Long time... No update. Sorry y'all! The boys are just the cutest, happiest babies you'll ever meet. Here are some fun pictures we took for valentine's day for your enjoyment.
The boys are growing fast. They are both around 14lbs. Liam is definitely taking the lead with his weight. I think the reason stems from the fact that Oliver recently hit a very curious stage. He can't focus on eating. He's much more interested in babbling at mom, looking at noises in the room, or poking Liam in the face. I've recently had to stop nursing them at the same time so Oliver isn't so distracted.
The boys have become much more vocal. When Liam wants something he balls his fists, tightens every muscle in his face and arms, and growls lowly. This is a great addition to our meal times.
When Oliver wants something he howls an ear piercing scream and then smiles at you. They both like to gasp when they get excited. Oliver's gasp we call his "raptor call". It's very endearing.
One day Bryce had to come home for lunch because he had both our car keys. This was a happy and unexpected surprise, especially for Oliver. Bryce went to pick him up out of the crib after his nap and Oliver gasped with glee for probably 5 minutes because he was so excited.
The toy swiping has begun. Liam is a little bit more aggressive and likes to take whatever Oliver is playing with. Oliver doesn't seem to mind yet, he'll just grab something new til Liam takes it away too.
The boys and I just finished the illustrated children's Book of Mormon. They LOVED it. Usually I have them both tucked up with me on the couch for personal scripture time. I read and they try and eat the pages. I loved this book. It makes the stories so real. I love the Book of Mormon, the spirit it brings into my life, and the testimony it bears of Jesus Christ. It is fun to share this with my children.
I do have to say, as a side note, that the pictures make this very violent book(yes, the book of mormon is full of A LOT of wars) sometimes too real. But, I guess there's nothing like Ammon dragging a tarp of bloody arms to the king that might spark a small boys curiosity in ancient history, right?
The boys first teeth came in! The same tooth and only two days apart. Liam's came first and then Oliver's. It was... Horrific. For a few days it felt like we were back to when they came home from the hospital. There was much screaming and little sleeping or us all(well, mostly Bryce. I sort of sleep like a rock. A dead and deaf rock). I had a difficult time deciding if I should give them oragel or teething tablets, things others swear by, because I have a friend named google. The FDA apparently warns against the use of both. We ended up giving them Tylenol before bed, thanks to a Facebook reccomendation from my friend Brooke(thank you!), and it worked. Woohoo! Now that that is over, they are just happy as ever. I can't say I'm excited for future teeth to appear.
Last little fun facts, the boys are SO close to sitting up on their own. They love eating solid foods and enjoy trying a new fruit and veggie each week. Their favorites are pears and sweet potatoes. There have been a few they have NOT liked at all. I read that sometimes it takes up to a dozen introductions of a food before they'll take it. I'm determined to do everything I can to avoid pickiness so I just keep forcing it down. So far, it's worked. Usually we have 3-4 sessions of gagging or spitting in mommy's face, then they get over it.
We love being parents! Bryce is just the most amazing father there is. I'm so grateful for all he does. When I had my surgery, Bryce had 5 days off and was on full baby duty. He is amazing and the boys just adore him. I know he really loves being a dad to these cuties too. One of the boys favorite activities is laying on the ground listening to dad play his guitar each morning while I whip up some grub.
Another shout out to my mom, dad, grandma, and siblings for helping when i had to go to the ER at 3am and while I was in the hospital for surgery. I don't know what I would do without you guys, especially you mom. I love you! (If you're curious what my expirience was in the ER watch Brian regan's video about the ER on youtube...It was just like that. Lol).
Friday, January 27, 2012
My first resolution EVER!
I did it! I finally, for the first time in my life, made a real new year resolution! Actually... I made two, but I'll just talk about the first one. It is simple really...
I want to feed my family more often and more healthily.
My inspiration was two fold: 1-I have two beautiful babies who are starting real food(and I want it to be exactly that... REAL) 2- Way too many netflix documentaries on the modern American diet. Yuck!
Each month I'm planning on focusing on one or two healthy food changes to our home. This month, I started making home made baby food. It is so fun! My brother-in-law, Ty got me a baby food cookbook and I set right to work. Actually, I was surprised how easy it was.
Blend um up, pour into bag, cut small hole(thank you Bryce for this idea! I was tediously measuring two Tbs into each cube), dispense into trays, freeze, transfer to freezer bag and TA DA! The best part, they love it. Yum yum yum.
