New accomplishments

Tonight Celia said her name!!! We were helping her and Nicholas draw Thank You cards for Christmas presents and I was helping her write 'Celia' on her card. I asked her to say 'Celia' and she did! Its not super clear, but its an excellent attempt! Here she is on video saying it once.


And another cool thing was that when Nicholas was drawing on his Thank You cards he took his time and drew a lonnnngggg red line and then looked at me and said 'ssssss' (which means snake). Then he drew a smaller line next to it and said 'baby'. I was so pleased to see him purposely draw this way and that he understood that mommy is bigger than baby (we've been practicing this in the 'Time for Bed' book). In the video clip he doesn't point to the original mommy and baby snake but they are on the left side of the card.


And some funny pictures of them playing in the laundry basket. Jason will do these fun things with them, like carrying them in the basket. Then they come to me and say "mommy?", which means in toddler translation, "Mommy now its your turn to do what Daddy just did!". Unfortunately I tell them only Daddy can do those things. lol



Also...

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!!!!

5 joys to look forward to

1. Reading to Nicholas and Celia chapter books/longer length books at night in their beds. Just snuggling together and reading a chapter a night. I was reading books with them the other day and I can often say, "Go get "insert title" " and they know the books by title and will bring them over to read. The other day I was getting ready to read "Frog's Lunch" and Celia made the circular motion on her belly and said "mmmmm". It was so cool to see because at the end of the book Frog rubs his belly and says 'mmmmm good lunch". An early form of 'retelling' a story. I love seeing those amazing skills blossom.

2. Watching them learn to ride their bikes this summer when it is nice out. I think we will save their Christmas and birthday gift money towards tricycles this year. We'll just wait and buy them when the weather improves. However, if a good deal comes about we could have them practice in our basement until spring.

3. Having date times with them individually. This is something we could start even now where we can take turns taking them out with one parent and having special 1:1 time. N&C really like being together, but I do think time where a parent can devote all their attention to them is important. I'm excited to do this more and more as they get older. Of course, lets hope Jason and I get 'date time' together too, ha ha.

4. Watching their creative skills bloom. I see so much growth in their drawing lately. There are such interesting stages in the development of a child's art. Nicholas is very very visual. He is already purposely drawing a squiggle and naming it as a snake. This week he has been working on making a circle and putting dots in there for eyes and calling it someone like "Papa" or "mommy/Daddy". I would consider him beginning to enter the early pre-schematic stage. Celia is really showing some improvement too. She remains in the scribble stage, but has begun to try to label her scribbles as items. I am a very visual person and have always enjoyed art.
Here are some links to helpful websites on this area:
Developmental stages in children's art
Children's Art

5. Listening to their verbal skills grow. In the last 2 weeks Celia has made improvements by leaps and bounds. She is saying more 2-word sentences without prompting from me and attempting words without me asking her to. I LOVE the abstract thinking of little kids. Young children can take things so literal and see new meaning in words. Those moments and silly combinations and words they come up with are so funny. I look forward to those moments. :)

Examples from kindergartners that I remember:
"my heart is beeping so hard" (from a girl who had just run across the playground)

a little boy borrowed a book from the classroom library which was titled "Draw the Titanic". He took it literally (he could read) and drew each stage of the titanic right in the book. His mom said he felt so awful about it when she brought it to his attention that he wrote this note:

I Axddentlie drad inside the
book
I hope you dont get mad
but it side
Draw the Titanic
Im. Verre Sorry fea
drawing In it
Do not Tel eveibuudy
And Dont tel Mrs CKloth (the principal)

Form Luke 11106

* I will upload the actual letter tomorrow.

