Today Hayden, Payson and Madison turn TWO! What a fun, exciting, challenging and memorable two years it has been.
If you are new to the blog or want to take a job down memory lane, check out our post describing, in short, our experience on December 19, 2007.
Happy Birthday to HAYDEN! Hayden is a princess, goof-ball and a little Mommy all rolled into one. She is super independent, and oftentimes stubborn, and likes to have her own space. She plays alone well but prefers to shadow Mommy around the house and be a helper. She likes shrieking (to the dismay of her sister), barking out orders, and testing her boundaries. She loves accessories and hats and knows how to be silly and make you laugh. She sings constantly, is a ballerina in training, and adores animals.
Favorite food: Cheese and fruit. And I have to cut her milk intake off at 24 oz/day or else she might drink 40+ oz. She often drinks 8 oz. in under 5 minutes.
Favorite toys: Anything soft and stuffed, baby doll and her baby doll stroller. She is also desperate to get her hands on lotion and diaper cream containers, Mommy's make-up, everything in Mommy's purse and just about anything that is for adults.
Dislikes: Depends. She likes something if it's her idea or if she's in a good mood. But if she's unhappy, simple tasks like getting diapered, dressed, having her hair done or being buckled into the car seat can become a wrestling match.
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Happy Birthday to PAYSON! Payson is simultaneously all-boy and all-loving. He is very laid back and is always laughing and smiling. He doles out hugs and kisses all day long and says "Hi Mommy" and "Hi Daddy" throughout the day. He loves to roughhouse, throw things and climb. He is very curious, eager to help, a great sleeper and a bit apprehensive about new things. The TV puts him in a trance (just like his Daddy).
Favorite food: Breakfast foods (pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, etc.) and meat.
Favorite food: Breakfast foods (pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, etc.) and meat.
Favorite toys: Cars and anything small enough to fit into the palm of his hand. He has recently become a master at board puzzles and he loves to read books in our laps.
Dislikes: He's a little bit of a scaredycat, so sometimes, if too close, he dislikes motorized rides, new animals, puppets and life-sized characters, and unusual loud noises.
Dislikes: He's a little bit of a scaredycat, so sometimes, if too close, he dislikes motorized rides, new animals, puppets and life-sized characters, and unusual loud noises.
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Happy Birthday Madison! Madison is full of fun and adventure. She is bold and beautiful and knows how to get her way. She is outgoing, active and super silly. She has high-highs and low-lows and can change moods in an instant. She is a master snuggler, she's eager to speak and to learn, and she pushes the limits.
Favorite food: Crackers and carbs, in general.
Favorite toys: Toys that interact and make sound, baby doll and baby doll stroller, play kitchen and play food and anything else that she can cram into her stroller.
Dislikes: Giving up her plate, etc. after mealtime, sharing her assigned toys and waking up.
Here's where we are developmentally. At age two, one or more of the kids can:
Count to ten and sing the ABC's (though still incorrectly - shh, don't tell them!), say "please" and "thank you" without prompting, determine what is big and what is small, name colors and shapes correctly some of the time, jump and get both feet off the ground, sing a good portion of about 15 songs, use some pronouns, make small sentences, follow a three-part or more command, recognize their printed names and assigned colors, play simple games, complete board puzzles, climb up and down stairs without using hands or holding on (makes me nervous!), take off their own shirt and pants and put pants on, use a fork and spoon, ask for a diaper change, name their everyday objects, do a somersault unassisted, blow bubbles in the water, blow their noses, buckle, zip and unzip.
They can now clearly make lots of requests: up, down, in, out, open, close, go, stop, stand, sit, push, hug, kiss, more, yes, no, all done, help, plus a myriad of others.
They are taking pretend play to another level and they talk out loud to themselves using real words as they play. They are also talking to each other using real words and are beginning to speak for each other.
A special thanks to our friend Betsy at Betsy Marie Photography for taking such great photos of our family! Here are some more great shots:
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