Less teeth than Skylar started with yesterday!

So yesterday Skylar had 6 teeth and now it is more like 5 1/3. Somehow he must have cracked his tooth. Yep, that's right! This morning both Jon and I noticed separately that one on the bottom looked slightly jagged. Tonight we had a very challenging dinner with him starting to cry very hard. I thought his teeth were bothering him (he has been really teething bad the past week or so). So I took him out and held him while I finished feeding Elaina. He was a mess so I thought it must be really bad and finally got him calmed down with some Orajel and a bath. Well, Jon was playing with him and noticed half his tooth was gone! We are calling the pediatrician tomorrow but we think he must have cracked it on something and then the teething bisquit at dinner might have just caused it to separate. The first time mom in me was freaking out. How could I not know it was cracked?!? I think there is a fine line between keeping them safe when they play (especially when they are learning to crawl, stand, walk) and being overprotective and being a nervous nelly. I want my kids to be independent and confident to try new things so I try to give them some space and recognize that falls and bumps and bruises goes with learning to do some of these things. But seriously....already cracking a tooth?!? I saw the rest of his childhood flash before my eyes and it included trips to the ER for broken bones, etc!!!

Whole Milk - Day 1

Well, we started whole milk today and it went pretty much how I thought it would. Elaina eagerly drank hers from her sippy cup....it probably isn't too different than her neosure formula. She holds the sippy cup herself and did fine. We only did one cup and then the other three were bottles of formula. Skylar refused the sippy cup but had no problem with the milk once Jon put it in a bottle. Not surprising that he liked the taste of it...he eats anything we give him!! He is going to be a challenge with the cup though since he just wants to play with it whenever we try to work on it with him.

At times, it can be hard to watch and not compare since Elaina is so much more advanced in her fine motor. She picks up cheerios, macaroni noodles, etc. with no problem (and alternates between hands). She will take a cheerios from between my fingers and then put it right in her mouth too. Skylar still struggles with more than just palming it. He fed himself cheerios for ONE DAY and then must have decided it was better to have us do it. I think that is the hardest part about parenting twins...you aren't trying to remember when an older child did something. You actually have the sibling at the same age at the same time to compare and it is much easier to notice the differences.

They are keeping us BUSY!!!

Everything seems to be happening so fast, especially with Elaina. She was just starting to really crawl only a short time ago and now she pulls herself to a standing position wherever she is. She uses the couch, the crib, her toys, and I think her favorite is Skylar. She thinks they are playing and pulls on his hair once she gets up. He is not a fan of this. In fact, these days I think he is only a fan of hers when she is in a controlled setting like the jumperoo. Otherwise, she is into whatever he is doing and he doesn't like it! Here are just a few pics from around the house.

Skylar is happy now that he is moving forward!


I don't think her hair could get any crazier! By the way, don't you love her sweatsuit (thanks Aunt Barb!!)

So happy even though he is teething again (check out that drool!).


Figuring out how to climb up the pack and play wall.


And success! She seems too small to be doing these things!


Elaina playing with Cinco. She can't decide what is more interesting though...Cinco or fussy Skylar!

Enjoying the warm fall weather at Castlewood Park

We are so lucky to live near so many great parks and places to hike. We took advantage of the warm weather to get out to Castlewood Park and spend time looking at the changing leaves.









Skylar loved the slide and laughed each time we put him at the top.


Elaina...not so much!


Ok her hair is kind of crazy but those are branches sticking out of her head!!




Just up from a nap in the car, swinging woke him up




And just a few from around the house...

President Elect Obama!!

What an amazing day in our country! I am so proud of how far we have come in so many ways. Electing an African American as president, huge voter turnout, and the record number of people who got involved and passionate about the issues. The twins turn 11 months today and I can't think of anything better than to be able to look at them and say come January President Obama is our country's leader who will helping us move into a less divisive, more inclusive country and participate in the world. Yes we can!!!


We all were there but only two of us could vote!

Vote Today!

I have been anticipating election day for some time now. It has been such an energetic time in our nation and so exciting to be part of the process. I have always been a Democrat but this election seemed to affect me even more now that I am a mom. Obama has made me optimistic about my children's future. I will be voting today for him for my children!!! They deserve to not be burdened with national debt, to have access to better and more affordable healthcare, to have a plan for alternative energy, to have an educational system that works for all kids, and to have a president who is willing to bring together the nation. Jon is voting now and I am off to vote soon. Crossing my fingers that we wake up tomorrow and know in January our president will be Barack Obama!!

Penguins!

They were so cute!! Here are a few pictures of our little penguins!

Elaina (her costume was a bit big...we rolled up the sleeves later but she couldn't keep those booties on)


Skylar (filling his out a little better:))


Getting a first look at each other


Let me touch yours now!


Penguins on the loose