Walking, stairs, fish, and feet (a little bit of everything)

Well, Kayla did it. She took 2 steps today. She has been standing without holding on if she doesn't realize it. If I try to stand her up she bends her knees and throws her head back. But if she is playing and holds a toy or lets go she will stand for 5-10 seconds. It is all in her head. Today she was holding Kyle's foot as he was laying on the couch. She went to grab onto a standing toy and it was farther than she thought and took 2 steps to get to it and fell against it and stood back up. We were both watching her and amazed. We tried to get her to do it again, but she wouldn't even try. So even though she did walk I still think more will be a while yet.

Last week she climbed all the way up the stairs. A couple of days before she had made it to the first landing. But then I went up stair and left her crying in the living room. I was getting Tanner and she crawled all the way up after me.

She also started making fish faces today. I even managed to capture one on film. It is funny and she makes sucking noises when she does it.

Tanner looked so cute in his church clothes today. I wanted to take picture before church but it didn't happen, so here is after his nap. He fits into a new white shirt. Kyle laughed at me when I put it on and asked if he was ready to pass the sacrament. I think boys are never too young to go to church appropriately dressed. Girls wear dresses from the beginning. Why should boys go in jean or shorts.

Tanner thinks the world is funny. He laughs at Kayla all the time. He will laugh at toys he is playing with. He will even laugh at nothing. I am sure it is not nothing to him but I don't see anything. Other kids are great at getting him to laugh. Baby laughs are so fun.

Some bad news. Tanner is having some foot problems. His right foot turns out 90 degrees and his ankle is not straight when he stands on it. We don't know what is going on yet, but we are taking him in for x-rays this week and then will meet back with the doctor to see what is going on. We will keep you updated.

Updates

Both babies were wearing overalls today so I had to take some pictures. If you haven't yet voted on who they look like, we would love to hear your opinion.

We went to the doctor for check ups. Kayla weighs 18 lb 8 oz (50%) and is 30 in tall (above 97%). Tanner weighs 18 lb (30 %) and is 30 inches tall (90%). Both of their head were at like 90% but Tanner's was bigger. I think they got that from the Whittier side (thanks Uncle Will).

Here is the gate at the top of the stairs, Kyle says it looks like they are in a cage.

Tanner loves to smile for pictures, but can you see Kayla's attitude.

Fathers and Sons

Kyle took Tanner on his first camping trip to Fathers and Sons a week ago. They had a good time and no problems. I sent along the bassinet for him to sleep in. The ate fun things like hotdogs, smores, and pancakes. Kyle was all gung-ho until an hour before and then started having second thought. But all was a success.

Money saving tips

I got this from a friend, I do a lot of these, but it was interesting to read. Thought I would share.

