The Summer Months Come to End...

August went by way too fast and much has happened in the Carlos home. Probably the biggest news to share is we are expecting our third and final baby. This little peanut is a complete surprise, one we never really thought was possible, so it's definitely another miracle just like Clayton and Chloe. The baby is due April 5th, exactly a month before Clayton and Chloe turn 2. We will have three babies under 2 for one very crazy month! So since our family is growing we are most likely going to be moving to a bigger house sometime after the first of the year. We are excited about the move as we have been hoping for more space for quite some time. This little peanut is just pushing us into gear! I am grateful to be working part time again. I hardly miss an hour of Clayton and Chloe's day, which is wonderful, but also exhausting. I'm not going to lie, the past few weeks have been hard. I have all the fun symptoms of first trimester, but this time around have 2 very busy toddlers to chase after, so indulging myself when I'm tired or not feeling well is not really possible! Oh well!

Clayton and Chloe have been growing like crazy this past month. Clayton is talking up a storm. You have to listen very carefully to decipher the difference between his rambling martian talk and actual words and phrases. His newest vocabulary includes, "ah pa" for airplane and he literally can hear "ah pas" long before I can, "dog," "what's that," "up," "out," "open," "jak" for my parents' dog, Shaq, "ball," "open that," and "baby." There are definitely more, but it's hard to catch everything. His martian language is awesome. We just laugh as he rambles on and on about things that are obviously really important. Clayton got two molars in, which was a horrendous experience for him. He has a terrible time cutting teeth, it just breaks my heart. He's literally running now, bumping down the stairs, and seems to be pretty fearless with climbing. Clay is a lover. He walks up to Roxi multiple times a day and lays his head on her stomach. He also often comes up behind me and bear hugs me, which instantly erases any frustration he has caused me that day! Clayton is exercising his independence more and more and makes it very clear when he doesn't want to do something or wants something. Shopping is a whole new experience now. I'm looking forward to the day when he really understands consequences and bribery (when absolutely necessary)! Clayton is definitely his daddy's son as he is a total perfectionist...string on his shorts, he alerts me to cut it, Roxi's food kernals are not in her bowl, he puts them back, he gets dirt on his hands, he needs them wiped off, Chloe's bow falls out, he attempts to put it back in for her, something drops, he says "uhh uhh" until you pick it up, etc, etc!

Chloe, our little princess had a wonderful milestone this month as she started pushing her walker on her own. She just grabbed the handle of her stroller, stood up, and started walking. She hasn't stopped yet and has even figured out how to turn it around when she gets stuck. It's only a matter of weeks before she's off and running. Chloe climbs the stairs super fast and goes down backwards on her tummy perfectly. Chloe has 8 teeth now, but you would never know it because she' doesn't seem to be affected at all by teething. She's talking a silly martian language too and has some words, though her vocabulary isn't quite as extensive yet. She says "hot," and "up," along with "ma ma" and "da da," and maybe more, but it's harder to decipher her martian language! Chloe's way to express herself when she's frustrated is much like mine as a teenager. She literally throws herself face down on the ground and cries her little eyes out. I totally did the same thing as a teenager too! My parents even gave me a pillow for Christmas that said, "This can't be happening to me!" My girl is already following in my footsteps. She is still much more adaptable and well behaved in different places and atmospheres, which makes it so nice. I'm very thankful for her easy, non-demanding personality.

While Clayton and Chloe don't watch much TV, they love the opening to Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse. They sit in their chairs and literally squeal with joy when they see Mickey. Clayton fist pumps and Chloe raises her arms in the air as if she's a choir director. It's so cute. We bought Disneyland passes, so we are thoroughly enjoying little day trips to Disneyland. They have totally started engaging with each other now too. They LOVE playing "chase" around the dining room table. Their laugh is just infectious. Clayton and Chloe talk to each other, take toys from each other, get mad at each other, kiss each other, and so often just giggle and laugh like crazy! They both have added "please" to their sign language vocabulary except sweet Chloe does the hand motion over her head instead of her chest! Their favorite time of the day is reading time before bed. Clayton and Chloe pretty much empty the bookshelf and take turns sitting in our laps to read a story. Clayton loves his "I Spy" book and can point out the various objects and Chloe loves a touch and feel animal book. Once they're in bed, I read them "Llama Llama Red Pajama." I'm super animated and silly with my voice inflections and they absolutely love it. Clayton laughs, Chloe smiles and then wines when I do the "bohooing" cry. Priceless moments that I will cherish forever.

Here's some pictures from August...

Chloe LOVES playing dress up with my clothes, more specifically my underwear!


Their favorite time of day...


In a creative attempt to provide some learning for my babes, we tried finger painting...they hated it!



Dada playing with his sweet babes



Date night to celebrate our 6th anniversary!


Very full, very happy, clearly Italian babies enjoying their pasta and meatballs!



When Daddy works for 72 hours, Mommy brings his precious little ones to see him at his super cool (if Clayton could talk!) fire station!

