Its summertime!

So Jacques is now in NoDak with his Grandma and Grandpa Specht. His heart remains here in Hawaii, but at least now he has Grandma to soften the hard days of being away. He has been fishing a couple of times and caught a few Pike. Uncle Gordon helped him with filleting the fish...then cooked em up and enjoy! Jacques also brought home a humongus carp, he just could not bring himself to believe that fish couldn't be cooked some kind of way. The carp ended up in the pit...and barbequed but no one ate any! Jacques gets to begin drivers education next week. Thank goodness his driving skills will come from an actual instructor...he will not "learn" from his mother.

A couple of weeks ago we acquired a new pooch off of Craigslist. Pua was supposedly a Chocolate Labrador, and she may very well have a bit of lab in her...but I am thinking she is more Pointer than anything. She will be 1 year old in July and she TOWERS over Timme. They have become pretty good friends and give each other a lot of exercise. The twins have really learned to appreciate Timme for being so relaxed and small. Pua is bigger than she realizes and sometimes puts us on our butts. She is a great dog, very smart and wanting to please. We got lucky with her.

Devin and Carter tell me every single day I have to go to work..."Mommy, you go work...we can just stay here." They have come to the belief that they are perfectly capable of staying home with the dogs while I go to work. Devin says it with such conviction, I almost believe he might be just fine there taking care of Carter till daddy gets home from work. They will "hide" behind pillows and in corners, they run from me when I tell them to go and get into the car. Everyday has become quite an adventure when it comes time for me to leave for work.

Carter spends a lot of time playing games on his iPad. Devin spends some time...Carter is just more content to sit and play. Devin, chooses to run around the house all day expending all of his energy getting into things and making trouble with the dogs. It is amazing to me that Carter understands that when he is playing a sniper game, if he aims ahead of a moving target...when the shot gets there the target will be where he sent the bullet. Carter refuses to use the potty but if he needed he could probably aim a sniper rifle. Crazy kids.

Here are our pix of Santa coming to visit.

Christmas and such

I can't remember whether it was Carter who started calling Devin, Denin or was it Devin calling himself Denin but either way he is now Denin. No doubt he is still our MONSTER. I think the child would live nude if we let him. He will run around w/ no clothes pretty much any time he can get away with it. He has also decided since Timme goes pee in the yard so should he...and he does...whenever he gets to run round w/ no clothes. Devin has figured out how to run the iTunes on my Mac and is also pretty handy with the PhotoBooth software. He and Carter will open it click the take picture button count down with the computer then when it clicks the photo, they both giggle uncontrollably. Very entertaining! The other day we were in the car and I handed him something to munch on and he beams this wonderful smile and bursts out..."FOR ME???? For me mommy, is this FOR ME????" SO adorable! Now the both like to point things out and ask..."For me?".
The first thing out of Devin's mouth many mornings is, "Where is my dad, is daddy at work?". They are both always very happy when they wake up and daddy is home for the day. The days that he works, they run out to the gate as soon as they hear his truck pull up on the other side. "Daddy's home, Daddy's home!" He lets them get in the front seat while he backs into the driveway. They all get out and close the gates together. Very cute to watch them so excited to see their dad. 

Carter is talking a ton...he loves to "wedy set GO!" He usually has a car or 2 in his hands and is either running them along some surface or crashing them together. My favorite thing is when he says "Yes" because he is usually smiling and he enunciates so well when he says "Yes". I honestly don't know where his nutrition comes from...milk I guess. He is the milk drinkingest almost 3 year old I've ever seen. Pizza is his most favorite food these days. Devin eats tomatoes, onions, frozen blue/black/ras/strawberries and avocado. They both eat plenty of candy cookies and soda but Devin just does a better job offsetting all of the junk with super healthy foods.
They have had bikes for over a year. I picked them up at a garage sale for like 25 bucks. They have played with them off and on here and there. Finally the last couple of weeks, Mike and I on separate occasions have worked with them on pedaling. Walla they seem to have figured it all out for the most part. Training wheels are still on but they are doing really well for almost 3 year olds!
 

PJ's!

Devin and Carter have been going through a phase where they refuse to change into their "day" clothes. Every single day it is a fight to get the Sponge Bob off of Devin and the Cars off of Carter. After fighting with Carter this morning, Devin had just woke up. Dad very smoothly while changing his morning pamper switched to Devin's Sponge Bob swim trunks...by the time he noticed...it was not a big deal. Well that is Monday...24 hours to go till its on again!

