6 Months?!

Yes, they are really six months old. I have to wonder where time has gone.

We had our first appointment at the 'Crosby Clinic' today. You know, the one and only place to take yourself and babies within, I'd say close to a 70 mile radius! The Nurse Practitioner who saw the boys was wonderful! Her husband is also with CBP, but has been transferred to a station different from M's recently. Z did of course cry when she went to check him over. Big crocodile tears, and a frown that would melt any ones heart. Though I, for some reason, find it almost amusing when he frowns like that. Its just so out of charactor for him.

The boys are growing and developing perfectly. Both of them are 26 inches long, G is 16 pounds and Z is 15 pounds. What are the odds of them being an even pound AND only a pound apart?! She WAS a little concerned with G's head being cone shaped and is going to get me some referrals. I knew I didn't worry for naught. Also said that it looks like G may have some excema as well and that is what the rash on his face and neck are. She was very happy with their developmental progess and reccomended that I start baby proofing now. She gave me the go ahead to feed them some finger foods (such as saltines, cheerios, gerber puffs) if I'd like to, but said I can push it off to 9 months if it would make me more comfortable. Which I think we'll wait!

G&Z also had a sippy cup and apple juice for the first time yesterday. I offered them their cups after breakfast and Z knew exactly what to do with it, picked it up, put it in his mouth and tried to suck. There wasn't enough juice for him to get any because he hadn't tilted the cup far enough back. When I put more in there he didn't want to hold it on his own any more. G just enjoyed banging it against the tray of his high chair. We tried again after supper, with the same results from G. Z on the other hand took that cup and started drinking out of it like he had his whole life. I was very impressed. And he LOVES juice! Sucked the entire cup down in no time and was very upset to see it gone.

They are getting very active. Z much more than G of course. This morning he scooted around and found: (1) the camera (2) a pencil (3) a book (4) the printer (5) the laptop bag (6) my shopping lists. Oh the fun we're going to have!

We're Back!

Back in so many ways. Back together as a family. Back together in our home. Back into the world of keeping people updated with our life!

So many things have happened since my last post. I don't have time to cover all of it, but the highlights are:

M has graduated FLETC and is officially Officer K.
We have traveled half way across the US and are finally in ND. Now we're just waiting on our furniture and stuff to arrive!
Z has a second tooth, and the way he was acting yesterday I'm wondering if there is a third close behind.
G has a first AND second tooth!

It is wonderful to be all in the same house again. Of course our backs ache, and our butts hurt from the lack of furniture, but we'll live with it! As of right now the estimated time of arrival is May 1st. We're really hoping they stick to that as M has it off.

The boys are doing wonderfully. The first few nights were a little rough, but I think they've adjusted a little to the new time zone and last night was wonderful. G has started rolling from his back to his tummy. And they both have started jumping when their in their saucers.

M is completely thrilled to have his little boys, and they've already got Daddy wrapped around their finger. I love to watch M interact with the boys, and the way the boys respond to them. Z absolutely adores him, and his eyes will follow M around the house as long as they can.

I, of course am beyond delighted to have M back home. It has been wonderful and amazing. His schedule has been busy, and I'm sure is only going to get busier, but just knowing that he's coming home every night (day, morning, what ever time of day it is he gets off that day) is comforting.

Here are some pictures of our little men from last night. They were SO adorable, and expressive, and brotherly, I just had to pull out the camera!

Brain.Dead

The last few weeks have been exhausting.

I had to take Bubba to the vet last week for his tail, and originally he was going to have surgery this week. Which thankfully M decided we should hold off on. I've taken both dogs to the groomer's this week. On seperate days. I learned my lesson last time when they were there together and I picked them up.

And then there is the last minute packing, and last minute errands. Trying to to figure out what can be packed now, and what still needs to wait until M and I are back up here. I think I'm almost done with every thing I can be.

And yet, I still feel like I'm missing some things. I'm not sure what I'm forgetting, but with my recent state of mind its probably something big and right in front of me constantly. Still have no clue what it is though.

