5/30/2015

Welcome Olivia Brooke Curry!

Our hearts are so full after the birth of precious little Olivia.  Josh and Andrea are overjoyed and Grayson and Hallie are very excited to welcome their very first cousin!  She was born with a head full of auburn hair, gorgeous!

She's an angel!

 

5/24/2015

9 Months!

I love my 9 month old babies!  We are having a ball lately.  We are constantly on the go and the babies become more dynamic each day.  They are so happy and love to laugh, talk and play.  We have had our first few pool days of the summer and they love the water, we even went to the new splash park at the Fort Worth Zoo.  It wasn't a perfect set up for two babies not crawling or walking so we may not visit again until next year, but I am always up to try something new and at least see how it goes.
We are going through some serious teething with Grayson, but so far he has been such a trooper. Hallie doesn't have any teeth just yet but, is becoming attached to Mommy lately.  She cries when she sees me during play-time and reaches for me constantly.  I love this extra bonding time as she has not always been overly affectionate. Fortunately, Grayson is a happy camper most of the time and doesn't seem to mind the extra time Hallie has needed.  As with all things twin related, we jump in and out phases so fast it takes me awhile to even realize we have left one and entered another.  I'm sure next week she will be over me and on to someone/something new!
In other news, both Grayson and Hallie have graduated from ECI therapy.  WOO HOO!  This is one less appointment for us to schedule each week.  They are age appropriate in motor and fine motor skills so we got the green light this week.
As for helmets, we are getting ready for round two.  We aren't overly excited about a second go-round, but want what is best for H&G.

Here is what we are up to in our 9th month.

GRAYSON
Weighs 20.5 lbs
Says 'dada' and 'baba'.  He has become very vocal lately and does a funny growl like noise when he is playing or having fun.
Sits up for as long as he wants and can go from a laying to sitting position with no problem.
Starting to pull up so the crib had to be lowered.  Here we go!
VERY close to crawling.   Up on all fours rocking and is ready to take off any minute.Has SEVEN teeth!  He is a trooper after getting his 4 top teeth all at once.  He was fussy, but nothing we couldn't handle and in my opinion, easy for four!
Loves to eat and is very interested in his food and everyone else's!
Likes, oatmeal, chicken, peas, squash and doesn't mind mommy's homemade food.  Not a fan of anything sour or tart like apples and pears.
Loves to play/tackle Hallie.  Even pulls her hair sometimes.  This isn't a favorite for Hallie.
Likes to bite and 'give sugars' on our arms, faces, legs or whatever is near him.
Loves bathtime.
Sleeping like a champ through the night, but it still takes a few minutes (or more) to get him to sleep.
He loves the dogs, watches them intently and try to pet/grab them whenever he is within reach.  I think he may be an animal lover.
His disposition is sweet as can be.  He is fairly easy going until he is over tired or hungry.  He is laid back and east going like his daddy.

HALLIE
Weighs 18.5 lbs
Says 'dada', 'baba' and 'nana'.  I am patiently waiting for mama!
She squeals and screams when she is happy or excited.   She let out a huge squeal out of nowhere in the car this week and scared Mom and I half to death.
Sits up and can go from laying to sitting with no problem.  She scoots wherever she needs to go.
VERY close to crawling.   Up on all fours rocking and is ready to take off any minute.
Starting to pull up so the crib had to be lowered.  Here we go!No teeth.  Maybe she plans on Grayson doing all of the chewing for her :)
She isn't as interested in food as G, but does like the pureed store bought food better than homemade. I think she prefers the texture.  Her favorites seem to be the sweeter foods, such as apples, bananas, and sweet potatoes.
Loves to play with her toys still, and has no problem taking toys from Grayson.  In fact, once she decides she wants something, she will most likely end up with it.  Grayson doesn't seem to mind.
Loves bathtime.
Sleeping is still hit or miss. She has been waking in the night and coming to bed with us.  She sleeps in the pack and play away from Grayson so that she doesn't wake him when she does.  We hope this is a phase and are going to try not to get her right away.  Cry it out method is a little harder with Hallie.  She gets so worked up it almost scares me she will make herself sick. So for now, we have another little body with us in bed.  It could be worse and to be honest, I kind of like it.
She waves bye-bye and claps her hands to paddy cake.  It's adorable!
This girl is all personality, she constantly makes us laugh with her drama. She lets us know when she isn't happy, but is sweet as sugar like her brother.




