Little Ears Are Listening

It's such a funny experience to hear your own words pop out of the mouths of your kids. I knew it would happen, everyone says that it will. But when it actually does, it catches you by surprise. I have to wonder — do I actually sound like that?

Last week we were on our way to tumbling when Lucie started fussing about something, using a whining tone of voice that drives me crazy. Before I could say a word, Ryan turned to her and said, "You a big girl, Lucie. Use a nice voice!" I couldn't have said it better myself.

While responding to the second call for "I have to use the potty!" after I put them down for bed last night, Lucie heard me heave a sigh of exhaustion. "I know, Mommy", she said, "we really demanding!" Funny, that's the exact word I would have used.

Thankfully, they also remember things I've said in happier moments, not just the reprimanding and frustration. A common phrase I guess I say a lot is, "What the heck?" I hear it from L & R about the little mysteries of the world, like when a stuffed animal gets tucked into the wrong crib or train tracks that fit together yesterday, suddenly don't fit today. "Wha tha heck?", they'll declare in mild exasperation. It's a good thing I've never been one to swear.

Here are a few other favorite phrases and sayings they've picked up from us. When looking for a lost Bunny, Ryan will declare, "I know he's around here some-where!" Or, when eating pancakes enthusiastically, he'll call out, "I'm a pancake MANIAC!" And, finally, while describing books she checked out at the library, Lucie will say, "We got Clifford, and Curious George, and uh, um...some other things like that." I have to laugh at her casual, relaxed tone. No need to spend valuable time thinking about this, Mom, it's just "things like that".

Language acquisition and other "things like that" are so fascinating to watch. Though it doesn't always feel like this — especially after I've said, "Say please!" for the umpteenth time of the morning — I guess a lot of listening does go on around here.

Ballerina and Fireman Return

Lucie found her tutu deep in her closet yesterday. Once Lucie shows up as a ballerina, Ryan must be a fireman.

After a brief hiatus, the "wo-wo" costume has returned. It's fitting a little snug (so is Lucie's ballerina skirt) and the boots have been passed along to cousin Tate, but no matter. Ryan could not be happier.

Yaadwook

No one had lived in our house for nearly 10 months when we moved in. As a result, there seems to be a never-ending list of fix-it projects that consume the majority of our weekends. I suppose it's all part of the joys of home-ownership. Most projects have been inside, ranging from replacing electrical outlets to installing new toilet seats (a must-do from my perspective). But recent weekends have had the entire family outside toiling at "yaadwook".

Fortunately for us, Grandpa believes every gift-giving occasion (birthdays, Christmas stockings, house-warmings, etc.) is yet another opportunity to add to our tool collection. Much of that collection has been put to good use recently. Last weekend we took the tags off our suburban chainsaw — a 10A reciprocating saw with swappable 6 inch blades. With Lucie and Ryan yelling timber, we made swift work of the one tree in our yard.

"I Peed on the Potty!"

I'm sure someday Ryan or Lucie will read this post and think, "Mom, this is way too much information!" They'll be right, of course. Potty training is not a topic that interests anyone except those parents considering or currently pursuing the training. Before or after those periods, it's the last thing anyone wants to read about over their morning coffee. But, it's our reality right now, and this blog is all about our reality. So, here we go...

Like most big changes in life, the anticipation of potty training twins was much, much worse than the actual practice of potty training twins. That's not to say that it's been easy, but after everything we've been through up to this point, this was a drop in the bucket. Or should I say potty? Sorry, too much time washing underwear has clearly made me punchy.

After many months of excuses and procrastination (mine not theirs), we finally cut out all diapers, except for nap and night, and let Ryan and Lucie pick out their own underwear. The first five days were crazy -- simultaneous accidents, blowing through our entire collection of training pants in one morning, and many, many outfit changes and loads of laundry. It felt intense, and I'm sure I looked quite nutty running from child to child pulling down underwear and placing them on potty seats stationed all over the house, yard, and while we're out, tucked in basket of our stroller.

Ryan caught on first, and after a few days, was using the potty like a pro. He was motivated by the promise of getting to call Daddy after each success for an enthusiastic "Way to go!" Chris got many calls during those first few days, and his co-workers got a good laugh as he chimed out praises in the middle of a meeting or the way home from a business lunch.

