First Haircut!

Well... we did it!  We finally got the boys their first haircut!  Last week, while Mommom Kantruss was in town visiting, we took the boys to "Snip Its" a kids salon.  First, we treated them to lunch, then Target for some new toys (we needed bribing ploys), then finally to the hair salon!  I, of course, forgot my camera, but the day was saved when a dear friend that I work with showed up unexpectedly to take some pictures.... (Thank you Peter)

In order to make sure the boys sat still during the cut, I had to hold each of them.  Tyler, was pretty easy.  He was distracted by his new favorite thing, a "pop", which is Tyler code for a lollipop.  My lil man has such a sweet tooth.  He just sat and stared at himself in the mirror the entire time... giving his reflection his classic smug mug.  It was really entertaining!  Austin, on the other hand, was not as easily amused.  He wanted nothing to do with the whole experience.  He really doesn't respond well to being held against his will.  He wanted to out of the seat before we even sat down.  You see, "Snip Its" has a giant train table in the front of the salon, and all Austin wanted to do was play...  Luckily for us, the hairdresser managed to cut his long locks quickly, without sniping an ear! 

Although Austin didn't cooperate during the hair cut, he was like a new kid after.  His hair was so long, I don't think he could see very well.   Now that it is out of his eyes, it is like he is seeing the world for the first time.  When we got home, he was walking around examining each of his toys like he had never seen them before- probably because he couldn't see through his hair!   Poor kid- we waited too long to get it cut!

Below are a few pictures that my friend took...  oh and yes, I did save a lock of each of their hair!  (My lil babies are just getting to be so big)

"Who's that good looking guy in the mirror?"

"You think I am smiling, but I am about to melt..."

Chef Austin

 Hi! Happy January is almost over:) i just wanted to write a quick post to tell you about my lil chef, Austin... Recently we have been filling our days with things to do inside.  My favorite activity to do is allow the boys to make me "dinosaur stew."  Austin really gets into it. He takes the dinosaur magnets off the refrigerator, puts them in a big pot and stirs.  Tyler tries to help out, but Austin takes his cooking very serious!!  Hopefully we will progress to more interesting/tasty recipes soon (car casserole anyone?)

 

 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a great holiday season!!  As I mentioned in my last blog entry, we started new family traditions this year.  We stayed at home for Christmas eve and Christmas morning.   A few weeks before Christmas, Joey and I decided to refinish our kitchen ourselves.  (We just might be crazy). We (mainly Joey) spent the two weeks before Christmas re-staining the cabinets, resurfacing the counter-tops, upgrading the floor, and painting the walls.  We basically lived in dust, and it was a bit annoying because the boys were confined to the upstairs.  Fortunately, we finished the project just in time to celebrate Christmas in our new kitchen.  I must give all the credit to Joey because he really worked so hard, and it turned out awesome. 

Christmas eve was just beautiful.  It was small- only the four of us and, Grammy, Pap, and Grandma, but joy in the room outshone the amount of people there.  The boys played all afternoon, and I thoroughly enjoyed cooking dinner in my new kitchen.  We tried to incorporate things from both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia traditions... for example we had pierogies and crab cakes (Philly), and a huge cheese plate and shrimp (Pittsburgh).  The boys ate steak for the first time, and both seemed to really enjoy it.  More than the steak, they really seemed to enjoy the fact that we were all eating together at the table.  Joey and I often feed the boys their dinner, and then eat dinner our after they go to bed.  I was actually surprised on Christmas eve to see how happy the boys were to be a part of the dinner table.  It just amazes me how it is the smallest thing, and something I take for granted (sitting next to each other at the dinner table), but it just thrilled the two of them to be able to touch mom and dad as they ate at their highchairs.  It is this intense purity and excitement that I see in my boys that makes motherhood so rewarding.  It doesn't happen often, but it is so cool to re-appreciate things and experience "firsts" through their eyes.  Maybe it was the wine I was drinking, but I found myself getting emotional over their reaction.  Needless to say, one of my goals for 2012 is to have more family dinners together. 

