I just realized today how much the kids have changed in only a few short weeks. They seem to be learning new things every day and are starting to seem so big. I don't know why it always feels so scary to see your kids getting big. I actually love every day more than the last, but maybe that's just because I've been blessed with having one more day of them in my life. I know I'm going to miss their cute little baby faces though!
Matias is riding his bike like a pro now...and he loves it. He spent the first month walking next to the bike and pushing it, but once he started to pedal he wanted to do it every day.
Matias is also (*fingers crossed*) potty trained now. Like most (not all, but most) jobs involving raising kids, it really is up to the parents. So my advice to any new parents...if something's not working, take a good look at what YOU are doing. Sleeping schedules, eating schedules, potty training, etc....the parents are the ones who make it or break it. Once I really took the energy to take Matias to the potty chair every 30 minutes during the day (hard to do with 2 babies climbing all over me!) and reinforcing the whole underwear thing, it worked. No more accidents. That's been for one week now. I still put a diaper on when we go to the park or to the store, but the diapers are always dry when we get home. He even wakes up in the morning and from nap with a dry diaper, which is really exciting. He heads straight to the potty chair and takes off his own clothes as soon as he wakes up. I do kind of miss being woken up by Matias coming to snuggle with me in the morning, but I have to say it makes me laugh when I wake up like I did this morning....hearing someone shouting, 'Mommy, come and look at this HUGE kakka!' :)
Mr. Independent would be Matias's nickname for these last few weeks. He has to do everything by himself. Putting shoes on (the wrong feet, of course), emptying the potty chair into the toilet (and spilling, of course), wiping his own nose (and using 100 tissues every hour). Today he also put the cotton balls I had bought into the bathroom, because he knew that's where they go. I had to look ten minutes to find them. They were in the dryer....duh! Why didn't I think to look there first? ;) His 'helping' is causing a bit of extra work at the moment, but it's fun...and so funny.
The language is also cracking me up at the moment. When I told Matias I was so sorry that he had a cold, he said, 'No, it's not cold in here...let me check the temperature,' I had to laugh. When I explained to him that a saw is used to cut through things, he proceeded to saw my head and say, 'You no need to worry mommy. It's just a haircut,' I cracked up. Once when Matias wanted me to carry him home from the park (Tero was pushing the stroller), I told him he needed to walk to the blue sign (the pedestrian sign) and then I would pick him up. Now every time he sees that blue sign, he says, 'That's the carry you sign...now you can carry me, mommy!' I've explained at least 50 times that that's not what that sign means, but he can't seem to break the connection. I can't think of any other examples just at this moment, but there are hundreds. And they happen every day. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this age.
The girls are also growing up so much. Sofia is walking from side to side while holding onto furniture. Olivia can stand up, but isn't quite able to get up to the standing position by herself yet. Both girls wave bye bye, play peek-a-boo, and clap their hands when I say, 'Yay!' They are both trying to talk a lot too. Sofia actually repeats almost every sound we say to her, so I think she's going to be a talker! The girls have also started interacting a lot more with each other. Once in awhile they just look at each other and start laughing. Or when they're in their highchairs, they hold hands. They also like to 'explore' the other's face by poking the eyes, ear, etc. Olivia's thing seems to be dancing. She waves her arms around in the air whenever she hears any kind of music...even if I just hum or whistle something. And Sofia's thing seems to be laughing....or maybe it's more like giggling. It's kind of like a fake laugh, but so adorably cute that you'll do silly things 100 times just to hear it over and over.
Don't get me wrong, the kids are a handful (if you saw a video of my day, I think you would just see me as a sweaty blur running past the screen), but they are also just so amazingly wonderful. I was thinking today how great it is that they are all so different and all so special in their own way. I couldn't imagine life without them and I wouldn't trade them for anything...although I could maybe loan them for a few hours. ;)
I completely agree with your statement, Alyssa, that it's up to the parents...you are right, we do make it or break it with them! The stinkers go through stages and we need to be watchful when they are ready for change. Your kiddos are all so cute! Maija is also little miss independent and sounds just like Matias. She always wants to bring her plate, cup and fork to the sink after eating. One day I couldn't find it in the sink and asked her where it went...she said she cleared it up into the trash. of course that's how you clear it! :)
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