Twins-18 months

Looks like we better start planning your second birthday party soon!  How is this possible already?

I love, love, love this age!  Their brains are like little sponges soaking up everything and learning new things daily.  Their vocabulary is expanding and their individual personalities are shining.

Lauren:  Since about 15 months of age, (soon after I told your pediatrician I was worried about your lack of words), your vocabulary started growing.  You are a little chatterbox and will try to repeat nearly every word we say to you.  Your big sister is always so proud of you when you say something she can understand.  You continue to talk a lot with your facial expressions and your favorite word is "no."  We had a few challenging weeks recently where you did not want to sit in your high chair and eat.  Occasionally we would let you sit at the table like a big kid, but most of the time you just wanted to be held and spoon fed.  We were beginning to wonder what was wrong, but we think your teeth were really bothering you.  You refuse to wear a bib now, which means you usually get stripped down to your diaper for meals because your utensil skills are still not up to par (although getting much better). Now that you are 18 months old, Miss Molly offers you your milk without a lid on it.  You've done so good drinking out of a big girl cup.  (Your brother, not so much).  You also sleep on a cot now at school-just another example that you are no longer a baby! We love your little personality and your sassiness.  Your huge, squinty-eyed smiles continues, although now you have teeth, which you are so proud to show.  You are so close at being able to jump and love to dance and high step to music.  You love laying on AJ's bed reading bedtime stories together.  A couple weekends ago we went swimming at a hotel-you loved the water, especially "jumping" off the side into mommy's arms.  You remain just a little thing, who can still wear size 12 month clothes, although now the pants are too short for you so I'm putting you in 18 month clothes that you can barely keep up.  A few weeks ago, it seemed like you were gaining on your brother's height advantage, but he must have had a growth spurt recently because he remains at least an inch taller than you.  You still sleep with your stuffed bunny.  (I had to cut the ears off because they were getting disgusting from you sucking on them).  At first you weren't happy about it, but now you just suck on the bunny's nose.  You also like to go to bed with your turtle that lights up and shines stars on the ceiling and wall.  You are quite the mimicker.  Miss Molly has lots of stories of you mimicking her during school.  Many times Miss Molly will hold up her hand and say "Five more minutes," letting friends know that they are going to do something else soon.  Apparently you like to hold your hand up too saying "five more min."  I'm worried you are going to be our bossy child...

Caleb:  A few weeks ago, I was really starting to worry about your vocabulary because you hadn't started saying any new words. You were the first to say some words, but after that your vocab never changed.  All of a sudden you have started saying more and more.  Sometimes you and Lauren will  have your own little conversation in twin talk that no one understands but you two.  It's pretty rare, but so adorable when it happens.  You two are playing together more and more. I didn't think it was possible, but as you continue to get older, you become more and more boy.  You can be destructive, pulling everything off the shelf before moving on to something else you can destroy.  You love books and will sit down with a book and "read" out loud. If you could, you would stay outside forever.  You love running around in the backyard, going on wagon rides and throwing balls around.  It is going to be a fun summer!  Lately you have started throwing little tantrums, where you will lay down, kicking and screaming if something doesn't go your way.  We usually ignore you and it's over in 20 seconds.  After that, you go on playing like nothing happened.  You continue to be a great traveler (please teach your twin how to ride in the car without screaming).  You are learning your colors in school and I'm not sure if purple is your favorite color or the only color you know how to say, but everything is purple!  You still give the best hugs and slobbery kisses and are such a snuggler.  We are so glad this hasn't changed!

We are looking forward to you learning more and more as the weeks go by and can't wait to have many fun adventures together this summer!

My Little Houdini's

Finally, Spring is here!  I think many Iowans would agree that this was a very long, cold, depressing Winter.  Recently, we have had some warm days, with temps in the 50's (which feels like a sauna compared to the single digits and negative wind chills we had the majority of the Winter).  The kids have LOVED being able to get outside at school and at home, especially the twins.  In fact, since they have had some freedom outside our house, they are constantly waiting at the door hoping to go outside.

Unfortunately, like most Iowa Springs, the temperature has been up and down, and recently we are on the downward slide again.  Thus, it is again too chilly to spend much, if any time outside.  Ha, try explaining that to two toddlers!  Any opportunity they have to walk down the driveway or venture to the backyard they take.  Taking them in and out of the van before and after school has become even more challenging.  CW wants out of your arms the second you step into the garage and usually runs to the driveway, yelling "truck" while pointing at Justin's vehicle.  After a couple minutes I am able to coax him back to the van with his previously slobbered on stuffed Mario.

This morning, Justin took Milo to the vet for a check up. (Our pre-diabetic cat needed another lab draw to check his blood sugar and an updated rabies vaccine).  While he was gone, I spent the time getting three little ones out of their oatmeal covered jammies and into clothes.  After successfully dressing one twin, I went upstairs to help AJ pick out some clothes.  9 times out of 10 when I head upstairs with Alena at least one of her siblings will follow up the stairs soon after.  (The twins are so proud of the fact they can now "walk" up the stairs).  After a couple minutes it was eerily quiet downstairs and I hadn't heard the sound of toddler chatter in Alena's room.  I yelled downstairs, but got no reply.  Uh oh!

