Happy Halloween!

For Halloween this year we decided that we would go to New Life's Fall Fest. They have bounce houses, carnival games, face painting, a petting zoo, etc. all for two dollars! We almost didn't make it because of Tyler's attitude today. But he got it together so away we went.

The boys switched costumes tonight - Tyler was the monkey and Carter was the giraffe. They both kept their costumes on tonight at least. The boys had a blast going from bounce house to bounce house. They also loves the little games they had - throwing blocks into Noah's ark and fishing for candy. Their favorite part was the big bounce slide they got to ride down. Justin had to work tonight so we didn't stay to long. Tyler had a nice tantrum since he din;t want to leave, but he got over it fairly quickly. We made a stop by the Stillman's to trick or treat at their house. I think the lack of sleep is finally catching up with Tyler, as he wasn't even all that excited to see them - which never happens. On our way home he had another tantrum because he wanted to see the fire fighters. I hope he sleeps well tonight.

Two Year Check-Up

Carter had his two year check-up today. The doctor deemed him "perfect". Can't get much better than that. She was very impressed with his language skills. At two they are hoping for 50 words and 50% clarity - he is way beyond that. She asked how he was doing discipline wise and gave a laugh when I told her he was my stubborn one. She then guessed that he came out of bed a lot - and she was right. At least its just a normal phase. After looking him over she gave me his stats and he got a flu shot. He cried a little bit, but then was happy for his sticker. Tyler did pretty well during the appointment, but he did hit Carter at one point. He took his time out nicely in the room. All in all a good appointment. Here are Carter's stats:

Weight - 26 pounds 11 oz, 40th percentile

Height - 34 inches, 50th percentile

Head Circumference - 49 centimeters, 50th percentile

Fall Fun

Fall is here and we love it. The weather has been very warm too, which while not fall like, its great for outside time. Today the boys had a great time jumping in leaves, and raking them up. Then it was onto to pumpkins.

We decided that we would carve out pumpkins this year. Tyler told us he wanted a pumpkin with circle eyes, a circle nose and a happy face with 5 teeth. Carter picked one of the four pumpkins faces I drew and then told us he wanted one tooth. We let them play with the little pumpkin with kid friendly pumpkin knives while we cleaned out their pumpkin. While Justin was carving away the boys "helped" me roast the pumpkin seeds. They ate a couple before declaring them yucky.

The boys favorite part was putting the candle inside them and watching them light up. Sorry the pictures aren't of the kids. When I tell Tyler he needs to open his eyes he then thinks its funny if he keeps them close. Carter is two, so naturally he won't stand still for anything, let alone a picture.

My Little Helper

Tyler has always been a great helper. He loves to help clean. Whenever I am cleaning up the kitchen he needs a baby wipe to wipe things down with me. He also helps me clean the tables at church everyday. With laundry he helps me put the laundry into the washer, then into the dryer, and then helps me sort it all. The other day he found a new way to help - dishes.

We had just finished lunch and I was cleaning off the table when Tyler scoots his chair over to the sink. He then takes our sponge, turns on the water, and starts cleaning his plate and rinsing out his cup. He does the "dishes" at least once a day now. It usually consists of him filling his cup with water and then pouring it out - over and over again. Since Tyler does the dishes, Carter likes to try too. Unfortunately he doesn't have it down quite yet so usually water is all over Carter when he is done.

The boys have been having issues lately with not staying in their rooms at bedtime, not falling asleep at nap time, and then coming out of their rooms way to early in the morning. This weekend we tried to work on these things. First we put some toys up in their room. Before now the boys didn't have any toys in their rooms except for all the animals they sleep with. So we put up quiet toys - books, puzzles, cars, and legos. We told them they were not to play with the toys during bedtime, but they could play quietly during nap time and when they woke up in the morning. Next we got a wall clock for their room. I put stickers on the 7 and the 12 and told them when the hands were on the stickers they were allowed to come out. I was anxious about this, thinking it may make things worse, but I thought we should at least give it a shot.

So far it has worked great. Tyler is great at cleaning up his toys in his room so far and on Sunday he played so quietly in there I thought he was asleep. When I went to check on them Carter was dead asleep and Tyler was happily playing. So that he could get some sort of a nap I put him in our room (where he naps most days now) and he was out in less than 5 minutes. In the morning I usually have to tell them once or twice to go back until the hands touch the stickers, but then they happily play in there until then. We are still working on not coming out of bed during bedtime, but its starting to click in I think. I am very impressed on how well they are doing with this. Life is good.

