Jackson and Connor : 7 Months

A joyous and jubilant July of 2010 full of jolly and jammed with jumping fun..

Eating updates:

It was time to move on to more exciting things with the boys in terms of food. They have gotten so much better with the rice cereal and will tolerate oatmeal but it is definitely not preferred. They started with sweet potato puffs and the whole family went to the farmers market and Wegmans for sweet potatoes and carrots. We are moving along with the foods as I learn to make them. The steamer that we received as a wedding gift and was collecting dust is getting a lot of work. I started the process of switching Jackson back to the same formula that Connor and he were on at birth before he started having issues. It seems to be working well but I haven't tossed his soy based lacto free formula yet.

Sleeping updates:

I have been reluctant to write about this "sleeping through the night" thing but both boys have been doing it for awhile. It started several months ago and we have gotten to the point of not even turning on the monitor. We have come a long way from Michael and I splitting shifts and me having to set the alarm on my phone to make sure that I woke up to feed them every 3 hours. The every 3 hour thing turned to every 4 and after the first couple of months, Michael was willing to actually be on the same level as the boys. Oh my, we have definitely survived and enjoy getting questioned on how we look well-rested. Jackson will still wake for 1 feed and Connor's feed by the end of this month moved to around 7:30 (thanks Connor as he is my feeding pal and Jackson gets Michael).

General updates:

The boys had their 6 month check-up, a full week with mommy and partial week with Daddy around the 4th. They traveled to Carroll County and met Michael's Aunt Laura and Uncle Paul, went to the sustainable farmer's market at Boordy and the one under 83. Uncle Joe and Aunt Missy came over along with Sophia and Michael for a coookout and we celebrated the 4th with the Campbells. The boys moved into Size 2-3 diapers and are almost out of their 6 month clothes (well Connor - Jackson's frame is so petite compared to the little bigger brother).

In one long weekend....

I was able to accomplish a trip to Wegmans with both boys on my own
We had a visit form our Florida friends, Jason and Andrea
Michael and I went to the DMB concert
We all attended Will's 1st Birthday party
And, Christine was here on a Saturday for our 1st of 3 weddings this summer

Besides sitting up, Jackson has started to crawl with a push up and lunge forward motion. He can maneuver rather quick. In the span of a couple days, he figured out how to start crawling from a seated position and appears to be working on getting back up to a seated position but there is generally a foot stuck.

Connor is working on sitting and has reduced the number of times that he has fallen backwards. It is very defeating for Connor and we hear some of his loudest cries. He is still working on it and is getting better daily.

Meanwhile, I almost published this post without mentioning anything about the new addition to our play area -- the Jumperoo!!! It is so much fun to watch both boys and yes, Connor too, jump around. Whether it be the one that we thought would have been reluctant (Connor) immediately falling in love or Jackson and his one foot curled approach and his jumping with such gust in a couple of weeks that we are afraid it is going to break, this toy is a hit!!!

Looking forward to an "amazing" August...

Ready Set Action -- crawling, that is!!

Jackson had been rocking back and forth for a while and we knew, it was only a matter of time. He started to crawl around (well, his version of this) and has recently discovered how to go from sitting to crawling and back to sitting. He is moving so fast that we barely can keep up.

no love for carrotts from Connor

They see us strolling

Wherever the boys and I go, we attract a lot of attention. I am so used to the questions, some of which still amaze me like "are they twins" and/or "are they boys" but we will ignore the later with the assumption that it is because they are so cute. 

And, the double snap-n-go stroller is by far one of the best gifts that we received (thank you family). we have received several recommendations in terms of painting it yellow and adding back-up lights BUT, the boys can get around very well and it is definitely a work-out!!!

Before we were so unlucky enough to get 7 days in a row with temperatures over 100 in July, the boys and I got out for a stroll. The people who know them well know how different our Jackson and Connor are but I think that whomever said a picture is worth a thousand words was totally on.

This may be my favorite picture of Connor, who absolutely loves being outside.  His eyes are so beautiful.

Jackson generally loves to stroll but he has started to explore so much that he can't handle the idea of being confined.

Special Delivery

Not that Jackson it sitting up, we checked our stash of toys and found the mailbox. 

After putting it in front of him, he immediately figured out how to open the mailbox and look for his letters and special deliveries.

Anything that sings is a bonus, right?!? He certainly approves.

Aha, he laughs and rolls

About a month ago, Connor laughed out loud. It happened while we were outside on the patio when I turned to him and loudly said A Ha. He started laughing and didn't stop. We haven't heard that hearty laugh that often but know that Connor isn't the type of baby that lets you see everything. He is definitely a "thinker" and has finally started to roll now that he has figured out the benefit to maneuvering. We have seen a different side to Connor and are looking for some more insight as to who is behind that sweet face.

