Check out our sweet new RIDES!

We had one warm day (in the 50's) after Christmas, so for the first time ever...the boys hit the pavement with their new bikes. We pushed them around for a bit, then they decided to explore the driveway on their own. They pushed their carriages for a little while, then decided they'd rather be playing in the dirty snow and sand around the drive-way. Boys will be boys...I love it!

The boys meet Santa!

The boys got to meet SANTA on Christmas Eve!!! They both were amazed by the jolly ole' man. Cole is looking like he might want to give that beard a tug. Or maybe it's his glasses...people with glasses don't stand a chance with this kid. :)

What does the cow say?

The boys love the Fisher Price farm that Auntie Meredith gave them for Christmas. This morning they were playing with it and Tommy started making "moo" sounds for the cow. It is so cute. He almost has it.... :)

First wobbly steps...

Here is some video of the boys walking in the kitchen today. They are getting better and better everyday! They used to fall every few steps, but now they are becoming more balanced. Oh...and they are climbing too. Tommy pushes toys over to the couch and uses them as a stepping stool to climb up. VERY smart. Enjoy!

Little Snowmen

Snow day...

We have about a foot and a half of snow here today. Perfect day for building snowmen! While daddy was outside shoveling, we decided to take some festive holiday photos. We're ready for Santa! We're heading out soon to explore the snow. Should be fun!!! Hope everyone stays warm today and enjoy this winter wonderland!

Cole left; Tommy right Hey...you look funny Cole!

Silly boys!

Sweet dreams!

I just love putting the boys to bed. The whole nightly routine is just so cute. They climb up the stairs and go straight to the bathroom. Then there is lots of splashing until there is more water on the floor than in their tub. They both fall into fits of giggles when I massage baby lotion into their piggy toes. And they love to brush their teeth!

I took these photos today when I put them to bed. My happy little boys...sweet dreams!

Tommy
Cole

My bruisers...

We finally got a camera!!! YAY!! Nana brought over an early Christmas gift so I was testing it out with the boys today. I am on cloud nine! I can't believe how much I missed my camera with these guys.

This is the funniest video and and SO typical of our days lately. These guys are constantly battling it out - like boys do! Looks like Tommy takes today's round...

Watch out world!!

The boys are walking. My babies are on the move. Their favorite thing to do is stand up and take-off in any direction. The look on their sweet little faces is pure joy.

This all transpired within a couple of days. Tommy started taking a few steps here and there. But then Cole figured it out. And when Cole decides he wants to do something, it becomes his sole focus. He practiced with me everyday. I think Tommy finally realized that he better pick up the pace one day when Cole walked over and took his toy.

Now they are proud little men - laughing their butts off everytime they go a little bit further. I am so sad I don't have a camera. I'm going to dig out the video camera to capture it all, but of course that is not easy to post.

Watch out world!

Walking and war games.

Okay...when Cole decides to do something, he goes for it! He is walking all over the place! Just now, he walked from his toys in the kitchen to the cabinets (pretty far). And when I cheered him on, he stood up and did it again! Tommy is gaining more interest now that Cole is getting attention of course. It's amazing how one day they just acquire a skill.

All the new activity has also created some animosity between the boys. They have been fighting for two days over just about everything. Me...their toys...their "space" in the tub...its crazy! I am contantly playing the role of referee and going in to save someone or removing a toy from the battle field. I used to think that Tommy was the *leader* of the two, but now I'm not too sure. Cole is NOT afraid of Tommy anymore. He is finding some secret satisfaction in making Tommy cry and sitting back and watching. (Payback?)

They do this funny thing with their mouths like they are going to bite each other, but don't actually use their teeth. I wish I had my camera to show you. I know that they say that children at this age really don't know right from wrong, but I'm not too sure about that. They seem to *know* when they are about to go into off-limits territory. Glancing back at their mom to see how I will react.

Example, Cole's new obsession is the trash can. He will go over to it then immediately look at me before opening it. I swoop in and move him into the playroom. Tommy likes the pantry doors. Again, swoop in and move him to the playroom. Rewind that scene and play it back about 20 times over and over and you'll get an idea of my day.

So long story short - we're busy here. Mom stands for short-order cook, maid, 24-hour laundrymat, referee...oops! Gotta run. Another war has broken out in the playroom.

Do they come with an "off" button?

It's been awhile since my last post I know. Things have gotten VERY busy around here. Oh...and my camera is broken! Which makes me very sad. I am usually snapping about 50 shots a day of these kids, but the camera has been gone since Fiji, so sadly there are no updated pics to accompany my entries. :( Oh well, we'll see what Christmas brings. (hint hint)

Anyway, Cole took his first steps yesterday! And today, he was using those smooth new moves at my moms. Both boys take one or two steps then fall...but they are definitely getting bolder. It's so cute to watch them. I feel like we came back from vacation and somehow the "VERY busy" switch went off in their little bodies. They are constantly on the move and always getting into trouble. One of my friends referred to her twins as being "thick as thieves" and it is just so true. These guys are absolute partners in crime.

Being that they are getting into everything, we've taken babyproofing to a whole new level. I finally decided to get those cool cabinet locks for the kitchen that you can open with a magnet. I installed all the locks and was very proud of myself - until I went to get the "key" from the package and read "Key Sold Separately." Huh? We were locked out of all of our cabinets until yesterday when I could make it to Babies R Us. :)

It's funny. Things are just crazier, sillier and louder than I ever imagined around here. These guys are full of laughter, crazy faces, incoherent babble (spoken with such enthusiasm I am certain there is a good story in there somewhere) and energy. For example, neither boy has napped today and on the way home from my moms they literally drifted off about 5 minutes away from the house. I sneak them in...tip toe them to bed...walk away thinking "ah...two hours of quiet" and then the laughing started. They are now hysterical which means they are up to something. I can hear the banging overhead from them jumping up and down in the cribs. :)

So off I go!

