The lesser known milestones

When I was pregnant, I would anxiously await each weekly email from BabyCenter.com to find out what my little poppy seed (before I knew there were two in there) was doing. Then it became my little grapes, then acorns, and then my little chinese cabbages...well, you get the picture. Assuming they were reaching each milestone about that time made it easier to imagine what the little guys were doing, though I figured they might be a little off since there were two. I still get those emails, though they don't relate babies' sizes to food anymore, but it's not really the same when I can see what they're doing. Also, since the boys went and came 5 weeks earlier than they were supposed to, they aren't really on the same track as all those "normal" babies anyway. I don't really know what the boys are supposed to "officially" be doing at this stage in their little lives, but I thought I'd list some of the things that they are doing.

The first Sibling Cuddle: This morning, the boys were sitting next to each other after eating breakfast and Carter leaned over onto Logan and tried to grab his arm - it was like he was trying to give him a big hug! I don't know if it was his intention, but it sure seemed like he was trying to cuddle! (Logan was not as pleased since he was trying to sleep.)

The first time they realize how to turn out the lights: Also this morning, the boys were in their car seats on the way to their grandma's house. I put on the little wool hats their yaya knitted for them (which are still just a little big if the cuff isn't rolled up) to keep their little tired heads warm, and they kept pulling them down over their eyes. Once Carter was in the car, he pulled his down and went right to sleep. It was adorable! Logan's slipped over his eyes too, but I don't know that he pulled his down. He also went right to sleep. Hmmm... may use that knowledge in the future!

The Pacifier Replacement: When you put Carter's pacifier in his hand, he now has made the connection that if he lifts his hand to his mouth, his pacifier also comes. He has also started - just tonight - sucking his upper lip in anticipation of the binkie on the way.

The Nap Shower: This morning was the second (or third) morning where I have successfully showered - with no one else home - while the boys were dutifully taking their morning nap. They are on such a good schedule now, I can be almost sure that they will stay asleep for at least an hour in the morning. How wonderful is that!!

Holding the bottle: Carter does it every once and a while, and boy does it make feeding him easier! He prefers to hold the hand that is holding the bottle, though, so it doesn't usually help. Logan will hold his bottle, but not in his mouth.

Rice cereal is not cereal.

I'd like to say that we tried the boys on solid foods last Friday at grandma's house, but really, it was more like feeding them milk with a spoon. Really, I think that giving them a cracker would have been a better way to do it. Maybe we added too much milk, but I followed the directions on the box - they're not really too tricky (or so I though!). Needless to say, they weren't really big fans.

We put Carter in the little high chair (which is still a bit big for him, by the way) since I left their Bumbo chairs at home, and the first thing he did was knock the entire bowl of cereal out of my hand and upside down. Good thing I separated the batch I made into two bowls. So much for not sharing germs. We didn't bother putting Logan in the chair, so he ate out of his grandma's lap. Though he looks content in the picture, most of the cereal ended up on their faces. A little got in the hair. I think we may wait a little while (a week?) before trying again.

Here are a few snapshots to commemorate the event.

New pictures

So I'm still here on my day off, and I just got word from daddy that he'll be another hour. So I figured I might as well post something else while dinner cooks. I was looking through my phone and realized I've taken some really cute pictures since I loaded the last batch, so here are a few.

Both of these pictures were taken on 10/8; the first is Logan standing almost on his own, and the second is Carter and his grandma after they went out to collect the chicken's eggs.

This video is from last Wednesday (10/14) when I was home alone with the boys. Logan was cracking me up with his yelling, so I had to share it...Carter didn't think it was as funny as I did, but he was okay in my arms. (I really think he was just upset since it was no longer his turn to play in the jumper.)



We took the boys on a walk Wednesday night and halfway it started raining. Good thing we bundled the boys up! (Notice the little pointy hats their hoods have...I love it!!)

