Sleeping Arrangements

So in the beginning of Spring, our little monkey, Bryan, decided to climb out of his crib. Since this scared us to death, we ended up taking off the front of the bed to make it a day bed. The boys loved it and every time I would take them into their room to get dressed after a nice bath, they would jump up on the bed like it was the most favorite thing they could do.
In the days following, Bryan then learned how to climb from his crib to INTO Jonathan's crib that sits next to his. Why? Just to be funny, I guess. :) He would do this over and over again and now the bed frame has worn out and comes undone easily. Not to mention that Jonathan didn't enjoy having his brother jump into his crib and take his blanket in the middle of the night. Ugh!

About a month later, Jonathan wised up and he started to climb out of his crib via the side rails. This was easily done since we had a mini-fridge next to his crib so he wouldn't have to get down very far and he could climb back in if he wanted. Well, that was no good, so off went the front of his crib too. Again, it was like I bought a new favorite toy! The boys would run and jump into one crib then to the next in a flash. It was really cute, but it would always eventually lead to a fight with someone getting bopped in the head. Boys! They've also learned how to jump recently. Except it's not really jumping, it's more like falling. They start standing on their mattress, then we say "1 - 2- 3 - Jump!" and off they go onto the large pillow waiting on the floor. This scares me half-to-death because they go at the same time and they think I'm ready to catch them at all times when sometimes I'm not. We've all got a few boo-boo's from this game.
Then we started to have some problems with the twins escaping out of their room. We'd put them to bed and close their door then go downstairs. (we have a gate at the top of the stairs.) Inevitably, we would hear a rucous a few minutes later. When one of us would go up to investigate, at least one has escaped and is in our room, our bathroom, or in the hall banging on the gate. It was starting to get a bit out of control with both boys finding it hilarious to empty out every stitch of clothing that I had neatly folded in their dressor and dumping the clotes all over the floor of their room. (I have to take a deep-breath just thinking about the mess.)
Most mornings, Bryan would get up first and quietly jump out of bed, open the nursery door and close it behind him, open our door(that we don't close all the way) and close it behind him then says "UP!, UP!, UP!" until we obey and pick him up and put him into our bed with us. I have to admit, it's kind of adorable.
We tried the waiting game. We would put them to bed, then close their door with just a crack open for us to watch what they do. Once they get up, we rush in and put them back in their bed. I think this is the Nanny-911 method. It was hard not to laugh at this because we would lay Jonathan in his crib and pull the blanket up over him and he would put this half smile on his face like he was trying not to smile, but he couldn't help it. Sometimes he would even stick out his leg over the edge of the bed so he could get ready to jump out just as soon as we closed the door. The little stinker! As soon as we put Bryan back in his crib, he would pretend to sleep and even get into his normal sleep position and close his eyes. He hasn't mastered this just yet because he still cracks open his eyes to check if we're still watching him even when we're right in front of him. When he sees that we've caught him, he smiles and turns away in a bashful way. So darn cute, it's hard to be mad. Eventually, we get tired, not them, so that doesn't work so well.
Just this week, Matt came up with an idea that has worked so far to keep the twins in their cribs until we come to rescue them in the morning. This has to be a temporary fix since it's taking up all the space in the room. He's put both cribs together facing eachother.

Well, the twins don't like this toy so much! All their stuffed animals are inside (including their paci's) so it's a symphony of nagging until they get what they want from inside the "crib/cage" each time they get into their room. Double-Ugh! I'd love to hear some advice! (especially from the mommy of twin girls, Heather)

Some updates

Was my last post really April 7th? Geez that's bad. So here's an update on what's been going on. We had a freak snow storm shortly after that last post and the boys really wanted to see what was going on with all that white stuff so I took the boys out to see if their feelings about snow have changed. I figured my best chance was to have them play with the little tykes house first. Things were great until they want to play with that darn door! I've never heard of anyone wanting to open and close a door so much in my life! What I couldn't capture on film was the massive fight that happened right after I took this picture. I didn't even bother with the snow, we went back into the house so we could all have a good cry.
I don't think I've posted these pictures yet. In my Grandma Bryan's house was a small kid-friendly piano that I adored. Every child in the Bryan family got a picture playing with it and I decided that it was time to bring it out and see if the twins like it as much as I do.
I dread the day when I have to give it up so other "newer" members of our family can get their picture with it too!
Here are just a few pictures of them playing/eating. Lately, Bryan and Jonathan have been OBSESSED (I'm not exaggerating) with adults shoes! As soon as they see any laying around, they'll take off their shoes and start their fun. One morning while trying to get out the door, Bryan got a hold of my penny loafers and refused to put on his shoes. We got a video of him "clacking" in the hallway. Luckily Matt stopped filming before the real stuggle began. Jonathan was jealous that Bryan got the louder shoes to play with and there was a a short tug-o-war until we decided no shoes altogether. Good times.

