We Had Visitors!

This is Jessica, one of my best friends I have had since I was 3 years old, and her mom Charlotte-the best houseguests ever! When was the last time your guests cleaned, took the garbage out regularly, cooked, and brought the sweetest little baby boy for you to hold? It really was such a great week to talk, hang out with Charlie, walk, eat out, take a day trip to La Jolla, and enjoy life poolside.
This was definitely the highlight of the trip-having little Charlie here:A perfect day at the pool:Jessica and Charlie:

The kiddie pool was pretty cold so the kids would get in to their waists and have to run right out:

Despite the frigid water, I think Roman was having fun, what do you think?

Capri was in heaven too!

La Jolla is always a treat, but especially with this group! We saw, and smelled, the seals, walked along the bluff and checked out some fun shops.

The Girls plus Charlie:

The Boys:No trip to La Jolla is complete without a little taste of back home-apple pie caramel apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory...unfortunately Roman only got the real apple leftovers:Capri loves her uncle Jon and calls him by name everytime we take her upstairs (because that's where he always is!). Best buddies:It was so great to have you and I am so glad you made the trip out. I love you and can't wait to see you again...and Charlie!

On the Road Again...

We have had a bad couple of weeks around here (more on that later) so when we found out we had Friday off, we made the very last minute decision to leave that night for San Francisco. I packed up as fast as I could, got kids in their pjs, and we were off by 7:30pm. Six hours later, we arrived at the home of Tyler and Mindy-Tucker's brother and his wife as well as the BEST hosts anyone could ask for. Seriously, who is up for a family including two two year-olds to come and take over your home with 10 hours notice?
We are so glad they were up for having us because we had such a fabulous time! We woke up Friday morning and took the kids for a walk to feed the goats and horses. As you may have guessed, my animal-loving children were in heaven. It amazed me how fearless they were in feeding the goats and how they wanted desperately to be on the other side of the fence so they could play with them. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk because of how much I love the neighborhoods and homes in Palo Alto. The homes have so much character and when you add the many mature trees and greenery, you have quite the scenic route!
Capri could not get enough of these little furry creatures:

Lily handing out some apple...that Roman tried eating after the goat got a good lick of but dropped.Roman loved feeding them so much that after we ran out of carrots and apples, tried giving the goats clumps of dirt. They weren't happy about that.

The next day, all of us took a hike up to the dish near Stanford. We couldn't have gone at a more perfect time of year considering the hillsides were covered in that bright new spring green. Unfortunately, we were facing potential rain, so rather than getting to the top to take pictures, we made a workout of it and raced all the way down. Here are the kids getting their wiggles out once we got down to the bottom-always so happy to be running around after being cooped up in the stroller:

What really made the trip for me was simply hanging out and letting the kids play while us adults talked and talked.

Here are the cutest bunch of cousins you ever saw-and with all the same coloring, you know they are cousins!Roman wasn't so pleased being with all the girls, so we let him sith this one out-here is Ava, Capri and Lily:

Tucker and I had a first this past weekend and that was two date nights in a row-so nice! We left the kiddos at home and in bed so we could go out to dinner, see a movie, chat it up, and eat delicious pastries...which led to a lot of laughing. As much as I would like to have pictures to record our adult fun, I didn't even think to bring the camera. Something about no kids equals no camera.

We really can't thank Tyler and Mindy enough for such a nice weekend. It was a much needed break and we had such a wonderful time. We love you!

We're Putting On the Pounds!

That's right! Capri is back on the charts for weight coming in at 23 lbs, ranking in the 6th percentile. We couldn't be more thrilled! That Pediasure, though ridiculously expensive, must be working and luckily, she absolutely loves it. I am pretty sure that she has downed a bottle in less than a minute. Roman has improved in the weight department as well coming in at 26 lbs, ranking in the 22nd percentile. We weren't too concerned with either of them considering they were both growing (just up instead of out), but it is good to know they are getting a bit more meat on dem bones!

As far as height goes, Capri measures 34.75 inches placing her in the 75th percentile. Roman has a few inches on his twin sister and measures 36.5 inches placing him in the 94th percentile. Yep, tall and skinny for the both of them!

