A Day at Home

I had such a good time with these boys last week. We only had two speech sessions and one playdate. The rest of the time was OURS! I love to take the boys out and about...in fact, sometimes it is easier to be crazier out in public than at home. Jackson LOVES to go, and Luke seems to like to get out of the house, too. But, I like some time at home with the boys. I get to interact with them, watch their little minds at work, and observe them together. It is also a time when I can pull out activities that take more time.

Jackson and I worked heavy on the speech/language. He will sit and work for quite awhile. We have some cards that we use for drill. The ones right now are three syllable words like bandana, animal, petunia, etc. He was really struggling with the "n" sound in "animal", so I remembered Miss Megan recorded her voice along with Jackson's on the Ipad practicing the words. Well, he was so excited to hear Megan's voice at home..he loves her so much! Anyway, I thought he had probably had enough, so I asked him if he was all done with speech, because he seemed to not be giving it his all after awhile. Sweet Jackson said "No, try again" when his usual response is "Yes!" followed by a request to watch tv, and he especially says "yes" if he is struggling. So proud of him!

The two of us had so much fun doing little chores around the house that he "helped" with. We also made time to play with Legos, puzzles, his farm, Luke's new remote control car :), Buzz Lightyear, etc. He also is really having fun with this new cash register I got him off of Amazon (Thanks, Grammie and Grandpa, for the Easter gift card!). He is all about helping the cashier's at the store, and one even let him scan last week. So, he really likes this new toy!

Luke and I had fun playing his favorite pat-a-cake game, and I got to see that he has figured out his swirly ball drop. So proud of him! We also talked on his toy telephone a lot! He loves his new birthday toys, too, so we played with those.

I kept it simple, no elaborate crafts or learning activities. The three of us took walks, went to the playground, introduced Luke to bubbles, listened to some old Kindermusik cds. And, then I totally rocked in their eyes when I pulled out the pool and water table!










My STRONG guy!!









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12 Months

You are ONE, my precious Luke! I just can't believe an entire year has passed since you were born. You have grown and developed in so many ways. I took you in to see Dr. Riley last week, and she was so pleased with your development! You are now 20 lbs. and 12 oz. (45th percentile) and 29 3/4 in. (50th percentile).

You and your brother are truly wonderfully made little creatures! You two are quite different, but both of you bring such happiness to Daddy and me.

Here are a few things about you at ONE year old:

-You are known for batting your eyes at just about anyone! Some people call it winking and others call it waving with your eyes. Either way, it is absolutely ADORABLE, and you clearly do it to get attention. Today I said "eyes", and you batted them. I didn't even know you had made that association!

-You are SILLY. I commonly hear "Luke is hilarious!" "He kept us entertained!"

-You put my hands together when you want to play pat-a-cake! :)

-You are fast and EVERYWHERE! Your favorite hangout is in the kitchen or bedrooms because you can open and close cabinets and drawers!

-You are backing off on eating and really prefer to just eat baby goldfish and puffs! You are really enjoying grits for breakfast and all sorts of foods when we go out to restaurants. At home, you may eat a food one day but not the next! You stick your hand out or turn your head if I try to feed you when you are happily feeding yourself. If you even see me scooping it with the spoon, I can see you out of the corner of my eye starting your tactic! Stinker!

-You follow simple directions like...."Go get a book" or "Come on" or "Get your bottle"

-You understand so much! You won't nod yes, and you nod no but not purposefully; you grin to give your "yes" for "Are you ready to go?"--crawling over to me and climbing up my leg, "Do you want more puffs?" You start whining when we go upstairs for bed or naptime.

-You are so proud that you can clap!

-You give us an open mouth, sloppy kiss and a hug when we ask!

-You play peek-a-boo with your clothes when I am changing you into your pjs. Love it!

-You look back at anyone around right before you go to get into something we have told you "no" before

-You consistently call Daddy "da da" and you have been saying "na na" to me. You say "duh" for "done" after me. You babble many sounds!

-You have just started pushing trucks a little!

-You bring me everything, and still put almost everything in your mouth!

-Sometimes you cry if strangers talk to you.

-They moved you up to the next class at church even though you aren't walking, yet. They said you really like it in there. You played, played, and played!

Trampoline FUN!!

There is nothing this boy won't try...

Blowing Bubbles with Brother

Oh, I can remember when this oral motor activity was a struggle! And, I can remember when he only wanted me to blow them, because he knew it was a struggle. Today, he would not even let me blow them for Luke; HE had to blow the bubbles!


He was so busy talking before blowing -- "Ready, set, go" and "1, 2, 3, gooo" that he was losing the solution. I thought, you need to quit talking and blow the bubbles but quickly realized that "quit talking" and "Jackson" shouldn't go together! ;)


Catching bubbles


Popping bubbles

Bathtime Buddies

I must say this Monday was much calmer than last Monday! We spent a day at home except for a quick trip to Walmart early this morning. Luke is finally big enough to take a bath with Jackson! He giggles at Jackson when he has soapy hair; Jackson begs for Luke to take a bath with him every night. He gives Luke all of his favorite toys and likes for me to bathe Luke first before helping him but wants to get out last..firstborn rights, I guess!





Jackson washing his hair when I am trying to get a cute picture. Thanks, Buddy! :/

Summer Fun

I was sorta sad to see the school year end for J, because I love knowing that he is getting in that good learning time, socialization, etc. I really thought our life wouldn't be too different since the boys don't sleep in anyway, and their bedtime would still be 7:30-8:00. But, it has proved to be a relaxing time together. I have really enjoyed our fun times. We spent last Saturday at our neighborhood pool. It was so nice! I packed supper for the boys, and we just enjoyed a Saturday evening at the pool!

Time for some FUN

We spent Friday night at our favorite nearby theme park! ;) Jackson loves it there, and Luke just goes along in his stroller. He loves to watch everything going on! Here are a few pics from our last visit.


Carousel















J LOVES these! I think he calls them "ships" or "boats" (can't remember) and tells us that is what he wants to ride when we ask him the first thing he wants to ride when we get in the park.


Roller Coaster...woohoo! He got to ride three times in a row, because there was no line!








Snoopy's Rockets-he is blowing the horn here