We're soaked

The boys love water. This past Saturday we went to the duck race and found that there is a water play park down by the river. They loved it. Their outfits (and diapers) grew to at least twice their normal size. As you might predict Charlie went right for it, while Jack stood as far back as possible and took his time getting used to it before really getting in. The water was pretty cool and there was a breeze so I finally had to make them get out when Charlie went from just shivering to actually looking a little bluish. On Sunday we swam at Grandmomma's house. They are really turning into actual swimmers. We start our second round of swim classes this week.

In other update type news...Charlie can now count to 10 and identify at least 75% of the letters. Jack has an unbelievable memory and can "read" himself almost every book we own, even ones we rarely read to him. They both know most of their shapes and several colors. Charlie can do all of the puzzles picking out the right pieces for each one. Jack can sing along with just about any song he has heard before. His current favorite sentence is "As you wish!" which is really cute to hear him say.

A late night, well worth it

I was out until 2:30 this morning. Very unusual for me as I'm generally asleep around 10. But it was well worth it as we welcomed COEN early this morning after a long period of anticipation. His mom (my cousin Maria, who is more like a sister than a cousin) and dad are doing great and are thrilled to see him. He is just perfect weighing 7 lbs 5 oz and 19 inches long.

Where does the time go?

I can't believe July is almost over and I have not posted anything. Things here are just rolling along. There is a lot of dancing and a lot of talking (not all understood yet.) The boys are very into "farm" themed things right now. Last weekend they got to go to Grandaddy's real farm and sit on the tractor (Chip and I were gone to a wedding in NC) which was a big hit. They have also been taking swimming classes and doing really well. In fact they love it so much they try to rip off their car seat straps as soon as we pull into the parking lot. I have no pictures of this though as it is a Parent/Tot class. Meredith, our good friend and beloved babysitter, helps with the lessons too.

Finally, on "film"

Jack has been saying his ABC's all the way through for over a month now but every time I get the camera he stops to investigate what I'm doing. My sister-in-law, Sara, was here yesterday and was able to keep his attention on the task at hand while I finally got it on video. As he started through a second time I got a little greedy (trying to get a visual of him pointing to the letters as he said them) and he saw what I was doing and got distracted. Oh well, once is enough I guess.

He speaks...

Charlie finally decided to talk to us a couple of days ago. He's been saying 6-10 words (which is the normal range) for several months but with Jack counting to 20 and saying his ABC's its been strange having him still be mostly into gestures but the day before yesterday he just started talking. He has decided to start with animals and body parts mostly. So far he says panda (of course), giraffe (which is really just raffe), zebra, ear, nose and mouth. He has also added a few utility words like eat and help. Jack is going very slowly with his sentences. We've still only gotten a few out of him. Last Saturday he brought Chip a book and proclaimed "I say book." It seemed pretty appropriate. They are also both very interested in helping right now. In the picture they were helping Chip wash the car.

I draw paper

We have our first real sentence. Jack is very talkative right now and spends lots of time naming things, reciting his ABC's and doing his numbers. This morning at church there was a little boy his same size but a little older who could really talk in sentences etc. I got the report that Jack was fascinated by him. It seems to have inspired him as this afternoon he told me "I draw (on the) paper" as he began to scribble on his paper. Charlie has started picking up a couple new words a day and I'm sure they'll be talking my ear off in a matter of days.

Kidz fun kutz

The boys hair was getting really long (as you can see in the picture above). I've been cutting it myself but it is getting harder and harder. Also, it grows so fast that I had to cut it about every other week. So yesterday afternoon we took them to Kidz Fun Kutz.

Charlie went first and he did great. He was really pretty cooperative and sat relatively still. He really liked the airplane and watching VeggieTales. He did try to watch every TV in the place so since we were the only ones there she just turned the others off. I was amazed at how well he did, no fussing at all.

Jack went second and fussed just a little. Mostly he just wanted to get down and run around somemore. He was also really interested in what Charlie was doing in the firetruck (another of the seats). But overall not a bad showing either. The stylist was very patient and very good. She didn't mind the wiggling or looking around at all.

They both have much shorter "summer" 'dos now.