Our first sick visit...

Today we had our first sick visit to the doctor. Considering they are 11 months old, I think we are doing pretty good! They have both had runny noses and were congested, which I halfway thought was from teeth, but Nora was coughing more, so I thought I should take them in just in case. Well, good thing I did because 3 out of 4 ears are infected, both of Nora's and Colton's left ear! They really aren't acting sick or like their ears are bothering them.

On a good note, I was emailed their pictures from Target, so I can share some of them with all of you! I can't wait until I can pick them up this weekend!

It won't be long now!!!

We are in trouble now...Colton is pulling himself up to stand by himself and Nora's not far behind!!! They are getting around and getting into everything. Nora's new favorite thing to do is to try to climb onto her brother. I think she thinks he is her own personal jungle gym. They are both trying to cut more teeth and are having runny noses and getting a little congested at times, which is making for very interupted sleep for Mom and Dad. Hopefully we will be over it soon!

We are in the process of planning their birthday party. I can't believe they are almost 1! Everybody told me they grow up too quick, but I never thought it would go this quick!

We have forward motion!!!

Wednesday afternoon, Colton mastered forward motion! He is now crawling like crazy. The comical part is that Andy and I noticed for the first day he was doing it, he would stop anytime Nora would start watching him. He's seeming to not care today if she sees him or not. Nora has been getting on her hands and knees a lot more too. It won't be long before she takes off!

Yesterday, Nora and Colton had their 1 year photos done. Yes, I know they are only 11 months old, but I wanted to have their pictures in time for their party and the photographer at Target told me 1 year photos are normally taken between 11-14 months. The pictures turned out amazing! I had such a hard time narrowing them down and I spent too much money, but this is only the 2nd time I have had their photos professionally taken, so I don't feel too bad. There is already one pose I wish I would have ordered one more sheet of. As soon as I get the online link, I will post some of them. They are precious!

1st Haircuts!

Yesterday, Colton and Nora had their 1st haircuts. Colton was long overdue for his. The hair around his ears came to the bottom of his ears. I took them to the Warren County Career Center's Salon. Andy's cousin, Ashley, is going to school there and cuts my hair. They only charged me $1 for each of them. I only had an appointment scheduled for Colton, but we decided to go ahead and cut Nora's too. Her bangs we getting long and didn't want to stay out of her eyes.

Colton enjoyed sitting in the big chair while I got my cape on.

He started out sitting very well, but that didn't last long.

He was too busy trying to watch everything Ashley was trying to do and didn't like when she messed around with his ears.

But we got it done....(I ended up having to give him the camera case to chew on and play with.)

Colton, with his new haircut, and Ashley

Doesn't he look so much older?!

Nora was pretty easy, except that she wanted to keep bouncing on my leg (she was getting excited).

I ended up having to stand up and holder to keep her from bouncing as much.

Obviously, she still moved around. She was loving all the attention!

She ended up taking the comb from Ashley to chew on. She refused to give it up! Now she is looking like a big girl!

10 months already!

Well, the munchkins are 10 months already! I've already started planning their 1st birthday party. It will be here before we know it! So much has changed in the last month and it has been crazy! We spent a long Valentine's weekend in our favorite cabin in the Smokey's with my mom and dad, Corrine and Adam, Kyle and Lauren, and Matt. It was great! Andy rigged up the doorway bouncers for Nora and Colton. It was quite entertaining watching him do it. Here is a picture of how he had to "hang" them up.

Nora and Colton loved that they could bounce and swing. They also loved the new pool house! They got to swim and splash and play in their new pool toys we bought them and falling asleep in the old ones.

We have learned new tricks now too! Nora does "So Big" and claps and occasionally sounds like she is trying to mimic "Yea!". She has been saying "Mama" for a while and has just started saying "Dada". She is also starting to wave, with both hands at once. She has also FINALLY cut two of her bottom teeth! She still has not mastered rolling from her stomach to her back, but is getting close. She will get on her hands and knees on occasion.

Colton has been saying "Dada" for a while. He gives Andy "high fives". He, too, has finally cut at least one tooth (he won't let us look, but you can hear and feel it hit on silverware). He is "crawling" backwards and, just the other day, figured out how to go forward! He hasn't mastered it yet, but it is only a matter of time. He also just started sitting himself up! I walked away for a moment this morning while he was on his stomach and came back to him sitting up in a completely different location! Lord help me! He will be into everything before I know it!

9 months!

Believe it or not, Nora and Colton are 9 month already! Where does the time go?! Thursday they had their 9 month check up. Colton is 28 3/4 inches long and 18lb 13oz. Nora is 29 1/4 inches and 20lb 15oz. They are both doing great! Colton is trying to start crawling. He gets on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth. Nora is standing by herself by holding on to something or leaning against something. They will be running all over the house before I know it!

The house is slowly coming along. Our progress got derailed by illness and a water pipe bursting. Andy and I both had sinus infections and bronchitis. It hit us like a vengeance and hasn't let go yet. Little by little we are getting things unpacked and moved over from the other house. Speaking of which, we have a tenant now! Woo Hoo! I believe they are moving in next week.

Thanks to all of our family and friends who have been helping us the past few weeks. We really appreciate it!

We've moved!

It's been a long process, but we have finally moved! We still have some things to move from the old place, but we are living at our new home now. The carpet has been installed in our rec room, so we can move the furniture over for that room and really, all the remaining items. Our old neighbor and his wife were both laid off (and just had a baby on Dec. 16th), so he has been painting for us. It has been nice to get almost everything painted, most before we moved in.

Andy and I are both sick now and I am hoping the munchkins don't get it. We both have sinus infections and bronchitis. On top of that, I have a ganglion cyst in my left wrist. It has been giving me some pain, but I think it has gotten a little smaller. Hopefully it continues to shrink. If it doesn't (or it starts causing me more problems), I have to go see a hand surgeon and have it removed. That should make caring for 2 babies easy!

Speaking of which, Nora and Colton are now 9 months old! Wow how the time flies! They are settling in nicely in the new house and have adjusted well to the move. They have a lot more rooms to play in now! Last week, Nora started playing "So Big"! She is so cute doing it. Colton is now sitting up much better and they both love sitting on the floor with our big stuffed teddy bear or dog behind them. Lord help me, I don't think it is going to be long before Colton figures our this crawling thing! He gets his legs up under him now and occasionally gets himself going backwards. Nora has gotten her knees up under her a few times too. They will be really mobile before I know it! I guess I better invest in baby gates soon!

If I have your email, check it for our new address!

Erin