11 Months

We are just around the corner from turning a year old. I can't believe it. I just continue to be amazed at the daily progress these guys make. It's absolutely astounding. I am having so much fun w/ this stage. It's my favorite by far. I'm excited to see what the near future brings... "toddlers" but sad to leave behind having two babies. (they will always be my babies though...won't they)

Here are a few examples of how much can happen in just 24 hours that will leave you just speechless.

• Just this morning... Matthew actually took a pillow from the couch, dragged it in front of the entertainment center and then proceeded to stand on it so he could try and reach items high on a shelf that are supposed to be off-limits. Isn't that a milestone for a 2 year old? I also watched Matthew walk independently about 15 steps in a row today w/ no help. He's been doing 3-5 steps by himself for a month or two and walking while holding onto something but this is a big leap. I haven't encouraged his walking at all b/c I've been hoping to put it off just a little. I have my hands full as it is. But...looks like there is no more putting it off. So I am now officially going to encourage his walking/running and have even more chaos to attend too ;-)

• Then at lunch, Matthew decided he didn't like some of his food choices so he handed Andrew his unwanted finger foods one at a time. Matthew would either hand it to Andrew or drop it on his tray. Andrew would then pick it up and eat it and this continued through 10 or so pieces of food. It was so cute....like they were sharing.

• And just when J and I start to worry a little about Andrew's progress, he steps up and meets another milestone. Andrew is now pulling himself up into a standing position (while holding onto something). Yeah! He goes from crawling or sitting into a kneeling position and then pulls up to standing. He figured out how to do this yesterday and is now doing it non-stop. I think one challenge being a first time parent w/ twins is you don't know what "normal" is so you tend to compare them even though you don't want to. I'm fortunate to be in a baby playgroup that helps w/ this...b/c we all have babies of similar ages and most are where Andrew is in the milestone department and that calms the nerves and worries some.
  

• I have also noticed recently that Andrew is getting better and better at copying my actions. He'll shake his head no and copy me sometimes when I do it. I'll drum my hands on his highchair tray and then he'll copy me and we'll go back and forth doing it. Like we're a rock and roll band. Loads of fun...laughs all around.
  

So as far as where we're at w/ 11 months:

• Both just started wearing size 4 diapers day and night.
• We're wearing 12 month size clothing but will be moving onto 18 month sizes pretty soon.
  
• Both are drinking 3 bottles (6 oz each) of formula a day. Sippy cups of water are offered. Andrew does okay but Matthew is still not a fan of drinking from a sippy cup. My goal is to work on this so we can transition to a sippy cup in place of one or two of the bottles each day. We're eating 2-3 (usually 3) meals of solids per day. Finger foods and some pureed foods. Both boys prefer the pureed veggies over soft bite sized pieces of veggies. Other than that they love small pieces of fruit, crackers, waffles, cheese, etc....and both LOVE yougurt. Andrew will eat most anything whereas Matthew is much pickier.
• J and I have been bathing the boys together in the big soaking tub. This may have to stop b/c both like to crawl and stand in the water which can be frightful at times. So they are too big for a baby tub but too squirrelly for the actual tub itself. Maybe just hose them off in the back yard for a while :-)
  
• Nighttime has been horrible this last week. Not sure whats going on but Matthew has been waking up a lot. Maybe the reflux is still an issue? Even Andrew (my good sleeper) has woken up a few times too. They also wake each other up more often now then they used to.
• Typically Matthew starts the day before 5AM and Andrew likes to sleep in until 7:30. So lining up their schedules can be challenging. Both still go down around 7:30pm for bed.
  

I leave you w/ the photo invite I'll be sending out soon for their first birthday party. (Thanks Kirsten for the recommendation) I'm excited about having this little party. Should be fun!

Summer Fun

Playing on the Swings







Playing in the Water











Playing in the Bath




Until next time...bye

10 Months...

10 Months. They don't stay babies for very long do they? Matthew took his very first steps over a week ago. He is so advanced. They were born a month early so he was actually only 8 months 3 weeks "adjusted age" when taking his first steps. When I saw it my first reaction was "O crap...I'm not ready" Life is becoming more challenging as they become more and more mobile. My primary goal for each day is to prevent any potential harm and injuries.

Matthew can now stand unsupported. He doesn't have to hold onto anything. He walks along the furniture and has now taken his very first steps. Matthew is definitely my "spirited" baby. I know I am biased but he really is amazing at how quickly he picks up on things. He is intense and you can see the determination on his face when he wants something which is basically every second of the day. Matthews favorite activity is sitting on his Daddies shoulders in front of the mirror while Daddy sways back and forth. Matthew also melts Mommies heart when he stops in the middle of playing, crawls over and puts his arms around Mommy to give her a hug. I don't help him at all...he literally crawls over, pulls himself up on my lap to wrap his arms around me for a few seconds and then moves on. Isn't that sweet. His least favorite moments are when he sees either Mommy or Daddy leave the room. He hates that and will cry.

Matthew is finally sleeping better but still wakes up before 5AM which means it's almost impossible to keep both boys on the same schedule. Some nights are still rough and we're working w/ a pediatric gastrologist to help him w/ the reflux issues.

Andrew is an advanced crawler...cruising quickly around the room. He can go from crawling to sitting and back no problem. I think walking will be a ways off though since he's not pulling up to a standing position yet. Andrew is more laid back and easier to please. He is a wonderful sleeper and almost always sleeps from 7:30PM until 7AM. The toddlers in my exercise class adore Andrew. They always hang out near him and tickle him and make faces at him. Andrew laughs and laughs so they all think its funny. I feel bad for Matthew at times b/c they ignore him for the most part since he's much more serious and less likely to give a reaction. Matthew reserves his smiles and laughs mostly for Mommy and Daddy.

I love both of my kids with all of my heart and would not change them in any way. They are both truly amazing and J and I are blessed beyond words. I have learned though that not all parents have it the same. Meaning the temperament and personality of your child makes a big difference in how easy or difficult your days are. Not all parents with say two children have it equal. I think 3 Andrews would equal one Matthew in the amount of energy I expel each day. I can see how if both had Andrews personality I could easily handle another child or two...but w/ Matthew I would be spread way to thin. I wonder if they will continue to be this way? Those of you with older children...did their personalities as babies follow them through childhood?

And as far as me... trying to run regularly, do my exercise class most days of the week, go to weekly baby play-dates, keep up w/ friends and family and try to enjoy a few minutes of alone time w/ J whenever possible which is near impossible. Next weekend I'm trying a yoga class w/ some friends and we'll be going to a BBQ w/ the families of my exercise class. Should be fun. I feel like I've adjusted well to this new town. I've lived her only 4 months and have already settled in nicely.

And now to some pictures I took yesterday. Enjoy :-)


Matthew on left, Andrew on right





Andrew is such a flirt. He loves to smile at everyone.



Matthew is into everything!