Our Maui vacation

We went to Maui from July 30th to August 6th with my family. We had the most incredible time, though it was a much different tropical vacation with 15 month old twins to keep us busy. The five hour plane ride going there was a challenge especially with Clayton who slept for only about 30 minutes despite being exhausted. Chloe did really well on the way. They switched roles on the way back, but overall did so much better! Our days were pretty much the same each day. We woke up, went on a gorgeous morning walk on the path, played outside then the babies napped. After nap and lunch we went out to the pool and beach for the next four hours or so. They LOVED the pool, especially splashing the water and going for rides in their floaties. Chloe LOVED the sand and even enjoyed the ocean. Clayton tolerated the sand, but was not a fan of the ocean. Ryan and I took turns staying up in the room during nap time, so that each day we had some quiet sun time. We then napped again and went out to a delicious dinner at one of the many restaurants on Maui. Clayton and Chloe were well behaved at most every dinner, which made the meal that much better. Papa Jim, Nonnie, Uncle KyKy, and Aunt LiLi were so amazing with Clayton and Chloe and so generous with giving up their relaxation time to entertain toddlers and give us a break every now and then. Beautiful memories were created with our perfect children that we are so proud of and amazed by each and every day.

Here's a few pictures of the 400 we took from our tropical vacation...

Summer Months--July!

I can't believe how quickly summer is flying by. While I'm thankful for my part time job, I really don't want to go back to work. I am loving spending every minute with Clayton and Chloe. Every day seems to produce some type of adventure that brings smiles and laughter.

Here's a few event highlights from July:
*We regularly go to Stroller Strides so I can exercise and at the end Clayton and Chloe love playing with their "friends."
*We went to the gym kid's club for the first time and the babysitters were amazed it was Clayton and Chloe's first time. Besides getting called to change a poopy diaper, C & C seemed to have fun!
*We bought Disneyland passes and are having fun taking mini day trips exploring all different parts of the park we really didn't even know existed.
*No day is complete without playing in the backyard. Our backyard is a toddler's dream. They both end up wet and sandy after a couple hours back there, but their joy is so worth it.
*We've had a couple play dates with some friends and their little ones.
*We went to Yorba Linda's firework show and C & C surprisingly did really well despite the late night.
*We went to the river with our friends' the Knudsen's and their twins and had such a good time. Besides the life vests Clayton and Chloe loved it!
*We went to Maui at the end of July--separate post to follow!

Here are a few developmental milestones from July:
*Clayton is listening to and trying every sound/word your say. It all started with teaching them that the oven is "hot." I did an exaggerrated sound with the word and pretended I was touching it, now everything Clayton touches is "hot" and he literally does my tone and looks like he's convulsing as he says it! It's hysterical. Chloe is now saying "hot" too, but seems to say it more appropriately! She does things a little later, but typically does them perfectly when she does. Additionally, Clayton say's "baaa" like a sheep with a high pitch tone like me. He says "papa" and Chloe says "apa" for "Papa." Clayton says "tweet" for a birdie and "ra ra ra" for a dog barking. They both say "mama" and "dada" regularly. I'm sure I'm missing more words too because it seems like there's a word every day now!
*Clayton and Chloe both sign "more," "all done," and "milk." It's amazing how fast they pick up on the signs. It takes one feeding to teach them a sign. Next is "please," but it's a little bit harder since there's nothing tangible related to it.
*Papa Jim is very proud to have taught his grandson to do the "poop" sign and sound from Robert DeNiro in "Meet the Fockers." It's the funniest thing. Clayton walks around "poop" signing all of the time now and laughs as he does it!
*Both babies give high fives on command and the BEST open mouth kisses ever!
*Chloe puts her hands up in the air and bounces when we say "raise the roof, Chloe!"
*Clayton is obsessed with spotting airplanes and helicopters in the sky and can hear them no matter how far away they are.
*They have a total martian language they speak to us and to each other. They typically delay nap and bed time by playing in their cribs, laughing, falling all over the place, and talking.

Overall, I am amazed each and ever day at how much they soak in, think about, and attempt to do or say. Their brains are working so fast. It's pretty incredible to witness and nurture their growing minds and bodies.

Here's some pictures from our busy month...

Clayton and Chloe had their first overnight babysitting adventure at Papa Jim and Nonnie's while we went to Flemming's for dinner and the New Kids on the Block concert. It was a tough decision for me, but they were clearly loved and cared for while we were out!




So smiley and giggly in the morning!




We had a nice and relaxing day at my parent's house on the 4th of July. We swam and barbequed, then headed to Valley View for the firework show. Clayton and Chloe stayed awake for the whole show and didn't even get scared...such troopers!






Super stylish in their adorable patriotic outfits.



We went to the river with our good friends' Eric, Tiffany, and their twins, Cash and Claire. Despite my fears both Clayton and Chloe did really well. The loved the water and sand, but hated their life jackets. Poor babies looked like they were wearing straight jackets, but once settled they adjusted to them.










We went to Pretend City in Irvine and had so much fun. Clayton and Chloe were in Heaven. There was so much for them to do and see.





I helped out the photographer who has taken most of Clayton and Chloe's pictures, so in return she took some adorable summertime vintage lemonade shots of my little cuties.











No day is complete without play time in our backyard!




Good times!