Frustrations are always followed by sweet moments

Today I got a little frustrated. It was stupid, really. Logan, Taylor, and I were in my parents' kitchen when I saw a squirrel out the window. I told the boys to look outside and pointed to the squirrel. Not only did they not look outside, but they didn't even seem to listen to me.

I talk a lot to Logan and Taylor in order to increases their verbal skills, but sometimes my time and efforts seem to go to waste. They don't repeat words or sounds, like "dog" or "moo." They don't respond to questions or comments, like "Where is mommy?" or "Let's go get your shoes." And although I'm pretty sure they know the meaning of "no," they rarely obey.So although I feel like I understand them most of the time, like when they're trying to tell me that they are hungry, thirsty, or tired, I wish they would at least attempt to use words. I also wish they know what the heck I'm saying when I'm saying it. I know that there are several reasons for this "verbal delay", if that's what this is, but I still couldn't help but be frustrated. So I came up with 3 reasons for this "delay."(1) They are learning 2 languages, French and English. (2) They were born premature, although they should have caught up by now. (3) They are twins and have their own language, or so people say.

And then the cutest thing happened... Logan and Taylor were both wearing fuzzy pants that day, and Logan just loves to cuddle with soft things. So he was chasing Taylor around the house, trying to grab his pants so he could cuddle with it while closing his eyes and sucking his thumb. Then later that day, the funniest thing happened... Logan and Taylor were both pushing their ride-on around the house, when Logan crashed his in the door, looked behind him, saw Taylor coming toward him with full-speed, and ran as fast as I have ever seen him go. That night, I thanked my Heavenly Father for my 2 wonderful boys whom I love so much. I thanked him that they are both healthy and very energetic. I am so thankful for these sweet moments that make all my frustrations melt away. I am sure there will be a time in the (near) future when I will wish they would just stop talking. So in the meantime, I will try to enjoy this time of quietness and these nonsense-babbles of theirs.

Weeks 5-6 in Maryland

I cannot believe that in just one week, we will be back in Iowa, waiting for Billy to come back to us. Time has gone back really fast (from all the fun) and slow (from missing Billy) at the same time.

These last 2 weeks, Logan and Taylor got to wear their new coats a few times. They didn't seem to mind.

Logan got to practice his walking skills, by himself, since he doesn't seem to enjoy holding anyone's hand.

Taylor will not hold anyone's hand, ever! He is such an independent little guy!

The leaves on the trees at church were so beautiful that we had to stop for a quick picture.

Logan and Taylor did really well, considering they didn't sleep at all at church that day.

I love Ikea, and I've been really bumped about Iowa not having any, so we took the opportunity of being out in Maryland to go check it out. If I had known I'd want to buy everything and we'd lose a shoe, I never would have gone. Oh well, I guess the boys had a good time.

I got to see my friend Anastasia again. And this time I didn't forget to take a picture. It would be great to be closer to home, and not just to be closer to family, but to be closer to this girl. She's awesome!

Taylor will be very embarrassed the day this picture pops up, but I just couldn't resist.

To make things fair, I'm sure Logan will be just as embarrassed, although the crack doesn't show here.

Taylor found my witch hat from like 10 Halloweens ago. He had so much fun walking around wearing it and laughing his head off.

Logan fell in love with my friend Christa's boots. He just laid there, cuddling with it while sucking his thumb.

After hanging out at the park for a little while, Logan got to admire Parker's beautiful curls.

Getting 3 active 14-months-old boys to look at the camera at the same time is no easy task. They had way too much fun together to sit still even for 5 seconds.

Later we got to go to the pumpkin patch, where Taylor, Parker, and Logan got to walk around and check out cool pumpkins.

I love this picture of all 3 of them. They sat so still, for like 10 seconds, and it made me wish these guys could play together more often and become best buds.

Logan must have been day-dreaming or something because he sat there, without moving a limb, for like 2 minutes.

As I watched Logan and Taylor playing together, I realized that although we sometimes have a tough time getting places, I am so glad Logan and Taylor have each other. They'll always be best friends forever.

Just as that thought crossed my mind, they started arguing over the same pumpkin... fortunately, there were plenty for them to play with. Problem solved.

We also picked some apples, which Parker, Logan, and Taylor got to enjoy while we walked around the market and on our ride back home.

Christa's mom joined us, which was very nice. She is very sweet. Logan, Taylor, and I do a lot on our own, but it was really nice to get her help.

It was a little cool, but a jacket was enough to keep us nice and warm.

Logan and Taylor waiting for the tractor. They loved the hay ride to the pumpkin patch and back.

While waiting for the tractor, we figured we'd give this wagon a little ride.

Some pictures of Logan:

Some pictures of Taylor:

Thanks for coming with us, Christa! We had a blast! Enjoy the pictures!

Weeks 3-4 in Maryland

Oooo, how we miss Billy. This week, however, we broke the halfway mark. In 4 weeks, we'll get to see him again. We cannot wait. It'll beat seeing him on a screen.

Taylor loves to watch and touch Logan. Not to cuddle or kiss. To examine and to observe. "Hey, you look kinda like me..."

My mom found this little swimming pool at the store for $2.50. Logan loves it and could play in it all day if I let him.

That day was a little colder than most, but Taylor didn't seem to mind. By the way, he is finally outgrowing his 6-9 months clothes (hello, belly).

I love it when my mom makes crepes. That day she entertained Logan by flipping them in the air.

Of course Taylor had a turn, too. He kept making sounds to get my mom to flip the crepe again and again and again.

Sometimes we hang out at the "big-boy pool," but the water has been really cold, so we have been there only once.

We went to Tonton Fred and Taty Marie's apartment the other day. Here is Logan admiring the cutie in the mirror.

Taylor loves to watch himself in the mirror, all the time. If he catches a glimpse of himself in a mirror, he will actually stop and admire himself.

We went to Toys 'R Us the other day and put Taylor in this police car. He seemed to really enjoy it. Too bad it cost like $200.

I think Logan would have preferred being in the police car, because he kept looking at it, but he got to be in a Jeep instead. I thought it was just as cool...

On a side-note, I got a make-over. I got highlights ($12), a haircut ($30), and new glasses ($38)!

I hadn't seen my friend Christa in YEARS. But fortunately, our schedules worked out and we ended up in Maryland at the same time. Logan and Taylor got to meet their new friend, Parker, who is only 3 days older than them.

Taylor could not sit still, but I got a good picture of Logan with Parker.

I hadn't seen my friends Ciara and Vanitza in YEARS, either. Since then Ciara has had a little boy, too, Jaeden, who is 2 weeks older than Logan and Taylor. Logan was fascinated by Jaeden's hair.

Taylor was more busy exploring Vanitza's apartment, but I did get a picture of him with Jaeden.

These girls were 2 of my 5 bridesmaids. Although we haven't seen one another for many years, we're totally BFF. And I hope we will continue to be. I love you, gurlz.

I also went out for sushi with Anastasia and her boyfriend. She has been my best friend since high school. She's simply awesome and I love her to pieces! Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of us at the restaurant, so this is a really old picture from 5 years ago!