My head is going in seven different directions at once and it is very hard to concentrate right now.  I’m hearing the laundry thumping in one ear and Joel teaching Malin about her new camera in another ear.  The boys are asleep after melting down during their shower.  I have to admit, we pushed it to close to the wire tonight.  Early morning plus short nap equals cranky babies at night.  I’m sure Joel’s ears are still ringing from the screaming in the shower by Dexter.  As you all are aware, Dexter has the most amazing vocal cords and showers amplify.  Hmmm, that might be why I am hearing Joel through a closed door.  ;)  With Nicholas, we had to let him bring his frog snuggly into the shower with him.  It was in dire need of a bath anyway so no harm.

Anyway, I wanted to share a few observations from the past couple of days.

First, Laura, this will make you smile.  I pointed to your picture on the frig after I noticed Nicholas admiring it.  I said “Laura.  Laura.  Laura.” and he responded with Rara, Rara and smiled.  He knows your NAME!!!!!!!!  How cool is that?

Second, we do have some words or partial words but I’ll take them.  Nicholas can say his brother’s name “Deder”, bubbles = bubu, all done, thank you, and car (which sounds a lot like ”go”) <and I swear I heard Nicholas say “bye bye” today after Susan and Scott stopped by-Joel>.  He can say Mama and Dada but hasn’t called them out to us yet, if you know what I mean.  Dexter can firmly say “Mum Mum” which is a cracker he loves.  He says Mum Mum, walks over to the pantry and then waits for a Mum Mum.  He also speaks in his own language.  Sooner or later, he’ll translate for us but until then, we figure he understands himself and that is all that matters.

Third, I noticed that Nicholas is imitating us and Dexter is imitating his brother.  Case in point.  I poured milk onto my cereal this morning.  Nicholas then turned his sippy cup over and pretended to pour water onto his cereal.  Dexter watched Nicholas and copied his movements.  There are other examples, but none of us can remember them so sorry.

Fourth, I’m going to jinx it by saying this but, THE GREAT MILK DROUGHT MAY BE OVER!  Back in October, Nicholas caught pneumonia.  Before that, both he and Dexter were taking a night and a morning bottle.  After that cold, both of them dropped milk like it was sour.  They haven’t wanted to touch a drop since.  We’ve done everything.  We’ve made it strawberry flavor and chocolate flavor and watered it down and heated it up.  Nothing worked.  Then today, Malin decided to pour a tiny bit into one of our glasses and let Nicholas drink like a big boy.  He finished it all.  Dexter decided to have a go at drinking out of a big cup too and turned it into a game.  After every swallow came the biggest, cheesiest smiles I”ve ever seen.  Of course milk covered his mouth, chin, and bib but he was drinking and he was happy.  It would have made a great commercial.

Fifth, Joel bought hair clippers at Costco, and on Saturday, he cut both boys’ hair.  Nicholas’s curls are officially non-existent.  Dexter looks totally big.  You can see the results in the pictures Malin posted yesterday. <thank god the pictures aren’t too zoomed in so you cannot see how terribly blended they are, or how uneven, but we’ll figure it out.  At the same time, why is it that I’m the one stuck with all the personal care jobs?  Cutting their hair, trimming their nails, giving them drugs – Joel’s job…>

Their independence is starting to shine through and the temper tantrums are a daily occurrence.  When does “time-out” work?  Every time we set up a time-out spot, that becomes the cool place to be.

Anyway, just wanted to catch you all up on the goings on here at the Yates house.  A continued thanks for checking in on us from time to time.  We appreciate knowing you are out there and that you care.