Christmas Day 2008

Christmas Day went by quickly. We started out by going to Grandma and Grandpa Maus' house to open gifts. Everyone was so generous and we had so many fun things to open. Grandpa Maus made his special Biscuits and gravy for breakfast. That was really good.
After a while I took Nicholas and Celia back home for a nap. I think they needed some time from the commotion because after nap they just wanted to play quietly at home for a bit. I cleaned up and opened our new coffee maker while they played. They played for an hour and then I brought them back.
We did something fun this year and had chinese food for Christmas dinner. We had homemade egg rolls, sweet and sour sauce, and then ordered some additional meals from a chinese restaurant to add to it. Everyone really enjoyed a bit of something different. My friend's family does this as well, so I guess its not that uncommon to try something non-traditional.
Once N&C went to bed for the night we played Balderdash. We needed an additional game piece, so unfortunately Grandma Maus had to be the Triple Paste. lol

Once the house was quiet I tried some pictures of the tree. I had read that you need to set your settings to a very narrow aperture (like f/22) and a super slow shutter speed (until the exposure is correct). I couldn't find my tripod, so I wasn't able to get the entire tree in the picture. Since the shutter speed is so slow, you can't even hold the camera because the slightest movement will throw the picture into blur. So, I had to lay the camera on a flat surface and press the shutter button and wait (not breathing) until the picture was taken. There are some gorgeous things you can do with Christmas light pictures. I like how it makes the lights twinkle into starbursts. Anyway, here is my fun. I'll have to look for my tripod again.

Christmas Eve Day

Our plans were changed today. We had planned to make the trip to Grandma and Grandpa Velicer's house, but the weather wasn't on our side. We were up and ready to leave in the morning and at least attempt the drive, but we ended up canceling because it was getting pretty slick out with blowing snow. So, we took some pictures to share with our family we didn't get to visit with today.

Celia had just taken a drink. :)

A christmas eve kiss. :)
Their favorite past time . . . de-ornamenting the tree

And a picture of myself at 18 weeks pregnant. :)
Our family was able to go to Christmas eve service at church this afternoon. Nicholas and Celia did great sitting nicely on their seats the entire time! We plan to have Nicholas and Celia open gifts tonight from us and spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Maus. Uncle Matthew, Aunt Lydia, Aunt Angy, Uncle Russ and baby Lauren are also visiting. Have a great Christmas everyone!

Christmas Cookie Decorating

Grandma Maus and I helped Nicholas and Celia decorate some sugar cookies for Christmas. It was so funny. They just heaped on the frosting and put on a lot of sprinkles. It was funny because they would take a bite and then put on more sprinkles. It was a mess on the floor too! We are still finding sprinkles on the floor days later - and I've swept quite a number of times since then!

Mom and Dad broke down...

and gave Nicholas and Celia another early christmas gift. Oh! We've (N&C and I) have been getting a case of cabin fever. Its either been snowing like a banshee or freezing like today. It was -20 to -30 (with wind chill) all over southeastern wisconsin with blustery winds. Its just brutal outside. Its too yucky to even feel like going through the trouble to go to a store to walk around.
Here is an idea of how cold it is. Jason came in from snowblowing and the bottom of his jeans were frozen:



So, Saturday morning we let Nicholas open his Thomas the Train wooden railway and Celia opened her Fisher Price piggy bank. They both like their toys. We also rearranged their playroom and brought up the train table. Its great! It is so nice to have the play room is a kid-friendly arrangement. We're looking forward to Christmas so they can open their other presents and have new things to play with. We'll just think of it as a gift-opening practice session. We usually keep the pacifiers for sleeping, but it was one of those days where they made mommy's life easier by having a pacifier. They like their pacifiers, but I've noticed lately that they will take it out and set it aside if it is in for a while - which they didn't do before. We've kept pacifiers for sleeping time for a long time, but some times you just need them!!!




They have also liked making forts lately too. They bring their pillows, blankets and books and lay in there looking at books - or being silly and goofing around. ha ha


Pregnancy update :)
I am feeling little kicks for sure this week. I thought I felt them earlier on - like at 15 weeks, but I think they were false movements. Now, it is frequent little tickles here/there. We had our ultrasound on Thursday last week and everything is great with both of us. I am loving this pregnancy after such a difficult time with Nicholas and Celia. By 18 weeks I was contracting hard and more frequent than I should've been and by 22 weeks on full bed rest. So far I don't know if I've even felt a contraction yet. I've been meaning to get a picture of my growing belly, but before I know it the day is over and we forget. I'll try to get one this week!

One month to go!

