Patrick's:: John and Stephen

First I will update you on our little rug-rats! :D

John has more new words! Today at speech, he said "Bubble" (AAH!)
And he has been saying:
HI

Bye-Bye

BEE-BEE (Baby)
Bo-Bo (Broken/hurt)
ahhhhh, (more of a refreshing sound after drinking something, but it means he wants something to drink)
Num-Num (hungry/wants something to eat)
Pop
Choo-Choo (train)
Big (Chris his Speech Therapist says he can say it... I have yet to hear it...!)

John is crazy about Duplo-Lego blocks. And, he is actually really good at them! Ryan and I have been impressed at the towers, trains and things he makes, they are quite intricate. He will sit and play with them for a looong time too! (15min) :)

When I go to get John in the AM, he always asks about "Bee-Bee" right away. And then goes running into SJ's room to find him. Stephen is the apple of his eye-haha....for now at least! (Wait until SJ is mobile and wants JR's toys!) But, for now I am amazed at how sweet they are together. John is very gentle with SJ, he kisses his forehead and helps me burp him too.
One morning this week, I was doing laundry- so I was up and down the steps a lot, leaving them on the main floor playing toys. Every time I came up from the basement, John had been "taking care of SJ" .... One time, SJ was doing tummy-time and has spit up a little on the carpet. Well, JR to the rescue! He emptied out the entire cupboard of towels and rags. Everyone last one was in the living room next to SJ and JR was "scrubbing" the spit-up. Might I add, JR was so proud of himself, he was even clapping for himself when I asked him what he was doing.
4 loads later.... I had been talking to JR about how SJ was feeling a little "chilly-cold" and that I needed to find him a blanket. Well, when I came back from changing the laundry, SJ had a huge heap of hand towels on him. Again, JR was very proud of himself, and SJ was, well ready for the laundry to be done.
John really wants a stool for Christmas so he can climb much easier. He now stacks things to stand on so he can get the "no-nos" off the counter. ;D Hopefully Santa won't be falling for his request.
John has a new sneaky smirk. It is actually so cute! He looks at us from the corner of his eye- what are we in for!? He runs away from us when we tell him to come to us, he laughs when he is in trouble... eeek, I sure do love it though! :)
Ohhh, and John's favorite foods are the Pillsbury crescent rolls!

Stephen is getting his to bottom teeth!!!! They are just about to break through! I am so sad that his drooly, gummy smile and red cheeks will be gone in a matter of no time. It is heart breaking that these babies grow up so fast. I have to admit though, teeth are giving me a lot of anxiety.... I am really hoping that his biting doesn't continue. SJ bites me all the time, and I really want to nurse his until he is at least a year. Sigh, teeth....
Stephen has been getting solids too. I wasn't sure if he was hungry or his teeth were hurting because he was grabbing at everything to get it in his mouth. Really, I think it is a little of both.
To date, Stephen has had:
Peas, potatoes, prunes, carrots, apples, pineapples and bananas.
He doesn't care for the rice cereal, but likes everything else I have offered. I love kids that aren't picky eaters! I don't think I will have to worry about Stephen!
He has been doing tons-o-tummy-time. He really likes to be in the middle of what John is doing. This way he watches John's every move. I have even caught him a couple times pushed up on straight arms! Yikes! I am not ready for crawling. Stephen is a strong boy, a happy strong boy.
Stephen is mostly sleeping through the night. If we put him in his swing he will almost sleep until 5 am. If he co-sleeps or sleeps in his crib (well, he doesn't sleep in his crib) he is up at least 4-5 times. So, the swing wins!! He is following in John's foot steps....
Stephen is a very mellow baby. He will just lay and watch, so long as people are paying attention to him. As soon as I walk away, he screams. My baby, spoiled?! Ya think??! :D

John blowing out my birthday candles. My parents brought over these chocolate cupcakes- what a nice surprise!! John loved blowing out the candles.... he thought he was the one blowing them out, but really Ryan was blowing from a distance. What a proud little boy! :)

Stephen Joseph looking up to his Papa Joe!

John playing hide-and-seek with Grandma Mitty. So sweet! Grandma was hiding in the little tent.

Ryan and I took the boys to the Children's Museum on November 13th. We strated out by splitting up- I took SJ to the Habitot Room, and Ryan took JR to the Earth Room. It is so great to have one-on-one time!

This is John playing in the water area-it was a good thing we had a change of clothes!! He was soaked!!