Christmas morning was really quite relaxed.  The boys got up at normal time (about 7:30) and we fed them bottles.  Because they really didn't know what was going on, they seemed a bit confused that we were so excited to rush them downstairs, and show them their gifts.  After we slowly opened one gift, Tyler got the hang of it, and wanted to open more.  Austin, on the other hand, was more interested in playing with his toys than opening gifts... but he did come up with a new phrase; "Oh cool!"   He said it quite a bit as he opened his Christmas gifts. 

We spent Christmas day at Grammy and Pappy's, and they boys were surprised with a train table.  After seeing the train table, Austin did not care about any other gifts... he was in heaven.  He went round and round in a circle just pushing his little trains on the track.  Tyler on the other hand was happy to unwrap all the presents for the two of them. 

The boys really love match box cars.  Pappy, fortunately had kept all Joey's old matchbox cars from when he was a little boy.  Lucky for us, we inherited a box of cars- all fluorescent 1980s colors.  Would you believe out of all the toys the boys got for Christmas- those neon matchbox cars are their favorite?  It figures!!!  Tyler has one car in particular he loves, a white Jeep that says "Kool Aid" in hot pink letters on the side.  He finds that car everyday, and has to carry it around with him.  He even sticks his green beans in the trunk at dinner... he is my little comedian. 

We were lucky to spend New Years with lots of family... mom-mom & pop-pop Kantruss, Aunt Deb, Uncle Dave, and Brittany all came to visit.  We had a great time and the boys really enjoyed their visit.  Austin melted mom-mom's heart with his new "Oh cool" phrase, and Tyler put on a few shows for everyone doing his "Italian rant."  It was all and all a great time!  

I always find it hard to recover from the holidays- it's like all of a sudden things go from feeling warm and and joyful to well- January.  I don't mean to offend anyone who loves January- but let's just say it is not my favorite month.  So to combat my winter blues, I am trying to stay focused on the boys, their many firsts, and the pure joy it brings them when they discover something new. 

Okay-I just realized I have been blabbing on and on... here are a few videos and pictures to enjoy.  Man, I just love these lil buggers. 

Merry Christmas Baby (s)!

Well it's that time of year again- the most wonderful time of the year!  This year we were supposed to be in Pittsburgh for Christmas, but after a lot of thought and careful consideration we have decided to stay in Charlottesville.  It is really hard when you have family that lives so far away.  We will miss our friends and family in Pittsburgh so much and look forward to seeing them soon, but I think as the boys get older they will look forward to waking up Christmas morning in their own beds.  So- we are starting to make our own Christmas traditions.  One tradition that we started last year is our annual trip to see Santa Claus!  I was a bit hesitant this year because I knew the boys would cry, but to my surprise only Austin seemed to put up a fight...

If you look closely at the photo- you will see that Tyler has his horse with him.  Tyler found that horse at his mom-mom and pop-pop's house when we visited for Thanksgiving.  Out of all the many many toys mom-mom and pop-pop had for the boys to play with, Tyler kept finding the little rubber horse.  At the end of our weeks visit, he decided he was hijacking the horse.  So now he lives with us, and is rarely out of Tyler's reach.

I also enjoy this photo because as you will notice that while Austin is ready to rocket launch off Santa's lap, Tyler has made himself quite comfortable.  Yeah- his hand is behind his head- he is relaxing.   "Hey Santa- how you doing?"

In addition to starting new Christmas traditions, we were also fortunate enough to spend some time in Philadelphia with the Kantruss/Gosik side of our family.  Thanksgiving was beautiful.  The boys had a blast hanging out with their cousins, and were quite spoiled by their aunties!! 

On a hayride in Aunt Deb and Uncle Dave's lawn!

In addition, this past Thanksgiving also marked the five year anniversary of my sister Amber's SURVIVAL of her stroke and heart attack.  The actual anniversary of that dreadful day was the day before thanksgiving.  This year, we were fortunate enough to spend it with Amber and her sons.  I must admit, I got a little teary eyed as Amber and I were standing in her kitchen preparing lunch for the kids...   If you would have told me five years ago that we would be preparing lunch for our four lil munchkins, and in pretty good health, well- let's just say my response would have been "Not possible!"  But- life is full of surprises, and in our case- it was a good surprise.  I am so extremely grateful to have shared this day with my sister.  I am so extremely grateful for her health, my nephews, and my boys.  Words cannot express my pure gratitude... but this picture just about sums up how perfect that day was...

