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.

Big Boys

Last Thursday, the boys had their four month check up. We know they're getting big, but we didn't realize just how big they are! Both Samuel and Nathaniel are in the 85th percentile for weight, at 17 lb 4 oz and 17 lb 3 oz, respectively. (Yes, Sam has now surpassed his brother, after having been one pound less than him at birth!) Nathaniel is in the 90th percentile for height, at 26 1/4 inches. Sam is in the 85th percentile, at 26 1/8 inches. We thank the Lord for our strong, healthy boys.
They are still sleeping through the night and wake up refreshed and happy. We'll see how they do on their first real trip--we're going to Williamsburg on Wednesday, where we'll meet PaPa and GiGi and go to Busch Gardens. On Friday, we're going to Alexandria, where we'll all do a big family portrait with Joe, Katie, and Ella. Then on Saturday, we'll celebrate Ella's first birthday! We praise God for Ella's health and her adorable personality.

First Father's Day

Today--Sunday, June 15th--marks a very special occasion. It is Curby's first Father's Day, and our precious Samuel and Nathaniel have a heartfelt message to share:

Not a creature was stirring, not even Nate

Yes, you read this correctly. Sam and Nate both slept through the night with no crying last night. We are not expecting this to continue forever, but it sure was nice. I actually woke up before them and finished my first cup of coffee before there were any stirrings. Gina and I both commented on how we both feel like ourselves ... sort of. I think a part of us--a large part--will never be the same, but I now have a much deeper understanding of the power of good sleep.

Four months old

Well, a lot has happened in the last month. First, Nate and Sam got a visit from Granny and Granddad over Memorial Day weekend, and it was their first time to meet Granddad. They got to visit Richmond for the first time, and they went strawberry picking. They almost got to go swimming for the first time, but the weather didn't exactly cooperate, and it was getting late.

Besides getting to do some new things, they are also learning some new tricks. They both can almost roll over from their backs to their stomachs, though Nate seems to be a little more determined than Sam. I guess he has the eye of the tiger. They also learned how to bounce in the Johnny Jump-up. They don't really bounce yet, but they do sway back and forth and giggle a lot. This was the first month they could try rice cereal, which was not a hit with either of the boys. I think they are holding out for ice cream. Then there is the stroller. They don't have to stay in their car seats in the stroller anymore. They get to ride facing forward like big boys. As you can tell, the excitement was more than Nate could stand.

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The fourth month was a wonderful time of learning new things and exploring God's wonderful world. They can hardly wait to see what their fifth month will hold, though their dad has mentioned something about roller coasters. Shhh, don't tell Mom.

GiGi on the News

Unless you live in Casper, WY, you probably were not able to see GiGi's feature story on the news. K2, the local news station, ran a human interest story on EB, the rare skin disorder our beautiful niece Ella has. I edited the video down to just GiGi's interview. You can see the entire hour-long newscast on the K2 website, if you are interested in what's going on in Casper.

Three months old

One Month


Two Months


Three Months

What a difference 90 days makes! And to think we were worried about them losing weight for awhile. Gina and I can hardly believe we've made it to this point, and we are wondering where the time went. Wasn't it just last week that I sent out an e-mail saying they've been born? We are amazed at how they are growing, and we thank the Lord for his provision for us and for putting Sam and Nate in our family.

'Hoo Loves Virginia?

Pick me! Pick me! Is there any question that Curby loves Virginia? Almost immediately upon arriving for the first time, I was quite taken with the place. So, it should come as no surprise that I stopped by Wal-Mart after taking GiGi to the airport to splurge on something that will pass that love on to Sam and Nate. I mean, they will look back one day and be able to say they were born at UVA Medical Center while their mom and dad were attending graduate school there. If that doesn't put a little orange and blue in the blood, I don't know what will. Now, whether or not Gina and I can afford to send them here in 18 years is another story! But for now we are having a ball dressing them up, showing them off and watching them grow and develop by the day.

Gussied up

Same and Nate decided to wear their new overall outfits from GiGi to the Curry School of Education picnic. They even had shoes, like the big boys wear. Mom and Dad were pretty enamored by how cute they looked, but you wouldn't expect anything different. Pictures will be coming soon of them wearing their new Hawaiian shirt outfits.

Back to the Future

Wouldn't it be nice if Gina and I were done with our dissertations and thinking ahead to the next stop on our journey? Apparently that is what I have been thinking sub-consciously because I mistakenly labeled one of the albums on our PicasaWeb "April 2009." So, you are not in a time warp. I just didn't pay attention. Sam and Nate, as you can see from this picture, seem to be generally disinterested in the whole concept of semantics.

They grow up so fast

I didn't think this day would get here so fast, but it looks like Sam and Nate are already trying to impress the ladies. Big thanks go out to Uncle Clay and Aunt Gail for sending the boys their sunglasses.

He is risen indeed!

Sam and Nate got to attend church at Christ Community today for the first time. Mom and Dad got up at 7:30 so they could bathe and dress us. We think they also planned on exchanging cards for Easter, but they didn't get to that. We got to wear our special Easter outfits GiGi and Paw Paw got for us, including some little blue shoes. This was the first time we ever wore shoes, and we didn't even cry when Dad put them on for us. The people at church were really nice and made quite a fuss over us. We slept through all of the music, then decided we needed some food when the preacher got up to talk. Nate let out a very loud burp, and then started to grunt and cry during the closing prayer. Mom and Dad are very happy to be able to celebrate Easter with us because it represents new life and eternal hope, things very important to them. We're just glad Jesus put us in this family, and we can't wait until next Easter when we get to help Dad eat all the candy.

What could be cuter than a smiling baby?

... two smiling babies!