Great Grandpa Gust!

Great Grandpa Gust came to visit Parks and Marlee!!!  They loved him.  :)

Skin Cancer #2

Last week I had my SECOND basal cell carcinoma removed.  This one was much simpler than the eyelid...it was on my collar bone, but the fact that I am only 30 and have now had 2 skin cancers in less than 3 months is a bit troublesome to me.  I am afraid that I have done some major damage to my skin over the past 30 years, and now I am going to have to have these things popping up all over my skin.

Here are some pics...they aren't too gross, so I thought I could post:

The cancer that I could see with my bare eyes was only about a quarter of the size of a pencil eraser, but this is the size of the removal...8 stitches!  Are you scared yet?  GO GET CHECKED!!!!  (Patrick, I'm talking to you!)

Aunt Karla came to visit!

Last Monday my Godmother, Aunt Karla (my dad's sister) came to visit and meet Parks and Marlee.  She brought Uncle Steve and my cousin Sean and his girlfriend Camille.  We had lunch and hung out...so nice to see them...it had been 5 years!!!

Isn't the back of Parks' head so cute?  ;)

6 months!

My twinfants aren't infants anymore!  We've got full-blown babies over here, and it is the greatest thing EVER.  Every day these two little miracles get more fun and more alert, interactive and responsive.  I am loving being a mommy so so much.  We do, of course, have "our moments" and tantrums, but they are so few and far between...they really are great kids.

Here's what Parks is up to at 6 months:

- Size 2 diapers

- Size 9-12 month clothes

- Can pretty much sit up on his own (but sometimes leans too far to one side and falls over)

- Just started a 4 hour feeding schedule...eats at 8, 12, 4, 8 and dream feed at 10

- Drinks about 7 or 7.5 ounces per feeding

- Wants to crawl so bad...and gets around on his belly pretty good

- Is getting so great at grasping toys.  I love holding a toy in front of him and watching him figure out how to grab onto it and get it to his mouth to chew on.

- Still no teeth

- Loves riding in the baby jogger stroller when I go walking or running.

- Favorite activity recently has been jumping in his bouncy swing (the one that hangs in the door frame)

- Eats baby food and rice cereal really well.  Has tried every fruit and vegetable available and hasn't turned anything away.

Here's what Marlee is up to at 6 months:

- Size 1 diapers (just to use up what we have, then she is ready for size 2)

- Size 6 months clothes 

- Can sit with assistance, and LOVES standing up with help...she can even hold herself up standing few several seconds before losing her balance.  It's so funny seeing this tiny baby do that.  :)

- Just started a 4 hour feeding schedule...eats at 8, 12, 4, 8 and dream feed at 10

- Drinks about 6 or 6.5 ounces per feeding

- Just started rolling over from back to tummy TODAY

- Is starting to figure out how to grasp toys, but usually prefers to chew on her fingers, which are ALWAYS in her mouth.

- Still no teeth

- Is getting much better about tummy time.  Still not a "fan" but will tolerate it for 5 or 10 minutes at a time now.

- Makes the funniest sounds these days...favorite is an exhale/growl/roar that she does and then laughs at herself.

- Not a fan of baby food.  Still pushes most of it back out with her tongue, but we are trying!

I cannot believe we are HALFway to their first birthday!!

WE FOUND OUR CAMERA!!

When we unexpectedly rushed to the hospital a month before we planned to have the babies, we managed to grab 3 things on the way out the door:  a camera, a toothbrush and some pajamas.  All three came in very handy, and our family and friends showed up big time for us bringing everything else we could need or want during our stay.

Mikey took some pictures in the operating room and when the babies first got to the NICU.  Unfortunately, we lost the camera...or so we thought...

We searched EVERYWHERE for the camera, and even took 3 trips to the hospital to check in with the lost and found.  I was so sad to lose those pictures.  Then, over Labor Day weekend, I was packing some of the babies clothes and felt something in one of the outside pockets....here's what we got: