Daylan is learning more everyday and expressing himself in the funniest ways.  All the little phrases that Joel and I don’t realize we say are repeated back to us when we least expect it.  It never ceases to amaze us how much he picks up and applies quickly to his everyday conversations.  He is still in a Tues/Thurs morning mother’s day out program, but doesn’t love it as much this year as he did last year.  He has become best friends with a great three-year-old boy Colin a few houses down from us who is in the same school, so we decided to transfer Daylan to his class for the Spring semester to see if he’s happier.  He’ll be back in his favorite teacher’s class, so we’re hoping he’ll enjoy going more now. 

            His first love right now is computer games and he is content to sit for hours playing reading, math and matching/organization games if we let him.  He’s always been a book worm and HAS to read before bed every day.  We have to set a limit of two stories at naptime and three at bedtime, or we’ll be reading all night long.  Daylan is very quick to correct us if we miss a word in one of his umpteen books and never lets us “accidentally” skip a page. He’s starting to read more and more on his own with sporadic patience sounding out the words but has a great understanding of letters and sounds.  Some books I can get him to read all the way through with a little help. 

Now that the potty training battle is finally behind us (thank goodness), the daily drama is now focused on refereeing all the boys.  Daylan thinks they are great fun to run over and tackle, but heaven help us if one of the boys goes anywhere near his Buppies or makes a sideways glance at “his” toys.  I know it’s just beginning, but it’s already a full-time job.  We had the three boys side-by-side in the second row of my car, but we soon learned that the music of repeated “He’s touching me! He’s touching me!  He’s looking at me!!!” did not harmonize well with my radio-channel selections.   One day they’ll be best friends, right?  Right??

Christmas with Daylan this year was great.  We braved the mall crowds so Daylan could tell Santa that he wished for a star present, a rainbow present, and a rocket present for Christmas.  The innocence of his request is beyond precious, but Santa had to put his thinking cap on to figure out how to make those wishes come true. The night after we saw Santa, I was tucking D in to bed and I asked him if he'd had fun talking to Santa.  He said that he'd told Santa what he wanted, but Santa didn't give it to him.  He was so hurt and I had to hold back tears while I explained to him that Santa doesn't bring the presents until Christmas Eve.  He thought Santa didn't think he was a good boy!

 Colt is still super-affectionate and has the most pathetic cry I have ever heard.  When I set him down to try to go work on dinner or just focus on something else, that lower lip juts out and his eyes look at you like you’ve just run over his puppy.  I have no power against it.  He’s sweet and loving, all wrapped up in an adorable, pudgy, curly-haired package.  Poor guy will have to battle Mommy’s ringlets for the rest of his life. 

Colt broke his first two bottom teeth right around 10 months and hasn’t gotten another one since.  That doesn’t stop him from eating just about anything we put in front of him though.  He loves to clap for himself through meals and styles his hair three times a day with any sticky, funny-colored food he can smear throughout his head. 

He’s a thumb-sucker and will grasp at his sleeve to rub to settle down.  We’ve been trying to get him to attach to a blanket or lovey, but nothing has interested him much until a few days ago.  Apparently, it’s the ultimate companion and the object of Colt’s eager affection.  Why didn’t I think of this before?  Maybe it should have been obvious, but my mommy-radar didn’t appreciate its potential.  A precious, soft, floppy………. mop head.  Yes, my friends, my son has befriended a toy mop head as his beloved sidekick.  Who am I to argue?  Do I need to start the online search for multiples because one mop head will not be enough?  Should we name it/him?  Should I prepare for a career path in janitorial services?   I suppose all these questions will be answered in time.   

Clay is Mr. Adventurous and is my first climber.  To all those climber-moms before me for whom I did not appropriately sympathize, I apologize now.  Jeez, he’s quick!  And focused!  Did I mention determined?  At one year, Clay is an adorable, drooly, toothless, curly-haired speedster.  Once he decided to walk, he was off!  It’s hilarious to see him wander through the house just toddling from room to room and picking up anything he can get his little hands on just to carry it to another spot to trade up for the next treasure.  It’s precious, but it makes me sad to know that baby-hood is fading quickly.   Poor guy has been teething FOREVER and just cannot seem to make those teeth break through.   He’s a great eater and is amazingly coordinated.  When I get the opportunity to sit with just him, I’m shocked at how quickly he is able to mimic me stacking blocks, sorting shapes or working on a puzzle.  He loves to push around cars and trucks, dunk basketballs, and play catch.  Early signs are that he will be the athlete Joel will live vicariously through.  Poor guy. 

Clay is a great napper during the day, but struggles at nighttime for some reason.  He cries out at least once most nights, but because he doesn’t like to be held much, it’s difficult to know how to settle him back down.  Last week was one of the first nights I can remember that he’s snuggled into my chest at night to fall asleep.  I was savoring it so much, it took a long time for me to put him back to bed.  He’s a sweet guy who’s loving in his own adorable way and still fiercely independent.   

Colt and Clay just adore each other.  Actually, adore is an understatement.  There’s nothing like it.  Colt being the more affectionate of the two will often reach over to hold Clay’s hand while they are eating and will rest his head on Clay’s shoulder when they are sitting side-by-side.  Just melts my heart.  The twin relationship is clearly so special and I am thrilled that they get to experience it, but at the same time saddens me that Daylan will miss this in his life.

2009 has been a wonderful year for our family and I’m excited to see what 2010 has in store for us.  On Jan 1^st, I have a broken toe, I’ve thrown my back out, Joel is sneezing like crazy from allergies, and Daylan initiated the new year with a stomach bug.  We’re starting out on a rocky note, but that’s good luck…. right?