Ethan took a few more steps

Ethan took about 12 steps today! He did it once for Mike and then did it for me. He's really wobbly and holds his arms out. It's pretty cute. He is also starting to stand alone for longer periods of time. He might be walking really soon! Ethan has started making kissing noises when he looks at you. He doesn't give kisses as freely as Mia. In fact, it's rare to get a kiss from him. Mike taught Mia how to give a high-five. She gets really excited about it and laughs when she does it. It's also pretty cute!

Mike survived his first weekend of watching the kids by himself. I had to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. I think he was pretty stressed at bedtime on Friday night because both kids were crying and wanted to be rocked. Otherwise, it seemed to have went well. We're both glad that I only have to do this every other weekend!

What can two 13 month olds do to a house?

A good friend of mine, who also has twins the same age, asked me if my house is a circus. I had to laugh! My house is pure chaos. I pick the house up for 20 minutes and it takes me an additional 30 minutes to pick up what they did while I was busy picking up the first mess. These two are so quick. They can destroy a room in 10 minutes. It's never-ending!

Ethan getting into all of Mia's clothes that I had just packed away.

Getting into my potatoes and onions, a favorite of theirs!

One of their favorite things to do, shredding toilet paper.

Still shredding.

The living room after the two tornadoes went through it!

Their bedroom after a mild attack.

The bathroom after Ethan and Mia

The bathroom after Ethan and Mia.

Retraction

I retract my statement about Ethan sleeping through the night!!

13 Months Old

Ethan and Mia turned 13 months on January 19th! Ethan has taken his first steps (on January 17th!) He'll take a few here and there but then falls down. He has a tonka truck that he walks behind as he pushes it. He'll do that with anything that will move. He's getting better and better. I really hope that both kids are walking by the time Baby #3 comes! He has added a few new words to his vocabulary. He now says, "oh no" and unfortunately now says the word, "no." I got after him one day and he said to me, "no, no, no, no, no." I couldn't believe my ears. I don't use the word no with the kids because I didn't want them saying it back to me. I couldn't figure out how he learned it until later that night. Ethan got into something and in response, Mike said, "no, no, no, no, no." Ethan says it constantly. It's hard not to laugh when he says it. For example, I was trying to read for a class for work and went into a quiet room. Ethan crawled after me and started banging and crying at the door, so I let him in. He was extremely loud, so I had Mike come and get him. Mike told Ethan to come on and Ethan looked at him and said "no." Mike said it at least 3-4 times and each time, he said "no." Mike and I were both cracking up by the second no. Ethan has developed quite the temper. He gets really mad really fast but it doesn't last long. I think he has Mike's temper. Again, it's hard not to laugh at him when he is throwing a tantrum. He usually gets mad at a toy, which makes it even funnier! I've realized that Ethan is very accident prone. He hurts himself at least 2-3 times per day. He always has at least 2-3 bruises on his head and various bruises and scratches all over his body. He's a tough little boy and doesn't usually cry when he is hurt. The only way I know is when I see the bruises. He had his first fat lip last week. I was playing his favorite game, "I'm gonna get you" and he was crawling away from me as fast as possible and he face-planted it on our floor. Ethan is getting really picky with eating. He used to eat everything we gave him, but not anymore! It's getting hard to get him to eat. He loves yogurt melts, lil crunchies, ritz crackers, peanut butter, english muffins, bananas, peas, yogurt, and anything sweet. If we give him something that isn't on this list, he spits it out.

Mia still doesn't have any teeth. I thought for sure her bottom teeth were coming in. I guess they'll come when they come. She has really started pulling herself up on things. She'll stand and let go for a few seconds but then gets scared and falls down. We've been working with her at walking but she's not quite ready for her first steps. Ethan continues to be the instigator and Mia the follower. She's no innocent little girl though! She joins right in! They make quite the messes together. She still tends to be the aggressive one. She'll pull Ethan's hair, scratch him, and push him. If she sees Ethan crawling towards me, she'll lunge at me, grab onto me, and then either pull his hair or push him. The funny thing is that Ethan is the faster crawler, so he'll take a toy from her and crawl as fast as he can away from her. She usually throws quite the fit! He's passive-aggressive! Mia is my affectionate one. I get dozens of kisses and hugs from her each day. She loves to sit on your lap and be held! Mia is still my little shadow. She follows me everywhere and doesn't get too far away from me! Mia says "uh oh" quite a bit. She uses the same tone of voice as I use when I say it. It's amazing how much they catch onto things. She isn't as picky as Ethan but I can tell that she is getting pickier. Her favorite things to eat are lil crunchies, yogurt melts, yogurt, any kind of fruit, peas, beans, peanut butter, english muffins, ritz crackers, and anything sweet.

