Cookie Monster x2

Cookie Monster A

Cookie Monster B

Last night after the boys went to bed I made some chocolate chip cookies. After that photoshoot, Kevin and I needed a pick me up. This morning after the boys ate their breakfast, I let them have half of a cookie. They loved it! It's like they innately knew this was a treat and not something they are supposed to have. They giggled and smiled the whole time.

All I can do is laugh...

But I really want to cry. The long awaited and highly anticipated photosession happened this afternoon. I was elated that both Anderson and Jake took two great naps today, I foolishly thought that would be the key to a successful photoshoot. Anderson woke up first and upon seeing the photographer he began what became a 3 hour bitching and moaning session. He pulled out every trick he knew, the back arch, the flailing arms, and pure tantrum hell. We'd bring him back to serenity only to have him tailspin seconds later. His face was beat red the entire time and he mananged to scratch his face all up during the constant struggle that ensued.

Jake was in a good mood but wouldn't sit still. If we tried to entertain them with a stuffed animal or tell them we were going to "get them", they crawled towards us trying to "get us". Nothing worked, NOT EVEN SESAME STREET! Kev and I spent THREE exhausting hours plopping them down on the backdrop and chasing them in circles. Right now I feel like I ran a marathon, every muscle in my body aches and unfortunately I don't think I will be rewarded with keepsake pictures. Kev, the eternal optimist, is confident that she got some good ones. I say all she "got" was her well earned check I wrote her.

Stitch and Bitch

My lovely embellished burp cloths

Close up but not too close up, they lack in perfection

Another crazy and adventerous day for Uncle Jared, the boys and I. Last week I picked up my Grandmother's sewing machine and decided it was time for a hobby. Not that I have lots of free time, or any free time for that matter, but I've been feeling like I need to do more during the day besides change poopy diapers. My creative energies have been locked away for too long.

So Jared and I headed to the fabric store today and picked out some stuff to get me started. The boys enjoyed touching all the different fabrics and looking at the prints. I decided making some decorative burp cloths would be a good warm-up for the purse pattern I ordered on-line. The above is the result of 3 hours of manual labor and more brain power than I've used to date this year. They are far from perfect, many mistakes any untrained eye could catch but does it really matter? I mean let's be honest, they are going to be used to clean up baby vomit. Hey Jodi... wanna guess what one of your shower gifts is going to be?

Jake's Turn w/Update

Jake Thomas just before bathtime.

Anderson walking around like an exhibitionist.

Playing while the bath was filling up.

ETA: Took Jakey back to the Dr. this afternoon, he also has an ear infection now. That would explain the extreme fussiness for the past 2 days and problems sleeping. Now both bubbies are doing shots of amoxicillian.

Jake started up with a fever yesterday afternoon. Last night was brutal, lots of crying and fussiness. I'm on overdrive, I feel like I've gotten about 10 hours of sleep over the past 3 nights. I just rescheduled their professional pictures last week for this Saturday. I have already cancelled twice due to illness, I CANNOT do it again. We've got 3 days to get these bubbies up and running.

These boots are made for walkin

Easter was a bust. It would appear that Anderson has a double ear infection. He napped most of the day away and a late afternoon bath seemed to perk him up a bit. Jake is famous for going down to nap fine and then waking up in a fever meltdown. That is exactly what happened this afternoon. Aside from his drippy nose and cough he seemed fine most of the day. He woke up from his nap a frenzied feverish mess. It came as no surprise, I'd rather the virus show its ugly head now while everyone else is sick. So it will be off to the peditrician tomorrow morning for both of them. I still feel like doo doo and Kevin feels like his turn is right around the corner.

On the bright side, there were moments of joy today like every other day spent with the bubbies. Jake made attempts to comfort Anderson when he was upset and hurting. They both walked around the house obbessively in 5-7 foot increments. One trying to upstage the other. I'll upload the video and post it later.

Easter Bunny skipped our house this year

Instead of an egg hunt and baskets filled with goodies the Easter Bunny brought the flu. I'm feeling pretty yucky with all the classic flu symptoms and Anderson had a horrible night. He was inconsolable most of the night, couldn't sleep and just miserable. Kevin took him this morning to the dr.'s just to make sure nothing more serious than the flu was going on. His ears are a little red, he's running a fever, and exhausted. Jake is stuffy with a nasty cough as well. We won't be party hopping today, just a quiet day of rest at home.

Water and Rice

Thankfully no one else caught Kevin's strep throat but the babes do have a sniffle. Nothing major, just a leaky faucet. We took them to Wal-mart today to pick up an early Easter gift.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2603656

I spent my college years working at my university's early childhood center. There are MANY things that I learned during those years that make me a better teacher and Mommy in the present. One of the things I took away from my experience was the importance of a sensory table. It provides endless hours of play and fun for little tots so I thought that was just what we needed around here for this summer. I searched high and low for the type of table we had at the preschool but unless I was shelling out 300 big ones it was not to be. I think this table will be a good substitute, just add water and some dyed rice in lieu of sand and let the good times roll.

Anderson has been a walking fool lately. He only does it on his terms and when he feels like it. God forbid you stand him on his feet and tell him to walk, he immediately turns into a limp noodle. He has always been a Momma's boy but this past week has gotten extreme. Over the weekend he attached himself to my leg and wouldn't let go. I don't mind though, in fact it's very flattering and that is why they pay me the big bucks. :)

Jake has a keen sense of awareness of Anderson's walking milestone. He is trying so hard to get his balance and take a few steps. He has had success a couple of times and the sense of pride he shows is just adorable. We give him the biggest cheers even if he barely takes half a step. Jake's overall demeanor is becoming more and more like Kevin with each passing day. He has such a sweetness about him, never complains and always goes with the flow.

