2 years old!

The twins had their two year birthday this April. They celebrated by having friends over for a grill-out party. The twins devoured "dirt" cake made from chocolate cake, gummy worms and plants (peppermint) on top. Then they all ran rampant around the house and played in the yard.

The twins also went to the beach on Mothers Day. They walked the mile down to the beach at Smuggler's Cove on their own, ran all over the beach for seven hours chasing dogs and building sand castles. Then, they hiked the mile back up the creek to the car without being carried by their already loaded-down parents. The twins were tired and staggering by the end, but wanted to do it on their own.

March 2010 (video)

Here is some video of Braeden and Kaia at Butte Creek and Cape Kiwanda, Oregon during spring break 2010.

23 months old

The twins are 23 months old and are in love with being outside. As you can see in these photos, the twins love the rain forests and beaches of Oregon. Over spring break we played at Cape Kiwanda and explored some beautiful waterfalls on Butte Creek. They like to play with their pails and shovels helping Kristen in the garden. They are using three and four word phrases like, "Look momma, sea shell!" and "Help me, Dada" and "Put it down, Braeden!" They are associating activities and events with people now.

21 months (video)

Braeden has figured out how to open doors which has introduced a whole new element to the home baby-proofing plan. The twins also learned how to climb out of their cribs! Kaia likes to say her new favorite word, "accident," and sing "Twinkle Little Star." They know a few more colors. Braeden painted himself with mascara and likes to pull his pants off. The twins also like to wear their parents shoes around the house.

The Pacific Northwest got a huge winter storm (in between rainstorms) after Christmas dumping 6" of snow in Hillsboro. Portland was gridlocked, stopping the flow of traffic completely. Mid-westerners would laugh at how a bit of snow can completely paralyze a city not used to snow storms. Anyhow, the twins took the opportunity to stomp around and play in it!

20 months

The twins celebrated their second New Year's by visiting with friends. They are repeating almost everything they hear. Kaia's favorite phrase to say is "How are ya?" Braeden replies, "Okay dokey-dokey."

The twins climb everything they can and then swat at whatever is within range like King Kong. They went to their first art class at Gymboree in Portland and are learning their colors. Green is currently their favorite.

Here are some portraits taken at Kiddie Kandids.

Best in 2010!

19 months

It has been an adventurous year in the Martin household. For us, traveling, kayaking, rock climbing, skiing and surfing has been replaced with chasing the twins (19 months) around the house as they run from us and evade bedtime. Diaper changing has turned into baby wrestling. Dinner has changed into food throwing competitions. Needless to say, there is never a dull moment around here!

The twins are very active and engaged. They attend “super tots” twice a week. This allows them to interact with other toddlers in a baby-proof gym full of mats, toys and slides. Braeden loves to eat broccoli and apples. Kaia loves cheese, grapes and crackers. They are both saying several words together now, like “hello lovey” and “stop it!” Climbing is their newest skill and they are very proud of themselves; grinning from ear to ear as they perch side-by-side atop our bed or couch. Braeden loves to take things apart (like Grammy’s hair dryer) and run the vacuum. Kaia loves to read books and give kisses & hugs.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Best wishes in 2010!

18 months old

The twins and parents are back in Oregon. They are reconnecting with the Pacific Northwest again. September was very nice and the twins went to the beach a couple of times. Early October was also mild and the twins hiked up Saddle Mountain in Tillamok Forest of the Oregon coastal range. The twins continue to grow and develop every day. They know more words and learn a few new ones each week. They can ask for things they want, which makes it much easier on the parents. Sharing with each other is proving to be a challenge. They want whatever the other one has. The twins are too little to understand sharing, but parents are making efforts to encourage taking turns with toys and rides.They love to swing when they go to the park. They also have a tree swing in the yard and a tandem swing in the garage. The twins are going to a playgroup twice a week with other toddlers at the city rec center. Braeden's favorite toy there is the lawn mower and Kaia likes to crawl through a giant plastic house.