TERRIFIC TWO'S!

I am still in shock that my "babies" are 2. We celebrated their second birthdays in Mickey Mouse clubhouse style this past weekend with just family. I just wasn't up for a big party with friends and more kids so we kept it small, which was a good call because the party was on a Friday night and it was all I could do to get dinner ready on time.

They used the characters on the cakes to scoop up the icing (and some cake) on Nama's famous cakes

The boys have clearly entered the "terrible two's" but I am trying to be optimistic and calling it the "terrific two's." Other words to describe them at this stage are tough, tempermental, time-consuming, and toilet-interested. They sit on the potty and cheer after sitting there for a couple of minutes, even if they have not succesfully gone potty. They watch their brother get praise for going potty on his own and know it signifies "big boy" status so I think they will be receptive to potty training (WHICH STARTS SOON!!)

At 2 years old, here are their physical and personality stats:

Sweet and sensitive Benjamin weighed in at 35.5 lbs, 36.75", which we thought was huge until we looked at Alexander's 2 yr stats and he was at 37.5 lbs. However, we do give credit for Benji starting off at a disadvantage being born almost 5 weeks early at 4.5 lbs. Little peanut we called him; not anymore!
Benjamin has the best vocabulary right now, is interested in the piano and music the most, and is proud to be mommy's helper. He brings plates and cups to the sink, helps to unload the dishwasher, gets his own flatware from the drawer, and LOVES throwing trash including diapers in the trash. Love it!

Theodore weighed in at 31.5lbs and 36" and is so cute and quirky, he is guaranteed to make you smile. He is the clinger of the group, meaning sometimes we run away from him because if he attaches to you he won't let go and you are stuck holding him! But he is getting better now. His favorite game right now is "hide! momma hide!" He wants to hide under blankets with me and loves it. His smile is infectious and he is the most like his daddy.

Now to Winston. Controlling, silly, clever little Winston. He weighed in at 32 lbs, 35.5" and is the most difficult guy to deal with. He can also be the most passionate and loving. I am convinced that Winston will be successful in life because of his persistence and drive but whoever deals with him needs to understand him to get through to him. I think he knows how to behave but he also knows how to work the deal. My dad calls him the "Senator."

They are all talking like crazy. Even Alexander comes up with stuff that cracks us up. Every day is a new phrase or word. Alexander is picking up on the boys' new found language skills and gets a little annoyed because sometimes they say real words but they don't make sense. He corrects them and sometimes even tells them to pipe down because when they are all chirping at the same time, it gets a little loud. Poor guy.

This stage with ALL FOUR BOYS is all about testing limits and trying to assert independence at every step. They are all very different but at the same time, they all thrive on routine and rules. That suits us fine. The triplets begin going to the Children's Center of Knoxville (CCK) the week after Labor Day so that will be a huge transition but we are very much looking forward to them joining their brother at "school" and exploring new things outside of the house. Stay tuned for potty training!!