8 Months

Wiley

• 11 lbs 7 oz; 25 inches long
• You have earned your newest nickname: Curious George. You are into everything! No matter where you are, you find something new that you must touch or feel. Diaper changes are becoming increasingly more frustrating due to this...you refuse to stay on your back, needing to see everything behind you.
• You are a speedy, rolly-polly. We have to keep an eye on you because you will be gone if not.
• You are getting around a lot more now too. You have a pretty good scootch developed. I call it the inch-worm: booty straight in the air, you pull yourself forward with your arms, booty down, and repeat.
• You can sit up fairly sturdy in the "tripod position" (arms in front of your legs to balance you) and have held yourself up for just a few seconds without the balance of your arms.
• You love little kids
• You are giggling a lot more - and now without being tickled. Your whole face lights up when you smile and others can't help but smile too when they see it.

Ryan

• 11 lbs 2 oz; 24.5 inches long
• You are a speedy, rolly-polly. We have to keep an eye on you because you will be gone if not.
• You are getting around a lot more now too. You have a pretty good forward army crawl developed, but if you really want to make some time, you go backwards. 
• You are very solid at sitting in the "tripod position" (arms in front of your legs to balance you) and have held yourself up for just a few seconds without the balance of your arms.
• You seem very thoughtful in the movements you make. When you want something, you position yourself just right so that you can grab whatever it is you are after. 
• You love little kids
• You love to make other people laugh and already seem to know when you are getting a lot of attention and so you put on a show for them

You boys continue to bring us so much joy every day. Your daddy and I were just talking the other night, how each new stage we enter is so exciting. We love watching you learn and take in the world. This new stage of exploration and curiosity is just so fun. You are both so interested and alert to everything around you. I say it each month, but I just can't believe it's already been eight months! They have been the happiest eight months of our lives and we are so blessed to call you ours!

490

My favorite week of the year: church camp, by far. It's a week cut off from the rest of the world spent rejuvenating your soul. It's a week spent with church family from around the country, catching up and growing closer. A week of nearly no sleep and a jam packed schedule of church meetings, seminars, sports, and late night socializing. And each year it's my reset button - a chance to grow closer to the Lord, to refresh my soul, and to come back to reality feeling empowered and ready to better serve Him.

This year, your daddy and I went back and forth as pt whether or not we were going to go. We realized it would be a lot of work just to get there with you two. Plus, with constant church meetings where you had to sit still and be quiet, would it be worth it? Two weeks before camp we finally decided to give it a shot. 

We were right, it was definitely a lot of work. But it was absolutely worth it! You boys were beyond amazing! You traveled well. You were so behaved during the meetings. And minus sleeping at night (you did not like going back to your rock n plays!), we really can't complain. You made lots of new friends and mommy and daddy got a lot of excellent help!

This year's camp theme was forgiveness based on Matthew 18:21-22, "Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

We spent the week learning what true forgiveness is and how to truly forgive someone. Going into the week, I was very excited about this theme; I was comfortable with my ability to forgive. However, as we delved deeper into the topic, I realized I do not forgive everyone as quickly and easily as I should. As humans we often forgive conditionally, but God teaches us to simply forgive unconditionally. It is easy to feel hurt or betrayed by others. When this happens it can be difficult to trust them again or accept their apology in fear they will do it again. But how often does the Lord forgive me, day after day, of the same mistakes over and over again?

What I thought was going to be an easy, spiritual, week for me, actually taught me I have much work to do. I tend to hold grudges when people really hurt me. I tend to bottle up these hurts and often the person does not even know the pain they may be causing me. This week we learned that now is the time to unite as a church. We need to first address any offenses we may have and then we need to forgive. If our purpose is to spread Christ's love, we must make sure as a church we are united by His love.

I am so thankful for the week we spent as a family with our church family. As you boys continue to grow and learn, I hope we can continue to hold on to this feeling of Forgiveness: 490. It's my prayer that I can grow myself so that I can be an example to you boys of the importance of true forgiveness.

Six Month Follow-Up

Today we had another neonatal follow-up. I feel like you boys are doing wonderfully, so I was excited to hear a professional's take on your progress. Ryan, you were a little out of sorts (but I can't blame you, the appointment was right in the middle of your favorite nap-time) and did not want anything with the tasks she was having you do. Still, you showed her all she needed to see. 

Besides still being pretty underweight (we finally hit 11 pounds each!), she was very impressed with you both! In fact she ended the appointment with, "Well typically we see preemies every four months up until their adjusted age of one year, some up to two years. But you boys are doing so great, let's just meet again in 7 months for their one year. And you know what, if your pediatrician thinks they look good, as that appointment approaches, we could probably do without that one too!" I was thrilled! Here I thought they'd be tracking you for two years and you guys could already be finished with your neonatal appointments!

Today was such an answered prayer. You boys continue to develop beautifully and God continues to show His power! I'm so thankful, and so proud of my little "overcomers!"

(And as if this good news wasn't enough, you boys decided to show off a bit today too after the appointment and sat in the tripod position for the first time! Wow!!)

 

 

Fourth of July

We spent the fourth visiting with family; cooking out; and enjoying the shockingly, cool, gorgeous July weather. The afternoon was spent at Grandpa's house and a slew of cousins (a total of 7 boys all under 4 and one lone lady) for lunch.

From there we headed out to Nenny's house. Here you played with your cousins Noah and Logan for the first time. They made you both smile and giggle!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ended the long day with an incredible firework show (we enjoyed the show from indoors!). Ryan, you didn't take one nap all day (except for the few car rides we had to take). You didn't want to miss one minute of the excitement. Unfortunately, you finally crashed just minutes before the fireworks!

 

 

 

Overall, it was a very busy, very fun day celebrating with friends and family.