Sixteen month old twin boys! Sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself to make sure it is real. They are so awesome, loving and sweet...just like their big brother. They love to play together and with him. They are sweet and kind showering each other and everyone else with kisses and hugs. They laugh A LOT! There is so much fun and silliness happening in our house nowadays, it is a great place to be and I am loving this season of life. I see bonds already formed individually between the three brothers and the three of them as a whole and it is a beautiful thing to watch. I have hoped and prayed for my children to be best friends and they are off to an amazing start!
Sweet little boys checking out the flowers
The sweetest big brother I ever met.
Three of a kind and yet so different.
Happy little faces
The "Mama" of all accomplishments.......happy picture of all three!
Water break!
Post photo shoot fun at the park!
Brothers exploring together
More exploration
Rory
Rory is tipping the scales at 20 pounds! He has felt so much heavier to me lately and although he continues to slowly gain weight, he felt WAY heavier this month! He is such a happy go lucky guy and adores his big brother. He follows Elijah EVERYWHERE.
Rory continues to love to nurse as well as enjoying his solid food journey. He now uses a fork. One day I just gave it to him to see and he began using it like a pro right away! I was so impressed! His favorite foods are still all kinds of meat and gluten free breads, pancakes and starches in general. He enjoys his daily smoothie and cannot get enough berries and bananas.
Rory is fiercely independent. He wants to do everything by himself and usually succeeds on the first try. He loves to climb the table in the playroom (which we have allowed since Elijah was able because it allows him to see out of the only front window we have downstairs). He is not shy and will jump right in with the big kids when we have playdates. He is EXCELLENT at playing pretend and has been for several months. He loves to pretend to talk on the phone both using my phone as well as the number toy phones we have floating around. He is very serious as he babbles away and holds the phone to his ear. He "cooks" in our play kitchen and shares his delicacies with us. And erupts into laughter as we pretend to taste his wares and then copies the same action.
Rory still loves baths and water in general. He loves to swim and splash and the whole experience (whether it is bath or pool) make him GIGGLE! And he has the most musical giggle.
Rory has a new love, Despicable Me movie. My parents gave the kids each their electronic "lifelike" minions as this has been one of Elijah's favorite things to watch during TV time. The moment Rory saw the toy minions in action, he was hooked. He quickly learned how to operate the electronic minion, adopted this small plush minion that my mother had given Elijah a year ago, and when I put the movie just to see what he did, his head nodded up and down as he smiled and sat down and watched THE WHOLE THING! This is a kid who doesn't really pay attention to TV (which I like) and hasn't sat for more than 10 minutes watching Praise Baby or Baby Babble. And he sat and watched 90 minutes of minions. Now when he cries or is fussy, or just when I want him to laugh, all I have to do is start singing the theme. The pictures I took today had smiles resulting from the Despicable Me song. Such a funny, quirky little guy.
Another funny Rory story started about a week ago. Chip was reprimanding Rory for something or other and, unprompted, Rory marched himself over the our "time out" spot and sat down quietly. It took everything for me not to laugh out loud. Well I was curious if he would do this on demand. He has not been so much of a rule following. A couple days later, Rory did something to Patrick resulting in Patrick tears. I told Rory to go sit time out. And he did. He quietly walked over to the little hall we use and sat down. Because he seems to understand time out, we have started to use this to use this as part of Rory's discipline. His time outs last for maybe 30 seconds. The action of him going over there willingly is mostly the point right now but it is super cool that he seems to have a heart to do what he is asked.
Rory brings so much joy and happiness to our home. He continues to be super attached to me (his Mama) and sometimes it can be hard to get much of anything done on days when he is glued to me. But I know there will come a time when I am begging him to come see me and so I thoroughly enjoy this season of dependence and lots of affection. There is something about the way a boy (all my boys) love their Mama.
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| Mr. Congeniality |
Playing peekaboo
Such a handsome boy
Looking so much like his big brother
One of three faces that light up our world
So. Much. Joy.
<3
Rory's unique toes (second and third). This is something that comes from my side of the family although ours if VERY subtle. Rory's is NOT so subtle. And uniquely him.
Post photo shoot playtime at the Park!
This is the first time I let the twins get down and explore the park!
Another madcap in training.
He made it to the top!
Brushing off some dirt!
I see kindness in this face
Love you Roar!
Patrick
As of today, Patrick weights 17 pounds, 6 ounces. Ever since his frenectemy (clipping his lip and tongue tie) he has been able to swallow all his food and has begun to once again put on weight! He has stopped putting on weight other than a couple of ounces once he started solids on his first birthday. I am so grateful that this was the miracle cure for what ailed him and I love to see him chow down at meals and snack times! Patrick;s favorites are anything that grows. He loves fruits vegetables and legumes. He also enjoys organic O's and other gluten free cereals. He loves smoothies and is intense about his water intake.
Patrick is often content to just play by himself. I often worry that he may get left out as he gets older by his other two bigger brothers but the three of them also play very well together and it seems Patrick just enjoys some alone time, even at this age. He is an observer and deep thinker. He seems to absorb everything he sees and his comprehension is awesome. He is a rule follower. He normally only needs to be told once to do or not to do something and he will oblige. We have not started enforcing time outs with him but he also hasn't really needed it because he obeys really well. Patrick is and has always been very intentional with his movements and speech and is very careful when walking, getting on and off of things and trying to talk. He is very good at imitating speech.
Patrick still likes baths but only on his terms. If you strip and and put him right in the tub, there is a 50% chance he will not be happy about it. However if you fill the tub and let him check it out and watch the water go in and see his brothers getting in, he will stand next to the tub and put his arms up as his way of asking to get in. Then he will play and splash and giggle.
Like his brothers, Patrick loves music and can efficiently emit noise from any wind instrument you hand him. (Okay we have not let him try Elijah's bagpipes but everything else he is amazing at!). His favorite seems to be the kazoo but you give him any kind of flute or whistle and he will make music.
Patrick is a unique presence for our family. He is calm and soothing and quiet. He is such a little darling with big laughter, a great sense of humor but mostly he is calm and gentle. Although personalities like his may tend get hidden in the mix, I think that Patrick will stand out in our family with his unique manner. He will remind us to slow down and enjoy quiet moments together. I love my sweet, peaceful boy.
Sweet boy all ready for his photos shoot!
Love that smile! Oh how I love it!
Peekaboo!
He's so proud of his peekaboo skills.
Look at that happy boy.
Such a sweet face.
Oh so handsome.
My Pfunk. Or PJ the DJ as I have been calling him lately.
He thinks it is funny.
Ready to do a little exploring.
Such a sweet, gentle boy.
Ready for his first independent play time at the park!
There he goes!
This is cool, Mama!
He got in on some climbing action.
Here's a fun 16 month comparison of my sweet three! There is definitely a family resemblance.
