Eight Months!

Friday was the twins eight month birthday! They have now been outside of my tummy longer than they were in it- and while its a little sad to see them growing up so fast, its also wonderful to see how they are learning and thriving out here in the world.

Here are a few things they've learned/like to do in the last month:

Noah: 

• Rolling over both ways, often all the way across the living room before we know it!
• Pushing up on his hands and knees into the "crawl" position, rocking back and forth (uh oh!)
• Eating jar after jar of stage 2 baby food- mmmm yummy! (and before you ask, no I don't make my own. But feel free to do it for me in  your spare time). 
• Loves sweet potatoes, butternut squash and pears, but HATES anything green. Wonder where he got that one....
• Loves watching, and playing with the dog. Shares his green colored food with Teddy.
• Has two teeth (bottom, in front). Boy were those alot of work.
• Loves, loves loves bathtime. Would splash in there for hours if we let him!

Oliver:

• Rolling from tummy to back (no more enforced tummy time!), and occasionally from back to front. His PT says he doesn't really need to learn to roll over, since he's just so darn cute you'll bring him anything he wants). Sits unsupported, and reach for toys.
• Grabs for anything in his path, especially mommy's espresso drinks. 
• Loves carrots, squash and peas (doesn't share Noah's aversion to green foods, thereby disproving that what mom has eaten baby will like). Gets heavy whipping cream in all his solid foods, to bulk up on calories. Pea and carrot milkshake, anyone?
• Smiles and grins at complete strangers, but doesn't like to be held by them.
• Squeals at the top of his lungs, with varying inflections to express excitement, displeasure, and curiosity
• Leans over his high chair to "talk" to his brother, and becoming more tolerant of Noah's desire to wrestle with him
• Learning to drink out of a sippy cup, will pass the cup back and forth between himself and Noah.

Both boys were seen in the developmental clinic this month at Mercy San Juan, and scored at their adjusted range or above on most skills, including gross/fine motor and cognitive ability, whcih was a great relief. It was fun to get to see the nurses there again and thank them for all their hard work, and quite a triumph to show them how far we've come.

The boys also took their first overnight trips away from home this month, traveling to Sacramento twice in one week, once for the developmental clinic, and once for their friend Ella's baptism. They slept in the car all the way there, and even ate lunch in a Starbucks (they sell babyfood- who knew?).

So, what's next on our list of adventures? Camping in Fort Bragg, traveling to San Diego, and learning to swim (or at least like the water). Never a dull moment around here!

Mother's Day

For mother's day, we took the boys out on their first boat ride, on Grandma and Grandpa Connell's ski boat. Though the morning was a bit rough (early awakenings due to teething), and rain threatened, we didn't let that stop us, and enjoyed a beautiful day out on Lake Oroville. Both boys enjoyed feeling the wind in their faces, and Noah even stuck his toes in the water (brrr!). I had a wonderful time just watching them, and received some adorable cards, and a great picnic lunch, to celebrate the day.

Here are some pictures of the boys enjoying day:

It seems impossible that it was only a year ago that we shared the wonderful news of our twin pregnancy with friends and family- shocking them as we ourselves struggled to absorb the enormity of becoming parents to two babies at once! I couldn't have imagined the joy and wonder these two little men bring into my life, or the fulfillment I have experienced in being their mom. I am truely blessed, and can't wait to see what my next mother's day will bring (maybe a vacation?).