I am so far behind on updating. Since our Christmas card picture, so much has happened; thus the reason for my absence. :)
At 13 months (Feb), Jacob finally started taking his first steps! Luke was only 1-2 weeks behind, but he seemed to have learned more by watching Jacob. These days it's all I have in me to keep up with them while trying to load them into the car at their school.
This picture was taken after my first 5K - they had to get put and stretch their legs after my 53 min walk. (April 19, 2011)
Around that same time Luke was the first to start getting his top teeth in (FINALLY!) and Jacob was about a week behind him for this event. Now that we are almost to 17 months, we have 4 precious teeth per boy - two top and two below. Luke has the teeth to either side of the top middle ones coming in; Jacob's haven't broken through the skin yet.
Since their teeth finally made an appearance, the battle against biting has begun. Luke learned about biting from his school mates and Jacob learned from Luke. Something is wrong if I don't have to sign TWO reports for school at least once a week. Their school isn't supposed to name the 'biter' when notifying the 'bitee's' parent, but it's hard to not assume that one of our two is biting the other.
When it comes to talking, all we're still hearing is Da da da da.... With an occasional 'bye' from Jacob 10 mins after he was supposed to say it. They both have a delayed goodbye wave which is them clasping their hand back towards their face instead of outward. I am placing my bet that Jacob will be the first one to talk.
I am really starting to see their independence come out too. They aren't big fans of riding in a shopping cart - unless it's shaped like a race car and has a steering wheel (Lowes & Home Depot). They would also push a shopping cart over riding any day.
We recently bought them lounge style plastic chairs for their age and they both cautiously sit down like a 'big boy' (bottom first).
Jacob seems to understand sharing a little better than Luke. He gladly brings toys to Luke and most of the time will hand over a toy he has been playing with to Luke if Luke acts like he wants it. While I'm so very proud of Jacob, I'm trying hard to help Luke understand how to reciprocate the kindness.
Both boys still have chronic runny noses and we still buy stock in kleenex for our home, vehicle, and their school. We had the boys checked for allergies back in December, and both came back clear. The Dr even went further and had blood taken to see if they had low antibody counts (as preemies sometimes do); which would make them more susceptible to illness. Antibody counts were normal. Their 18 month checkup will be towards the end of May and I am requesting an ENT referral again to see if we can get to the bottom of it. Its sad - they are so used to having runny noses, that if they see you with a Kleenex they angle their nose up towards you so you can wipe. I have found the silver-lining of the noses being runny - they haven't had an ear infection since they were 5 months old. So at least the drainage is not hanging around in their head and causing an infection.
When it comes to food and eating, we have bottomless pits! We typically start their day with a flavor of oatmeal and Cheerios. For the most part, they are also eating table food and off the menu when we go out to eat. Both of them have a bad habit of chewing a couple times and swallowing food whole. I hope that will change once they get their molars. The crackling of a snack bag will get their attention and get them dancing in their seat anytime. They have been on straw zippy cups for a couple months and seem to drip less from their mouth every day.
We have truly been blessed with sweet loving boys! I know it won't last forever, but they don't hesitate to want in our laps to cuddle. I get some of the best bear hugs from their tiny frames every morning when I get them out of their crib!
I love watching them learn new things every day. Jacob seems really interested in, and good at, the toys that he needs to fit a shape into. Luke tends to lean toward musical and art entertainment. Even though they aren't talking yet, they are both really good at doing what I ask and understanding what I am saying. When they DO start talking we will all be in trouble. Christian bought me an iPad 2 and I am already looking for learning apps that they will enjoy. Now I just have to make sure that their knowledge of computers doesn't surpass mine until after they are adults. :)
We are now looking forward to some of their next firsts. Taking them to the zoo, children's palace, and other fun kid places. In August we will be taking 18 hour trip to Ely, MN and I'm sure that it will be a test of our creativity and endurance to keep them happy and entertained for that long.
