Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
It's beginning to look alot like.....
Christmas!
This is hands down my favorite time of year! I could not wait to get the Christmas decorations up this year so I could see the pure amazement and excitement in the kids' eyes.
We put up the Christmas tree the Friday evening after Thanksgiving. Last year, we placed it in the corner of our dining room and completely gated off the dining room so the twins couldn't bother it. I debated on whether I should do the same this year. Or, are they now old enough to understand?
That question, along with my frustration of constantly picking up the kids' toys in the family room, gave me a brainstorm. After the kids are in bed every night, I have to stumble over toys and their mess just to relax on the couch and it drives me absolutely bonkers.
We live in a townhouse but it's a decent size and very wide. Our dining room is almost the size of what you would find in a single family home. And, since having the kids, we just don't entertain like we used to. Now, it's essentially wasted space. If we have a family meal, it's at the kitchen table. The dining room table just sits empty.
So, I decided to move all of the kids' toys into a designated kids play area at the back of the dining room.
So far, it has served the purpose of keeping the toys in the dining room and not under my feet when I'm trying to walk around in the family room.
With the toys now in their new home, it allowed us to place the Christmas tree in the corner of the family room where the toys used to live. Now we can keep an eye on it and stop the twins if they start to get curious.
It's hard to see but the "theme" of the Xmas tree is rustic. There are balsam wood stars and bells, burlap snowmen, wooden animals, patchwork stockings. And, red berry garland. Nothing is breakable, which is a good thing.
I thought the kids would show an interest in the ornaments but instead they are fascinated with the berry garland. Christopher keeps pulling off the berries and saying "Balls" and throwing them across the family room! And, this morning, Daddy said Kendall stuck a berry up her nose. Niiiicce!
On the bright side, at least the tree is still standing after 3 days.
This is hands down my favorite time of year! I could not wait to get the Christmas decorations up this year so I could see the pure amazement and excitement in the kids' eyes.
We put up the Christmas tree the Friday evening after Thanksgiving. Last year, we placed it in the corner of our dining room and completely gated off the dining room so the twins couldn't bother it. I debated on whether I should do the same this year. Or, are they now old enough to understand?
That question, along with my frustration of constantly picking up the kids' toys in the family room, gave me a brainstorm. After the kids are in bed every night, I have to stumble over toys and their mess just to relax on the couch and it drives me absolutely bonkers.
We live in a townhouse but it's a decent size and very wide. Our dining room is almost the size of what you would find in a single family home. And, since having the kids, we just don't entertain like we used to. Now, it's essentially wasted space. If we have a family meal, it's at the kitchen table. The dining room table just sits empty.
So, I decided to move all of the kids' toys into a designated kids play area at the back of the dining room.
 |
| Work in Progress |
 |
| Christopher being a "helper" |
 |
| Finished view from family room |
 |
| Finished View from hallway |
With the toys now in their new home, it allowed us to place the Christmas tree in the corner of the family room where the toys used to live. Now we can keep an eye on it and stop the twins if they start to get curious.
It's hard to see but the "theme" of the Xmas tree is rustic. There are balsam wood stars and bells, burlap snowmen, wooden animals, patchwork stockings. And, red berry garland. Nothing is breakable, which is a good thing.
I thought the kids would show an interest in the ornaments but instead they are fascinated with the berry garland. Christopher keeps pulling off the berries and saying "Balls" and throwing them across the family room! And, this morning, Daddy said Kendall stuck a berry up her nose. Niiiicce!
On the bright side, at least the tree is still standing after 3 days.
Monday, November 21, 2011
What a 25-month old can do
I love reading other blogs to see how other twins’ are developing so here’s an update on mine (in case anyone likes to read my blog for the same reason).
Kendall
• Knows every letter and will identify them out of context. We take the kids’ to the mall play area on Sunday mornings before the mall opens and we often stroll the hallways so the kids can run and get out some energy. This past weekend, Kendall stopped at a store window and started reciting the letters that were on the window.
• Can count to 1-10 in English and Spanish. She’s been counting in English for about 2 months and has even started counting on her fingers. A few weeks ago, she was in the back seat of my car and I heard what sounded like Spanish. When I started repeating the numbers, they seemed familiar to her. She must have learned it at school because it’s not something we’ve practiced at home.
• Has started saying simple sentences like “Kendall singing”, “Mommy dancing” or “Chris crying”. I put new PJs on her a few weeks ago and told her she looked cute. Now, she walks around saying, “I are cute”. Why, yes you are my little cutie!