Our big kids Nicholas and Celia are only one month away from 2 years old! While it is bitter sweet that they grow up so fast, I find so many things to love about each age. It is amazing to watch them grow and learn. Nicholas seems to have hit the terrible two's lately. He goes in spurts where his little temper gets the best of him. His main way of coping with frustration is to throw a toy. It seems like its taking him forever to understand that when he throws toys the toy gets put up high and he goes on time-out. Oh well....he'll figure it out eventually.
Celia has been such a good girl lately. She has her sassy toddler moments, but overall she has been so good.

Here are things they can do as 23 month olds:

1. jump with both feet off the ground without holding on to anything. Nicholas jumped 3 times in a row without holding on to anything today (like he was on a trampoline, but not - and not holding on to anything)

2. Celia says 20-30 words, Nicholas maybe 30-40? Its hard to keep a real count though. They can both say 2-word sentences with some words that they have (like 'bye poo poo', 'uh oh mommy' 'hi papa', etc)

3. Both can count 1, 2, (and Nicholas to 3)

4. They can identify most colors by pointing to them - more accurate lately. Red, Green, Yellow, Blue and purple are colors we work on.

5. They are really good at sorting colors into similar piles. They help me sort cloth diapers by color, sort megablocks, and other toys.

6. They can both run and both can do somersaults pretty good (well, as good as a toddler can do).

7. Celia remains really caring with Nicholas and very 'mother hen' to him. She can tease him about things and take toys from him, but really she is very good at sharing and being kind to him.

8. They love to laugh and play together. They are able to play together for a good amount of time by themselves without me intervening. But they do like mommy and daddy to

6. They sleep from about 7pm-7:30/8am and nap from 12-1:30.

7. They are both pretty good eaters. Nicholas is a more adventurous eater and likes spicey things. Celia will try some spicy things and then ask for milk quickly. lol

8. Celia is getting closer to being ready to try some toilet training (maybe a few months or so) - Nicholas has a long way to go in that area.

9. They both know how to set the table for meals. They help me empty the dishwasher in the morning. They both like to be given a washrag with soap and walk around the house and 'clean'.

10. They love to make forts or tumbling obstacles in the livingroom.

11. Nicholas has a big love for Thomas the Train toys and the show. Celia and Nicholas both like the pbs show 'Caillou'. Nicholas likes TV/movies a lot, Celia would rather follow me or play with toys.


Here are some pictures of them today on their 23rd month 'birthday'.
They were watching Thomas the train on our bed this morning all cuddled up in their blankets:



They are both becoming nice builders with Mega Blocks! Look at these towers they built!

A Speech Question for Celia

Last week I called the Birth-3 program in our county to ask about whether or not Celia should be evaluated for her speech. She speaks the words she does know just fine, but her vocabulary seems small to me for her age. Granted its always taken her more time than Nicholas to add new words to her vocab. She took a bit longer to use sign language as well. I think I've read that by age 2 a vocabulary of 50 words is preferred. I did a count and I think she is somewhere between 20-30.

The Birth-3 coordinator called me back today and asked me to explain what I am seeing with her and what we are doing at home.

What I am seeing:
1. About a 20 word consistant vocab, maybe 30 words with words she sporadically uses.
2. Sometimes she will say a new word and then we won't hear it for a while
3. Sometimes resorting to 'Da' when I ask her to say a new word (which is also what she calls Nicholas)
4. Can say a few 2-word combinations/sentences (hi mommy, bye poo poo, bye daddy, hi baby)
5. Uses signs for words she doesn't say yet

What we do at home:
1. Read a lot
2. Saying "Look at mommy's lips" when I am teaching them to say a sound so they can see how it is formed instead of just hear it. Also, having them feel my throat if it is a noisy sound.
3. Speaking and having conversations together
4. Having her say (or atleast attempt) a word before we give something to her (like making her say 'up' when she wants to be picked up instead of giving in to her whining.
5. Talking about things she is looking at in different ways ("The cow is brown" "Cows say 'moo'")

