Last Week

These boys are quite the characters, my little hams.

Bubba feels neglected most of the time. Last night he decided that yes, indeed, he is a lap dog.

All Better

We're all better!

I've been in a posting recession this past week . I should be back full force soon! I have plenty of pictures on my camera and a few video clips.

They shall be shared soon!

We've Got the Sickies

Saturday morning G woke up with a runny nose and a little bit of a cough. I wasn't sure if he was getting sick or it was just teething. Well, Sunday Z woke up with runny nose and cough. By the end of Sunday night I was feeling miserable and my nose wouldn't stop running. When M got home from work he said he felt like he was getting sick.

And yes, we now all have full blown colds. Yay for us.

They Weren't Lying When They Called It -

This is a movie made with pictures from the parade.

I wish I remembered more information about these tractors and cars. I believe I heard the earliest year was a 1909. I know that there were a lot of 1911. It was incredible to see these monstrous tractors still running. A few of them blew their steam whistle. The first one was ok. The second one made G jump so badly the whole stroller jumped with him.

Here is another old car we saw!

And then there was this amazing lineup of old, restored military vehicles.

After the parade, and the boys woke up from their nap they were hot and sticky. So they got to share their first freezer pop! Every bite was excruciatingly cold, and they'd made a face like they were being poisoned. Yet, it didn't stop them from eating it!

We came home tired and sun burnt. Me more than them. They did go to bed at 6:30 last night, and after waking up at 8:00 thinking it was just a nap, they fell back asleep and didn't wake up until almost 8am this morning!

Full of Delight

These two little boys are the bright spot in an ordinary day. Their smiles and laughs overwhelm us with love and happiness.

G refused to look at the camera!

Z not only looked at the camera, but he also held onto the horsey for dear life! G woudn't do that either...

9 Months?!

Today our midgetmen turn NINE months old. I can't believe how fast they have gone by. It barely seems like we've barely heard those first cries, yet here we are, 3 months away from their first birthday. It was an odd day for me when I realized that they had been here longer than I had been pregnant with them. It made me a little sad. Where is time going?



They had their appointment yesterday. G is 18 1/4 pounds, and 27 3/4 inches. He falls into the 20th percentile for weight, 25th percentile for height, and his head is a nice even 50th percentile. Z is 16 pounds, and 27 inches. Poor little man is falling off the charts and is now in the 5th percentile for weight (he was in the 15th three months ago and 9.8th a month ago), 20th percentile for height, and also has a nice 50th percentile head. Our FNP assured me again that Z is perfectly healthy, and that we'll keep an eye on him, but there really isn't anything else we can do right now. They are perfectly healthy, well developed babes. Both are right on target for milestones, and FNP had no concerns at all. This afternoon they had their hemoglobin tested. They like the numbers over 11 1/2, Z was 15 and G was 14. So again - they are perfect!



As for development...



G is attempting to crawl, but its not going well for him. He can pop right up on his knees. And he knows what to do with his knees, but his hands still get him a little confused. He ends up about one knee length forward and then plops on his face. He also has very little patience and usually ends up just army crawling because he can get there faster. Otherwise he stays up on his knees and cries in frustration. He can pull himself up to his knees, and tries to stand but isn't quite there. If I give him just the slightest help he can get right up. Which he likes much more than being on his knees! He babels constantly, and loves to say "dadadadada". No ma-mas yet though. I also think that he says "Hi!". And every now and then it sounds like he says "oh yeah" or "hi there". Occasionally it sounds like he says 'daddy' too. He's also started this funny, little, random giggle.



Z is zooming his tiny bum all over the place! I really have a hard time keeping him still. He is pulling himself up on any and everything. As well as taking a few steps while holding on. Last night he started letting go of whatever he is holding on to. He's able to balance himself for 10-30 seconds before he either falls or has to grab back on. He doesn't chatter as much as G does, but he definitely lets us know when he wants to be heard. He usually likes to talk really loud and forceful when we're in public. Think: super quiet restaurant. Or library. His face will turn red, and he gets these bright, bright red spots around his eyes and on his cheeks. Whatever he is trying to tell us, there is a lot of emotion behind it! He is a little bit of a brute to G. Usually takes the toy G is playing with. You know, the only toy, the only thing that made G happy at that moment. Yeah, Z must have it right then as well. Z will also, for no apparent reason, crawl over to G and push him down. Or climb over him. Or pinch his face. Or pull on his ears.



They interact a lot more, and I love to watch them. That is when Z isn't doing any of the above! The other evening I was sitting in the kitchen with my back towards them and I kept hearing them laugh. And I'm talking deep belly laughs. I turn around and there is Z sitting on the floor, G dragging himself full force, barreling into Z. Z would fall over, crawl away, sit back up, and they'd go through it again. It was so funny to watch! Of course every time I grabbed the camcorder they stopped!



