Tyler & Sydney's 1st Birthday

While the actual day is not until Tuesday (Jan. 23rd), we decided a Saturday celebration would work out best. It turned out to be a wonderful day spent with many friends and family.

You can see photos of the event by clicking here.

Ghosts and Goblins...well, maybe Spiders and Black Cats

Syd and Ty celebrated their first Halloween as a black cat and a really scary spider. They got all dressed up, but we didn't actually go out to the neighbors since it was so chilly. Next year should be a lot more fun for them. Although, I have to say that I think they enjoyed getting dressed up. Sydney was doing her version of a meow, which actually sounded a little like a growl instead, but I'm sure it was really a meow.

Father's Day

Andy celebrated his first official Father's Day this year, and the twins tried to make it extra special by being really good babies (almost successful) and by dressing up for him.

This picture is of how he was greeted in the morning when he went to go get them for their breakfast.

May Gallery

May photos of Sydney and Tyler have been posted to Zoto:
(http://amcgrath.zoto.com/galleries)

Reminder: Password on the gallery is the same as the gallery month, all lowercase (ex. may)

Lake Pickerel Summer Opener

Traveling 3 1/2 hours by car has turned out to be surprisingly more difficult than by plane. As it turns out, Sydney has grown a strong dislike for her car seat making the first hour and a half of the trip...challenging!

Our 4 Month Appointment

It's already been 4 months! Except for Sydney's bout with jaundice and both of them developing acid reflux (the week Stacy went back to work), they have been really healthy babies. They continue to grow like weeds, and seem to outgrow outfits daily.

Tyler seems to be growing even faster than Sydney, which isn't surprising when you see him. He is now 16lbs 10oz, while Sydney is a mere 13lb. Even with his 3+ lbs over Sydney, his numbers aren't off the charts. He is generally in the 75-90th percentile for weight, height and head size. Sydney on the other hand is in the 50th percentile for weight and head size and the 50-75th percentile for height.

They also received their first vaccination at this last visit. The shot itself went very well. Both were troopers -- it wasn't until we were home that they decided to shed a few tears. We have decided to stagger the shots a little to lessen the number of shots and any reaction potential. I think it will make it easier for all parties involved.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

We just got back from a long weekend in San Jose, CA visiting with Denise, Flo and Eli! Tyler and Sydney turned out to be very good little travelers and handled the 3hr 40min without causing too much of a scene. It was actually worse going through security with all our gear!

The California weather was beautiful -- high 80's and plenty of sunshine. A pleasant contrast to the 60's and rain showers we left behind.

When we last saw Eli in person he was about the same age as Tyler and Sydney -- so we were very excited to see how he has grown and to introduce him to his new cousins. In this photo, Tyler and Sydney proudly display their Thing 1 & Thing 2 outfits as they meet Eli for the first time.

We had a very nice visit over the next 5 days. We enjoyed Vietnamese waffles and iced coffee from a local Vietnamese bakery (a couple times). I'm not exactly sure what the special ingredient in the waffles was but it made them extra yummy.

Eli was great with Sydney and Tyler. Other than being generally curious, he made an effort to share all his toys with them and made them feel right at home.

The visit really went by very quickly -- we did manage to venture out to Santa Cruz on Sunday to see the coast before we left. It was a beautiful drive through some wooded country on Hwy 17 just south of San Jose. We took the kids to the beach and had them experience the ocean for the first time -- letting them wiggle their toes in the sand and the surf.

We had a great time and thank Denise, Flo and Eli for having us!

April Gallery

April photos of Sydney and Tyler have been posted to Zoto:
(http://amcgrath.zoto.com/galleries)

Reminder: Password on the gallery is the same as the gallery month, all lowercase (ex. april)

So You're My Brother

I have to admit, up until this point Tyler and Sydney have been pretty ho-hum about each other, even when they are sharing the same space.

Well, today a light bulb went off in Sydney's head and she really began to notice Tyler for the first time. Like looking in a mirror, she stared and laughed! She thought he was the greatest thing and apparently very funny!

Fingers are Awesome!

Both Tyler and Sydney are hard at work gaining control over their motor skills. Fingers have started to find there way into their mouths and sucking on them (sometimes the whole hand is apparently very satisfying).

We also have an activity mat with animals that hang from overhead. They have developed just enough control to reach out and bat those animals with their little hands. It won't be long now and Stacy's hair will be in the danger zone!