First Week of Daycare in Review

Ryan and Evan had a great first week at daycare! Unfortunately the week prior they both came down with colds and weren't feeling the best early in the week. Towards the end of the week they were on the mend and we were off to a new adventure. Daddy P reports that there was no crying, save for Evan on the second day. He cried a bit when my husband was leaving, but got over it pretty quickly. I do the pick up and they are always glad to see me. Evan tends to be more clingy than usual, I've noticed. Ryan, the poor guy, has been teething something awful! I feel so bad for my baby. He chews on everything, keeps his fingers in his mouth, and keeps his tongue hanging out! (Notice the pics below...he has his tongue stuck out in almost every one!) To celebrate their first week as official big boys, we took them back to Stepping Stones on Saturday. We even got them a membership so we can go anytime we want for the next year! These two are extremely active and I'm on the hunt for activities to keep them stimulated.

On our way out for a Saturday afternoon family outing. Try as I might I can't keep them from climbing near the fireplace!
Their first stop was at the float. Air pushes a ball around and they are fascinated by it.

The Energy Lab is another one of their favorite exhibits. Evan can stay here the entire visit if we let him.

He kept saying, "Do dis!" That means ma, quick... hand me another ball!

Daddy P told me that Ryan kept trying to escape! He likes the lab too, but the slide is his favorite thing.

His teeth may be bothering him, but he still had fun. My sweet boy is still in good spirits.

Look at that sweet face! I confess, he has me wrapped around his finger; they both do!

I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can set up their new water table on the deck. My child may never want to come inside the house, though.

We finally pulled Evan away from the Energy Lab and headed to the Build It exhibit.

Evan swiped a hard hat and then ran back towards the Energy Lab! We didn't stay very long because we had lots of errands to run, but the boys still had a blast.

Later that evening the boys decided to go for a ride.

I think Ryan had gone through 175 bibs by this time!

He was still smiling, though!

Being a toddler is hard work! They needed a break:)

Just hangin' around... Evan tries so hard to make a goal!

I'm pretty sure this is against some basketball rules. I know it's against my rules!

Meanwhile Ryan took a reading break. My baby loves, loves, LOVES books! His absolute, hands-down favorite right now is I Love You, Stinky Face. Such a lovely book. I must confess it's my favorite thing to read to them. Ryan gets the biggest smile on his face when I read the, But Mama, but Mama..." part. Nobody says the word "mama" like a Southern girl!

Up next came the tug of war over the Zany Zoo! SMH I knew this was coming...

Evan won this particular battle. At first glance someone may look at his small stature and think that he's a pushover. That someone would be wrong. What Evan lacks in size and weight he makes up for in drive and will. He can hang with the big boys.

And then he proceeded to push the toy across the room! Cousin Betty would often ask me what am I going to do with this one? I haven't figured that out yet.

Because he gives me a look like this one and all is forgotten!

He loves the drums. Loves them!

So much so that he climbs into it. And into drawers, and boxes, and lids, and any and everything else he can find!

Ryan was busy playing with his Learning Home.

He still turns the light on and off and yells, "I did it!" or "I got it!"
But apparently he was tired of me taking his picture so he shut the door on me!

Fast forward to Sunday morning. The Peas dined on bacon and eggs for breakfast. Evan's tray always looks like this...
And Ryan's always looks really neat like this! I was blocking his view of Yo Gabba Gabba and he didn't appreciate it very much.

Apparently Evan dropped his food down his shirt and was searching for it. I find food on and in the strangest places with this one!

Pretend like you see pictures of two dapper dudes in their Sunday best and one calm and collected mama next. I couldn't take pictures because getting the three of us dressed and out of the house in time for church is a trip! It's not for the faint of heart. I'm anything but calm and collected. Try frazzled and sweaty.

This week is the boys second week and they are officially at the new location of their center and we all love it! I sent Daddy P a text this morning asking how the boys like it. His response was, Shoot, they acted like they didn't even have a daddy!

Bye-bye Binky

The binkies are officially no more in the Parker household! In true Pea fashion Ryan and Evan actually kicked the habit themselves. The week before they started daycare we took the binkies away during naptime, and they only had them at night. That transition went smoothly. We still let them have the pacifiers at night, but they appeared to be less interested. A couple of nights ago I gave them the binkies and Ry started throwing it first. Ev joined in and then kept telling me to "Do dis," which means to keep fetching these things when we throw them! I knew then that the reign of the pacifier was over! They've been going to sleep sans binky ever since. Go Peas!

