All the latest

Well it's about time! Finally found a quiet moment to do a new entry. It's a bit 2-sided around here lately. While things can get a little hairy with non-stop energy, new physical talents that scare Mom daily (ugh...the couch climbing!) and a new found love for temper tantrums, there's also the big new world of expanded communication and fine motor skills! It really is a fun time, with a few frustrations thrown in for good measure. No self-respecting toddler would have it any other way, right?

As far as every day stuff, we recently gave up our final bottle, which was the bedtime bottle. I was afraid that because it was such a big part of their wind-down routine, it would be difficult to give up. Not really the case. We now give them a sippy cup of water instead of a bottle of milk, and remarkably, they've adapted. Kids are amazing that way. We're also slowly trying out offering them a spoon to self feed themselves. Yikes. That's not a natural skill, clearly. The first time we put the bowl down and handed them a spoon...blank faces. "What do I do with this", their eyes seemed to say? They were almost timid with the spoon that they usually grab with such gusto when I'm the one holding it! But we keep trying and like everything else, they'll eventually get it.

We are on the cusp of a communication explosion! All of them are doing some sign language, and have a few words. The signs they can do include: more, milk, all done, eat, water (sort of), hat, and please is just emerging. Words include mama and dada, ball, bye bye and nighnigh (night night). Charlotte also attempts to say "shoes" which just comes out "shisss." They all watch us intently while we're talking to atempt to decipher what we're babbling about. So cute!!! They're also role playing a bit...when the phone rings they all hold their hand to their ear as if to say, "hello?" Does this mean I am on the phone too much? They also hold socks and shoes to their feet. Daddy is most proud of this...when he says "touchdown" they all throw their hands above their head!

We also enrolled them in a Park District "Mini Gym" class and started taking them to the church nursery this fall. They're loving both, but with the fun has come two nasty colds. Since we were isolated last year when they were still preemies and got just one minor cold the entire season, this has been a big transition, to say the least. Jeff and I are now always armed with tissues for the non-stop nose wipes. We now are the family with the young, sick kids that were banned from our house last year. So weird.

I think that's about it, other than a few photos for your viewing pleasure. Adios!