Time to call the milkman!

Now that the boys drink milk...we've lost an entire shelf in the fridge. :) This is insane!! Granted, milk is cheaper than formula...but it is still mind boggling how much of it we consume. I'm getting tired of twice weekly runs to the grocery store just for milk. (Not easy with 1-year old twins.) Think it might be time to call the milkman!

FIRST STEPS!!!!!!!

Guess who is walking!!! The boys have been cruising like professionals for weeks now...but Tommy just bravely decided to let go and walk to Mommy! I am so proud!! His first steps weren't little...he took like four or five big steps to me! Cole was watching and decided to try, but everytime he stands up he starts dancing. It is funny. He's our boy with rythm. Maybe he'll dance his way over to me. :)

We no longer have a camera as ours is broken, but I'll post some video once I borrow my moms again. What a big day!! Watch out world!!

My calendar boys!

Exciting news!!! I had sent in photos of the boys for a contest in Twins Magazine - a national magazine for parents of multiples. Anyway, it was for their 25th anniversary calendar. Literally thousands of parents submitted entries and Cole and Tommy were selected for the month of June!! The photo above is the one that made it. :) They left us a message this afternoon congratulating us...they are sending a bunch of calendars our way as we speak. We are so proud!

Home sweet home!

The trip to Fiji was a huge success. The boys were great the whole time...slept on the plane...got right into a schedule...it went so smoothly! We swam in the water, built sand castles, saw lots of fish, swam in the pool and were treated like rockstars because of the boys everywhere we went. The Fijian women LOVE babies and having twins was unusual there. We would hear..."Bula twins! Bula Cole and Tommy!" Everywhere we went. So much fun.

You can read more about our trip and see photos from the trip on our family blog. The web address is http://www.riordanfamilyadventures.com/ We still have to edit and post some of our blog entries (I saved them as drafts) but we'll get them done soon enough.

Bula vinaka!

Go Georgia Dogs!!!

Thank you Uncle Jerry and Aunt Kay for sending us our new Georgia sweatshirts! We spent the day watching football with dad and practicing how to tackle each other...


"Okay mom quick....while we're at commercial break."


Tommy doesn't want to miss a play.


Hey...you look GOOD!

Thank you Pam!

Clearly Cole loves his new pumpkin hat!! It is adorable. It brings back so many memories for me. His first little hat was orange, too. Just look how he has grown. :)

Bula Bula! Our new blog...

We're slowly getting into gear for our big Fiji adventure. As you can see, the boys have been reading up on the places they'd like to visit. Cole even does an amazing "fishy" imitation...popping his mouth open and closed like a fish. It's fantastic!

Anyway, as this journey is SURE to be memorable. I've decided to create a separate blog to chronicle our travels with twins. You can visit it here:
www.riordanfamilyadventures.com

I'll be updating it more frequently with photos and stories, but will also post some photos here. Wish us luck, and as they say in Fiji....bula!

Happy Birthday Nana Carol!

Happy Birthday Nana Carol!!!

We were so busy preparing for your big day we forgot to post our birthday wishes. :) We had so much fun with you at your party. We love you!!!!

xoxo, Cole and Tommy

Happy Birthday Ashley!!

Hope you have a fun birthday!!! XOXO, Cole and Tommy

Happy First Birthday Cole and Tommy!

Cole and Tommy on their "birth" day!
Tommy and Cole at one year.

We had a wonderful birthday weekend with the boys. Almost. They were both teething and that of course led to no sleep and some grumpy little birthday boys. Poor babies. It was tough on them and us. Kevin and I are completely exhausted! As I type, I can hear cries starting up once again.

BUT...we did have some fun moments when they were their typical giggly selves. They loved eating cake and opening gifts. This morning was definitely a highlight. It was just the four of us playing with their gifts, reading books and even a fun lunch out at a restaurant. Despite those pesky teeth...we celebrated the special day.

It's hard to believe that they are already one! The past year has been an exciting ride. There were those sleepless nights the first several months and too many diaper changes to count. Sweet baby cuddles and coos - times two! So many moments that will be locked in my heart forever. As Kevin and I navigated parenthood with busy twin boys, we've certainly learned a lot about ourselves and what is truly important in life.

Thank you to everyone who have made the past year special for Tommy and Cole. Your (much needed and appreciated) help, love, tickles and hugs have gone a long way in shaping these two sweet little boys. They love to laugh, they are smart, adventurous and full of love. What more could we ask for in life? It's been a year of wonderful memories! And it's only the beginning...

Here are some pictures from our big birthday weekend. Enjoy!

2 more days until we are ONE!!!

Tommy, Nana and Cole

Daddy, Tommy, Grandpa, Cole and Auntie Meredith

Tommy, Grandpa and Cole
Tommy in the tub!
Cole and Tommy

3 more days until we turn ONE!

Tommy and Cole - Thing one and two!

Our twin playdate!

Tommy and Cole - Happy Fourth!

Cole and Tommy - Wrestling match!

Mother's Day 2008 - Cole and Tommy

First swing ride! Tommy and Cole

Video of our first swing ride...

4 days until we turn ONE!

Tommy and Cole

Cole and Tommy

Cole and Tommy