And for the lesser interesting stuff... M and I are both doing good. He's working a lot of hours, like we expected he would. The last couple of rotations were nice as he was working closer to home for 4 or 5 of a 7/8 day rotation. He's having a little bit of a time adjusting to the constant different schedules. The days he works a double are the hardest for me. He leaves before the boys wake up in the morning, and comes home well after their bedtime. And I really think they notice he's gone and miss him. But we're managing pretty well over all.

An Expensive Flop

Here in little-bitty Crosby groceries tend to be pretty expensive. Not only is everything shipped in, but we only have the one grocery store. The pricing on produce has been the hardest thing for me to adjust to. Coming from Florida where not only are you close to the ports, you're also in the land of constant growing season. Last week bananas were on sale here. They went from 75 cents a pound down to 39 cents. I bought two huge bunches. And decided that I would make banana bread. I saw a recipe over at Right There Beside You, that looked delicious!



First things first, she used rum instead of vanilla. And I wouldn't substitute. I wanted rum. Now, neither M and I really drink rum. So I told him to just get me whatever he saw. I did specify that I wanted 'dark rum'. He came out of the liquor store and told me "there was only one bottle that specifically said Dark Rum, but this one is dark colored. And a lot cheaper."



Cost of rum: $13.00



Last night as I was feeding the boys their supper, I decided that I would make the banana bread when they were done since I already have the oven going for a chicken I had roasted for mine and M's supper. I shoveled the food in their mouth (which they loved because they normally think I take too long between turns!), gave them some crackers and started mixing up the batter. I'm in the middle of adding everything and notice that I only have about 1/4 cup of walnuts. Definitely not enough for a good loaf of banana bread. And then I also realize that I have no baking soda. M had thankfully just got home from his 'just going to be gone for the morning' fishing trip with a co-worker. I told him I was running to SuperValu. I'd be back. As I'm going through the grocery store I also remember that my bread pan is too small. So I grab a loaf pan, baking soda, and walnuts.



Cost of forgetfulness: $10.18



I rush home, finish mixing up the batter and divide it between my two too small pans and pop it in the oven. My mouth started watering as the bread baked and the house filled up with the sweet aroma.



I knew the bread wouldn't need to bake an hour like the recipe suggested because they were 'short loafs'. I checked them, and they were perfect. Almost. Some how in my rush I didn't mix the batter enough. So through the bread there are flour pockets. And even a little baking soda. Hmm.



Cost of a flop: $23.18



I will add, that I personally still think its delicious. I have chosen to ignore the flour pockets, which you almost can't taste at all. And have eaten almost all of both loaves already. I'm planning on finishing the second one off at some point tonight!





G has gotten into the habit of not wanting to nap. He ends up getting up from his nap around 2, and by the time he's tired its too close to bedtime to put him down for another nap. Last night after his bottle he fell asleep with Daddy on the couch.




Z on the other hand said "No thank you!" As you can see I barely could even get a picture of him holding still!

He's started doing this new thing with his mouth. He leaves it open like he's exclaiming over something all the time. I keep thinking there is something wrong with him when I see him doing it!

And finally!

Self Portrait

While it may appear that Z is taking a picture of himself, he isn't. He's just trying to steal the camera from Mommy so he can eat it. See how his mouth is watering over it?!

Take 10... And Action

Grammy Jill made G and Z shirts. And it was time to get some pictures up for every one to see how handsome they are in them. Only problem, they did not want to sit still for pictures! I attempted. And after 10 tries, I figured you'd get the idea of what they look like.

And a little bit what my day involves. Wiggles and squiggles. Constantly-on-the-move-children. In fact I moved the boys to the floor to take pictures because G though that it would be fun to dive off of the couch. I caught him. Half way through the air.

They've definitely had their fair share of bumps and brusies. A few cuts and scrapes. But nothing serious yet!

Chew, Smack, Chop, Smack

G has decided that even if his food is runny and soupy, he must chew it. He opens his mouth wide and smacks his lips together with gusto. Its adorable to watch, and makes me laugh every time he does it. I like this much better than the "I MUST feed myself, and will grab for the spoon every time its close to me, and if Mommy does not let me have it I will throw big, big tantrums involving screaming, tears, gagging, choking, and sucking food up my nose" phase we went through.

Funny Face!

I didn't quite catch the whole face. He squints both eyes closed, and wrinkles his nose. At first M and I thought he had something up his nose as he started making this face shortly after lunch. But he has continued making the face into today. I'm beginning to think he just likes to make the face!

Hide And Seek!

"Maybe if I hide here and play really quietly Mommy won't notice I didn't go to bed!"

Bet You Can't Find Us!

Z has some funny hair going on today!

I'm sure someday Z will ask me why there are so many pictures of him with his pants falling off. But I just think its so adorably cute!