Peek a Boo Slats

Chase and Ryder love Peek-a-boo. I suppose they are no different than any other kid. I play this game with them all of the time and there is no more enjoyment in this world then hearing their laughter when I come out from hiding and shout "Boo". They crack up with out tire as I repeat too many times to count. I have noticed they love this game with other people, almost as much.
Tonight, however, something new happened. The boys learned for the first time that they can see each other through the crib slats when they push down the bumpers. They noticed, the laughter followed, and I stood there and watched in delight. When they repeated these actions I called for Todd, for he needed to witness this moment for himself.
What is most interesting about this however, is that they barely notice each other throughout the day. People ask all the time if they are aware of the other one, and though they are making strides in this area they never get such delight from each other. Until tonight.
They tend to reach for one another, and I often catch them holding hands, but the shared smile is rare, and when the tender moment happens I always stop to watch.
So, you can imagine my surprise and joy to see them finding the humor in the peek-a-boo game, only this time with each other.
It's funny, when I picked out the cribs this time last year I insisted on cribs that had open slats all the way around. I wanted to know that no matter how we set the room up, they could always see each other through their cribs. I had no idea, at the time, that this simple demand on the kind of crib to purchase would bring such wonderful rewards. But there is no sweeter sound than your children's laughter, and it is doubly as sweet when they are laughing with each other.

Fashionista

I was never much of a fashionista myself. I never claimed to be. Although I did attempt at style, often what I found looked best on me was not always what I liked on the hanger. And, I usually choose comfort first. With that being said, I take an awful lot of pride in dressing my boys. I am extremely particular with what they wear, when they wear it, and how they wear it. I never imagined it could be so much fun to dress boys!!
What I find most interesting, is that when I was pregnant and looking at baby clothes (both boys and girls) the stuff I picked out for boys then is much different then what I actually buy Chase and Ryder. It's as if they have their own style, not just a style forced on them by mom.
Before they were born I also swore I would never dress them alike. But then I got gifts of identical outfits, and I put them on the boys, and they looked so cute, and suddenly I was dressing them the same. I very rarely buy two of the same outfit, however. I usually buy coordinating outfits, same shirts, different colors, same colors different shirts, and dress them that way. It is actually easier to do this, rather than having to pick out two outfits....a lot less thinkng and as new mom's know, the less thinking the better.
I love when people notice their clothes, I love when they compliment their outfits. I get the same questions all of the time, do they share a wardrobe or do I have Chase Clothes and Ryder Clothes? At this point, they share a wardrobe, and I try to alternate who wears what with every wearing. However, one thing I do try to do consistently is when we are going somewhere that people may not know who is who, I try to dress Ryder in Red. This means, when it is just us, I try to put Chase in those same red shirts.
No Matter who is wearing what, it is vitally important that the outfit meet all aspects of my criteria. The outfit must meet a certain style that has been created by the boys that Chase and Ryder are becoming.
Even I can't believe how wardrobe particular I am, but the little fashionista that never was seems to have shined its little head.

Up Up!

Another milestone hit here in the 7th month, another moment that makes mommy's heart melt-. The boys can now lift their arms up in the air, and with their eyes say "pick me up mommy, hold me!!" A refusal is impossible, a reaction is automatic, and whether they were asking for it or not, they get kisses and hugs too. Until they can use their words to speak, this simple gesture makes my whole day!!

Valentine!

24 hours, 16 roses, 3 inches of snow, 2 baby boys, and 1 bottle of champagne. That is how we spent valentines day, and really it was one of the best ever. A combination of two of my favorite
things, a date with Todd and a snow day. What could be better?
Todd was home all day, which is always a treat. We ate all three meals together and gave the boys all three of their meals together. Todd cooked a fantastic dinner of crabcakes and we toasted with a great bottle of champagne. Even though we agreed to no gifts, Todd still got me beautiful red roses which he says were not a gift, but a token!! Call them what you want, they are beautiful.
I could not think of a better way to spend the first valentines day with Chase and Ryder. They will never remember it, nor will they care, but I will remember it forever.

Who needs the expensive, over-priced because it is valentines day, pre-fix dinner when you can have a quiet evening at home with the people you love most in the world.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Sit Ups!

It's no wonder the english language is confusing. We spend the first six months of a kids life teaching them how to sit up, then soon after start telling them to sit down....

