Sitting and reading
April 29, 2006
Every day is a day of changes. Andrew is now coming over to me and sitting on my lap so that I can read him a book. Before, he used to sit beside me or I would have to put him in my lap–now he climbs up himself. Also, when we read now, Andrew is pointing at the words. I have started saying each word, spelling it (while pointing at the letters), and then saying the word again.
Last night at dinner we started working on using crayons. Nancy and I each drew on the childrens’ menus with a crayon, then Andrew and Owen each tried scribbling. Of course, they ended up by trying to eat the crayons, but they both did put something down on paper.
The kids had black beans last night at Chevy’s. They were a mess! Unfortunately, we only had a camera phone with us and I don’t think the pictures come out well enough to show how messy they were. Andrew had a beautiful black moustache and beard. I didn’t see Owen until after Nancy had cleaned him up (he was at the other end of the table).
Owen and Andrew have learned the word “up”. Andrew has started to say “hi” on the phone, at least occasionally. Owen loves to ride in the car–if I turn and look at him, he just smiles and laughs at me.
The kids are doing much better at falling asleep at home and in their cribs. The other night I put Andrew in his crib while he was sleepy (but not yet asleep), and he went straight to sleep with no crying or fussing. Owen does well but has to be very sleepy to go down without a fuss.
Just a reminder for our family: if you see a picture on the website that you like, letus know and we can make 4×6 prints at home and send them to you. These prints are much higher quality than if you try to print off the web site.
Pictures
Owen really likes his box
At least we got Owen to start working
Owen, eat your peas!
Headshot of Andrew in the stroller
Andrew on the other side of the stroller
Andrew and Nancy playing in a cube
Learning
April 22, 2006
The boys continue to learn and grow every day. Both boys have now learned to clap. They don’t clap very loud, but they are putting their hands together the right wap. Andrew at least also seems to understand that that is what you do when someone says “clap”.
Andrew has learned “Andrew’s nose”. If you ask “Andrew, where’s your nose?” then he will touch his nose. Owen is working on it and will probably have it figured out in the next day or two.
The boys clearly understand far more than they can say. They understand basic sentences. When Andrew points at something and I say, “Do you see the X?” he is starting to respond.
We are shifting to putting in boys in regular clothes now instead of sleepers. They like regular clothes better because they either get to go without shoes (at home, most times), or they get to wear shoes when we go out. They also want to walk everywhere now when we are out.
We let them play at the Vancouver Mall playground last week. It was their first experience with a playground and they had a great time (as you can see in the pictures). Andrew immediately made a beeline for the opposite corner while Owen hung out close to me before he got used to it.
Pictures
Andrew standing in a box, looking pleased with himself
Andrew standing with grandma Toni at Bridgeport
Andrew is thinking about crawling through the tunnel
Owen riding the carousel with daddy
Grandma Toni carrying Owen at Bridgeport
Owen in the playground at Bridgeport
The boys playing in a car at Vancouver Mall
Both boys walking
Active boys
April 15, 2006
Our kids are very active. Pointing, climbing, walking, exploring–you name it, they’re doing it.
We bought a set of fabric tunnels which come with little square cubes as well that the boys can play in. The cubes were a big hit (see the pictures to get an idea of what they look like). The boys pick them up and carry them. They crawl in the tunnels. Owen put one of the cubes on his head and started walking around with it.
Both boys are starting to understand and respond to complex sentences. Owen was trying to take away Andrew’s toy the other day. Fortunately, we had a duplicate, so I told Owen, “Owen, find the other toy like that. Daddy will help you look.” And he left Andrew alone and started looking for the toy. Andrew has done similar things.
Owen has learned to sit in chairs (at least child-size chairs). Of course, after he sits down, he promptly spins around the other way, then stands up in the chair.
We visited Steve and Skyree last weekend. All four boys seemed to get along well. Owen and Daniel sized each other up and decided that they were spirtual twins….they played together and followed each other around. We also got to see them and several of our other friends at NorwesCon yesterday. We did learn the secret though: let the boys play for a good half-hour or so before we stick them in the car to go home.
We also took the boys to the play area at Bridgeport Mall last Sunday. They really enjoyed that–more for getting to run around than for actually playing on the equipment.
Owen sleeping on the trip north
Owen eating in his high chair
Owen playing with his rattle
The boys playing in one of their new cubes
Tired boys after playing hard
Andrew sitting in one of our bookcases
Andrew sitting in a cube
Andrew drinking from a glass
New words
April 7, 2006
Both kids have new words and are working on their next set.
Words they know (or are working on):
anket (blanket)
a gone (all gone)–also “gone gone”
go (go go go go)
dog
ca(t)
Nancy called me at work earlier this week to tell me that Owen had learned a new trick. He climbed on top of one of the kitchen chairs, stood up on the chair, and then looked proud of himself. Fortunately, he has not repeated this trick (and Nancy removed the chair he was climbing on). Both kids enjoy being read to. They will also read their own books, usually going page by page. Every day they get better at walking.
Pictures!
Andrew and his bottles
Andrew talking on his phone
Andrew riding one of his toys
Both boys sleeping
Owen playing with a ball
Owen in a box drinking a bottle
Owen crawling
Learning and pediatrician
March 31, 2006
The kids are learning so fast, it is amazing. On Monday, I waved to Owen by bending my wrist. Up until then, Owen had always waved with either his whole arm up and down or by bending his fingers. This time, he bent his wrist when he waved at me. He then proceeded to practice bending his wrist (waving to himself) when we took the boys out in the stroller. Owen is also getting very good at throwing a big ball and chasing it.
Andrew learned to match colors. We were at a restaurant, and he pointed up at the red Exit sign, then at a red light, then at another red light, and back up at the Exit sign. He was clearly trying to say that they were all the same color. By the way, Andrew is now into pointing and going “Ah” to show you things. All things. Everything he can find to point at, he does. Andrew is also working on rolling a ball back and forth to Nancy (probably to me too, but he was more interested in playing that game with Nancy).
On Sunday we finally got the car seats turned around so that the boys face forward. They were ecstatic! They enjoy the extra room (so they can kick their feet freely) and like the view better. Plus, mom and dad like it because we can easily see if the boys are sleeping.
On Monday we had the one-year pediatrican’s appointment. We waited a bit so that the boys wouldn’t get shots during their birthday weekend (although they were fine–Andrew didn’t cry at all, and Owen stopped crying before the nurse got the bandaid on him).
We went out to see “Failure to Launch”. Nancy and I both liked it. The secondary characters are as funny as the main characters.
And on to the most important bit: the pictures
Andrew sitting in a box
Andrew crawling into the box
Boys turned around in their carseats
Owen drinking his bottle in the tub
Owen in the other box
Owen and Andrew sharing the box
