The boys finished their last skating lesson for this session today. They had a make-up class yesterday. As they were headed onto the ice, they both burst out crying (typical). Thomas went first and I was left with Nathan. I got on my knees, looked him in the eyes and asked him to stop crying, be brave, etc… He cleared up and didn’t shed another tear yesterday or today! We can not underestimate their capable to understand. Thomas actually seemed to do better picking up his feet and his coach told me today that he would have actually skated on his own except for the death grip on her finger. Nathan, whose balance seems to be just as good, is a little more cautious in picking up his feet. He was just skulling. Thomas who didn’t seem to cry the first few lessons had a tough time keeping it together yesterday and today. I think his cold is starting again so that may have contributed to his reaction. He is back to coughing and runny nose.

The boys received letters today in the mail from Santa, postmarked North Pole. Very cute! Apparently, he will be making a stop here because we have two, good little boys although it did mention they are supposed to be good up to Christmas and the year so I guess they better watch it!

Another skating video. By the way, Thomas is in the red coat and Nate, the blue.

In the first picture, the boys are eating their Sunday night popcorn behind Daddy's chair. I just thought they looked cute on their little picnic. Later that evening, they found the box of Q-tips and were having a hayday. When it's quiet, I start to worry. The next picture shows the boys in their toybox. Sometimes when they are fussing, I'll set them in it and that's enough to distract them from their tears. Thomas finds himself interesting perches. Using the window ledge, he climed up to the dining room table and is enjoying the scenery. There is a very busy hanging birdfeeder at that window which may have gotten his attention.

Both boys love to tell each other "No, no, no, no!" I have started to explaining to them that telling mommy no, just doesn't work. They tell the dogs no all the time too. Yesterday, Thomas found a little nook between the toychest and the couch, pretty much just enough room for himself and he was making sure Nathan wasn't going to fit in by telling him No! It made me so sad because Nathan just wanted to be with Thomas.

Nathan is super at saying Thank you. He actually helps me unload the dishwasher by standing on the door and handing me every (or close to it) item. I always say thank you when he hands me something so I think that is where he learned it. It is amazing to hear him say it without prompting it.

The other day, Thomas bit Nathan for which he was immediately sent to bed. After he had some quiet time there, I went to get him and told him that he hurt Nathan, that he should give Nathan a kiss and say sorry. We walked into the room, headed straight for Nathan and both boys did a big smooch. I want them to learn to be affectionate even with each other so we really encourage this like every time Daddy leaves or each bedtime, we all get and give kisses!

The other day we were at a doctor's office. I was whispering to the kids and they were whispering back. Another patient pointed out that it was very cool that they were whispering....I hadn't even thought of it until she said something.

I'm really excited with the ice skating. Nathan is definitely having a time with being with strangers. Hopefully this will subside; the coach is very patient and just keeps trying to settle him. Seeing the other children out on the ice definitely distracts him in a good way. Thomas didn't cry much at all. He actually took a few steps on the ice and played most of the time! Before they went into class, Dawn the owner asked me to walk them around on the rubber matting with their skates on(the entire area outside the ice) to get them some idea of picking up their feet. That's actually how they teach on the ice. They chant "1, 2, 1, 2..." which will eventually be "1, glide, 2, glide..." This is getting much to complicated....good night!!

Couple of Videos

Since Jen is busy, I thought I would post these. The first is of the boys second skating lesson. Pay particular attention starting at the 2:00 minute mark. The second is from Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving Shots

Here are a few from Turkey Day!

First Skate

The boys skating lessons will be once a week, 45 minutes long. Dena, who was with Thomas, said she thought they did well with balance while on the ice. They both cried a good deal of the time totally due to mommy separation. The coaches tried to stay separated too because the boys were also making each other cry. I am with them 99% of time so this is really good and they learn to skate in the meantime! I was really happy with the manner in which the coaches dealt with the boys. Very gentle and they even wiped their noses! The earliest they teach the kids to skate is 18 months.

Thomas is surprising us with words! He came into the kitchen the other night, set is cup on the counter and said "more". I asked him if he had a dirty diaper and he nodded is head and said "yes". He has been right about this enough times that I know he is aware of it. I think Nathan knows too but when I ask him (and I know it is dirty) he won't answer me.

I handed Nathan a cup of water the other day so that the handle was intentionally in his right hand. He very carefully rotated the cup around so that the handle was in his left hand and then took his drink. He is consistently doing things with his left hand, like throwing a ball.

Yesterday at the library, a baby was playing with a ball and it rolled away from him. The mother asked her little girl to get it and Thomas was already on his way and grabbed it. The little girl took it from him and returned it to her mother even though the mother had changed her mind and was trying to let Thomas have it. I was right there and I said that likely Thomas was just going to bring it to her anyways. The mother sort of smiled at me and was probably thinking "yeah, right, lady...wishful thinking!" But it all happened again a few minutes later and sure enough Thomas ran and got it and gave it to the lady. He probably has no idea that was a polite thing to do, but both boys have always been really good about getting things that drop for me or each other.

