Wednesday, November 25, 2015

#55. 'Prehistoric' Pumpkins


We went 'old school' for Halloween this year!!

So, another Halloween has passed, and we are likely a year away from when things get more fun/interesting/sugar high-dominated. We are becoming the traditional types based on the fact we made our 'annual' pilgrimage to Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm.
This year we tried the South Barrington location...it was very nice

The twins experienced their first hand stamp!

 The 'animals' were a lot more fun this year for the twins.

Clare wouldn't stop looking and Luke wouldn't stop pointing at the giraffes

Feeding the animals was less 'staged' this year...

...that is when the twins were on task and not eating the feed!

Luke clearly is more interested in giraffes than lil piggies

Some things at the farm were the same as last year...

Yeah, Luke's a teeny bit taller this year

Another Corn Maze...wasn't such a good year for the maze...very thinned out this time

while a couple 'displays' were new.

This Pumpkin Farm had a pumpkin eating dragon that was met with mixed reviews...

...one twin was very intrigued while the other was thinking, 'seriously'?!?

Luke had a great time (watching other kids) in the 'Corn' (like a sand) Box

Clare preferred the view (and fresh air) better from outside the Corn Box

This year's cut out photo...maybe a twins future Halloween costume??  Luke clearly can't wait!


If you remember last year's 'Pumpkin Patch' picture...

We had 1 happy and 1 not so happy participant

Nothing changed this year...except for who was who!

Clare (last year's perfect pumpkin) did pull it together for a couple of shots,

while Luke (Mr. Crabby Pants last year) conducted a perfect photo shoot (this time!)


After walking through the pumpkin patch, we loaded up the wagon with pumpkins and headed for home.

Someone (who recently started walking) insisted on helping push the wagon!


Once we got home, it was time for the pumpkin carving to begin.  This year, the twins received a pumpkin carving kit, including a 'pumpkin drill'.

Takes one person to hold, one to drill, and two to watch!!

Neither twin was quite sure what to think of the process!


As Halloween day neared, the candy starting coming out.  Our bag of Halloween candy had suckers in it and I made the mistake of eating one in the twins' presence.

After waving my sucker back and forth and observing these two look like they were 
watching a tennis match, I let the twins 'sample' (as in stick in mouth 
with wrapper on under a watchful eye) their first sucker!

For Halloween trick o' treaters, the twins dressed up in warm (it
was cold and raining all Halloween day) costumes to 'hand out'
(more like dump the bowl and then put the candy back and repeat) treats!

This year the twins dressed up as Flintstone kids.

Luke/Bam-Bam wondering what kind of parents half-clothe their children for Halloween, 
and Clare/Pebbles looking for something other than Flintstone vitamins to eat in the fridge

We had fun dressing up with the twins this year, even though we aren't sure they felt the same.

First attempt at photo, Bam Bam was unhappy; second attempt (while Bam Bam pacified), Pebbles got grumpy!

We managed to get a 'decent' Flintstone family shot at a Halloween party later 

In all, it was a 'yabba dabba doo' Halloween time!

Hey sis, what costumes will they put us in next year...don't even wanna think about it, bro!

Sunday, November 1, 2015

#54. 1801 W. Winnemac Ave's 'Funn(i)est Home Videos'

Sure makes it look like they always get along, right??

Sorry to those trying to see this post on a mobile phone.  Outside of the opening photo above, this post is 'videos only' (so, depending on your technology you may need to pull out that Mac/PC later).  I thought I'd put together something showing the twins in 'real time' action.  Clare and Luke are at a fun stage.  They have both recently started walking and are constantly finding new ways to entertain themselves (and us!).

Bananas for the Bathtub

Bathtime means fun time at '1801'.  Sometimes the anticipation of jumping in is outrageous.  I particularly love Clare's squeal halfway into this video.  These two LOVE being in the water.




Summer Swingin'

Ahhhh, we miss the summer already.  There's something magical about swinging.  Both twins really enjoyed the swings this year.  Luke loves a big push and Clare loves to smile every time she swings back towards you.




