Day 3: Movers and Shakers and Bicentennial Park

Today we were able to go back to our favorite library story time from last summer: Movers and Shakers at the Covedale Library.  We just adore Miss Colleen and she has a great way with the kids, and this time was no exception.  We sang several songs, including our favorite about riding the horse into town. The twins were feeling a little shy, this being their first time back in a year, but I'm hoping with regular weekly visits they will feel more comfortable. They were very good listeners!  Afterward, they loved going to the library to play puzzles and check out a few books.
After the library, we went to a new park in our area, Bicentennial Park off of Diehl Road in Green Township.  It's awesome! They have lots of shade, the crushed tire for falls, and lots of play equipment.  We will definitely go back again soon! Here's a few shots of the great equipment.  And a video of the awesome gross motor skills that we have in JT (and really Grant, too, just couldn't capture him because he didn't do it nearly as often)!

 Made me a little more than nervous when they climbed up to this slide, but they did a great job!

 I can't believe this child can climb like this and is still in diapers!

These boys will hug each other anywhere!

Day 2: Making popsicles

Today we stayed at home and made popsicles.  It's a recipe that I found on....yep, Pinterest.  It's super easy with only two ingredients: bananas and nutella (I added a small amount of milk because the blender was struggling)!  The boys helped break up the bananas and toss them in the blender and I added the nutella.  Then, they had fun pushing the buttons but I did the pouring into the Mickey popsicle molds, which we were dying to use!  After dinner we had a sweet treat to enjoy, complete with fun mess!  Here's some sweet shots of the yummy goodness!

 JT

 Grant

Yep, we doubled the fleet of cozy coupes thanks to a free one acquired by our sitter, Jess!

Summer Break Day 1: Cincinnati Zoo

Today was my first day of summer break!   We have a lot planned this summer (our "Summer Fun List") and I hope to document our fun with a picture each day and possibly a blog post. So, we decided to start off our fun with a trip to the zoo with Grammy.  We saw a lot of animals this time and had a first while there...our first time touching a tortoise.  It was a beautiful day.

Grammy and the boys

The new baby zebra, Savana

The boys were requesting to see the monkeys and luckily they were active!

Touching the tortoise...a new and very cool exhibit at the zoo

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)