Random Cuteness

Jake Thomas eating a crab.

Anderson James giving love to the duck I won in the third grade.

Big Browns

Gorgeous greens

The boys are starting to pick up some language. Their comprehension is pretty darn good and their ability to remember things we teach them is great but up until now they really weren't associating words with their meaning. Between the two of them they say, mama, dada, grant-claire (sounds like gra-clr), up, thank you, car, hi, dog, don't touch, and nanny. When asked what the animals say they know dog, cat, cow, lion, frog, bird, bunny, and sheep. They can sign bath, eat, nanny, and more. They can also identify most of the Sesame Street characters. We ask them to point to a certain character and they know most of them. Their is also a bunch of other non-sensical utterings that are pure sweetness.

Weekend Mini Trip

Sharing an apple.

Anderson having it all to himself.

Jake stole it away.

Still got love for the monkey cup.

Why can't I get to the sparkles inside?

The boys took a short road trip this weekend to IKEA. They were cooperative and seemed to have a great time. Especially when we let them stand up in the shopping cart for a little while. Anderson bit it once but that didn't stop him from having a blast. We picked up a couple little diddies so the long drive was worth overpriced gas.

No more monkeys jumpin on the couch

Damn, Damn, Damn!!!

An unconventional attempt.

One baby scored.

Jake's not giving up.

Say it isn't so. I've seen it coming for some time now. It's been a slow but inevitable process. Anderson and Jake have figured out how to climb up onto the couch and they don't understand the feet first method on getting down. Jake tried just to walk right off of it and Anderson is diving off head first. Just when I think I have a handle on things...here we go again.

Weekend Events

Super Extra Cool

Jake

Jake's personalized Detroit Tigers shirt

Anderson's shirt

Playing outside watching the big kids.

The boys had a full weekend. We are taking advantage of the warm weather and hoping it lasts. Anderson and Jake enjoyed the park, cruisin around the neighborhood in their little cars, and playing outside. They are pretty resistant when it is time to come into the house, they love being outside!

We found the same Tigers shirts they had last year, so we bought them and then personalized them with their name. They love matching their Daddy!

Jake aka The Human Step Ladder

Of all the famous people in the world...

We have to see him. Kevin and I went out to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary today. We started the day off at the DIA. We wanted to check out the new renovations and see what all the hullabub was about. The DIA is truly a beautiful place. I love it for about two hours, then I've had enough.

After appreciating some fine art, we headed to Royal Oak for dinner. We wanted to sit outside since it was such a warm sunny day. As we were heading back to the car, Kevin poked me and chuckled "look who it is". I looked around, all I saw was an elderly man and the usual alternatweens that hang out in Royal Oak. Wait, not just any elderly man...it was Dr. Death. That's right, we were standing right next to Jack Kevorkian. He had a clipboard and was collecting signatures for his run for congress. So far my brush with celebrities includes Corey Haim, Kelis, Leslie Stahl, and freakin Jack Kavorkian.

Fame but no fortune

I told Kevin awhile back that the boys are losing their star power. It used to be that everywhere we went they drew a crowd. People would stop, stare and often pull family members over to take a look at the boys. The questions ranged from down right rude to dumb, but we did our best to maintain politeness and quickly move on. I don't think I have ever been out with boys without at least one person saying, "Twins? Wow you've got your hands full!". Yes, yes I do and you don't even have the slightest incling of what that statement actually means.

But lately things have changed. If I don't have them dressed alike, they often go unnoticed. I guess as the older they get, the less of a novelty they become. I came across this video and it gives a good glimpse into living life as a parent of multiples. Kevin and I can relate all too well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GE6zQ8FWok

Monkeys loving on monkeys

Monkey Plate

Jake with his plate and cup

Anderson with his.

Going to get up and move onto something else...not without my monkeys!

