11 Months

Y'all - it is becoming increasingly difficult to get two almost-toddlers to sit still and have a picture taken. And forget about the laying down beside the stuffed animals. So, we're officially discontinuing those pictures, and we have just one more of them together (I CANNOT believe my babies are almost a year).

In lieu of the photos with the rabbits - here are some candids of Smith and Addison.

The Condo to beat all Condos

So those of you who keep up with Krissee and Daniel via facebook may know that we recently bought a condo in Pawleys Island, SC. This is part of the aforementioned move.

As of today, our house in Columbia hasn't sold yet. We started weighing the pros and cons and the stress the travel was putting on both of us, and decided that it'd be smart to go ahead and buy something in Pawleys. Obviously, two mortgages ain't fun, so we opted for a condo that we found for a STEAL. Its never been lived in, and the owner just wanted out.

Here's the place from the back "yard."



This is the view from the front hallway. Behind this are two bedrooms, a bathroom, and the laundry room.

Dining/Kitchen area.

Yes, its much smaller than our current home. Yes, we will not be able to fit everything we own into this space. We know that. We're excited about that. We're simplifying. We don't plan on this being the end all be all home for us. But we're going to be here for a while. Its in the school district we want, the payments are a steal, and I think both Krissee and I are looking forward to a new place and no yard work. And a pool for the twins. And Dad home every night. And our family together in a fun and exciting new place. These are the important things.

As of now, we're hoping to close the week of July 15th, and move that weekend. If that doesn't work out, it will be mid-August before we move, due to other commitments and plans.

Now, if you know anyone who would want a great house in Columbia, SC.......

Millions of Peaches

Last weekend, we went to Daniel's home, the metropolis of Trenton, SC, for the 39th annual Ridge Peach Festival.

Smith loved the parade, but not nearly as much as his Pappa did. Here is his auntie Ame with him at the parade. I thought this was a great picture of her (and of course of my lil' guy!)

Nanny and Pappa have a great pool, and the Daybies LOVE to swim. Here is Addison, being Addison. I'm sure she'll hate me for this in the future.

Ten Months at the Beach!

Yeah...we've been busy. Really busy. So busy that its now the middle of the month and we never shared out beach trip, nor have we even taken our ten month pictures.

Rather than cheat and give you 10.5 month pictures, I'm gonna do a little double duty and repurpose a couple of beach pics as month pictures - just this once!

Crawlers

Thats right, friends and family, Smith and Addison are official members of the crawling club.

Addison is just doing the army crawl - but smith has mastered the full on big boy crawl.

Regardless, they're both mobile, and into everything they shouldn't be and have no interest in anything that is clearly for them.

Please excuse the jerkiness of the camera at the beginning - i had to bribe them with an electrical cord (which appears later in the video), and Smith was on his way before I could get back and pick the camera back up.



We'll be spending the next week on a family vacation at Edisto Island. Nanny and Poppa, Ame, Woody, and this Day family are renting a place and we should have some awesome stories and photos to regale you with after the fact.

Create a breakdown in your child in 4 easy steps!

1) Step 1 - Create interest in an object that I will want to touch. In this case....the camera. (But it really can be anything - camera, remote control, pine cone...really, the list is endless)

2) Step 2 - Watch as subject makes a break for the object.

3) Step 3 - Observe Subject make a play for object

4) Step 4 - Deny object, and watch the fireworks.

New fun

Its been a busy week 'round here. Mom introuduced Smith and Addison to the tupperware cabinet.

On Saturday afternoon, we pulled the pool out that Dad brought home from Eagles at the beach. A good time was had by all.

9 months old

Yes, our pictures are a few days late this go round. We've been really busy with two nine month olds. At some point in the past month or so, these two extra people in our home have transformed from lethargic babies to energetic pre-toddlers. They're both on the cusp of crawling. In fact, I think Smith may be days away from it, but knowing Addison, she probably already can crawl (and walk and talk and do her hair, but she just doesn't want to!)

The picture of Smith attacking the sign was the best one of the bunch, and is a pretty good summation of life in our home these days. If it exists, it must be touched, patted, and inserted in the mouth if possible.

