Train Ride in Cedar Park

A couple weeks ago, we took the kids on their first train ride. There is a park close to our house with a train and a mile or so of tracks. It winds around the park and even goes through a tunnel. Amy and I have been on this train with the niece and nephews and were looking forward to taking our kids on it.
Caden enjoyed the ride. He had a lot of fun looking at everything and letting the wind blow in his face.
Mommy having fun with her little boy.
Caroline had fun as well, but she didn't want to cooperate for a picture. Also, you can see our friends, the Followays, who came with us.
Jon had a ton of fun on the ride. I think he felt like a big boy being able to sit next to his dad. Also, I loved his A&M jump suit.
Here we are after the ride was over.

Caroline's Evil Eye

The night before Thanksgiving, we went to Maggiano's for their all you can eat family style dinner. We wanted something light and small before our big Thanksgiving meal. :)

At dinner, Caroline dropped her sippy cup in front of the waiter. He quickly picked it up and took it to the back to rinse it off for her. Caroline watched him walk away with her cup and she was not happy with her cup leaving her sight. When the waiter brought Caroline's cup back, she gave him an evil eye. She stared him down until he was out of sight. I think we all learned not to take Caroline's cup.

First Taste of Ice Cream

Last week, Amy and I decided to give the twins their first taste of ice cream. Of course, we wanted their first ice cream to be Amy's Ice Cream.
Amy and I both wanted chocolate ice cream with a peanut based candy mixed in. We knew that wouldn't work for the kids so we asked for a couple free samples of Mexican Vanilla. The two little samples ended up being more than we needed.

Caroline was not sure what we were trying to give her. It is the coldest thing we've ever tried to stick in her mouth and it was sweeter than anything she had ever eaten.
Caden didn't know what to think either. Both kids turned their heads away from the spoon making it difficult to get anything into a mouth.After a few forced licks, Caden decided the ice cream was okay and took a little bite to finish off sample number one. Mommy finished off most of sample number two so we didn't need to force the kids to eat that one.
Caroline's favorite part was when we gave her the spoon to play with.
The twins might not be ice cream fans yet but I'm sure they will be someday.

Caroline Taking Steps and Dancing

We finally got Caroline taking a couple steps while the camera was on her. She is still a ways from actually walking but she is definitely trying. She starts with her lame little wave and then takes two steps. We were very proud.

A funny thing happened during the filming of the above video. As you can see in the video, the kids have two chairs next to one another. Caroline was taking steps from the blue chair and Caden was playing in the pink chair. Amy and I were cheering Caroline on so much that we didn't notice Caden had climbed over the side/back of the chair and then toppled over head first onto a pile of toys and the floor. Thankfully, he didn't seem to mind. Amy held him for the remainder of Caroline's step practice.

Here is another one of Caroline. In this video, she is sitting on her pink car "dancing" to the music. Every time the music stops, she pushes the button to make it go again. She even knows when the song is almost over so she can start the process of pushing the button. This went on for several minutes before I even started filming and continued for several minutes after. The video is a little long so I doubt anyone other than grandparents or Aunt Angela will make it all the way through. :)

Another quick story about this video. I was holding Caroline in my lap at the computer and decided to play this for her. Every time the song started up in the video, Caroline did her sway dance in my lap.

Sleeping Caroline

A few nights ago, I decided to check on Caroline after she went to sleep. This is what I found.
I don't know how that can be comfortable. Also, notice one foot is missing a sock. It didn't quite make it into the picture but it was just past her outstretched left hand.

On another recent night, Amy woke up Caroline and found her like this with a band-aid on her face. The band-aid had been placed on her stomach the night before and must have fallen off (or Caroline pulled it off). When a band-aid comes off, Caroline thinks she needs to stick it back on somewhere. I guess she picked her face this time. :)

Caroline Knows Where to Go When She's Tired

I was by myself with the kids for a couple hours this afternoon. The three of us were playing in the living room when I noticed Caden's eyes getting heavy. I picked him up to take him to bed for a nap and sensed he needed a diaper change.

After changing Caden's diaper, I returned to the living room and Caroline nowhere to be found. I couldn't hear her anywhere. I decided to take Caden to bed and then find my little girl. I walked to the other side of the house to Caden's room and I noticed Caroline was in her room waiting by her crib! She was also ready for a nap and decided to take matters into her own hands. :)

Race For the Cure

Last Sunday, we went to the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. Both my mom and Amy's mom are breast cancer survivors.

This is the third year we participated in the race. A couple years ago, Michael got all the Baker's and Amy/I started. Last year, I participated by staying home with our newborn twins while Amy went with her family. :) This year, the four of us made it to the race. Also, this is the first year my mom and sister joined us.

In the previous years, we chose to do the one mile version of the race. This year, we decided to walk the entire 5 K.

Here I am pushing Caroline. The baby being carried behind me is Caden.
It was a little chilly in the morning so Caroline was bundled up tight. Doesn't she look cute? When we walked by speakers playing music, Caroline would dance by swaying and kicking her legs up.
Aunt Angela was hoping to carry Caden the entire race. They were keeping each other warm. I don't think she counted on just how heavy carrying a baby can get.Caden all bundled up. He loves pointing at all things he thinks we should see.
Here we all are before the race. Sadly, we only see the top of Caden's head.
The two survivors wearing their survivor shirts.
We are about the finish the race. You can see Caroline was pointing forward wanting to go faster.
Is 2 hours and 22 minutes a good time for a 5K? :)
On a side note, this year's New York City marathon was held on the same day. The winner completed the 26 miles (>42 K) in 2 hours and 8 minutes. We took a little more gingerly pace and we didn't start right on time. :)

We successfully completed the race and we all had a snack. The twins had cheerios. The rest of us had free ice cream that was being handed out.
After the race, we all headed to Chuy's to get lunch.

Caden is Such a Boy

Recently, Caden has started cracking up any time he burps or toots. It is really funny. We hope to get it on video some day but it is hard to know just when a toot or burp is coming. :)

Mommy, Caden, & Caroline's Trip to the Mall

The twins and I headed to the mall this week to do a few returns, have lunch at chick-fil-a and play in the play area! The twins had so much fun! They have been to the mall plenty of times, but, this is the first time I've taken them by myself. We went on a Wednesday morning while the crowds were light so I could easily keep an eye on both of them.

Here are Caden & Caroline in the food court eating lunch....

Caroline's pretty smile!

Caden enjoying his peas. Caden disliked all veggies until he discovered his affection for peas a few weeks ago.

Caden in the play area. He mostly had a GREAT time. He cried only once when a little 3 year old "bully" got an inch from his face and screamed just to scare him. Poor Caden. He cried so loud. The little bully got in trouble and had to go sit with his mommy. A few minutes later, he walked over to Caden, got an inch from his face again and apologized. :)

Caroline playing on the airplane.

Caroline held her own with the big kids, not afraid to push them away when they got close. She's very protective of her toys! One little boy got just a few inches from her face and his mommy kept telling him to stay away from the baby and be gentle, etc.....Caroline let him get close and then licked his face!! The little boy never came around her again. ;)