The Carrot Rejection

I feel so badly...the boys HATE my homemade carrots. Hate might be an understatement. I have never seen them react to food the way they have to the carrots I made for them special with love! I don't quite understand it. I think it might have to do with the texture as they are little lumpier than the store bought kind. At first I thought it might be the taste of carrots themselves (I know I didn't like carrots growing up). I bought the baby food carrots at the store to test my hypothesis that it must be taste and couldn't possibly be the special food I made for them. Unfortunately, the boys ate the purchased carrots like it was their favorite food. I'm a little heartbroken they don't like my "cooking!"

Here's Carter's look like he doesn't understand why we are torturing him

More of the look
Carter saying, "Absolutely no more!" Blah....

Brandt also giving me his sad "I don't like it, Mommy!" look

Absolutely, no more!

I don't know if I've totally given up on making my own food. I've already purchased a ton of more veggies I wanted to make for them. We'll see if I try it again! :)

High Chair

When we got back from Illinois, we wanted to try out the boys' high chairs to see if they were big enough for them. While Carter was getting his turn in the jump-a-roo, Brandt got to try out his high chair. He loved it! He had so much fun playing with the tray that comes with it. It's supposed to entertain your child while you prepare the meal. I think it will definitely come in handy!

Jump-a-roo

The boys are finally big enough for the jump-a-roo. We've been told they aren't very good for physical development. Babies don't connect they are making themselves jump because they can't see their legs; however, both the boys love to stand so we thought they would love it. We tried it out last week and they both love it! Since I don't plan to leave the boys in it for hours, I'm sure it will be fine. They love it too much!

Below are videos of each boy trying out the jump-a-roo.

Hangin' with the Groens

The boys were able to hang out with their Great Grandma and Grandpa Groen several times while we were in Illinois and also got to meet the rest of the Groen clan. It was so fun to see everyone and introduce the boys.

Here is a picture of all four generations of Groen men

Carter and Brandt with their Great Grandma and Grandpa Groen Uncle John with Carter Aunt Michelle with Brandt This was so cute. All of Eric's cousins were so excited to meet their second cousins. The boys' grandpa fed them jello for the first time. That was pretty funny to watch! Lizzie and Samantha wanted to hold the boys so badly. We got them all situated with the boys and it was so cute. They're like little mommies :) While we were at Grandma and Grandpa Groen's, we took pictures of the boys with Grandpa's airplane and dad's helicopter. I think we might have some future pilots! Look how cute they were!

The boys were loving the helicopter. Here's Carter talking on the radio. Hey, Little Man, where are you planning to go?

Halloween!!!

Halloween was pretty low key this year. We didn't have any plans so we stayed in and carved a pumpkin, roasted pumkin seeds and watched a scary movie. Oh, and take a bunch of pictures of two really cute little guys!!

Meeting the Fases

While we were in Illinois, the boys got to meet Eric's mom's side of the family. The boys did great meeting all the Fases. It is so much fun to share our little blessings with others and watch as others fall in love with them.

Brandt with Aunt Sue and Marcy

Carter with Marcy

Aunt Sue feeding Carter
Grandpa Fase, Uncle Drew with Carter, Aunt Mardy with Brandt

Eric's mom and Uncle Drew with the boys

Eric with Uncle Drew and Aunt Mardy with the boys. We realized that Uncle Drew is the boys' great uncle and Aunt Mardy is their great-great aunt!

Grandpa Fase with Brandt

Grandma Fase with the boys

Grandma Fase feeding Carter

Five Months Old

On October 26th, the boys turned 5 months old. They are able to sit by themselves for a few seconds before toppling over. We are still working with them on rolling over. They can do it, but don't really seem interested in doing it themselves.

Brandt is as energetic as ever. In the past month, he has developed this laugh that is so funny. He goes into hysterics if you kiss his neck or give him blow kisses on his belly. He has also turned into a major flirt. He smiles at everyone and squirms with delight when anyone gives him attention. He has been teething. Everything and everyone gets covered in his drool. His upper gums are swollen and we expect his top teeth to cut through soon.

Carter is so calm and goes with the flow. Like Brandt, he also enjoys getting attention, but is showing signs of stranger anxiety. There were just a few times when we were in IL where he would give a distressed look if he was handed to someone he hadn't met. He as also been teething. On Monday, he cut his upper left tooth. These teeth have been pretty difficult to cut. He hasn't been napping very well, been crankier than usual, and spits up like you wouldn't believe.

The boys have begun to grab at things. This has been so much fun. When they do tummy time, they grab at their toys and beginning to play with them. Carter's favorite toy is a towel. He bites it and hugs it. Brandt enjoys chain links and crinkle books.

They have also tried all the fruits. They have liked them all so far. We are now moving on to vegetables. The boys have liked sweet potatoes (but mommy has not as orange spit up is staining!). I am going to start making baby food because it is getting expensive for two babies. I made carrots yesterday and was surprised it was so easy and cheap! I didn't try to do it for fruits because I didn't want to bother peeling apples and cooking them down. Veggies have definitely been easy and worth it.