Fun at the park

We took Ada and Emmet to the park on Sunday. It was 80 degrees and windy. They both really enjoy being outside lately. Emmet literally throws a tantrum as soon as we walk inside. Emmet smiled while he was swinging. Ada was very interested in two older girls who were swinging next to her. We are really enjoying this warmer weather so we can all get out of the house and get some fresh air.

The fun never stops

Just a quick post tonight on our newest developments.

Our biggest news is...
Emmet is crawling!!!!! He started crawling last Sunday. He isn't doing it full time yet but he's working on it. He's also figure out how to get himself up to sitting from laying down and is starting to pull up on furniture. Once again, it seems just when Roger and I start to really worry he develops several new skills in a matter of a week. Also, his hemangioma is looking great too. His hair almost covers it completely now so I hadn't looked at it in a while but after recent inspection it is nearly flat, has the white spots we were told it would get eventually and is very light pink in color as opposed to it's once bright red. I'm just so relieved and proud of my big boy!

Ada continues to demand lots of attention and is pulling up on everything and anything. Last week I found a coaster in our VCR, which I know she put in there because last week Emmet couldn't reach up there. But, the most entertaining development of Ada are her many attempts to sing and do the motions for "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". Oh, it's so adorable! Ada is also constantly pointing at things, especially ceiling lights and ceiling fans. I imagine that if she had words she would be saying "what's that?" over and over again. She's also been saying "ba bye" and is trying to say "moo moo" and "neigh neigh" when she looks at a book about farm animals.

They are both really enjoying eachother, well most of the time. The really enjoying chasing eachother around. There are times that they become irritated with eachother too, especially when it comes to fighting for mom's attentions. Every night they give eachother kisses before going to bed, which absolutely melts my heart.

No pictures this time but it's time for me to hit the hay.

Adventures at the Children's Museum

Since I was on Spring Break this past week, Nana took Friday off and we bundled up the babies (yes, it was FREEZING) and headed downtown to the Children's Museum. It is always quite a production getting out the door, especially in the cold weather. Neither Ada or Emmet were happy about being shoved into their bulky winter coats, which they can't move in, and strapped in the stroller to walk from the parking ramp to get to our destination. BUT, they did enjoy their time in a new environment. They were mesmerized by all of the people and kids and probably would have been happy just watching what everyone else was doing. I'm so glad we went and look forward to spending some more time there as Ada and Emmet get a little older!

Ada and Emmet in the museum's version of "babyland".

Emmet, Ada and Nana look on as some kids work a contraption on the wall near us.

Ada checking out the cool toys.

Emmet the explorer.

more museum pics

Emmet rocking in a cow. Nana and I were both surprised how quickly he caught on a was able to rock himself. He was incredibly pleased with himself!

Ada having some words with a cow. Really, she was looking at a little girl sitting on it.

Ada also enjoyed rocking on the cow.

Ada's first steps

Last weekend at Aunt Gina's birthday party Ada decided to take some unassisted steps between Daddy and Nana. She can only do two steps in succession but she is just pleased as punch with herself. This has become a favorite game of hers lately too. The look on her face when she reaches her destination is amazing!

Sibling love

Here is proof of the kisses and affection I mentioned in a previous post. Doesn't it just make your heart melt?

Our 1st playtime outside

It's hard to believe that we were actually playing outside a couple of weeks ago. As I write this it is probably 25 degrees outside and the wind is blowing. Yes, it is spring time in Wisconsin! Ada was courageous and was happy to explore. Emmet was a little more cautious and definitely did not enjoy touching the grass as is evident by the first picture. We're so looking forward to the warm weather returning, Ada and Emmet spend a lot of time staring out the patio window...I imagine thinking that very same thing.

The House

We got Ada and Emmet "The Laugh and Learn House" for their birthday. They absolutely love it. It has provided some great fun for all of us. It really is a very cool toy. The door opens and closes, window goes up and down, light switch turns the light on and off, the doorbell rings etc. Along with all of the working parts is a voice stating what's happening (i.e. up, down, open, close, on, off) and of course it plays lots of music. I was hesitant because of it's price tag but do not regret the purchase at all!

Our Real Birthday

On March 20th (Ada and Emmet's birthday) we had a small family birthday celebration at breakfast with blueberry pancakes, which they loved!

Where do the minutes, hours, days go???

I'm afraid I have fallen so far behind in my posting. I am on Spring Break this week and was bound and determined to accomplish so much, including updating the blog. Here it is Thursday already and my to-do list is not even close to being completed. I did however spend some quality time with Ada and Emmet, which I love, love, love. It's such a treat for me to be home for extended periods of time. It does make going back to work difficult but I realize how lucky I am to have the schedule I do.

Where do I begin? On March 23rd we had Ada and Emmet's one year well child visit.

Emmet's stats are:
weight: 22 lbs 12oz (49%), height: 30 inches (57%), Head size: 45 1/2 cm (24%).
Ada's stare are:
weight: 23 lbs 6 oz (83%), height: 30 inches (78%), head size: 45 cm (76%)

The doctor was pleased with their development. We expressed our concern about Emmet not crawling yet (still just army crawling) but she was not worried. She said that if at our next appointment (15 months) he's still not crawling then she would have some concern. Ada started crawling about a month ago and she is a speed demon! They both took their shots with lots of crying and tears of course. We have the green light to feed them pretty much everything we eat and to start whole milk and wean from formula and bottles. So far, they are no longer having a morning bottle but rather a sippy cup with milk. It took them quite a while to decide they liked milk but they're doing well with it now. Just today we pulled the afternoon bottle. They had a sippy with milk instead. The bed time bottle will take a little longer to get rid of.

Every day I can't believe my eyes at how big and grown-up Ada and Emmet appear. They are looking less and less like babies and more and more like toddlers. They are very much into exploring everything and the reactions they have are precious. Ada is a "momma's girl" (not to say that she doesn't adore her daddy) but she has become a bit of a clingy monster lately. She is pulling up on everything and enjoys attempting unassisted steps between people. Her newest phase is to pull up to stand in her crib and jump like crazy. This is all fine and good except that she doesn't know how to drop down yet and this result in crying and screaming until someone comes to lay her down. This sometimes happens 5 times during a nap and usually results in Ada and sometimes both of them not getting their nap in. Emmet is army crawling all over and loves rolling balls all over the kitchen and dining room. He loves laying on his back and looking at books independently. He spends a lot of time staring out the patio window ,I imagine longing to go outside again. They both are enjoying their big birthday present - The Laugh and Learn House.

One of the best new developments is the interaction between the two. Emmet keeps trying to kiss (or bite?) Ada and nuzzles his head into her every chance he gets. Ada likes petting Emmet's head and squeels and giggles with delight when Emmet crawls towards her. She likes to "hide" and peek around corners waiting for him. They both like to say goodnight to eachother with nuzzles and sometimes slobbery kisses. I just love this!!!

I can't believe they are a year old already! I continue to be amazed at the amount of love I feel for them...it is overwhelming and spectacular! I'll add some pictures tomorrow but for now I need some sleep!