate it just fine. I also added some applesauce and some banana too it and they liked it. It was 5 gm of protein which made me smile! Someday soon, maybe they'll like real spaghetti!


Pictures of their spaghetti laden faces...plus both of them need their hair cut. I am trying to gather the courage as both have curls and I hope that they'll come back.. :)

Picture Fest!

So I realized that I hadn't taken pictures in forever. It's probably since the boys began being mobile and I've been chasing them everywhere as they explore and ahem.. destroy our living room.

Without further ado then....

Payden's a little distracted...

Both looking at the camera...that's a hard thing to accomplish.

Both coming forward to come off the chair!! Right at me!

Finally both smiling.... Whew!

What we've been up to....

Well, the weather has been absolutely gorgeous! We've taken walks multiple times and enjoyed the wonderful sunshine. We explored a new park swung for a long time on the swings.


We also introduced the boys to french fries. Patrick LOVED the french fries as long as they were dipped in ketchup and ate so many that Christian finally bought him his own small fry! Payden is still deciding, maybe another time!

We even took a ride in the school bus while we did our grocery shopping at Hyvee.

And we rode in the big clumsy cart in Walmart since we forgot the stroller that day.

We had some very scary few days with Maddie being very sick. She had a viral infection that was producing lots of snot and lots of diarrhea. I know, gross, right! Christian took her to the vet that his mom works at and they looked at her and admitted her for 3 days for dehydration and severe diarrhea. After their loving care and much $$ later, we have our wonderful Maddie back. She's not totally 100% but a whole lot better than she was before it all started. We are so grateful for her in our lives!

The boys have been very busy learning new things:

Patrick pulled himself standing for the first time last Wednesday and by Saturday and Sunday he had perfected it. Now he's not content unless he's standing and pulling the lamp off the end table. Oh, and did I mention, he likes the stairs now. I am always surrounded by dog gates. Also, he clapped for the first time! It was the cutest thing. You help him clap as you sing, "If you're happy and you know it" and then he'll continue clapping. Another thing that loves is escaping out the door and down the sidewalk. He used to just sit in front of the door but not anymore. He was so determined to play in the dirt the other day that let him until he thought that it might taste good. He spit that right out; and then I took a picture. Probably not the last time he'll eat mud!



Payden is now walking with assistance! You can either hold his hands and he'll walk with you or put him behind his little car. It's not many steps because he'll just drop when he's tired but it is so cute! He also has become quite the little jabberbox. Sure wish I knew what he was talking about. Did I mention that he LOVES to read books. While Patrick is ALL over the place and getting into trouble, Payden will just go through our box of books, reading books to himself. Don't get me wrong, he plays too and also likes to get into trouble but he loves books!