Sissy That Walk

In a huge upset, Luke beat his sister to walking.  Sometimes I wonder if Clare let him do it because she's always been ahead of her brother and feels bad.  Most likely, though, knowing thoughtful and practical Clare, it's because walking isn't necessary when you can crawl just fine.  Take your time, Sister!




Our Struttin' Stud

On the other hand, since Luke has started walking, the world is a completely new place for him.  He literally dashes from place to place.




Bedtime Romp

Every evening (currently between 7:30 and 8), the twins make their nightly pilgrimage upstairs to the nursery.  Sometimes, bottles are placed to help entice quick vertical movement, and, most times, Luke carries his bottle in his mouth.




The Imagination of a 1 Year Old Boy

Sometimes your children imitate things you do, and, sometimes, they do something completely nuts that you have never done.  Maybe Luke watched an episode of 'The Flintstones' when we weren't watching.  I have no idea what possessed him to do this.  I kind of want to try it myself!




The Innovation of a 1-Year Old Girl

Our darling daughter continues to find new ways to entertain herself.  When she grew tired of sending cars down the zig zag ramp, she figured out her shape sorter shapes work just as well!  Who knows what's going down the ramp next.




What Goes Around Comes Around

Truth be told, Luke can be a bit aggressive with his sister.  We've seen him (in a nonchalant passive aggressive fashion) take things from her and push her out of the way.  Sometimes, Clare, who has one of the kindest souls I have ever seen, finds her way to get back at her brother.  Luckily, some of those times I have my camera in hand (and secretly cheer her on)!





What the H-E-#-# is in There?

I'm not sure what to think of this one.  Do they want the laundry to get done faster so that I can fold it??  Do they like the loud noise the hollow metal structure sounds when they pound on it?  Or, is there something inside there that we don't know about but they do and they are trying to alert us that it needs let out??





Uh Oh!

Luke's first word wasn't 'dada' or 'papa'.  It's probably my own fault, but it's actually 'Uh-Oh'. Initially, it was sensibly used to reflect on an unfortunate situation that happened (like dropping a bottle on the floor).  Over time, however, Luke decided that waiting for gravity to run its course was time consuming and he created his own 'uh-oh' moments like this one where he deliberately throws objects to the floor (under the careful supervision/strange looks of/from his sister).  Incidentally, I once caught him saying 'uh-oh', intending to create one of these moments, when he realized the object he meant to throw to the ground prior to the 'uh-oh' was still in his hand.  Upon glancing at his hand, the object quickly found the ground as if I hadn't noticed.  But, I had, and can't wait to tell him this story some day!





The Piano Man (and Woman)

This keyboard has been a part of my life for almost 25 years.  I think it's great that the twins are starting to enjoy 'playing' it (when they aren't fighting over it!).  That said, there is a RED 'demo' button that plays a song showing all the bells and whistles of the keyboard.  Red is the color of anything that is meant to be pushed by 1 year olds, so Rick Astley's 'Together Forever', the demo song, has become part of the soundtrack that is our life these days.  TWOgether Forever is a fitting song for these two.




Couch Potatoes

These two love the couch more than just about any other place in the house.  Whether it be for 'pillow drops', hanging out with Trig, or reading a book with daddy/papa, the couch is a place of comfort for the twins.  I get the feeling our twins will be the kids who jump on beds some day.  Oops!



Playin' Footsie

Every once in awhile the twins interact and seem like they enjoy each other.  While his sister was finishing up her meal, Luke decided to play with her feet, causing this fun exchange.





Curtain Cuteness

As I said above, these moments are sometimes few and far between at this early stage, but when these two find something fun, they are a blast to watch.  It's great how something as simple as a curtain can create such spontaneous fun.











Thursday, October 15, 2015

#53. Taking a Stand

Luke and Clare are 'happy' to be 1 year old but
 this photo looks more like a twins mugshot!

