April 21, 2005
You are four months old now and I have not found the time to fill in your baby book. I have made note of your milestones on the calendar, but I have so much more to tell you about your life so far.
April 18, 2005
Aaron laughed out loud for the first time. You were sitting in your bouncy seat, and daddy dropped a throw pillow on your legs and you thought it was so funny. Dad and I both had tear filled eyes. I ran for the camera, but by the time I started recording you were all laughed out. The next day dad did the same thing to Aidan and you also thought this was very funny. I had the camera sitting out from the night before, so we got this one on camera.
April 15, 2005
You had your 4 month checkup. Aidan weighed 16lbs and was 25 ½ inches long. Aaron weighed 13lbs 10oz and was 24 inches long.
April 18, 2005
We introduced solid foods. Mom fed Aidan and Dad fed Aaron. Aidan ate the entire bowl of food – Aaron did not like his as much.
Today when dad dropped you off at day care they said Aaron has rolled from his back to his stomach.
You life so far…
On Tuesday December 14, 2004 we (mom and dad) arrived at Baptist East at 7:30 AM for the scheduled c-section. We checked in and they took us to the labor and delivery room. They started my IV (this was the most painful part of the whole delivery) and asked me every medical question under the sun. Dad got dressed in scrubs.
Grandpa Bill, Nonnie, Michelle, Lindsey, Nana, and Grandma Metzger arrived at the hospital and visited with us in the labor and delivery room. A little before 10:00 AM I was wheeled to the OR. The nervousness really set in for the first time. Everyone was standing at the end of the hall wishing us luck. I went into the OR, got prepped for surgery and received my spinal block. I was in the OR by myself for about 20 min and then they let dad come in. We had a room full of medical staff - Dr. Clark and her assistant, the anesthesiologist, two nurses for me, a doctor and a nurse for each of you all, and two medical students who asked to observe. To my surprise I was very alert and aware of everything that was going on. The anesthesiologist was at my head to observe and comfort me. At the start of the surgery I got very hot and nauseated. They put a medication in the IV and the nausea instantly went away.
They pulled Aidan out at 10:37 am and you were not a happy camper. Aaron came out one minute later and you were very alert and enjoyed all the space. I could not help but to cry when I finally heard your first cries. No words can explain how happy I was to finally meet you all. You all were perfect healthy babies.
Once they examined you and closed me up I had to go to recovery for one hour. They took you all to the nursery and cleaned you up. I felt a little loopy in recovery from the pain medication that was in my spinal block. Toward the end of recovery the nausea had returned.
By the time I was moved to our room I was getting sick from the pain medication. It was embarrassing because I had all these visitors and I was vomiting in the bed tray. Once I was settled in they brought you all to the room. I am a little foggy on the details of that day, since the medication was still wearing off.
We kept you all in the room as much as we could, but you had to go back to the nursery often to be examined. The first night you slept in the nursery and they brought you to the room every few hours to eat.
Wednesday was an emotionally draining day. We had visitors all day. All the Lords and Amy came to visit. Nonnie, Grandpa, Michelle and Lindsey visited again. I really appreciated everyone coming to visit, but it was difficult since we were trying to nurse. That night you were circumcised. Aaron was bleeding more than they wanted so they have to put a stitch in the circumcision. By the end of the day all I wanted was to spend time with you all. I called down to the nursery and asked them to bring you to us. They said you had to be examined and then they would. A while later we were still waiting, so we went walked to the nursery to get you. They told us you had not been checked yet and we would have to wait longer. Then I started crying because I missed you all so much. Finally they brought you all to the room and you spent the rest of the night with us.
The next day dad had his bad day. Aidan was starting to show signs of jaundice, so he had to go under the lights. Later that night dad got upset because he was worried. I remembered Lindsey (my sister) having jaundice when she was a baby and I knew the lights would make it better. I just felt so bad because you had to wear little eye covers and stay under these bight florescent lights when you were not eating. The next day Aaron starting showing signs of jaundice so he had to go under the lights.
A nurse came to the house the first three days we were home to test your levels. After the first day home Aidan’s levels went back up so they brought us lights. By the next morning your levels were lower so we did not have to use them anymore. It actually took a few weeks for the yellow to totally disappear from both your skin and eyes.
The rest of the hospital visit was calmer. By Friday I was ready to go home, but we stayed another night to get your jaundice under control. We went home Saturday afternoon. Dad drove us home and Nana and Grandpa Bill followed. Nana stayed with us the first few days. She helped with cleaning, laundry and dishes – it was such a big help! After Nana left it was just the four of us. We were all very new to this and it took about 6 weeks to fully adjust. It as not as bad as people make it out to be, but I won’t say it was easy. The most difficult part was trying to find time to do the dishes, laundry and clean. We got smart and hired a cleaning lady.