Trunk or Treat

This afternoon my mom's group did a trunk or treat. The kids dress up in their halloween costumes and go from car to car "trunk or treating". We all had a ball. This year Tyler saw a giraffe costume in a catalog and had to be a giraffe. So we decided that Carter could be the monkey that Tyler was last year - after all he does climb everywhere.

At the trunk or treat there was an extra special surprise. Firefighters and their ladder truck was there! The boys had a blast climbing in and out of the truck. Tyler quickly grew tired of his costume and took it off. The firefighters closed the truck doors and Tyler then decided that our van was his fire truck - so he spent a lot of time in there.

All the kids then did a parade of costumes for the firefighters and they judged who had the best costumes. Tyler of course just watched, since he didn't want to put his costume back on. After that was done it was off to the candy. The boys did very well saying thank you every time and only taking one piece. Tyler then had to go and show the firefighters every piece of candy he got. He was totally obsessed with the truck and firefighters. He has never been one to talk to people, but if its a firefighter you can't get him to be quiet. It was very cool to see. Once we got all out goodies the firefighters announced the winners. Carter won cutest boy!!!! Of course we can't argue that!

They then opened the truck back up so the boys got to climb around it some more. Carter found a seat in the back and happily sat there for a good ten minutes. Tyler then told me he was ready to go (we didn't get naps today) so we watched the fire tuck leave - with its lights and sirens on and headed home. As we were leaving I asked Tyler if he wanted to be a firefighter one day. His answer "I am a firefighter now".

Bowling!

On Monday Justin and I both took the day off to celebrate Carter's birthday. We had planned on going to the zoo or Garden of the Gods. However we woke up to cold, rainy skies. We decided bowling would be a great option B.

The boys were somewhat confused at first. Whenever we mentioned bowling they would run to the closet to get their plastic pins out. Once we got to the bowling alley they had a blast. I was very excited to see that they had little bowling shoes to fit them -absolutely adorable.

We let them start off with the bumpers. After dropping the ball a few hundred times, they both understood that they needed to make it to the black line before putting it down. Tyler did great from the start - always getting at least a couple pins down (thanks to the bumpers). Carter was lucky if his ball didn't stop halfway. At one point it even started rolling back to us. So we got a ramp. Carter couldn't quite get the ball on the ramp himself, but still liked pushing it down. Tyler ended up with 2 spares thanks to the ramp.

More than bowling they seemed to enjoy just running around the bowling alley in the disco lights. We had a great time as a family and hope to do it again soon. Family days always make great days!

Pumpkin Patch Birthday

For Carter's birthday the family went to the pumpkin patch. We go every year to the pumpkin patch and it's so much fun. The boys loved riding on the tractor and then ran from pumpkin to pumpkin wanting to get them all. Last year Carter was barely walking so it was fun to watch him run around this year.

For dinner we went to Red Robin with Heather, Leah, Marj, and Seth. Carter loves Red Robin and it made it even better when they sang Happy Birthday to him and he got ice cream. Once again the boys did a great job sharing the ice cream together. We then came home for Elmo cake (which once again Justin did a great job) and presents. Carter still likes to tear off tiny pieces of paper at the time. Tyler stepped in to speed up the process -after asking Carter first of course. carter loves all his new games and puzzles - its all we do these days. This was a much more low key birthday, but I think we all enjoyed spending time together and just enjoying the day

Carter's 2nd Birthday Montage

Here is the video montage of Carter's 2nd year - Enjoy!

Two!!

Carter you are two years old! In some ways it seems that the past two years have flown by. It seems like yesterday that I was in the hospital with just you. Daddy had gone home to be with Tyler and it was just the two of us cuddling on my hospital bed. You always have loved to cuddle.
But in so many other ways I can't believe its only been two years. I have to catch myself all the time and remind myself that you are only 2. I can't remember what our family was like without you. And you have brought our family so much.

You bring so much laughter and smiles. You love to ham it up and make people laugh. You are so smiley its hard not to smile when you are around. Tyler will giggle at something you do and you will keep doing it over and over just so you can make your brother laugh. You are so sociable that you say hi to everyone you see and love to give hugs to anyone who is asking for one.

You bring us new personality. You are so determined and confident in yourself. Your favorite phrase is "I do it". From climbing into your car seat and fastening your chest plate, to washing your hands, to doing puzzles, you want to do it on your own. Most of the time you accomplish it all by yourself as well, even if it does take you a couple tries. "Try again" is another favorite phrase. You also let it known when you don't like something. However after a few minutes of screaming you are back to your smiley self. On the flip side you are also very laid back and mellow. Always going with the flow.

