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.

Wow...

Thank goodness it didn't go up into the windshield! Matt was driving to work yesterday morning and the car in front of him threw this heavy duty tractor trailer ratchet strap up into his radiator. Matt saw it for just a split second, thought it was just a yellow caution tape until he heard the thud of what he thought was an impact on the undercarriage. He qucily realized tape doesn't make a thud on impact but didn't realize it hit the front of car. He just thought he had run over it like the other car! Two other drivers drove up to him and pointed to it. He was very lucky in two ways: First that it hadn't been kicked up into the windshield, and second, that once it had embedded into the radiator, the strap ends didn't go under the tires while he was driving at 70+ mph. What a freak accident!

Nathan is getting his first molar. Thomas has 4 molars and three of the four eye teeth coming in. Earlier this week, Thomas actually helped me mow the lawn! He took hold of the handle with me and walked along. I couldn't believe he could already reach, but he did! Last night was the first time Thomas actually fed the dogs their dog food for dinner. He had gotten one piece of kibble into the scoop and was dumping it into the dish. We went back together and fed them much to his delight. I can't hardly believe they are old enought to be interested in helping but they sure are! I was planting bulbs earlier this week and both boys were very importantly taking handfuls of bone meal and mixing it in with my dirt. All they have to do is see you do it once and they try!

Nathan has started rebelling at his bath. I'm not sure why but every time I ask him to sit down, he screams bloody murder. I have checked all over wondering if something hurts him but I don't notice anything. This has happened about 4 times now so this past bath, I sat him down and let him hold onto me. He calmed down and actually started to play. I don't know if it's an act or if he is scared of something but hopefully he'll forget about it soon. I think we'll try a shower today.

A flock of turkeys roost in the trees in front of our house so every night after dinner they come parading through the yard. The boys are taken with them. As soon as I start clucking, they run to the windows!

Just a few cute pictures

Sunday morning, I quick polished the boys sandles. The next morning, Thomas found the shoe polish and was busy working on his sandles. Great to see the boys copying! I had to get a picture or two of the boys with the black case on their heads. You'll notice the picture of Nathan standing in the corner of his bedroom that he has socks on his hands. I'm not sure which boy started that trend, but it's a favorite. Pretty much every morning, I sit in their bedroom reading while they play and usually at least a handful of times I'm given a pair of socks and a set of hands! The dark picture is of my darling boys sitting in Annie's crate. Annie was spayed last Friday and so we had the crate out so that she could rest away from the boys. I'm quite sure the boys spent more time in there than Annie did. The last picture is of Thomas this morning on his grandpa's old cell phone while he was getting a diaper change. I love how he holds it to his ear. He has his hand next to his cheek and the phone facing his shoulder. He actually is very good about talking on the real phone. Nathan usually pushes the phone away but Thomas will talk.

We are noticing Thomas is walking on his tiptoes more often. Nathan never does but Thomas does I'm guessing about 25% of the time. I notice it especially when he first wakes up. Apparently, Matt had a problem with this that really came to a head when he was around 4 years old. The boys have their 18 month checkup soon, so I'll just mention it to the doctor.

Hats and such...

Just a few cute pictures. Thomas' hat was his idea! Nathan decided to climb up in the window and for that reason those windows have been closed most of the year! I think I was watering the window boxes. What a couple of monkeys. Thomas has my apron on, poor kid! The two smiling kids eating their afternoon snack is a picture from today. They have a hard time pulling out of their afternoon nap and I find giving them something to eat brightens up their moods. As you can see I was getting great big smiles! We have started this week to eliminate the morning nap as the afternoon nap was getting later and later.

This past weekend we were out in Rochester for my brother Tim's wedding. We took the boys (all dressed up....picture coming!) to the wedding but then they stayed with their grandparents while Matt and I went to the evening reception. From the sounds of things, it went very well. Nathan was excessively tired and broke into gales of tears during the evening but he was easily comforted by grandma or grandpa. Apparently both boys enjoyed Grandpa's fresca & orange juice! The boys are definitely getting memories of their grandparent's house. It took them about 2 seconds to remember the phone that gets religated to the top of the couch in the living room when they appear. They also went right to the phone in Grandpa's computer area.

Thomas has a canine tooth coming in and we are still waiting on molars for Nathan. Nothing else new! We are enjoying cool weather. I can't believe Nathan still fits into some 9 months winter clothes! They are 17 months but he is a couple inches shorter than Thomas.