4/29/2015

Spring has Sprung!

Grayson, Hallie and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect spring day to enjoy the park.  This wasn't the first trip to the park, but it was the first time we've been since they could sit up and therefore, enjoy the swing!  Big Daddy and Grammy met us.  I am not sure who had more fun!



Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your blessings?  Today was one of those days.  I talked with an old friend from History Maker today who raised three children of his own. I liked the advice he had for me, enjoy each and every stage regardless of its challenges, and yes, there ARE challenges with EACH stage.  So today instead of focusing on our lack of sleep, as Hallie has been having some sleep regression issues, we chose to make the most of this day!





4/24/2015

8 Months!

Could two babies be any cute or more fun?!  Our days are spent playing and laughing with minimal crying.  This past month we have battled some tummy issues for Hallie which left her uncharacteristically fussy, but now that we have figured that out we have our happy, playful girl back in full force.  We are two weeks into the helmets and are tolerating them very well.  We have to be very cautious not to get over heated and have to wash them frequently
 We see the therapists about once a week to make adjustments as their little heads are growing. Today we were told they are making great progress and rounding nicely. We expect to be in them another 6-8 weeks. I can't wait to kiss hair instead of helmet! Grandpa Doug and Grandma Rita came in town to meet the babies.  We had a fun weekend of shopping, playing and even went to the zoo for the first time with H&G.  We had a great time and miss them already!

Here are what H&G are up to this month.

GRAYSON
21 Pounds
Sits up unassisted and plays with his toys.  BIG BOY!
Loves to interact with Hallie. 
Enjoys sweet potatoes, chicken and isn't so sure about pears, but loves to eat anytime of day.
Held his bottle for an entire feeding today!
Laughs and babbles constantly.  Has big joyful smiles.
Has TWO teeth!  So far, he hasn't fussed much at all with his incoming teeth. 
Sleeps well, but getting to bed without a fight is hit or miss. 
Naps about twice a day, usually at 10:00 and 2:00.
Starting to get up earlier and earlier... What happened to 8:00am,  G?
Rolls over from stomach to back.
Likes to snuggle and cuddle.

HALLIE
Sits up unassisted for a few minutes at a time.  She is really getting the hang of it.
Pivots on her tummy in full circles and moves her legs like she wants to start crawling.
Loves to talk and interact with Grayson and reach for him.
Enjoys sweet potatoes, chicken, but isn't so sure about pears. She is more interested in grabbing the spoon and shoving it into her mouth than eating.
No teeth just yet.
Laughs, smiles and SQUEELS often.
Talks and talks... and talks and talks!  It's just precious.
Lifts her arms up when we walk by, as if to say, 'Pick me up, please!'
Sleeps well but has been waking in the middle of the night.  I think she is wanting to roll over, but can't in her suit.  Waking up earlier, again, what happened to 8am?
Naps about twice a day, usually at 10:00 and 2:00.
She loves her toys and inspects them meticulously.
Starting to pay attention to the dogs and wants to touch and pet them.
Loves sitting in the baby carrier and taking everything around her in.


What a joy these two are.  We are overwhelmed by the love they bring to our lives and they are so blessed to be loved by so many. 


4/22/2015

First Easter


He is Risen!

Easter was a perfect day spent with our favorite people!  We took the babies to church for the very first time.  They were perfectly behaved and dressed in their Easter's best.  We sat in the back row with Nana, Big Daddy, Grammy, Alison and Jase.  We spent the evening at Grandpa and Grandma Thomas'.  Nana and the Clark's joined us.  Here are some of our favorite pictures of the day.

