Don't Tell Mom!!

Grandma Pam was here for three full weeks, and Evan and I got to do so many fun things with her. Some of the things even Mom won’t let us do……but Grandma said it was okay!!

 When Aunt Laurie was here, Grandma and Auntie took us shopping, and we both got to sit in a cart like big boys for the first time! Usually mom just keeps us in our car seats and we only go up and down the aisles of grown-up food. But Grandma and Auntie took us to this amazing place they called the  ‘toy aisle’! WOW! I was so excited I couldn’t stop smiling or kicking! I wanted one of everything, well, maybe two of everything so I wouldn’t have to share. Evan just sat back and took it all in. We also went through the pet aisle and silly Grandma found these dog toys that make noise just like Pooh Bear!

On a couple days it was really nice outside and Grandma took us to the zoo. We love the rainforest area. Once, a monkey jumped up and scared me! We can’t wait to pet the goats!

Outside the zoo there is this really big jungle gym set. Grandma put us in the baby swing! Mom never has let us swing before. We loved it! Since Evan and I are so little, we fit in one baby swing, back-to-back. It is like a chair just made for us!

Thanks, Grandma, for carrying us around and picking us up during fussy times. Evan has put on a little weight, so I hope your back doesn’t hurt too much! We had so much fun with you, miss you and love you!!

Our new red ball (from the toy aisle!)      

Easter!

The boys have enjoyed looking at and playing with all the Easter bunnies and decorations that Grandma Pam brought to our house. Grandma and Aunt Laurie arrived Thursday before Easter, and the boys were spoiled with hugs, kisses, toys, and clothes. Aunt Laurie flew home later on Easter Day, but Grandma Pam is staying for the month of April. She has been my arms, legs, and back when lifting the boys (I know you’re not supposed to lift with your back, but trust me, with two babies, your back gets a work out!) I had umbilical hernia surgery last Thursday, healing has been going well and I’m feeling so much better. Minor detail: I cannot lift more than 10# for SIX weeks…….Evan and Jaden weigh about 16#.

While lying on the couch and watching them play throughout the day for the last week, I have learned even more about each of them. I am exhausted watching Jaden. He is non-stop. And, he really wants attention. So yes, he’s fussier than Evan, but if you interact with him he can be entertained as long as you have the time and energy to play. He rolls over on to his stomach a lot, but then puts his hands back to his sides like ‘flying baby’ which doesn’t get him anywhere except frustrated!! He loves to look outside and music helps calm him down. When he sleeps, he sleeps hard.

Evan really likes his alone time and loves to cuddle. Now that I’ve been feeling better, I’ve had him ‘delivered’ to the couch and he will lay snug next to me and play. (Jaden kicks too much to do this right now!) Evan can giggle. Grandma found that Mickey Mouse is a seriously entertaining character! Evan loves books and doesn’t need all the lights, bells and whistles to keep him entertained.

It was great to have the extra helping hands this weekend. I am frustrated that I cannot pick the boys up and carry them, but I know that they love their Auntie and Grandma-Time.

Aunt Laurie and Grandma took the boys shopping down the toy aisle. Jaden of course was excited for every toy and both just loved this pinwheel.

The Easter Bunny came and Evan loves trying to catch the floating bubbles.

New Easter Outfits from Aunt Laurie

7 Months

Evan

Jaden

Evan and Jaden have been riding in style this month while they enjoy the gorgeous weather we have had this late-winter early spring. I have enjoyed sleeping in and saving my early morning treadmill time for sunny afternoon walks on the trail! The stroller seems to have an instant calming effect on both Evan and Jaden.

Evan rolled over first from his tummy to his back. Jaden recently decided that it was safe to roll from his back to his tummy. So between the two of them, they’ve got this rolling thing down! Of course Jaden rolled several times for dad and not me, but I finally did see for myself!

Their taste buds have been spoiled with trying many new types of veggies. Evan will eat anything in front of him and always wants seconds. Jaden is a little more cautious, but still eats his veggies. They have eaten beans, peas, asparagus, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and avocado. The baby bullet has gotten much use.

We look forward to a Spring playing outside in the grass and more walks on the trail.

Like I said, Evan will eat anything!!

Laughter- The Best Medicine

Evan and Jaden are definitely at a very fun stage as they are not afraid to give smiles freely. They also have been laughing more which is always so cute to see. Makes all those early sleepless nights worth it, right?!! We are able to distinguish their unique personalities as well.

