Lake Tahoe Pictures (Finally!) Part 1

For over a week now I've been planning to add some pictures and a little about what we did on our trip to Tahoe.  It's hard coming back from a wonderful trip and facing reality again.  There's too many wonderful things to tell my family's reunion at Lake Tahoe so I'll let the pictures give a lot of the detail.

My family's condo is perfectly located on the west side of Lake Tahoe near a variety of things, but in a quiet area at the same time.  Only a mile away is a little market, Tahoe City is only 9 miles away, South Lake Tahoe is about 20 miles.  A state park with camping, a historic turn-of-the-century mansion, boathouse, an old mid-1800's cabin, a beach, and a dock can be reached by bike in less than 15 minutes. One of our favorites is spending the day at Meeks Bay (only about 15 min away) playing & swimming in the water, playing in the sand, riding inflatable rafts & boats, and just sitting around talking, reading, and eating on the beach. .  We spent two days at Meeks Bay.  Unfortunately, we forgot to take our camera the second time so we didn't get as many pics as we'd like.

Our family at Meeks

Andrew (L) isn't so sure about the water.  I don't blame him- Lake Tahoe is COLD!!  Aaron (R), on the other hand, loves the water and did not want me holding his hand.  He was ready to jump right in.  

The sand was their favorite.  They both tried eating sand more than once but I had to watch Andrew close to keep him inhaling it.

My four siblings and I took turns cooking dinner for everyone, which included 16 kids (ages 16 mos. to 14 yrs., most between 3 and 7) and 12 adults. After dinner we'd usually do some kind of activity or just talk. One night we laid on the tennis court and watched the spectacular meteor shower in the sky.  After most of the kids were in bed we'd meet at one of the condos and play games or talk.  Here are two of my brothers playing a game with some of the kids.

Two of my darling nieces- Lexie (10) and Sara (8 1/2).  They were great helpers and loved holding, playing, and caring for the twins.  Aaron, of course, only wanted Mom or Dad to hold him.

My older nieces were terrified of bears the entire week and wouldn't walk alone outside after dark.  One of them even claimed to have seen a bear while walking to her condo.  Until the end of the week I blew them off as just being paranoid.  In the middle of the day my sister's car window was shattered and the inside was a wreck (of course, if may have already been like that!) in an attempt to get a bag of pretzels left in the car.  At first they thought someone had broken into their car but after closer observation saw paw prints on the door.

Later that day two of my nephews are hard at work building a bear trap.

The best place on earth

Lake Tahoe has been a favorite family vacation spot since I was a young girl.  Now that I live in a hot, barren desert I love it even  more.  In the early 80's my grandparents purchased a condo on the west side of the lake and every other year all my extended family gathered for a week's vacation.  Last week was the first time my siblings and their families, along with my parents & aunt Nancy, held a similar reunion.  We had a blast!!

When it comes to pretty much everything I am big into lists.  Prior to leaving on our trip I had an Errand List, To Do List, Things to Pack List, Groceries to Buy in Tahoe List.  Big on my To Do list was clean my house prior to leaving.  After my experience mopping the floor I don't think I'll clean before leaving.  While mopping the tile floor I slipped and fell flat on my coccyx/back right so fast and hard I began seeing stars. The first thought I had was about not being able to ride a bike at Tahoe.  Even though it still hurts (picking up 20+ lb. twins numerous times/daily doesn't help) I was able to ride a bike but running was (and still is) out of the question.

Driving for 9+ hours with 16 mos. old twins is not highly recommended.  Most of our drive is through barren , ugly desert.  We pass through some of the sorriest looking towns (if you can call them that), especially on the Nevada side. The drive is pretty much along the CA/NV border the entire way on an undivided, two-lane, 55 mph road.   My favorite part of the drive is between Mono Lake & Benton, CA.  I'm sure this section of highway has a name (or number) but Roller coaster Road is the best description. Believe me, it is a Roller coaster!  I wish I had a picture to show you but even Aaron & Andrew could tell there was something different about this road. They giggled and laughed as we went up and down so many big curves. Of course, we go as fast as we can get away with and there were times I felt like our wheels were off the ground for a second or two. 

We were the last to arrive at about 8:30 pm. Saturday night. After a LONG day with tired and cranky babies I was so happy to be at my destination.

I'm not sure how many parts there's going to be but I think this is enough for now.  We had such a great time, Lake Tahoe is beautiful, and spending time with family was a little like heaven.

