Lots of new words

Nicholas has had a big jump in the number of words he is saying or attempting to say in the last few weeks. Some common new words are:
ta-da (as in a surprise), bump, pop, papa, beep, owie and bus

He plays games where he 'hides' a toy and signs 'all gone' and then gets it and says 'TA -DA'. He is starting to talk where when he is driving his car over a bump in the carpet he will say 'bump' as he is driving it. Or if he is coming up from under a table he will look to be sure his head won't bump and he will say 'bump'.
Yesterday at swim class Grandma came in place of Daddy (Daddy's back was sore). I was telling Nicholas that Grandma was coming to the pool. I said "Do you want to swim with Grandma or Mommy?" and he said "Mommy" and held on to me. It was so cute. Of course we switch kids 1/2 way through , but it was sweet. :) He will point to pictures and say "mommy" "daddy" and then point to Celia and himself.
He is also signing some new words after the new baby signing time dvds. He can sign 'turtle', 'hot', 'cold', 'wind', 'rain', and some others. The other day he came in the kitchen and signed 'help' 'open'. So I said "show me" and he took me to the front door. He wanted it unlocked so he could open it. I thought that was so cool that he signed 'help' 'open' without getting frustrated and crying.

Typically Celia's verbal skills follow a few weeks or a month or so after Nicholas. He did sign first and she picked up more over the summer that he did in spring, so it seems his verbal comes a bit sooner than hers. This last week she is trying really hard though. She has said 'owie' 'bug' 'please' (sounds like 'puh') and she did say 'more' a couple days ago. She is in the stage where she tries the first sound most of the time. I think she will get it shortly. We have been really praising her attempts and she likes that a lot.

This video was from sunday. They were both playing so nicely and concentrating so hard at their toys that I grabbed the camera. Nicholas was driving a car and Celia was putting the screws in the wooden tool box so carefully.

p.s. we have been working on colors a lot and I would've guessed she could tell me which was 'yellow'. Guess they don't perform on camera either. ha ha

Saturday at the Zoo

Jason and I took the kids to the zoo on Saturday. It was forecasted as the last nice summer day for a while, so we thought we better do something outside. It was sunny and about 75 degrees. Sometimes hotter in the sun. It was so nice.
We left the house at 10:30 am. We had packed lunches for the kids and picked up Subway on our way there for us. Nicholas and Celia napped on the way there (45 min drive). Once we arrived we looked at the birds a bit, then the fish, and then we went to eat at a food area.
They ate very well. When they were through eating I showed them the chocolate chip cookie I had bought them at Subway and they got so excited. I almost think Nicholas would prefer a giant cookie instead of a birthday cake in January. He is a cookie monster.
We saw the giraffes, elephants, hippos and other animals. We walked through the dairy area and saw cows. Then Jason got a mint choc chip ice cream cone and myself a blue moon cone. We sat at a picnic table under a tree and the kids took bites of our cones. They loved the 'blue icecream and green icecream".
Then we took their first ride on the zoo train. They were pretty excited. Here are a couple videos of them on the Zoo train.
Waiting on the train:

Some creative stuff

This weekend Jason was going to pick up a little bit more sand for the sand/water table (a good majority has made its way back onto the ground). The store was out of regular sand, but they had colored sand for kids from $3.99 down to about $1.50 a bag. So Jason bought a purple and blue bag. The purple sand has ended up in the sand table first. :) Its so cool. It doesn't stain either.




And today I went with Nicholas and Celia to the Consignment Shoppe. I have a credit there from bringing leftover clothes from our rummage sale. So I picked up some paint and finger paint paper and bought it with some credit.
So we came home and they had finger painting time. They seemed to like it. Nicholas tasted the red and blue paint before he painted with it. He likes to taste things (p.s. when we had tacos last night he ate a little portion of raw onions and kept asking for more).
Celia kept quite clean really for finger paint, but Nicholas was a mess. . . .

Celia really did have fun. lol Don't let the picture fool you!