Developmentally, they are doing awesome. The doctor goes through several activities to determine where they are in terms of fine and gross motor skills, comprehension and verbal skills. Capri is starting to communicate quite well as she can put words together and is learning new words everyday. She is pretty agile while she eats, runs, climbs, builds blocks, and especially in drawing or coloring.Roman is an athlete already. He can throw like nobody's business and catch now too. Climbing just about everything and he also likes to feed himself, color, run and kick a ball...or whatever he feels like kicking. Communication is the only part that isn't coming so easy for Roman. It seems as though he could care less to try and talk! He still loves to jibber jabber constantly and he continues to learn a few words here and there, but nothing substantial. Thus, we are getting started with hearing tests which are scheduled for next week and speech therapy next month. Wish us luck!

These Girls are the Greatest!

I have had so much fun this past year and I owe a lot of that to my girls. We do everything together and yet we never tire of each other. Every month we have Book Club and Girls Night Out giving us a couple of nights free of kids and any possible worries-a much needed break! But don't worry, we include the kids plenty with weekly trips to the park, puppet shows and whatever else we decide to plan. The kids get to play with each other while us moms get to hang out and carry on adult conversations.

Unfortunately, we lost one our best girls, Jen, as her family moved just recently out of state. We sent her off with a farewell party at a favorite eatery, Extraordinary Desserts! It felt much better as we ate our sadness away...

Thanks again girls for another fab night out! And Jen, WE WILL MISS YOU!!!

If you are bored...

For a ridiculous long post all about a day in the life of Roman and Capri, see the addition two posts below.

Two at Two

Yep, we have two at two. Roman and Capri just had their birthday last weekend and Tucker and I are in absolute disbelief. Two years old. Make that two at two years old. Other than the fact that the time has gone by way too fast, we really can't complain. Roman and Capri are the sweetest babies...toddlers a parent could ask for and we feel incredibly blessed that they are ours. They are the best of friends and have such a special little bond. Both are as happy as can be and love to play every possible moment of the day.

Play we did as we celebrated their birthday at Legoland and their new Sea Life Aquarium! I totally skipped out on the whole birthday party and decided to spend the day with just our little family of four. It was great and we had so much fun.

Check it out!
This is me and Capri's fishy faces...I know, hers is way cuter whereas mine is a little creepy!Tucker and Roman already in love with the aquarium and this was the first tank:
The Train Ride in Duplo Land: Capri was actually smiling and saying "Choo Choo!" but had a serious death grip on the sides!
Roman was loving it, if you couldn't tell by the picture!Capri was not a fan of the Fairy Tale Brook Ride. She was like this 90% of the time:
Roman and I right after the ride...and right before we went on the same ride again!Capri wasn't quite tall enough for the Safari Trek Ride so she hung out with me:
All tuckered out. I love this picture of Roman holding onto his Dad's leg while Dad was holding Capri:

Such a fun-filled day and the kids were out within a minute of being in the car!

Day to Day...

We thought it would be a good idea to write down what life is like with two two year olds:

Daily routine: Usually the twins wake up around 7:15am, but we don't get them out of their cribs until 7:30. It is fun to hear them talk to each other. After 10 or fifteen minutes of jibber-jabbing Roman calls out for 'DAhhh'. Capri also calls out but she says 'Maah'. We then take them down stairs to eat breakfast. They don't need any help feeding themselves anymore. Breakfast usually consists of cereal, or their favorite of oatmeal, fruit and yogurt. Then we get them dressed, which Roman fights every time, and start to play. Playtime usually consists of taking a wagon ride to the park just a few houses away, reading books, building blocks, drawing, playing with their little people house and car track, ball time, pushing the stroller, playing in the tunnel and tent, tea time, and large beads and string play. Lunch is around noon and includes pb and honey sandwiches, quesadillas, chicken nuggets, or mac and cheese, more fruit, and milk. Down for naps at 1:00pm and will sleep for 2 and 1/2 hours usually. Yeah! They wake up for more play time until daddy gets home at 5:30 and dinner is served. Even more playtime and maybe a show (Charlie and Lola is Capri's favorite and Pingu is Roman's favorite) to follow and then it's to bed at 8:00PM.

Weekly activities start with swimming lessons on Monday and Wednesday evenings with Mom and Dad. We then have music class on Tuesday mornings with Mom and sometimes Grandma (a post on that to come!). Next comes park day with Mom's friends and their kids at Aviara Park on Wednesday mornings. And last but not least, puppet shows at the library on fridays with the same group. Fortunately, we usually have great weather all year-round to do these fun things, but Barnes and Noble is always a great substitute with our friends if it's raining!

