"Ba-Da!"

Our little boys are devoted to their bottles. I've been feeling like it was probably time to transition them to a sippy cup, but knew this would not be easy. Upon a recommendation from a friend, I purchased some new sippy cups with a soft silicone lid that, frankly, looked a lot like a bottle to me, only slightly more "socially acceptable."

I introduced the new cups at breakfast, and they were grudgingly accepted, though I noticed the boys didn't drink much milk from them. Neither boy wanted the sippy cups at lunch. It wasn't until I put Peter and Joseph down for their afternoon nap that the revolt began.

I put them down in their cribs with their blankets and sippy cups of milk and shut the door. For a few minutes all was quiet, and I silently celebrated another successful nap time.

Suddenly, THUD! THUD!

Was that their sippy cups they just chucked to the ground? Uh oh.

"BA-DA! BA-DA!" they both started yelling. Not crying, mind you, more like demanding.

"BA-DA! BAAAA-DAAA!" 

Then I realized what they were yelling. Bottle. I didn't even know they knew the word.

The volume increased. Their demands must be heard.

"BA-DA!! BA-DA!! BAAAA-DAAAA!!!"

They started shaking and rattling the bars on their cribs.

"BA-DA!"

"It's not worth it," I thought and went downstairs, filling bottles with milk and bringing them upstairs. I was greeted by little outstretched hands grasping for their bottles,  and smiling, happy faces. 

Both boys promptly lay down and went to sleep.

I tried the sippy cups again a few days later. I offered it to Peter who looked solemnly at me and shook his head, "No." He wouldn't even take it. He couldn't possibly. "No."

I haven't tried the transition again. I'm choosing my bottles, er, battles.

Below is the "sub-standard sippy cup." I don't see much of a difference between it and a bottle, but apparently, the difference is astronomical.

Joseph, happy with his "Ba-da" and "Ba-Ba" (Bottle and Blanket)

Peter, content.

 That's all they want. It's not much. Just don't mess with a good thing. :)

Fall Foliage

We love our BioPark here in ABQ and it's one of the most beautiful places to visit with the Aquarium, the Zoo, and the Gardens. Today we went on hunt for some color and to let the kids run some energy out. 

The sun illuminated the needles on the cactus perfectly.  

We built some leaf piles and loved running through them and throwing them in the air. 

In search of snow

After nap we decided to go in search of the snow that had recently fallen on the top of the Sandias. We didn't know if our little guys could handle the drive up but they did ok. It was a beautiful drive and although we had to practically drive to the top we found a great spot for the kids to play in the snow. 

They immediately jumped out of the car started to climb the steepest part of the slope... we redirected them to a better spot where people were sledding. 

Peter and Joseph didn't know what to do with the snow at first, but they "warmed" up to the idea pretty quickly. 

The view from the top of the mountain was amazing. 

Some nice folks lent us their sled to Elijah to go down a few times. He had a blast! 

Jamie even gave it a try. 

Of course all good things come to an end as Eli and Eva took a spill while coming down the hill. We ended up making a quick and loud departure. 

Joseph and I even took a turn going down the hill which he loved. We've got ourselves another thrill seeker. 

Pink cowgirl boots

Someone fell in love with a pair of pink cowgirl boots. Eva has been asking for boots for a while now, but when she saw these, they were it. She's wearing them with her pajamas as I type this. Little cutie!

Turkey Trek

This Thanksgiving we decided to do a Turkey Run and were joined by our good friends for a combined kids fun run and adult 5k run. Elijah and Eva did a great job with their friends in the fun run while Jamie and Katie did a great job in the 5k (the dads watched the kids and cheered on everybody.) 

Eli and Merek stuck together for the 1k, but Eva and Kennedy were separated from everybody so Jamie joined Eva for the run. 

I think Eva had a blast with the run. She said she wants to do the 5k next year because "I have enough energy." She's a natural! 

They received ribbons with the run which they were very proud of having.  

Reading buddies

Boy does this warm the parents heart!! (Eli reading a book to Eva)

Boba Tea

We won free drinks at Boba Tea from our Turkey Trot, and finally brought the kids to redeem them. It was pretty chaotic and the pictures tell the tale. Basically, Peter and Joseph know when they are missing out, haha!

We love you

I've been sick with a bad cold. Eva and Elijah came down with a Lego creation they made for me and sang in unison, "Making something for someone is one way to say I love you." (From the show Daniel Tiger.) They said they wanted to help me feel better and to tell me they loved me. It's a heart with a little monkey with a purple bow. I melted.

18 month stats for J+P

Growing healthy and strong!
Moving to the 75th percentile foe height, 50th for weight. They had a big growth spurt, and continue to track each other so closely.

We had a rather dramatic Dr appointment with all 4 getting flu shots on top of J+P's vaccines. The babes went first and E+E got so upset with their brothers crying that they FREAKED OUT about their own shots. It was one of those terrible moments. I left the office with 4 hysterical kids. Did a bit of crying myself. Next time I want reinforcements. :)

Halloween Party

We got to a Halloween Party a little early, and so the kids played on the playground waiting for their friends to arrive. The photo opps were spontaneous and adorable.