What a Trip!

Well, the grandies finally made it back to Oz, and we have had a couple of days to get back into our old routine.  The boys were so tired yesterday, they slept over three hours at naptime and went right back to bed and slept until 8 am today!  Wow!  They miss Nannie and Poppy and are talking about them in conversation daily – which is pretty cool. Oh and Auntie Peta, too, because we promised that she will be coming to visit them soon.   

Today when we were playing with friends, Augustus was counting the seats on a plane (his new favorite thing to do is to hold up two fingers, say two, then hold up three fingers, say three, again, he almost never starts with one), and then went into a story about Nannie and Poppy being on the plane.  I think the Grandies may be perpetually on all planes we see!

Tonight, in the car and Raleigh started talking about his friends C&E, and how they went on “a-cation” – otherwise, known as a vacation, and I asked him if he wanted to take a vacation, and he said he did, with Mommy & Daddy. I asked him where he wanted to go, fully expecting him to say Australia, but, no, he wanted to “a-cation” to Nonnie’s house.  Safe to say, he missed Nonnie and Papa Pickles, too!  This weekend is a long weekend, and although we have an awesome play date scheduled for tomorrow that I am sure you will come back to read about real soon, we hope that the boys have a ton of time with Nonnie and Grandpa Pickles too. 

Over the course of the vacation, Augustus has had a complete language explosion!  Seriously, I know I have written that before, and really, with one of our boys being a bit more verbal than the other, I think we, or maybe it is just me, stresses about Gus’ verbal abilities more than if he was a “singleton.”  Lately, Gus has talked non-stop.  I mean NON-STOP! At bedtime tonight, they were dead-silent for about 20 minutes, and then I hear Gus saying, “no, mines birthday, happy birthday.”  Raleigh says “Mines birthday.” Back and forth they went until Augustus started listing all his family’s birthdates, Nannie, Papa, Mommy, Daddy, Connor, etc.  Loved it!  Thankfully, they can burst out like that and then be sound asleep two minutes later. 

Speaking of sleeping situations, on the first night of our stay at a hotel, Matthew went in to the boys room in the morning, where they were sleeping in twin beds for the first time, and Matthew thought Nannie must have gotten Raleigh up already because he could not see him in his bed.  So, he started talking to Augustus and asked him if he wanted to go up to see Nannie and Poppy, and he said yes, and then seemingly out of nowhere, comes a squeaky “me too.” Here Raleigh had gotten out of bed, climbed under it and gotten stuck. Well, to say he was less than thrilled about sleeping in the bed the rest of the trip, but se la vie.  We now know that we are not going to be transitioning to the real big-boy beds soon.  Maybe at three years old!  And I have such great fire truck sheets that I am dying to use! But I digress.

Overall, the boys had an amazing time with the grandies.  They were spoiled rotten, and just in heaven with all the attention.  I was also in heaven with getting spoiled sleeping in and having extra hands all the time to make it so much easier to do the day-to-day things.  We lived it up and through all our trips and tribulations the boys were amazing troopers, particularly when they were tired.  It is hard to remember they are only two years old because they are so awesome.  Even after going full forced on day three away from their home with an hour nap average for the two previous days, they were still all smiles and giggles on the way home from Mickey’s house where we made it all day without a nap or much rest.  They did fall asleep about 6pm that night, but we were blown away with how great they did with heat, little sleep and lots and lots of adventures.

 

It was funny to see how they were with other people in their space, and see how they had a great time learning all sorts of new things from their lovely Aussie family.  Augustus continued his fierce independent streak, most epitomized with his serious “direction” to let him do it, or get away, so he could do it himself.  Seriously, one of my favorite pictures from our travels is of him directing Nannie away from him so he could jump in the pool by himself. 