PicNik

Christmas2010, by Larissa Johnson

I'd like to share my Walmart Digital Photo Center photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Ok It's been long enough

Eh so I took 6 months off...I can't even say I've been busy...just pretty much worn out and more interested in other things...facebook and all of the wonderful blogs I've found to peruse in any free time.
So what "is" going on with the Johnson's? Where do I begin? Hmmmmmm youngest to oldest.
Carter:
Carter's favorite sound is BeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeBeeeeeeeeeeeee. Anytime we see a car, truck or motorcycle it is BeeeeeeeeeeeeBeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Speech therapy for Carter starts December 28th. At their 18 month appointment the Pedi says she wants to have hearing tested and a speech therapist assess their progress...I think she is loony but whatever I'll play. Good their hearing is GREAT...bad...they both have elected the monkey "ooh ooh ooh" version of "Hey mom, can I have?" So I guess 4 months later she was probably not completely loony and speech therapy might actually be ok. I do know many of the other twin mom's I keep up with are in the exact same boat so I continue to be less than concerned. I will admit that I would very much prefer the "mom can I have" to the monkey's but that will all be over soon enough. Back to what Carter is up to, he LOVES is Sesame Street! Every time we hear the Elmo's World theme he GRINS his biggest grin and looks to make sure I am equally excited that Elmo is about to fill our living room with the wonders of "What is Elmo thinking of today?". He and daddy have also decided that we should all watch Wheel of Fortune each night at 630pm...I think he just wants to get the TV off of PBS before Barney starts...Devin LOVES Barney...don't tell anyone tho! So when the twins were born we used color coding to keep things straight. Carter was green Devin blue. Well today Devin LOVES yellow and Carter is pretty much partial to red. I find this amusing because they are becoming their own little people w/ their own ego...opinions OH LORD the opinions! They don't much watch Sponge Bob but they always are excited to see Sponge Bob on anything...I know this because ANYTIME we see Sponge Bob they both start pointing and saying "Bob Bob Bob"!
Carter does not like to say "No" he raises his eyebrows and says "dop!" And now Devin who use to actually tell you "no need" also has taken to using the stop terminology he has a better "s" sound tho and will tell you "STOP!"
Funny, I made Christmas cookies the other night, Devin brings me the container of Nilla Wafers so I put it on the counter and decide to let him try a snickerdoodle. He takes the snickerdoodle, looks at it and just kind of is "eh whatever itsa cookie." Carter comes over for a Wafer...I hand him a snickerdoodle he looks at it and drops it on the ground looks at me and starts oooh oooh'ing for a Wafer...he wanted nothing to do with those snickerdoodle cookies!
Devin my monster, his attention span is getting much better...tho he really only pays attention to the tv when there is a good commercial on or someone is singing a fun song. Other than that he would much rather be looking for something he is not supposed to be doing...to do. I swear sometimes the toybox will go unopened for hours while he does his best to find something, anything he can get himself into trouble doing. He latest love is climbing the fridge. We have gotten away without a lock on the fridge till just about the last month or so. His increased interest in pulling basically anything he can get his hands on out of the fridge inspired Mike to finally pick up a couple of straps to hold the doors shut last night. It wasn't so bad when he was only pulling out what he wanted to eat...usually an onion or tomato. But lately it is well like I said anything he can get his hands on. Tomato and onion...what toddler LOVES raw onion? Devin.
Jacques continues his love for the video game...and well he's almost 15...so not much else. He told me yesterday that basically when he is not at school that is where all of his friends are...online playing video games. Essentially that is how they are communicating outside of the school...better than out around town causing trouble...but still stagnantly sitting around the house all the same. Needless to say I am not excited about too much time playing games. He does really help w/ the boys and has really started to keep up better with this chores. I cannot believe he is going to be 15 this year...ugh the time flies. It is a blessing having him in my face when Devin and Carter start wearing on my nerves...oooh oooh oooh...all it takes is one look at Jacques 6 foot tall and I remember how quickly it will all not be this way and I tell myself enjoy the oooh oooh ooh while I can...cuz Jacques little "awaditatudu"  in the blink of 15 years is no where to be found.
Mike got orders to the USS Chosin...we are all VERY excited to have another set of 3 year orders...guaranteed jobs here in Hawaii. Life is good!

December2010, by Larissa Johnson

I'd like to share my Walmart Digital Photo Center photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Chucky Cheese!!!

