Too Cool for the Pool

This month has been jamb packed with fun and new experiences. We started out trying solid foods. We have been giving them rice cereal at meal time and it has been a messy adventure. Also this month the boys have been exhibiting their skill in rolling over from both sides and showing a strong determination to crawl. In the last few weeks we have started on the play date circuit. We met our new best friends Charlie and Valerie but the funnest date was with Maya because she had a pool. The boys were very stylish in their summer threads and sunglasses. Aron was so proud of his outfit and was wearing it so until he got in the water. He was not enjoying himself and did not understand why he was wearing his clothes in the "bathtub". Aden on the other hand embraced swimming and relaxed as we towed him around the pool. It was very fitting that Aron was the first one out of the pool and Aden was the last.

Laughing

The boys are 5 months old and everyday it seems they are bigger and smarter. At the end of May we started making formula in the blender due to shear quantity but we will be starting solid foods in June. The boys are so active laughing, playing and rolling over. They have been playing with toys vertically like the Johny Jumper and Exersaucer. The first time we opened the JJ we put Aden in thinking he would be the one who would bounce off the walls but he just sat there, but Aron watching him just about jumped out of Daddy's arms for a turn. So we put Aron in and when Aden saw Aron enjoying himself he became interested. After Aron's turn we put Aden back in and he used his feet to turn himself in a circle and then lift his feet so he would spin. Alex was scolding him that kind of behavior was against the recommendation of the instructions. I am just thinking, "that's my boy." So we have had a lot of laughs this month and so have the boys. We call Aden Mr. Chuckles because he likes to laugh at his brother and the doll known as his girlfriend. Aron thinks Mama is hysterical. Finally someone who appreciates my jokes.

Hallelujah!! Aron slept through the night from 8:00pm to 5:00am and would have kept going if not woken. Aden made it to 3:00am and I am sure will add those extra hours soon. Both boys are starting to get the concept of day and night. They are taking fewer and shorter naps during the day and ready to go to sleep right at 8:00pm.

Today I took Aron to the pulmonologist to check up on his crackly breathing. Earlier in the month we took him for an x-ray in fear of pneumonia but was diagnosed with a chest cold. The advice this time was "do nothing". The sound he is making is his trachea underdeveloped and loose. Like the squeaking with his swallowing this is something he has to grow out of. Aron doesn't seem to mind and was all smiles for the doctor. So good news is that we can stop the medication we were treating the chest cold with and are now in a holding pattern to see how he grows.

There is no doubt the boys are growing. This week Aron rolled over on to his tummy and was trying so hard to crawl. He was able to get his legs under him but still not strong enough in the arms to lift. Yesterday Aden was happily playing in the next step of developmental toys called the Exersaucer. It might be time to upgrade from the horizontal play mat to the vertical. I was looking at Johnny Jumpers online remembering how much I loved mine but then also remembered my parents telling my how many door frames were damaged from my enthusiastic jumping. Maybe an outside swing would be better :)

This weekend the boy are going to be baptized in the church where I was baptized. The posted photos are early shots of their christening outfits and more are posted on the photos link.

Spring into Motion

The boys have been working hard all month on developing their hand eye coordination. We have bought them little Bumbo seats to help work on their posture which they seem to enjoy sitting up like big people. They have started reaching and grabbing toys and I even saw Aden exhibit a reflex to bat something from his face. The boys are getting so strong and growing so fast. We have upped their nightly bottles and have been getting up to 5 hours of sleep. Every additional 15 minutes is a blessing but we are a ways off from a full 8 hours.
This month's drama was we thought Aron had pneumonia. He had to go to the hospital for a chest x-ray that fortunately determined it was just a bad chest cold. He came home with a nebulizer treatment which has been helping at relieving his cough.

Happy Easter

The boys had a nice Easter all decked out in their super cute Spring outfits. They enjoyed being the center of attention with the family over to celebrate and showed off their smiles. Mom found the energy to make hot cross buns. On Friday we took the boys to the office. Aden helped daddy at his desk while Aron used the boss's office to answer a few emails and approve a few raises.
We have added a new link for video in the gallery. I have posted last month's choice clips.

Smiling and Giggling

At three months old the boys are showing signs of mental development. They are starting to smile, giggle, focus on toys and mimic talking. Aron is our little smiley. He loves to play peek-a-boo and have long conversations. He also makes a lot of noises that sound like piglet snorts. Aden has taken on the personal challenge of trying to get his whole fist (aka meaty mitt) in his mouth. He enjoys play time by himself on the mat and likes slapping around the toys; showing them who's boss. Both boys are lifting their heads and enjoy sitting up. We have just changed their eating schedule to every 4 hours which means an extra hour of sleep for mom and dad. Daycare has done a great job of keeping them happy and occupied so they are nice and tired at night. Mommy is back to work full time and is enjoying being back. Everyone on the job site knows I am coming off of little sleep and to have the coffee ready when I arrive.
If you have not received an update from me, there is a new feature on the blog. Under the buns is a link to more pictures. We are working on an FTP site so we can link in video too.

First Day at Daycare

Monday was the first day of school and the first day back to work for mom. We decided to go with a school that is right at the front of the neighborhood. It was the most convenient, price was right and they would be the only infants so they have the whole nursery for themselves. The teachers are really nice and very accommodating to our requests. I didn't have to evoke the fear to get special morning treatment of having them segregated from the toddlers during morning arrival. It was nice to just ask and it was done. I guess I am going to have to take the fear back to the grocery store parking lot and harass women parking in the pregnancy spaces who want to get to Starbucks faster. The boys seem to really enjoy their new environment. Every time we have stopped in to visit they are content and happy. Tomorrow we get a password to their web cam so I can watch them all day. Mom's first day back to work went well. Everyone told me how skinny I look. The best part about going back, which I hadn't even thought of, was that Alex and I get to function in an adult environment. My greatest joy was when I realized that we get to have lunch together and not have to worry about the when the cry bomb will ignite. So once we figure out our new sleep schedule I think we will be in good shape.
Today we went for our 2 month check up. Both boys are up to 9lbs and 21" which has moved them from the 3% to the 10% growth for their age. The doctor was very pleased and said she doesn't think there will be any problem catching up with their singleton peers.