December - Day 18

Today you...

Slow danced to Christmas music right before nap time.
Took a two hour nap (Alex).
Played "campout" in the hallway with your Dad.
Sucked your cheeks sore using your new straw sippy cup (Will).

December - Day 17

 

Today you...

Used your little fingers to pry off the safety covers on the outlets (Will).
Used all of your strength to remove the safety lock on the cupboard (Alex).
Listened to Christmas music by Martin, Marsalis and more.
Played with your Christmas presents before Christmas.

December - Day 16

 

Today you...

Used Nutella as a hair styling product (Will).
Ate at a restaurant for the first time (seriously).
Experienced the magic, characters and lights of Storybook Lane.
Cried hysterically for 30 minutes during a 40 minute car ride (Alex).

December - Day 15

Today you...

Frosted gingerbread men and ate their legs. 
Ate dinner with a moose.
Blew bubbles and tried to eat them (Alex).
Performed a drum solo on my tummy (Will).

December - Day 14

Today you...

Made gingerbread men cookies.
Pooped up to your shoulders so you could be first in line for the tubby (Alex).
Fell at school (again) and put a hole in your lip (Will).
Discovered that the Christmas bell ornaments fit perfectly in your mouth.

December - Day 13

Today you...

Wore a sock on 3 out of 4 of your limbs (and liked it).
Fell down at school and earned bloody lip (Will).
Had breakfast for dinner.
Frantically swam on your belly during tubby time (Alex).

December - Day 12

Today you...

Enjoyed a finger puppet performance from Dad.
Tried to bounce (and broke) your night light (Alex).
Cried when your brother's actions revoked your night light holding privileges (Will).
Read The Mitten.

December - Day 11

Today you...

Took your first trip to IKEA.
Rode in the cart for the first time (Alex).
Picked out a Christmas present for your brother (Will).
Ate green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, swedish meatballs, gravy and applesauce for dinner.

December - Day 10

Today you...

Had a swiss cheese omelet for breakfast.
Played with Grandma and Grandpa.
Fell on your face and ended up with a bloody mouth (Alex).
Fell on your toy and ended up with a bloody mouth (Will).

December - Day 9

 

Today you...

Unpacked a package and wrapped yourself (Will).
Still only have 7 toofs (Alex).
Brushed your toofs laying down.
Told ghost stories and howled at the moon.

December - Day 8

Today you...

Stuck your tongue out whenever I did (Alex).
Ate cheese tortellini, green beans and berry yogurt for dinner.
Spent ten minutes sticking your finger in my mouth and giggling (Will).
Read Little Porcupine's Christmas.

December - Day 7

Today you...

Drummed on the bookcase together.
Blew zerberts on my arms and neck (Will).
Tackled and climbed all over Dad.
Slithered around the tub on your tummy and drank water (Alex).

December - Day 6

Today you...

Put a toy to your ear and had a "phone" conversation (Will).
Spent twenty minutes chasing and hugging the cats.
Pulled off your socks and chewed on your feet (Alex).
Held hands and passed Sophie through the bars of your cribs.

December - Day 5

Today you...

Gave Dad extra hugs when you got home from school.
Fed me crackers.
Only ate your dinner if I pretended it was scooped from your own bowl.
Wrestled with each other before bedtime.
Read Clifford's First Snow Day.

December - Day 4

Today you...

Got a Christmas tree.
Walked to the playground and played on the swings.
Discovered that cabinets with safety locks lack appeal.

 Confronted your fear of dogs (Will).

Used your "contemplative" look to flirt with a girl (Alex).

December - Day 3

Today you...

Tackled the cats a dozen times before noon (Will).
Visited Santa Claus.
Helped jump start Dad's Mini.
Spit out your applesauce Jon Belushi style (Alex).
Told plenty of stories (Will).
Peed on Mama's new bathroom rug (Alex).
Fell asleep on polka dot sheets for the first time.

December - Day 2

Today you...

Said goodbye to your bottles.
Officially turned 14 months old.
Read If You Take a Mouse to the Movies.
Fell asleep without a peep.

-William-

Today you...

Made demands during dinner until I let you feed yourself.
Walked across the room to see your Dad.
Drummed on the tub with a toothbrush holder.

 -Alexander-

Today you...

Woke up at 4:45am and fell asleep with me in our bed.

Drank tubby water from your boats until you were sick.

Tucked yourself in during story time.

December - Day 1

 

Today you...

Shared a banana for breakfast.
Cried whenever I wasn't holding you.
Fell asleep on the way home.
Barely had enough steam to eat your dinner.
Clung to my neck during your tubby.
Read a bedtime story about Lars the Polar Bear and Sasha the Tiger.
Struggled to fall asleep (darn toofs!).

Thankful

Thanksgiving this year was a wonderful mix of old traditions and new experiences.  We were lucky enough to spend the day with Aaron's family and I am thankful for the great company and amazing food. 

I spent the morning chopping up vegetables and making my Mom's wild rice dressing.  It was so cozy to work in the kitchen while Aaron watched a Kung Fu movie and the boys toddled around the house.  I love the way little people mix things up and make every moment wonderful.

My little turkey's have grown quite a bit in the past year...

The feast and festivities later that day were quite fabulous.  Here a just a few highlights...

A perfectly set table...

Loads of toys and attention from Grandma & Grandpa Terry...

Terry & Kelly's traditional platter of fresh shrimp...

 

The boys LOVED everything that they tasted.  In fact, the only thing on the table they didn't try (besides the wine) was the green salad.  They were especially fond of Grandma Terry's cranberry sauce, Auntie Kelly's potatoes and Grandpa Terry's stuffing.

Will felt pretty cool about sitting higher than everyone else...

Alex was too busy stuffing his face to notice...

 

I am thankful to be loved and embraced by my family.  I am thankful for my two little turkey's and my one big one.  I am thankful for all of the Thanksgivings that I got to spend with my Mother.  I am thankful for all of the people in my life who make a difference just by being themselves.  I am thankful for laughter, coffee and fresh flowers.  I am thankful for such a wonderful day to celebrate and I am thankful for the chance to do it all over again next year. 

Just A Phase?

Yesterday both of the boys came home with new bite marks and a story involving each other and a door used as a weapon (nice move Will).  Sad, red welts have been rapidly multiplying on arms, necks, backs, butts, you name it and it has been chomped.  It literally looks like a herd of gerbils attacked my poor little innocent boys. 

Three times out of four, their attempts to get around each other or to play with the same toy ends with a scuffle and the flash of teeth.  I suppose I should be thankful that they have stopped biting the other kiddos and started focusing their efforts on each other.  Please tell me this is just a phase...

Yes, the hair pulling is still part of our everyday brotherly battles.  Life with my boys is looking more and more like a WWF match...

Halloween 2011

The boys' first Halloween (2010) was fairly uneventful.  There were no preemie costumes to be found and I refused to degrade their first holiday experience by dressing them in Superman outfits designed for Chihuahuas.  

This year I was determined to dress the boys as gnomes.  After a quick crafting session with a glue gun, velcro and scissors, I had transformed them into wee little enchanting creatures (not to be confused with Santa Claus)...

Will loved the pumpkins...

 

Alex loved the camera...

Gnome hat demolition derby...

They took the role seriously and ate more 

organic debris than candy this year...

Happy Halloween!