Laptops and Bed-time shenanigans

Dad bought the boys two Leapfrog Leaptops for the holidays this year, and the boys love them. Unfortunately for them, they already have spilled milk onto one of the Leaptops, so only one is left that can be used by the little ones. This does provide some very cute moments of sharing, like the one below, but for the most part is troublesome as either Jude or Eli decides that the laptop is "mine!" and they get into a fight, ending in some tears for at least one baby. We can always redirect with another toy, although this is becoming increasingly less effective as their cognitive abilities have increased :-)



So bedtime has become increasingly difficult for us over the past few months. Before, the boys were pretty good about getting into bed when they needed to. Lately, they want to fight the urge to sleep like they're Stephen Colbert in hand to hand combat with a bear. To combat this effort, lately we've been trying to tire them out in their bedrooms, with Alex and myself sitting on the couch ready to read books to them once they're ready to sit and read. This sometimes works, and this video from last night is definitely one of the better night times that we've had recently. They tired themselves well out and plopped down in their nap mats, which they seem to enjoy sleeping in over their actual beds these days.



PS: Note that you can open the YouTube videos into a new window and make them HD quality. This might be better than the experience you're getting by opening the video in this page! I encourage you to try it!

Waffle-Maniacs

This morning, shortly after our morning potty-trip, I had this conversation with Eli.

Mommy: What do you want to do?
Eli: I watch Yo Gabba.
Mommy: Okay, do you want a waffle?
Eli: Of course.  And sippy.

Well okay then.  At least he knows what he wants.  I also promise they are wearing pull-ups in this picture.  :)

100th Post!

Well, I thought Alex would have liked to write this one, but I promised Dad (Hi Dad!) that I'd do one of these blog posts each week, in light of not updating as regularly in the past.

I honestly think that the 100th post of a blog about babies is a bit silly. After all, don't we have enough milestones to celebrate with our kids? Speaking of which, next weekend we're going to be trying a different approach at potty training: full-on. The boys are definitely showing all the signs, especially not wanting to keep their diapers on. The only reason we're not doing it this weekend is that I think Alex needs to recover some more from her back mishap so she'll be at her best for potty training, which is sure to be a long and arduous process. I do hope the boys make it easy on us though!



Also, we had an unexpected but delightful visit from Nanny and Poppa (my grandparents) this last weekend while Alex was hurt. We've been meaning to get up to visit them for nearly 2 months now, but every weekend, we have some catastrophe or illness that we don't want to give to them, but this last weekend, Nanny and Poppa came to visit us with Emily and Jeremy, my cousin and her husband. It was such a nice visit, with the babies playing with their great grandparents and having fun with their new presents that Nanny and Poppa brought with them! The pictures above come from their visit, with the boys thouroughly enjoying the visit with their great grandparents. We also had a little fun putting them into the gift bags that were brought to hold the presents, although one of them broke, so we had to put both babies inside one. Notice the longhorn pajamas? Got 'em on clearance from Target. I love good deals!



Well, that's that for now. The boys are bugging me to read books to them, my favorite type of pestering. See ya next time blog world!

Monkey Business

So about a week ago, I took the boys to the park while Mom was at the opthamologist's. They were being so goofy in the playground that I wanted to take some videos, but the only time I could pin them down for a good one was when they were swinging in the baby swings. Luckily, they were being pretty cute and creative there, too. Here's the proof!

Happy Birthday To You...

Well folks, it's hard to believe but today Eli and Jude turn two.  That's right, they've been on this planet for two years.  I know it must be shocking to you because I can barely comprehend it myself.  These last two years have been both very short and very long.  When I think back to the day they were born it seems like only yesterday.  I still remember the times before the babies (no matter what other mothers say about forgetting) and it really doesn't seem like that long ago.  But then I think back to those sleepless nights and marathon feedings and passing out on the couch while nursing at 4 AM and it all seems like another lifetime.  I suppose that this is just the nature of parenthood.

Two years ago on December 30, 2008 at 7:28 and 7:30 AM, Elijah Lee and Judah Maxwell entered this world at 34 weeks gestation.  They weighed 4 lbs 14 oz and 4 lbs 12 oz and were 19 1/2 inches and 19 inches long.  Today, Eli and Jude weigh around 26 lbs each, give or take a couple of ounces (Eli is still a little bit bigger) and are approximately 35 inches tall (Eli is also still a little taller).  They run, hop, climb, slide, and swing like pros.  They can count to five successfully every time by themselves and to ten with help.  They can recognize all of their letters and sometimes sing along to the ABCs.  They love music of all kinds but especially pop and dance music.  Much to Travis's dismay, they very much enjoy Ke$ia.  Their favorite television shows are Blues Clues, Yo Gabba Gabba, and the Fresh Beat Band.  They love dogs, cats, and ocean animals of all kinds.  They like to eat pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, clementine oranges, Eggo waffles, cheesy scrambled eggs, and pretty much anything sweet.  They are pretty good at eating with spoons and forks but still struggle a little with cups with no lids.  Their favorite playmates are still each other.

In the last two years, my babies have become little boys.  They play hard and love life.  Even though another birthday means another year farther from those precious baby snuggles and coos, it means so much more to learn about the people we are raising.  I look forward to all of the joys and surprises to come in this next year!

School-Loving Boys

Eli and Jude are absolutely loving school.  I have to actually drag them out every day.  My boss thinks it's the funniest thing ever but I'm totally exasperated.  Seriously, who wants to WRESTLE two squirmy toddlers after a long day of work just to go home?  I know I don't.  But I'm still really happy and excited that they love being at school so much.  They love their teacher, Miss Brooke, and they both play so well with all of the kids in their class.  I'm sure it helps that all of the teachers coo over them because they're so adorable.  : )

I'm a little torn about what's going to happen in January for them.  Because they're 6 months younger than everyone in their class now, they may not move up to the next class next semester.  The kids who are actually their age will move up into their classroom and the older kids will go to the next room.  I haven't talked to my boss about the plans yet but I don't even know what I want them to do.  On the one hand, I want them to stay with the kids they know and move up with the rest of their class.  But on the other hand, I think that they would be more successful in a class with kids their own age and they really love their teacher.  I suppose I'll have to think about it a little more.

Hope everyone's having a great December!

Happy Chanukkah!

This year, Chanukkah has completely snuck up on me.  Normally I'm very prepared, ready with more latkes and dreidels than anyone could ever need.  I really love fried foods so it's no surprise that I'm a fan of this holiday.  This year though, I've been a complete slacker.  Tonight is the third night (which is so early ANYWAY) but I have only bought Eli and Jude one thing each and bought two things for Travis.  I was just not prepared for it this year.  And I'm so exhausted that I cannot even peel a potato for my precious latkes.  Of course, now that I'm thinking about them, I really want to make a batch.  Ugh, don't you hate that?

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a great week and a happy holiday - even if most of you do not celebrate the joyous festival of lights.  : )