What Feeding Yourself Looks Like at 18 Months

After talking about Caroline and Ellie's whole "learning to feed myself" stage that we're in right now, I thought we'd should add a few more descriptive photos.  

They love to eat out of a bowl or plate, but Ellie is the worst offender when it comes to throwing her mealtime paraphernalia on the floor or dumping all the contents on her tray, or on herself.

The funny thing is, she absolutely knows that I'm not okay with this.  Now, when she throws something on the floor, she immediately looks at me and taps the table with her hand.  I often ask her, "where does __ go?  It goes on the table."

So now, I guess, just to speed up the whole conversation, she preempts my question with just giving me the answer by pointing to the table.  As if this makes it okay, and I should give it back to her.  Sigh.

Caroline, on the other hand, is focused.  She will work the food in that bowl until its gone...or until Ellie reaches over and takes it from her...and then of course, ends up on the floor.....

....where most things of Ellie's ends up.

Well, what can I say, at least they're cute.

Do it Myself!

We have started to let Caroline and Ellie feed themselves...and they love it!

Not too much food actually gets in the mouth but they are figuring out how to use a spoon and fork and they're getting better at it everyday.

Both girls seem to be right handed, which we were wondering about since I am exclusively left handed when it comes to these things.

In this whole process of feeding themselves, the messes have exponentially increased...not only on the floor and the high chairs, but also on their faces, heads, and clothes!

They are also much happier though that they can do it themselves.  Meals take a little longer and it's a little bit of an aerobic exercise for me as I go back and forth behind each chair trying to help each one out with each bite.

Ellie loves to be helped with each bite, and Caroline likes to be helped out depending on the day.

We also tend to have major mood swings with the eating.  Some meals, the girls are are elated and so proud of themselves, and on other days, it's total melt-down city around here.

These days, one girl seems to be crying during every meal.  Blake and I feel like we were given a gift if both girls make it through the entire meal with both happy.

Reasons for melt-downs:
1.  I want to sit in Mommy's lap
2.  I threw my cup on the floor and I want it back
3.  My sister has more Cheerios that I do
4.  My sister took off her bib and she's trying to rip mine off
5.  I am trying to feed my sister and she bit my fingers as I shoved a piece of (insert food choice here) in her mouth
6.  My sister stole my spoon
7.  My sister stole my bowl
8.  My sister stole my cup
9.  I want to eat with colored spoon/bowl/plate that my sister is using
10.  I'm tired and just not feeling like eating right now

Suddenly, it's all coming clear to me of why meal times are not my favorite part of the day...but these pictures do remind me that there are times when everyone is in the zone and we're having a pretty good time together!

He is Risen Indeed

Every year, Amber's extended family gets together to celebrate Easter at her Grandparents ranch in LaGrange.  They've invited us for the past several years to join them, and it's a total treat for us.

The first year we were there, was the day before we found out I was pregnant with twins.  

Fast forward two years and we have two little girls doing an Easter Egg hunt for the first time.  

Each girl had their own basket and they were able to put anything they wanted in and out of their basket for as long as they wanted.  

Caroline and Ellie were in heaven.

They were completely captivated the entire time.

The front yard of this ranch house is massive and they could walk wherever they wanted.

They kept venturing off walking one direction, but then realizing that their sister was somewhere else, they went to go find the other one.

Then, Amber's Granny comes over and shows the girls that the eggs actually open and there are things inside of them....

...and with that, the plastic eggs got a whole lot cooler, and the girls were trying to open and close the eggs for the rest of the time.

Well...and eating them.

Just like the last 2 years, I wanted to get a nice family picture.

Take 1:  Caroline crying and Ellie totally in the zone

Take 2:

Take 3:  Well, at least Blake and I are smiling....I guess this is the keeper for 2014.

Bobbie, Amber's mom, gave us bunny ears for the girls yesterday, so of course, we had to bring them and let the girls wear them for the day.

At home, they love to TRY ON bows but they love even more to immediately take them off, i.e. just give mommy a tease and not actually wear anything on their head.

Caroline having a brief technology distraction.  This girl and cell phones...

So, of course, we were cracking up when they wanted to keep wearing their bunny ears for the afternoon.  I never know with them.  

It was a great day.  They had fun and we probably had even more fun watching our babies discover new things.

...and as always when we're outside....hearing new things.

Cozy Coupes

Caroline and Ellie each got a Cozy Coupe for their birthday from my parents.

I thought 2 was just way too many wheels in one household, but my mom, knowing what its like to be a twin, thought they should each have their own.

2 was definitely the right call.  We did have to rearrange our garage to fit it all in, which took us two weekends worth of naptimes to get it all done, but hey, we got it!

Caroline doing some peek-a-boo while drinking her milk

These girls LOVE to drive their car, meaning vigorously turning the steering wheel while their face starts to turn red.  Sometimes they liked to be pushed, and sometimes, they only want to sit inside and they throw a fit if I even touch their car.

Caroline 

Ellie

Most often, both girls do not like it when their sister tries to get close to their car.  But sometimes, on days like this, we'll see some collaboration and their minds working.

They discovered their gas tank, and somehow, without any prompting or suggesting from me, they took the straw of their sippy cups and stuck it in the gas tank.

We go to the gas station less than once a week, and somehow they still can remember what I'm doing and copy.

I'm amazed.

Ellie

These girls could just walk around outside, going in and out of their cars all day.

Of course, so could I, with beautiful weather such as this.  These are rare days in Houston....70's, no humidity and no bugs....what we call California weather.

And apparently, never underestimate the need for hydration.  These girls take their whole milk very seriously.

Ellie always seems to have milk splatters on her face

 Right now, Blake and I are really seeing Caroline blossoming in determination.  When she is focused on something, she gets in the zone and wants to do it all herself.  No help from anyone.  Period.

Caroline pushing her stuck car further into the flower bed and does NOT want any help

With Ellie, we are seeing her relational side really blossom.  She is so into her sister and wants to be wherever Caroline is.  She loves to come over in the middle of playing and give a hug or kiss...

...and if she hears the sound of a bird (or really anything, but mostly birds), she immediately stops what she's doing, puts her hands to her ear and looks for the noise.

Ellie pointing out a bird

If I ever ask the girls if they want to go outside and drive their cars, they immediately stop what they're doing, drop any toy they are holding and run to the back door.

Ellie

Who knew sitting in a cozy coupe could be so exciting?  Of course, when Houston gets to experience a little California weather, anything outside is exciting!