Here we are!!! Sorry it's not Hi-Def by any means, but at least this gives everyone an idea of what we are doing. Like I said before, Rome wasn't built in a day. This is on the job training for me. I am learning so much. Watching him work is so intriguing to me, keep in mind that I am a Psychology major. I am enjoying the process and learning so much about my son. I have been so stressed lately. Trying to train myself overnight, I guess. Silly. Everything takes time. I am just happy that he is responding to me well. He is sitting for a least a 30 to 45 minutes and we are figuring it out. There is a rhythm to this. Constant feedback is the hardest thing. Taping it helps me to see when I missed opportunities to praise, re-direct, or whatever. Every missed opportunity for feedback breaks the rhythm. When done well, it's like singing along perfectly to your favorite song. That's the only way I can think of explaining it. Anyways. Check it out

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

SO many thoughts in my head tonight. Haven't been very good about taking many pictures of the boys these days so I have had to be a little more creative. This picture is actually perfect for how I am feeling today. As I have mentioned earlier, a main part of Darren's progress is due to his ABA in home therapy. Well, I have decided to start taking part in this learning process. It's one of those situations when things happen and you KNOW exactly what you have to do. I have always been interested in it, but honestly was just overwhelmed with twin toddlers and well...just that. We have all stepped up to the next level over the last year. So, it's time. I have been reading so much, and those who know me, know that I don't read a whole lot. I am becoming a student of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior. Once I decided to start doing this, I felt a huge amount of responsibility pile on my shoulders. Wasn't sleeping well, etc. But there is power in knowlegde. I keep telling myself, he is MY son. Why wouldn't I want to know the best possible ways to teach him and interact with him? The truth is, I am really looking forward to it. I just want to make sure that I know what I am doing. Thank goodness for friends. I have found that people that have been part of this journey, are always willing to help when called upon. Even if it's been weeks or months...it's amazing. The support has been great. I will happy to tell about some of our sessions as soon as we get going consistently. So far, he has responded well. But Rome wasn't built in a day!

Trevor is still a major super hero fan. He is already playing PlayStation 2 games like a 10 year old. His eye hand coordination is crazy good and he actually knows what he is doing. Bunckle B is is favorite person to play these games with because he knows all the tricks! He had a great time doing so this weekend. He gets so into it that he starts referring to himself and others as those particular superheros. Trevor is a 4 year old in a 10 year old body. When we all went out to dinner this weekend, Trevor had a very hard time and was acting out quite a bit. On the way home, I asked him why he was being this way. His response was great, " because I want everyone to listen to me". I was so impressed with his honestly, that I just thanked him for being so truthful. But, just like when he is at school and has to share his toys, when we are all together we have to share taking turns talking and listening. He is so fun, yet so stubborn. Amazing. I know this....they are who they are for a reason. Wonderfully different and challenging in their own ways. Never a dull moment is a common saying in our house!

Super Friends

The other day Trevor had some friends over to play. He really enjoys the Super Friends now and asked if he and his friends could watch it. Sure! So they played downstairs for some time and I kept checking on them. It was very cute actually, they would watch the show and play Super Friends at the same time. I think that Trevor was Batman. Well, Trevor, being the observant boy that he is, noticed that the Super Friends wear there "underwear" on the outside of their outfits. So to my surprise, the next time I checked on our little friends, they had all taken off their underwear, put their pants back on, and had put their underwear on the outside of the pants. I laughed histerically and was quite impressed with their creativity. Kids:)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all! This obviously isn't the most recent picture of the boys, but it is one of my favorites. It's been a good year for us, yet, now that we are settled, we are looking forward to 2008. The boys are at such a great age right now. We are certainly seeing their personalities shine through. Darren is just a happier boy these days. I am not sure how else to describe it, he's just calmer, more interactive, and seems to understand so much more. The whole family seems to agree that this is going to be a good year for Darren. We have already seen great progress, that's for sure.

Trevor's personality continues to overflow beyond even his own comprehension. On Christmas Eve, Claudia, Trevor and I went to the midnight mass at Truro. When we told Trevor that we were going, he got VERY excited. He was excited because we were going to the Big Chapel, "Where the King lives!" He lasted about 45 minutes and then fell asleep in the pew...too cute.

I like the New Year...New beginnings...New goals...New vision....New things to look forward to.

School Pictures

Ok, I seriously can't stand it. These pictures, to me, are just too cute. It's going to be hard to top these next year! The Holidays are certainly very exciting times. Our days seem very busy. Trust me, I am not complaining, but we are busy. Trevor got a new big boy bike for his birthday and certainly tries to squeeze in some time to ride it whenever he can. Of course, he still wants to play football whenever possible. He has also discovered Super Hero's and Scooby Doo, which is fine by me and Darren LOVES Frosty the Snowman.

I picked up Darren a little early from school yesterday in hopes to go through the torture of getting his hair cut. I usually cut it, actually, I haven't taken him to get it cut in almost a year. You see, getting his hair cut is an exhausting task because he hates it. We both leave there sweaty and tired....pretty! SO this time I walked in and apologized to all around for the crying that was soon to come. But guess what...he sat there on my lap like little Christmas angel. I couldn't believe it. Mind you...the sweetarts might have helped too, but never ever has he gone through an entire haircut without crying. What a pleasant surprise!

