Logan imitating words

Logan is so funny - he really cracks me up! Whenever I try to get him to repeat words after me, he really does try to imitate the sounds coming out of my mouth, but what comes out of his mouth sounds nothing like what I'm saying.
I'm a huge fan of "Friends," so whenever this happens, I can't help but think about the episode when Pheobe attempts to practice French lines with Joey for a play. He really does try to imitate the sounds coming out of her mouth, but what comes out of his mouth sounds nothing like what she's saying.
Here's the video of Joey "speaking French." Too funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqwzvtjeYBQ

Where will we be?

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine went on remax.com to look at some houses that she and her husband might be purchasing during residency. It totally made me want to look at houses, too, just out of curiosity! These are just a few houses that we could possibly afford and that are located in areas where Billy has interviewed this far. Not too bad, if you ask me...

Logan & Taylor are 16 months

When I was growing up, I always enjoyed winters - Christmas, the snow, the hot chocolate, the fuzzy socks, the caramel popcorn, etc.
But winters in Iowa are different - ice storms, feet and feet of snow, below zero temperatures, frozen snot, frozen hands, etc.
The only thing I enjoy about this weather is dressing up my cute little boys with their hats and mittens. They are so stinkin' adorable!

This month, Logan:
- got an abcess removed on his thumb, wore a bandage on his hand for 4 days
- has stopped sucking his thumb since the abcess got removed
- got 3 cuspids
- dances consistently
- sat on Santa's lab and cuddled with his furry coat
- rode the train through the North Pole (at the mall)
- improved dramatically in his verbal skills
- says "Sit down", "stand up", "je t'aime", and "Taydo"(for Taylor)
- loves to chase and be chased around the couch
- goes directly to the door lock when he finds keys, and attemps to open the door

This month, Logan continues to climb on everything he can - boxes, chairs, toys, and so on. He is also starting to figure out how things are put together, and attempts to put them together then take them apart, gently. He is getting very helpful and does things like handing me Taylor's shoes when I put Taylor's shoes on. He also loves to snuggle with stuffed animals and clean up his toys. And finally he loves to jump on the couch.

Logan's first recorded work of art

This month, Taylor:
- got surgery
- got 2 more cuspids and 3 molars
- sat on Santa's lab and petted his beard
- rode the train through the North Pole (at the mall)
- fed himself using a fork
- loves to hide in the kitchen cabinet
- enjoys "talking" on the phone, even holding the phone to his ear

This month, Taylor started tackling Logan when he steals toys from him. He is also starting to figure out how things are put together, and attempts to put them together then take them apart, gently. He is getting to be very helpful; he knows to pass toys from one hand to the other when I dress him, to move his arms when I buckle him into his carseat, and also to hand me Logan's shoes when I put them on. He also loves to snuggle with stuffed animals and clean up his toys. He loves to jump on the couch. And finally, he does this really cute thing where if Billy and I are eating a snack in the couch, he'll come over to get some food, leave to play, then come back for food, and leave to play, etc.

Taylor's first recorded work of art

Christmas To Do's

I love Christmas! It truly is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! We have big plans this year to celebreate this special time.
- ride the Polar Express
- visit Temple Square
- decorate the Christmas tree
- take family pictures in front of the Christmas tree
- visit Santa at the mall
- watch Christmas movies
- watch the Nativity story
- sing Christmas songs by the piano
- bake and decorate sugar cookies
- bake cookies for Santa
- bake treats and deliver them to friends/neighbors
- drink hot chocolate/apple cider
- listen to Christmas music during meal times
- look at holiday lights at the park/in the streets
- write Christmas letters to friends/family members
- donate clothes/toys to a local shelter

Logan and Taylor are still a little young this year, but we have big plans for the Christmases to come. I cannot wait for these little helpers to show off their creativity.
- make paper snowflakes
- write a wish list to Santa
- write a thank you note to Santa
- draw or color pictures of Santa
- make ornaments
- go on a one-on-one date with mommy or daddy to pick out presents for siblings

Sooooo ready for...

Billy and I have lived in the smallest and cheapest butt-holes of the earth for 4 years now, ever since we got married. Now that we have a family, I am sooooo ready for...

• our own place (no more rent!)
• a backyard for our kids to play in
• our own washer and dryer
• a bed frame (not just a mattress resting on bricks!)
• an indoor garage
• couches that don't need to be covered up

I'm sure it'll still be a while before we are able to splurge on these few things, but I am sooooo ready to not be poor students living on loans anymore. Oh well!

