Dinner Conversation

Dinner Conversation from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.

Side Note: Chick and Pea's names are said a few times during the video. I am perfectly okay with this. It's the actual printing of their names online that I am not comfortable with.

Smiley

I remember a time when I called my brother at work (he's a Speech Pathologist) when Pea was only 10 weeks old. I was scared to death concerned that Pea wasn't really smiling yet. Thankfully, my brother calmed my fears and a week later, Pea was smiling up a storm. It seems he hasn't really stopped smiling his big, wide smiles since. He's got one of those smiles that can make the grumpiest of grumps smile and laugh. I love it!

So True!

As ridiculous as this cartoon seems, it is the reality of what we have heard over the past year or so.

First Santa Claus Parade

I'll give you $100 if you can find Pea.

This pony stopped to bow to Chick.  It was so sweet!

I'm not completely sure, but I think this horse was trying to hit on me.

So what if going to the parade ruined our nap schedule and turned Chick into the nasty version of the Grinch.  It was worth it.

1:30 of Pure Cuteness

It's not often that I get to spend some one on one time with Chick as Pea usually wakes from his nap before she does. But on this day, I took advantage of my time with Chick.

New Skills from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.

15 Months

Chick and Pea at 15 months (remniscent of this photo and these photos).

Dear Pea,

This month, you scared us something fierce. When we learned of Breath Holding Spells, we were nervous for what it might mean for you in the long run. Thankfully, you have not had an episode since and we are hopeful that the events of the past month are behind us.

You continue to be our thoughtful, sensitive, cuddly boy and we love how much you need from us in terms of touch.  Whether you are playing with a toy or eating grapes you like to have one hand on someone you love (Daddy, Chick, Mama, Gramma or Grampa) while doing so.  We are all grateful for the random hugs and kisses you give, but Chick worries that those kisses may turn into bites.

You have bitten your sister a few times this past month and they have each been quite painful to see.  Each has left a welt on her that quickly turns into vibrant shades of purple.  Your biting continues to be a result of over excitement and not something malicious that you do out of jealously or frustration...yet.  We are constantly searching for ways to teach you that it is not okay. 

You are a quiet boy who doesn't get frustrated easily and who has a high tolerance for pain.  That said, when you do get hurt or frustrated beyond your tolerance level, the whole neighbourhood knows.  You, my love, are LOUD.  Thankfully, you are very easily consoled; by me.  You continue to show a preference for me as your personal soother.  As long as I'm around, you will calm down quickly.  If I'm not around, it's a whole other story.  We're working on it.

You have a total of 13 teeth at this point:  two upper and lower central incisors, two upper and lower lateral incisors, two upper and lower molars and one lower canine emerged last week.  No wonder you are biting!

Sleep is still an issue, but we are dealing with it in a myriad of ways.  We have switched you from dairy to almond milk and have cut out most dairy from your diet (cheese is still around as is the occasional yogurt early in the day).  You sleep from 7:00pm until between 2 - 4 am in your crib and then I take you into our bed when you wake screaming.  You then sleep soundly until 7:00-7:30am.  We are lucky to get a two hour nap from you during the day.

You understand so much more than you can verbalize.  I can ask you to bring your milk sippy to me and you will go look for it then walk over to me with it in your hands.  I can ask you to close a cupboard door and you will walk over to it and shut it.  I can ask you to give your sister a hug and a kiss and you do both with love.

As for your vocabulary, it is growing.  To date these are the words I can think of that you say (not perfectly, of course) with enthusiasm:

• cat (ca)
• hi
• dada
• mama
• cracker (kacka)
• car (caw)
• banana (nah-na)
• Elmo
• more (mow)
• no
• moo
• cow (caw)
• meow (ma)
• quack (kak)
• nap (map)
• truck (chuk)
• chair (cheh)
• shoes (shz)
• park (pawk)
• more milk
• milk (miowk)
• cheers (chiz)
• Hannah (ah-nah)
• dirty (diteh)

Your appetite seems to have grown this month and you are showing more preferences for certain foods.  Grapes are a huge hit, though watermelon is still your favorite fruit.  Too bad they are now out of season.  Scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese is another hit with you and you love it when I make that for lunch.  You are definitely a sauce boy as you love plum sauce and ketchup.  You delicately dip your index finger in the puddle of sauce and suck on it as though you'll never eat again.  Super cute.
Your father and I were so happy when you finally decided that PB&J was a yummy food in concert.  You especially like it when I buy small pita pockets and fill them with PB&J.