Another special first in the books!  

 
 

3/24/2015

7 Months!

We have experienced so many new milestones and are loving every minute of these fun new stages. Here goes.

GRAYSON
19.8 Pounds
Rolling over and over and over!
Started solids. Didn't care for rice cereal but he loves butternut squash. It's so cute to feed his messy face!
Sitting up and propping himself with his hands for a couple of minutes at a time.
Hair is a dirty blone and eyes are crystal blue. We get stopped and he gets compliments on his baby blues constantly.
Big adorable, chubby thighs.
Sleeping great. Has a hard time getting to sleep some nights. He likes to be rocked to sleep and doesn't care to go to bed if he is aware he is acutely going to bed. Likes to sleep on his side in the crib.
Holds Hallie's hand.

HALLIE
15.11 Pounds
Rolling over. She gets mad because she rolls over on her tummy but doesn't care for tummy time. Funny girl.
Lays her hands on her head when she eats. It's precious.
Loves to be out and about and really takes everything in. She is very observant.
Hair is getting lighter and I'm still not sure what color her eyes will be. I think hazel.
Thighs are getting chunky, with sweet chubby rolls.
Sleeping all night and does great in her sleep suit. We lay her down wide awake and give her thep paci. Easy peasy!
Likes to hold brother's hand.

Both babies are doing great in therapy and may even graduate from it soon! In other news, we saw the Cranio doctor and will be getting helmets in April. Not excited about this, but want to make sure we take care of this early and prevent figures issues. The earlier we start the easier the treatment and shorter time they will be in them. As they get older their heads are less plyable and would take more time in their helmets to fix. Poor little peanuts!

We are so looking forward to our first Easter and first time to church this coming weekend. Mom and I had so much fun buying their Easter outfits and having their pictures with the Easter bunny. They did great.  Next year may be a different story...

6 Months!

And just like that, Grayson and Hallie are six months old.  Aaron and I had our first adult vacation sans babies.  It was a short, but nice trip to Costa Rica.  You could say we got our feet wet.


Here is what our little stinkers have been up to in their sixth month.

GRAYSON
17.8 pounds
Grabs and holds toys.
Puts everything in your mouth.
Smiles, flirts and acts bashful - so cute!
Laughs when he thinks we are funny.
Eating 8-10 ounces at a time!
Sits up in bumbo or jumper.
15 minutes of tummy time or more at a time with no problem.
Grayon has his first tooth! It popped up middle of March while we were in Costa Rica. It's so stinking cute I can hardly stand it.
Did great while mom and dad were in Costa Rica. Grammy and Nana split the time with them.


HALLIE
15 pounds
Grabs toys and puts them in her mouth
Loves to examine her hands.
Smiles big open mouth smiles, but not yet laughing.
Likes to be lifted in the air and ride on my legs.
Holds her bottle (with help)
Puts her paci in her mouth and takes it back out, over and over again!
Sits up in bumbo or jumper.
Can prop sit for a few minutes at a time without support.
Screams and squeals.
Still not a fan of tummy time and needs to continue work on this.
No teeth just yet.
Did great while mom and dad were in Costa Rica. Grammy and Nana split the time with them. 

Our six month appointment went great. Dr. Prater said several times, the ya re doing and growing wonderfully. Each tome we see them they climb the percentage growth chart getting closer and closer to the weight of other babies their same age. Grayson is 3 pounds bigger, but feels twice her size. He's our stout boy and she's our peteote girl. Dr. P also felt we are ready to start solids such as rice cereal and puréed fruits and veggies. I am not feeling quite ready so we will wait until 7 months. I've read so much about the negative of starting solid foods before a baby's gut is ready and went with my mommy instinct on this one. Fortunately, they don't NEED it until closer to one year so we will wait just a it longer.

Pictures to follow but HAD to get this post up... A month late. #twinlife
PURA VIDA!