17 month olds are such interesting people. They are beginning to notice the world around them. They realize where things go, where everything is, and how to get it.
Recently we put up a shelving unit with bins in it. There are 2 bins for Glenn and my shoes and 1 for the kids. If ever you come to our house and can't find your shoes, my little cleaning machines probably put them away. One afternoon, I was picking up the toys. Brandon found a dish cloth, opened the laundry closets and put it on top of the dryer. WHAT!!! How did he know that's where it was kept.
Somehow, my little monsters know that good treats such as goldfish, water, and fruit bars are kept in my purses/ diaperbags. Each day when I get home I place my purse in the same place and many days Brandon will reach up ontop of the shelf, which at one point was way to high for him and will pull down my purse. He finds everything he shouldn't have, gum (wrapper and all), pens and keys. Oiy!!! He loves to take anything out of my purse. He also grabs at Tammy's purse to get all of her gum. He has never been given gum, how does he know what it's for? When you come to my house, place your purse way up high or else, all of your gum and pens will be pulled out faster than you though possible.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Toys Toys Toys
As months go by, I realize that I become an expert at each stage. Then the stage quickly passes and I'm an expert at a new stage. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the boys' favorite toys.
Brandon and Colin have a ton of toys and it seems that they have many favorites. They are both so musical and love anything with music. We have a ton of tambourines, drums, and maracas. One special drum was a great consignment find. It has several options for singing, drumming, abc's and even all that in Spanish. Recently at Bubbie's house they discovered a microphone that they can sing into and along with. So fun!
The boys also love their car. This is the car that we probably had as children ourselves. The company has updated the look to include a happy face, although, ours doesn't have the eyes. After speding WAY to much time putting it together, the eyes got left out. But construction of kids toys is a blog entry for another day. Often Colin gets into the car and sticks his arm out just hanging out. Shortly after, Brandon comes by and squishes in too. The result is not 2 children who have learned over and over again to share. This same car has a cupholder in the back. If you look in it often you'll find cheerios, raisins, or the milk cups. Brandon loves pushing Colin in the car as much as Colin loves pushing Brandon.
Outside, the kids LOVE the park and any playground. Especially if they get to "walk" Maisie on the way. By walk, I mean hold her leash and get caught up in the leash. Once we get to the park, the kids climb up to the top of the play structures and walk all around. After they discover the slide, all bets are off. Down, down, down they go. Down and around and back again. They could spend hours on the slides alone. Just a short walk away, they love to go weee weee in the swing. With the wind blowing Brandon and Colin go for a nice ride in the swings.
I could go on and on about toys. Blocks, dot dots, stacking cups, the trash can, vaccum cleaner, broom and leash top the house hold favorites. Swings, cars, slides, bouncy houses, and balls top the outdoor favorites. No matter how simple or complex the toy, Brandon and Colin play with a goal in mind. They are such fun to watch.
Brandon and Colin have a ton of toys and it seems that they have many favorites. They are both so musical and love anything with music. We have a ton of tambourines, drums, and maracas. One special drum was a great consignment find. It has several options for singing, drumming, abc's and even all that in Spanish. Recently at Bubbie's house they discovered a microphone that they can sing into and along with. So fun!
The boys also love their car. This is the car that we probably had as children ourselves. The company has updated the look to include a happy face, although, ours doesn't have the eyes. After speding WAY to much time putting it together, the eyes got left out. But construction of kids toys is a blog entry for another day. Often Colin gets into the car and sticks his arm out just hanging out. Shortly after, Brandon comes by and squishes in too. The result is not 2 children who have learned over and over again to share. This same car has a cupholder in the back. If you look in it often you'll find cheerios, raisins, or the milk cups. Brandon loves pushing Colin in the car as much as Colin loves pushing Brandon.
Outside, the kids LOVE the park and any playground. Especially if they get to "walk" Maisie on the way. By walk, I mean hold her leash and get caught up in the leash. Once we get to the park, the kids climb up to the top of the play structures and walk all around. After they discover the slide, all bets are off. Down, down, down they go. Down and around and back again. They could spend hours on the slides alone. Just a short walk away, they love to go weee weee in the swing. With the wind blowing Brandon and Colin go for a nice ride in the swings.
I could go on and on about toys. Blocks, dot dots, stacking cups, the trash can, vaccum cleaner, broom and leash top the house hold favorites. Swings, cars, slides, bouncy houses, and balls top the outdoor favorites. No matter how simple or complex the toy, Brandon and Colin play with a goal in mind. They are such fun to watch.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Where did the time go?
