Thursday, March 27, 2008

Does anyone know Oprah?

This weekend, we got some sad news. The Center for Creative Play, which is one of our favorite places to take the boys to play is closing. The Center is a large, indoor playspace which is designed to allow all kids (typical kids and kids with special needs) to play with a huge variety of toys. They have tons of gross motor activities, art, music, and sensory rooms, ride on toys, tables with train tracks and cars, tunnels to crawl through, and so many other fun toys. For my boys, the best part about the Center was the huge open space that was safe for them to crawl and walk around in. We aren't really sure why the Center is closing, because the news didn't have too much info, but it is really a shame. It isn't clear if it is a financial problem or something else. However, if any of you know Oprah, please ask her to help!! We spend an afternoon there at least twice a month, if not more often, and we will miss it terribly.

Here are some recent pics of the boys at the Center:



The boys enjoying the bubble machine.






The bubble machine is always a hit!



Ross swimming in shredded paper.


Ross loves this wall!



Riley and his wheels!




Riley appears to be tasting the paper....





Ross loves the bubbles!





Riley trying to catch a bubble

Please support March for Babies

This year, Ross, Riley, and I will be participating in March for Babies (formerly WalkAmerica) to help raise donations for the March of Dimes. As you know, The Twincredible Twosome's miracle began at West Penn Hospital in the NICU, where they received amazing medical care. Much of the medical technology that was so critically important for my boys is a direct result of advances in research funded by the March of Dimes.


When I think back to how tiny and fragile they were....



And look at how healthy and strong they are now.....




I am overcome with gratitude! Please help support this organization which has done so much for so many babies!

There are two ways you can support March for Babies. First, you can join our team and walk with us! To join us, simply visit our walk webpage, join our team, do your own fundraising, and participate in the walk on May 4th. If you can't join us on the walk, please visit our walk webpage and make a donation in honor of Ross and Riley! Either way, please click below to visit our page!









Monday, March 24, 2008

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Some more pics and a very brief video....

Here are some new pics of the boys......I love these jackets (they got them for their birthday - thanks to the Drexlers!) and had to get some pics of them looking so cute.





Ross


Riley loves to look out the window.



Ross giggling at Mommy being silly.



Riley


Ross


Riley



Here is a quick video to show you all how well Ross and Riley are both walking now! Ross is the one walking first, and Riley follows right behind using a ride on toy for support, instead of his walker.


Saturday, March 22, 2008

Mommy is learning what???

To knit! I now...most of you think I am totally nuts, but I am learning to knit and I really love it. I finished a scarf with a new pattern last night, and thought I would have the two cutest models I know show it off for me!



I think the pacifier/scarf combo is especially cute on Ross!


Riley's face says it all...."Why did my mother put this thing on me?"


Some more random pics from our photo shoot.....























Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Teasing and Seagulls and Sit Ups

Ross and Riley are full of toddler silliness and fun antics these days! After yet another round of tummy bugs last week, they are back to playing and laughing now. It's hard to believe, but they will be 20 months old this Friday!



Ross singing and walking around Aunt Lys, Uncle Marc, and Reid's house.

Riley....just looking cute.

Lately, both boys have decided that it is fun to feed me, and like to put pieces of their food into my mouth. The other night during dinner, though, both boys decided that it was tons of fun to tease Mommy. Riley started it by holding out a piece of food toward me, but when I leaned in to let him put it in my mouth, he quickly snatched it away and ate it himself! He cracked up laughing and did it over and over again. Ross was watching all of this, and then he held out a bite for me and did the same thing! The two of them took turns "tricking" me and laughed hysterically the whole time. The kept looking at each other, as if to say "I can't believe she keeps falling for it! Try to trick her again!". It was so much fun to see them team up together like that!

We have been spending lots of time at the Center for Creative Play lately. The boys always have fun and they especially like the bubble machine! Ross gets very excited when the bubbles start, and walks around making a noise that everyone agrees sound just like a seagull. It's loud enough for Aunt Lys to hear him when she is all the way across the Center playing with Reid! His whole face lights up and he wanders through the bubbles making his seagull noise. He's so adorable!


Ross enjoying the bubbles...(not sure why his belly is hanging out, but that's cute, too!)


Riley watching the bubbles...

As I've mentioned before, Riley has low tone/weakness in his trunk muscles, which is what is causing him to need his walker for now. Much of the focus of his PT is on strengthening his trunk and teaching him to use those muscles more effectively. Our PT is wonderful about thinking of fun games and activities which make him use his trunk, without feeling like he is doing therapy or exercising. Well, aparently, Riley doesn't really need us to hide his therapy in fun games and he's quite willing to just do exercises! Yesterday, when I got home from work, Katie (the boys' nanny) told me that Riley had a new favorite activity. She got out a large pillow we have and Riley immediately climbed onto it, layed on his back, and started doing sit ups! He loves them! Honestly, who loves to do sit ups? It's wonderful exercise for his trunk and I am thrilled that he has "invented" such a great game for himself! I'll try to get some pictures of him working out to post soon!

That's it for now.....thanks for checking in with us! Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate and Happy Spring to everyone!