We got the all clear at our nine month appointment last week. They're both 18 lbs 2 oz, which puts him in the 25th percentile and her in the 50th for weight. They're both off the charts in height (he's 29.75 inches, and she's right at 29 if my memory serves me correctly). We're venturing into table food and we were told that they can pretty much have anything (Other than honey). We're still keeping some things from them, but they've both had a french fry, some vanilla soft serve, and some yogurt.

Wishing a happy mother's day to our mom Krissee!

Dad's Big Day

So this one is a little different, as its mostly about Dad, but involves us too!

Anyone who really know's Daniel all that well knows that he his a crazy stupid Dave Matthews Band fan. He's been to like twenty-plus concerts, listens to them more than he should, and so one and so forth. Some might even call him obsessed.

He's been a member of the fan club for many, many years, and as such gets pretty awesome tickets to the shows he wants to go to. Last year, he and Uncle Chap went to a concert together..with 5th or 6th row seats. Since Daniel only had two tickets, it wasn't anything personal against Aunt Heather, but lets just say Daniel has yet to live it down.

Fast Forward to this year, and when tickets went on sale to the fan club, members were able to purchase four tickets each. Future Crisis Averted.

Mom had a bachelorette party to attend this weekend, so uncle-in-law Norm (heather's brother) is attending along with Daniel, Chap, and Heather on Friday night. We are pretty sure that we may have front row seats (row D, but the seating chart shows this is the first row..regardless, even if its not, its no worse than 4th row!!)

So, Tuesday of this week, Daniel gets a call from the fan club. He and one guest have been invited to a meet and greet with the band prior to the show Friday night. Dad tried and tried and tried but they were firm in their one guest only rule. Crap. Potential crisis!! Oh well, I was going!

Uncle Chap won the "who's going" lottery. Then came the big question - what to take to have the band sign?

Iwent through a number of ideas - but finally, settled on something for Smith and Addison. Their entire life, I've sang them a DMB song that was written in regards to Dave's children...its name is "Where are you Going?" and its lyrics are listed at the end of the post. Since I want it to be something that they can have for a long time - I decided to take some pictures of them in some custom made clothing. Clothes were bought. Embroidering was completed. And below are the pictures of Smith and Addison that the band will be signing tonight. H

Where are you Going Lyrics
Where are you going?
With your long face
Pulling down
Don't hide away
Like an ocean
That you can't see but you can smell
And the sound of the waves crash down

I am no Superman
I have no reasons for you
I am no hero
Oh, that's for sure
But I do know one thing
Is where you are is where I belong
I do know where you go
Is where I want to be

Where are you going?
Where do you go?

Are you looking for answers
To questions under the stars?
Well, if along the way
You are grown weary
You can rest with me until
A brighter day and you're okay

I am no Superman
I have no answers for you
I am no hero
Oh, that's for sure
But I do know one thing
Is where you are is where I belong
I do know where you go
Is where I want to be

Where are you going?
Where do you go?

Where do you go?
Where are you going?

Where do you go?

I am no Superman
I have no answers for you
I am no hero
Oh, that's for sure
But I do know one thing
Is here you are is where I belong
I do know where you go
Is where I want to be

Where are you going?
Where do you go?
Tell me, where are you going?
Where?
Well, let's go

Easter Photo Shoot

After this fun photo shoot today, as I was going through the pictures, I told Krissee "We have some ridiculously photogenic children."

I don't need you to agree to me....I know its true!! :)

The cuteness really should speak for itself. We've had a great day - family came to our house for lunch, and it was great to sit around the dining room table with everyone (Smith and Addison included) and enjoy the delicious Easter lunch that Krissee prepared.

After the meal - it was time for the photo shoot!

8 months old

Sorry these are a few days late...we took them at the appropriate times, but I was just lazy and didn't get them off the camera.

Its blowing our minds that 1) our babies are already 8 months old and 2) how much they've grown and grown up already.

