What a busy time it is for my family! We are getting ready for the big move in four weeks, so the preparations have been keeping us occupied. We got home a few days ago from a four-day house-hunting trip in Redondo Beach, California. Since we’ll only be there a year, we are going to rent. I look forward to telling you all about our new home. 
Sometime in the past month, the boys officially put infancy behind them and became full-fledged toddlers. And boy—whoever made up the term “Terrible Twos” wasn’t lying! Nate, in particular, has been treating us to tantrums whenever he doesn’t get his way. These tantrums usually occur at the most inopportune times—such as during their two-year photo shoot over Memorial Day weekend. We took the boys for their photos early because our beloved photographer, Julie Pearson of Julie Pearson Photography, is moving as well. Unfortunately, Nate decided he did not want his picture taken, and screamed and cried for almost the entire half hour. Luckily, he has the most adorable boo-boo lip:
Matt, on the other hand, continues to be a generally laid-back, agreeable little dude, as evidenced by this photo from the shoot:
But that doesn’t mean that Matt doesn’t have strong opinions. He does not like to share, and if Nate has something he wants, he won’t let it go easily. We’ll often catch the boys chasing each other around the house, screaming and babbling at each other, as they try to grab a toy out of each other’s hands. It’s actually pretty hilarious. Matt also will put up quite a fight when we take him away from something he’s engrossed in. Just try to take him inside for a diaper change when he’s playing with his trains and see what happens!
The boys have also grown up in other ways:
Vocabulary: That “twin language” you always hear about is real! For the past couple of weeks now, the boys have been having full conversations with each other. To us it sounds like gibberish, but I swear they each know exactly what the other is saying. Their vocabularies are also expanding at warp speed. They both count to 10 and sing along to many songs. They’ll also repeat everything they hear. And they surprise us every day by pointing at things they see in books or in everyday life and saying their names. Some of the latest things they’ve identified are rainbows (“bay-bow”), monkeys (“muh-mee”), chicken (“chichin”), newspapers (“noo-paper”), and bulldozers (“bull”). Matthew has also taken to saying “Oh, YEAH!” “Oh, boy,” and “Oh, well” all day long. We’re not sure where he got those expressions from, but he likely picked them up from us!
Interaction: For the longest time, the boys would simply play alongside each other. Now they play with each other—when they’re not fighting over toys, of course. They entertained themselves for hours in the hotel room last weekend by playing hide-and-seek with the curtains. One would hide behind the curtains, the other would “find” him, and then they’d laugh gleefully and chase each other. The boys also love to wrestle, hug, and tickle each other. But my favorite is the way they take care of each other. Each morning, whoever gets changed first makes a beeline for the kitchen to get his cup of milk. But now, instead of just getting his own milk, he’ll point to the other boy’s cup until we give it to him, then bring it to his brother. Or if you bring one boy his shoes, he’ll try to put them on his brother’s feet instead of his own.
Comprehension: Every evening, I recap the day for the boys. I’ll always start by asking them, “What did we do today?” Until recently, they would always just stare at me and wait for me to tell them. But the other evening, I asked them, “Where did we see bubbles today?” and Matthew responded with, “Lie-bay (Library)!” And after Gymboree, I asked them which of their friends we saw, and Nate said, “Pey Pey! Ah!” (That’s Peyton and Oz.) The boys have also learned the appropriate responses for things. If you compliment them or give them something, they’ll say “thank you.” (In Nate speak, it sounds more like, “TANK!” In Matt speak, it’s, “TAY!”) I also love it when I tell Nate something and then ask, “How’s that sound?” He’ll say, “Good!” Or I’ll ask Matt if he wants to do something, and he’ll say, “Ya!” or “No.”
But my absolute favorite aspect of the boys’ personalities is how loving they both are. They love to show affection. Every now and then, Nate will make his way over and hug our legs, nuzzling his head on our thighs as if he’s a little cat. If you ask for a hug, he’ll almost always oblige, and he loves to blow kisses. He’s also a big cuddler! And Matt—gosh, that sweet little boy! I’ll be in the middle of doing something, and all of a sudden he’ll amble over and smile at me in a goofy way. I’ll say, “Hi, Matt!” and he’ll put his arms up. I’ll pick him up and he’ll cup my face in his hands, touch my nose with his, and give me a kiss on the lips. I kid you not. That boy is gonna be a ladies’ man when he’s older!
Well, that’s my update for now! We’ll be super busy with moving, the twins’ 2nd birthday party, and a trip to New York over the next few weeks, but I’ll do my best to keep you all posted.
P.S. As for the two-year photo shoot? Despite Nate’s tantrums, Julie managed to get some amazing photos! Here’s one shot of the two boys. I think it showcases their personalities perfectly!
Here’s one that shows off Nate’s blue eyes:
And here’s a shot of me and my mini-me!
