14 Months...Yesterday

Now it's been two days but that's pretty much my life now- always behind.  If I think I'm going to go crazy busy now just wait until I have two little ones who walk.  I'll be there pretty soon.  In the last month Andrew has gone from just standing for a few seconds to taking several steps.  He wants to walk SO bad and probably could once he gets more confidence and realizes that he can. Aaron hasn't shown much interested in walking but he does let us help him take steps rather than just curl up his feet.  And he can crawl pretty fast- especially when he's trying to get something before Andrew reaches it!

In the last month we've seen an increase- both Aaron and Andrew- of temper tantrums.  I promise I didn't teach this to them (Steve might disagree!) but when they get upset they'll stiffen up, throw themselves back, grunt & cry that makes their faces turn red.  What makes them so upset?  Usually it's when the other twin taking the toy they're playing with or being put into the stroller.

Several years ago I purchased a hair cutting kit with the hope that I would be able to cut Steve's hair but he wouldn't let me get NEAR his head with those clippers in hand.  After the first haircut we gave Aaron & Andrew a couple of weeks ago I can understand why!  I thought clippers were the same as scissors but Steve educated me on the instruments used to cut a guy's hair.  At least I can practice on Aaron and Andrew since they won't know a bad haircut from a good one.

There's have been several changes the last few weeks but sometimes it's so gradual we either hardly notice or we don't remember exactly when these changes occur.  Andrew now waves goodbye, blows kisses, and says "mama" (I think!), and loves to look at books while babbling. Aaron claps whenever we say 'clap' and understands the word 'no'.  They both have one or two more teeth and continue to grow bigger even though we tell them to stop growing!  Yesterday I went to a dollar store to buy several plastic bowls since all of ours were getting thrashed and filthy all the time.  Their favorite things to do is spin the bowls or push them across the floor while crawling.

I've had a difficult time taking pictures of them the last few weeks because they never hold still. And I'm not sure how accurate the measurements are but I figured I'd include what we had for their weight and length (which I still need to measure).  I think the difference in their weight is greater than that, especially when I'm holding them at the same time and one arm hurts worse than the other.  And because I now have more people asking me if they're twins since one of them is so much bigger.  They always ask how much older Andrew is.  As though two minutes older is going to make a huge difference!  Whatever.

AARON       19.4 lbs.

ANDREW  21.2  lbs.

My aunt Nancy was here a couple of weeks ago for a day on her way back to California.  It was wonderful to see her and only wish she'd been able to stay longer.  I don't play favorites but she if the best aunt.  We were having a very difficult time getting A & A to hold still but this is the best one that little or no blurriness.

Scary Moments

All parents experience scary moments- children choking, falling, getting lost, etc.- but three in one day in enough to make my hair fall out.  Now that Andrew and Aaron are busier  and more curious I have to really be on my toes. 

Scary Moment 1

Since they refused to take an afternoon nap- again- I decided to load them in the car for a quick drive to the store.  As we were returning home I heard a BANG and looked behind to me to see what was going on.  To my utter shock I didn't see Andrew in his car seat- he had leaned over his car seat to get something that had fallen out of his hand and he went tumbling too. Apparently in my hurry to buckle them up I got distracted and forgot the buckling part on Andrew.  Oops!! Andrew then stood up between the door and his seat.  He looked just as startled and shocked as I did!   Since we were just at the bottom of our street- and to avoid him pushing the button to open his door and fall out of the car- I reached over and grabbed him, setting him on my lap.  He thought that was the coolest thing!  Trust me Andrew, it's not going to happen again...I hope.  

Scary Moment 2

I have a suspicion that most scary times will involve Andrew since he has no fear.  This evening after we bathed them Steve and I were in the walk in closet in Aaron's room looking for some documents.  Aaron & Andrew were happily playing upstairs when we suddenly heard a cry of distress from Andrew.  If Andrew cries I know it's got to be bad since he has a very high pain tolerance. Steven got there first and shouted, "Oh my gosh!!!"  Andrew  had been playing with an extension chord that had his night light plugged in at the end and it had somehow become wrapped around his arm several times and his neck once.  It took a lot to get him untangled... how did he get it wrapped around him. Yikes!  And we thought we had our house well child proofed.  That extension chord is no longer there  and we will definitely be keeping an eye out for ANYthing that become a hazard.

