17 Months Old

We are almost a half-year old! Here we are, brother-to-brother. :)

Jaden & Cody got into this posed position all on their own!
No kidding! All I have to say is, "Can I take a picture of you with
my camera?" and both boys go right to the fireplace. Can you
tell that Mommy takes a bunch of pictures? :)

Jaden, Cody-- just hangin' out

Cody, Jaden-- We can climb up the couch all by ourselves now!
Thanks for the cute hand-me-downs, Jenna! Recognize these?

Jaden, Cody-- all dressed up for church. Did you notice that
Mommy forgot to wash their black socks during the week??

Cody, Jaden-- doing one of their FAVORITE
things: building forts with Daddy!

Jaden, Cody

Jaden, Cody-- reading the morning paper

Cody & Jaden, watching Mommy dry her hair

Cody, Jaden-- giggling when Mommy shakes her hair

The boys' distinct personalities continue to emerge more clearly each month. We love our precious, full-of-energy little fellas. Here are some of their current habits and mannerisms:

SLEEPING

• continue to awaken usually 4-5 times per night 
• tried some sleep re-training this month, but it only worked for a few days (though they were teething AGAIN this month and both developed colds)
• officially done with their morning nap (This was a much harder change for Mommy than the boys!)
• love their one afternoon nap (averages about 1 1/2 hours, occasionally a marathon 3 hour nap!)
• fall asleep easily for bedtime at 7:30

EATING

• showed a bit more pickiness with their food this month (possibly due to their sickness or their teething?)
• favorite snacks are animal crackers, string cheese, goldfish, raisins, and graham crackers
• tried candy for the first time near Halloween-- big fans of M&Ms, candy corn, and Kit-Kats
• successfully can drink water from an open-topped cup (although Cody usually splashes the cup backwards when he finishes, dousing water all over Mommy!)

PLAYTIME

• Outside favorites-- pushing lawn mowers in the driveway, playing in the sandbox, being pulled around inside the sandbox lid, walking down the sidewalk pathway alongside our home
• LOVE going down the slide at the park & now can climb the stairs and slide down fully independently! (While learning this skill, Mommy constantly reminded the boys to sit down at the top of the slide. Jaden listened and often sat down a full foot away from the slide's edge. Cody, on the other hand, often tried to walk right down the slide. We've pinpointed our little risk-taker!)
• When it's time to go outside, both boys can find their shoes and coats. They also stick their arm out towards us, ready to put their coat on.
• Inside favorites-- pushing their riders & the Cozy Coupe (this never gets old!), building furniture & blanket forts with Daddy, independently climbing into the La-Z-Boys and rocking back and forth, being thrown onto the couch, getting piggy-back rides
• When heading downstairs, both boys will point at the light and the radio, reminding us to turn them off. Once downstairs, they will instantly go to the heater, reminding us to turn it on. They learned Mommy's routine quickly! What observant boys!

NEW SKILLS

• giving hugs upon request (to each other or to Mommy & Daddy's friends)
• blowing kisses
• CLIMBING up everything! (chairs, couches, the piano bench)

CODY

• Learned how to open doors this month! (yes, we invested in baby-proof door handles right away)
• Tries to climb into the sink or push the water spout back & forth whenever we're washing his hands
• Loves copying Mommy or Daddy with teeth brushing (and will even whine for his own brush when he sees us) but HATES when we try to brush for him!
• Loves climbing into the Cozy Coupe from the back or side window and often purposely slides through the floorboard (definitely our daring kiddo!)

JADEN

• Cut teeth #13 & #14 (top two incisors)
• Learned how to turn on his bedroom light from his crib (This light is now taped in the off position, after it was turned on several times at naptime...)
• Likes to "put away" toys, often piling them on couches or on end tables
• Loves pulling a blanket over to Mommy or Daddy, as a request to build a fort (In fact, one time a blanket was draped over a chair and Jaden mistook it for his beloved fort. He repeatedly tried to crawl into the side of the chair!)

What fun it is to watch you grow, little guys! Happy 17 Months!