9 months already!

We just had our 9 month check up yesterday. Everything went well. Elijah is 20 lbs 5 ounces and is 27 1/2 inches long. Lucianna is 17 lbs 10 ounces and is 28 inches long. Still no vaccines. A collaborative decision puts them getting vaccines when they are close to 2 years. The medical risk to Elijah outweighs the disease risk. He had such a bad vaccine reaction at 4 months that we aren't willing to take a chance at it happening again. They are stay-at-home babies so the risk of them getting sick is very low. Of course if the child care changes we'll get the vaccinated sooner but right now it is to protect Eli. And although Luci never had a problem with vaccines it's easier to keep them on the same schedule. Luci has to go back to physical therapy for her neck. She was diagnosed with torticollis at 4 months and went through physical therapy then but she is tilting her head to the left so the doctor wants her to go through more therapy to strengthen the muscles on the right side. Everything else checks out well. They are eating just right and their physical and social developments are right on track. Luci has 2 bottom teeth already. They came in at the same time. Nothing for Eli yet but he acts like they are coming soon. He's always rubbing his gums on toys and biting on our fingers. They both will walk some if you hold their hands and they'll stand at the coffee table on their own and play for a little while. No crawling but they roll around the house quite well! And they sit well on their own. They are trying to sit up themselves from laying down. Almost have it. The sitting sure makes bathtime easier!! So everything looks great and they don't go back until they are 1. In 3 months, wow!

Oceanside Beach

This past weekend we took the twins to the beach for the first time with Gail, Zach, and Amber. Lance couldn't come because of his recent work schedule. We went to the Oceanside pier. We all had a good time. The twins had fun too. A lot of different things for them to look at. And a lot of people for us to look at (and maybe laugh at a few! Which is why I didn't wear a bathing suit - nobody was going to laugh at me!) We took them down to the water and Elijah loved it. He flapped his arms and kicked his legs. Luci cried. The water scared her. We took our picture together in the waves and she tried to turn around and cling onto me. There were some good waves and Amber rented a boogie board and was out there for quite a while. Zach was digging a hole to China! We were going to bury him in it but he wouldn't let us! Darn! After awhile, the twins crashed and we decided to pack it up and head home. It was a very nice day out.

For Aunt Eunice

I took this picture for my Aunt Eunice. She is actually my great aunt. Wow, which makes her the twins great-great aunt. Aunt Eunice bought these outfits for the twins and was very excited about them. This was taken in their room with their moose rug. Aunt Eunice loves to get pictures of the twins and loves to get updates on them. She is very ill right now and in the hospital so I took this picture today for her. Hopefully when she wakes up it will bring a smile to her face. We are all praying for you. Luci and Eli send you hugs and kisses.

Views from the new house

The valley below us is well known for the wineries. Every June there is also a hot air balloon festival. All summer though you can see the balloons every morning from the neighborhood. Dan sees them on the other side of the hill every morning on the way to work. So far every weekend we've seen them right in front of the house. We also get the marine layer through the valley and it settles right below our house so it looks like we are sitting above the clouds. We love it! I'll be posting photos of the house soon.

Playtime

Playtime is extremely entertaining lately. The twins interact with each other so much now. They are always making each other laugh which makes me laugh too! The main pictures are from Luci and Eli looking at each other through their exersaucers and making each other laugh. They wrestle too. Elijah rolls all over the house and I can barely keep track of him. He is always getting into something. He's played with the diaper pail, my steam cleaner hose, the garbage can, Hannah's tail, and I've even found him chewing on Hannah's rawhide. Yuck! I'm sure it's not going to be the worst thing that goes in his mouth. They are so much fun. We have few fussy fits. They've also gone to only 3 bottles a day and the rest are solid foods. I'm so lucky to be able to stay home with them and watch their development!

Saying Bye to Grandma and Grandpa Arrington

Mom and Werter left last Tuesday. The twins and I met them for dinner near the airport before they had to leave. They spent the last few days in CA with Lance and Gail. The airport is only an hour from our house so we drove to meet them so the twins could see them one more time. We had a great visit. Dan and I even got to go to Vegas for a couple days by ourselves. Mom and Werter stayed with the twins. Thanks!! Mom and I painted the twins room and then Mom got even more productive and painted their bathroom. Werter did a bunch of little projects for Dan. Hopefully he wasn't too bored! We spent the rest of our time shopping and relaxing. Mom and Werter bought the twins their first highchairs. They love them. Elijah definately knows it's time to eat when I put him in his chair! I always love having Mom here and am sad when she leaves. She always makes me feel like I'm doing a great job with the twin. Love you both and glad you made it back to VA safe and sound!