Kid one-liners (and more)

Micah

As I'm cleaning the kitchen in the early evening, and after a no-nap afternoon he comes up to me and says...

"Mom! What are you trying to do to me?!"

His new favorite conversation...
"Hey mom?"

"Yes Micah"

"Hey Mom?"

"Yes Micah, what do you need"

"Hey Mom"

"Yea buddy, I'm here what's up?"

"Hey mom... hey mom... hey mom... hey mom"

One thing's for sure- he sure does like me. :)

Hallie
Whew- where did this 'tude come from!?

Micah was trying to give her a train to play with and she didn't want it.  He started crying and she responded to him with,

"Whatever Micah!"

And as she's walking away she again mutters, "whatever!"

As we were buckling into the car she lifts herself up in her seat and says,

"Look Mom! I'm growing bigger and bigger into a flower!"

Matter-of-factly says, "I'm going to be a princess flower!"


Did I mention Micah had a huge break-through this week?! (No, sadly still not potty trained, but that day will come.)  He figured out how to use the pedals on his bike! We've been working with him for over a year now trying to get him to use the pedals, and he's well on his way! While he still uses his feet Flinstone style on flat ground and inclines, he's finally getting the motion!

AND he has struggled coming down indoor play structures- you know the one's with the big "stair" type.  He'd climb up but then would be freaked out because his feet didn't touch right as he swung them over.  We would work with him each time, but we just couldn't get him to do it on his own.  But his last week, he figured it out! He was so excited- and so was I for that matter! No more funky body contorting to help him get down! Hooray!

We're so excited! It's so great to watch your children and their different personalities develop.  They are each so unique!

naptime conversation

Real time conversation...

M- what do you need?

H- i need a book

M- you have to be happy, tomorrow you can have a book, you have to listen

M- ok i'm tired good night
closes door

M- it's not time to wake up yet.

H- are you awake?

H- can i play in your bedroom?

M- I have my trains in here. i have hero of the rails, see.

H- i want to play with hero of the rails

H- want to play in my bedroom?

M- no your bedroom is scary

H- can i play in your bedroom?

M- see you can play with more cars, see this is hero of the rails, he needs to be like this.

H- what's this one?

M- I'm playing with hero, do you want Thomas

H- Is this one ouchies?

M- you want to talk to her?

M- no, "mine name is Thomas, what's your name?"

M- That's the number one

H- woa, dancing dancing dancing, wanna close the door?

The door closed. Time to go bust this party up! :)

**This has been a frequent nap time occurrence lately, just had to document!**

Backyard Fun

Best Buds

The ever-evolving drama of twins...

People frequently ask me if having twins has gotten easier, for the most part I can answer yes.  I don't frequently find myself sitting on the couch crying like I did the first few months. (Exhaustion, lack of sleep, and wacked out hormones, and a hubby who works 60+ hrs a week will do that to ya!) In a lot of ways it is so much easier, but easier is a relative term. Does parenting ever become easy? I don't think it does for anyone, each stage in childhood and parenthood has it's unique challenges.  

 

With all of that being said, this morning was one of those moments that pops up frequently at this stage.  We are potty training Hallie, for the most part it's gone pretty well, just time consuming and I feel like I've spent the last week in the bathroom! Well last night Micah decided he wanted to sit on the toilet too... right at bedtime.  So I let him go because I didn't want to discourage him telling me he needs to go.  So bless his little heart he sat on the toilet for probably a total of 30 minutes.  (With a break to take him back to bed twice, both times telling me he had to go again.) He was trying SO hard, grunting and all just to go pee.  I could see him trying to figure out what muscles to use and everything... hilarious.  I love watching the wheels turn! And he did go! Hooray for Micah!

 

But now to get to the actual point of this post... I now have double the time in the bathroom, which means that the one who's not going to the bathroom has more unsupervised time than usual. (Which is a constant struggle at this stage with 2 year olds who like to get into as much mischief as they can!)  I came out to find that Hallie had decided to pour herself some more cereal this morning.  I had a feeling she was being too quiet! She had dumped the remainder of the bag out, filled her bowl to the brim and dumped Micah's bowl onto his plate, milk and cereal.  