The Birth-3 man feels we are doing everything we would be asked to do anyway. He said he did think her vocabulary is a little limited right now, but its encouraging that she can use those words to speak 2-word sentences. I explained that even in the last week I've really been putting a lot of effort into working 1:1 with her and I've seen improvement and he said that was great. He explained that at this age speech growth is exponential, so we might see 5 new words one month, then 10 new words next month, and 20 new words the month after that.
He said he could come out and do an eval on her, wait and see how she does, or do an entire full eval to see if she would qualify for services (which he highly doubted she would). He said from this info, he would feel comfortable waiting 3 months and then seeing what she has learned. I agreed, so we talked about what kinds of things would be great to see in 3 months (when she is 26 months old). These are the things that we would love to see:

more 2 word sentences
one or two, 3 word sentences
vocabulary close to 50 words
tries to say new words without prompting


I'm glad I called him because I like that I have the reassurance that we are doing everything she needs right now. In my heart I don't think anything is wrong, but I really figured I better get a 2nd opinion to be sure. And also, it gets frustrating sometimes when the growth seems slow.
So, we'll re-evaluate in 3 months and see how she is doing. :)

Wisconsin Winter with twin toddlers part 1

So, technically "winter" hasn't even started, right? How can that be??? 20 inches of snow outside and its still 'Fall'? So far, Nicholas and Celia have done decently well with being inside all the time. They both loved being outside all spring, summer and early Fall. However, with snow 20 inches deep they can't even walk in it and I can't exactly carry them through it.
So, this week I have tried to come up with some new activities. Some silly, some educational.

1. We took the 2 tunnel tubes and taught them to go inside of them and hold on the edges and walk (in the video a bit). I even got them to pretend we were playing 'Wack a Mole'. They would stand in the tunnels and I would bop their heads and they would hop down.

2. We started to practice shapes. I took a bunch of index cards and drew a circle with a marker on each one. They then colored the circles. Then we took tape and taped circles all over the house. They did an awesome job recalling where all the circles were. Its kind of like a Shape hide n seek. After a week or so of circle, we'll do a new shape.

3. I took 6 index cards and made 2 red circles, 2 green circles, and 2 yellow circles. I laid them out of the floor and asked "Find a red circle" (we are also working on color identification). Once they found a red circle then I'd ask "Find another red circle". Then once we had the 2 matching red circles we would count "one. Two". So we were learning: colors, matching and counting. Nicholas seems to do a little better than Celia right now, but tonight I was doing it only with her and she was catching on more.

4. Played "Follow the leader (mommy)" around the house. Man, that wears you out!

5. Trying to do more finger plays and songs. They can both do 'Sticky Sticky Bubble Gum" (I'll have to get that on video since its not a common one). So we were really working on 'Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "I've got music in me" (a Greg and Steve Song). They also really like "Peanut Butter and Jelly" song.

6. Purposely reading books before nap time. We do read a lot throughout the week, but I'm trying to make sure we get more books in each day. I need to go through my tubs of books in the basement and get some new ones. I think we're getting a little bored with the circulation right now. Maybe a trip to the library soon too.

7. Having them jump on their trampoline a lot while we sing to music. I'm happy we got them a trampoline. Their little hearts are pounding when they get off and they giggle and laugh when they jump. They can both hold on to the rail at the same time and jump. It was an early Christmas gift and I'm glad we did it. It goes up to 100 lbs.

8. I took a shoebox and cut a slit on the top. Then gave them cards to slip in the slit. Then we took some other objects like blocks, cars, etc and tested to see if any other things fit in the slit. They really gave it a good effort to fit those things through a little slit. So they were learning that some things are "too big" to fit in there. Its amazing how simple toddlers think!

9. More time doing play-dough. Water color painting has been a disaster lately. They paint their skin, not the paper!

10. N&C and I went through some magazines and cut out pictures and taped them on to plain wooden blocks. Nicholas picked 4 pictures of cars and Celia picked 3 pictures of babies and we taped them on with mailing tape. Just makes playing with wood blocks more fun. Another idea is taking full length pictures of family members, printing them out, and then taping them on the blocks so that they can play with family member blocks. :)

Here is a video of them playing around the other night.

