A day in the life of The Stoops Boys: December 2012

Noah and Parker are amazing. They make us say "Wow" everyday. Most of the time for good stuff and occasionally the bad stuff.

Noah is a very sweet boy. He tends to be more reserved but when he talks - you listen. It is always so fascinating to hear what he is thinking. He does have a loud and wild side. It pops out about once a day. Noah LOVES to play hide and seek. "Ready, Set, here I come". He has totally mastered riding his tricycle in fact, he is showing off how he can pedal and not use his hands to steer. This little tot doesn't have alot of fear. He feels pretty secure with life - its great. He does know right from wrong and what the "rules" are around the house. He will remind you if you are not following the rules. You know who you are!?! Noah has taken after his mommy - he loves art. He can even paint/color within the lines but loves to color all over too. Noah has a good sense of humor, amazing amoounts of focus if needed and nice golf swing too.

Parker is a teddy bear. He has mastered ALOT more than most at this age. He is a walking dictionary.He talks all the time, says "let me tell you why" and ask non-stop "Why?". He doesn't settle for a a basic answer - he really wants to understand the concept. Parker has taken after his daddy - loves to cook. He is a a big helper too. Wants to help with everything which is plus and minus. He is very considerate and sensative. He is so aware of the world around him. Collin and I keep hoping he will just enjoy the moment more than always wanting to know what is next - I love that he is a planner but he's a bit young. ha ha. Parker is all about mommy these days, gum and coins. Speaking of coins I have to mention he is a locksmith. He taught himself to unlock secondary doors with a coin.

The boys are best friends. They are very different yet rely and are concerned about the other all the time. They have started playing well together and get the concept of "sharing". It's very cute in fact tonight they had Popsicles (a favorite the past few weeks) and the each had a different flavor. They asked each other to "taste" the others.

Other topics at this season of life...
Potty: We will do an intense 3 day potty training in a month or two after the holidays and the newness of the house settles. The boys are both well on their way. Parker has pretty much got the whole #2 on the potty down. Time Out: We have moved to a more firm approach on discipline because for the most part these little guys KNOW what they are doing or trying to get away with now. They get 1 warning then a 3 minute time out. If the infraction is biting, hitting or running into the street it's an automatic time out. And I never thought the day would come that I would spank. I was totally against it but I will say there are some stunts, dangerous stunts these boys pull that need a little spanking. It is rare, thank goodness because Collin and I hate it. We have also started the 1,2,3 and for the most part it works really well for us. It helps to avoid alot of fussing and yelling. Manners: We have kicked up the please, thank you and table manners. Growing + Eating: They are still about the same size but seem taller and leaner if that's possible. They eat all the time. Mac + Cheese is a favorite. We have allowed more sugar products but its crazy its so addictive. They they get a bite they ask for more which we end up saying no. Its a struggle. Sleep: Most nights they are in bed by 7:30pm and wake up around 7:15am. They will talk + play in cribs with tents for a good 30 mins before we get them out. They both still nap for 1.5 to 2.5 hrs. (blog time for mommy). Still in sleep sacks but I see that ending soon. No more pack n plays - they both crawl out of them. They now have Kidco tents (which we safety pin to prevent 4am escapes). Boys enjoy them.

Since the last update the boys have started school, been Handy Manny for Halloween, traveled to their Grandparents in AR, played on the Texas Coast - Beach for 10 days, learned all about Santa and had a big snowball fight.