Also tonight we stripped them naked before bath time. I was finishing cleaning up the kitchen from dinner and Nicholas and Celia were giggling and chasing each other around the house (its so cute when they do that). Nicholas came up to me and kind of grabbed the business end and was saying jibberish. I said "Do you need the potty? The potty is by Daddy". He walked away and about 15 seconds later I started walking to the bathroom to get the bath going. I walk in and Nicholas is standing by the toilet saying "uh oh! uh oh!" I could tell he was trying to poop so I put him on the toilet and he pooped right in the potty! He was so happy with himself too. We had to show Daddy and call Grandma and tell her the good news. All evening when I would say "Wow Nicholas. You went poo poo in the potty" he would smile and nod so proudly.
During naked time this last week he peed one time in their bedroom on the floor and he came out and said "uh oh" and showed me where the pee pee was. So, who knows? Maybe he will have some potty training signs sometime sooner than I think? I think it was amazing that he came to me to say he had to poop (but I didn't understand him - or believe him) and he went to the toilet and knew he was going to go. Pretty cool I think. I spared you a picture. I thought about it though. ha ha

Our Little Fishy's

We had swim class tonight again. I think this has been our third class? Anyway, Nicholas and Celia are loving this! We got there about 5 min early and we decided to just get in a little early. The minute we get in they both start giggling and kicking and splashing. As we made our way to our side of the pool we could see the other parent's with their children floating calmly in the water. But here Nicholas and Celia are splashing and practically producing their own wake as we make our way over. One parent kind of giggled at them too.
So they love swim class. They have been practicing sitting on the side of the pool and jumping in to us. They are getting better at that. We also tried having them stand and step in to the pool, but they more leap in. Hey, at least they are coming in!
But the really cool thing, was we did the song 'Ring around the Rosey" and at the end we could dunk them under water. So, Jason and I agreed we would both try it. So at the end ( "We all fall down!") we blew in their faces and put them under and back up right away. Nicholas got a bit of water in his mouth the first time, but not Celia. Jason thinks it was his timing the first time though (maybe blew in his face too early). But once they did it, we did it one more time. Then Celia started signing "more more more" and she wanted to go under more! So Jason and I would show them how we could go under and then have them go under. I think they each went under maybe 5 times or more. Finally, Celia signed 'all done'. We were so happy that they were willing, and enjoyed, going under!
Maybe all the goldfish crackers they are eating are helping?

First 'stranger' session!

I had my first session with a family who heard of me on a local website - Milwaukee Moms. My sister Angy had mentioned me on the website, so thanks Angy!
Please take a peek! Let me know what you think :) The girls were a little over 1 and 2 1/2. Tough age to capture sometimes!

A little teeny tiny bit of . . .

Pee!

Well, I shouldn't be so excited because it was forced pee. lol Every evening after dinner Nicholas and Celia get to take off their diapers and before we put on their nighttime diaper and PJ's they can run around - naked. Its their favorite part of the day. If they are still doing this when they are 10, then we have a problem.
So we have been playing in the livingroom during their naked time and we keep our 2 pottys out there. They like to sit on the potty's and make a 'sssssss' sound like pee going in the potty. But, of course the minute they walk away they pee. Thankfully its usually on the hard floor and we can clean it up nicely. If its on the carpet, then our little carpet steamer comes out.
So this evening I thought maybe Celia would go on her potty. She sat on her potty on/off for an hour. But, the second she walked away she peed in the hallway. Mid-stream I ran her to a potty and caught the end of it. lol She was pretty shocked to see something in the potty.
So, I yelled to Jason, 'I am going to take a picture of this first pee in the potty and blog it". Now thats devotion to your blog. Unfortunately, I feel like I am cheating since I kind of put the pee in there by running her to the potty. Well, lucky you, you'll just get more pee pictures when it actually happens. lol

Riding Bikes

Nicholas and Celia just recently 'got' how to ride the little toddler bikes. They've been trying for a while, but they would only go backwards. This last week or so, they can go forwards too. Its so cute to see them on their little bikes. But, their legs bump the front wheels. They should make bikes where that wouldn't happen. Next summer, maybe they will ride little tricycles. :)

Baby Signing Time Preview- Volume 4

Volume 3 preview + newly added clip found here


Volume 4 : Let's Be Friends


These new baby signing times dvd's are great! I can see in volume 3 and 4 that they gradually get the kids ready to see more signing. So, when Rachel is signing in a song, she may incorporate other signs they have learned in past sequences/dvds and even some new ones. In the signing time series' there is more signing along with speaking, so I can see they are getting children ready for that in these 3rd and 4th volumes.

