A Visit to the Zoo

Checking out zebras and giraffes with our buddies.

This gorilla decided to take a nap right in front of us!  You may not be able to see it in this photo...but he had one eye slightly open checking us out the whole time.

Checking out the lion - he was VERY loud.

Exploring in the Jungle Jeep!

Measuring up against the animals.  Tommy is apparently the same height as a Pigmy Hippopotamus.

The most exciting attraction of the day was a crane truck located in the zoo's service area.  BOYS!

Moving and shaking!!!

I had felt a flutter here and there over the past couple of weeks....but last night it officially kicked off.  My little gymnast has kicked into high gear!!   It is so cool to feel those movements again...and this baby is really moving.  (I think the chocolate I had just before bed helped with all that movement.  :)  I feel him/her moving the most when I am lying on either side.  It is simply one of the most amazing sensations I have ever felt.

So far, my cravings have been so different this time around.  Here are my most cherished food items:  WATER (if I could have a poland springs water dispenser beside my bed it would be perfect), Orange juice, apple juice, jolly rancher candies, twix bars and milk.  Everyone who knows me will see a vital food group missing here....NO ICE CREAM!  Insanity.  Yes...this baby has a sugar/sweet tooth for sure, but no ice cream?!?  I've even stood with the freezer door open staring at the Brigham's chocolate ice cream willing myself to want it...only to close the door with a sigh.

With the boys, dairy made the top of the list.  Milk was number one...followed by ice cream, ice cream and oh yes...MILK.  Peanut butter was my top food item.  I definitely drank a lot of water with them as well.  Very different cravings, for very different kiddos.  :)

I am also having a sneaking suspicion this one is a boy.  Granted...I am TERRIBLE at this game.  I thought I was having a girl last time and ended up with TWO boys.  But...I have gotten a few clues that lead me to believe I might be right.  First off, my ultra sound tech said "he" a few times during my last scan and asked me what we had at home - then was quiet.  I've heard some of my friends getting predictions at these early ultrasounds, but mine?  No prediction.  Just kept referring to the baby as a "he".  Second would be my actual pictures.  In one of them, there is what appears to be a boy bit between the legs.  (Pretty BIG clue, don't you think?)  LOL  We'll find out in September for sure, but either way...we're happy.  I've certainly got enough boy clothes!!   Heck with two of every outfit, I won't even have to do laundry for the first two years!!

Okay, baby report over for now.  Back to the potty training story.  Will update shortly.  Sadly...not the best news to report.  Complete revolt over here!!  Oy!

Potty Training Twin Boys - A Diary

Here is the score so far:

7:30 AM - boys wake up and learn the deal.  Wrapped presents (matchbox cars) for poops or 5 pees on the potty.  Stickers for washing, pulling up and down pants and flushing.  We throw all of our diapers into a big trash bag and say "Bye bye stinky diapers!  We don't need you anymore!!"  The boys think this is a riot.  Then they pick out their underwear and the day begins.  30 seconds into underwear Tommy wets them.  A new pair is popped on and we commence yet again.

9:00 AM - Tommy has gotten the hang of this.  Already has one toy and has gone twice by himself.  Cole is tortured.  He holds his better than Tommy which is a good thing typically....but when you want a toy REALLY bad....it is devastating.  Here is a picture of Cole:  He cried uncontrollably for a toy until I threatened to put him back into diapers.  He was immediately OK.  Cole is great at holding it.  But today...he wants prizes.  He sits on the toilet and grunts...then cries "It's BROKEN!"

10:15 AM - Tommy has now peed twice standing up.  No one showed him this.  He has seen the big boys apparently at the park and stored it for future reference.  He does this twice in the potty and once outside on his own.  He is pulling down his pants on his own and loving it.  I can already foresee some streaking with this child.  :)  We've had two accidents each, so we're in new underwear.   Both boys caught themselves and ran to the potty which was GREAT.  Still awaiting poops.  Tommy is thinking he has too....we'll see!  So far Tommy would rather stand than sit.  It's so funny!

10:26 AM - I ask Cole, "honey do you have to pee pee?"  He responds "No." then proceeds to pee all over the floor.  Nice.  Try again. 

10:50 AM - Cole wets through his underwear again.  Doesn't seem concerned or aware, so we offer him pull-ups.  Looks like we're going to throw in the towel with Cole and just going to focus on Tommy.  Maybe seeing Tommy do it will motivate Cole.  This is almost a relief to me.  Cole was clearly stressed out.  Tommy is acting like this is old hat.   Example:  He just walked over to the potty on his own...pulled down his pants and peed again standing up.  Aiming like a pro!! 

12:00 PM - I think Tommy might be well on his way!  He is going to the bathroom on his own now.  Incredible!  Even did the big #2.   Of course, we haven't tackled naps or bedtime yet.

Potty training!

We're gearing up for potty training over here!!  We've got underwear, stickers, candy and wrapped prizes.  The potty's are set up....the chart is ready....but mommy is NOT!!!  :)  Oh well...  Guess this had to happen sometime!!  The goal is to have them completely in big boy underwear by end of August.

Any advice before we take the big plunge?

What a wonderful world...

We are so excited to share the news that Cole and Tommy are going to be BIG BROTHERS!!!  Baby brother/sister is due the first week in February and we couldn't be happier.  It's been an exciting summer for sure.  Aside from beach days, a visit from Grandma and a wedding in Lake George - we've been keeping this exciting news a secret.  No easy feat!!!

The boys are both very excited and have been pretty inquisitive and sweet.  I'll share a funny story.  One night when I was putting the boys to bed, I was lying beside Tommy when he pointed to my belly button and quietly asked me, "Mommy?  Is the baby in there?"  Surprised, I answered, "yes honey.  The baby is right in there."  He put his head right over my belly button and started singing at the top of his lungs, "OLD MCDONALD HAD A FARM E-I-E-I-OOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"  That child has such a big heart.

Tonight as I was giving the boys a bath...looking at my swelling belly and listening to their giggles...I just couldn't help but think of that song, "What a Wonderful World."  I feel so blessed in life and these two boys are going to be the most amazing big brothers.  Truly a wonderful world.

---

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.