Dinosaurs Live!!

We are back into some beautiful weather here in Dallas, so the boys and I ventured over to McKinney to visit the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. This was the last week of their Dinosaurs Live exhibit and I thought the boys would really like it. Not only did they enjoy the dinos, but they liked the animals of the world and the Bugs! exhibits as well (GIANT roaches and spiders and such). We walked over a mile and a half before deciding to save some of the trails for another day. It is a beautiful place even in the winter, and I hope to return again soon.

Lowe's Build & Grow

Twice a month Lowe's home improvement stores host Build and Grow clinics. The kids get a free apron and a pair of goggles and then get to work on their project of the day. After completion, they get a merit certificate and a cool patch to add to their apron. We attended both clinics this month and the boys loved it. They built a game box and a ball toss, and they are already looking forward to next months projects: a music box and a race car!!!

We can do it!!!

One day, while my cousin was visiting, the boys decided that they didn't need to use floaties to swim anymore.

So, they took them off and just "jumped" right in. They already think they are expert swimmers...which they just might be by the end of the swimming season.

It's amazing how much they learn on their own from one day to the next. We are happy that they are SO comfortable in the water, but now we need to be even more careful with them when they are near the water.

Here's a short video of what they are up to:

Big Boy Beds (Video)

We kept putting it off and putting it off...for no good reason really, the boys were getting in and out of their cribs as if they were beds, and we finally just put the sides down to make it a little less "hazardous..." I think we were just avoiding it because it was easier. Well, last week, we decided to "take the plunge" and get the "real" beds.

The boys were super excited when we told them they were getting big boy beds, but I think they were mostly just excited about jumping on the mattresses.

For the most part, it's as if nothing changed. I guess, since they've been escaping from their cribs for ages, they didn't have the 'new found freedom' problem. And, since they've been known to nap in a twin bed or even our almost queen bed, it wasn't as if they felt 'lost' in their new beds...nope, just regular nights same as before.

Connor did fall out last night, but only because he fell asleep at the foot of his bed (near the door) and not on his pillow, but we just picked him up and put him back in bed and he barely made a sound. Alex was the one who woke up because of it and caused more of a fuss...go figure.

They still aren't napping these days, but that was a problem before the bed switch. We've just been letting them have "quiet" time (which is anything but quiet or relaxing), then they are a bit cranky the remainder of the day, and then they go to bed at 7:00 instead of 8:00. Good thing it's still relatively dark at 7:00, I'm not sure how this will all work once we change the clocks next month...Oh well, one day at a time. Enjoy the video...

Next time...

...won't - you - sing - with - meeeeee???

“My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz. It's the letter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz. You'll be sort of surprised what there is to be found once you go beyond 'Z' and start poking around!” ~ Dr. Seuss

Anything exciting going on here??

Yes and no....

It seems the "real" potty training has begun, and, so, we have been sticking close to home these days (more than usual).

Yep, this is going to be a potty post.

The boys actually semi-started training shortly after we returned from the States. Once they were back in the swing of things at school, the teachers had us bring them with undies over their diapers. Then, they would go diaperless while at school using the potty when they needed to go (coached by the staff, of course). Then, the teachers would put them back in diapers when we came to pick them up. We were suppose to let them go diaperless as often as possible at home too, but, for the most part, things (real or imagined) kept getting in the way....Potty training can be a lot of tiring work.

Then, about a week ago. We picked up the boys from school and Ms. Rosy told us that the next school day they were to come in undies only and they would be leaving in undies as well. Um, scary! Our first thought was how we would manage to get them from school to home without an accident in the car...

We enjoyed our last couple days of diapers, and then, along with school, started the "undies only except for sleeping policy." We started with a timer, sticker charts, M&M's (or "em a lems" as the boys call them), and plenty of prompting...and, overall, it hasn't been too bad. Of course there have been plenty of accidents, mostly of the messier variety, but they seem to be doing really well.

