As the Days go by

Our days go by without too much variation now that we've got our routine down like pros. Sometimes we mix things up and walk somewhere new or go to the gym at the church or have a playdate but for the most part we just enjoy our time together as the days go by.

Recently our routine got an upgrade when we got a visit from Grandma Marge and Aunt Corrina. They came down just for the day to say hello and make us dinner! I appreciated the company, the audience to showcase my boys and Desmond, of course, loved the extra attention! I think the three of them spent about an hour playing peekaboo in his tent. What fun.

I am always looking for ways to make Desmond laugh. I truly believe that the more we tap into laughter the better apt we are to deal with life and the situations that are challenging to us. These tactics include everything from singing silly songs (no, not with Larry), doing unexpected clumsy acrobatics, and most recently - putting Desmond's clothes on Monte. I've only done it twice because the second time it didn't make Desmond giggle (neither time made Monte giggle). Everyday Desmond and I "do" dishes (read: Mom does dishes while Desmond plays in a sink full of bubbles). It didn't take me long to realize that we should just take his shirt off when we begin this activity! The other day Monte was hanging around and the switch seemed logical. It was hilarious the first day the next day not so much. I hope you find the pictures funny and not disturbing (I promise I am NOT one of *those* moms/cat owners).

Our most recent activity that Desmond requests by name is "crawl". I say, "Let's help Jaxter crawl." and Desmond knows that's his cue to get out our big fabric blocks and start stacking. Jax does his creeping to get to them and know them down and then Desmond says "Turn! Turn!" this is Des-speak for he wants a turn to knock them down. So Desmond knocks them down and then Jax and so on. Jax is getting better and better- soon we'll have a video of him going mobile!

I am never ceased to be amazed at how my boys are fascinated with each other and yet have no consciousness of each others' body mass - they are always banging and bumping and bonking! Heads, feet, hands, whole body! Its a full time job just to keep them out of the ER! Desmond now works up his tears and says "bonk, bonk."

Monte sportin' the Des polo - gotta say it looks pretty good.

Something's different....

Just hangin'

Jax showing Grandma Marge and Aunt Corrina our blocks.

Is there a Des in there?

Its all about Jax

We have, for awhile now, suspected that Jaxter has been attempting to communicate with us (its like you're trying to tell me something, I know it!) but he always fails to repeat the words that we think we hear so we've always brushed it off as coincidence. Desmond and Jaxter always play copy cat at meal times: both babble and yell with the other mirroring back the sequence. Jax has a lot of good consonant sounds but I've always chalked it up to imitation not actual communication... until today. You tell me what you think:

We have a song that we sing every morning (you'll hear it in the video). Its a camp song and when the last verse comes you are supposed (and so, of course, we do) lower your voice and sorta "chant" in a big voice: "The dew goes away." Desmond has long since loved this song because he gets to do the low voice part (we pause and visually prompt him to do his part)..... Jax has picked up on this as well, although, I haven't gotten a perfect video of it you can tell he knows what to do!

Another milestone: the classic So Big! Can't get enough of cute stuff like that.....

What is "normal" anyway?

Our lives have been changing so much that it seems the only thing constant is change itself (I think I've heard that somewhere before). Just when things settle into "life" we have another big change. Babies, moves, school in, school out, big trips, developmental milestones ..... So as we have been trying to find a new place to settle, as far as routine goes, I can't help but wonder: what is normal anyway? I suppose with kids we'll not know for a long time. =)

We still haven't "done" anything. No big events, no big happenings just day to day making the most of our life together. So what to write about? The kids! What else? =)

Desmond continues to delight our days with new words, crazy stunts and all around silliness. He learned just two days ago to say No and has been using it ever since! Jaxter continues to creep and inch along but just won't get his butt into the air to make any real crawling process. A local Children's Resource Center offered free developmental screenings so I went and showed off the boys. They were impressed with Desmond and he passed with flying colors! Jaxter also did well, although, they expected him to be able to pull himself up to standing which he doesn't do yet. Our biggest news in development is that Desmond peed on the potty! It was parentally guided but happened none-the-less. For Jaxter he has started clapping which fascinates and entertains him for minutes on end. =)

We go on lots of walks. Visit the library. Go to the store to buy milk (and see the Elk in the back). Occasionally stop to say hi to a friend. Go to the park. Do domestic duties when time and moods allow. Chase cats. Watch cars. Listen for trains. Get the mail at the post office. Take naps. Make supper. Play with toys. Practice jumping. Play piano. Dance. Do whatever we need to and whatever keeps us entertained and giggling. =)

Our holiday weekend saw a lot of work. We tackled a "small"project which led to another "small" project and the next thing we knew we had done a lot of work and the house was a mess! Monday Gmannette and Gpa Michael came, played, ate and left. It was nice to have some company and we were sad to see them go.

Forgive my rambling I hope my words find you well. Despite our lack of actual "events" we are well and enjoying life day to day. Enjoy some pictures.

Playing with blocks.

Proud of his stacking.

My boys, accidentally matching.

They LOVE their bath time!

On a walk.