These toes are tasty

Thee boys have a lot of friends and we've been around a lot of children so we've been anxiously awaiting the suck on toes phase. However, this has yet to happen.  It seems to stun us that they've never ever tried to do this. Connor lacks in the coordination department but Jackson is very flexible so it completely surprised us to find Jackson going to town on Connor.

The sad thing for Connor is that he lacks the ability to maneuver.  Hopefully, he will figure out rolling soon. 

Jackson is sitting

He has been working on this for awhile and today, he didn't fall over.  We've been waiting for it to happen and today -- he figured out his balance and it clicked.  It is such a fun thing that we take advantage of and the ability to not be forced to stare at the ceiling all.day.long.

Falling asleep in the Jumperoo

Even writing the title has us shaking our heads as our energized little Jackson struggles to nap and the excitement of the jumping puts him to sleep (hmmmpf).

I guess it really is a workout or he was too excited to catch up with family.  Or, maybe just maybe, it was the breeze on the patio... OR, maybe he was sleep jumping as he would start jumping with his eyes closed. OR, maybe it was a one time thing.

That would be a no as he was at it again -- just a week later.

Finally, we have found a way to slow down our bundle of excitement.

Boordy with the boys

We took Jackson and Connor to Boordy's afternoon farmer's market during the week that we were both off.  It was a beautiful day and the boys had a great time laying on their blanket, listening to the music and starting at the trees.

Connor was able to do some reading.

Jackson got an opportunity to do one of his favorite things --- standing!!! He wants to stand ALL.THE.TIME. 

It is only a matter of time before this little boy is off to really explore. 

This cutie is definitely all about enjoying the scenery.

 

Sweet Poatoes at Boordy

While we were at Boordy, we took the opportunity of us both being present to give the boys their first vegetable. Our doctor had given us the go ahead and we apparently took our time with that instruction.

Jackson thought it was delicious. 

And, Connor, on the other hand wasn't happy about the having to work harder for his food.

Flashdance

I have found Jackson several mornings in his crib looking either like this or similar versions of this...

He maneuvers so much in his sleep that he is able to get his clothes off or at least a shoulder exposed.

the big Pool

We took the boys to Gina and Tony's house so that they could try out their above-ground pool. The pool plan has been to start off small and work the boys up so that they are totally ready for a week in Rehoboth for Labor Day.



Connor knew that something was up before we even left the house. He wouldn't take a nap, which didn't work well especially since we had David's graduation party that night. Anybody at the party can attest to another display of Connor's poor party behavior. WE are working on this and are happy to report that he was at his all time best since a newborn at the most recent party.

Connor was not really all that excited about the float until Michael decided to lay him on his back and help him around the pool. His eyes are closed and his hands are interlaced and sitting on top of his belly. This reminds me of his getting used to the bath tub phase where he looked exactly the same. It is a work in progress and we still have a couple of months to figure things out. He has started to smile and kick in the bathtub so hopefully this will carry over to the pool.



Jackson, on the other hand, started kicking after he adjusted to the water temperature and seemed like a natural. We do have to convince him that the pool water is not such a good thing to drink but he is only 5 1/2 months old.



He was so proud of himself and his efforts in the pool.

Michael is FINALLY done with his 1st year as commissioner of RPBL

Michael agreed to be the Commissioner of RPBL before we found out that we were pregnant and especially with twins. We had no idea how much time that the word yes to that question was going to involve. It has been a complete reality check for all of us on so many levels. But, we made it and his volunteer services will give the boys some insight on how hard that their father works when he makes a commitment to something that he truly believes in.



Mommy's MVP and Daddy's Little All Star had their outfits for months and were waiting for this day to show off their baseball-lined overalls. It was our first of probably way too many Gymboree purchases.

baseball season is almost over

This pic was taken after we ran a bunch of errands and we were waiting to catch up with Michael to see some of the playoff games for RPBL.

baby boats

I need to post this entry and pic if for nothing else but to remember Connor's affection for his baby boats. Several months ago, Connor became attached to a blue Nuk pacifier that has "boats" on it and it got the nickname - "baby boats." He is so smart that we have had chats about him needing his baby boats and he gladly takes it. We have had to use the name for all of the other Nuk pacifiers and almost turn the house upside down looking for the "original." But, a special thanks to the company for creating "baby boats" for our Connor.

multi-tasking

I know that this is something only a mother would brag about but I am allowed to do this now times 2. This was the first time that either boy has done different things with each hand. Connor has managed to grab his feet AND hold his pacifier.

New Gear : Jumperoo and Our Lords of the Dance

Both boys have fallen in love with their Jumperoo. Initially, Jackson was a little concerned about the frog but he has realized how much fun that he can have and he has decided to stop staring at him and bounces so hard that you would think that the new "apparatus" is going to break.

They both look like they can give Michael Flatley some competition as they show off their Irish jigs. It is so AWESOME to finally see Connor interested in something other than laying down. He gets so excited about jumping that his face lights up, which is the best thing to see.