20 Month Stats

It has been nearly a month since I wrangled you two into the doctor's office to get your latest round of shots.  Nobody warned me about the "extreme anxiety" that most children experience during their 18-20 month check-up.  Sure I had a roll of crackers and toys in my purse, but nothing could prepare me for the howling and tears that started the moment your clothes were taken off and didn't end until we were kindly escorted out of the office. 

Honestly, the wailing was so loud our gracious and most wonderful pediatrician had to stand two feet from me and shout her questions.  I will say that holding 55+ pounds of naked angry babies for over an hour builds character (and muscle).  That, and I might invest in a small handheld vacuum if I ever plan on letting you eat crackers in a place that doesn't have a flock of pigeons standing by to clean-up.

Needless to say, I can't wait until your two year appointment in October.  I was assured that there will be less tears...

Alexander

33.5 inches

28 pounds 8 ounces

 

William

33.25 inches

27 pounds 4 ounces

5 Years

Cheers to us!

xoxo,

mii

Father's Day

Every day is an adventure with you and I am so thankful to be along for the ride.  I love that adding two kiddos to the mix has only made you shine.  You wear fatherhood like a favorite pair of jeans...it looks comfortable and fits perfectly.

I love that you make each and every day special, smart and silly...

I love that the boys can't get enough of you...

I love that I get to watch you mold and mentor our children so that they too can grow up and be excellent friends, husbands and fathers...

You deserve to be celebrated in a big way...

 Happy Father's Day!

Miss You

 

Today, Will pointed at this picture (hanging in their room) and said "Mama" over and over.  I was happy and sad all at once. Happy that he saw a little bit of me in you and so very sad that he will not be able to see you again.

We all miss you Mama...

19 Months

 

 -Will & Alex-

Digging in my flower pots and throwing rocks are part of every trip outside. You both LOVE playing with water and always seek out a hose, bird bath or water can.  There is no end to your fascination and I can say without a doubt that there will be loads of sprinkler time this summer.

 -Will & Alex-

 

-Alex &Will-

Your love for black olives is serious.  If the pantry door is open, one of you will head over and start pointing at the cans and sweetly sign or say "peas".  I have trained you to stick out your fingers so that I can put an olive on the end.  (This makes me giggle and relish the power of parenthood).

 -Alex-

-Will-

Double tubby time is possible now that you are enjoying each others company more.  The boats that I bought for you months ago are now your preferred toy along with your big Easter buckets.  You delight in splashing me, each other and yourselves with the water you can scoop up with the bottom of the boats.  Tubby time always ends with one soaked mama, three soaked towels and two clean boys.

 -Will & Alex-

You are sleeping for nearly 2 hours after lunch at school.  Naps on the weekends only stick in the morning and we don't usually get a full 2 hours out of you unless you are feeling a little under the weather.

There are now 16 (4 molars) teeth in each of your crazy little mouths.  We are hoping that you hurry up and choose to use those teeth to eat instead of bite others.

Now that summer is nearly here, you are finally edging out of your 18 month clothes (tops) and working on getting tall enough to unroll your 24 month pants.  The cats are NOT excited about your growing mass, especially because you tend to sprawl out on top of them and scream in delight whenever they are close enough to tackle.

Alexander...

You are such a flirt.  Whenever we take you out and about you are all smiles.  The other day you nearly fell out of the grocery cart after performing your lean over, twinkle eyes and big smile routine for the latest female victim.  You pretty much make every other person light up with your waves and grin.

Words are not important to you yet, so you get what you need with sign language, emphatic pointing and good old gibberish.  You discovered cotton balls the other day and think it is hilarious to tear them up and try and eat them.  

 

Thank you for finding new ways to make us laugh and smile each day.

William...

You are often the instigator and yet you are very shy when we are in a crowd.  When I come home, you will nearly always smile and run to me for "ups".  The new words and sounds keep coming and your "yeah" has turned into "yis, yis, yis".

Whenever you have a chance, you will dump out your blocks or legos so that you can stand on the bin that they are stored in.  Lately, you have been seriously fascinated by buckles and will spend lengthy amounts of time investigating your highchair and car seat.

 Thank you for showing us new ways to explore and create each day.

Good bye 19 months, hello 20. 

