Happy 2nd Birthday Alex & Tony!

Oh my big boys are TWO! Time flies when you're having fun!

In the last few months, and even in the last few weeks, they seem to have shed all traces of "babies" and grown into "kids". They are running and climbing everywhere now and are such boys! Their language has exploded in the last few weeks, and while Tony is the talker, Alex (in true Alex fashion) will say things that we didn't know he knew how to say. They've gone from learning "words" to just talking in phrases.

Alex is a fast runner like his daddy. He's got a strong throw, but needs to work on his accuracy (though I'll admit, I'm kind of happy he can't aim too well or his brother might be in trouble with the power he has).  He's a stereotypical first born, which I've always thought was silly when twins were born a minute apart, but nonetheless, he's orderly, and a rule follower (just like his mama). When something is out of place, he'll usually let me know with an "Uh oh!" This comes in rather handy, and has gotten a furry or his brother into trouble on several occasions. He's a big lover and will always give a kiss and a hug or a high five to anyone who asks...and sometimes even without being asked. He's a snuggler and wraps his arms around your neck to give you a hug and then pats you on the back. He's pretty much given up napping consistently and will now play quietly with his toys while Tony, and sometimes mommy, naps. He makes up for it by sleeping all night after going to bed easily and waking up happy. He had a phase of night terrors, but it was probably a result of a growth spurt since he seemed to grow an inch overnight. After being obsessed with Cars, he's now in love with Thomas and all choo choo trains, but still loves Cars. He also enjoys watching me in the kitchen, and since getting a play kitchen for his birthday, has been "cooking" for me often. He loves reading books and identifying things in them. Still "the thinker", he's more quiet than his brother, but doesn't miss a thing! Striker and I see him being the Scholar Athlete in high school...in other words, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

Tony, oh my Tony. People often say there is "something about Tony" and they're right. He's a little charmer. He's funny. He plays hard to get. He's opinionated. He's the artsy, musician type. This boy is going to break some hearts! He's very into drawing, coloring, music, dancing, and all of that stuff that can generally be said about lefties...and yes, he does most things left handed. He's also got a very accurate throw, and while he doesn't have the power behind it that his brother does, his daddy is very excited about having an accurately throwing lefty. He loves Cars and trains like his brother, but is recently very in love with Mickey Mouse too. He's a talker...boy does he like to talk! My favorites are when he wakes up, looks at me and says "Hi Mama!", and when either he gets hurt or his brother makes him mad, if you ask him what happened, he gives you a full report...most of it is impossible to understand at this point, but you're sure to catch an "ow" or "bad" in there. It's ADORABLE! He's going through a majorly clingy mama stage right now. I love and hate it at the same time. I love that he's so snuggly and loving. I hate that he wants mama, and only mama, all the time. I'm trying to just enjoy it, because soon enough, he'll be a teenager and think his mom is lame. While Alex loves the play kitchen most (after all things choo choo or cars), Tony loves their Jeep (because it plays rock music and he does his version of rocking out), and the "laptop" that teaches them letters and animals and music (pretty much his three favorite things). They both also love the Magna Doodle and playing pictionary with our terrible drawings...it does make Striker and I happy though when they can tell what our pathetic attempts are supposed to be. 

In an effort to spend some one on one time with each of them, and give them some undivided attention before Jill's upcoming arrival, Striker and Alex will be taking a parent and me introduction to soccer, basketball, and tee-ball class, and Tony and I will be taking a music class next month. We will switch kids and choose different activities for the next round. (For obvious reasons, I'm sitting out the sports class this time...)