View Full Album

In all his glory of anal retentiveness, just like his father, this stubborn, streak of independence and self-reliance is awesome to watch blossom.  Seriously frustrating to deal with when you want to just get moving some days, but I love that the boys have no problem doing their own thing.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want a bunch of boys that don’t listen, but I love that they have free will and are not afraid to let you know what they want…hmm, wonder why?

I could go on and on about our time with the Grandies, and will continue to write about it in the future, but since the blog is so much for the family that is on the other side of the world, I will keep from going on and on.  I am sure there will be other stories added, to make sure I remember them for the boys, but overall, just wanted to say the boys had a great trip and time with their Grandies.  We hope to see you all again really soon!

 

Enjoy a few links back to the last few visits we’ve had.  The boys growth is amazing – yup, used that word again, but it is the best I can come up with!

•  Goodbye in November
• Goodbye in May
• First Trip to Australia

Tools, Tools, and More Tools

The boys have always had a fascination with tools.  They love Nonnie’s pint sized real electric screwdriver in particular.  We have been on the lookout for some tools that look like they will not turn into weaponry…if that is possible.  I hit the jackpot this week at Target by buying their Circo brand tool table set.  It includes a circular saw, a drill, clamp press-thingy, a hammer and a screwdriver (or coo-coo driver as Raleigh pronounces it).  It was half price and makes super cute noises, not those really annoying toy noises, and of course, it also lights up.  I give it a grade of A-, only because if it was a bit bigger I think they may use it longer. However, if it was bigger, I don’t think I would have got it for $11 new. The bonus is that we picked up some swanky sunglasses that have yellow tint that pass as safety goggles.  These were in the dollar section, and I grade them an A++.  Awesome.  The boys love it and the toy has turned into a great way to get the boys to clean up on the double.  When they are done with it, I put it on our breakfast bar, so they can see it, and then when they want it back, they have to pick up their other toys first.  Awe, clean toy room bliss. It really is the small things in life that make me happy.  Of course, I am not in denial, I know this bliss will likely be short lived and I will have to find something else to bribe create an incentive with.  

 

I have not posted recently because I spent last weekend with my BFF, Kristy.  We have been friends since we were two and now we only see each other once or twice a year, sniff, sniff.  This trip was to meet her new baby, Jane.  She is just three months old and super, duper squeezable.  Of course the beautiful Annie was also there, and she is now a whopping 19 months old already. Although, I did not get any sleep in time – seriously, what is with the sun being at high noon at 6:45 am in the Midwest…I don’t remember that growing up…it was a great trip with friends and two of the most beautiful, laid back little girls, and their stunning mom – who seriously does NOT look like she just gave birth. Awesome!

 

View Full Album

In other news, the boys are doing well.  They continue to amaze us everyday. Raleigh continues to expand his language and Augustus is getting there, he is just a little less verbal.  Nonetheless, he is not behind with other forms of communication.  He is such a comedian and is hilarious to watch all the time, but one of my favorite things to watch him do is when he watches TV. He finds humor in all the right spots and is quick to repeat what he sees, especially the “Max-like” behaviors.  Of Ruby & Max, of course.  If you have never seen it, don’t.  It is thoroughly screwed up.  It centers around a sister and brother who are never parented, only a Grandmother makes an occasional appearance, and it is quite disturbing to see what they come up with.  However, the boys love it.  Gus has a serious Max look.  This short video is one example of him trying to roll his eyes, something he does quite well already. 