The luckiest girl in the world

WARNING: WIFE BRAGGING ABOUT HUSBAND

Today I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Not only do I have the most wonderful children in the world, but I also have the most amazing husband that could ever exist.

A few days before Logan, Taylor, and I were about to go home to Des Moines, it hit me that Billy’s 21-hour drive home really wasn’t necessary. Only 2 days after finishing his rotation in Gainesville, he would have an interview in St. Louis. On his drive home, he would be going through St. Louis. So why not make the 14-hour drive to St. Louis, stay there until the interview got done, and then only make the extra 7-hour drive to Des Moines? Of course it would mean not seeing him for another 2 days, but if he did come home, we would only see him for less than a day. Billy’s reaction to my suggestion: “But I want to come home and see you, guys. You’re worth way more than a 14-hour drive to St. Louis, there and back.” Awww...
When Billy got home that night, the boys were asleep, but my dad was still at our apartment, trying to get some rest before his own 16-hour drive back to Maryland. As soon as Billy walked in the door, I went running toward him and hugged and kissed him like never before. Then he suggested that since my dad was still in town, we might as well use him as a babysitter and go on a date. So we went… to a Sport Bar to watch the UFC fight. Every month, the guys get together to watch the fights, and I always get jealous because I wish I could go, too, but instead I have to hear about it from Billy and then wait for the fights to come on regular TV. The fights were awesome, and it was the perfect date to go on after not seeing each other for 7 weeks.
Just for the record:
My favorite fighters are: George St. Pierre, BJ Penn, and Matt Hamill
The ones I like the least: Tim Sylvia, Brock Lesnar
The ones I’m undecided about: Josh Koscheck, Matt Hughes,
The ones everybody knows: Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz, and Chuck Lidell.

Billy totally got me hooked to UFC fights. It’s something that we enjoy watching for quality time together. Yeah, I’ve got the most amazing husband that could ever exist.

Halloween: 3 nights, 4 celebrations

This year, we got to celebrate Halloween 4 times on 3 different nights!!! Logan and Taylor quickly got the concept of digging into the candy bowls and had a blast all four times.

The first night, Thursday, we went to Des Moines University for their Halloween party. Logan and Taylor really enjoyed looking at the other children's costumes, but they enjoyed the fruit snacks and juice boxes even more.

The following night, Friday, we went to our ward's chili dinner and trunk-or-treat. I totally forgot to take pictures that night.

The following night, we went to Logan and Taylor's cousin's ward for their chili dinner and trunk-or-treat.

And then we drove around to find a nice neighborhood and did some real trick-or-treating, knocking on people's doors and everything.

To my cute and adorable mini doctors, Happy Halloween. I am so happy you had fun and enjoyed your sugar highs.

Daddy wished he could have been there, but duty called and he had to be out of state for 2 interviews. We are so proud of him.

Logan & Taylor are 15 months!

Logan:

Height: 31 in. (48%), weight: 21 lb 5 oz (10%), HC: 18 1/2 (45%)

This month, Logan:
- wore his first winter coat
- started walking with shoes
- went to the pumpkin patch
- got 2 bottom molars
- went Trunk-or-Treating
- went Trick-or-Treating
- rode front-facing in his car seat
- only takes 1 nap

Logan loves to be held and watch me cook. He still occasionally poops in the bath tub. He enjoys playing hide-and-seek, especially when he can hide under a blanket. He has been fighting back when Taylor steals from him. He has been throwing food on the ground. He likes to cuddle with soft stuff, like stuffed animals. He enjoys putting small things inside bigger things.

Taylor:

Height: 30 in (19%), weight: 19 lb 6 oz (1%), HC: 18 1/4 (27%)

This month, Taylor:
- wore his first winter coat
- started walking with shoes
- went to the pumpkin patch
- got 1 top canine
- went Trunk-or-Treating
- went Trick-or-Treating
- rode front-facing in his car-seat
- only takes 1 nap
- blows kisses at mommy
- makes the lion sound after seeing a picture of a lion
- puts the phone to his ear and talks
- applauds at himself when he is finished eating

Taylor loves to be held and watch me cook. He still often poops in the bath tub. He gets a kick out of opening and closing doors. He is always fascinated by Logan’s shampooed head. He has been throwing food on the ground. He enjoys giving hugs and kisses, and playing with mommy’s tummy. He enjoys putting small things inside bigger things.

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!