Visit to Kingsport

We took the boys last weekend to Kingsport to visit Mimi and Poppy along with the Morgans.  The boys quickly remembered where we were, although none of us were expecting to see the yard in the shape that it was.  My parents house has a wall at the bottom of the hill.  It has been there for at least 40 years.  However, time was not good to the wall.  There is a large sycamore tree on the edge of the property near one side of the wall.  Over time, the root system of the tree went underneath the wall and in February, it toppled part of the concrete over.  At the beginning of August, Mimi and Poppy had the construction of a replacement wall begin.  It was not done when we arrived.  Talk about a mess.  Lots of earth had been moved, walking on the sidewalk hadn't been restored, the wall hadn't been completed or painted.  A backhoe as well as an excavator were stationed on the property.  People would slow down when they drove by just to check it out.  Mimi and Poppy said that the traffic slowing down to look at the yard reminded them of yards that go Griswald for Christmas.

Even with all of the yard work, we had a good visit.  The boys crawled and cruised everywhere.  They did show off their walking abilities to Mimi and Poppy.  Cousin Kate really enjoyed playing with them.  She is such a good big cousin.  Here are some pictures from our visit:

Kate preparing the birthday cake for Craig and Janet.

Kate showing off her dance skillz while Mark watches.

Jack looks out and views the status of rebuilding the wall while Mark turns his back to the carnage.

Jack gets a book read to him by Mimi while Macy and Aunt Janet listen in.

All four grandkids in Mimi's lap.  Everyone is loving this.

Poppy shows off his youngest grandchild...Macy.

Mimi and Mark tickle the ivories and play some good music.

"Mimi, the note you missed is right here.  Let's do it again."  - Mark

Jack is walking

First it was Mark.  Now, Jack is getting into the spirit.  He started walking on August 20.  We were on the way to Kingsport to see Mimi and Poppy for the weekend.  Furthermore, Aunt Janet and Uncle Jarett were bringing Kate and Macy up as well.  We went to celebrate Aunt Janet's birthday (August 15), Mimi and Poppy's 41st anniversary (August 23), and Daddy's birthday (August 29).

We stopped off in Winston-Salem to see Ben and Jenn Crawford and their kids, Lydia and Jay.  While we were at their house, Jack took his first couple of steps.  Unfortunately, we weren't expecting this and we don't have it on video.  But here is a picture with the two lifelong friends and their offspring:

From left:  Lydia, Jay, Jenn, Jack, Heather, and Mark

1 year checkup

I know the boys are 13 months old today, but due to some scheduling conflicts, the boys one year doctor's checkup was not till Friday afternoon.  We got a very good report.  The boys are growing and developing as expected.  Here are the updated information about them:

Jack:

Height - 29.75 inches (45th percentile)
Weight - 22 lbs 14.5 ounces (50th percentile)
Head size - > 97th percentile

Mark

Height - 28 inches (3rd percentile)
Weight - 18 lbs 12.5 ounces (3rd percentile)
Head size - 75th percentile

Random pictures of the boys

Here are some pictures of the boys taken in the past couple of weeks since they turned one.

Are we playing in crib or are we in jail?  We sure look like we have on prison garb.  - Jack

This has to be a crib.  We are having a lot of fun playing in here.  - Mark

I don't usually get to play in Jack's crib.  This rocks! - Mark

If I smile, will you give me some food?  - Mark

Mark, I think they spiked my bottle.  I am seeing three of you.  - Jack

Daddy, when can we go out and play?  Soon, please, PLEASE!!!  - Jack

Now Mark, this is how you push this train engine around.  Are you watching?  - Jack

Look at all of that fun stuff that I can do outside.  This is going to be so much fun.  - Jack

Mommy and Mark smile in front of the camera. 

Jack needed to prop a leg up to get some better sleeping.  Is he dreaming of more pacifiers?

Mark points to the next bottle as Jack is drooling just waiting to drink it.

As Jack studies a cup, Mark shows off his strength by holding up the boat, while their good friend Scott stares as the chimes at the corner of the house. 

Storytime

In the past few days, Mark has really taken an interest in getting books read to him.  There are times where Mommy will read a book to him while Mark sits in her lap.  After the book has been finished, he will leave Mommy's lap and crawl over to Daddy's lap and want him to read the same book to him.  He will go back and forth 10 or 15 times.  It is so cute.  Here are a couple pictures of Mark being read to:

Mark is really intrigued by this book.

Next up, Daddy reads the same book to Mark.

It shouldn't end like this

One of the biggest areas of child development that we are working on right now is eating table food.  Some meals are good, some are bad.  The boys are now eating carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, squash (not real well), as well as several fruits.  Well, on this particular afternoon, Jack and Mark were eating peas.  Or should I say putting their peas on the floor before putting them in their mouth.  Look for yourself.

OK, who threw their peas onto the floor?

Was it you Mark?  Don't tell me you don't know.

Jack, that sweet smile won't get you out not admitting you threw the peas to the ground.  Was it you Jack?

Hey brother, we got away with it.  - Mark

Mark, we got them.  Ha ha!  - Jack

Lookin' for Love at Daycare

Look at the boys at daycare.  This picture was taken last week.  They look so cute.  They must have all the little girls at daycare eating out of the hand.

The first steps for one of the boys

We knew that we were going to get to this day sometime.  In fact, we knew it was coming any day now.  Well, on Tuesday, it happened.  One of our kids took his first steps.  That's right.  We have a walker.  Mark took his first steps yesterday.  We got some of them on video.  Check out our little boy.



Don't worry about Jack.  He is almost there as well.  He will be walking in no more than a week or two.  He can stand by himself and is almost ready to walk.