Mike and Jacques talked about all of us going to the water park here. All I could think of is chasing babies around the huge maze of water slides...none of which we could take them on. We talked about it for several days and finally I asked if we could just take the kids to Chucky Cheese. Mike looked kind of puzzled...like he'd never considered it. Jacques was all over the idea...he spent many hours at Chucky Cheese's in Corpus Christi. It was amazing to me how much fun we could have and only buy a salad bar and a soda. I would buy about $20 if I had it worth of tokens and Jacques would play and play!

So we all loaded up in the car, ran a few errands then on to the Cheese. We walked in and first things first we all got the stamp so they could make sure we were all together when we were leaving. Then we go to the counter, Mike has Devin I am holding Carter...Jacques is eyeballing the menu. Cool a pizza deal with buffalo wings and 100 tokens...between the 5 of us that should do it...its a smaller Chucky Cheese. Jacques scopes out the table and Mike and I take the boys to check out some of the kiddie "rides". First I wanted to get their picture taken care of with Chuck. I have several pictures of lil Jacques sitting next to Chuck in the car with the auto Cheese camera. So it only makes sense that we should start with a good photo of the twins...or maybe just Devin at this point. Devin was skeptical...Carter was having NONE of this sit in a car with some mouse looking character...even if he is just plastic...AND the car is gonna move? Um, no. So out came Carter and well...a nice picture of Devin and Chuck.

I figure Carter just needs time to warm up...there are a lot of lights and people and all kinds of bells and whistles... you name it and well Carter was a bit overwhelmed. Mike and I take the boys over to the table Jacques is chillin at. I say, "I left my purse in the car so no one has to sit at the table and guard our stuff." Don't need to tell Jacques twice...he grabs a couple of tokens and off he goes. Mike and I are there with the boys and I decide to take Devin who is all about this craziness around to see some games.

Devin walks right up to everything and climbs right up on and looks at me to put in a token. So fun how fast they learn. He pretty much wanted to get on anything and everything he could reach. My favorite was when I let him stand on the smaller basket ball shooter game. He was just throwing the ball toward the net...with out a care of whether the ball went into the net...he was throwing at the hoop tho...that was good. Oh he SO loved that!

I spot Mike holding Carter in one hand and shooting hoops with the other hand. So I decided to let Carter run for a bit. So I put him down and he starts going...I'm thinking cool, he's warmed up to all the commotion. I let him go and follow him around...he heads straight for the back of Chucky Cheese's where they have the big band of characters that play instruments. AND of course ....Carter's favorite cartoons on the big screen TV's. So Carter came to Chucky Cheese's to watch TV. He is SO his father's son!

Carter and I hang out for a while up watching the band...which is not playing any music. Finally we head back to where all of the games and people are. I grab Mike, we put the boys on the merry-go-round with the horses. Devin jumps on like nothing...woo hoo! Carter looked at me like I had turned purple! I held him on and he stayed reluctantly. After that ride I decided that was enough riding for Carter...he was perfectly content to sit on Daddy's lap while he drove in the racing game. Devin and I took off to ride some more.

We all ate pizza and drank soda...played some more...those tokens lasted a lot longer than I expected. It was a good time...even for Jacques 10 years later.

May pictures in May

Digga Digga Digga Digga

Carter's new favorite word is digga digga digga digga which he will just sit and repeat over and over as he is playing along. He very clearly says bottol when he is wanting his bottle. We are still giving them first thing in the morning and before bed. They have taken to their sippy cups fine though. Actually I think they enjoy the fact that the hard plastic soothes teething pains. Mike and I both love when we give them a drink and they just stop and crash on the floor wherever they happen to be and drink away.

The other night we were sitting and playing.  Devin was sitting behind the curtain that covers the side door. He yells out, "Dah!" Mike responds with a "Dee!" Devin quickly yells back louder, "Daaah!" Mike answers "Dee!" Devin moves the curtain away with a HUGE smile..."Dah!" Mike responds "Dee!". No one will ever know which of us were enjoying that more...even Carter was grinning ear to ear.

So interesting to me, Carter is clearly the bigger of the 2 boys. Devin, he is the Bruit of the 2. Constantly pushing and moving large objects about the room. The other night he decided he wanted to be "behind" the toy box, which was full of toys...he started from the side and crouched down using his legs as momentum to push the whole toy box away from the wall. So fun the logic he will use when he wants something. I can't make this work...give it to mommy. He use to push a chair or the wipes box...anything to give himself a boost and just climb up on top of the toy box. Now both of the boys will climb either into, or if it is on it's side ,on top of the big plastic box. They are afraid of nothing I swear. Carter tends to be more cautious but really they both are just so curious and want to be into ANYTHING within a climber's reach...and sometimes beyond.

