1.07 We're boring, but read this anyways!

By Cyndi
January 30, 2012

Every Monday, on my drive home from work, I call my dad.  He has his routine questions ... how was work?  SOS different day?  Yup.  How are the boys?  Fine.  Are they walking?  No, they aren't close.  Do they say Saba yet?  No and that better not be their first word.

If you want the gory details about Tyler's diaper rash, their excessive whining before dinner, the 4 poopy diapers by noon on Sunday I changed, or the awesome variety of dinner I've been cooking, I can discuss that here.  But I will save you boredom and tell you that life is about the same.  Tyler seems to be a bit more daring when he is cruising.  Zach is catching up quickly.  They both love reading books, can almost high five & love the oven drawer (we are on our second device to keep it closed and this one seems to be working).

And what you've been waiting for ....

We have a few apps on the iPad that they love to watch ... they giggle and smile like crazy.  We only use it once or twice a week at this time.

Matt and Baylor (a 125lb bull mastiff) ... And no, honey, we aren't getting another dog

1.06 Haircut #2

By Cyndi
January 23, 2012

Tyler loves to throw out as many balls as possible
while I get Zach out of the car

Our week was fairly normal, or as normal as our lives can be.  Matt has transitioned to his 2012 schedule where he is off T & W.  This schedule is easier on me since I will only have the guys on TH & F nights by myself and all day on the weekends.  The nights are what is tough ... two hungry kids and one tired mamma.

Vietnamese Pho ... our first meal once we arrived in Hanoi

The excitement of our weekend entailed Dulles Air & Space Museum for an afternoon walk (parking is free after 4pm), followed up by pho at a new place.  Reminded me our of Vietnam trip ...

Halong Bay (Jan 2010)

Sunday was haircut day.  It was originally scheduled for a two weeks ago, but we were too busy.  I did it myself and it turned out fairly well.  Only problem is they look more alike now than before!

 

I know .... it was bad ....

Can you tell who is who??

1.05 13 Months & Molars?

By Cyndi
January 17, 2011

Fairly uneventful week here in our house.  Matt is still working 6 day weeks and will continue at least through the end of February.  Zach has been struggling with standing up, but is learning to use his legs to help, instead of pulling up with only his arms.  Just yesterday, he finally started to bend his knees to get down. Otherwise, he just stood there as his legs slowly drifted apart and his whining became louder and louder.

We also learned this week that lots of blueberries is not the best idea at this age.  Oops.  We are still working to get rid of the diaper rash.  Sorry guys, I know they tasted good, but your bodies aren't ready for them yet.

On Saturday, both guys had runny noses.  I wasn't concerned but they had no other signs of a cold.  Upon Matt's comment that they may be teething, I stuck my finger in.  Yup, we've sprouted molars ... two top ones for Zach and one top one for Tyler.

Zach's "I'm HUNGRY" face.  I couldn't resist a picture.

Tyler

All of our holiday cards displayed.
I love looking at them, but it is time to take them down

Favorite Play Spot #1 (Under the kitchen table)

Favorite Play Spot #2 (coffee table "reading" books)
Note: Meigs is taking his mid-morning nap

13 months!

And a fun animated set of pictures of what happens after we take our awesome monthly picture!

1.04 It's a whole different world up here!

By Cyndi
January  9, 2012

The big news is Zach has finally pulled himself up.  He first did it a week ago and then not again for 3 days or so.  He was doing it much more often today, but he has not figured out how to gracefully get back down.  He locks he knees and just stays there.  Ahhh, the differences with identical twins :)

We are still working to figure out how much whole milk both guys can handle.  We've been trying to give more fruits to help with this.  So far, so good.

This past weekend, we celebrated Lincoln's 2nd birthday at Gymboree (Linc is our godson).  The boys were slightly overwhelmed when we arrived, but they warmed up quickly.

1.03 Happy 2012!!

By Cyndi
January 2, 2012

Wow, it feels weird that 2011 is over.  What a year!!  The past week, our daycare has been closed, so it has been all Matt and me.  I only worked Tuesday and Wednesday (technically our plant is shutdown but I still had crews in working, so now I have two comp. days).

We took the opportunity of only Matt and me with the guys to make the transition from bottles to only sippies.  We had finished transitioning to whole cow's milk last week.  Let me summarize this quickly:  Sippy transition, no big deal for them (and us).  Whole cow's milk ... MAJOR constipation issues.  It hasn't been good for the guys and we are still working on how much they can handle without requiring massive amounts of prunes and prune juice.

