Growing up FAST!

Riley & Ryan are really enjoying their new class and new schedule. We tried to keep with the same schedule this weekend and I think going to 1 longer nap is going to work out great. I feel like we did a lot of napping and eating this weekend, but they were happy. I think the feeding themselves part is taking them a bit longer than when I just fed them, but they are getting better each day. Sable & Sam are LOVING this stage. They get lots of cheerios and other dropped food and get the leftovers.

We went to the park yesterday with Lori, Katharyn, Paul, Alli, Tatum and Owen. They were on the swing for quite some time and squealed with joy the entire time. I think they would have stayed there for 2 hours. I went to a consignment sale yesterday with Jenni and got some great things for them. One of which is the rocking horse they both had to try out today. They liked being on it, but it will be heavily supervised until the get the hang of it. Riley also took a few steps walking behind the "walker". I had my hand right behind her, but she took at least 3 steps without me touching her and she was pushing right along. I think she'll be walking soon. She wants to stand up all the time and pulls up on anything she can. She just pops right up without much effort. Ryan is crawling like he's been doing it his whole life. He is so much happier now that he can get where he wants to go. He's drooling like a mad man, so I'm assuming that means more teeth!?!? Not sure but he's always been a drooler and this weekend has been much much more than usual. They are enjoying their new sippy cups too. They are babbling more and more, still mainly saying da-da and ma-ma with an occasional ba-ba. They have both started putting their hands on their head and patting it like they have a headache. Kevin has started saying "oh my head" and Ryan immediate grabs his head and cracks up. It's amazing to me that he can hear that and know what to do. They will be 1 year old in 6 weeks - unbelievable. Life is just blowing by us!

We got a message today that their teacher from their last class, Ms. Jada, had her baby boy this weekend, so we'll miss getting to see her at school for a while. I'm sure they'll be glad to see her when she returns. Grandaddy gets back from China on Tuesday, so I know they are all going to be so excited to see each other. Grandma is still in California and returns on Sept 6th. It will be nice once everyone is back home again.

Web Album Added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20080823MemorialParkRockingHorse

Ryan has joined the "Crawlers" Club!

No pictures tonight, but I had to post about Ryan's big accomplishment this week! All of a sudden on Monday morning Ryan just started crawling, He has really taken off. He's crawling as good or better than Riley who has been crawling for a month. We have officially entered the world of mobility and it's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be...yet! We've only had a few incidents with the dog bowls and one night I thought Riley was headed straight for the stairs, but besides that we've been remarkably good. They stayed home from school on Monday with Daddy, due to their "digestive" issues, but headed to their new class at school on Tuesday. We were snapping a picture of them on the couch, when Ryan dove off - head first onto the rug. He bounced off the ottoman first and then hit the ground. It scared me to death, but he's fine. Just a few battle scars, but I'm sure it's just the first of many to come. They are enjoying their new class and have been eating the breakfast, lunch and snack that the school provides. It blows my mind that they are big enough to eat "school lunch". After we get them off the bottles/formula, we will be able to just send them to school - no food. That's crazy to me when you see what we pack each day. The babies are growing up before my eyes and I have to say I'm one proud mama!

Weekend at Home

We've been very lucky that Riley and Ryan have not been sick this summer. They've been happy and healthy, but this week they just couldn't seem to get over some "digestive" issues. We've been through LOTS of diapers in the last week, if you know what I mean! They came home early from school on Friday and are still not much better. We'll be making a trip to the doctor tomorrow to see what's going on. That said - they've been remarkably happy. We've had a fun weekend mainly hanging at home.

They had a transition week at school for their new T-Tots class. Riley did great, while Ryan was not as into the whole transition thing. By the end of the week, they said Riley was crying when she had to go back to her old classrom and Ryan was thrilled to be back to what is familiar. This is one of the first of many transitions and I think Ryan is going to be a little more affected than his adventurous sister.

Riley is really beginning to explore throughout the house. You'll see in the pictures that she crawled to the front door to look outside as well as crawled around the kitchen and got into the water bowls for the dogs. We are really going to have to get our eggs in a row to keep up with her. Ryan is also coming along in getting around. He can do a perfect 360 degree spin on his stomach to point in whatever direction he needs to go and then he eventually scoots there. He is not crawling, but is not letting that stop him from getting from point "a" to point "b". Another funny picture is Ryan with one of the foam tiles around his neck. They have discovered how to remove the foam flooring tiles and they are especially attracted to the letter "D". (Kevin says it's for Daddy). Ryan got the tile up, punched out the letter and proceeded to put the tile over his head. He was so proud of himself! He worked very hard and was determined to make it happen. Today Kevin put them in their NY Yankees hats and we had a short photo op. What cutie pies!

