Walking at the park

Yesterday, after some work with Joy's mom, Jacob stated pedaling this tricycle too! I'm so proud of them and really darn advanced!! Go them!!

Joy ordered her and I pedometers last week and they came on Saturday. Since then, we have been doing a lot of walking. We've been taking the boys to the metro parks and letting them walk on the paths. They have been enjoying the freedom of walking. Only holding hands when bikes come by or anything looks remotely dangerous. At some points they were holding each other's hands.

We have seen deer, birds, bugs, frogs, fish, and turtles on our walks. It's been really fun showing them to the boys and seeing them so interested in them. They were really excited about the frogs we saw at the Nature Realm.

I've been doing a new approach to bedtime. It includes not bringing my phone in when I put them to bed. When they were getting wild while I was trying to put them to bed, I stated playing movies on my phone to get them to settle. Instead, I've been trying to read to them. Letting them have books. We have also been "talking" about the day.

One hot topic we have been talking about was the train we saw at the park. They love trains!!

Forgot to mention, on the same night we saw the train, we all enjoyed laying down and rolling down a hill. We got so dizzy!! The boys loved it! Was so much fun!!



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Father's day plus!

I got totally spoiled this year for father's day. Joy got me an amazing ice cream cake from Cold Stone, really strong coffee, donuts, a sweet card, and a deck of cards with reasons the boys love me on each, paintings, and not to mention the tv that was my father's day present from before. It was really sweet and I feel totally loved.

The best part was sharing the cake the cake with boys. It was so yummy and the boys loved it ubber much.

I'm so happy being a father to these boys. I love them and Joy so much! My life is really amazing!

Right now, I'm watching Tangled with the boys on the couch. Bedtime has been rough lately so we're having a little movie time. I'm hoping they fall asleep but not sure they will.

They have been so hyper lately! Bouncing off the walls to say the least! They have also been wrestling and tackling each other. One thing they love to do now is when I'm trying to put them to bed, they jump off their bed and latch on to my back.

My parents stopped by tonight which was cool! We all went to the park and the boys showed off all their playground moves: slides, swings, climbing, and goofiness. When we came back they played in the back yard and played ball with my dad. It was a fun night.

Potty training has taken a little break but I think we'll start up again soon. My mom bought them new underwear! Hehe

--picture by Joy. Taken when they were trying to take down a tree.

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RIP Great Grandma

Last Friday my grandma, the boys great grandma past away. She was 88 years old. The last time we saw her, we visited her in the nursing home. She was so delighted to see the boys. We got her out of her room and went to the community room with caged birds. It totally made her day.

It is sad to see go but I'm glad my last memory of her is a great one. I'm glad she got to meet the boys. She will be missed.

We had a busy few days with the funeral. We brought the boys to the wake and service/burial. They did a great job at cheering everyone up, especially my dad.

My grandma's funeral was only one at the funeral home. We were told we could let the boys roam. Joy and I got plenty of exercise chasing the boys in the room and down the halls.

The director was texting on his cellphone when no one was looking as he waited for people to hold the door for. He kept trying to hide it as the boys kept running to the door. Joy told him that he didn't have to put it away for us.

In between the two visiting hours, my dad took everyone out to dinner. Joy and Jacob got separated from Jasper and I at the table. They were on one end, we were on another. They did really good considering. When Jasper got fussy, I YouTubed Mary Poppins and Jacob went to sit with my dad. They both ate really good. Jasper had pizza and fries and Jacob had Mac n cheese.

The next day, we held them for the service. They really wanted down but it wasn't too bad. My dad held Jacob at the burial. They both had flowers. I think Jacob really helped him through it.

After the burial, we all went out to eat an Italian restaurant. This time we all got to sit to together. It was a four course meal, where they just brought the food to us. It ended up being about a 2 hour meal.

Everyone was saying how great the boys were doing. They did great, especially for how long the meal was. Joy put movies on my phone so near the end they were watching Rango.

