Houston, we have CRAWLERS!

OK, I am clearly a bad mommy because i have not been updating at all - too much travel, reconnection w/DH whom we hadn't seen in a MONTH, holiday, etc.. So - here goes (and i'm trying to upload pics but can't seem to get into my shutterfly acct, darn!)

TWO crawlers: they were both crawling backwards when we were in oregon; Miss Danielle finally did the forward crawl the DAY BEFORE we left, so Grandma and Grandpa got to see it. It was wonderful, they were thrilled (we live in washington dc so it's a loooong trip!)

I think i previously posted this, but - they both sprouted their first teeth (two! on teh bottom), on the PLANE RIDE across country; and if you think a lap baby for a nine hour trip (plus travel to the airport time!) is easy, try doing it with a monstrously heavy diaper bag and newly cut teeth!

But they look so adorable when they grin and show their little pearls...

Miss Tessa had been crawling backwards for weeks but just hadn't gotten forward - until yesterday! Now she is everywhere.

As for pulling up - Danielle has been pulling herself up on ANYthing for the last week: unstable laundry baskets, the leapfrog music table, the outside of her exersaucer. The best part is when she does it and then lets go with one hand; she stands there and grins this delighted grin a sort of "LOOK AT ME!", and makes a deep laugh/growl. Too hilarious.

Miss T has started pulling up as well - mostly she crawls over ot me and grabs on and tries to get up.

Talk about watching core strength in action; it's AMAZING to see them really WORKING to get up; lips pressed together and completely focused.

And, of course, we're in the "whatever toy my sister has is what I want" stage...mostly danielle, who keeps taking what T has. So Mama says "no, no, no, danielle, that's tessa's toy now"......until recently, when T started grabbing as well. so i also get to say 'no, no, no, tessa, that's danielle's toy now"....why do i get the feeling that i'll be saying THAT about eight kajillion times in the next few years?

They are also so vocal; it's just hilarious listening to them 'talk'. And watching each other, just staring into each others' matching eyes, especially in their high chairs. And - holding hands while in the stroller - that one just slays me. Sometimes it's because one is just flailing about and finds the other, but other times it looks more volitional. So sweet.....

And they're such Big Girls; it's as if suddenly they look like little people, not just babies. Makes me happy to see them, but also sad for lost babyhood....

And, I am happy to say that we have managed to reduce their nighttime feeds to two - i know it sounds like a lot (they're 8.5 months, 7 adjusted), but - they have always been grazers, at least T, and have been eating three times EACH every night for months. When we got home we decided to try and phase them out (I am just not ready to do CIO, although there are moments when it feels much more appealing!), and it seems unfair to force them to go from three feeds to zero cold turkey, as it were.

So - lots of pat, pat, patting. DH got frustrated, but i reminded him that we have reduced their feeds by 33% in 8 days, and since it took them months to get there, we have to be a little patient.

I'm hoping that it's SOON, however, because i'm about to collapse from exhaustion. No help at home during the day anymore - I don't know how those of you w/other children do it, i am at the end of my energy. Some more sleep would surely help...

So -that's the good news from our nation's capital.

 

Excellent report! Glad all is well--it's good to hear from you!

Reyna

 

What a great update, it sounds like that age is awesome!

 

What a great update! I'm totally with you about them becoming little people all of a sudden. It so amazing and a little sad too. As for the stealing toys, I usually let my girlies work it out because its going to happen all the time. Its so funny to watch them. One will steal a toy and then they'll have a little tug of war (so far they haven't hit or anything- I would intervene then), but sometimes one (usually Meara) will start playing with another toy to lure Ana away from the toy she is playing with so Meara can steal it. Its so funny!!!

 

So great to read your update Jordari. It sounds like everyone is having a lot of fun around you house. I am glad your travels were safe and uneventful!

Amy

 

Thanks for the update!

Crawling is such an awesome milestone... its so neat to see where all they want to adventure to!!

 

What a wonderful update!! So fun to read about your babies' personalities....

I am so torn between wanting my two to reach the crawling/pulling-up stage, and wanting them to remain little babies forever. (And as far as how to do it with older children, um, yeah. It's about to kill me, LOL.)