3 Year Update

How are they 3?? Here's a little current information about each boy...

Pierce
- Everyday we see his little Type A  personality coming through. He is incredibly particular about how he likes things and this mostly manifests itself through his continued obsession with trains. If we are going somewhere he has a very specific cast of train characters that he wants to take. This can range anywhere from 2-10 or more when you count tenders of course. I usually concede to the taking of the giant posse, but we have compromised with putting them in a pack of some sort. Win win, I guess! He lines them up in a certain way while he eats and if Blaine knocks a line up over, it's meltdown time.

- We've been working  a lot of using his words instead of just throwing a fit or dissolving into a crying mess. And he has come such a far way! So now if something makes him mad (or even if he gets hurt) he says, "Stop it, stop it, stop it" followed by "I no yike that" or "I don't yike siwwy games" (?).
And all of this is said in a growly, Pierce-like voice. I'm not sure how else to describe it. Hopefully I can catch it on video. It's darling and heartbreaking all at the same time because you can see how hard he is trying to express himself, but how deeply bothered and upset he is. Again, this usually happens because his trains were touched. But he has come such a long way!

- He is a smart one. Related to above: the other day in the tub he was very agitated at Blaine for bumping the track with his elbow. Blaine was just minding his own business and Pierce kept angrily saying "stop it, stop it, stop it" over and over. I finally warned him that if he said it again his bath would be over. A second later, he looked at Blaine and scrunched his face and said "Don't...do....that..." BJ and I about cracked up, but were also very impressed with is ability to talk around the threatened phrase. Very impressive really! He can almost count to 20 alone (we're still nailing all the teens) and he absorbs information so quickly.

- Pierce has been done napping for a few weeks now. They were keeping each other up during nap times, so Pierce began officially having a rest time on my bed. After only a couple of days he got great about staying up there for the full hour. He is my great independent player and can happily look at books, play with trains, and occasionally sneak my iPad to keep him quietly occupied the whole time. He makes it just fine until bedtime, but immediately crashes once his little head hits the pillow.

- He loves being read to. Both boys do, but Pierce has an exceptional attention span to sit and listen to the likes of an entire Berenstain Bears book. I'm loving reliving my childhood with them through this series! They both can retain something I've read just once. We go on monthly library trips with Nana and they play with toys while I get a new crop of books. I love what bookworms they're becoming.

- Pierce is starting to eat a little. Fruit is still his favorite, but he will also occasionally eat pasta and oddly enough will put away a whole hot dog! He also has started liking oven fries and will also eat some grilled meat if it's offered in a giant hunk form.

- We don't watch as much Thomas as we used to. I think it lost a little of its luster, although Pierce would probably still watch more readily than Blaine. Other favorites are Bubble Guppies, The Berenstain Bears, Clifford's Puppy Days, Curious George, and Peg + Cat.

- Pierce is our crazy goofball a lot of the time. He loves doing daring moves on, around, between the couches. He loves laughing and making others laugh. Also, I should mention that he likes to be a kitty and meows for words sometimes. He is more reserved in public and around strangers than Blaine. He seems to be more of an introvert and is content to hang back and play by himself.

Blaine

- Blaine continues to be our sensitive, tender hearted child. His feelings can be easily hurt and he can hang on to that hurt for quite awhile. He is very aware and concerned about how others are feeling.

- He is very verbal and constantly cracks me up with the adult like phrases he correctly uses. Some of favorites "Sure, I will (you can..etc.)", "you betcha", answered the pretend phone one time "This is Little Baby Puppy at your service", sing song voice "I don't think so" (learned from Berenstain Bears), etc. I am amazed and always amused by what he can pick up on and use correctly.

- We've noticed that although Blaine is really physical and athletic, he just poops out more quickly than Pierce. Pierce can run and walk and play like the Energizer Bunny, but Blaine wears out pretty quickly. He would still have us carry him everywhere if we would. We're working on the walk to and from the church entrance without a meltdown. :)

- He has gotten really good at potty training and has kept his motivation (unlike his brother). Neither is still very interested in wearing big boy underpants though. We're still working on pooping in the potty and we may have had a pretty good accident at Nana's house involving a #2, no diaper, and the kitchen sink. Definitely would do things differently next time!

- He continues to be the first awake despite the fact that in the past week he has given up the nap, too. He is quite chipper and chatty in the mornings (usually) and I find myself looking forward to waking up to him. He has a harder time staying put for the whole rest time hour. Pierce did at first too, but I have a feeling this will continue to be a struggle for Blaine who just doesn't enjoy independent play as much.


They have gotten to be such good friends and play mates over the last several weeks. It warms my heart to no end and makes every difficult twin thing completely worth it a hundred times over. I feel spoiled and grateful during the harmonious play time moments when I can sneak in a rest or chore while they play and know that their best friend is beside them.

We constantly find ourselves putting them to bed and then gushing over what sweet boys they are. They are just good kids with big hearts who love life.