The general manager was a bit rude. The boys weren't even causing a scene or being loud. Just kinda playing in the high chair. But she came over and said "it would be best for everyone if you went to the front and got a toy for the them." They had a treasure chest of kids toys. We didn't say anything. We just agreed.

We got them toy cars and Jacob needed a new diaper. So I took the boys and held them while Joy went to the car to get diapers. The general manager asked me why we were standing there waiting.

So rude.

One of the people in the funeral party stopped and said she couldn't believe how well behaved they are, like 5 minutes later.

This was only their 2nd and 3rd time eating in a restaurant.

After the last few days. Joy decided we needed a date. We picked up her mom and she watched the boys. Joy and I went to Canton, where we went to a book store, star bucks, and the movies to see Sherlock Holmes 2. Great night!!

The next day, it was warm enough that we all walked to the park! We let the boys play on the jungle gyms and when we came home they wanted to play in the sandbox.


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Need more vacation please

I miss vacation already! Can't believe an entire week went by already. I miss being home with Joy and the boys and having fun action packed days.

Monday, we headed to the park for another "concert in the park." Instead of just hanging out and watching the band, we took the boys to the playground. We put them in the swings for a while and then wandered off into the field to let them run around.

I mainly followed Jacob while Joy followed Jasper. They both had fun playing "I'm gonna get'chew" game. Then Jacob got ahold of some sticks and Jasper followed.

Jacob has been talking so much lately! It's like he's trying to have a conversation with you but doesn't know many words. It's so cute. Jasper is starting now too. I gotta get it on video.

Tuesday, we all went for a bike ride. Joy pulled the boys in the bike trailer for 4 miles and then we switched bikes and I rode them back. Jacob fell asleep first, followed by Jasper.

The coffee table has been insane lately! We've been trying to keep them off it but it has been an endless battle.

Joy finally had enough and created a new gate. Now, there is a gate that just covers the tv and that side of the wall. Before the coffee table was a part of the gate. The boys can get onto the coffee table but the new rule is that they have to "stay on their booty."

It's been mostly successful except last night Jasper wanted on the coffee table to dance. I tried to be more aggressive with saying "no, on your booty." That failed. So I ended up sitting on the coffee table, keeping both off.

The boys then grabbed blocks and proceed to bang them on the glass part of the door. I tried to be more aggressive at telling them "no" and they responded by smiling and banging them harder. I had to eventually take the blocks away. I think I need to work on my parental authority voice.

I'm so glad it's Friday. It's been a struggle this week when I just want to be home. I don't think we have anything planned. I'm sure that will change but it's nice to have a free weekend!


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Vacation!

I had a great vacation at home with the boys, though we didn't stay home too much but we kinda treated it like we were tourists in the our city.

Friday night, Joy's mom watched the boys so we could have a date night. We went to beaver marsh where we rode our bikes and waited till dark to see the beavers. Blossom music center is on the other side, so we hears Neil Diamond.

Saturday, we went to summit county fair. It was so-so. It was really hot. We caught the end of a circus act and then wandered around.

Sunday, we took the boys to a jungle gym in Fairlawn. The playground was empty so the boys had free range. We put them in our laps and went down the slides. After that we went for a walk at the nature realm.

Monday, we went to the Cleveland zoo. we thought it would be empty but instead was packed! Turns out zoo is free for cuyahoga county residents on Monday. We had fun though. The boys seemed more aware of the animals and pointed. At night, we caught the concert in the park.

Tuesday, joy's mom came over so we could go to the eye doctor. Afterwards we worked on cutting down a tree.

Wednesday, we took the boys in the bike trailer and went biking on the towpath. The boys loved it. They were singing and having a great time.



Thursday, we did some grocery shopping and then stayed in most of the day.


Friday, we visited my grandma in the nursing home. She was feeling depressed in the nursing home. She had been in the hospital. The boys cheered her up greatly and just about everyone else in the nursing home. After that, we went to my parents house for pizza and to let the boys swing on their jungle gym.