I have a whole first week of daycare post with lots of new pictures to post, and post I will, but not tonight. Tonight I need sleep and I needed it like two hours ago! This new routine of ours is intense I tell ya. Lots to tell and share soon!

posted from Bloggeroid

First Day

of daycare was a success! Ryan and Evan had a great first day. They didn't shed one tear. In fact, they were so ready that they hardly had time to kiss their daddy goodbye! It was like they've been doing this every day. Those are the Peas, all right :)

posted from Bloggeroid

The Day Before Daycare

Tomorrow is the big day. The Peas are in bed, the bags are packed, every single thing is labeled and ready. Except me.

I am feeling some kinda way about sending the boys to daycare tomorrow. I'm excited and nervous. Happy and sad. Hopeful and leery. I know moms across the world send their kids to daycare each and every day. But I don't. It's not a huge deal. But it is to me. Ryan and Evan have been cared for in the comfort of their own home since they came home from the hospital and this is all they know. Their dad and I do work, but they at least have the familiarity of our home. I wonder if they'll be scared tomorrow. What will they think when their daddy drops them off and they're in this new place with new faces and new surroundings? Will they wonder if we're coming back? I'm glad that they have each other. I think this is another instance where having twins is easier. They love each other so much and I'm sure they bring each other comfort. I've been told to expect a two week adjustment period. I know this will be good for them. They'll learn so much and have fun too. We're blessed to know the owner and director personally and we trust her. I know she'll make sure that they are taken care of. But they're my babies and when you're talking about your kids it's a whole different ball game. I'm sure I'm all up in arms for nothing. Right? I planned to meet my guys at the center in the morning to see them off, but now my schedule won't allow for it, so I'll do the pick-up. It's for the best, I'm sure. Daddy P will be perfect in this situation. He's cool, calm, and collected. And I'm so not. I'd be a crying mess, and they don't need to see that. I want this to be as reassuring and easy for them as possible. I've already forewarned my husband to expect a phone call from me after I know that he's dropped them off, and that I'll want a blow-by-blow account of everything that happens from the moment they wake up until he leaves! You see this will be new for all of us. I'm sure we'll figure it all out and discover our new normal. Now, I've just gotta find a way to get through my day tomorrow.

Feeling a little better

posted from Bloggeroid

What a Week!

Our week started off quiet enough; just a regular 'ol Parker family week. I was busy finalizing things for d-day (daycare) GULP! The Peas were being their smart, cute, and happy selves. Daddy P was holding us all down, as usual. We celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday by reading the pop-up version of Oh, The Places You'll Go. Evan loved the pop-ups and kept saying "Wow!" Then the bottom started to fall out! Ryan was teething up a storm by Tuesday. He was going through 250 bibs per hour and chewing on everything in sight, but he seemed happy enough and wasn't in pain. By Wednesday I knew it was more than teething. My baby was sick:( Ry had a fever, his first I might add. He was feeling icky, but never stopped playing. He
refused to eat anything though. We gave him lots and lots of tlc, and he seemed to be ok. Then Evan joined the party. Thursday night things came to a head and both boys were sick! Daddy P and I got no sleep (well maybe 2 hours), there was no way I was leaving my Peas to go to work on Friday. Meanwhile, I'm feeling sick too! After a trip to the pediatrician we discovered that both boys have clear lungs :-) but Evan has an ear infection. My kids have never had an ear infection before now! I was so sad for my sweet boy, but glad that we took them in. Ryan just has a regular cold and seems to be on the mend.
It's 9am on Saturday morning and the Peas are still asleep! I have no idea what do to with myself because this has never happened before! I'm blogging from my phone, which I see I could never do if Ry and Ev were awake! I swear I've been typing on this little screen for what feels like 2 hours!

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My Princes

In honor of the last Sunday of Black History Month our princes, Ryan and Evan, donned their authentic African attire to church. One of the ministers from our church is from a country in Africa and she was sweet enough to get these outfits for the boys while she was back home. We'll cherish these outfits for years to come. How handsome our two little princes are! I tried really hard to get a decent picture of these two, but they refuse to look at the camera these days.

Even royal princes have to stop for a milk break!

Ryan was in constant motion before we left home, so by the time we got to church he was ready for a nap.


Which explains why one little prince is missing from this picture with Cousin Betty! Betty will be leaving us on Monday and we certainly enjoyed and appreciated having her here with us. The boys adore her and the feeling is mutual!. Thanks, my Betty! We love you.

This cutie pie is such a good boy in church. He loves to listen to the choir sing, and he even listens to the sermon too. When he hears his daddy's voice you should see him whip his head around until he spots him. Evan can sit through the entire service without crying or falling asleep. Not so with his brother. Ryan and I spend the entire service in the cry room or walking around the Fellowship Hall!

Our family of four after church on Sunday. Daddy P had just delivered an inspiring sermon that was such a blessing and Ryan had just awakened from his nap. We spent the afternoon having lunch with some dear frineds of ours and their children. I couldn't have asked for a better start to the week.