Scary Moment 3

Tonight as I was feeding them dinner Aaron starting choking and gagging.  Just as I was about to pull him out of his chair and begin the Heimlich on him he threw up everything I had just struggled to feed him- applesauce, green beans, and mashed potatoes- all over his bib, the high chair and his shirt.  After that it was straight to the bath for both and then bed... and a break for me.

What a day!!!!  

Who Needs Toys?

For over a month I've been trying to finish this post but haven't got around to it.  Of course, there's lots of things I've been wanting to do and can't seem to find the time or energy. When we were at the doctor's office soon after these guys were born a mother of about 3-year old twins sat in the waiting area watching us.  Then she told me how everyone always told her things would always get easier.  "I am still waiting for it to get easier," she said.  So am I!! My energy is sapped by the end of the day. Lately, they don't seem to think they need an afternoon nap but their actions tell a different story.  Let's just say Aaron and Andrew have been keeping me busy and I'm sure once they're both walking I'll think it's even crazier.  

BUT, they are getting more and more fun.  Yesterday we purchased a camcorder because it's hard not to laugh and smile as we watch these boys and we'd like to share a part of that with family and friends.  Sometimes I wish we could keep the RECORD button on at all times in order to capture every waking moment.  Aaron and Andrew are little explorers and are curious about EVERYTHING.  They have lots of toys but most of their time is spent playing with bowls, plants, and anything but toys. 

Aaron is really into bowls- spinning them, throwing them, or pounding them.  

Sometimes Andrew joins in the fun.

Andrew loved opening & closing the steamer.  If I forget the close the cupboard door all the way it won't be long before Andrew is there to pull everything out.  We added latches to the doors after Andrew pulled out a glass pie pan and it shattered at his feet. Fortunately he got no cuts, I got Andrew & Aaron out of the room fast, and swept the mess up before either got hurt.  The next night latches were added to the doors.

"Go away, Andrew!"  Aaron prefers to play by himself because Andrew is stronger and tends 

to be somewhat aggressive.  But Andrew always likes whatever Aaron is doing.

Andrew & Aaron playing a duet

Andrew is curious about that vacuum and how it works.  

Aaron is more afraid of it, especially when it's on.

Aaron has a faddish with the fan remote.  He's known from Day 1 how to operate the fan and anytime we set him down upstairs he immediately crawls to my night stand where it's kept and grabs it from on top.  If anybody tries to take it from him he becomes INFURIATED!! 

Playing with diapers, clean ones that is, is a favorite past time of Aaron's.

Andrew was so proud of himself when he could first stand at the piano on his own.  Andrew is not walking yet and only stands for a few seconds at a time after letting go of furniture & other objects.  Occasionally he takes a step or two before falling. Today, however, he took FIVE steps.  He wants to walk sooo bad.  Aaron could care less.  He brings himself to standing position but when we try to hold his hands & walk he curls his legs and refuses.  Someday.  Yes, Andrew has no pants on.  At home they often crawl around without shorts or pants on.  If we leave the house I'll make sure they're fully dressed- usually.

This plant was full of rocks at its base.  It became Aaron's favorite place to be downstairs.  He would throw them from the plant one at a time until they were scattered ALL over the floor. After picking them numerous times we finally put the rocks in a ziploc bag until a future time. Besides that Andrew would often put them in his mouth.  While Andrew puts everything and anything in his mouth Aaron is much more hesitant- and this includes most foods.  Eating time with Aaron can be very frustrating and takes all my patience.  There's a reason he's much skinnier than Andrew and it's not because I'm depriving him the opportunity to eat.  I just noticed Andrew has one sock on and one sock off.  Not long after I put socks on him he takes them off.  Now I don't usually bother to even put them on.  Aaron's usually stay on all day.

