28 Months

Playing at the park... their new favorite pass time. 

Riding the scooter is serious business. 

Favorite Songs: Rain Rain Go Away, Row Row Row your boat, Bringing home a baby bumble bee, Mr. Sun

Favorite books: Mommy calls me Monkeypants, Olivia, Franklin books

Favorite cute new words: Thunder, Puddles, Porcupine, Happy Day, Zebra, MYSELF

Favorite Sayings: "De'r ya go dad," "Neyney too???" "daddy work at 3M" "Mama nurse"  "Mama work with the babies"  "

New Cute things:
*They love to get themselves dressed.... even though it takes forever and tests mommy's patients.
* They always want to get in their car seats "Myself" which usually equals playing in the back of the van.
* The boys give some very long and well intended hugs and kisses and it melts our hearts.
*They love school and play dates and get so excited to see their "friends"

Favorite Outdoor Toys: Water table with bubbles, garden hose, Scooters, bikes, helmets, baseball Tee

Ben's Favorite Foods: Steak, Icy water, smoothies, pickles, cheese, strawberry

Nathan's Favorite Foods: Watermelon, anything Ben has, milk, frozen gogurt

Favorite Stories from the month
* One night while getting ready for bed and reading stories Ben started throwing a fit and kept repeating the same word over and over... we couldn't understand what it was.  Finally I picked him up and went downstairs.... he kept pointing to the Fridge.  after a quick scan of the fridge he spotted the pickles.  "PICKLES" he exclaimed.  So I handed him a pickle and he quickly responded... "NeyNey too?" so I handed him another one and he raced upstairs to share with Nathan...They both snuggled into daddy and their freshly washed blankets and ate their pickles.... happy as can be!

*We were having a Picnic at como and the boys were sharing a juice box.  Nathan took a sip and then held it our for Ben and stated "Here you go Den."  Ben then replied by stating "Share" taking the juice box and holding it out and stating "here you go Neyney."  WOW maybe they do actually listen to us.

* The boys have been "practicing" going potty on their potty chairs a couple of times a day.  We have sticker charts and they LOVE to wash their hands, they have both pooped on occasion too!  Their friend Joe who is a big 3 year old goes potty on the big potty.  Ever since Nathan saw Joe he has insisted on going potty on the Big Potty... and the other night low and behold.... he pooped on the BIG POTTY!!!

*In the book Olivia... the little pig colors on the wall and gets sent to "time out."  The other day while Gramma was putting dishes away Ben came running into the kitchen "NeyNey...No... No"  So he took Gramma in to show her that Nathan had colored on the wall.  Nathan got sent to TIME OUT!  It was one little streak however ever night when we read Olivia, Ben states "No no Neyney... go Time out."

This is what happens when we let them get into the car seat "myself"

They love to snuggle in mom and dads bed and read stories before bed..."covers" they exclaim.

Ben just like Fireman Sam

Ellie, Ben, Nathan, Joe and Adelia

Nathan and Benjamin keep us on our toes and at times frustrate us.  They are 2 and most of the time they act like 2 year olds, they love to learn, practice new words and songs.  They climb, crawl, jump run and hop through the day.  They are sweet as can be and defiant... all at once. They have opinions and likes and dislikes.  They model their actions after us for the better... and the worse. Each day has its challenges but considering they spend their ENTIRE lives in direct competition (from spoons and plates, to attention, to toys) with shared attention... they are weathering the storm better then most.  They are getting so big and wise and funny.  Brent and I continue to attempt to give them the world without giving them everything.  We try everyday to be good parents... some days are more successful then others.  Our lives continue to be a work in progress.  I recently found a magnet that now hangs on the fridge that states.... "Our lives entangled, not for the easier... but for the better."  It seems fitting:)  

Love Always,

The Utechs