11 months and need your help

Another month has come and gone. The boys are getting so big. I want to do something for the boys and I need your help. I know the monthly posts are usually full of what the boys are doing and all that but not this month. I need your help. I want stories about Erick, myself or the boys. I want you to write down things that you want the boys to know later in life. Funny, sappy, happy or sad. Write your stories in response to this post and I will have them made into a book for the boys. Please one story per comment but you can comment as many times as you like. Be sure to include your name so I can give you credit in the book. This is really important to me and I know you will come through and the boys will love it.

Christmas is comming!

I have been waiting to show you these pictures out of respect for the turkey. Now that Thanksgiving is over I can post.

Last week the news showed this AWESOME set up for Santa. I was really impressed. Check it out.



See isnt that great. Well as I was watching the news they said where this great set up was. It was in the mall less then 2 blocks from me. Oh this is great I was thinking. Then it got even better. A group was giving out FREE pics with Santa at an opening day party if you signed up online. So I did. The thing started at 10am, check in was at 9, we got there at 8:15. When we got in line we wernt even there 5 min when another family was behind us. We were first in line for Santa.
The boys waiting for Santa



Santa arrived and we are waiting for him to get comfy

Santa pics daddy snuck



Today was not a day of rest for me either. While the boys napped I put the Thanksgiving stuff away and got the Christmas stuff out. I got most of the gifts wrapped and under the tree. Then we got the boys up. We totally expected the boys to go straight for the tree. We were surprised when they went for the ball hanging on the door.

Then the boys noticed that they can get in the window (normally there is a couch in front of it). That is when they noticed the tree. Below is a great pic because it looks like Owen is on the Santa lookout and Ethan is scoping out the names on the gifts.

Here is the tree now with all the gifts under it.


I have to admit I know today was only day one but it has not been that difficult to keep the boys out of the tree or the packages. I am excited because I was worried we were going to need a gate or something for the tree.

Our first Thanksgiving

My mom came for dinner and it was good even if we didnt get turkey because it wasnt cooking. The boys were so excited to get to eat the special dinner.


No we didnt expect the boys to eat all that but we wanted them to have enough to make a mess and get a taste.

Owen wasnt sure (His bib says my first thanksgiving)

Ethan knew what to do (his bib says Im stuffed)

Both boys enjoyed the meal (their first time getting to use a fork on their own)





After the very filling meal the boys got a bath and put in jammies. Then my sister, brother in law and niece came over. We played wii. When everyone they left my mom, Erick and I watched a movie. Overall it was a fun, filling holiday.

heads above the rest

Look mom I can climb

And I can stand


look at that smile and those teeth


Owen had his first head check for the helmet yesterday and the good news is the helmet is working already. There is a 3mm change in his head. I know you think 3mm is nothing but his head only needs to adjust 13mm so 3 is great.

Owen's head just before getting the helmet on

The helmet

close up

Not what we were hoping for

Today the boys had a follow up with the GI. We were hoping to hear that Ethan could try dairy and soy now that was not the case. The boys are growing.

Owen: 19lb 13oz 29.5 in and a 47.7cm head
Ethan: 21lb 2oz 28.75 in and a 46.5cm head

BUT when they checked Ethan's poop there was still a trace of blood in it. So still no dairy or soy til this birthday. Then we get to try it and go back to the GI. If that appointment in Jan. still shows blood then he has to have a blood draw and an allergy panel done. BOO!

Full swing

I have got to admit I am having fun planning the boys first birthday. I have always loved party planning but this is just a blast. We have the date, theme, favors, cakes, location, and time all picked out. I have spent some time looking at things for the boys Wish List for those that have been asking me to update it so they know what to get for Christmas and birthday. I cant believe in 6 weeks my boys will be a year old.

This time last year I was a week into bed rest, still contracting, worried about going into full blown labor, bitching about not doing Thanksgiving and getting tired of sitting on my butt. Now I have 2 rug rats that are on the go and I dream of getting to sit on my butt.

Did you miss us?

Well we are home. The trip was long and hard. I couldn't go to the mine although my sister did. At the funeral they played a video of my cousin taken in the hour before her death. It was her dancing in the back of the truck before going into the mine. It was hard to watch and she will be missed. That is all I want to say on the matter.

While getting ready to leave something interesting happened. Owen took a step. A single step not holding onto anything. Then while in the hotel in front of everyone he took 2 steps all on his own. We are so proud. While we were in the hotel we had a bad night with the boys. OMG it was horrible. Well we now know why it was so horrible. There is a new tooth in the house. Owen decided he no longer wanted to be toothless. He also has his second tooth coming in.

Ethan is getting braver. He is still my careful child but he is starting to let go.

We also took our holiday photo.

It is so fun to watch them grow!

broken

That is how I feel right now. Broken. I have cried so long and hard that tears dont come anymore. My cousin died today. A tragic, painful, sudden death. I may be missing awhile as I spend the time with family. The boys, Erick and I are all fine.

RIP Linda