all things RYAN: 2.5 years

We couldn't ask for a better kid. Simply a wonderful child. Though, he's growing up way to fast!

~ He weighs 30 lbs. He wears a 3T pant, though they are usually big in the waist but he needs the length.

~ There isn't a more polite boy. 'Please' and 'thank yous' are his norm. We're working on 'you're welcome'. He says 'bless you' when someone sneezes. He thanks his babysitter for coming over and the librarian after story time. He says 'excuse me' when he bumps into someone or something. I could go on and on.

~ He loves to watch, out the window, the neighborhood children wait for and get on the bus. He narrates the scene, it goes something like this...

"The kids are playing football. There's Jacob. I see Jacobs daddy. There's the bus! I see the school bus! The kids are getting on the bus! Bye-bye kids. Have fun at school kids. Ryan will ride the bus soon. Daddy's go home and go to work (3 dads walk there kids to the stop and then walk back and drive off to work everyday). Oh no, Jacobs daddy not go to work (he went inside instead of to his car)."

~ He's wearing underwear!

~ He's learning the states. He currently knows 20.



~ He doesn't like getting his hair washed.

~ When the neighborhood kids get home from school they all head out to our culdesac to ride bikes. They are normally out there when Ryan wakes from nap. He loves to join them with his tricycle. The youngest, other than Ryan, is 4, and the oldest is 9. When Ryan goes outside they all yell 'Ryan' and come to see him. It's so cute.

~ He loves balls and cars.  So boy.



~ He can count to 10 regularly, sometimes as high as 20. He can visually identify numbers 0-9.

~ He talks and talks and talks. I'm amazed at his vocabulary. More than anything he says 'whats that?'. Problem is, he normally knows. So, I often tease and say a fork is a bear and he will say 'no, a fork'. Silly kid.

~ I barely have to raise my voice for him to realize he's in trouble. And he knows I mean business if I start counting. If I make it to 3 he goes to timeout, which has only happened a handful of times in his little life. I've found timeout to be very effective with him. He always tells me why he was there and what he should have done/needs to do (in other words, lesson learned).

~ He mimics everything. Of course, this isn't new but is more elaborate. Here he is imitating Chris who was on call that day.



~ He is so very sweet. Loves to give and get hugs and kisses. Is very snuggly, well, as snuggly as a fast paced 2.5 year old can be. He clearly cares about others. Helps me and his baby brothers regularly. Just very loving.

~ He moved into his big boy bed and he LOVES it. Currently, it's just a twin mattress on the floor with a safety rail. He wakes around 7am, though he stays in bed for 30+ minutes before we get him up. That's right, he doesn't get out of bed til told to.

His usual nap is 3 hours.

And he's in bed by 7:30 pm. What can I say, the boy loves his sleep. He gets that from me.

~ He's typically shy. Even with those he knows, though he warms up quickly in that case.

~ He is awesome at pretending. He will pretend anything is anything. Can't find a cell phone to place a call, that's ok use my hand. Don't have a wallet, that's ok this megablock will do. I think he's a genius.

~ He loves storytime at the library.

~ He is a great big brother.

~ He continues to be one of the 3 most loved boys in all the world!

all things ETHAN & OWEN: 6 & 7 months

There was a tremendous turnaround somewhere near the 6th or 7th month. Nighttime and daytime sleep was more predictable. The boys started enjoying playtime on another level. And they finally started recognizing and enjoying each other! Precious.

6 month stats
Ethan 18.5 lbs | Owen 17 lbs

- 6 months -

Ethan/ Owen

- 7 months -

~ They love each other! And I love it! They were playing in the family room floor and I was in the kitchen. All the sudden I hear laughing so I check to see what's so funny. Owen was on his back and Ethan was on his belly, up on his elbows. Ethan was in Owen's face and Owen was touching Ethan's face and both boys were laughing like crazy. It was so, so sweet.