Your favorite toy right now is pretty much anything that Chick is playing with.  Other than that, you really like to push things around.

 

Happy 15 months, my love!

Dear Chick,

You are asserting your independence more and more and Daddy and I continue to be both proud of your accomplishments and scared to death of what it means for us when you are a teen.  I am constantly saying, "You are NOT the boss, Missy!  Mommy's the boss!" but you try to be the boss anyway.  "Try" is the operative word.  I would much rather have a daughter who is independent, strong and who knows what she wants than have a daughter who is easily imposed on.  Now, if only we could get you to stand up to your brother when he takes a toy away from you.

You have strategies for dealing with your brother's bullying and we can't help but marvel at your brilliance.  If Pea takes a toy from you that you are playing with, you will search for one of his favorites and pretend to play with it until he decides he wants that one instead.  When he takes that toy away, you go back to playing with the original toy you wanted in the first place.  Smart cookie, you are.

You still hold a preference for Daddy's lap over Mommy's lap except when you are hurt.  Then, you only want me.  This morning, you got your first fat lip at the play group and you held onto me so tightly until you felt safe enough to go back to playing.  It doesn't usually take long.

You are our olympic sleeper.  Always have been.  You go to bed at 7pm and sleep soundly until 7:30 - 8:00am.  You usually have a two hour nap during the day as well.

Like your brother, you understand much more than you can say.  You listen to and respond to instructions with ease and we now know when you are simply ignoring us.  You know that you have to bring your milk sippy to me when you are finished and are not to leave it on the floor.  You know to alert us to any danger by saying, "Eh Gow" really loud.  We're not sure what "Eh Gow" means, but it is definitely an alert.  You say it when you see a door open, when you see a ball stuck somewhere it's not supposed to be, and when you make a mess. 

Your vocabulary is growing every single day and you continue to amaze us with your new words.  So far, these are the words we've heard you say with purpose:

• cat (ca)
• hi
• dada
• mama
• cracker (kakaw)
• soother (sootha)
• apple (appa)
• car
• banana (na-nah)
• Elmo (Elma)
• no
• moo (ma)
• meow
• duck (uck)
• quack (ack)
• dog (da)
• nap
• truck (tah)
• chair (chah)
• shoes (zooz)
• park (pawk)
• Oh dear (Oh Do)

You have a total of 7 teeth thus far:  two upper and lower central incisors, two upper lateral incisors, and one lower lateral incisor emerged this week.  You are not as rabid a biter as your brother, but you do bite on occasion.  The recipient of your gnawing is usually Daddy.

Food is your friend.  I don't think that we have introduced a food that you haven't enjoyed.  You especially love Mommy's Red Lentil and Cauliflower Curry, Chicken Tetrazzini and Pasta with Garbonzo Beans.  As for fruit, you are much like your brother in that you love grapes and watermelon, but this month you developed an appetite for oranges too.

Your favorite toy right now is your doll stroller.  You LOVE to take your "baby" (my childhood Cabbage Patch Kid) for a walk around the house in the stroller and can play with it for a long, long time.  In fact, if it weren't for Pea stealing it from you, you would play with it all day.

Happy 15 months, sweet girl!

Chick signing "Thank You"

First Family Hike

We have been having the most glorious weather this Autumn and couldn't help but take advantage of it to take the twins on their very first hike. We hope to make this a consistent part of our lives with them.

At the end of our hike, we found a few puddles in which to splash. Who were we to stop the fun? We joined them and got soaked in the process. All in good fun.

Untitled from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.