Hippity Hoppity

Easter 2007 Jake (L) and Anderson (R)

Easter 2008 Anderson (L) and Jake (R)

The boys and Claire

Waiting outside in line to visit the Easter Bunny.

Today we took the boys to see the Easter Bunny. They got all dressed in their Easter outfits and looked like such handsome mini-toddlers. We waited patiently outside for our turn, as soon as the Easter Bunny was within sight Anderson started to get nervous. Luckily big cousin Claire was there to help put his mind at ease. He didn't want to sit on Easter Bunny's lap but he felt comfortable in Claire's lap. We didn't get many good pics, those are a rare event now that the boys are so "busy" all them time. Aftewards we had a nice lunch and headed home for a well needed nap.

Here we go again

Strep Throat-check

Kevin has come down with strep throat. After years of hardly ever getting sick, Kevin is on a roll. Now we all just hold our breaths to see who will be next. Here we go again. S.of a B.

Today's Playdate

Jake

Anderson

Jake and Ashley

Anderson and Ashley

Practicing

Jake eating strawberries.

Bubbies sharing.

Here are some pics from last week that I never got a chance to post. We are trying to work on eating out of bowls or off of plates. It's not going well. Plates are much more interesting turned upside down with the food going all over the place. Per usual, Anderson slept through most of the photo shoot but he still managed to get his fair share when he woke.

Awhile back I posted about a fellow blogger who had been fostering her daughter in Guatemala and due to some red tape issues was in jeapordy of losing her. I'm happy to report that after 16 LONG months of living in Guatemala, away from her family, she is finally bringing her baby girl home with her on Tuesday!



http://www.sunflowersandladybugs.com/blog.asp?ID=662

Little Fishies

Jake says, "ummm, mommy..Anderson needs some help"

Anderson feeling more comfortable in the water.

Jake and Grandpa

Anderson drying off.

Jake playing in the water.

Yesterday we took the boys to the pool. They haven't been there since September so it has been a while. At some point in the past few months, when we weren't looking, Jake passed on his scaredy cat crown to Anderson. Jake used to have so much trepidation about everything and now he is ready to take on the world. Anderson however has become afraid of most things like snow, the pool, dogs, stairs, and sometimes even new foods. He didn't cry but he whined and he whined and he whined for at least the first 15 minutes. Finally he threw caution to the wind and enjoyed himself. Jake was very happy in the pool but you could tell he couldn't fully enjoy himself until his brother started to like it. Once Anderson was having fun then Jake could REALLY have some fun.

On a side note, did you know that twins are taking over the world? Until becoming a Mommy of twinks I had no idea. We can't go anywhere without strangers telling us about the twins they have, know of, or saw last week. This isn't new, it's become a part of our daily lives but lately it has been happening even more often... if that is even possible. Twins are the new singletons.

Stealing hearts and taking names

Snow day !

On our way to the neighbors.

Anderson in back, Jake up front
Anderson

Jake

Snow Babies

We got MORE snow last night but today turned out to be a beautiful day. Not too cold (considering) and lots of sun. We took the boys outside this afternoon for their first romp in the snow. We loaded them up on the sled and pulled them over to our neighbor's house where the kids were playing and had built up a sledding hill. After just a couple minutes, Anderson became unsure of all the activity and didn't want to be on the sled anymore. I held him for awhile and we tried again but he still flip flopped from loving it to being scared of it. Jake on the other hand absolutely enjoyed himself. Kevin sent him down the hill several times and all those times he was smiling from ear to ear when he got to the bottom. Before anyone flames us, the boys do have mittens but they won't wear them for more than 20 seconds. Video coming soon....

Just because..some pics of the bubs

Riding on their Radio Flyer Rocket together

J.T.

A.J.

Cuteness factor is off the charts on this one.

What are these sharp pointy things back here?

Some sweetness to share

Over the weekend the boys were really showing their sweet sides. On Saturday morning, Anderson was having his "empty bottle" temper tantrum. He does this often, apparently 8 oz. of milk is not enough for him and he lets us know it. We usually just lay him on the floor so he doesn't head butt us or hurt himself. Jake was visibly upset by his brother's dismay, so he squirmed his way off my lap, crawled over to Anderson and layed his head on top of Anderson's chest and said "AwwwAwwwAwww". It was SOOOO sweet. Words just can't describe.

Yesterday we went to Panera for lunch. Kevin started to break off some pieces of bread for the boys to eat. Anderson noticed that Jake didn't have any yet, so he took some of his and held his hand out to Jake. Jake opened his mouth and Anderson fed him the bread. I just about jumped out of my seat and repeatedly said to Kevin, "did you see that?"

Anderson and Jake are just blossoming. Everyday they reveal a new peek into their personalities and their hearts. I often find myself lost in my thoughts wondering who they will be, what kind of men will they become and most importantly will they ever realize just how much I love them and how grateful I am for the joy that they have brought into my life.

Enough of the white stuff already!

The view from Jake's window on Friday afternoon.

I love this pic...little people, big world
Anderson

Jake

Working on getting the binky out of the crib.

Cabin fever is in full effect. We MAYBE got out of the house for about 5 hours total this week. The highlights of our week were taking Jake to physical therapy and meeting Daddy for lunch. That's it. The snow keeps piling up, the temperature remains at sub zero, and the walls are closing in. What I wouldn't give to push a stroller through the park! We were so happy when Daddy surprised us on Friday afternoon, coming home an hour early from work. It was snowing all day and Daddy's work let everyone leave early. The boys and I jumped at the opportunity to drag Daddy out to Target and to a Mexican dinner. The boys enjoyed black bean soup, chicken enchiladas and beans. They were so focused on their food that they barely made a peep all through dinner. They are such good boys.