Wow. It has been a long time since I posted. I meant to take some pictures this weekend so everyone could see that yes, in fact, we do dress our kids. Every picture seems to be of them in their jammies cause I take pictures in the AM before I leave (Mia dresses them after breakfast) or after their bath in the evening. Really, they do wear clothes. :)

Carter has finally decided to sleep through the night - it really started when Leanne wouldn't let him get out of his crib one night and sat on the nursery floor singing and holding his hand for 2 hours. I think he's done it continuously for a week now and we couldn't be happier! He's been going down with little fuss (last night was the exception) and sleeping 11 hours!! WHOOOO HOOOO!

Grayson has officially been moved out of our bed (where he slept nightly for 3+ months) and now stays in his crib (and room) throughout the night. Yay Grayson! And while I miss the little bean cozy up to me, I think that we are all sleeping better (when we do sleep.) We are up 2-5 times per night with him, but we are going to work on that when we get home from Tennessee (we have no hope of good sleeping patterns in TN and hate to establish them at home for a few days only to disrupt them and have to start over.) It is just so frustrating, because we've done everything the books says to do to get them to stay asleep through the night. Establish bedtime routine. Check. Have a consistent bedtime. Check (I don't count a 30 minute window a problem.) Put your kids down awake. Check (Heck sometimes we walk out and they are still standing up talking to each other.) Have white noise going. Check. The only thing we haven't (and won't) do is to let them cry-it-out alone. Yes, Carter cried the night that Leanne didn't get him out of his crib, but she was there. Singing. Hand holding. Being present. Plus, Gray is the kinda kid that once he is crying, it takes a lot more than just picking him up to settle him down. As one book says, he is the "Sensitive Child." Maybe before their first birthday I can report that we've all slept through the night simultaneously. Honestly, I think the first night I wake at 6am without having gotten out of bed all night I am going to rush into their room to make sure everyone is okay. I really can't remember what it is like to go to sleep at say, 10:30 and not get out of bed till 6:30. And I can't fathom not waking for 8 hours. That seems unheard of! :)

They are continuously on the move. They are crawling all over, pulling up on everything they can, and doing a bit of cruising. We got them measured for their first pair of shoes this weekend and found out that Grayson needs wide shoes (E) and Carter needs extra-wide (EE!!!) We didn't buy them then and there (cause, well, you know, I needed to search online and see if I could get a deal.) And since I couldn't, we'll be heading back to Stride Rite this weekend to get the boys their first pair of shoes that are properly fitted.

Eating is a big thing in our house. They are almost on 100% table foods (we still give them some pears and plum baby food since it is easy and there aren't that many fruits currently in season) but everything else is "normal people" food. :) They still adore pancakes, diced peaches, Boca cheeseburgers, toasted cheese sandwiches, tortellini, quesadillas, edamame, and yogurt. They both really like to feed themselves, but will be fed by us - Grayson only so if he is holding his own spoon (as to assert his independence!)

I am sure there is a lot more going on - but my brain must be fried. I'll try to do better about keeping up and taking pictures!