Last night I had a set of candles in their holders on the table. Devin kept eyeballing them. I decided since they weren't going to be part of our everyday decor anyhow, why not...let'em see what they're all about. Who knew a set of candles would be SO interesting! Each took a candle and holder. Carter was in awe and seemed to think his candle had better stay in the holder. Devin on the other hand had his candle out of the holder immediately and was seeing what types of noise he could make if he banged it here and there. He put it back in, took it out, put it back in the holder, then decided Carter's should be out of it's holder...oh no, ok then, I guess I'll just bang my candle against yours...ahh there now they are both out of the holders...oh mommy says bath-time.

They were NOT happy when the candles and holders were taken from them, but they got over it really quick when they heard the the sound of water splashing down into the bathtub.

 

When they are feeling independent they like to play at the end of the living room toward the front door. The rest of us usually over camped out by the television. They love to hide between the wall and a bookshelf I have placed opposite the stairs. I actually thought we lost Devin the other night for a second till he popped out the side giggling. When they are not hiding themselves they love to sit at the bottom of the stairs in front of the netted gate keeping them from the upstairs...oh the upstairs...Devin/Carter, "all I know is when I find that gate down...I get up those stairs as quickly as possible because there is a lot of fun stuff up there to get into!"

They will sit with their backs against the gate and drink their bottles. They sometimes play a game where one sits down and the other gets up, walks half way across the room, turns...laughs then runs back and sits...then the other gets up, halfway... laughs...then back again for another round.

Like most babies they love to listen to music and dance. Devin shakes his butt really fast, throws his hands in the air and bobs his head. Carter stands with his legs straight and spread a bit kind of rocking from side to side. They both will bend their knees and bounce up and down moving their arms and hands...giggle giggle giggle. Sometimes they are smiling so big they will shake their head side to side almost as though they are trying to shake off all of the joy in their heads!

We took them to the beach Sunday when I got home from work. They did really well. Devin fell hands first right into the sand his feet spread...he had a hard time getting up. We had their life jackets on them at first but I quickly decided we didn't need those. Devin was really cold and was shaking so we played in the sand for a bit...he warmed back up and he was ready for some more time in the water. Carter was all about getting in the water and playing in the sand. I was impressed that he used the shovel in the sand so well. Mike helped them dig a big hole to sit in that filled with water. Jacques was pretty much a HUGE help. I think he enjoys sharing his love for the water with them. He has always been a beach boy and wants the same for his lil brothers.

Everything is set for Jacques to go to Guam. We still don't have the form for his passport and if he doesn't get his passport on time the military says he can travel on their planes with his birth certificate and dependent ID card. He, Mac and Charlie are all very excited...as are Mike and I. It will be such a wonderful experience for him to be able to see all of the history there. He will be dive qualified soon after his arrival and plans to spend as much time fishing and diving as possible.

May...again...already!

It was about this time last year that I was just returning to work. The last year has passed by so quickly it actually seems like it happened ages ago and is a distant memory. We were just starting to feed the boys solid foods and now I am trying to get them to drink less milk by feeding them more substantial solids. Funny how important labels and contents become when you are trying to ensure your toddler has plenty of energy to explore! The pediatrician gave us vitamin drops to put in their sippy's...when I remember.
Jacques is almost finished with yet another school year. Hard to believe he will begin High School next year...didn't I just do that myself? Ok no, but my son...in High School? We have decided to send him to Guam to spend the summer with Mac and Charlie. He is extremely excited at the prospect of spending days and days just searching the island for WWII artifacts. Then there is the fishing, sailing, snorkeling, diving...and well, the fact that he was born there. I think it is the perfect time for him to see and experience all of this...it will put life into perspective in the sense that there is more out there than just friends, teachers and homework. I know that he understands that good grades in High School are going to be a factor on his college resume. He has stated on many occasion that he intends to have an impressive resume by the time he applies. At this point I am just praying he passes Math this year.
I posted on FaceBook the other day that Devin handed me is poo diaper...Grams says we should be able to start potty training. Seems logical to me, not so much Mike tho..."How do you get a 15 mo old to tell you he wants to go poo in the potty?" Well...thanks to the internet...I am going to figure that one out. I have read a "U" shaped toilet seat is nice for boys...just in case that lid drops...yes someone actually posted that as a...in case you don't think of this...
Carter is just talking up a storm...he call his "brother"...that is my favorite...lots and lots of gibberish. When he is reading his books he makes the most analytical faces! He has a fascination w/ Timme's tail...thank goodness Timme just licks their faces till they stop doing whatever it is he doesn't appreciate. Last night I thought he might just lick Devin's face right off!
Devin has figured out that when he wants something done he cannot do himself come give it to mommy, she will make it work. He brings the turtle that plays "Funky Town" and his sunglasses so I can put them on him. His shoes when he wants to walk around on the carpet in them. I guess bringing me his poo diaper only makes sense! "Look what I brought you mom...now clean this up and put me on a fresh one!"

