Mobility

Mobility.  Ten years ago it complicated twinlife.  Today we are constantly on the go.  June is a hectic month with end of school events, end of year recitals, and baseball playoffs.  Between my work schedule this weekend and all of the kids' activities, we needed to recruit grandparents to get everyone where they need to be - and no one has time to eat lunch!

Ten years ago in June we somewhat spontaneously bought a new house, and I'm reflecting on this post from back then, thinking about that first year in our old house.  It's surreal to me, a lifetime ago, yet these words bring the images back clearly.  I can only wonder where I will be writing ten years from now... and where my children's mobility will have taken them.

10 months old
Date: 06/08/2008

There are new pictures in both the May and June albums.

We have had a busy few weeks. The warm weather means summer activity, and our deck is now a kiddy haven. We set up a small sandbox and baby pool, and we covered them both with a tent for shade. Now we can play outside at any time of the day.

We also visited both sets of grandparents. G-ma and G-pa Turner took us to a big pool for Memorial Day. We all enjoyed Megan and Ryan's distinct personalities while they ate their Puffs. Megan daintily ate one at a time; Ryan grabbed an entire pile to try to shove them in his mouth. Swimming in the pool is similar. Ryan splashes fervently. Megan lounges in our arms. At Granna and Grampa Hawley's house the babies had the chance to see some horses and to ride in a bug swing, which Megan absolutely loved.

We were also fortunate to have a visit from Uncle Matt, who attended music class. He has been the only uncle to join our class since we started last September! Uncle Matt saw many changes in Megan and Ryan since his last visit at Christmas. In fact, both have changed a lot in just the last three weeks.

Megan is officially crawling, and just today she conquered the step between the kitchen and family room. Tonight she also pulled herself up in her crib, which means Rick and I have to lower the bed again. (Sigh.) Ryan is pretty mobile with his rolling. He is now on his hands and knees and rocking. Based on our experience with Megan, we think he will be crawling within three weeks. I have to laugh at him when he looks at her mobility, tries to move himself like he is in a pool (using a breast stroke kick), and then screams in frustration. Her mobility has also created interesting situations where she will crawl across the room and take a toy from him. Sharing is not what it used to be in this house; Ryan doesn't like his big sister to take his toys from him anymore!

Rick and I are trying to keep up with the two of them. Megan is fast, though, and we often find her in the bathroom or under the bed shortly after we put her on the floor of our room in the morning. (This is part of our morning routine while Rick and I get ready for the day.)

They are eating more and more "real" foods. Yesterday we all ate dinner together - turkey burger and chicken from the grill, veggies, and cheese. I think they found the family dinner exciting, and they liked eating the same things as Mama and Daddy. Of course, since they are feeding themselves, the kitchen floor is constantly in need of cleaning - and so are Megan and Ryan! Cheerios are their new favorite food, and, at least for now, they will calm any mini-tantrum. Who knew that Cheerios were a miracle food???

We cannot believe that they are already ten months. The summer will bring bigger changes - more mobility, weaning, and, we hope, increased verbal ability. I hope we can stay on top of both of them!