My Kissing Babes

BEST. NEWS. EVER!

I was pretty excited when the boys learned to crawl. And was really happy when they learned to stand up on their own.. but this one made me CRY!

For about 2 days I kept asking the boys to give me a kiss- and up until now, they always would push my face away and turn their head.. (Typical boys!)
BUT, as of yesterday, when you say 'Give me a kiss'... they open their mouth and lean in toward your lips!! SOOOOOO Amazing! They have done it for me, brad and my mom!

It's so so exciting! They are able to connect a word to an action, they repeat it whenever I say it, it is like they are communicating with us now!
WOW- I can't stop smiling when they do this!!

<3

I LOVE Halloween!!

I think it is so much fun that an entire holiday is based around candy and pretending to be someone/something you're not!

 

So, here they are! Pumpkin Cookies!

Granted, they are not pumpkin flavor, just good-ole Sugar cookies, but it doesn't make them any less delicious!

 

 

This week has been so fun!

The boys have been great and we have found so many new things to do each day!

 

 

Monday, we put on our Halloween costumes and did a 'test' run in them!

I was able to get tons of adorable pictures in a pumpkin patch!

Here is a little preview::

 

Tuesday, was a rainy rainy day- from about 7:30am-3pm.

Because of the rain, the boys and I were trapped inside ALL day.

 

 

But, we managed to find some things to keep us entertained!

Walker Races!! -It takes just as long to set them up and keep them at the 'starting line' as it does for them to walk across the living room! But it is totally worth it - at least for me :)

 

 

Wednesday, I took the boys to the Library!

they LOVED how open it was and they were able to crawl and walk all over the place!

They also made a few friends :D

 

At the library, I decided to get 3 Disney movies and to have a Disney marathon with the boys!

So, we watched Pocahontas while we ate lunch!

 

 

This is the outcome of Mommy singing a song from Pocahontas.

Not. Impressed.  -- But they were in love with mommy's Ziti!

 

Thursday we went to the Park with Grammy Pammy!

They were having SO much fun swinging!!

 

Tomorrow, Friday, is going to be a prett quiet day, which I think we all need!

 

Happy Thursday!

<3

 



October Fly-By

I can't believe how fast this month is going. I know it has been a few weeks since I have last update you all on the boys and i'm so sorry!

It seems like everyday the boys get more active and busy and I get more exhausted!

 

So, let's see;:

 

2 weekends ago;  October 14th

 

We drove down to Martinsville for their annual Fall Foiliage Festival!

We go every year and hang out with TONs of great friends! Brad was on-call for work, so we were lucky enough that he is able to drive his work truck while he is on-call, so we packed up the boys' car seats in his truck!

 

We got to M-ville around noon- just in time to grab some food and head out to watch the parade!

While eating, our friends child was on the floor eating..and the poor kid didn't know what was coming. Blake and Eli zoomed over to him and double teamed him. Blake grabbed his hot dog and Eli grabbed his banana.. :-/   And yes, we fed the boys right before we got there! It was 2 against 1 for the food, and I hate to say, but our boys won.

 

 

Watching the parade was so great! It was the boys' first parade and they did so good! Brad and I both expected them to freak out with the sirens and loud noises..but they had so much fun!

 

Every time a marching band passed us, they sat staring at them and bouncing up and down :)

They LOVED these wicker rocking chairs!

They rocked themselves and were laughing so hard!

(Thanks Chaplin's for the pictures!)

 

What a great day!

 

The following week was Brad and my 2nd wedding anniversary!

We couldn't do anything super special that evening- plus Brad was playing in Pacer's drumline that night.. but Brad did surprise me during the day!

 

Beautiful flowers!! :)

 

Other than the anniversary, our week was pretty low key.

they love reading books!

 

This past weekend, Brad parents took the boys for us and my mom took Winny for us and Brad and I were able to get away from life for 24 hours!

 

We took a trip down to Brown County. We reserved a camp site and went camping for the night!

 

It was 'peak season' for the tree colors down there and it was BEAUTIFUL.

We spent all day saturday walking around the shops and art festival. Ate a late lunch and headed back to our camp site to set up our tent.

 

Then we headed back out to do more exploring.

We walked and walked, drank hot apple cider and walked some more!

It was just so relaxing to be able to take your time in stores and not worry about rushing home for nap time or feeding- or having to leave because you have fussy babies.. *sigh*

 

We roasted hot dogs and smores for dinner and just hung out under the stars for the night!