May 4, 2005
Today you all went to the doctor for your first “sick” visit. You have colds (or maybe it is allergies) that we cannot seem to get rid of. Aaron weighed in at 14 lbs 8 oz and Aidan weighed in at 16 lbs 12 oz. Dr. Harper did find anything wrong, but he gave us some antibiotics just in case.
May 11, 2005
Aidan’s bottom teeth are coming in. Aaron has found his lungs and he loves to scream (happy screams). The other night you all were lying in the crib watching the mobile and Aaron was screaming up a storm and Aidan was just looking at you like you were crazy. Aidan growls like a tiger. If we imitate you, you will do it back. I think Aaron will crawl first, but I think Aidan will sit first.
May 13, 2005
Aaron found his feet this week. Now you always have your feet in your hands or you use your feet to play with a toy.
June 11, 2005
Aaron learned how to stick out his tong this week – you really think it is funny. Aaron’s two bottom teeth broke skin. Aaron is starting to learn the crawling position. It will not be long before you are off and running. Aidan found his feet last week. Aidan is really good at turning himself around during tummy time.
We are making progress on sleeping through the night. It is very hard for mommy to let you all cry at night. I love when you all wake up in the morning and get in bed with mom and dad. We all get to cuddle before we start our day. Aidan was at the doctor last week for a bloody nose but everything was ok. Aidan weighed 18 lbs. You all are eating solid food three times a day now. Aaron does not like peas. You all are doing very well with the solid foods. You are very good eaters. Pretty soon you will be able to have finger foods and feed yourself.
June 23, 2005
At your 6 month checkup on June 13, Aidan weighed 18 lbs 4 oz, 27 inches long and Aaron weighed 16 lbs 8 oz, 25 ¾ inches long. Dr. Harper gave us some allergy medicine, but it does not seem to be working that good. Aidan’s top teeth are trying to come in and they seem to be bothering you a little. Aidan is able to rotate himself very well using the army crawl. Last night you all were wound up when we put you to bed. It took you all almost an hour to fall asleep after we put you down. You all played together in your bed. I had to separate you all (to opposite ends of the bed) a few times, because you all were pulling on each others faces. We are leaving for vacation next week. I am sooooo excited to spend two full weeks with you all. I bought a new van a few days ago, and it is just perfect for us. You all are doing wonderful at night. We start bedtime around 7:30 with a book and bottle and you all are usually down abound 8:00. Aidan is always up at 5:30 or so and has a bottle and then sleeps with mom and dad until it is time to get up. Aaron is usually up around 6:30 or sometimes we have to wake you up. You all have been sleeping through the night for about two weeks now.
June 29, 2005
Aidan learned how to stick out his tongue – maybe Aaron taught you. Aaron is able to get on all fours and rock back in forth. We are leaving for vacation in two days. We are very excited to spend two whole weeks with you all. This will be your first trip to the beach.
July 19, 2005
We went to the doctor today for a follow up visit for your allergies today. Aaron weighed 18 lbs 4 oz and Aidan weighed 20 lbs 1 oz. We returned home from vacation last Friday and we had so much fun!!!. You all became very mobile during the vacation. Aidan learned to army crawl and Aaron does and inch worm crawl. Aidan can sit unassisted, and Aaron is not far behind. Aidan’s four top teeth are coming in, and Aaron has two top teeth coming in. Aidan got his first war wound when he bumped his head on the TV stand. Aidan loved the water. Daddy took you under and you did not mind it at all. You loved to splash and enjoyed playing in the waterfall at the Lodge pool. Aaron you did not like the water so much. You preferred to sit in your little turtle and watch everyone else play. We did not go to the beach; we will try to make it next time. You all were so good – even during the 15 hour car trip. The new van was very nice because you all were able to crawl around when we stopped. We are really looking forward to our next visit to Florida over Christmas.
July 25, 2005
We took our first trip to the lake house yesterday. You all are too little to go on the boat, maybe next year. Aaron is now sitting up right along side Aidan. Aidan is now able to get on all fours and rock. I noticed Aaron move his leg and hand in a forward motion, but you were not able to get the other side to follow. Your personalities are really starting to develop. You are both wonderful and happy babies. Everyone always comments how happy you all are. It does not take much to make you smile and you all love to stick your tongues out. It is the best way to start the day seeing your smiling faces. Aaron is laid back and very good about entertaining himself. You do have quite a temper when you are hungry, but as soon as you are fed you are back to your normal self. Aidan is a cuddle bug and enjoys lots of affection and attention. If you cry we will pick you up and that cry instantly turns to a little grin – you have us wrapped around your finger.
