Under the Weather

Yesterday morning I woke up not feeling well, but figured it was just something I ate or stress. Unfortunately I think I have a touch of the flu. A friend from high school visited that I had not had the opportunity to see in some time. She got to meet the boys as well. She brought her little girl and Ethan particularly could not get enough of playing with her or should I say bothering her while she was trying to play! The boys love having other bigger kids around! It was a nice day even though I didn't feel well. My sister in law was nice enough to take the boys for the night and allow me to rest. Thankfully the boys have not gotten sick!

Half and Half

So, year two of Ethan and Aaron's life has just begun and it seems as if year one swept past me. I did a great job of communicating with everyone during our pregnancy, but definitely dropped the ball in '08 (You'll have to forgive me it was a busy year!). In 2009, I want to do a better job of journaling what happens in the boys lives and I figure why not share it with others. The boys bring such joy to my life and I shouldn't keep them all to myself!

Yesterday we started Ethan & Aaron (E&A) on half whole milk and half formula. The formula days are almost over. Hurray for Marc and I's bank account! Preemie formula is quite expensive. With every new milestone there is excitement and a tinge of sadness. Of course you want to see your child learn and grow, but just as you must celebrate the firsts you have to honor this may be a "last" (last bottle, last morning nap, last time you rock your baby to sleep, etc.).

At this point, I think the boys are identical. Early on I was convinced that they were fraternal, but having seen more and more twins E& A definitely resemble each other a great deal. They both have their own looks and if you know them, it is easy to tell them apart. Those that don't see them often tend to struggle. E has a round face whereas, A has an oval face. They are about a half a pound different in weight these days and a 1/4 of an inch different in height. At their one year appointment, E&A weighed in at 21 and 21.5lbs and 29.5 and 29.75 inches respectively. Both have blonde hair and blue eyes. Beautiful, big, blue eyes might I add. Yes, for those of you who have not seen them in awhile, they have blonde hair now. They started out as little brunettes. Yesterday someone who had known me for awhile, but just met Marc said they are the perfect mix of Marc and I. That made my day. For the longest time everyone has thought that they look like Marc and indeed they do, but mommy weighed in on the gene pool too I think! ;)

Both of the boys are doing great developmentally! They both can say momma and dadda, cruise around while holding on to things, and stand by themselves without holding on to anything. It seems impossible that we are transitioning them to sippy cups when just yesterday we were trying our darnedest to get them to learn to nurse and drink from a bottle so they could go home. Right now they would prefer to have their milk/formula from the bottle as the sippy. Juice and water they are okay with from the "big boy" cups. Aaron is a daddy's boy! He thinks that daddy hung the moon! His favorite little thing to do these days is "ta, ta, ta" with his mouth and have you do it back to him. He also loves walking behind things and pushing. Ethan is a bit of a momma's boy, but nothing like Aaron and daddy's connection. He likes to head butt! Both boys love music and dancing!

Today has been a low key day! We've just been hanging out at home and playing. They must be hitting a growth spurt or feeling better overall (they've had ear infections), because they have been eating very well! Ethan seems like his right ear is still bothering him a bit, so hopefully we'll figure something out when we go to the Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT) on 1/16.

And so...this begins the Dittmer Daily Times. I can not promise it will truly be daily, but I'll to the best I can!

(The first picture above is of Aaron and the second of Ethan with his bear's hat on!)