Stay at Home Mom (SAHM)

I had never imagined myself as a stay at home mom. Hubby doesn't make a ton of money and kids are expensive, plus I love teaching. So today when I made the final decision not to return to work I panicked. Up until now I have always seen myself as being on an extended maternity leave. However, now it is official, I have no job to go back to and it is damn scary. Teaching jobs here are very difficult to come by and I am risking my career to take another year off. We can't sustain the family on one income for longer than that so this is a bit of a risk. I had always pictured myself as a kick ass stong working mom that could balance both, ugh what a hard decision.

Epic Fail!!!!

So hubby had a very rare weekend off. He works at a Golf Course so he literally works every weekend so when he managed to score this weekend off we wanted to plan something special. We decided to head to Niagara Falls for a fun filled weekend. We loaded the boys in the car and headed out. They did a fantastic job in the car and we had an amazing day. HOWEVER, they refused to sleep in the very nice hotel room we booked. We are usually bargain shoppers and never pay retail for anything and this time we splurged. We got a two bedroom suite with a separate living room and it SHOULD have been perfect. Well, not so much. I should say that I am a schedule person. Not in my regular life but in my twin mommy life. The boys generally only nap in their cribs, I have made a point of not napping them in car seats or stroller and taught them to self sooth early on. The result is they are awesome sleepers. I can plop them in their cribs and they roll over and go to sleep (for as long as I can remember). They barely ever fight a nap and if anything sometimes we have to wake them up from naps so that bedtime isn't pushed back. So my first mistake was probably not napping the boys at home in the morning. Basically by 6pm we had overtired boys who had napped about 45 minutes all day (they usually nap about 4 hours). Our assumption that they would be exhausted and fall into their cribs was VERY wrong. They lost their minds and we ended up having to leave the hotel and 3am to head home. I am so sick about it because we had an entire day planned today and missed out on so much fun. Plus, what a waste of money.
Anyways, live and learn and we did make some memories.

18 months

I feel like I literally just did my 17 month post, partly because I did it late and also because time is flying like always. I don't think we have had any major milestones this past month. Although you are using a spoon to eat your yogurt in the morning (still pretty messy but getting better on a daily basis) and drinking from cups.   I have been dreading the 18 month milestone for some reason. It seems that suddenly there seem to be a ton of expectations and unlike in the early months some of them we aren't meeting, specifically  language milestones.

Here is the list I have been looking at for language:

1. Understand the meaning of in and out, off and on?
I am actually not too sure about this one. The boys put things in and out of containers when we are playing together or when they are playing by themselves. However I am not sure if when I say "put the ball in the box" that they know the word "in" or if it is repitition. Honestly we haven't really worked with "on and off"

2. Points to more than 2 body parts.
We have been working on this for the past couple of weeks and they get feet 100% of the time but only point to their head and tummy about 60% of the time when I que them. Sometimes I say "where is your head" and they point to their mouths, eyes, or ears.

3. Use at least 20 words consistently?
Well they use about 15 sounds/words consistently although not every day. I would say in a day they probably use 10 of their words. Furthermore the "words" are more like sounds. Like mentioned in previous posts cookie sounds is just cook, or cracker is just crk (more like a sound). They still say dis instead of this, dat instead of that and call everything that moves a cark (car)  or cruck (truck)

4. Respond with words or gestures to simple questions (Where’s teddy? What’s that?)?
They do point to things when I ask where they are but they don't say anthing. If I say where is the bear they will generally bring it to me or gesture over to it. They might on a very rare occassion gesture and say dat (that)

5. Demonstrate some pretend play with toys (gives teddy bear a drink, pretends a bowl is a hat)?
YES!!!! They do this :)

6. Make at least four different consonant sounds (p ,b, m, n, d, g, w, h)?
YES!!! This one too!!!!

7. Enjoy being read to and sharing simple books with you?
Well if by enjoying they mean constantly bringing me books, sitting on my lap, flipping 3 pages, pointing out some objects and then quickly running away then yes they love doing this

8. Point to pictures using one finger?
Yes they do point to pictures and when I say the name of the item they seem to nod or just look at me intently. They don't try to repeat it or anything. Although sometimes they will say book, truck, or car when I point to it but this is VERY rare.


