Video Clips

For the past few days, both of the boys have been singing "Happy Birthday". We haven't celebrated any birthdays lately, but they are both really into the song these days. Tonight, at dinner, Ross belted out his own version, and then did a little improv at the end, which I managed to capture on video. He doesn't say all of the words, (he skips "happy birth-") but he is clearly saying 'day to you".

Riley has learned the names of many dinosaurs, thanks to Katie! I love how he sounds when he says "stegosaurus," "triceratops," and "pterodactyl"! I took this video tonight of him naming most of the dinosaurs in one of his books.

Exhausted but adorable

I just had to post a couple quick pics from this weekend. The first one is the boys in their "bunny glasses" that my Mom gave them yesterday. They both love wearing them and looking at themselves in the mirror.

The transition to the big boy beds has gone well for night time, although it does take Ross quite a while to settle down and actually stay in bed. Naps during the day, though, haven't gone well at all! Neither of them have napped at all this weekend and they were both completely exhausted by late afternoon today. This picture was taken right after their bath tonight. They both climbed onto the couch, Riley put his arm around Ross, and Ross reached up and held Riley's hand. They look like they are about to fall asleep right there!

Big Boy Beds

At naptime today, Ross climbed out of his crib. Thank goodness, he didn't get hurt and Riley slept through his stunt work. However, I am sure that Ross will climb out again soon. I am just as certain that when Riley sees him do it, he will try to imitate him. I don't want either of them to fall and get hurt, and with Riley's balance issues, that's a real concern. So, in order to keep them both safe, I decided that we must take the huge leap and move to big boy beds. Thankfully, Uncle Marc, came over after work today and converted the boys' cribs into toddler beds.

Here are some pics of them all tucked in to their big boy beds.

Riley

Ross

Please Support March For Babies

One day... all babies will be born healthy!

Today... too many moms and families know the heartbreak of having a baby born fighting to survive.

I've joined March for Babies because the March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in our community and across the nation.

The money we raise for March for Babies will help:
- support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects
- educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby
- provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care
- push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children

Please help by donating today!

It's easy, safe and secure - just click to make your donation.
The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

This year, Ross, Riley, and I will once again 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 9th. 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 personal page!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/rossandriley

A New Place to Play

My sister, Mom, and I are always on the lookout for fun, new places to play in our area and we recently learned about E2 Toys to Try. We went to play for the first time this afternoon, and all three of the boys loved it! It is an indoor playspace with a huge variety of gross motor, sensory, and pretend play toys, along with a toy store to purchase unique and fun items! As promised in my last post, here are some pics from this afternoon:

Riley crawling through the house that he and I built together.

Ross playing with the toy train set. He said "choo choo"!

Riley is filling up his tow truck with gas. When he drove the truck over to the gas pump, he didn't quite drive close enough for the hose to reach the car. So, instead of driving the car closer, he got out and picked up the gas pump and carried it over to the car. I like his problem solving skills!

Cutie pie cousins!

Riley steering the pirate ship.

Ross steering the pirate ship.

Riley has become very interested in stuffed animals lately. He found this cat and carried it around for quite a while. In this photo, he is giving the cat a ride on a fire truck.

Ross driving the tow truck! He was actually able to make the truck move forward a little bit, which is a new skill for him! He hasn't been able to figure out ride on toys until now.

There is a wonderful vestibular tent swing in the middle of the playspace that is big enough for all kiddos to get into together. Ross loves all vestibular swings and zoned out in there for a while, but Reid and Riley just kept popping in and out to visit.

Ross had a great time with the pretend kitchen!

This is a picture of Riley walking up the ramp onto the pirate ship! This was really hard and I was impressed with how well he was able to walk up this ramp! He figured out how to use the ropes to help pull himself up and didn't need my help at all!


Brotherly love inside the vestibular swing.

Lots of words!

I know that it has been nearly a month since I've posted and I apologize for that! The boys have been busy playing and learning and just generally doing beautifully! We did have a rough couple of weeks when they were both sick (croup!) but, thankfully, that is over now.

Riley is talking up a storm these days! He is combining 5 and 6 words all the time, and his vocabulary astounds me. Most recently, he has been talking about how much he misses me when I am at work and how he feels "so happy" when I come home. You know I love to hear that!! He describes and narrates everything he sees, and is full of curious questions about the world around him. It's so much fun to see his mind at work. He comes up with something hysterical every day and I love waiting to hear his latest revelations when I come home from work.

Ross' language, though, has truly been the greatest miracle lately! He is repeating a TON of words, and his spontaneous language has really taken off over the past couple of weeks! He is saying "all done" when he is finished eating or finished playing with a toy, without having to be prompted. He is saying the noises that various animals make, and the names of all of the letters and the numbers up to 10. He also says banana, but it sounds like "manana" which is just adorable! He says "up" when he wants to be picked up, and he says "hi" and "bye" like a champ! He has said lots of other words here and there, and it seems like each day he adds another word that he is suddenly able to say.

Ross recently had a check-up with the developmental pediatrician who diagnosed him PDD. A the time of his diagnosis, 6 months ago, she felt that his language skills were at the level of a 9 month old baby. Now, only six months later, she feels that his skills are at the level of a 15 month old. That's terrific progress! Of course, Ross is actually 31 months old, so we still have quite a way to go, but it's so encouraging to see him make such great strides!

I know that many of you really only check in because you want to see pictures or videos and I hate to disappoint you....but I just haven't taken many lately! I am so sorry! I will try to take some this weekend and post them soon.

The Effect of Birthday Cake

I just had to post these quick pics of the boys enjoying some of my leftover birthday cake at home today.

Riley is attacking his cake with both a spoon AND a fork, for maximum delivery to his mouth.

Ross has already tried using a spoon, a fork, and his pacifier, He is now going full force with is fingers. His hairstyle is courtesy of about two tablespoons of icing that he has wiped into his hair!

I would like to send a special thanks to my amazing family and wonderful friends who helped to make my birthday so special! I love you guys!