~ Ethan, aka Bulldozer, is on the move. He rolls and army crawls like a mad man. Anything, or anyone, in his way gets rolled over hence the nickname. And with his new found mobility has come a desire to steal anything and everything from poor, unsuspecting Owen.

In addition, he's determined to remove as many ornaments from the Christmas tree and tear into as many presents as possible.

Though Owen isn't as mobile, it's by choice.  He can roll if he wants to.

- Owen -

~ Owen got his first tooth! It was effortless. No issues whatsoever. Ryan never had a problem with teething, I never thought I'd be lucky enough to hit the jackpot twice. Fingers crossed for three times!

~ When we aren't calling Ethan 'Bulldozer', we're calling him 'Slobber Monster'. How can one kid have so much drool? Everyone assumes its teething related but this habit has been from the get go. Can't tell which baby is which? Look for the bib, that's Ethan.

~ Of course, every baby's personality is different but raising 2 babies at once makes it so obvious. Owen is more reserved. He's quieter. More cautious with his smiles. Oh so loving.

Ethan is the opposite. He's more outgoing. Louder. Smiles constantly. And is oh so loving.

- Owen -

~ Owen has this small sly smile while Ethan has a big, gummy grin. Different as they may be, they both LOVE to smile and I LOVE to to see them smile.

- Ethan -

~ Both boys smile and laugh at their big brother. Their adoration for Ryan is very obvious.

~ We started baby food. Both babes seem to really enjoy eating, Ethan in particular. I feed them at the same time and E whines when I turn the spoon towards O. Like he's starving. Silly boy. So far they've had rice and oatmeal cereals, avocado, banana, sweet potato, butternut squash, and apple. So far they aren't picky.

~ They are 2 of the 3 most loved little boys in the entire world!

leaves, leaves, and little boys

No explanation needed.

Turkey Day 2012

There was a last minute change in Chris's work schedule; he didn't have to work the day after thanksgiving. So, we made last minute arrangements to drive the crew to New York.  Though we fit nicely in our car for day to day adventures, its not suitable for cross country ones.  So, we rented a minivan.  Or the 'special car' as Ryan referred to it.

The Minivan

I was a bit afraid I might fall head over heels for the minivan.  No worries.  In fact, I feel somehow obligated to explain how inconvenient a minivan is for 3 carseats.  Only 1 carseat can go in the middle row bucket seats so that the other one can fold back to get in the back (to get to the other carseats). As for the 2 seats in the back, its hard to carry the infant seat to the back row.  Also, you have to crawl back there to strap the 2 kiddos in, which with the 2 kids and 2 carseats leaves very little space for an adult.   I digress.  I guess I thought this is what minivans were made for.  Not so.  I do see the appeal for older kids (who can strap themselves in) and for travel.

The Drive to NY

We left Wednesday night at 11pm.  The kids all went to bed as usual and we moved them to the car for take off.  The twins went back to sleep and stayed that way for most of the trip.  Ryan, on the other hand, did  not.  He was so excited about the 'special car' and about seeing Grammie and Pappa he couldn't sleep.  And since he was awake so was I.  FYI, Chris napped about 3.5 hours before driving us the whole way.  Thanks babe!

The Big Boy Bed

What a disaster.  So in addition to our crew, at the Hayes house was also my BIL, his wife and their 9 month old.  They used the crib normally used by Ryan.  Since he was on the verge of transferring to a big boy bed at home, no problem right? Wrong.  The cause of the disastrous bed situation was arriving in NY 6 hours behind on sleep.  Chris and I alternated sleeping with him in his full size bed.  Sleeping with a toddler is a bit like sleeping with a febrile mini ninja.