Enjoy the season!

Birthday Bash

WE DID IT!!!! We are proud to say that we finally had an official birthday party. Where better than Chuck E. Cheese? Gotta admit, I am one who plans for the worst. I imagined Darren freaking out with all the visual stimulation that only Chuck E. Cheese has to offer. I pictured Trevor running around in circles not knowing which friend to play with. I expected the noise level to be mind boggling and that as soon as the party was over, we would all be ready to jump ship. Does anyone else do that...plan for the worst like that? It turned out to be a great birthday bash. The Chuck E. Cheese in Fairfax did a great job for us. We brought the cake...that's it. Can't beat that! I know that Trevor could not get enough of all of his friends and was truly happy to have all share in his birthday celebration. He was seriously, so happy. Darren did great. Once again, he surprised me. He bopped around that place like he owned it.

It's a birthday party for goodness sake!!!! But after taking this particular picture, I got a bit teary eyed. As I looked around I saw some of my best friends with their kids sitting around the table. I saw pure happiness in the eyes of children. I saw Darren sitting eating his lunch with everyone else. Trevor is the blob in blue...his head is literally spinning with excitement. I, and I know I can speak for Mark as well, felt like such a proud parent. It was actually Mark's idea to do the party here. And at the end, after all the friends had left....we sat and regrouped and reflected on what a fun time we had had. Many thanks to all that were able to share in their special day. Special thanks especially to Aunt Cinnamon, Grandma, and Sharon. Couldn't have pulled off this bash without them.

Finally Four

It is extremely hard for me to believe that the boys are officially four years old. So I thought I'd reflect a bit on some of the good and some of the bad times we have shared. The first two weeks of their existence were probably the hardest of them all. Darren was borderline jaundice and Trevor had lost too much weight. So the day we left the hospital we had a mission. Feed these kids!!! Which meant around the clock feeding every two hours. I would nurse them first, then they would go downstairs and get a supplemental bottle. EVERY TWO HOURS. Thank goodness we had family around to take shifts, but even so, it was exhausting. The first night home was horrible because they didn't sleep at all. The following day we had to take the boys to the pediatrician to be weighed. So on this bitter cold day, we packed up the boys and headed out on our first journey. We had no idea what we were doing. When we got to the doctor's office we realized we had forgotten a diaper bag. No wait, it's not like we left it, we totally forgot to even pack one! Of course, they both peed all over the place. We remembered the diaper bag from that day on. We often wonder how many diapers we have changed over the years. Just having one out of diapers makes a HUGE difference. Darren just recently gave up the beloved "paci", which was a BIG step. Potty training is next on the list!

The first year is really a blur to me. I mean that. I relied so much on schedules because it was the only thing that kept me sane. For the first 18 months we drove them around for their morning nap, and the afternoon nap was usually taken in the stroller during our afternoon walk. Many thought we were CRAZY putting them in the car everyday, but it worked for us. It got me out of the house, I could listen to music, they could sleep, I could breath, and they were safely confined in car seats...PERFECT. They loved the aquarium bouncy seats, the exer-saucer, baby Einstein, and that floor gym. Darren used to seriously bat at the hanging toys, Trevor would gently touch them. Darren was more independent, Trevor was very clingy, wanted to be held all the time, especially in the evenings. We have always been thankful that the boys have always been good eaters and really healthy babies. Except the time when we ALL got the stomach flu, after picking up the bug at the mall changing table-all diapers were changed in the back of the car from that point on!!! That was truly awful.

Let's see, what else do I remember? I remember when Trevor took his first steps. Typical Trevor, it didn't take him long. With the help of lots of attention and praise, that kid went from taking one step to taking seven. Darren followed soon after. It seems that they only crawled for two weeks, maybe a little longer but, not much. They used to love chasing each other around the dining room table. That was so cute, they'd run and laugh.... To me it seems that we spent so much time in the car, I could have made the BEST commercial for the Toyota Sequoia. We did EVERYTHING in that car. The car, the park, the sprinkler in the summer and the mall in the winter....that's what I remember most.

I personally like the age that they are now. Age 2-3 was tough as well. Tantrums and diagnoses made for busy times. Even then, they have always balanced each other so well. Trevor's good day, might be Darren's bad day...and vice versa. This still holds true to this day. They are both really fun right now. Trevor is Mr. Independent and Darren is much more social these days. Family outings are fun...well...fun, but not perfect. I have to laugh because we attempted ice skating at the Reston Town center this past weekend. God bless Bunckle B (Brett) who had to deal with Mr. Independent on the ice....Trevor is still convinced that he CAN do it all by himself and is anxious to prove it to me the next time we go. Darren did not know how to take in any part of that extremely sensory experience. Overwhelmed is an understatement. He cried, but I know he like it as well and would certainly take them both again as soon as the grapefruit size bruise on my knee heals!

So, Happy Birthday boys. We love them so much and look forward to all that the future holds for you both