17 months

Today the twins turn 17 months, it is amazing how much they have learned in the past month. They are definitely keeping us busy!

They are getting away from the toddler food and eating more family meals. I do have to sneak a tot veggie pack in there with A since she decided she does not like to eat her veggies right now! M will eat anything we put in front of him but carrots! I can not get either of them to eat carrots.

They love Mickey Mouse, music, climbing, and balls! A will also run laps around the house all day, that girl just keeps going and going! M is our little cuddle bug, he is so full of kisses and hugs. He likes to make sure everyone gets a goodmorning kiss, a goodbye kiss, a just because kiss...it is the sweetest. He really loves to chase A around and gives her sweet kisses on her head. A is so good she just stops and lets him then she is off again.  Their other favorite is their slides, they would play on these all day long!!

They both are still babbling away. A is great with repeating words, we are still working with M. We will talk with the doctor next month about their speech. We are waiting for them to tell us what they want or for them to just say mommy or daddy when they need us. They have the scream down really good though!

One of their favorite things to do is wait by the window for C to come home. Right after nap they have their snack then they are off to their window. It is the most precious sight to see. They both start smiling and jumping up and down when they see him walk up the driveway. C will stand out there and wave at the other side of the window. As soon as he walks in they are both in his arms. Such love!

 

A loving on my doll from when I was a little girl!

More pictures from this past month.....can you believe how much these two have grown :)

We love bathtime!

Here sis, let me feed you!



Best Buddies!

Remmy is so good with M, he loves that M shares his food with him :)

Love the warmer days for outside playtime!

Just another day at the soccer field!

Seriously Mom, you know this bow is coming off!

Our weekend

I am so thankful all of the family is back under one roof! The house was too quiet with the three of us. I am also thankful for our technology! I was able to FaceTime with the boys everyday and we sent pictures to each other. 

My pictures to Eric and the boys......

This was one of my favorites-can you tell how thrilled M is to be out shopping!!

Eric's pictures to us.......

Midweek Randoms

1. Not even sure where to begin today. 30 minutes ago I put the boys in the car to head to NYC. It was so hard to do. I tried to hold it together for Eric, I did not do a great job :( I wish we were all going but if the twins went he would not get this time he needs with his dad. I am thankful all the big boys get to travel with him and get this time with their Grandpa.

   



         I am going to miss these boys....

2. Not to be left out, M climbed up on the stairs to have his picture taken just like his brothers!

3. It will be just the twins and I for 4 days!! Enough said!

4. This girl cracks me up!! I can not get her to keep a bow in her hair but she loves her hats! She wore this monkey around all day!

5.  With so much heartache lately these pictures just make me smile. I am so thankful for the love they have for each other.

Prayers-Cancer

A few weeks ago we received word that Eric's dad was going in the hospital. A few days later he was diagnosed with lung cancer that is inoperable and incurable. They have given him 2-3 months. His dad is only 59.

 This weekend Eric and the big boys will be heading up to NYC to spend some time with him. With a half day of school on Friday and no school  Monday we thought this would be the best time.  I am so proud of all my boys, without hesitation they all gave up their soccer games, sleepovers, school events, to be there for Eric and to spend time with their Grandpa.

We are asking for prayer.
*Please pray for Eric's dad and his health. Also for the doctors who are treating him.
*Please pray for the Bratager family. Many of them are heading up different weekends to spend time with his dad.
*Please pray for my boys! They will be leaving after school on Thurs and driving up to NYC. Please pray for safe travels and that the traffic will be moving smoothly (you never know with DC and Baltimore). Also for prayer for understanding as they deal with their grandpa having cancer.
*Please pray for Eric.
*Pray for peace and comfort for the family during this time.


Thank you to all of the friends who have been there with a word of encouragement, prayers, and help with the kids! You are amazing!

Five on Friday

1. The twins headed out for their first official trick or treating. A loved walking the sidewalk. M would look into the candy bowls at the houses then walk away. They would try to get him to take something and he would take off running. The boys had no problem helping them out.  The pictures of all 5 of them walking together just melts my heart.

2. J and L decided to go as Willie and Jase from Duck Dynasty. C was planning on handing out candy but that quickly changed at the last minute when all the high school kids were out in the neighborhood. He threw something together and off he went.

3. This weekend is the start of soccer tournament time. L is up first! 9 games to divide and conquer. Thankfully all the games are right around the corner from our house! One tournament down, 3 more to go this month!! One is in Disney so I will not complain at all!! Hello Florida :)

4.  Still missing my sweet Willie. It has been a hard week going around the house and not having my little guy at my feet.   http://bratager7.blogspot.com/2013/10/goodbye-sweet-willie.html

5.  How yummy does this look-- a sweet friend dropped it off yesterday, there were 6 of them. I may or may not have helped the twins eat theirs.  They were so good!!

 

New Mom Advice

 I am a mom to 5...Teenage boy (14) Tween boy (11) boy (9) and boy/girl twins (16 months).

My best advice to new moms is to LET IT GO!!

This is so easy to type but so hard to practice.

With Baby #1 I would take everything so personal. I would be so hard on myself. I was a SAHM, this was my job, it should be perfect.  When I would pick my little one up from preschool and they would say the dreaded words "Do you have a minute" ugh, my heart would sink. What am I doing wrong? I had to learn to let things go. Kids are going to have a bad day (week, year, etc) but they will grow out of it! As a new mom you need to let it go and give yourself a break.

Another piece of advice is to get connected with other moms. A support system is the best to get you through those sleepless nights or potty training period. It is great for those hard days but also those days you want to celebrate (like they actually ate the dinner you made!) Whether they are friends from a moms group, church, the blog world, it is so important to have someone you can turn to!

My last piece is to take time to yourself. This is easier to type too. Even if it is a 20 minute walk around the neighborhood you need to step out every so often to catch your breath.

Being a new mom is both wonderful and one of  the hardest things.  It is tiring and rewarding. All those sleepless nights are replaced with tight bear hugs. All those screams are replaced with sweet first words. Enjoy every moment, it really does go by so quickly!!