Both kids have been sleeping through the night! Hallelujah! (Mia has for months. Ethan, for the past week.) We finally figured out with Ethan that he needs a bedtime snack and then we play with him until he's completely exhausted. They get their bottles and then it's off to bed. They both have been going to bed on the later side, around 9:30pm. Some nights I am ready for bed before they are! They both completely wear us out each day! I can't believe how much energy they have. They crawl all over the place and get into everything. My house is a complete disaster most days!

Climbing in my cupboard.

Ethan's bed head. Notice the fat lip?

Peek-a-boo!

Nice bruise on her forehead!

Turning the entertainment system on and off.

Turning the entertainment system on and off.

Crashed out on the floor. He's holding the ibuprofen bottle.

We Miss You All Ready, Louie!

We lost one of our family members today. Louie was hit by a truck and didn't make it. The only good thing about it is that he didn't suffer. It doesn't feel the same without you. We all love and miss you! I hope you're having fun chasing cats around and barking at people outside!

Elsa on the left and Louie on the right.

Louie, after he was groomed.

Louie as a puppy. Isn't he cute?

One of Louie's favorite things to do was hike. This is in Phoenix, AZ.

Hiking in Phoenix.

Louie hiking.

Hanging out on the couch. Louie is on the left and Elsa is on the right.

Visiting Santa

I thought you would get a laugh out of this picture. We took them to see Santa on their 1st birthday. Ethan sat on his lap for a few second before he started screaming. I guess Santa was pretty scary for him. Mia did well sitting on his lap. This picture was taken right before he started crying. I'm not sure what Mia was doing in the picture.

Not much new

I thought I'd post some random pictures of Ethan and Mia. They haven't done anything new in a little while. Though, Ethan is starting to let go of the couch and stand for a couple of seconds before he falls down. He also likes to push around his highchair and walk behind it. I'm guessing he'll be trying to walk soon. I can tell he wants to take a few steps but gets scared. He is also working on getting his incisor, which hasn't been fun for everyone involved! He has started saying, "ruff ruff." It sounds more like a growl than a bark!

I think Mia might be getting her bottom teeth. Her gums have been swollen on and off for weeks now. I really hope she gets some teeth soon! If she doesn't have any by 15 months, she is going to need an x-ray. She has gotten very clingy to me. It started when I went back to work and it's getting worse and worse! She's my little shadow. I don't remember the last time I went to the bathroom by myself. Ethan is usually the first to follow, then Mia, and then one or both of the dogs. It makes me laugh most of the time! (Notice the key word, most!)

I forgot to post their new weights at their one year check-up. Ethan weighed 24 pounds 9oz and was 29 3/4 inches long. His weight is in the 70th percentile (last check-up it was 90th) and his length was 50th percentile (last check-up it was 75th.) The doctor said it was good that he was slimming down. His head is still off the charts! :)

Mia weighed 18 pounds 11 oz and was 28 3/4 inches long. Her weight was in the 15th percentile (last check-up was 25th) and her length was in the 45th percentile (last check-up it was the same.) Apparently, she's got a larger than average head too! Her head was in the 85th percentile (last check-up it was 80th.) I don't know where these guys are getting their big heads! The doctor commented it must be from their dad since I don't have a big head! I agreed!

Having fun in the tub!

Watching the dogs outside.

Dad thought it would be a good idea to take us sledding. We're having a blast!

Mia's bed head.

Happy New Years!

We celebrated New Year's Eve with some of our closest friends. We had a little get-together at our house. We all either had kids or are pregnant, so it wasn't the craziest New Year's Eve party! But, we still had fun. I tried getting some pictures of the kids with their New Year's hats on, but they absolutely HATED those things. I hope you enjoy the pictures! They cracked me up.

Ethan, Mia, and Rhea (their friend)

Still hating them! Come on, give us one good picture!

How traumatic!

Get them off!

Tolerating the hat for now.

I'm not impressed.

Christmas at the Krause's

From right to left top row: Mike(my husband), me, Will (brother), Amber (sister), Kelly (sister), Jenna (sister), Sarah (sister), & Nathan (brother)

From right to left middle row: Casey (my dad) & Joanne (my mom)

From right to left bottom row: Mia, Ethan, Janai (niece) & Noah (nephew)

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I know I'm a little late with this post! We spent Christmas Eve and Day with my family in Watertown, SD. I have 6 brothers and sisters, one niece & nephew, so needless to say, it was a chaotic full house. Ethan and Mia had a ton of presents. They weren't too interested in opening the presents but did like the wrapping paper and bows once they were off. They received a ton of toys and clothes. They had fun with their cousins, Janai and Noah!

Aunt Sarah and Cousin Noah

Mia in her Christmas dress

Cousin Janai

Aunt Amber and Cousin Noah

Grandma

Fighting over a toy

My dad cooking with 5 dogs (2 are Ambers and 2 are ours) and Ethan and Mia in the kitchen.

Great-Grandma Krause

Janai & Noah

Happy Mia!

Playing on the floor with Ethan!

Ethan in his Christmas outfit.

Dad and Mia.