Toddler Talk: Eight

Talk: Conversations, conversations, and more conversations between these two girls. They are always talking and always seem to have something to say. If they are together there is sure to be some sort of conversation going on between them. For the most part we still don't understand what they are saying but you can bet there is going to be some giggling AND of course some fighting. For a while (and sometimes still) they didn't understand the concept of "why"; If one of them did something and we would ask "why did you do that" they would only say "yes". Now they are starting to understand somewhat and the responses they give are classic, mostly because the both talk so fast and in circles. Most of the time what they say doesn't makes any sense but it's just so fun to listen to.  Charlotte has recently started asking where things come from or where we got something. I was eating a pear the other day and Charlotte asked me if she could have a bite after she said "where this from" I couldn't stop laughing and she just kept asking me until I answered. The way they are starting to understand the world around them really shows in their language. They ask where people are they haven't seen in awhile, they say things in the right context, and even know how to change their tone of voice to get what they want. I love watching them grow in this area!

Play: Playing for these girls has taken on a whole new meaning. They are very interactive with each other and taking pretend to a new level. I love watching them play especially when I catch them doing things like mama. They make each other food, go shopping in the pantry, and go to the store. They take care of their babies, put diapers, and clothes on them. Yesterday I found Livy's baby in Parker's crib and the sound machine was turned on. They interact with each other just like big girls telling each other where they are going and what to do. We are working hard on adding a little learning into each day. Right now we are focusing on the alphabet and letter recognition. They impress me each day with how much they remember and learn, sometimes without me even knowing it. Having twins is awesome but watching them together really takes the awesomeness of it all to the next level.

Food: These girls are still very picky in the eating area but they are starting to try new foods and eating some things I never thought they would like. Each day is a new challenge in feeding them, some days they don't eat breakfast, and eat minimal for lunch, but eat a good dinner other days they simply want to snack all day long. This can be an area of frustration for sure but we are just trying to take one day at a time. Madison found a recipe for a great protein drink and the twins love it so maybe there will be more of those in the future.

Sleep: These girls really do push the limits with sleep! BUT I can say there has been progress made! They are going to bed a bit easier and staying in bed more times than they get out. We have added a (few) stories to the bed time routine and (I think) that is helping some. We are getting them up around 4-5 hours after they fall asleep to use the bathroom so that we can prevent accidents. I am hoping we can end that soon... because now that Parker is sleeping through the night I would love to just stay asleep too!! And if we could just get them to stop coming into our bed in the middle of the night that would be a bonus!! They are still napping pretty well and will nap most days for 2-3 hours which is nice and Parker typically naps at the same time so that I am able to get some stuff done or even get a nap in myself! I hope this trend continues for a while!

News: We are headed to New York in a few weeks for my sister's wedding (can you say EXCITED?) The twins will be the flower girls and let me tell you they are so excited. Their dresses are just the cutest things and I am so very excited to see them walking down that isle together! Not to mention myself and the big girls are also in the wedding, I simply cannot wait for this day!

These girls are so close to three it's crazy,  I can't believe these girls have been in our lives for three years. We still look at them daily with such awe that we were given two beautiful girls at the same time. I don't think it will ever get old!

Toddler Talk: Seven 

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Toddler Talk : Seven

Talk: You know when "they" say twins have their own form of communication? Well it's true at least for my girls. They most certainly have their own language and we don't always understand what the heck they are saying. But every once in a while they throw in words we do understand and then and only then can we semi-figure out what is going on in their little heads. When they decide not to use their twin toddler language they are much like teenagers with their conversations; as always we find ourselves shaking our heads at just what they know and say. The past few months they have really started to show their personalities in regards to the things they say. Olivia likes to tell Charlotte what to do especially if it means repeating something we have said. It is the cutest thing especially with her  little sassy attitude. Charlotte repeats what everyone else says when she is upset by it. If someone tells her something she doesn't agree with she repeats it with such attitude, her little eyes get so big and she means business.
It is great having them be able to communicate with us and understand "a little" of what they are saying. There of course is still some yelling and whining but that is too be expected with two nearly three year olds.

Play: These two girls are into EVERYTHING going from one thing to another ALL.DAY.LONG. And now that Parker is here and I have been somewhat distracted the have definitely taken advantage.   They will pretty much play with anything  you give them and anything they can get their hands on. We are working on them cleaning up the messes they make otherwise big sisters need to step in and help. They do have a few favorites including their dolls, books, and their shopkins. They love to carry around their backpacks and pretend they are going to school. They even have to give kisses and say good-bye just like their big sisters do. I love that they can play together and stay entertained, especially with Parker's arrival. Watching them together is a lot of fun and entertaining to say the least. There is never a dull moment.

Food: We have entered the phase of toddlerhood where the toddlers don't want to eat anything. And by anything I mean nothing. It is a struggle daily to get them to eat something semi healthy. If they do decide to eat what we've made them it's minimal to say the least. They of course love to snack thoughout the day so I try my best to give them something on the nutritional side. Like all things toddler related this will pass... not sure if they will go back to eating well or be like their big sisters and be picky and want Ketchup on everything.

