This month we've been going outside lots to enjoy the sunshine (from the shade of our porch), to play with the dogs, and to go on walks. The babies love the change of scenery and I love the fresh air and nature noises.
July 16th Brady finally rolled from his back to his belly! He got there, hung out for a second or two, and immediately rolled back on to his back, but he finally did it. By the end of his 5th month he is pretty much a pro at rolling on to his belly.
On July 28th we took a little trip to the cemetery to see Ian and Madison, and to wish their Aunt Julie a one day late Happy Birthday.
On August 1st we loaded up the car and headed over to St. Louis to see our friends Jaycen and Katie. It had been a year since we saw them last, and it was so good to catch up with them. I think that Ashley found a new friend in Katie, and we all had the best time. The drive home was a little rough as Ashley isn't a big fan of long car rides (or apparently sleeping in the car), but we still only had to make one stop on the way home for a diaper change. Ashley might have cried from Vandalia home, but we can just pretend like that didn't happen, right?
My Grandpa Wolf had fallen at home and cracked his pelvis. He is currently at the Lutheran Care Center in Altamont getting therapy. Thanks to COVID-19, they can't have any visitors inside at this time. So mom and I brought the babies to see Grandpa through the door. When he realized it was us he was so happy. It was the cutest thing to see him waving at the babies through the door and his big smile at them. Thank you to the nurse who let Grandpa use her phone so we could actually talk to and hear each other. The goodbye was a little rough, you could tell that Grandpa really wanted to come outside and give us a hug goodbye, but we plan on seeing him again tomorrow when we are in Altamont for a birthday party.
We stopped by to see Grandma too, and I know that she was glad we decided to make the short stop to see her.
We are gearing up to start real food here soon- just waiting on the go ahead from our pediatrician at their check up in two weeks- so Eric and I got the high chairs out and set up in the kitchen. I've been putting the babies in them a few times in the last week to get them used to the chair, and I've been letting them play with a spoon and bowl. I can't wait to start this next adventure with them.
Last night we got together with Nikki, Connor, and Erin (Chad had a Ducks Unlimited meeting that night so he couldn't come) for some pizza, ice cream, and baby play date. I think the twins are officially bigger than their big cousin Emily. And I'm glad we snagged this group photo of them in their jammies with Grant. I can't wait to hear the trouble the four of them get into at daycare together!
And then some extras I want to remember:
- We are both still in size two diapers, and at this point we are probably going through closer to 12 diapers a day, as they've both decided that it's fun to poop immediately after I change their diapers.
- This month we have been following two hour wake times, so our schedule looks like this: Wake up at 7, Brady eats an 8 ounce bottle and Ashley eats a 7 ounce bottle (both with 2 tablespoons of rice cereal), naps from 9-10:30, eat and play, naps from 12:30-2, eat and play, naps from 4-5, eat and play, bed at 7.
- One bottle a day is still formula, and where I used to have to wake them up from every nap, Brady seems to be waking up on his own now, and sometimes well before nap time is over. He usually is able to fall back asleep or just lay quietly in his crib until the end of nap time, but I wish he would stay sleeping a little longer like Ashley does.
- Since we cut out a nap and then also a feeding, we bumped up the rest of their bottles to make up for the lost feeding. Brady was only getting 7 ounces like Ashley, but he started getting super cranky after finishing eating, so I moved him up to 8 ounces these last few weeks and he is no longer cranky. Ashley on the other hand has been really spitting up at the end of the day, and often is super uninterested in her last one, sometimes last two bottles of the day. Because of that, I've been contemplating moving her back down to 6 ounces for her last two bottles. But then last night she took 8 ounces like a champ at Nikki and Connor's, so who knows. As of right now, Brady drinks 32 ounces a day, and Ashley is drinking close to 28 ounces.
- Both babies are still in 6 month clothes, but I wouldn't be surprised if in the next few weeks we are busting out their nine month clothes.
- According to our scales and measurements here at home, Brady weighs 18.4 pounds and is 27 3/4 inches long, and Ashley weighs 16.2 pounds and is 26 1/2 inches long.
- Some of Brayden's favorites this month include his jumper, being outside with the puppies, music (shocker on that one I know), and cuddles. He is still a big thumb sucker, especially when he is tired or right after he finishes a bottle. He also still loves to grab his toes. Brady is great car rider and often falls asleep during the ride, especially if it is over 20 minutes long.
- Brady does not like being stuck on his tummy for too long. Even though this kid can definitely roll back over to his back, he usually just cries until you go flip him over.
- Ashley's favorite thing to do this month is roll. She is rolling EVERYWHERE. I can put her down on their play mat, and before I know it she is under the coffee table (which has been her location of choice this month), or has rolled in front of the bathroom door. This girl will be crawling before we know it!
- Ashley is also enjoying being outside, and has recently started to love when the dogs come up and she can pet them. She is still putting everything into her mouth, and this month that includes her toes! She likes to stick out her tongue, and has started sucking on her wrist instead of her thumb.
- Ashley does not enjoy long car rides. This girl likes to move, and being stuck in the car seat is not her cup of tea. She almost entirely refuses to nap in the car, even though we know she is so exhausted. I'm hoping that that will get better at some point. She also does not like poopy diapers, especially if she happens to poop while in the car.
- Favorite toys this month include the toy keys for Ashley and sqwish for Brady. They both are loving the animals hanging down from their play mat.
- Books are also a big hit in our house!
- They are both getting interested in little details of things and how things work. I caught them staring at the shadows their play mat made on the entertainment center the other morning. Brady will look very intently at his hands, turning them front to back and slowly moving his fingers, and Ashley is loving the wheels and trying to turn them on the new book that we got. They have both been super interested in different textures this month as well.
- Both babies have really found their voices this month. I'll just hear them chattering away, not necessarily at each other yet, but they do both like to talk. Ashley has even hit the pterodactyl phase with her screeches, though they aren't as bad here at the end of the month as they were at the beginning.
- We've been working on sitting up on our own this month. Brady can sit for little longer than Ashley can, and they both are still fairly leaned to the front the majority of the time, but we are getting stronger each time!
- At night we give each baby double cheek kisses, because who can resist each of their big ol' cheeks! Ashley's are the softest ever, and while Brady's are much more firm than hers, they are still equally as kissable. They have both started to enjoy giving us big open mouthed kisses back as well. It might be one of my favorite parts of the day.
