I have been SUCH a horrible blogger lately! Things are quite busy, but that's nothing unusual. I recently started back working, and I have been ty-yurd! Here a few pictures from last week. I finally got a new camera! Now if I could just figure out how to use it...

These two were supposed to be taking a nap. Instead they wanted to share a little brotherly love.

Not sure what was so exciting about this shoe, but Evan climbed in Ryan's seat to check it out.

The boys enjoyed their roasted chicken and mashed potatoes. Ryan is amused with himself because he managed to rip his bib off...again.

Note the food in Evan's hair! They insist on feeding themselves now.

Well it's official. Ryan and Evan are walking! Having TWO walking babies is a lot of work. I mean a lot. A lot, lot. Sometimes I just sit back and watch them and smile. I won't complain at all. I won't ever wish that they'd just sit down. We came too close to not having these moments. That's one thing that prematurity did for me. It made me more thankful, and less whiny. I am in constant awe of these two miracles among us. And I KNOW it's nothing but the Lord.

Please keep Evan in your prayers. On Friday he will have a surgical procedure to open blocked tear ducts. His eyes tear all the time because the ducts are blocked. It's quite common and has nothing to do with being born early. Sometimes the ducts clear on their own, but his would have done so by now if they were going to do it. The longer we wait to have this done the more major the surgery will be. He'd have to be intubated and they'd have to put tubes in if we wait. I've already put it off long enough. This procedure is outpatient and should take about 20 minutes. I think it's similar to what happens when babies get tubes put in their ears. Still, it's a procedure, and we're praying. I'll be glad when it's over so my baby boy can be done with this.

No pictures...

but I do have a cute story to share! As much as this blog serves as a photo album it's also a journal for me to record stories about life with the Ryan and Evan and raising twins so I can share them with the Peas some day. Ryan has been taking more and more independent steps lately. He can walk for however long he wants to if you hold one of his hands. He's constantly walking around the family room, but he feels like he has to hold on to something. Last night I noticed some movement and wouldn't you know Ryan was walking holding my shoe! The boy was walking around with my shoe thinking he was holding on to something! As soon as he figured out what he was doing he stopped. It was hilarious! Just this morning he was dead set on getting to Nanny J, so he left me and walked to her!

Evan continues to walk more and more each day too. I managed to get him walking on video and I'll post it soon. These two are pure comedy--there is truly never a dull moment at our house. Everything is an adventure.


Today is my last day of vacation. Even though our summer vacation was actually shortened because we had to make up some days from that freak storm we had last March, I can truly say I had a great break. I absolutely love spending everyday with Ryan and Evan. I am dreading going back to work tomorrow because I won't be able to be with and care for my babies all day. They are truly my entire world. Being a working mother is hard, but I know that being a teacher really is the best case scenario. I'm blessed to be able to spend so much time with them during the summer and holidays. The hours are great too, and I can make a really good living and help provide a good life for our family. I love my school and coworkers. But still...I'm going to miss my babies.

Update

Where shall I begin about the Peas? There has been so much happening lately...

• Ryan and Evan were evaluated by Birth to Three, an early intervention program, last week. They were given an assessment that does not adjust for prematurity. They were both found to be age appropriate. The only area that this was not the case is gross motor skills because they are not walking yet. The test uses 12 months of age for the standard age that a child should be walking. Many full term infants do not walk when they are exactly 12 months of ages, plus Ryan and Evan are both taking steps! Basically this means that the Peas are on par with infants who are their actual age!

• Both boys are taking steps! Evan continues to do so more and more each day. Ryan is becoming less cautious. The physical therapist says that Ryan actually has advanced skills; he just chooses not to use them. Ry-Guy does not like to take chances! Evan, on the other hand, is like, "I may fall, but I'm DOING this!"

• Their new thing is imitating. They try to say what we say and they love to do whatever they see the other doing. If you tell Evan no (which we do quite frequently) and shake your head, he will shake his head back! Evan also pitches fits when he doesn't get his way. I'm talking arms and legs flailing, make his body go limp, and screaming fits. Uh-oh! I always knew I was going to be in trouble with this one!