 

I honestly feel like I am running damage control like this all the time! And I know this stage will pass and soon I will wonder when on earth they got to be so big, but still the messes! Oh the messes!!!!!! 

I just can't help myself!

I laugh everytime I look at these pictures.  I can hear them laughing at each other.  It's really so fun to watch them really interact and play with each other.  Bottom line is I love these kiddos, they make me smile! :)

All kinds of goodness

I know I bring this topic up frequently (at least when I'm actually blogging I do) but I often find myself questioning why I bother trying to go anywhere with Phil and Lil by my lonesome.  Don't get me wrong, there are times where everything goes beautifully, when the entertain each other, say "thanks so much, have a nice day," and where we don't leave with one child screaming tucked under one arm and the other being dragged as quickly as they will walk out to the car.  (Yup that's right we're done with Storytime for a few weeks, the last 2 have ended badly!)

With all of that being said, it's days like Friday when despite a couple near meltdowns I am glad I braved it!

Check out this rainbow of goodness...

 And in case you doubted my rainbow of goodness or thought I paid full price (ha!) for this rainbow of goodness...

Yup that's a total of $4 for this rainbow of goodness!

And it doesn't stop there...

I almost leaped for joy when I saw this beauty hanging from the rack at Unique, my new favorite thrift store ever.  In fact I probably would have if I hadn't been too busy trying to explain to M&H that we couldn't ride the bikes that instant. It had the beautiful price tag of $14.99.  Seriously love you Unique.

 I instantly knew that Micah would soon be rocking the red Radio Flyer tassels and all. 

 

Come the end of naptime and a good cleaning, Micah, had other ideas...

 

 He seemed to think the pink Strawberry Shortcake trike, which I discovered hanging right next to the Radio Flyer, was a much better fit.  And despite our best attempts is still snubbing the beautiful red Radio Flyer.  

Now we're just waiting for a little sunshine love so we can hit the pavement with these beauties!

The Morning Funnies

This morning after breaking up what seemed like the 89th fight before 10am, I said "ugh! you guys are going to drive me bonkers today!"

Hallie enthusiastically and sweetly replied, "yaaaa!"

Thanks for the reassurance Hal! :) 

They really do like each other

When I first knew we were having twins, I dreamed of how they would get along and how neat it would be for them to have a built in best friend. I was also realistic and thought about how they would hate each other at many points like most siblings do. I have to say it's nothing like I imagined it either way. I find such great joy when they get along and play together and one of my biggest headaches is when Hallie they pick on each other. I imagine all parents probably have these same feelings.

So with that said, we still have our struggles, believe me I still pry Hallie and her mouth off of Micah on average once a day and break up countless fights over toys. But lately there have been more and more of the 'good moments' where I hear laughter from the other room or hear one of them say 'hugs' and peak around the corner to find one of them hugging the other. They ask for each other on a more regular basis and cry when the other one is upset (unless they were the culprit).

Bottom line... it's fun (most days), I'm glad I have twins (most days), I can't wait to see what the next stage brings!

Cuddle Bugs

A New Little Boy

We've been doing our best to focus on the positives around Hallie's injury. One of the first and best things that has come from this time is Micah is thriving. Who knows if it was just the timing or if it's because he's had more time away from Hallie, but he has come out of his shell! He is much happier, talking more, and sleeping better. Now if we could only get him to eat more... that kid would drink milk 24/7 if we would let him!

I love this picture of him... he concentrates so hard on things and his focus is so visible, this totally captures him in the 'moment.' Thanks again Karlyn for the great photos! Pointing at a plane in the sky...

Showing off his new tractor pjs, which he spotted in the store... I just couldn't say no to the excitement!

