For Your Viewing Pleasure

We've reached a new era in parenthood . . . the convertible car seat. Last week we realized our above average children (in height . . . for now) reached the maximum height requirements for their infant car seats.

To celebrate this new milestone we got drunk (kidding Grandma) and surfed the Internet looking for the cheapest, safest and coolest car seats with free shipping. We got lucky and scored some Euro-chic (i.e. compact and colorful) car seats with a high safety rating from Consumer Reports for 50% off the original price (one can only hope this is not a 'pre-mass-recall' discount).

Here's a video documenting the installation of our new car seats. It's short. Requires sound. Enjoy.

Time To Baby Proof

Finn crawled through a million toys strewn across the living room floor in order to reach the ONE potentially hazardous item . . .

He too must be dazzled by bright shiny objects.

In other news, we're moving closer to homemade baby food--meaning I've done a lot of talking and thinking, internet scouring and organic grocery shopping.  Maybe one day I'll actual cook something (don't worry Husband, that large grocery bill will not go to waste this time--I promise).

By the way, that screaming you heard yesterday was Finn cutting his second tooth.  He's back on the mend and happy to show off his mega chompers to anyone interested.  Mirabelle is probably right behind him, we're hoping she'll show more refinement and grace than her brother (insert sigh).

Surprise Visitors!

We got awesome news Saturday morning.  My folks decided to come for a quick visit to see the babies and let Dave and I go the movies.  We know for a fact Finn and Belle loved seeing Omama and Poopy mainly because they kept waking up while Dave and I were at the movies.

Folks, our babies regularly sleep through the night (barring any ear infections, colds, tummy troubles, teething, new milestones accomplished, etc.).  The fact they woke up ONLY while we were at the movies is a clear sign they were excited Omama and Poopy were in the house (of course, one can only assume it was the grandbabies doing the waking up and not the grandparents deviantly sneaking extra cuddle time).

In case you're wondering, Dave and I attempted to see Avatar in 3D (along with the rest of the population).  Apparently waiting three weeks after the premier is not long enough to avoid 'sold out' mayhem.  We saw Sherlock Holmes instead (great movies).

Thanks Omama and Poopy for coming to visit and offering us free babysitting.  We really enjoyed your visit!!

Learning To Swim

We retired the baby bath tub this week and started bath time in the big tub.  The babies LOVE it.  'Someone' thinks we should increase the bath water each night until the tub is full--in an effort to teach the babies to swim by Spring . . . I'll let this 'Someone' test the theory on her own children first.

Keeping true to her fascination with bright, shiny objects, Lady Belle was dazzled by the chrome drain and faucet (NOTE TO FUTURE SUITORS:  Mirabelle was born this way.  As her parents, we take no responsibility for her love of all things bright and shiny).

By the way, big tub bath time is way better than infant tub time.  For starters, we can bathe both babies at the same time and let them play with bath toys.  Once they are sitting with better control we'll consider introducing bubbles (I know, let's not get too crazy).

What We Do For Fun Around Here

Now that the twins are 6 months old, we can visit play areas!  Not only are these places wonderful for socialization they are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses--but we could care less (until Finn had to drink Pedialyte for dinner).

Back in October we joined the local Mother of Twins club and started attending a weekly playgroup.  Most of our play dates have been at someone's house, but we decided to get adventurous this week and try a cool community center called 'Fit For Fun'.  It's run by the city and for $4 (x2 because apparently they haven't heard of the 'twin discount') your babies can play with some pretty awesome toys.

All in all, it was a fun experience.  The babies seemed to enjoy themselves.

Fear not, gentle readers.  Despite the lackluster look on Lady Belle's face, she did enjoy herself immensely.  She even partook of some independent play in a tricked-out rotating  excersauser.  Finn, on the other hand, was a little overwhelmed at times and needed his Mommy frequently (we're blaming it on the new tooth).

Rollin' In My 5.0 With My Rag-Top Down So My Hair Can Blow . . .

Tried something new with the twins today.  Now that they are 'almost' sitting unsupported we left the car seats in the car and tried the kiddie shopping cart.  It was a huge success.  

