3 YEARS OLD!!!

About 1 week old, NICU

July 2009 - 3 1/2 weeks old...Going home from the hospital

That's right folks, the twins are 3 years old! At times it feels like it has flown by, but at the same time, I can't remember life without them. I imagine that's how it feels when we reunite with family after we die - like we've always been together. On their birthday (Saturday) we celebrated by doing some of their favorite things - yard sale-ing, swimming pool and playing with friends. Arlo requested macaroni & cheese for his birthday dinner and Josiah asked for a cold hot dog (eeww!). Jason will be back in town this coming Friday, along with my sister & her kids - we'll do the big celebration when they are all here.

I feel like the boys' age/phase right now is both AWESOME and EXHAUSTING. They understand rules, but are constantly testing  the boundaries. I have to be alert to their actions at all times because they are quick!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to sit on the couch and watch them play together - they love to play pretend (doctor, dentist, policeman, monster, cowboys, etc). Because they spend every minute together, I also have to break up a lot of fights. Sometimes I feel like a referee & counselor because I have to physically separate them; then talk them through the situation, their feelings & agree upon a resolution. I guess this is the story for any parent with more than 1 child.

Josiah & Arlo have excellent verbal skills. Sometimes I can't get them to stop talking! They speak in complete sentences & are learning new words every day. They have mastered their colors, can sing their ABCs & count to 10. They are currently learning to count higher & distinguish each letter by sight. They are both skilled in reasoning and logic and they have a good understanding of cause and effect.  Both boys can distinguish between girls & boys and kids & grown ups. They love reading books and we spend quite a bit of time reading before bed. They also LOVE singing at bedtime - their top 5 requested songs are 1)I hope they call me on a mission 2)Called to Serve  3)Families are Forever 4)ABCs  5)Twinkle Twinkle. Both boys can dress & undress themselves (which is SO helpful for me).

Jason & I are so blessed to have Josiah & Arlo. Their strong spirits will be a force for good in the world.  We love you boys!!

Here's a little about each boy recently....

Josiah (Nicknamed "Sy" or "Siah")

Josiah is quite the character & has a strong imagination. He LOVES to play pretend & is always begging for me to join him. Josiah has a very nurturing side & can't leave baby Miles alone. He carries 2 baby dolls around the house and pretends that they are baby Miles. Josiah LOVES to wear crazy clothes and costumes - he rarely wears the same outfit all day long. He is a dancer too & can really bust a move! Josiah's favorite color is red and favorite food is yogurt. When he grows up he wants to be a "missionary and fireman and marry Katelynn Everts."

Some of my favorite Josiah quotes & pronunciations:

fingers = "neeners"

airport = "ear-port"

paper = "pay-ker"

van = "bain"

My 3 year old!

Arlo (nicknamed "R")

 Arlo has a BRIGHT personality - he is optimistic, cheerful & forgiving. He gives smiles liberally & his eyes sparkle when he smiles - it melts my heart. Arlo has excellent manners - with very little prompting by me, he will say please, thank you, & you're welcome. He has recently become a little helper - getting a binkie for Miles, throwing away trash & assisting in the kitchen, etc. It may be genetic (haha), but Arlo is a pop addict - if you have a carbonated drink sitting around, you can bet that he will sneak a sip. My mom has nicknamed Arlo "the enforcer" because he loves to enforce rules on other people (but doesn't think they apply to himself!!) Arlo loves to sing and he has memorized quite a few lyrics to primary songs & playtime songs.  Arlo's favorite color is orange & his favorite food is pasta with "white sauce" (alfredo). When he grows up he wants to be a missionary.

Some of my favorite Arlo quotes & pronunciations: 
(Driving in the car at night) "It's too dark, I can't see my eyes."
(Referring to his Doritos) "Mommy, these chips are too spicy for girls."
(Jason asked him what his nickname is) "My name is not Nick"
(Arlo's recent prayers) "Thank you Father, Thank you Father, Amen" (followed by 2 claps)

Grilled Cheese =  "girl cheese"

 

My 3 year old!!!