So yes, its time to blog again. It’s been awhile I know. And the kids are changing so much….
JACK – 21 months
Jack is soaking up words left and right. He can point to most animals in his animal book. He wants us to make the sounds. He is learning colors and shapes and can point them out to us in the games we play. Yet his lips remained sealed. Is this child going to talk? He repeats several words after us, and the list includes, Mama, Daddy, Sis, Hot, No, Go Away, Gigi, Papa, Grass, Wow, Hot, Oo ee, Poop, Whoa and most recently “So” for Soph. Yet only Hot is used in context (when food is hot or the water is hot). Poop he seems to get too. And I can ask, Where’s mommy? Where’s Daddy? Where’s every single dog in my moms household (yes, all five) and he can point each one out. He can point out every family member in his house. I feel like just last night he might have begun saying Dada to Tom or when Tom wasn’t where he wanted him to be… So we are starting sign language. Yesterday was the first day. He watched the video with interest in the songs, but embarrassed easily when I asked him to make the movements . We decided to break them out when he really wanted something.. like a bubble bath. So when it was bath time, I made him sign bath (by rubbing his chest like he is washing)- and he did it! Success!!! So then later, he wanted to play games on my iphone. So I asked him to say please, and showed him the sign. And he did it! Then as I was handing it over, I asked him I showed him the sign for Thank you, and he did it again! Success. So Tom and him are working on More, and Eat and Milk today. He is repeating the signs and doing them with Tom, but has not initiated yet. I think this is an awesome break in communication! I am also so proud of him with all of his animals and colors. The colors are taking time, but he enjoys his flash cards and working with them. The iphone games are helping him identify ALL KINDS of animals and he loves playing them. SOPHIE- 6.5 Months
Sophie has begun to independently sit… and then topples over. She is gaining more and more balance and can sit for longer periods without help. She also began scooting on 1/5/12. She can scoot to get any toy, or sock, or shoe to put in her mouth. Time to keep the floor cleaned… she will pick up anything and put it in her mouth! She is so interested in the world around her now. She loves the new view that sitting up allows her. In the restaurants, she can now sit in a high chair. This is a BIG improvement over her carrier where she couldn’t see anything. Now she can watch the world around her. I also let her sit in the top part of the grocery cart, and you would have thought she was in a whole new world. … which I guess she was!! She was looking at EVERYTHING at the grocery store! Even a lady commented how much she was looking around and taking in. This is help keep her entertained. And a little less mommy holding… for now. She has gained a little bit of independence as she explores the floor and toys and world around her. Don’t get me wrong, she’s still a momma’s girl! We went out to dinner the other night for 2 hours and they stayed with Nana and Buddy. Sophie gave Nana a run that night with lots of tears. And instantly, Mommy could fix it. Sophie also had her first sleepover with Mimi and Pappy, and I guess there were some blood curdling screams. Ah, my baby girl. I wanted her and here she is…attached to my hip. I am proud of her for her new movements. Sophie also took formula for the first time yesterday and did fine. She does pretty good at holding her bottle. She was a big hit at the mall yesterday in her cute little leg warmers. And we are starting to sign “milk” for Sophie… so let’s see if she catches onto sign language. JThe Holidays- Christmas and New Years Eve
The holidays were good. The kids got way too much stuff including clothes, pjs and toys. They were spoiled rotten by the great grandmas and great grandpas and grandmas and grandpas. It was nice to start a new tradition in our home on xmas morning and have everyone over to our house. The xmas holiday is always crazy for us, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was a little much for Jack and he was sick. He was then sick for 2 weeks after… until we finally diagnosed 2 ear infections in EACH kid and 2 pink eyes in EACH kid. Nice. But antibiotics and they are feeling better. Knocked mama out for a week too and cost me 3 days of work. Yikes. But everyone is feeling better today, and we are heading out to do Sophie’s 6 month pictures today. We spent New Years eve at home this year, just like any other night, since Jack was sick. We were supposed to go to a eighties party, but Jack threw up that afternoon, cancelling our hopes of getting out of the house. Poor baby. He was pretty sick for a while! The kids feel asleep at 8, and I missed the ball drop too. Oh well. Next year. ;) Our new years resolution is to try to like the dogs more… we will see how 2012 goes. 
MOMS
We also held our first “Mom’s Party” on the 27th. It was a success and so much fun. I am SO THANKFUL for my new group of moms and my wonderful new network. I am looking forward to these new relationships this year and in the future. I think I have made some new lifelong friends for myself and for the kids. Its great! J