Whenever I open the panty door in kitchen and there's a baby in sight they zip on over as fast as they can.  They've learned from sad experience that the door doesn't always stay open for long.

(Aaron) This is a picture when the plant was in 'full bloom'.  Now there's a few sparse leaves on the top.  At first when Aaron & Andrew would pull leaves off I'd put them back on.  Now I've just got a collection of leaves to be added back later.  I don't have much of a green thumb so plants in our house are all fake.

Best birthday and more

Lately Steve and I have been fantasizing about what it would be like to be able to sleep in, to not have the 'baby' alarm go off around 6-6:30 and go nonstop all day until about 7 p.m.  The only way we could actually sleep in would be to have someone stay overnight with the boys.  After a very busy week and a last minute trip to Ogden, UT for a funeral in Steve's family (8 hr drive- up one day and back home the next) we desperately needed an overnight date.  What better time to do this than my birthday?!

So Friday evening we had the same girl who helped us last summer with the boys come over and stay with the boys until noon on Saturday.  Even though I was really excited to be able to sleep in the next morning I have to admit I was really nervous.  In the last week Aaron has become much more clingy and began having serious separation anxiety, not even wanting to be held by my parents.  All that nervousness was for nothing... both Aaron and Andrew hardly knew we were gone.

What did we do?  After checking into our room at Red Rock Resort & Casino practically across the street we went to dinner and a movie.  The room is the NICEST I've ever stayed stayed in- double sinks, huge tub with a flat screen TV, walk in shower, king sized bed, huge flat screen TV, great big room, two comfortable chairs, and a nice view of the Strip (along with a nearby parking lot!) We decided to spoil ourselves by ordering room service for breakfast.  I assumed the breakfast tray would be laid on the floor outside our door like on our cruise.  To my surprise there was a knock at the door and after opening it they wheeled in a table that was all set and included a delicious breakfast with all the necessary condiments.  Even though we didn't get nearly as much sleep as we'd hoped it was nice to lay around all morning while reading and watching TV and being in a hurry to go anywhere.  Around noon we finally came home to our two happy boys who were very well taken care for.

But this isn't all... the day before my birthday a great friend, Barbara, took me for a pedicure (which I badly needed), a deluxe cupcake, and even paid someone to babysit the boys.  And for my birthday Steve bought me a very nice watch.  This birthday is one I'll always remember as one of the best.  Last year's birthday was just as happy but in a very different way.  Aaron had only been home from the hospital for a couple of weeks and Andrew was to be discharged the day after my birthday. All we did last year for my birthday was get dinner from Chipoltes, which I ate quickly before leaving to stay overnight at the hospital to practice (like I needed that) caring for Andrew.  Steve stayed home and cared for Aaron himself while I was gone.  And that was my birthday.  But I am not complaining... that was one of my happiest birthdays ever having just become a mother of two beautiful babies that we had prayed a long time for.

Right after we got home from the hotel it was right back to work.  This picture was taken about an hour after getting home.

This is how I usually give them their bottles.  I've tried laying them on the floor and giving them their bottles.  This never works because they soon throw the bottles aside and began playing.  I will soon be transitioning them to sippy cups rather than bottles.

There more pictures and info I'd like to include about our quick trip to Ogden and Andrew being a tease but I'll save that for another blog.  However, I will add these two photos-

Our trip to Ogden wasn't exactly 'fun' since it was a long drive two days in a row

 but one good thing was being able to stop by my mother's grave in Orem.

Andrew is so tired when we got home from church.  With church from 9-12 they 

don't get their morning naps and come home exhausted- and so do we!

13 Months

Since Aaron and Andrew were born I've been keeping a baby book for each of them that includes a month by month update.  However, after the first birthday it continues by year rather than month.  I feel that there is too much learning and growth- at least from 1 to 2- that I'll forget a lot by their next birthday.  Besides, there won't be room.  Soooo I'm going to TRY to update their book each month on our blog.  I'm already behind because they were 13 months yesterday. 

