1 Year, 4 Months

The boys now seem to understand quite a lot of what we tell them, including complex directions like "we're not reading this book for the 101st time, go pick out another one." The boys love to be read to, and nanny Kasey often reports that they want to spend the whole morning reading... while fighting over who gets to sit in the most prime location in her lap. They can both be incredibly sweet... and incredibly exhausting.

Perfect angels, having no earthly idea what Mom is talking about (Jack left, Henry right):

Jack clowning around, Henry is not amused:

 

Showing off fabulously adorable hats nanny Kasey's grandma made for the boys (so sweet!). Henry modeling penguin (while Jack looks on):

Jack modeling panda:

Little dudes in their yellow submarine (or Ikea storage bin):

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em:

Henry did find it difficult to continue his fit while laughing, so I'm going to count that as a win. Jack is checking in with Dad to be sure he shouldn't be concerned about Mom.

Little dudes in a strategy meeting with Dad to tackle Costco (Henry left, Jack right):

Hooray for Parks!
The boys have now developed a healthy appreciation for our local parks. Jack loves to roam around and climb. Henry prefers lots of swing time and opportunities to pick flowers and dig. They are both big fans of squirrel and bird sightings.

Mom walking with Jack, while Henry enjoys the flora:

Henry reconsiders the wisdom of coating himself in dirt and grass:

Jack assesses his chances of successfully grabbing Daddy's cell phone:

Henry in the sunshine:

Henry, playing it cool at the top of a great big slide:

Jack on the swing:

Jack, geared up and ready to roll (to the park):

Travels
We spent Thanksgiving with Steve's parents in the Sacramento area, along with the families of four of his five siblings.

A little family portrait (Henry with me, Jack with Steve):

Perhaps Henry does not quite understand all the subtleties of table setting (as he throws clean silverware from the organizer to the chair and floor):

Getting our exercise in on the road (Jack left, Henry right):

Overwhelmed by two dozen family members at mealtime (Henry left, Jack right):

The boys enjoy their cousins, particularly the ones closest to their age.

Henry watches and learns about a new toy (from Grandma and Grandpa Loveridge) from Cousin Rosie:

Henry plays with Cousin Camdan while Uncle Ed and Aunt Tiffany look on:

Roaming the neighborhood wearing their Thanksgiving shirts (Henry's says "Will Trade Brother for Pie," Jack's says "Feast Mode"):

 

Jack and his Momma:

The boys enjoyed their first stay in a hotel. There's so much cool stuff to mess with!

Hey, brother, what the heck are these!?

So many buttons! (Jack considers his calling options):

This picture didn't turn out, but it cracks me up... Henry is delighted to discover that this particular hotel has two (!) TV remotes and a king-sized bed to jump on:

Jack
Jack is a mischievous, silly little guy.

He pleads not guilty to all charges:

Current hobbies include: attempting to climb absolutely everything, throwing fits when Mom and Dad leave in the morning, laughing maniacally when anyone does anything unexpected, pointing at the window upon any mention of squirrels or garbage trucks (both exciting things one sees out the window), and attempting to add excitement to his park outings by going head-first down the slide.

He wasn't feeling well recently (perhaps a little sick, or teeth hurting, or having bad dreams... impossible for me to tell), so I tried to encourage him to nap a little on me:

I realized after looking at that picture that it looked familiar. Here's me with three month old Jack:

Jack is always trying to find novel ways to amuse himself. Here he finds a new way to play with his abacus:

Henry
Henry's exuberance is unmatched. He remains our sweet and stubborn little dude. Current hobbies include: taking his socks off at the table and attempting to eat with his toes, opening and closing doors with great gusto, backing himself up to sit in any lap he can find, pretending to sneeze so Mom or Dad will say "bless you," and turning power strips off and on (if Mom and Dad don't stop him in time).

Who, me?

Lookin' preppy in khakis with Daddy:

Poor Henry seems to be getting a whole bunch of teeth at once, including several molars, so he isn't always feeling fantastic, but he's a trooper.

We haven't managed to get any pictures yet, but the boys have been enjoying their toddler "gymnastics" class. Kasey and I take them once a week. It's great fun for them to climb and slide and play on safe and soft obstacles. Definitely something we'll have to do again in the summer.

1 Year, 3 Months

The little dudes are constantly astonishing me with how fast they're learning. I just wish I had the energy to keep up with and challenge them.

Jack

Jack frequently makes sharp declaratives, which I'm sure he believes to be very clear, but we have yet to get with his program. Perhaps his most notable comprehension demonstration this past month was when I played Raffi's "Baby Beluga" song for him for what I believe was the first time. We also have a Baby Beluga book, the words of which we sometimes sing, sometimes speak. Upon hearing the song begin, Jack excitedly went to the bookshelf, threw down several books until he found Baby Beluga, and he brought it back to me, looking quite thrilled with himself. 

I solemnly swear I am up to no good: 

Enjoying his finger decorations (plastic beads I played with as a child):

Jack is quite good with those beads, and likes to disconnect and re-connect them.

Jack is becoming a more adept walker, and continues to be a daredevil climber. This is after he climbed up on to the back of our couch, using our curtain tie-back as a pull-up bar:

Little troublemaker:

Finding new ways to enjoy his iPad (my old first-generation tablet, loaded with kids music and a couple simple games):

Henry
Henry tends toward long strings of excited babbling, sometimes complete with dramatic arm-waving. Perhaps his most notable comprehension demonstration this past month came when I was reading him his favorite truck book. As background, Henry is an enthusiastic pat-a-cake aficionado, his favorite part being "roll it." He often does "roll it" hands when he's very happy about something. One of the lines in the truck book is "the work trucks are rolling by" which, after I read it the other day, Henry did his "roll it" hands.

Happy Henry:

Henry is an accomplished walker, on the verge of running. It's a terrifying time.

Pleased to have found some loose socks:

Henry also has the adorable habit of patting his own chest if someone says to him "you're Henry," as if to say, "yes, it is I!"

Henry is definitely not a morning dude...

... maybe a few stuffed animal friends will help.

Rocket Henry:

Lounging Henry:

Why, hello there!

A Halloween picture I missed that I felt was pretty darn adorable:

Adventures Together
The boys enjoy a touch-screen display about ocean life during Leatherback Turtle Day at a local marine education center (Henry background, Jack foreground):

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Loveridge, helping reorganize the tupperware cabinet:

Playing an exciting new game: Sock Hands! (after getting into Mom's laundry)

(Jack above, Henry below)

To summarize life as it is now... Mom, literally being pulled in multiple directions while trying to eat dinner: