Thursday, April 4, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
A new year...
It has been awhile since my last post (do all my posts start out that way?) Well, there are so many things about Jack and Madelynn right now that I want to remember, I figured I better get it all down.
In the past several weeks these two have become very verbal, they are suddenly speaking in sentences at times and have several key, absolutely adorable, phrases.
Maddy:
"what up to guys?" when she enters a room.
Jack:
"this is mine," to every single item in our house, no matter who it actually belongs to, now it is Jack's, according to Jack.
He also says, "mommy where are you" when he runs off to hide and then bursts into uncontrollable giggles when he sees me coming around the corner to tickle him. Maddy likes to reenact stories for me. One day, several weeks ago, the dog jumped over the couch and accidentally scratched Jack's face. Maddy likes to tell this story, with actions on a daily basis. It must have made a real impact on her to witness that!
They are having a blast right now playing with their new play kitchen from Santa. They cook things all day long, and use their little oven mits because things are "super hot" when they come out of the oven. They love to pretend to eat the creations they have made and "mixing things up" is their favorite task. They have also started to have quite the parties in their bedroom when it is time to go to sleep. Luckily, they are still in cribs (riding that one out as long as possible) but they throw all of their pillows and blankets out of their cribs, squeal and chatter back and forth to each other and jump as hard as they can on their beds. Sometimes I listen at the door to hear what they are saying to each other. The other day Maddy was telling Jack, "shhh, hear momma, go night night now." Oh boy.
Jack has spent the night a couple of times with Auntie Cait, which he loves. I think they do enjoy some time apart from each other, although they ask where the other one is the whole time. Maddy hasn't wanted to go yet but sometime soon she will have a turn for a sleepover with auntie Cait as well.
Mealtimes have become an absolute insane struggle in our household. Particularly dinner. Our previously wonderful eaters have become less interested in eating dinner and more interested in throwing forks, plates, splashing their hands in their milk and banging on the table with silverware. Honestly, these are the moments Brad and I look at each other and wonder how we stay insane. Maybe we haven't? I just remind myself that like all the parenting challenges we have faced up until now, this too shall pass :) And in the mean time I have occasionally used bribery so that I may have one single second of a normal meal time.
Jack has been spending a lot of time in the garage with Brad, fiddling with scrap wood, wearing his safety glasses, playing with the tape measure and clamps. Maddy goes out there occasionally but she prefers to stay inside where she dresses and undresses her dolls, paints pictures or reads books. She can sometimes become very bossy so we have to remind her how to say things nicely. She does not hesitate to let Jack know what she thinks about what he is doing. Jack is such a great brother. He is always making sure "add" gets to come too (that is what he calls her) and if he has a snack "add" must have one too and "add" must come with him wherever her goes.
They still keep us constantly busy, amazed and entertained.
In the past several weeks these two have become very verbal, they are suddenly speaking in sentences at times and have several key, absolutely adorable, phrases.
Maddy:
"what up to guys?" when she enters a room.
Jack:
"this is mine," to every single item in our house, no matter who it actually belongs to, now it is Jack's, according to Jack.
He also says, "mommy where are you" when he runs off to hide and then bursts into uncontrollable giggles when he sees me coming around the corner to tickle him. Maddy likes to reenact stories for me. One day, several weeks ago, the dog jumped over the couch and accidentally scratched Jack's face. Maddy likes to tell this story, with actions on a daily basis. It must have made a real impact on her to witness that!
They are having a blast right now playing with their new play kitchen from Santa. They cook things all day long, and use their little oven mits because things are "super hot" when they come out of the oven. They love to pretend to eat the creations they have made and "mixing things up" is their favorite task. They have also started to have quite the parties in their bedroom when it is time to go to sleep. Luckily, they are still in cribs (riding that one out as long as possible) but they throw all of their pillows and blankets out of their cribs, squeal and chatter back and forth to each other and jump as hard as they can on their beds. Sometimes I listen at the door to hear what they are saying to each other. The other day Maddy was telling Jack, "shhh, hear momma, go night night now." Oh boy.
Jack has spent the night a couple of times with Auntie Cait, which he loves. I think they do enjoy some time apart from each other, although they ask where the other one is the whole time. Maddy hasn't wanted to go yet but sometime soon she will have a turn for a sleepover with auntie Cait as well.
Mealtimes have become an absolute insane struggle in our household. Particularly dinner. Our previously wonderful eaters have become less interested in eating dinner and more interested in throwing forks, plates, splashing their hands in their milk and banging on the table with silverware. Honestly, these are the moments Brad and I look at each other and wonder how we stay insane. Maybe we haven't? I just remind myself that like all the parenting challenges we have faced up until now, this too shall pass :) And in the mean time I have occasionally used bribery so that I may have one single second of a normal meal time.
