Updates!

The boys had their 18 month checkup last week. Tyler gained a little (less than a pound) but is still about 80% for weight, 95% for height. Sam lost weight and is now 20% for weight, 90% for height. Some of that is due to the fact that he just plum doesn't like to eat (or at least not what he is allowed to eat), some of that is due to the nasty cold that has hit the entire VPloeg household. We also were referred to an allergist since their skin hasn't exactly been great, even with the food diet. Amazingly though, this week they both look pretty good so I haven't exactly been jumping to set up the appointment (I know I'll regret that later).

Aside from the boys' health, we have been doing pretty well. Nothing new really but they are growing and learning and playing just like normal kids. Here are some pics from the Raredon's beach. They just love it -- no tears, no whining, just lots of fun in the sand!

8 Years + 1 1/2 Years = Crazy

Jack and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on Monday with a romantic dinner accompanied by our boys who turned 1 1/2 years old the day before. And by "romantic", I mean boys climbing on the table, pulling on shirts, throwing sippy cups, and crying for cookies. Such is our life, huh? Our wedding day seems like ages ago but nevertheless, a fun day to remember and celebrate, even if only with a crazy dinner and the flowers Jack brought home for me.

My toddlers (totally not babies anymore as they are fast approaching 2!) are doing well. They love to play outside, even in the 90 degree weather. They love to scoot on their trucks. They love fruit snacks and orange juice. They love their mamma. They love their Praise Baby DVD before naps or bedtime (but tragically, all our DVR's of Lawrence Welk were deleted when our AT&T malfunctioned). Tyler has 8? teeth, including 1 molar and the other 3 poking through. Sam has 8; no molars yet but they are trying to come in too. Skin and food are a constant battle but the giggles and hugs help me move past it. We are finally in "coast" mode for naps (partially due to our routine of Praise Baby and singing songs), at least most of the time. What was once an awful cry-fest, is now fairly painless. They nap between 1ish and 3ish and sleep from 8:30 til 7 something (or 8:30am like Wednesday this week!). One of the two generally wakes up sometime in the middle of the night at least 2 out of 10 nights but still, I count that as pretty good. One day this week, Sam literally ran giggling to his crib for his nap and went right down. That was a first.

Jack and I are knee-deep in big decisions involving a new minivan and maybe a new house. We've only made baby steps so far, but both are likely inevitable. It would be one thing if either one was like "should I buy this $30 blender or the $75 one?" ... but no, these both have decidedly higher price tags with decidedly higher stress. Beyond that, I'd say we are doing well. Excited for more nice days, wagon rides, and baseball with the boys.

More Silly Tyler

While they don't really know how to use these cars yet, they love to sit in them and play with the wheel and sirens. Love it!