Their main issues are going when they are busy doing something fun or interesting, and telling us when they need to go if we aren't at home. We carry a little portable potty when we do head out for short errands (and for school pick-up), and we still provide more prompting than is probably necessary, but maybe...just maybe we'll have two daytime potty trained boys very soon. Then we can start venturing a little further from home...just maybe.

"It's all to do with the training: you can do a lot if you're properly trained." ~ Queen Elizabeth II

December Happenings (Video)

Not much really...

The boys are back in school, crying most of the way there, but loving it once they are inside. Potty training started this week and is going okay. We aren't rushing things, but they need to be trained before they can move up to the next class at school...the one with the "big" (2 and 3 year old) kids.They have their school party next week, and then will probably be on a bit of a break.

Otherwise, we have mostly been hanging out at home doing regular things and getting ready for the holidays. Lela and Lelo are still living in the house above us since the weather has been decent, and they are having some remodeling done on their flat in the city.  So, we will spend Christmas Eve up there with them, Christmas Day mostly at our place, and then we will host New Year's Eve again on our patio. Seriously, I can't believe Christmas is next week and 2010 is just around the corner....

Apple Pickin' (Video)

The one Saturday that my brothers were in Wisconsin, also turned out to be a record breaking 70 degree day in November! It was beautiful! Papa wanted to rest, so we took the kids Apple Pickin' at the Barthel Fruit Farm in Mequon before bringing him some lunch.

We were allowed to pick two varieties of apples and were encouraged to "taste test" the apples before putting some in our basket. All the kids did an excellent job of both testing and picking the apples, and everyone had a great time. We left with lots of apples to share with the seniors, a couple of caramel apples, and some fresh cider.

Betty Brinn Children's Museum (Video)

As I researched things to do in Milwaukee, I actually found a lot of options...even in the winter!! Obviously, there is a ton more to do when the weather is nice, but we'll have to save that for another time. Actually, we didn't get to do several of the things I had hoped to do...but we can add those to the "next time" list as well.

What we DID get to do, is head down near the lakefront and visit the Betty Brinn Children's Museum which is right across from the Milwaukee Art Museum designed by Santiago Calatrava and the Discovery World Museum which is on our "to do" list for next time.

Even the Betty Brinn "big" kid areas were fun for the boys!! I think it might just be my favorite of the Children's museums we have visited so far...

“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.”
~ Joseph Chilton Pearce

Frisco Fire Safety Town

There's a great little place right next to one of the fire stations in Frisco. It's called Frisco Fire Safety Town. They are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and they teach children about safety in a fun and interactive environment.

They have an educational facility which includes classrooms, an interactive fire engine, and a safety house with a realistic living area, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom for children to explore and learn about home hazards, severe weather, fire safety and more.

They have an outdoor ‘town’ that resembles a miniature Frisco complete with real buildings that represent area businesses, all created at a 5/8th scale. There are paved and marked streets complete with working traffic signals, a railroad crossing and a toll booth, where they let older kids drive little motorized Jeeps around to teach them about seat belt and car safety.

Obviously, we had to go. So, we wandered over there one weekday morning, they found us a volunteer, and he showed us around. The boys had fun climbing on the fake fire truck, trying on the gear, roaming through the town, and checking out the living area. They would have really liked the Jeeps, but there was a school group using them (and I think the minimum age is 3).

After checking out the Safety Town, the docent took us to the fire house and we were greeted by three firemen who continued our tour. They were excellent! The boys each got a hat and a sticker and then we got to see where the firefighters eat and sleep (Connor wanted to take a nap in their beds). Then they took us out into the garage to check out all the real trucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles. Jaime and I asked a bunch of questions and the boys had fun climbing, exploring, and pushing buttons. It was a really interesting and fun visit and it felt like we were VIP's.

Mommy is a....

The boy's vocabulary seemed to grow a bunch while we were back in the States. I don't know if it was just the timing, or being out and about more, or what. A couple of the words they learned were "boy" and "girl." For the most part they started to identify who was a boy and who was a girl. Connor had (and still has) his own special way to say "girl."