This brings you almost up to date. We had some other good times that I don't have the pictures uploaded yet. This includes an egg hunt, a change in daycare, our first plane trip to Detroit, a visit from G-ma and G-pap Miller, a trip to the Shedd Aquarium, getting a new roof, and changes to the front flower beds. It's a lot, but I'll upload those and post the stories hopefully in the next week or so.
This weekend, we've got plans to plant our garden. I'll be sure to do a before and after. I expect success since last year's garden was our first garden ever and that didn't turn out all that bad.
I hope this blog finds everyone happy, healthy, and with a job if they want a job. Matt and I have been fortunate to still hold on to our positions as of today. Even with the "hard economic times", we still plan on taking a trip out to PA in July and also in December. If you'd like to meet with us, please email either Matt or I and we'll work it into our schedule. There's one thing we've leared over the years and it's that there's nothing more important than friends and family. We may not find the time to say it every day, or every week, or even every month, but we love you.

Bryan the amazing escape artist

While getting ready this morning, I went to put something in the hall closet. I heard one of the boys crying (not unusual) yet it was strangely louder than normal. When I opened the door to the twins' room, there was little Bryan wanting to escape. He got out of his crib! I thought that thing was escape-proof! If you've seen it, the rails are quite tall and the "rungs" are flat, not great for pulling up on. He wasn't hurt, but he was mad that he couldn't get the door open. Thank goodness he couldn't because the gate at the top of the stairs was open. That will have to change for sure now! It's only a matter of time before Jonathan catches on. Oh boy!

Reading with Bryan and Jonathan

Update: I've re-uploaded this video due to people having some problems viewing it. Hopefully it will work this time! Sorry! I uploaded pictures onto my computer first thing this morning (you know, it's busy season and I've got priorities!) and I was so excited I just had to post this video right away.
Update: In other news, I just bought the twins their first tricycles!!! I'm super excited! I bought them from another mother of twin boys through the twins club. She had them for a couple of years and decided to sell them and get "big boy bikes" for her boys. They are meant to be their b-day gift, but there's no way I can wait until August. Ok, I admit it, I broke already. I brought one over to Jean and Mark's house on Suday to try it out on them. It was gorgeous during the whole day and I was waiting for Bryan to take his nap(Jonathan already had his by then) so I could take one at a time out there and hopefully prevent a fight. No such luck. Bryan never took a nap! What's up with that? He was bursting full of energy the whole day until dinner time where he was running out of steam. He took a quick 10 minute nap, but that was it. I hope that's not a habit that will last long. Anyway, around 3, I took both of them outside to see what they would do. They must have already tried riding a bike at daycare 'cause they knew exactly what to do! I had Bryan on first and I was walking Jonathan along my side while pusing Bryan. There's a nifty handle on the bike so I can steer and the kids don't have to peddle. We rode/walked almost all the way to the local park a few blocks away. Jonathan got tired of walking and decided to have me carry him. They LOVED the park and I kinda didn't. One goes one way and the other goes the other way. You really need two people when you take them there and it was all me. Ugh! Let's just say I got my workout that day. Strange report: I put them into the swings and Jonathan was loving it just like last year with giggles and laughter the whole time. Bryan didn't like it at all! He was fine sitting in the seat, but as soon as I pushed, he freaked out! I had to hold him while I pushed Jonathan for a little bit.
On the way back, Jonathan started to ride in the bike then he tried to jump off (thank goodness there's a harness on that thing!) so I put Bryan back in it and I carried Jonathan. We played this game off and on all the way back to Nana's house. Did I mention I got my workout that day? Once we got back, Bryan went inside right away, but Jonthan wanted nothing to do with getting off the bike. OK. We rode around the cul-de-sac a couple of times then around the house. He loves hills! I managed to eventually get him off of the bike (kicking and screaming) then we took a quick walk around the house once more. It was a good weekend.

On a side note: Does anyone have an easier way to load video on this thing? It takes forever!

Roar!

Last night before night-night-land, I "read" to the boys. I put read in quotes, because it's more like say a word or two, then I'm forced to turn the page. If you've ever read a book to a toddler in you're lifetime, I'm sure you'd understand - especially if you're reading to two at the same time!
I am really loving this stage of the twin's development. They're trying to say every word they hear and they're so much happier that they can express themselves. There's plenty of frustrations when we can't understand them(which is a lot)but it's getting better every week.
The book we were looking at last night was the big animal book. They know enough now that I can say "look at the lion, what does a lion say?" and Bryan will give me his best "ROAR!!". He's also got down a cow's Moo, a pig's snort, a duck's Quack (pronounced Gooack), a horse's Neigh, a sheep's baa, and a rooster's Cock-a-doodle-doo (pronounced coo-ooh!) I love it so much I want to cry!
Jonathan is a little bit behind in the talking area, but not too far behind. He's trying to roar too and he can now proudly point out the duck in the picture at Nana's.
Matt took some video and I'll share with you soon.

Just a quick video

It's been awhile since I've posted anything, so I wanted to give you a quick hello to say that the boys are doing great. Here's a peek a boo session one afternoon. They love to hide behind curtains, towels, blankets or anything they can cover up with and jump out and surprise us. I love it!

Overdue

OK, I know I'm WAY overdue on an update. Things are going well. I promise to post an update some time this weekend, so be on the lookout!