Life with Twins – 13 months

I couldn’t just put an end to updates altogether, right?

I’m not sure if I’m not paying attention or if time is just flying by more quickly, but out of the blue yesterday I realized they were 13 months old.

Sigh.

This month we had their first birthday party and had professional family pictures taken. The biggest change we’ve seen this month is in personality. They may have been born at the same time and nap at the same time, but that’s about all the similarity they share these days.

Gross motor- it seems like we are making progress toward walking but neither have made the step yet (pun intended). Miles has let go and stood alone for up to about 5 seconds in the bathtub. Yes, in the bathtub. No, I don’t get it either. Just a couple of days ago Abby did the same, though (in my opinion) more intelligently, NOT in the bathtub. Just yesterday I noticed her crawl changing – she’s using one knee and one foot, which is something I’ve not seen before. I’m not entirely sure if it’s a step toward walking or just more comfortable given the dress she was wearing. Even though we own 3 push/riding toys, neither one gives a crap about using them for their intended purpose. When placed behind one, Miles sits back down (with the exception of one time where he took about 4 steps and THEN sat down) and Abby cries. She wants to practice walking, but only holding onto my hands. My back is not thrilled. They are also crawling up the stairs and cruising.

Language/Speech – we are in about the same place. They imitate constantly but more sounds and movements than words. I’m throwing in some signs but neither has picked up on any yet. Abby will imitate “up” but hasn’t yet said it alone. I’ve said ball more times than I can count but all they want to do is throw it (and, interestingly, their cup off of the high chair). They definitely know how to express when they want something – just in the form of ear piercing screams.

Fine Motor – Abby is doing pretty well using a spoon to feed herself. Miles holds the spoon in one hand and uses the other to feed himself. He is still a work in progress. Throwing is a recent past time – we average 6-7 throws of the cup onto the ground per meal. Feeding the dogs is also fun.

Otherwise, they take 1-2 naps a day, are drinking from a sippy or straw for meals and still have a bedtime bottle. I know I should wean this but I’ve been enjoying cuddles that don’t require me to watch for biting or pulling off my nipple midway through feeds. They’ve been on cows milk for over a month now and eat…well, it just depends on the day. Some favorites this month include: blueberries, baths, Pocoyo (they actually sit and watch an entire 25 min series of episodes), “escaping” the confines of the baby gate, and appliance cords.

Fair warning, these updates will probably now be fairly picture (and video) heavy:

• Miles, aka, “ninja baby” goes shopping

Ninja baby escapes the confines of his stroller

• He is daring

Wow check out my hands

• Grocery shopping is much different now

This lasts 1-2 weeks

• We “ride” on riding toys

What are we supposed to do with these?

• Mom and dad get a date night (!)

date night

• We prove that buying toys is a waste of money

the picture says it all

• We enjoy snuggles

snuggles

• Miles feels happy that he will never go hungry

Crackers for me?

• We take our first trip to the pool (click pictures for captions)

what is this? giant bath??

will swim for veggie straw

water babies

float away!

• And our first trip to the farmers market

If farmers marked = food, count me in!

Hi I’m cute

• Finally, we celebrate Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to the best dad

I couldn’t end this one without a few (just 3, promise) videos:

• Miles thinks he is hilarious 
• Beware the animal crackers 
• Abby’s first lemonade (I saved the best for last)

Stay tuned this week for a cool book app giveaway!!