Santa is coming!

I am not on my way to becoming a mommy blogger… I lack the wit and the writing skills.  What I do have is pretty good though… two children that manage to make me laugh on a daily basis and the ability to put it out there.  If you do know me, I am a very straightforward person that is not afraid to share what is on my mind.  This along with my sparkling personality, should make for some interesting writing.  Thoughts frequently cross my mind and I think to myself, “I am going to put that in the blog” and then I don’t.  Life gets in the way and I forget.  I have since discovered the app that allows me to make draft blogs on my phone and your reading is going to get more interesting and frequent.  I mean, why not share all of this charm with the world?!

That being said, it is time for your 17 month update! I am personally very ready to be out of this phase where you refer to your child’s age in months.  I know that it is the standard “practice” until they are two at least – I refuse to go any further than that! You will not hear me say that my child is 25 months old! Anyway, each day they continue to amaze me with their level of understanding.  We are working on brushing their teeth and making it part of the routine at least twice a day.  If they hear me say “teeth” they run right off to the bathroom repeating it over and over again while I prepare their toothbrushes.  They have even “learned” from their daddy to wander around the house while they are brushing their teeth.  Currently they have about 9 or 10 teeth – I value my fingers so I no longer stick them in their mouths to do a count, but I can assure you that there are more teeth than last month.  I see them when they are screaming from the pain.  They bring me some shoes almost every morning – they may not match, but they bring me shoes.  They are starting to earn their keep. ;) They help us when we are getting them dressed and the best “trick” ever was learned last week.  They learned to switch the item they are holding to the other hand so we can put their jackets on – has saved many meltdowns since.  They have learned that nap time follows the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and have even, on more than one occasion, started walking towards their bedroom when the show ended.  Today, Landon and I were watching an episode called Mickey Saves Santa.  I was talking along with the show and answering the questions because let’s face it, it is awkward when they stare at you waiting for a response.  When I said “Santa” Landon ran to the tree, took off a Santa ornament and brought it to me.  They understand so much of what we are saying now! They also seem to have their own language – repeating the same sounds back and forth and will even involve me in the conversation if I start making the sounds too.  

Jasper is so good with them!

They continue to grow as individuals as well.  Riley continues to be a bit more adventurous and loves to climb – she managed an attempt to climb on to the couch and then over the back of the couch the other day.  Landon is more of a snuggler and will even put your arm back around him if you move it – he did it today and my heart melted a little.  Landon has also been the first to hug and kiss.  He leaned over the other night and gave Riley a kiss and then it became a giggle fest between the two of them as they “kissed” back and forth.  Riley eats quickly and shovels the food in her mouth.  Landon eats slowly and is very meticulous.  Landon likes to stack and Riley likes to destroy.  They do like a lot of the same things though.  They have recently developed a love for sitting “against” things – like they will both sit down on the floor with their backs against the couch, the bathroom cabinets, the doors, or the wall at church.  They like to color and do different craft projects with mommy – mommy is actually doing some of those things she has “pinned.” They love to dance – T. Swift is a favorite.  (Note to self: find them better music) They have recently been trying to tickle each other and they make this “teeteetee” noise while they do it which makes me smile. They both have some infectious laughs and smiles.  They love to wave and are very good at waving about 30 seconds after you ask them to or you have already walked away.  Reading and being read to continues to be one of their favorite things to do.  They each have a “reading” voice, which I still need to get on camera, when they sit down to read a book “aloud.”  

Berkdale Christmas Parade

 This Christmas season has been a lot of fun.  They love to say “Santa” and will use the word frequently and direct it at anything Christmas related.  They helped to decorate the tree and help to undecorate it on a daily basis as well.  They dance to Christmas music and “sing” along with some of the songs.  I am beyond excited for Christmas morning to see them open their gifts! 

Reading her book...

Helping daddy to test the lights...

SNOW!

Snacks after Santa

Landon already had his first round with croup... but he loved his "doctor."

16 months.

I like to watch my children sleep.  Every night before I put myself to bed for the night I check on them and it is one of my favorite parts of the day.  They look so sweet and peaceful – and weird! Ha ha.  My children manage some of the strangest sleeping positions and usually their head is implanted into the corner of the crib.  I will also check on the monitor a few times a night because I am a creeper like that as well.  In all honesty, I love seeing them snuggled into their little sleep sacks.  I especially love the nights were they get sleepy early and they cuddle into my lap for a “rest” and I get to sneak a baby cuddle.  

In the words of the Hubby, they are “little people” now with very distinct personalities and likes/dislikes.  They will sit down together and put shapes into the shape sorter, looking up expectantly after one is correct for their applause.  They love to stack things together – and knock them down when we stack them up.  The Hubby and I have a challenge to one another to see who can make the tallest tower before one of the destruction twins knocks it down.  They love to race each other up and down the hall while pushing toys, or they will push each other up and down the hall on the toys.  They also push baskets, hampers, boxes, and the chairs from their table up and down the hall as well – anything that helps them to move faster.  

 

Loving the Olive Garden breadsticks

Landon continues to be my emotional child.  He can fall apart in 2 seconds if things don’t go his way – even a “simple” thing like not being able to pull a ball out of the bin.  Speaking of “ball” it is the favorite word around this house for both children, but a favorite toy for Landon. He just learned to throw this past weekend and he plays a great game of fetch with himself.  He also likes to climb up to the slide in the basement and roll the balls down the slide.  He has also really come to enjoy the slide in the basement and has been comfortable with going down the slide on his own as well.  Landon also says something all the time that sounds a lot like “Abri” and I love when he says it, but I just can’t seem to catch it on video.  He loves to sit down in his chair with a book, usually upside down, and he “reads” to himself out loud.  Landon is quick to pick up and try new things like snapping his fingers.  He loves to high five and my new favorite is his attempt to give me a kiss. :) Landon has been a pretty picky eater lately and has limited himself to chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and animal crackers mostly.  He still has eight teeth, but those back molars continue to give him an issue so I wish they would just come on through! 

Riley is adventurous.  She climbs on the chairs and blocks – she falls from the chairs and blocks.  She does some yoga, downward dog seems to be her personal favorite.  She likes to help me with the laundry by putting clothes into the dryer and pushing the basket down the hall as well.  Riley also loves to read and she has the cutest voice when she sits down to “read.”  She loves to play with her "bog" Jasper and he is very tolerant of her sitting and bouncing on his back and crawling all over him.  Riley now has 8 teeth and she is not a picky eater at all and she will eat anything I put on her plate and anything Landon puts on her tray as well.  Riley follows me all over the house and once I even shut in her a room without knowing she was right behind me! I felt terrible. :( Riley’s newest tricks are running, running up to hug our legs (especially when we are doing the dishes for some reason), and giving me a kiss.  I love that she makes the “muah” noise when she is about to give me a kiss.  She loves to climb up the stairs and slide down the stairs backwards on her belly – she once tried this headfirst and scared me half to death.  Riley seems to like to have her hands full at all times, a toy in each hand.  

I do very much love being able to spend more time with them.  We have been coloring and making projects together, and going on field trips  We have made a few trips to the library, the mall, and have done some shopping.  It is amazing to see the daily changes in their skills and notice the little things like being able to stack blocks and getting the shape sorter right the first time.  I look forward to being able to spend more time with them and will keep you updated. 

Halloween as Doug and Porkchop.

Playing cars

Watching daddy play volleyball.

Hanging with our buddies Jack and Will