Happy 16 Months!

Note from Mom: Photo sessions are getting hard. These were the tame ones.

No Bibs! No Bibs! No Bibs!

If Ryan & Kaylie could walk around holding picket signs, this is what they would be chanting: "No bibs! No bibs! No bibs!"

They keep their bibs on for approximately one nanosecond (read: not long at all) now. It is a constant battle that they think is a game. On another blog I read, she found bibs that snap. I have to get on that. So far I haven't been able to find any waterproof ones. This particular night I gave up. They will soon be eating naked or I will be forced to change outifts. These days I dread dressing them. It is not an easy feat as they just struggle to get away from you. These pictures aren't actually bad but the bowtie one had to be shared---although the tie should be more centered. Ryan taking bowtie pasta a bit too far...

Tales from the Crib

The other day they woke up from nap at the same time. If they are both up at the same time, I usually get one and bring them downstairs and then go get the other. This particular day I brought Kaylie into Ryan's room to play for a bit. She for some reason wanted to get in Ryan's crib, so I put her in. Then of course Ryan wanted back in. So then I threw in all their stuffed animals and they had a ball.
You've heard of Where's Waldo?...well this is, Where's Kaylie? No she's not really sleeping. The camera just caught her with her eyes closed.
Ry saying, "What happened to my crib, Mom?!"

What's New?

• Kaylie has gotten three new teeth--two molars and a front bottom one so she now has 10. Ryan hasn't gotten any more so he is at 8.

• Kaylie has taken 5 controlled steps on her own now. Some of her other steps have been more of stumbles. Today was the first time I saw her let go of something and take steps. Usually we have to coax her to walk between Bob & myself. We're slowly getting there. I have to get that video camera out.

• They both got their first splinters and guess who had the lovely task of removing them? Me! It actually wasn't bad at all but not something I want to do daily. My fault for letting them play on the deck.

• We had a NICU follow up appointment today. Overall they are on track for everything except speech. They feel they are still lagging behind. Kaylie more than Ryan. So once again, I will get them evaluated and see what happens. Last time Kaylie didn't qualify. I'm not sure what else to do. We sing, talk, and read A LOT! They understand the things you are saying so that is a good sign. I guess I left the appointment a little down. It kind of hurts to hear your child is behind. I want a magic wand to make it better.

• Their Halloween costumes arrived today....but I'm not telling what they will be! You'll have to wait. Kaylie loves hers. She wouldn't put it down. We even took it in the car to the NICU appointment.

Twin Spins

I came across a CD that has songs just for twins!! It's called Twin Spins. It seems cute. Here's the link where you can listen to the songs. I think I may download the CD from iTunes though, it's actually cheaper there. Makes a great Christmas gift! (I have no connection to the company whatsoever.)

http://www.twinspins.com/index.html

September Shore

After music class, we headed to Grandma and Pop Pop's shore house where they are on vacation. Ryan & Kaylie went up to the beach for some sand castle making. At one point we were surrounded by seagulls who must have spied the three goldfish crackers we tossed to the side. Eeek! We also stayed overnight. It was so nice to be at the shore in the "off-season." No traffic or crowds. This was the first September I could experience this since all my other Septembers were spent teaching. Except for last year but we were in baby bootcamp and only managed a day trip that I hardly remember. In fact, I had to go back to look at my photos.

Which shovel Pop Pop?

Here they are this time last year.

Music Together

Well we had our first music class. It went WELL!!! But that's because Bob came with me. LOL! Normally, there will be three other friends in the class with me so we will all be able to handle watching all the kids. Well, two of them were away and the other's child got sick so it was going to be me ALONE! No way, no how. I don't do well going into situations where I don't know the place or what goes on there. Especially at this stage of the game.

Ryan and Kaylie seemed to enjoy the class. Kaylie didn't move too much but I could tell she was soaking it all in. She enjoyed using the instruments. Ryan walked around most of the class. He was mesmerized when the instructor played the guitar. He also enjoyed the instruments and didn't want to give any of them up. I thought it was cute when we first arrived at the class, he walked right up to other boys, tilted his head and looked them in the face. Like he had never seen another boy before. Truth is any of my friends with kids near his age have girls, so he doesn't see many boys. Anway, it was nice to have a dad in the class. I bet all those other moms were wishing their hubby had come with them too!

Sorry no pics were taken. Maybe next time.

Six Random Things About Me

I was tagged to list 6 random things about me.... so here goes.

1. I need to sleep with bootie socks on. If my feet are cold, I can't fall asleep. Random, I know, but that's the point of this.


2. I was a teacher. I always wanted to be a teacher. Well, not always. I did at one time want to be an artist/art teacher or pediatrician, but it always involved working with kids. I love to see them learn. The look they get on their face when the "get something" is worth it.


3. I am married to my high school sweetheart. We've been together for 15 years and married for 5. I wouldn't want it any other way.


4. I hate onions, coffee (GASP!), and smoking.


5. I've never gotten a traffic ticket. I was pulled over once though.

6. I like to have certain things done a certain way. For example, Ryan has to get the fish bottles with the blue caps and Kaylie gets any other color cap. Bob did the bottles one day and got it all fouled up. I don't know why, but that's just the way it is! I'm more of the, "If it's not done by me it's not done right." mentality. So I have issues...

Anyone reading this---consider yourself tagged.

More Kisses For Mommy and Weaning

Kaylie gave me her first kiss today!! It was an open-mouthed wet one on the cheek. It made me melt anyway. So now I officially have been kissed by both my babies. Life is good.