Here are the 17 month milestones that we should have exceeded:


1. Uses a handful of words regularly
Well if we count sounds as word then yes. They do say ba (ball), cark (car), Cruck (truck), Crck (cracker), cook (cookie), dis (this), dat (that) etc. regularly. I would assume a hand full is 5 right

2. Responds to directions (e.g. "Sit down")
YES, we can do this !!!!

3. Dances to music
For sure they looooooooove to dance!

4. Enjoys pretend games
Is peekaboo a pretend game? If so then heck yah. They also like to bring my pretend food from their play kitchen and I pretend to eat it and pretend to eat it too. They like to put random things on their head too pretending it is a hat and thinking they are silly.

5. Feeds doll-I just tried when I saw this and they think it is hilarious to put a spoon up to their stuffed animals mouth.

6. Sorts toys by colour, shape, or size
Not even close. Colour, holy poop they don't have a clue what a colour is! Shape, well okay they do collect balls or cars and pile them up.

7. Likes riding toys
Heck yeah since they were about 10 months

8. Talks more clearly
Well it is all relative but yes more clearly than last month

9. Kicks ball forward
yep, but only once or twice ever. They are pretty coordinated though.

I know I sound like some crazy mom who is obsessed with Milestones and that isn't 100% the truth. I always say I just want happy kids and I really do mean that. I just want to make sure I am doing everything to facilitate their learning and if they need extra assistance I want to identify it early on. Anyways, I love these guys and they make me laugh all of the time. They play together really well and are real characters. As the months progress we really get to see their personalities emerge and it is so much fun.

 

Even the bad days are good days

So Fynn has been sick for the past week with a high temperature and he is just plain miserable. The poor guy just hasn't been himself. Then yesterday the fever broke and he broke out in a terrible rash. About a month ago Hudson had the same symptoms and was diagnosed with Roseola. Today I thought the worst was over so we ventured to my parent's to welcome my mom home from England. Man was that a mistake. The boys were wild animals and basically ransacked their entire home, not to mention they threw multiple temper tantrum.
However, every day even the bad days are good days. I have my boys and nothing could be better. That doesn't mean I didn't want to rip my hair out and run away....lol.

Poor Hudson is having a bad day.

 

Hudson and his momma :)

Fynn looking serious

Auntie Christine, Cousin Ruby and Hudson

Happy Fynn

 

 

                                        

Happy with his bowl of Cheerios 

Yum!

After eating a popsicle in kiddie pool!

 

Rockstar :)

17 Months (I thought I already did this)

Another month, holy cow! I don't have babies anymore :(


This month really makes me realize that my baby boys are no longer, I have two toddlers and it is bitter sweet. I know this shouldn`t be a huge realization but it just clicked. I am very excited about what life has in store for us but I would be lying if I said I wasn`t a bit (or a lot) sad that you are growing up so fast. I think knowing that I can`t and won`t have another baby, like ever, makes it even more sad. Don`t get me wrong, I am not complaining, lord knows at one time in my life (not that long ago) I thought I would never have a baby so I appreciate every minute with my boys. I literally still cry (a little too often) when I am looking into my son`s eyes. I am actually kind of lucky (probably what I tell myself to hoping one day I actually believe it) because I cherished every second with my guys knowing I wouldn`t experience it again. However if I was younger and had some good eggs I would love to have more babies(I used to hate greedy people like myself who had kids and complained about wanting more).

