Big boy stuff

Like getting dressed in our warmies to go for a walk this morning.

And playing in the dishwasher.

And riding in the twin truck grocery cart at Wegmans!

Dip Party

Our friends Leah and John hosted a dip party to watch the Steelers-Giants game this afternoon. I watched not a single play but enjoyed the company of a dedicated corp of dip-eaters!

Auntie Tara fed Theo a LOT of chips, crackers and dip, including a whole bunch of yummy cannoli dip which we discovered later contained orange liqueur. In an unrelated story, one not accompanied by photographic evidence, Theo projectile vomited as I was putting him to bed, completely soaking both of us.

Happier moments at the party with Leah. The boys were super grumpy-umpies all day at home after being cooped up, and we briefly considered not bringing them at all, but banked on a change of scenery helping mellow them out. Which it did! They were complete goofs, running around and playing with toys and eating and drinking and being friendly with everyone. 

The boys had their first PB&J sandwiches today. Somehow I had not thought to give them sandwiches, but friend Kelly said her little Addy, one month older than T&B, was eating sandwiches as an easy on-the-go lunch. I made it up and WOW! they loved it. They only ate half at lunchtime, but finished it off after their naps.

Autumn fun

Yes, I peed on the floor. BUT I am ready and able to clean it up with my swiffer.

The second attempt at coloring with chubby crayons and newsprint went much better than the first. Less coloring on the tile floor, and more crayon on the newsprint. It kept their interest for about 20 minutes.

Sadly, this was probably one of the last days out playing in the yard. It's gotten so cold!

We were graced with an unexpected visit from cousin Diane and her family who escaped Hurricane Sandy's aftermath.Thursday night they all came up to Syracuse for a nice dinner and visit!

This is my attempt at trying to capture Theo's self-satisfied smirk when he figures out a new trick. He just figured out how to press the red nose on the sun's face to make it sing a song.

Mindy sent me this picture of Theo trying on a paper bag hat.

This is Daddy Lovebo trying on the same hat.

Theo having some nice solo time with Mindy this week when Beckett had not yet woken up from his nap.

Visit with Aunt Deb and Uncle David

On our New England swing last weekend we had a great visit with Aunt Deb (Grandma Joanie's sister) and Uncle David. They had some fun toys and wonderful books to share with Theo and Beckett, and Aunt Deb made a feast, with roast chicken, quiche, orange-ginger carrots, cranberry sauce, salad, olives and bread. I am not sure I've ever seen the boys eat so much!

The day we left for our trip Grandpa Stu taught the boys how to use their favorite lawnmower as a ride-on toy. 

MA/ME trip

This weekend we had a lovely visit with Jeff's aunt Deb and uncle Rich and cousin Kelsey in Northborough, MA. We also mixed in a visit to my aunt Deb and uncle David, and our friends Molly and Dustin in Portland, Maine and their three kids. 

When Molly and I were in law school, I was unmarried and Molly had one child, sweet Declan. Since then we've done some great procreating. Here's Molly with Declan and her 8 month old twin girls, Hattie and Lila, and me with Theo and Beckett.

 Declan enjoyed leading Beckett around the house.

It was pretty funny seeing all the adults and kids sitting around a big giant table for lunch.

Beck enjoyed playing peekaboo with Hattie in her highchair.

Hattie and Jeff playing footsie on the rug.

Declan showing Theo how to escape the babyproofing.

In the car on the way to Maine the boys enjoyed looking at their books, listening to Mama sing songs viciously off-key (I'm blaming it on still feeling a little sick until Sunday) and playing with toys. They were great sports. They slept the whole way back to Massachusetts.

Playing in the Park

Beckett walking Mindy's dog, Roxy.

 Beckett and Theo on the slide at Upper Onondaga Park.

Beckett and Theo reading with Mindy's son Jared. 

Comparisons

In a quiet moment, leading Mama to wonder what trouble he has gotten into, Theo is most likely to... be sticking his finger in a socket, examining the fine motor workings of a gadget, or climbing into or onto something dangerous. Beckett is most likely to... be sitting amidst a pile of books, carefully poring over each page.

When frustrated and maybe overtired, Beckett is most likely to... be screaming, crying big tears, stomping his feet, and following behind Mama or Daddy too closely. Theo is most likely to ... bite. The twin books we have concur that in a set of multiples, one is likely to be a biter. Theo is that biter. Sometimes it's not out of frustration or anything other than seeming curiosity about what might occur, but often Theo seems to not know what else to do, and so he lights into the soft fleshy part of Beck's arm.

At mealtimes, Theo is most likely to... try everything on his plate, vegetables included. Once he has decided he does not want some particular food item, he will do anything to avoid it crossing his lips. Theo will also eat as many blueberries or blackberries as are put in front of him, with no ill digestive consequences as yet (just like his Mama!). Beckett is most likely to... eat carbs first, then protein, then, maybe, blueberries or blackberries. His first instinct is always to avoid a new food but he can be convinced to crack his mouth with repeated attempts.

On a walk around the neighborhood, Beckett is most likely to... forge on ahead, pushing a lawn mower or just marching along, looking at the sidewalk in front of him. Theo is most likely to... stop and smell the roses (or Russian sage), play with the pinwheels at Corrine's house on the corner, examining the lawn ornaments in Meg's garden along the way, and watching the big boys bike, run, and ride storage bins on their skateboards.

Upon waking in the morning, Theo is most likely to... start crying immediately upon realizing he is awake and alone. Beckett is most likely to... roll around in his crib, sing to himself (current favorite is "Baa baa black sheep"--he is getting good at the different notes), and practice words and sounds.