My 'big boys' are getting bigger and bigger every week.  First of all, they're quickly growing out of all their 'new' winter clothes we bought just a few months ago.. luckily we're quickly moving into spring.  And secondly they're meeting new milestones.

I've said it before, but we've always had trouble with Liam going poo in the potty since we began potty training.  Well finally, we have some improvement.  He's gone 3 or 4 times in the last 2 weeks!!  That is a huge step for him.  He still doesn't seem to like going, but he is doing it.

Also, we've moved their toddler beds into their rooms.  We moved 1 bed first because the other bed needed a small repair, and they didn't seem to be interested in sleeping or resting in it.. but when we moved in the 2nd bed I think they realized that they each can have a big boy bed and became very excited.  They both slept in their big boy beds that night.  They went right to sleep and we didn't hear a peep out of them all night.  They did wake up about 30-40 min earlier than normal though.  Nap the next day didn't go well, and the next night was the same story.  They both got up, we put them back in bed, they got up again, so we put them in their cribs.  (That's the deal, if they get up then they don't get their big boy beds.)  The 3rd night was a little different.  Liam didn't even want to sleep in his bed, but asked for his crib instead so he slept there.  Coen however asked for his bed so he stayed there.  He went right to sleep and woke up once during the night a bit confused I think.  He was asking for Liam, even though Liam was right next to him.  Once he relized Liam was there, he hopped back in bed and went back to sleep.
We're not sure how much longer it will take to get them completely used to sleeping in their beds, but we're excited for this new step.  (We're hoping it will make traveling a lot easier... currently they will not sleep anywhere but their cribs.)

Another thing I'm loving is the fact they really enjoy singing.  We take them to a Tiny Tots class, and they usually don't do much singing during the class, but they're bringing what they learn there home, and are singing a lot.  Coen does more singing than Liam and currently his favorite songs are 'Here is the Bee Hive' and 'Row, Row, Row your Boat'. (This song is courtesy of thier cousins Annelise and Celeste.)
I hope they enjoy singing and will stay involved as they get older.


And the last thought for the day... The boys like putting things in their pockets, but when they don't have pockets they simply put things down their pants.  LOL

Usually when it comes to saying a prayer over food, I help direct the boys in what to say.  Sometimes they'll say a few things on their own, but usually they look towards Daddy or me to help them along.
Well today I asked Liam if he wanted to say the prayer, but Coen butted in (just like an older brother should, lol) and started praying on his own.. so I thought I'd document his first prayer.
"God, tankin food. Sammie, chips.  Amen"

Simple and perfect.

It's been way too long since my last post.  September 23rd was the last.. wow!
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years have all come and gone.  A lot has happened since then.  The boys of course are learning new things all the time.  They generally do not have issues expressing their needs or wants.  I do still think they are a little behind as far as vocabulary goes, but it's not as noticeable these days.

Just a few key points over the past few months.
- The boys had their first 'performance' with their Tiny Tots group.  Christmas morning they rang their bells to a song.  (They didn't do any singing, but they sure did enjoy ringing the bells.)  We weren't sure if Liam would stay up with the group, but he did!  We are so happy they've enjoyed their singing group so far.
- Oliver's wife, Naomi, accepted a position in the KC area so she has moved back up.  They just signed the closing papers on their new house last week, so Oliver is no long living with us.  Kind of bitter sweet.  Nice to have just the 4 of use together, but the boys miss having Uncle Oliver around... and I miss his macaroni and cheese!  This also means I will be babysitting their 3 youngest children.  I start next week!
- Today the boys have their first Pre-Op appointment.  Wednesday is their Pre-Op physical and a week from Wednesday is the scheduled surgery day.  Yes, surgery day is quickly approaching.  Right now we're not sure if it will actually be taking place.  Both boys have come down with a small cold and if they're not well, then it will have to be rescheduled.
- Also, we found out a week before Christmas that Milo is diabetic.  (Type 2)  He had been having some odd issues and after some research, we borrowed my mom's gluclose meter and he tested.  Showed 410!  We promptly got him into the dr and sure enough he has diabetes.  He was immediately put on medication, 2 pills a day and a diet change.  Now, after 3 weeks he's managed to keep his levels in the normal range and he's down to 1 pill.  He is doing fantastic!  I am so proud of him.  (Also as a side effect to me because of the diet change, I've managed to loose 5 lbs and I'm now only 6 lbs away from from my ultimate goal and only 1 lb from being out of the 140's... some place I haven't been probably in the last 8 years.)