Where oh where does the time go? We both love you so...

18 Months (Belated)

*Another belated post.  I suppose it's better late than never...*

You both love saying "dog" and will woof on command or whenever you see one in person or in a book.  Other words that you are trying out are "duck", "more", "wow", and I am pretty sure some form of "brother" will emerge more clearly in the next few weeks.

I love that you can't get enough of playing outside. We are planning on building or buying a sandbox for the backyard so that you can have a place to keep digging and driving your trucks.  You love short adventures in the car and are always interested in what is happening in the world that is passing by.

When either one of you discover something new, the other will be half a step behind.  It is amazing to see how different you are and yet you are constantly driven to be near each other.  If one of you starts crying, the other comes to investigate. If one of you eats a piece of cheese, the other needs one ASAP.  If I am holding one of you, the other needs to be held as well.  You are two entirely different peas in a pod.

William...

I am completely smitten with the way you say "yeah" whenever you confirm something.  You are also trying out the word "no" but haven't started battling me with it yet.  The mimicking of my words is really starting to pick-up these days and I am discovering the meaning behind your babbles.

You are always ready for an adventure.  If we are not moving fast enough you march in place and make your point with punctuated stomps.  Pulling your brother's hair or shirt and biting is another common way you are currently making statements about your needs.  Despite all of the "big emotions" you are always willing to help put things away, greet anything with an emphatic "WOW" and give tight, lingering hugs.

Alexander...

You definitely feel the beat. Those legs of yours will bend and bob at the first sign of a good song.  Luckily your Dad has an incredible music library to keep your attention.  I love watching you respond to music and I am always impressed with your ability to tune in and start moving, even if it is only 6:30am.

If you know you have done something wrong you tuck your chin and peer at me with sad "I'm sorry" eyes. That move is genius and will earn you plenty of leverage later when you realize its power.  That giant smile of yours coupled with your easy going nature are just two of the many things that charm strangers and loved ones alike. 

We love watching you grow (even if it means you can't wear 

your Christmas pj's for much longer)...

                                                                                            xoxo,
                                                                                                 Mama & Papa

17 Months (Belated)

*I wrote this post in March and failed to upload photos and post it when the boys were actually 17 months old.  I thought I would share it anyway, especially since I am making an effort to catch up...*

 

You both love cucumbers, black olives and tried poke (raw tuna) at Cousin Kellen's birthday party. Bananas still get you really excited first thing in the morning. You will duel over dipping rights when I feed you yogurt and give you each a spoon.  I taught you to raise your cups and clang them together whenever you hear "cheers".

 

You will still sign "more" and "please " for everything, although pointing at things emphatically has also been added to the repertoire.  Whenever I come home, you both immediately rush to the refrigerator and start clamoring and pointing for milk and a snack.

Poor Finn is still tackled and slobbered on whenever he is in range.  Goose is also harassed frequently but she at least fights back when you start getting too rough. You both get hysterical when the tables are turned and you are dragging something that attracts the cats.  The other day Finn followed you around and chewed on the ribbon that hung from your balloons and it ended in tears.

Alexander...

 

You still throw full body tantrums (I call them "jazzerspaz") complete with kicks whenever we put you down for a nap, on the changing table or to bed for the night.  All food is subject to instant rejection if we are paying attention to you when you are trying to eat it, unless it is a banana, cheese, kidney beans or spaghetti.

You started bringing Will his sippy cup whenever you find it and patted his head the other day when he was sad.  Light switches in all locations and forms occupy your fingers and you love sorting and carrying around your stack of flashcards.  Music is one of your favorites and whenever you hear a good tune you will wave your arms and bounce to the beat.

William...

You recently started slipping out of your buckles and standing up in your highchair.  Nothing pleases you more than getting a good reaction out of us, especially if you have manged to climb somewhere high or get into something off limits.  One of your favorite games is to run laps around the kitchen island and while we chase you and make bear sounds.

You are making quite a show of mimicking whatever I say.  One of your favorite songs that you often sing is "eee iii eee iii ooo".  If you want to go outside, you get me moving by bringing me my shoes, your jacket and your hat. 

We love watching you both conquer the world...

                                                                                                xoxo,
                                                                                                  Mama & Dada