A few musings on my day off

Evan took the boys with bottles to their grandparents house this afternoon (since his dad has the NFL package mostly) so I've got the afternoon off. After folding 4 loads of laundry and watching an entire TV show (straight through!), and while I'm waiting for the oven to heat up to put the meatballs in that I've whipped up for dinner, I find myself staring out the window at the beautiful Autumn colors. I've come up with a few observations (and random musings) that I'd like to share.

1. Deciduous trees are amazingly beautiful in the fall, especially when they are in a neighbors yard and I don't have to rake the leaves up.

2. Molasses cookies are so easy and GREAT tasting - they are the most underrated cookie I know. I think they will be my new specialty.

3. I may never again be caught up on the laundry, dishes and meals at the same time. Those who know me, know that the only thing I'll never let slip is the food part. Once I put meals before those other two, then you know something is wrong.

4. I really like Billy Joel..."Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is playing now on the Soft Rock channel on the TV. If you haven't seen the musical "Movin' Out," I highly recommend it. One day, I hope the boys have my appreciation of musicals, but I'm not holding my breath.

5. If I'm ever to complete all of the things I really, truly wish to accomplish (arts & crafts projects you know), I am going to need at least 2 hours more a day of time. Or maybe if I could get by with 3 hours of sleep total, I'd have all my stuff done...maybe.

Sacrifices and New events

As I stood under the shower as the now almost scalding water poured over me, a cool breeze from the open door came drafting in, making the experience just a little less relaxing than I'd hoped. I almost called out to Evan to come and shut it, since he was the one who had left it open, but I didn't. I didn't because before I even asked, a little voice in my head said, "Bri, that's just parenting, and you're going to have to learn to make sacrifices." (The little voice in my head doesn't actually use my name - it's pretty obvious who it's talking to.)

The reason I didn't ask Evan to come shut the door was because I knew that he was working at getting a little clean Logan diapered and dressed before he got peed on (as well as keeping his brother entertained before his nap). So far, we tend to find that one parent in the shower cleaning the baby and the other parent handing and then taking the baby is our preferred de-gunking method for the boys. Besides, when I thought about whether I wanted myself or my little naked son to be the one to freeze (even if only for a minute), I didn't even have to answer the question to myself. It made the draft quite a bit more bearable (though no less cold.)

As for the boys, they are both doing great. Logan is testing his vocal chords, squealing in a very high pitched little voice and - once and a while - doing a sort of grunting growl while he laughs. We weren't sure if he was happy or sad at first, but we're fairly certain it's a happy thing since he laughs in between. Carter hasn't started the high pitched stuff yet.

The swing that they love has a little play tray that snaps on to the front, and there are toys attached that need to be pushed or pulled to get a noise out of them. The boys would always look at them in fascination (and Logan would talk to the little cow a lot), but they were never able to make it play the little song pulling it plays. We could do it for them, but it only lasts about 2 seconds, then you have to hit it again. Not very entertaining for us. We were all overjoyed then, when Logan (and then Carter a few days later) were finally able to not only reach the toys, but to give them a good whack to get them to play their little song. YEAHH!!! I am so proud of them - I didn't think they would ever be big enough to move those little things (you really have to move them to get them to do anything).

And other big news!! Carter rolled over for the first time Wednesday night, and then again on Friday. He only does it once at a time, but the fact that he's repeated means he's got it down. I think his brother still has the skill, but he's yet to show it to us again.

Pictures from the phone - New and Old

As promised, here are some of the pictures from my phone that I finally (we'll say roughly 6 month) put on the computer.

The boys, in my belly. Taken 4-22-09 (boys were born 4-30):

Little babies, still in the hospital:

Here are the boys in their bouncers at 2 weeks old - Can you believe they were ever this small!?! Now they have to be strapped in because they can practically climb out of these little bouncers.

This is one of the many moments I get to enjoy each day as one of my little boys smile away at me. What a cutie!


Here are the boys at their 4 month doctor's visit, checking themselves out in the mirror. Notice the gown that Carter is wearing - yeah, he threw up on himself.

