Halloween

Congratulations to those of you who voted for Pebbles and Bam Bam, even though we know some of you knew already and voted anyway. Halloween this year was much better than last year. Last year we were only a day old and still in the hospital. Now how much fun can that be? This year we got to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating with a bunch of our friends. Mom and dad even dressed up as Fred and Wilma Flintstone. I think mom and dad felt old though because the other kids were trying to guess who we were and they thought dad was a giant pumpkin or Tigger, and one kid guessed that Lily was a caveman with giant eyes. I don't think mom and dad minded one bit that the kids didn't know who we were, after all, the adults kept saying how good we looked. Our costumes were so good that we got asked by random people on the street if they could take our picture. Weird! We loved watching all of the other kids and we discovered that we can throw our pumpkins out of the wagon and it makes a really cool sound. You should try it sometime! Too bad Halloween only comes once a year, but next year maybe we can actually get some candy.

1 Year Old

It is fun being one! We officially turned 1 at 9:00 a.m. and 9:01 a.m. respectively, and it's been a pretty good day. Mom surprised us and set up our Spin & Bounce Zebra that we got from our friends, Landen and Alyssa. I think we must have both heard her during the night putting it together because we woke up extra early to try it out, like around 5:00. Dad made us a special breakfast of pancakes, turkey bacon, and bananas...yummy! I wish we could have that for every meal. After breakfast we had to get ready because we were scheduled for our first official professional portraits. We don't get them back until the end of next week so you'll have to check back to peek at those. I'd say we cooperated okay, but there were an awful lot of shots of us walking or crawling away. Mom picked out some cute ones though, and hopefully all of you will like them. We took it easy this afternoon and just kicked back in our cool shirts and played with our toys. After our exciting birthday parties we had this past month, it was nice to just relax with mom and dad on our special day.

A lot happened in our final month before turning one as well that we just have to share with you. We of course are continuing to grow which shows in our clothes, and especially our feet. I am in 18 month clothes, and Lily is still in 12 month clothes, but a few 18 month shirts have made their way out of the closet. We don't go to the doctor until November 11 for our 1 year check-up so we'll give you our measurements then. As for milestones, I am now walking. I knew mom couldn't wait so I just had to catch up to Lily. I'd wouldn't say I'm a pro yet, but it won't be long! I also got a top tooth which makes it 3 teeth for me, and 4 for Lily. This month mom took away all of our bottles except our bedtime one. What a mean mom! We're doing fine with sippy cups though and we've even started drinking with straws. We still need some practice in that area, but you have to start somewhere right?!? We've been imitating a lot of what mom and dad have been saying. Mom thinks we have said words, but she can't quite understand exactly what those words are. We flew on a plane for the second time this month, and this time it was a little more challenging for mom and dad since we are mobile. We still got compliments from lots of people on how good we were so we aren't grounded yet. Lily is starting to blow kisses, and both of us are starting to climb everything. Lily is a little more daring, but this also means that she gets in trouble more than I do. The last big thing to happen this past month was I got my hair cut, or actually all of my hairs cut. Lots of people were sad and said it makes me look like a little boy, but if I recall I am getting older, and I am a little boy now. Parts of us wish we could stay little babies forever because we had an amazing year, but more of us is excited to see what the world has in store for us as we now go for 2.

Ryan Walking

When mom picked us up from daycare today, Ms. Christie had to break some bad news...I walked for the first time at her house! She felt really bad telling mom, but mom had told her when we started that she wanted to know whenever we did something new. Mom seemed pretty excited though, and once we got home I took a few steps for her too. I even tried again when dad got home from work, but the most I could muster was one step. Mom and dad weren't able to catch me on video yet, but trust me I'm sure they will soon.

Post Birthday Party Fun

When we got home today, mom fed us a quick dinner, and then helped us put together a few of our new toys. While mom was assembling Lily's stroller and our sit and spin, we kept busy playing with the boxes, our new alphabet pal, my new dump truck, and our balloons. I swear Lily has at least one, if not two, attached to her at all times. When mom was done, Lily demonstrated the not so safe way to use a SIT and spin. Hopefully tomorrow mom or dad can put together out Bounce & Spin Zebra. We can't wait to show all of you that!

Our Wagon

Grandma Williams bought us this cool wagon last Christmas and we finally got around to taking it for a spin. Mom took us for a short walk today to get the mail, and as long as she kept moving we were good. The minute she stopped though, we tried to make a mad dash. Mom told us we get to go for a ride again on Halloween, whatever that is?!?

Birthday Party #2

We need to have birthdays more often. Mom and dad threw us a second birthday party today with our friends in Arizona. Mom decided to bake three cakes so she was pretty busy all morning. While she was baking we got to go to the store with dad, and guess what we bought...a singing birthday balloon just like the one we had in Green Bay. Lily loves that balloon, and she even cried a few times when the music stopped playing. Our friends Landen, Alyssa, Payton, Jackson, Brooke, Zach, Abrielle, and Braden all came over to play with us. They brought us really fun gifts too that we can't wait to play with. All of the excitement pooped us out though. I was so tired that I slept through the opening of the gifts, and Lily passed out while eating dinner right after everyone left. Even though we aren't even technically "1" yet (only 4 more days), we can both say that we had a great first birthday. Thanks everyone for making it so special!

Toy Party

Mom took us to Aunt Pam and Cousin Braden's house today for a toy party. How cool, a party just for us kids! We were the oldest kids there so we took the liberty of trying everything out to make sure it was safe. We gave everything a thumbs up! Hopefully our new friends, Mya, Brianna,and Jake, were thankful that we were there to help them out. Oh yeah, the drinks were pretty good too.

Ryan Standing

I finally decided to let go and stand for the first time on Wednesday, October 22. Mom has been trying to get a picture of me for three days now, but I won't sit still long enough for her to get a good shot. She tricked me today and gave me something to drink so that I'd stand still long enough for her to get a picture. You can't see my face, but it is pretty clear that I am standing.

Coloring

Mom gave us these cool crayons to color with today. Unfortunately we weren't too sure what to do with them. I decided they made good balls so I threw them, and Lily decided they looked like something to eat. Mom tried to get us to use them correctly, but our ideas just seemed like more fun. Maybe next time mom!

Our New Picnic Table

Since it was a beautiful morning we got to try out our new picnic table that Titi Molly and Uncle Craig got us for our birthday. It made a really cool noise when we banged on it, and it even has an umbrella to shade us from the sun. I'm not sure which feature I liked more. I'll have to try it out again soon and let you know.

4-3

There is an official explanation for why I've been grouchy for over a week now...it is called my top front left tooth. It cut through this morning, and it is about time. It looks as if my other front one may be coming in too, but we'll have to wait and see.

Lily Walking

Hey everyone! Mom and dad finally took a video of me walking. I took my first step back on September 23, but now walking is becoming my main mode of transportation. I still fall a lot, but I've learned how to fall so that it doesn't hurt anymore. I'm getting pretty good if I do say so myself and hopefully Ryan will be joining me on daily walks before you know it.

Schnepf Farms

We headed out to Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party today with Uncle Larry, Aunt Pam, and Braden. We also met up with our friends, the Goodings, while we were there. It was definitely different from the pumpkin patch we went to in Green Bay, but maybe that's because it was 90+ degrees outside. We enjoyed some chili and corn on the cob while we were there, and we checked out the giant cow, goats, and ducks. Mom and dad even shared their watermelon flavored ice cone with us. It sure was cold, but it felt good.