Jack has been spending a lot of time in the garage with Brad, fiddling with scrap wood, wearing his safety glasses, playing with the tape measure and clamps. Maddy goes out there occasionally but she prefers to stay inside where she dresses and undresses her dolls, paints pictures or reads books. She can sometimes become very bossy so we have to remind her how to say things nicely. She does not hesitate to let Jack know what she thinks about what he is doing. Jack is such a great brother. He is always making sure "add" gets to come too (that is what he calls her) and if he has a snack "add" must have one too and "add" must come with him wherever her goes.
They still keep us constantly busy, amazed and entertained.
Monday, October 29, 2012
2nd Birthday Pictures
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| Checking out the train table |
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| Maddy hopped right in to her new baby crib |
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| Meet the Flinstones! |
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| Pebbles |
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| Bam Bam |
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| Reading to us |
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| trying to put on his new pjs from auntie |
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| loving his new rain boots from auntie! |
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| The three cousins |
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| Coloring, in his new boots and bike helmet |
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| bikes from Nana |
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| bikes from nana |
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| reading in their new tent from auntie Jesse |
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| another day, another party...this time with twin friends |
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| and here are the rest...we didn't all fit in one room :) |
Two years old!
I woke up this morning at exactly 5:44 am, the exact time Jack came into this world two years ago. Madelynn was one minute later. I was able to have a whole hour of quiet time to myself, drinking my coffee and thinking about the past two years and how they have changed our lives and changed the person that I am. We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Jack and Maddy's birthday with our family and friends. We are so lucky to have so many wonderful people who care about them. There is something really special about seeing other people enjoy your children.
Celebrating these milestones is always bittersweet for me...I am so excited to see Jack and Madelynn grow and learn new things but I sometimes yearn for their newborn days when we spent our time snuggling on the couch. There are so many things I want to remember--the sound of the pitter patter of little feet on the floor, the sounds of them waking up in the morning and jumping in their cribs, squealing or talking to each other. The way that Jack helps me unload the dishwasher--first by grabbing a large bowl and filling it with silverware and then bringing the whole bowl to me, rather then bringing me one silverware at a time (he's so smart!) The way that Maddy says "tank you momma," every time I hand her anything. The way that Jack reaches things for Maddy, helps her open doors and helps her find her precious stuffed horse when she is looking all over for it. The way they give each other kisses and hugs when they are saying sorry. The way that Maddy is constantly choosing books and bringing them to me to read and the way that Jack asks me to sit on the floor and play trains or leggos with him.
This past year they have transformed from babies into sweet, loving, curious, adventurous, sometimes challenging toddlers. They are so lucky to have each other to grow up with and we are so lucky to have them! The journey continues and we are so excited to see what the next year brings.
Happy 2nd birthday my loves!!!
Celebrating these milestones is always bittersweet for me...I am so excited to see Jack and Madelynn grow and learn new things but I sometimes yearn for their newborn days when we spent our time snuggling on the couch. There are so many things I want to remember--the sound of the pitter patter of little feet on the floor, the sounds of them waking up in the morning and jumping in their cribs, squealing or talking to each other. The way that Jack helps me unload the dishwasher--first by grabbing a large bowl and filling it with silverware and then bringing the whole bowl to me, rather then bringing me one silverware at a time (he's so smart!) The way that Maddy says "tank you momma," every time I hand her anything. The way that Jack reaches things for Maddy, helps her open doors and helps her find her precious stuffed horse when she is looking all over for it. The way they give each other kisses and hugs when they are saying sorry. The way that Maddy is constantly choosing books and bringing them to me to read and the way that Jack asks me to sit on the floor and play trains or leggos with him.
This past year they have transformed from babies into sweet, loving, curious, adventurous, sometimes challenging toddlers. They are so lucky to have each other to grow up with and we are so lucky to have them! The journey continues and we are so excited to see what the next year brings.
Happy 2nd birthday my loves!!!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Fall is here!
The transition from summer to fall was an abrupt one around here...we were having 90 degree days and then suddenly the rain and falling leaves are upon us. There are so many things I want to remember about Jack and Maddy at this stage. There are new challenges with their ever growing independence but also so many fun, hilarious things they are doing every day.