Here are just some fun pix from April

My Pictures

Teeth, Teeth Teeth Teeth...

Jacques came to work with me yesterday because it was a furlough day. He has an assignment where he is supposed to shadow a professional for an 8 hour workday. I know shadowing anyone here for 8 hours would be a bit much so I broke it up into an hour w/ several of the forecasters. He seemed to really enjoy his time and took good notes. We went over his notes in between each forecaster so I could make sure he understood what he'd written. He still wants to be a meteorologist so I guess they didn't scare him or overload him with too much information. 

Jacques main goal in life at this moment is to improve his grades to where he is allowed to play his video games. At 14 it is amazing how pathetic and hopeless a boy can be without at least 4 hours of video games each day! Not really each day, more on the weekend, when he usually is allowed game time. 

Carter is growing teeth like CRAZY! 4 molars have broken through just this month! God love the boy you'd never know but there they are when he opens wide all pearly and white. 

Devin continues to climb EVERYTHING in sight. Every time I turn around he is standing up on their little plastic table. He climbs the chairs onto the kitchen table and stands, he climbs the gate blocking the stairs...but cannot get over. He climbs the couches over to the end table to get his precious butt paste...that he LOVES to eat. Jacques had all the couch cushions on the floor yesterday one was leaning up over another creating a little hill for him...and he climbed up and rolled down up and rolled down. The kid is just a little monkey I tell ya! 

Carter is not much for climbing, his belly tends to make it a bit challenging for him. Tho he does climb the small plastic table ever now and then...very happy with himself once he achieves his ultimate goal of sitting on top. He seems to not have any desire to stand on the table, thank goodness! Carter would rather carry the 2 chairs that came with the table around the room...one in each hand. He is always picking up large objects and carrying them around. the room. 

Both of the boys enjoy any toy they can make music with. When I put music on the TV or even certain commercials they will stop in their tracks, look over to the TV and begin bouncing their booty's and smiling. They just LOVE to dance. I know what baby doesn't, just having 2 versions going on to the same beat...too funny. The toys that play music, they will push a button or somehow make the toy sing...they just stop and smile at me and then the bouncing begins. 

Mike's brother Patrick was here for 2 weeks on R/R leave from his post in Afghanistan. He brought 2 of his Army buddies with him, only 1 made it till the end...another story. I have never seen anyone so reluctant to get on a plane. He LOVED Hawaii! He said a lot of it was that we were here. He and his brother hadn't seen each other for almost 5 years. They were like long lost buddies. Mike really enjoyed spending time with him. He is a good guy and I hope he can come back for a tour here with the Army. It would be nice for the boys to get to know him...and to have some family close. 

And We Grow

We'd picked up a grow w/ u motorbike looking tricycle. First stage it sits on a plastic rocker, next you take the rocker piece off and it turns into a handle to push the trike around then the final stage is when you remove the handle and its a pedal trike bebe can cruise around on. So Mike put the thing together the other night, set Devin down on it. Immediately Devin stands up on the seat, holding on to the handle bars...my little Evil Knievel already! He loves the thing and is always getting on and off of it. Carter is not as interested, more in spinning the tires on the back. 

Carter has had his favorite songs since he was about 3-4 months. First it was just mommy singing eye-oh eye-oh softly to him when he was not a happy boy. Then we moved on to Round and Round the Mulberry Bush, that one would always bring him a smile...he also loved Head Shoulders Knees and Toes. 

YouTube has Cookie Monster singing C is for Cookie...that one makes them both smile and laugh...and finally this week he has decided the song by Black Eyed Peas Ima Bee...is GREAT! Whenever he hears it or Mike sings it to him he stops, smiles and starts bouncing. In his car seat the other day he kept pushing his chest out to the beat and grinning...oh the joy of good music! 