You bring noise! You love to sing and dance and talk. And boy do you talk! From picking it up from your brother no doubt, you have astounded everyone with the words that come out of your mouth. Complete sentences before the age of 2! Your love to make animal sounds, and ask question after question - always repeating the answer so that you will know it next time. Reading is another favorite of yours. You will sit and look at books for the longest periods of time and even better is when your brother or mommy reads to you.

You bring us adventure! You are all boy no doubt. Loving to climb, jump, and get into the mud. You have brought us our first stitches, along with many other bumps and bruises. These have never slowed you down tho. If you could be outside all day long you would be. Digging in the sandbox is where we usually find you, ad if you are not there you are either playing baseball or just running around in the grass.

And last but not least you give friendship. The bond that you and Tyler have brings tears to my eyes. You love to do whatever Tyler is doing. The conversations you have - in what sometimes seems in your own little language - always makes me smile. Most of the time you would rather hold Tyler's hand than mine. And you always look for him first before anyone else. While there are fights and disagreements, most of the time you share and get along so well.

We can not wait to see what this next year will bring. We are so proud of the little boy you have become. I love it when you cuddle with me and when you do puzzles with daddy. I even love it when you growl no at me - even tho you shouldn't! I love how you run to daddy as soon as he gets home everyday and blow kisses to me whenever I leave. We love all of you Carter and our family wouldn't be the same without you. God really did give us double blessing when He gave us you! Happy Birthday!

ABC's and Counting

Carter can now sing his abc's. He does pretty well, just leaving out a couple letters. We are hoping him singing it all the time will encourage Tyler to also sing his. Carter also has to rock back and forth while singing them - very cute! Here is a video of him singing.

Carter has also started counting. He counts "1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 3" I think we need to keep working on it but its a definite start! I love watching him learn new things every day.

Big Boy Bed

We finally got Carter a toddler bed and set it up last night. I was thinking it would be a pretty easy night, since Carter already climbs out of his crib as it is. Both boys really like Carter's new bed - especially jumping from one bed to the other. At bedtime I went in there about 10 times and usualy Tyler was in Carter's bed. An hour after bedtime they were both finally asleep in thier own beds.

Tyler woke up a lot last night, however. We arn't sure if its because he has nighmares, is sick, or what. At 1 am I went in there to talk to Tyler. Carter was fast asleep in his own bed. At 3 am Tyler woke up again. This time Carter was fast asleep in Tyler's bed. I have no idea when the swicth took place, but Tyler wanted his bed back. I am hoping tonight will go a little better.

And the crib is offcially taken down after over three years of being up - it was a bittersweet moment for sure.

Hap Birt Day

Carter is so excited about his birthday. Yesterday we went to Micahel's to get his Elmo cake pan for his birthday cake. When we got home he had the biggest fit because he couldn't have his birthday now! When he wakes up in the morning he always ask if its his "Birt Day". When we tell him not yet crying ensues.

He walks around the house singing "Hap Birt Day, Hap Birt Day". If you ask him about his birthday he immediately says "Elmo!" I hope he doesn't think he gets to see Elmo or anything. We have a Sesame Street book about Oscar the Grouch's birthday. Carter brought it to Justin to read, but he calls it "Hap Birt Day Bernie". Bernie is Bert and Ernie - he thinks they are one. Luckily we only have a few days left til he turns 2.

Tyler Singing

Here is video of Tyler singing at church. Sorry its not very stable - I had a hard time not giggling to much!

What a Weekend

This weekend was so busy it doesn't feel like we got one. On Saturday Justin worked all day. I went up to the Outlet Mall to get the boys some sweaters. They feel asleep for 15 minutes on the way up there - which just meant they wouldn't take naps for the rest of the day. They both did pretty well, but we did have a few meltdowns from Tyler and tantrums from Carter.

We had a wind party that night at the Stillman's, so as soon as Justin got home from work Heather came over to watch the boys. After about an hour Heather called us and informed us that Carter had thrown up. She was wondering where the spare sheets were. I told her to let it go and we were on our way home. She was still cleaning it up when we got there - man we have great friends! It turned out Carter drank some bad milk earlier that day. Combine that with lasagna and no wonder he got sick.

On Sunday I had to work at the church in the morning. Then we had our monthly potluck for the Bronco game. Melissa, Heather, Marj, and I left the party early so that we would go watch Tyler sing in the choir at church. I was quite nervous about how he would do. He did great! He didn't sing but he stood up there looking so nice. I was so proud of him. We got home cleaned the house and put the boys to bed. I think I need another day to recover!

