I’ve heard that from ages one to two is the hardest age. The babies know what they want, but can’t communicate it to me. You cannot reason with them and they don’t understand ‘wait your turn’. Then I hear about the terrible twos, and horrible threes. I was under the impression that things were supposed to get easier NOT harder. Fake out!!! I think 0-4 months was by far the hardest age, but then again I had two babies. Never ending bottles, pumping, feeding, changing, bathing, rocking, crying, crapping. Add to that severe sleep deprivation and it’s a miracle I’m still sane!! Having a newborn wasn’t all it was cracked up to be and I’m sure it is because I had two newborns so I didn’t get to sit in the rocker and rock myself and baby asleep because there was always another baby to tend to. With that being said I must say that month 17 was a close second as far as HARD! The hardest month we’ve had since the newborn stage.

Enter tantrums accompanied by biting, hitting, scratching, banging ones head on the floor. Stealing toys, throwing toys, tripping and falling on toys. Teething. Oh my, the teething is not fun. Shenzie cut three molars that month and it was not a pleasant thing. Although Heaten is cutting three molars right now and as far as miserable goes, I think he wins.

And then there was the sleep. I have been very lucky to have two relatively good sleepers. They started sleeping through the night at 5 and 6 months. We had a really rough month with the transition to one nap and lots of night wakings. Since we moved them to their own rooms the night wakings are very, very few (knock on wood), and the one nap is finally working itself out at 2 hours as the norm.

I’m really looking forward to better communication and more stable feet and I am really dreading potty training.

So tell me oh seasoned ones….what was your hardest age and why?

Happy Anniversary!

Jeffrey, You are such a wonderful, loving, kind, and supportive husband. I honestly couldn’t imagine my life without you. You are my best friend, my soul mate, my one and only true love. I love you with all of my heart, forever. I can’t wait to spend the next 300 years with you (after they un-freeze us naturally). Thank you for being such a wonderful friend, husband, and father. You are everything to me and the babies and I appreciate all that you do for us.

I love you.
Love,
Lesley Ann

I love you angel - my little butterfly. I love you and us and our life together with the clams. Don’t worry, I’ll catch you.

Love, your husband,
J.

This photo is one of my favorite photos of us. Fall 2001 - Your first visit to Las Vegas

Since becoming true walking toddlers it is VERY difficult to get the babies sitting in a photo, looking at the camera at the same time. Sometimes I bribe them with a sucker (don’t worry Dada, they are organic and have no sugars added) Heehee.

I forgot to add your 18 month stats to your letter.

Shenzie

Height ¤ 29 Inches ¤ 5th Percentile
Weight ¤ 22.10 Pounds ¤ 25th Percentile
Head ¤ 50th Percentile

From 15 Months

Height Growth ¤ 0 Inches
Weight Gain ¤ 1 Pound

Heaten

Height ¤ 30.5 Inches ¤ 10th Percentile
Weight ¤ 24.3 Pounds ¤ 30th Percentile
Head ¤ 95th Percentile (GIANT Melon Boy)

From 15 Months

Height Growth ¤ 0 Inches
Weight Gain ¤ 1.1 Pounds

So overall not much growth in three months. I hope that is normal…the doctor didn’t seem concerned, he just says you’re both on the smaller side right now which is fine by me since pulling, lifting, and carrying 50+ pounds daily is more than enough!!

Dear Shenzie and Heaten,

Do you know what One Year Six Months means?!?!?! That means you are a year and a half old! Oh my goodness, let the gray hair shine through. It is so crazy how quickly the time goes by and now you are half way to two. I am very excited and scared and saddened by this. Sometimes when I look at you I don’t see my babies anymore, but little children. Some days I miss those little babies, but most days I am having so much fun with my little children that I don’t have time for missing babies. You both are so much fun, so full of life, so full of joy, laughter and everything good. I know I tell you this all the time, but I am so thankful that I am able to stay at home with you and never miss a minute of the fun. This also means I never miss a minute of the fighting, tantrums, meltdowns, food throwing, hitting, scratching, crying, and fussing…but as crazy as you sometimes get I’m glad I never miss a minute of the bad times either.

The best part about One Year Six Months was that you both started showing each other affection. Most days you now will hug, kiss, or play nicely with each other and let me tell you, my heart melts with love each and every time you love on each other. I am so glad that you have one another. You really notice when the other is not around. Upon waking from your naps you both usually look around for the other and get so excited when you find them.

Dear Shenzie,

You have started “talking”. I use that word very loosely since most of what you say is indecipherable, but you do copy many words that I say and know many of your own. You “talk” to Heaten as well. You get right up in his face and babble away. I wonder what you’re thinking and saying to him.

You still love to wear hats, and now have added sunglasses to the mix. You look quite hilarious with your hat and glasses on and now bring them to me everyday before we go for a walk to the park. Sometimes when you’re doing things such as cleaning the table with a cloth or dressing your bear in doll clothes I totally see the girly part of you. Other times when you’re beating up on your brother or throwing dirt and rocks and getting completely covered in dirt I see the tomboy Shenzie. I love these two sides of you, they mesh to make my perfect little daughter.

