One Nap vs Two

The past few weeks I have been wondering if my boys were ready to go down to one nap a day. We have been on a great schedule of them waking up, going down for a nap around 9:30, sleeping about 2 hours, then going back down around 3 -3:30. But lately they have been waking up earlier and not sleeping as long in the afternoon. All signs for changing to one nap, right? Well I have been looking forward to when they can be more flexible with their naps so we can go to the library during toddler time and have more play dates. We are on the opposite nap schedule of all our friends, so it makes it hard for Shep and Spence to have playtime with their little friends. Since we are all well (FINALLY), I thought we would try it this week. Monday went great! We went to the grocery store during the usual morning nap time and they had a blast in the little car! Tuesday was rainy so we stayed home. They got bored and tired, so Shep ended up with two naps that day. The problem I am seeing is that Shepherd is still really needing both naps. Spence can do ok with just one. So I am not sure what to do...I do need some time with them both asleep at the same time. If one takes only one nap, then I will have a baby up at all times. With me being pregnant, I don't know if I can handle that right now. So right now, they are both sleeping. We will see if Shep needs another nap this afternoon or if we can get by with just one. I am just going to play it by ear! I love being able to do that now that they are older. With mulitples you survive by having a schedule! Now we can be more flexible! Just in time for little Sophie in August!

We are so excited about the name we picked out for our little girl.

Sophie Lynn

My mom's and my middle name is Lynn so she will be named after us. I can't wait to meet this precious little girl!

Won't they be great big brothers? Can't you just see a little girl in the middle of them?

It's A Girl

They are so excited about having a little sister!!

She is going to have to be one tough little girl!

Clorox rules our house!

We have had a rough past few weeks. The stomach bug and fever virus has been around for what seems like forever. Just when I think we are all better, something else comes up. I was looking back at facebook, and Matt had posted on March 2 how we were dealing with Spencer having stomach issues. So I think we have been sick the whole month of March!!! I am ready to be done. It is hard having two sick boys with stomach issues. I feel so bad for them when they are sick. I just want to take it all away. It is also hard because I am pregnant and have zero energy and can not handle strong smells...

Today I feel like we are on the mend! So excited!! Although we are on the mend I did want to cry because I needed to sit down and rest for a minute but... One baby had to be changed, then when I finished with him, I sat down to play ball with them. Then Spence busted his nose on the book shelf, all while the other baby was going to the bathroom. Never a dull moment...Between changing diapers, keeping them entertained, and making sure they aren't getting hurt, I feel like I have run a marathon some days. Not that I could actually run a marathon in my condition at the moment...HA!

Shepherd fell asleep while waiting for the doctor to see us. He did not feel good!

Shepherd tried to play, but came to lay down to rest

Spencer has not been sick the past week, so we are hoping he won't get this last round of sickness! He was able to climb onto my foyer table while I was changing Shepherd's diaper. Little stinker!

Even though the boys have been sick on and off, we have so much fun during the days. Blanket time is going really well! We read, play inside with toys, and always go outside for a walk in the wagon! Today we blew bubbles and played with the ball outside. I treasure each day with them.

We are very excited about my dr appt tomorrow.

BOY????? GIRL?????

Spring is in the air

We are trying to go outside as much as we can to enjoy these beautiful warm days. A fever virus and momma being tired is what seems to get in our way. We seem to be on the mend today, so we went out and enjoyed our beautiful flowers blooming!

Handsome Shepherd

Trying to model??

Look at these pretty flowers!

Cute even though he refused to smile!

Handsome Spencer

"Looks its an airplane!"

This is what he does when I ask him, "Where is Spencer?"

His smile is so contagious!

Blanket Time

We started blanket time this morning. I have been thinking about starting it for a couple of months now, but wasn't sure if my boys were ready. Well I think it is time to start a little more training before this next baby gets here. I learned about blanket time from the Duggar's book. She has used it on a lot of her children. The idea is for blanket time to be a fun quiet time. I have a basket of blanket time toys that they will be able to choose from. Today I gave them their favorite book and another toy. They should ideally sit there without talking and not move off their blanket. Of course, this will take some time for them to understand. The great thing about this technique is you can use it at other people's house or when you are out and about and need your sweet ones to be quiet and still for a bit. Mrs. Duggar said she can take her children to a baby shower and have them sit on their blankets and play quietly! AMAZING! Not my goal but WOW!

Shepherd kept wanting to go get on Spencer's blanket. I thought that was so cute! I just kept saying, "No Shepherd, let's get on your special blanket!". I think it will be harder for him because he is already walking. Spencer only tried to get away once, and then didn't want to get up when the 4 minutes was over.

"Is blanket time over?"

This isn't a time for discipline but for positive training. I am not an expert and we will see how it goes! :)

New addition to our train and house

So much has happened at our house since Christmas. The week after Christmas I found out that we are going to have a new little addition to our house come August. We were very shocked, but are excited! When Nana and Papa bought the boys their train, they went ahead and bought the 3rd seat for the new little one. Three under the age of 2.....going to be very exciting at our house! We find out next month if we are going to have a boy or girl and I can't wait! There is only 1 this time... I have had 2 ultrasounds already!

I haven't blogged much because pregnancy tired is like no other and chasing after 2 energetic boys takes a lot out of you! What a fun year this is going to be!!

I am cleaning out the boys' closet today... getting ready for new spring and summer clothes, because I am going to the multiples consignment sale Friday where I get most of their clothes. Cleaning out this time is a little different, because I am thinking the new baby may need this...so unbelievable!

Precious Moments

So many times during the day I think about how lucky I am to have two sweet boys. They are becoming a lot more interactive by copying things that I do and understanding what I say.

Every night for dinner when we sit Shepherd and Spencer down in their high chairs, they immediately put their hands together to say a prayer. We were able to snap a picture of Shepherd doing it with our phone. Spence does it too, and looks up at you with his big eyes and coos, telling you what it is time for. Oh the lessons we can learn from children!

"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." Mark 10:15

We play in our toy room many times through out the day. One of my favorite things to do is to read to the boys. They love to take all our books and look through the pages. Spencer is so cute here just reading his little book! He is reading "I Love You Through and Through". One of our favorites! I know he is in Shepherd's chair, but hey, we share in this family!

Yesterday, one year ago was their actual due date. I still can't believe how fast this year has flown by. I am just cherishing each of these precious moments!