Presents from the Carlsons

Hello,

Last night we opened our first Christmas presents of the season. Aunt Leanne told me we could open them right away which was a mistake- because I completely listened! =0)

The boys had so much fun opening presents. I had to help them a little with the ribbon, and get the tape started for them but overall they did a great job opening their own presents! They really enjoyed the books that they got. Ben read the whole alphabet book to them and when Ben reads the page he says the letter, shows them the word, points out the letter in the word, says the letter again, and then talks about the colorful page. One book can easily take Ben 30 minutes to read. They didn't move the entire time he was reading it. They loved it! They looked at the pictures in the other books, but Ben didn't read them yet. One book a night is the limit the way Ben reads. He's such a good teacher. I can really tell the boys learn a lot from him.

I have to say though, the boys favorite present was the trucks. They both loved how the ladder went up and down. It actually was driving me nuts by bedtime, because they would pull the ladder up and then run it over to me to put back down. I must have put that ladder down 100 times in an hour! =0)

Now... before I tell you the next part it is important that you know this. When Hunter and Connor were still in my belly Hunter had a more fluid and a better line to the food. Connor had a sufficient amount but they referred to it as Connor being on a modified diet. The doctor told me when I was pregnant that Connor would be a little more anxious and Hunter would be more laid back. He told me I would probably notice this right away and as they grew up because of the "food situation." He was spot on. When Connor was born he was in absolute panic. They won't let preemies eat for 12 hours after they are born, because they want to make sure their bellies can handle it... Connor would have none of it. He screamed and cried until the 6 hour mark when the nurses finally said, "For Pete's sake just feed him!" Hunter didn't cry once for food. He was almost a month old and he would wake up and just lay there. Sometimes I wouldn't wake up until after him and I would wonder how long he'd been laying there awake-just waiting for the bottle to come to him. As they've grown up nothing has changed. Connor still panics in the morning until he has a cup of juice, Hunter still waits patiently (especially since Connor will bring it to him!) We've begun to see a little problem though. Connor has gotten use to Hunter being so laid back. If Hunter has a toy that Connor wants (and this has been going on since they were six months old), Connor will find a new toy and "trade" Hunter so that Connor gets the toy he wants. He does the same thing with books, with food, with juice. If Connor wants it he simply walks over and "trades" Hunter. Hunter has yet to protest. Until last night!

Hunter opened his truck and gasped! "twuck" he whispered. He was so excited. I had to open it right away for him. Connor also very excited about his own truck shoved it over to me to open immediately. It wasn't until Hunter figured out that he could push his twuck better on the tile that Connor decided he wanted a turn with Hunter's truck. He walked over to make the ritual trade and Hunter said....."NO!".

WHAT?!! We knew deep down that this day would come, and we've been waiting for it. Some things you can teach your kids, but some things they just have to work out on their own. Connor was devastated. Now because they are almost two they are pretty forceful. Connor reached down to grab the truck and take it anyway. I had to step in at this point and tell Connor, "Brother said No. He doesn't want to trade trucks right now. He wants to play with his new truck that was given to him. Maybe later you can share your trucks, but not right now." This resulted in massive tears. Hunter continued to play with his new truck. He even pretended to wrap it again so he could open it again. He walked it all over the house saying "vroom, vroom".

Connor cried and cried. Finally, Daddy said that Connor's truck was so cool he wanted to get a picture of it. After a few pictures Connor realized his truck was pretty cool too and he began to play with his own truck. About 30 minutes after the initial "NO" Hunter decided he wanted to look at books and rearrange the decorations on the tree which allowed Connor to play with BOTH trucks. Oh... it's going to be a hard lesson to learn now that Hunter is speaking his mind.

Overall, it was a very fun night! It made me twice as excited for Christmas. THANK YOU CARLSONS for such wonderful and thoughtful Christmas presents!

Stephanie

PS: I struggle with the photo loader on this blog site. In order to get the pictures in chronological order it takes me a lot of planning and time... I don't have time this morning- so sorry they are in random order. =0)

Hunter playing with his new "twuck." He was very excited that it worked so well on the tile.

Connor upset that brother said no. If you look close you can actually see he had tears.

The initial response after being told No.

Connor excited about his truck and wanting me to open it ASAP!

Connor looking at what he'd just unwrapped.

Connor and Hunter looking at the beautiful book they were given.

Connor did a great job unwrapping presents.

Hunter- very serious. Concentrating on opening his present.

One of the pictures Ben had to take of Connor's truck to get him excited about his own truck.

Hunter whispering "twuck." He was so excited he didn't know where to begin!