Playing Catch up

We're keeping busy here as usual. We had a little snow last week which prompted us to start winterizing the car....tire chains (check), tool box (check), water filter and bottle (check), space blanket (check), appointment scheduled for an oil change and service (check), new tires (ouch!). That's one problem with having the car we do. Because it is the Subaru Outback with turbo it is considered a performance vehicle. Now back in our single days both Brian and I would have driven it that way, but now with two kids buckled in the back seat it is just a wagon. Unfortunately, the turbo also means premium gas and high performance sport tires. All that means extra $$$. Such is life. At least now we know we will be safe for our trip to Gram and Pop's for Turkey Day. (The reason we went with the turbo is because of the altitude we reach on the passes in the Sierras...the turbo gives us the get up and go we need.)
With all that said, the boys are changing every day. Sam is really starting to talk and do some signs. The other day we stopped by Brian's office to drop something off and when I pulled Sam out of the car he promptly pointed to the sky and said, "Ah ba." This could be anything, right? What was cool was that he was pointing directly at an airplane which Ben then pointed out by saying, "Mom, look at that jet with a contrail." Amazing. Then Sam turned his attention to the moon, pointed, and said, "Ma."
Sam's vocabulary now includes ball, all done, yeah, mama, dada, dog, woof, moo, and his signing consists mostly of more and all done.
Ben's Spanish vocabulary is also growing rapidly. Yesterday before his nap Ben, Brian and I were all cuddled up together (Sam was already asleep) to read a couple of books. The book Ben chose was a basic first words book. I began asking Ben in Spanish where certain things were and nine times out of ten he repeated the word and pointed to the correct picture. Awesome.
Sam has also decided to give walking a try. Yesterday he took five steps between Brian and I before letting gravity get the best of him. Maybe he will walk before his first birthday.