Roamin' Wyomin'

Sam and Nate got to make their first trip to Wyoming in November. They were hoping to experience some good ol' cold weather, but it was actually warmer there than in Virginia. The wind did blow pretty hard one day while we were out walking by the river, giving both boys rosy cheeks for the rest of the trip. The boys especially enjoyed getting to spend so much time with GiGi and PaPa. There was a small set of stairs between the living room and kitchen, and both Sam and Nate spent a lot of their time figuring out how to climb up and down. Sam got pretty good at going both ways, but Nate was a little hesitant to go down. Overall, we really enjoyed getting to see GiGi and PaPa, as well as some old friends. We are looking forward to the next visit, which will hopefully be in the summer.

All dressed up for their first visit to Boyd Avenue Baptist Church.

Walking with Mom, Dad and GiGi while PaPa went jogging along the Platte River.

Sam and Nate posing with GiGi and PaPa before the Christmas party on Sunday.

Sam and Nate checking out the back patio, and leaving plenty of finger prints on the window.

You knew this day was coming

And in my opinion, it was long overdue. Sam and Nate got their first haircuts today at Staples Barber Shop from Jason, the coolest barber in Charlottesville. Not only that, but he is a twin, too! Both boys were great sports and sat very still for Jason. They got certificates and a special envelope for their hair clippings. What they really wanted was a sucker, but that will have to wait. They both look more handsome than ever, and Nathaniel was surprised to actually see his parents and brother clearly for the first time in over a month!

Best Buddies

One of the best things about watching Sam and Nate grow up is to see them enjoy each other more and more. This is their new game while in their high chairs ... no, the parents didn't stage this one! :)

If you want something bad enough ...

"Nathaniel, did you go around your brother?"

"No ..."

"Did you scoot next to your brother?"

"No..."

"Did you wait your turn behind your brother?"

"No..."

"Then, how did you get to that toy you wanted?"

First Leaf Pile

Sam and Nathaniel experienced their first leaf pile this afternoon. Sam was quite amused from the start, but Nathaniel was very cautious and even downright upset about the whole thing. We'll have many more opportunities for playing in the leaves before winter comes!

At their 9 month appointment, the boys were measured, and here are the latest stats:

Sam = 28.75 in (75%), 21 lb, 13.8 oz (75%)
Nathaniel = 29.75 in (90%), 24 lb, 12.4 oz (95%)

They're growing in leaps and bounds, but now that they're mobile, we'll probably see their growth begin to slow down or plateau. That would mean relief for our joints, as we tote them up and down the stairs!

A lot can happen in 276 days

Sam and Nate have waited patiently, they've watched the calendar, and the big day has finally arrived. While everyone around them was buzzing with anticipation over the election of a new president, they quietly turned 9 months old. So what has happened in the last 276 days? Let's hear from Sam and Nate:

"Well, we now prefer feeding ourselves to being fed. If we see something we want, we just go over and get it. We sleep through the night. We are more entertained by each other than by anyone else (except Dad). We can hold our own bottles (when we feel like it). Collectively, we weigh almost 50 pounds. We barely fit in 12 month clothes. We wear big boy shoes. We have teeth. We talk to each other using a language only we can interpret."

Thanks guys, that's a pretty impressive list. Gina and I are continually thankful that God put Sam and Nate in our family. They are more of a joy to us each day, and we can't wait to see what they can do in the coming months and years.

Grease is the word

Gina and I got to spend our first Halloween with the boys today. We went to the Lawn, where there were many, many kids, parents and Wahoos showing off their costumes and eating candy. Sam and Nate didn't get any candy this time, but they got lots of compliments for being the coolest kids on the Lawn. The stroller has been renamed Greased Lightnin' until further notice.

Dedicating Sam and Nathaniel to the Lord

On Sunday, October 26th, we publicly dedicated Samuel and Nathaniel to the Lord, as part of our congregation's worship service. Joe, Katie, and Ella were able to join us, as was our good friend Flo.

At the end of the service, the church welcomed new members, and then Elder Don Brubaker called us to the front. He invited our home group and family members to stand with us. Curby shared a few words (and made everyone laugh, of course!), and I also spoke briefly. The boys desperately wanted the microphone, as you can see...

We were encouraged by Don's words, and our home group gathered around to pray over us as a family--thank you, Dawn, for leading us in prayer. Afterward, Don shared Scriptures that the Holy Spirit brought to mind for us: Psalm 112 and Psalm 113.

Orange and Blue, through and through

Thanks Mom, for putting us in these AWESOME outfits! We can't read yet, but if Dad likes it then we like it!