LENGTH  Aaron:   30 inches   Andrew: 31 inches

WEIGHT  Aaron:   19.4 lbs.     Andrew: 21.8 lbs.

PHYSICAL CHANGES: This month Aaron got another tooth for a total of 5, but it looks like 2 or 3 will soon appear.  Andrew now has 7 teeth with more to soon come in.  Both of them are looking less and less like babies and more and more like little boys or toddlers.

EATING & SLEEPING HABITS: About 2 months ago I started making ALL their food- yogurt, breakfast stuff, and meats with vegetables.  It's taken A LOT of time but is sooo much cheaper and way healthier.  Both A & A have been more regular since having homemade food.  I'm trying to transition them to do more self-feeding/finger foods rather than be spoon fed.  They're probably a little behind but I've been very nervous about them choking for two reasons:  Andrew's TEF and being a first time mom.

Aaron:  Is somewhat picky- he'll usually eat finger foods as long as it's fruit, string cheese, or Cheerios.  When it comes to vegetables he sometimes will unless it's mixed in with other foods.  His favorites are strawberries, bananas and string cheese.  Aaron still takes two naps although there's some days where he thinks he only needs one.  Those days he's more cranky and very ready for bed at night (so am I!).  Lately he's been waking us up bright and early at around 5;30-6 with an increasingly louder whiny cry that has short pauses every so often to see if he's been heard.  It definitely wakes us up.  Most of the time he wakes up fussy and crying which hasn't always been the case.  (Speaking of that- I he's now awake and crying...)

Say "Cheese".  Aaron makes this face all the time when we're feeding him.

Andrew:  Eats  ANYthing.   I have yet to see him refuse food.  His favorite is strawberries.  He is a VERY eater.  Andrew is also still taking two naps and is usually a very good sleeper.  He always fall asleep and wakes up happy and cheerful.  Ever since he learned to sit up, kneel, and stand he can take anywhere from 5 min. to 1 hour playing and jabbering.  Ever since they were about 7 months we have had Aaron and Andrew in separate bedrooms. Aaron almost always woke up first and would immediately wake Andrew up earlier than he'd want.  For a while we tried making adjustments but we finally decided to make it easier on ourselves (and them).  Eventually we'll transition them back into the same bedroom.  

NEW SKILLS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS & TALENTS:  We've seen a lot of progress from 12 to 13 months!  The physical therapy must have helped- now he's the one that climbed stairs first and will soon be walking.  I'm not comparing, just stating a fact.  Most of it is personality because Aaron has the strength to climb stair and almost walk too.  He's simply MUCH more cautious.  Now that they're moving around, crawling, and standing Aaron & Andrew get banged up more.  Usually we don't know about Andrew's scratches, bruises, and welts until after the fact.  If he cries it's short and quick and sometimes he'll even laugh.  Aaron, on the other hand, is MUCH more dramatic and sensitive.  Sometimes he'll cry for several minutes over the smallest bang or even looking at him wrong when he's tired can get him going.  Even though they're twins they are SOOO different.  We love them both so much and feel grateful each and every day for them.

Aaron:  Probably the biggest thing for him is he no longer does the army crawl- now he can zoom from one end of the room to the other.  Aaron can now throw things and knows how to make a HUGE mess on the floor (along with the help of Andrew). He pulls himself up to standing position and side steps around his crib, coffee table or pretty much anything he's holding on to.  Oh, and he's figured out how to turn the fan and light on in our room using the remote.  And he now knows how to turn the light on and off.  I think it was in the last month that he finally learned that sippy cups are more than just a toy to bang on the high chair.  Andrew still wants whatever toy Aaron is playing with so Aaron has learned to take a toy and turn or crawl away.  Andrew does the same thing when he's got something Aaron might want.

