5 Months Old

We've entered a really fun stage with a lot of little milestones!  Summer is in full swing and we have been trying to enjoy ourselves despite the heat.  We celebrated Peter's first Father's Day-the boys got him a book about daddies and a very cool (manly) bracelet with a special inscription just for him.  We also celebrated our first Fourth of July with the boys by going to Nana and Pappy's house.  A few days before the fourth the we went to the Balloon Glow at Coney Island with Grammy.  It was really cool and we'll definitely go back again!
The biggest milestone this month is that the boys started eating their first solid, rice cereal.  It was really a very awful experience for all of us.  It was like feeding breastmilk on a spoon because it was so thin.  To add to that, the boys hated the spoons.  But, we'll just have to keep practicing and hopefully it won't always be this frustrating.
Here are the other updates for this month: Both boys reached for each others toy while in the Bumbo seat for the first time on 6/22.   Both boys are also laughing a lot, which is such a wonderful sound, possibly the best sound in the world!  Both boys also found their feet this week-big exciting find, where were they for the four months prior?!  It has always amazed me how babies can get their feet into their mouth so easily! It's hours of entertainment-and free!  The Five Little Ducks and The Five Green Speckled Frogs are two of the boys' absolute favorite songs and they really clam down Grant when he's upset.  Grant rolled over from his back to his belly for the "first" time since 5/12.  He seems to have figured out how to master this because he does it easily.  Grant isn't the only one learning new things, JT has now figured out how to make raspberry sounds and it is hilarious!

 The feeling about the rice cereal is mutual!

 Balloon Glow at Coney Island with Grammy

 First time at Newport Aquarium

 They loved watching the colorful fish

 First time in the Jumperoo (minus any actual jumping)

 We're 5 months old!

Our First Trip

This weekend we took the boys on their very first trip away from home.  We were headed to Toledo, OH for a wedding.  The trip was about 4 hours and the boys slept most of the time.  Our car looked like we were leaving for a week, we needed so much.  Basically, we had to pack the same things we would need for a week even though it would only be for the weekend.  This was the first time the boys slept in the pack and play for longer than a nap.  They did great though, and amazingly were able to sleep together without disturbing one another. 
The best part of the trip was introducing the boys to all of my sorority sisters who haven't met them yet but showered them with love before they were born!  The boys did a great job at the wedding, although we probably looked ridiculous pulling in with a double stroller to a wedding!

Meeting a new friend

Well the boys' met Bryce Spieler, their first friend, today!  Marty and Angela Spieler are Grant's godparents and our very good friends.  The boys' meeting is actually very bittersweet as Angela and Marty are leaving at the end of the week to move to Buffalo, NY where Marty will be coaching football for the University of Buffalo.  Peter and I are Bryce's godparents.  Angela and I met at work and became fast friends.  We will miss each other terribly however we will be keeping in touch frequently and planning visits as often as we can.  Our boys will always be friends :) 

4 Months Old

Well summer is officially here and we've become confident parents and have ventured out to a variety of places, including taking the boys to their very first Red's game.  It was pretty warm but they seemed to enjoy the sights and sounds of the game.  I also even went out on my own to our first playdate with some of the girls from the maternity swimming class at the gym!  It was quite a sight with all the car seat carriers!
We're also being completely spoiled by these boys and their sleeping habits.  They sleep from 11:00 p.m. until 9:45 a.m. regularly with three naps during the day!  Peter is definitely well rested but I'm still getting up once in the middle of the night to pump.  But, really I've kinda mastered the process so I can do it while zombie-like!
 Here are the updates for this month: Both boys are practicing lots of tummy time, much to Grant's displeasure.  JT rolled from his tummy to his back on 5/26.  He is much more chill with tummy time and his skills are slightly better.  He rolled from his back to his belly on 6/9.  Both boys love to make silly sounds and babble and love when we repeat these sounds back.  The first form of a "conversation."  Grant loves to scream with happiness and both boys smile a lot.  Grant also found his hands and realized that he can grasp things like a pacifier or bottle (bonus)!!!  Although he grasps toys, he moves them on accident because he doesn't have the complete control yet.  Both boys are lifting their heads and necks to check things out, usually people.

Here are some pictures of our fun from this month:

 Another trip to the zoo-and a beautiful peacock

 First time in the baby pool

 JT, Grant, Jackson, and Gabriella on our first playdate

 Happy Birthday, Mommy :) A perfect way to spend it, too!

 Watching world cup in the boppies

 This is seriously how JT falls asleep sometimes

 We're 4 months old today :)

 First Red's Game vs. Houston (5/28)

Baptism: Every Good and Perfect Gift is From Above

The verse that I always come back to when I think of what a miracle the boys were to us is this:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17

I have never really spoken much about it to others but I do not think it was a coincidence that the boys were born on a Sunday...the Lord's day.  I can barely even think about it without tearing up.  Not one day passes when I am not beyond thankful that God blessed us with Grant and James.  They are happy, healthy babies who have been watched over by Him before they were even here.  

So, today we celebrated the little miracles and decided to have them baptized to give thanks to God for blessing us.  We will always teach them about the importance of faith, prayer, and belief in all the good things that come from above.  We know that the godparents we've chosen will also guide the boys in this way.  Grant's godparents are our good friends, Angela and Marty Spieler.  They are having their own little boy in June!  JT's godparents will be my sister and brother-in-law. 

The ceremony took place at St. Martin of Tours, where we are parishioners.  Father Terry Hamilton said the mass and baptized both boys in front of our friends and family.  Afterward, we celebrated at our house with a cookout.  Here are some pictures from the day:

3 Months Old

I was feeling very blessed this month as I celebrated my very FIRST Mother's Day!  One year ago I was so fearful that this day would never come, that I would never be able to be called "mom."  Little did I know that we would have success with IVF the very first time the following month.  I know He knew the plan and I'm just so thankful to have Grant and JT and look forward to the day they call me "mommy." 

Here are the updates for this month: Both boys love to play with the rattles, but can't quite figure out how to manipulate them.  They also have started cooing and JT makes a funny "guh" sound when he's happy.  JT rolled onto his side from his back on 5/1/12.  Grant's head control is getting better and he holds his gaze on interesting and bright new objects.  The biggest update is that both boys began sleeping through the night (from 11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.)!!! Therefore, we moved them into their own room and their own (separate) cribs.  We knew it was getting close to the time where they needed to be separated since they were nearly on top of each other frequently in the pack and play.  They both seemed to like their cribs and the transition was smooth.
Now this sleeping more thing is great, and really they were very predictable babies (only waking when it was time to eat) but mommy still has to get up and pump so I'm not really seeing many benefits from them sleeping through the night.  But, I'm so thankful I can provide enough milk to feed them for most feedings so I'll continue as long as I am able.

 JT practicing some tummy time

 Grant snoozing away on a warm spring day

 Belle is so protective and they are just so curious about her

 Celebrating my first Mother's Day with my mom

 First time in the Bumbo seats

 Rock on!

We're 3 months old today...never too early for our Mickey hats :)