I expected to upload video of the boys ice skating, but, they couldn't got because of their colds...

This is from this morning at the playground.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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We have a small playground we've been biking to periodically. I had been going down the slide with the boys but realized they are quite capable of doing it on their own! The first picture is Thomas looking down to see if Nathan was done and Nathan in the second picture decided to take it on his belly. That's Nathan in the fry pan and Thomas with the tea cozy on. Finally, in the last picture, we captured Nathan in total concentration. He purses his lips like that a lot! In the video, you can see Nathan wiggling his tongue. He also does that often. I don't know if it is all concentration or maybe boredom?

They are quite the kissers! In fact, the other day, we suggested they give each other a smooch which they eagerly did 3 times! It's so nice to say "Mommy wants a kiss" and then get a noisy kiss on the cheek.

We start next week with ice skating lessons! We got the skates today and we are all set with snow pants and gloves. I hope they like it.

The word uh-oh seems to have reached an all time high. Both boys say it any time something gets dropped or hurt. I accidentally bumped Nathan with the vacuum wand the other day and he looked up at me, said uh-oh and burst into tears! Broke my heart.

They seem to be using words appropriately, like when the phone rings or Daddy gets home they immediately say Dada. They try very hard to say banana which usually comes out nana. They (Thomas, especially) are very proficient at yelling at Doodle using his name when he barks at the neighbor dog. We have fun getting them to repeat words. One time when the boys were getting to close to the hot oven, I said "hot, hot, hot, hot!" escalating my voice up. Nathan has taken the liberty of copying me and using it often.

Halloween Details

The Thursday before Halloween, Hudson, the next town over, had a trick or treat walk. All the stores along Main Street were handing out candy. We walked down to see the sites with the kids dressed up and ended up collecting quite the bag of candy! We had to get a picture of the boys in their stroller to compare to last years photo! Nathan made an adorable pooh! See his belly? It was padded and made him look chubby! The Saturday before Halloween, we carved 2 small pumpkins with the boys help! Everything we do, they want to be right in the middle of! That's part of it! The last picture is from Halloween night; we drove over to Indian Head Farm (here in Berlin) to view their 100 or so carved pumpkins.

How about Video?

Here is a little test to see if video will work here...

Here are a some of Nate and Tommy this morning...

Copy Kats and Friends

In the first picture, Thomas is quietly reading his book. As soon as he got down, Nathan climbed up with his book. Very typical. What Thomas does, Nathan will soon copy. Not to say that Thomas doesn't check out Nathan once in awhile but it is usually the other way around. The other day, I gave them each a spoonful of frosting and Thomas looked to see what Nathan was doing with it before he tried it.

I love to see them reading. Nathan has taken to "reading" the books out loud, pointing to things on the page with a running commentary. I guess that's what I do!

This past week, we had a few different friends over, mostly kids that are just a little older, but it's been good for the boys. They do enjoy playing with playdoh. Can you see Nathan is sticking some in his hair? That's because a couple of days before his Dad was putting large chunks of it on his own nose to enhance his features! They do watch and remember.

In the last picture, they are playing in a large plastic tub. Had I known how entertaining this would be to them, I would of bought one ages before! You just never know what it will be that catches their interest.

Apple Picking and Tractor News

We took the boys apple picking last Saturday. Both of them are avid apple eaters so the orchard was right up their alley! It was a beautiful, cold day.

Sunday morning when we were getting ready to go out, Thomas got hold of his Dad's razor, turned it on and gave himself a trim. I thought it would tickle or bother him, but he kept right at it! We had to get a few pictures of him shaving.

Thomas has been giving me kisses on the lips! Nathan kissed a few times while I had him down on the changing table, then he started just leaning his forehead towards me, now he just ignores my requests! Thomas, espeically if we've been separated at all, will happily give me a great big kiss with sound effects and all. He also gives big hugs but only when he wants to. I guess that's how it'll always be.

Both boys are taken with the tractor we have. For awhile, we had it sitting where they could see it from the house. So, that's when they learned to say "tractor". We received a newsletter from the tractor place which Thomas found and got himself situated at the table to study the tractor pictures. I had nothing to do with him getting up there and spreading it out. He was very business-like about it.

Nathan's issues with his bath have all evaporated. For a few baths in a row, I put my feet in with them and he clung to my legs like he was scared of slipping. Then earlier this week, I just plopped him in, he sat down without me asking him, played the entire and hasn't complained since!

I found Matt's old matchbox cars. The boys have really gotten into things with wheels lately. It's so neat to see them stretched out on the floor, zooming the cars around and making the noises to match. Takes imagination on their part!

