HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!

OMG Owen and Ethan are 1! How did that happen? Yesterday they were babies and today not so much. Every day they are closer and closer to little men. Ethan is walking more than crawling now. He also has 3 teeth. Owen decided that he was not to be outdone by Ethan in the walking department and he RUNS (video coming soon). He has 2 teeth. They are completely off bottles and we are now trying milk (at least til the GI says otherwise).

Today the immediate family came for a little gathering. Grandpa and Uncle live far away and wouldn't be able to attend the big party in Jan. We had lunch then opened gifts. The boys are getting good at opening gifts as long as they are interested. Once again they were spoiled rotten. From there we sand to the boys. Each of them got sang to on their own. We tried to get them to blow out the candle. I had been working on it with them for weeks. The cake was just way too tempting and they didn't care about the candle. By the time Owen was done with his cake you couldn't tell it was Owen and you really couldn't tell it started as a cake. Ethan on the other hand was very clean and ate the cake in order from left to right. He only got about 1/3 through the cake before he sat back finished. After a quick bath it was play time while the adults talked.

It was a wonderful day for my wonderful boys. Happy Birthday my beautiful little men. You cannot imagine the joy you bring to my life on a daily basis. You mean the world to me.

Christmas

Whew!!! Now that was busy. Our Christmas this year was 4 parts. It was crazy. We were everywhere and the boys were so good all things considered.

Part 1
Christmas Eve I cooked and my family (my moms side) came to the house. When all was said and done there were 14 people here. I cooked a huge meal which was a feat because the kitchen sink stopped draining while I was doing prep. The boys got the first real taste of Christmas and opened lots of gifts.

Part 2
Christmas morning was a lot slower, calmer, and in my opinion yummier. My mom (nana) came back over for a breakfast of coffee and cinnamon rolls (homemade by me, sink still plugged). The boys opened more gifts. These gifts needed a little more help from mom and dad once the boys realized there were goodies inside and decided they wanted to play.

Part 3
When it was time to put the boys down for a nap Nana left and we got in the car to head to Erick's grandmas. This was perfect timing as the boys napped the whole 2 hr drive. Before we could actually head to our destination we had to stop at Erick's mom's to pick up his brother. Once again more gifts. Finally getting to G.Grandma's and we eat and open more gifts. After chatting we head to our last stop.

Part 4
Christmas dinner was hosted at Erick's aunt's house. This was another hour drive from G.Grandma's. When we got close we called to find out if they had whole milk for the boys. They didn't so we stopped at the store. Once at Erick's aunts we had to try to get the boys to drink. This was near impossible because things were bustling. After more gifts we sat down to a nice dinner. When things got late we loaded the boys back in the car and headed the hour drive home.

Christmas was GREAT. Our boys are SPOILED. Happy Holidays everyone.

(pictures will be added when I get the gifts put away and can find the cord)

Did you miss us?

Well we are home. The trip was long and hard. I couldn't go to the mine although my sister did. At the funeral they played a video of my cousin taken in the hour before her death. It was her dancing in the back of the truck before going into the mine. It was hard to watch and she will be missed. That is all I want to say on the matter.

While getting ready to leave something interesting happened. Owen took a step. A single step not holding onto anything. Then while in the hotel in front of everyone he took 2 steps all on his own. We are so proud. While we were in the hotel we had a bad night with the boys. OMG it was horrible. Well we now know why it was so horrible. There is a new tooth in the house. Owen decided he no longer wanted to be toothless. He also has his second tooth coming in.

Ethan is getting braver. He is still my careful child but he is starting to let go.

We also took our holiday photo.

It is so fun to watch them grow!

Im baaaaaccckkkk

We survived the move if just barely. Moving is hard. Moving with kids is harder. moving with kids when you have a fever of 103 and cant eat or drink because of the pain is the worst. For a few days before the move I had been telling Erick that I wasnt feeling well. I was functional, couldnt place what I was feeling, really thought that the stress of the move was getting to me. That theory went out the window when on the day of the move I couldnt swallow. It was hard to breathe. I had the chills. When I finally sat to take my temp it was 103. My fever didnt go under 100 for 2 days so I went to the Dr. I had tonsillitis. Yeah really not fun at all.