Half our shopping trip was spent letting every AARP member on the planet (who seem to regularly grocery shop between the hours of 11a - 1p) stop and smile at the babies.  Finn got a bit spooked by the well-wishers, he'd just woken up from a nice nap on the ride to the store (he calmed down by the canned soup aisle).

At one point, both Finn and Belle had their hands on the steering wheels in front of them and I'm almost certain they thought they were steering the cart (I do have exceptional children, even if Mirabelle's preferred chew toy is her own foot).

It's The Little Things

The babies are starting to master the art of holding a bottle.  I haven't been pushing this new trick mainly because I love cuddle/one-on-one time when we do bottle feeds.  However, first thing in the morning, when I'd rather be drinking tea and trying to wake up--I'm quite alright with them 'doing for themselves'.

By the way, for the curious, I'm still 'breastfeeding'.  We stopped actual nursing at 2 months, it was too difficult to manage on my own during the day.  I moved to pumping and bottle feeding a combo of breast milk and formula, depending on the available 'boob supply'.

Houston, We Have A Budding Tooth!

Finn's got the makings of a first tooth.  Felt it this morning.  Here's a sneak peek at the soon-to-be 'first tooth'!!!

Back In The Day . . .

This is Dave with his identical twin brother Dan (yes folks, they had color photography back then).  The double-wide stroller is primo-licious!  Maybe his parents somehow saved this relic for me to use?  I must call and find out . . .

Let The Voting Begin!

Polls are now open for who will first speak an actual 'discernible' word and what that word will be (or phrase . . . our kids are prodigies, of what, we're not sure yet).  You can place your vote to the left of the screen.  


Vote for your favorite.  If you don't like our selections, then send us your ideas.

Mission Accomplished

I said I'd get a photo of both babies smiling by the end of the year (I never said I'd be the one taking the photo). With the help of the world's greatest photographer (I can say this, I use to work for a photo printing company), we managed a few joint smiles.

Here's a sneak peek of the twins at 6 months:

6 Months Update

If anyone knows how to stop time, please see me. The babies are absolutely wonderful right now, they laugh, smile, and barely move around. I know all is about to change in a few short months when they learn to crawl, climb, poke, prod (strangle, choke, break, pull, terrorize, etc.).

Here we are at the doctor's office waiting for 'Baby Torture Part Trois'

Mirabelle produces enough ear wax to start a small candle company (per the doctor . . . we see him specifically for his humor). He had to use some strange blue stick to scrap the crap out of her ear in order to see her ear drum. I've been assured the excess amount is purely genetic (she got that from her Daddy) and no cause for concern.

Finn is officially on anti-reflux medication (praise the Lord, my new carpets were on the verge of ruin; and yes, I understand that is the lesser concern . . . but still a concern). His ear infection has improved; now all that's left is an abundance of nasty diapers courtesy of the antibiotics.

Baby Stats:

Mirabelle

weight: 15 lbs 8 oz

height: 28 in.

cuteness: infinite

Finnlay

weight: 14 lbs. 11 oz.

height: 27.5 in.

cuteness: indescribable

A Culinary Wonderland

The babies were getting bored with the existing rotation of strained, pureed flavors (one can only tolerate so many peas and carrots). Therefore, over the holidays we introduced a variety of new food choices like Turkey and Rice, Vegetables and Beef, Chicken Noodle and Summer Squash with Harvest Apples.

So far, so good. Finn's a more amiable eater than Belle. She'll eat most anything as long as you reminder her it tastes good (so trusting). Finn loves it all, unless he's tired or sick (both the case over the weekend . . . our first ear infection).

We now have two high chairs (thanks Oma-ma!!) which makes mealtime, fun time. Until the twins learn to feed themselves, they'll still have to wait their turn, but it's not too bad. One practices with finger foods, plays with a spoon or tries to use a sippy cup while I feed the other.

I must also thank Lavender and Bailey for being so helpful during mealtime. They faithfully volunteer everyday for clean up duty.

Happy New Year!

We survived the holiday season and the first six months of parenthood. For your viewing pleasure, here's a photo recap: