The Tiger and The Tank

What?!?!?! We had preemies??? The boys had their 6 month check-up this past week and they are both healthy and doing great! Both boys were in the 70th percentile for their height, 50th percentile for their weight, and the 25th percentile for their head size. These figures are when compared to other babies born in January that were full term! As Dr. Walker would say, preemies will catch up and usually they say within two years, but Ashton and Aiden are pretty much right on track as healthy, 6 month olds. Coincidentally, the same day the boys had their check-up, there was a WIAA Physical "camp/clinic" for all the athletes and the boys happened to be wearing their "Menomonie Future Athlete" onsies that Nana bought them for Christmas!

"The Tiger"

We call Aiden the Tiger because as of this week he has lost his cute little talking/babbling voice and the only sound he makes is when he is GROWLING! It is the funniest thing! Aiden weighed 17 pounds even and was 26 inches tall. He has rolled from stomach to back AND back to stomach. Is is only 2 ounces smaller than Ashton, and while he looks smaller in size and in his features, he is pure muscle.

"The Tank"
Ashton has had the nickname as Frank the Tank for a bit now as he has always been noticeably bigger than Aiden with larger features. He has big hands, big feet, and a rounder face. Although he looks bigger than Aiden, they are the closest in weight than they ever have been and only a half inch separates them in height! Ashton weighed 17 pounds 2 ounces and is 26 1/2 inches tall.

We also had a follow up appointment with the pediatric urologist and got GREAT news! Both of the boys' kidneys are looking better. They are still a bit large, but they are moving in the direction to correcting themselves as their kidneys are growing and are healthy. We will follow up in 6 months and then move towards yearly check-ups for the next few years!

Daddy celebrated his BiRtHdAy this past week on the 27th... he turned the BIG 32! We had a mini celebration at the house before we went to the Dunn County Fair with some friends for some entertainment, refreshments, and good ol' fair food.

Spoiled with presents... mostly clothes as he DOES NOT buy clothes for himself, so they make perfect gifts! How else does he always look so nice?

In the years to come he will have two other helpers, but for now... Izzie LOVES to help open presents and she has learned that she often gets new toys and bones as presents, so she always thinks they are for her ;)

The weather has still been hot, so the walks have been shorter and the pool times have been more frequent and longer! Both boys LOVE the water. We cannot wait to get them into swimming lessons and get them to Door County and on the Lake in the years to come!

Aiden doing laps.

Ashton gets giddy and splashes.

The boys have really been noticing each other. They watch each other play, turn their heads when each one cries, smile at each other, and are starting to babble to each other.

Ashton gives kisses and reaches for your face.

Both boys have been waking up around 5 am, so to let us sleep until 6 they have been snuggling in bed with us for the last hour. We love the snuggles and it also gives them the time to snuggle with each other.

Let it begin... whatever one is playing with, the other is interested in. Our supper times are getting a bit easier as we feed the boys and then when it is our turn to eat, they play in their high chairs. Adam and I can actually eat together and not in shifts!

On Saturday morning we met Harper and Cindy at the Fair. We walked around and looked at all the animals and you can't go to a fair without getting a funnel cake and fresh squeezed lemonade! It was great catching up as the boys are growing SOOOO fast.

Harper will be one year old at the end of August... before we know it, they boys will be playing and running in all different directions ;)

HOME AWAY FROM HOME... On Thursday we are leaving for Door County and for the next 10 days we will call a camper "home". The boys tested it out and liked laying and looking out the windows.

We usually get a camper from Green Bay, but we have so much "Stuff" this year, we had to get a camper from this side of the state so we can pack it full and haul everything... it was either that or rent a u-haul!

We are excited to start this tradition with the boys. We look forward to our trip to Door County every year. This will be my 5th year as Adam and his family have been going the past 30 some years, and hopefully in 30 years the boys can say the same.

We will take pictures of the camper packed full! We have so many toys, bikes, gear, and family fun to pack, we joke about looking like gypsies going down the road.

The most important gear to pack...

The Boys' Beach Gear from Gramma and Grampa. We will log many hours on the beach! Thanks Gramma and Grampa!

The next post will be AFTER Door County!!!! It will be a big one, so be sure to give me a little time and check back to hear all about Ashton and Aiden's FIRST VACATION!