• They love to wave hello and bye-bye. I mean they LOVE it! They start waving and don't know how to stop. At first they would just wave if you said bye-bye. Now they see you leave and they start waving. Evan waves at almost any stranger he sees, and Ryan is becoming a bit friendlier too. He still has to stare and give you the side-eye for a bit before he decides if you are ok or not!

• They made the transition to whole milk and we all love it! It's so much easier and cheaper! We have to buy two gallons at a time because they can go through some milk! Daddy P always calls home to see if we need anything before he gets there. I told him one day to just pick up a cow on his way!

• The Peas officially eat every single thing and they love to feed themselves. They eat three meals a day, and you better not be late with their breakfast or they will make you pay! Evan is the messier of the two. That boy gets food everywhere! His hair is curly, so you can imagine the fun I have getting food out of his hair. They love to drink out of real cups. The problem is if you start giving them something out of your glass they won't let you stop! We found out while we were down South that they both love sweet tea--with lemon! Don't forget the lemon! What can I say, they got this from me! I gotta have my sweet tea with lemon!

• They can both use their sippy cups and they will drink milk out of it. We are trying to say good-bye to the bottles. Now the binkies are a different story...

• Ryan loves his leapfrog Scout the dog. He turns it on and dances when it sings--it's so cute! Of course he never lets the poor puppy finish one song! He just keeps on pushing the paws ! They both love books, which makes this mama so proud! I often see them leafing through books during their play time, and they love to listen to stories. I was a reading specialist before I moved to CT, so reading is a big deal in our house. A big, big deal. These two WILL be school ready--mama will make sure of it!

• These two are escape artists! We spend most of our day in our family room, and we use the ottoman to keep them going to the door that leads to the deck and the entrance to the kitchen. If you don't place the ottoman just right, though, they can push past it. Well, they wait for any opportunity where that ottoman is out of place and then they pounce on it! They take off and they are fast! They've also discovered that if they both push on it at the same time they can move it themselves. Cahoots, I tell ya!

• They love to play together. You ever want to see the cutest, make-your-heart-melt, thing ever? Watch a pair of twins interacting. These two go off into their own world and they forget I'm even there. They have a connection and an understanding that is theirs and theirs alone. We're not allowed in this club. I love to see them playing, laughing, "talking," kissing, passing the paci back and forth (I know!), and just being twins. It must be great to be with your best buddy all the time, day in and day out. When one of them is asleep and the other is awake, it doesn't even feel right. Sure, it's a little easier to manage and I love having one on one time with them. It still doesn't feel right, though. Give me two any day!

I broke my camera when we were in Destin! :( I've been using my cell to take pictures, but it's not the same. I'll be shopping for a new camera this weekend. Happy Friday!

More Professional Pictures

Professional Pictures

We had some professional pictures taken of Ryan and Evan in July. Here are a few of our favorites. I'll post more tomorrow.

All Good things...

must come to an end, R & E. After we got back from Destin we spent our last week in Alabama. You had a chance to spend more time with Grandma P and your aunts and cousins. Daddy had to come back home for a little while, so the three of us hung out with Auntie Aliki and a friend from college, Ms. Kim, and her adorable little boy. We took a picture under the famous "Lifting the Veil" statue. It's a statue of Booker T. Washington (don't worry, Mommy will teach you ALL about him!) lifting the veil of ignorance from a former slave. It's symbolic of the creation of Tuskegee University. Mommy wanted to take you to see some of the other historic sites on campus, but it was way too hot. Maybe we can go back one fall and I'll show you. Ohhhh...and then you can experience another southern tradition--football season!

We packed up our things and headed back home. You two were a little less tolerant of the car going back. It was OK, though, because we weren't in a rush and we took our time. We left on a Thursday and made it home on Saturday. We stopped for the first night in a lovely little town in North Carolina. We though we could be home by Friday evening but you two had other plans. The ride was just too much to you guys, so we stopped for the second night--get this--in New Jersey! Only about two hours away from home! Yep, you two were soooooooooo over being in the car that we just said forget it! We'll go home tomorrow!