Better days and Updates

The past couple days have been better. Tyler is still having more meltdowns than normal, but I am handling them better. I am hoping this cycle will be over soon. He seems to be napping better the past few days and we have to go in less at night, so at least things are going in the right direction again.

I had forgot to update a couple things. We got Tyler's blood tests back and he finally (after almost 2 years) is no longer anemic. He can now just have a multi-vitamin with iron and he should be good to go! Also he is potty trained at night now. So nice to only have one in diapers!

We have a very busy weekend ahead of us, so hopefully Tyler will adapt well. We shall see.

Something Lighter

So just to show that we do have some fun around here - a video. For his birthday Steve and Melissa got Tyler the "Polar Bear Polar Bear What do you Hear" book. He absolutely loves it and had memorized it within two days. Here he is reading it to Carter.

Hard Days

I am not quite sure what is going on with Tyler right now, but its been a couple of very rough days. The weekend was nice and busy. Saturday morning Justin and I had a class at church and then a wedding. Grandma and Grandpa came to babysit during the wedding. The boys had a great time, they went to the airport to run around the terminal and watch the planes and then went to eat, where they did great at the restaurant. They also did great at church that morning. Sunday we really didn't do much. Then came Monday.

Tyler did well at church Monday morning, and as usual fell asleep on the ride home. He then, instead of continuing his nap as he always does, woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep. So he got a 15 minute nap. This has happened before and while it makes him a little cranky its nothing we can't deal with. We had some great friends driving thru town so shortly after I returned home they came over. Eric, who is the minister who married us, Sindy, their son Sam and daughter Dani just hung out and the kids played. This is when chaos ensued. Tyler had meltdown after meltdown. If his fire truck's ladder wouldn't go up - crying, if the door to Mack came off, more crying. We went outside to let the kids run around. Tyler was pushing his lawnmower and it kept getting stuck. Complete meltdown. This one lasted probably close to a half an hour. I put him in his room as I always do, but he kept coming out and then got angry when I put him back in. He finally settled down when Justin came home and we headed out to dinner.

The boys usually do better out and about so I wasn't to worried. They did great until the food came. Then Tyler wold spill a little applesauce and begin crying. His fork was covered in applesauce so he would pick up his fork, get applesauce on his hand and cry to be wiped off. I would wipe him off and then he would pick his fork back up and it continued. Once I saw the fork was the problem we switched forks. However then his applesauce and mac and cheese were touching and his dinner was over. Once Sam was done as well and we let the boys play some Tyler was back to his regular self.

Until today. I was hoping because he didn't nap he would sleep in. Not the case, but he did just have quiet time with me in bed for a good hour. He then didn't want to have breakfast and anytime anything even bumped him he wold start screaming and crying. We went over to some friends for a playgroup this morning. Tyler did pretty well for the most part, but if someone would take something he was using or something he would go back to meltdown mode. We were playing inside and he was playing with a helicopter. The blades wouldn't stay out like he wanted them to and he kept getting frustrated. I finally took it away because he was getting so upset. He then took it and threw it. He immediately was put in time out, but he wouldn't stay there. I took him upstairs to talk to him where he began yelling and hitting again so we immediately left (which didn't make Carter happy). Tyler then didn't eat lunch - just played instead and now is once again not napping.

So after that not so nice recap I come back to where I started. I have no idea what is going on with him. I don't know if its the lack of sleep (not much I can do there) or if he doesn't feel good (he hasn't eaten much) or if its sensory (that what I think its is) or the age. The meltdowns he is having remind me of where we were a year ago and how it was when he couldn't communicate with us. He is also doing other really weird things. He is regressing in potty training. Not that he is having accidents, but that he will only go with me. He won't go potty with anyone else. He has to sit and wants me to help him do everything. He is all of sudden afraid of automatic flushable toilets again - a thing he had gotten over before. I could go on and on. I know we need to get him back into some type of class, as that has helped before. I just wish I knew what else to do. I think it must be a combination of everything, but with all the meltdowns and the lack of naps I am losing my patience. Which I hate doing and I am not being the best example to Tyler to what you should do when you are upset. I guess we just need to hope tomorrow will be better.

Shag Man

Justin loves Carter's hair. And he refuses to let me cut it. Its is very blond, and when long it curls at the end. He looks like a surfer dude from California. While I admit he is very cute, it's driving me nuts! His hair is so long now it is getting into his eyes. So here are some pictures - cut it or not?