Two years old and big changes!

The boys had their two year appointment today. All is going well for them. The Dr did say they are not to have more than 24 oz of milk/day. Apparently he doesn't know my kids! It's like their comfort-milk! I need to stop giving it tot them but it is just sooo hard! Anthony has geographic tongue. The Dr. said it had no effect on him. You can google it if you want! When he drinks milk, you can tell his tongue is different-it's like, well, a map! On his tongue! :)

Nicholas is weighing in at 27lbs6oz and he is 35 inches tall! Anthony is weighing in at 23lbs15oz and is 32 inches tall! The nurse tried really hard to give Anthony that extra ounce, but it wasn't happening! And there is 3 inches between them in height. Funny because that's what I was telling everyone! A mother knows! What else... They got the swine flu vaccine today as well. Currently, the swine flu is wreaking havoc across the US. It especially affects kids. And in order to protect Annabella, I had the boys get the vaccine. Funny thing is though, they possibly have ALL had the flu already(regular flu season hasn't even started yet). Annabella had gone in with a fever of 103.7 and the pedi looked at her and immediately said flu. So who knows.

The boys were discharged from EI services on Monday. It was sad to say goodbye to Elissa their therapist. It was a short six months, but the gains they have made are AMAZING! Nicholas is now consistently putting two words together. For example, "NiNi's turn" "Bella's diaper" "Momma up!" It's really amazing to listen to!

And the most important thing Nicholas has done?? I put them down for nap today(11/19). As I am laying them down and covering them up, I say, "Night night. Bye bye. Love you." And-they repeat the first two back to me. Never have they said "love you" back. That is-until today. I said the three sentences to Nicholas and he responded with, "Love you!" Now-how AMAZING is that?!?!!? The joys of motherhood I tell you!

And lately Nicholas has been quite the affectionate one. Usually he is so busy doing other things and isn't into sitting with you, etc. Lately though, it's "Momma up! Up Momma!" And he wants me to pick him up and hold him. Such a sweet kid!

He did manage to break his glasses after wearing them-albeit sporadically-for a week. We are now patiently waiting for new ones to come in. Let's hope it is SOON.

I tell ya-these two boys keep me on my toes! But they are just the sweetest little things-most of the time! ;) We laugh constantly. We're silly together. We dance together. We read together. We snuggle together. It never gets old. They are just such lovely little boys. And sweet. And caring. They dote on their little sister. It is AMAZING to see how good they are with her. Now-I still wouldn't leave them alone with her(more than a minute or so). But they are just so cute with her! They kiss her GENTLY on her head-and on their own accord! When I've feeding her they'll kiss her, or they'll rub her head, or burp her. They don't understand their strength, so I don't think they are really being malicious with her. Anthony does seem to get a bit excited too by her. And she ADORES them! She sees them and immediately she has an enormous smile for them. And they reciprocate. It's just so special to see! I still can't believe I am a mother to three.

Sometimes I wonder why I was ever worried in the first place!

More photos...

A few more birthday photos and Nicholas and Annabella.

Birthday photos!

I am too lazy to go and rearrange the photos. But you get the jist of them! These were taken on their party(17th) and on their actual birthday(18th).

HAPPY SECOND BIRTHDAY NICHOLAS AND ANTHONY!

Can you freakin' believe it?!?? I certainly can't! Nicholas and Anthony are now TWO years old! I'm still scratching my head wondering where the heck all that time went! To think they went from helpless infants to independent toddlers in two very short years.... Now, they drink from their sippy cups, as well as cups without covers. They use plates and bowls, spoons and forks(proficiently I might add). They can zip and sometimes unzip their jackets. Their vocabulary grows everyday(for the most part). They know their colors. Nicholas can count to 10. They are starting to sing their ABC's. They know many animals-and LOVE animals. They are fond of trucks, cars, planes. They love music and singing, especially Laurie Berkner. They can climb into the mini van all by themselves, as well as their seats. You can take them for a walk down the street-and they listen. They love Mr. Potato Head. They love to run around and be goofy. They love to play with each other. They ADORE their sister(and here I thought their world would be ruined...)! They understand EVERYTHING we say(even if they can't say much yet). They are big fans of Sesame Street, Jack's Big Music Show, and Sid the Science Kid. Anthony LOVES LOVES LOVES cooking shows. They love to help cook in the kitchen. They are picky eaters. Anthony loves his fruit, Nicholas loves his pasta. Milk-they can't get enough of. Anthony LOVES espresso. Seriously. They are not big sweet eaters(certain things, yes). They no longer use a pacifier.