• She still loves to color and draw. I think she’s going to be a lefty.
• Will point out the colors of things she sees. “I wear brown”, “Mommy wear pink”, “Red car”.
• Loves listening to the Wiggles. I purchased a “Best of” album for my iPhone and she asks to listen to it constantly. “Wiggles”? “Wiggles”? And, I have to admit. Some of their songs are catchy!
• She also requests an animal game that I have on my iPhone. I highly recommend it. A flashcard pops up that shows the animal, the name of the animal and it makes the sound of the animal. Both kids love it and they are learning the names of animals they would not normally see.
• Is becoming more independent. If I’m carrying her, she will say, “I walk, Mommy”!
• Her favorite foods are mac ‘n cheese and pizza. In between bites, she says, “Nummy Nummy”.
Christopher
• Has started talking much more over the last 2 months or so. He is also saying simple sentences like, “I want apple juice”. If I don’t respond as quickly as he thinks I should, he will walk into the kitchen and open the refrigerator door and yell, “Mommy”!
• When the kids’ are fighting or whining, I will often say, “Enough”. Last weekend, Kendall was carrying on and crying about something. Christopher turned around with this scowl on his face, pointed his finger and said, “E-nough”!
• Loves to climb and jump. His new favorite game is to place a chair from their craft table next to the knee wall that separates our living room and dining room. He climbs over the wall and falls on the couch. We’re still trying to stop that one.
• His favorite toy right now is his football. Daddy bought him a real football a few months ago. It was a nice day yesterday so we went outside and they threw the football. Well, actually Daddy threw the football and Christopher chased it and dove on it. But, still fun for everyone.
• He’s very loving and empathetic. If Kendall is crying, he will walk over and pat her back or give her hug. He often comes over to me and says, “Lap” and then climbs up and snuggles.
• He has taken a special liking to our cat, Kisa. He often goes to the bottom of the stairs and yells, “Kisa! Treats”! When she comes downstairs, he gently pets her and lays his head on her.
• Loves to color with markers. It’s my “go to” distraction if I need to get something done.
• His favorite foods are grapes, yogurt and pancakes
And, here's my "Awww" moment for the week. We were driving to daycare last week and when I looked in my rearview mirror, I saw this:
Kendall
• Knows every letter and will identify them out of context. We take the kids’ to the mall play area on Sunday mornings before the mall opens and we often stroll the hallways so the kids can run and get out some energy. This past weekend, Kendall stopped at a store window and started reciting the letters that were on the window.
• Can count to 1-10 in English and Spanish. She’s been counting in English for about 2 months and has even started counting on her fingers. A few weeks ago, she was in the back seat of my car and I heard what sounded like Spanish. When I started repeating the numbers, they seemed familiar to her. She must have learned it at school because it’s not something we’ve practiced at home.
• Has started saying simple sentences like “Kendall singing”, “Mommy dancing” or “Chris crying”. I put new PJs on her a few weeks ago and told her she looked cute. Now, she walks around saying, “I are cute”. Why, yes you are my little cutie!
• She still loves to color and draw. I think she’s going to be a lefty.
• Will point out the colors of things she sees. “I wear brown”, “Mommy wear pink”, “Red car”.
• Loves listening to the Wiggles. I purchased a “Best of” album for my iPhone and she asks to listen to it constantly. “Wiggles”? “Wiggles”? And, I have to admit. Some of their songs are catchy!
• She also requests an animal game that I have on my iPhone. I highly recommend it. A flashcard pops up that shows the animal, the name of the animal and it makes the sound of the animal. Both kids love it and they are learning the names of animals they would not normally see.
• Her favorite foods are mac ‘n cheese and pizza. In between bites, she says, “Nummy Nummy”.
Christopher
• Has started talking much more over the last 2 months or so. He is also saying simple sentences like, “I want apple juice”. If I don’t respond as quickly as he thinks I should, he will walk into the kitchen and open the refrigerator door and yell, “Mommy”!
• When the kids’ are fighting or whining, I will often say, “Enough”. Last weekend, Kendall was carrying on and crying about something. Christopher turned around with this scowl on his face, pointed his finger and said, “E-nough”!
• Loves to climb and jump. His new favorite game is to place a chair from their craft table next to the knee wall that separates our living room and dining room. He climbs over the wall and falls on the couch. We’re still trying to stop that one.
