Caught Red-Handed

You can see it in their eyes. They know they are cold busted. Everybody knows we don’t feed the boys off our plate. Their palates are not ready yet for adult food, especially ice cream and apple pie. Have we already forgotten how they hurled up their birthday cakes all over the minivan’s upholstery on the way home from the party? It’s nearly bedtime and Grandma’s providing a sugar overload. What were you thinking Grandma? Are you so easily seduced by beautiful grandsons with big smiles and sweet sounding baby talk that you willingly surrender your dessert in direct violation of the parental edicts? What liberties will you take next? It’s a slippery slope Grandma. It starts innocently with pastry, but before you know it they’ll be charming you out of your car keys.

California Cousins are Cool

These are Grandma and Granddaddy Roe’s four grandbabies. The older ones holding the twins are Christine and Tyler Cervenka, Aunt Susan’s children. Christine, who will turn 20 in a few days, was the first and only grandchild for eight years until Tyler was born in 1997. The Roe’s knew all about girls, having raised three (Susan, Sandy and Kristin), and little Christine blended right into the family culture. Tyler was the first grandson and suddenly baby boy stuff was introduced to the family. While they enjoyed the attention, the two yearned for cousins. With the addition of our twin boys, testosterone now dominates the new generation and Tyler is transformed from the sole boy to the cool older guy cousin. Christine remains the first and only beloved granddaughter….so far.

Birthday Benchmark Photo – 13 months

The boys grew very rapidly in their first year. The doctor’s office allowed us to stop by each month for official weights and measurements, and the results were always amazing. Starting around 6 lbs, the boys quadrupled their weight to over 24 lbs in just their first 12 months. Their height increased from around 20 inches at birth to over 31 inches by their first birthday. The twins were consistently ranked above average in weight and exceptionally tall for their age. In the coming year they will continue to grow, but at a slower rate. Skills, rather than size, will dominate their rapid development. Because we anticipate their total growth next year to be about 6 inches and 6 lbs, we’ve decided to schedule doctor’s office weights and measurements quarterly, rather than monthly.

The Bath Party

Trey Davey and Benji love to take baths, and they always seem to attract pretty woman. Our babysitter Carol gives them weekday baths and mommy usually handles the weekends. Both Grandmothers enjoy their opportunities to wash and massage the boy’s baby soft skin and powder those little bottoms. When we saw Cousin Christine and Aunt Kristin in Florida, they wanted their turn at bath. Grandma Karen has a big double sink with an outstanding window view. A baby could get addicted to this luxury spa treatment, unless of course they were modest.

Davey Flies Air Susan

On our first morning in Florida, I was toddling around the house exploring the forbidden zones when I found Aunt Susan in the kitchen. When she looked down and saw me she lit up brighter than the Christmas tree. She didn’t have any nieces or nephews before us, and I think she loves being an aunt. I flashed my bashful smile and lifted my arms indicating I wanted to be picked up and held. She immediately scooped me into her arms and raised me as high in the sky as I ever remember. It’s a good thing Grandma and Granddaddy Roe’s house has high vaulted ceilings or else I may have bumped the lights. I wonder if Granddaddy Roe laughed as much while flying airplanes as I did while soaring Air Susan.

The Prices Are Just Right

When we went to Grandma and Granddaddy Roe’s house this time a lot more people were there including Uncle Wes Price. He is married to Mommy’s little sister, Aunt Kristin, and they live in Utah and sometimes Arizona. He is a really cool outdoorsman, who hunts big game and lives in a log house. Uncle Wes and Aunt Kristin met as Grand Canyon white water rafting guides and got married on the edge of the canyon. In the winters they worked at mountain ski resorts. He is very kind and easy going. In this picture we are in the Grand’s backyard by the pool, and he is showing me Grandma’s cool palm tree that Granddaddy decorated with Christmas lights.

New Reader Poll: New Years’ Resolutions

Goals are important. We all need to set resolutions for the coming year, and then measure our progress as we work to achieve our targets. It was fun to watch Benji and Davey’s progress last year as they advanced from laying to sitting up to crawling to walking in 12 just months. In this coming year their skill level will rapidly advance. By year’s end it is likely they learn how to control their bladder better, dance to music, help around the house, kick a soccer ball, rearrange furniture, run fast, say 50 words, spoon feed themselves and undress themselves. Of all these skills, vote in the right hand column for your choice for their top 2009 goal.