Imitating

Early this morning, Hallie threw a little tantrum... she now flops herself on the floor and cries and kicks her feet. Micah usually ignores her, but today... he looked at me, laid down on the floor and started kicking his feet, smiling at me the entire time. Sadly I couldn't capture it on video as my camera is officially broken, but you'll just have to take my word for it, it was the funniest thing I've seen in a long while!

If only...

If only Micah and Hallie could get along so well all the time, but alas my children are not perfect and we don't live in a perfect world. Here is a short clip (9 seconds to be exact) of a common scene from our home the last few weeks. Just replay it over about 100 times and you'll get the picture!

This 'no no' business started last week... I'm wondering where they picked it up from!? We don't say no very often... I'm thinking maybe nursery??? Needless to say, we've been working on talking nice and sharing the last week :)

Silly Kids

Hallie and I are stitch and glue free, with only small physical scars which should heal nicely! Hallie who was already tentative at the Doctor's office is now terrified, she began screaming the instant the nurse came into the room to take her stitches out, clinging on to me for dear life. Hopefully we should be doctor free for the next few months so she has time to 'forget' her trauma before her next check up!

The kids have been frustrating, but cute lately. They are going through some weird sleep issues... crying before going to bed and waking up at night for no apparent reason and being up for several hours in the middle of the night. Exhausting and unexplainable at this point! I did get to see the lightening bugs out in full force against the trees in the middle of the night last night which was quite the show!

On a more positive note they have been incredibly cute during the day. They love to chase each other around the house laughing at each other, give each other hugs, sit on the shelf together, and today they even gave each other some kisses which was beyond adorable! Here's a short video from my phone of them giggling at each other with a short intermission of crying when Micah hits his arm on the shelf, but what can I say that's just life right now :) Enjoy!

Micah says, "Help me please!"

"Can someone help me please, my sister Hallie, is so mean to me! She bites me hard, sometimes she even draws blood. And she bites me A LOT. My mommy and daddy have tried everything they can think of, and they watch her pretty closely, but still when they're not looking (and sometimes when they are!) she attacks me! I have so many ouchies and I cry a bunch, and I even started hitting back, but I just want her to stop biting me... it hurts! What should I tell my mommy and daddy to do?"

New Wheels

Our Graco DuoGlider just isn't doing the trick anymore, it hasn't been for awhile now, so I am proud to announce that tomorrow we will be the new owners of a LONG awaited BOB stroller!

We've wanted one of these since the day we knew we were expecting- actually before the day we knew we were expecting, but with the logistics of having twins (we wanted a stroller that the car seats went with- come to find out it would have worked with the BOB, but that's besides the point) and with all of the $$$ that goes along with having kids, it just didn't happen.

But tomorrow we'll head to REI armed with our 20% off coupon and our REI dividend we're going to be strollin' in style for a whole lot less then the actual price of $569.00 (which just happens to almost be worth more then Ty's car trusty little red, which we are selling if anyone is in need of a cheap car!)...

So happy early birthday/mother's day to me! (which happen to fall on the same day for me this year!)

It's a great day at the Thomson house!

Twin dilemma #362...

I write this post, not to complain or for your sympathy (but you can give me a little if you want!) but to merely identify the evolving process of going places with twins. I recognize that having 2 or more children (well actually 1 child as well) of any age complicate things and I don't believe this is merely just a twin issue... issues are merely multiplied when there is more then one child of the same age. So read on, enjoy, and just remember (as I try to!) it could be worse- I could have triplets!

Tyson and I are anything but 'homebodies' we love to go places... lots of places and that hasn't changed with kids. We still love to go places as you all have probably been able to recognize from following our blog! Well now Micah and Hallie love to go places. It is a common occurrence to get Micah up from his nap and have him start frantically waving his hand bye-bye. Here he is ready to go after I told him to get his shoes and socks. Well going 'bye-bye' has always been an ordeal with twins. First it was carrying 2 car seats out to the car (with all of the baby gear x 2), then it was carrying both out to the car, either at the same time or separately depending on where we were, then there was the stroller to the car, which could add one extra step, needless to say its always been a process.