Snow Snow Snow

We have a lOt of snow! Take a look. . .


Our house:
the mailbox:
The other side of the driveway with a radio flyer wagon for comparison:
The sidewalk by our front door:
the back yard:

I think the predictions are correct that this might be a strong winter!

Merry Christmas!

Ay yi yi.... this was sticky!!!!

Picture this:
Mommy setting two rocking ottomans out with the lighting all set. Place two 22 month olds on ottomans and ask them to stay still so the camera can focus. Ask them to keep their hats on - but smile at the same time and look cute. Now they are moving too much and rocking back and forth on the ottomans. So, break out the lollipops. Looks festive, right?
Adjust lighting - seemed to bright. Okay... back to pictures.
Uh oh. Lollipops leak colors really bad. No! Don't touch your shirt. No! Don't touch the ottoman! Smile. :) Why are you crying? Oh don't cry, Celia. Mommy is happy! I just want you to hold still and not touch anything. Nicholas please stop rocking. Mommy only sees blur in the camera. Alright. We're done.

And there you go. A twin toddler photo session. :)

Meeting the new OB

Today was the first day that I met and had my first appointment with the new OB- Dr. Jayne. My prior OB was Dr. Schell. Dr Schell is a Reproductive Endocrinologist and high-risk obstetrician. Dr. Jayne is a 'regular' Ob dr, so its a different experience. However, I know Dr. Jayne has dealt with high risk patients and knows her stuff. I've heard very good things about her. Some comments have been, "I was impressed when I met her" "She is very smart and knows her stuff" "She is super nice". Her Physician's assistant that I know assured me that Dr Jayne has dealt with women in my situations and prior situation with N&C's pregnancy.
Anyway.... Dr Schell was planning on starting the progesterone weekly shot at about 16 weeks (I'm 15 weeks) to prevent Preterm labor as an extra precautionary measure. I asked Dr. Jayne about this and she said that we should wait and see if I need it. All of my cervical measurements and checks have shown up normal. And most likely my complications were from having twins last time. The problem with progesterone shots is that your body can have so much progesterone in it that it can struggle to go into labor on its own when it is time. Since I had a c-section with Nicholas and Celia, and I want to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section), they do not like to induce VBAC patients. This is because an induced VBAC has a much higher rate of uterine rupture. So, if I was to not go into labor on my own due to progesterone shots, then I could end up having a csection anyway. So, the plan for now is to wait and see if I even need the progesterone shots to begin with. If I DID need them, there is still a chance I would go into labor on my own when I'm full term. But I am comfortable with waiting and seeing if I even need them.
I have my fetal anatomy ultrasound on Dec 18th already (time is flying by) and we'll be able to see if there are any cervical changes at that time. If not, then we'll progress without the progesterone shots. If change, then we'll start them up. Dr Jayne said that our goal is a healthy full-term baby, but with only the measures needed. I completely agree and I like that approach. I hope my intuition is right, but I am feeling that things will go normally this time. However, we'll see how things go between now and May. We'll just keep praying things continue to go smoothly like they have been.
Also ( I know this is a long way off), but I had heard that it is helpful for a VBAC patient to have little pain medicine so she can alert the Dr to uterine rupture symptoms. If a VBAC patient is completely numb (like a traditional epidural) then she can't explain those feelings. I asked her about that and she agreed. She recommends a walking epidural for pain medicine for VBAC patients. It takes the edge off, but does not take away feeling. I did mention that I would be going into labor trying to see how far I can go without any medicine (but my options are open for the walking epidural). She said she agreed with this and feels that is better for a VBAC patient and Dr communication. So, we'll see. We talked about a lot.

Anyway, I was reading a little fetal development information about being 15 weeks pregnant and this struck me as so funny:
Baby's head is now resting on his well-formed neck instead of directly on his shoulders like Igor. He's beginning to grow eyebrows and eyelashes this week. (All the better to give you that "Mom, you're crazy" look when he's a teenager.) Over the next month, baby will grow faster than ever, so make sure you load up on enough nutritious food and fluids to support his growth. Your baby now measures nearly 4 inches, about the size of a Kit Kat "finger" (regular-size, not the Big one you get at the movies), and weighs almost 2 ounces.