16 months old!!! Where did the time go? As I sit down to type, upstairs I have two little peaceful sleeping boys dreaming about Elmo, climbing on the couch, extra hugs at strange times of night, brotherly kisses and all the goodness that life has to bring them.
Brandon and Colin are very busy little boys. Each day brings new discoveries. They are climbing all over the place. They have figured out how to get toys up and down the stairs. Which only means that toys don't stay in the play room. It is now common to find "Da Da's" tennis racket anywhere in the house, or the little vaccume that they LOVE. You could suddenly step on a toy car or block because they left a loved toy behind. One favorite inside activity is to jump on the couch. Should Glenn or I sit on the white leather couch Brandon quickly comes over to climb up and run back and forth with a huge open mouth giggling smile. Soon after Colin joins the fun. He tests the limt to see how close he can stand to the edge without falling off. But IF he falls OH the drama!!!
Each week Grandma Sue has been bringing them to playgroup at the JCC. They sing, dance and play with other kids. They have been making a craft project weekly and playing with pinecones before and after playgroup. The morning isn't complete without a swing on the swing. They love this special time with their Grandma..
Brandon is busy dancing lately. He absolutely loves music. Should we turn on one of his favorite songs from Music Together, he will begin dancing in circles... spinning around. What fun! He bops his head at all the music his toys have and loves to cuddle up when Da da plays Waltzing Matilda.
Colin is a little dramatic. He is a very happy boy with an infectious laugh. His laugh is straight from his belly and only makes you smile and laugh. However when he has a fit, he has a fit!!! Colin has taken to throwing himself on the floor and tossing and turning looking to make sure you see this event. Oh sweet boy, we see through this. Life doesn't need to be this dramatic. If Brandon takes a toy, it's ok, just take it back don't cry about it.
The boys LOVE to be outside. We have a play castle for the boys and a little picnic table which was once Teddy's. They know to sit at the table and we'll give them a snack or lunch. In this beautiful weather many snacks have been shared in the backyard. They climb the castle like champions and slide down the slide.
Life is busy. Life is crazy. Life is fun with Brandon and Colin. I never imagined how much better life would be with two little characters running around my house.
Brandon and Colin are very busy little boys. Each day brings new discoveries. They are climbing all over the place. They have figured out how to get toys up and down the stairs. Which only means that toys don't stay in the play room. It is now common to find "Da Da's" tennis racket anywhere in the house, or the little vaccume that they LOVE. You could suddenly step on a toy car or block because they left a loved toy behind. One favorite inside activity is to jump on the couch. Should Glenn or I sit on the white leather couch Brandon quickly comes over to climb up and run back and forth with a huge open mouth giggling smile. Soon after Colin joins the fun. He tests the limt to see how close he can stand to the edge without falling off. But IF he falls OH the drama!!!
Each week Grandma Sue has been bringing them to playgroup at the JCC. They sing, dance and play with other kids. They have been making a craft project weekly and playing with pinecones before and after playgroup. The morning isn't complete without a swing on the swing. They love this special time with their Grandma..
Brandon is busy dancing lately. He absolutely loves music. Should we turn on one of his favorite songs from Music Together, he will begin dancing in circles... spinning around. What fun! He bops his head at all the music his toys have and loves to cuddle up when Da da plays Waltzing Matilda.
Colin is a little dramatic. He is a very happy boy with an infectious laugh. His laugh is straight from his belly and only makes you smile and laugh. However when he has a fit, he has a fit!!! Colin has taken to throwing himself on the floor and tossing and turning looking to make sure you see this event. Oh sweet boy, we see through this. Life doesn't need to be this dramatic. If Brandon takes a toy, it's ok, just take it back don't cry about it.
The boys LOVE to be outside. We have a play castle for the boys and a little picnic table which was once Teddy's. They know to sit at the table and we'll give them a snack or lunch. In this beautiful weather many snacks have been shared in the backyard. They climb the castle like champions and slide down the slide.
Life is busy. Life is crazy. Life is fun with Brandon and Colin. I never imagined how much better life would be with two little characters running around my house.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Toddle, Toddle, Fall
Oh the joys of walking boys has begun! I'm pleased to announce that Brandon and Colin toddle with hands unevenly held in the air, chests puffed out and big smiles and giggles. Then like a baseball player diving for home plate they too dive for the floor. I promise if they do this when they are older, they will be great baseball players. If you had a window to peek into our house you would constantly see little heads bopping around and then POOF, they are on the floor. It is the funniest time. They are also getting stronger in their walk. Today, they each walked across the room with an item in their hands. I can't believe how our lives are about to change.
