In constant motion

From the time they wake up in the morning until the time they go to bed at night Aaron and Andrew are moving NONstop ALL day.  This explains why it's so difficult to get a decent picture of them.  Most pictures turn out blurry, one is grabbing for the camera &  screaming, or one is looking away.  This was my attempt at getting a sweet, smily picture of them in their new pajamas:

Unless they had toys in their hands (or nearby) sitting would not even happen.

First Aaron had the police car (Andrew had thrown his toy on the floor)...

Then Andrew grabbed it and Aaron tries to get it back...

After they quickly gave up on sitting Andrew 

decided he MUST have the camera.  

Toys these days are really cheap and user friendly.  This afternoon Steve blew up some surgical gloves we had on hand to make a couple of balloons with 5 nipples on them.  You would've thought the boys had died and gone to heaven.  The cost: nothing.  One of the favorite items to play with lately are empty Dr. Pepper bottles.  I'll gladly drink one if it will make them happy. And the other day after returning from Costco we kept this box for a few days and watched them have all kinds of fun.

Aaron LOVED climbing inside the box!  Notice the bowl in the background- purchased

 at the dollar store for spinning, throwing, filling with toys, putting on heads, etc.  It never ends.

Ever since Aaron finally got the hang of walking about 3 weeks ago Aaron and Andrew are playing together and interacting a lot more.  One of Aaron's favorite things is to get Andrew to chase him.  He'll run up to him, giggle, and walk away.  Aaron will keep doing this until Andrew starts to chase him.  Then they both scream and laugh hysterically as they run all around the room.  Every time we've attempted to get this on video they stop immediately and stare up at the camera.  Andrew loves to wrestle and rough house while Aaron tends to be a little more gentle and cautious. Andrew likes to walk up to Aaron, grab him from behind and tickle him or knock him down.  Aaron doesn't think it's so funny but he'll usually let Andrew have his fun.  Perhaps we could get some of these on camera if they didn't move so dang fast.  I wish we could just keep our video camera on all day in order to capture these unforgettable moments. 

Both Aaron & Andrew LOVE the telephone and will use most anything that looks (or doesn't look) remotely close to one and hold it up to their ear. Here you see Aaron speaking to his girlfriend.

Andrew has some big shoes to fill.  He LOVES Daddy's shoes (or anything for that matter)but gets frustrated really easily when he can't figure out how to get his feet in them. 

Andrew inside the basket he just emptied of all the toys.

One of our most difficult days is Sunday.  They get a much later nap than usual, their daily routine is different, and they have to sit the first 70 min. on our lap or near us.  But I thought Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest.  This afternoon, despite being extremely tired, neither of them slept longer than 45 minutes.  After an hour or two of dealing with two fussy, cranky, jumpy, and moody little guys I finally threw Aaron and Andrew in the car and went for a short ride.  It helped for a little while and broke up a very long afternoon that was seeming to be dragging on.  Aaron was experimenting a lot today with a skill he's learned recently: screaming. It's the most piercing scream that will come out of the blue when we least expect it. He's not upset or trying to get our attention. In fact, he's usually having fun and is very happy when doing it.  Hopefully Andrew won't copycat (another current favorite they're really into) and begin doing it too.

I'm not going to lie: having twins is busy and very tiring.  But I love it and wouldn't have it any other way.  

The Best Man and more

No, I am not talking about the best man in a wedding.  I am referring to my wonderful husband Steve.  He truly is the best!!  For the first time since the twins were born I had a break, and not just a break while they were napping.  Our ward had our annual overnight Women's Retreat in St. George this last Friday/Saturday.  But I got to leave Thursday evening and spend all day Friday and most of Saturday to myself.  After Steve's work schedule change in July to four ten-hour days each week he suggested I go up Thursday evening instead of Friday.  Okay, if you're going to make me!  Let me just say what a well needed rest that was! (Note:  I didn't exactly get sleeping rest.) Friday I slept in a little, read in bed, went to the temple, did some shopping, had lunch with Sharon, read some more, had dinner with friends, and then had some fun with the sisters in our ward.  I NEVER get a full day like that to myself.  It was wonderful!  And then there was (most of) Saturday too.

While I was enjoying myself Steve was dressing the boys, feeding them, changing diapers, cleaning up, putting them down for naps, going on a bike rides, playing at the park with them, bathing them, putting them to bed, plus all the stuff in between.  And he did it all over again the next day.  He has accumulated about a year's worth of Man Points in just two days.  Although he has always appreciated what I do each day I think he has a new level of understanding and appreciation.  When I returned home Saturday evening he was exhausted!!  Steve told me he now understands why I am so wiped out when he gets home from work around 6:45 (and the boys are fed, bathed, and sometimes in bed).  He was still so exhausted this afternoon that he crashed sitting up on the couch.

At the Park

We have three great parks within walking distance of our house.  Lately we have been spending time there almost daily.  Most days after my walk I stop at the park with my walking friend and her little boy.  And most Fridays and Saturdays Steve and I go fora  bike ride with the boys and then stop at the park before returning home.  Until recently going to the park alone was not fun for me.  Only Andrew walked, Aaron was more clingy, and they had no concept of heights.  Now it is much easier.  Both boys walk, Aaron doesn't want to be held all the time, and they LOVE going down the slide alone.  After sliding down they'll walk over to the steps, climb up, walk across the bridge, climb a few steps to the slide and go down again.  They'll do this routine probably a dozen times before tiring of it.

Andrew LOVES dogs!  Whenever he sees one he says, "Doggie, doggie..." and begins walking to it.  Most of the time the owners are willing to let he pet the dog. He has no fear of dogs whatsoever.  However, we have no plans to get one anytime soon.

Aaron loves going down the slide and always turns himself around backwards before sliding down.

One day Andrew would not let go of my helmet the entire time we were at the park, 

even while climbing up the steps and going down the slide.

They love going down the slide together.  Andrew watches while Aaron goes down...

and Aaron watches while Andrew goes down.

Aaron and Andrew are now 17 months. Within each passing day they they interact more and are more and more fun.  They love chasing each other, making faces at one another, and laughing and screaming.  A month ago we moved Aaron's crib back into Andrew's room after being in his own room for 8 months.  Until that point Aaron would usually fall asleep almost immediately due his regularly shorter naps. Andrew would jump, walk, move around, and make noises for almost an hour before crashing.  However, after joining them together it got worse.  Despite Aaron being wiped out he'd manage to stay up talking to Andrew and copying whatever he was doing.  Gradually he became more fussy, cranky, and more tired.  He still wakes up just as early and still only takes an hour and a half nap.  Andrew usually naps at least an hour longer than Aaron and awake and ready to go until late in the night.  So with some regret we moved Aaron back into his old bedroom again.  It was fun to see them together and I liked having my sewing and computer room back.  But I'd rather have a more rested and cheerful baby.  We'll see if it makes much of a difference.