Happy Half Birthday, B and E!

We reached a momentous milestone on Monday when B and E reached the ripe old age of two-and-a-half. Although it wasn't a day of gifts and giant parties, we did find some time to celebrate how far both of the fellas have come in the last six months. In honor of the occasion, E, B, and I baked a giant chocolate chip cookie during the afternoon, which they got to decorate with their dad after dinner.

Everything started innocently enough, with hubby helping the boys squeeze out frosting onto the cookie and spread it with their knives.

Quickly, things went downhill as hubby and I realized that the boys were no longer decorating the cookie. Instead, as he squeezed out frosting for them to spread, they were reaching down to the cookie, PICKING UP THE FROSTING, and putting it in their mouths. Here, B is demonstrating his technique.

Once we realized how bad the frosting situation was, we cut off access. :) We cut up the cookie, and everyone did enjoy a big piece. E loved his piece with the blue frosting (which, of course, he ate before the rest of the cookie).

In all seriousness, when I look back, I can't believe how many big strides both E and B have made in the last six months. Here are a few of the things I really see that are different from December 30th...

1. Language - As I have written before, I can't believe how much B and E talk. A month or so after their birthday, their language expression really exploded, and they haven't looked back since. Each day, I hear new words, phrases, and expressions that surprise me.

2. Imagination - I have been really pleasantly surprised with how much the boys' imaginations has grown in the last six months. When I think back to their birthday, I remember how much modeling of pretend situations I was doing, like cooking food. Now, the fellas come up with their own games and stories to play out every day, everything from having a picnic in the basement to flying airplanes in their room (of course, for that one, you have to keep your toes under the blanket or you fall out!).

3. Memory - Every day, I am constantly surprised at how much B and E remember. It is still hard for me to keep in mind that they DO remember things - it seems like not that long ago that they forgot what happened in the morning by the time they got up from naps. I have seen this memory surface in everyday conversations, like when they remembered the teacher's name from our 1 hour class at the Arboretum a month after it happened (I probably forgot before the end of the class!), and when they ask me "Mom, do you remember when...?" E especially loves to "read" books, too, and he can recite back the words in books that are repetitious or that he has heard a lot. A current favorite is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Eric Carle.

4. Size - Although they have grown in size, we are definitely bracing for a growth spurt here. E and B have only grown about an inch since their birthday, and their weight has remained basically the same. The one place we have seen growth is that the boys outgrew their size seven shoes after nine months in March, and then at the end of June they had already outgrown their size eights.

5. Singing - I guess this could qualify under some of the other categories, too. B and E both have really picked up on the words to songs, and they LOVE to sing for us! Some of our favorites are "ABC...," "Twinkle, Twinkle," and my all-time favorite, "Happy Birthday." We currently hear "Happy Birthday" at least five times a day, and the current favorite to sing to is Grandma C. - nevermind that her birthday isn't until December!

These are just a few of the ways that we have seen growth in our boys. I can't wait to see what comes between now and December!

Pure Joy for Children

The sound of children's laughter is infectious for me. The pure joy that they find in life's small details astounds me, and even on days when I want to resign from my job, their giggles of delight bring me back to understanding why it is that I have made sacrifices in my life to spend time with my boys.

I am often astounded by the things that bring the biggest smiles to my children's faces, things for which adults usually wouldn't even spare a second thought. Here are some of the laughter-worthy experiences for my boys...

1. Silly "hats" - Now, the word "hats" is in quotes because I don't really mean hats. E and B can turn anything into a hat, and when they do, hysterics often ensue. A postcard advertisement that came in the mail? It is a new pirate hat. Boxes that hold their toys? Train engineer hats or spaceman helmets. T-shirts that get stuck on their heads? Well, those are just silly t-shirt hats, of course! :)

2. Water - Water, water, water... is anything more spectacular for children? Hot day? You can play with the hose or fill up the pool. Water slides into the kiddie pool are the best. Raining? Fantastic - you can jump in puddles! Whether in the bathtub or a watering can, water is one of the best things on the planet. Just don't squirt them with it - not cool.

3. Secrets - Nothing puts my kids in stitches like secrets. For them, secrets are words that sound silly that we whisper (or yell, whatever you prefer) back and forth to each other. Some of their favorites? Picnic table, mango, and goggles. These secrets are great when the kids are getting antsy in the car or at a restaurant and somehow manage to keep them entertained much longer than coloring on those dinky placemats.

4. Bubbles - I realize my children are not alone in their love of bubbles. It often seems to me that bubbles have magical properties that adults are not aware of, kind of like the sound of the sleigh bell in "The Polar Express" that only those who truly believe can hear. There is a great quote from the movie "Knocked Up" that sums it up nicely...

Ben: "They seem to love bubbles."
Pete: "Oh, god, they go ape sh** over bubbles."
Ben: "They're really going ape sh**."
Pete: "I mean, that's an incredible thing about a child. I mean, what's so great about bubbles?"
Ben: "They float. You can pop them. I mean, I get it. I get it."
Pete: "I wish I liked anything as much as my kids like bubbles."

I think that last line says it all. Somehow in our adulthood, we lose that sense of wonder and excitement for things like these. For me, I only seem to find it when I am with children - the excitement, wonder, and giggling are contagious.

Silliness

Over the last few weeks, B and E have really begun to "play." They have such imaginations, and they are really enjoying playing together, too! Last week, I was downstairs, and the boys were playing upstairs in their room. I was letting them be because they were playing so nicely, and they weren't getting into any trouble. However, it soon got quiet, and as any mom knows, that is usually not a good sign.

I tiptoed upstairs to see what E and B were up to, and I found them in the bathroom, toe to toe, wrapped up in the shower curtain. As I listened, I heard they were doing something like playing hide and seek with pirates. :) I thought the scene was too cute, so I raced downstairs to get my camera. I ran back upstairs, took a shot, and waited. The boys kept playing, so I decided to try to get one more. When my digital camera focuses, it makes a little beep sound. The fellas must have heard it because when I focused for the second picture, they both looked toward me, leaned into the shower curtain, and yelled "CHEESE!" It was absolutely hysterical. I wish I had a video to share with all of you. The resulting picture of this silliness is below... g0tta love the antics of twins! :)

The Beginning

Welcome! My name is Sara, and I am a stay-at-home mom to two-year-old twin boys in the Chicago suburbs, with another boy on the way this fall. In the interest of posterity, and to allow myself a creative outlet, I wanted to start a blog to talk about my experiences with raising my children. I hope you enjoy! If you ever have comments, feel free to leave them here or send an email to lovingmyfellas [at] gmail.com.