1 Year Old!!!!

I now have two toddlers in my house, and I'm not sure how it happened. Thing 1 and Thing 2 turned 1 yesterday and are now my big boys. S has been working on their birthday video, and it's simply amazing to look back at pictures and videos from the first few weeks/months and then to look at how far we've come. There is a period from about 6 weeks to 3 months, that neither one of us really remember...literally. It's upsetting to me to think that I just don't have memories from this time period, but it reminds me of just how hard it really was. Between neither boy gaining weight like they should, having to supplement with formula after each nursing session, Thing 1's projectile spitting up 20-3o times a day before meds, and Thing 2's extreme colic/screaming for hours on end, and Bub starting Kindergarten - I guess we should just be thankful that we're all still alive.

Thankfully, things have gotten better over the past few months. I'm learning, like so many other twin moms, it doesn't get easier necessarily, just better or different.

Yeah, it's great that they can crawl and cruise now - but that means they go in opposite directions and you have to decide who's going to cause the greatest bodily harm and chase them.

Yeah, it's wonderful that they know the other twin exists now - but that means a whole new fun game of tackle my brother and pin him to the ground until he lets out a blood curdling scream that would rival a screech owl.

Yep, it's so amazing when they see Mommy and come crawling as fast as they can to get smooches and loves - but that means one kiddo is going to be in second place and will push and shove until he finds his rightful spot on her lap. Even if it means demolishing his brother in the process.

See, different, not easier.

But here's to different!

Here's what Thing 1 is up to these days.

He's cruising on anything and everything that will sit still long enough. He took one step yesterday as he was lunging towards me, so I'm sure walking's not too far away.

He stands pretty well, and usually does better if he's not thinking about it.

He still eats everything in sight and loves his fruits and breads. They got banana muffins yesterday (I'm waiting for the party for cake) with their candles. After one bite, Thing 1 showed his appreciation with a rousing "Mmmmmm."

He loves to play peek-a-boo and will throw his hands somewhere near his eyes to "hide."

Thing 1 has the best truck motor sounds of any kid I know. He suddenly began making the noise a few weeks ago, and now anything that can move, including himself, gets the added bonus of motor sounds. He even makes the sound for himself when he gets a ride in the hamper.

He suddenly decided he wanted to use a pacifier again after banning it for about 2-3 months. I didn't really care either way, but it is nice for him to have a way to self-soothe now. And when he started using the pacifier again, he began to cuddle with his lovey also, they must go hand in hand. Speaking of bedtime, when he knows it's time, he pops his pacifier out and says something to Thing 2 then waves, and nosedives into his crib. It's pretty dang adorable!

Thing 2 has had just as many accomplishments this month, and it's been hard keeping up with the two of them. I had to start keeping notes on my stickies on my computer desktop because I knew I would forget things. It seems like everyday, they have a new skill to show us.

He is also cruising, though not quite as fast as Thing 1. He's definitely our observer and usually watches older brother first before he tries it out. Thank goodness one of them is cautious - Thing 1, not so much.

Thing 2 is also a great eater. Those banana muffins I mentioned? I made them in the jumbo muffin tin so they were huge. Thing 2 finished his off today at lunch.

On top of peek-a-boo, he loves to play "How big is Thing 2?" So big!

His favorite word is "uh-oh" and he loves to use it when Thing 1 throws his sippy cup off the highchair. It's what we call teamwork.

He can also say duck (a du) and uses the corresponding sign to go with it.

He also signs for "more" and uses it correctly! We are so excited to see signs starting! He will let us know when he wants more food and will even look at the food he wants if we give him the wrong thing. Today, I tried to give him a bite of yogurt. He turned his head and then started signing more while staring frantically at the graham crackers. Nice try kid, yogurt first.

So photo shoots with both of them are really fun these days.

This is what the majority of the shots look like.

We love these sweet boys more than anything, and I can only imagine what next year has in store for us!

11 Months Old

It's official, we've started to countdown to the big 1st birthday! It's hard to believe the boys have been in our lives almost a year now! It's also hard to believe the progress they've made in the past few months; they're more toddler than they are baby at this point.

Here are a few things they're up to these days.

Thing 1 is about 19.5 pounds!! He's gained over 14 pounds since he was born!

He now pulls up and cruises around on the furniture or walls.