We picked up some slippers for them the other day. A foam strap across the top and a velcro strap around the ankle. Put on them both this morning...first Devin, he put his hand on his hip and stood there like "Look at me, I AM SO BIG!" Then Carter, he just grinned and started walking around the room, pulling his knees up all high like he was stomping. Too cute!

Mike text me last night while I was at work. Apparently he was trying to feed them some dinner. He said they wanted NOTHING to do with him feeding them. They are all about being able to feed themselves. We have been feeding them a lot of  pasta and chicken or turkey. Have also found that the Pedi-assure mixed in with their milk is really yummy to them...extra vitamins and some of that DHA that seems to be showing up in all kinds of baby foods these days. 

Devin has decided enough with this being blocked in the living room thing. He has been climbing up on our barriers trying to get free...sounds so sad right! Anyhow, Mike and Jacques found a toy box that sits higher than the ottoman we were using to block area near the stairs and front door. So not only Devin cannot get on top of the thing...we all have a hard time getting over the thing! 

Poor Timme has the worst time trying to jump over this thing...his back legs always skid across the top...god forbid that cover be off the thing...I actually think he is gonna fall into it one of these days. Holds all of their toys tho, that is a good thing. 

Carter was having an especially good time this morning walking on a flattened card board from the trike toy. He spent about 15 minutes trying to get 2 plastic containers to fit together. Since the 2 were not square, every time he would turn the one in his hand so they didn't fit together. He kept at it then when he finally got them together...he was not at all happy with the result of only 1 container. 

Devin sat and played with their little 4-wheeler toy and was consumed with the fact that when he pulled the wheels from the body a big red tongue would pop out. Every now and then he would run the wheels across the carpet and I would make a varoom sound...he couldn't have cared less...he just kept checking out that red tongue.

Kso...how fun is this morning...couldn't find Navy colored shoe laces 4 Jacques new shoes that looked AWEFUL with white laces...who would ever expect Navy shoe laces to be impossible to find...so what does a smart mother do? Rit dye from the drug store boil them and voila! 

He is getting ready for school and he passes me with his Ipod in hand thinking he is going to take the thing to school...I tell him unlock it and give it to me. Reluctantly he does and is attentively looking over my shoulder. I start browsing the email...he says, "MOM u're not gonna go through ALL my email are u?" I say...heck yeah NOW I am! OH THE HORROR! Too funny...I had Mike look through it, he says normal 14 year old stuff...either way he will talk to Jacques about it...yes I was afraid...thank goodness Mike is there to handle the dirty work!

1 year

I know everyone says...time flies when you are having fun...have you ever noticed that sometimes time flies even faster when you are too busy to even realize you are having a great time! 
I haven't been keeping up with this blog as religiously as I'd hoped...but even the bits of information I've taken the time to log/share, have really helped me build some type of baby book for the boys. 
I started a book for them on MixBook.com by taking my entries here and just importing them into the pages. It takes a little time to clean up and add photos, I've completed about 5 pages and am happy with what I have so far. It will probably take me the whole next year to finish...but that is the beauty of having everything already recorded...no rush!

Jacques has reached the end of the third quarter in his 8th grade year this week. He is at school today negotiating with both his Math and AVID teachers. From what I've seen thus far, if he tries, I think he will be able to convince them he should pass those classes...if not well I am certainly not excited for report card day...again. School and grades aside I honestly couldn't be happier with him. I know right...14 years old and I'm happy? Yep because when I take into consideration that he is 14, still talks to both Mike and I, helps out with his brothers and does some of his chores...I think life is gonna be OK!

I am extremely thankful that Mike happened into our lives when he did...I have said this often...but I do not believe I could ever say it often enough or even express how he continues to amaze me each and every day with how he cares for Jacques. I know it comes from the fact that his own teenage years are not far forgotten and also that he was raised under similar circumstances. Mike, had a step-father...he knows how it feels. Anyhow he is constantly aware of and is sensitive to Jacques feelings. The best part of how he loves Jacques in my mind is that because he is sensitive to Jacques and his learning to be a responsible adult...he doesn't baby him or let him exploit the fact that Mike is his step-father. Mike tells me, there is a delicate balance being a parent to Jacques and that it will probably be the hardest job he will ever enjoy. 
Mike has always said he enjoys a challenge...yes I do think that is probably why our marriage has been so happy and gets better and better...but his always wanting to meet a challenge head on is the reason he says he will never let up on Jacques. Such a great dad!