It takes me about 20 minutes to make a 3 month supply of a meal... awesome. I'm so happy it will also save us money with these two little mouths to feed. I went to the store and I was like, "$0.65 for 4 tbs of what?! No way...". I can't wait for when I get to make the older baby recipes. I may have to make extra because I saw Bryce spying this little recipe for 12-17 months.
My second goal for this month was to make breakfast. That's right, I never made breakfast. I love cold cereal. Not just for breakfast, but all day long. I'm not joking, I go through our entire collection of bowls in two days. Bryce made a slight hint of complaint last month, and I suddenly realized that maybe he doesn't want cereal every day of his life(I just don't understand why...heh). So we had mixed results. I think I'll have to work on breakfast a bit longer.
Next month, meal planning and label reading. So excited! If your curious, I've gotten some great ideas from a blog called wordofwisdomliving.com and the "get real" from by onceamonthmom.com. I would also love any other resources you can give me.
Let me know of you have any ideas for future month goals or any of your successes. So far I want to: make my own bulk mixes(muffin, pancake, etc), shop at a farmer's market, can food from the garden, freeze veggies/fruits while in season, make jams/jelly, find healthy snacks or make them, and eat less meat(sorry Bryce).
Friday, November 4, 2011
Clue Date Night
I found a blog titled "The Dating Divas". They have so many cute ideas for dates. I was really excited to put this one together! The best part is, they have it all planned out. I even printed off invites that they put together.
So, first off, we all dressed up like one of the characters and brought a weapon. I then used the weapons as our table centerpiece. Never discount the dollar store for all the fun extras!
We had yummy chili, then went on an adventure! Who doesn't love a good scavenger hunt. I placed the answers around the Roy area and printed off the clues provided by the dating divas. The victim was professor plum...
Killed by Mr. Green...
In the kitchen, with the knife!
It was boys against the girls and...drum roll please... Girls won! And no, I did not cheat. After the hunt, we had a competitive donut eating contest(won by the Chadwick's) and then we played the classic board game Clue(won by Bryce).
It was super fun! I can't wait to plan the next date night with the help of the creative dating divas! Here's the link for this date. I combined two different ideas. http://www.thedatingdivas.com/tara/the-clue-date/
http://www.thedatingdivas.com/kiirsten/halloween-clue-style/
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Locks of love
We curt off our hair!! My sister and I both have long hair. We always have and we love it! My mom donated her hair last month and my sister and I thought.... Maybe we need a change too!
It took us a while to talk ourselves into it. I think the actual reason we finally got the guts to do it was because Sinikka called me and said, "let's go now!". We went before we could think too hard. I'd just like to let you know, I did not cry.
I mean...
Ta da!!! Not too bad, eh? I really like having long hair, I won't lie. But it feels good to have a change and help others too! So, I'm thinking I'll grow it out and then donate again. That way I'll have a good change more often then once...ever.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Four months old
The boys are growing so fast! It was fun that we got two extra months of newborn, cuddle time. Now they are starting to move! Both boys have learned to roll over and love to stretch, kick, and play. They also have these adorably huge grins and giggles. This is especially deadly when you check on them early in the morning. They look up and grin as if to say, "let's play!".
The boys still love music, grandparents, nights alone with daddy, reading, and the newest discovery... A musical mobile. Grandma shreeve had one on her crib and the boys were immediately transfixed. So, like a doting set of parents, we ordered the same one from amazon the next day.
The boys now weigh in at 9lbs 14 oz and 10lbs 5 oz. Liam is still holding out with a 7oz and 1/2 inch lead on his brother, the same he had from birth. Great-Grandma Hyer offered han extra set of hands at our 4 month appointment. Here she is using her mad skills to rock both boys to sleep with her feet.
And last, but certainly not least, our boys were blessed this month by Bryce. They received wonderful blessings of promise and joy for their lives. I'm so grateful for the priesthood in our home and my loving husband who lives worthy of that priesthood. God has truly blessed our family.
On a lighter note, are these outfits not to die for?! Big thanks to our family for coming over and finally welcoming the boys into the clan. We really enjoyed having our brother Blake stay at our home over the weekend for their blessing. It was so fun to just chat and hang out. I can't wait til Christmas when we get to see the whole gang.
FYI- to lessen confusion of which baby is which, individual photos feature babies in order of birth, meaning Oliver and then Liam.