Eating yogurt like a big boy

Connor has a serious infatuation with yogurt and could probably eat several cups a day. Both boys run to Michael when he is indulging in his pre-dinner yogurt cup. This could be because he usually has flavors like Orange Cream and Key Lime Pie but they have always eaten yogurt from as early on as when I was making it for them by mixing fruit with French Vanilla Stonyfield Farms.

I have been meaning to give the boys more of an opportunity with spoons as they have only been given spoons as Jackson says to "hold it" and feed themselves after I get whatever it is out for them.

So, I decided to try it and was pleasantly surprised with the results and minimal mess. It was probably more so because Connor was very cautious about the quantity on the spoon but regardless, it is a positive sign that we are moving in the right direction. One day, we will get to bowls of cereal with milk!

Watch out neighbors -- my little toddlers are watching you!!

The boys have started the big time no no of climbing the couch to get to the bay window all in an attempt so they can look out for me if I have to go get something from the car or to check out the neighbors. On this day, they were checking out our neighbor. It is super cute BUT not very safe and I struggle with the discipline aspect once I walk in the door and realize that they are just making sure that I'm coming back.

Covert operation - raisins under the table

I am fairly confident that Connor now understands that it is not acceptable to climb onto the dining room table. We have implemented many a timeouts and even resorted to time outs in his crib without his beloved penguin, which could be worse than a death sentence to our 2 + year old.

But, the snacking never stops...







And, after he maneuvers himself and peng around...

A day in the life of 27 month olds

As the boys are now 2 and the big things are not changing as consistently as they had in the first two years, I thought that a better way to "monthly" updates were to do four quarterly updates.  This way, it would be a way to remember what they are up to and show hopefully how much fun that we are having.

After breakfast, Connor decided that he needed some raisins as a top off before we headed to Mother Goose on the Loose.



After Mother Goose, we went to the mall for some strolling and a Chick Fil A lunch date.  During lunch, the boys are constantly taking in the sights and nomming on the chicken nuggets. 





And, those sneaky employees put the french fries in the kids meal bag.  This is the surprised look that Jackson gives me E V E R Y time I find the fries, which just happens to be after they've finished their nuggets and Connor eats the pickles from my sandwich and Jackson helps me with 1/2 of my roll (thank you for helping unload the carbs).



After the nuggets and fries are consumed, we go for dessert -- ice cream and strawberry newtons.





We return home for diaper changes and a nap.





With the weather starting to warm-up, I nominate Connor as a model to try on some spring/summer ensembles.  He is very willing until it is time for the bathing suits.  This is a no, no, no.  Recalling back to the summer, he was very unhappy with the pool attire.  This is not a good sign as we are starting swimming lessons soon.



On to some playing and reading of books before dinner.





After dinner, we go outside to check on Anna and her dog, Murphy.  The boys are obsessed with Murphy and are really patient with how many naps he takes when we try to see him.  He is a puppy and is very loud and playful when outside, which often relates to barking so his owners keep him inside a lot.



On this day, the boys lucked out and Murphy was returning from a walk and they got some up close and personal time.



Anna is so sweet with the boys.  She was trying to teach Connor how to jump rope before it was time to go in and start the bed time routine -- milk cups, diaper change, pajamas and books.



It was a great day with our busy busy busy 27 month olds but an insight into how much fun that we are having. There are ups and downs but they like being busy as do I.  Other things that the boys are doing include going to Stay and Play at the Y, music class and swimming lessons now that Hoppin Tots has ended.  Besides Chick Fil A, the boys like eating at Chipotle and Red Robin. 

He's got access to a step stool and he knows how to use it.

The boys aren't the most gentle with their non-board books and because of this, they are on the top shelf of their bookcase in the room. But, this is all for not when Jackson decides to go into this closet and pull out the step stool to gain access to the "restricted" books. His prize was a Lion King book as the boys are slightly obsessed with the songs from the Lion King. A couple days prior, he had pulled out the step stool to get back into his crib after climbing out and I told him that he had to go in. This is how the idea of the step stool started. Good Times ahead with both of them now being able to reach EVERYTHING.....

It was LOVE at First Moo

We were out running errands and decided to go to Chick Fil A for lunch and the boys were greeted by the cow.  They were smitten at first sight.  The cow almost immediately took a break and the boys were so concerned when he disappeared. The workers reassured the boys that he was going to return. 

