Weight and Height Check-up

We had the boys weighed and measured at their check-up last week.

Ethan 

Weight – 11.95kg (26lb 6oz)

Height – 85cm (33.5inches)

 

Benjamin

Weight – 10.60kg (23lb 6oz)

Height – 83cm (23.7 inches)

 

Ben’s always been the smaller twin, his weight at birth was about 10th percentile. He maintained on that 10th percentile for most of his first 12 months. Late last year when we saw the dietician, she told us Ben’s weight was sitting about 15-20th percentile. She gave us strategies to help him gain weight and said she’ll be happy with his weight, so long as he maintains or improves on the growth curve. Unfortunately, he’s dropped back to the 10th percentile again. This may be due to his illness the other week, when he didn’t eat properly due to a sore throat for a few days. We’ve emailed the dietician about his most recent weight and we’re waiting to hear back to see what she says.

Ben’s all Better

Just a quick post to say that Ben’s all better. He was back to his old self yesterday, playing happily and not crying at every single little thing that happened. His temp has been normal for about 4 days, rash totally gone and he’s eating normally again.

We’re very pleased to have our happy boy back. We’re hoping like crazy Ethan doesn’t get sick now.

Reading

Both boys love to read books. They often pick them off the shelf and bring them to us and will nudge you with it until you read it to them,

Their favourites at the moment are books that show pictures of objects and then just simple words naming the object or colour or counting. Below is Mummy (Sal) reading to the boys, first thing in the morning. This is usually a good way to calm an upset Benjamin. This particular day was during his recent illness and he’d woken with a high temp and feeling lousy. Books always help!

The boys will often get their books and read them and look at the pictures themselves. They babble about the pictures and like turning pages. Below is Ethan and his doll/teddy friend sitting down to read a book.   

At the moment they don’t really like books with too many words or an involved story. They don’t seem to have the patience. They will get up and walk away after 1-2 pages. I guess this will come with time??

Ethan the mischief maker

The other day when Ben was sick, we were trying to calm him down and focusing all our attention on him. We suddenly realised Ethan was being very quiet. We looked over to see what he was up to. He’s recently learnt how to get the lid off the Sudo Cream (zinc cream we put on their bottoms to treat of prevent rashes). He was sitting on the floor, very quietly getting cream out of the jar and smearing it all over his legs!

He was MOST proud of his efforts!!!

A trip to the park

Below are some pictures of a park we went to with a friend and her two little girls last week. (just before Ben got sick).

Ethan and Ben on a grass hopper!   

Ethan

Ethan, very proud of his climbing ability

Monkey see, Monkey do. Ben climbing now! 

Ethan

Benjamin

Ethan – sick of having his picture taken and ready to go home now!

Ben, also sick of having his picture taken and ready to go home.

Cake decorating

Well, I (Sal) have decided I need to start practicing for the boys’ second birthday cake. We’re still not sure what type of cake they will be getting, but I thought I’d try out a few techniques to see what works.

Here’s my first three attempts…

First, Tracie’s birthday cake. It was a chocolate cake. Covered in icing, then fondant. Then with some strawberries dipped in chocolate on top.

Second is Grandma’s (Tracie’s mother) cake. This was a butter/vanilla cake, covered in butter cream icing and lots and lots of lollies. In the middle, a pic of her grandsons. Grandma LOVES her grandsons and lollies, so this cake was perfect for her!! (SO SO SO Sweet to eat!!!)

Finally, Nana’s (Sal’s mother) cake. Nana likes giraffes, so she got a banana flavoured giraffe cake. It’s covered in orange coloured butter cream icing. The black outlines and features are liquorice. The “spots” are chocolate.  The mane is fruit rollups.

So far, my cake making has been fairly successful. I’m lucky to have 3 birthdays in January to practice with. Next is Aunty Shell’s in Feb, and then her engagement party in late Feb. Got some more practice to do!

Rainy day fun

Last week (before Ben got sick) we had a few rainy days and the boys were getting sick of being inside. We decided it was time to go play in the rain!

Ethan and Ben stomping in the puddles. (both boys are wearing a shirt that says “he did it”)

Ben and Ethan examining the puddles.

Ethan and Ben examining puddles

Ethan showing us a treasure he’s found in the puddles (squashed grape from memory!)

Benjamin stomping in puddles

A short video of the boys playing in the rain puddles. Sorry about the terrible quality, I don’t know what happened there!