11 Months and Counting Down

On Tuesday Quinn and Riley turned 11 months old. I think I'm in a little bit of denial...hence my reluctance to write about it. I just cannot believe that they are so close to 1 year. In fact, tomorrow starts their birthday month and the count down to February 26th. We took 11 month pictures on Tue. and this one is a favorite. I love how they are standing up together looking out the window. They loved it too! I just think they are looking so big and grown up (not like babies) and that makes me a little sad (well a lot sad...but in a good way).

Here's the best puppy picture I could get. You really need 2 people to get this picture these days but I was doing it on my own. They are just so much bigger than puppy!

This is one of several ride-on/push toys they got for Christmas. It was so funny the day we discovered that we could put Riley on to ride and Quinn would push her. In fact, I think she added just the right weight resistance so it doesn't go too fast for Quinn on the hardwoods. However, there is a rug in the hallway that he has to push a little harder to keep her moving... notice his face?
They both absolutely LOVE it! They cannot get enough! We will turn them around at the end of the hallway and Quinn will just keep pushing her back and forth. I love it because it saves my back from when I was bending over to push. Now I just stay close to make sure everyone is safe!
It's hard to get them to stay still in one place, but if I put Riley somewhere (chair, exersaucer, bouncer) Quinn will come right over to "talk" and play with her. They interact SOOOO much these days! It is adorable and so fun that they always have a playmate. Quinn, however, does not like it when his sister decides that whatever he has she must have. Even if he lets her take a toy out of his hand and goes to get another one, she will come after that new toy. We are working on that!

I just love her little eye lashes! We go back this week for another helmet check as well. She's been wearing it for just over 2 months so we are hopeful that she is getting close to being out of it!

I love this picture! This is my curious and thoughtful little boy that is busy busy, but also likes to sit back and think. I feel like I can literally see the wheels turning in his mind when he is figuring out something new.

We are pretty much all done with baby food! We've come a long ways since we didn't even start cereal until 6 months. At 9 months I started slowly working in more table food and this last month they have really been eating great. They still eat baby cereal for breakfast with usually applesauce and yogurt mixed in. However, they eat table food for lunch and dinner. It's nice, especially since I try to make things that can be eaten with their fingers. Lately they have had dinners of chicken pot pie, meatballs, chicken enchiladas, chicken and noodles, and lots of veggies. Here Quinn had chicken enchiladas and peas for dinner. See it all over his face?

Riley enjoyed the chicken enchiladas and peas too! Can I just say beware of black beans the next day...their systems were cleaned out pretty well (TMI, I know).
This is one of my other favorites from Tuesday's photo session. I just love the way they are both looking at one another and you can see the interest they have in each other. I pray that they will be good friends in years to come and will always know that they can count on their sibling. Quinn and Riley,

You are 11 months old, in fact it's almost February, your birthday month and I cannot believe that we are here. I recently was at the hospital where you were born and stopped in the NICU to see Quinn's very first nurse, Beth. Walking in there, I felt like it was just yesterday that you were born and I had to go to the NICU every time I wanted to see you. That is something no parent is prepared for, but I'm so thankful for those nurses and doctors who took such good care of you and helped you get home to your dad and me.

You both have brought me so much joy over the past 11 months. I am a little sad that we will soon be leaving your baby year behind. It has been such a wonderful year full of so many miracles. Getting you both here safely, getting you out of the NICU on the same day, and watching you grow and change and learn more and more every day, all miracles!

Quinn you are still in size 3 diapers and mostly 12 month clothes. Riley you are still in size 2 diapers and mostly 9 month clothes, I wanted to move you up to size 3 (you are the weight) but they were just so big on you still. You two are great eaters, great sleepers (going to bed about 6:30 pm, sleeping till 7ish am, with naps at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm), and great players! You both are busy busy moving and learning and having such fun together! We have dance parties and move all around the house! If I am holding Riley, Quinn you crawl over and insist on me picking you up too. I usually do since I know there will come a day when you won't want to be held much anymore and I want to treasure these moments now while you do.

I want you to know how much I adore you both! I love being your "mama", as you Quinn are saying more and more. Riley you still love to say "dada" and we know you are a daddy's girl! I love spending my days with you and watching how you grow and learn. You are such blessings to me, even on the tough days when you are sick or teething (or both) I love being with you. I am praying that the month of February 2010 will slow down a little so I can savor each of these last days of your baby year.

Love,

Mom