andres & javier–9 month update

This post has been sitting in ‘draft’ form on the computer for at least a month.  Since they just turned 11 MONTHS OLD, felt like the least I could do would be to post this.

The boys didn’t have their 9 month checkup until we returned from Quito, so technically, they were already 10 months.  Overall they are perfectly healthy, happy, growing cherubs who consistently crack us up and, occasionally, drive the big sister a bit crazy (especially when they start heading for her Barbie dolls).  They are still on the ‘small’ end statistically in terms of height/weight – Dr. Walker says it’s perfectly normal for twins to not ‘catch up’ in terms of growth with singletons up to age 3 – and Andres is still a bit bigger than Javier (though if you pick both of them up, I defy you to tell me the difference!)  Here are some stats and specifics.

Andres

• Height: 28 inches (25th percentile)
• Weight: 20 pounds even (30th percentile)
• Head Circumference: 18 inches (50th percentile)

Just like me

Sad to say, but it’s true.  Andres is just like me.  A picky eater.  I knew I’d get one, especially after the h.e.l.l. I apparently put my mom through in terms of eating/mealtime.  If he feels like it, he’ll eat it.  Otherwise, forget it.  Fruits are usually a ‘safe’ choice, except for applesauce which he doesn’t particularly care for.  Veggies are very hit-or-miss.  I’ve been making them soups and pureeing them (veggies with either chicken or turkey, some brown rice or barley) and that’s been somewhat successful… but if he doesn’t like the consistency, it’s coming right back to you.  He also doesn’t like the snap pea crisps, but prefers Cheerios instead.  He always has to have finger foods in front of him to snack on while he’s eating.  Also, if you don’t feed him at the right speed/tempo, forget it.  He flings his head back and cries.  It’s like he can’t wait the 3 seconds it takes for me to give Javier a bite before he wants his next bite. 

On a more positive note, he’s a total cuddle bug.  In an ideal world Andres would like to be held 24/7 (he totally got spoiled when we were in Quito).  He loves to be toted around and will pat you on the back (kind of like he’s saying thank you).  Unfortunately he also likes to try out his new teeth on you (all 7 of them), which means the occasional bite on the shoulder – ouch!  He sits independently, crawls easily, and will pull to standing.  His sleep is getting better (generally he wakes only once at night instead of 3-4 times as he was a few months ago) and I swear he’s saying “mama” though I honestly don’t think he’s saying it with any recognition… just likes the sound of it… which is fine with me.

 

Javier

• Height: 27 1/2 inches long (20th percentile)
• Weight: 19 pounds, 8 oz. (20th percentile)
• Head Circumference:17 1/2 inches (15th percentile)

I’m outta here!

I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but Javier is walking.  So much so that I’ve had to put shoes on his little feet because the skin on his toes was starting to peel from all the walking he’s doing.  It started when we went to the beach over labor day weekend.  On the beach he realized the sand/deck was hard on his knees so he started crawling like this…

feet flat on the ground, and knees straightened.  From there it was a hop-skip to standing upright and then starting to lift that left foot (always starts with the left – maybe he’s our ‘zurdo’?) and making forward progress.  Yesterday was his longest walk… probably 20 steps from where he was all the way to Mama Anne’s arms while we were at playgroup yesterday. He’s now getting to the point where he walks almost as quickly as he crawls.

Javier loves to eat and happily eats just about anything you put in front of him… he opens his mouth so wide I swear he’s trying to unhinge his jaw like a snake.  He’s far happier now that he’s fully mobile and gets a great smile on his face when he’s toddling over to you.  He has 5 teeth now (the second front top tooth has finally broken through) and thanks to Ms. Anne’s wise suggestion of putting them in sleep sacs they are now both back to sleeping through the night – hurrah!