“A vocabulary of truth and simplicity will be of service throughout your life” ~ Winston Churchill

Miss Landri's Birthday Party

Our trip to Dallas this year happened to coincide with my niece's 7th birthday. We were all very excited to be able to attend her super fun party at a local petting farm. She invited lots of friends and family, and both of my brothers were there as well as all but one of the boys US cousins.

They had rabbits, ducks, chickens, and ponies. They had a pig, a turkey, a cow, a horse, and a donkey named Delilah which the kids got to walk around the property. They played games, "washed" clothes, experimented with a water pump, rode a horse, and went on a hayride (Connor didn't like riding the horse or the hay ride and got off both about 30 seconds after getting on). They served up a yummy lunch and, of course, cake and Blue Bell ice cream!!! What an awesome day, the boys LOVED it! Hope you had a Happy Birthday Landri!!!!

The birthday girl and her family

"Walking" Delilah

On the "farm"

A Potty for Me!!!

Okay, we aren't exactly potty training yet...but, today, Connor went pee pee in the big potty!!! He just randomly asked to sit on the potty, and, surprise, he went!! Yei Connor!!!

At daycare, once the kids turn two, potty training begins....Well, normally, that is. Since we are heading to the States for 7 weeks, our training start date will be delayed until our return. We have also been meaning to get them potty chairs at home for awhile now, but have only managed to get a toilet ring so far. Both boys have tried it out and will occasionally sit on it to go pretend potty. Until today.....

Connor was SO excited about the "agua" that came out, that he wanted to try again and again...it was a bit hard to explain that "agua" doesn't just come out all the time....but that didn't stop him from sitting and waiting for awhile anyhow.

Of course Alex wanted to potty too, so he sat and waited and waited and waited. Nothing exciting for him, except Connor waiting with him and reading to him while he tried. I didn't get a picture of Connor, but we got this one instead:

Our Boys at 2 years old...

Well, we had our two year check-up and all looks well. They didn't get any immunizations yet though, because the two year one here is optional which means you need to pick it up at the pharmacy before your appointment. Obviously we didn't know that. It is the final booster for an immunization they started in the States, so we will go back next week and get it. There is also an optional chicken pox shot they should have been offered at 15 months (but our regular pedi was on maternity leave) so we will pick that up at the pharmacy and bring it with us as well. The doctor said all looks good and they are meeting or exceeding their age appropriate abilities. And, so, here are their "stats:"

Alex is 32.68 inches (2.72ft) tall and 25.22 pounds.

Connor is 35.24 inches (2.94 feet) and 31.1 pounds.

I was looking at old pictures of the boys, and it's amazing how much they have grown and changed in some ways, and how, in others, they haven't.

They are both very friendly, thoughtful, and quite helpful. They will carry things to another room or to the table, help pick things up (not usually their toys though), and bring you things they think you might need. They love to wave and say "hola" and "bye-bye" and blow kisses to friends, family, and strangers. They will offer a kiss, a hug, a drink of water, or a teddy bear when you need one. And, man, do they give the sweetest kisses and the best hugs!!!

Connor can count to ten in Spanish (often forgetting siete) and to five in English. Alex can count as well, but never on demand. They both can sing bits of the alphabet song, although I think they prefer "The Wheels on the Bus." They can recognize the written letter "O," the letter "S," and sometimes the letter "P." They have a good mix of English and Spanish words that they know, and sometimes even make up heir own Spanglish terms like "shoepato." They are both excellent at taking off their shoes and can even put them back on, although sometimes not on the right feet. Alex's favorite toy at the moment is pretty much any ball, and Connor loves puzzles.

Other things they like:

• Dirt, sand, water, rocks, and bugs
• Throwing things, especially off the patio
• Helicopters and airplanes
• Birds
• Bridges, tunnels, and windmills
• Running, jumping, and climbing
• Swimming
  
• Riding their bikes and cars
• Drawing, especially on themselves

It's fun to watch them learn, explore, discover, and grow. It's amazing how much a baby changes in only two years...from a totally dependent and helpless little thing to a walking, talking, "I can do it myself" little person. They are so much fun and I can only imagine it getting better....until maybe they are teenagers, of course ;o) So, onward, to year three!!