Smith is our happy boy. His favorite pastimes include touching EVERYTHING he can possibly get his hands on and putting it in his mouth. He also enjoys sitting on the floor and playing the big basket of toys that mom has for him (Yes, our little boy can sit unassisted. For long, long long periods of time). He's also trying his hardest to get up on all fours, which makes me think crawling isn't too far in the future for this little guy. Cookie has nicknamed him "Flash Drive," because he's SO fast in his walker, and he's already showing an enjoyment of technology.

Addison is our cautious child. She doesn't like loud noises (as we're fond of saying in our house..."Don't nobody need anymore ice", because the ice dispenser is known to set her off). She's mastered putting her pacifier back in, which is HUGE. She can also sit unsupported, but is prone to the occasional topple, so there is typically a fort of pillows and blankets surrounding her. She doesn't really show much interest in being on her stomach at all, except when she's in her crib, so we're not sure if she's going to crawl or not.

Walking!?!?

No sillies, not THAT walking, on their own. They're gifted, but not crazy scary gifted.

No, after much discussion, both Addison and Smith have been given walkers. These plastic toys have given them an awful lot of independence.

Here's some quick video of both of them making the trek through the den. Addison is QUITE the drama queen, and was more than aware of the times when the camera was on her. We're in for some interesting times over the next 17+ years.

7 Months Old

It really is amazing how quickly time is flying by. These two are FULL of personality these days. They're both incredibly happy, and I tell them everyday that I hope they always stay as happy as they are right now.

Babies and Doggies

Just the past few weeks, Smith and Addison have become actually aware that there are two furry creatures living in the house with them! They've both started eying Allie and Bailey wherever they go. Smith is actively trying to reach for both of them (and last night was able to have a supervised petting session with Allie).

Also last night, and the purpose of this entry: Addison was laying on her play mat, you know, playing. Bailey was, as she often is, laying beside her, just kinda watching. Then, out of nowhere, Bailey made the move and laid her head directly next to Addison's body. Addison thought it was the BEST thing and started laughing and was SO excited that she'd made a new friend.

I'm really glad that both children seem to be interested in the dogs.

Healthy Babies

At our 6 month check last week, here is how the babies stacked up to the competition (yes, its a competition...everything is.)


We go back at 9 months ( a whole 3 months without a well visit - woo-hoo. Lets hope we don't have to make any non-well visits either!) As you can tell, Smith is a tall one - we're thinking NBA is in the future.

As a lady said while we were out to lunch today: "They look healthy." I didn't know if she was trying to be sly and call my babies fat, or just generally pleased about their well-being. From here on out, Dad is to only be referred to as healthy. None of those other nasty words.

Our House

(is a very very very fine house...yeah, I went there.)

As you may or may not already know - our house is currently on the market and we're planning on moving as soon as it sells. The plan is to move to the Pawleys Island, SC area (Dad's job is located there, and well, there are worse places to live and raise a family!).

Before we do so, I thought it was important to pay homage to the house that we've called home for the twins life to date. This will probably make Krissee cry, but I'm not trying to - I just want to preserve some memories!

So here is the outside of our home. Smith, be glad that we're moving, because otherwise, you would have had to mow this lawn, and let me tell you from experience, it ain't fun.


Here are a few pictures of the nursery. You spent lots of time in here, because you were such awesome babies and you slept really, really well.




Here's our duck themed bathroom - Mom would put our bathtub on the sink and wash us. That's where we learned to splash!
Honestly and truly, we're going to miss this house like crazy. It was probably the hardest thing to say goodbye to (because really, we had to say goodbye before it even went on the market). But we know that a house doesn't make a home, and the most important thing for our family is to be together and enjoy the love we share (yeah, its corny, but I mean it).

Send good thoughts our way as we hopefully sell the thing quickly. We have had an offer, but it wasn't a real good one and we declined - but we're taking that as a positive sign.

Candids

Wanted to also post some quick candids Krissee snapped the other day. I believe the two individual ones really capture the spirit of the twins - Smith in the middle of having the time of his life, and Addison just a chillin', drinkin' her drink.

6 Months Old

Everyone is growing, growing, growing!

We weren't super successful with the smiles this time - getting smiles and taking pictures is a two person job and these were taken solo!