Enough about that!  Matt & I celebrated the start of 2012 in the comfort of our home with the Isaacs.   Some beverages, some snacks and a good time!

For 2012 .... we are looking forward to:

• Two little guys walking & eating more foods that we offer them
• European vacation for Matt & I at the end of March
• Two trips to Chicago
• Swimming lessons (assuming we can find a class that works with both our work schedules)
• Only 1 nap, so we can actually do things in the mornings, including running
• Maybe a first word or two from Tyler & Zach

Matt skyping in from work when lighting the menorah

Tyler sleeping

Hope you have healthy and fun 2012!

1.02 2011 Year Review

By Cyndi
December 26, 2011

As this year comes to a close, I have been thinking back to what we survived and how 2012 will be different.  Let me try to give you some perspective on our lives during 2011 with some numbers (I am an engineer!):

• We have changed over 2000 diapers per child. At around $0.15 / diaper (when I have coupons and a sale), that's over $600 in diapers.  I can't wait until they are potty trained, but then I might need house cleaners to clean up their mess!
• We have recorded over 1450 feedings for each child.  We have an excel spreadsheet that we record by mL how much they eat at each feeding (since mid-February).  Why you ask?  We are not crazy. Since late February, we offer 9oz at every feeding and allow them to eat as much or as little as they want.  Matt has them in the morning, daycare for the afternoon and I do their evening bottles.  The log helps so we know how their day has gone.  As we transition to whole milk & sippes, we will stop recording how much they drink.
• Matt has averaged working an 8 hour overtime shift every other week for the entire year (I think the actual count is 28 - 8hr OT shifts).  While it hasn't been easy on either of us, we've made it work.
• We've soaked and hand washed bottles over 300 times this year.  Hopefully with sippies, we won't have to do it every day anymore.
• We've spent enough money on daycare this year to have bought another car.  We are thankful that it is only part-time or it would have been enough for an SUV.
• Tyler & Zach have flown 4 times this year, more than most infants I know and two of those flights were in business!  We've gone to Chicago twice, Phoenix & Dallas. Sadly, since we haven't bought them tickets, they haven't started to earn miles yet, but soon enough! 
• Matt has bathed the boys every single time this year, except once.  I made a huge mess with the infant tub and have been banned from this activity until further notice.
• Until the boys started finger foods, I made 90% of all their fruit & vegetable purees myself.  It was fun and I am glad to have given them natural homemade food.
• (Here's one I probably shouldn't admit publicly but ...), Since the boys have slept through the night around 3 months old, I can count on one hand the number of times we have had to console/help them in the middle of the night.  We are extremely lucky.  Like their momma, they love sleep, but still, we are so incredibly lucky.
• We have taken over 4000 pictures this year.  The shutterfly photobook I am preparing is 50 pages for 2011.  It is so hard to pick since there are so many good pictures and memorable moments.
• For T&Z to go to Purdue in 18 year from now, we would have to save $1000 per month.  Let's just say we haven't been able to do that, but we'll work up to that amount. Donations accepted.

Meigs

Zach

Tyler

Bathtime!

1.01 Hanukkah begins

By Cyndi

December 20, 2011

What a busy, fun, crazy week it has been! Tyler is still pulling up and even doing a little furniture cruising. He's had a few falls, but hasn't every kid at this stage? He pulled up at the oven, while Matt was changing Zach and the oven came open and down Tyler went. He was fine and now the oven is locked all the time. Zach is still only on his knees with one foot out, but hasn't pulled up yet. I'm sure he will soon enough.

On Saturday night, Matt & I had a date night with our friends / neighbors the Isaacs. Our awesome high school babysitter watched the boys. We went into DC for dinner, dessert & drinks. It was a great night out!

And tonight was the National Menorah Lighting, one of my favorite days all year. Matt proposed 5 years ago between the lighting and dinner. This year the boys get to experience it!

T&Z had their 1 yr appointment with no shots, since Zach spiked a fever a few hours before it. We'll go back in January and see our favorite Dr. S for their shots. T is 22lbs & Z is 22lbs 3oz. They are still around 40% for head circumference & weight, and 80-90% for height! We are transitioning to whole cow's milk and next week will try to move to all sippies and no bottles.

And now, what you've been waiting for ... PICTURES!