So, that's the last few months in a nutshell.  The coming months will probably be even more crazy with the surgery coming up and babysitting.  Life is going to get interesting.

The boys have become quite the little characters recently.  Their vocabulary has grown tremendously in the last month, especially Liam, which could be the cause of all their recent cuteness.  Here are just a few.

We've always done basically the same bedtime and nap routine, story just before nap or bedtime.  Now that the boys are talking a lot they decide when it's 'nigh-night' time.  When they're done reading their stories or when they think I should be done reading they say 'nigh-night' and they're off my lap and ready to get in bed.  Normally they're actually ready, but sometimes I think they just get caught up in being able to talk and enjoy 'controlling' the situation.
Like today, they were ready for their nap after 1 short story so I put them in their beds and left.  A few minutes later they were up and talking.  I go in to their room I see that they're both standing.  As soon as I walk in they both lay down.  I go over to cover Liam back up and tell him it's time for sleeping.  I turn to Coen and see that he has his eyes closed.  I go over and talk to him and cover him back up and he doesn't move. His eyes are now squinted shut.  Silly guy is acting like he's sleeping!  Where would he have picked up on something like that?  I guess children do naturally learn things... including pretending to be sleeping I guess!

Also because of their expanding vocabulary, they will often tell me what they'd like to eat for breakfast or lunch.  It almost always consists of cereal or pancakes for breakfast.  (Pancakes being their absolute favorite food.)  Then for lunch they will frequently ask for quesadillas.. or 'dilla!'  Their favorite being plain cheese.

Along with all their cuteness comes the 'terrible-twos'.  They have developed quite the tantrums.  Coen has picked up on some of Liam's antics and vice versa.  Some of the things they'll regularly do when frustrated or throwing a fit are:  Running to their room.  Burrowing their face in the nearest object like a couch, pillow or blanket... sometimes just the floor works fine for them.  If they are sitting, they will throw their head backwards.  Liam has this weird thing where he'll take his hand and squeeze his mouth/face while he screams.  Not sure where that came from, but I really don't like it.  And then you have your typical screaming/crying/hysterics.
(Their fits are much less often than their cute moments.)

To add to their cuteness they've been learning to ask for help if they're getting frustrated with something.  It's usually while they're whining, but at least they're asking!

They also play really well together.  I read articles stating that children won't actually play cooperatively together until they are older, but I guess that's a perk with twins.  They do great playing together and keep each other entertained.  Of course you have the brotherly moments where one will steal a toy, but for the most part they love being together and playing with each other.

That's about it for now.  More later!

It's been just over a month since I started training with Coen and he is a champ!  We've had a few rocky times but overall I think he's taken to it much better than Liam.  Mostly because he will poop on the potty regularly.  He rarely poops in his 'sleeping' diapers and Liam ONLY poops in his 'sleeping' diapers.  (They both still have diapers for sleeping and occasionally will wake with dry diapers.)

Coen will have the occasional accident when he's wearing pants... especially if he's playing outside.  He simply won't tell me if he needs to go.  So I have to make sure I'm checking with him frequently.  Otherwise he's really doing great!


Also, about a month ago I wrote that I had bought 2 large boxes of diapers ($100 worth).  Normally that amount would have only lasted maybe a month, but it's been over a month and I just opened the 2nd box.  It is so nice not going to the store every few weeks and dropping chunks of cash on diapers.  What a relief!