Christmas portraits

I thought you might enjoy some of these photos. Ethan sure likes to stand. The next three photos Ethan is on the left. Enjoy!

Montage

Double click on the picture to see this montage larger. This is one of the funniest things we have ever seen them do. First Andrew licked Ethan's face and then Ethan paid Andrew back with a lick of his own. It appeared they were communicating with each other and then it all ended when Andrew got scratched. Those little nails grow so fast.

Christmas with Crawfords

Grandma and Ethan are checking out the Christmas tree. He is about to touch an ornament that spins. Next year when they are mobile, we'll have to put the fragile ornaments a bit higher.

Andrew is very inquisitive about Grandpa's beard. He has a tendency to grab hair and doesn't let go. Ouch!

Ethan's standing balance is getting better every day. David is only holding onto the back of his shirt. Though he still won't take a pacifier, he does like to chew on all sorts of things. Where are those teeth lurking?

What an exciting toy! It's a piano and xylophone at the same time. The boys love to make noise. Mama likes it too because it's not too loud. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa.

7th Month

We visited David's office to wish Grandma Crawford a happy birthday. Here's Andrew and mama. Doesn't he look like me? We have the same eyes, cheeks, skin and ears.


The boys are now in separate cribs. Ethan is on the left hanging onto the side of his crib. I believe they miss being in the same crib because first thing each morning they don't take their eyes off of each other. We were fortunate to find a matching bedding set at a consignment sale. It is an earlier version of the set we were given at our shower.

Ethan on left. They have moved to the next size of clothing, 6-9 months. It seems like the change happens overnight. All of a sudden the pants are too short and the shirts won't snap. This time it was a sleeper that caused the wardrobe change-over. I noticed that Andrew couldn't pull his feet to his mouth because his sleeper was stretched too tight.

7th Month, Ethan

Ethan is becoming such a charmer. He has decided that he likes sitting up or standing better than laying down. He can lock his legs and support his own weight. Of course we have to hold him so he doesn't lose his balance.

Ethan goes to town in the exersaucer. Since he plants his feet, he can spin easier and loves to touch all the things that rattle. Most toys go in his mouth for a chew. If you put a finger in his mouth, it feels like he is going to gnaw through it. I don't see teeth yet, but we're sure they are trying to grow.

In the last picture, Ethan is ready to get out of the exersaucer. He is vocal about letting me know when he is done, bored, and/or tired. It's important to see the signs early and change his situation or he'll start crying all out and have a hard time settling down.

7th Month, Andrew

December 9, Andrew rolled over from tummy to back for the first time. Wow! What an accomplishment!


Andrew likes the exersaucer, thanks again grandma and grandpa. He likes to push the buttons that cause music to play. He doesn't have the hang of putting his feet down yet, but I'm sure it won't be long before he is bouncing.

What a tired boy after all the excitement of a new toy. Time for bed.

Thanksgiving

We are very thankful for our growing family. We are also thankful for the family and friends that could spend time with us this Thanksgiving weekend.

On thanksgiving morning, we only had one high chair so David fed Andrew his first solid food, rice cereal. Ethan sat in the high chair and let a good portion of the food dribble out, but they both seemed to like the food.

Ethan and Andrew are 16 pounds. Their heads are different shapes but have the same circumference. Ethan is 26 1/2" while Andrew is a bit shorter at 25 3/4". Andrew is on the left.

Nana Janelle assisted Ethan with his bottle after thanksgiving dinner. Ethan can hold the bottle most of the time but still needs assistance from time to time.

6th Month Part 2

Andrew and Ethan have been around for 6 months now. They are approximately 16 pounds and love to sit up with support and roll side to side though not completely over yet. They are becoming bored with their old toys so I have to work harder to entertain them. Andrew, pictured first, still loves his pacifier and can't sleep without it.

The highchair is a new experience for them. They have both spent a small amount of time in it watching me in the kitchen in preparation for their first food on Thanksgiving day. This is such an animated picture of Ethan.

Now that they weigh more, baths have moved from the shower to the tub. Ethan, in the brown towel, seems to really enjoy it and splashes with his feet. Andrew didn't like getting his face wet in the shower so is still a bit timid about baths in the tub. I hope he will quickly learn to feel comfortable in water. Thats all for now. My next post will have pictures of their first rice cereal.

6th Month Part 1

Andrew and Ethan are almost 6 months old. Time is going by quickly. They are at a stage right now that is very fun yet still slow paced. Andrew loves to be held during his naps. This first picture shows how I was able to transfer him to the boppy to continue sleeping after Ethan woke up and wanted to eat. They want to help hold their bottle though they are more hindrance than help.





They love to grin, giggle and interact with adults and children. Since, they can't move around on their own, they go where I want them to. I know this will change soon so I'm enjoying the peace right now. Andrew is on the left.









Andrew still likes to use his feet a lot of the time and discovered yesterday that he can hold onto his feet with his hands. They like the toys that play music or light up when they touch them. Early efforts to control their surroundings.









I go walking almost every morning in Collegedale with a few other moms. Andrew is on the left again. Now that it has turned cold, I have to bundle up the boys with hats and gloves (socks on the hands) and then put a big blanket over them. They are toasty warm so they sleep during most of the walk. I'm thankful that I can move the infant car seats to the stroller and don't have to wake them up to strap them in the stroller. I hope they will fit in these carriers until their first birthday.

I'm adding a video of Andrew's babbles and bubbles. Enjoy.

5th Month part 2

It is hard to believe that Andrew and Ethan are 5 months old already. They share this crib but it is now a bit crowded. We turn them at an angle or they will hit each other. Later this week, I'll look for a second crib at a consignment sale.


On October 13 the boys attended their Sabbath School for the first time. No, Andrew can not sit up yet! Maybe in a couple months. They enjoyed the singing and the clouds hanging from the ceiling.


Papa loves to play with the boys. Ethan's shirt says "Too cute for words" which of course I think is true.





David, Nana, Papa, and I attended the PUC alumni dinner on October 17 at Provino's. Though the boys stayed home to go to bed early, we enjoyed passing around this picture.

Below is a video clip that shows the boys excitement with their new toy. Listen for Ethan's happy noises.

Dedication October 6

Andrew and Ethan were dedicated at church on October 6. Unfortunately, I don't remember a lot of what was said during the service because Ethan decided to cry right before we went onto the platform and increased his volume during the prayer while the pastor held him. As the prayer ended, Ethan quieted down but then Andrew started to cry a bit. Oh well, I should have just relaxed because I know I can't control everything.

I hope you enjoy these pictures of all the family. The second photo is with the paternal grandparents and great grandparents.

The third photo is with the maternal grandparents. We're sad that great grandpa and great grandma McCoy could not attend.


Cousin Diana and Ethan share a moment right before he surprised her with spit up that ran down her dress and hit the floor. I could not believe how much food they lost. I hope no clothes were damaged.

5th Month part 1

September 22 we joined our Sabbath School class at Fall Creek Falls State Park for the day. We had church and a great haystack lunch. The weather was just about perfect and the boys loved looking at the clouds and trees. It was difficult for them to nap because they thought they would miss out on something. Ethan took a walk with Daddy to the creek and wore the baseball cap to keep the sun off his head.


Unfortunately, Andrew did not wear his sunscreen and received his first sunburn even though he stayed in the shade all day. He peeled on Monday and by Thursday you couldn't tell he had been burned. It is amazing how fast they heal. His pale skin definitely comes from his mother.

This is the last time we'll put them in the laundry basket. When we first brought them home this made a good bed and carrier. Take a look at the blog "week 1" to see how much they have grown.