"There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again." ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Movin' on up....

The boys are now complete experts at climbing into and out of their cribs. It's like second nature to them, and they appear to take great pleasure in their freedom. Nap times are a constant struggle, and, although they still don't climb out at night, bed time seems to be getting later and later...they just don't want to miss any of the fun.

Anyhow, now that climbing in and out of the crib doesn't present a challenge anymore, they have decided to move on up.....

"Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." ~ General Geroge S. Patton

Crib Antic Update

Well, after that initial escape episode on the 17th of last month, all was "quiet" on the Ortega front for two weeks and 3 days...

Then, on Sunday, the 5th of July, I was typing away at my computer while the boys were napping.... I started to hear chatter and giggles (normal signs of them waking up) coming from their room...but then the sounds became louder, so I looked toward their bedroom door to see the light on and Alex peeking out and grinning. When I went to investigate Connor was right behind him just as pleased with himself. They had both climbed out of their cribs, slipped on their sandals, and were heading for the door...

Since then, things have back and forth. Bedtime hasn't been a problem yet, it just seems to be nap time for now. I think perhaps it's because at bedtime it's dark, and nap time they can see better, or, maybe they are just more tired at night time... ah, really, who knows? It's probably because they are kids, and that's what they do.

Some days are no problemo. They go to nap time and stay in bed. Other days, not so much. Alex will climb out, then Connor or vice versa. Sometimes, it's just Connor. They might be jumping on the twin bed (changing table) in their room, playing on the floor, turning the light on and off, or climbing into each others bed and then jumping, fighting or playing until Mom or Dad comes in.

Every mom I've talked to tells me to wait as long as possible to transition to toddler beds, and we certainly agree. We figure that, if we give them toddler beds, they will just be able to climb out easier, and that would not be fun for us. So, we try not to make a big deal out of the climbing, and just keep putting them pack where they belong and telling them it's time to nap. Sometimes they need to be "reminded" many times and other days, it's like something clicks after the first time.

So, that's the scoop. They are both climbing out on a semi regular basis and we just keep putting them back to bed. Hopefully, they will decide it's just not worth it, and go to sleep like they are suppose to at both bed AND nap time. Wouldn't that be great?

"You learn something every day if you pay attention."
~Ray LeBlond

Escape Artist

Lately naps in this house have been hit or miss. Some days the boys take a great nap, some days they only sleep 30 to 45 minutes, and other days they don't sleep at all...

We had a not sleeping at all day this past Wednesday. The boys were in their beds and in their room, but they were chatting, crying, giggling, and throwing things out of their cribs to entertain themselves and each other. After about an hour or so, Daddy went in to check on them and found the light in the bedroom on and Connor standing outside of Alex's crib....how nice!!

We knew he had the ability to climb out of his crib, but this was the first day he actually did it. He and his teddy bear sauntered right past daddy, straight through the living room, and into the kitchen to find some food, and that was pretty much the end of nap time.

We also know that Alex can climb out if he wants to, but he hasn't decided to follow his brothers lead just yet. We are SO NOT ready to move the boys to toddler beds, and they certainly are not ready either. So, we decided to take the wait and see approach.

Thursday came and went with a fantastically long nap and everyone remaining right where they belonged. Then Friday morning.....

It started out pretty normal. We awoke to the sound of the boys chatting and giggling in their room, we went to get them up and ready for the day, and that's when we saw this:

Connor had climbed out of his crib, across the dresser and into Alex's bed. We weren't sure how long he had been there, but it appeared that he even spent some time sleeping in his brothers cama. It was actually pretty cute.

Then, later, at nap time the first thing Connor did when we left the room was crawl right back over into Alex's bed. We put him back into his own crib, moved the dresser, and the boys proceeded to take a decent nap.