On another note, all this time Colin would tease Brandon and he would take it. He fussed until he got the toy he wanted, he mauled him and bit him. He hit Brandon and B would either whine or ignore it. Today I noticed that Brandon is beginning to hold his own against Colin. He now hits Colin on the head and fights for toys he wants. It's not that I want my boys fighting, but rather that I'm happy that Brandon is no longer just taking it from his brother. Brotherly love!!! They play fight with big smiles on their faces.
I'm so lucky to have my two baby boys! Life is so much fun watching them grow up.
On another note, all this time Colin would tease Brandon and he would take it. He fussed until he got the toy he wanted, he mauled him and bit him. He hit Brandon and B would either whine or ignore it. Today I noticed that Brandon is beginning to hold his own against Colin. He now hits Colin on the head and fights for toys he wants. It's not that I want my boys fighting, but rather that I'm happy that Brandon is no longer just taking it from his brother. Brotherly love!!! They play fight with big smiles on their faces.
I'm so lucky to have my two baby boys! Life is so much fun watching them grow up.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
We Survived One Year... Of Twins
Wow! What a year it has been. The most difficult year and the most rewarding year of my life. It is amazing to think back to June 10, 2009 when Brandon and Colin came screaming into our lives. Brandon was so quiet for the first several days and then he made his voice heard, now he prefers to play with someone else. Colin let us know he was here immediately and now he is so happy to play by himself. The boys have gone from little babies who needed all of our attention to boys who are beginning to be independent kids. They sit at dinner and eat what's on their plates, they love to explore new toys, and read books. Brandon has begun giving me kisses and hugs. Colin is sharing his excitement by squealing like a duck. They are hilarious!
In the past couple days Brandon and Colin have each begun taking steps. Brandon went from 1 to 7 steps overnight and Colin did it a little more slowly. He's now up to 7 it has been about a week that he's taking a few steps. Our lives are about to change with the boys walking.
Happy Birthday Baby Boys! You have brought so much joy and happiness to our lives.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
11 Months
We are eleven months old!!! In a span of 6 weeks we will have traveled 3 times. Last weekend we went to Lake Oconee with all of Daddy's family. Uncle Les rented a house for everyone. We got to spend great time with everybody. We loved going in the pool with Oupa. Colin giggled and giggled as he splashed water everywhere. Brandon just sat happily in Oupa's lap.
Mommy and Daddy took advantage of nap time by going on the boat and jet ski. They loved having the time to fly around the lake. In a couple of weeks we'll be in FL with Mommy's family on vacation.
Recently Brandon has become a reading machine. "Goodnight Moon" and "Pat the Bunny" top the list. Colin is getting ready to walk. He even took 2 steps toward Mommy. He also said "Mom" for the first time today. Brandon has been saying it for a while.
Mom is preparing to give us our first taste of whole milk. She wonders if we'll like it. Hmm, I guess we'll have to see soon!
Mommy and Daddy took advantage of nap time by going on the boat and jet ski. They loved having the time to fly around the lake. In a couple of weeks we'll be in FL with Mommy's family on vacation.
Recently Brandon has become a reading machine. "Goodnight Moon" and "Pat the Bunny" top the list. Colin is getting ready to walk. He even took 2 steps toward Mommy. He also said "Mom" for the first time today. Brandon has been saying it for a while.
Mom is preparing to give us our first taste of whole milk. She wonders if we'll like it. Hmm, I guess we'll have to see soon!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Our First Trip
April 29, 2010 we embarked on our first trip with the boys. We packed up and left the house early to meet Grandma, Grandpa, Toddee, Annie, and Poppy at the airport. We took off for Massachusetts to meet many of our family members and celebrate Brian's wedding.
The flight was great. Glenn and I were prepared for a disaster and were pleasantly surprised to discover that the boys flew like champs. Maybe it had to do with being allowed to bring their car seats on the airplane and the abundance of food. They were great. We arrived and went straight to Auntie Franny and Uncle Keith's house. The boys enjoyed playing and meeting them. Even Mary stopped by for a little bit.
Friday rolled around and after a.... night sleep. (I can't say great, but it was decent considering it was Brandon's first time ever sleeping in a Pack 'n Play.) Glenn, Toddee, Annie and I went into Boston where we saw Minute Men, the first state house, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, and Boston Harbor. We had lunch and walked around.