I can't believe we are down to this point! The rest of this week is sure to fly by quickly for me. Today Mom and I have hair appointments and Saturday is Summer's wedding. I'm going to attempt to make it to church Sunday for the Easter Service. And then I fly Monday! I'm so extremely excited.

M has done fabulous on the tests he's had so far this week. Only a couple more to go, and then graduation!

As for the boys, they are adorable as always! Both have started making new noises and I believe that G is so close to saying "Da-da". He makes this "ooo-da-da" sound constantly and I'm trying to him to say just da da now. He's also started a new thing of rolling onto and sleeping on his side. He's been sleeping great since he started doing it, so I'm not going to stop him from doing it! Z is all over the place, and constantly in motion. He loves to "beat up" G, and does every chance he gets. He is always poking, grabbing, pinching, kicking, hitting G if they are close to each other. I've always had a feeling that he was going to be my feisty one.

Amazment

I'm sitting here watching the boys play on the floor. They've started noticing and interacting with each other more. I love to see it. G is laying on his back waving a rattle in his right hand. Z is laying next to him stomping his feet against the floor. For all intents and purposes you wouldn't know that they know each other is there. And then you see their little hands reach out and grab each other. Trying to find the others hand to hold. Then they'll look at each other for a second and go back to playing/stomping. Its a heartwarming experience to watch. They've started "talking" to each other across their room when their in the crib. Its adorable to listen to.

In other exciting news: Z has a tooth!!! Friday night when I was getting ready to give him his bath he chomped down on my finger and there was a tiny, razor sharp toothy. Its just barely broke through the gum, but once its more visible there will be pictures

Picture Overload

The boys have taken cute pills. And I can't stop taking pictures of them!

Z:

G:

Z:

G:

Z:

Mommy, Z and G:

(they wouldn't look at the camera when mommy was back there, she is just tooo interesting)

G:

Z:

Grandpa's day was just that interesting!:

G:

Seeing - Different Than Staring.

G & Z must have known I was creeping in there and peeking at them. And they must have liked it an awful lot. Once I decided to go to bed, they decided that I needed to keep coming in and seeing them. 4 times each between 11:30pm and 1:30am to be precise. Yes, eight trips out of bed. Eight trips for a pacifier. A blanket. To move them and comfort their bumped head. Just so they could see me. And G he wanted to play. Every time he saw me walk into the room he was all smiles. All coos and giggles.

Seeing them in the middle of the night is definitely different than staring at them in the middle of the night.

Staring

Tonight I'm finding it hard to take my eyes off the boys. I find myself creeping into their room repeatedly just to see them there laying in their sleep. The quiet and peacefulness. Their innocence and contentment. Its evident the personality differences tonight. Z lays there, arms stretched straight out, some how still managing to hold onto his blankie though you can tell he was in the process of kicking them off when he fell asleep. G on the other hand grasp his blankie tight and has his face buried into it. It isn't always so clear. G occasionally sleeps like Z, and every now and then Z feels it necessary to block out the world and bury his face under the blankies.

I am amazed when I look at them. Overwhelmed, in fact. These charming, adorable, loving babies are mine? When they look at me I see trust and love in their eyes. Am I truly deserving of this? How did I get so blessed to have these miracles. The road to this point definitely was not easy. There were days and weeks that it felt endless and impossible. And I was ready to give up, no energy left to fight any longer. Seeing them laying there tonight I am so thankful that I didn't give up. That M was convinced it would be worth it all. And that I listened to him. I am so thankful that God has blessed us and given us the opportunity to be parents to these wonderful little boys.

People often ask if we'll have more children. And the answer is I don't know. We both would love, love to have another one (or two if you ask me!). I just am not sure its in our future. With the boys and where we'll be living for the next few years, it may make it difficult if we have to repeat this same journey. I do know that what ever is "in the cards" for us, whether it be more children or not, my heart is full and bursting. I am honored, blessed, amazed, and awestruck to be G&Z's mommy.

Definition of Joy

joy -

–noun
1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation
2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated
3. the expression or display of glad feeling

4.