Cuddly babies to stubborn toddlers

Is there a specific age when babies officially become toddlers? I don't know if there is or not but after last weekend I'm feeling like I no longer have babies.  Now they're walking, talking (starting to say words, anyway), eating solids, way done with pacifiers, and now they are done with the bottle. Last Saturday we stopped giving them the bottle and it's been a LOT harder than I had anticipated- probably harder for us than it is for Aaron and Andrew.

One reason I'm wishing we hadn't done it yet is because this Saturday we're leaving for a week-long vacation.  I had not expected the transition to so difficult and I didn't realize until now that they were as attached to the bottle as they were (especially Aaron).  I assumed they sucked that bottle up because of the milk, not because of the container it was in. They now REFUSE to drink milk from a sippy cup.  Yes, they know how to drink from a sippy cup and will drink water and juice from them no problem.  But forget it when milk is put in it.  It's frustrating enough when one baby refuses but two stubborn babies/toddlers is even harder.

Another reason I'm having a hard time with this change is I feel like I no longer have babies. I imagine it's how a nursing mother feels when the baby no longer breast feeds and begins drinking from a bottle and/or sippy cup.  It's almost as though a part of me is gone.  Just when I get comfortable with one stage they move on to the next.  At least it keeps me on my toes at all times.  I also got a little too excited about not having to wash all these bottles and parts every day but I guess it didn't dawn on me that now I'll be washing sippy cups and parts instead. Duh. What did I think they'd be drinking from?  

I'm trying everything.  Sippy cups with nipple-like end on them, regular sippy cups, straw cups, regular cups, chocolate milk, strawberry milk.  So far the best (the only) thing that's worked is chocolate milk in a cup with a nipple-like end.  Even with that they look at it suspiciously and hesitate drinking it.  The most they've drunk so far is about 5 oz. total as compared to the roughly 18 oz. (per day) with the bottle.  I'm not sure they'll ever suck the cups dry like they did with the bottle.  

Part of me wants to go back to the bottle and deal with this after our vacation.  But that would be STUPID and do worse damage.  If I did that they'd probably be attached to the bottle until starting kindergarten.  So I will NOT given in, the bottles are GONE forever, but I really miss my little babies.

Roseola

Last Sunday evening (a week ago) Andrew began to have a fever around 100.  We figured we'd see how he was in the morning.  The next day he woke up with a temperature of 101 and this fever continued until Friday morning.  We weren't too worried because he had no other symptoms, ate normally, slept fine, was still happy, and with Motrin he no longer had a fever.  Besides, Aaron and Andrew had a check up with their pediatrician Friday so I was trying to hold off paying a special visit to the doctor.  But Friday he broke out in a freckled rash all over is trunk, face, and neck.  It looked almost like a bad case of the chicken pox but as a rash instead.  It didn't seem to bother  him (in other words, he wasn't scratching it) and his fever was only at 99.5.

Andrew's freckled roseola rash.  

(The front side shows him crying hard.)

When we took them to the doctor in the late afternoon the nurse asked about his symptoms and said it looked like he might have roseola.  Roseola?  I'd never heard of it.  Then his nurse practitioner poked her head in our room to say hi, saw Andrew and said, "Roseola."  About two minutes later the doctor came in for his 15 month follow up and vaccinations.  He immediately looked at Andrew and said, "Roseola."  So within five minutes I didn't have to guess what Andrew had but I had absolutely no idea what it was.  How long would it last?  Would there be other symptoms?  Where did he get it? Are there any medicines he'll need?  I soon learned roseola is a virus that affects children ages 1 to 3 that begins in a fever of about 102 lasting for 5-7 days and had no other symptoms.  After 5-7 days the fever breaks as suddenly as it began and a rash mysteriously breaks out all over the stomach, back, neck, and sometimes the face.   Andrew's case of roseola could fit the picture perfectly.

The entire week we kept waiting for Aaron to get a fever.  Until this point, everything one gets so does the other.   After all, we use the same spoon when we feed them, suck and lick the same toys, and share (despite our best efforts to avoid it) sippy cups & bottles.  We were surprised, but grateful, when Aaron never  got a fever.  The virus must not be highly contagious or you'd think Aaron would've had it too.  We have no idea where it came from but our best guess is from nursery last Sunday or at the pool of some friends last Saturday. 

If your child happens to get roseola I wouldn't be too worried- fever with no symptoms other than a 1-3 day rash. Not too bad.