We had a fantastic first family vacation! There was so much to see and do, and even when we weren't seeing or doing anything in particular we were enjoying each other. You two learned so much and grew up so much in such a short time. You two are so smart! Mommy and Daddy are in complete awe of you--wonderful, beautiful you. We were a happy family of two, but now that there are four of us, we can't imagine that there was ever anything better than this. We can't wait to do it again next year!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Gulfarium

On our last full day in Destin we took a trip to the Gulfarium. Boy was it hot! The sun hats I found for you came in handy...except you refused to wear them! I was able to snap this picture right before the hats came off. Good thing the shows were under a covered area. Evan, I caught you in mid-snatch! Ry, you were right behind him buddy! We were on our way to see the dolphin show right before this picture was taken, Unfortunately, Mommy broke the camera right after this pic too. :(

This was a BIG sea lion! His name is Kyle.

You can't go to Florida and not take a picture of an alligator. That would be just plain silly!

This was the end of one of the shows and we were on our way to dinner. We were famished! Ry, Mommy was holding you while this picture was taken. You were hungry and ready to GO! As you can see, Daddy was very serious about keeping you two hydrated!

The next day we packed up and headed back to Alabama. It was a wonderful trip; one that we will never forget. You two had a great time and it was our pleasure to be able to take you. You two are the absolute best. Thanks for being you, Ryan and Evan!

Interuppting Vacation Recap-Letter to say...

today, on two different occasions, Evan took a few unassisted steps! He really wants to walk and has been toying with the idea all last month. He actually took two unassisted steps last Thursday August 5th. Today he just up and did it again. I am soooooooooooo proud of this boy! And his big brother too:)

Days at the Pool

One great thing about the resort is the pool. You could really never leave the resort ans still have a great vacation. These pictures are from your day at the pool. This was your absolute first time! Evan, don't let the shocked look fool you! You loved every minute of it!

Ryan, Evan and and turned back around to get something and when we made it to the pool this is what we saw! You were crawling all around the minute you hit the water.

Since you two loved the water so much we decided to get you these floaters. Can you say

ca-yute! See that pretty little girl between you two? That's Baby A, the Turners' beautiful daughter. She loved the water too!

Ryan had to check and make sure that Evan's float was blown up properly! You are such a great big brother:)

Daddy took you all around in the pool and you couldn't get enough of it! There was a waterfall and lots of kids playing-so much to see. Both of you enjoyed kicking your legs and feet all around. We'll make sure you two learn to swim soon. Don't be like your mama on this one!

But, I was happy to take a picture with the two of you in the shallow part!


We were glad to see that you enjoyed the water so much. Though we won't go out and have a pool installed in the backyard for you, we will make sure we blow up the pool you got for your birthday and let you play in it. Not quite the same thing, but close! :)

Reflection

Something about this picture makes me teary. I think it's because when I took this shot we were leaving the beach and I couldn't help but think about last year this time. Last year my babies were in the hospital; they were feeding and growing, and working on a little thing called breathing. Oh, but this year.

This year our boys played at the beach, splashed in the Gulf, and walked in the sand. They could see and hear and feel. And then they were all tuckered out.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...Mommy?

Before we went to the beach we did a bit of sightseeing. Boy was it hot! We kept you two hydrated and you were good to go! Ms. Curtisha wanted to do something fun; something we would ordinarily do. We noticed the "Zip" attraction.

Now let Mommy tell you, being "zipped," as they call it, is definitely not something I would ordinarily do. But we were on vacation, Ms. Curtisha wanted to try it, and your daddy was convinced that I wouldn't do it.


Here I am--about to be zipped! Was I scared? Ummm...YES! I was fine walking up the long winding staircase to get to the top, but once I was all harnessed and out on the ledge I almost backed out! You see that ledge near the outside of the gate by the guy's hand? That's the ledge you had to walk out on until you were suspended in air! YIKES! Mommy felt like she was walking the plank! But, I looked down at your daddy and the two of you and...