Thanksgiving

As if it weren't difficult enough getting all 3 little ones to NY, I was challenged with getting them to Aunt Mary's for Thanksgiving.  Not only were we an hour late but we arrived like a tornado.   Shy, hungry, tired toddler + 2 crying babies who only want mama + 2 carseats + big bag + 2 hungry and super tired adults = tornado.  We quickly fed Ryan, then he was off to be Alison's sidekick.  As soon as the babies calmed, Chris and I stuffed our faces.  So hurried, in fact, we didn't warm our food.  After feeding Ethan and Owen we were off just as quick as we'd arrived.  Back to headquarters just in time for bedtime routines.  Ryan and I were in bed by 6:30!  

Cousins

We got to meet cousin Spencer for the first time.  He's 2 months and 1 week older than the twins.  What a sweetie!

Spencer and Ethan

We tried to get a picture of all the cousins.  This is what I got.  Hopefully someone else got something better!

Ryan had so much fun with his cousins. Namely Alison.  Ryan followed her around like a puppy.  He did everything per her direction.  They had so much fun.  However, if you ask Ryan who he played with or who his favorite cousin is he will say "Alison and Carter".  Poor Spencer.  I guess if you can't walk you are of no use to a toddler.

What a beauty! 

The Drive Back

Owen and Ethan slept the entire way again.  Ryan did better.  Slept just over half way I suppose.  I even managed to get a few hours of shut eye.  All in all it was uneventful.

Overall

It was a hectic trip but we're glad we we made it.  We saw a lot of family we hadn't seen in a long time and one family member for the first time.  Everyone got to meet the twins.  And we learned a few things along the way:

1.  Ryan now has trouble sleeping in the car 

2.  Ethan has early onset stranger anxiety

3.  We do not need a minivan!

 Piano with Uncle Matt

Great Aunt Diane sitting in as a double high chair

Happy Thanksgiving!

Elmo Loves Trick or Treating

Weeks before the holiday I started asking Ryan what he wanted to be for Halloween.  Every single time he'd say 'Elmo'.  He never wavered.  Though he's never seen Sesame Street, he does have several Elmo books and he's recently become quite attached to a stuffed Elmo.  So Elmo it was!

A few days before Halloween we went to a nearby shopping centers festival where the children go storefront to storefront and trick-or-treat.  He had a blast.  He seemed amazed that he was getting 'treats'.

And he got to sit in a firetruck.  I think he was in shock...

And, of course, the babies got in on the action as well...

On Halloween we went to a neighborhood party (yes, we have an awesome neighborhood) and then Ryan went trick-or-treating with Chris and some neighbors.  He LOVED it!  I couldn't believe how excited he was.  He also really enjoyed passing out candy to trick-or-treaters.  Such a sweet Elmo!

Then came the candy.  He'd only had a piece or two in his life so this was new territory.  He got one a day after dinner (sometimes one after lunch too).  If he liked it he would choose all of them until they were gone and then move to something else.  The chocolate went first.  Smart boy.

It was a great first Halloween.  I asked what he wanted to be next year and he said 'Elmo'.  Of course.

Pumpkin Patch 2012

Ryan's 3rd 'How Tall This Fall'

- 2nd -

- 1st -

 1st 'How Tall This Fall'

 So excited for the hayride!

 The Patch

 "I found it"

 'To the car'

 Sweet Pumpkins!

 Helping Daddy load the pumpkins.

 Helping Daddy return the wheelbarrow.  

It was a beautiful day!

all things OWEN & ETHAN : 4/5 months

The boys are 5 months old.  What can I say, they are absolute perfection.  Sweet, happy, innocent babies.

4 Month Statistics (percentages corrected for prematurity - 2.5 months)

Owen 13 lbs 2 oz (75%), 24 in (65%), HC 16 in (50%)

Ethan 15 lbs (95%), 25.5 in (95%), HC 16.25 (65%)

5 Month Statistics
* Since there was no doctor appointment I weighed them on our scale when we did their chair picture.  I wrote down their weights on a scrap paper and left it on the kitchen counter where it was last seen. Whoops.  I do recall there was hardly any weight gain and the weight spread between the two was the similar.  

