Catching Up

Hello friends! Have I mentioned before what a great dad Jeff is to these boys? I came home on Friday to this little game going on. Jeff decided it would be fun for the boys to play the couch game. So he put our two living couches face to face and, well, let's just say the boys couldn't have been any happier! They squealed with delight as they ran/ bounced around. It's like a jolly jumper minus the size, cost and air. We got some video footage but it was too large to upload. I'll have Jeff work on that!

Other pictures to catch you up on the latest of the greatest Fassett babies!

Nico riding on his truck. (Take note of all of the books that are being "read" in the background.)

Blakey coming for ya! He loves pasta! He is definitely his father's son.

My nephew Andrew BEGGED my sister to let him come for a ride with the boys. He did a great job managing the Cheerios and "swears" that he heard Nicolas say "Andrew".

Blakey already "assisting" daddy!

He was fascinated with Jeff's new gear.

Nico found my robe and had a good time cuddling with it. He's my snuggle-bug for sure!

Daddy and Nico at Andrew's soccer game. We never plan to, but we always seem to somehow match when we go out as a family.

Nico and Blakey talking to each other through the window at a restaurant.

So the big news around here, other than the couch game, is that both boys are taking lots of steps. Any day now they will be officially walking and as one friend put it, WE will be running!!

Hugs,

Rebeca

The Pictureless Post (Gasp!!)

Sometimes I just want to write!! I hate to disappoint you all and post without any pictures but just imagine this: Ready, close your eyes. Imagine two adorable boys. Blakey is the skinny one. Today we celebrated my mom's birthday at my sister's house. He spent the day giving everyone "besos" (kisses) on command. He also had his first taste of lasagna and he LOVED it. I am so excited since he ate spinach and didn't even know it! Tricky........

Now Nicolas was more interested in climbing the stairs and playing hide and go seek with his cousin Andrew. We ran around the house looking for Andrew and he would shriek in delight when we found him! Oh, you can also imagine the shrieks of delight coming from all of the adults as Blakey continuously took 3-4 steps at a time. He was so proud of himself!!

Before we went to my sister's house, we went to my nephew's soccer game. Jeff and I both played soccer as children and are hoping the boys will play too. Nicolas was pretty content hanging out with my mom as she fed him oranges but Blakey had to go explore. After being told several times that he could not join in on the soccer action on the field, he decided to find all the strollers on the field to make sure theirs wheels spun properly! Andrew, my nephew, was very concerned as he made his way across the grass. "Hurry, Tia Beca, he's joining another family!" Gotta love the stuff that comes out of a six year old's mouth!

That's all for now. This tired momma has to go clean up from the day. A clean, straightened up house/ kitchen is really a fleeting moment around here. I'll enjoy it for the night and expect it to all go downhill in no time once the boys are up in the morning!

Hope you are all well and I'll make up for the lack of pictures in the next post!
Hugs,
Rebeca

Why We Don't Go to Restaurants Anymore

A couple of weeks ago Jeff booked a big wedding package. We were both feeling excited and decided to go out to dinner to celebrate. The last time we took the boys to a restaurant was about two months ago and it wasn't really enjoyable for anyone, including the wait staff and the other diners. So what were we really thinking when we decided to try it again??? I guess we both wanted to try to live our old "normal life" again, even for just one night.


So we packed up the boys, brought lots of snacks/ toys and went to Johnny Rockets. We carefully timed the outing to coincide with their dinner time.


Well folks, disaster struck again and I really don't foresee us going to another restaurant with the boys for a while. The first problem was that the restaurant only had two baby high chairs, one of which was being used by another child. So we put Blakey in the one high chair and I attempted to hold and contain Nicolas. That lasted all of about 15 minutes. Before you knew it, goldfish and baby spoons were flying everywhere, Blakey was trying to climb out of his high chair, Nicolas was trying to climb out of the booth. Jeff and I had to set our plates on the other side of the table so the boys couldn't eat our food. Jeff managed to scarf down his burger and I got about halfway through my tuna melt before we unanimously decided it was time to hit the road.



