The Summer

Well, in the blink of an eye, we went from Mother's Day (our last post) to after Labor Day. But we had a great summer! The babies had a lot of adventures so I'll do my best to represent them pictorially below.

Visited the Children's Museum (several times with lots of different people)


Checked out the Baha'i temple in Wilmette


Took our first bath in the real tub


Went hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park


Went to Megan Cousin and Mike's wedding in Denver


Played in the sand at Grandma and Grandpa's lake house


Went to the Chicago Air & Water Show


Went swinging (a lot!)


Ate out frequently (restaurants, the back deck, friends' houses, et al)


Went to the babies' first Cubs game


Hands down it was an amazing summer and we are really excited by all the activities we did and feats we accomplished.

Happy 1st Mother's Day!

Sunday was Mother's Day and we made the most of it! Lisa got breakfast in bed, a few presents were shared, we had a picnic by the lake (just a little breezy), and lots of playing with the babies. After they went to bed that evening we shared a nice steak dinner by candlelight. I hope Lisa enjoyed it as much as the three of us!

Happy Easter!

Ryan and Sydney had a great weekend. Saturday was a girls day for Sydney (bridal shower) and a boys day for Ryan (pizza, aka formula, and games). Easter Sunday was time with family - Easter Brunch at Grammy and Grampa Katzenberger's.

Happy Half Birthday!

On April 1st our babies turned six months. It's wonderful and amazing to think how much has changed in the past six months. Lisa and I both agree, the latest three months have been much easier than the first three. We have loved all six months but are definitely appreciating no midnight feedings, happy babies who like to play, and all the fun faces/emotions we get from them. Lots has transpired in the past month.

• Lisa got a well deserved break from mommy time and spent four days in Arizona with the girls. As I understand it, there was sun, wine, hiking, wine, spa, wine, and lots of fun.
  
• While Mom was away, the babies and I took their first trip to Midland. We stopped for a night in Grand Rapids on both ends and had a wonderful time. Along with Aden, Gabe, and Ethan, they were the most popular attraction at church on Sunday. With all the baby carriers (three babies under 7 months) we took up two rows at church!
  
• Sydney has been making great progress in her therapy and has been discharged from occupational therapy. She will continue with the physical therapy and wearing her DOC band likely for a few more months.
  
• The babies continue to enjoy their solid food and we are starting to contemplate the idea of only two naps instead of three.
  

Here are a few photos from the past month:






And a few videos - be sure to turn the sound on for the one of Ryan and Lisa. We finally got him to laugh on camera!




It's been a wonderful six months! Can't wait for the next half year!

Celebrity Mama

The babies turned 5 months old a few days ago. As with the months before, this month has brought lots of changes, new experiences, and excitement. The babies continue to demonstrate how amazing they are and how wonderful it is to have them in our lives. Here's the latest news:

• The babies are starting to really respond to people especially their mother. When ever she returns to the room they light up and give her huge smiles. As such, she's become "Celebrity Mama!"
  
• Sydney is rolling like crazy! If you turn your back on her she'll be flipped on to her tummy by the time you turn around. She's still figuring out how to roll from tummy to back but it won't be long.
  
• Ryan continues to be verbal and is getting louder! He has brought new vocalizations into his repertoire including the raspberry and the screech.
  
• He is also laughing a lot. He started last month but this month he's really getting into it and making us laugh. We have to work a little to get him started but once he starts, it's hard to not join in.
  
• We had a great visit from Grandma and Grandpa Bash but also managed to catch a flu bug while they were here. Ryan got sick first and the rest of us followed but amazingly Sydney never got sick. This was my biggest fear as a parent - illness. But Ryan was amazing and really laid back about it (much more than Mom and Dad).
  
• As you'll see in the photos below Sydney has gotten her DOC band to help her head shape correctly. She continues with her occupational and physical therapy to lengthen her right neck muscle allowing her to straighten her neck and head.
  
• Sydney has started sucking thumb (the pacifier is out) and Ryan sucks on numerous fingers at any one time (often from both hands).
  
• We are also super excited that all naps are now in the crib and the babies go to bed at 7:30 every night (frequently without any protest). They are sleeping all night, waking between 6 and 7 most mornings.
  
• And the biggest/most exciting news of the month is we started the babies on "solid" food! They are enjoying squash, carrots, bananas, etc. At this point they eat very little but we'll grow their consumption over time.
  

Here are the photos and a quick video of the kids playing:




The wrestling has begun!