My two toddlers

My kids are getting so big. Yes, I still have one in diapers (and another who still poops in her pull-up, so...), but it just suddenly seems like they are no longer babies.

That may be because I have seen them around actual babies lately...

Although, in reality, his six-month-old cousin does weigh the same as him.

But it might also be because Luke is basically my second two-year-old lately. Our little Irish twins now might as well be real twins.

I'm not sure when it happened, but Luke and Clara are equally giving me a run for my money. They both fight bed time (oh, you have no idea what we are dealing with over here), throw tantrums (Clara still more than Luke, thankfully), fight with each other, inflict bodily harm upon each other, make it their job to never stay in naughty spot, and just generally wreak havoc on our house.

Not that you could tell from this...

Or, maybe you can. Is it just me, or do they even look like they're up to something here?

It's truly amazing how much the second child can rise (or drop, as the case may be) to the level of the first one.

And it's not all bad stuff. For instance, he is so verbal, which I'm assuming is because of her. I bet the influence is even greater than if she was a lot older than him. I think because of their closeness in age, he really feels like he needs to keep up with her.

And oh boy, does he ever. She is still more verbal than he is, of course, but he can definitely hold his own. I have even overheard them having conversations with each other, which the first time was the weirdest thing. My two itty-bitty babies saying, Clara:"You want to go outside, Lukie?" Luke:"I'll go outside." C:"Get your shoes." L:"Where my shoes?"

Weren't they just born? Now they conversating separate from their mother? Making plans?

Here's Luke at lunch today, telling me very matter-of-factly what he's doing...

And while I'm posting videos, here's Clara jumping in the pool yesterday. It was her third time in a big pool this summer and her first time jumping in. And let me tell you, she LOVES the pool and everything about it. She would live in the water if we let her. But when did she become big enough to do this??? Babies don't jump in the pool!



And with that nap time is over. It's been so long that I forgot how great it is to recharge during simultaneous naps. I could get used to this..