Lucie took a bit more coaxing. She kept insisting that she was a baby and that babies don't pee in the potty. After some wise words of advice from my mom, I stepped up the encouragement and the rewards. Like her mother, I've discovered Miss Lucie is motivated by chocolate. And, thankfully, she's satisfied by a single M & M as a reward. I wish I had that willpower.

I think we're over the potty training hump now, as accidents have been far and few between this week. Ryan and Lucie are so proud of themselves and love to share their successes with the world. Just yesterday, Ryan called across the park to Lucie, "I peed on the grass! Hooray for me!" Luckily, there's no one at a playground who isn't going to smile at that one. We've all been there, or will be there soon.

Here's one funny story about all the people we've been including in this venture. Our contractor has been over a lot recently to finish up some remaining projects. On one of his first visits, Ryan and Lucie were both sitting on their potties in the middle of the living room. He handled it perfectly by not drawing attention to them, yet congratulating them after they stood up to declare, "I peed on the potty!". Since then, every time they have a success, they cry out, "I going to tell Mike I peed on the potty!" Each day they wait and wait for Mike to arrive and receive their big news. Mike has been a great sport, listening to their daily reports and declaring, "You're a big kid now!"

Clearly, we've been involving anyone who is willing and interested in participating in this thing. The more encouragement, the better. It takes a village to potty train twins.

According to Chris's rough calculations, we've changed about 10,000 diapers in Ryan and Lucie's 34 months of life. Wow. Though our diaper days are not entirely over yet, it feels good to watch them slowly fade away. And, I love to see these little guys run around in their underwear. It's just too cute.

Summer Afternoon Treats

My favorite signs of summer — push-ups, giggles and sticky faces. I'm happy to see that my ice cream loving gene got passed along.

Housewarming

Before Ryan and Lucie go to bed each night, we like to talk to them about what we're doing the next day. Lately, we've had great stories to tell, with reports of upcoming visits from Grandma, Grandpa, Gigi and Aunt Rach. Two weekends in a row we've had family in town, and Ryan and Lucie have been beside themselves with excitement. R & L especially love showing off their new room and declaring, "The walls are GEEN!"

First came Grandma and Grandpa over the holiday weekend. They outfitted Lucie and Ryan with an impressive set of gardening gear, and helped them resurrect a tomato plant and plant flowers in some long neglected pots. After setting us up with some beautiful plants, we're doing our best to keep them alive and blooming. Part of our routine every afternoon now is to water the plants. All three of us are usually drenched after plant watering inevitably turns into bath time. According to Lucie and Ryan, proper plant care involves at least four buckets of water per plant.

This past weekend we had visits from Gigi and Aunt Rach. I'd been telling Ryan and Lucie all week that Gigi was going to take them to tumbling class on Friday. They couldn't wait to share it with her. Lucie wished the week away, asking each morning, "Is Gigi going to class with us today?"

When my mom arrived and took them to class on Friday, Lucie and Ryan hopped right into the stroller and began waving, "Bye Mommy!" They couldn't send me off fast enough. I feel so thankful that we all travel to see each other often and Lucie and Ryan have developed such a strong relationship with their grandparents, aunt and uncles.

And, finally, Aunt Rach! When we picked her up, Lucie squealed with delight and almost jumped from her seat at the thought of getting to sit next to her. Aunt Rach is a good sport and doesn't mind the tight squeeze in exchange for close proximity to, as she calls them, "my buddies". She set them up with a ton of swag from the conference she was attending. Who better to appreciate kid-sized goggles and aprons than our little accessories lover Lucie?

Our time with family was wonderful, but too short. We're always anticipating the next visit.

To Ryan, Nearly Age Three

You're having a blast running, jumping and climbing through the summer before your third birthday, Ryan. Here's a glimpse of caring, loyal, independent, enthusiastic, thoughtful, lightning-fast, big, strong, and incredibly sweet and lovable YOU!

You are an eager and willing helper. Any project around the house, from unloading the dishwasher to replacing electrical outlets to pruning bushes, is greatly improved by your help. When you're outside working with your Dad and he asks you to bring something in to me, you'll run at top speed and deliver it in record time to my hands. In seconds flat, you'll be back outside to help some more. I'm not quite sure what I'd do without your upbeat and willing help throughout the day.