He returned and there were huge smiles, and I mean huge.  The cow stepped it up by sitting down with them.  Now, they are hoping to see the cow EVERY time that we go to Chick Fil A. Hopefully, they realize sooner than later how lucky they were on this random lunch day.

Step aside, step aside - I'll do it.

The boys have slowly gravitated back to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It seems as though they are more interested in the problem solving and have more of an understanding on what is needed to complete whatever dilemma the Clubhouse gang is encountering.

On one random Saturday morning, I found Donald's Clubhouse and the pure joy that I was able to hear after Donald and Goofy head into the basement to adjust how fast the handy helpers are moving was nothing short of amazing.



note: this was the 4th time that I rewound it to see if it would garner the same response and it did. His laugh is contagious and ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. I'll take not getting him on video doing his numbers and ABCs in favor of this any day.

Now, both boys are reciting Donald's famous lines of "Step Aside,Step Aside, I'll do it!!"

The First Bite

A stomach bug had invaded our house and I actually was hit with symptoms for consecutive mornings. It was a Friday morning and I had asked Michael to come up so we could figure out what was going on the rest of the day as he stayed home knowing that I wasn't in a position to take care of the boys.

He proceeded to walk to the gate and immediately after, anybody in the vicinity of our house could hear a large piercing cry from Connor. It was the type of cry that you knew something was wrong and when Michael went over, he found Jackson biting Connor for what appeared to be no reason. Connor was so upset and obviously in a lot of pain. The boys have gotten into some unnecessary altercations but never ever was biting involved.

He sat there sobbing and we were both trying to figure it out. Jackson was sent to an immediate time out and Connor requested a "hold you mama" (insert heart melting) and I obliged. Regardless of how bad that I felt, I was definitely up to a hold you.

note: this picture is from a week after the bite but you can definitely still see the teeth imprint...

Treats, a.k.a M&Ms

The boys have had minimal exposure to chocolate because we very rarely eat it other than chocolate chip cookies. They received mini-M&M's in a treat bag from a party and that was all they needed. After the initial treats were gone, I went out to get a bag for the boys and they are now onto the pastel colored 'treats' for Easter. The good thing is that I don't let them eat them unless they let me know what color it is so besides being a 'treat', it is also a learning experience.

Here is Connor in his almost-nightly squeal for 'treats' --

Climbing out of the crib...

Jackson climbed out of his crib for the first time on Valentine's Day (insert hint of sarcasm that he decided to give us such a sweet treat). He has started to use the talent more and more and is SUPER cautious and quiet when getting out of the crib, as in you don't hear him. That is, until he decides to slam the door shut.

We've debated between the idea of a crib tent or toddler alarm clock but haven't definitely decided on anything. Even though Jackson is able to get out of his crib, we are NOT ready for toddler beds even though they are upstairs as the idea of both of them being able to maneuver ALL.OF.THE.TIME is a little too much to handle.

The only hiccup (well big issue) is that he is waking up earlier than earlier as in the 5 o'clock hour and 6ish. I can handle 7 but not anything with a 5 or an early 6. It doesn't seem to matter what happens with his nap or what time they go to bed, it is just random times.

I got this video of him and you can see how cautious he is.



(please ignore Connor crying over who knows what. his temper tantrums as in
jumping up and down when not getting the book or toy he wants or a "hold you" are
very plentiful as of late).

He is now telling Michael and I that he is not supposed to climb out of his crib when he goes down for his nap or at nigh, HA. If only he could stick with this.....

Hold you

Connor has always loved to cuddle and has recently started the request of a "hold you" when it is time to go either down or up the steps. He is very adamant about his request and will also ask when he just wants to be held. It can be inconvenient and will result in serious temper tantrums when you have to put him down to get a milk or juice cup ready. But, it is very sweet to hear and provides another reminder as to how big they are getting and that I and anybody else that he asks need to cherish these moments as much as we can!!!

facing FORWARD in the carseats

The boys exceeded the weight restriction for facing forward at the time of their 1st birthday but we decided to wait until now to make the change from rear facing to forward facing. It is amazing how CLOSE that they are to us in and how different it is with them as we are able to point things out that they can see without having to crane their necks. It was kind of comical watching them maneuver their heads around to see whatever was playing on the DVD player. They now make requests on what to watch, ie: a Mickey, the dig digs, a/k/a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or my current favorite of "shapes in the car." We have to get the seats checked out to make sure that they were installed correctly as it seems kind of crazy how close they are but they are enjoying themselves.