Chase and Ryder have become sitters. It's true. Sunday, they were in the category of sitting for a minute and then wobbling to one side or the other and smiling with delight as if it were a game. Monday, they were sitting, as long as I set them in the position. Amazing to see such a transition. You work with your kids to help them learn new things, then one day they just do it, almost out of nowhere.

So they are sitters, they can now sit and play, or sit and hang out, or as I witnessed today, sit and cry. Occasionally, they'll fall over and bang their heads, but they usually just laugh it off. Although both boys can do it, Ryder has the slight edge in this skill and seems to stay in position longer. Chase, the wild child, still loves the thrill of that fall.

Next skill, learning to sit up from laying position, then on to crawling.

Back to the Gym

So I am back in the gym. It took me 7 months to get there, but I am there. I have not been in workout mode in over two years and pregnancy has surely taken a toll on the shape I was once in. Yea, it was worth it!
I remember I used to find the treadmill pretty damn boring, but had built up a stamina that allowed me to run for a bit of time and a good distance. Now, I still find the treadmill just as boring, only with no stamina in me at all, I watch the clock. Do you have any idea how long a second is when you are huffing and puffing? Returning to the world of the weights has actually been enjoyable. Lifting those car seats everyday has certainly built up my biceps, anyway.

My motivation to get back in there was to attempt to lose the twenty pregnacy pounds that remain. They seem to like me a whole lot more than I like them. However, as Todd just booked us a vacation sans sons to Jamaica, I seem to have a whole new motivation. I think I will need to buy new bathing suits however, I am somewhere between the skimpy bikini of days of the past and the maternity suit of the recent past.

The gym may help me get back into my old jeans. In fact, that would be nice, as I stare at them just hanging in my closet. But, if not, it is at least 60 minutes of time to myself two or more times a week, and that in itself makes it worth it. But, I really do want to fit in to my old jeans!!

A letter to my sons on their 7 month birthday!

Chase learning to sit up

Ryder learning to sit up

Ryder learning to crawl

Brothers at 7 months

Dear Chase and Ryder,

Yesterday you were 7 months old. I have decided to start a tradition of emailing you on your month birthday. As I have not been very good at journal keeping, I thought this may be a good way to document your ever-changing life. It is never too late to begin something new.

It is hard to believe how quickly time is passing.

Unfortunately, you are both recovering from a stomach virus and are not quite yourselves. Ryder, you are taking a bit longer to get over the illness and we are still not feeding you food. It is sad because we know you are hungry, but your little belly can't handle it. You have a terrible rash on your face that the doctors say is a viral rash. It does not seem to bother you! You also are holding down only about 90% of your bottles, and your bottles are half strength formula. Hopefully, soon you will be back to your normal self.

As of your 6-month appt. your measurements were:
Chase- 27 1/4 inches long, 15 pounds, 16 3/4 inches head
Ryder- 26 1/2 inches long, 14 pounds, 14 ounces, 16 1/2 inches head.
You are growing rather nicely, though you just made it to the charts- in weight you are both (10%), you are both 75th% in height. Since tall and skinny are not common descriptions in this family we are reveling in such adjectives.

In the last month, Ryder you got your two bottom front teeth. They look so cute. You handled the cutting of these teeth rather well, making daddy and I so proud, once again.

You are both learning to sit, but are still not quite there. You can sit upright, and even play with a toy, but after several minutes you both tend to fall over to one side or the other. This usually makes you laugh and, being that you find it fun, I am wondering if you will ever learn to sit up.

Ryder, you are also learning to crawl. You can usually manage to get across the room to the object which you desire. Your form is less than perfect, but your goal is achieved. You usually get up on all four's rock a bit, then army crawl to the destination. When necessary, and the distance is greater, you add a roll or two in there to speed things up. You seem to be a determined little boy!

Chase, you want to crawl. I believe you may even think you are crawling. You lay with your arms and legs straight up and you kick both as if you were swimming. You do not go anywhere, but you do it with that smile of yours and that always makes me smile. I am not sure if you have not yet figured out how or if, perhaps, you are choosing not to crawl. I guess we will soon see. Your level of frustration is very high, apparently, since you never get anywhere, nor the object you want.

