Trip to the Tree Farm

Greg, Peyton and I went to cut down a tree again this year. Ashlyn and Braden stayed with Nana Jean and Grandpa Terry (note that Peyton did not get to go either when she was their age!). We had to make it a quick trip since we had a few other errands to run and had to be back for their next feeding and amazingly one of the first trees we found was perfect! It is the best one we've had in recent memory. It also ended up being the last nice day weather-wise, so we got very lucky. We better get to the gym to prepare for pulling Ashlyn and Braden up those steep hills next Christmas!

We can sit up all by ourselves!

I've been waiting for this day to come. Ashlyn and Braden can now sit up by themselves. They love the new way they can play together now. If I sit them together, Braden does tend to steal the toys and sometimes Ashlyn's paci right out of her mouth, but she is getting tougher by the day!

Playing Around

The laundry basket is such a multi-functional tool.

6 Month Checkup

All went well at the doctor. Ashlyn passed Braden up in weight but he still has her by an inch in length. Ashlyn takes more milk than Braden but he takes more solids. Braden went down a bit on the weight curve but we chalked it up to him being so very active lately. Doc is very happy with how they are growing and developing. I can't believe in the next couple months we can give them finger foods already! They are getting too big too fast and I am starting to think I may miss this baby stage. Here are the stats!

Ashlyn:
Height - 26 inches (50-75%)
Weight - 17 lbs 0.5 oz (50-75%)
Head - 43 cm (25-50%)

Braden:
Height - 27 inches (50-75%)
Weight - 16 lbs 12 oz (25-50%)
Head 43 cm (25-50%)

I might also mention that our princess Peyton came with us as well to get her flu shot (well, flu mist) and did very well at keeping herself occupied during the hour plus we were in that little room. Very proud of her and the doctor gave her a sticker.

Thank you, my dear children

Both Ashlyn and Braden slept from 7:30 and 7, respectively, until 5 and 5:30 am! I was able to get them to sleep a little longer and didn't get up with them until 5:45. Peyton did not wake up early either (she had been since the time change), we actually had to get her out of bed for school just before 7. Even if it is just for one night, I am grateful!

Six Months Old!

Hard to believe that 6 months ago today our 2nd and 3rd little angels graced us with their arrival.

Ashlyn is 6 Months Old!

My sweet Ashlyn is 6 months old today! Such a difference in just the past month! She is rolling around and sleeping on her side and almost belly. She has turned from my serious girl to my super smiley girl. We love to get her going and she opens her mouth really big and scrunches her nose. It is too cute! She started on veggies and is now onto fruits. Loves them all (everything from green beans to bananas). She really loves her oatmeal as well. When on her tummy she is starting to be able to hold herself up with straight arms. She is getting better at sitting up as well. She loves to grab at things and can put her paci in her mouth all by herself. As far as sleeping she goes to bed around 7:30 and gets up around 6:30 am to eat again. However we still have many nights where she wakes up several times. We are trying to let her cry but she doesn't seem to be getting the picture like her brother! I hate it but it seems to be the right thing to do. We are definitely getting on a more set routine, though.

Braden is 6 Months Old!

My sweet Braden is 6 months old today! These six months have flown by, I can't believe how big he is now. He has almost outgrown many of his 9 month one-piece outfits - he has a super long torso. He can still wear some of his 3 month pants, though! He loves his veggies, fruit and oatmeal and is starting to out-eat his sister. He has been sleeping through the night pretty consistently for about a week, ever since we started the cry-it-out thing and has been putting himself back to sleep when waking up from naps early. He goes to bed early - around 7 pm and wakes up to eat between 6 and 6:30. He loves to be on his belly and scoots around. He also rolls all over the place. I think he is going to be an early crawler and walker. He is very curious and is always grabbing at whatever he can, whether it be my hair, the cup in our hand, the toy next to him or his siblings. He can also put his paci in his mouth - big help for Mommy!

Halloween!

Neighborhood kiddos we went trick or treating with

Dora the Explorer!

My little flower and dinosaur

Our little pumpkins

Halloween was a great day! It started on Friday actually with the Trunk or Treat at school. It was our first and we really enjoyed it. Peyton and her BFF held hands as they went from car to car. Too cute! Then on the actual Halloween, a friend and I went with Mom to learn to do the Thriller dance. We only learned 3 parts of it but it was so hard! We had a great time and the final performance is going to be posted on YouTube (oh my). We then got the kids dressed and took them to our next door neighbors to show them off. A & B went back home with Nana to eat and go to bed and Greg and I took P around with some friends from our block. At first she was not into the idea and did not want her picture taken, but Peyton ended up having a blast! Then we dropped off Peyton and ran back down the street for a little adult time around the fire pit (thanks, Mom).