One last story and then I'm off to bed... Yesterday during "nap" time I heard the two of them belly laughing - not just giggling, but a full-on laugh from both of them. Kevin and I listened for a while and I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to go peak in on what was so funny. Riley had pulled up and was standing at the end of her crib. Ryan had pulled up on his knees (first time I've seen this from him) at the end of his crib and they were right across from each other. They were reaching out for one another and cracking up. This is the first time I've seen them TRULY interracting and it made me so happy to see them so happy! I'm sure it only means many days and nights of trouble from them in their bedroom, but today it made me smile! :)

Web Album Added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20080816WeekendAtHome

Road Trip

Gramma came over and spent the night at our house on Friday night (Grandaddy is in China for the Olympics). We watched the opening ceremonies - what a spectacular show! We got up on Saturday and went to Play2Grow. Gramma got to see us play and we had a lot of fun. Ryan was the most animated he's ever been there. He's usually very serious, but he let his hair down a bit this weekend. They played with hay for their sensory play and they weren't so sure about it at first. But by the end Riley was crawling all around in it and Ryan even chewed on a few pieces - making a great photo op.

After class we drove to Washington, GA for our 2nd visit to Gramma & Grandaddy's house. Our last visit was in November 2007 - we were just 4 weeks old. We've grown a lot since then and they've done A LOT of work to the kitchen and bathroom (and lots more). It looks great and I know we'll have many memories made in that very special house. I look forward to the day when Riley & Ryan will be able to play in the backyard on the slip n slide like I used to do at my Grandma & Grandaddy's house. :)

Ryan woke up on Sunday morning with 2 new teeth - front and center. We are hoping that now that these teeth have broken through the skin that maybe he'll sleep a little bit better. We've had quite a few fussy nights lately. They also started the transition into the "T-Tots" class at school today. The teachers said everything went well and they enjoyed it. They start all day in that class next week. We will officially no longer have babies....time flies!

On a side note, not really related to Riley & Ryan, I have to tell a story that still makes me laugh out loud just thinking about it. Mom, Kevin and I were pulling some weeds in the backyard and all of a sudden Kevin jumped up and started swatting at something. It was a swarm of wasps attacking him. He ran so fast and screamed like a girl all the way to the front yard. Knowing that he's ok now, I can't help but laugh. It was like a scene from a movie - screaming like a little girl, waving his arms and running the fastest I've seen him run...I think EVER! :) He was stung 7 times, but he had no major reaction. Once we got over the initial worry, we laughed and laughed and laughed some more. Memories...


Web Albums Added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20080809Play2Grow
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20080809Washington

10 Months Old

We are 10 months old today and mommy is amazed at how fast time is flying by. We are enjoying our last full week in the Infant Class at school. Next week we move up to the T-Tots class. We are growing up and mommy is so proud of us. We are both clapping and Ryan is still on the verge of crawling...he's SO CLOSE!

Web Album Added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/2008080710MonthsOld

Aunt Heather & Uncle Brad Visit

Aunt Heather & Uncle Brad came to Atlanta for their 20th high school reunion. I can't believe it's been 20 years since they graduated! They had a great time at their reunion and then headed our way on Sunday morning. After the night we had returning from Rochester, we had a slow start, but we met them and Brad's (twin) sisters and husband and boyfriend for breakfast at The OK Cafe. It was nice to catch up with everyone.

We headed back to our house for nap time and when they got up we headed to lunch with Aunt Heather, Uncle Brad, Gramma & Grandaddy. We had a nice lunch and then came back to the house for a little time to visit. Aunt Heather had sent them Classical Baby DVD's and we had watched one of them, but we brought out all 3 that night. Ryan was mesmerized and watch all 3 30 minute DVD's. He LOVED them. There was Art, Dance and Music. We might just have a musician in the making??? Riley watched for a bit, but gave up after the first one and went to bed - no one was surprised - she has a hard time staying still.

