The Twins are Six Months Old!

And just like that, it's their half birthday. These little nuggets (well, not so little anymore, I guess) have been with us for a half of a year already and they are now SIX months old!!!

Unfortunately, I had to work on their half birthday, so the pictures I took aren't the best. Early morning light is a little harsh. I was determined to get some pics of the day though.

These two are as different as can be. What she likes, he doesn't, and vice versa.

Lauryn is my active little wannabe gymnast. She is all over the place. Not crawling or anything, but if you put her down somewhere, it's almost guaranteed that she'll be in a few spot/position before long. She loves to "jump" when held in a standing position. Peytie is the complete opposite. Still not turning completely over (he can get halfway), he is content being wherever you put him. As long as he has toys. All of the toys!

They still are not eating any solid foods - doc wanted to hold off until after 6 months, so we'll likely start very soon. Peyton seems to want to eat every 2 and a half hours, so I'm pretty sure he's ready.

I have been reading to them more, still not as much as I'd like, but we've been reading a few books.

Lauryn 

This girl is too much! For one, I think she is gorgeous. Those eyes! Still blue, by the way. I hate to hope that they stay because I know I'll just be disappointed. It's just so weird that her eyes are blue and her hair is strawberry blonde. I mean, whose child is she?!?!?!

She is also SUPER active. She will hold on to your hands and bounce and bounce for the longest time. Don't expect this girl to stay in one place for too long. Her curious and adventurous spirit has her constantly looking for what's next. I love the wonder in her eyes when she's out of the house and discovering something new. And also the craziness in her wide eyes when she's not quite sure about something.

Feeding her can still be difficult. She's just not that interested in food. She would rather be doing something or exploring her surroundings than eat. She's still my skinny Minnie! She's mostly wearing 6-9 month clothes now, and 9 month jammies.

Nicknames: Laurie Lou, Pretty Girl, Princess, Princess Peach (new), Princess Peachie, Baby Grill, Finkie Twinkie Girl (a totally made up word my dad used when we were kids and we still use to this day)

Peyton

This boy is my life. I think that because of his rough start in life (that still continues today), my heart just bursts whenever I'm near this kid. I'll write about their 6 month doctor's appointment later this week and share some new, even scarier, concerns his doctor has, but I'm determined to keep this post light and full of awesome facts about these two cuties. When he is happy, I am elated. I love this chunker so, so much!

Peyton is HUGE. At just six months of age, he is wearing 12 month clothes. And you know those zip-up Carters footie jammies? He can't even wear 18 month ones because his arms are too chunky. Big, big boy.

Peytie is also an extremely lovable and affectionate little guy. He loves to stare at faces while touching you all over. It's like he's trying to rearrange your face. He cuddles, too, which is something Brayden never felt comfortable doing. I could seriously love on him all day.

Nicknames (lots of them): Peytie, Peytie Pie, Peyter, Tater Tot, Peytie P, Peyterater, Handsome Boy, Smiley Boy, Pitter Patter Peyter, Pitter Patter Peyterater, Bub, Bubba, Bubbawub, Bubbawubba, Bubbawoonies (our newest one - Brayden calls him this too)

Baby Milestones

Social and Emotional

Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
Likes to play with others, especially parents
Responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy
Likes to look at self in a mirror

Language/Communication

Responds to sounds by making sounds
Strings vowels together when babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”) and likes taking turns with parent while making sounds
Responds to own name
Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure
Begins to say consonant sounds (jabbering with “m,” “b”)

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Looks around at things nearby
Brings things to mouth
Shows curiosity about things and tries to get things that are out of reach
Begins to pass things from one hand to the other

Movement/Physical Development

Rolls over in both directions (front to back, back to front)
Begins to sit without support
When standing, supports weight on legs and might bounce
Rocks back and forth, sometimes crawling backward before moving forward

Lauryn aces all of these, and Peytie does most too - except for the Movement/Physical Development milestones. He can't do any of those. If things don't improve by 7 months, I'll have to make the call to Early Intervention. Let's hope I don't have to.

Weekly Recap #28

I'm definitely getting into a better groove in the morning with the twins. I'm not as tired in the morning and try to get to bed as early as I can, considering they wake me up at about 4:30am. It sounds awful, but I have gotten used to it over the last few weeks.

I've been looking at the babies lately and noticing how chunky they have both gotten. It's hard to believe that they barely fit into a newborn diaper when they were born. Crazy.

Here's how our week went.

Monday

This video I took of Peytie made me LOL. I mentioned before how both babies totally clam up the second they see me come at them with my phone, and Monday was no different. Peytie was just chatting up a storm that morning, but of course the second I grab the phone, he goes quiet. You can tell the times I think he's going to say something and I pan the camera real close to his face...and nothing. Even tickling...nothing. Makes me laugh to remember that morning.


I've been trying to eat healthier lately, but forgot my lunch on Monday. I stopped by Chick-Fil-A and picked up this Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap. Only 340 calories! Well, the Avocado Lime Dressing does add a but more, but I limited how much of that I ate. So, so good!

This kid!

Look who discovered their feet this week. I'm telling you - this boy was fascinated.

