Steven, Sammy and Amaya have been busy, as always.

Last Sunday I planned to take the boys for haircuts at the mall but I couldn’t get a walk-in appointment so we spent some time in the play area instead. It was right at opening so it was still quiet enough that I felt comfortable letting SSA play without another adult for backup.

Amaya has finally mastered the big slide! She loves to “Wheeeee!” It’s so much fun watching her learn to get comfortable on the slide.

After a bit of playtime, I took the kids for pizza at the mall. We’ve come so far! I pulled the wagon in the line with me and was able to get everything to our table. The kids stayed in the wagon while I got the high chairs set up. We used paper plates and plastic silverware and everyone did great. It was almost easy!

This week was, likely, the last of nice fall weather. Sunday afternoon we took advantage and went outside for a fall walk. It was so pretty.

We wandered down the block to a neighbor’s house. They have pumpkins on their porch and have been nice about the kids coming to the door to see the pumpkins. The family has 3 boys and, while we were there, everyone came outside for a bit. Steven, Sammy and Amaya had their first opportunity to play in leaves. They loved it! I wasn’t sure Sammy would be comfortable but he dove right in! The kids continue to surprise me.

During the week, Megan took advantage of the great weather and everyone had time to play outside. Backyard – we’ll miss you this winter!!

Since we are BIG kids, we’re trying out BIG waffles.

We had lots of fun at music this week. Amaya is very, very focused on the directions from the instructor, Miss Marie. She watches and waits for each next step. This week Sammy learned how to walk backwards! It’s part of one of the songs and he’s been practicing at home.

More fun with the extreme coaster. Now Amaya can push the car up the coaster and climb in herself. This may have to make an appearance in our backyard next summer.

The boys and our music helper, Stephanie. “Fef fef,” as Sammy calls her. And “sister” as Megan calls her. 🙂

The toddler room at EI class definitely seems to be the right place for the kids. Amaya made friends with twin girls who are about the same age. Not surprisingly, Steven is happy to take off and explore on his own. Sammy hangs close to Megan but he still has a good time.

Our napping kiddos. Including Miss Amaya, who stayed up for her entire nap until the very end when she fell asleep on Megan. We love you, Megan.

Bath fun!

Sometimes we need our friends to sit with us at breakfast.

On Friday, I went to work late to take Steven in for a check in with his orthotist for his ankle braces. Before Steven and I left, we were hanging out and noticed an Asian lady beetle in the house. The kids were totally fascinated. Sammy kept his distance but Steven and Amaya took turns picking it up.

Steven and his insect friend.

Steven did great at his appointment. Robert, his orthotist, commented that he’s always so friendly and easy to work with. My Bobo is a people person.

Steven did outgrow his SMOs and is going to need a new pair. He’s made improvement but still has a fair amount of ankle pronation. Hopefully this is his last pair and then we can “free the feetsies!”

Lately, Sammy is having a lot of trouble with separation. He does not like it when his mama leaves, and it was even worse on Friday when Bobo got to go in the car with me. “Go. Go. Go. Car. Mama.” He eventually recovered but Megan reported that he cried for a looooooong time. Poor kid. And poor mama! It’s really difficult for me to leave for work these days. I hate to hear how sad he is.

All better!

Saturday morning we divided and conquered. Jason and Amaya went grocery shopping while the boys and I went to get them some overdue haircuts.

Steven and Sammy were super patient during the half hour wait.

Steven cried at first but then calmed down. Sammy had a tougher time and ended up getting his hair cut sitting on my lap. “All done! All done!” was his cry through the hair cut. But 2 minutes after it was done he was just fine.

Meanwhile, Amaya was Daddy’s super helper!

Jason and I had plans on Saturday night so Grandma Sunshine and Aunt Annette came to babysit. When you have this many adults in the house, you might as well have a flying party.

It was another tough goodbye everyone settled down quickly and had a great night.

Sammy is almost always the one who’s still asleep in the morning or after naps. This morning he was asleep when I went into the nursery and didn’t even want me to put the light on. He was practically falling asleep in my arms when I took him out of his crib. I’ve never really seen him like that and didn’t want to push it so I brought Sammy to Jason who slept with him in our bed for about an hour. Eventually he woke up ravenous, ate 12 mini pancakes and was back to himself.

Before Sammy woke up, Steven and Amaya were busy coloring. During breakfast we were FaceTiming with Charlie who was coloring and I told Amaya she could color after breakfast. The minute she finished she was off and running to the craft table. Oh! And the only reason Amaya let me brush her teeth this morning is because big cousin Charlie said she should. Thank you for the help, Charlie!

It didn’t take long for Sammy to join in.

The work I’ve been doing for the rape kits in Detroit was highlighted in the business section of the New York Times. We took a family trip to Barnes & Noble to pick up some copies of the paper. The kid’s department was a nice place to hang out for a little while.

Somehow, no one left empty handed!

The article.

Steven, Sammy and Amaya are so funny at meals these days. They want a ton of silverware and it’s not uncommon for them to have a toddler fork, regular fork and a spoon at a meal. Today we had chicken parm and Amaya sat and ate the sauce by the spoonful.

Just a few more photos from the week.

Steven! Steven is saying more and more. A lot of it isn’t enunciated well but he has a ton of words. I’m so happy with his progress. I thought he’d certainly need speech intervention but I don’t feel so sure anymore.

Sammy! The other night, after he was in his crib at bedtime, Sammy sat in his crib just talking, talking, talking.

“Coat. On. Coat. Off. Off.”
“Mike. Mike. Mike. Mike.” (That’s Megan’s husband.)
“Fef fef. Home.” (That’s Megan’s sister, Stephanie, who goes to music class with the kids.)
“Tush. Tush. Big. Huge.” (You can tell the kinds of things we say when he poops.)

It was so interesting to listen to him!

Amaya! Amaya is our little singer. She loves to sing the songs she learns through early intervention. I could listen to her little singing voice forever.

Lined up at the gate. When it’s dark out, we love to watch the lights on the trees outside. Steven particularly loves it. “La-ight! La-ight!”

Have a great week!