Birthday week for the babies...now toddlers, was quite an eventful week. We started off Sunday morning with Carter running a fever and pretty much just sleeping somewhere near Daddy all morning. By the time I came home from my early shift at work, both boys had fevers and were not themselves. First thing we dosed up with some Tylenol to bring down those fevers. They enjoyed a playing in the tub quite a bit earlier than what they are use to. The water was not as warm as what they are use to but they didn't seem to mind much. The fevers came down quickly and they seemed to feel quite a bit better after a nice nap. That night Devin's nose was running all over the place and he didn't sleep well.

Monday morning I took them to Mani's so I could run a few errands to get ready for their Birthday on Wednesday. When I came to pick them up, she said they needed to be taken to the doctor. Love her...she never holds back! I brought them home and called the nurse to see if I could get them in still that afternoon, she said they were out of appointments for the day and that I would have to take the boys to after-hours care. Not exactly what I wanted to hear. The boys seemed fine to me...not great but not really needing to see Dr. Hasegawa right away. They were scheduled to see her for their first year appointment Wednesday anyways so I figured we could wait. Boy was I wrong! About 11pm that night, I was confronted with the fact that, yes I should have listened to Mani. 2 running noses and 2 very uncomfortable babies...very congested. We were up quite a bit Monday night so I decided to get them to see the pediatrician the day before their 1 year appointment. Dr. Hasegawa said it was a good call, she said that Carter had and ear infection and Devin seemed a bit congested down into his chest so she would give them both antibiotics. She also completed their 1 year check-up so I could keep them home on their Birthday. Carter weighed in at 25 pounds and Devin at 22.5. Big boys! I forgot their double stroller in the garage but luckily had the 2 umbrella strollers...oh the looks! Actually it is easier to manage the 2 smaller strollers, one in front in one hand and the other towing behind just seems to be more maneuverable. Also the double stroller DOES NOT fit inside the doors at the clinic. The pharmacist felt SO bad for the boys because by the time we got to them...those women could not get that medicine out quick enough! They'd had enough of being at the clinic in these strollers! By the time we were on our way out the door she kept offering help...we were really fine I guess we didn't look as fine as I felt!

Dr. Hasegawa asked if when they coughed did it sound like they were barking like seals. That sounded hilarious to me...how would I ever know? Well I told her that they didn't and she looked like she didn't believe me...again why would I understand that line of questioning! I certainly wondered a whole lot more the next morning...my babies WERE barking seals I swear! Thank god for Google..."baby barking seal cough" enter...10 pages come up signs/symptoms of Croup...ahh they have Croup! Uuuuuuuuugh they had Croup...constricting of what? Their airway? Oh no they are SO not going back to daycare this week! Apparently after the fever phase of the virus they are not contagious...we had been feverless for 2 days...but inflammation of the airway...especially at night? We put both pack and plays in our room each night and those babies were sleeping right next to mommy! At least for a couple of days. Talking to my mother on the phone, she heard Devin and said "Oh poor baby, he sounds all crouped up" imagine that...mom knows all about croup! Wednesday afternoon I baked a pineapple cake. Jacques came home from school, dad came home from work...we had dinner on the lanai and all sang Happy Birthday Devin and Carter. Jacques blew out the candles and dad helped each boy get his hands into that cake...which taste pretty good!

I felt lucky to be able to stay home all week with them while they were sick...we had a really good time...they weren't really sick during the day so we played a lot! Friday we went for pictures...oh the pictures! Well we shall see how those come out! I do not envy that photographer editing our wonderful photos session!

A couple of weeks later, boys are back to good health and I am back at work...I could actually see staying home more...but really I do enjoy being employed elsewhere and being able to go home each day to savor every moment I can with the whole family.

So what is Devin up to these days? Well he has realized a wonderful skill that will get the attention of EVERYONE in the house INSTANTLY...it is call SCREAM really really LOUD! I can tell you, I cannot wait till he realizes how undesirable his new-found skill is to the rest of his family! He was up practicing at midnight last night...I couldn't get to him fast enough before he had a chance to wake Carter. Luckily I was able to shush Carter back to sleep. Devin will be sleeping in his pack and play in our room for the next couple of nights to help him learn that yelling at your mother is not the way to get her into your room in the middle of the night. Once he starts sleeping through again, we will move him back in with Carter. We have done this with each of the boys a couple of times when they start waking regularly at a certain time and won't go back to sleep without some type intervention. It has worked well since being in separate rooms helps the other continue to sleep through the night.

