Manning Family Fun!

Every year Jeff's dad gets the whole family tickets to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. He was a rodeo guy himself when he was a teenager, so he likes taking the family to show off what he did. It is a full day of exhibits, lunch, viewing the animals, which includes the wonderful smell of cow poo, and then to the rodeo. I remember last year thinking (and envisioning) what it would be like having two babies in tow. What would they wear, how would we get our large stroller through the crowded barns, would they even know we were at a rodeo. I didn't care, I couldn't wait to introduce them to this wonderful Manning experience. Well after Jeff and I thinking about it, we decided we would leave them with their Aunt Dixie and take them next year when they are a little older. We were so sad all day. There were so many families there with their babies, wearing the cuties western gear, whipping around the barns in their strollers and not having a clue they were at the rodeo. Although it was a great day, I sure wish we would have taken Luke and Carter with us.

Manning Munchkins Updates

Just a quick update on the babies. They will be six months next week, half a year old, I can't believe it. They are growing right before my eyes. Luke is finally getting over his chest congestion/cough, and I don't think his new tooth is really bothering him anymore, if it really ever did. Both babies are starting to get used to eating cereal. It is going allot slower than I thought, but they are getting it. I'm sure once we start to introduce fruits and veggies, next week, they will enjoy it much more. They are both rolling more and I'm sure it's a very short time before they are rolling across the room. I found Luke on his belly in his bed the other morning, so he is starting to roll in his sleep. He may prefer to sleep in his tummy, I know allot of babies do. I am also starting to think about baby proofing the house. L&C's friends Wes and Evan (13 months) came over the other day and I really realized how much our house is not ready for two little babies to roam around. Oh well it will all come in time, if not mine then theirs.

The arrival of our first tooth

Wow-today was an exciting day for Luke and of course I was at work and missed it all. Jeff discovered Luke is getting his first little toofy and he rolled over from back to belly. I'm a little sad, I was hoping they wouldn't get any teeth until closer to eight months. I feel they aren't newborn anymore once they get teeth although I know the newborn stage is well over. The weird thing is we were for sure Carter would be the first one to get a tooth. He has been drooling and chewing on things for awhile now. My doctor did tell me that drooling and chewing didn't mean anything, you would know they are teething when you see small white dots in their mouths. Well once again she is right. I haven't been able to get a picture of the tooth yet, but I will soon.

Like I had said before, Luke has been working on rolling over since New Years Eve. He just can't seem to get over his shoulder. Today he did and I'm so proud of him. Unfortunately I was at work so I didn't eye witness, but Jeff was able to take a few pics of it happening. Also my video camera broke so there is no video footage to share. I guess that means I will have to get a newer, up to date camera in the near future. Sorry Jeff I didn't break it on purpose, I promise. I'm so happy for Luke! He is such a big boy.

Four Month Photoshoot

Okay I know this is a little late considering they are almost six months. We took them a little late and well, life happened. So here they are..... http://session.visualempathy.com/ enter twins_4months in the session code spot and there you have it, the most adorable babies ever, at least to Jeff and I. I am trying to create a wall of pictures of their first year, putting only my one favorite shot from each session. We will have another at 9 months then again at 1 year. As you can see it is hard to choose just one picture when they are all so cute. Oh well, I'm sure I will figure it out. Enjoy.

Our First Attempt at Cereal!

Well I have to say it didn't go as well as I anticipated. I have been preparing for this moment for a while now and we decided it was time. They are sitting fairly well with assistance and they seem very interested in what we are eating, which are all signs that they are ready to start eating themselves. At our play group this week I helped feed one of the girls babies (13 months) and it was quite easy. He took the cereal right off the spoon and swallowed, no bib or clean up needed. So I thought this should be easy, I can handle it. Yeah right!! That baby was 13 months and eating for some bit now, my babies are nearly 6 months and never seen a spoon yet in their lives. Soo... not so easy or fun. Both babies chocked on the mostly liquid cereal and spit the remains out. Luke cried most the time and Carter was blowing cereal raspberries everywhere. All in all we were successful and they did take in a few bites. It's just another new thing, for them and us, and will take some time and practice. Before I know it they will be eating like champs!

The Tree of Life

When I was a little girl we had a tree that my dad planted probably before I was born. He took the tree from this grandmothers house in Iowa and planted it. Everyone thought he was crazy for taking the little twig and that it wouldn't ever make it. Well it did and the tree is huge today. Every year when my grandparents from California would come visit they would take our picture by the tree to see how much it's grown over the years. I thought it would be neat to have a tree each for Luke and Carter. My dad and Jeff planted two (at the current time) twigs. I plan on taking a picture each year with each baby in front of his tree. This will be neat to watch the tree and the baby grow.

Carter Pestering His Brother.

It is so cute to watch Luke and Carter starting to interact with one another. Carter is more interested in Luke and poking at him. Luke just laughs at his brother or anyone else around. We are at the beginning of a long road of "mom tell him to stop" or "he hit me first". I can already hear it and I can't wait. They are so wonderful and so much fun. Enjoy the video of brotherly love and how Luke just ignores Carter, which in turn upsets Carter. Yes, he is the one who likes to have all the attention.

