Relatives
September 15, 2006
Nancy had a birthday since the last post, and the boys have had a half-birthday. They are officially 1 1/2 years now. Yay!
Nanny / Nana (Karen) and Bob came out for Nancy’s birthday. The boys were excited to see Nana, I think because they can say her name 
Grandpa Larry also came over for Nancy’s birthday.
We took the boys down to the state fair–Andrew and Owen both got to sit on ATVs and make vroom vroom noises. They had a lot of fun.
The boys have been having problems sleeping the past few weeks. They have had a combination of teething on the second (final) molars, and they’ve had a cold this past week. We’re hopefully that they’ve turned the corner, though–they have both slept through the night 3 of the last 4 nights.
I’m headed to New York next week. I fly out on Tuesday and will be home on Thursday (quick trip). It will be my first trip to New York and the first time I will see some of the people I’ve been working with for the past five years at Schrodinger. Nancy is going to take the boys and spend the night with Grammie and Grampie–it will be easier all around that way.
Andrew’s new word is “baby”. It’s very cute when he says it. Usually he says it when pointing at a picture of a baby. Both boys are now saying “boo” on occasion. That’s a little harder for us to get them to say, though.
Owen has learned to nod his head vigorously for yes. We only see head nodding when he really wants something though (like, “Owen do you want some ice cream?”)
We bought the boys some inexpensive toys that look like cellphones. They have buttons that say the number and display it on the screen. We bought two, then realized we needed two more so Grammie and Grampie graciously picked up two more. I think it helped that they were at the mall when I called.
Nancy has set up a jungle gym for the boys in the Great Room. We’ll try to get a picture up on the next post. The kids have a small slide and a swing now. Maybe this will help keep them entertained.
The boys keep growing and learning. One more cute tale, then pictures.
Owen had a toy in hand. He climbed up on the couch next to me, but dropped the toy. Andrew grabbed the toy. I said, “Andrew, Owen was playing with that” and handed it back to Owen. Andrew tapped his chest (the sign for “me” or “my turn”). Owen looked at Andrew and handed him the toy. Andrew signed “Thank you” without being prompted! Very nice behavior on both sides.
Pictures
Andrew driving an ATV at the state fair
Andrew and daddy playing a videogame
Andrew playing in a fountain
Both boys playing in a fountain
Owen and Grammie playing a videogame
Owen drinking a bottle with Karen
Owen wearing his “I do my own stunts” T-shirt, from auntie Heather
Changes
September 3, 2006
Andrew and Owen refer to their cousin Abby by making kiss sounds. They like their cousins, and they seem to have made the transition from “Nanny on the phone” to “Nanny in person” nicely. In fact, saying “We’re going to see Nanny” gets them started saying “Nana nana nana”.
The boys grow and develop so quickly, it’s hard to keep up with what’s new. Andrew pulled Owen around the Great Room in a little wagon. Owen said thank you to Andrew when I prompted him. Even teenagers have to be prompted, from what I’ve been told.
Andrew has learned the sign for frog. It’s supposed to be two fingers coming up at a 45 degree angle from the mouth, like a frog’s tongue. However, Andrew does the sign for eat (fingers to mouth) and moves them away from his mouth going down.
The boys had a checkup last week, so we have official sizes to report. Andrew was 36 inches and 32 lbs (both 97%). Owen was 34 inches tall (90%) and 26.5 pounds (50%). Andrew’s head was at 97%, and Owen’s head is up to 70% (from 60% at his last appointment). Both boys have gained weight since their last appointment, although Owen is slowing down a bit. The doctor said that both boys are on track to be taller than I am (6′2″).
The boys really love Cook Park. Mom and dad love it too because the play equipement is designed for kids our age. The steps are easy for them to climb and everything is nicely fenced in with bars the boys can’t make it through.
My parents came over yesterday and helped us clean up the back porch. We can now take the boys out into the back yard to play, if the weather cools off a little. It’s been too hot in the afternoons to do much of anything outside.
We are starting to give the boys some choices, like picking which of two or three shirts they would like to wear.
Pictures
Closeup of Owen at Washington Square
Owen sitting with a teddy bear
Owen with keys
Karen with three of her grandkids
Andrew with daddy in a shopping cart
Andrew playing with stickers with Karen
Andrew sitting with Grammie listening to a guitar
