Merry and Bright

We couldn't be more thankful for what Santa has brought us this Christmas; two little boys, happy and healthy. We are looking forward to watching the boys tear into and eat wrapping paper without a care for what is inside. For us though, it's not about the gifts inside, it's about the gift of joy and happiness that our family will share this holiday.

We wish all of our family and friends near and far a very Merry Christmas and the happiest New Year.

P.S. Look for one of my New Year's Goals... to post more on our blog!

So I remember several months ago wishing the boys would do more than just lay around. Then they started rolling and I thought to myself "mobile babies aren't as bad as everyone says". Well now we are crawling, climbing, and walking with support, and I think to myself sometimes out loud "please just lay around again". Bryce and Owen are into everything, mostly things the are not supposed to be in. Owen has managed to figure out how to climb stairs and Bryce has figured out how to move the baby gate so he can go wherever he wants. They have new nicknames "Owen= Dora" "Bryce= Curious George".

We are very excited for Christmas as the boys got to have breakfast with Santa this past Saturday. Well everyone is excited minus Bryce. This is the first time we have witnessed Bryce being scared of someone. Well my second time witnessing this as the boys developed a case of "croup" and I had to take them to get shots all by myself. (I told Jamie she owes me big time) Bryce was not happy with the nurse that day.

We are also excited for the house which is moving along nicely. They started electric this past week so we are hoping they beat their expected March deadline.

Listen closely for Owen's first sentence!

So Thankful

We are so thankful for so many things. Most of all, we are thankful for our two little boys who are very happy, healthy, and all too mobile too quick. We are also very thankful for the wonderful family and friends we are so lucky to have. We try not to take each day for granted, but instead make lasting memories of the days that go by so quickly. With all of our hearts and our minds, Joe and I are thankful for the life we live and share each day as a family. If Bryce and Owen could speak any other language than baby babble, we are certain they would tell you all that they are thankful for the hugs, kisses, and smiles that so many people in their lives share with them.

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Splish Splash

Well, we have settled in to our new "temporary" living arrangements, thanks to Uncle Dale. The boys are adjusting well and they are loving that they are out numbered by adults to entertain them and tend to them when they need it or want it :) I apologize for not being very good about updating the blog, but between packing, starting school with a new job, moving and everything that goes along with it, I finally uploaded nearly 400 pictures that have been taken over the past few months.

The boys were nine months old yesterday. Each day goes by faster and faster and they are more and more fun. Both boys now have 4 teeth, which are really sharp! They love to eat pancakes and hashbrowns... daddy's favorite weekend breakfast. It took them no time to explore and master the one step that separates Dale's living room from the kitchen. They can pull up on almost anything that is within reach and attempt to stand up without holding on. We have had some bumps and bruises already, and I'm certain they won't be the last. They are always full of smiles and giggles and really enjoy watching Brody (Dale's dog) run and play in the backyard.

Life has been crazy lately and we are thankful for a place to live while our house is being built. Digging is supposed to start today! We will update with photos along the way.

Many Changes

Sorry we have been so slow updating the blog. We have had a busy couple of months. The boys are now fully mobile and we are realizing its difficult with two of them. Owen has started pulling himself up on everything and Bryce has 4 teeth. The boys are excited that we sold our house and get to live with their uncle Dale for six months. For those who didn't know we have been very fortunate as we sold our house in 6 weeks in this great economy and have started the process of building our new house in the Pinnacle in Grove City. As you see below the boys are ready to move.

Buddies

Well time is still moving as quickly as the boys. Jamie is preparing to start her new posistion with the school district and the boys are preparing for fun with the babysitter. Bryce and Owen are growing so fast. They are now eating baby food, starting to sit, rolling everywhere, and making their first attempts to crawl. They have really started to notice each other and as you see in the video they must think each other is funny looking. Little do they know they look alike. They both now have their favorite toys, Owen loves the baby wipes and Bryce loves the desitin. Had I known this we could have saved alot of money on toys. I have never felt as much joy as when I come home from work and the boys get crazy excited to see me. It is by far the best feeling I have ever had. We will try to update the blog but with Jamie working it will probably be every two month instead of every month.