Rals continues to cry at bedtime.  I truly don’t remember them ever doing this before; however, I know most of their first months have been blocked from my memory, so maybe they did.  Now, it is just a way to get more cuddles and delay bedtime. I feel bad because Gus is ready to go to sleep but generally just talks to Raleigh.  He’ll say “here” and “okay” to try to soothe him, awe, so cute.  He doesn’t cry long, but it is hard to hear.  While I was away he vomited twice during naptime, and really, I think it was just his way to get out of napping.  When I got home, the next time he went down for nap he stood in his crib and made fake puke sound effects and laughed…wicked little man.  He also started laughing this diabolical laugh at all the right moments too.  He is seriously so funny and too smart for his own good.  He knows how to get Gus going and tries to drive us crazy at times and then starts this laugh that makes me want to pee my pants, but you know if you laugh you are done for!!!  During one of his naptime fiascos my mom was at the house and she went to lay down with him on his bean bag to try to calm him back down.  She had her eyes closed and he said “wake up, Nonnie.”  When she wouldn’t open her eyes, he pinched her cheeks upward and said “cheese.”  When that did not rouse her, he said “Nonnie pretty.”  OMG, really? What a man!

 

I know I am missing seven hundred other little stories to tell, but I cannot remember them all now.  I have been sick with another sinus infection, and now Matthew has it.  So far, so good, for the boys.  Fingers crossed, knock wood, and all that jazz.  The multivitamins we started them on after their two-year checkup seems to have minimized their colds recently.  Again, knock wood.  I just got a message today that Raleigh is due for a cardiologist appointment.  Ugh!  I hate those.  I like living in denial that there is anything wrong with our perfect little angels.  Nonetheless, it is always good to hear the good news that everything is going well. 

Wow, We've Been Busy

The Aussie visit for November 2009! Got to love the Ugg boots!!!

Seriously, it has been none stop around here for over a month. I feel like I should be 10 pounds lighter, but we've also been eating really good food, so no such luck:(

The grandies from Australia arrived along with Auntie Peta a few weeks ago. I cannot believe it is almost time for Nannie and Poppy to head back. Sigh. The boys have had a fabulous time with them and I just know this is going to be the hardest goodbye yet.

What have the boys been up to? Well, we've traveled quite a bit. New Orleans, Key West, Miami South Beach, New York City and around town here an awful lot too. The boys did not make it to NOLA or NYC, but we did manage to take them around Key West and South Beach for sun and fun. They were real troupers on the long drive to the Keys. Although, they are not really fond of getting back in the car these days. It will likely take a while before they are for another trip. NYC was a blast. We did so much, and new adventures as well considering we've been there quite a few times. My favorite part was the unexpected acoustic concert by Dave Matthews at the Museum of Natural History as he did a sound check for that night's fundraising gala. Literally no one was there until they saw me taking video and pictures with a goofy grin on my face. Then all of three people checked it out. It was amazing to see and hear. AMAZING!!!!

BTW - put up only small photos, if you want to see them bigger just click on them - enjoy!

Their language has exploded, although, it is mostly words that sound similar. For example, they can say "boat, bike, ball, boot, bop - which means Poppy, baby" and tons more "b"words. Augustus broke out "strawberry" the other morning at breakfast, and had a big smile after he said it, but then has not said it again. They also say "moon, more, mine, me" and lots of "m" words. They say "juice" and "snack" really cutely too. Finally, they can say "yeah, yeah, yeah" and shake their heads yes as well. I still love their little soft "no, no, nos" though. Raleigh has managed to say "peas" for please and has really started to say "thank you" using sign language which is a big improvement. Don't get me wrong, they will still scream at times to get what they want and are really working on being two year-olds. However, overall, I will take their "tantrums" over other kids any day!!!

Augustus has started putting his fingers back in his mouth and we have had a few "Hanibal" and "Lector" biting episodes recently. I am not sure which teeth are bothering him, but alas, we just noticed Raleigh's fingers started going in his mouth yesterday too. Bummer! I hate teething, and the boys already have 16 teeth. Ugh.

We all had a fabulous dinner out last night to celebrate Grandpa Pickles birthday. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Wow, the good food just doesn't stop this time of year, does it?!?!?! Looking forward to watching some football, and introducing the Aussies to a good old fashioned Thanksgiving Day at our house. Hoping all our family and friends have a wonderful time too. We are so thankful for all of you, and miss those of you far away!

Much love from all the Hamiltons!