Weeks 11 and 12

Steve and I are so, so tired. Some nights the boys only get up once, some nights it's every three hours. Some nights they wake up smiley and happy, some nights we're jolted out of bed by screaming cries. The boys definitely react to each other, so if one is up, they're both up... meaning Steve and I are both always on duty. But that being said, we really adore our boys.

The last gasp of summer weather finds them in their beach jumpers (Henry in foreground, Jack in background):

The boys hang out on the couch (Henry on left, Jack on right):

A nice morning nap:

The boys' first road trip was a weekend visit to the Sacramento area to visit some of Steve's family.

The boys sleeping in their car seats:

Henry:

 Jack:

Unfortunately that last picture was taken during the only brief moment that Jack slept on that long drive. Jack seems to be one of those rare babies who doesn't like being in his car seat and is not soothed by the vehicle's motion. We think he doesn't like being restrained. I had to cram myself between the two car seats to attempt to calm him as we drove. It was enough of a problem that we've decided to try taking the train to Southern California for Christmas... at least on the train we can hold him and he doesn't have to be strapped in the whole time. We're getting one of the little bedrooms on the train so the boys won't be as exposed to other passengers during flu season and other passengers won't have to be exposed to them when they inevitably start crying. Anyway, back to Sacramento...

Uncle Ed and Cousin Tim with Jack (perhaps Jack remembers Cousin Tim from Tim's visit way back in August? Jack definitely engaged with him quite a bit):

Uncle Lee feeds Henry while they watch the game (Henry likes TV and is generally very interested in lights):

Previewing their Halloween outfits from Grandma and Grandpa Loveridge, it's Jack-o-Lantern and Skele-Henry!

Jack being sweet and engaging, Henry being so relaxed he's sinking into Grandma:

Jack begins to fuss, but manages to calm enough for a pretty good picture:

We love the Halloween outfits...  more of those to come...

My parents visit their grandbabies (and allow Steve and me to get some work done around the house)...

Grandma Pool with Henry on lap, Jack in pillow (quick, take the picture while everybody's calm!):

Henry in Grandma Pool's lap at the dinner table:

 

Grandpa Pool reads to Henry:

Grandpa Pool feeds Jack:

Jack hanging out on Grandpa Pool:

(sticking out his tongue in response to me doing so)

Henry sleeping on Grandpa Pool:

Jack smiling in Grandma Pool's lap:

Henry practicing sitting up on the kitchen table with Grandpa Pool:

The boys do their best to not be photogenic during a rare opportunity to take a family picture (Steve with Jack, me with Henry):

The boys are staying awake for longer stretches during the day, so we're involving them in more family activities, including joining us at the dinner table, which they seem to enjoy.

Pictures of Henry...

Thinking a little about maybe smiling:

Creeping toward that smile:

Yay, happy Henry!

More typical contemplative Henry:

Henry tends to stare neutrally at us anytime we try to take pictures of him (seriously, he's smiling and playing, phone comes out to take a picture and his face immediately goes blank), so we have fewer ones with different expressions to post. But he's keenly interested in everything around him and is a chill, cuddly little guy.

Pictures of Jack...

I think he's going for a "hang loose" gesture:

Unimpressed with Mom cajoling him to smile:

"Helping" Dad scan documents into the computer:

Selfies with Mom:

Enjoying the bunny lovie Uncle Jim and Aunt Brooke gave him:  

Happy boy:

Watching Colbert's show with Daddy:

Jack seems to suffer pretty terribly from heartburn and though medication prescribed by the boys' pediatrician helps him a great deal, he still has a tough time. But when not in pain (or overtired, or bored...) he's an extremely sweet, interactive little boy.