Saturday, we went to twins day in twinsburg. That was a lot of fun!! It was really neat seeing all the twins for newborns to twins in the seventies.

The boys had a Popsicle and got it all over themselves. It was really cute. Can't wait to take them again next year.

Today, we just taking it easy.



It was great being home! Joy said the boys treat me the way they treat her during the day. They are a handful. The most challenging though is keeping them off the coffee table. Hope Monday isn't too bad for her.


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Parked and Babysat

Saturday, we headed to the cuyahoga valley national park to enjoy the nice the day outside. We headed over to a covered bridge where we saw a bunch of horses. There were two giant horses in the river underneath the bridge. The boys got to see them and other horses walk by them.

We then headed over the beaver marsh. We enjoyed a nice walk and looked into the marsh for beavers, frogs, and other animals. We stayed for awhile looking. The boys loved people watching especially when a little girl came up next to their wagon. We didn't see much but we saw a huge goose and some fish. And let's not talk about the chipmunks.







Sunday, my parents babysat the boys for the first time! We drove the boys over to their house. We were both really worried but the boys did great! My mom said Jacob was a little sad when we left but perked right up after they took them for a walk. She said they were both talking in their wagon.

Joy and I headed to the half price book store. I was looking for records and Joy was looking for some books. The records were a little pricey but Joy found me a Clive Barker book.

We then ordered take out at red robin and were looking for a park to eat. We didn't find one but went on a nice road trip back to my parents' house.

The boys seemed to have a good time. They were discovering things all around their house. We stayed there for a while. Jasper was still discovering new things in the house. Jacob was ready to held.

They fell asleep on the ride home.

The Beginning of a Busy Month!

May is a big busy month for us. The weather is finally nice and we are spending a lot of time outside. The boys are getting sun. They're going to bed tired and sleeping through the night.

We started the first weekend of May by going to Cleveland zoo with my parents. The morning greeted us with a thunderstorm and almost seemed unlikely that we were gonna go. However, by the time we got to the zoo the sun was shining! We didn't think to bring sunblock, so Joy stopped at the gift shop and picked some up for the boys and us.

The zoo was packed because it was the opening weekend for the new elephant exhibit. We got to see the elephants but we did not go into the gates.

The boys enjoyed being pushed around in their wagon. They more into people watching and eating animal crackers.

When we got the giraffes, there was one really close to the gate being feed grass by other people at the zoo. We got the boys out of the wagons so they could see up close and personal.

At that point, my parents held the boys instead of putting them into the wagon. The boys enjoyed being held. My dad was goofing with Jacob and making him laugh. My mom held Jasper who was really into her necklace.

Later on they switched but soon it was time for lunch. So we ate on a picnic table outside of the Ben and Jerry's. They ate really good and then Joy got us ice cream. We shared our cones.

After lunch, the boys fell asleep while being held. My parents held them till they couldn't anymore and handed them to us for rest of the zoo.

It was a lot of fun!! I can't wait to go back.

Sunday was mother's day! Joy was got to sleep in. I was gonna take both boys to grocery store to get donuts before she woke up but Jacob slept past Joy getting up. So Jasper and I went and got donuts.

We then all went to the green house to get flowers for our garden. When we got back, Joy busted out the bubble maker and we played in the back yard. The boys love being outside and in the grass.

Joy then planted the new flowers and I watched/played with the boys in the yard.

Nap time wasn't really happening so Joy suggested a bike ride with our new trailer for the boys. Jasper fell asleep on way to the park.

Jacob loved being in the bike trailer. He was laughing up a storm as they were rocking while going up hills. Jasper enjoyed watching. The trailer only fits on Joy's bike so she got to take them first. I rode them back to the car. I rode really slow and they both fell asleep.

It's so great it's nice and warm now. During the week after work, we were able to go the park, play in the bike yard, and even go on another bike ride.

Yesterday, it stormed all day so it was first day the boys got a break from being outside.