You take care of us. If anyone falls or gets hurt, you're the first to run over and say, "That's okay, Mommy!" or "Can I get you Ducky, Lucie?" I'm constantly reminded of why my dear friend, and mother of two boys, Jen says, "Boys take care of their mothers". Fortunately for you, you're as good at soothing others as you are at soothing yourself. Whenever you get hurt, you'll cry out, "I wahn Bunny!" After a few minutes with Bunny, you're back in action.

Some kids like blue, red or green, but you love the color orange. Your favorite outfit to pick out in the morning is your orange shirt and orange shorts. When your Dad questions if the two different hues of orange look good together, you cry out confidently, "I think it will match!"

A boy after my own heart, you love to eat. And, you're a very adventurous eater. I often call you my little vegan boy because of your love of nuts and vegetables. Tomatoes, cucumbers, soybeans, cashews, peas, and corn on the cob are some of your favorite foods. But if you really want to find the way to your heart, bring out the fresh fruit. When your grandparents brought fruit from their trees this past week, you were in heaven. All I heard all weekend was, "May I have anudda apricot?" At one point, you even turned down a 4th of July cookie (with sprinkles!) in favor of more plums.

You are an inquisitive guy. You love to know the how, why, when and where of everything. While reading a book on building skyscrapers together, you stop on every page to point and ask, "Whaz this thing?" or "How that work?" We spent a half an hour yesterday watching a garbage man load trash in his truck and you still wanted to stay longer. This morning you spent fifteen minutes watching the florist blow up balloons at the grocery store. If it involves levers, valves, wheels, tanks, trucks, shovels, diggers, hoists or gears, you love it.

When around other kids your age, you are inclusive and interested in others. You remember names easily, even if we've only met someone once or twice. You're friendly and outgoing to strangers, happily waving to people passing by our stroller (especially if they are walking a dog) and saying thank you to people who help us throughout the day. I'm touched by how many people notice your pleasant please and thank-you's. You're quite a polite guy.

We adore you, Mr. Ryan. As of age three, you are officially never allowed to grow up and leave your mother. I'll miss you way too much.

To Lucie, Nearly Age Three

As you enjoy the summer before your third birthday, Lucie, here's a glimpse of happy, creative, high spirited, opinionated, joyful, incredibly wonderful and lovable, and sniff, not-so-little anymore, YOU.

You love being part of a group. I've really started to notice this at our new gym class. Just mentioning the class makes you jump up with delight. As soon as the teacher starts circle time, you eagerly follow along, paying close attention to each new song or exercise. Watching you, it is clear that the group gains just as much energy and enthusiasm from you as you do from the group.

You adore all things about babies. You'll point out every baby at the park, declare which animals are the babies at the zoo, and even decide to be a baby yourself several times a day. Ducky is your favorite special pal to treat like a baby. You dress Ducky up in sleepers and even take him to use the potty in times of need. You're really in tune with that little duck.

You are our storyteller. When your Dad asks about your day, you'll narrate it with amazing accuracy, coming up with details that I had completely forgotten or failed to noticed. You're starting to make up stories to tell to Ducky, often following favorite books of yours, sometimes to the exact word, or beloved episodes of Clifford.

Though you love to help out with a project, sometimes you'll get distracted along the way. You were outside working in the yard last weekend when your Dad sent you in to ask me for something. Twenty minutes later, he came inside and said to me, "Never mind!" "Never mind, what?" I asked. I guess he had sent you in on an errand, waited for you, and then decided he didn't need whatever he had asked for. Good thing he didn't really need it, because you had completely forgotten and were busy putting Ducky down for a nap.

You're strong and determined. While climbing up a structure at a new park last week, you declared, "I'm a strong lady! I use my strong muscles!" and scaled the bars in no time flat. You climbed right up this tractor we saw in Michigan, even in your best party dress.

You're imaginative, creative and resourceful. Just this week you made a play-doh birthday cake for Uncle Jason, turned your toast into the letter "L" with small, determined bites, text messaged Uncle AJ on my new cell phone before I'd even figured out how to listen to voice mail, and turned your beloved green blankie into a scarf, toga, blanket for Ducky, diaper (fortunately never used) and picnic blanket.

To quote your Dad's famous song, "My Oh My I Love Gooseberry Pie!" We love you sweet girl.