Oh my-the list is endless! It's amazing to see how my little boys have grown sooo much! To think they were over 6 lbs at birth, and now they are well over 20lbs. And to think Anthony spent his first week of life in the NICU, and you would never know it. Then, he struggled to eat ONE ounce. ONE. Now-he can eat like a champion-when he wants to at least!

In all honesty, there has not been a day, in the last two years, that Tony and I have not laughed or smiled due to the joy the boys have brought into our lives. Nor does a day go by where we tell each other we have the most amazing children. The most beautiful children. And most certainly, the most loved.

I know we didn't go down the "traditional" path of having our boys. And in all honesty, I am glad we didn't. If it wasn't for IVF, those precious little boys of mine wouldn't be here. I'm glad that path was chosen for us, and even more glad(does that even make sense?) that I decided to walk down it.

So to Nicholas and Anthony-I want to wish you the best Happy Birthday ever! I don't know if you will ever realize how much you mean to mommy and daddy, and the rest of your family. You are the light of our lives, and forever will be. WE LOVE YOU!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

(pictures to follow...)

Anthony's BIG accomplishment!

I don't have a picture of it-but I really should... I was in the bathroom and Anthony followed me in. He said, "Ppp! Ppp!" That means, poop! So I asked him if he had to go and he started to giggle. So I took off his overalls and diaper and he sat right down on the potty. The smile on his face was from ear to ear! They love to sit on the potty! I told him to pushhhhhh and of course he tried! LOL!

Well, he then stood up and goes, "Ppp! Ppp!" I said, "Did you poop?" He shook his head up and down! I then looked in the potty and didn't see any poop. But what I did see was pee! He peed in the potty!!!!! I made a big deal about it. When Zia came over he showed her. When Daddy came home, he grabbed his hand and brought him to the bathroom. When NaNa came over, he showed her. And when Grandma came over, he showed her as well. He sure was beaming!

It was probably a fluke-but we'll take it! First pee in the potty: October 13, 2009!

"NiNi's" new accessory

Is he not just the cutest thing ever???? Surprisingly-he kept them on! He never really tried to take them off. I guess the Dr. was right afterall?!?! We had to go show daddy at the office on our way home. I said, "Ok-let's go show NaNa" to which he replied, "DaDa! DaDa!" I told him we could stop by the office after we got the glasses when we pulled up to the eye glass store. He has a great memory! Now off to find some straps to keep them ON his head!

Four Months Old!

Well the princess has turned four months old-ALREADY! We had her four month pediatrician appointment on Monday at 9:15am. Boy is she growing! She is now weighing 14.6lbs! That puts her in the 50-70% for weight. And for height she is in the 70-90%. Where she is getting her height, I am not sure! Overall she is doing great! I asked the Dr. about her spitting up and he seemed perplexed that she actually did spit up! Her weight certainly does not reflect that! I could add rice cereal to her bottles if I chose to. I could do the same with the boys, but I never did end up doing that...

Four months old!

What a happy little baby!

He did also say we can start cereal/solids if we like. He said anywhere between 4-6 months it was fine. Once we start adding foods, we need to do the new food only for a total of 4-5 foods to watch for allergies. We started rice cereal on Monday, 10/12. It didn't go so hot. She certainly was not a fan of it-it just sat on her tongue/in her mouth. She didn't devour it like her brothers... Maybe in due time. I'll stick with the cereal for a bit before I add anything else. I don't think I added fruits/veggies with the boys until 6 months, but I could be mistaken! It's just something else to worry about!

In her mouth it goes:

Where she proceeds to let it sit there...

Something tells me she is not a fan...

I also asked about the swine flu vaccine. The pedi said if I think the regular flu is safe for the boys, then I should think the same of the swine flu vaccine. I need to protect the boys, but I also need to protect Annabella, who can't get the vaccines yet. We do go to storytime at the library now, so we are out in public(vs us never leaving the house). And I think the swine flu is hard on kids. But-we'll see. They didn't have any, so I still have time to make a decision!