Who needs toys when you have a trashcan!

Sonny and Cher

She must have overheard us talking...

I have to be honest, the baby books I have for Avery and Riggs have been barely written in...I feel like a bad mother because its usually the second child that has the empty baby book!! I guess I have the excuse of twins :) However I am trying to go back and fill in as much as I can periodically.

This morning while feeding babies I was asking Tim what date should we put as Avery getting her first teeth. I have been seeing them for a while now under the gums and feeling them for the past two weeks. Tim said he didn't think that counted and we should wait until the first one is fully out.

When I was walking to their classroom at Mothers Day Out I could hear Avery SCREAMING! I feel so bad for their teachers when the babies are fussy. Once she saw me she calmed down. The teachers told me today had been one of Avery's worst. I mentioned she has been teething and that is probably what all the fuss was about. Right as I was saying this she gave me a big smile and I saw her TWO BOTTOM TEETH!!! So, its official Avery has teeth! I am sure Riggs will follow in the next couple of days.

I will do my best to write this important information into her baby book.

All dressed up for a baby shower...

Auntie = Homecoming Queen

LSU v Florida

Forward Motion!

It's official...both kids can do the following: (a) see something they want across the room, (b) proceed in a forward direction with no rolling or accidental reverses, and (c) retrieve. I wouldn't quite label it "crawling," but it's close.

Avery likes to come get Riggs's nunu. Riggs likes to look for ways to escape Avery.

Few of you knew that Abi is really 50% Boston Terrier and 50% Lioness

Morning Peek-a-boo

9 months in, 9 months out

Today, October 6, 2009, you kids are 9 months old. Can you believe it - you've been on the outside as long as you were on the inside! We hope you like the outside better - certainly more space out here, and the food's gotta be better too.

If we think back to when our journey with you began - way back in Baltimore (www.baltimore.com, in case you don't know where that is) in May 2008 - Mom and I had no idea of what was ahead of us. To think, at that point we thought there was only one of you! Which one? Not sure.

As we *think* you know, the last 9 months have been the best we've ever known (and, obviously, the best you've ever known, as well). Your personalities and preferences, laughs and cries, habits, facial expressions and sleeping patterns (or not) are becoming so full of character already that your Mom thinks you're growing up too fast. Maybe she's right. All I know is that, if we had been blessed with only one of you, either of you would have done the trick and would have brought more love and joy to our lives than we could have possibly imagined. That we were blessed with both of you has proven to be a miracle that we are lucky enough to see every day.

We love you, and we can't wait to see you when you wake up (hopefully many hours from now).

Surprise Visit from a long lost friend...

Michael - this post is for you!

Today my babies got to meet a very close college friend. I think they really liked her too! It was so nice catching up, and reminiscting about the good ole times. Boy did we have them, and luckily Lauren remembers them all! Hopefully she won't feel the urge to tell the babies when they grow up!

Lauren - we LOVE surprise visits, so feel free to stop by the next time you are in town. We are looking at the calendar to see when we can come visit you. Hope you had a safe drive home.

Hello Mrs. Lauren - I'd like to play with your necklace please.
This one cracks me up. Lauren and the girls.

I think Lauren is saying...wait you want to put another baby on this chair!

I love the way Avery is looking at Lauren...and you are?

Its very difficult to get 4 kids to look at the camera at the same time.

Riggs realizing where he is...

...and he is not happy about it at all!


In order for Aunt B to have time to visit she had to cook Charlotte and Frances' dinner at our house. While I am not a fan of red beans and rice, I might have to cook it more often. Avery LOVED it!! Riggs even enjoyed a few beans.

Always smiling for the camera!

making funny faces to daddy

I think I might like red beans and rice!

LSU fan...I think not!

no "real" LSU fan would drink from a UK cup!!!

(Charlotte - I know you bleed purple and gold)

Afternoon Fun

How classic is this face?!? Just sucking on my peach while watching my Baby Einstein!
Avery: HeHe, I got brothers nunu.
Riggs: I think she might pull me over!

Sweet Baby Girl

One handsome fella

Testing out the new playroom

Dadadadada

Well, I guess I always knew one of them would say Dada first...

Now I have to teach Avery Mama!!

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT come over to the Ryan House...

Unless you want to get sick! So far we have one baby with an ear infection, another baby with a double ear infection, one mommy with 101.8 fever and one daddy with 101 fever. Thank goodness the in laws are in town and can help take care of the babies. Not sure how we would have gotten through the day - did I mention Dearie is sick too!

Lunch at Blue Dog with Nana and PopPop

Nana and PopPop finally made it after a few delays and rescheduling! Daddy went to pick them up while I got the kids situated at Blue Dog. We had a great lunch and the kids did really well. I know the babies are going to love spending some serious QT with their grandparents they barely get to see.

Thank goodness these babies still fit in the carriers. I am not sure how I am going to deal with getting them into places once they grow out of this stroller!

Would you like a puff?

Riggs loving on his Nana

Don't leave me alone for one second...

or this is what you will find:

Avery reached into the diaper changing basket in the living room, pulled out the diaper trash bags then scooted as far back as she could go! As you can imagine I am very much looking forward to having a permanent playroom that is completely kid friendly.

Helping Daddy Work

This morning Tim started his work day extra early and Avery thought he could use an extra set of hands to go through all that paperwork! ABR folk - don't worry this was way before "actual" working hours ;) This unfortunately didn't last long because the big screen in Daddy's office doesn't play Baby Monet.

NuNu Thief

Somehow Avery can find a nunu in every room. Who cares if it has been there for a while or if its not even hers! Maybe she is color blind like Daddy??

sweet moment...

The camera really can't capture how special of a bond our little babies have. It truly is the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed. This is just a moment that I thought was too cute.

First Day of School

It's a fact...our babies are growing up way too fast. They are a little over 8 months old and they started Mothers Day Out (MDO) today!! I really can't believe it. Avery absolutely loved school...I think she loves the fact that everyone is there to play with her! She barely napped because she didn't want to miss a single thing. Riggs on the other hand was not quite as excited about this "school" thing. He started to fuss as soon as I walked away. I had to come back and try to get him down for a nap. Unfortunately he wasn't interested. His first day was a little rough but I know in time he will grow to love it. Who knew he was attached to his mommy?!? I guess this has something to do with the fact that they have been with me since day one. I didn't have hired help until they were 3 months old and even that was only one day a week.

Sweet Avery ready for her first day of school!

My little man talking away...thinking he is ready for school.

Hey, is that my name?

School Time

(Their expressions truly describe how the first day went)

It was so sweet, when I got them both sitting on the floor Riggs looked at Avery to see what he should be doing. I have a feeling I will be separating them when it comes time for real school just so they can each develop their own personalities.

Playing with Friends

I think Avery likes hanging with the big girls!