You still love Elmo. It is your favorite book to read and the minute you hear him on TV you go running over and point yelling what I assume is Elmo. You love to sit on the daybed or couch and watch TV. You lie back with your bear and relax with me. It is pure heaven. You are a very affectionate little girl. You give me kisses, you cuddle with me, wrestle with me, love to sit on my lap or stand between my legs, anything as long as you’re touching me.

I can’t express how wonderful you are and how much I love you. You are so beautiful and bubbly and perfect in every way.

I love you Shenzie Weather,
Love,
Mama

Dear Heaten,

Oh my little cuddle bug. What would I do without all of your love and cuddles and sweetness. You are such a sweet, loving, fun little boy. And as always you are still very emotional. When you are happy your entire face lights up and your smile is so big. When you are sad you cry big alligator tears and come running to me for love. When you are frustrated, angry, or upset you flop to the ground on your butt and then very gently lay onto your back and then start your tantrum. Speaking of tantrums, seriously? How many a day do you really think is necessary. They kinda lose their effectiveness if you are having them every hour. Just an FYI for the future.

You are so good at asking for my help. When you can’t do something you come over and grab my hand pulling me to where you need help. This makes me so happy that you ask for what you want instead of having a fit. You are getting your first molar this week and oh my goodness, it is not pleasant. Teething is not an easy thing for you and I so hate to see you in pain and hurting.

Two new developments this month that I can’t quite say I like. Sleep. You have always been my really good sleeper, content to lie in your crib and play quietly upon waking. Not anymore. The transition to one nap was very hard on you and you are still getting it worked out. You had a full month of crappy naps and crabby moods. Instead of waking and playing quietly you now wake, throw your doggies out, and then cry to high heavens for them back. You are very addicted to your doggies (note the plural…it was one dog, now you always have to have two dogs with you). Lucky for me I have 4 of the same dog for rotating. The second new behavior is hitting. You hit Shenzie on her head a lot and you hit me and Dada. They are not mean spirited hits or even hits out of anger, more like hits to see what the reaction will be. Don’t get me wrong, you do hit out of anger or frustration and you totally don’t get the whole idea of time out. I guess it is payback to Shenzie for all of the times she’s scratched, pushed, or hit you (which is A LOT).

You love to play with the other kids at the park. You run after them and yell at the top of your lungs. It is so wonderfully cute and funny. You’re still a little unsteady on your feet so you usually end up going to fast and your feet get away from you and crash to the ground you go. We’ve had a few bruises and bumps from the park, but you’re getting much better.

You’ve finally started using some signs. After 8 months or so of signing you will do more and dog. Between the tantrums, pulling me where you want me to go, shaking your head no, and doing the sign for more when you want to eat, when you want more, and when you want a drink you make your needs known.

I love you little, sweet man. You are my perfect son who brightens up my day.
Love,
Mama

Happy Birthday Grandma Marg!!!!

We miss you and can’t wait to see you again!

Finally! Heaten is cutting four molars and the first one poked through today. Only 15 more teeth until he is done! Hahaha. He only has his front four teeth…talk about late teether! Shenzie has 12 and has no sign of any new ones so keep your fingers crossed that we get through Heaten’s molars before she decides to get any new ones.

Shenzie’s new favorite thing…wearing my bra around her neck.

Weight Watchers Week 7 Weight Loss: 1.5 pounds
Total Lost: 12 pounds

I guess the Pizza Hut, Jack in the Box, Chilis, and Cold Stone didn’t hurt me too bad. =)

This video has it all….yelling, hugs, kisses, and tantrums. I know I seem like a mean old Mommy when I let Heaten roll around on the tile with his mini tantrum, but trust me…he has like 100 tantrums a day and I’ve learned there is nothing I can do until he is done. This was a fakey tantrum..the real ones have much more crying and rolling.

You know you’re a seasoned mom when your child is throwing his sixtieth tantrum of the day and instead of wondering what this one is about you think ‘oh good, he’s already on the ground, I bet I can change his diaper before he finishes the tantrum’.

I’m just not ready to cut the apron strings. All last month I hyped myself up about joining the YMCA and using their facility daycare for a few hours a week to a) get in shape and b) get a break away from the crazies…..but, it’s not happening. I am not ready to leave my babies with some unknown person in an unfamiliar environment. I know, I know - I’ve heard that they will love it after they get used to it. I’ve heard that it is good for them. Yadda, yadda, and etc. That all may be true, but I am not ready. They are still too little and I don’t feel comfortable with people other than trusted family watching them. Ha, they may never be big enough for me to want to leave them, but we’ll cross that bridge when we have to. For now they have each other and me and Dada and that is enough for all of us.

Bubbles!!! Gotta love the bubble maker that keeps me from having to blow and blow bubbles for hours.

As far as exercise goes you would think chasing the babies around all day, lugging them up and down and up and down the stairs, and pulling the wagon with 45 pounds loaded in it for miles a day would be enough. Guess I’ll have to dust off the Elliptical Trainer that is sitting in the corner abandoned and alone.