Eating, Sitting, and Teeth...Oh My!

Gavin and Aiden have been quite busy since I last posted...six weeks ago...sorry. Their first new adventure was eating solids. They started with the ever popular, always disgusting rice cereal. They were troopers about the new experience, and Aiden figured out the whole spoon thing the first night. Don't let his size fool you, Aiden has always been the better eater. After exploring a number of vegetables: squash, carrots, peas (their least favorite so far), sweet potatoes, and green beans, we could put off fruits no longer. The boys started to eat peaches two nights ago, and Gavin literally started crying when they were all gone.

Aside from both being crazy rollers now, the boys are venturing into the land of sitting. Gavin can now sit for many minutes without any support (we credit his wide base). He will still tip over if he reaches for a toy too vigorously, but for the most part he is a "sitter." Aiden also enjoys sitting, but he is still very dependent on some type of support.

Not to be outdone by his brother's sitting ability, Aiden decided that he would be the first to cut some teeth. Although they are barely visible, Aiden's two front bottom teeth have arrived. It really came as quite a surprise to us. I only discovered he had teeth when he decided to chew on my finger instead of teething ring. Had I not felt them myself I would have not believed it. Aiden has shown no sign of discomfort and has been his usual happy self. You cannot see the teeth in the photo, but they are there.

Gavin and Aiden thoroughly enjoyed their first Christmas. They got to see all of their grandparents as well as two aunts, two uncles, and three cousins - meeting some family members for the first time. It was a wonderful holiday season.

Current Statistics:
Aiden - 16 lbs, 13.5 oz
Gavin - 18 lbs, 15.5 oz

Not So Premature Anymore

Last week Gavin and Aiden hit the 6 month old mark. It is hard to believe that they have been part of our lives for half of a year already. Wow!

Gavin and Aiden have been up to some new tricks since I last posted. They are both big into drooling. So much so that their bibs have become a permanent fashion accessory. Aiden has mastered the back to front roll...although he is quite covert about it. When I leave the room to go make bottles he is lying on his back, but when I return he is magically on his tummy. Sometimes Gavin is conveinently close by and other times he is no where close. We are not expecting Gavin to roll from his back to tummy anytime soon. He has a bit of a larger base than Aiden...I'll address his size later. Both boys have become quite the little gigglers. Aiden has been known to just start belly laughing for no apparent reason at all. They both thoroughly enjoy being tickled, either on their bellies or with my hair on their faces. I am all about getting the cheap laughs. Gavin and Aiden both sit and stand with some assistance. Gavin may be sitting independently sooner than Aiden (once again, larger base).

At their six month appointment on Friday, both boys were, of course, weighed and measured. Aiden weighed 14 lbs, 14 oz with a height of 23.25" and a head circumference of 44.3 cm (yes, he has a big head). His current weight puts him in the 10th percentile for full term 6 month olds. Way to go Aiden!

Gavin weighed in at a whopping 16 lbs, 15 oz (the 50th percentile for full term 6 month olds) with a height of 25.125" and a head circumference of 44.2 cm. Gavin is living up to his hospital nickname of "Porker."

Halloween

I know that Halloween was a week ago, but I figured that some photos late are better than no photos ever. Plus, I did post the cute Pooh and Tigger photo on the sidebar a few days ago as a teaser.

Gavin and Aiden were troopers about the whole costume thing...especially considering the fact that they were put in their costumes for a short period of time five days in a row. I was determined to get a picture of them both looking at least tolerant of their costumes. Aiden didn't seem to mind his Tigger costume from the beginning. Gavin was a different story. The photos from the first night of Gavin being Pooh are hilarious in the fact that he looks completely miserable. Thankfully, each time Gavin wore the costume he seemed to mind it less. In addition to their costumes, the boys also got some very cute matching "I want my mummy" sleepers from one of my co-workers.

Gavin looks adorable, but is not sold on being Pooh yet.


Aiden as a happy Tigger the very first night.

Aiden wonders why his head is feeling drafty while Gavin tries to hide the fact that he actually loves his Pooh costume now.

Aiden cracks himself up while posing with the pumpkin.

Gavin gives his new friend the pumpkin a hug.

Current Statistics:
Aiden - 13 lbs, 13.5 oz
Gavin - 15 lbs, 2 oz

Me too, me too!

After watching Gavin rolling around for a couple days, Aiden decided it was his turn. Aiden rolled for the first time last Monday and Tammera caught his second roll on video. Although Aiden's initial approach was a bit different from his brother's, he is just as fast now that he has had some practice.

Show Baby

Gavin learned a new trick this week - rolling over! He waited a whole two days after I went back to work to start showing off. Our nanny, Tammera, was kind enough to take this video of Gavin's second roll. Notice that Aiden tries to steal the spotlight by sneezing in the middle of all the action.

Current Statistics:
Gavin - 14 lbs, 1.5 oz
Aiden - 13 lbs, 1.5 oz

Hands...yummy!

Gavin and Aiden have made quite a discovery this past week...their hands! And judging from the frequency that their hands are in the mouths, they must taste absoultely delicious.

Aiden is partial to his left thumb, while Gavin enjoys his entire left hand. Do we have two future lefties on our hands? (no pun intended) If so, I am sure that baseballs will magically appear in their left hands courtesy of their daddy...only joking of course...I think. I was reading in a baby book that many babies take to their thumbs when they are weaning from nursing. So it looks like little Aiden is exhibiting some excellent coping skills. What a well adjusted little baby!

Not that Gavin is not well adjusted, but he was the one who pushed the fast forward button on the whole weaning process. About a week ago Gavin decided he was "so over" nursing and took to just lying there and smiling at me instead of eating. Silly little guy! Sometimes Gavin sucks on his left hand while twirling his barely existent hair with his right hand, a skill I have seen in action many times by my nephew Jack, except that he actually has hair.

Current Statistics:
Gavin: 12 lbs, 14 oz
Aiden: 12 lbs, 5.5 oz

Looking for love again...

Episode 2: The Basement Stairs

Like many felines, Steve's food and litter boxes (yes, he has more than one box because he is that particular) are in the basement of our house. This works out great for us because he is really quite a messy kitty. Steve likes to kick litter around like he is playing soccer, and his food bowl is constantly surrounded by spilled food that he refuses to eat. A problem with the basement set-up is that sometimes we don't always remember to feed him twice a day. I know what you are thinking, "How can this rather robust cat possibly need to eat twice a day?" Just so you know, his veterinarian recommended that he get a half cup of food twice a day. We are merely following the orders of a highly qualified and well trained veterinarian. Don't shoot the messenger.

When Steve feels like he has been wronged or does not have enough food, he assumes his usual position at the top of the steps and meows. During one of his particularly vocal meowing sessions a couple weeks ago, Ian responded with the following, "I know you still have food down there. I've seen it with my own eyes. Maybe if you run up and down the stairs a few more times you'll get more food." Ouch!

For all of you Steve fans out there, put down your phones and don't call PETA. Steve did actually have food. The majority of it may have been surrounding his food bowl, but it is worth noting that his bowl is on a very nice rug.