Thankfully the process is getting a little easier with age and independence... or maybe I'm just getting used to it?? Either way, it feels a little easier. I add the word "little" because we still definitely have our processes and new dilemmas arrive on a regular basis. So here are the scenarios of our current stage-

Scenario 1: They can now walk and hold our hands out to the car which has been SO great, but along with this also comes the desire to walk where they want to walk... which can lead to tears and dragging of feet. Just in case your not getting the full picture here... carrying a diaper bag, bent over holding a hand in each of my hands, one child starts to drag the feet- on a graceful day (if you can call it that!), scoop that one child up in the arm they were holding and continue onto the car attempting to open the door and get both children in. Definitely not pretty and that's with only one child protesting the vehicle... I'll leave two protesting up to your imagination! Our apartment complex offers 2 options at this point, either take a flight of stairs with both children or walk around the long way... its a wash between the 2, we usually do whatever I feel like doing at the time or whichever we are parked closest to!

Scenario 2: Take them out of car, put them in stroller, walk around the long way and into the house. About half way down the "long way" Micah usually realizes we are going inside, despite the fact I've been telling him this since we pulled in. And this is the result... (just imagine a high pitched scream cry and you've got it!)

(This is a typical sight following a trip to the store- thus the reason I LOVE the mommy hook!)

Scenario 3: (which is our new favorite!) We have 2 wonderful push toys, a stroller and a walker, they follow me remarkably well with them, we go the long way, I run ahead to the car, put our things in and open the door and by the time they are to the parking garage I am ready to scoop them up and put them in! Not always crying-free, but I've found as long as the toys stay within sight, it helps.

Until the next dilemma this is our best option. I don't know how long this option with last as the best, but until it loses its effectiveness we'll use it and abuse it! So next time you head out to your car either with your children or without, just remember I feel your pain!

Hugs!

So Micah really does love Hallie! He seldomly touches Hallie and usually squirms if she hugs or touches him... which she loves to do. But we've had a breakthrough!! He has given her hugs or laid his head on her shoulder 3 (yes, count them THREE!) times in the last 2 days! This, however, is the best shot I could get... well really it's the only shot, but at least there's proof! His arm was behind her back, but he slipped it out before I could have true evidence. :)

The Giveaway is FINALLY here!

Ok here it goes! 6 posts late, but better late then never, here's my thanks to you for all of your support and for following our lives and my ramblings :)

I wanted to play this little game for the Twinos first birthday, but didn't get around to it. So since this blog revolves mainly around the two cuties Micah and Hallie... we'll play it now!

Just post the answers to the questions below in a comment (or email staceymae81 [at] gmail dot com) by Midnight Sunday April 5th and I'll pick not 1, but TWO winners! The first going to whoever the smartypants is with the most right answers and the second going at random!

As for the prizes, one lucky winner gets some yummy tomato soup from La Madeline's, some chocolate goodies, and a super cute sewn by me apron :) The second winner winner (doesn't it sound way more exciting in two's!) gets a super duper life-saving mommy hook and because no prize is complete without them, some yummy chocolate goodies :)

So get crack-a-lackin' already! Micah wishes you good luck!

1. Tell me who's who?

2. Who usually rides "shotgun" (in the front) of the stroller? Bonus entry if you can tell me why! :)

3. Who's feet are on the left and who's are on the right?

4. Micah or Hallie?

5. Micah or Hallie?

6. Who's older? Micah or Hallie? **Bonus entry if you can tell me how much older they are!**

These next 2 are courtesy of Ty and are tough! I even struggled! So good luck!

7. Micah or Hallie?

8. Micah or Hallie?

9. Were they born in Richland, Pasco, or Kennewick?

10. Who walked first? Micah or Hallie? **bonus entry if you can tell me how many months they were when they started walking** :)

Hallie hopes you had a great time, she had a blast!

The Bottle Cradle

Where was this device a year ago!? I'm certainly going to keep this in mind if and when we ever decide to have more kids AND we're lucky enough to have multiples again :) Check it out...

http://www.babybottlecradle.com/