Grandmama Susie, trying to keep a hold on to her boys and get all her farm chores done at the same time. Yup, that's gonna happen.

Logan, just chillin on the couch.

Carter, sleeping with daddy and covering his ear since mommy is so loud making breakfast.

Sleeping in mommy and daddy's bed. (I had to get up since Logan took my spot - and he takes up so much room too!)

Carter's first big boo boo

The boys are getting SO close to sitting up on their own - they can for about 5 seconds before they go toppling off in one direction or another. Unfortunately, Carter did a face plant into the floor and, since he's got such a heavy head (big brain you know) he landed on his cheek and got a little bruise on it. He was playing with grandma and it took him quite a while to be comforted. It was probably a good thing that I was not there at the time - just thinking about his little sad face makes my heart break. It's not like they haven't fallen before, but this is the first time that he got a bruise from it. They have scratched themselves loads of times (Carter rubs his face when he's tired, and though I try to keep their nails clipped, he still gets himself a lot).

Which leads in to my next topic of discussion - Nail Clipping. By far the trickiest part of parenting. It's no wonder getting older usually comes with needing reading glasses - you have to squint so much just to see those little fingers. Then there is the fear of clipping the little tip off, and don't even get me started on the fact that there are 40 little nails to clip!! It's tough when they are asleep, and almost impossible when they're awake. Sometimes I try to do it while they're eating (and distracted) but that usually only results in 2 or 3 nails getting clipped. And they grow so fast!! It seems like just after I finally get all 40 clipped, they're long and scratchy again!

Holding hands

One thing that I forgot to mention is the other new habit the boys have developed. They love to hold hands. They hold each others' hands (and try to suck on each others' hands and arms if they're available), but they also love to hold big hands. If they lose their pacifier and politely request it, they will not only greedily suck in the binky, they will also grasp whose ever hand is giving it to them with both of theirs and pull it close to their face. If it were up to them, they wouldn't ever let it go!

I've made a new goal to try and post at least once a week, pictures or not. I just wanted to say how amazed i am with my children. They are reaching out and grabbing at everything, and their focus is getting so much better than it was even a month ago. I don't know where they are supposed to be developmentally, but I am pretty sure that they are both GENIUSES.

They are rocking the movement thing, although unconventionally. None of that "rolling over" dumb stuff -- that's for babies!! Carter likes to arch his back and gets quite some distance by scooting up, whereas Logan (somehow) scoots down. We've woken up in the morning and he's moved about a half a foot (and is still totally swaddled) and has his butt in the corner of the crib with his legs in the air. (We angle the boys, heads together, feet away from each other, since they are now too big to lie side by side.) Logan still hasn't given us a repeat of his rolling over act -- he hangs out on his tummy for about 2 minutes and then lets us know quickly that he's had enough.

Both boys love their jumper and are really in to playing their little piano. Unfortunately we only have one jumper, but Logan is content to stand next to it and he plays on the piano while his brother bounces away.

Just a few minutes ago, Evan finally found Carter's ticklish spot and had him hysterically laughing on the floor. He'd already found Logan's, so this is quite an accomplishment. They are all so cute. We even got video of it on our fancy little camera...for a later post maybe. ;)

One last thing -- I may have mentioned that we got the boys on a little more structured nap schedule, and started putting them in their crib for nap times (instead of just letting them sleep where they fall). They do pretty good, but every once and a while Logan will get all wrapped up to sleep, have the droopy eyes and all, and then, once he's laid down, decide he's ready to play. It's so hard when his brother is just drifting off and Logan lets out a loud little squeal of joy. (Of course, Carter wakes with a start, looks all confused for a minute and then falls back asleep). Logan's smiling up at me so big and cooing and talking, it's hard to walk away from that and not egg him on. Carter does it every once and a while, but he values his sleep a little more than his brother. Speaking of being awake during nap time when they should be sleeping...Gotta go!

Yaya's August visit...two months later.