Roman is one observant little boy! He loves to figure out how things work. His parents think he is brilliant even though his vocabulary is limited at this point. Recently he spent about 10 minutes with his Dad learning how a door works and why it won't open once it is closed all the way. He can't quite turn the knob and it is very frustrating for him because he knows that's what he is supposed to do. Roman loves his bath and anything to do with water. He is such a daredevil and loves to climb just about everything. Every once in a while we hear a faint "stuck, stuck," and we know to run and save him! Being 110% boy, Roman loves to run and kick a soccer ball and play catch with any other ball.

Capri is also a smart cookie. She is much better at communicating how she is feeling than Roman is. Everybody knows when she is frustrated or happy or sad or angry or a combination of all of those things. Capri loves to draw and holds a pen like an adult and has for some time. She adores animals, especially dogs, and knows all of her animals and sounds. Although her "meows" and "baahs" are adorable to hear, nothing beats the way this girl dances. There is nothing cuter as she waves her arms, jumps about, and does lots of arabesques!

Roman and Capri share everything happily 95% of the time. One of their favorite activities is swapping suckers, eating utensils, or straws (things you don't normally share). Very occasionally one of them will want what the other has and gets upset. Recently Capri had a toy car in her hand and Roman wanted it, she hurried away with Roman in pursuit with arms outstreched like Frankenstein. She quickly found a ball and turned to him like it was the greatest thing ever and said "Baalhh", offering it to Roman. It was a great sell. Both of them will do this but Capri is especially good at it.

Being Naughty: Both kids misbehave on occasion, they are two and all. Capri has a few different ways of dealing with getting caught. Sometimes she pretends nothing happened and becomes extra cute by putting on a big smile and saying "What's that?" while pointing at nothing in particular. More recently, she shuts her eyes tight and puts on her best grimace-remind me to post the video . Both methods are cute and equally effective.
When Roman gets in trouble, he reacts by running away (hopefully before he gets caught) or laying himself on the ground-he used be much more dramatic by throwing himself down, but has since realized that that really hurts his head.
Sometimes the twins will hit or throw something at the other intentionally, this is grounds for an immediate time out. Capri thinks the time out rug in the corner is just another place to play as she skips on over for her "punishment." Roman rolls around in a fit until Mom or Dad pick him up and give him pats-our sensitive little guy. Both however, have recently realized that being naughty will land them in time out and they would prefer not to be there, so this behavior modification technique is finally starting to work.
They both love their blankets (not just any blanket but the soft fuzzy ones), especially Capri who still sucks/chews on the corners. Roman simply lays his blanket over his face when he is ready to go to sleep.

Both are very protective of each other. One time Mommy was disciplining Capri (who was very upset) when Roman came over and threw a water bottle at her. If Roman is in time-out and screaming, Capri will come over and try to comfort him by patting and rubbing his head - It usually works.

Roman loves going down slides and is even going down on his tummy now. Capri is much more cautious and has decided that for now, slides aren't her thing. Roman's favorite thing to do at the park is find older boys to play with. Capri likes to be pushed in the swing and likes to hang and swing from any bars she can reach. Both have conquered the big 5' ladder up to the slide.

Other random fun stuff:

*Playing tag or hide-n-seek with each other or mom and dad-this is an absolute favorite and the laughing that ensues is contagious

*Singing songs with actions-they have mastered "Popcorn Popping," "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," "Eency, Weency Spider" and "The Wheels on the Bus."

*Joining Mom and Grandma for some serious kickbox videos

*Both know all of their facial features and body parts

*If we say we are going to the park or outside, both will smile from ear to ear (maybe even a gasp or "wow") and run for the door-considering we go everyday, I am amazed that they still get so excited.

*Both are crazy strong-just ask the nurse trying to check their ears and give them shots!

*Getting swung around by anyone that will oblige-Capri will say "turn" when she thinks it's time for her to have some fun though she won't go nearly as high as Roman

*Reading books-"Goodnight Moon" is their favorite book to simply read, but "My First Word Book" is their favorite when we ask them to point to all the different objects. Both Roman and Capri have been found several times reading to themselves as they point and talk and turn pages-very sweet.

*Goodnight routine=Saying "Night, night" to everyone, Mom and Dad kiss, Roman and Capri kiss, and then Mom and Dad both kiss Roman and Capri-one of our favorite moments of the day.

That was a bit of a marathon, but now you can see why we love these two so much. Thanks for hanging in there!