These are the songs/chapters and the signs that are taught:

Let's be friends: friend, share, play, nice
Can you feel it: feel, sad, cry, happy, laugh
Opposites: hot, cold, yes, no, dirty, clean, you, me
That tastes good: apple, pear, carrot, peach, juice (as in apple juice, pear juice, etc)
In the Sky: bubble, balloon
Toy box: telephone, game, music
Show me a sign - ending song (very cute)

Nicholas and Celia enjoy both volume 3 and 4 a lot! This has been such a cool experience to preview these dvds!!!! I highly highly recommend the Baby signing time and signing time series to all parents and children. You won't be disappointed.

A little session :)

I'm having so much fun with this studio lighting! It's great! Here are a couple from a little mommy-kid session. And an unwilling subject at the bottom. lol

Studio lighting is here! My furry subject. . .

My studio lights are here! I ordered a large softbox (diffuses the light from my flash unit), flash unit and stand. I also have the reflector which came last week. I am waiting for my backdrop stand and some other computer equipment to come later this week. I LOVE this lighting. It is soooo fun. I read a lot about it before it came and I prepared myself to need to work on this for a few months (I was told within 2 months I could 'get' studio lighting), but I think this is a niche so far. It came easy (but perhaps to reading a lot before it came). Nicholas and Celia were asleep so I had to wait until a cat would come and be my subject (they were afraid of these large shiny flashy things in the livingroom. So, Toby became my subject. Jason was watching a movie on TV but he kindly was my subject for a while too - but he said, and I quote, "I better not see these pictures on a blog". lol
So here is my studio lighting with Toby. No other lights were on in the livingroom except the TV. There is a sync cord which goes from my camera to the softbox (which holds the flash bulb - I'll take a set-up pic later on so you can see how huge this is). When I push my shutter button on the camera the flash fires and that is my light for the picture.
I am SO excited! I love this! I have 2 sessions this weekend, but 1 is strictly outdoors in a botanical garden. The other I can use my studio lights with. Yipee!!! What do you think about the picture?

Our little Pitcher

Celia has a very good throwing arm. She winds up behind her and throws! We videotaped her throwing green froggy into Nicholas' crib after nap this weekend. She had been so accurate the first few times and then her arm got tired and she tried over and over. At least she doesn't give up easily. :)

Sunday is close to the end of the weekend

Celia can have pony tails! I distracted her with some shiny things (doesn't that work for raccoons too?) - well, crumpled aluminum foil balls and Q-tips in a Ziploc bag so I could work on her hair. I think she looks so cute this way!


This morning we watched the new Baby Signing Time 'A New Day' again. Man, those songs are really catchy. I've been singing the songs around the house all weekend. Anyway, this picture was so cute because Celia laid on my lap and let me rub her back (she likes a good backrub, but doesn't normally lay on your lap for it).

Guess what. . . after nap today Nicholas asked to wear the tutu. lol He looks so silly in it. Luckily Jason is secure in his manhood and understands Nicholas is just copying his sister. Celia actually played cars for a long time today. It was switch-day I guess.

Tonight before bed they both learned how to hang on to my neck as I took them on a piggy-back ride. So we had fun running around the house. :)



It has rained almost all weekend. But both saturday and sunday we were able to get Nicholas and Celia out of the house to take a nice walk. We walked maybe 1/2 mile (about 30-45 min walk depending on how many 'treasures' they find) around the neighbor hood with them walking with us. Then they would hold our hands when we crossed streets. They stay on the sidewalk, but if they walk on grass we say "stay on the sidewalk" and they come right back. We played ''Follow the Leader' too. We would say 'stomp your feet' ' run' 'make circles'. I have been teaching them 'stop and go' game too. We learned the signs for stop and go, so I figure if we make a game out of stopping when I say, then they will start to truely understand what 'stop' means. So when we were playing 'follow the leader' I would say 'STOP' and then we would all freeze. Celia seems to get it, but Nicholas isn't quite there yet. He would run right through all 3 of us stopped on the sidewalk like he didn't know he was the only one still moving. ha ha
Those walks around the neighborhood do them a lot of good!