They both just crack me up. Jack will do whatever it takes to get to what he wants, even if it means scooting boxes across the room or balancing on one leg on his rocking horse to reach something on top of the counter. The amazing thing is that he never falls! He is extremely agile and has no fear. He loves to bob his head back and forth and swing his arms around whenever he hears music. He idolizes Brad and wants to be doing whatever he is doing. He spent forty minutes this afternoon looking out the window watching as Brad raked up all of the leaves.
Jack has made me so proud lately---he has been randomly going potty on the toilet all by himself. This morning he took off all of his clothes, including his diaper (this is completely normal behavior) and I told him he needed to tell me if he needed to go potty. He went about his business playing as usual and then springs up, runs to the bathroom and goes in the toilet! I am so amazed by how smart he is. Every time he does this we have a huge celebration with high fives and he grins from ear to ear in pride. Jack also loves to help me cook, he even puts his mittens on as oven mits and mimics what I am doing in his own kitchen. I am so lucky to have such a sweet little boy.
Maddy is a little fire cracker. She can be quite emotional and strong willed but she also likes to cuddle up and read book after book in your arms. She wakes up in the middle of the night and talks to herself or tries to wake up "Jackie." She has recently become very focused on picking out her own outfits---she has attempted to wear a jean skirt and down vest to bed, and one day she put on two skirts--one as a skirt and the other as a shirt. She knows so many words, animals, animal noises, and has completely surprised me in her knowledge of letters and colors. Today we went to the library for the first time (no small feat with two toddlers in a quiet only area). When we were getting ready to go I told her we were going to the library, and I asked her if she knew what was at the library. She responded, very enthusiastically, books!! How did she know that?! It is amazing how much they absorb and learn on a daily basis. Maddy likes to "help" whenever possible--she clears the table, wipes the table, unloads the dishwasher, and helps me put wet clothes in the drier.
Jack on the other hand points out all of the specks of dirt on the floor to me and then asks me to get the "va" (vacuum). Every time he washes his hands it is like he is preparing for surgery...the boy would wash his hands all day if you let him. The other day he actually closed the bathroom door and locked it. I was a little panicked, trying to unlock the door with a paperclip, and he nonchalantly unlocked the door and opened it.
Here is to enjoying their last week as one year olds. The time goes by so fast, I can barely believe my little babies are turning two next week.
They both just crack me up. Jack will do whatever it takes to get to what he wants, even if it means scooting boxes across the room or balancing on one leg on his rocking horse to reach something on top of the counter. The amazing thing is that he never falls! He is extremely agile and has no fear. He loves to bob his head back and forth and swing his arms around whenever he hears music. He idolizes Brad and wants to be doing whatever he is doing. He spent forty minutes this afternoon looking out the window watching as Brad raked up all of the leaves.
Jack has made me so proud lately---he has been randomly going potty on the toilet all by himself. This morning he took off all of his clothes, including his diaper (this is completely normal behavior) and I told him he needed to tell me if he needed to go potty. He went about his business playing as usual and then springs up, runs to the bathroom and goes in the toilet! I am so amazed by how smart he is. Every time he does this we have a huge celebration with high fives and he grins from ear to ear in pride. Jack also loves to help me cook, he even puts his mittens on as oven mits and mimics what I am doing in his own kitchen. I am so lucky to have such a sweet little boy.
Maddy is a little fire cracker. She can be quite emotional and strong willed but she also likes to cuddle up and read book after book in your arms. She wakes up in the middle of the night and talks to herself or tries to wake up "Jackie." She has recently become very focused on picking out her own outfits---she has attempted to wear a jean skirt and down vest to bed, and one day she put on two skirts--one as a skirt and the other as a shirt. She knows so many words, animals, animal noises, and has completely surprised me in her knowledge of letters and colors. Today we went to the library for the first time (no small feat with two toddlers in a quiet only area). When we were getting ready to go I told her we were going to the library, and I asked her if she knew what was at the library. She responded, very enthusiastically, books!! How did she know that?! It is amazing how much they absorb and learn on a daily basis. Maddy likes to "help" whenever possible--she clears the table, wipes the table, unloads the dishwasher, and helps me put wet clothes in the drier.
Jack on the other hand points out all of the specks of dirt on the floor to me and then asks me to get the "va" (vacuum). Every time he washes his hands it is like he is preparing for surgery...the boy would wash his hands all day if you let him. The other day he actually closed the bathroom door and locked it. I was a little panicked, trying to unlock the door with a paperclip, and he nonchalantly unlocked the door and opened it.
Here is to enjoying their last week as one year olds. The time goes by so fast, I can barely believe my little babies are turning two next week.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Almost two!