I sprinted down the stairs, slipping on the last stair, and looked at the door leading out to the garage.  It wasn't shut tight, which was a dead give away that I had two escapees!  I ran outside towards the end of the driveway and looked up and down the street.  No sign of those rug rats.  Then I ran to the back of the house and there is where I spotted them.  CW was already at the shed, (he is so fast!), but LW was just getting into the grass in the backyard.  So in my socks, I ran toward the shed, grabbing my 27 pound twin and hauled him back toward the house, while he screamed and tried to wiggle out of my arms.  On the way, I picked up his sister, barefoot and shirtless, and got them inside hopefully before any neighbor noticed!  Of course I had two very unhappy campers for a while as I ruined their escape plan and their "outside" time.

I've been trying to figure out who was the instigator of this plan:  I can just picture it now.  The two of them probably huddled together discussing the plan shortly after AJ and I went upstairs, (or perhaps they planned this days ago).  I'm sure Lauren held the door open for Caleb, per his orders, while he quickly scampered down the garage stairs before taking off.  I'm guessing Lauren knew that what she was doing was wrong, but decided to follow her brother anyway.  I honestly think I saw a little remorse in her face when she was caught so I blame this incident on her brother.  This is only the beginning.

Guess we learned our lesson-we're going to have to start locking our doors or possible invest in some door handle locks.

Homemade Goodness

We are all trying to eat healthier.  Every time I turn around there are new recommendations about what you should eat, what foods to avoid, what food are heart healthy, etc.   In fact, it's pretty impossible to keep up with it all.  One study will say something and 6 months later another study will refute the previous study.

One thing that I have been focusing on lately is limiting processed food in mine and my family's diet.  I've focused mainly on this right now because I KNOW anything with added chemicals is not as good as the real thing.  I'll admit, it's hard.  Thankfully there are some great websites available with recipes that contain only non-processed foods.  Obviously the best way to limit processed foods is to make your own.  This is often easier said than done when your time is limited, but I'm trying my best.

I love to snack on granola bars.  I recently found a great recipe for homemade granola bars.  They are a prefect combination between soft and crunchy granola bars and you can add any nut or dried fruit you may want.  Everyone in my family enjoyed them, except AJ, but she's never been a granola fan so she doesn't count.  Now that they are all gone, I'm craving them again...

I'm most excited about my homemade yogurt.  I wish I would have tried making yogurt years ago.  I know others have reported difficulty getting their yogurt to turn out, but I am 2 for 2 and thus far would say it is very easy and fool proof.  Not to mention delicious. Have you ever looked at the amount of sugar in yogurt?  Of course all yogurt will contain some sugar because it is made of milk and milk has lactose (sugar), but I had to search high and low to find a cup of yogurt with less than 10 grams of sugar. I did find some decent options in the organic area of the grocery store, but didn't like the price so much.  Thus I decided to give homemade yogurt a go and try making a healthier version of this "good for you" food..  All of my kids love yogurt, and it is great in their fruit smoothies, (with hidden spinach-shhh, don't tell AJ).  This is usually a twice a week "treat" and a great way to use yogurt.  Plus the add-ins are infinite:  granola, fresh fruit, dried fruit, frozen fruit, honey, syrup, peanut butter, nuts...

I've given up sweets and all junk food for Lent.  I've done this before and although it is difficult, those who know me know that I love a good challenge.  My evening usually consists of a little treat after the little ones go to bed.  Yes, I have a sweet tooth, (or teeth), which I blame on the Wray side of the family.  I would have six little hands trying to snag my treat if I ate it in front of the three Musketeers.  Last night, after they fell into their slumber I sat down with a bowl of homemade yogurt, fresh strawberries, granola and a little honey.  It was delicious.  Not as good as a piece of my dad's homemade apple pie a la mode, but darn close!  I'm looking forward to finding other "healthy" foods to curb my sweet tooth/teeth.

Have my kids had McDonald's?  Sure.  Do I ever just throw some Tyson chicken nuggets in the oven?  Absolutely.  Kraft Mac and Cheese?  Yep.  I think a parent would be lying if they have NEVER done any of these three things.  I love knowing that even if I'm unable to stay home with my kids and prepare every one of their meals, they are eating very healthy meals at their daycare.  In fact, they eat better there than I could ever do at home.  This is definitely one thing I love about our daycare.  They are constantly changing the menu to make it as healthy as possible.  They focus each meal on whole grains, fruits and veggies and no fried foods.  Many times AJ has said to me, "I only like the broccoli at school," or "I love the chili at school."  Although these statements may break my heart a little, I don't care because she is eating things I wouldn't touch when I was 4.  Mr. Carlos sure makes some yummy food for everyone, (I might have to snag some of his recipes).

I'm excited to find new healthier, homemade options of other favorite snacks. I think teaching your little ones to eat healthy is vital.  My oldest already seems to understand the importance of it and I hope she is learning lifelong skills with regards to food options.  I am hoping to feel better, more energized and less tired after limiting sweets and junk from my diet, and am looking forward to keeping my sweet tooth at bay when this is all said and done.