This weekend we're having the boys first birthday party!!! Can't believe they are a week away from bring one year olds!!!!!!!

losing shyness and kido watching

Last Saturday, we attended a birthday party for my nephew Jimmy. The last time we had a big family get together was during Christmas and it took awhile for the boys to warm up to everyone. Even last time they saw my parents, it took awhile for Jacob to warm up to them.

We entered and the boys were a little attached to us at first. Jasper noticed my people sitting on the floor and he crawled off to sit with them. He sat with his legs spread and looked around like he was being a part of the group. It was really neat to watch him mingle.

After Jacob noticed Jasper was on his own, he just started walking around the room. He spent the majority of the time walking and discovering.

At one point my sister was taking pictures of him and she would call him to look at the camera and he would open his mouth. He was acting for the camera.

The boys enjoyed being with Jimmy, who turned 9. They wanted to play with his soccer ball and baseballs that he got.

We shared cake and ice cream with them. They both loved it. You know their our boys for their love of ice cream. They had cookies and cream for the first time.

In a couple weeks now, the boys will be celebrating a birthday of their own! I can't believe they are turning one!!!!

It is really crazy how fast time flys by. You really need to enjoy every minute because it will be over.

Both boys are walking so good now. They only seem to crawl now when they want to get somewhere fast.

Last night, we went to the park. We put shoes on them for the first time.

There were a lot of soccer games and a softball game going on at the park. The park was more busy than usual. So there were a lot of kids on the playground.

We put the boys in the swings but they were more interested in watching the kids at the park. Joy thought that would give them to courage to walking but they mostly stood still and watched.

Jasper had his first "I don't want to leave" freak out. He cried when we put him back into the wagon and he took awhile for him to be ok.

When we got back we let them play in the back yard. Jasper went back to crawling and Jacob stood still for awhile until they both chased the cat.

thriftin' and pakin'

Last Saturday was supposed to be 60 degrees and 78 on Sunday. Finally, the first nice weekend of the year! Yay!! I could not wait. The week seemed to drag a bit because I was dying to be outside with Joy and the boys.

We did not realize until Saturday morning that it wasn't gonna be warm until later in the afternoon.

During the week, Joy and her mom had re-arranged the living room. Joy had taken a baby gate that I had tripped on and broke and created two new barricades to keep the boys from getting to the tv.

The new barricades have been very successful. We have not had anymore run ins with the tv. The night after they rearranged, I cleaned off the finger prints on the tv.

The boys play area is now set up behind the couch. Which can make it a little hard to see them. I think a hand mirror will be helpful.

So, since it wasn't too nice Saturday morning, we headed to the thrift store. We went looking for a table for their play area and a basket to help with one of the barricades.

We didn't find any but Joy found a couple dresses for her mom and I found a couple of records. It was fun looking around.

That night when it warmed up, we headed to the park by our house. We took the boys in their new wagon, which they loved.

We stopped at the play area and held the boys as we left them go down the slide. They got such a kick out it.

Afterwards, we put the boys on the swings. Jacob was cracking up as I went in front of him and pushed him. Every time he came close to me I'd make a face or pretend to be get pushed over. He laughed really hard.

Joy pushed Jasper who was still kinda sleepy from falling asleep in the car earlier.

While I was pushing Jacob, a boy came up and was going through our wagon. I quickly took our camera out. He asked why I kept the wagon there and he grabbed the handle. I asked him to leave it and he asked "why?" I said "so I don't lose it." He then said "I wasn't gonna take it." I felt like an ass but i talked with Joy as we were leaving and she agreed I did the right thing.

We stopped at a pizza shop on the way home and picked up a pizza. We then ate pizza on the patio. It was so nice to be outside.

At the Zoo

Sunday, we took the boys to their second zoo visit. Joy purchased a groupon for a family membership to the zoo and we had to redeem by the end of this month.

The weather was nice! We left after a failed attempt at a morning nap. So we fed the boys lunch and tried to give the boys a nap in the car while Joy and I ate lunch at the park. Jacob fell asleep and Jasper took several mini-naps on the way to the park.