Luke the Bouncing Baby

If you have been around Luke you know his legs never stop. He is constantly moving his arms and legs. We say that is why he is smaller than Carter, because they always eat the same, but he burns more calories. Well Santa brought them a Jumperoo for Christmas and needless to say Luke LOVES it. It is right up his ally-he is able to jump away. We have noticed the last few times we have taken him out he would cry like he was hurt. We thought it was because he loves being in his Jumperoo, but Jeff soon noticed he had a sore on his right baby toe from jumping so much on the tile floor. He was hurt and we must have hit it on the seat everytime we would lift him out. We also couldn't figure out why they kept having blow outs in the toes of their sleepers, it was from all that jumping. Today he wore himself out and feel asleep in it. This Jumperoo is

fun. He is so cute!!!

Carter Rolling Over.

Today was very exciting, Carter rolled from back to tummy. Poor little Luke, he has been trying since New Years Eve and just can't get over his little arm. Carter tried for the first time today and success. The coolest part is I got it all on video to share with everyone. It is so much fun watching them discover they can do new things. They are changing daily right in front of my eyes. Now I understand the phrase "they will be grown before you know it". When we first come home from the hospital everyone would say "charish every moment, it goes so fast". I didn't believe them at first since the first few weeks, I mean first THREE months, were so hard and I wanted them to grow so fast. Now I try to "charish" as much as possible. I know Luke will be rolling along very soon with his brother.
Please be sure to turn the volume down on your computer to avoid hearing the annoying background cheering. This is for your own benefit.

Hanging Around

The last two days have been wonderful. We have been lazy, stayed in our comfy cloths and played with the babies. We have really enjoyed our time together after 10 long days. L&C are taking their naps better in their beds and still sleeping well at night. Luke is trying to roll over from this front to back and Carter has almost chewed his right finger off (maybe he's trying to get a tooth). I am very proud of both babies. Next we are going to conquer eating cereal. Once I finally get one thing figured out, it's time to start something new. I'm sure it will always be that way, welcome to motherhood, I know. I love these changes and I love having my family.

Back to Normal

Yay--we are so happy shut down is finally over. Jeff has worked the last 10 days straight and 12 hour days at that. I know that may not seem like alot to many of you, but when you are caring for two five month olds by yourself, it's a long time. The babies have missed their Daddy so much and I know he has missed them as well. Each night when he got home the babies were finishing their last feeding, ready to be burped and a goodnight kiss. Jeff is very active with the boys and I think it's neat that the babies can understand he's been gone. Tonight when we put them in bed they both cried more than they ever have. We went in to get Carter (Luke fell asleep) and his eyes were glued on his Daddy. I kept trying to comfort him and he just continued to cry, staring at Jeff. I felt so sad he didn't want me considering I was crying along with him, but happy his Daddy means so much to him. Once he got in his Daddy's arms he was out.

We are also happy our MaMaw is finally home from the hospital. She had a 10 night stay at MCA. She is now home and hopefully will be back to normal soon. So not only were we without our Daddy we were also without our MaMaw. The babies were happy to see her and PaPaw today. Hopefully now things can get Back to Normal!

Visiting the Fort Worth Zoo and Botanical Garadens

One of the good things about living in Texas is the mild winters. We have had such wonderful weather I decided I needed to get the babies out. Yesterday we met our friends Wes and Evan and their mommy at the Zoo. We walked around, stopped for lunch/bottle and walked some more. All the animals were out enjoying to sun as well. We will continue to visit the zoo often. I think Luke and Carter enjoy riding along in their stroller and looking around.

Today we explored at the Botanical Gardens. Unfortunatly our friend Evan got sick so they were unable to join us. What a wonderful place to visit and it's free. We had our picnic and tummy time on the lawn and then a walk through the Japanese Gardens. I can't wait until L&C are big enough to feed all the beautiful fish, I know they will enjoy that one day. When nap time came I was able to get some exercise thou the gardens while the babies slept in the stroller. We missed not having Daddy with us, but we will definitely be back with him one day.

Nap Madness

Okay, I have been a bad Mommy and I tried to change that today and the babies were strongly against it. Luke and Carter take their naps in their swings still swaddled and they always sleep great. At our four month appointment Dr. Audrey explained that they need to be taking naps in their beds and NO swaddles. So after thinking about it and mentally getting papered to make the switch I finally attempted it. The reason this is hard is because when you have two babies, I would even think with one, but all I know is two, whatever works is what sticks for the most part. I am strong with my schedule and their sleep and they like sleeping in their swings so I have been fine with that. So today I decided is the day to start. I put them both in their beds with no swaddles and they started screaming. I told myself they will stop soon, they sleep in their beds all night and sometimes start off crying. After a small bit I decided maybe they needed me for some soothing, so I entered to room and they were both whimpering so sadly. I couldn't stand it, I felt so bad. So I scooped them both up, yes at the same time, I can do that now, swaddled them and put them in their swings. As soon as their little heads hit the back of the swings they were out-and slept for 2 1/2 hours. Silly little boys, they are already so determined. I guess I will have to try this another day. Good napping babies.

Turning Five Months

Luke and Carter turn five months this Tuesday. I can't believe how much they have grown in just a short time. From laughing at the slightest thing to trying to keep them on their bellies long enough to just get a picture. They are such a joy to watch and to be around. They are both right on track for their weight and height and checking off milestones each day. Every morning as I walk to their room I can't wait to hold them and see their beautiful faces. I am still amazed everyday how I could be so lucky to have two precious babies to care for. I know it is my job to love them, teach them and help them grow to become strong young men, but I think they were given to me to teach me how much love my heart can hold. I never imagined how two tiny babies could change my life so much. I love being Luke and Carter's Mommy!!