Crawling, Standing, and Walking...Oh My!

Even though I don't have time to exercise as much as I'd like (or tell myself that I would, "if I had time"), caring for these two boys definitely works the muscles in my back (picking up and holding them), arms (carrying them in carseats or straining to change their diapers while they squirm to get away), and legs (dashing to stop them from entering a room they shouldn't or put something dangerous in their mouths).  Both boys are now on the move and it's Go, Go, Go!  Isaiah has been military crawling a couple weeks now and last week started pulling to standing, holding on to objects. He loves standing, especially when he did it himself! And Anthony loves walking... (with assistance).  He gleefully holds onto a rolling-walker toy and pushes it along down the hall, looking behind for help when he gets stuck. He'll hold onto my fingers and we'll walk all over the living room and kitchen. It is amazing to see how quickly they progress!  It wouldn't surprise me if Anthony were taking steps on his own before his first birthday (Nov 17) and Isaiah may not be too far behind!

The days are really getting chilly now, but we are bundling up and still getting out and about. We've been a-strollering through the neighborhoods (Anthony's and ours) and one day found swings at a park!  Isaiah has been on a swing maybe 4 or 5 times, so he had fun, but it was Anthony's first time and he wasn't super enthusiastic...

We tried a new art project: feet painting!  I'd say the word both would probably use to describe the sensation: icky.  But once they got over the initial funny feeling of paint on their feet, they seemed to have fun with it!  And I really liked how they turned out. You can make out little footprints in their paintings, and the two colors combining created some really neat effects! I will definitely try this again with them.

 

 

 

As always, we had lots of Gus-playing, so he had to find new ways to hide or protect himself...

And we visited some pumpkin patches! 

They move so quickly that it's harder now to catch good photos of them that aren't blurry, so here's what I was able to capture...

Anthony walking holding on to my legs

"If only I were a little taller, I'd be outta here!"

"Well, I don't have a 3rd hand, but my mouth works fine."

Does every mom think she has the sweetest boy in the world?

All bundled up and ready to ponder important issues.

Peekaboo!

He loves to snuggle!

And what did we catch you doing?

Isaiah:  "Quick! You change the radio station and I'll read through all these teaching books!"

Put the camera away, Mom!

Wheeeeeeee!

What a good friend!

I'm standing and I love it!!!

MOM, put the camera away!

Okay, I'll just take it from you...

Until next time!

Week 6: Some Exciting Changes!

Isaiah and I started this week down in Portland to see his Aunt Sarah run in her very first marathon!  She did awesome!

Heading to Mile 18 to cheer on Sarah!

Isaiah admires Aunt Sarah's Marathon medal!

This week, we purchased a used double-stroller, which makes taking trips a whole lot easier! (And, much more fun for the boys.)  We are taking advantage of all our sunny days to get outside. James joined us for a walk around Capital Lake!

Look at that excitement on their faces!

Another big change this week is that Isaiah is now military crawling! That means the boys can now explore more together--and I am doing a lot more chasing to make sure they are safe. 

 

(I'm trying to upload more videos but they aren't working...I have no idea why this one did but if anyone else uses blogspot and has gotten them to work, please let me know how!)

Two things the boys love to play with are the vertical blinds and their car seats...and, as always, Gus (who Anthony calls "Gu!"). 

Caught a couple of Anthony's funny faces.  This kid is so expressive!  He cracks me up everyday.

And, this week, Isaiah was gifted with some really cute Halloween outfits!  His Grandma Gail (my mom) sent him some, and Anthony's Grandma Debra really spoiled him!  Plus, our friends Scott and Becca re-gifted our bumble bee costume that we'd given to them for one of their daughters to wear some Halloween past (I had completely forgotten about it so don't remember how long ago).  I'm not crazy about celebrating Halloween, but everything becomes more fun with a baby, and I think all these outfits are sooo stinking cute! Thank you everyone!

Franken-booty!

I love this b/c one of our nicknames for Isaiah is actually "little prince."  Someday he can be king!

It's so fun to celebrate all the "firsts" with a baby!

For those who don't know, when James and I first met at YMCA Camp Seymour, his camp name was Bear Claw and I was Bumble...so any bee-themed items for Isaiah just fit us so perfectly!

Weeks 4 and 5: Sick and Sicker

(written 10/4)
There once was a common cold and it began in a 2nd grade classroom...went home with Mommy, who gave it to Daddy and baby, who brought it to my apartment and gave it to Isaiah, who gave it to me... Yes, for the past week and a half, we have dealt with 1-2 sick babies and a sick me. Taking care of 2 babies is challenging. Taking care of 2 sick babies is more so.  Taking care of 2 sick babies while you are sick... that was miserable. Luckily only one day was like that and we are all almost 100% better. The two nights when Isaiah first was feeling icky were truly difficult...We all slept maybe 4 hours the first night, and the following night James and I took turns holding Isaiah while we sat in a rocking chair, a big plush chair, laying in our bed...whatever worked. The poor guy just did not know what to do--it was his first cold. He still has a lingering cough but we are hearing it less and less each day.

And still, even with the sickness, we managed to have a lot of fun the last couple weeks.  Fall has blown in with its wicked rainstorms and crisp sunny days, so we have had a few outdoor excursions as well as some days spent walking indoors (at the Capital Mall).   Here are some of the highlights (or what I managed to catch on film)...

Isaiah wants Gus to come out from his hiding spot and play!

"Hey, Isaiah, how does it look?"

Love these two rascals!

If you've been wondering how I get them out the apartment, it's a process that begins like this...Then I carry them one at a time to the car, so I know they are always safe and within my eyesight! Thankfully they are patient and pretty used to the routine.

Sorry the pic is sideways. Isaiah has enjoyed getting himself wedged in places lately; here, under a chair.

Fun times with Daddy when he's home on his lunch break.

Playing together with a toy from Grandma Gail. Thank you!

We've been getting a CSA this summer/fall with loads of fresh veggies and with both boys napping mostly at the same times, I've been able to do some baking. Here, a baked delicata squash...Yum!

We visited Lattin's Cider Mill, where we saw some animals and I bought delicious cider and donuts!

All the fun options!

Checking out the sleeping pigs

What a ham!

I can't get my picture with them when it's just me and the babes! Come on Anthony, where's your smile?

We love when James can spend time with us!