"Seriously mom, do you have to take a picture of everything."

They know their numbers and can sing their ABCs

With the help of Elmo ABCs and their Preschool Prep DVD's, both boys have started counting from one to ten and singing their abc's. Every time that they are willing to oblige me, I start jumping around in an effort to cheer them on singing "they know their numbers/letters, let's do a numbers/letters dance for you." They both get so excited.

I am still unable to get Jackson but was able to get the following of Connor:

First Zoo Trip

It was a beautiful day and we decided that it was time to get to the zoo for the first time in 2012. The boys were excited to get to the zoo even if these faces in the stroller do not show it...

 We spent a lot of time staring at the polar bears or polar as the boys call them.
It was then on to the Farmyard, which is still their favorite place in the zoo. The boys were running around as each animal made a noise and were incredibly excited about the chickens and roosters. We have been talking about the rooster and how their cock-a-doodle do lets the other animals know it is time to wake up.
  (running by the pigs) Connor trying to climb in with the cow.

Giving the goats in the Petting Farm some love and hugs.


Jackson leading us over to the cheetahs, leopards, zebras (finally the real name although zee bee was
cute), ostriches and rhinos.




They both knew the necks were up next after the cheetahs. Their memories are Ah-Mazing!!!!

 

And, after a stop off to see the penguins and elephants, we had to head back by the necks to get to the chimps and lion king, which was a very big deal now that they have "seen" the movie. Oh, and all big lions are lion kings, kay. Connor was ahead of all of us. It was awesome because he is usually the straggler or begging for a hold-you. He was following the necks and looking around for us as if we were moving too slow. That silly Con-nor as Jackson calls him.

He's Elmo and He Knows It

Completely mesmerized watching Elmo dance on the moon....



I found a link to a you tube parody of the LMFAO song and thought it was oh so appropriate for the boys. And, they are completely obsessed. I was definitely not the furry red creature's biggest fan but it pokes fun at the odd things going on in Elmo's World, specifically Mr. Noodle. The line of "when I walk down the street and this is what I see" is replaced with "when I walk in Elmo's room and this is what I see, drawer and Mr. Noodle are staring at me." And, it has a good beat like the original version so it's a win win for the boys and me. Thank you whomever created this as watching my kids dance around is priceless even if I have to listen to the furry red creature's squealing voice.

Working on colors and shapes is all in a mall's trip

Ever since the boys started to recognize their colors and shapes, our trips to the mall have been more and more fun. They are good shopping partners as long as the stroller is moving, while consuming snacks and/or when finding colors and shapes.
The spring colors have provided a great incentive to assist in me being able to peruse the store a little bit longer but never enough to actually shop.

Even though we go to the mall on an almost weekly basis (hello Chick Fil A lunch dates) and Tiny Town slides for the boys, I very rarely bring anything home for myself.

I was getting them to tell me what colors they saw and they were willing to try on some fun accessories. Francesca's had a lot of yellow and white.

Jackson showing off the yellow bracelet...





Connor and the white version...

Our dainty dipper

Late last year, Michael introduced Connor to ketchup and barbeque sauce and we use it at certain times to encourage him to finish eating his food. It is the cutest to watch when he does his dainty dipping. Despite his clumsy walking, Connor is very exact about things and slightly obsessive compulsive when it comes to dirt and food getting on his fingers. So, it should come as no surprise that he is so neat about dips. There are times when he will smear his fingers in it but this is very rare. Most of the time, it is calculated and clean and neat.




On the other hand, Jackson wants no parts of dip whether or not it is ketchup or barbeque sauce and most importantly it must be documented that this is of course, without even being willing to try it. He refuses and starts crying hysterically if he thinks his fork or tray has been contaminated with dip.

We have had numerous serious talks about Jackson "no dip" and "Connor gets the dip." Yes, Jackson, we hear you loud and clear. Hopefully, he will open his mind to the idea of dip but I'm not expecting it to happen any time soon. His loss...

Climbing the steps with Bullseye

That would be not holding on to a rail, not going down on his butt and not needing to hold someone's hand.

They are getting too old too fast. Must.Slow.Down.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss