CarCar (aka Fast Forward)

CarCar always seems to move at a brisk pace. Rian, the Critters, Aunt Donna, Erica, and Norah headed to Winthrop Park last Friday. CarCar apparently shot over to this and hop up herself. You will notice that Brother appears to be bracing himself, I can only imagine how fast CarCar was rocking that thing.

Chris

And So It Begins.

Although not quite at Prefontaine level yet, Brother is walking.

We are all off and walking. Brother took those ever elusive steps on Tuesday of last week. It was just two at first, then four, and by Thursday he walked clear across the living room. Now I won't be signing him up for a half marathon anytime soon, but this is a huge step for Brother.

It is amazing to see how quickly Brother is taking to this walking thing. Now that is not to say that he is not butt scooting anymore, but he is taking quite a few "walks" everyday. It is also quite funny watching him learn to walk, he definitely sports the T-Rex arms when he is strutting his stuff. I told him he will have to lose that as the ladies are not big fans.

These are T-Rex arms. This is the best picture that I could find to demonstrate what I meant. Please do not infer that Brother looks anything like this idiot. I told Brother that this guy had T-Rex arms and I can assure you that his is not a hit with the ladies.

As an aside I can't tell you how happy that I am to have been able to see all three Critters take their first steps. Luckily this time Brother waited until I came home for lunch to take off.

It was a pretty quiet weekend at the ole casa. On Saturday I was up bright and early to hit Lake Jackson for some fishing with a buddy. I actually caught something this time - big victory. After that we settled in to watch a little football. The Vols did not disappoint Brother this week, they pulled out a squeaker over University of Alabama (no not the good one, the one in Birmingham.) Then we watched the Seminole defense put on a show.

On Sunday we did all of the errands and then headed over to the Gunter's for Camp's 2nd Birthday. We had a great time over there and the Critters were sufficiently exhausted by the time we left. We got home did baths and bottles and they were fast asleep.

Chris

Is that? No, it can't be. Wait it is, he's alive.

Hey folks I am back from my unplanned, unexpected and unannounced blogcation. (You have to love word-mashing) Just because I haven't been blogging doesn't meant hat things are slowing down in our casa. Since the last post we have traveled to Orlando for a week, broke four new teeth, battled a severe case of diaper rash (actually still battling), and brother reached a huge, I repeat huge milestone this very morning.

I will do a recap of Orlando in the next day or two and I will also reveal the big news with brother later today or tomorrow.

Chris

Mom's Morning Out

Another big milestone today in the Critters life, the start of Mom's Morning Out. Carson and Hadley were shipped off dropped off at Good Shepard Catholic Church for their first day at Mom's Morning Out, a pseudo preschool type thing. Brother cannot attend yet because he has not quite mastered the art of walking, although the little guy is sooooo close.

Rian was very concerned that the girls wouldn't have a good time or that they would get run over because they are a little small. As soon as we put them down in the classroom they were off, mom and dad didn't exist to them right at that point. It was a good feeling seeing your kids assimilate quickly to different situations. You could tell that Brother was a little sad that he didn't get to stay but mom and him got to have some one on one time.

Little Miss Hadley on her first day. (The bow did not make it much longer.)

The Girls, not quite in the best mood. (Before we got to the classroom.)

Heading to their classroom!

According to the teachers the girls had a great time. They apparently played quite hard out at the playground because Rian said their faces were beet red. I think that Rian is going to add another class on Friday mornings for two kids and that way each one will have some one on one time with mom.

You can tell CarCar played hard.

Chris

Toes

I check on the Critters every night before I go to bed and this is what I saw last week. It seemed like a very interesting position to sleep in.

Pics:

I managed to snap all of these without waking up one of the Critters.

Chris

Don't Anger CarCar

Why aren't you posting any blogs about us?!?!?!?!?

CarCar looks like a crazed animal in this picture. Hadley and Brother both look like they are cowering on the couch. In order not to anger CarCar I will be posting a few new blogs in the coming days hours.

Chris

Fifteen Months

You should see a number 15 if you are not color deficient like me, if you are you probably see a number 17.

The Critters have been around for fifteen months now, I can hardly believe how fast time has gone. It seems just like yesterday that Rian and I were up at the NICU daily visiting them. Now the girls are both running around and Brother is fast on their heals, he is scooting around with the help of furniture. The Critters personalities have become very apparent and it is funny seeing each one express that personality.

Carson: She is the ringleader. She is the one that really chooses not to recognize the word "No." She is adventurous, but she is still timid in many ways. She is the most sensitive by a long shot. She can also melt your heart when she flashes one of her big 'ol CarCar grins. She is a garbage disposal when it comes to food, she hasn't met a food she won't eat. She is also the smallest but believe me she makes her presence known. Finally, she loves her "lovie" more than anything in this world, and lord help you if you give her the wrong one.

Hadley: She is the risk-taker, I believe that she has a little Evil Knievel in her. Hadley is also the whiner, not that its a bad thing, it is just how she chooses to communicate. Hadley tends to follow lockstep with what CarCar does, if CarCar takes a drink Hadley will follow. (It will be interesting to see if Hadley will take on the "big sister" mentality late on down the line. Hadley loves animals, but, and a big but, she likes to be the one to approach them. (It tends to scare her when the make the first move.) She has really curly blondish hair. I really think that Hadley will be able to get what ever she wants later in life when she flashes "the look." (She has the biggest blue eyes that apparently do not let you say no too often.)

Reese: He is the child that always does what he is supposed to. He has gotten much better at moving around and we think it is only a matter of time before he is walking. He has strawberry blond hair. We think he is left handed. He looooooooooooooves the ladies. I think he will be uber-protective of his sisters, even though they torment him. He loves to read (well look at books) and be read to. He loves his momma more than anything. He still uses a binky, but will be off of that soon. He loves his sleep. He is one of the sweetest little Critters that you will ever meet.

We had their fifteen month appointment of Friday and everything checked out well. Dr. Martin was very happy with their growth and development. They are apparently progressing as they should, albeit on their own growth scale. They only had to have two shots but they definitely let us know that they were not too happy about it. That displeasure only lasted until they got a Cake Shop cupcake.

Measurements:

Reese: 24.7 lbs, 32 inches

Hadley: 23.6lbs, 30.5 inches

CarCar: 20.1lbs, 30 inches

Bonus Picture - Rian and I were craving a chocolate milkshake after church last Sunday so we stopped by Steak and Shake. CarCar loved the hat that the waitress gave her.

Chris