New Stuff and Older Stuff

We've had a really nice week! The stroller shown in the last 2 pictures hooks up to a bike. Monday, we biked over to a small playground where there were several other small children playing (socialization!). I think the boys favorite play ground activity is riding in the swing. I put them in together as there was only one toddler swing. Tuesday, we walked up to the Hudson library for the boys first story hour. Thomas sat on my lap but Nathan stood next to me. It was about 15 minutes long but definitely long enough. This library has an excellent children's floor. They have loads of books for kids but also several play areas like a train table, puzzles, puppets, kitchenette, small trucks. It's just really nice to get them out. Although, Thomas was possessive of any thing in arms reach. Nathan seems to be more laid back about the give and take of toys. Today, we tried a small play group in Stow. Not something I would do every week but a nice little outing. It's in the town hall of a nearby town--a bunch of moms get together with their toddlers and the hall has several toys for the kids. The pediatrian had recommended to us to get out more, so I'm trying. It does feel good to get out but when it comes right down to it, we are home-bodies! They just love to play outside especially if they can help me do something like planting bulbs or picking flowers. This morning, I opened the back door to let them play outside while I was cleaning up the dishes and they just stood out there practicing their yelling technique.

In honor of our wild flock of turkeys (which sadly we haven't seen for several days), I'm dressing the boys in Halloween costumes that allow them to "cluck cluck". The boys stand at the door or windows several times a day clucking and looking at me to see if I see turkeys. If I start clucking, they immediately run to the window to look. They are very taken with the turkeys.

We are just about ready for snow! Thomas is nicely fitting in the 18 month snow gear we purchased today. The coat and pants are just to big for Nathan so we'll have to go back for 12 month items. I'm really excited to get them out in snow! I was able to find everything at Target for what seemed a reasonable price.

We've noticed Nathan walking on his tip-toes a few different times the last couple of days. We've see Thomas do it for several months now. Just something to note.

Straws have gone by the wayside now. The boys were primarily using straws but now whip them out and drink like big kids! So, I pour about 2 mouthfuls into the glass and hand it to them. It's a little more tedious like this, but easier than cleaning up spilled milk!

Many people ask if the boys have their own language. I don't catch them talking to each other very often, but they were when I took this picture. They very often hang out on the back deck while I work in the kitchen. They found a little ledge to sit on and were discussing something in depth.

The boys had their 18 month check up this past Wednesday. They received their flu shot, chicken pox vaccine and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus & whooping cough). Thomas did not cry at all during his exam and Nathan was quite distressed with the strange man leaning over the top of him. Thomas is almost 24 pounds and Nathan is almost 21.5 pounds. Thomas is 32" long and Nathan is almost 30".

Unfortunately, their noses began to run Friday morning. Nathan started a strange little cough during the night. I've never heard croup, but it was what I imagined it to sound like. I brought him into the doctor today and we found out he has a nasty ear infection in his right ear. His first. The croup-like cough barely even came up in the discussion with his ear looking so bad. We are giving him an antibiotic and a lot of TLC. Thomas seems to just have a runny nose. Matt isn't feeling so great. He may end up going to the doctor too.

Trying to Fill Daddy's Shoes

Last weekend, we attended a birthday party. The boys had the rare opportunity to play the drums! As you can see, Nathan looks like a natural and Thomas is trying to figure out how he can reach the cymbals.

The boys want to help! Last Saturday, they helped their Dad move their crib mattress down to the bottom setting. Then yesterday, you can see I had help baking in the kitchen. I found a package of miniature kitchen tools at Hannafords and set them to work with bowls of flour! Hey, everything can be vaccuumed or washed. They were happy and I had a chance to get dinner ready! I can remember a friend of mine from work who has 3 children taught me that one of my requirements as a parent is to teach my children to work. The job will likely not get done as quickly or as well but when it comes to kids, that's not the point. First to teach them the ethic of work, second to teach the task at hand and third to actually get it done! Life is fleeting, their childhood is over in a flash, I want to remember this.

I couldn't resist grabbing a picture of Nathan with his Dad's shoes on!

This is just a guess but Nathan may be left handed. We have both noticed on different occasions that if you hand him something like a tooth brush he'll switch hands so that he is always holding it in his left. It may be to early to tell. In the pictures, Thomas is using the screw driver with his right hand. At the counter, Nathan is stirring with his left hand and Thomas with his right. Just a few observations.

The boys very definitely say: hot, bye bye and Da da but not always on command. Likely they say other words, but we can't understand them, for example Nathan pointed at the milk a few different times at dinner tonight and said the same thing every time....it just didn't sound like milk. Nathan is starting to repeat things if you ask him to. He said Bible and tractor today. Kind of neat to hear him talk. On the other hand, Thomas will just look at you when you ask him to repeat something. It is amazing though, Thomas has the entire conversation routine down. He looks you right in the eye and says a entire string of nonsense, pauses like he's at the end of a sentence and starts up again even ending some with a question mark. I can't wait to find out what he is saying. His little voice is totally adorable.