Thursday, September 30, 2010

Quick update on the boys' weights

Mom always reminds me to post updates on the boys' weights. I never think about it - being with them every day, the little changes are hard to see. Rachel will see something new and gets disappointed because I'm not as excited (since I've already seen it - sometimes for a few days already).

We weighed them on their birthday and here are the numbers:
Jack is right at 19 pounds
Luke is 11 pounds, 7 ounces

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Boys' First Birthday

It was a busy week last week! The Barnes grandparents were here for the week and the boys' first birthday was Thursday. We're just starting to look through all of the pictures - here are a few.

Luke playing and watching for his brother


When one starts playing, the other races to join in


Tuesday we went to baby story time at the library


Wednesday we went to a Star Wars party to celebrate the season premiere of The Clone Wars animated series on Cartoon Network


Wednesday night they opened their first presents - squishy, squeaky blocks and a helicopter

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Busy Weekend

It's been a long week. Rachel has not been feeling well all week, so it's been very busy trying to keep up with the boys and everything else. She is at church this weekend for a women's conference. Here are a few pictures from last night.








Not enough time to post much more. Soon after Rachel gets home, I'll be headed to church to do the sound for this weekend's services. Afternoon rehearsals, Saturday evening service, then two more services Sunday morning makes for a fun but very long weekend.

Here are some recent videos. If you are reading this in email, click here to view the actual blog so you can watch them.

Jack and Luke watching one of their Praise Baby DVDs. At the end of the day when they are getting tired and grumpy, this will instantly quiet them and calm them down.




Luke and Jack watching and laughing at each other




Jack does NOT like being in the grass. He stands on one leg like a flamingo.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Lots Of New Pictures

We are loving the cooler weather - so glad that fall is here! I know it's been two weeks since an update, but we have been taking pictures and trying to keep up with everything the boys are doing. Jack seems to always get more attention and the most pictures, but Luke has been doing more and more lately.

Luke is still under 12 pounds, and every day he's eating as much as he can. He is still on high-calorie formula, but has never really liked trying baby food. Last week we found out why - Rachel had made some toast for breakfast and Luke kept reaching and grabbing for it! He has no interest in baby foods, but wants to skip right to table food. He likes pudding, ice cream, rice, meat and anything else we will let him try.



Luke has one bottom tooth breaking through, but it is very hard to see. He likes to make lots of noise, but keeps those lips tightly closed anytime you want to see inside. Jack has had two bottom teeth for a few weeks. His favorite thing to help his gums has been frozen pacifiers (his regular pacifiers chilled in the freezer). We keep a carrot for him in the refrigerator, and he likes chewing on it for a little while.



Luke is crawling around quite a bit now. He still doesn't go too fast, but can move all over the room to get whatever he wants. He still naps and sleeps in his Nap Nanny sometimes, but this is what happens when we try to keep him still for just a few minutes...



He won't even stay in the swing very long without trying to escape



The boys love playing together, especially now that they are on the floor together a lot.



The boys got Arkansas Razorback gear just in time for football season and wore them for the first game



They also have had Carolina Panthers outfits since before they were born. We've waited and waited and finally got to wear them this weekend for yesterday's game (too bad the boys didn't bring them much luck...)



One more picture of Luke in his favorite PJs

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Ready For Fall

It's been a LONG summer and I am so ready for fall to be here! We have been stuck inside trying to stay cool for what seems like forever. September is here, football season is just around the corner, and I can't wait until the heat is gone for good and we can spend more time outside.

I thought staying home with the boys would give us all kinds of time to take walks, go to the park, or do any other fun things we wanted. But with Rachel gone three days each week working, therapy four days a week, and months of temperatures in the 90s and 100s, some days it's hard not to go crazy being around the boys all the time. When Rachel is home, I usually jump at the chance to run errands, help at church or anything else to get out of the house and be around people who speak with words (not ear-piercing screams).

Sometimes it's hard for us to see, but Jack and Luke are growing and changing every week. Jack has been crawling for about three weeks and Luke learned quickly and started last week. The living room has been rearranged a little and is mostly baby-proofed. Luke stays content and usually plays without moving too far. Jack will crawl all over the place and will follow you everywhere. Here are some pictures from the last month:

Jack trying to get himself under the couch (probably trying to get one of Lily's squeaking tennis balls)


Jack loves playing in the walker and trying to chase Lily


Luke likes having more time in the exersaucer since Jack is spending more time on the floor


Jack is everywhere - even getting stuck under the walker going after a toy


Taking a short nap


Jack laying in his crib


Luke in his crib


This is what we find some mornings - rolling over, trying to get close to each other, sometimes reaching through the middle trying to touch each other...