While we walked through Boston, Grandma Flo, Grandma, Grandpa, Poppy, Auntie Fran, Uncle Keith, Brandon and Colin played, went to the park and even had ICE CREAM... it was their first time. So I'm told, the LOVED it. Begging for more and more. That night Brandon and Colin met baby Eliza and the Matloff/Sutton crew. They had a ball!
Saturday morning we left to go to the wedding. Wow, the Inn was beautiful! The boys played on the lawn while Brian and his groomsmen got ready for pictures. We spent quite a bit of time outside. That night we put on our dancing shoes. The boys enjoyed the ceremony crawling around on the lawn again. Then a little dancing and off to bed.
Sunday was a big day. We spent the morning seeing all of Grandma's family and the afternoon meeting all of Grandpa's family. His brother and cousins.
Wow, we had a great time meeting everyone. At last, it was time to go home. Again, they were great on the flight (in their car seats again). Upon our arrival home, the boys darted from toy to toy as if it was the first time they saw each one. We believe that they were truly happy to be home.
Over the weekend, they had ice cream, learned to climb stairs, wave bye bye (Brandon) and met so many wonderful family members. This was a trip to remember!
The flight was great. Glenn and I were prepared for a disaster and were pleasantly surprised to discover that the boys flew like champs. Maybe it had to do with being allowed to bring their car seats on the airplane and the abundance of food. They were great. We arrived and went straight to Auntie Franny and Uncle Keith's house. The boys enjoyed playing and meeting them. Even Mary stopped by for a little bit.
Friday rolled around and after a.... night sleep. (I can't say great, but it was decent considering it was Brandon's first time ever sleeping in a Pack 'n Play.) Glenn, Toddee, Annie and I went into Boston where we saw Minute Men, the first state house, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, and Boston Harbor. We had lunch and walked around.
While we walked through Boston, Grandma Flo, Grandma, Grandpa, Poppy, Auntie Fran, Uncle Keith, Brandon and Colin played, went to the park and even had ICE CREAM... it was their first time. So I'm told, the LOVED it. Begging for more and more. That night Brandon and Colin met baby Eliza and the Matloff/Sutton crew. They had a ball!
Saturday morning we left to go to the wedding. Wow, the Inn was beautiful! The boys played on the lawn while Brian and his groomsmen got ready for pictures. We spent quite a bit of time outside. That night we put on our dancing shoes. The boys enjoyed the ceremony crawling around on the lawn again. Then a little dancing and off to bed.
Sunday was a big day. We spent the morning seeing all of Grandma's family and the afternoon meeting all of Grandpa's family. His brother and cousins.
Wow, we had a great time meeting everyone. At last, it was time to go home. Again, they were great on the flight (in their car seats again). Upon our arrival home, the boys darted from toy to toy as if it was the first time they saw each one. We believe that they were truly happy to be home.
Over the weekend, they had ice cream, learned to climb stairs, wave bye bye (Brandon) and met so many wonderful family members. This was a trip to remember!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The New Adventures of Babies
The boys are now 10 months old. They are really beginning to notice the world and how it works. Brandon the observer watches until he has it figured out. Once he began crawling, there was no stopping him. He notices everything before he does anything. Colin on the other hand just goes for it. If he sees the ball roll under the couch, he will contort his body to try to get the ball or what ever object it may be. He watches the world carefully and nothing stops him. As I'm typing he's over at his car seat trying to pull it down.
The boys LOVE balls. They crawl after balls as if they are playing soccer with them. Boy, Glenn is lucky there is hope with these two.
We are off to Grandma's house today for Poppy's birthday.
We'll catch you later.
The boys LOVE balls. They crawl after balls as if they are playing soccer with them. Boy, Glenn is lucky there is hope with these two.
We are off to Grandma's house today for Poppy's birthday.
We'll catch you later.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Passover 2010
Teddy Says "Peace"
Glenn and Brandon above Glenn and Colin Below
Jill and Brandon
Glenn and Silas... with Poppy in the picture too!
Teddy and the Kippah
Happy Colin
Grandma and Poppy
Silas, Annie, and EllaWhy is this night different from all other nights?