Sleep: We are getting there - ugh I know this is also a transition time for the girls with still a lot of changes happening around them. All in all I am feeling ok with how they are doing. They still put up a fight at bed time and nap time. The would rather play than go to sleep and who can blame them when they have a built in playmate. Naps are hit or miss as well; one thing can be sure though if they don't take a nap bed time goes much smoother... with a few fits here and there. We will weather this "storm"and at some point they will surprise me and go to sleep without getting out of bed 100 times first... right??

News: I am so excited to share that I am no longer buying diapers for the girls!! They have been potty trained during the day for just about a year now but we kept them in diapers at nap and bedtime.  They have been doing well at nap since we moved, Charlotte has a few accidents from time to time...ok most of the time; but Olivia has done great. We just started putting them to bed in undies about a week ago and so far no accidents!! We have been getting them up twice per night to go potty and it has been working well for us. I am hoping we can stop doing that soon. But overall we couldn't be more proud of them!

Watching these two girls as big sisters has completely warmed our hearts, it is just so hard to believe how big they have gotten. Our lives have been forever changed having them... God is good and he sure knows what he is doing.

Toddler Talk : Five

These girls are officially two and a half!! The past six months have really flown by with so many changes for our family it's not too hard to believe. Only a few more weeks before these girls become big sisters and a whole new kind of adventure begins!

Talk: Sometimes I think I have two five year olds on my hands just based on the things the say to us and to each other. They understand how to ask for the things they want, tell us what they don't want, and even share their feelings. They have many conversations with each other that leave us literally shaking our heads because, let's face it they are two and they talk like teenagers. The amount of understanding that comes from them makes us pretty proud. We can give them simple commands and they know exactly what to do and even like to give us a little push back when they don't want to do them. When they see mama in the kitchen the ask if dinner is ready, or if I'm in the closet they ask if they can get dressed too, if they can't find one of their sisters they always ask "where (insert sister name here) go?". Sometimes we have compared them to there big sisters when they argue and even tattle on each other. They (mostly Charlotte) loves to say "no" A LOT especially when she is upset or being asked to apologize to one of her sisters. Even though they have gotten pretty good and using their words to tell us what they want they still like to do a little screaming here and there to get their point across or when they need help. We are working hard to stop this habit now because who wants a two year screaming at them for something especially when there's going to be a newborn around soon. They are picking up on new things every day... learning to say the alphabet and pretty much learning it all on their own from one little toy they love to play with. It's amazing watching children learn and grow but I have to say watching two of them learn and grow together is really more than I expected.

Play: Since we have moved the girls have been able to have all of their toys back that they didn't get to use for over 3 months. They clearly missed these toys and have had a blast with ALL OF THEM. When looking for a house to rent we really wanted to make sure there was a room that could be designated the "play room" for them. We were lucky to find a house that fit that need for us and they spend a lot of them in there playing with the dolls and kitchen. We were given a toddler IKEA table and they love that thing, I often walk in there to find the table set up with plates and food. Usually one of them is getting the baby "ready" while the other is getting "dinner ready". It is so much fun to watch. They love Madison's play-dough and asked several times a day to "play play-dough". While unpacking I found a few of their old size 2 diapers and decided to give them to the girls so that they would stay out of the baby's diapers. They were and still are in heaven, they love to change the diapers and push their babies in the strollers... big sister material right there!! They still absolutely love the park and have such a blast any time we take them. They have gotten so good at climbing and really just having no fear.

Food: Food has been funny for these girls lately, the have become very opinionated about what they like and don't like. Olivia will almost always say she doesn't like something when she sees it on her plate her choice words are "I can't like it". After eating the things the "can" like she will sample the other food. Charlotte is much the same only wanting to eat certain foods, I really don't try to force them to eat every thing on their plate but I do try to make sure there is enough for them to choose from. One thing I won't do is make them something "different" from us... not happening. They do still enjoy their favorites, cheese, apples, and berries.

Sleep: I keep wanting to do a post dedicated to this topic but I am also still waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel. We've been moved for almost a month and there have been many good days and nights and many stressful days and nights. But we are getting there, going from cribs to beds is a big transition not to mention moving to a new house and back into your own bedroom. As I type this I have gotten up from the chair about 10 times already to say the same phrase over and over "It's bed time" "Go to sleep" "don't get up again" ugh... But like I said it's getting better and they have gone from crying when we put them down to just having "girl talk" until the fall asleep. I promise a post is coming soon!

News: A lot has changed since the last toddler talk... of course we have moved and we are settled into the house which feels really good. Things have changed with the pregnancy and little sister is coming sooner than we thought. Everyone is ready for her arrival and now it's just a matter of preparing the twins for what is to come. We are 3 weeks away and the girls are doing great remembering what we are teaching them about helping mommy with a baby.

These days changes happen so fast it is hard to keep track, twins definitely keep you on your toes and make you tired at the end of day... especially when you are 8 and a 1/2 months pregnant! There is nothing more rewarding than watching your kids grown and watching two of them grow together is just more than we could have ever imagined!