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When I first started putting this post together, the twins were not walking.  In fact, Luke took 4 steps one night (with my encouragement) over a month ago and then decided he didn't want to be placed on the ground feet first ever again!  In reality, the twins started taking steps about a week ago (we have been in no hurry).  We are still waiting for the first complete dash across the room (and the first epic spill for that matter!).  So, there will be many more pics and videos to come as the twins finally decide to join the world of bipeds.   For now, this post will focus on catching everyone up and having a look at some of the indoor activities the twins have been participating in during recent weeks.
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In late August, the twins had their 12 month checkup.  Both continue to show fantastic growth and development.  The best part about the appointment was being told we can stop buying pricy formula and can start feeding the twins cow's milk instead.  Yes, improved financial security!  Now, if we can only lose those diapers...

Clare climbing the charts...our little girl has been changing slow and steady...all the way to 19 lbs 9 oz!!

Lengthening Luke...consistent growth every 3 months...topping off one year at 21 lbs and 8 oz!

Happy to be healthy at 12 months, but nobody likes those dreadful shots!

On another positive, medical note, Luke's helmet wearing days are finally over!  He wore his two DOC bands for nearly 6 months.  It is so nice to see his entire face and full head of blond hair each and every day now.

They're sure gonna miss the fun toys at the Cranial Tech office!!

Speaking of Luke's hair, he had his first haircut in preparation for the twins' 1-year photo shoot.

Wasn't easy keeping this happy boy from bouncing up and down with his monkey
in the 'racecar' barber seat...we predict more challenging haircuts in the future

We're letting Clare's hair grow out more, but she still
enjoyed driving a fancy pink convertible at her brother's haircut

These two clean up nice for photos...does the red carpet give away the location of the photo shoot?!?

Sadly, the photo shoot wasn't the twins' best work.  Here are some pictures of the photos.

This was the best of the bunch
Not such a bad family shot...we'll take it

At home, the twins continue to show interest in 'helping out' in the kitchen,

Though they are more interested in making a mess...

...or sitting in it (well, Clare anyway) than cleaning it up!

and have recently shown an increased interest in music.

This 8-key standup piano was fun, but is fast becoming outgrown


Now a full length keyboard is the hot item to fight over!
Clare finally gets alone time on the popular attraction
Mealtimes are becoming more epic,

Epic as in MESSY....Luke downs the entire bowl of sweet potatoes (who left that laying around??)...
and Clare wears blueberry pancakes all over her face (and hair) like they are accessories to her outfit  

and the jumper remains a favorite hangout.

Though, the tiny bodies that used it in the past...

...are starting to stretch things out a bit!
The jumper also now serves as a fort during playtime

Lighting has become a big 'draw',

It didn't take long for Luke to figure out the light pull switch (or how to turn the TV on
 & off every day for that matter).  Clare shows that what one twin does, the other will follow!

and, the toilet fascination has officially begun.

This means we're a little closer to being diaper free dads, right?!?

Lately, there's nothing like being up on the couch.


Luke loves doing 'pillow drops' with dad!
As with anything else, though, couch time can be a thrill one moment,

and a calamity the next!!

Though unsupported steps have been few and far between, the twins seem to be 'taking a stand' everywhere they can. 

Showing off his stair climb...Luke's getting faster every week
Not sure if she saw a ghost here on is pondering the meaning of life, but Clare's doing it upright!

The twins stand inside to play,

they stand outside on the patio, 

and sometimes they stand both inside and out!

The twins stand in the kitchen,

and sometimes stand to tell the washer and dryer to hurry up!
The twins do practice their walking.

This elephant (which has also served to startle us at all hours of the night with the
spontaneous noises and lighting up it does) has seen a lot of mileage lately!

On rare occasions, they even work as a team!
Don't 'drink and drive', Luke!

Standing and walking practice sure are a lot of work...twins taking some time to refuel


We are all excited to be cheering them on for taking their first steps.  Stay tuned!

These claps are likely influenced by Wheel of Fortune...they love to clap when they see/hear clapping around them!