1. Start eating at home more, much more.2. Try eating out only once a week, maybe even once a month?!? (impossible? Not really, you just have to be organized and pre-plan your lunches and dinners…even pack food in a cooler if you are going to be out all day and night).3. Start walking or riding your bike to locations that are close enough to do so. (i.e. the gym! the grocery store-go a couple times a week instead of just once every two weeks, the park-kids love to go on walks to the park, not just be at the park, the library, baseball (or whatever sport) practice…etc.4. Consider carpooling.5. Instead of buying things for your home because they would be nice to have, only buy what is absolutely necessary…and, better yet, get what is necessary from a friend, a garage sale, or a second hand store.6. Realize that fashion is just vanity. You don’t need to have all the latest clothing or accessory items. A few items here and there will do just fine.7. Stop drinking soda or even juice…water is much better for your body anyway.8. Stop drinking Starbucks or other over-priced foo-foo drinks. If you need coffee, make it at home. Have an appointment at a coffee shop? Invite them to your house instead.9. Eat smaller portions at dinner so that you have left-overs for lunch or dinner another night that week.10. Instead of going to the movies, rent movies and stay at home. You could even look into Blockbuster online or netflix and save on the gas to get to the video store.11. consider reusing ziplock bags…we reuse plastic containers, why not plastic bags?12. use less toothpaste at each brushing…it is amazing how much you save.13. If you like to have painted toes and nails, do them yourself.14. Attempt to find a hairstyle that is low maintenance, that maybe you could even trim up yourself?15. Consider dropping a phone line…either cell or home.16. Drive the speed limit and avoid quick accelerations. The slower you drive your car, the more gas you save.17. Consider not driving/not insuring one of your cars (put it on non operation status)18. Buy clothing at a second hand store. (I have found several nice items for Keira at goodwill-even a sweater from gymboree with the tags still on it - $1 - amazing).19. Eat dessert and sweets much less.20. Drink tap water on occasion…you could even refill your empty water bottles and put them in the fridge, ready to be enjoyed. If tap tastes yucky, add a few drops of lemon juice to it.21. Have people over for dinner/lunch rather than going out to dinner/lunch. Make a simple meal…the conversation and time spent together are more important than the gourmet meal.22. Consider using cleaners made from household items, cheaper and safer.23. Actually use scraps to make your scrapbooks, rather than buy all the beautiful, coordinating, expensive stuff from the store. True creativity!24. Use store bags as trash can liners…even in the kitchen…you will have to empty it every day, but it saves money!25. Cancel your magazine subscription.26. Check books out of the library or borrow them from friends rather than buying them.27. Cancel your cable and TiVo and whatever other entertainment deal you have…Basic channels have enough “entertainment” and you can rent movies (or better yet check them out from your local library for FREE), read a book, read blogs, go for an evening walk, play games with the family or friends, write letters to people, and the list could go on and on…28. Have a garage sale, or put items, that you don’t really need to have around anymore, for sale online.29. Move in with friends or family to save on rent. (we just might be doing this one real soon here!) 30. Take shorter showers.31. Keeps lights off until it is necessary to have one on.32. Unplug appliances that are not in use-they are still drawing electricity out if they are plugged in.33. Again, only buy what you need. DO NOT let sales get to your brain and make you think that you need to buy whatever item is on sale! (Why is it that that happens)!?!

Who do they look like?

People over the past have told me the babies look like each of us at different times. Now that they are getting older and taking on more of their own characteristics. Below are pictures of each baby up close. Also are pics of Kyle and I as babies. So share with me who you think Tanner looks like and who you think Kayla looks like. I am interested in your responses.

Kayla 9 months

Tanner 9 months

Melissa (with Will) at 4 mo.

Will and Melissa

Kyle 1 year

Speed Racer

I have been calling the babies speed racers. It is amazing how fast they can go. When they want to the after burners go on and before you know it you had better watch out. I never know where they will be or what they will get into. We spend a lot of our day in the loft with the gate up. Life is much safer there.

Swimmin' in the Frog Pond

Kyle bought the babies a frog pool for the summer. I don't know how much we will get to the big pool as I will mostly have to do it alone, but this looks like lots of fun for the babies without too much work for me. They had a blast in there today. They both splashed and splashed, they didn't even complain when water got in their faces. That is good news. I couldn't belive how long they played in there and never even whined. I was sad to take them out but it was dinner time. Looks like we need to get some real pool toys, instead of kitchen items. Notice the splashing.

Notice how Kyle spent the time:)
We also spent the morning outside and they loved it. The only problem was that Kayla's arms and legs got all red and scratched from crawling in the grass. Both Kyle and I had problems with grass when we were little (I still do) so I am not surprised but feel bad as I know how it is uncomfortable. Tanner won't crawl in the grass so we have yet to see if he is allergic like Kayla.

Sink's visit

I often take the babies over to visit our friends the Sinks. But it is in the evenings and the babies are never very happy right before bed. But this week they come over before school for 2 mornings and I think they all had lots of fun both big kids and babies. Here are a few pictures to share. The babies are in the tent.
Mandy was in heaven

Caden pushed around the corn popper and had Tanner just a laughing. He loves to laugh and Caden is great at getting him to laugh until he can't breathe.