April

First born:

• Our preschooler is very affectionate lately. I love all his hugs and kisses. And he often tells us that he loves us. "I love you little bit all time mommy." While at a friend's house for a RS committee meeting, I left my him to play in another room. After I while I heard him burst out crying. I went and gave him a hug and asked what was wrong and he said "I missed you." 
• One day he didn't want to brush his teeth so I said that if he didn't brush his teeth that they would start hurting. He agreed to brush them and has mentioned to me a few times since that if we don't brush they'll hurt. At first I was surprised because he doesn't generally respond to reason. But I suppose the consequence doubles as punishment.
• He's talking tons. Tons. I love it.
• He loves distractions.
• He loves going outside.  His favorite is to ride his tricycle to the playground.
• He loves playing with his little brother, it can be really sweet.
• And other times, when he needs to be the boss of everything, or can't seem to share anything, it's less sweet.

Second born:

• Our toddler is growing up! He's full of personality! He's lots of fun and a happy and smiley little boy, but we also often see a little furrowed brow pouty/upset/concerned look. He knows what he wants and knows when big brother isn't being fair. He's growing up :'( 
• He's very defensive of the toys he's playing with and carries several around at a time.
• He is afraid of mysterious loud noises and runs to my arms if he hears one. 
• He is very possessive of me when there are other children around that would like a smidge of my attention. 
• He loves M&Ms and thinks he should get them as meals. (He gets one, or a few, when big brother goes in the potty.) 
• He loves making animal sounds, especially frogs, ducks, elephants, lions, monkeys, cows, dogs, and fish. 
• And other sounds, like cars vrooming and fire truck sirens. 



Moments after putting a raw carrot in his mouth.

• He tries words a lot, some that he says regularly are owl, bus, and truck.  He says Victor and Cranky (Thomas and Friends characters) but not on demand. 
• He does sign language from the video we have even though we haven't really worked with him on it and he rarely sees the video. 
• He likes to point to his (and my) facial features.
• He likes to climb, dance, play together, and imitate. 
• He loves going outside. He'll run around and doesn't care if he leaves me behind.
• He has started pointing to the letters, rather than the pictures, in an alphabet book we have. 
• He likes to sit and figure toys out.  He is excellent with the shape sorter.  And pulls back his pull-and-go cars.
• He still loves books. My desk is by the bookshelf and he'll sit on the floor next to me and look at books. 
• He loves the bike he got for Christmas and can now get on and off all by himself. 
• He moves stools around as needed to reach/see/sit.

My baby sister just finished her freshman year at BYU and stayed with us a couple of days before going home to our parents'. It was fun to have her here! Our firstborn called her "Aunt [first name]" all the time and that was fun too. Before she left us on the 30th we went on a preschool field trip to a local nature center. My preschooler pushed the stroller on the trail and wanted it right next to him for the photo.

And then we went to McDonalds before taking her to the metro station.

Doesn't he look so grown up?