Andrew:  Before too long Andrew will soon be walking.  He'll stand for several seconds at a time and sometimes has even clapped his hands while balancing.  Occasionally he's tried taking a step but we can tell he's sure thinking about.  He walks across the room using a push toy- sometimes with Aaron in it.  He no longer does the army crawl- which he did FORever- and crawls very fast.  He's great at climbing the stairs but hasn't learned yet how to safely go down. Andrew has also learned how to do Peek-a-boo and clap his hands.  Another new skill he has (I'm not sure I'd consider it a talent) is throwing a temper tantrum.  When he doesn't get his way or something he wants he'll throw himself flat on the floor and let out the most dramatic, fake cry and then looks at us to see if it got our attention.  I almost have to laugh.  

Andrew is clapping his hands

When Andrew climbs stairs he'll usually turn around every 

couple of steps before continuing on his way to the top.

NEW PLACES VISITED & NEW EXPERIENCES:  Most of the time we do pretty much the same thing day to day. However, this month we went on a trip to Salt Lake City (where we all got colds) and visited Temple Square and went to the Hogal Zoo with our friends, the Higby's,who used to live here in Las Vegas. We stayed a night with my aunt in downtown SL and two nights with one of my sisters, Julie. On our way home we stopped for a couple of hours at my parents.  Vacations are still nice but when you get home you need another vacation!

FAVORITE THINGS & ACTIVITIES

Aaron: Spinning tupperware bowls upside down on the kitchen floor; dropping everything & anything on the floor to see if it makes noise; taking a bath; using the fan remote; crawling into our downstairs bathroom and taking all the magazines out of the basket and putting their shoes onto the floor; taking a bath (cries when it's over); go for a walk each morning with our Nicholas and his mom; gets excited when Daddy comes home; riding in the car 'stroller' to get the mail or go to the neighbor's; taking all the rocks out of the planter or pulling all the books off of the shelf. Basically, loves to make a mess.

Andrew:  Loves to crawl and stand everywhere; unload books onto the floor and turn the pages; climb the stairs; taking a bath (cries when it's over); speed crawling to the refrigerator/ freezer/pantry whenever he sees it open; gibbering CONSTANTLY; using push toys to walk across the room; gets excited when Daddy comes home; bang on the piano.  Andrew teams up very well with Aaron to make big messes.  Last Saturday while I was running errands Steve said it was a little quiet and after checking on them he found them in the downstairs bathroom with the toilet paper unraveled and magazines ALL over the floor.  They are learning young.

This is the mess A & A made in the bathroom.  

Andrew is on the go too much to get in pictures most of the time.

Good-bye formula, Hello savings

It's no secret that children are expensive: diapers, bottles, clothes, cribs, car seats, bouncers, swings, strollers, and the list goes ON and ON.  Even though it can be costly it is so worth it!!  But I am happy to report that we have recently had some savings in the baby department.  Today is the first official day on all milk!  For the last week I've fed them half and half (not the product half & half!)- half formula and half milk.  They have tolerated it very well and Aaron has actually been drinking all of his bottle, which is a first. In addition to this savings about a month and half ago I stopped feeding them jar food.  It takes a little (okay, a lot) more effort on my part but it's been worth the savings- and the better health for them.  When it comes to feeding them solids I admit I'm probably overly cautious.  Most first time moms probably are but we also have a greater risk of Andrew choking because of his TEF. Each day we see progress-and a bigger mess!- with self-feeding.

Without an afternoon nap Aaron is VERY tired

"I've had enough!"

Andrew is doing better at self-feeding- and making a bigger mess

Andrew LOVES being held upside down.  He's be happy being like that all day!

Taking drastic measures

Andrew (at 3 or 4 mos.)

Aaron (at 9 mos.)