I did it! I got "zipped" from one side of the wharf to the other!

Weeeee.......................

Here is Ms. Curtisha being "zipped!" She even managed to strike a pose as she was going across! LOL :)

I'm telling you guys this because I want you to know that sometimes it's okay to take a chance and try something new. I don't want you two to grow up and be controlled by fear. Trying something new can be a good thing. I want you to have common sense, of course. Just don't do any old thing! BUT, some risks are worth taking. I took a chance and did something new, and it was actually fun. I'm glad I did it. I was afraid at first, but I overcame that fear. Having said that, if I had been too afraid and backed out, that would have been OK too. I also want you to know that it's OK to be afraid sometimes. Sometimes you should be too afraid to do something. Follow your heart...and your gut. Life is beautiful! Live life, my dears, but be smart about it.

Peas at the Beach!

There was the HUGE crisis in the Gulf this year because there was a major oil spill a couple of months ago. We all decided to stick with our beach trip, though. There was no oil! We took a trip to the beach after a day of sightseeing.


Here are the Turners. We had so much fun with them! Your daddy got to hang out with Mr. Jeremie and laugh it up like the always do, and Mommy and Ms. Curtisha had a spa day, went on a shopping trip, and helped each other out so each of us could have 2 baby-free minutes while on vacation:) You fellas had a blast playing (messing!) with baby girl A this year! She's 5 months old now, but the next time we go away together there will be three of you to chase around:)

Here you are playing with Ms. Curtisha in the sand. Evan, look carefully at the look on your face...

You were SO over the beach 5 minutes after we got there! You are like your mama:) The beach is beautiful and all, but sand and babies do not mix! In this picture you look to be saying, "Mommy can we please leave now?"

Ryan on the other hand?! Ry you LOVED the beach. Here your daddy had dug a hole and you were happy to oblige by getting in it...

and standing in it...and eating it...!

Evan, you and Mommy decided to go for a little walk, and it was nice. Here we are right near the shore so we could feel the water on our feet. Just enough for the both of us!

You played with your bucket for a little while.

Ryan, it was impossible to keep the sand out of your mouth! You were giving your mama a heart attack during these shots!

See what I mean? Evan you are NOT a fan of the beach!

Destin, Florida

R & E,

This summer Mommy and Daddy also took you to Destin, Florida as part of our first official family vacation. Destin is a popular get-away vacation spot in the area, and we celebrated our first anniversary there. It was neat to go back in July this year, because not only were we celebrating three years of marriage, but we also had you two:) Your Grandfather William says two boys in two years; not bad!

Here we are in 2008. What a difference a couple of years make!

We at the same resort as our first anniversary trip, The Palms of Destin. It's a really nice resort with all the comforts of home. One of the best parts about staying there this year? We were joined by the Turner family! They have an adorable baby girl, who's actually your Daddy's Goddaughter, and we will have many more joint family vacations in the future!

Here you are one morning, early one morning, enjoying our view from the deck. We were able to slip out there right from our bedroom so we wouldn't the Turner's up. You two are early risers. Erspecially you, Evan:) Even this early in the morning we were greeted by heat, so we didn't stay out too long.

Here is your view from the deck. We'll go back to the Palms again at some point, but we want to show you all kinds of places. We better get your passports ready!

This is the view of our building from the pool. You two LOVED the pool so much!

Friends

All of your time wasn't spent relaxing at home! A few times you hit the road with your mama and we hung out with some very good friends:)


This is your Auntie Aliki. She and Mommy have been friends for about 16 years and counting. We met our freshman year at college and lived across the hall from each other. We took nearly all of our classes together too. Aunt Aliki invited us to her house for what we thought was just a lunch but it was really...

a surprise belated birthday party for you two! How sweet is your auntie! Leatha came over with K and I and there was even another baby there too! You guys had a ball with Baby P. You had a fabulous lunch, 'cause Aliki is a fabulous cook :), you had ice cream and cake, and presents from Baby Gap! Ryan, notice how intently you are looking at that cake! LOL

Ryan, in this picture you are with Mommy's dear friend Ms. Kim (yep, this is how you two will learn to refer to adults. You've gotta put some kinda "handle" on adult's names just like Mommy and Daddy were taught). Ms. Kim and Mommy met at work about 5 years ago and have been great friends ever since. Ms. Kim is the absolute sweetest person Mommy knows.