Random thoughts

Before Aaron and Andrew were born I kept up on my (written) journal fairly well.  Since they've been born not a word has been added.  That why I try to keep up on my blog so I at least have an online journal (plus pictures).  However, it has become very difficult lately to even check my email, let alone add a post.  Anytime I try to do it when the boys (kids, twins, babies, whatever) I've got two little ones trying to climb up my leg so they can sit on my lap to play with the mouse and press keys.  In the evening after they're asleep I'm trying to catch up from all the things I didn't do during the day so there's been many nights lately where I don't even turn on the computer.  By the time I actually sit down to add something it seems I've got too many things I want to say since this is a time of daily progress and learning for them.  I never cease to be amazed at how much they have changed in just the last month or two and I'm sure the speed will continue to increase.

So I'll try to be brief on a few thoughts or changes I have at the moment.  I'd love to add more pictures but lately I rarely snap a picture that's not blurry since they are on the go CONSTANTLY.

A couple of recent pictures-

Andrew 'reads' books every day and makes sounds and says 'words'.  
This animal sound book is one of his favorite. 

Aaron LOVES hot wheels cars and is found throwing, 

dropping, rolling, or biting them all the time

1.  Aaron and Andrew are finally on a one nap schedule which I find to be much easier.  It took a while but when Aaron would NOT take an afternoon nap (Andrew would) for 3 weeks I decided it was time.  They seem to have adjusted fairly easily and I don't feel like all I do is put them down for a nap.  Plus, I have a bigger block of time when they're asleep.  They wake up between 6 and 6:30, their nap is about 10:45 and they sleep 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  Bedtime is 6:30 which is early but they're ready for it.  I'm sure that just when we get adjusted to this schedule it'll change. The next big change is moving Aaron back into Andrew's room (probably tomorrow) since now their schedule is pretty close to the same.

2.  A week ago we spent big bucks buying a bike for each of us and a trailer to pull the boys.  The trailer can also be used as a jogging stroller so I've used it on my daily morning walks and we've gone on a couple of rides.  The boys aren't too hot about the new trailer and they let us know they're hate the helmets but each ride seems to be a little better.  It's been a very purchase and I feel like I'm getting more exercise.  Hopefully the newness doesn't wear off.

3.  If I had to name an animal that Aaron is most like it would either be a dog or a lion.  The other day when I was only feeding Andrew (Aaron had woken up much earlier) and he kept dropping food off the side of the tray.  Aaron was helping me out by picking food up and eating it.  He also like to roll/throw a ball but rather than stay in one place he'll sit by me, roll/throw it, go fetch the ball, and return to me to do it all over again.  The other animal is a lion because he has a pretty vicious bite.  We've already had six incidents this week and I know from experience it doesn't feel good.  The other day he bit Andrew so hard on the arm that it pierced the skin. Aaron most often bites Andrew because Andrew always wants whatever Aaron has and will do anything he can to get it.  Even though I don't believe biting is a good thing and we've got to put an end to it as soon as we can, Andrew might deserve it- SOMEtimes.  Another reason Aaron can be a lion is he will growl when asked what a lion says.  While he still does it we need to get it on video.

4.  Andrew has been walking now for about two months and is into EVERYthing.  He is so much more fearless than Aaron.  The other day when I was at the park with the boys he crawled up the steps, headed for a slide, and proceeded to go down the slide face first.  I quickly grabbed a foot and slid down behind him while grabbing  Aaron (who was on the platform at the top) and brought him down with me.  Aaron is slowly making progress towards walking.  He has been seen to stand up for a second or two and he's taken a step here and there a couple of times. Part of me is anxious for him to walk but at the same time I realize that once I've got two walkers (climbing will be worse) I will be even busier.

5.  In the last two weeks both Aaron and Andrew have got their first molars with the rest of them almost visible.  Andrew now has two molars and Aaron has one along with a new incisor.  Unlike the other teeth he's gotten so far, Aaron hasn't been more fussy  or seemed to have any side affects.  Andrew, however, woke up crying or whining in the middle of the night for about a week.  Other teeth he's had have caused no reactions.

Big changes at 15 months

Okay, so it's taken me a couple of days to actually finish this... it's better late than never.  It's hard for me to believe that Aaron and Andrew are fifteen months already.  Time flier way too fast.  This last months has been busy (what's new?) and have seen them change by leaps and bounds.  