• His favorite toy right now is his football. Daddy bought him a real football a few months ago. It was a nice day yesterday so we went outside and they threw the football. Well, actually Daddy threw the football and Christopher chased it and dove on it. But, still fun for everyone.
• He’s very loving and empathetic. If Kendall is crying, he will walk over and pat her back or give her hug. He often comes over to me and says, “Lap” and then climbs up and snuggles.
• He has taken a special liking to our cat, Kisa. He often goes to the bottom of the stairs and yells, “Kisa! Treats”! When she comes downstairs, he gently pets her and lays his head on her.
• Loves to color with markers. It’s my “go to” distraction if I need to get something done.
• His favorite foods are grapes, yogurt and pancakes
And, here's my "Awww" moment for the week. We were driving to daycare last week and when I looked in my rearview mirror, I saw this:
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Hamster on a wheel
When people find out I'm the mother of twins, they often ask, "How do you do it"?
My answer is usually the same. "Oh, it can be challenging but it's worth it". And then I walk away and say under breath, "I don't know".
The truth is, there are many days when I feel like I don't do it. There are days when I feel like a boss, a wife, a mother, a maid, a chauffeur, a chef, a teacher, etc., etc.
There are days when I don't know if I'm coming or going. And my memory? Oh sweet Jesus, my memory.
I feel like a hamster on a wheel. I keep running and running but I'm not really getting anywhere.
I clean the house and it's trashed within an hour.
I do the laundry and the basket is full by the next day.
I cook dinner, only to be followed by rejections and requests for something else.
When I look back at my posts when the twins were 3-4 months old, I ask myself, "How did you do it"? And to be honest, it's all a blur.
It was cycles of pumping, bottles, diaper changes and sleeping. I remember thinking that I was living my life in 3 hour increments, just trying to get through the day.
Twins at age 2 has it's own set of challenges, there's no doubt about it. The demands of me physically have diminished and now it's a mental challenge.
The temper tantrums, the independence, the fighting, the sibling rivalry, the quest to be "first".
Yes, it can be enough to make any one crazy.
But, we ARE doing it. We brought these 2 wonderful little kids into this world and we will be the best parents we can be.
And, maybe, just maybe. This hamster will get somewhere some day.
My answer is usually the same. "Oh, it can be challenging but it's worth it". And then I walk away and say under breath, "I don't know".
The truth is, there are many days when I feel like I don't do it. There are days when I feel like a boss, a wife, a mother, a maid, a chauffeur, a chef, a teacher, etc., etc.
There are days when I don't know if I'm coming or going. And my memory? Oh sweet Jesus, my memory.
I feel like a hamster on a wheel. I keep running and running but I'm not really getting anywhere.
I clean the house and it's trashed within an hour.
I do the laundry and the basket is full by the next day.
I cook dinner, only to be followed by rejections and requests for something else.
When I look back at my posts when the twins were 3-4 months old, I ask myself, "How did you do it"? And to be honest, it's all a blur.
It was cycles of pumping, bottles, diaper changes and sleeping. I remember thinking that I was living my life in 3 hour increments, just trying to get through the day.
Twins at age 2 has it's own set of challenges, there's no doubt about it. The demands of me physically have diminished and now it's a mental challenge.
The temper tantrums, the independence, the fighting, the sibling rivalry, the quest to be "first".
Yes, it can be enough to make any one crazy.
But, we ARE doing it. We brought these 2 wonderful little kids into this world and we will be the best parents we can be.
And, maybe, just maybe. This hamster will get somewhere some day.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
PukeAPalooza
Oh yes. We had stomach flu times two today.
Christopher woke up at 5:30 and immediately started dry heaving. By 7:30, he had gotten sick 4 times. Kendall woke up and seemed fine.
Until 9:30 am. And then she threw up.
Poor Christopher got sick every 45 minutes until 11:30. Thankfully Kendall only got sick the one time.
They seemed to be coming around by this evening.
Me: "Do you want to try to eat something"?
Christopher: "Yes"
Me: "Do you know what you want"?
Christopher: "Ice Cream"
That's my boy!
Christopher woke up at 5:30 and immediately started dry heaving. By 7:30, he had gotten sick 4 times. Kendall woke up and seemed fine.
Until 9:30 am. And then she threw up.
Poor Christopher got sick every 45 minutes until 11:30. Thankfully Kendall only got sick the one time.
They seemed to be coming around by this evening.
Me: "Do you want to try to eat something"?
Christopher: "Yes"
Me: "Do you know what you want"?
Christopher: "Ice Cream"
That's my boy!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
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