PEEK-A-BOO

The boys really enjoy putting things on their heads.

Thankfully, we do keep all plastic bags out of reach. :)

This may stem from the fact that they LOVE a good game of "Peek-A-Boo." They will pull blankets, towels, etc. over their heads all by themselves. And the double giggles I hear is the sweetest sound.





None of these photos were staged! Just two boys being silly!


Elijah


Will


Don't worry, the diapers were clean ones...

TODDLERS: What's mine is mine and what's yours is mine!

Before the twins were born, people would tell me that having twins is awesome because the boys will have an instant playmate. It's not like having one baby that you, as a parent, have to entertain yourself because they don't have anyone else to play with. This excited me! Woo hoo!! Another benefit of having twins over a singleton. And yeah, it made sense. I thought, "Sweet!! I'll barely have to watch them. They'll just play nicely with each other while I relax on the couch eating my bonbons, reading a book." Okay, so I knew it wouldn't be THAT easy, but I did think it'd be a little easier than what it is right now.

Maybe I'm naive or just plain stupid, but I thought "instant playmate" meant sweet little twins playing ever so gently and politely with each other while laughing and giggling all day long. Oh, how wrong I was. Eli and Will as instant playmates are more like instant criminals! (But way super cute little criminals!)

Yes, there are those special sweet times. And it's so adorably precious when they play together so sweetly! But it seems like lately, there's much more of this: grunting, crying, and screaming. It's more of a "tackle each other, bite each other, and steal toys right out of each other's hands no matter what it is and run off as fast as they can screaming thinking they have surely conquered the world" playing. I swear that even now at only 16 months of age, they are communicating behind my back, planning these conspiracies to drive me absolutely nuts. Yes, they ARE criminals!

I also thought that with having two at the same time that they'd learn to share a little faster and easier. Wishful thinking, I guess. Cause then I picture what it'd be like to have only one baby who didn't have to fight with anyone. I bet it'd be a lot calmer and quieter! I suppose even though it's rough now, it will pay off for the future. They will know how to share easier in the long run. Right?

And there's not even any SITTING on the couch for me, yet alone laying on the couch! No bonbon eating. :( (Ya know, I have never even had a bonbon. Are they really that delicious?) Anyway, if I sit on the couch, the twins want up to too. Which would be just fine if they would sit there, but all they want to do is stand up. Every time they do, I picture them falling over the back of the couch to their death. Not very relaxing, let me tell you.

I know they are toddlers and it's normal because they are learning and testing their boundaries...blah, blah, blah. But is it really too much of me to ask that they grow out of it and learn to share and be gentle with each other right now!? HA HA!! Or is this just a boy thing too? If so, oh my, I am really in for some interesting years.

I was warned that boys can be rough, as in "a little more physically active." Yeah, that's the nice way to put it. But, the whole wrestling thing really thrown me for a loop, I didn't think that would happen at least until they were 2 years old. But Will sure knows how to tackle Eli. It looks like he's really trying to pin him! Where did he learn that? Just natural instinct, perhaps. (Although, it is pretty funny and usually Elijah just giggles, so it can be pretty darn cute to watch those little wrestlers!)

In case you couldn't tell from reading, being a mother of multiples really sucks the life out of me some days and needless to say, 7:30pm (the boys' bedtime) is a very welcomed time around here. But I know no matter how hard some days may be, I'll make it through. One day at a time.

I wouldn't change my life. It may not be perfect, but it's my life. A life with my two precious miracles who drive me nuts from time to time, but I love them with my whole heart. Thank you, God, for this beautiful gift!


The phrase, "What's mine is mine and what's yours is mine!" is really apparent in the Vincelli house lately! And here's a toddler poem that captures it so perfectly...


THE TODDLER CREED
by Dr. Burton L. White

If I want it,
IT'S MINE!

If I give it to you and change my mind later,
IT'S MINE!

If I can take it away from you,
IT'S MINE!

If it's mine it will never belong to anybody else,
No matter what.
If we are building something together,
All the pieces are mine!

If it looks just like mine,
IT'S MINE!

If it breaks or needs putting away,
IT'S YOURS!

LITTLE BOOKWORMS

Elijah and Will LOVE to read. And I mean love, lOvE, LOVE!! It is so precious!

They've always enjoyed books, but for the last two months, they have been all about BOOKS! These photos were all taken in December and January.

I must clarify that they don't necessarily like us reading to them. If we try to hold them and read a book, most often they don't want anything to do with it. But they do love holding books and paging through them on their own. Usually I just end up reading aloud a different book while they are looking at their own books. Oh well, whatever works! :)



This was their favorite reading nook during December. Nested in all the pillows and stuffed animals we keep between these two chairs. They loved to snuggle up in here and read together. Sometimes I would be cleaning up from snack or lunch and suddenly it'd be very quiet. (Which you know is never a good sign.) But then I'd find them either playing quietly or reading in their little nook. So adorable!!


