Role reversal

Yesterday I watched the twins while Anne went to a doctor's appointment.  Normally Avery is the diva and running the show, but when Anne dropped them off, she was fast asleep.

With his sister our for the count, Riggs was loving the lime light!  He was chewing away on toys, making Frances cry by picking all of "her" toys, and bless his heart, crying when the girls yelled a bit too loud. 

Aunt B's toys are yummy!

Avery who?

One happy boy!

Frances sharing for a second.

But not very happy about it.

When Avery woke up, she was in the best mood.  She was all smiles for the camera and so happy to play with the May Flowers. 

That was the best nap!

Can you believe how big I am getting?

But the biggest reversal of roles was dinner time.  Avery has always been the best eater and Riggs, not so much.  He was fussing off and on while Avery was napping, but when she woke up and he saw the can of Cheerios in her carseat, he went crazy!  I opened up the can for him and he couldn't get the Cheerios in his mouth fast enough!

So I pulled out our mini high chair, and he was literally pounding on the tray.  I put him in and his mouth remained opened throughout the feeding.  I tried to take some pictures to send Anne on my iPhone, and God love him, he started pulling at the food to feed himself! 

Mama, I think you have a growing boy on your hands!

Avery letting Riggs eat first for once.  But she was right there waiting for her turn!

Aunt B, quit taking pictures and just FEED ME!

11 months

Really, 11 months already!! I honestly can't believe how fast this time has gone. It's also hard for me to believe that I have not once been away from them at night. I am exhausted to say the least. I hope that by the time they turn 1 they are both sleeping through the night again. (PLEASE!)

Speaking of turning one, I am so not ready for my babies 1 year birthday party. I have exactly one month to order and send invitations, decide what I am going to do for the party, plan the party and then of course stress about the party. And yes I realize this party really is for me! But before I can deal with their party I must first get through our first Christmas party at our new home. I am looking forward to starting traditions with my family in our first home!!!

Dear Avery and Riggs, Thank you for the best 11 months of my life. I know it only gets better. Love, Mommy

Operation Sleep: Night Two

While night two didn't go quite as smoothly as night one (Riggs awoke, terribly upset and clamoring to get out of his crib, at 1am), it still went relatively well. Tim made two trips back into the nursery to plug his nunu back into his mouth (at the 3-minute and 5-minute intervals) and, by the end of the 5-minute interval, Riggs was fast asleep for the rest of the night. The little bugger still woke up at 5:45 wanting his bottle, but Tim coaxed him back to sleep for another hour.

So, it was not an entirely blissful night of sleep for Tim, but it was far better than what Riggs has shown us lately (especially in Louisville, where Riggs acted like a caged Kong trying to escape the pack-n-play).

Night 3 starts now.

Operation Sleep: Night One

From the age of 3 months to almost 8 months the babies were the best sleepers. Almost too good to be true. They would sleep 12 hours a night. It was awesome! We also got spoiled. Riggs would go down so easy and be asleep before his head hit the crib. Avery would toss a little and make the sweetest noises to put herself to sleep. We would have dinner, I would do house chores, Tim would go back to work and then we would go to bed around 11pm - and still get more than enough sleep.

After a trip to Tahoe this summer their sleeping habits went south. The time change, the sleeping arrangements, the climate change, the runny noses turned ear infections, and letting them sleep in the bed between us as a last resort did not help the situation at all.

The last three months have been the hardest (sleepwise) for us. I don't have the will power to let them cry it out - for selfish reasons. I'd rather get them back to sleep in the fastest way possible so I could get back to sleep!! We were up so much every night that I think our bodies began to adjust to 30 minute sleep intervals. This time frame was harder then when they were itty bitty.

Once Avery got back to her regular (by regular I mean 5 out of 7 nights without waking) decent sleeping habits I was scared to death that Riggs would wake her up with all of his tossing and turning. This is when Riggs got the boot from the nursery and had to move into the pack-n-play in the playroom. We hoped this would help him (have his own space to cry it out) and me (not hear him quite as well). Unfortunately it didn't. I don't think the 3 ear infections he had helped either. We finally got tubes on the 13th of November. I had heard such wonderful stories of how instantly babies were sleeping after getting tubes. This was not the case for us. Both babies didn't do well (again sleepwise) the first week of tubes.

After getting the clear from the ENT at our follow up appointment that we have no ear infections, Tim made the decision to lead Operation Sleep (Riggs) immediately. He has been wanting to do this for a while but I kept putting it off that he was sick, he was out of his routine by travel, etc, etc, etc.

Last night Avery and I moved upstairs. Her in the pack in play and me on the couch. Tim and Riggs would remain in the master and nursery rooms. Tim prepared himself for a rough night of letting Riggs cry for 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, and so forth. I prepared for a fabulous night sleep on our old couch. Avery did so so upstairs - we were up a few times. I personally think she was too cold. We came downstairs this morning at 6:30 and found Riggs in the bed with Daddy!!! I couldn't believe it...Daddy gave in?!? That wasn't the case at all - Riggs didn't make a peep the ENTIRE night. At 5:15 he started to stir and Tim was prepared to let him cry it out, but when Tim saw his watch time at 6:15 he figured it was time to get Riggs and make his morning bottle. Off to the kitchen they went only to discover that Tims watch was still on east coast time!!! Tim then took Riggs back to bed in hopes of getting a little more shut eye. (It took a while but they both got a little nap in.) and that is why I saw Riggs and Tim in the bed this morning.

