20 Months Old

Cody and Jaden are officially 1 and 2/3 old. Happy 20 months, little guys!

While this may be a small milestone to celebrate in itself, the Schleichers have two greater reasons to celebrate. First, our little guys are officially weaned from their pacifiers. Yup-- done, gone, packed away for good! Hooray! The little green "magical mouthpieces" had been doing more harm than good lately, so we decided it was time to say good-bye. After returning home from Christmas, we clipped the tips of a couple pacifiers and (wa-la!) we were done! The boys mourned their passing for a day or so and then moved right along.

Our second milestone, however, is an even greater reason to cheer. We have ALL been sleeping through the night again. Yay!!! Finally, since we were done with sickness, not currently getting any new teeth, and had no immediate travel plans upcoming, it was the ideal time for some sleep re-training. For the latter half of January, the boys consistently slept about 10 hours each night in their own cribs. What a joy for the whole family! We are proud of our little boys... and very thankful!

Cody (L) and Jaden (R) -- notice the height & size difference?

Jaden, Cody (possibly starting to teethe again)

Jaden, Cody -- our little men after Sunday church

Jaden, Cody -- bouncing down the stairs

A few monthly highlights--

SLEEPING

• must be restated :) -- sleeping 10 hour stretches at night with NO wake-ups!
• unfortunately, awaken at 5:00 or 5:30 most mornings, but with a full night of sleep prior to that, we can hardly complain!
• take 1 1/2 hour naps
• fall asleep easily at night and at naptime

EATING

• on a big eating splurge -- growth spurt is on its way!
• monthly eating goal-- working on taking bites out of larger food pieces (Both boys typically enjoy cramming everything into their mouths whole.)

PLAYTIME

• LOVE diving headfirst off the couch and out of their Cozy Coupes when Mommy & Daddy aren't watching
• enjoy re-locating all the books from their bookshelf to other areas of the house (like at Mommy's feet while she's trying to cook in the kitchen)
• seem to be obsessed with the bathroom toothpaste drawer & enjoy spreading all our toothpaste & brush samples all around the house
• recent favorite toy-- foam blocks (great at stacking!)
• REALLY into their Look & Find and I Spy books -- can consistently find most of the objects; often look at these books for 15-20 minute stretches!
• definite rough n' tumble boys! very into wrestling one another (will elicit lots of giggles unless one boy is tackled into a hard object or thrown off the couch-- both of which happen, unfortunately, frequently)
• lots of toy wars (toy stealing, toy tug-of-wars, screaming when a favorite toy is stolen)
• starting to understand the concept of "taking turns" if Mommy and Daddy stand by and monitor the length of each turn :)

OUR LITTLE CODY-BOY

• Started the month with a raging double ear infection (Dr. said his ears were close to rupturing & wouldn't let us leave his office without a shot!)
• Enjoys placing his books or cars in a long line across the room
• Often grabs the Desitin tube and holds it right up to his bottom :)
• More likely to sleep in (6:30ish) but always takes a shorter nap
• More willing to be independent in social situations

OUR JADEN-MAN

looking at the beloved "Look & Find" book

enjoys turning off and on the light at the bottom of the stairs

• LOVES his routine! Hates when things are out of place or different 
• Refused to brush his teeth this month until Mommy realized she had the wrong toothbrush color; once she picked up Jaden's correct brush, Jaden opened his mouth widely, ready to go!
• Our early riser (5:00ish) and our longer napper (will often sleep 2+ hours, unless Cody's early cries wake him up
• Wants Mommy or Daddy to hold him in new social situations or when we have visitors come to our house

Each new month is always a new adventure! We're so thankful for our fun little guys!