more Christmas...

Well this post sure took me some time to get up and going.  I was and still am having trouble uploading pictures.  Doug said something with Internet Explorer...

Despite the fact that all four of us had colds, we had a wonderful time celebrating Rowan and Norah's first Christmas.  We spent the Saturday and Sunday before Christmas with my family, and then we hit the road to spend 4 nights/5 days in Iowa with Doug's family.  Again, I didn't take nearly the amount of pictures I should have.  I mean well, but get so preoccupied with keeping these two happy and out of trouble, that I miss the important photo moments...like a family picture with the Van Wyngardens :(

The kids did really well in the car on the way to Iowa, but by the time we went home they were over stimulated and over tired.  The ride home, as well as getting back into our normal routine, were a bit rough...but totally worth it. 

Christmas pjs

all the kids

all the kids plus G & G

sisters

just the girls

Sasveld family

peek - a - boo!

dreaming of broom ball in a few years

comfy sleeping in Iowa

more Christmas pjs

Merry Christmas a bit belated...

just a few of my favorites from our "Christmas photo shoot" that didn't make the card :)



 

 

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