Eight months and more dapper than ever

Sam and Nate turned 8 months old yesterday, and as you can seen from the picture, they decided to change up the usual arrangement of the bears, blocks and balls. Our informal measurements (me holding them while on the bathroom scale) show that Sam is about 21.4 pounds, and Nate is a whopping 23.2. Gina and I have the sore back to prove it. Earlier this week, Same and Nate were practicing their best Rebel Without a Cause impersonations. 

"You ever been in a chickie-run?"

"I don't want any trouble."

Lucky 7

On September 3, the boys reached the seven month milestone. So, how have things changed now that they are 7 months old? Well, they are consistently sleeping through the night, which is a huge blessing for Gina and me. They aren't quite crawling, but they worm around on their bellies and manage to get to just about anything they have in their sights. They can almost drink from a sippy cup, though they usually just chew on the spout. They can also pick up little snacks and put them in their mouths. Unfortunately for Nate, he doesn't have teeth yet so he ends up sucking on them. Sam can kind of chew, but it takes him awhile. The boys are also very happy because 7 is the number of their dad's all-time favorite football player, John Elway.

We celebrated with a trip to Mom's office in our new stroller/trailer. The sun was pretty bright that day, so we had to wear shades.

Sam successfully wedged himself in between the couch and the lounge chair.

And Nate was rockin' the cool hairdo, as always. I think I had that hairstyle in junior high.

New Toys for Big Boys

One thing I have always wanted to get is a baby bike trailer. Even before I was married, I used to imagine how cool it would be carting my children all over town in a little weather-proof trailer that hooks to my bike. When my friend Mike got one for his twin girls a few years back, that sealed the deal. On a couple of occasions, I actually thought about buying one to keep in reserve for when I finally did have kids. There was even a space in our garage in Wyoming that I thought was perfect for storing a baby bike trailer.

Well, fast forward to 2008. Gina and I finally got a baby bike trailer for Sam and Nate! I researched this for weeks, and I'm pretty sure I drove Gina crazy trying to choose the perfect trailer. We settled on one that I think is pretty rad, and I'm sure Sam and Nate like it too. I set it up in the living room and wheeled it around the downstairs. Then today I took them for their first stroll--in the rain--to see how it works. They were snug and dry as a bone when we got home. Me? Basically soaked. The next step is to hook that bad boy up to my bike and cruise around Charlottesville, but we have to wait until they are a little older and have bike helmets. There will definitely be pictures, and maybe even video, of that momentous event.

Gina also found a pair of baby backpacks on Craigslist. I wasn't sure about this at first, but after lugging these 20 pounders to The Corner (about a mile walk) in a Baby Bjorn on Sunday, I gave her the green light. We only walked around the yard, but it seems very easy to use and not nearly as brutal on my back as that other contraption.

On a side note, one of our Baby Bjorns (which is a knock-off) has a built in fanny pack, and Gina tells me I look ultra-cool in a fanny pack. That's right ... I'm bringing sexy back!

The 'Villes are Alive

I think this is the hardest we've ever heard Nate laugh. And to think this all started with Gina singing a song from Grease 2. Well, we may not be the von Trapp family, but music sure does seem to get the boys all revved up.

Seriously, Dad ...

... if you're going to dress us, at least find clothes that fit.

And what's up with this hairdo?

Just stick to the guitar, and everything will be just fine.

"I don't care if Thomas Jefferson loved peas ..."

I guess one thing we can say about Sam is that he will not hold back from telling us what he thinks about food.

Lone Star State of Mind

The boys are now in their sixth day of being in Texas, and I think they are having a pretty good time. They have already been to Roanoke, Garland, La Grange and Merit, and they still have a trip to Shreveport on the schedule. The flight over here was actually pretty brutal, so we are hoping the flight back will be much better. Here are a few pics of our adventures so far.

A Flock of Babies

The video says it all. Sorry the audio and video are out of sync.

Teeth!

You read this right. Sam has cut two teeth already. Gina shrieked, "Curby, oh my gosh, get in here!" I thought she had dropped one of them on his head, or something, but what I found was even more surprising. One little tooth poking its way through the gum. Now there are two teeth, and I'm suddenly afraid to put my finger in Sam's mouth ... not that I did that very often before he had teeth. Isn't it funny that babies' ability to pick things up and put them in their mouths develops right around the same time they get teeth? God does have a sense of humor.

5 months old

This is a little late (12 days), but since the last post Sam and Nate have turned the big 5-M-O. As you can see, they are both getting pretty tired of this monthly "line us up on the couch with the same toys" routine, but Mom and Dad persist. Maybe next time I will post their six month pictures when they are actually 7 months old. ;-) Sorry for being so late.