Time to brag

Where else can I brag about my kids but on my own blog. Everyone thinks their kids are smart but I think mine are really smart.
Logan at 15 months old was signing 50 different signs and saying many words.
At 18 months old, learned to recognize all of the letters of the alphabet, by 20 months old memorized the order of the alphabet and by 23 months old was reading around 20 words such as banana, mommy, daddy, play, stop, milk, go, dog, cat, etc...

Lucas was speaking over 20 words at a 12 months old. But now that he is 15 months old has a huge vocabulary. I don't know, maybe over 200 words that he says regularly but seems to be able to repeat anything including sentences that someone says. His pediatrician said his speech is like a two year old. Lucas is like a parrot. I hear Logan say "there is the playground" then I hear little Lucas say "Mommy! I see playground" so clearly. He has been singing for months now. He actually has a good ear for music. He can sing the ABC song, Twinkle, Twinkle little star, Baa, Baa, Black sheep. Of course, he does not know all of the words but he gets the tune right. I absolutely love this age. Everyday Lucas is changing and every day he does something new. If I ask Lucas to count he says two, free, four and points at things while he is counting. He finds letters and says "letter D". At this point he still thinks all letters are the letter D but at least he realizes what letters are. I feel truly blessed to have been given such bright, sweet, funny, sociable, silly, and beautiful little boys to love. I only wish I can give them all that they need and let them grow to their potential. Just in the last week or two Lucas has understood the word love. He randomly tells me "I luv lou" and looks me in the eyes then gives me a big hug. I wish the world would stop in that moment forever, that Lucas would stay that age forever and always look up to me like he does now. He is just the sweetest thing. He says please, thank you, no thank you, sorry and hugs his brother all of the time.

I was reading Logan a book before bed tonight that really made him laugh. It was silly and had lots of rhyming words. We were laughing and being silly together and I want to remember that moment of pure joy. He is such a sensitive and innocent boy. I want to shelter him from all of the harsh realities in the world for as long as I can. I will continue to skip past the scary sections on the little mermaid movie, not tell him about the word "gun" or what it is used for, not use the word "death" or "dying" for as long as I can. I know he is a boy and boys are supposed to be tough but he has plenty of time to deal with the negative things in life that are inevitable. He deserves to have a childhood without fears for as long as possible.

Preschool orientation

Today was open house at applecreek preschool. We got to go and meet his 13 other classmates, his two new teachers, see his classroom and play with play dough. I met another mother of a boy in Logan's class who actually lives in my neighborhood. I really liked her and I am hoping that we can carpool to preschool together. I would love to not have to drive each way two days a week. I spotted a child that could be a challenge in his class. While Logan was playing with play dough I saw something sling through the air. I am not sure exactly what happened but I noticed the teacher bending over with her arm around Logan calmly explaining that we don't throw things in the classroom. I am so embarrassed that he got in trouble in the 30 minutes while we were there and that is her first impression. Throwing something is what Lucas would do but not Logan...very out of character. I hope that he will be able to change the teacher's mind about him soon.

Just a normal day

So today is like most other days....up by 6 am. I should feel pretty productive that I gave both boys haircuts, cut the cats nails, showered myself, bathed the kids and fed them by 8:30 this morning. We dropped a gift off at a friend's house, found an electrician, went to the library, had lunch, assembled two baked zitis and checked some emails. Poor, skinny Lucas fell asleep in the car before lunch so he missed it. I feel like I don't do very much some days because I don't have anything to show for it. I like to make myself feel better about the day and I think listing it like this has helped.
Logan is having quiet time but not napping. Oh well, at least he stays in one room for an hour or so.

Walmart outing

Today we went to Walmart to grab some essentials for the week. I entertained and fed the kids with McDonald's so I could grocery shop with a little peace. That makes me feel like a bad mom. I knew I would be getting home around nap time and did not want to worry about lunch. I know my kids are cute but I get comments from people all the time about it. Several different people stopped me to tell me how adorable my boys are. Just yesterday the cashier at the grocery store asked "where did the little baby girl go?" I guess that is a hint that I need to give him a haircut.

Lucas is not eating well at all. Who am I kidding, he never has...hence the reason why he is in the 3rd to 5th percentile for weight. So, recently he has taken a fondness for sidewalk chalk. He won't eat pasta but will devour a large piece of blue chalk. Delicious. I am fully aware about the term "Pica" but never thought it would happen to anyone in my family. My mother sent me some information that makes it sound like Lucas is lacking in some nutrients or is mineral deficient therefore craving the delicious chalk. I guess I should get him into the doctor but am dreading the extensive testing that might go with it.

Last night was the first time in a week that he ate well. He dug into some mashed potatoes from Market street and also seemed to enjoy the fried chicken, finishing it off with an ice cream cone. If this trend continues then I will just "chalk" the chalk eating up to a fun crunching feeling and forgo the doctor's appointment.