A kitty for a kitty

Last week as Nicholas and Celia were sitting down to eat breakfast and Celia saw Gideon sleeping on the chair. She always has to sleep with her pink kitty (and Nicholas with his green froggy) so when she saw Gideon sleeping there she signed that she wanted to give Gideon her Pink Kitty so he could sleep. She is such a caring little girl with Nicholas (though they have their moments and her own crabby days).

Shoes are here!

Nicholas and Celia's Preschoolian's shoes arrived today. Preschoolians has a 40% twins discount and also a guarantee that if your shoes are not delivered within 14 days of ordering them that they refund your money. So.... it was over 14 days so we got free shoes again (this happened in winter too). So we have only paid $53.00 for 3 pairs (6 shoes) since January.
Anyway, I am REALLY happy with this style. They are similar to how Robeez would go on, but they have flexible plastic soles for protection. Celia has narrow feet so I put the narrow insert (comes with 3 insert sizes - narrow, medium and wide) and it seems to be just fine with her. So far I think these are my favorites from the company. :)

This has been a super bonus week:

1. Free shoes from Preschoolians

2. Free Vol. 3 and Vol. 4 from Baby signing time (note that came with it says they 'may' ask for the dvd back - but for now its ours and we love it)

3. Bumgenius diapers were replaced/exchanged for free even though they are over a year old. Cottonbabies (maker of our diapers) had problems with the elastic wearing in the diapers so they replaced all 30 of our diapers this summer. So now we have 30 new cloth diapers!!! We got the last of our replacements this week :).

Hop up my babies

Thursday Nicholas asked (well, I could tell he was asking for music) for music. So I put on a toddler cd for them. They had the couch cushions off earlier to climb on. So we danced to a couple songs and I went to make Stirfry and Rice for dinner. I walk back into the livingroom and this is what I see:



Also, we've started on our basement! We are making a large family area, a small room/office and a full bathroom. It will go in stages as we can afford it, but here we are getting the framing done.

Baby Signing Time Vol. 3

I was contacted by SigningTime.com just a few days ago. The woman asked me via email if I would be interested in previewing and reviewing Baby Signing Time vol. 3 and 4 (not released to public yet) on my blog. I guess they saw that I have spoken about it many times. So of course I jumped at the chance!
So today we got a disc in the mail with Baby signing Time vol 3 and vol 4. Nicholas, Celia and I watched Vol 3. A New Day today.
It is very nice!
Here are the songs and the signs it teaches:

A New Day - day, new
Outside, Outside- outside, wind, rain, snow, play
Sunny Day - sun, cloud, sky
Strollin - tree, grass, flower, leaf
Stop and Go - stop, go, wait, again
I'm a Bug - bug, up, down,
Starry Night - star, moon
Night time is the right time - night
Tiny Hands (Baby signing Time always ends with a song and true to form, this song brought a frog to my throat and a little tear to my eyes!)

Normally with new videos Nicholas and Celia are interested for about 5 minutes and then move on. TOP favorites are the Baby signing Time dvds and one signing Baby Einstein Dvd. BUT, they sat on the couch and watched the entire Vol. 3 and I'm not sure they blinked once. They were really into it. I think it is a winner! These are signs they are ready for. They can sign about 30 signs, but they will pick these up I am sure.
I like how these dvd's are so educational, happy/upbeat, and show kindness and love between people. There are new families in these dvds. But the cartoon characters Leah, Alex and Hopkins are back!

Celia's first Tutu

Last night I sat on the livingroom floor and made Celia a tutu. I plan to use some for photography clothing/props, but first I wanted to make one for her since they can be quite specific for waist and length. At first it seemed like I would never finish it. I took a break and then came back to it and then it seemed much easier.
So this evening we went outside and took some pictures in the backyard just for fun. Poor little girl started to get cold fingers even though it was decently warm outside. We had to walk to Grandma and Grandpa's house to show them her tutu afterwards. She likes to wear it. Which goes with her love of jewelry too. I was never a girly-girl as a child, but she seems to be.
The funny thing is that Nicholas has ZERO interest in the tutu and jewelry. Celia has very little interest in Nicholas' cars. Just seems like strong gender preferences to me for this young?