We just moved all your toys to your room. Mom and day have a bad habit of buying new toys every time we go to the store. We left your jumparoo and exersaucer in the living room and you all play in those while we eat dinner. You all have a very funny habit of attempting to bounce in the exersaucer (not meant for bouncing) when you see your brother bouncing in the jumparoo. It is so funny because you all get so excited and your little legs just go so fast trying to jump. Pretty soon you all will get to eat big people food with us. You all do pretty good with the graham cracker cookies and the apple flavor pinwheels. I gave you cheerios the other day but they just made you gag. I took sippy cups to school so you can start learning to use them.
Your daily schedule:
Aidan wakes up around 5:30 am for a bottle (6 oz). You are relentless until you get your bottle. After your bottle you get to stay in bed with mom and dad until it is time to get up. Aaron wakes up around 6:30 for a bottle (6oz). If you wake up before that you are very good about entertaining yourself in your crib. When we come to get you out of your crib you greet us with the cutest smile. After your bottle it is time for mom to get up. Aaron sits in the bouncie in the bathroom while I shower and get ready. After I finish getting ready for work we have the challenge of waking dad and Aidan up. Aidan fusses when we wake him up, but the second you open your eyes you get the biggest smile on your face. Once everyone is awake mom and dad each get one of you ready. We take turns taking and picking up to/from school. For breakfast you eat cereal with fruit around 8:30 then you have a bottle (6oz) between 9:00 and 9:30. After your bottle you go down for a morning nap. You all sleep anywhere from one to three hours. You eat 1 ½ jar of veggies for lunch around noon. Around 3:00 you have a bottle (8oz) and usually take a short afternoon nap. If I pick up I usually leave work early because I miss you so much (I have a more flexible schedule than dad). We are usually home around 5:30. You eat 1 ½ jar of meat and veggies for dinner around 6:00. We play for a little bit then we take bathes (every other night). We still do individual baths in the baby tub. One you all can sit a little better I will bathe you all together, that way we can play longer in the tub. Around 7:30 we start bed time. Mom and dad read each of you a book and give you your bottle (8oz). Sometimes you fall asleep in our arms, but other times we let you fall asleep in your crib. You all fuss a little before you fall asleep. After you all go to sleep we do laundry and the dishes and get everything ready for school the next day. We try very hard to keep up on the same schedule no matter what – even on vacation. It makes it easier on everyone, and you all are much happier when you have had your naps.
August 5, 2005
Yesterday when I picked you all up from school your teachers told me Aaron had pulled himself up to a standing position on the toy shelf. Last week Aaron figured out how to get in a sitting position from your tummy. You all seem to have changed personalities. Aidan used to be our “needy” baby. You liked to be held and you would let us know when you would want held. The second we picked you up, you would get this little grin on your face. Now Aaron is the “needy” baby. Your teachers said the past two days you have had a tantrum because you wanted held. I have started to notice the start of separation anxiety. It makes me sad to hear that you had to cry. You all are such good babies, and you both rarely cry. We (Aidan, Aaron and mom) took our first out of town trip together this past weekend. We went to Columbus to work on the house sale. We stayed with Nana and Papa. We had a nice trip, but your daddy missed you all very much.
August 17, 2005
It has been almost two week since I wrote and – WOW – have you all progressed. Aidan can sit from a crawling position and you are starting to pull yourself up. Aaron is a little pro at standing. Twice we have found you standing in your crib in the morning. You all are still not quite crawling on your hands and knees. Aaron is getting closer, but still uses the inchworm crawl more often. Aidan is a pro at the army crawl. Aaron cried when I dropped you all off at school the other day. It broke my heart. It gets harder everyday to leave you at daycare. I wish I could stay home with you all day, everyday.
You all have started playing peek-a-boo with each other at bedtime. You all both go to the end of your cribs and pull down the bumper pad and peek over at each other. Aidan loves to sit in the corner of the crib and peek over at Aaron. We love to stay out of sight and watch you all play your little games.
This past weekend we all traveled to Columbus to sign the papers with the people who hope to buy our house. Yesterday we made an offer on the house in Skyline Acres. We will be moving in right around your first birthday. We are so excited to get in a new house so you all can have lots of room to play and a big back yard of our own.
A few weeks ago you started taking baths in the big tub together. You all really enjoy it – but it is a little stressful for mom. You reach for everything, and slip and slide. You all love it. Aidan likes to swim around on his belly. Aaron tries to stand up.