Our sweet little bookworms


But after Christmas, we moved the chair back to where the tree was. So their favorite nook disappeared.

So now their new favorite place to read is in their new chairs from Ikea. They look like such little boys (not babies!) in their chairs. (Those chairs are AWESOME and we highly recommend them. Plus they will be able to grow into them and use them for years and years to come!)



Here are the boys the next morning after they got the chairs. The first thing they did was grab a book and climbed up on their chairs to read!


Lately they've even been pulling up their blankets on them while they read. They are so sweet together. What little men!











They read in their jammies...


They read with clothes on...


Sometimes they read in the nude...



and sometimes with extra clothes on...
(Elijah was really upset when we took off his vest to put his pj's on. So, we put his vest on over his pj's and he was content. Looks like we might have a little fashionista on our hands.)


Sometimes they read while getting their diaper changed on the changing pad!


And they've even been spotted sitting on top of books while reading books. :)


Notice all the books surrounding them. They read a lot of books. Now if they would just learn how to put the books back nicely instead of tossing them to the floor!

THING 1 AND THING 2

Thing 1 and Thing 2 can drive me absolutely crazy. And I mean, really really crazy.

But then times like this make it all worthwhile...

HYPER BOYS BEFORE BED

This happened on January 17th.

I assure you that I did not give them any sugar.

Just two hyper boys before bed.

Nick counted and Will circled the kitchen island 14 times. Wow, what a workout!

Here's the funny video:





Here's a photo of Will right after. I found him laying down on the kitchen floor reading the same book he was carrying around in the video. Precious boy!


And a photo of Elijah. He calmed down by reading a book too! Love those little book lovers!

PRAYERS FOR A FRIEND

My heart is aching as I cry and pray for a dear friend who just had her 2nd miscarriage after her 2nd round of in-vitro.

Shannon, I pray God gives you comfort and peace as you ache for your precious babies who have gone to heaven, along with the strength and faith to trust in His plan for your family. I love you!

Nestled in God’s Arms
The Lord loves little ones
And keeps them safe and warm
In a special place in Heaven
Nestled in His arms.
The Lord placed the tiny babes
To grow in a mother’s womb
And if He calls them home before their birth
He must have them a special room.
I have not yet seen Heaven
But I know our God above
Will take special care of tiny ones
And surround them with His love.
So do not fret or mourn
For the tiny soul set free
But look forward to a reunion
That will last eternally.
-Thena Smith

Please don't take your children for granted, there are so many people out there who would give anything for the chance...

Video: "I Would Die for That" by Kelly Coffey



Daddy please don't look so sad, momma please don't cry.
Cause I'm in the arms of Jesus, and he sings me lullabies.
Please try not to question God, don't think he is unkind.
Don't think he sent me to you and then changed his mind.
You see I'm a special child, I am needed up above.
I'm the special gift you gave Him, a product of your love.
I'll always be there with you, so watch the sky at night.
Look for the brightest star and know that's my halo's brilliant light.
You'll see me in the morning frost that mists your window pane.
That's me in the summer showers, I'll be dancing in the rain.
When you feel a gentle breeze from a gentle wind that blows.
Know that it's me planting a kiss upon your nose.
When you see a child playing and your heart feels a tug,
Don't be sad mommy, that's just me giving your heart a hug.
So daddy don't looks so sad and momma please don't cry.
I'm in the arms of Jesus and he sings me lullabies!
~ Author Unknown

AND THE CLIMBING BEGINS

The climbing phase has begun. I'm guessing it won't be over anytime soon either...

Look where we found Will. Guess he finally learned how to use the ottoman and other chair to climb up on the couch!


Eli tries, but with no success.


They climb in bins.


The climb on bins.


They climb on gift boxes.


They climb on diaper boxes.


They even climb on toilet paper. I mean, why not?



A race to see who can get on next!


As you can see, Will is very proud and excited. And Elijah in the background is a little upset and wants his turn!







Here are the boys today after church yesterday. Will used the piano to get up on the couch. Poor Elijah wants to get up there by himself so badly!


And Nick watched this shenanigan as it happened. Being the good parent he is, he didn't stop it, but quickly grabbed the camera to document it. I'm proud of you, Nick!

You can clearly see for yourself how Will magically appeared on top of the table!

First tip over the play kitchen...


Then use it to climb into the red bin of toys...


Re-position yourself...


Climb onto table...easy peasy...


Eli is sure trying hard. I'm sure it won't be too long before he can do the same!


And don't you worry, this wasn't a one time event for Will. He's done it a few times since. Here they are yesterday while I was getting them dressed for church. Poor Eli. You can just feel the frustration on his face! It as if he's saying, "Will, take me up there with you!" :)


And this morning I watched Will get up onto the couch by climbing on top of Eli. I'm not kidding. Will used Elijah as a step. Hilarious!!


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