And, I forgot the part where EVERYONE in the restaurant was staring at us!!!
So, for now, we will only go to restaurants babyless.....which happens about every 3 months.
But, on the positive side, we did manage to get a couple of cute pictures!!

These balloons provided a bit of entertainment for Blakey.

The boys did enjoy the fountain outside for a bit when we were done eating.

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, Our Boys Turned One and We Have Proof to Show You

We know this isn't the boys first Valentine's Day, but last year we had to visit them in the hospital and they weren't giving us slobbery kisses like they did this year! I guess it wasn't the most "romantic" day since we decided to do their one year shoot and with scheduling and all, the best day happened to fall on the 14th. But we got some fun pictures and we enjoyed a romantic dinner once the boys went to bed. Check them out:

http://www.fassettphoto.com/portraits/Boys_First_Birthday/Portraits/

The boys are really becoming big boys these days. Blakey is taking a couple steps at a time and stands unsupported for quite a while. Jeff swears he heard him say "hi daddy" the other morning and he is very good at saying "mas" when he wants more goldfish! Nicolas is using his big boy sippy cup for more than entertainment and when I was washing his hands the other day he said "agua". They both have figured out how to use a straw and I try to get them to drink some water every day.

We have pretty much baby-proofed the entire downstairs of the house and boy are they enjoying all the new places to explore! The "cage" was great for a while, but I think they were getting a little bored!

As Jeff and I were enjoying our delicious dinner yesterday (thank you Honey), we were talking about how its hard to believe that the boys are getting so big. They are starting to talk and walk and part of me is really sad that they are growing up. With multiples, life is such a blur that first year that you look back and feel bad that you didn't/ couldn't spend more time enjoying all that comes with the baby phase. We made a joint decision to really try and enjoy them in every phase, no matter how exhausted or stressed we might be. Before we know it, we will be waving them off to kindergarten and we'll REALLY feel like life has passed us by!

So, for now, I will enjoy Nicolas' huge smiles and giggle each time as he scrunches up his nose and tackles me with a hug. I will take in all of the open-mouthed, slobbery "besos" and high fives that Blakey gives me on command. I will treasure all these special moments because one day I'll look back and wish I had them again.

Here are some other pictures (my amateur ones of course) for you to enjoy!

Jeff discovered that there are metal railings right at the boys' eye level under our kitchen table so my oh-so-crafty- husband got out the bubble wrap and baby-proofed that table right up! As you can see, the boys were quite interested in what daddy was doing.

The boys, Blakey in particular, are quite intrigued by the fridge. Each time I open it, Blakey is right there wanting to investigate the contents!

"A stool, how fun!" says Blakey.

Nico checking out daddy's records.

We took the boys to our neighborhood park to enjoy some fresh air. They love spinning the wheels on their Tonka truck.

Blakey was quite entertained by the guys playing basketball next to the grass. He tried several times to join them on the court!

"mmmm..yummy grass!"


Valentine Hugs and Kisses,

Rebeca

It's Fun to Be One!

The boys turned one on Friday! We had a little celebration with family at the house yesterday. Today we are recuperating...and finding some time to reflect on this achievement. It really is an achievement, not just of the boys but also of us, our families, our friends. Thinking back to where we were a year ago, it really is amazing.

Let's recap. A year ago today, the boys were being fed intravenously; yesterday they scarfed birthday cake. A year ago today, the boys were just barely opening their eyes; today the boys are just barely starting to walk. A year ago, I was taking lots of pictures of the boys; yesterday I was taking lots of pictures of the boys. Well, some things never change I guess.

But some things do change. In the NICU, all the nurses would say how quiet the boys were. They would say how well they slept. How well they ate. Not sure what happened. Today the boys are babbling away, mostly nonsensical gibberish, but sprinkled with the occasional dadda and momma or, if we're lucky, a flat out scream. Their sleep habits are curious, improving at night but at the expense of naps during the day. Mealtime is always an adventure, as we try to find the "food of the day" that they will actually eat and not wear or throw overboard to the dogs.

