Changes

Andrew

Aaron

One of the reasons I haven't added to our blog for almost four weeks is because I don't know where to begin. I have loved every age so far, but right now is my favorite!  (And I'm sure each one will continue to be my favorite) Each day they are learning  SO much as they explore and try new things.  It's hard for me to believe Aaron and Andrew are more than 9 months already! I can't put into words how much I love them and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful babies.  And I'm not just saying that because I'm their mother- they truly are such good babies. Very seldom are they fussy or cranky.  Andrew and Aaron are both our little miracles.

In the last 4 weeks they have changed SO much that they're almost different babies!  Here are a few things:

• Teeth- In the last week Aaron's two top teeth came in and his increased mood and decreased eating let us know they were coming.  Andrew's two top teeth are on their way out.
• Exploring- They are curious about EVERYthing.  A few days ago Aaron was on our bedroom floor while I was getting ready (Andrew was still in bed) and within about 10 minutes he'd pulled on the curtain, flipped the door stopper back and forth, and flip the handles up and down, and played with all the toys I'd put on the floor for him.  Andrew is doing the same thing.
• Crawling- Not quite, but almost.  They both do the army, or commando, crawl.  They both get up on their hands and knees and rock back and forth.  Very soon they'll be crawling.
• Dropping- In the last couple of weeks Aaron learned that if he lets go of something in his hand it'll drop.  He'll drop his binki, toys, Puffs (bite size flavored food), and anything in his hands OVER and OVER again as he watches them drop.
• Bullies- Their favorite toy is the whatever the other baby currently has.  Andrew (and sometimes Aaron) will do whatever it takes to get Aaron's toy.  But Aaron is learning- the other day, after Andrew repeatedly tried to grab his toy, he switched it to the other hand, dropped it out of Andrew's view and played with something else.  Andrew left him alone.  I've even seen Aaron push Andrew away.  This morning, Andrew snuck up on Aaron and grabbed a toy out of his hand while he was distracted with something else in his other hand.  Then, when Aaron rolled over, Andrew took his other toy!  You'd better watch out for Andrew!
• Physical therapy- Since November we've taken Andrew to physical therapy because of his weak stomach muscles due to his surgery shortly back in June.  His motor skills have accelerated now to catch up with, and maybe even surpass, Aaron's.  Since starting therapy he's learned to roll over, sit down, reach for things more, and army crawl.
• Separation Anxiety- Just in the last week  they have started crying when someone else holds them. It doesn't happen all the time, and it's usually Aaron that cries. They're turning into Mama's boys!
• Babbling- They love to try different sounds with their voice.
• Head shaking and hand eating- I promise I didn't teach Aaron to go around shaking his head!  But he seems to enjoy doing it.  Andrew has always loved putting his hands in his mouth but lately it appears to bring him a lot of satisfaction. When he's excited, happy, and when he's eating (makes eating time VERY messy).
• Hello!- Both Aaron and Andrew love it when we wave their arm and say, "Hello (or goodbye).  But Aaron will now wave on his own- just one little wave but it's SO cute.

Giggle Fest 1

We have some of the happiest babies and we have the video to prove it.

Thanksgiving to New Year's in a Nutshell

There have been several posts I wanted to add since Thanksgiving but never got around to it. Let's just say it has been a wonderful holiday season!  It makes such a difference to be parents and enjoy Christmas with two beautiful babies. The year 2008 has been one we'll never forget as we have witnessed blessing after blessing and the miracle of Andrew and Aaron in our lives.  We look forward to 2009 and watching as Aaron and Andrew make new discoveries.   Here are a few things from the last month:

FIRST SWIM

Thanksgiving morning at our hotel in Payson, UT with cousin Lexi. They LOVED swimming in the pool.  We'd forgotten their swim suits so regular diapers and sweat bottoms had to suffice.

FIRST THANKSGIVING

We spent Turkey Day in Santaquin, UT at my brother, Steven's house. There were 13 kids ages 8 months to 9 years old (10 of them were boys).  It was crazy, loud, and lots of fun.

TEMPLE LIGHTING IN ST. GEORGE

Steve with my dad and Andrew (L) and Aaron (R) the day after Thanksgiving

ANDREW STARTS PHYSICAL THERAPY

The week after Thanksgiving Andrew began physical therapy once a week.  Until a couple of weeks ago Andrew wasn't even rolling over, he HATED being on his stomach and whenever they would sit in Bumbo seats Andrew would tilt to one side and try desperately to get out.  This was because his stomach muscles are weakened due to the kidney surgeries he had last June and July. Within a week of starting therapy he began rolling ALL over and he's getting closer to sitting on his own.  The plan is to continue therapy until he's walking.

TWO HIGH CHAIRS- FINALLY!

Until a couple of weeks ago we would feed one in the high chair (the only one we had) and the other would sit in the swing.  They have officially graduated from the swing and moved on to an Exersaucer and a jumper.

AARON SITS UP!

A week or two before Christmas Aaron began sitting on his own- long enough to take a picture. He's now sitting for longer and longer before falling over.

AARON NOW READS

Aaron is a very fast learner.  At this rate he'll be reading college textbooks he's age 5.

FIRST CHRISTMAS

This was the best Christmas yet!  Very different than last year when we thought Andrew wasn't going to live.  Not a day goes by that we aren't grateful he (& Aaron, or course) is so healthy and happy- and SUCH a good baby.  Even though they were more interested in boxes and wrapping paper- and cared more about bottles & naps- we had a good time playing with them and their toys.  We took the tree and all the decorations down on New Year's Day and said good by to another-WONDERFUL- year.  The boys loved laying under the Christmas tree and playing with the branches and admiring the lights.  I'm sure next year's tree will be set up a little different- no ornaments on the bottom 1/4 and no presents until Christmas Day (that won't much different than this year now that I think about it).

ANDREW'S FIRST TEETH

The Sunday before Christmas Andrew's two bottom teeth decided to come out of hiding but are not yet visible on camera. Aaron's two bottom teeth are getting longer and his two top ones look like they'll be showing  themselves any day.

Happy 2009 to all of you!!  I can't believe 2008 is already gone. It flew by but will have so many unforgettable memories for us.  I rang in the new year while feeding a baby (Andrew) that thought it would be nice to wake up shortly before midnight and have some fun rolling all over his crib, "talking" to nobody and doing anything but sleeping.