I also received my reflector this week. So I had it set up in the livingroom to take some test pictures. I still need to learn how to angle it to produce the lighting that is best for the subject. This photography is tough to learn and can be daunting. Here are 2 of Nicholas:

Rainy Monday Science Experiments

Yesterday was a rainy day in the 50's. In the morning we went to Hobby Lobby to pick up tulle so I can make some tutu's. That was our exciting morning. lol

However, after they woke up from afternoon nap we had more fun. I took the couch cushions off the couch and loveseat and made a long path with cushions. They had a lot of fun climbing and tumbling on them. Then I had them bring a basket of books on the cushions. We have some A-Z alphabet books from my teaching materials that I just love. Anyway, we read 'Letter E' and one of the pictures was a carton of eggs. So, I had Nicholas and Celia come in the kitchen and sit on the floor. We looked at the picture and then they each held an egg. I talked about how the egg was cold. Then I took their hand and had them each crack an egg in a bowl. And then let them touch the egg shells and poke at the egg yolk/white. I showed them how the egg yolk in yellow (we are working on colors). Then I wiped them down with Lysol wipes. An easy, but fun science experiment.
Then back to books. We read 'Letter U' and it had a picture of umbrellas. So I found the 3 umbrellas we had in the house and opened them and had them practice holding them. Then I figured since it wasn't thundering and just sprinkling outside that they could go play in the rain and look at puddles as a 2nd science experiment. So on with the coats and shoes and we headed out. Nicholas had a bonus and saw 2 school buses (he loves buses). They splashed in some puddles, walked down the sidewalk and watched rain coming out of a drain pipe on the house.
It was a fun afternoon. Unfortunately Nicholas loves being outside so much that it usually causes a crying episode when we go in. He would live outside if he could.

Celia outside in her blue coat (both are in blue)

Nicholas looking up the pipe to see rain water

Celia and Nicholas' first swim class

We had our first swim class tonight at the YMCA. It was from 5:30-6. Sounds short, but it was plenty of time. Not too little, and not too much. Just right. This is a Inia/Pike class for 18 months to 3 years old. So, if we take more swimming classes, it will be this one until they turn 3.
They have a family changing room, so that was nice. All 4 of us could go in a big room and change together and then put our things in a locker.
They told us we could get in the pool before class started, but warned us it could cause the kids to tire faster. So we thought we would just glide around in the water until class started in 5 minutes. Well.... N&C were screaming happily, kicking and splashing the second we got in. This was their first indoor pool ever. They have been in hot tubs and lakes, but not indoor pools. Poor deprived children!
So yes, by 5:50 they were exhausted and getting crabby. So next time we will wait until class to get in.
It was a lot of fun though
These are activities we did:

Parent's blow bubbles in the water and tots can copy if they want

try to lay on their back in the water

go on tummy and encourage them to kick

pushed a big beach ball while all in a circle

kick the beach ball while on their back

teacher threw a bunch of plastic ducks in the water and the kids had to swim on their tummies and kicking to get a duck and then put it in the bucket. then go get more ducks, etc

Practice holding on to a kick board (this didn't go over well for most kids, but its just to familiarize them)

sang songs with water motions

5 min of free time at the end

We go every monday for 6 more weeks (or maybe 5 more weeks?).

After swimming, we went through the drive thru at McDonalds on the way home. They always only eat french fries when we go get restaurant food. But they were starving, so it was something quick. Nicholas actually ate some chicken nuggets, but Celia wouldn't. She ended up feeding some fries to our cat, Gideon.
Next week, I'll just have a PB&J cut and ready for them.

Grandpa's truck

Yesterday early evening (waiting for Jason to get home from work), Nicholas, Celia and I went to Grandma and Grandpa's house ( a very long walk - all the way to the corner).
Grandpa was working on a bee hive blower (he's a hobby bee keeper) and as he was putting it in his truck bed, Nicholas and Celia wanted to get in. So they hopped in. Nicholas especially thought this was one the best moments ever to be in Grandpa's truck. Nicholas and I were playing a 'hi, bye' game which was cute. He says 'bye' so sweetly.