Already

Time flies by so quickly. Today Bryce and Owen are 6 months old. Joe and I have spent a lot of time lately looking back at pictures of the boys when they were born. We can't believe how much they have grown, changed, and learned in their short, quick little lives so far. Rolling, eating cereal and baby food, talking in their own language, playing, reading, singing, going to the zoo, swimming, and spending time with family and friends have all been enjoyed this summer.

At their 6 month appointment yesterday, Bryce weighed in at 12 lbs 11 oz, and Owen topped the scale at 14 lbs 9 oz. In six months they both have nearly quadrupled their birth weight!

5 months ago...

Was January 18th.

Two beautiful baby boys were born weighing only 2 and 3 pounds.

Two proud parents unsure of how well their babies would progress.

We could never have imagined the joy that Bryce and Owen would bring to our lives today.

It is amazing (as we always say) that these boys have come so far in their short little lives. They are healthy, strong, and growing everyday. I have been enjoying my time off this summer tremendously. I love to play with the boys and watch them discover new things. Both of them are now eating cereal and loving it. They both decided to roll from their bellies to their backs this week, so tummy time is a little more difficult since they have discovered this new trick. They love books, music, and stroller rides.

I am looking forward to the next couple of months that I have off to watch them discover many new things. They are truly amazing and we can not imagine our lives without them. Everyone always assumes that life must be so difficult and challenging with twins. Honestly, we can say that it is extremely enjoyable 99% of the time. Having twins is a very overwhelming thought, but the reality is that life has not been as difficult as we ever imagined it to be.

Mommy and Daddy's little superheros.

Wanting all the cute girls to look at us.... in about 18 years :)

Messy, messy cereal faces:) (Owen/ Bryce) The date on the photos is obviously incorrect. Oops.

Update

Well the boys are nearing the five-month mark in a couple of weeks. What progress we have made just this week. They now sit in their bumbos and they are reaching for toys. Both are sleeping through the night and have been for about a month.

I swear when I come home from work everyday it seems like the boys gained at least a pound and grew an inch (I like to exaggerate). They both have grown significantly. Owen is now around 13lbs and Bryce is around 11lbs. At our last Dr. appointment we were amazed, as the boys have finally hit the growth chart. As you can see in the pictures Owens weight and height are in the 3rd percentile and his head is in the 50th. His new nickname is "Bucket Head".

Jamie is very excited and relieved as today was the last day of school and starting Monday she will be able to spend her days with them.

Picture Perfect

We took the boys to JcPenney to have their 3 month pictures taken. Needless to say, we were pretty impressed and had a difficult time picking which ones to buy. Take a look by clicking the link below and entering the password information.


https://www.smilesbywire.com/home.asp?AC=LTPP0713120625JCP


Name: Jamie Clark
Access Code: LTPP0713120625JCP


Here are a few of our recent favorite pictures (not taken by a professional). The boys are sporting their first Buckeye outfits which won't fit them for long, but we will certainly find them something else to wear come football season! We also got a new jogging stroller, not that ANY jogging actually takes place while using it, but the boys do love walks in it, hanging out in it, and going to the race track to watch dad race (or try to race) his go cart.

1st Easter

Funny how the Easter Bunny knows exactly what to bring 3 month old baby boys! (Formula... and books. Both boys had baskets, but this was difficult enough to arrange, so you only see one basket. We aren't making them share presents yet!)

The boys really enjoyed their first Easter. However, we think the Easter bunny may have mistaken this holiday for one that occurs later in December, as the boys received many wonderful gifts. The holiday weekend was spent in Wapakoneta at Grandma and Grandpa Braun's and in Ashville at Grandma and Grandpa Clark's. As you can see, at some point during each visit, the boys found a perfect place to take a nap.
(We are still working on head control)

April Happenings

These days the boys are enjoying bath time, reading with dad and sitting at the dinner table in their high chairs like big boys.