About 2 months ago (around the 25th I think) the boys' grandma (their Yaya), came to visit with Evan's sister Emily and her two baby girls. (Kora is 4 and Lyla was 5 weeks at the time of the visit). The boys had a great time visiting with their cousins. Here are some pics from then.

August Pictures

As promised, here are some pictures of the boys. They aren't the ones from my phone...those will have to wait. I know that I will probably post too many, but they're just so ADORABLE (and I'm not just saying that because I'm mom) I can't decide ones not to post. Besides, this is a VERY limited selection of how many pictures we take of them. To narrow it down, I'll separate them by month. Here are some from August.

Early August:
Logan doing his tree frog impression.










Daddy and the boys watching Saturday morning Sportscenter; and Carter saying "Daddy, Daddy, is it cartoon time yet??"

Tummy Time!!
What happens when mommy forgets to bring hats on a walk and it gets cold...Daddy is so creative!!









Here are some more from mid August:
Daddy teaching Logan how to play XBox.

Logan getting ready for his street fighting career.

Carter, chillin' in his Bumbo.











Logan saying "Dad, I'm too tired to play in the jumper!"




Logan, helping mom with laundry.











Angelique's wedding, 8-8-09

Here is me getting Logan's bottle ready...we thought bottles would be easier since there were so many extra hands around. Unfortunately there were no grandparents to be found, so mom and dad fed them. :)
Here is cousin Jessica holding both boys in her fancy wrap. Don't they look cozy!

Here is Logan after the wedding. He hit the bottle a little too hard with his great uncle Mark at the bar and was sleeping it off in the morning.

5 month post

Sorry...the 4 month pics were never posted. I am terrible, I know. But I had to jump on here and at least update the world on how my little 5 MONTH OLD babies are doing. I know, I can't believe it either.

We've started putting the boys on a schedule of sorts...They eat, play for about an hour or so, and then once Carter starts to get a bit fussy (since he is always cranky about it first), we all go upstairs and they're swaddled and put to nap in their crib. Before, I was just letting them nap when one of them fell asleep, and they usually didn't go down at the same time. I've been doing it for about 2 weeks and I can't not even begin to express how much simpler my life has become (considering I have twins and all). They nap for about an hour to two at a time, and I have all that time to myself to do all the fun stuff; you know, like folding laundry, cooking dinner, etc. ;)

Both boys love to stand, but Carter much prefers it to sitting in his Bumbo chair. Logan seems good with either. Both like to lean forward a lot, and aren't content to sit leaned back much. They've figured out that if their pacifier isn't handy, there's always their hand! Logan is content to shove half his fist into his mouth most of the time, and this results in a lot of drool. He also talks more than his brother still, fist in or out of his mouth. Carter is very good at leaning forward and sucking up his pacifier if it's close, and if it's just out of reach, he'll stick his tongue out to try and lick it. Logan actually did that with Ev's mom's nose the other day when she leaned in to give him a kiss. It was hilarious. Here is a video of Carter trying to get a toy down to suck on...he can't quite reach it though...


Oh, and Logan has rolled over from his tummy to his back! It was certifiable, and he did it about 5 times in a row (and seemed a little peeved towards the end when we kept flipping him back over onto his tummy), though he hasn't done it since. I did, however, get it on my camera phone once, though I didn't catch the whole thing (he's already started rolling in the video). That was almost 2 weeks ago, so we're thinking maybe he had a power shake or something that day. He is very good at rolling from his back onto his side (with his legs pulled up), but doesn't seem to want to go any further than that.

Both boys are very close to being able to sit up on their own, but haven't quite got it yet without doing a head plant in to the floor. (Although when Logan does this he straightens out really quick onto his belly so it looks like he meant to do it...gotta save face you know...he he he).

I've just downloaded a bunch of pics off of my phone, so the next post is sure to contain a bunch of pictures, new and old. Daddy just got home, so I'm off to make dinner while he keeps them content for a few moments!!