The boys have been "really into monkeys" lately (sorry, inside joke for Kevin). Long story. They love the monkey song by the Wiggles, enjoy saying ei oo ah ah, and looking at pictures of monkeys in their books. So today when we met Kevin for lunch we stopped into Target. We passed some monkey plates, cups, silverware, cookie jars, etc... Immediately Jake started to make monkey sounds and before you know it we were walking out of the store with monkey junk we don't have the space for or really need. We just couldn't resist.

On the way home the boys examined and played with their monkey plates and cups. When we got home I figured they would quickly lose interest. WRONG. They carried them everywhere, played with the cups and plates by their side and then insisted on taking the cups to bed with them. Right now they are snoozing with a monkey cup in hand.

The Proofs

The proofs are in. You can view them at www.lifeunscriptedphotography.net and click on the proofing tab. The password is: 2486.

A new world

Anderson after conquering the slide

Jake getting ready to do the same

Breaking playground rule numero uno...NO CLIMBING UP THE SLIDES!

WHOA!

Yes, Yes, Yes!

Today when Kevin came home from work, we took the boys to the park that is close to our home. They had a blast! Both of them wandered around in circles. Something would catch their eye and on the way to check it out, something else would spark their curiousity and in the opposite direction they would go. They babbled, yelled out, and giggled the whole time. The different textures of the grounds fascinated them. The playground area was a soft rubbery feel that they liked to touch. The cement was hard under their feet and they realized it hurt much more when they fell. The grass and the woodchips intrigued them and they reached out to touch anything and everything.

We took them down the slides and by the end of the trip they were sliding down by themselves on their belly. They desperately tried to climb up the slides and even though they were like a turtle on his back they never relented. They entered a new world today, a new awareness of the fun that is theirs to have for the taking. When we headed for the car they realized the fun had come to an end and there was hell to pay. Anderson and Jake never screamed so loud and Mommy and Daddy never smiled so wide. I said to Kevin, "At least we know the lights are on." Thank you for today bubbies.

Finally!

Anderson James

Jake Thomas

Beep, Beep, outta our way... we finally got to play outside today!!

15 month appointment and update

We took the boys to their 15 month appointment this morning. Here are the latest stats:

Anderson
31 3/4 inches
23 lbs. 11 oz.

Jake
32 1/4 inches
25 lbs.

The dr. was pleased with their progress. Walking is now their preferred mode of transportation. They are eating a very well balanced and healthy diet. She was surprised that Anderson and Jake like their beans as much as they do. Their ears checked out great, so it was good news all around.

Each well visit is so bittersweet for Kevin and I. On one hand it is such an awesome experience to watch a flower bloom right in front of your eyes. On the other hand we grieve for our itty bittys, we miss those tender moments of staring into their eyes, holding their once tiny beings close to our hearts and calm and peace that it brought us. I love my mini-toddlers but I miss my babies. I hate the fact that we'll never have that back but at the same time I can't wait to see what is in store for us around the next corner.

Happy 38th Anniversary, Nanny and Papa!

Getting ready to leave for the anniversary dinner.

Anderson reading books with Uncle.

The happy couple.

Grant and Claire

Mommy and Jakers

We went out to celebrate my parent's wedding anniversary today. My parents started dating when they were 15 years old and haven't left eachother's side since. They compliment eachother like bread and butter and their love for one another is admirable. Dinner was nice, the boys were well behaved (for the most part), and the food was great!

Sneak Peek..I stand corrected

First Time Coloring with Crayons

Shredding paper.

Mommy's scribbles on Anderson's paper.

Jake trying to figure things out.

I decided to try out our new crayons this morning. Yikes, what a disaster! Jake ate the red crayon as soon as his little hands touched it. He was obsessed with eating the tip and tearing up the paper I taped down on his tray. Anderson caught on quickly but used the end without a crayon. He smiled away happily coloring....nothing. Just rubbing the wrong end on the paper. I'm not sure these supposed "first crayons" are anything less than another parent trap. The bubbies were adorable nonetheless and it was fun to share in their discovery.