Watching Them Grow

I am amazed every day. It seems like everyday I come home from work the boys look bigger and are doing something new. Owen is now over 9 pounds (unofficially as he was weighed on the bathroom scale) and Bryce is over 7 lbs. We are now getting giggles and alot of them following Jamie and I as we walk by. Owen has had two nights in a row of sleeping through the night and Bryce wakes up like a clock at 2 a.m. Jamie called me today to let me know she was at Tuttle Mall and wanted me to meet her there to get the boys pictures taken with the Easter Bunny. When I showed up at 5 p.m. she was in the car feeding the boys, as she had been there since 2. We them to see the Easter Bunny and they were both wide awake and did not care that this giant rabbit was holding them. Going out of the house is always an adventure. You get stopped by an average of 5 people wanting to know if they are twins and wanting to know how old they are. I always want to reply with the answer "no we had one and found the other".

We had one of my friends from the Marines over this weekend with their 14 moth old daughter. They were telling us how she knew baby sign language. I thought to myself that this is impossible babies can't possibly learn sign language. Did they prove me wrong. On Saturday night as we were all eating pizza Jesse finished her 2 pieces and started signing that she wanted more. My jaw dropped in amazement. Then as Jamie was reading a book to her she saw a picture of a bird and used the sign for it and pointed to it. We are now going to try to teach the boys this amazing way to communicate (still several months away) I am having fun coming up with crazy signs to teach them!

We will try to do a better job of posting more often. Enjoy for now!

Could they be triplets?

Take a look at Grandpa Clark's baby picture...

When Jim showed me this baby picture I couldn't believe how much my boys look like him. I already know they look just like their dad, but obviously dad gets his looks from his dad.

Growing, Shopping, and more Growing

I am amazed each day how much the boys are growing and changing. As many of you know, I am a very independent and "on the go" kind of person. Well, that way of life has changed a bit for me! (at least the "on the go" part) However, last Thursday when the temperatures (and my tolerance of being stuck at home on most days) reached near 60 degrees, I decided it was time to try out the double stroller! I decided to introduce the boys to Target, where the majority of mommy and daddy's money is spent! I made sure to time this trip right in between feedings, changings and during nap time. The getting ready process was at least 15 minutes. I had a fully stocked diaper bag, with a bottle for each boy, several diapers, a change of clothes, and all of the other "stuff" that you can't leave home without when you are trucking around a baby or two. However, after reflecting on this trip I had no idea how I would ever feed one or even both of the boys at Target... we simply would have had to come home if eating became the priority, but at least I had the bottles and the formula!

So, we packed up and went shopping at Target. The double snap and go stroller is a wonderful invention and I am so glad I decided to get it. Both boys were snapped in and we started at the $1 Spot. Well, I quickly realized that this wonderful stroller was not a shopping cart! I had to shop small... only things that could fit in the bottom basket could be bought. Well, an hour and half and $75 dollars later, we ended our first shopping trip at Target when feeding time drew very near (maybe even a little overdue... I was pushing my luck!). The boys did great and of course received lots of attention. They are too cute! See some of our latest pictures below. (I decided to leave out the one where Owen is posing with certain finger in the air... maybe that was his true feeling on our trip to Target!) If you truly would like to see it for a good laugh I will gladly email it to you if you so request. I just thought I would keep this a G rated site :)

Bryce Owen

Two "Major Cuties"

Another day has passed and another milestone has been reached! The boys had an appointment with the pediatrician today. Owen is now 6 lbs 4 oz. and has grown 1 3/4", Bryce is now 5 lbs 2 oz. and has grown 1 1/2". The doctor said healthy babies gain around a half ounce a day. These boys are gaining an average of 1.2 ounces a day. They are amazing! Jamie and I are truly blessed as the boys only wake up at night for us to feed them. They both are starting to make cooing noises or baby talk and are starting to find their hands. It is neat to watch the progress they make everyday.