The binki has been driving me crazy!!  For the last couple of weeks we've talked about getting rid of them for good but we either wanted to wait until after our SLC trip or were too chicken. We've pretty much given them the binkis for sleeping... or at church... or when they're fussy... or sometimes when they're playing.  Okay, so I guess they use it more than I want to admit. Even though they can be a real pain I have to admit I do think it's cute to see them sucking on it.   But that was when they were little babies and now they're pretty much almost toddlers. (It can't be!!) And there have been moments when it's helped quiet them down or get them to sleep.

Andrew is not as attached to his binki as Aaron is but he does like it sometimes when he's trying to go to sleep and he loves taking it out of Aaron's mouth and putting it in his.  Andrew also likes to throw it out of his crib but it doesn't stop him from going to sleep.  Aaron, on the other hand, is a whole other story.  He LOVES his binki!!  I rarely see him asleep without it and if there's one in sight he gets all excited and makes inhaling/exhaling noises (what he does when he's excited) until it's in his mouth.  Anytime Andrew is sucking on one he grabs it and puts it in his.  We've even had fun putting the handle (whatever you want to call it) in our mouths, moving our heads back and forth, and watching them laugh hysterically.

Lately, though, I've had enough!!  As much as Aaron loves his binki and wants/needs it to sleep he LOVES throwing it over the side of his crib.  We've done what most parents would probably do: if he's crying and won't go to sleep until he has it, we've gone in and given it to him. Sometimes that's worked but usually he'll throw it right back down only to wait for us to get it again.  I feel like a dog playing fetch.  I've tried NOT giving it to him. Period.  All that does is prevent him from taking a nap.  I've tried attaching it to a 'leash' on his shirt.  He pulls it off and has a great time playing with the leash and binki.  For the last 3 days he hasn't taken a nap in the afternoon because he'd rather play a game with me of Fetch the Binki.  Besides all that they get dirty and need to be cleaned; they get lost and more need to be purchased.  Note:  Andrew could probably care less about his.  Pretty much he sucks on it because it's there.  I doubt we'll have any probably breaking him of it.

Last night before they went to bed I finally did it:  I snipped ALL their binkis.  And then we've carried on as usual, offering it to them before going to sleep.  They were pretty confused the first time they tried putting it in their mouths and it didn't work. (As I'm writing this, Aaron is waking up from his nap crying.  It looks-we have a video monitor- like he's trying to suck on the binki and it won't work.  I feel so bad.)  Andrew went to sleep last night and both naps today without a problem.  So far so good.  Aaron hasn't been so easy.  Even though he was soooo tired last night Aaron kept fussing for close to an hour before we finally picked up the binki and gave it to him. All he wanted to do was hold it in his hand. I forgot to mention that about half of the time he's holding it in hand and not sucking on it.  

We debated which method to do:  take all the binkis and throw them in the trash OR snip them. Obviously we opted for the second one but the problem we can face with that is he still may throw it over and want it again for the sake of holding it in his hand.  But the advantage is that they feel like the one in control.  "Hmmm, this doesn't work anymore.  I'm not getting any comfort from it.  It's doing me no good.  Maybe I don't need it anymore."  After a few days we may just toss them in the trash. Hopefully this won't take long.  The morning nap today was not a problem and the afternoon nap Aaron woke up once looking for it but fell back asleep (probably had it in his hand).  He woke up not long ago and it looked like he was trying to suck on it and didn't get any success.  Made him mad, he cried, and he is now awake.  Oh, well.  It's not going to be easy.  It'll probably be harder for us than for them.

But for the last 24 hours I've felt like a really mean mother.  It's not hard for me to feel guilty about ANYthing and this is no exception.  I'm trying to tell myself it's got to happen eventually, they'll won't remember it in the long run, and I might keep my sanity (if it's not already gone!).

The second semi-drastic measure:  For the last week I've duct taping Andrew's bib to keep it on him while feeding. I guess he thinks he's grown up enough that he no longer needs to wear one. Believe me, he still makes a huge mess when eating.  I've tried feeding him without the bib and without fail he needs a change of clothes.  The duct tape has been very effective in keeping it on and now he rarely tries to take it off.