Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Happy 2nd Birthday Jakob & Kaleb!!!

How are our babies 2?!?! I can still clearly remember being pregnant with them and multiple trips to triage because I felt for sure that was the day they would be born. How was it possible my body could carry them a second longer? Our bodies are amazing because I somehow managed to carry those two until 36.5 weeks AND with Kaleb weighing 6lb 12 oz and Jakob 5lb 11oz.
I think Marcin was still in shock long after delivery and we were both trying to keep their names straight lol Thank goodness for the sweet little hats to keep us straight! In retrospect and knowing them now, they are easy to tell apart but in a sleep deprived state, things can become a little more fuzzy, hehe :-D We were so excited and relieved they were strong, healthy babies. This was followed by the overwhelming feeling of how in the world were we going to do this?!

We did it with help from friends and family, many disagreements, cuddles with our boys, frustrated moments and hugs & kisses from everyone. I will never forget when J&K were about 3 months old....were in the throes of trying to figure out that magic combo for their reflux, it was very hard. Kaleb would flat out refuse to take his bottle. Jakob would take his bottle and proceed to projectile all 8 oz :/ We had managed to get 2.5 year old Gavin in bed and then it was time for twins. They were not having it, this was a particularly rough night and Marcin yells at me, "IS THIS ANY WAY TO LIVE?!' lol oh my word.....not funny at the time and I am sure he was ready to run for the hills but we laugh about it constantly now.

A year later, we had all survived....
Look at those baby faces!!! Their 2nd year has been quite an adventure!!! They learned to walk, talk all.the.time, run full speed, follow their big brother Gavin around and mimic his every move, we took two road trips to south carolina, one to north carolina, camping in a tent, many shopping trips, bumps and bruises....we made it! To answer Marcin's question, yes this is the perfect way to live. While our life is what I like to call organized chaos, it is amazing to watch our boys grow and learn. I wouldn't change a thing....ever.


this WILL be posted somewhere at Kaleb's wedding!

These brothers adore each other and it makes my heart melt...most days lol They definitely have their days when they are pushing all the wrong buttons but then they do something adorable and all is forgotten :-)

Kaleb is just a big cuddly teddy bear! He now weighs 33lbs and is heavy! lol I had to buy him some 3t pajamas because the 2t I had assumed would fit him, were too short! He has such a sweet personality...laid back and considerate. He is always helping us and putting things back where they belong if they are out of place. Usually a good listener...he is getting better. He used to flat refuse to listen but he is starting to understand consequences and 'time out' so this seems to motivate him to make good choices :-) Kaleb is very adventorous and has zero fear. This is Kaleb on this very tall slide....he climbed up to check it out a couple of times and then went for it. I could not get him off of it after that. He loves to jump off just about anything....my heart can't take it! lol

He loves to sleep, read, dump/ fill containers, memorizes puzzles to the point that he doesn't even has to pay attention to them while putting pieces in, tractors and diggers are a big part of his daily world....tractors especially! Trains are always a big hit with Kaleb also....all transportation vehicles, he loves them! My car is no longer quiet.....Kaleb is always pointing out every single car, truck, fire truck, digger, dump truck, etc. I see them all :-) He is also a pretty good driver on their little Power Wheels 4 wheeler and if I had to place bets, he will be our athletic one. He is a big fan of playing catch or kicking the ball. My goodness...this child can eat!!! He is serious about his food and demanding, when he wants it...he wants it. He is usually pretty quiet and laid back unless he does not get what he wants, then he throws quite the tantrum complete with throwing whatever is closest at hand and yelling. It always makes me laugh when he yells because he so rarely does :-P
His speech has dramatically improved and my lord that child has the sweetest voice, I love to hear him talk (good thing since he talks all the time!). When he said 'night night mommy,' my heart stopped....music to my ears. He is started to pick out colors, letters and numbers.


Jakob now weighs 28lbs! He loves trains and diggers!! He is also our 'little helper,' anything Marcin is working on whether taking something apart, putting together or just trying to figure it out....Jakob will sit right down in the middle and get in there to help. He is very inquisitive when it comes to these things, very cute. He likes tools and trying to put things together. He does not like help when attempting to do something....if we try to help him, he will tell us no and keep trying until he finally can't get it, then we are allowed to help him once he requests us to LOL

Jakob still has that sweet smile that takes up his entire face and those beautiful blue eyes he got from my mom and Marcin's mom, lucky kid :-)
 


 

I said it when I was pregnant that he would be the trouble maker and I am pretty sure I was right :-P Whenever I had u/s or was in triage, he never cooperated lol Out of eight u/s he was always facing my back and breeched. Whenever they tried monitoring him in triage and would finally get the monitor on a good spot to hear him...he would move every time!!! Now at 2 y/o, he is still mischievous :-D He tries to take toys from his brothers and then walks away nonchalantly like he didn't it while someone is yelling at him to give it back. If he is quiet, you definitely want to go check on him. When he does something wrong and knows it....he will watch you until you start to go get him and then runs away hysterically laughing. And boy is this child dramatic LOL He will  have a full out meltdown if I don't read his mind and put his milk or tea (decaf!) in the right sippy cup. REALLY?! You can probably imagine the other meltdowns over more significant issues in his world...not getting the toy he wants, going where he wants to go (god forbid if I pass a park while driving....he will yell PLAY PLAY PLAY and then follow this with a cry that you would think someone is pulling out his arms!) and just generally getting his way :-) Gavin was similar to Kaleb....laid back and just went with it. Jakob.....not so much :-P Jakob is coming a long way with his speech, we are so proud of him as is his therapist. She said he is making great progress, HOORAY!!!
He has a lot of words....a stranger may not understand him but that's ok, we do and as along as we do, we can model the correct way to pronounce the word he is saying. Gavin is a big help here....he is constantly translating what J&K are sayin when I don't understand lol

We don't have any huge plans today....just celebrate our little guys second birthday. Maybe cheesecake factory if weather cooperates  and we can sit outside. They love red velvet cheesecake :-) We will celebrate with a few friends and family this weekend with a 'Digger' party....lots and lots of diggers :-)

I was so happy to catch this sweet moment of them yesterday.....
Man I love my boys....all 4 of them :-D