To add to the fun Erick and I have been together 7 years (yes we still celebrate that anniversary it is Oct 5th) and I couldnt even kiss him. I really was not even functional. I told Erick I was going to lay down for a quick nap and slept 3 hrs. Then went back to bed for the night 2 hrs later. I can still feel my body fighting the infection but at least I am not contagious anymore. Though I am taking more naps then I have sense the boys were newborns.

While all this was going on the boys had an appointment for their 9 month check.
Owen
18lb 10 oz 18%ile
27 in 10%ile
46 cm 69%ile

Ethan
20 lb 7 oz 47%ile
27 in 10%ile
45.5 cm 54%ile

So both boys have dropped on the chart for weight but they are a lot more active now. They are fast little buggers and are learning how to climb (thanks mom) and pass between objects. They love each other and are the best of friends. They look for each other and do this kissy thing that I have yet to catch with the camera.

So overall we are in a good place right now not only as a family and mentally but a good living space. As soon as I find the box with the camera cord I have all kinds of pics to post.

9 months old

Today my babies are 9 months old. I dont know where the time went. They are getting so big and going new things all the time.

Today we went to the Giants game in SF. The weather was warm...80*. It made for a crazy morning and a log day but it was fun. It was especially nice to see Craig and Marylou (thanks for the tix guys). The giants won... woo hoo. Ok but really you dont want to hear about that you want to hear about the boys.

Ethan is now pulling up to a full stand. Owen is getting brave and letting go. We have been on tooth watch for awhile now. Every morning I check the boys mouth. I knew they were coming. This morning was no different and still no teeth. While at the game I guess I made a good chew toy because I was being gnawed on. I had to check his mouth because there was something in there. Guess what at exactly 9 months old, at the game the first tooth came through. And who did that tooth belong to you ask.....ETHAN. He finally beat Owen at something. Oh and he has another one that will be in any min. Owen is working on it but not even as close as Ethans second tooth.

This week is a busy one we get the keys to our new place and we move. The boys have their 9 month appointment. Ethan has PT And OT. We are still waiting on insurance to say they will pay for Owen's helmet so we are also waiting for that call. It has been 4 weeks sense he was measured. Oh and we have officially started planing for the boys 1st birthday.

Whew that is a lot. OK I will post new pics after the boys appointment this week.

Baby love and tag team

The boys have a few new tricks. They now baby love. What is baby love you ask? Well it is "kisses". It is more like trying to lick the other ones whole face before your whole face gets licked. They think this is the funniest thing in the world and laugh the whole time. I have to admit it is just about the cutest thing in the whole world. Ethan will give Erick and me kisses as well (when he wants to). If he doesnt want to he leans in so you kiss his head.

The boys really are growing up and developing their own personalities. Owen wants what he wants when he wants it. He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. One example of this was the cheez-it box. I had them on the couch. Owen wanted it. So when Ethan got too close to Owen and the couch Owen decided that Ethan made a good step stool. Ethan had no problem with this and allowed Owen to use him to get on the couch. I can see I will be in real trouble soon with them working together to get what they want even if they dont need it/shouldnt have it.

videos from tonight

This first one is Owen's new trick



This is what happens when the boys hear the bath water and see one of us head to the bathroom. You can see how good they are at crawling now.

Wow!!!

Look at all the pics but be sure to read the bottom for some exciting news!!!