He loves to clap his hands and can play peek-a-boo although it's hilarious. He puts one hand over his eye like an eye patch and waits for you to say "Where's O?"

Thing 1 had excellent receptive language. We can ask him to come to us and he'll crawl right over, and the boy never misses a meal. I simply have to say, do you want to eat, and within seconds, he's waiting at the gate.

He got his first illness a couple of weeks ago after our vacation (where he got it) and ended up with hand, foot, and mouth disease. He had sores in his mouth that must have hurt him so bad, so he pretty much quit eating. During this process, he ended up weaning from nursing. I was actually more sad than I expected just because this wasn't how I pictured the end of our nursing. So, he's officially on a sippy cup now and still eats any solid food in sight.

This is the view we have of Thing 1 most of the day. He loves being on his feet, thinks sitting is for the birds.

Thing 2 is about 21 pounds and has turned into our little chunk!

He's crawling all over the place and working so hard to pull up; he did it once yesterday so we're close.

He just started clapping this week and is tickled pink with himself! He claps at every given occasion and then giggles.

Thing 2 has figured out how the game works in life. He knows what it means when I say, come here. But he just sits and giggles and raises his arms and waits to be picked up. Good thing he's so dang cute!

He's still nursing 4 times a day and does a good job keeping up with his brother when it comes to food.

It was a very serious conversation.

Seriously man, you've got something right here.

One was clapping, and one was patting!

10 Months Old

Thing 1 and Thing 2 turned 10 months old today! They are getting so big and changing everyday; it's hard to keep up with all their newest accomplishments.

Here's the breakdown on each Thing.

Thing 1 is our crazy, daredevil, monkey. He has no fear and will do anything without a second thought or glance. I foresee lots of Band-Aids and stitches in our future with this one.

He now pulls up to standing on anything within reach - the couch, the baby jail, his crib, us, his brothers. Whatever it takes to get on his feet.

He has two bottom teeth, and one top tooth has begun to poke through.

His favorite word is still pat, but he also says up and every once in a while we get bounce (buh).

He's still our squealer and has brought his brother to the dark side with him. He also makes raspberries with his tongue.

Thing 1 has also learned how to crawl over to us when we call to him and loves to be chased. He'll take off crawling as fast as his little arms and legs will take him cackling the entire way; it's hilarious.

One might say, why is S holding Thing 1?

Yep, because he automatically head dives off the chair.

Just try to resist those puppy dog eyes.

Thing 2 has become our easy going, laid back, happy guy. He has also become an insanely possessive mama's boy who wants me within his sights at all times. It gets a bit tiresome, but then he shows off one of his new skills and gives me one of his famous open mouth kisses and makes it all worth it.

Speaking of loves, he loves to grab us on either side of our face and pull us to him and kiss us.

He has two bottom teeth...finally.

His brother has taught him how to squeal and there are times when they're both squealing and Bub and I just shake our heads and laugh. Whatareyougonnado?

Thing 2 loves to talk, but we have to work on his vocabulary. As I'm holding him and giving loves, he'll look right at me lovingly all snuggled in and say..."hi Dada." Um, yeah, thanks.

Thing 2 has just started to wave when he says hi and it's absolutely adorable.

He is our snuggle bug and loves to just hang out on my lap and cuddle and read books.

He's still not crawling, but we have to be close; I just know it! He spends most of the day on all fours either rocking back and forth, crawling in a circle, or crawling backwards. He can also army crawl like a champ. So he can get whatever he wants, but he's starting to get really frustrated that he can't keep up with his brother.

Both boys love to read books, and I spend most of the day refereeing between them to try to help them share.

They've really started to notice each other and mirror each other's actions all the time. Their favorite activity is for one to bang on his high chair tray and then look at the other one. Then the other one will bang and then repeat. Over and over. They do the same thing with squealing; much less adorable.

Both boys love music and are drawn to it. They'll instinctively stop and listen and start patting along to the beat.

They're still nursing every four hours during the day and usually wake up between 5 and 6 AM for a feeding. They get 3 solid meals a day and we just have to try to keep up with their appetites. Some of their favorite "real foods":

grilled cheese

toast

fish sticks

cheese

Annie's Fruity Bunny Cereal (they can pick it out of the Cheerios on their trays)

Yogurt

Cottage Cheese

Avocado

In the past couple of days, Thing 2 has started trying to give Thing 1 loves and today he succeeded. It.was.awesome!

