Music to my ears

Hi, again! I don't usually post again so quickly, but I have some more cute pictures and one adorable video! I have been trying so hard to get the boys to learn to take a bath in the "big boy" tub, but since they are still learning to sit up on their own, it's been tough to find something that worked for them. They are way too big for the infant tub, but I have been folding them up and squishing them in there anyway! Today, though, we got an inflatable duck tub and the boys loved it! The duck's beak quacks which made them both laugh. I let them play in it in the living room for a while to get used to it before putting it in the bathtub. When we did get in the tub, Ross was thrilled immediately, and Riley took a couple of minutes to get used to it and then he loved it, too. I got some cute bath pics, so check them out. The video is pretty short, and very cute. Ross learned how to make a new sound today, and even though he doesn't know what it means, it's my favorite sound in the world. He is saying "mama" over and over again! I am positive that he doesn't know what it means, because he said it to the orange star on his birdbath toy, to Riley, and to a washcloth in the bathtub. He also said it up and down all the aisles at Target this afternoon. But, it still made me tear up and get all emotional! Here's the link if you want to check it out:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6534566554371864875
Thanks again for checking in with us!

9 month check up

Hi! The boys had their 9 month check-up today and we got lots of good news! Ross now weighs 20lbs and Riley weighs 20 lbs 7 oz. They are both 28 inches tall. That puts them both at the 50th percentile for their real age (not adjusted for prematurity) for both height and weight! That means that they have totally caught up and are growing beautifully! We had a wonderful afternoon after our appointment. We went to the Center for Creative Play with Grandma, Aunt Lys, Uncle Marc and Reid. All three boys had a wonderful time! Check out the new pics I posted of the three of them together. Then, this evening, we went to Grandma's house to celebrate Aunt Lys' birthday! The boys surprised all of us by doing very well, despite not having any good naps all day! We all had a lot of fun! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Helmet pic

I just posted a pic of Ross in his helmet. It's not a great picture, but it's the best I could get using my camera phone!

Flying baby food

Hi, everyone! I just wanted to post a quick update to let you all know that the boys are doing great! Unfortunately, my digital camera is broken, so I can't post any new pics. You'll just have to trust me that they are still totally adorable! Riley faked me out last weekend when he started to cut his first tooth, but so far, it hasn't really come through his gum. He was pretty miserable for a couple of days with typically teething stuff, but thankfully, he is not uncomfortable anymore. No tooth, but no more cranky Riley! He's back to his usually smiling, gorgeous self! He has also developed the cutest new skill....he loves to grab my cheeks, pull my face toward his, and give me "kisses". With his mouth wide open, he basically drools all over my face and then laughs. I looooove it! Ross is also doing very well! He has been conducting experiments to see which baby foods he can spit the farthest. So far, he has managed to get apricots all over my glasses, and squash all over the wall behind his high chair. That one took some maneuvering, but he was determined. He is also sitting up unsupported for close to 5 minutes at a time, which is so wonderful!

As some of you already know, Ross has torticollis and plagiocephaly. Torticollis basically means that one of the muscles in his neck is shorter and tighter than it should be, which causes his head to tilt to one side. He has been getting PT for a few months now and is slowly stretching that muscle and straightening out. As a result of the torticollis, he has been a little slower to roll over, sit up, etc., which has meant that he has spent more time laying on his back. The tilt in his neck, and the extra time laying on his back, have created a fairly significant flat and slanted shape to his head, which is called plagiocephaly. So, he is going to be wearing a Starband, or helmet, for several months to help his head grow into a more round shape. He started wearing the helmet this week and after a rough first few days, seems to be adjusting well. I just wanted to let you know so that when you see his pics, you'll know what he is wearing. We all went out to brunch today to celebrate Aunt Lys' birthday and all three babies were wonderful! Reid and Ross had a little talk but I guess their conversation was private, because none of us know what they said! Friday will be the boys' 9 month check-up. I cannot believe that they are that old already! Thanks for checking in with us!

More videos

Hi, everyone! Ross and Riley and I had a wonderful weekend! Yesterday, we went to the park for the very first time! We went with Aunt Lys, Uncle Marc, and Reid. The boys went down the slide and rode on the swings. I will post some very cute pics of them on the swings. Later on, our friends Mike and Barbara came over to visit and play. Then, we went on a quick Starbucks run for Mommy! Then, today we went out to lunch with our whole family and grocery shopping. We bought tons and tons of baby food! Then, we came home and spent tons of time playing and rolling around. Ross is really getting better and better with rolling over! Riley has learned how to play peek-a-boo and is so adorable! He laughs every time he reappears! Turn your volume up a little to hear him laughing. Here is a link to a short video of him playing if you are interested: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1743319661260737313

I also took a video of Ross rolling over and trying hard to figure out how to crawl. At the beginning, he is giggling every time I say "hi" but you'll have to have your volume turned up a little to hear his laugh. He also makes rasberries while he's moving. Here's the link if you want to check it out:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7483658116002194378

I just posted one cute pic of the boys in new rain coats that Grandma bought them. They look adorable, and they are both smiling! Have a great week!