Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Before I Forget

Before I forget, I want to remember that Ryan peed on the potty last night for the first time and he did it again tonight! The first time, he did jump off after starting like he didn't know what was going on and then finished peeing on the floor. He was so cute and even clapped for himself. Tonight it was in the bowl. No such luck for Kaylie, but she really wants to. We'll just keep trying but I was sure it would be the other way around.
I've just been putting them on the potty right before bathtime to see what happens. So far 2 for 2 with Ryan. Maybe it's the wrong time for Kaylie. I figure they are naked already and they can go right into the tub after. My kids just want to run around naked at any other time I try and then it is a battle getting them dressed again so I've taken a baby step here. We'll see what develops.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

On Being Almost 2 1/2

We are 3 weeks away from turning 2 1/2...

In some ways it has gotten easier--they play by themselves more which allows me to get some things done. They also have started playing WITH each other. This of course leads to MANY, MANY fights that have to be broken up/settled by me. I must admit I lose my patience with this very quickly. Why is it that when I was teaching I had all the patience in the world, but with my two children that patience flies out the window as soon as the fighting starts? I know they are toddlers and have a lot to learn about the world and it is my job to teach/model how to share and take turns. It's not so easy to do with 2 toddlers screaming, "Me! Me! Me! It's all about me!" from every pore in their body. There is no reasoning to be had.

I think things have gotten a bit better because they have started speaking more too. And yes, I have even seen more sharing and I praise that like it's nobody's business believe me. They are beginning to put together 3-4 word phrases now. I see their vocabulary growing by the day and I just love how they pronounce words. No matter how many times you might say it to them the correct way, blankets were still "mankets" according to Ryan. But we have now graduated to "bankets"--some progress. Magnets=maggots, DV=TV, and I won't bother going into what fork sounds like. I just love the way they pronounce things.

They know their shapes, colors, and we are almost counting to 10 correctly. They can identify letters and numbers. How proud was I when Kaylie pointed to a stop sign and said, "Stop." I know I sound like that Noggin (now known as Nick Jr.) commercial but it's true! Noggin is a kid's TV channel for those that don't know and the parent on there says that her daughter pointed to a stop sign and said octagon. I've one upped you lady---my child can read! Just kidding, although we think Kaylie recognizes her name and Ryan's when written on the Magnadoodle.

They love to ask for something and then change their mind and then change their mind back to the original thing they ask for and then switch again. You get the picture. Again, my patience is tried.

Kaylie loves to do anything art related. She loves Dora, dolls, puzzles, and playing dress up. They enjoy the crafts they do at story time.

Ryan has gotten into cars and trains little bit. He likes running them down the car ramp. He will now play with his Thomas set for some time without dismantling it in .2 seconds.

They still enjoy playing outside, going to the playground and walks. I am dreading the colder months when we are cooped up.

They climb into their carseats and booster seats now. We are a lot better on stairs but I still like to shadow them. We have had a few tumbles.

They can jump and actually "get air."

They've become pretty picky eaters and aren't willing to try new things if it doesn't fit the bill. One area we need to work on.

I am liking this stage now that they are talking. There is a little give and take now. One of the first conversations that I can remember having with Ryan went like this:

Me: What do you want for dinner?
Ryan: Waffles!
Me: Waffles?! Really, for dinner?
Ryan: Yes, (then thinks). How 'bout chicken nug-gets?
Me: Ok
Ryan: (tilts head and thinks) How 'bout bacon?
Ryan: (tilts head) How 'bout crackers?
Ryan: (tilts head) How 'bout 'ghetti?
Ryan: (tilts head) How 'bout apples?

You get the idea. Cutest. thing. ever.

2 1/2 is challenging and just plain enjoyable at the same time. I am trying to enjoy every minute, even through the tough days. I know I am blessed to have two healthy babies and I treasure each day.

Fall Things

I can't believe how fast time is going.

We've still been enjoying getting outside to play as much as we can despite the weather getting colder. I have some good neighbors. Two different ones gave us a Fisher Price Power Wheels ride on. Come to find out these things sell for $75 each. SCORE! Ryan had a hard time figuring out that he has to keep the button pushed in to go. He wanted to get off and just push the thing.
The kids helped me bake chocolate chip cookies for the first time. It actually wasn't too bad. But if I wasn't right on top of them, the dough would have been flying. Our ideas of keeping the stuff in the bowl is not the same.

The kids decorated a Rice Krispies haunted house. This was the first year I saw something like this in the store. I thought it was a cute thing to do, but honestly the marshmallow stuff they included was super sweet. I would have preferred to use marshmallows in the bag. I ended up throwing the thing out after one taste. Next year, I will just make it from scratch. The kids really liked decorating their houses and I have already picked up a gingerbread house kit for Christmas. Can't wait.


Sunday, November 1, 2009

Happy Halloween!


Kaylie and Ryan went trick or treating as Tinkerbell & Peter Pan this year. I have to say I think they were the cutest Tinkerbell and Peter Pan ever! We lucked out and had decent weather in our neck of the woods, while the rest of the state pretty much had rain. The rain didn't come to us until dinner time so we got a few hours outside. They did great going from house to house. At the first house, the people were outside so they just took a piece from the bucket but were apprehensive about it. The next house, we rang the bell and Ryan walked right into the house. It was so funny. By the next house, they got the hang of it and Ryan wanted to ring the doorbells after that. We just did our block and took care of the trick or treaters that came to our house. We get a lot of kids in our neighborhood and it is always nice to see all the creative costumes. The only downside is that the kids know what candy is now. I mean they have had some here and there but now I am having battles with Kaylie who wants to eat candy for breakfast. It seems her sweet tooth has been turned on.

Grandma came to help.

On their way to get candy.






I also took them to Bob's work the day before.


ETA(Edited to add): I made Ryan's hat. I do not remember anything from 7th & 8th grade Home Ec. so using a sewing machine was out of the question. It was stapled and the feather and flaps were hot glued. Hey, it worked and maybe some day I will learn how to use the machine I have collecting dust in the basement.