Two Toddlers

Our babies love being cuddled, tickled, and loved on. Eleanor is very fond of saying "Mama (or Daddy) has two babies" (her emphasis)! Well, they are developing so quickly, we really have to admit they are no longer babies. But, as my Mama still calls me, Geoff and I will probably always call them our babies. So, our two toddlers are remarkable and smart!



Here is an update of their amazing talents:

Jackson (11 months old)

• Claps his hands when someone says "Yay" or "Good job!"
• Does some of the motions for "Itsy Bitsy Spider"
• Goes and gets books and opens them up to read
• Walks with support
• Crawls at lightening speed!
• Pushes the shapes into the shape sorter
• Wants to feed himself at every meal
• Giving big kisses
• Puts his hands on top of his head when his teacher says "Head!"
• Waves bye-bye

Nora Kate (28 months old)

• Sings the ABC's--pretty right on, although L,M,N,O,P are a bit jumbled (very cute)
  
• Jumps with her two feet together (yay!)
  
• Runs a lot and LOVES the game Tag
  
• Hums lullabies to anyone going to sleep
• Talks and cares for her baby dolls
• Loves the zoo and asks ("zoo now") to go there almost every day.
  
• Talks in complete sentences
• Understands and anticipates others' needs ("This would be easier for Mama if the light was on" and she turns on the light or asks, "Mama, do you need some?" for cheese, butter, any sauce, seconds for food. "Daddy, you need a blanket" or "Daddy needs water" as she runs to get a bottle of water)

So, there they are. It's almost Jack's birthday and his Grandma is coming for a visit! We are battling illnesses, but in good spirits. Our Christmas picture is done, so look forward to getting those within the next few weeks. The Babies Grove may be renamed....weigh in. Anyone have ideas for this blogs name? The Grove Gang?

A Month in Pictures

We started out October by making an Autumn Leaf Wreath. Nora is very into leaves this year and constantly says "Look Daddy, Look Mama" whenever she finds one that catches her eye. Well, we had to do something with them, so we taped them to a paper plate and cut out the center and thus, a wreath was born. Of course she would not smile for the camera....

And, we visited the Columbus Zoo for Boo at the Zoo, where they have costume parades and treat stations. Kids wear their costumes and fun is had by all.

This year, Nora was a lion and Jack, for his first Halloween, was a giraffe.

Nora talking to a tiger, her favorite animal these days.

Jack, actually wearing his giraffe head, which he didn't for most of dress up.



And Halloween night, shared by our good friends Sara & Brandon and Jessie & David. She how cooperative their kids are? Nora was a complete pill for any pictures, although Jack looks darn cute. Maddie is the sweet bumblebee and Taryn is the cute Tiger.
And here is EKG with a sweet, genuine smile with her kitty cat, Baby Jack. Everything Eleanor thinks is a baby is affectionately called "Baby Jack" *smile* despite acting somewhat aggressively toward him (the actual baby), these days. It's been a few long weekends in October with behavior like grabbing, pinching, biting, and pushing *sigh*

And, here are some recent ones of our boy Jack, who is now crawling fast, pulling himself up on everything and everyone (even Mookie sits still for his baby) and who yells if we don't allow him to feed himself, eat whatever we are eating, or have his mama.

This last one is for Grandma, who sent this sweet outfit. LOVE it! Seriously, couldn't he do print ads?