Our new trick


but I dont want to take a picture... but I do





sharing


hey I was playing with that


mmmmmm french fries



fetching french fries



Erick was in the room getting the boys ready for bedtime bottles. I was making the bottles. I walk in and Erick just finished changing Ethan and tells me this one is ready. I set the bottles down on the floor so I could sit on the floor and feed Ethan while Erick finished Owen. Well when I set the bottles down Owen went CRAZY. He got up on his knees and reeeaaaaacccchhhheeeddd. Couldn't get them. He takes one crawling step. I asked Erick if he saw. Nope he wasnt looking. So I move the bottles a little further back and run for the camera. I get back and Owen is on his knees trying hard. He knocks the bottle over. I move the bottles again. He is mad but gets on his knees again and actually crawls. I caught it on video!

The beach

We had to go to Salinas to take a class so the boys could be baptized. Before heading home we decided to take the boys to our favorite beach. They had never been to the beach before. We let them wiggle their toes in the sand and let a wave crash over their feet. Owen loved it...Ethan not so much.

Owen trying to crawl

ummmm yeah

Ok so I couldn't think of a title. I thought I should do a better post seeing as the last one was so short. 4th of July was spent with my mom tired and sun burned doing a yard sale. We cant complain to much because we did make some money.

Being away from cribs and holding the boys so much did cause a little disruption in the sleeping pattern. this is what I found when I heard Ethan playing in his crib during nap.







Evern grocery shopping was hard work


But the 4th of July was still fun





After a hard weekend I thought the boys needed to let loose and have fun.



In other news...Owen got up on his knees and rocked today. I am excited because that is the next step moving towards crawling.

Both babies look great

One year ago today I heard those words. "Both babies look great". Both. It had taken me a long time after only seeing one baby on the first u/s to get Erick to stop saying that it was wrong and we were really having twins. One year ago today he got to do his told you so dance. When we found out we were having twins it really was a shock. The first attempt at looking at the baby was not a success and we had to wait to see a special tech. We sat in the waiting room thinking after 2 years we had lost the baby we tried so hard and waited so long for. When we got back to see the special tech it wasnt long at all before she said the words that changed our lives in so many ways..."both babies look great". That phrase is as true today as it was then. My boys are wonderful and thriving. They are getting big and for the most part they are doing everything their peers are doing. BOTH BABIES LOOK GREAT! Words that will change your life in ways you cant even imagine.

Then:


Now:

6 months

OMG where has the time gone! My little babies are six months old.

Owen has taken on a dominate personality.


We are now getting geared up to crawl



We got to try crackers




Official 6 month pics








For comparison



And a few videos...

back and forth conversation


We know our names



Can you notice what we are doing?




Daddy's lessons on the apostrophes



My dear sweet boys:

It seems like just yesterday that I found out you were coming to me. Then in a blink you were here. We brought you home and have never looked back. The first time you looked into my eyes you stole my heart. Then your smiles made my soul smile. I cant imagine my life without you. It has been a blessing getting to watch you grow. You are now six months old and learning new things every day. It is astonishing how quick you pick things up. Owen you are so strong and hard headed already so independent just like me. Ethan you are such a flirt and so calm and laid back. I am so enjoying watching you develop into little men. I love you more and more each day. I love watching your eyes light up when you see your daddy. It brings me back to when I first met your dad and the way I used to look at him. I could not have asked for better babies when I got you.

love
Mommy

Fathers Day

Yesterday was Erick's first fathers day and the boys had big plans for daddy. Erick got tickets to the Giants game. So for fathers day he got to take his boys to their first baseball game.

In the car and ready to go.


Owen trying to steel Ethan's bib while we picnicked in the car before the game


The game was great. The boys got little certificates for it being their first game. They loved watching all the people. They even took a little nap in our arms. They did not however like when the crowd went wild. This resulted in big pouty lips and a few tears.

At the game


After the game we headed to Erick's choice of dinner locals, Bubba Gumps on Pier 39. This gave a chance for another first for the boys.

First time in a restaurant highchair



While at the restaurant the boys decided they were hungry too so we tried more puffs. here is the reactions



When we noticed this next pic we decided it was time to go


We headed back to the van and fed the boys while sitting in the back. As we fed the boys we got a great view to end a great day.