So speaking of eating, the boys passed the First Birthday Right of Passage, which is to lay into the birthday cake and make a real mess of things. They didn't disappoint, going for it in impressive fashion. As the record will show, they went at with both hands, without fear of a spike in their blood sugar levels. No piece of cake was too big to shove in the mouth. They thrived under the pressure of the paparazzi. Occasionally one would check on the other, just to make sure they were doing it right. Frosting all over the face, in the hair, up the nose...yep, me too!

And then in the end, just to get a piece of the action and assure the boys that this is really what big boys and big girls look like, Rebeca and I exchanged cake in the face. Uncle Scott took the last couple shots.

So a big thank you to everyone who has helped us make it through the first year, and who have been so generous to us, and supportive to us as we tried to figure out how to make it to the next day. 365 next days later and here we are with these beautiful (and messy) boys!

Finally, here's to Rebeca, who has had to put up with me in addition to the boys. Somehow she's been able to maintain her sense of humor and her constant dedication to whatever is best for the boys. They are truly lucky to have her as a mother as I am lucky to have her as my wife.

Jeff

Here is Blakey's cake. Game on.

And Nicolas' cake before the onslaught.

Blakey asks Dad if this is really OK.

Nicolas realizes that no one is going to stop him! WooHoo!!!

Oh no, what have I done?

The boys are hitting their stride now.

Double fisted is the only way to go for Nicolas.

Blakey in the early stages of his makeup for Avatar.

Nicolas can't believe his good fortune.

Blakey is saying how big he wants next year's cake to be.

Nicolas has had enough: "Where's my milk???"

Not satisfied anymore with the small bites, Blakey picks up the whole cake.

Nicolas thinks it's funny, but Blakey isn't amused.

Just like at our wedding! (no, not really)

All Better Now

Hello All-
"Where have you been?" you might be asking. Well, I'll tell you! We recently discovered a parent's worst nightmare when it comes to baby ailments. We had a NASTY flu come through the house. It started with Jeff, then quickly spread to Blakey. Nicolas and I seemed fine for the first couple of days but that quickly changed. By about the time Jeff was better, I was sick. All in all, it was about 9 LONG days of mostly diarrhea that kept two babies from eating, sleeping and wanting to wear a diaper and two parents who were about to go insane.

Luckily, the boys are better and we have all been happier!!

What else is going on around here? Blakey is becoming very good at standing unsupported. He can balance on his own for about 15 seconds or so. He has attempted a few steps here and there so we know it won't be long before he's toddling all over the place! Nicolas has mastered stair climbing. He can climb to the top of the stairs in our house in about 30 seconds flat. He actually likes to climb any chance he gets- baby gate, out of his high chair, etc. They are both eating lots of table foods now. Nicolas chews like a champ! After he chewed a whole tortilla chip with no problem whatsoever, I feel very comfortable giving him just about anything to munch on. Some new favorites are bagels with cream cheese and goldfish crackers. Oh, they also had strawberries for the first time on Saturday.

Believe or not, their first birthday is coming up in just a few short days!!! So we've been busy getting prepared for that big day!! We will start transitioning them to cow's milk this week. Sorry Enfamil, but I will no longer be supporting your company!!! It's so great to finally see the light at the end of the formula tunnel!



And finally, a few pictures for your viewing pleasure...............

Jeff was very excited to have built his first fort with the boys. I'm not sure who loved it more, the boys or Jeff!

A lot of people think that Nicolas looks like Jeff, but we really don't see it. I see so much more resemblance here with Blakey........

There should be a warning on the box of Cheerios "Never leave a hungry Nicolas unattended with this box of cereal."

Both boys have this funny habit of always wanting to have a toy in each hand. They'll even crawl around all over the "cage" "double-fisted". Go figure????

We hope you are all well!

Love,

Rebeca

Nothin' But Net

We bought the boys this cool basketball hoop for Christmas and Jeff has been teaching them how to slam dunk. Well, we got it on camera today! Good job Blakey! (and daddy!)