#45. Batten Down the Hatches!!

Yikes, when did they get so big?!?

Flashback... remember the days when these devices were great for eating and sleeping??

The good 'ole days

Don't plan on leaving the room for even a minute or you might return to a scene like this!

I miss the old days already!

Now it's more about looking out and getting out...causing two dads to FREAK out!!

It's only a matter of time until this won't hold us either, Daddy!

More than ever, the twins are BOTH (Luke recently graduated to 'crawling') on the move!!

                                        


We knew the day would come when mobility and, thus, the childproofing would begin.  Fortunately, its been a slow process so far that began with 'book-proofing'.

It didn't take Clare long to show us why the adult books...

...needed to be replaced by more child-friendly titles

The progression eventually evolved and we now have 'The Gate' installed to block the stairs going downstairs.

The structure drew serious attention in the beginning,..

...before becoming an ongoing mission called 'how do we get outta here?!?'

Clare is already showing it's also only a matter of time until we have to put 'The Gate' on the stairs going upstairs!

Sometimes I think the twins are ready to start helping with chores around the house, though I have yet to see this interest yield any actual help!!

Clare likes to 'help' around the kitchen.  I see an 'Easy Bake' oven in her future!!

Luke is more interested in dishes and the laundry.  How soon can we put this boy to work?!

Poor Trig has had her space invaded.  Luckily, she has been a good sport so far!!

Trig's tail might be growing thanks to the twins

Maybe they want to eat their solids out of this now?!?

This picture did not have a dry ending...see video below!

                                           

In general, the twins are into just about anything they can crawl to (in Clare's case) or 'drive' to (for delayed crawler/recently turned 'Army crawler' Luke).  Whatever the mode of transportation, they are finding a way to keep us on our toes (and not far from their sight!).

Papa's favorite destination is quickly becoming theirs!!

Dads...did you really think we wouldn't find the fire equipment hidden behind the jumper?!?

Clare likes to inspect things delicately, usually crawling up to whatever catches her eye.

Those children's books are great, but adult magazines still taste better

Good selection Clare...one of Papa's favorites!

Must have every object within reach in the house...and everything on the ground as well!

It's more fun to push the walker than to walk in it!

Luke, on the other hand, is a tad more reckless, pulling things from shelves.

Someone forgot to shut the pantry door!  Wonder what Luke will pull off the shelf this time?!?

Relax Dad, it's only coffee filters!

                                         Sometimes we can tell where he's been by what our mini                                      'Fred Flintstone' is dragging around in his 'car'...

and testing the limits of gravity!!

What happens if I tip this over??

                                                   (Note: Bungee cords have been installed                                                                                                       to keep this from happening again!)

We will continue to appreciate the twins' new found mobility and 'explorations', knowing it's only a short time until we are completely doomed!

Twins duet

#44. Seventy-Five Percent to One

Two bathers at once...a perk to both twins being able to sit up for an extended time!

It's a wild thought, but Clare and Luke have now been out of the womb as long as they were inside it!! 

Happy 9-Month Old Hawks fans!!

Takedown!!  Sister's still in charge!

Here are some photos and videos highlighting the last few weeks as the twins turned 9 months old. First, we'd like to report that all is going well with Luke's helmet.

More reason to be more reckless than ever!!

23 hours a day...it's amazing the food didn't reach the helmet this meal

He has been wearing it for a month now and we already saw significant improvement at his first 'adjustment' checkup.  There is no word yet on how long he will have to wear the device, but things are moving along.

So is Clare...didn't want her to feel left out

The twins celebrated their first Easter holiday.  Easter weekend began with a visit from Grandpa Dan and Grandma Steffie.

Twins loved the visit and Papa and Daddy enjoyed a night out (Thank You)!!

There were no Easter baskets or eggs to hunt this year, but it proved to be a great opportunity to get dressed up for the day.

Dressed in our Sunday best!

We all spent the holiday in Naperville at Aunt Lisa and Uncle Paul's house.  It was a beautiful day and Luke and Clare enjoyed being outdoors on the lawn and patio.

