Our munchkins are getting big!

Recent photos of Koen & Tessa

Lots of Developments

Ok - it's been many months since we have posted ANYTHING to the site but 2 kids under 2 is clearly keeping us very busy!

Lots of new developments for both of them...

Koen is speaking in full sentences "Mommy, I want to stay upstairs and play". and he is only 21 months old." "Take Mommy to the choo choo station". He says Readville & Corporate Center (my train stations). "There's a tractor trailer Mama", "City bus". I was telling my sister Stella that he talks so much but he is not projecting yet, so we don't always hear what he is saying, except when he is being a Hippo. He loves to make the roaring sound of a Hippo. When we were in DC last fall, we saw Hippos and elephants and they love to make those animal noises all the time, nice and loud.

He and Tessa are so polite right now. Koen will hand something to us when he is done with it and say "thank you, Mama". It is very sweet. Who did he get that from?? When Mama (Lisa) tells him that they are going to the grocery store, he says "Go to Stop & Shop, Mama". If we keep the radio on in the car while driving with the kids we miss half of what they are saying so we now have to turn off the radio. Tessie (her nickname) has monologues in the car. You can't always understand what she is saying but a lot of times she will say Mama, Mommy, Koko, Nana and Papa over and over again and she likes us to respond back and say Tessie.

Little Tessa just started to walk in the last few days. Tonight she took about 6 steps before she grabbed onto me. I can't believe she is finally doing it! It will be amazing once she is really walking too.

In the last month, she has increased her vocabulary 10 fold. She is a complete parrot now, and loves to say all kinds of words. If Tessie burps, we say, "What do you say" and she will say "Moose Me" for "Excuse Me". She also says Wuv Wu instead of love you. It is adorable!!! We will probably post some video to facebook with her talking and walking soon. She is the absolute best hugger. When you ask for a hug she wraps her tiny little arms around you and squeezes. We just love it.

Her sense of humor is amazing. She likes to laugh and loves to clown around. The two of them are going to have a blast together once they get a little bigger.

I can't wait for the weather to get just a little bit warmer so we can get these kids outside!!! They can't wait either.

Leaves - Fall clean up

Tessa was taking a morning nap, and Lisa was outside mowing the lawn.  I went out to help rake, then Loni came out with Koen and he headed right for the pile of leaves.  Here are a few of the photos...

Major New Development

Big News!  This morning when I was changing Koen's diaper he started to pee just a teeny bit.  So, I decided to take him into the bathroom and have him stand on an upside down laundry basket in front of the throne.  Sure enough, after a little suggestion, Koen peed in the toilet!!!!  I am so proud of him!!!  I have tried on several occasions prior to this morning to get him to try it, but either he hasn't had to go, or he just wasn't sure what to do.  Hopefully Mr. Big Boy will want to try it again!  Time to buy a stool for the bathroom.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Koen is a mouse and Tessa is a butterfly.  Tessa was a little more comfortable in her costume than Koen.  Spencer is behind us on the right in the family photo.

SLEEP!!!

Last Monday and Tuesday night the kids were up half the night.  Thankfully, Lisa switched their naps around and it seems to have worked!  The last 2 nights both kids have slept through the night!!!  Hallelujah!!!  I hope it stays that way.  Cross your fingers!!!