We started the weaning process today. Another sign that they are truly growing up before my eyes. For their afternoon bottle I gave milk in a straw sippy cup. They usually drink water or juice out of a regular sippy cup. Kaylie took right to it and happily drank her milk. Ryan didn't understand how to suck from the straw (although I can swear he did this on vacation out of Rachel's cup) and so he started crying. I gave him his bottle and he was happy. Tomorrow I am trying the milk out of a sippy cup for Ryan and we'll see if he takes it. He is much more attached to the bottle than Kaylie. I was hoping the process would be easy but it's not looking that way for Ryan. We'll see.

Day at the Races

Bob's work had their annual work party at Monmouth Park Racetrack today. We met Bob there, ate lunch, and caught a few of the races. Bob won 4 of the races that day. Kaylie liked the horses but Ry just wanted to run wild & free, which didn't allow for me to do any betting. I'm sure I would have hit a trifecta if allowed to bet of course! I'm going to invest in some backpack harnesses (some call them leashes) for these two. We stayed only about 2 hours. I was exhausted.
So a day at the races was really only a few HOURS at the racetrack. We had a nice time though and that's what counts.

Kaylie pointing to the horse.

Ryan not liking being held--he'd rather run away from you.

Fall Flowers

On our way home from the store I noticed these flowers in the development so I made a quick decision to take them for a walk straight from the car and TRY to get some pictures.

Ryan's Take...

Wait, you want me to sit?!?!I don't think so.

Which way should I go?

And I'm off...

Kaylie's Take...
OMG if I fall I'll land on THAT?

Wait, this might not be so bad, let me see.

I'm okay, I'm really okay. I remember this stuff.

But WHAT are those?!?!

The only decent shot of both of them. Gone are the days of them nicely sitting for a picture huh? And next time, Mommy brings the SLR!

Kaylie spied the first sign of fall. A leaf on the ground.

New Discoveries

Recently a lot of discoveries have been made around here...



First, I had a discovery of my own. Ok, maybe not a discovery--more like a revelation. It is something I knew I would have to face eventually but the reality of it hit today. I took the kids to the park today by myself. No biggie, I have done it before-- in the prewalk stage--which we are no longer in. We did OK until Ryan wanted out of the stroller. Then it became a nightmare. I had Kaylie on the baby swing while chasing after Ryan. He'd get far enough away for my liking and I would go run and pick him up (the whole time worried about Kaylie) and bring him back to the swing area. He HATED this and threw a fit (and he hates the swings too!).
I just get really nervous about someone taking my kids or the obvious something happening to them like getting hit by a swing or something. I realize that when I have two walkers the thought of going to the park alone (or anywhere for that matter) will be enough to make my skin crawl. It was a lot to handle so I did what any other MOM would do--- I decided it was time to go! Poor Kaylie didn't want to go, she was loving the swing and looking at everything. So then she had her fit while I tried to get her back in the stroller. Luckily the park isn't all that far from our house and we actually ended up staying longer than it took to get there. That's good right??
This makes me sad in a way. How do you deal with this? Two strong-willed toddlers going in two directions is not my forte.

Ryan before he started running away.

What I mostly saw of Ryan at the park.

Kaylie pointing to a dog. She is intrigued by them from a distance.

Moving on to other discoveries...the other night we finally put the two of them in the tub together. Ryan still protests actually sitting in the tub. Kaylie has gotten over her fear of the tub and happily sits and plays now. Kaylie discovered that Ryan has something she doesn't have if you get my drift. She was relentless about not leaving his parts alone. Needless to say bathtime ended as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, no pictures were taken but it did make us laugh.



The kids have discovered the kitchen drawers. They discovered them a long time ago but now they aren't so intrigued just by opening and closing them. Now they want to take out what's inside them. OY! Time to really get those drawer locks on. At least they were calm and quiet right?

15 Month Check Up

Ryan & Kaylie had their 15 month check up today.

Ryan weighs 24 lbs. 3 oz and is 32 1/4 inches long.
Kaylie is 18 lbs. 15 oz. 30 inches long.

We were hoping for her to be 20 pounds so we can turn her carseat, but she's not. We just have to wait a little longer. The doctor said she will be getting a whole bunch of teeth very soon. Her molars look ready to pop through. I know she's been chomping on her finger a lot lately, but she has been in good spirits and I wouldn't even know she was teething. That's my girl. Ryan on the other hand has been very whiney. I'm not sure what his deal is. Probably teething too. I've also noticed a little jealousy thing going on with him. If I hold Kaylie, then he comes over and tries to push her away. He doesn't want to share his mommy I guess.

Kisses for Mommy

Today is the first day of school in the district where I used to work. This is the second September that I am not teaching. Last year felt strange but this year I don't feel that same strangeness. I think life has gotten too busy to miss it. Sure working outside the home gives you daily adult interaction, but nothing beats the interaction you have with your kids. Ryan gave me my first kiss yesterday. I have waited 15 long months for this! For about two weeks he would kiss Lily (a Leapfrog doll) and he gave Daddy a kiss but no kiss for Mommy who is with him 24/7! I was feeling bad about this until yesterday. Of course today I didn't have any luck. I'm still waiting for kisses from Kaylie. Someday....

Elephant Ears

All the bakeries down in LBI make what are known as Elephant Ears. I had never experienced them before but they are delicious. It's like a large pastery (think bigger than a dinner plate) sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. We did purchase from two different bakeries and preferred the ones that didn't crumble in your hands. The ones where you could break off a big hunk were better. Bob & his family used to go to LBI when he was a kid. Bob & his sister used to sneak into the closet with the elephant ears and devour them.

Here's a picture of what they look like.



Here's Ryan & Kaylie eating them. It must run in the family because they liked them too!

More Vacation

One evening, we took some family portraits on the beach. Here are the favorites. Kaylie & Ryan needed to have a chorus singing to them so that they would stop crying and sit still.

Aunt Amy, Uncle Steve, Rachel & Emily