shannonigans is now shannon's scribbles!: Fourteen Months

The following is what happens if you say "make a face":

Eat. Three meals a day (7 am, 10:30/11:00 am, 5 pm) and 2 snacks (9:30 am and 3 pm). Caden continues to be a typical guy, eating anything and everything put in front of him. Brooklyn on the other hand STILL has something against veggies, and sometimes fruits. It seems that we are entering the Great Beige Food Phase earlier than I anticipated, since pasta, bread, eggs, and cheese are the only options I can depend upon to be acceptable when put in front of her (okay, also blueberries). Brooklyn is also inconsistent: some days she'll eat strawberries, other days she won't; some days there isn't enough watermelon to keep her happy, other days she won't touch a single piece. It's kind of hit or miss. They are also using plates, bowls, and spoons a bit more, and actually do pretty well with a bowl and spoon, though all of their utensils still end up on the floor in the end (much more fun that way).

Sleep. Bedtime at 7 pm, sleep for about 11-12 hours. Nap after lunch (around 11 am) for 1 (boo) to 2 1/2 (yay!) hours. They continue to do very well with sleep. We still rock them to sleep, and it usually takes less than five minutes or so: Caden will often be conked out within a minute or two of being walked around. We're hoping to help them go to sleep on their own once Tyson's schedule settles down a little, but honestly rocking them isn't so bad since it goes so quickly. Maybe half the time Caden has been waking up around 11-11:30 at night, crying inconsolably. The only thing that helps is putting him in our bed, where he immediately calms down, rolls over approximately 348 times, and then falls asleep. I carry him back up to his crib and then don't hear from him until morning. Not sure what that's about. They are definitely set with one nap now, though they are usually more than ready for it by the time 11:00 rolls around. On days that we have something in the morning (mom's group, class, church) they fall asleep in the car on the way home, and we're able to take them out of their car seats, carry them up to their cribs, and lay them down without waking them up (those days they eat a late lunch).

Play. Still LOVE going places. We HAVE to leave the house at least once a day, and frequently twice (before and after nap). They love going to the library, for walks, to the park (swings are currently a favorite), and even running errands. They get big smiles when getting their shoes on and going out the door. They are very helpful too, handing me socks, shoes, and jackets once I say it's time for "bye-bye".

Caden bounces around from toy to toy to toy, never sitting still for very long. He demands a little more attention and direction in his play, and if I sneak away to try to get something done he's usually the first to wander off to find me. He's particularly attached to technology, and it's basically impossible to take out a computer or phone in front of him because of the resulting meltdown when it's taken away. I don't mind so much if he plays on my phone, but then Brooklyn wants it, too (usually only because Caden has something that she doesn't), and there is only one iPhone to go around! The fights aren't worth it so I try to keep technology out of sight-which is annoying when I want to pay bills/make grocery lists/Facebook etc. but probably keeps me less distracted in the end.

Brooklyn is more independent in her play, and will sit and play contentedly for long stretches of time...or at least she would, until she sees Caden wandering off and decides that looks like fun, too. She loves looking out the window, and when asked, "Do you see any birds?", she immediately walks over to look and point at the tree out our window. She loves to dance, and anytime you sing or any music comes on will start wiggling and smiling, getting her groove on. She also likes to "lounge", and if there is a pillow or blanket around she will go over and cuddle against it, in full relaxation mode.

They both love to sit in laps, and will often bring a book over to have me or Tyson read, making sure they are appropriately situated in our laps, first. It's super cute, though it works less well when they BOTH want to sit in my lap at the same time...Brooklyn in particular will try to shove Caden onto the floor. Walking continues to go well, Brooklyn is almost a full-time walker, and Caden not far behind. Caden is just more determined to keep moving, so when he falls he immediately begins crawling, full speed ahead, towards his destination, while Brooklyn is more apt to pull herself up again so she can continue walking.