Without my cheat sheet (the daily sheet we keep on the boys, yes we still keep the sheet but we've found that's the best way to keep track of what they've eaten, drunk, done, etc), I might forget some things but hopefully I hit the highlights.
Jumpy has taken to carrying a hammer around. He "fixes" things. So far, he's fixed the window and the window sill in his room. He's fixed several books, some toys, and his brother's head (a couple of times). He has taken the hammer to bed several nights in a row. Chewy is still his best friend though.
Over the past couple of weeks, Kicky has said: Busy (at least, that's what I think it is and because we read "Bob's Busy Hammer, it seems to fit"), "Hammer", "better", "all better", "pretty", "happy", "goody-goody" (again, that is what it sounds like and when we repeat it back to him he smiles and laughs), "again" (sounds like "assez", "Oscar" as in the Grouch, "Bird", "airplane" and this morning "Fred".
Jumpy has said: "all better", "milk", "ball" and "balloon" and just this AM "Opa"
Even though it seems like Jumpy isn't as chatty as his brother, he's a better communicator in that he's able to say "yes" and "no" so he's better at communicating what he wants/needs. And, frankly, it's a challenge for Jumpy to get a word in edge-wise when Kicky is in full chat mode.
We spend as much time as we can outside as the weather has been spotty of late. Several trips to playgrounds so the boys can swing, time out in the backyard. The boys have a great time playing outside, or seem to. Allergies aside, Jason seems to be over whatever was making him miserable. I suspect the Oaks (shaking fist angrily at said oaks as they menace me as well).
Kevin is miserable with drool. I suspect his second set of molars are moving in. He drenches roughly 6 bibs a day. I can't believe that he doesn't drink more water. He's GOT to be dehydrated. Sadly, the fridge chew toys don't really reach back where he needs relief. The drool doesn't prevent him from trying to climb up on anything that will sustain his weight. Sue and I have caught him trying to climb up on his stool. He's tried to climb on top of several toys. He managed to climb into a rocking chair that had its cushions removed. He was very proud of that achievement.
Both boys climbed the stairs to the nursery on Saturday night. I tried to show Jason how to come down the stairs on his tush, but his legs aren't really long enough. So I'm going to wait and rethink the approach. Perhaps coming down backwards on all fours will the solution? I've been letting the boys explore the hallway and the kitchen. They are more confident in their walking abilities and seem eager to explore. 2 weeks ago, they wouldn't leave the living room if the gate was left open...that's all changed. Kevin is quick to slip through the gate. Jason will come out if asked to. Jason likes to play with the child safety lock. We surmise that he'll figure out how to bypass it in oh....3 days.
Kevin has been on a hunger strike. We blame his teeth but I suspect that 1) he wants control over his food and wants to feed himself and 2)he has an issue with the menu
Jason has become a powerhouse eater.
Growing like weeds. Both boys feel like they have rocks in their pockets and their clothes are snug. I keep thinking that their clothes are shrinking in the dryer but how can everything they own be shrinking? duh.
Jason has a terrific arm on him. He can toss a playground ball like no other 1 year old (yes, he's 16 months old today but we are refusing to join that club of parents who count their children's lives in months "Timmy is 84 months old and Guinevere is 24 months old." Timmy is 7 and Guinevere is 2. Say it. 7 and 2.). He can also toss a whiffle ball very well.
Mimi and Papa have returned from FLA and paid the wee lads a visit. The boys had a great time and really enjoyed seeing them. I suspect they were surprised at how much the boys have changed. They (the boys, that is) can feed themselves and are quite vocal at the end of every meal. It's a bit of a squeal-fest. Kevin typ starts the ball rolling and then Jason jumps in. I think Joe has some video of their shenanigans so I'll poke around for it and post it.
Sorry for the pix free post. I need to download the most recent photos and I'll do a pix only post.
Take care,
Kathy
