Oh, digging trucks

Dexter
Jaxon

The boys are still completely fascinated by construction vehicles. Dexter is still a little more into them than Jaxon is. He can name just about any truck he sees, which I have to admit, is pretty adorable. Jaxon definitely thinks they're cool, but isn't quite as into memorizing all the different types. Oddly enough, he's into memorizing other quirky things, like the studio symbols on the back of DVDs or movies. He's so incredibly social and is becoming more and more of a chatterbox (in fact, he was just denied speech therapy for the second time in three months... a very good sign, indeed), but he definitely has these little quirks. I'm trying not to keep the boys under a microscope and am trying hard to just enjoy them for the wonderful little people they are, but it's hard not to overanalyze things like this. Do all toddlers enjoy memorizing such odd little things? I have to admit, when I realized that he knew all of these different symbols, I was equally enthralled, amazed and...well... worried. Aagh!

Anyway, the boys continue to be a daily adventure for me. Tonight will be another one, as we attempt trick-or-treating for the first time. I suspect that it will be a hit, as the boys have been practicing here at home and LOVING the results. :) Hopefully, I'll be able to snap a few good photos to share.

Yipee!!

I have a camera again!! We decided we couldn't possibly get the boys all dressed up for Halloween and NOT take any photos... so,once again, we have a camera. As far as costumes go, the boys are going to be Elvis impersonators. They are getting quite opinionated about the happenings of their day, however, and putting on bejeweled white jumpsuits was certainly not at the top of their list.... until they discovered trick-or-treating. We've been practicing for a few days, so I think they're all set. Today, they wore their costumes to school and told their teachers that they didn't want to take the pants off, so they were still in half-costumes when I picked them up! Guess that's a good sign. Anyway, this is just a little snap shot... Dex-left; Jax- right.

How there came to be a hole where our tv used to be

I have a theory about why so many toddlers I know (including two very adorable blond little boys) have such trouble with transitions. I've watched the boys learn about the world around them and have enjoyed seeing them master the art of inserting and playing a CD, DVD... pushing the start button on the microwave... picking out a favorite story... going to the fridge for something to drink... pretending to call Daddy on our cell phone... and I have found it cute when they request these things out of their pure joy for all of them. What I haven't found cute, however, is their response when the answer is, "No," or, "Wait a minute, please."

We live in an era of instant gratification. Everything the boys have ever wanted or needed has been given to them, almost instantly. No wonder they don't tolerate being told to wait... what they know better than almost anything is that almost everything in their small little world is immediately accessible. If they ask for a song, we push play on the CD. No rewinding is necessary. If we don't have the CD, we find it online. Same goes for movies. The fridge is always stocked, snacks are always available and batteries are promptly replaced in musical and/or moving toys.

After several weeks of trying to persuade the boys that there are far more enjoyable activities than turning on the television or picking out a movie, we made the decision to remove the TV from our living room. I was a little anxious about how they would respond to it, but I have to say, it's been one of the best decisions we ever made. The boys quickly adjusted and have been playing so much more creatively. Selfishly, it is so nice to have eliminated another one of our toddler battles. They no longer beg to watch TV ALL THE TIME, because the TV has completely disappeared. The only drawback, so far, has been finding suitable activities to keep them entertained while I unload groceries (since we live two floors up and I frequently have to park down the street). Luckily, they are officially enamored with library books.... so we'll just hope that lasts... a really long time!

I'm sure this change won't completely eliminate our trouble-spots, but I'm hoping it will help teach the boys that not everything enjoyable has to be immediate. We'll see!

Home Sweet Home

Don't even get me started on how much I miss my camera!!! The boys and I had a lovely trip to see my family over the week-end. Our return trip home was, perhaps, the best traveling experience we've ever shared together. I have to say, it helped tremendously that I had two grocery bags filled with a stockpile of snacks, toys, books, CDs and DVDs. Just as one distraction was starting to get old, I was able to quickly hand the boys a new surprise. It also helped that my dad rode along with me for the first hour. Keeping the boys entertained was a lot less challenging when I didn't have to be behind the steering wheel. :)

The most challenging aspect of our trip was, by far, the boys' adjustment to being in a new setting. It seemed to take them a good two days to settle-in to the new atmosphere and all the new people surrounding them. We certainly hit a few rough patches (highlight being our first dinner, during which both boys screamed and refused to eat... lovely), but, at least I had family support to help me through it all. I still think there's nothing quite as horrible as feeling so helpless to calm your children. Aagh.

Anyway, despite the few bumps in the road, the boys and I had a fantastic time. We experienced a new childrens' museum with Mimi, shared lawnmower rides and lollipops with Granddad and had a blast playing with Uncle Seth and his fiancee, Nichole (and all three of us think she is pretty neat). We even got to enjoy an afternoon with Great Grandpa, which always goes too quickly.

I think the most touching moment for me was when the boys started asking for Granddad and Mimi as soon as they woke up in the morning. They've also started calling teddy grahams "Graddaddy's bears" (since he introduced them to them) and any Joanna Newsome is "Seth's music." They've already memorized the chorus to "The Book of Right On," which we've listened to about 30 times in the past two days. :) Thanks, Seth!!!

Anyway, as sad as I was to leave my family, it felt really good to drive up to our home Monday night. I loved seeing the boys as they saw D.R. run to the car and I loved watching D.R. as he enjoyed the newest rendition of the Dex and Jax Show. Of course, we woke up Tuesday morning to find Jaxon enduring another horrible inner and outer ear infection. We're going in again today to have him rechecked.

AND... since I have no camera, at the moment, I'm posting a VERY OLD video that Seth reminded me of. This is the boys when they are just 1 day old, becoming props to my brothers' humor. Oh, family. :)

Cars and Music... my kind of boys

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved listening to music in the car. Maybe it's being in a small space with no distractions (except for, well.. driving)... or something to do with the hum of the wheels... I just know that music sounds so great in the car.

Recently, the boys have started asking to go for car rides JUST so they can listen to music. In fact, for the past several mornings, the first thing Jaxon says to me when he wakes up is, "Shoes on? Car ride? Music? Daddy's song? George?" They've both completed memorized the choruses to The Fray's "Over My Head" (which they have started calling Daddy's Song... maybe they think D.R. is the singer? :)) and Jack Johnson's "Upside Down," from the Curious George soundtrack. I try desperately to introduce a new song every few days, and though they eagerly accept these new introductions, they clearly have a few favorites and these are the ones that get requested first.

So, since I happen to enjoy car rides and music, as well, I have begun indulging this request whenever I can. We'll run to the car, pick out a CD and drive a few miles while singing along. I've had more flashbacks to my own childhood, recently, as I've remembered our rules for singing in the car. While listening to an album, or the radio, we would take turns claiming a song and then no one could sing along with that song except the owner. Ironically, the boys have begun doing this, as well. If Jaxon requests "Upside Down," you can rest assured that if Mommy starts singing along, there will quickly come a, "No, Mommy! No sing!" Humph. I guess I'm getting a small taste of my own medicine! Good thing I adore listening to them sing along. That alone is worth the time it takes to get those monkeys bundled and buckled in the car.

Yes, we do have a stereo in our home that we use quite frequently. It seems, however, that the boys just seem to agree with the fact that music sounds better in the car. Of course, it helps that they're obsessed with all things on wheels and all things music-related. It's a perfect combo for them! This is a lucky phase, as I'm attempting a road trip with them this week-end, all by myself. Considering their high activity level, I realize this is a very brave feat, but I'm truly in need of a visit with family and am hoping that a stockpile of their favorite CDs will help me survive the journey. Here's hoping!!

a few observations from Mom...

It has been so remarkable for me to watch these two little boys as they grow into their own little persons. In some ways, they are so very much alike. They both have an overabundant amount of energy and curiosity in the world around them. As one onlooker said last night while watching the boys leap around the playground with much excitement, humor and oh-so-many giggles, "Those boys are fantastic!"... and I believe they truly are. In other ways, however, they are truly developing distinct personalities.

Dex is our little mischief-maker (at least for now!...they seem to take turns in this regard). He is daring, precocious and always ready to push the limits. When he hears something new for the first time, he will excitedly share his newfound knowledge with everyone around him and will proudly return to it whenever he can. Most recently, it was when he learned that gold and silver are also colors. Of course, this means his favorite matchbox car is his beloved, "silver car," which he MUST carry everyplace! :) He seems to be the ringleader in most of their little acts of crime, though Jax is quickly learning that he, too, can break the rules! Most recently, after returning from another brief trip upstairs, I found Dex on the kitchen counter, face buried in a large, juicy tomato. When I made my frustration known by shouting, "Dexter Chase!" he simply lowered the tomato and said, "Bib?"... as though that were the only thing wrong with the situation!

Jax has become my little cuddler. He will frequently ask to hold my hand or to be carried and this melts my heart several times a day. I have to admit, I really like this. Dex will ask for these things, too... but he seems just as happy to assert his independance from Mom, these days. Jax especially enjoys trying to squeeze himself into small places (though, Dex will do this, too) and I'm often trying to un-stick him from between the fridge and the wall, for example. Whereas Dex has a way of making his learning a public affair, Jax is more reserved in this regard. It's as though he is silently taking things in, and then later, will surprise us with his newfound knowledge in such a nonchalant way as to make you believe it was something he had known for months (and maybe he had!). Recently, when sitting with a playmate, he casually counted to ten, as though he had done it a thousand times. It was, in fact, the first time I had ever heard him even attempt it... and he did it perfectly. It was like he had been perfecting it in his head before sharing it with the rest of us. This morning, while playing with a shapes puzzle, he politely corrected me when I labeled a diamond a square. Apparently, he already knew diamond... I love these little surprises and I have to believe that Jaxon likes to see the look of amazement on my face when he shares these little tidits with me!

I find this difference in learning style and personality so interesting. It's a reminder to me that though they may look a lot alike, and share the same zeal for play and adventure, they are, in fact, two very distinct individuals... You'd think this would be something that would be easy for me to remember, considering the fact that I've lived with the challenge of balancing the perks and benefits of having an identical twin with the difficulties in defining oneself as an individual within a twinship. Hopefully, I can use these experiences in my mothering of the boys...

Music, Maestros!

Dex, M and Jax, once again, spending much of their playtime at the piano. :)

The boys have loved the piano for as long as I can remember. Now, upon sitting down to play, they consistently request a "music book," as they couldn't possibly be expected to perform original compositions on a daily basis. They are honing their pretend ability to read music and it is hilarious. The other day, I walked upstairs for just a moment (this is how most of my Dex/Jax stories begin, these days!) and when I returned, I found Dex and Jax sitting at the piano banging and singing away. I stood silently and watched from the stairs as they dramatically bobbed their heads and filled their song with many "Aahs" and "Doo doo doos." Almost simultaneously, they stopped playing, turned to each other and, in tandem, said, "Again? Yes!" And the music continued...

Seriously, how great is it that they have each other?

THE TWOS

Oh, the joys of having two year olds…

The other morning, after a highly successful playdate with some friends of ours, I started packing up the boys’ belongings while they scampered through the grass. Somehow, in the two minutes that it took me to gather our things, the boys managed to find the only mud puddle within a block radius. Of course, they couldn’t just look at it… OH NO!... they had to fully enjoy the ooey-gooey mud. What I saw, as I raced to stop the inevitable, was two little tow-heads jumping and splashing in knee-deep mud. Had I not been their mother and entirely focused on how I was going to get my muddy little boys back into the car and the mud out of their nice, blue pants, I would have noticed how their enjoyment of that simple mud puddle was so very pure and sincere. In fact, in retrospect, I should have pulled out my camera and captured this terrible (and adorable…my little partners in crime) two-some moment. Instead, I lifted them out of the puddle, stripped them of their mud-soaked clothes and drove two diaper-clad boys home to be bathed. There may have also been a firm word or two about how we DO NOT jump in mud puddles.

After the boys were bathed, fed and down for their nap, I found myself scrubbing out their little pants and replaying the two of them giggling and splashing in the mud. It’s so hard, at times, to live in and fully appreciate the present moment for all its beauty and far-too easy to be so concerned with the work that may lie ahead. Ultimately, I supposed it’s important for these two little boys to learn that they really shouldn’t be jumping into every mud puddle they see… but I’ll keep smiling in secret as I replay their excitement and wonder at discovering the simple joy of a good splash in the mud.