Pumpkin Patch & Puppies

Life has slowed a bit.  Chris has settled a month into his new job.  It is MUCH less stress.  We are all happy about how this change has turned out.  

Aunt Beth & I took the cousins to St. Luke's annual pumpkin patch.  It's a very popular fall photo shoot setting here in Shreveport.  I preface this photo with the fact that I had subconsciously imagined this day (or hour) to consist of propping sweet, happy smiling babies up against fat pumpkins, snapping adorable shots in the morning sun.  That was not so much how it went.  Instead, we caught intermittent photos in which one or both babies was not crying.  Apparently sitting on scratchy hay is not a baby's idea of a good, happy time.  Nonetheless, we got a few okay photos, one  of which is below.  Hopefully Beth got better ones!
PS - True to our word, we do not dress them the same but very rarely; I love these little onesies that one of our friends gave us, so occasionally they will wear the same outfit.  (But note the different colors of fleece pants:)

The rest of the photos below were taken by Chris, trying to get a shot of the boys in their bumbos.  We love these little seats for spoon feedings, until they are able to sit up a little better on their own and graduate to a high chair.  In Chris' quest, the dogs apparently wanted to take the opportunity to give some sugar and inspect the area for the possibility of dropped baby food or milk. . . The dogs really do love their babies!

Note below, Beau-dog gives Luke a little sugar on the ear.

So the boys continue to grow.  They have (finally, with some hopeful prayer on my part!) settled into a great routine with very predictable naps and feeding times.  Bowen continues to roll like a champ, and Luke stays just a few weeks behind his bro in development.  Bowen is progressing so well (and actually a little advanced in a few areas for his adjusted-age), that he has been discharged from occupational therapy for Early Steps.  Luke will continue therapy for (hopefully just a little while) longer.  However, Luke is definitely the champ when it comes to spoon feeding.  From the first spoon feeding, he's acted as if he always knew what to do with a spoon.  (Yes, that surprises us too!  We thought for sure that little fat Bowen would be more aggressive with eating.)  

Now that life has slowed a little, we'll hopefully have some updates about once every week or so.  Take care!

New Tricks

Hello All,

We are past due for sure for new photos & videos. My life should slow down a little in a few weeks and I'll get around to it. But for now just reporting that the boys had their NICU follow-up clinic appointment last week. Our little boys who are supposed to be like 4-month olds now weigh 17 lb 3oz (Bowen) and 15 lb (Luke). Both have found their feet. Bowen found his hand ~2 weeks ago. Luke is starting to roll, and Bowen is now definitely rolling from back to tummy and trying to get his knees under him. I'm getting a little scared! They are both reaching for toys and Bowen likes to reach and touch your face when close enough. They are so sweet, and it is exciting to see them develop. . . . Thanks for following, and hopefully I'll have up photos soon.

Baby Dedication

(authored by Chris & Darla)

The boys made their first trip to "big church" this morning for their dedication.  Pastor Chuck held all 33 pounds of babies at once.  Bowen is on the left and Luke on the right.  Both sets of grandparents, the Cathcart greatgrandparents, Grandmomma Porter, and Aunt Beth and cousin Brayden all watched.  (This was also cousin Brayden's first time to sit through big church, and he did so great at 3.5 yrs old!)  Uncle Shane was turning on people's electricity (he works for SWEPCO and was working thanks to Ike) and Uncle Michael and Aunt Sylvia are finishing up their trip to Europe, so they couldn't make it.

It was so great to reach yet another "normal" milestone.  We forget how amazing our boys are.  We were reminded by the collective gasp when Pastor Chuck announced for the crowd their birth weights of 2lb & 1.5lb.  We continue to say that God is always good, but in the case of these boys, He was also very gracious!  

BTW - Today's date (the 14th) is the day that last year we had our very first prenatal visit and discovered we were having TWINS.  Little did we know how much our lives would change!

Could I be a Gerber baby?

These are the pre-pea pics from Thursday night before the first trial of veggies.  Our fat naked babies are so cute, I had to share . . . WHO'S CALLING ME A PREEMIE NOW???

Bowen:

Luke . . . 

Well, our mommy thinks we could be Gerber babies!  (Oh, and of course our grandparents and Aunt Beth . . . )

Peas, please!

As of last night, we added peas to the boys' menu.  We have been feeding them rice cereal by spoon for a few weeks now off & on, so it was time to move onto something new.  They are pretty good with the spoon for about 5-10 minutes, and then they cry for their bottles.  But it's a start!

Bowen (below) did better today with eating peas.  Last night, I thought perhaps he might like peas as much as his daddy does (which, is not at all).

I'm also trying homemade baby food, which is not very difficult to make.  I hear it's less expensive, and obviously cuts a lot of preservatives/additives from the wee diets.  I can prepare quite a bit at one time and freeze ahead small portions in ice trays.  And as my mom said, "That's all we had when you were a baby!"
Next week - on to carrots!

Papa Beau-Dog

I left the boys to nap on our bed this afternoon.  I returned to check on them 10 minutes later, and Beau-dog apparently decided to join the non-action.  I had already shooed Beau off the bed earlier that day (when the boys weren't on the bed).  But since all parties seemed content, I left well enough alone and let them enjoy their group nap.

Checking on them again later, George had also made it onto the bed.  Crazy dogs.

6th month check up

Yes, I know, photo updates are needed.  In the meantime, the boys had their 6-month check up with Dr. McLaren today.  (They are 26 weeks old, or 13 weeks adjusted age.)  Just wanted to quickly share the stats:

Luke - 13 lbs, 23.5 inches long

Bowen - 14 lbs 12 oz, 23 inches long

All else is well in their world.  And ours, as they consistently sleep 10p to ~5:30a.

And if you hadn't heard, Chris is very excited to be starting a new job at the end of September.  He will treat outpatients at LSU Hospital.  We think it will be a nice change of pace for him for the time being, as he finishes his MBA this year and as we continue to adjust to having babies in our home.  No more 24/7 work cell phone, and no weekends or government holidays.  (We're talking Columbus Day, Flag Day, etc. - I'm a little jealous!)  His last day at Schumpert is Aug 29.  He'll have a month off, during which he plans to paint the house and knock out several of the semester's classes. . . On that note, still greatly enjoying my return to work.  I love what I do, have a great boss & a great work environment.  I'm feeling very blessed right now in the occupational category.  And Aunt Beth is getting her baby "fix."  It's a win-win.

I'll try to get some photos up later this week.