After taking Heather & Brad to the airport we headed straight to bed for some much needed rest. Riley has been clapping for a couple of weeks now, but Ryan clapped last night for the first time. He was so proud of himself as we all were too! Riley also decided to conquer the stairs at our neighbor's house and made it up one step. Time for the gates at their house too! Tonight Riley & Ryan ate dinner with mommy and daddy at the table. They had their first taste of pot roast, potatoes and carrots and I have to say they did a great job! I think they enjoyed being at the table with us and did a great job of getting the food in their mouths. Sable & Sam enjoyed anything that didn't make it into their mouths! I think they will like this phase with all of the "treats" that Riley & Ryan will drop for them.

Web Album Added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20080803HeatherBradVisit

Our First Plane Trip

We went to Rochester last Wednesday to stay with Kevin's mom and to attend Tom & Jackie's wedding. I was a bit nervous about the whole plane / airport logistics, but I have to say we put a lot of thought into the "plan" and we arrived in Rochester without a hitch. Security was a bit challenging to maneuver with 2 babies, but we made it! Riley was the star of the plane and we were very lucky to have people all around us that loved babies. Ryan even took about a 45 minute nap. Whew! We survived. Grandma picked us up at the airport and we went straight to the bath tub once we arrived at her house to wash off all the yucky germs. Her neighbor let us borrow 2 pack-n-plays, 2 booster seats and a big crate of toys, so we were very fortunate to only have to bring the bare minimum with us.

On Thursday, Grandma's friend, Barb, came over to pay us a visit. She's been recovering from a knew replacement surgery and this was one of her first outings, so we were honored that she ventured out to see us. We went to lunch and took a walk by the Erie Canal just before an afternoon thunder shower began. It was a beautiful day and not too hot! A nice change from the blazing hot temperatures in Atlanta. That evening we went to the Rehearsal Dinner. Riley & Ryan were invited to join us, and they were great. We met Lilianna and were able to hang out with a group of Kevin's friends from high school. It was nice for everyone to meet the kiddos.

On Friday, we left for the wedding at noon, so Grandma's friends, Jackie & Rena, came over to help her watch the crazy kids all afternoon. Riley didn't have her best day - she was a bit fussy, but Ryan definitely charmed the pants off of all of them. He was in his glory having all the attention on him. Riley spent a lot of the day in the pack-n-play having "quiet time". She was sitting straight up and not moving a muscle. We think she was sleeping with her eyes closed. They kept checking on her and she continued to sit up, but the key was that she was quiet, so they let her have her time.

On Saturday, we went to visit the Russell family and Riley & Ryan were able to swing and hang out with Lilianna one last time. Ryan wasn't so sure about the swing at first, but decided he really liked it after just a little bit. We went to lunch again and then headed to the airport. Now I have to say I had no idea what we were in store for in the next few (um...10) hours. Had I known, I might have tried to sleep a little later on Saturday morning and prayed for major patience! :) We left Rochester about 30 minutes late, but everything was going fine until we were about 30 minutes from landing in Atlanta. The pilot came on the speaker and told us the Atlanta Airport was closed due to weather and we would be making a stop in Chattanooga. We landed in Chattanooga and stayed on the ground about an hour. Riley and Ryan were just plain bored. We could only feed them so much, sing so many songs, and play with the handful of toys we brought for only so long. We walked the aisles while we were on the ground and then we were off again...still not so bad. When we first boarded the flight, I was wiping everything down and so worried about all the germs, but by the end I looked at Riley and she was literally chewing on the seatbelt buckle and I didn't care - she was happy! Riley slept for about 20 minutes on the way to Atlanta and we landed without a hitch. We were about 2.5 hours later than we should have been, but all things considered we were doing ok. We headed to baggage claim and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited along with everyone else on our plane. At this point it's close to 11pm and we are all very tired. Did I mention that there were about 25 kids on the plane? I've never seen so many kids... The bottom line is none of our luggage ever made it on the plane, so each of us had to file a claim. A lot of people very angry standing in line is not a fun place to be. It was so unorganized and no one from the airline knew what to tell us to do. To say we were frustrated is an understatement. Riley & Ryan didn't sleep until we got in the car at 12:15am. We left Grandma's house for the airport earlier that day at 2:45 - almost 10 hours in transit. We could have driven from Rochester in just a few hours longer! When we arrived home at 12:45, several neighbors were outside and let us know that the power had just come back on about 5 minutes before we arrived. Had I walked into my house after the day we had and there been no power, I might have had a major meltdown. It felt better than I imagined to sleep in my own bed and our luggage was delivered to our house the next afternoon. Our first plane trip with the kiddos was definitely an adventure!

Web Albums Added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20080730Rochester
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20080731TomJackieSRehearsalDinner