Carter is finally walking most of the time. He is not really into bending his knees so he kind of does this zombie walk...but zombie or not...he is walking. Sometimes when you have something they both want you can feel like you are being overtaken by zombies...they both walk toward you...arms out trying to get there first...eyes looking at you with this "I want what you have" look in them... I can't help but chuckle when I think of them toddling toward me trying to get to the camera or my coffee cup...IIIIIIIII wiiiiiiiillllllll geeeeeet uuuuuu moooooooommmm.

They both really love the dog, and would love to be able to love the cat...she won't let them catch her. Sometimes I see her taunting them lingering just till they are within reach...then she shoots away. They don't seem to be upset, more amazed at how fast she can spring across the room. Timmy on the other hand, he will just sit there and let them grope him...I don't think he necessarily likes it, he looks like he is in pain, but he lets them and I think it is because he is hoping they will get bored with him...or maybe learn not to pinch? Either way his is patient with them and still will just start licking them when they pinch him too hard. The licking usually annoys them and they will leave him alone. Carter crawled right under him the other day and Timmy didn't even flinch. Good stuff!

We have established that the TV is off limits. Of course they insist they MUST push the TV, it swivels. Carter especially has a hard time hearing the word "NO". He will stand there and try to tell you what he is going to do till you walk over and pull him away. Daddy will give him a good swat and say "no" and he usually after only 2 times will find something else to be interested in. Other times, Daddy will head over to help Carter realize there are other more important things to be doing, and Carter will wait till he gets right there...and plop down on his but acting like he never intended on touching the TV....wonder if he got that from the cat. Either way it is too funny to watch him just kind of fall down out of Daddy's grasp.

Devin, when he is doing something he knows is trouble...you scold him and he looks over at you like...awe common mom...smiling...I am cute you know you wanna let me! Oh does he get upset when you make him realize that "No, Devin you are not going to..." He has that heartbroken..."I REALLY WANT TO THOUGH" cry. So cute!

DevinNCarterJustPlayinAround

BubblesNWagon

Happiest Toddler on the Block

So I am on Amazon reading an exert from "Happiest Toddler on the Block" and am laughing out loud. The book talks about how we think it is tough raising a toddler, imagine for a second how tough it is to BE a toddler! From a toddlers perspective they are losing ALL DAY LONG! Everyone around them is bigger tougher and faster...all I can picture in my head is Devin...and his struggle each and every day.

Seriously he does the cutest, just fall out, why me fit! When you take anything away the want's to get into or when you tell him that he can't do something he just stops and looks pathetically back at you...sits down, if not already seated...and falls forward in tear. Oh it is the most pathetic sweet poor little doesn't know what is good for him thing I have EVER seen!

His whole face just kind of scrunches together and the lip starts to quiver...quickly he just falls out. I know I am a sick person because I think it is positively adorable...but reading this made me realize he has already gotten to the point where he is wondering..."why the heck does mommy get to drink out of that cool shaped/colored glass or the big silver coffee cup...all I ever get is this boring plastic bottle?" Or, "How come they just walk over that barrier and I am stuck here...this is SO unfair!" Yep they are already there.

They see every little thing we all do and they want to do it too. Devin, when he is into something he KNOWS is something he is not supposed to, he will look at you and smile and be SO happy with himself knowing he is getting away...then the moment comes...here comes dad or mom or brother...ending all of the fun and smiles. Oh the world is JUST NOT FAIR!

The book also goes on to point out that talking to your children like a small adult and expecting them to understand a long drawn out..."this is what mommy wants you to do" is pointless since they are essentially cavemen...Love it...and here is the picture, which is EXACTLY what my children were doing just last night...BANGING BANGING BANGING pans on the tile...OH THE NOISE! But OH they LOVED the NOISE!I love this picture...and yes just like my boys. Carter, he had the big frying pan...had a hold of it just like he knew how to cook with it, pushing it across the tile like he was sauteing veggi-tables. Oh the sound! But they SO loved the noise. Probably not gonna happen every night, but it was one of those things u just gotta let them do it cuz they aren't hurting anything/anyone and they just look SO happy with themselves.

Devin is still walking like a drunk sailor, staggering everywhere...but walking just the same. He prefers to walk most places but will drop and crawl when he needs to be across the room quickly.
Carter, I think is tired of watching Devin walking around everywhere and has started standing any chance he gets. He has been able to move around the room via strategically placed tables and chairs. He LOVES when we hold his hand and walk him around...he just grins and grins. When you try to say all done...oh he gets so mad! He too will just fall out on the floor flop his head down on the floor and cry...oh whoa is me! It is SO cute! Their ego's are in full developmental stage!