***If you made it through this entire post (and there weren't even pictures), then by all means, treat yourself to some chocolate or ice cream.

Help.. I'm in snow and I can't move.

We took Nicholas and Celia outside once Jason got home from work to play in our many many inches of snow. I think we have about 12 inches or so, but I'm not positive.
It was so funny because when we plopped them in the snow they were up to their thighs and couldn't move. I think their faces say it all.
Another funny story. Jason said he was at work yesterday and he was grabbing things off of the printer. He handed the other lady's papers to her from the printer and said "Ta Da!".
Then said "Please forgive me. I have toddlers".

Thanksgiving 2008

We had such a nice thanksgiving this year. You just can't beat living across the street from your parents/kids grandparents!
Thursday after the kids woke from nap we went over to my mom & dad's house and visited while the finishing touches were put on the food. My sister, Angy, and her family (fiance Russ, daughter Lauren) were there. As was my brother, Matthew (his fiance was in Philly with her family). So a total of 7 adults and 3 kids. We had a tasty dinner and then after the kids were asleep everyone came to our house to play games. Grandpa Maus isn't a game player, so he stayed at his house to keep an eye on Lauren while she slept (Angy and Russ were sleeping over).
It was really nice to be able to spend time together.
My sister and her family and also my brother stayed the next night as well (friday night). Matthew and Angy share the same birthdate. Angy was turning 26 and Matthew 23 on Nov. 28th. Since my birthday is Nov. 10th, everyone went out for dinner and icecream friday evening. And since they were all sleeping over again, we were able to play games friday night too.
Here is my only picture from Thanksgiving.... Uncle Matthew showing off his block building skills. We knew he was intelligent and this proves it. :)

And an extra picture of Nicholas cuddling with Gideon. :) What an easy-going cat!

Little Kicks.

I just have to add that I started feeling the baby move today. I thought I felt him/her about 3 times earlier today and one time in the afternoon. Sometimes little gas bubbles will feel similar to a baby's first movements, but the times I have felt today are definitely different from that. So, I figured I would wait this week and see if I felt it more, but just now as I was preparing a bedtime snack, I felt it a few more times and I am positive its the baby. :)
I felt Nicholas and Celia move at about 16 weeks or so, but they say since you know what it feels like you notice it a little earlier. Tomorrow marks 15 weeks, so its not too early. Its always fun to feel those first movements. I think this baby is nice and healthy too. Even though this baby was a surprise, I'm really excited for him/her.
The last week I've been craving leaf lettuce salads. So this weekend I made a few salads with leaf lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, green peppers and a home-made dressing (balsamic vinegarette, olive oil and a pinch of sugar and garlic), with shredded cheddar cheese and salt/pepper and some parmesan cheese sprinkles as well. DELICIOUS!!! I had a humongous salad for breakfast this morning. I've been eating a lot of fruit and vegetables as well. At least this baby is a good influence on my eating habits (well...aside from the Poptart I'm about to eat before bed)

Snow fun

Last week we had our first snow accumulation (and this sunday night there is a LOT more outside still falling). So last week we did go out to play some outdoors. They both enjoy being outside, but they still are learning how to play in snow. I showed them how to make snow angels, make snow balls (and throw them), and even putting snow on trees (yeah, I was reaching). I pulled them up and down the sidewalks on our block since most people hadn't shoveled yet. It sure was a work-out. I'm sure its something I should do while I'm pregnant though - pull a little less than 50 lbs through snow. That may need to wait for Daddy from now on.

Tagged

In this tag, you post the 4th picture in the 4th folder of your picture files. I was tagged by my friend, Jenny.
Here it is - not baby related though!
This was maybe about 2003 or so. Jason and I had gone to Port Washington (on Lake Michigan) on a weekend afternoon. This is a view of the harbor.
And this picture was taken by Jason with his arm outstretched on the viewer's right. :) We like this picture a lot. We have it framed and on our hallway wall.

