Hysterical!

Every day they seriously crack me up with something new. Travis came home from work tonight and I was so excited to share stories. It's these kind of days that make me jealous of myself.
Above: Tyler
This morning I was explaining to him in my so stern voice about sharing, or something, I don't even know now . . . all I know is I said "do you understand?" and he said "Capesh!" with a smile. Yes, my little Ty knows Italian. I guess I say more often than I thought: "Do you understand? Capesh?" I just stared back at him in disbelief. He is speaking so well and copying everything I say. . .

and he ADORES his brother. Every naptime and bedtime he asks to sleep with Carter in his crib. I have made the mistake to let him get in once with him and he started snuggling up with Carter's blankets and wanting to lie down with him. But Carter wasn't having it. I am waiting for the morning when I see Tyler has finally figured out how to jump over himself and I find them sleeping together.
Above: Carter
Then this morning, I am changing this little guy's diaper and he points up high on our bookcase and says distinctly "poker chips." What?! Yes, we have a poker chip caddy and the last couple days I let them hold them to distract them while I change their diapers. But I never knew I ever told him what it was. The things they catch on to. Right after I am changing Tyler and he points up to the same caddy and says, "Cookie." I had to laugh.

Carter's other story of the day reminds me of how desperate (or lazy?) I can sometimes be. He sneezes, walks over to me and says "nose." He then grabs my arm and wipes himself with it. Think that's disgusting? I was wearing a tank top. It's a moment when you want to say, "Honey only when I am wearing sleeves is that okay." . . . or is it? Kara, kara, kara.


Above: Playtime & Storytime with Gigi and Popi
How do I know these two are part Uffelman? You may not see many similarities above. . . but you will at the dinner table. Travis and I love sushi rolls and lately- the boys have begged for it. I used to give them avocado from my roll but the past couple times they have "please please pleased" their way for me to just hand a peice over. They both stuffed the huge peice in their mouth- one big bite, just like us. Travis couldn't believe it but I could. We Uffelmans have bigger mouths and can eat faster than you think. And these boys prove it. It is quit the sight! I am going to start making them sushi on a regular basis!
Above: Carter
This picture is precious because it is so my little Carter. He cannot stand to have ANYTHING on his hands- even the smallest crumb from a cracker. He will beg and beg for me to wash his hands mid-meal. Here he is drinking milk and not letting his hands touch. It doesn't look like there is anything on them but one speck makes a big difference.

Above: At the Duckpond. The boys had a ball feeding the ducks.
The boys love to play the piano. There has been no means to the madness of their playing until just the other day. Tyler was trying to actually play a song using one finger at a time from each hand. It was quite impressive! Usually it has been frustrating as they ask me to play a song for them and as I do they jump up next to me and start pounding. But seeing Tyler concentrate and play key by key was really neat.

Two of a Kind

In my mind, these two little guys are so incredibly different. They each have their unique expressions, quirks, personalities, words that it confuses me when people say "how identical" they are. "But look at their smiles, eyes" the list goes on of how I will respond. . .

And then I see this picture (above) same foot up and all and I understand . . . not just that- we just had their checkup for the first time in over 6 months and they are only 2 ounces apart. Two OUNCES . . . really? And for months I have been fretting and worried that Carter is not near the eater of Tyler. I thought they would be two POUNDS apart. It truly is amazing.

Aunt Rhonda came to visit with her boyfriend Uncle Ben too. It was great to see both of them! The boys hadn't seen Ben in a long time but loved him immediately. Okay, if Ben is reading he knows I should say, they liked him immediately after they got up from their naps (we woke them up to say hi when they arrived after they had just gone down- not the smartest move!)
Below: Park time with the boys . . . from slides to looking for ducks.




Below: Tyler climbing to the slide . . .
Teaser: Next pics coming- their first haircut . . . hopefully this weekend!

Cousin Day

It was Cousin Day last Friday and Kylie and I met at the zoo- and oh my goodness, the kids had a ball! It seems that every time we see Camden, Holden, and Lani now the boys just all connect and play together better and better. I think it's my kiddos growing up a bit and actually being "little boys" to keep up and follow them around. I was a bit nervous to take them out of the stroller and have them run in opposite directions- but they just followed Camden and Holden around. So cute. And even when Holden wanted a ride in the stroller, Tyler hopped in all on his own to ride with him (and yes, enjoy some PB&J like his big cousin too) . . . and anyone who knows my boys know that they NEVER go back in the stroller after being taken out. . . it takes candy - or now cousins - to coerce them.
Above: Holden and Tyler
Above: Tyler actually rock-climbed his way to the top all on his own like his big cousin Camden . . . little scary. He has always had no fear or hesitation about trying anything new.

Above: This was adorable . . . and of course excited this pregnant mom. Carter loved Lani. . . . so much so he fed her- not himself, those tasty Puffs. He has such a little sweetheart personality.
Above: All four boys on the telescope. My boys had no idea how it worked but if C&H were on it, it was cool to them.

Funny Every Day

It's not like they are even saying sentences yet, but they still manage to make me laugh daily with the simple one liners- or worders. . . How easily they have learned how to manipulate with a "pleeasseeee" or a simple smile. Here are some of my favorite moments where I have realized they are growing up. It makes me grin and almost cry all at the same time.

For instance- something as simple as catching Carter asleep on the couch watching Mickey Mouse Club with blankets he had toppled over the top of him. It sounds so basic but they have never fallen asleep anywhere but a crib or car. . . okay, or jumperoo. It was the sweetest sight, such a little boy, but then I almost cried (call me pregnant). . .

Speaking of pregnant, every mom knows you never feel beautiful . . . that's an understatement, you always feel slow, messy, and just darn ugly (or is it just me?) . . . So this last remark made me glow: I was at the doctor's waiting to have my terrible horrendously looking legs looked at (speaking of feeling gross) and was reading a "Lucky" magazine. Tyler kept looking at the front and pointing to Mandy Moore and saying "Mama" with a smile. I love him. And of course to hear it again, I kept asking "Who is that Ty?"

Then last night Travis had work till really late so he wasn't home to help put the boys down. I ready them "Goodnight Moon" and stated time for bed. But Tyler ran over to the shelf and pulled out "Puff the Magic Dragon" and said "Dadda's Book, Dadda's Book!" Travis sings it to them all the time. It's adorable to see.

And they have been teething nonstop the past week so I have Motrin on their changing table. Last night Carter points to it saying "Medicine please, please, please" . . . He knows the word medicine??? I said "you only get medicine if your teeth hurt." He and Tyler both stopped dead in their tracks, looked at me, and stated almost simultaneously with big doe-eyes "Teeth hurt" . . . really? The things they will say to get what they want when the hardly know ANY words! Almost every night Carter now stands up immediately when we put him to bed and says "Poopie"- just so we will take him to the toilet and he gets out of bedtime. Manipulators I tell you.

But their VERY favorite is saying "bye bye" . . . it started almost a year ago as a tantrum controller. When they would start getting fussy somewhere I would tell them we are leaving so start saying "bye bye." It always calms them down- Now it is an obsession. Random people get kisses blown to them and even a little boy in Costco got a big bear hug from behind from Carter this past weekend. But the best? I was at home getting the boys rallied and down the stairs when Carter stopped, crawled right back up frantically and looked around and said to the two toys in sight "Bye Bye Truck, Bye Bye Bus" - smiled very content and slid back down the steps.