If you notice in the background it says "Believe" - funny uh?   

Well as we are trying to get preparing for the upcoming holidays, I find it hard not to get caught up in the hype... I need to remind myself to take a deep breath and cherish the moment.  I am so lucky to have such great moments... and as we move into 2012, I hope to make many more memories!

Merry Christmas!

IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG!

Hi!  First, and foremost I must apologize for taking so long to update this blog!  I have often intended to post something, but despite my good intentions, it just never happened.  So, blog followers (if their are even any left), I am sorry.  I will get better at updating- I promise!

Okay on to the boys... they are growing like weeds.  They are both walking.  Tyler started at 13 months, and Austin at 14 months.  Now that they are mobile lil men, things have gotten really interesting (for lack of a better term).  They have opinions, agendas, and they are generally always busy.  Long gone are the days when we could entertain them for hours with a rattle... now they play with "big boy" toys. 

Austin has discovered his love for cars.  Everything is "car."  I actually think he walked later than Tyler because he was too busy pushing cars around to realize he could stand.  Last night, Joey bought the boys new matchbox cars.  He told them that they could have them when they finished dinner.  Austin immediately gave me the sign for "all done" and demanded to get out of his high chair.  He wanted the car!  You would have thought we gave him a the world.  He was so appreciative and excited to receive a new matchbox car.  He tried to bring it to bed with him.  First thing this morning, he grabbed his car and held it while he drank his bottle.  I think his reaction really warmed Joey's heart, and it is safe to say Austin will be getting many more matchbox car surprises from Daddy. 

Tyler, on the other hand, is really into dinosaurs.  My favorite thing is when he says "Dinosaur!"  He gets so excited, and adds a little growl to the word.  If you ask Tyler what a dinosaur says, he will roar.  It is too cute.  There is a show on TV called Dino Dan.  Actually- come to think of it, it is really an odd show about a little boy who 'sees' dinosaurs.  Despite its oddity, A & T love it!   They watch it every afternoon that they are with Grammy and Pappy. Pappy has even started to record it for them so they can watch it whenever they choose.  (Part of my thinks Pappy also likes the show- but he says he is recording it for the boys).  A & T have even started to ask for the show... they say "Dino Dan!" whenever we turn on a TV.

Both boys are starting to talk.  They say nose, eyes, ears, head, hair, shoe, car, ball, mommy, daddy, tractor, train, etc...  I was told that by 15 months toddlers should know about 5 body parts.  Of course my competitive side got the best of me, and I had to make sure they knew well over 5 body parts.  I quiz them daily.  Whenever they properly identify the basics (eyes, ears, nose, hair, head, teeth), I throw a tricky one in there- like knees... ha- 5 body parts pleeeaazeee... we are up to almost 10. Just kidding- I am not that crazy, but seriously...

So enough jabber.  Time to post some updated photos!

Tyler- so big!

Watching Dino Dan!

Morning run with mom.

Austin- he is so big!

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail!

Hi!  It has been way too long since I updated our blog!  So sorry!  A lot has happened in the past few weeks... for starters- Ty guy is basically crawling!  Well-he's army crawling, using only his arms to move around- but hey, he's moving!  Austin is "scooting" backwards... he hasn't quite got the forward motion yet.   It is so fun to watch my lil men try to get around.  I am amazed the Tyler can pull his lower body so quickly... I mean his legs have to weigh about 10lbs- easily half his body weight.

We celebrated our first Easter together as a family.  The Easter bunny even made his grand debut during Easter brunch.   Austin was all smiles for Mr. Bunny, but Tyler- well let's just say he had a different expression.  He gave the Easter bunny his "smug mug."  Which is basically a look that says, "who the hell are you?"  As I watched Tyler stare the Easter bunny down, I could hear the person inside the bunny suit laughing.  Ha- i mean seriously, when was the last time an eight month old gave you a look?  It is quite comical.