Perfect

Top picture: profile of body, head on right with hand near mouth/nose
Bottom picture: profile from other side

That sums up my perinatologist appointment today. The baby (and myself) are great.
This little one was kicking, moving hands/arms, putting hands near his/her mouth, sticking his/her tongue out and everything. This baby is always so active during ultrasounds. I am 13 weeks and 4 days, and the baby is measuring 13 weeks and 5 days. So thats really good to be right on, if not a day or two more. They did the down's syndrome test where they measure the fluid in the back of the neck and that came back really good (anything less than 3 and this time it was 1.7 - you DO want fluid there, just preferably under 3). I had the blood draw too and the genetic counselor will call with those results. But, with my age and the u/s results I'd say this is a healthy baby.
The other really nice thing is Jason was able to pop in for the ultrasound on his lunch break! He got to see his little one for the first time today. :) We were commenting on how the arms and legs looked long (that was always a comment on Nicholas' u/s) and Jason said "yup. I grow 'em tall". ha ha
Baby's heartrate was 161 bpm and he/she is 3 inches from head to butt (not including legs).
There is nothing abnormal near the umbilical cord area. The radiologist (who did many of our twins' u/s) said its not uncommon to see that at 10 weeks and you can't diagnose anything wrong in that area until by 14 weeks cause there is so much change going on in that area. So, it looks great - nothing wrong.
I'll spare the details, but I am doing well too. They do check cervical lengths via u/s and I'm doing very very well. No concerns there either.
So, a great appointment. But, boy, he/she looks a little lonely in there after seeing 2 in an u/s with the twins. ha ha

Daddy Dances

This short clip is from Daddy dancing with Nicholas and Celia over the weekend in the kitchen. They just love it. Jason's arms were pretty tired after this!


Nicholas and Celia have been playing together and with each other a lot more lately. I've noticed a big difference in their play. They choose games that they can do together. Monday night they grabbed a blanket and each held one end and they pulled each other around the house (like one was walking a dog or something).
They both like to wrestle now. It used to be Nicholas trying to wrestle and unhappy Celia, but now she starts it too.
They have their arguments about toys, but they are doing so well with sharing. Toddlers can't express themselves very well in words so oftentimes this is the script in our house:

Celia has just walked down the hall with the ball popper toy.

Nicholas points to it and whines. He thinks "I didn't know I wanted that toy, but I DOOOOOO"

So Nicholas chases her and she screams (or giggles if she is feeling mischevious). . .

Mommy says, "Nicholas tell Celia, "please can I use the ball popper"

Celia hands it to Nicholas and looks at me (we give them kisses for sharing)

Nicholas hands it back to Celia and looks at me

Celia hands it back to Nicholas and looks at me

and on and on until one gets bored and the other walks away with the popper.

_______________

Now there are other times when we say "Nicholas it is Celia's turn. When she is done, then it is your turn". That helps a bit, but he needs us to help him find something to get his mind off of it. I don't like to always ask Celia for the toy he wants because she will give it to him 90% time.

Its neat to see the twin dynamic. It looks like most of the time they really enjoy having each other around.

First snow of 2008

This afternoon (Monday 11.17.08) the snow started falling. Within a short period of time we had a white drive-way and some white grass. Jason got home and we quick bundled the kids up to go outside and play. It was perfect timing because we just got Celia's boots in the mail ($3.99 new LL Bean boots from Ebay) and I had just picked up hats and mittens from the consignment shoppe. At first they just stood in the snow, but soon started walking about. All their outdoor climbers, swings, etc were stored away this weekend. We have the sleds ready. Should be a fun winter. Nicholas hated to come back in, but we had warm chili for dinner. I think we ended up with a little less than an inch of snow. It will probably melt soon until it consistently stays below freezing and we can accumulate. Last winter was pretty rough and they're forecasting this winter to be pretty bad.




While our Chili was cooking for dinner we turned on the radio in the kitchen to the Christmas music. N&C have fun dancing with Jason and I to the music. Jason said it would be cute if they could dance together at my brother Matthew's wedding and so we wanted to see if they would. Well, they must've been practicing without us knowing because they knew how! So Nicholas and Celia danced while Jason and I danced. It was so cute we had to grab the camera!