You both have been eating great, until this stomach virus hit. You love bananas and apples and peas. Neither of you are great at finishing your bottles and because of that, I have yet to offer you water or juice. Hopefully soon, however. Chase, just yesterday, I offered you some small pieces of real banana and some cut up bread. You seemed to enjoy playing with it and the occasional piece made it into your mouth. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing the finger foods and you will learn to eat table food. Ryder, we need to get you feeling better before we can start this with you.

You are both good sleepers, though Chase is much better at going down for the night. Ryder, you may be a bit of a late owl, as you always seem to fight us, despite how tired you may be. You sleep until about 8am, which is wonderful for mommy and daddy.

We started a music class and My Gym just two weeks ago. You seem to love both. Chase gets more excited over the wild and fun stuff and we are wondering if a daredevil is brewing in you. You love to bounce, and in your jumperoo you try to reach the ceiling. You love the trampoline, the swings, you even loved the trapeze. Ryder, you seem to enjoy it with a little less gusto, but enjoy it nonetheless. At music class, you both get really into it. Chase, you have a fascination with the guitar and always stare at Miss Marilyn as she plays. I will have to ask Uncle Rob and Uncle Mat to play for you. You both seem to love the Itsy Bitsy Spider and smile with delight when I have the "spider" climbing up your belly.

I started to teach you to high five. I know that sounds silly but we have fun with it. We do not slap each others hands in a high five instead, I hold my hand up close to yours and say high five. You will smile at me and reach for my hand. When our hands meet, I shake your hand and you always laugh, every time, both of you. I love it!

Chase, you have a smile that lights up a room. Your dimples come through and your personality is revealed when you smile. You seem to love to flirt and have a magnetic personality. You are always checking out everything, and are very observant. You will probably be just like your daddy in that way and never miss a beat. Though there are times when you smile and laugh in complete silence, one look at your smiling face and we can hear the echo of laughter. When you do laugh out loud it is one of the greatest sounds to hear.

Ryder, you have intense eyes that people could get lost in. Your beauty is almost mysterious. Your smile also lights up the room but in a totally different way than your brother's. You have this quiet charm about you, despite the fact that you are very verbal. You love to make sounds that will one day soon become words. Your laugh is more like a giggle and, in hearing it, I always giggle myself. I would like to find a way to record both of your laughs and put them on replay.

Both of you love to laugh, particularly at daddy. It is amazing how you both light up when he comes home from work. Day to day you are two very good boys who like to laugh and have fun. You bring so much love and pride to mommy and daddy and your grandparents dote over you all of the time. You attract the interest of strangers and our acquaintances seem to enjoy you as well. People do get excited over twins and we are constantly being stopped for conversations.

Daddy and I both tell you every single day, but we can never tell you too much, just how much we love you, how much better our life is now that you are in it. You are both our pride and joy and not a moment passes that we are not amazed by you.

I love you so!!!

Mommy

Times Two!!

Life with twins is double of everything. Double the difficulties, double the joys, double the cries, double the fun! It is a reality we are still learning to understand.
Before Chase and Ryder were born, I did not understand why I needed two, four or even six of things. I mean did two babies really mean Times Two of everything?
This was a question I would repeatedly answer myself.
I was first blown away by the number of diapers we went through in a day, week, month. I learned a quick lesson when I got my first case of diapers, thinking I was set for a while, and was down to my final two less than two weeks later. From that point on I ordered (1800diapers.com) two cases at a time every two weeks.
I soon got over the diaper dilemma, and had come to terms with the numbers we were using, but now was trying to grasp the concept of formula. One large size can lasted 4 days. This was when the boys were drinking just 4 oz. They are now up to 6 oz. Eventually, we learned, 6 cans of formula ($30 each) would last about two weeks. We now visit Sam's Club every other week.
Once we started with baby food the math was over my head and even when I think I have bought more than enough, I find myself shlepping back, all too soon, through the baby food aisle at the grocery store and as a result talking to strangers.
I know that multiplying by 2 is elementary math, but for some reason when it comes to figuring out such things as baby food, this seems like calculus and requires the same education as the darn snaps.
However, with all of this being said, Todd and I learned the real difficulty of times two just this past weekend when a stomach virus made its way through the house. When your twins are sick you suddenly realize what times two really means, and no math is required. We got lucky, I guess, that only three of us got it. Todd managed to stay healthy and as a result had to juggle two sick babies and a sick wife. He changed a lot of pajamas (theirs, not mine:) and cleaned up a lot of vomit, but do not worry, he saved the laundry for me:)