Evan, you are with Ms. Rosalyn, another good friend that Mommy met at work. Actually, Ms. Rosalyn, Ms. Kim, and Mommy were like three peas in a pod! They couldn't wait to meet you two! In these pictures we are out having lunch, and after we ate I know we stayed right there for at least 2 hours laughing and talking! Oh the talking and laughing we did on this day! You two actually fell asleep on us:) It was old times for the three of us again! Before Mommy married Daddy and left Montgomery the three of us would be together literally all the time. We worked together, then we'd leave work and head to dinner and/or shopping, and/or a movie or a play. We did this at least twice a week. Their hubby's worked in the evenings and Mommy didn't have a hubby yet, so we could do that with no problem. Good, good times:) Life with you two is even better, though.

One thing Mommy hope for you two is not only for you to be FRIENDS with each other, but for you to find a few life friends as well. Having a good friend is a special gift, sons. If you have just one you are blessed. Having more than that, well that's just icing on the cake. Find friends that you can trust. Friends that accept you for who you are, and friends that you can have fun with.

Day to Day

So guys, your day to day life was filled with eating, playing, visiting, getting spoiled, and playing some more! You handled the extreme heat like champs, though we tried to have you outside as little as possible. During the day we spent most of the time inside, but we did manage to spend some time here and there outside. Check out this picture:

This is your Uncle Ralph. This is your maternal grandmother's brother. Evan, you took to him right away. Ryan, you...... didn't! Now Ry, you had no problem crawling into his room and getting into his things, but if he tried to hold you that was another story! He'd try his best to get to to come to him, but you wouldn't budge. Not only would you not go to him, but you would actually make a point of forcing your hands at your side as if to say you may NOT hold me! You did cooperate long enough to take this picture. It was early in the morning so it wasn't too hot. Both of you enjoyed watching the cars and trucks zooming down the road.

Evan, this is you with Mommy's grandmother, your great-grandmother. She came to visit you when you first came home from the hospital and for your 1st birthday party. She was trying to sing the theme song from Yo Gabba Gabba to you here.Ryan, this is you with Mommy's grandfather, your great-grandfather. Just wait until you see the videos of you two! Grandfather loves to sing these songs to any baby who comes into his home. Every single child in our family has gotten "Humpty-Dumptied" as we call it! Grandfather was happy to pass on the tradition to you:) Ryan, you loved it! In fact, you would go to him for him to do you. Evan, you weren't really in to it as much. This was your first time meeting him and you had a lot of fun together.

You boys learned lots of new things this summer. Evan, you started cruising, standing unassisted, and you figured out how to turn your walker into a push toy! All around the house you would go with this thing! Oh and that helmet? You officially said good-bye to it yesterday (August 4th)!

Ryan, you figured out how to do a lot too. You actually earned a new nickname: Hercules! You are the strongest little boy I know! You had already mastered pushing your walker, but this summer you figured how to push other things like Grandma's kitchen chairs! Yep, you my dear pushed Grandma's kitchen chairs all around the kitchen, managed to lift a gallon of your nursery water, lift a 2.5 pound weight, and hoist your dump truck on top of Grandma's coffee table! I told you you were busy and into EVERYTHING!

Boys, one thing Mommy and Daddy want you to learn is that family is very important. We made sure you were introduced to as many family members as possible. You also met your Grandfather P, your other Aunts, and a host of distant cousins. We will always travel South as much as possible to keep you connected to them-to your roots. It must be tough to welcome a family of four plus their dog into your home for three weeks. Who else would do that besides family? Mommy's folks made it clear a long time ago that I can always come home. That's something your Daddy and I want you to know too. You can always come home to us, no matter what. It's a love thing!