October 31, 2005
It looks like last time I wrote we were planning on building a house. Plans changed and we ended up moving to a house that was already built. We moved into our new house in September. Aidan’s favorite spot is the bathroom where you play with the toilet paper roll. Aaron’s favorite spot is mom’s arms. I just baby-proofed all the cabinets this weekend because you all are becoming quite the little explorers now. We always have help unloading the dishwasher. The other day I turned to put away the silverware and when I turned back around Aidan was standing on the dishwasher door. We put your highchairs away when we moved and now you all sit at the table with us. You all started eating people food last month. We still have a little jar food now and then (when we do not feel like cleaning the floor), but for the most part most meals are finger foods. Aidan’s favorite food is yogurt. If we let you see it before your other foods you will not eat so we have to hide it until you finish your other food. Aaron favorite food is mandarin oranges. Your teachers told me you all love the popcorn puff snack at school.
Dad and I went trick-or-treating with you all at school today. Yesterday we went to the Halloween Party at the Zoo. Aidan dressed up as a bear, and Aaron was a monkey. Aaron liked to chew on the tail of the monkey costume. Aaron also enjoyed rubbing Aidan’s consume, because it was soft like a teddy bear.
Shortly after I wrote last time (August 17) Aidan started to say “dada”. Aaron started to say “dada” just a few days after. When we ask you all to say “mama” we just get “dada” in response. Aaron is starting to get the “ma” down. Dad and I both think Aidan said “bye-bye” today when we were leaving after your filed trip. You all both, especially Aidan, are really staring to babble a lot. Aidan can be very loud sometimes, especially during meals. Aaron still does the cutest Woody Wood Pecker laugh. Aaron has also started to smack his lips together to give kisses. You all both are learning to give big slobbery open mouth kisses.
Last time we were at the doctor (last week) Aidan weighted 21 lbs 10 oz and Aaron weighed 20 lbs. You all have seemed to keep this 2 pound difference since birth.
November 2, 2005
On the way home from school yesterday Aidan clapped his hands. I noticed Aaron starting to clap last week. Aidan has also been waving for a few weeks now. You actually started waving a few months ago. You would wave with your whole arm, whereas now you wave with your hand. You stopped the arm wave for a while and started with the hand wave a few weeks ago.
We have also been working on the baby sign language. Mom and Dada took a class last month, and we learned some basic signs. We use “more, eat, thank you and all gone” at meal time. You all have not picked up on any yet, but they said you will around 14 months.
December 7, 2005
Wow – I cannot believe you all will be one next week. We have been working hard on planning your first birthday party – it is a very special day!!! Aaron is doing very well at standing on his own. You can take one step, but then you tumble forward. You have perfected your “spider crawl”, and boy, are you fast. You and Aidan love to play with the door stopper. I always know when you have succeeded at removing it from the wall. The spring noise stops and then I hear your spider crawl as you run from Aidan.
Aidan maneuvers around very well holding on to walls and furniture. It is very interesting how you all have your own developments. Where Aidan can maneuver well, Aaron can stand well. Aidan got the first tooth, yet Aaron has more now.
Aidan copied the “more” sign this morning at breakfast. You all are quite fond of the no sign – shaking your head no. You think it is funny when I shake my head yes when you all are saying no.
We are getting close to the age when we throw out the bottles. I was really worried about it, but lately you all have not been as interested. Aaron cries “baba” (or some times “ma-ma”) when you hear the microwave turn on, but then you don’t drink all of it. I was so sad for Aaron when they told me that you went by the refrigerator at school and cried “baba”. Aaron says dada, mama and baba. Aidan says dada and ma-ma and babbles really loud quite often, epically at meals.
December 16, 2005
This has been an eventful week for us. We had your first birthday party on Sunday. Monday you had your one year doctor visit. Wednesday was your first Birthday. And, last night you were in your first school play.
Your first birthday party was a success. Your favorite gift was the stuffed horse Grandpa Bill gave you. You all, especially Aidan, had everyone in stitches as you rode the horse. The birthday cake eating was fun for everyone. Aidan dug into his, cake, icing and all. Aaron picked most of the icing off and had a little cake, and you hardly made a mess. One of the guests asked if you wanted a fork and knife to eat your cake, and commented that you were neat, just like your mommy.
On you birthday you all woke up to your birthday gifts and then we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. They made you all a birthday banner at school, signed by everyone. We had meatloaf (your favorite) for dinner.
Last night was your first school play. Your class dressed up in Santa hats and sung “All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth”. You all stood in a box decorated like a present. Aidan ducked down in the box a few times during the song – it was very funny. Dad and I joked that they had to put the two of you in the box to contain you. You all put on a wonderful performance!!!
Aaron is now taking 4-5 steps. This morning you stood up on your own and took three steps. Aidan’s balance is improving. Aidan can now sign eat and more.
It is hard to believe one year has gone by since you were born. This has been the most joyful and rewarding year of my life. I never knew I would enjoy motherhood so much. You all are such wonderful boys and always so happy – you fill our lives with so much joy. I love you all more than I could ever explain, and I look forward to all the years to come. Happy Birthday to the best surprise of my life!