We also have had a lot of visitors.  The boys got to spend time with their Aunt Karla, Uncle Gary, Aunt Rochelle, Uncle Ried, Aunt Renee, Mom-mom, Aunt Amby, Aunt Ashes (yes their are two aunt Ash's- Ash Kantruss and Ash Knoch), Aunt Cheryl, & Uncle Doug. Thank you so much for coming down and visiting! You have made lasting memories with the boys!! Thank you!

Well with out further ado... here are a few updated pics!



A very tired Austin!



Great side hair shot!

What?!

No hat mommy!

I would rip these bunny ears off if I wasn't too busy eating!

Smug mug!

Here comes Peter Cotton tail!

Easter Sunday!

Aunties!

7 Months!

I cannot believe it's already March!!!  Time truly flies when you're having fun!  The boys are now 7 months old.  They are practically driving- ha- well not really but they are eating solids, sitting up, and rolling over.  We have come so far!  The other day in Target I got behind a lady in line who had three month old twins.  She was strolling in the same wheels we use to get around- the Double Snap N' Go (thank you April for letting us borrow it), and she seemed excited to see someone with a similar method of transportation.  We exchanged a friendly "hello- how old are your twins?"  And when she told me that hers where 3 months old, I noticed the bags under her eyes... to which I smiled and said "Mine are 7 months, and yes it gets easier."  It felt like I had come full circle because I can clearly remember when the boys were 4 weeks old and I was in Target with the boys and my mom, and the lady behind us had four month old twins.  I remember shouting through the line, "Does it get easier?" and "Are you breastfeeding?"  I was so consumed with trying to master the delicate art of breastfeeding twins- it didn't even occur to me that it was maybe a little awkward for the other Target patrons to hear me scream about tandem feeding twins, and having to use a nipple guard.  This past trip to Target, I was the cool, calm, and collected momma who is still breastfeeding and not screaming about it awkwardly to other strangers (oh yeah- I have to toot my own horn every now and then-toot toot))!

Okay enough about me- the boys- they are doing fabulous.  I think 6-7months is my favorite age so far.  They are not yet mobile so we haven't encountered all those obstacles, but their not lil blobs either.  They have lil personalities, and are exploring and learning new things everyday.  Austin does this thing where he grabs my face and sucks on my chin, and I swear it is him trying to give my a kiss.  (He is probably just hungry and confusing my chin for something else-but one can pretend).  Tyler- oh my Ty- he just melts my heart with his big dimples and his chubby legs.  He gives me a smile, and I swear I crumble.  The boys now have a favorite TV show- "Clifford the Big Red Dog", and a favorite book- "Elmo, So Big".  It is not by chance that both of these lovable characters are red... I think that's their favorite color:)  Anytime they hear the Clifford theme song they stop what they are doing and watch and grin... I know they really shouldn't be watching TV this young, but- well see above about Tyler's dimples.  Man oh man- they smile and laugh- and I will give them anything they want.  (I know I need to toughen up).   This weekend the boys will celebrate their daddy's 30th birthday!  Yes Daddy is getting old:)  Happy Birthday Daddy!  Before long Spring will be here!  We are excited to dust off our jogging stroller and put it to good use!   Below are some pictures of the last few weeks.  Enjoy!

Austin was just lounging with the video camera in his lap

PITT Jackets from Aunt Cheryl Knoch- thank you!!

First Superbowl Sunday!!

The Steelers didn't win- but Daddy couldn't be upset with these two lovable lil men around!

I think he might be getting brown eyes like his daddy!

New favorite toy- the TV remotes- they are staring at the TV because they turned it on!

Austin's first baseball game!  GO ECU!  He got to see his cousin Chris play, and spend some time snuggling with Great Aunt Deb!

Austin cheesing with mom-mom!

Your limo driver awaits...

Tough guy ty... he is a true italian!

Grammy says he looks like a babydoll- I am starting to believe her!

This is my model shot!