Hopefully Night Two and Night Three go really well for Daddy and Riggs.

Here a tooth, there a tooth, everywhere a tooth tooth

Over the Thanksgiving holiday both Riggs and Avery decided to cut teeth. As you know Avery has had her bottom two teeth for some time now. Riggs has been teething since he was born ;) For the past few weeks we could see little white teeth trying to bust the skin...finally this week they broke free!! He is now constantly moving his tongue over them. And you know Avery doesn't like to be outdone, she decided to cut her two top teeth over the holiday.

Needless to say the new teeth did not help the sleeping situation in Louisville!

Mommy's first KY game!

Tonight we headed to Lexington for the UK v Tennessee game. Unfortunately the Wildcats weren't able to pull through in overtime. This was the 25th year that they have lost to Tennessee. :( Maybe next year??

We had a great time seeing old friends and tailgating. I must say they sure do things different up here! The air was a bit chilly but Tim had me covered: triple layers, hat, scarf, gloves, extra pair of socks, and a very puffy jacket! This is what they call football weather...personally 70 degrees with no humidity is my opinion of football weather!!

Nothing like smores before heading to the game!

The Guys!

Mommy and Daddy in front of the Commonwealth Stadium

I "heart" chick fil a!

(Obviously I was with all guys - any girl would have told me my hat was riding high)

If the band were bigger they could do a U and a K.

Nothing like hot chocolate to help keep you warm!

Go Wildcats

Kentucky's winning streak starts this year.

On the move

After school, Frances and I headed over to Anne's house to help her get ready for our supper club dinner.  My job was to watch the kids while Anne did was she does best:  clean and organize. 

The weather was beautiful, so we let the kids play outside.  Anne put down a cozy blanket for the twins to play on, but they had other ideas of how to enjoy the great outdoors!

Avery, playing on the blanket....for now!

Hey, what is Frances doing over there?

Don't do it Avery.  Mom said "sit" and that is what we should do!

Avery trying to climb up with Frances.

How did Frannie get up there!?

Riggs started to follow the girls, but realized his favorite toy was outside...

....the swing!

I could push this smiling boy all day long!

And when I was busy keeping sticks and leaves out of his sister's mouth, he just chilled and waited.

Take your time Aunt B, I'm good!

They also explored the courtyard,

though Riggs was not a fan of the hard surface.

And Avery, with the support of Abi, tried to master Frances' big girl sippy cup.

Our Family

Paging Daddy

Our better sleeper (Avery) has the most gracious way of waking up. Rather than thrashing in the crib and demanding morning attention (like somebody else...no names, of course), she calmly wakes around 6am and patiently starts saying "Dada," getting a little louder every couple of minutes until it commands action on our part. I sort of doubt she knows what she's saying, but who knows....it's pretty cool. Love you, little girl.

Enjoying the fall weather

After school and some errands, Anne and the twins came over to enjoy this beautiful fall day with the girls and me.  Riggs, a total boy, had fallen asleep after all that shopping, but Avery was ready to play with the girls. 

She was loving getting all of Charlotte's attention, though was not a big fan of the swing.  At first she was fine, but then started pulling at her ear - a sure sign that the motion was not helping her stubborn ear infection.  She did enjoy sitting on the mats in the grass and kept Charlotte and I busy pulling leaves and sticks out of her mouth.  That girl will eat anything!

Avery was also not content on just sitting on the mat we had set out just for her.  No, Little Miss Determined wanted to explore and get closer to her best friend Maggie (our yellow Lab). 

Riggs eventually woke up and joined in on the outdoor fun.  He loved the swing and would belly laugh when we would push him high (but don't worry Dearie, not too high!).  Of course when his mama tried to capture him laughing on video, he got all serious and would only stare at Maggie. 

That is okay Riggs, Aunt B got plenty pictures of you having a blast!

Little Miss Serious checking Maggie out

Hey, what is this?

I think I will give it a taste.

Charlotte having a ball playing with "her baby"

Avery off to get Maggie

Frances trying to love on Riggs - with him pushing her off. 

What was that!? My mama doesn't hug me like that!

the time of his life

Aunt B, this is much better than that food you gave me yesterday!

so handsome

Aunt B, are you really going to let her keep pushing me?  She really is not qualified for the job.

Adventures in Babysitting

Since Anne is extremely busy with those adorable twins, I have offered my services to blog about her babies when I get to spend time with them.

This morning Frances and I got to babysit for them while Anne ran to the Doc in the Box (another sinus infection).  They spent the morning keeping me on my toes, but we had a blast.

When I got lunch together for Frances, I decided to blend some of it up for the babies.  On the menu:  pork chops, rice, gravy, and green beans.  Wonderful whole, so it should be wonderful blended, right?

I started with Avery since she will eat anything, and got the funniest reaction.

All ready to eat with Maggie batting clean up!

Aunt B, what is that stuff you are trying to feed me?

Really?

Gag me!

Aunt B, I see Avery's reaction.  You must be crazy if you think you can get me to eat this!

Yuck!

Avery, despite her reaction to each bite, would open wide for a fresh bite everytime I offered.  She is a soldier when it comes to eating!  Riggs did try two bites, but after that he hid his face from me.  I had to earn his trust back, but he eventually ate his normal baby food from me.

Sorry kids for subjecting you to this nasty meal.  I promise to be "Fun Aunt B" the next time we hang out.

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