It was FREEZING but luckily we packed heavily in the blanket department :)

 

In the morning we woke up to the sunrise- (later than 5:30!!haha)

and grabbed some yummy breakfast.

After breakfast we came back and went Zip Lining!

OMG so scary! I was shaking so hard..but it was such a thrill!

Brad loved it more than me- which really surprised me!

 

We packed up our tent after the zip lining and headed back to reality.

 

I think Brad's parents really liked having the boys for such a long period of time, but they looked EXHAUSTED when we left!

It is kind of nice now that someone knows what my 'job' entails everyday. I know a lot of people think I just get to sit around and play all day...but it isn't quite that simple ;)

 

Both Eli and Blake have 6 teeth now! They have 4 top teeth and 2 bottom teeth!

They eat EVERYTHING. And are starting to get really good at using sippy cups!

 

We have really been working on walking and both boys have taken a lot of steps on their own!

We get the to stand up and let go-- they stand up so well on their own! Then they slowly take a step!

Both of them have now taken 2 steps in a rown on their own!-followed by falling on their butt haha.

But they are sooo close!

 It is so much fun watching them learn how to put one foot in front of the other! I know i'm really in trouble once they pick it up.... We will be spending as much time as possible outside haha.

 

Whew! And now October is almost over except for the most exciting holiday!

HALLOWEEN!!

I can't wait to show you all the boys in their costumes!

 

<3

 

 

 

 

 



Weekend Fun

 

This weekend has been so fantastic!

 

 

Saturday we went out to Beasley's Orchard.

It was their big Fall Festival, so we picked up my mom and packed up the boys to have some fun!

 

 

We had such a great time! It was so nice to be out with the boys all afternoon and not have to worry about the sun or their eyes.

They LOVED looking around at everything!

It is also so nice to have pictures of the boys OUTSIDE.  Almost every picture of the boys we have are of them being inside because of their eyes.

It was just the perfect afternoon.

 

 

 

 It has been SO cold out recently, but we still love to take the boys on their daily wagon rides around the neighborhood!

We get super bundled up and they still love it! Even with cold cheeks :)

 

 

These boys LOVE walking around too! I can't believe they are only 8 months for how much they are walking around!

They just recently started walking together with their walker and I thought it was so sweet!

And bathtime is the most fun!

 

They have such a blast splashing and crawling in the water!

 

 

Today, Brad's momma came up and relieved us from our parenting duties for a few hours!

Brad and I got to leave and eat lunch, walk around a gardening shop, do a little more shopping that we wanted to do. - You know, the things we used to do everyday before we had kids ;)

 

The boys are SUPER chatty now! They are getting louder and louder and talking more and more. They stand up all the time - not holding on to Anything!

 

And, as of the 8 month mark, I made a big decision.

We have stopped eating most of our jar baby food/ purees.

The boys are officially eating adult food, human food, ANY food.

Mac & Cheese

Mashed Potatoes

Grilled Cheese

Green Beans

Ritz Crackers

Oatmeal with Cinnamon

Pears

Bananas

 

We keep trying meats, but they really do not like them.

They don't even want to eat off a spoon anymore- they only want to feed themselves!

Such big boys! Sometimes I feel like they are more like 10-11 month olds!

 

ALSO_- As of today, Blake has 4 top teeth! He has 6 teeth in that little mouth of his!

 

So  much happening in such little bodies!

 

Happy Sunday!



Gluten Free

As I said earlier, we have gone Gluten Free in our house as a trial run. We are hoping that it will help solve a lot of brad's pains.

 

So far, we have actually had a lot of fun with it! We love trying new foods and cooking techniques, and I am truly enjoying trying new forms of baking!

 

 

Our first time making pasta.

 

Fettucini Alfredo

 

 

Homemade GF Pasta

1/3 cup Tapioca Flour

1/3 cup Cornstarch

2 TBL Potato Starch

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 TBL Xanthan Gum

2 lrg. Eggs

1 TBL Vegetable Oil

Combine flours, salt and xanthan gum. Beat eggs lightly and add oil.

Pour egg into flour mixture and stir.

Work together into a firm ball. Knead a minute or two.

Roll out as thin as possible.

You should be able to see the table through the dough.

Slice into noodle shape or lasagna sheets.

Book in boiling water for 10-20 minutes depending on thickness of pasta.

We used Classico Alfredo Sauce (Store bought). It is GF and delicious!

 

Sooo Good.

 

 

 

We have also made pizza!

 

Thin Crust GF Pizza

 

1 1/2 tsp. Instant Yeast

1 cup Warm Water

1 tsp. Sugar

2/3 cup Rice Flour

1/3 Potato Starch

1 TBL Tapioca

1 1/2 tsp. Melted Shortening

1 tsp. Salt

 

Combine yeast, warm water and sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes for yeast to bloom.

Add remaining ingredients until well combined.

It isn't a dough. It's a 'paste'.

You will pour the paste onto a baking sheet and spread it out to the shape you want the pizza.

 

Place into a 425degree oven until it is firm, but not browned.

Pull out of oven and add toppings.

 

Place back in oven until cheese is melted!

 

Yumm. It was SO good!

 

We decided to take a chance on Yeast Donuts next!

 

 

GF Yeast Donuts

 

2 1/2 cups AP Gluten Flour

1 1/2 tsp. Xanthan Gum

1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt

1/4 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1/4 tsp. Baking Soda

1/4 cup Sugar

2 1/2 tsp. Instant Yeast

1/2 tsp. Ground Nutmeg

1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Egg + 1 Egg White

9oz. Milk

4 TBL Butter

 

Warm milk and butter to simmer. Let cool until it reaches 110degrees (No hotter) Then add the yeast into the warm milk.

In a mixer, combine flour, xanthan gum, salt, cream of tartar, soda, sugar and nutmeg.

In separate bowl, beat eggs and vinegar together.

Pour egg mixture into flour mixture.

Then pour in the milk/yeast mixture.

 

Mix on low. Dough will be wet. Add a few more TBL of Flour until it is slightly sticky but not firm.

Knead.

Roll out dough and cut into donut shapes.

Place on pan and allow to rise (1hour) in warm spot.

 

Heat your deep fryer or oil in a pan. (Needs to be around 350 degrees)

Gently pick up a risen donut and drop in oil.

Once the bottom side is browned, flip over in oil.

Pull out of oil and dry on paper towels.

Once dry but still warmed, dip or pour the donut glaze over.

 

Donut Glaze

 

2 cups Powdered Sugar

1/4 cup Milk

1 tsp. Vanilla

 

Whisk together.

So good!

 

 

And, we had a birthday party to attend, so I decided to make a GF cake!

 

I will admit, I did not make the cake from scratch.
I used Pamela's GF Chocolate Cake Mix.

 

 

I did make my own Chocolate Buttercream though!

WOW. SO delicious and incredibly sweet!

 

 

 



8 Months!!

Happy 8 Month Birthday!!!!!

 

I know I say it all the time, but I cannot believe they are already 8 months old!

 

Only 4 months till their first birthday! I better get planning for that party ;)

 

 

Not a lot of new 'milestones' have happened these past few weeks.

They are practically running across the living room- they will stand up behind the walker and take off! It's so much fun to watch! Hopefully they will be walking around soon!!

 

One new thing is that we are offically eating table food.

 

The past 2 weeks or so they just can't seem to get enough to eat..

 

They are taking 8oz bottles (4 times a day)

and eating 3 jars of baby food each (a day)

 

So, in order to scale back the formula intake.. we started big-people food!

 

Sunday they had:

-applesauce/jello and hot dog ( I don't think they loved the hot dog, but they really liked the jello!)

 

Yesterday I gave them:

-Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal for breakfast

-Mac & Cheese for lunch

-Refried beans and Squash for dinner

 

They seemed to really enjoy it all! They love chewing up foods -- they are really starting to get frustrated being stuck in their high chairs getting spoon fed- they only want to feed themselves! Such big boys.

 

Also, we started drinking 1/2 milk, 1/2 formula out of a straw cup.

Blake is really really good at sucking out of a straw and Eli is slowing getting there.

By the end of the day, Blake was a pro at drinking from a straw!

 

We had such a HUGE weekend this past weekend.

 

Saturday was Brad's family had a 50th birthday party. We were so proud of the boys.

They slept during the 1hour drive to the party and stayed awake for 5 hours playing and laughing! Hardly ever getting fussy. IMPRESSIVE.

 

They just started staying up longer and longer this past week.

It is making us change our schedule around to allow them to push themselves longer hours and take their naps down to 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

 

Sunday my mom drove the boys and I up to goshen to celebrate a 50th birthday in my family!

it was a LONG drive. The boys are not huge fans of being trapped in a car for 3 hours...especially when you add another 3 hours for the drive home.

But, again they did amazing-- 2 days in a row with tons of people, activity and little naps.

 

They had a little fussiness but all together, they played very nicely and it was so great seeing my family !!!

(Taking a break from the party)

 

 

(Wagon ride with cousin Ella!)