We rearranged their room a little bit to see if that would help the situation. We were hoping that, without the dresser, climbing out would somehow be less appealing... it didn't work. This morning Connor was right back in bed with Alex!!

Did I mention we are NOT ready for toddler beds??? Hopefully we can convince them that cribs are for sleeping, and not for climbing... at least for another 8 months or so. Keep your fingers crossed!!

"We feel free when we escape -
even if it be but from the frying pan into the fire."
~Eric Hoffer

Chatting Monkeys

Okay, we (Jaime) reduced the size of the video of the boys chatting with each other. It's a bit longish (and please ignore mommy), but we hope you enjoy it.

"Conversation is food for the soul."
~ Mexican Proverb

Toddler Speak

I've been meaning/wanting to take note of some of the things the boys say and how they say them before they perfect their pronunciations. They are so cute in their efforts to communicate. Alex in particular has a lot to say, and LOVES to chat away in long sentences and animated paragraphs. We generally don't know what he is talking about, but it's great to listen to. They both love to repeat the things we say, and Connor even likes to "help" discipline and tell Alex what to do.

Although, many of their words are easily understood by the average person (agua, hola, bye-bye, apple, daddy, mommy, ball, up, down, on, off, etc.), and others seem to be pronounced similarly by most children (nana (banana), lellow (yellow), etc.), there are those others...well, that you either need to be their parent or have a special code book to know the meaning. Luckily, they can sign (use sign language (SL)) for many words, so that often helps us understand exactly what they are trying to tell us.

Here are some of the words we have been able to decipher by hanging out with them:

• "doh-dee" = yogurt (Connor)
• "mo-mo" = moco (boogers in Spanish) (Alex & Connor)
  
• "beir" or "beer" = bear (Alex & Connor)
• "bee!!" = bread, bed OR bird (Alex & Connor) (SL helps)
• "eyee-thhhh" = ice (Alex & Connor)
  
• "bop-eee" = diaper (Connor)
• "die-poo" = diaper (Alex)
  
• "cockle" or "cackle" = cracker OR helicopter (Connor)
• "pee" = plane (Alex & Connor)
• "pier" = pear (Alex & Connor)
• "ca-ca" = apricot (Connor)
  
• "oh" = orange (Alex & Connor)
• "oh-boo" = open (Alex & Connor)
• "dee" = stick (Alex & Connor)
• "pay-poo" = paper
• "dawh" = draw (Alex & Connor)
• "lelo" = Lego OR later (or Lelo which is short for Abuelo)
  
• "ear" = here OR ear (Alex & Connor)
• "oh-eee" = ocean (which they also just refer to as agua)
  
• "no-ee" = noise OR music (Connor)
• "bee-bah" = seat belt (Alex & Connor)
• "pop-eee" = potty (Alex & Connor)
  
• "teet-daahwnn" = sit down (Alex & Connor)
• "peace" = peach
• "neigh-new" = thank you (Connor & Alex)
  

We took a video, but it was too long to upload... so, I will either have to cut it down or take another one for a future post.

Like most toddlers, they get frustrated and whiny when they are expressing themselves and no one seems to understand. It's great to watch their face light up when we figure it out and repeat things back to them (this doesn't happen often, btw).

I know that soon all these cute pronunciations will fade and they will be chatting away like little people at 100mph, and, no doubt, asking monster amounts of questions about everything. I have a feeling that, in this house, it will be difficult for anyone to get a word in edgewise.

Calvin: "Sometimes when I'm talking, my words can't keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we think
faster than we speak?"
Hobbes: "Probably so we can think twice."
~Bill Watterson

Our Daycare Adventure

This is the entrance to the Aladi Daycare. It comes highly recommended, and it's the one our nephew, Samuel, attended. It's also the boys new school which, so far, they seem to hate.