Evan is a little more laid back, observes while taking in his surroundings. He’ll pay attention during reading time and can entertain himself on the playmat. He will smile when he feels like it. However, he does laugh when instigated—I think he’s going to be the ticklish one! I know the first two months he was very fussy in the evenings and I thought he was going to be needy, but since then he has really been more easy-going than Jaden.

Jaden’s little legs are never still. He kicks kicks and kicks when lying down. I never thought I’d have a leash for my child, but if his legs move this often when he starts walking, I may seriously have to consider!! He continues to give his smiles away and has a huge grin. Everyone is his friend. He doesn’t have as big of a laugh as Evan has at this point. Although Jaden smiles often, he really seems to be more emotional than Evan because when Jaden is mad……he is mad!!

My ‘twin books’ tell me not to ‘compare’ the boys or label them. But it really is hard not to when every week I learn of more differences between Evan and Jaden. We have the ‘emotional’ one, the ‘patient’ one, the ‘sleeper,’ the ‘ticklish’ one………..I’ll just be careful and keep my ‘labeling’ to myself……..and this blog!

A taste of Evan and Jaden laughing at (or with) Uncle Kyle during our trip to Iowa in February.

Sneezes, Sniffles and Six-Month Olds!

Evan

Jaden

‘Tis the season…for the dreaded common cold. Our health is definitely something that is taken for granted, until we get sick. It is no fun to see your little 6 month old coughing and sneezing as he looks so helpless. One of the first nights the boys were sick, I jumped out of bed every time I heard one of them cough. I learned the second night to turn down the volume of the monitor! After several doctor’s visits, the boys are finally doing better from RSV—fortunately their oxygen levels were fine, so no hospitalization. On Wednesday, Evan had a nebulizer treatment at the clinic, but they said it didn’t make a difference in his breathing, so their recommendation was to wait it out. Evan and Jaden had their 6-month check ups on Thursday and both are growing well. Evan is catching up to his brother and is just 3 ounces lighter. The doctor gave them a steroid medicine to help with their RSV. After a long night with Evan on Thursday, we followed up with the doctor on Friday. He prescribed nebulizer treatments; whether that was just to help a worried mom or actual treatment, it really does seem to be helping as we all had a good night’s sleep last night and the boys are eating well again.

Pooltime!

Jaden wrapped himself up in the towel after swimming

Evan and Jaden tested their swimming skills during our trip to Des Moines. I told them, “you WILL like the pool” as I look forward to many summers to come lounging at the pool. However, I do know there are a few years between me, and actually ‘lounging’ at the pool!! I also will not be able to take these two by myself to the pool for a couple summers……so let me know if you want to join us at the pool!!

Evan and Jaden have always done well at bathtime, and I am usually soaked from their kicking! So I thought they may enjoy the pool. I think they were overwhelmed with all the water at first, but then Jaden got brave and started to kick. I can’t wait for summer pooltime!

Road Trip!

Last weekend the boys took a road trip to Des Moines to meet both set grandparents and Aunt Rachel and Uncle Kyle. The destination is exactly half way from SD to IL……such a short drive in comparison to the full trip!! The boys did not sleep much on the way there, but luckily did pretty good in their respective pack-n-plays at night. We were gone for just the weekend, and yet the entire back end of the Explorer was full of ‘stuff.' Really, do they need that much stuff?!! One of us sat between the boys while the other drove – even the passenger’s seat up front was filled. Yes, your math is correct: no room for another child!

Our family was SO excited to see the boys. They say they were excited to see Nathan and I, too, but we were last on the list for hugs! The weekend was very relaxing---yes---I did say relaxing although I was in charge of twin 5 month olds! We really had minimal plans except for shopping- I didn’t have to cook or clean and I just knocked on the wall in the morning when Jaden was up and looking for someone to share his smiles with.

Evan and Jaden loved every minute of the constant attention! They even got to go swimming for the first time! (I’ll post pictures of that experience soon.) They slept almost the entire way home. Looks like we’ve started a great midwinter break tradition!

Jaden was SO so tired our last evening,

but just didn't want to miss anything!

Thanks Aunt Rachel for cuddle-time.

Uncle Kyle taught Jaden how to blow bubbles.....he loves practicing that now. I just hope he doesn't get the idea while eating!!

Evan--needing his eyes covered to finally fall asleep for a power nap! Good work Uncle Kyle!

The Grandpas feeding the boys rice cereal.

Evan: "Is Grandma Pam going to have us sing songs again?"

Jaden: "Yup- looks like it! Don't forget to clap on beat this time!"

Grandma Linda gets Jaden to fall asleep for naptime.