Swinging

The boys finally got some fun time outside this weekend. David hung the swing in the tree. The boys really like their swing. Luckily, no throw-up yet! Evan also got his first bruise outside of the NICU (he was a very bruised boy when he was born). He hit his head on the table yesterday while I was eating lunch and holding him. He has a little bruise on his forehead. One of the many, I'm sure.

The food of the week was avocado. The boys take after their mother on this one. It was not a keeper. I think it is the only food that the boys refused to swallow. So far, peaches have been the favorite. Aiden has also realized that spitting his food everywhere makes Mommy laugh. I know I shouldn't, but it is just too funny.

The swing

Evan in the swing.

Aiden in the swing.

Outside

Evan trying to stand.

Aiden standing.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great Memorial Day weekend visiting family and friends. The boys got lots of lovin'! Aiden and Evan got to go swimming for the first time and really enjoyed it for about 15 minutes. Less than 24 hours in Oklahoma and Poppy had killed a rattlesnake and an armadillo. Welcome to OK!! The ride back to Austin was absolutely miserable. Our boys were not happy to leave (or sit in the car for 8 hours).

Aiden, Callie, Carter, & Evan

The boys with Makayla and Kelsie (sitting in-between the boys)

Aiden is doing great with sitting up on his own!

Evan loved the water!

Swimming.

10 Months Old

The boys reached 10 months old this Tuesday. It is hard to believe that we will be celebrating a big birthday in 2 months! They are so mobile now, rolling everywhere. I celebrated my birthday on Monday and taught classes to nutrition students this week. We are now heading to my parents' house in Oklahoma for Memorial Day. Hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend.

Evan

Aiden

Evan

Aiden rolled himself into a baby burrito.

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

I find them in very weird positions in the mornings.

More Fun!!

We started off last week with another birthday party. We went to Woody's 94th birthday party on Tuesday and had a blast! I started my new job yesterday. Things went really well. Katie is doing a fantastic job babysitting the boys! We believe that Aiden is just about to take off crawling at any moment. Evan's reflux is really holding him back in that department. Poor little guy :(

The food of the week was forced upon us..... Prunes. Yes, too much rice cereal.

I don't think many people are reading the blog anymore. I can't say that I'm sorry for the lack of content. I really like not having the significant news that we reported for the first 3 months of their lives. I do, however, hope that someday Evan and Aiden will be able to look back at this and have so much of their lives documented. That being said.... Here is a picture of some very important people (surrogate grandparents, aunts, uncles, whatever they prefer to be called). Having absolutely no family in town this past year was so difficult, but these individuals have certainly made it easier!

Aiden's new way to play with the swing - just swing it himself.

We have really run out of ideas for this little guy.

Please read Evan's shirt.

Just too cute!

Evan likes the ball.

Evan chillin in the Bumbo.

Busy Saturday = Lots of Pics

Lots of news from our household. We started off the week with a visit from Nanny and Poppy (Janel's parents). On Tuesday I (Janel) was offered a job, which I accepted. It will be part-time with a home nutrition infusion company. I am very excited about starting in a week or so.

The new food of the week was oatmeal. It went over well. The boys get better each day with eating.

This morning, we headed out early to participate in the March of Dimes 'March for Babies' . We felt right at home among all the strollers and babies that had NICU stories to tell. We added signage to the stroller as you can see....



Participating in events like this really makes us realize what miracles and blessings Evan and Aiden are in our lives. Many of the families were walking in honor of their children, much like us. However, there were also a lot of families that were walking in Memory of their babies that were not as fortunate. We are so proud of our little guys!




Then this afternoon, we attended Audric's first birthday party. They had a petting zoo and pony rides. While Aiden and Evan are not quite old enough to enjoy this yet, that did not stop us from taking pictures and placing them on the pony!

Evan and the baby goat.

Our family.

First pony ride.

The boys were pooped after this big day.

Tomorrow is another big day.... My first Mother's Day. I could not feel any more blessed right now and look forward to a Mother's Day spent with David, Aiden, and Evan. I have the best mother in the world!!! Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Love you!

New Things

We have had a really great week. The biggest news is that Aiden got a haircut and Evan has a tooth poking out! The new food of the week was applesauce, and the boys loved it (of course).
What is soft and cute and orange all over? All of the boys' clothes since they have started eating carrots!

Both boys are well on their way to sitting up. They can both sit up on their own for a couple of seconds before toppling over. We went to the pediatrician this week. Evan is weighing in at 14 pounds 4 ounces and Aiden is weighing in at 15 pounds 6 ounces. They will reach their 6 month corrected age mark this week and seem to be right on track for 6 month olds.

Aiden sitting up.

Evan sitting up.

Aiden before his haircut.

Aiden after his haircut. How handsome!

Evan doesn't quite need a haircut yet.

NICU Reunion

We had quite a busy weekend! On Saturday, we attended the Seton Medical Center NICU Reunion. It was really fun to see a lot of the nurses and doctors that took such great care of the boys during the hardest time of their lives. They were all gladly excited to see how much the boys have grown. We really only have good things to say about the NICU at Seton. Evan and Aiden received such great care there.

Saturday night, the Rollands kept the boys for us while David and I went out. It was really nice to be able to eat with both hands!

The food of the week was butternut squash, and the boys really liked this one. We're still working with Evan on the swallowing part, but Aiden has caught on to this eating thing really well.

Aiden getting messy (eating).

And Evan.

Mario and Luigi

Rachel (one of the boys' nurses).

Places to Sit

The new food of the week was carrots, and the boys had a new place to eat them. They got new high chairs this weekend. Aiden and Evan really like to sit in them. Our new babysitter, Katie, starts today so that I can hopefully go back to working part time.

Evan versus the carrots...

The carrots won.

Big boys in their high chairs.

Aiden liked his carrots.

So handsome.

More Peas, Please!!

Wow!! It is amazing how far the boys have progressed in the last month. They are both on their way to sitting up. Evan can sit for a few seconds by himself before he loses his balance. Aiden is a little too wiggly to sit by himself, but he has mastered grabbing his toes. Both boys are rolling over, although Evan still has not rolled back to tummy. They have really discovered their toys, as well. They love grabbing them and putting them (along with everthing else) in their mouths.

And, speaking of mouths.... I may or may not have felt a little bump on Aiden's gums this morning. I guess we'll find out in the next few days. We tried baby food peas this week (first baby food).

Evan eating peas.

Aiden's turn.

They were not quite sure what to think.

Just another day on the farm for Aiden. He is all business in the exersaucer!!