Then Celia wanted to go in the cab of the truck (truck was off and emergency brake on) and she figured out how to pull the truck door handle and pop up the lock. Then lock it and start all over. Pretty clever. :)


The other thing our little scientists observed was a hoppy Cricket. It was in the grass and Grandma spotted it. So she held it for Nicholas and Celia. It kept hopping and the kids thought it was fun. It even crawled on Nicholas' arm up to his shoulder. Neither of them were scared of it. Now, there is a delicate balance between acceptable creepy-crawlies and unacceptable. Crickets and moths/butterflies are acceptable. Sometimes a ladybug. But I think I draw the line somewhere near there. I don't want to show my own dislike for bugs, but I don't think I'd let a millipede crawl up their arms. Actually, I KNOW I wouldn't.

Celia's Bling

Great Grandma gave Celia the necklace she is wearing and it has been very popular. And then at the Dr appointment on Tuesday she was given (and Nicholas) 4 sparkly truck stickers. She has enjoyed wearing her stickers on her hands. The stickers with the necklace sure makes for some interesting additions to her outfits. She might be our little accessory lover. :)
I am having visions of the fancy outfits she will be putting together when she is 3 or 4. We'll have some neat pictures then too!

Sliding down the stairs

This video was taken by my Aunt Sandy who visited 2 weeks ago. She emailed it to me so I had to put it on the blog. :) I was sliding down the stairs at my Moms house with Nicholas and Celia.
Click here if you can't see the video - photobucket has been odd lately.

19 month check-up

We were a bit late for our 18 month check-up, but we had one a little late. :) These are the weights/heights:

Celia hit 20 lbs 2 ounces (hip hip horray! even though its still <5%) and she is 33 1/2 inches (75-90% height)

Nicholas is 23 lbs 6 ounces (10-25% weight) and 34 3/4 inches (90-95% height)

We were holding our breath to see if Celia hit 20 lbs. I think she lost a little weight this last week with teething and our trip, but I doubt it made much of a difference. Celia was pretty good at the appointment, but Nicholas was very sensitive. He cried for everything.
They had their chicken pox vaccine too. Celia watched the shot go in the back of her arm and didn't cry at all. She cried for about 10 seconds once it was over, but she didn't even flinch. That girl has my pain tolerance - if not better.
Nicholas wasn't too thrilled with the shot.
Afterwards the nurse gave them stickers and Celia had a sparkle sticker on each of her hands along with the necklace Great-Grandma gave her. She looks like a little sparkly diva now. :)
Thanks to Grandma Maus for helping at the Drs appointment!!!! We are so thankful for you!