Luke's GQ pose from the back of a dumptruck

Clare prefers a more Sports Illustrated-like scene

Looking like an executive at his desk

The best part of a dress is there is more clothing to chew on

We 'tried' to stage a little photo shoot on the lawn.

Hopefully, Cousin/Brother Ben will teach these three how to pose better next time

Grandma Steffie with four of her grandchildren

They clearly had no energy left for the family shot

Luke and Clare are beginning to change at a fast rate.  We have enjoyed listening to the twins start to babble...

Anyone understand what Clare is saying here??

Luke saying 'hi'...I think

                                         

and laugh...

Sister's ticklish just like her Papa

Luke is becoming one big ham

and (in a preview of a future blog post) crawl!!

She will be on her feet in no time!

We are looking forward to a tenth month with these two!!

Clare and Luke's First Easter

#43. March Madness

After the previous blog entry (a Luke-dominated post), Clare felt left out so I decided to put together another entry highlighting some of March's happenings.  There's been a lot more going on than securing that damn helmet!

Like the past few months, we all blinked and March was over.  On March 19, the twins officially reached 8 months. 

Luke and Clare, 8 months

I thought I would point out that these monthly milestone 'photoshoots' are typically quite a production.  So much so, that I thought I'd post a few (of the many) rejected photos...  

From upper left clockwise: 1) oh, Clare, let me fix your hair  2) put your legs down brother  3) sister's getting crabby! 4) now sister shows some attitude 5) arms up, let's mess with daddy  6) ok we're done whether you got a good one or not 

This week also marks a year since we found out the good news (while traveling in Portugal) that there was going to be a Luke (boy) and a Clare (girl). 

Flashback to the day Luke and Clare were 'born' into our minds

Time continues to fly and it's crazy to see how far the twins are coming (and moving!) along.

Hangin' out on the playpad is fun....

...but a trip away from the play pad makes for a great adventure!!

The twins were excited to see both of their grandmothers in the past month.  Grandma Steffie came north for a Chicago visit

Grandma Steffie and Clare

and helped with the ongoing solid food eating movement.  

Maybe Grandma Steffie can help with the stubborn solid-eating Clare!

No problems here...Luke's one happy customer!

A week later, we took the twins down to Central Illinois for another visit to Eureka,

Not sure how we fit all of this and more into our car, but Clare and
 Luke had plenty of stuff to play with on Grandpa and Grandma's floor!

where they were showered with attention from Grandma and Grandpa Knapp.

After having two boys of her own, Grandma is a pro with Luke

She may not eat much (solids) but she loves the attention from Grandpa

Grandma Knapp enjoys lap time with 'Bubba' and 'Peanut'

We even made a quick stop off to Bloomington for a visit with some friends.

Ivy and Amelia taking care of their growing 'cousins'

Daddy went out of town for his (nerd alert!) annual Texas Instruments 'calculator conference', so Papa played 'dress up' the twins.

The Dapper Luke...

and the Dashing Clare!

Yeah, we clean up real nice!!

Luke and Clare also made a trip to Naperville to visit with Aunt Lisa and their cousins.  

Stroller drag racing with cousin Nick!

The weather was so nice when Daddy was in Texas, that Luke and Clare got to spend time outside in the courtyard.

Lovin' the fresh air...and look at Luke's hair!

Unfortunately, Daddy's return coincided with the return of cold weather, and the first (please let it be the last!) snow of the spring season.  We took advantage and finally opened the full body snowsuits we neglected using throughout the actual winter season.

Dads glad the twins got one wear out of these things

You mean, this white stuff is here in late March too?!?

If you build a snowman in late March, they will come

Outside of helmets, grandparents, and spring snow, we've mainly been bumming around the house...a family favorite activity.

Daddy's two little munchkins

Luke takes a (short) break from scampering through the house in his wheels

Serious Sister close-up

Posin' with Papa

Someone scooted away from the play area

Bless her heart, she jumped herself to exhaustion!

Putting the helmet to good use...Father/Son Shocker support!

Sister Sous-chef

I'll wrap it up here with a couple of videos of Luke and Clare enjoying some play time right before bed.  

Luke logging more flight time

Clare showing off her 'moves'

We're looking forward to the 9th month with these two!