Month #6

Half a year??? I can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with two babies that we could only picture in our minds; what would they look like and what would their personalities be? We loved them so much and we didn't even know them. Now, having them for the past six months, we could've never imagined just how much we would love these two little people who WE created. They are truly amazing and we love them so much. It's so cliche to say, but time really does go by so much more quickly when you have children.

Again, this was a month filled with lots of firsts, laughs, and smiles. Both Keaton and Bronwyn enjoy tummy time more. Bronwyn can actually hold herself up with her arms now, raising her chest high above the ground. Both of her grandma's think that she will crawl before she can sit up by herself. I'm hoping that she waits on that milestone for a little bit longer. The thought of two mobile children scares me! They can both sit up supported, which they really like because they can play with their toys with a whole new perspective. They both smile all the time, and even belly laugh at their daddy. He is really funny! They have been reaching for and touching our faces with their tiny hands, which feels in some way like a small gesture of love from them to us. And though you might not be able to tell from the pictures, they are getting hair. It looks like they are both going to have very blonde hair. I can't wait to start playing with it! Keaton with a faux-hawk and Bronwyn with pigtales..... So cute!

This month we gave them their first taste of something other than milk, rice cereal. They loved it! It took a few times for them to understand the whole spoon thing, but they've got it down now. After a few weeks we decided to try out squash. I was hoping for lots of funny faces with this first actual food, but nope! They just ate it up without much of a reaction at all. Though they seemed to really like it, we decided to stop the squash for a couple weeks. Bronwyn's digestive system didn't seem quite ready for it yet. But we'll try again very soon!

In the beginning of this month Nate and I went to San Diego to help James, Molly, and Nathan move in to their new apartment in San Diego. Keaton and Bronwyn stayed home with both sets of grandparents. They even had their first trip to church. My mom said they really enjoyed the music. We are so thankful for our parents watching them and taking such good care of them while we were gone.

Durning the Veteran's Day weekend we took them on their very first vacation away from home and where else would we take them but.... CAYUCOS! We rented a house across the street from the beach. Both sets of grandparents, as well as Uncle Aaron and Aunt Jennifer came too. The kids loved the beach. The first time their little feet touched the sand is a moment I will never forget. They loved the feeling of the sand between their toes and that's a good thing as we expect to be there quite often. We took many walks on the beach around sunset, went shopping in Morro, and the grandparent's took them into town to get Cayucos sweatshirts. I was nervous about the car ride and how they would react being away from home. There was absolutely nothing to worry about. They are wonderful children and I know that this trip is just one of many that we will be taking.

They also went to their first sporting event. Cousin Kylie is on the Clovis High Varsity Water Polo team and they made it to the Valley Championship game against Clovis West. So, we got them dressed in their clovis high t-shirts that their Auntie Ju-Ju made them and went to the game. Brawny was a little scared when everyone cheered, but got used to it after a while. It turns out that they are the teams good luck charms because Clovis High won and are now the 2010 Valley Champs!

With it being November, this was obviously their first Thanksgiving. They wore darling outfits and really enjoyed being around friends and family. There is something so much more meaningful about having kids around during the holidays. Two new little lives, healthy and happy in our family is something that everyone was thankful for. I know that they are definitely what Nate and I are thankful for this year.

At the end of the month Nate had his 10 year reunion, which brought James, Molly, and Nathan home to Clovis. This was the first time Aunt Molly and Nathan got to meet the twins. We are so happy that they are so much closer now. The kids can grow up together!

I have learned in the last six months that being a mom is a very difficult and trying task; but by far the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. With the love and support of my wonderful husband, and the joy that my children bring to my life on a daily basis, I know that there is nothing in this world I would rather be doing.

So enjoy the pictures from the month. We'll see you next time!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Month #5

Wow! Time is going by so quickly. We are enjoying every minute, but wish it would slow down a bit. This month was yet again, full of firsts, smiles, laughs, and excitement. As I said last month Bronwyn was soooo close to rolling over. Well, that happened just a day or two after I posted last months blog, and now we can't keep her on her back. The second we lay her down, she is rolling over on to her belly, which isn't a great idea after she just ate! She rolls, gets on to her belly, and either spits up or starts crying out of frustration because she couldn't roll back over. "Couldn't" being the key word there... On Daddy's birthday, she rolled to her tummy and then, yes!, to her back. She can now roll all the way over. Keaton has been able to roll from his tummy to his back for a while now, though he didn't do it often. This month, with about a week of teasing us, he rolled from his back to stomach. So, he too, can roll all the way over now. Though this is extremely exciting for us, it is also a view into the future of two children becoming mobile. That is a scary thought!

They both really enjoy playing in their play gym and jumpers, which we have two of now thanks to Great Aunt Debbie and Great Uncle Dale! They talk to the animals and grab and play with all the toys. It's pretty cute to see just how much they enjoy themselves. They both are manufacturing much more drool, which makes blowing raspberries very fun and messy. Keaton figured out how to do this first, but his little sis wasn't far behind. They think it's really funny, and so do we.

This month the fair opened. Mommy, Grandma, Great Aunt Marsha, and Cousin Julie took the kids for their first fair experience. We walked through the farm animals, exhibits, and mommy got to have a good ol' fashioned corndog... which Keaton and Bronwyn enjoyed later. Though it was pretty hot the day we went and the kids slept through most of it, we still had a good time. I'm sure Keaton and Bronwyn will enjoy the fair much more next year!

As far as night time goes, this month we started bathing them at night, feeding them a little earlier, and getting them down in bed around 7:15 p.m. They both absolutely love their baths. Next summer will be lots of fun in the pool. Nate and I are enjoying the earlier bedtime, so we can actually relax and have some down time together.

At the end of the month Nate and I, along with both sets of Grandparents, took them to the pumpkin patch. And yes, they were in costume. They were the most darling skeletons you have ever seen. Though we didn't buy any pumpkins, we did get a lot of cute pictures while we were there. Bronwyn was mesmerized by everything around her and Keaton just chilled and hung out with the pumpkins.

This month we had a loss in the family. Nate's grandma Kit passed away. She was a wonderful woman and I am so thankful that she got to meet her two and only great-grandchildren before she was taken from all of us. With her loss many family members and friends came in to town and got to meet Keaton and Bronwyn. They met their Great-Aunt Holly from Conneticut who also as twins. She loved them so much, and they loved her.

Like every other October we hosted our annul N8oween party. Keaton and Bronwyn were not invited due to age, so they had their first sleep over with Grammy and G-pa (Bill and Becky). This was an ordeal. Packing bottles, bath stuff, burp rags, jammies..... I could go on and on..... was a process. Once I got them over there I was very surprised when I got emotional as I bent down to kiss my baby girl goodbye for the night. This was the first time that they would be away from home and us since we brought them home from the hospital. Long story short, the party was a lot of fun and Keaton and Bronwyn were very good babies for their grandparents. And, I survived! It was a good experience to ease in to because this next weekend Nate and I are going to San Diego for the weekend, without them. So now I know that they will be fine, and I will be too.

For Nate's birthday the four of us just hung out together and watched football during the day. That night we went over to Bill and Becky's for dinner with family and close friends. The kids were great and the company was awesome. Nate had a nice relaxing birthday and got to spend it with the people he loves most. I hope you had a good birthday babe, you deserve it.... I love you!!!

So again, another great month full of memories. I hope you all enjoy the pictures and updates just as much as we do. We're looking forward to the new milestones and experiences throughout this next month. Until next time.....


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.