Month #13

Well, we are now the proud parents of one year old twins! Wow, I still can't believe our babies are a year old. Their birthday party was a success, despite the rain. Of course, we planned their beach bash party at a park figuring that we should have it around 11 to dodge the heat.... think again! It rained all day, but we still had tons of fun. Their Great Aunt Marsha made individual beach ball cakes for them to dig in to. They weren't too sure about it, and even gagged on the frosting, which sent both of them in to a crying episode. That made for some funny pictures. Thanks to all the family and friends who came out in the wet weather to celebrate their first birthday. It was truly memorable.

This month was full of parties, theirs being the first of three birthday's that we went to. Their friend Allie Johnson had her first birthday as well, just six days after Keaton and Bronwyn's. A week later we celebrated Chase Whisenhunt's second birthday. Both were lots of fun and the twins had a blast playing with their friends. We also celebrated Uncle Shane graduating from chiropractic school. We are all so proud of him and this HUGE accomplishment. The four of us are so excited to have them home for good. Now we don't have to worry about seeing Uncle Shane and Auntie Jacqui once a month, we can see them whenever we want!

On the hottest day of the year thus far, our air conditioning went out, right around bed time. 105 degrees with TWO babies ready for bath and bed was not an ideal situation. So, we packed them up and went to Grammy and Grandpa's for the night, while my parents took the dogs for us. The kids didn't even notice, went right to sleep, and slept all night. We have such good kids. With the weather being so warm we got out their kiddie pool and they had their first experience with that in the backyard. Keaton LOVED it, Brawny... not so much (at first). Keaton jumped right in there, splashing and playing, crawling in and out. Bronwyn had to warm up to this new experience, but once she got use to the water and realized just how much fun she could have, she loved it too. We also took them to their Great Grandma Betty's for their first time swimming in a real pool. Again, Keaton instantly loved it and had a huge smile on his face the whole time. Bronwyn liked it, but still wasn't too sure. Later this month we took them to their Great Aunt Debbie's pool and Auntie Marnie's pool. We found out that Keaton is a water baby and could care less if the water is cold. Bronwyn cries, the whole time, if the water is even the least bit chilly. Their first experience touching ocean water should be very interesting this coming month!

Grandma bought them a new tent, they destroyed their last one. They were so happy to have a new one and with some of their birthday money we bought them plastic balls to put inside. They LOVE it! They play in their together all the time; giggling at each other, rolling around, throwing the balls in the air, and tipping the tent over so the balls roll all over them. Seeing them interact is so much fun. We also played with bubbles for the first time this month. Let's just say that I think mommy and daddy had more fun than the kids.

Bronwyn has had a busy month! She has learned how to climb up the couches. She gets up there and just smiles, thrilled at her new accomplishment. You can tell she feels like such a big girl. The problem with this was the getting down part. Daddy helped her realize that she can't go head first. It only took her a few times to learn to swing her feet off the edge and get down that way. She is very smart. She is also saying Hi, Wow, and Dog. It is so cute when she waves and says hi with a huge grin on her face. My daughter is absolutely darling. She also has taken her first steps. She is not "walking" yet, but she has taken about eight steps. She stands up, takes a few steps, falls on her bum and then crawls to her destination. She is so fast at crawling that I think walking right now just takes too long for her. I'm sure she'll be running around the house soon. I am not so proud to say that my adorable little girl has started to bully Keaton. She pulls him down, pushes him over, and smacks his head. Keaton, being the sweet boy that he is, just takes it, cries, or crawls away. This has been extremely challenging for Nate and I, because how do you discipline a one year old? Every once in a while Keaton will fight back, but not often. I hope that this phase doesn't last long with her.

Keaton, I think, is going to be our child who tests us to see just how far he can go until he gets in to trouble. He loves playing with the blinds and tv equipment, which he knows he is not supposed to do. He'll look at me with his sweet face and big blue eyes, and then jets off to do something that he shouldn't be doing. He'll stop when I say his name, look at me again, but then just turn around to complete his plan of action. He loves to take anything to the tile and bang it on the floor. The louder the noise, the better. He is all BOY! He loves to give hugs and cuddle. When Nate is on the floor, Keaton always crawls over to him and gives his daddy some love.He is so sweet.

They are almost on whole milk exclusively now. Thank goodness! I am almost done with pumping. I began weaning at the end of May, but they were having a reaction to the milk, so we had to take it extra slow. Now, their little systems are more ready for that transition. As far as food goes they have tried pasta, fudge pops, toast, blueberry eggos, macaroni and cheese, and quesadillas. Their favorite foods are toast, yogurt, and anything with cheese. Bronwyn now has eight teeth, and Keaton still only has two.

The best part about this month is that it was the beginning of summer, which means Daddy is home! Having him here is the absolute best! The kids adore him and watching the three of them together just makes me smile. I am so thankful to have a husband that is so involved and dedicated to his family. Being together as a family every day is something that many families don't get the luxury of experiencing. I thank God every day for this amazing blessing.

We're off to the beach for a week! Happy fourth of July everyone. Thanks for checking in and as always, enjoy the pictures. Until next month...


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