Two biggest changes this month- Aaron's first word and Andrew now walks!  Steve told me a week or so ago that Aaron could say, "Cheez-its".  Surely it was just a stretch of his imagination because Aaron hasn't even said 'Mommy' yet, which of course is all babies' first word.  But... to my surprise I actually heard Aaron say, 'Cheez-its' when I pulled out the box and handed one to him.  No secret what his favorite food is.

Andrew was officially walking about the last week of June/first week of July.  For about a month he would take a step or two but crawling was his preferred mode of transportation.  Now he walks all over the place.  Mommy is busier than ever.

The picture above and the two below are taken when we took Aaron and Andrew to the water park close to our house.  We were suprised to see Aaron loving the water and getting sprayed while Andrew was a little unsure.  Usually it's the opposite.

Getting wet at the water park (Andrew & Aaron)

Aaron wants to walk but he is taking his time.  For now he loves walking across the downstairs using push toys.  On occasion I've seen him take a step or stand for a second before sitting down but once he gains the confidence to walk he'll take off.  Aaron is a speedy crawler and can almost keep up with Andrew's walking.

My days have become busier and easier at the same time.  Aaron and Andrew now take only one nap each day.  Andrew has always been the better sleep, taking longer and more frequent naps.  One day Aaron decided he no longer needed to take afternoon naps so I began transitioning them to one nap each day.  It leaves me longer periods in the morning and afternoon to run errands, go to the park, spend time playing, and not feel so rushed.  Andrew's naps are usually 2 1/2 to 3 hours while Aaron sleeps anywhere from 1-2 1/2 hours.

Andrew was too exhausted to finish his lunch yesterday at noon after returning home from church. He stayed asleep while his face was cleaned, hands washed, diaper was changed, and drank milk

I discovered this morning that Andrew's first molars on each side on the bottom have broke through the surface.  That explains why he's been waking up every night for a week around midnight crying and upset.  In the last month Aaron has had two new teeth come in but without any extra fussiness or difficulty.

Andrew loves crunching leaves and eating them- if I don't catch him in time.

I had to put this picture in... Daddy was having too much fun when he put a little bowl in Aaron's pants.  We had a good laugh and couldn't resist sharing it with you.

Even though it wasn't Aaron and Andrew's first 4th of July they were just teeny tiny last year. Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures. :(  Our next door neighbors recently got an above ground pool and invited us and some other neighbors over for a swim and barbecue.  We had a lot of fun swimming with the babies for a short period and stuffing our faces. But Aaron had a runny nose and Andrew was quite sick- low fever, very stuffed up, cough, and sore throat.  He didn't stay long and both babies went to bed early. We watched the local firework show from our bathroom window... very memorable.   

Sibling Rivalry

This last weekend I made a depressing discovery- I have some gray hairs.  Steve wasn't very sympathetic (he's got a head full) and reminded me that it's part of getting old (thanks, Steve) since I recently turned a year older.  Rather than blaming it on old age I'd rather blame it on my role as a mother and dealing with unhappy children from time to time.  Already I'm occasionally dealing with sibling rivalry and they're not even quite fifteen months.  

Since Andrew can walk (Aaron can't yet) and is stronger, bigger, and can be a little aggressive he can seem like a bit of a bully.  But after what he's been through with surgeries, ultrasounds, esophagrams, and needles and tubes in about every hold in his body I think I'd be a little tough too.  I don't mean to make him out as the bad guy all the time (because he's not) but he can seem a little intimidating to Aaron.  Sometimes when Aaron sees him walking, or even crawling, towards him he assumes his toy will be taken away.  True, Andrew's favorite thing is whatever Aaron has in his hands but this isn't always the case.

Even though Aaron and Andrew will never know what it's like to be an only child they are starting to be a little jealous when I've got the other one in my arms.  Earlier today I was sitting on the floor reading a book with Andrew when Aaron looked over, started whining/crying, crawled over to me, and started to climb onto my lap.  Andrew wasn't pleased and began letting Aaron know how he felt. After a few minutes I put Aaron on my lap and let Andrew go.  Then it was Andrew's turn to become upset.

I just noticed how outdated the pictures are on our blog.  Maybe when they start kindergarten I'll have a little more time to post new ones.

Thank goodness Aaron and Andrew are both easygoing and very happy babies, but in different ways.  Sibling rivalry, unfortunately, occurs in all (normal) families and probably at all ages.  I think in the last 3 months they have both been learning so much and are gradually becoming toddlers and  no longer babies.  I love watching them grow and progress... even the 'rivalry'.