Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It was unbelievably nice out for St. Patty's day this year, so after a playgroup with some other twin moms (at which my kids were VERY well behaved, I'm happy to report), we needed to head outside! The boys were anxious to enjoy the sun.


In these, Jack has a green shirt and red hat, and Ben has a white shirt with a blue hat.
We blew bubbles...

Ben looks like Jack in this one.

Ben practiced his standing and taking steps...

And practiced using a lawnmower.

Jack played with his favorite trucks.

And he did keep his hat on most of the time.

Mairead was all dolled up with her pigtails and St. Patrick's day ribbons.

They were exhausted, but still managed to play on the swingset.

Ben gave his big brother a push.

Mairead lent a hand to My Nana as they raked up some leaves.

Some goldfish crackers helped tide Ben over until dinner.

They looked SO cute in their little hats and Irish shirts. We loved the weather and are looking forward to a lot more of it.

Mairead had a great day at school today. She gave me a kiss goodbye and two kisses when I picked her up, which was very cute. Her teacher said she did great with eye contact and with following directions. When I picked her up, I watched her sit in a circle with the other kids and patiently listen to the teachers. Also today, she used several new phrases such as, "come with me," and "It was fun." She also started using a few new signs since we have started watching a few dvds to teach baby sign language. She is learning SO much lately and we are so proud of her.

The boys did well at their PT session today and are putting away more food than you can imagine. Now that the nice weather is here, we can burn off that energy outside!

I almost forgot!!!

Ben WALKED! Yesterday, he took four solid steps to get to the couch. I don't even think he realized what he was doing. He had been holding on to my leg and I pried him away, leaving him standing about a foot from the couch. He looked at me for a second and then just walked over to the couch as if he had done it every day of his life. So funny!

Today, he took three more steps.... we are in big trouble now! Jack was able to stand unassisted today for about 4-5 seconds, so he will be keeping up with his younger brother very soon!

I will try to get some video of him doing it-- I never know when he will try again!

A Tisket, a Tasket...

A baby in a basket! Well, two babies, really. Now that the boys are taking baths in the big tub instead of the sink, we have come up with a creative way to be sure they don't slide all over the place or knock each other over. Babies in laundry baskets! They like it- they feel more confined and they don't have to share their toys. It's easier for us since they can sit up pretty well without help, and one adult can wash a baby while the other baby is safely playing. Bath nights are quite the operation with a little assembly line of babies. We seem to have a system going that keeps everyone clean and happy.

The kids are doing great. Jack now has two bottom teeth and one top one with another top one soon to follow. The only downside to that is that he grinds his teeth and it is a terrible sound! He is also really into giving high-fives.

Both boys can now (sort of) make the sign for 'more' and for 'all done.' Very helpful at mealtime! Of course, it is pretty much always meal time around here.

Ben's favorite thing to do lately is to steal remotes for the tv and wave them frantically in hopes of making something happen.

Both boys are really into music and they start dancing as soon as they hear any. I will have to get that on film, for sure.

Mairead is doing really well. She had her first in-home developmental therapy session today and it went really well. She liked seeing her teacher and the new toys she had brought.

At Christmas, Grandma recorded her voice into a 'T'was the Night Before Christmas' recordable story book. Lately, Mairead has been really into it. She keeps the book in her crib and listens to it over and over while she is going down for a nap or for the night. She loves that the book says her name at the end- it's very cute.

We are trying to stay busy during this most recent deluge, but we are all desperate for dry (and warm) weather. I can't wait to post pictures of us playing outside!