Sweet Sixteen (Months)

Oh heavens. I know you think I sound like a broken record, but 16 months ALREADY??! Time is going TOO fast. Slow down; the toddlers are growing out of control!

This month brought lots of adventures - Minnesota Zoo, Minnesota Children's Museum, the park almost every day and playing in our own backyard. We even have taken to letting them walk up and down the block after dinner as opposed to us pushing/pulling them in the stroller or wagon. The way I figure - the more energy they expel, the better they'll sleep, right?

Haha. Ben walks just like the
Grizzy Bear at the Minnesota Zoo!

Hannah crawls in the Bee Hive at the Minnesota Zoo

Water tables at the Children's Museum: Ben's favorite place to be.

Stopping for a snack. (About the only photo of them together I have in months!)

We also got struck with sickness! At the end of March Hannie came down with a bronchial infection and passed it along to Benjo where it showed up as an ear infection (his 2nd in 3 weeks). A round of super-strong antibiotics for both - and Hannie is fine. Ben still has a touch of infection. We're going to try a different route to combat it (using nasal spray and Claritin to clear up his stuffy, runny nose so it stops draining into his ears). If in 2 weeks things don't look better, we'll start talking ear tubes (this latest ear infection was Ben's 5th in 12 months or so). Boo!

Sometimes when you're sick, you need to put your Lovey on your head!

 Ben & Hannah each added some new words this month, too! Ben can say car (comes out like "gaaah" like he's from Boston!), truck ("uck"), "moo" and "ech ech ech" (which is code for bark bark bark). He's also getting better at his "quack" and every now and then will blow raspberries for a horsie sound. Hannah says hi, "ech ech ech" and more (or maybe milk? it comes out "meh"). She's also really into saying "Mommeeeeeeeeee" and "Daddeeeeeeeeeee." Both are babbling like crazy - especially to each other. I wonder if they're creating their own language....?

Also more and more prominent this past month: tantrums and meltdowns. Sometimes I induce them (if I take something away or don't let them do what they want - like walk out into the street). Sometimes they induce them in each other (if they take each others' toys/books). And sometimes, I'm not sure how, they induce them on themselves. Crazy kids!

In a matter of seconds, we go from happy storytime..

To taking Sister's book...

To crying little girl!

Most fun this month, though, is we are really starting to see their individual personalities. Hannah can be a bit sassy, but is so content playing by herself with her babydolls (she's a good mommy!), blocks, or buckles. She's also a HUGE fan of the sand!

Ben is a bit more sensitive - he gets frustrated easily and needs lots of hugs of reassurance. He also has a *bit* of separation anxiety when I drop him off at the daycare at the Y or at church. It only lasts for a few seconds (maybe up to 1 minute) and then he's fine - until I come back! Then he cries like he just realized I was gone! He continues to be SUPER silly, very giggly, and more of a daredevil than Hannah. He's starting to climb on things like his new "bike" (on and off and on and off and on and off.... all afternoon!) and is in constant motion!

Together, though, their personalities and secrety language collide and they can cause TROUBLE! The other day it was super quiet while I cleaned the kitchen. I walked into their bedroom to find this:

Those are my two at 16 months! Love them more and more every day - even on the days when they push my buttons and I can't wait for naptime! :)