Wow, I am late posting this. I actually had most of it typed up but forgot to finish and actually post. Here we go.
My boys are growing up! Every day they're learning something new and becoming little men.
It makes me smile when I see their funny expressions. It makes me laugh when they mock us by 'talking' on the phone. I always sat back and wondered where they get these silly faces, then one day I was giggling and being silly and realized I was making the same goofy face that Liam does when he's being silly. So now I know.... it's me. :) They are my little boys. I see a lot of myself in them and just as much of Milo in them as well. I really love seeing how their personalities are forming and also how different they are from one another.
I recently stumbled across a blog and became interested in the activities this woman shared with her children, so I started following it. As time went on she explained more and more about these activities and commonly referenced the Montessori method. I of course said "what's Montessori?" With the help of google and a few emails from this fellow blogger I was enticed. The Montessori Method is basically an educational method where it allows children to learn in their own way at their own pace. It also teaches self-reliance and independence. I've checked out some library books and am doing my research. So far I've implemented a few of the 'Montessori ideas' and have already seen some amazing results. One example is I'm letting the boys eat all their meals and snacks at their small table instead of confining them in their booster seats. In about 4 days they're already eating better, having far less messes (no longer throwing food or their cups on the floor), and it's much easier to tell when they're done, they simply get up. Since they were doing well with that I decided to start having them help clean up their table when they were done. Now, when Liam is done, he gets up, picks up his plate and takes it to the counter. (Sometimes he needs help getting it onto the counter, but he's learning to help.) Coen puts his plate away about half the time. He usually needs a reminder.
This is just a start to some of the wonderful ideas these books have given me.
(I've since abandoned having them at their table. I missed having them at the table with us while we had our meals. Since they were so much lower than us it felt like they weren't with us.. I know I'm weird. )
They continue to pick up a few new words here and there. Liam is finally starting to repeat or at least attempt to repeat words if you ask him to. Their newest word that they LOVE is 'no'. I knew this day would happen, and so far I'm coping. Coen mostly likes to run around saying no-no-no-no-no over and over. I don't think he actually realizes the true meaning of him saying 'no'. Liam just likes to repeat Coen... and so far neither have told me no. (Which is a good thing for them. That is something I don't think will go over well.)
They both are working on their last molars. Liam has 1 of his last 4 and poor Coen has been a drool factory for weeks now with nothing to show for it. (Oh, and he's also has the talent of putting his whole hand in his mouth.. and on occasion both hands in his mouth.)
One of Coen's newest cute factors is he loves being tickled. Not only do you get these huge belly laughs and red faces from him but if he wants you to tickle him more, he'll pull your hand towards his belly (or feet) and say 'tickle tickle tickle'. I love it! He is such a goof. He gets the ticklish nature from me.. but I hate being tickled.
I think I've mentioned this before, but they both love helping out. They especially love throwing things away.. which we have to watch out for, since we've caught them both throwing things away that weren't trash. They generally like help picking up, or putting things away, attempting to help with the dishes or laundry.
Well, I think that's about it for now. Since I'm getting this posted so late I'm trying not to bleed any 'new' stuff from this month over into the next. I better get started on it now.. so I don't post it 3 weeks late!
