Teamwork

Here is a picture of Jack and Maddy's latest efforts.  They watch each other intently and you can almost see the light bulbs go off as one gets an idea and the other one decides to follow suit.  Together, they pushed the toilet paper down the hallway and up against the kitchen cupboard to reach things on the counter.  This week they have started to climb onto the dining room chairs, attempt to climb onto the window sill and stand on all of their toys.  This is rather frightening to watch and I struggle with knowing when to let them explore and when to say no.  When they hear the word no, they look at me with a twinkle in their eye and a huge grin on their face and then they proceed to continue doing whatever it is I had asked them not to do. 

Things have been pretty miserable at our house this week.  It all started last Tuesday night when the babies went to bed, seeming to be fine.  Maddy woke up two hours later with a horrible cough and seemed to be struggling to breathe. As new parents Brad and I often struggle with knowing when we are just paranoid new parents and when something is actually wrong.  We followed our gut and drove to the ER, and we are so glad we did!  By the time we got there Maddy was really struggling to breathe, had a high fever and was pretty lethargic.  After several hours (and shots, nebulizer treatments, a crazy nasal suction test that looked horrific, and a chest xray), we learned that she has bronchiolitis.  And so, one of the most challenging weeks of our lives began...we watched and waited for Jack to show symptoms and sure enough Saturday morning he started with the cough.  No one in our house has slept more than 1-2 hours at a time for the past week.  I forgot how hard it was to function with so little sleep.  The babies are slowly getting better but they have had barely any appetite, awful coughing fits and constant runny noses.  Now, I'm starting to get sick and trying with all my might to stay healthy.  It is hard when both babies are in pain, crying and just want to be held.  These are the moments that are so hard as a mother because I want to be able to comfort my babies but can only really help them one at a time.  We're hoping things get back to normal in our household pretty soon and hoping everyone stays healthy..is it springtime yet?! 

Twin love

It is hard to get a video without someone falling over and crying...its just the reality these days.  Don't worry, Jack got up as soon as the camera turned off.  Maddy continued to try to tackle him for kisses...

Winter 2012 pictures

An inter-tube build for two!

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Portland Children's Museum-construction area, Maddy is trying to put on her hard hat

The leggo table--definitely the favorite exhibit.

Toddler clay area.  Five seconds later we decided we will re-visit clay in another several months.  It is really hard to clean off of teeth.

"Baby Garden"

Maddy insisted on climbing on top of these flowers and posing there...

Jack is busy building

Almost 15 months

I really need to get a little bit better about posting here...I will tell you wall what we have been up to and then post some pictures and maybe even a video (if I can figure out how to do that) later tonight.

Over the holidays when Brad and I were both off of work, we took the babies up to the mountain for their first sledding experience.  It was pretty hilarious.  Brad and I are the kind of parents that really don't hesitate to take Jack and Maddy along on any adventure.  Although we did get some looks from people that seemed to imply "why on earth do those people have their toddlers out in the snow," they had a great time and so did we.  My disclaimer: they were dressed in three layers, including snow pants, mittens and boots.  Though, as the snow often is in the pacific northwest, it was quite wet.  Jack and Maddy love riding on anything (favorites include rides in the laundry basket or any random box) so the sledding went over really well with them.  Jack particularly enjoyed laying flat on his back and staring up at the sky.  That kid constantly cracks me up.  Pictures to come...

Our next adventure was that Jack and Maddy got a membership to the Childrens museum for Christmas, so we braved the crowds last Saturday and explored the museum.  There were a lot of fun areas that they will probably enjoy a little bit more when they are older.  However, there is a "baby garden" full of toys, soft climbing structures, a fish tank, water bed (kind of weird, neither of them were too interested in that), and a water area.  Their favorite part of the museum was a light table covered with translucent leggos.  I will post some great photos I got of them exploring. 

In general, Jack and Maddy are growing and changing every day.  Jack's hair is really growing now so he has these adorable wisps of hair that blow in the wind wherever he goes...he usually moves pretty fast!  He absolutely hates to be slowed down for anything--clothes and diaper changes are not important to him.  They are learning how to use their spoon and fork to eat-still quite the mess but they get so proud of themselves when the food is successfully maneuvered from the bowl into their mouths.  They are both signing to me-please, more, milk, dog, and Maddy now also knows water.  They love to eat.  Anytime we have anything they come running up vigorously rubbing their tummies signing "please, please, please."  How could anyone say no to that?  Maddy's hair is growing in more too...still much more slowly then Jack's but definitely going to be bright red :-)  Maddy loves giving her brother kisses and usually tackles him to the ground in order to do so.  Jack is still best friends with the dog and will go all over the house to find her toy and bring it to her.  If she is sleeping, he gently nudges her with her toy over and over until she wakes up to play with him.  Well, time to get them up...pictures to follow!