We inquired about available spots last fall, but they were completely full. Two weeks ago, on a whim, we stopped by to see if they had room for two 19 month old boys. They did not. We were told there would be space in September, and we were invited back for a tour last Wednesday. During our tour we were told that a couple of spaces had not been confirmed and that we could have them if we wanted... so, we decided we wanted them. They advised us to start slowly and ease the boys into things a little each day. Ultimately we are trying to work up to three hours a day, five days a week. Here's how things have gone so far:

Day 1 - Tour day: The boys went in and checked out the place and then "played" with the group for about 30 minutes while we talked to the owner. When we came back to get them, they were anxious to leave but not distressed in any way. It actually seemed as if they liked it.

Day 2 - The boys walked into daycare and joined the other kids who were coloring. Jaime and I went to have a coffee nearby. About 40 minutes later, we got a call saying they were crying and could not be calmed and that we needed to come pick them up. According to the staff, they were doing fine up until it was time for the kids to change rooms. Connor "lost it" upon entering the other room, and Alex tried to calm by giving him hugs. When Alex found he was unsuccessful, he started crying too. They were really crying by the time we arrived and attached themselves to us like little ticks and would not let go.

Day 3 - As soon as we entered the front entry, Connor started crying and then Alex decided to copy him. The tried to attach themselves to us again, but we managed to say good-bye and hand them off to the teachers. Jaime and I waited in the foyer for a bit and could hear them both screaming. The door opened to let another child in and we caught a glimpse of a crying Connor trying to escape. We decided to head upstairs for a coffee... but, before we even got to take our first sip, the daycare called us to pick them up again. They were pretty hysterical and the staff wasn't having any luck calming them down.

Later that afternoon, Connor started acting sick. His nose was running and he was running a bit of a fever. You always hear about the rampant germs in daycare/school and how even the healthiest child will fall victim, but we were a bit shocked it happened so quickly and with so little time actually spent in the daycare.

Of course Alex's nose started running soon afterward and by Saturday they were both coughing, snotty, and running fevers. Connor seemed to get the worst of it, and, on Monday, they went to the pediatrician instead of school. Connor had a complete meltdown as soon as we got into the doctor's office. In all his 19 months, we have never seen him like that. Of course, Alex wasn't sure why his brother was freaking out, but he joined in anyhow in a show of solidarity. After wrestling to examine both of them, the Pedi said it looked like they just had a head cold and gave us something for the fever.

Tuesday, no school due to fever. Apparently, during the "adjustment" period, the school wants you to bring our kids in even if they are sick (probably how our boys got sick in the first place) unless, of course, they are running a fever.

Day 4 - Today - No fever this morning, but Connor woke up cranky and achy and clearly still sick. We decided to take them into school since we didn't want too many days to pass between visits. Connor froze at the top of the staircase that leads to the school, and didn't not want to walk any further. That kid has a pretty good memory. Alex didn't seem phased by anything until we got to the front entry. They cried while we hung out with them and chatted with the teacher in the foyer. Eventually, we decided to send Alex in since he was somewhat calm, and feeling better than Connor. Overall, he was not happy but did better than last week. We stayed with Connor and let him watch the children play through the glass while we waited for Alex. Connor calmed a bit, but only if we were still holding him. Alex made it about 10 minutes crying the entire time, not with real tears, before the teacher brought him back out.

Now the school is closed until Monday because of Semana Santa. So, the boys will, unfortunately, start to settle back into the "home" routine for the next four days and then we will start again next week. We will see what happens on Monday, the boys can each bring their teddy bear with them next week to see if that helps. I hope it does. I go back to school on Tuesday, so Jaime will be braving things on his own Tuesday and Thursday.

Since that second day at school, the boys seem to have lost their sense of security. They "freak out" more now when one of us leaves and they are apprehensive/scared even of people they know like their Lela (grandma), aunts, and uncles. I know many children go though some sort of separation anxiety, and I am here to say it is not fun for anyone. I certainly hope all of us adjust soon as I think school will be good for everyone.

"How lucky I am to have something

that makes saying goodbye so hard."

~ Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan