Beach Day

Last weekend we were invited to spend the day with one of Bobby's life long friends and his family.  They own a house on North Hampton Beach in New Hampshire, about 35 minutes away from where we live.  Bobby was so excited to get the kids to the ocean because it is one of his most favorite places.  It was a hot, hot day and the water was freezing but the kids had a ball.

Carol has the most beautiful Hydrangeas!

Paul shares some melon with Annie

Time to hit the beach!

When we first got there it was high tide and the water basically came all the way up to the sea wall.  The kids didn't mind a bit and were happy with their toes in the water and their hands in the sand.

Our very cool wagon.  Not only does it hold all 3 munchkins but it also has a basket which we threw our bags and towels in.  The kids loved it (not reflected in this particular picture).  The big tires made it easy to walk through the sand and the canopy provided some much needed shade.  Worth every penny!

We went back inside to get out of the sun for a bit and wait for the tide to go out.  The kids loved exploring Paul and Carol's very beautiful, very unbaby-proofed house.  Here the boys are rearranging her candles.

Back to the beach!  There was much more beach once the tide started going out.  The kids had a ball running, digging, swimming, eating (yuck) and playing.

Mikie definitely preferred being in the water.  Though there are several photos of him playing in the sand he really was in the water with his Daddy and Uncle Paul most of the time.  At one point Paul asked him if he was ready to go back into the water - Mikie jumped up and took off running towards the ocean, squealing all the way!

Thank you Mooradians for a wonderful day!

18 Month Update

The fact that it is time for an 18 month update really blows my mind.  It really does.  The fact that these 3 running, jumping, talking, squawking, laughing toddlers were a mere 2-3 pounds only 18 months ago is nothing short of amazing.  They are amazing.  Bobby and I still marvel almost nightly in the fact that we are the parents of 3 children.  This awesome journey continues!

Here is what we're up to...

Annie

• Weight is 22 pounds 11 ounces (25th percentile)
• Height is 32 and 1/2 inches (>50th percentile)
• Words include: dada, mama, nana, papa, bye-bye, tay too (thank you), down, up, uh oh, beans (funny one taught by Uncle Phil), night-night, kitty, ogie (dogie), ca-kie (cookie), book, we're pretty sure she says 'read it' whenever she brings us a book (which is at least 100 times a day!), and she imitates/mimics many other words as she hears them
• Animal sounds include: meow, arf, baa, nay, quack, roar
• Signs include: all done, more and eat
• Blows kisses and gives kisses
• Gives high fives
• Walks backwards
• Weaned off the bottle
• Throws a ball
• Blows on food (whether hot or cold)
• Climbs on and off her rocking horse independently
• Passions include: books, animals, music, her paci and her "kitty" lovie
• Likes to chase her brothers and tickle them
• Loves to dance and can't help herself when she hears music - she's got some moves!
• Will imitate anything - word, expression or action
• Has lived up to the nickname first given to her in the NICU (it amazes us that the nurses could see it way back then!) - DRAMA QUEEN
• Still has a few minor sensory issues we are working on in Early Intervention.  She seems to have either outgrown or worked through most of them.

Eli

• Weight is 23 pounds 9 ounces (25th percentile - horray!)
• Height is 32 and 1/4 inches (50th percentile)
• Words include: bye, more, uh oh, mama, dada, nana, papa, night-night
• Animal sounds include: meow, roar, quack, baa
• Signs include: all done, more, eat
• Gives kisses and lots of hugs
• Gives high fives (and has been know to make a tackle in his attempt to high five someone who didn't want to high five back)
• Walks backwards
• Weaned off the bottle
• Throws a ball
• Passions include: his green chew stick (given to him by Early Intervention, he's a chewer and a biter!), his paci, his blanket (he is totally Linus and has the sweetest way of curling the edge of the blanket to form a little pocket where he slides his little fingers in and out of)
• Examines everything!  He is obsessed with figuring things out...on his own!  His current projects are the buckle in the high chair and the harness in the stroller.  He will stand for minute after minute at his chair trying to fit the ends of the buckle together.  If I step in and try to help he pushes me away and grunts.
• He's our little monkey and has made it over many a baby gate as well as up the book case - he keeps us on our toes for sure!
• Has a split personality.  The Eli at home with mommy and daddy is crazy and silly, daring, loud and playful.  The Eli when anyone else is around or we are in public is shy (almost fearful) and quiet, reserved and cautious - we wish everyone could know the Eli that we know!
• Continues to take a daily antibiotic to prevent urinary tract infections due to his kidney reflux.
• Evaluated by ENT due to speech delays and reoccurring ear infections.  His hearing is fine, his adenoids are normal and at this time we will hold off on having tubes placed.  He will be reevaluated in the fall.

Mikie

• Weight is 25 pounds 9 ounces (50th percentile)
• Height is 33 inches (>50th percentile)
• Words include: mama, dada, nana, papa, bye-bye, night-night, more, pah (up), knock-knock, ball, and imitates/mimics many other words as he hears them
• Animal sounds include: baa, arf, meow, quack, nay, roar
• Signs include: more, all done, eat
• Throws a ball
• Walks backwards
• Gives high fives
• Weaned off the bottle
• Gives kisses - but only to Annie and Eli - and has been known to grab them and force the issue when they aren't feeling like a kiss!  Yikes!
• Passions include: people and food - no paci's or lovies for this kid
• Our social butterfly.  He loves people.  All people.  He goes to anyone and everyone with a huge smile on his face.  He loves to laugh and make people laugh.
• Hates, hates, hates a wet or dirty diaper.  Will he be the first to potty train???
• Has learned that saying "mama" gets my attention.  Now he thinks it is hilarious to interrupt me frequently, whether I am reading a book or having a conversation.
• Definitely our little water baby.  He did great in swimming lessons and loves any opportunity to be in the water - pool, lake or ocean.  If it were up to him he would never get out and isn't deterred by the occasional splash or wave to the face - it only makes his smile bigger.

Life is as busy as ever.  We tend to have things scheduled 5-6 days a week which is a lot of work but the kids love being out and about.  It has also been good for me to be getting out more.  

In 2 weeks they will transition from their 12-18 month class to the toddler room.  I think they are ready and I think I am too.  One big change is that I will no longer attend the class with them and instead of being in a 1:1 situation the child to adult ratio will be 3:1.  We met with their new teacher earlier this week and she seems really great.  I know it is only 2 hours once a week but it will feel really strange being away from them.  I think it will be a good transition for all of us!  My babies are growing up!!!

Pucker up!

Here's a glimpse of what we are up to these days...

We didn't teach them to do this.  Eli has been giving us 'modified' kisses for months now - mouth wide open, wet and sloppy.  Suddenly, yesterday he puckered up and said "mmm, mmm" and then leaned over and planted one right on my mouth.  Annie and Mikie must have been watching because now today everyone is doing it.  A couple of times they have even stopped playing so that they can lean over and kiss each other.  My heart melts!!!