We finally got the zoo and the place was packed! More packed than we'd ever seen the Akron zoo. I got out of the car to purchase the zoo membership, while Joy parked the car and got the boys in the stroller.

Jacob woke up when Joy put him in the stroller. Jasper stayed asleep. We thought he would wake up after we got into the zoo, but nope! I said his name and rubbed his head gently but he stayed asleep.

Jacob was in awe of all the people. He was just quietly looking around. We tried to show him some of the animals but wanted to people watch instead.

Jasper eventually woke up. Joy got him out of the stroller and showed him a goose. She put him back into the stroller, where he joined Jacob in people watching.

After we left the zoo, being that the weather was warm. We headed off to another park. The park had a wooden path that went into the woods.

The boys loved being at the park more than the zoo. They were more vocal, talking and singing. I think because there was less people around.

I'm wondering if the Akron zoo is normally that busy or because it was one of the first nice days of the year. Either way, we need to work on the boys being more social. Joy and I are both not very social and we don't want the boys to be that way.

Swinging the Babies

The warm weather is finally here! Well, just for a little bit. Last Thursday, I was able to go for a walk with Joy and the boys after work. It was so great to finally be outside.

I can't wait to start nightly walks with the boys and now Joy! Last summer/fall, Joy and I were on a different sleep schedule. However, now that the boys and I are sleeping (mostly) through the night, going on a full family walk is possible!

So while we were on our walk, Joy suggested to try to baby swings. I was a bit scared but quickly changed to amazement.

The baby swings are deep so it's really hard for them to fall out. At first I was holding onto the swing to make sure no accidents happen. Then I took out my phone to snap a few pictures. After that I realized I don't to worry as much. So I let go and stood right in front and lightly pushed Jacob.

The only bad thing was Jacob was intent to lick the metal part of the swing. Not to mention, it looked a bit rusty from the winter. I had a hard time stopping him, so Joy took over. She had been pushing Jasper. She pushed Jacob so he was facing forward and pushed. This helped Jacob stop and made him really enjoy the swinging experience more.

I pushed Jasper after that. He loved it. I made him smile by pushing him and then when he'd swing towards me, I made faces.

Next weekend, I'm taking a long weekend. I was really hoping it would be warm so we could all be outside but it doesn't look likely. It'll still be great being home.

I think soon! Plus anniversary.

I got a feeling that the twins are gonna be born next week. It is just a theory. Joy said average is 37, which would be start on the 23rd.

Last night, Joy had some pains when we got back from the library. She said her mom said "if you take a hot bath and they don't go away, you're in labor." I plugged the bath tub and proceeded with taking out the garbage while she read her new book and took a bath.

While outside; I got an overwhelming feeling that she was going into labor. I quickly filled the trash can and then backed in the car to the garage for easy access and so we could zoom out like as if we were in the batcave.

I came and her tummy was feeling better. Not sure if she had a contraction or a what she calls a "fake contraction" (Braxton hicks contraction). I got a large tote bag from upstairs and we finished packing for the hospital. We picked out some cute clothes for the boys.

It's a good feeling that we are pretty much ready to go when she goes into labor.

Our anniversary weekend was a lot of fun. We didn't know what to do. We visited Joy's mom and then we just hit the road. We had no idea what to do. Joy kept saying "we're not boring!" I agreed and was determined. We drove past the new stadium at the University of Akron and looked how much things have changed. We used to live across the street in a dumpy apartment, which is now gone.

We got on the highway and I suggested the rain forest at the Cleveland Zoo. Joy suggested Dave and Buster. Which is much better because d and b'a doesn't smell and not much walking involved. Plus, we had our reception there. It also seemed to fit because we got married in Vegas. We went there, had lunch and played games. I really dug the Rambo game because it was pretty ridiculous.

On the ride home, we stopped at Starbucks for their happy hour then drove home through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It was a lot of fun. Then we found parks that we didn't know existed.

The next day, we took another drive through the park, this time with our dog Ace. He enjoyed the goats we saw along the road.