p.s. there is another post below

Our Trip to Berea, Kentucky

Nicholas and Celia looking at the two puppies in the neighbors yard

Celia loving the puppies

Princess Celia

A bumblebee on a flower in Great-Grandma and Grandpa's backyard

My Grandma Helen (Nicholas and Celia's Great-Grandma) out on their patio

Celia kissing Daddy

Two sweethearts holding hands

Celia looking at the different plants

Celia looking out the patio door on Sunday Morning

We had a lovely time in Berea visiting my Grandma and Grandpa Russ. They have a beautiful home. They used to live in Virginia Beach, VA and in the last 2 years moved to Berea, KY.
But first, lets discuss our drive TO our vacation. Thinking that Nicholas and Celia would prefer to be forward-facing in their car seats, we turned them around. They seemed to like it at first. Celia was giggling because she could see forward. As we were nearing the Illinois border she threw up and about 30 seconds later Nicholas threw up. Oh great. Thankfully I had caught it in a blanket and there wasn't much to clean-up (sorry Grandma Maus- she hates these details). So we were thinking they were just a little carsick and they seemed better.
So we are driving along and soon we realize MapQuest directions have taken us THROUGH downtown Chicago. As we are going through Chicago at rush hour Nicholas gets sick again and about 30 seconds later so does Celia. So we pull off the freeway in an emergency stopping area to clean them up. The carseats are wet and we have to change their clothes. So now we are thinking if the trip is going to be like this and we still have about 8 or 9 hours to go, do we keep going? I called my mom for advice and we all thought we needed to switch their car seats back to rear-facing. Poor Jason is trying to find his next exit out of Chicago and as I am helping Nicholas and Celia we miss our road to Indiana. So now we are pretty flustered. I called my Grandma in Kentucky thinking we might not make it!
So, we decided to pull over and switch car seats. We cleaned up as best as we could, turned the carseats around and tried again. Thankfully the trip went smoothly from that point on. However rural Kentucky is pretty much winding narrow hilly roads. I am extremely prone to motion sickness and it looks as though Nicholas and Celia have inherited that from me. We were on a winding road about 5 minutes from our exit at Berea to getting to Grandma's house and Celia threw up within about 2 minutes from their house. This one was the worst. Jason and I almost lost it too. What an arrival that would've been with 4 puking people in a van?
Once we pulled in their driveway we pulled Celia out, stripped her naked in the grass, wiped her down with a washcloth and took the kids inside. Thankfully Grandma had the washer ready and Russ and Jason went and pulled the carseats apart and washed those too.
Okay, so now we can relax! We had a great time there. The house is very open so Nicholas and Celia were so happy to run around. Their house has such beautiful wood and tile floors so they liked that. They played outside in the backyard a lot too. It was pretty hot in Kentucky so we northern people kind of melted a few times!
On Friday we took a trip to a Natural foods store to look for motion sickness remedies for children. We were trying to stay away from medicine if we could. We bought Spearmint tea to make into iced tea for them to sip on (which Nicholas loves, but Celia doesn't). We bought Hylands tablets called 'Nux Vomica' (same people that make teething tablets). We went to Rite Aide and bought 2 Sea Band bracelets with the little knob on them which pushes on your pressure point on your wrist to avoid motion sickness (ack! they were $9.99 each).
As we took a nice ride through Berea (it is a small college town and a dry town and also full of artist and also into environmental preservation - pretty neat actually) I could tell Celia wasn't feeling so well - but we took a break at a nice park so they could play.
We went on home and had a lovely dinner!
Oh yes, our fear of them not sleeping well at other people's homes is gone! The first night they woke up a couple times, but that was it. The other nights they slept straight through just as good as at home. However, they had their own room and they couldn't see us when they woke up, so that helped. But, it was wonderful to be able to sleep on our vacation!
Anyway, the kids preferred to play at Grandma's house vs leave the house. We took a trip on Sunday to see some homes in the country and those bracelets and the nux vomica tablets didn't work for Nicholas. He threw up too.
So we returned the bracelets and bought Dramamine. They aren't 2 years old yet, but we did the 2 year old dose (1/4 tablet every 6-8 hours) and it worked on the way home (The bonus is it makes them a bit sleepy so we were able to travel more with them sleeping).
Nicholas and Celia had some moments of moods and not listening to mom/dad, but I suppose it happens more on vacation away from their norm. There were some time-outs when they weren't listening or getting defiant. They both were happy to sit on Great- Grandma's lap for bits of time. Great-Grandma gave Celia a pretty necklace that she LOVES and she gave Nicholas some match-box cars that he LOVES.

Also on Saturday we met my friend Jennifer Thomas from Knoxville, KY and her husband Charles and their twin boys Ethan and Eli (who are born 1 day before Nicholas and Celia). Jennifer and I are part of our twins message board group and also read each other's blogs and e-mail each other. We met 1/2 way between Berea and Knoxville in the Cumberland Falls Park. It was funny because it felt like we were on a blind date for families. :) But, Jennifer was just as I thought she would be. She is super friendly and kind. And for having a long recovery on her ankle she was walking so well (looked like normal to us so she is healing!!). We looked at the Cumberland Falls and then let the 4 kids out to run on the grass. They didn't interact a whole lot and Nicholas and Celia were kind of on the crabby side of things. But it was fun. Ethan and Eli are very sweet little boys. Charles is super nice too and Jason really liked chatting with him. We mentioned that the housing costs in Berea were outstanding (excellent costs for new homes vs Wisconsin) and maybe we should move to Berea (only if my family comes along of course- kind of a package deal or something like that).

Above: Ethan, Eli, Nicholas and Celia on Park Bench at Cumberland Falls Park

We ate at the Cumberland Park restaurant. We just had the buffet so the kids could eat right away. Jennifer shared a placemat and bib set each for Nicholas and Celia. I think if the kids had more time together I could see Nicholas and Eli hanging out (they were sitting across from each other and were copying each other and giggling). We will definitely meet again - hopefully for a longer visit next time.
Here we are at the restaurant together. Our poor waitress had plenty of food to clean up from Nicholas and Celia - she was tipped well. :)