Cottage Opening = Summer is starting

Spring Recap

It's the first day of summer and I now realize that I haven't posted in over two months.  So here is an update on what James and Josie have been up to.  

We gave up keeping track on their words and signs when they were 16 months old because they had far too many!

Potty training?

Our little cowboy - in the hat his grandma and grandpa got him from Arizona.

Mommy and Josie at the Dixie OEYC.

Fish and Turtles at the Greenhouse

3 babies in the tub.

They love the greenhouse.

Signing grass.

17 month photo shoot.

Did someone call a Dr.

Back to Work (April 13th)

Our Nanny, Joy, arrived from Hong Kong on April 1st and started working with us on April 7th.  Despite being in a totally foreign place she has adapted well to life in Canada and with our family.  I have taken her to 3 free drop-in programs in our neighbourhood - each accessible by bus.  One of the programs is at Grandma Jane's school.  The program is great.  Josie especially likes the gym time where she can ride around in a little car or motorcycle.  James, of course, loves all the balls.
With Joy here it is also time for me to return to work, sort of.  I cannot return to my full time teaching job at Glenforest until September so I will be working a few days a week as a supply teacher for the rest of the school year.  Brian and I have also applied to teach summer school for the month of July.
James and Josie are struggling a bit with Joy being here, and me being away but everyday seems to go better than the day before.

Update (April 21st)

I thought I was going back to work "part-time" but I've worked the last 8 days in a row!  I am doing all my days at Chinguacousy S.S., which is the school that Brian used to work at.  Everyone at Ching loved Brian so they are being very welcoming to me.  James and Josie have adjusted really well to the change of not having me at home with them.  Last night after dinner when Joy went downstairs for the evening they both went over and gave her a hug and kiss goodbye.  There were also very few tears this morning when I went upstairs to get ready for work.

Easter 2015 - in FLORIDA

This Easter the twins took their first plane ride to Florida to visit their grandmas.  They loved the warm weather and getting to swim everyday.  They also really enjoyed visiting the cows and playing with bubbles.  It was only a 4 day trip but it was great to get away from winter.

March Break 2015 (March 23rd)

We spent March Break at the Allen cottage with friends again this year.  There was lots of snow and the weather was relatively mild so we went outside everyday.

15 month check ups (March 11th)

The twins had their 15 month check ups today.  Here are their stats:

Jocelyn:

Weight 15 lbs 6 oz (3rd percentile)

Height: 28.5 inches (5th percentile)

Head Circumference: 50th percentile

James:

Weight 18 lbs 9 oz (3rd percentile) 

Height:29.5 inches (15th percentile)

Head Circumference: 15th percentile

There is a pretty high margin or error when determining these measurements because the twins are pretty squirmy.  The good news is that they are growing and that their head continue to be large in proportion to their bodies.  

We have been keeping track of how many words and signs James and Josie use.  The list is getting so long that it is getting hard to keep track.  

Family Day 2015

We are celebrating our second Family Day as a family up north at the cottage.  It is FREEZING (-31) so we can't go outside.  The twins are blowing everyone away with their talking and signing.  It's amazing. 

We have Great Grandma Ruth, Grandma, Grandpa, auntie Jenn and Uncle Kevin here with us.  

The basement of the cottage is undergoing some major renovations.   When we cme back again for March Break there will be an additional bathroom and two bedrooms downstairs for James and Josie!  What amazing grandparents the have :)

 It's too cold to go outside so we haven't taken many pictures.  

Last year vs. this year 

Mice - eww

Feb 10, 2015 - 14 months

The twins are 14 months old today.  This month we have been amazed by how many words they can now say.  Josie is especially good at learning and saying new words.

Here us a list of words that one or both of them can say:

More, milk, dog, ball, balloon, please, nose, eyes, up, hi, bye, mama, dada, grandma, grandpa, neh, grrrrr, moose, banana, hat.  That's 20 words!  Developmentally they should be able to say 20 words by 18 months.  We are so proud of them!

  This month Josie also learned to walk.  She still crawls when she has a long distance to go but she gets more confident and adventurous with her walking everyday. 

James learned to run this month.  He also developed a love for being chased.  He howls with laughter whenever we fake chase him around the room.  Josie lives watching James get chased.  

This month James also became particularly find of balloons.  

Their appetites are growing and they continue to be awesome nappers.  They nap so much during the day that I feel guilty about all the down time I have compared to Brian.  As a result I've been letting him sleep in on the weekends.  

It's almost valentines day.  Here are some cute pics of our little angels :)

New Milestones - Feb 1, 2015

The milestones are coming fast and furious now.  Josie is walking a lot and she learned to sign and say "hat" today.  She also regularly says hi, up, dada, dog and mama.

James has learned how to say "banana", he has been able to sign it for a whole now.  James has also developed a bit of an obsession with balloons.  Similar to Josie's obsession with dolls.  

They are both really enjoying swimming lessons and this week have really stepped up their eating.  I think a growth spurt might be coming.  

These little rascals get into everything.

Visit from grandma

Visit from Brianna

Enjoying Uncle Kevin's birthday cake (without uncle Kevin)

Walking!

Love this face

Josie loves dolls. These are BG twin dolls!

Balloon obsession

Just doing a little cleaning before bed.

So cute