Time to workout with my favorite workout partner!

And then we ate Wendy's in the car at 10 o'clock at night. It was a long day. After running around to pick up some LuLaRoe, then stopping at two grocery stores, it was so late before I realized that I hadn't eaten dinner. I had another wrap (which was so gross - never again), but Brayden wanted a Jr. Cheeseburger. YOLO, right?!?!

Tuesday

My morning view! I love getting them dressed in the morning and spending some time with them when they're well-rested after sleeping through the night. Perfect start to my long day.

They both stare at each other now. Peytie stares more than she does though.

And then holding hands. Always holding hands.

They love seeing their Gram in the morning too! (She's the milk lady, after all!)

Then coming home to this gorgeous face. Perfection.

Wednesday

Good morning!!!

Wednesday was also a long-awaited dinner with easily one of my favorite girlfriends. We caught up and laughed and laughed. It was a really fun night. We went to Dog's Paw Brewing in Elgin. It was a first for both of us. I read really good reviews online and had to check them out. Well - they DID NOT disappoint.

Thursday

Happy feet!!!

The happiest girl.

Effortless beauty.

I took this picture of her blue eyes because I have a feeling that they won't be blue much longer. They're changing a little (I can now see brown tones) and they'll likely be all brown sooner than I would like. I never want to forget how gorgeous and blue her eyes were.

Friday

The littles!

Saturday

Saturday was one of the busiest days I've had in a LONG time. Karate, strawberries, lunch, waterpark, and dinner. The day was all about Brayden.

But first - there was these two!

Sunday

Sunday started with my SECOND 5K of the year! I ran the Hot to Trot 5K in St. Charles. I'll do a full write-up another day.

 
Their first side-by-side Bumbo pic!

I've been wanting to read more books to the twins, so I started with these two this week. I didn't want to do a different book everyday, I'll probably stick to 2-3 each week, so I've read these a few times this week. I'll pick new books for next week.

Until next week, friends!

Weekly Recap #25

I honestly didn't think that work would have me as exhausted as it has, but when I get home hardly feel up to doing anything. Thanks to the 21 Day Fix program, I do work out every day though. I had planned to work out in the mornings before work, but I already get up between 4:00 and 4:30 am, so doing anything extra is just unrealistic. When I get home I work out, eat, and then hang out with the kids until bedtime. As you can imagine, housework has taken a backseat, and I just can't find it in me to care. Here's how my week went.

Monday

Monday was another tough day. Peyton's breathing issues have been more pronounced, and I was advised to take him to the ER...again.

Thankfully, he is still getting enough oxygen, but I was told that he has tracheomalacia (which he has had since birth because he was born early). The condition has been more pronounced lately because he also has bronchiolitis AND croup (STILL!).

All of this sounds way worse than it is. Tracheomalacia just means that he has underdeveloped trachial rings that he will eventually outgrow. The bronchiolitis starts like a common cold. It progresses to coughing, wheezing, and sometimes difficulty breathing. Symptoms may last for a week to a MONTH! He was prescribed a steroid and I pray he will soon be on the mend.

Tuesday

On Tuesday I was FINALLY able to pick up my car from the shop after the accident. She's now back in my garage where she belongs.

As you can see, Peyton still doesn't feel well. I haven't noticed any difference with taking the steroid.

He did discover himself in the bathroom mirror during bathtime though. So cute!

Lauryn loves talking up a storm. She's still not a fan of the black box I hold in front of her face to record though. She shies away when I hold the phone too close. But trust me, she has LOTS to say!


Wednesday

He looks like he's happy, but definitely still under the weather, :(

Thursday

Working out with my favorite workout partner.

He loves falling asleep like this.

Friday

Nice day for a photo shoot! Even after taking a photography class, I'm still using my cellphone to take pictures.

This is now one of my favorite pictures EVER!

Saturday

Saturday was a super busy day! I started my morning with a 5K run at the Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva. I hope to do a separate post on that experience.

Then is was off to my dad's COLLEGE GRADUATION!!! Getting there, there was a TON of traffic due to this:

Evidently, there was an Anime Conference that weekend near the place the graduation was held. So strange to see! And I was just really upset because I thought we would miss the graduation.

BUT...luckily we made it just in time.

All the grandkids that made it to the ceremony. 3 of mine were missing. :(

Sunday

Sunday was just another photoshoot day. And STILL without the nice camera. Filters courtesy of Instagram.

LOVE her blue eyes! Peytie's changed long ago. It's surprising how long hers have stayed blue. I'm not sure if my husband has anyone in his family with blue eyes, but I know my grandpa on my mom's side did. So there's still a chance they'll stay!

For the 4th week in a row - FOUR WEEKS! - I have maintained my diet and exercise schedule. I owe it all to the awesome program that 21 Day Fix is. Next week I'll be streaming different workouts on the Team Beachbody website to change it up a bit before the next challenge starts on June 6th. At this point, I can share that I have lost 10 POUNDS so far. Still aways to go, but I'm happy with my results. I haven't measured inches lost yet though. I'm just gonna keep on keepin' on!