12/26/2013 - 1 YEAR OLD!!!!

We celebrated the Hogglet's 1st birthday today.  It was a day of high emotions for me as we got ready to celebrate with friends and family, and while trying not to focus on the intensity of the memories of what was just a short 365 days ago.  Perhaps the scariest day of my life, has brought an immense amount of joy and laughter to my every day existence.  These three tiny people have gone through so much, and what a pleasure it was to celebrate how far they have come, and the first of many, many birthdays.

I'm going to to work for the next week on a 3-part series for each of them, but in the meantime, a few general updates.

We happily have shared the last week with Grandma and Grandpa McGuire as they came to visit for their 1st (and were luckily here for Christmas too!).  Grandma goes back and forth between Mac and Catherine as who has changed the most and Grandpa has been taking turns playing on the floor and helping with the day to day shuffle.

The babies have been doing more and more self feeding, and have quite the variety of diet.  We are still keeping them on a very low amount of dairy due to Paisley and Catherine's sensitivities. so are trying to be creative about adding in proteins.  So far we've got:  Scrambled Egg Yolks, Black Beans, Quinoa pasta with Meat Sauce, Peas, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Bananas, and the list continues to expand.  They've also really loved Coconut milk yogurt, although they are tolerating being fed less and less.

And they're all moving along. With Paisley cruising, Catherine pulling up, and Mac figuring out how to transition from sitting to his belly and beginning to scoot around.

Just a few pics, and I'll try to get on those individuals soon :)

Mac tolerating his Santa suit. 

And tolerating it a lil less...

 

And very proud of taking off his beard..

Picture taking has gotten more and more difficult as they turn more into their own lil people and not so able to be posed....  But we are still able to capture a few where they are all looking.  Including this one, for the Santa photographer.  Although, next year, we may need a Santa with a couch, this went remarkably well.

With the small exception that all 3 of them seem to think that the girls shoes are actually chew toys.  Therefore, they didn't make it into the photo.

So, enough for tonight... It's been a big day, and this momma is tired.

As a friend and I were discussing today, it seems like it was just a minute ago and yet so long at the same time.   Happy Birthday lil Hogglets, your momma loves you.

Mac, 1 year old

Paisley, 1 year old

Catherine, 1 year old

12/2/2013 - 11 months old (and seriously late due to the holidays!)

Can you believe it???  11 months!  We certainly can't.  Life chugs along as we get closer to their 1 year birthday... 

At a recent doc appt for their Synagis (to support immune system during winter and cold season) they weighed in:

11/22/13
Mac - 17 lbs, 8 oz
Paisley - 14 lbs, .5 pz
Catherine - 14 lbs

We'll be back at the Doc in early January for their 1 year check up!  We've also slowly started on immunizations.  They've handled them easily (as opposed to the Synagis, which they report "stings")  We've had one dose of the Hib and one dose of Pneumococcal thus far.  I'm grateful that we've found a pediatrician that counsels me and helps me select and prioritize while understanding that we're going to take it slow and do just one at a time...  He's been great :)  And the babies smile every time we see Dr. B.

We had 2 overnights with grandpa as he drove to a conference and dropped grandma off for a 10 day visit.  She worked her magic and put wiggly to sleep one afternoon for her nap!

It's been another milestone month, as we took our first road trip, crossed our first state line, and slept away from home for the first time (with the exception of the hospital).  My dad, mom and I drove up to Nashville - dad in his car, mom and I in ours, for Thanksgiving.  Our loving hosts, Uncle Jim and Aunt Paula, helped us set up play areas and carry the "baby train" up and down stairs and all around the house.  We survived the drive by stopping in Chattanooga at the Discovery Museum and having our lunch and playtime between naps.  They have an infant play area that is probably 10x20 feet long and most of the time we had it to ourselves!   The trip made me VERY aware of how I've set up our lives at home to have routine and expectations, and it was tough to get used to a new environment for all of us!  Luckily, we had Super Grandpa on hand who spent countless hours helping me play, feed, and even woke up at 5:30 so I could go back to sleep - Oh?  Did I mention we also crossed into the central time zone?  I did the drive home solo, and without a hiccup... (but with a coke or two!) 

Catherine pulling up for the first time!

Mac is a super sitter these days!  I barely have to put anything behind him as he sits so upright and plays.  He's just a happy lil boy and is quick to clap his hands if you say "YAAAYYY MAC!"  It's adorable, if I do say so myself.   He continues to roll, sit and pivot in a circle.  And during therapy, can sustain being up on all 4s...  But, no movement yet!  He is following a very typical developmental pattern, so I'm not worried, he'll do it in his own time.   He is adorably vocal with coos and grunts.
Thanksgiving morning brought him his 3rd tooth, upper right.

Paisley is making waves on gross motor skills.  She is not only pulling to stand, but starting on the 1st started letting go to try it out.  We're in trouble!  She LOVES to be held and carried around, and if she had her choice, I think she'd be on a hip most of the time.  She chirps, squeaks, and hoots.  Her whole face scrunches up when she's happy and she's starting to get some curls over her ears to match her impish personality.  

Catherine is catching up with Paisley, she pulled to stand for the first time at the Adventure museum on the way home, and at Jim and Paula's discovered the magic of starting to climb up.  A whole new world.  She crawls all over the floor, and gets up and rocks on all four often.  She also got a new tooth on Thanksgiving, the lower left, her 2nd.

Because the bouncers have gotten a little dangerous (2 climbing girls), we've started using their car seats for mid day bottles.  This works well except for paisley getting a little nosy and wanting to sit up while eating so she doesn't miss anything,

The girls have the funniest interaction, sometimes they are stealing a toy back and forth, and sometimes they are scooting across the floor together. If placed face to face on their bellies, they both smile a greeting.  

All three of them love touching each other's heads, and hair and sometimes eating their feet.  Catherine has a special love for messing with Mac's ears... which he continues to hate.  Their toy play develops more and more intention, as they are trying to put balls into their toys, and rings on towers.  They all love Peek-a-boo under the sheet, and Mac enjoys rolling a ball back and forth. Tonight at dinner, paisley kept reaching for Catherine and then Catherine nibbled on her fingers, which paisley found hilarious!

It's a little difficult to get the dishes done these days, since the girls want to climb in the dishwasher... So we've had an exersaucer wall "the circles of neglect" to try and keep them semi-contained.

They are still spending 3 afternoons with Cristiana, and Catherine continues to have weekly PT, with Mac occasionally.  Wednesday will be our last play date with our Babies Can't Wait therapist, Karen, and we say a bittersweet goodbye.  They are doing so well they no longer "need" her, but we will miss having another playful face!


Next month- Christmas and birthday photos!!!