This year for Passover we had the privilege of having the majority of our family together. Marsha and Alan Shulman were so kind to open their home to our family, Todd's family, my parents, as well as other friends of theirs. It was so fantastic to have Todd, Amy, Silas, Ella, Annie, Poppy, Teddy, Brandon and Colin all together to celebrate the holiday. The kids learned about Passover and the Seder. Each of the big kids were invited to read from the Hagaddah. Everyone tried on a Kippah =). Silas tried the bitter herbs... he tried a whole spoonful of it. Did he like it? Well, would you like an entire spoonful of horseradish? Matzoh wasn't a big hit for the big or little kids. Brandon and Colin didn't really like it either. However, Brandon REALLY liked the parsley. He also liked feeding Molly, Marsha's dog.
I'm attaching a few pictures of the night. Thanks to Ella for being a fantastic photographer!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Here we are 9 3/4 months ago baby Brandon and baby Colin were born. Wow! Our lives have changed a ton. We went from a happy couple without children who were rather independent to a family of 4. Before the boys, we would go out during the week with friends, Glenn would play b-ball to his hearts content and watch games with friends while I had cooking club and girls night to look forward to weekly. Then the boys arrived and it seemed that our lives stopped. All we did was feed babies, change babies, clean after babies who spit up ALL the time, and sleep (between feeding and changing). As time has gone on we began figuring out how to balance babies, us and ourselves. Glenn does a great job of getting out to play ball a couple times a week. It is no longer a big deal if he is out with the guys one night to watch a game and I get out a couple times a month for dinner with the girls. I'm not mentioning exercising, because I still can't figure out how to balance that into my life. Maybe in the next couple of months I'll get that one down pat.
Despite us regaining our "independence" back, we have also figured out where our little family falls into the equation. Our weekends are not filled with shopping and ball games, it's filled with going out for a walk, seeing cousins, scheduling a social life around nap time and enjoying every minute with our babies.
Brandon and Colin have also figured out things in these past few months. Brandon has begun to army crawl. Occasionally he gets up on all 4's but he prefers to slither like a snake. He loves to stand but can't get down. He knows what foods he likes to eat and which he chooses to refuse, even if the next time you offer the same food he may take it... or not. He can soothe himself at night and has recently begun waking up between 5:30 and 6 for his morning feeding before I go to work.
Colin has been busy making his mark on the world. He began crawling, pulling up, and cruising. His is now beginning to stand unassisted. He can do it up to 30 seconds. I believe he'll be walking by his first birthday. Colin also loves to eat. He can sit in his high chair with a plate of food and just slowly enjoy shoving everything into his mouth. Colin loves to check out anything that I say babies shouldn't play with. He likes wires and cords, plastic bags, leaves, twigs, sticks, stairs... oh the list is endless.
The boys keep us on our toes. Glenn loves to play ball with them. He rolls the ball around and the boys crawl after him. We also roll it back and forth with them.
Both Brandon and Colin also LOVE books! They don't really like sitting while we read, they love reading on their own by flipping the pages and looking at the pictures.
I could go on all day and talk about the new and exciting things in our life... in the boys life, but I'll stop at risk of being a gushing mom.
The boys still share a room
Despite us regaining our "independence" back, we have also figured out where our little family falls into the equation. Our weekends are not filled with shopping and ball games, it's filled with going out for a walk, seeing cousins, scheduling a social life around nap time and enjoying every minute with our babies.
Brandon and Colin have also figured out things in these past few months. Brandon has begun to army crawl. Occasionally he gets up on all 4's but he prefers to slither like a snake. He loves to stand but can't get down. He knows what foods he likes to eat and which he chooses to refuse, even if the next time you offer the same food he may take it... or not. He can soothe himself at night and has recently begun waking up between 5:30 and 6 for his morning feeding before I go to work.
Colin has been busy making his mark on the world. He began crawling, pulling up, and cruising. His is now beginning to stand unassisted. He can do it up to 30 seconds. I believe he'll be walking by his first birthday. Colin also loves to eat. He can sit in his high chair with a plate of food and just slowly enjoy shoving everything into his mouth. Colin loves to check out anything that I say babies shouldn't play with. He likes wires and cords, plastic bags, leaves, twigs, sticks, stairs... oh the list is endless.
The boys keep us on our toes. Glenn loves to play ball with them. He rolls the ball around and the boys crawl after him. We also roll it back and forth with them.
Both Brandon and Colin also LOVE books! They don't really like sitting while we read, they love reading on their own by flipping the pages and looking at the pictures.
I could go on all day and talk about the new and exciting things in our life... in the boys life, but I'll stop at risk of being a gushing mom.
The boys still share a room
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)