We had a very busy summer with lots of weddings and other long weekend trips, and all of a sudden it is October! Fall is my favorite season because the changing colors, smell of cider and orange pumpkins all bring back such clear memories of waiting for the arrival of Jack and Madelynn. On bedrest for four plus weeks I had little to do besides take in the sites of the changing season. I also drank a lot of apple juice and decaf pumpkin spice lattes. Now that Jack and Maddy are almost two it is amazing, and bittersweet to look back upon the past two years and realize how quickly time goes by. When I look at them now, I see two happy, healthy, bright, energetic little children. They are no longer babies and are becoming so independent in so many ways. There are still moments when they want to be carried, and held in my arms and I treasure those little moments because it is often hard to slow them down these days. As we approach two, they (especially Maddy) have learned the word no. They are very particular about which color of sippy cup they get, and being handed the wrong color can sometimes send them into an inconsolable state of crying and in Maddy's case, hand flapping. It is hard not to laugh at these theatrics, and sometimes, hard not to rip my hair out.
Jack continues to be our little laid back man. He is however, very physical and often plays a little too rough with Maddy, us, or other kids. Typical boy. He likes to run, jump, climb, explore and play out in the yard with Chloe. He never forgets about his dog--making sure she has plenty of water and an ample supply of food, and in addition, all of his leftovers.
Madelynn is a strong willed, independent little lady. She is so smart, and learns new words and phrases every day. They both do, but she chooses to talk a lot more then Jack. He is much more soft spoken but definitely completely aware of what is going on. Jack loves music and he loves to dance. Madelynn loves to read books. Her first sentence has been "pick a book." She will go over to her shelf, say "pick a book," and then bring us book after book to read to hear. She has learned a few letters also, completely to my surprise! She calls Jack, "Jackie," and often tells him no even if he is in the other room. He pays no attention to her trying to control him, but he also certainly knows how to push her buttons. He will run up to her, take her beloved stuffed horse "may-may," and chuck it behind the couch. Whenever the other one gets hurt, they are both quick to come to the rescue, give tons of kisses and Madelynn will rub Jack's back softly and say "poor Jackie." She makes sure to get him a bandaid and often if one has a boo boo, the other one magically has a boo boo in the same place and needs a bandaid too.
As with every stage of raising twins, some things get a little easier and some new challenges arise. We are thankful that for the most part they sleep well and are starting to be able to communicate their needs much better. The older they get, the more independent they become, and taller and stronger and more curious. We are excited to see what is in store for being two!
Jack continues to be our little laid back man. He is however, very physical and often plays a little too rough with Maddy, us, or other kids. Typical boy. He likes to run, jump, climb, explore and play out in the yard with Chloe. He never forgets about his dog--making sure she has plenty of water and an ample supply of food, and in addition, all of his leftovers.
Madelynn is a strong willed, independent little lady. She is so smart, and learns new words and phrases every day. They both do, but she chooses to talk a lot more then Jack. He is much more soft spoken but definitely completely aware of what is going on. Jack loves music and he loves to dance. Madelynn loves to read books. Her first sentence has been "pick a book." She will go over to her shelf, say "pick a book," and then bring us book after book to read to hear. She has learned a few letters also, completely to my surprise! She calls Jack, "Jackie," and often tells him no even if he is in the other room. He pays no attention to her trying to control him, but he also certainly knows how to push her buttons. He will run up to her, take her beloved stuffed horse "may-may," and chuck it behind the couch. Whenever the other one gets hurt, they are both quick to come to the rescue, give tons of kisses and Madelynn will rub Jack's back softly and say "poor Jackie." She makes sure to get him a bandaid and often if one has a boo boo, the other one magically has a boo boo in the same place and needs a bandaid too.
As with every stage of raising twins, some things get a little easier and some new challenges arise. We are thankful that for the most part they sleep well and are starting to be able to communicate their needs much better. The older they get, the more independent they become, and taller and stronger and more curious. We are excited to see what is in store for being two!
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| play dough, a new favorite activity |
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| Visiting Great Grandma Thelma, Jack was so quite and gentle with her it was very sweet. |
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| Madelynn was a little less enthusiastic, but she had been throwing up all night and morning... |
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| With Grandpa Bob in Montana |
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| In Montana |
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| Lets just have a seat in the water |
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| Jack's duck friend getting some goldfish crackers |
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| sick day, they made beds for themselves on the kitchen floor |
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| Beautiful little Maddy |
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| Best Buds |
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| My handsome little adventure boy |
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| Playing at pump it up |
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| The main attraction was not the inflatable slides, but the drinking fountain, of course! |
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