heart attack!

xander has been busy busy busy. The moment he wakes up, he begins his exploration around the house. Yesterday he decided to try something new.




He did this all by himself (with me VERY close by). I have to now watch him like a hawk because he finds himself in some sketchy situations. Today he tried to climb into a planter pot. Just now he got to the couch and pulled himself up to his knees. It will only be a matter of days before he is pulling to a standing position. wow! Go Xander!

playmate, thereapy, thoughts....

I have sat in amazement the last couple days... Caden has left my side for more than 10 minutes to play. without me. amazing! I look over and he's interacting with xander and braxton. Sadly, more xander than braxton; I will hear him say, "no xander" when he tries to get something caden has. Or I will see him "attempt" to read him a story. VERY cute.

It sort of breaks my heart, though, that I have to remind caden to interact with Braxton. I can understand why caden is playing with xander more; xander is crawling and exploring. Braxton still lays there. in one position. He will move from tummy to back, but not like his brother. Braxton will play with his toys and mouth them. He will babble and giggle if someone engages with him. But he's just not like his brother. YET!

Caden is my little shadow. It's not easy... I wonder, is it his toys? are they are too babyish. is he ready for more? Have I not taught him to play independently? or is he just plain bored. Well I think a little of all that. I'm excited when the twins can be his live in playmate, so when we can't leave the house, they have one another.

Braxton goes for his first physical therapy appt. tmw. I'm curious to see what she says...I'm ready for some of these delays he's showing to be caught up. (baby reflexes are still present, etc.)
He has OT next week-- I pray for good therapist, and I also pray that insurance covers all the co-pays. (that can get expensive!).

I'm left in my thoughts...so much more in my head, but caden is insisting on my attention. nothing new. :)

update on the boys

I am having a rare moment when all three boys are asleep. I gotta type fast because this won't last long.

I wanted to brag a moment....Xander is officially crawling! I do see the "commando" style crawl here and there, but for the most part he is crawling on all fours. He likes to stand on his feet while touching the ground. Picture a kid doing a "bear crawl". It's quite cute, and makes me think he is not far from pulling himself up into a standing position.

With that said, he still isn't sitting by himself. This is strange to me, because I always thought you sit independently before you crawl.

Braxton is not crawling yet. He is rolling to places. He likes to lay on his tummy and do the super man position. We are working on him baring more weigh on his arms. He, too, isn't sitting by himself yet.

Both boys are eating 2 servings of solids a day and doing really well drinking their milk. They will drink between 4-5 ounces a feeding (every 3-4 hours). The pediatrician still thinks they are not gaining quick enough so we have an evaluation with a GI specialist. I am suspecting the OT will be working with xander on his ability to eat solids. He eats them, but tends to have some sensory issues with the textures. We'll see...maybe he just doesn't like the taste. Braxton cries if you don't shovel it in his mouth quick enough. :)

They both have their bottom two teeth and both are getting their top two. One has poked through and the other one is coming.

Ped. said the boys are definitely identical and we shouldn't question it anymore. It's very rare to have one placenta and be fraternal.

Personalities are in full force. Xander is a busy body. Wants everything and goes everywhere. Braxton LOVES to be snuggled and tickled. He laughs hard. he is smiling a lot more and so much more interactive. The boys love to be by each other.

Currently the boys are sick. again. Seems their immune system is really weak. Praying caden doesn't get it (bronchitis and ear infection). Nebulizer is out again--

Caden is such a good big brother. He is sharing his toys, soothes the babies when they cry, "fetches" diapers. When he wakes up in the morning first thing he talks about is his brothers, wondering if they are awake or asleep. He'll sign, "xadner. sleep?" then he'll put his finger by his mouth and say, "shhh". knowing that's exactly what I'm about to say next. Very cute. Smart boy too...knows most of his shapes and colors. We are now going to work on potty training. He did a number 2 in the potty yesterday!

carlsbad "vacation"

Have you ever gone to the beach but didn't actually GO to the beach? I mean...you were at the beach but didn't put your toes in the sand or take a swim in the ocean? Well, that would describe our latest attempt at a vacation.

We booked a condo at the beach in San Diego a year in advance; 4th of July weekend. (in order to secure the spot you have to plan a year in advance). we plan to go some where local in case I was pregnant or had a little baby. Good thing we didn't book it out of state-- 3 little ones in hand would not have been the greatest idea.

So our "vacation" rolls around and we arrive at the beach. It's COLD. I'm talking 65 degrees and no sun in sight. For the first few days this did not bother me. We were coming from sunny and hot Riverside. So it was a refreshing change; it actually felt like we were further away from home than we really were. But by the 4th day, and no sign of the sun, it was getting a bit annoying. Typically we would have gone down to the sand regardless of the weather--but the twins got a cold while we were there. This means we were stuck in doors, because the cold wind is not good for their lungs.

Even though we didn't touch the sand, or feel the water, or build sand castles....we were together. Sounds corny, but Phil and I don't see much of each other. We are on totally opposite schedules. So to be in the same room for 7 days straight was a huge treat. We had friends and family come in and out to stay in the 2nd bedroom and enjoy the place with us. So we played tons of catch phrase (girls rocked at it by the way. don't let phil tell you otherwise). Phil and I tried to play ping pong with the three kids. That didn't work too well. but it was a good effort. We did sneak away for a few to play by ourselves-- that was fun.

All in all...this "vacation". or what I like to call a trip, was not what I expected. I did expect it to be hard-- we had 3 little ones with us and we were out of our element. But did not expect to be stuck mostly in doors. God was teaching us patience....and contentment. Still working on those....

at the wild animal park...scuuured of the deer.

family shot at the Wild Animal Park

The play ground at the resort (notice the long pants and sweat shirt)

mini golf at the resort

The boys seem to gravitate towards one another. When we leave they are far apart. When we return (seconds later) they are side by side. It is quite cute. They are starting to be very aware of one another-- and with that, they are very aware of what each other have. And they want it!