Feel the love.

Nine Months

I'm blogging again today from the land of Denial. If you're a parent, I'm sure you've heard of this far away place filled with sweet babies who stay small forever and never, ever grow up without your permission.

The boys turned 9 months last week and I'm just now getting a moment to sit down and get some stats typed up.

I was hoping to do a little block of pictures showing the progression of the boys over the past 9 months, but realized I uploaded them as "centered" and would have to re-upload all of them to change the format. So, yeah, you're just going to have to scroll down; sorry.

This is Thing 1.

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

It's hard to believe the change he's made from about 4 months to now. He just always looked frail and didn't have an ounce of meat on him to spare. He still doesn't have much to spare, but look at those cheeks! I never thought I'd be so happy to see chubby cheeks!!

Stats:

Weight: 16 lb. 2 oz.

Height: 28 inches

Head: 17.5

We are finally on the chart for weight (3%); that's the first time since birth.

Thing 1 is my mover and shaker. He started crawling about 2 weeks ago and hasn't stopped since. He can zip across a room in just under 2 minutes and get to exactly what he wants. He still enjoys tormenting his brother and will sometimes seek him out, I think, just to pounce on him and hear him cry. He's also becoming a squealer, so we're working on that. Neither S or I are big fans of squealers. But O is such a happy baby and has a smile for anyone that needs one.

Thing 1 has two bottom teeth.

He babbles all day and his first word is "pat." He pats to the music on command and then says "pa- pa-pa." It's pretty dang adorable.

Thing 1 is very good at entertaining himself and can roll around/crawl around on the floor with one item for a good 20-30 minutes before he gets bored. Those 10 days in the isolette after birth must have prepared him for entertaining himself (he used to lay awake starting at the nurses walking by instead of sleeping like normal newborns do).

I mean, come on, look at those cheeks and the double chin! Who would have guessed 9 months ago?

He still adores his dog and attempts to pet/love on him whenever he can.

My big handsome boy!

Thing 2

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

The biggest change Thing 2 has made is his personality. His colic was so extreme and severe for the first 4 months, that it's hard to remember when he was ever happy. His smiles were few and far between and were hard earned by anyone who managed to eek one out. Then as the colic subsided, an entirely new baby emerged (thank goodness!!!). Now B is a happy baby, who's quick to smile and always has a twinkle in his eye. He also has the best belly laugh I've ever heard - well since his big brother Bub, who had the same laugh.

Stats:

Weight: 18 lbs. 1 oz.

Height: 27.5 in

Head: 18

Thing 2 is about two weeks away from crawling, as he's doing what Thing 1 did just before he started scooting. But he's quickly learning he can roll to get just about anywhere he needs to be - and he's quick. He is his momma's boy and wants to be within eye sight of me most of the time. He has become a little bit wary of others holding him and usually lets them know by diving towards me and my arms. It can get a bit tiresome, but since I've never had a momma's boy, it's also sweet.

Thing 2 finally popped a bottom tooth a few days ago.

He does get irritated by his brother mauling him, but I've noticed in the past few days, he's starting to dish it out himself. He'll roll over to Thing 1 and try to climb on his back; all's fair in love and war boys.

He went through a phase where he said "hi" to everyone. Now he's moved on to "da-da-da-da." Why, oh why, can't their first word be a tribute to the person who cares for them 24/7? Thank goodness for him, it's absolutely adorable when he says it.

Both boys love being outside and immediately start to giggle when we head out of the house. They eat three solid meals a day, and when given the chance, they eat, and eat, and eat. Our grocery bill is already taking a hit from these two. They much prefer feeding themselves table food over baby food, so we have to shovel the baby food down first when they're really hungry and before they get bored with it. Then they can spend the rest of meal time feeding themselves "real food." Some of their faves are, grilled cheese, pizza - minus the sauce, mac and cheese, beans, avocado, banana, cheerios, graham crackers, yogurt. Okay, so really baby food broccoli is the only thing we've found they don't like.

They nurse every 4 hours during the day, go to bed around 6:45-7 and sleep until about 5:15 when they want to eat again. Then it's back to bed until 6:45/7. We're working to cut out that early morning feed, but they're pretty adamant at this point.

This gives you a pretty good idea of what most of our days look like - someone's always tackling someone else. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to have my own WWF team in a few years.

I love you boys.