The stringing words together into sentences is going amazingly quickly. Their vocabulary has grown way beyond what we can measure. They seem to understand completely what is being said around them, and quickly mimic words and phrases they hear. My favorites right now are when Beckett is asked what he wants to do or eat or whatever, and he looks up for a moment and says "Ummmm...." before saying what he wants. Theo repeats whatever new words are said around him, which can be tricky around oft-cussing Mama. It seems as though the period in which their minds worked faster and better than their verbal skills is over; it seems they can express any thoughts they have with their words. There are times when only Mama can understand what they are saying, and sometimes I don't know why they're talking about what they're talking about, but I understand the words and it seems to satisfy them just to know I have understood what they are saying.
Beckett continues to have more frequent melt-downs where everything seems wrong, and all he can say is "no! no! no!" between screams and crying. While this is happening, Theo usually waits patiently or sometimes offers toys or books to Beckett.
Beckett is doing a little better at going to the potty, usually peeing several times a day in the potty, usually without it being offered to him. Theo doesn't seem that interested right now but we're not pushing it, just letting them use the potty as they want, when they want. Poops in the potty are still elusive but much celebrated when they occur. After breakfast they're usually naked from the waist down so that they can feel when they need to go, and run to the potties themselves.
Naps are still a bit of a headache but what's been happening recently is that Theo plays the game of getting out and getting returned to his bed, while Beckett sits quietly watching all of it from his bed, but then when Theo settles in, rolls over and tries to fall asleep, Beckett begins playing with his trucks and toys, sometimes for more than an hour after Theo has fallen asleep. Then, of course, Beckett is grumpy when Theo wakes him up.
Both are eating well these days, usually up for trying new things (especially when fruit or dessert is waiting). They are just not into eating meat, which has made us eat less meat too.
The boys have great periods of playing together and sharing toys, and periods when each wants exactly and only what the other one has, and there is lots of grabbing, chasing and screaming. Though sometimes those interactions result in laughing and making a game of it. They are pretty used to the "one minute rule," when if they are fighting over a toy, the one who has it gets it for one more minute, and then he has the choice to hand it over to his brother, or have Mama/Dada hand it over. Usually they choose to hand it over themselves.
Theo and Beckett are great shoppers, so long as the cart or stroller keeps moving. They are usually great at the grocery store, BJ's, and the farmers' market. There is lots to look at and people who make faces or talk to them, and usually we get food they like to eat. They're getting better at greeting strangers, saying "hi" or "good morning" when the mood strikes them, though sometimes too quietly for them to hear.