4 months

E, O 

 

5 months

E, O

E, O

E, O

Ethan

Owen

Don't let their freakin adorable little selves fool you.  They can take down a grown person in less than 10 minutes.  Raising infant twins (and a toddler) is not for the weak.  It requires excessive patience and a sense of humor.  The good news is we are finally forming a routine.   Routine is absolutely necessary with 3 small children.  The downside, with routine comes baby jail.  Unfamiliar with baby jail?  That's a topic for another day.

~ Smiles.  Oh how I love to see them smile.  Each one smiles so differently and for such different reasons. Ethan usually wakes with a big grin whereas Owen is more like his mama and wakes a bit less enthusiastic.  Both boys will belly laugh, usually for reasons unknown to anyone, and it's the most adorable noise in the world.

Owen

Ethan

~ Both are grabbing on to toys but Ethan is a bit better at handling them thus far.  In fact, Ethan grabs on to everything in his reach.  E's also a little more inquisitive at this point.  I love to watch them watch Ryan play.  They seem to be in such wonderment.

Ethan and monkey

~ I'm happy to report night time sleeping is much improved.  Usually one or both babes get up for one night feeding.  And when they do they go right back to sleep, mostly.  There have been nights when neither get up and since Chris still takes night duty he appreciates the extra sleep.

Neither are very interested in the pacifier but both like their thumbs...just like big brother.  By the way, I love this!

Owen

~ I'm a true believer that sleep begets sleep and therefore naps are not optional.  Unfortunately Ethan tends to sleep in 45 minute intervals.  Owen does better, sometimes taking a 2 or 3 hour nap once a day (with a couple shorter naps mixed in).  Their longest nap is often the first of the day, just a hour or so from when they wake from a long nights sleep!  Sleep begets sleep!

~ Everyone always tells me how twins have such a special bond.  Really?  Cause mine don't seem to realize the other exists.  Ok, I realize they are little but I did expect them to somehow seem connected. Nope.  It wasn't until recently that they started noticing the other (other twin moms said that's expected...now they tell me!).  Here's a picture of their first fight.  Ethan actually got a solid grip on Owen's ear.  Ouch!

~ We are a babywearing family.  We have an Ergo and a Boba.  Ryan calls them baby belts.  The babies mostly enjoy the ride...when they don't fall asleep.  We often use them to calm the babies for sleep, our version of rocking I suppose.  Not only do I love having them close to me, its quite a necessity when managing 3 little ones and all the stuff that comes with them.   

~ It's no surprise that big E eats a little more than little Owen.  Not much though.  Bottom line is they are eating anywhere from 38 to 42 ounces a day EACH!  Holy moly is right.  While they've upped the amount per feeding, they are still eating at least every 3 hours during the day.  That's a total of 10-12 bottles a day. Or 2+ hours a day spent bottle feeding.  I can't wait til they can hold their own bottles!

~ Neither are fans of riding in the car, though Ethan is more willing to sleep in the car.

~ The twins are such sweet-natured boys.  That's why when they scream like wild animals I'm still so shocked.  I'm talking the most ear piercing sounds with force that causes their pink faces to turn cherry red.  Sometimes its obvious why they are screaming.  Hungry.  Tired.  Other times, I haven't a clue.  Nothing with calm them and then they just stop and smile.  Seriously boys!?!



~ Ethan's rolling like a champ from back to belly and occasionally from belly to back.  Meanwhile Owen's trying so hard to copy his younger brother but that pesky shoulder keeps getting in his way.

~ Like true boys, they both love the outdoors.  When they are overly fussy and/or won't go to sleep I strap them in the carrier and go for a walk.  They calm almost instantly.

~ They've been enjoying the play yard for some time now but now they're starting to play in the jumperoo.  This video is Ethan's first time.  He's since learned to jump, jump, jump!

~ Owen and Ethan, along with their big brother, are the three most loved little boys in the whole world!