11 months

Christmas day marked 11 months for these two.  Life continues to move too quickly and I have to admit I am a bit sad that they will be turning one next month.  I don't want them to grow up just yet.  I have to say though that they are so much fun, and I'm sure it only gets better from here.

Taking their pictures was quite comical this month, but this is how life is now.   Norah would not sit still...unless she had cheerios in her lap.  It's a good day if I can get a bow in her hair.   And don't even ask about any of them together :)

Rowan is so sweet and snuggly...and sensitive.   He still struggles with separation anxiety and stranger anxiety, although it is getting better.  We made it through two church services in a row uninterrupted :)  We have realized he is a very tactile baby as he needs to touch everything to his face.  He loves a good piece of string or thread, as well as a soft blanket on his face.  He tags behind Norah most of the day and will cry when she screams too loud.  Eating "table food" is getting better, although he still has little desire to pick up any food with his own fingers...he will try some cheerios every now and then.  Blueberries have become a new favorite.

 

 

Norah is now my loud, funny, comical, center of attention kind of gal.  It's funny that when she was just a few months old, I thought she would be the introverted of the two.  Man how things change.  She is quite the Daddy's girl and needs constant attention from us during the day.  Within the last two weeks she has decided that she doesn't like bath time...she will seriously scream at the top of her lungs until we get her out and diapered.  She can't get enough food and will sit and whine until we share what we are eating with her...or give her some cheerios.  Sleeping is still a challenge, but we are trying to go with the flow and realize it won't be forever...I hope :)

her preferred position to sleep these days :)

 

 

 

 

crawling

Just a couple videos of Rowan and Norah crawling for the first time.  Rowan has been moving for awhile now, but Norah just started in the past week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 months

I don't have too much to report this month other than the fact that these two kids are on the move, pulling up on their own, and getting into everything!  Their favorite things right now include standing up on the couch, getting into the open refrigerator door and pulling out condiments, the open dishwasher, the bathtub, the toilet, and the stopper behind the bedroom doors. 

Some struggles right now are that Norah still doesn't want to nap for more than 30-40 minutes at a time. She screams at the top of her lungs every time we come near her with her bib or attempt to change her clothes.  Rowan still doesn't want much more than his stage two/three baby foods.  Sometimes we can trick him and shove in a small piece of fruit or cheese, but it isn't without a disgusted face and some gagging.  He continues to struggle with separation and stranger anxiety. 

I really don't have too many pictures from this month...partly because they don't sit still long enough...and partly because I have been lazy. 

At this writing I have two more clinical days (14 more hours to be exact) and one final exam on Monday...and then I will be done for a bit.  I am looking forward to catching up on some of my DVR'd shows, planning a first birthday party, seeing some friends, and enjoying our first Christmas as a family of four.

maybe I should have changed her diaper first...nice blue stripe :)

lazy bum :)

apparently it's more fun to play with it this way

just watching a little of the Today Show

Wednesday fun

Did we get a new pet?

 

 

 

 

Nope, it's just Rowan.  He really likes a good book.

And yes, I've taken it away from him until he can read :)

9 months

I'm 2 weeks late on this post.  We have been dealing with some irritable children, but I think things are looking up.  With both kids having colds, their 9 month check-up complete with blood draws and immunizations, and new teeth making their way in...it has been a little more challenging than usual.  Stranger and separation anxiety have taken on a whole new meaning. 

We had a nice weekend visit from Grandpa and Grandma V.W. two weeks ago.  I regret not taking out my camera the entire weekend.  But, we were loved on with goodies from Jaarsma's bakery, Famous Dave's BBQ, and even a trip to Denny's.  It was wonderful to relax a bit and it is always nice to have a good excuse to eat junk food. 

My semester is in full swing.  Only 5 more weeks, one more big paper, one exam, and 10 more clinical days...but who is counting?  I will welcome my 4 week Christmas break for sure.  I'm continually so thankful for Grandpa and Grandma S. who watch these kiddos twice a week for us.

So, at 9 months and 2 weeks we are having so much fun.  Norah isn't crawling yet, but I can finally say that Rowan is.  He will still choose to do his army crawl most of the time, but has been up on all fours a few times.  They are doing a great job of getting to a sitting position from a laying position.  They are both trying to pull up on their own, but usually get to their knees and give up.  Both can stand well with something sturdy to hold on to.  Personalities are in full swing.

5am has become the new normal around here...which also means 3 naps a day is common too.  No matter what time we get them to bed, they are up at 5am.  Daylight savings time brought a few 4am days too.  I really, really hope that this passes soon. 

*Rowan is my curious little guy.  He has a knack for finding every tiny piece of thread or fuzzy on the floor and attempting to eat it, but I fight with the kid to eat any solid food without gagging on it...go figure.  He is so sweet and so incredibly stubborn at the same time. 

When I asked Doug to describe Rowan in three words, this was his response...determined, adventurous, and exuberant.

And here are his stats from their 9 month check-up a couple of weeks ago:
Rowan was 21 lbs 13oz and 30 inches. 

 

 

 

*Norah is in a stage where she needs constant attention. I mean...sit on the floor right next to her all day and don't leave the room...constant attention. She is silly, and sweet, and loud. She beams with a smile and lets out a scream every time Doug comes home after being at work.   I am only 2nd in her life...Daddy is her favorite.  She loves her food.

 

According to Doug, Norah is...unique, angelic, and inquisitive.
She was 22 lbs 9 oz and 29 inches long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

photo Monday

No, he's not in time-out.  He just likes to bang on the wall :)
 

She's not a fan of the water in the cup, but she sure loves to chew on it :)