Fynn
I am pretty sure you are going to be a total comedian. You are so funny to us already and you don`t really speak. You have comedic timing and squel with delight when you find something funny. You are sensitive too though. When your brother is upset you often walk over to him and give him your soother (and you LOVE your soother). You also love playing catch with mommy but take breaks to put your head on my lap or to climb up on my lap. For some reason you yelp every time I throw your ball to you, you think it is the funniest thing in the world.
This month we said goodbye to bottles. For the last little while we just gave you a bottle after your bath but we decided to try to eliminate it (I have heard you are supposed to ween off of  bottles at 16 months). I started giving you milk with your dinner instead of water. Sometimes you do have a snack before bed but most nights you are fine with nothing. You eat everything I give you and you often walk to the pantry and try to help yourself to the cookies. You love to say cook (cookie) and crack (cracker) because those are your favourite snacks. I am so excited to hear you talk that I generally have a hard time saying no :)
As I mentioned in a previous post I freaked out a bit about milestones this month (and pretty much every month since you were born.....lol). The truth is you are doing wonderfully and as long as you are happy and healthy I am content to watch you learn things when you are ready.
You have become my real little buddy. We have always had a close bond because as you know you were a little fussy as a baby and I wanted to make sure I was doing my best to address your `concerns`but now that you don`t whine ( as much, let`s not get completely ahead of ourselves). However, now you come over to me not just when you want something or you are upset. You check in with me (often), you bring me things (often) and you come and lay on me (only for a couple of minutes but I will take it). When something is funny you always want me to see it and you always look over to see what I think.
Your favourite song is Ìtsy Bitsy Spider and you love to put the moon up with your arms and you even do the spider climbing up the water spout. You also know to rock back and forth when I sing `Row Row Row your Boat`. Another thing you love to do is run to your phone every time you hear me say hello, you pretend to call daddy.
I love you my boy, you are one brave, fearless, loving, caring and passionate little man.

For my record
I think it is safe to say that your speech is a bit of concern but as mentioned before we have a referral for the middle of August and the good news is that you are learning new words  so we are moving forward at the very least :)
Words: dis (this), dat (that), gook (book), crack (cracker), cook (cookie), mama (milk), cruck (truck), cark (car), dada, dn ssss (downstairs), ba (ball), gog (dog), ess (yes), souss (soother)


Hudson
Holy cow Hudson you are the master of the meltdowns now. You have started to bang your head on the ground when mommy doesn`t give you what you want. You also try to hit your brother, yourself and money. You aren`t a huge fan of when mommy hangs out with your brother. Mommy tries to make sure we welcome you into whatever gave or activity we are planning but you generally want whatever your brother is holding and you grab it from him. When you are upset you are hard to console. I know this is pretty normal behaviour but we aren`t used to it from you because you have always been our buddha baby who just went with the flow. I am doing my best to make sure I put in some good Hudson time before I engage in a game with your brother. He isn`t really as interested in what you are up to so it has been helping a little. You still have the most amazing smile on the planet. Literally your entire face smiles, your eyes squint almost shut and it is so adorable it hurts. You also love your blanket and any stuffed animal you can get your hands on. You snuggle up with them and love them so much. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen.
You love singing and doing the actions to the Wheels on the Bus. Mommy had no idea you were taking it in (you used to just stare at her when she did it) and then suddenly one day when I was singing you just started to roll your arms and hands and beeping your nose. You smiled from ear to ear and you are so proud of yourself.
Your motor skills are developing well and today you and daddy practived screwing screws with your toy screwdriver on your mini work bench. I was amazed that you were able to do it.
You love bringing your cars over to me and making the vroom vroom sound. I have no idea how it started or why but it is funny You also make the most hilarious darth vadar kind of noise because you know daddy and I find it hilarious. Another thing that makes me laugh is that you bring me imaginary little items. Basically you come over to me like you have something in between your fingers and then you hand it to me, I say thank you and then hand it back to you. You find this very amusing. .
You are a great little eater but you seem to have one really large meal a day where you pack a ton away. You absolutely love fish and avacado this month, you shovel it in.....lol.

Your speech is also behind but you are also slowly learning new words and you certainly like to babble. You point out things and passionately tell me all about them. You also love the fan. You yell at me (in your language) until I put it on, it doesn`t matter how cold or hot it is in the house.
For my record
Speech: Dat (that), Up, bye bye, book, crack (cracker), cark (car), ba (ball), dada, wow, mama, gog (dog)
Although we still don`t do television mommy has been letting you watch more Baby Einstein Videos (probably even worse than t.v)  lately. I used to limit it to one episode per day but now you probably watch 3 (20 minutes) videos per day. I have a bit of guilt about this but you love it and some part of me wondered if it would help with language aquistion.