On the eve before L&G's first Thanksgiving there is much to be thankful for. Foremost on the list is the blue bouncing seat that Griff has come to love. As much as he loves it, though, I'm pretty sure that Melissa and I love it more. Binkys have to rank pretty high on the list. Also, let's not forget the Jazz at this time of gratitude. Finally, we can be grateful that the kids and their mom are happy and healthy. Things have been going well. We're starting to get things figured out for raising two at a time. (I don't think that counts as a jinx, but I knocked on wood and have just pulled out my lucky rabbit's foot.)
They are both growing a lot. Scrolling through the blog it's easy to see how much they are changing. Lily still becomes absolutely furious every time we try to burp her. I've explained over and over that she hasn't tasted food for the last time, but nothing seems to console her. Griff has his own things to worry about. He yawns bigger than anyone I've every seen. The problem is that he hasn't figured out that his mouth is limited as to how wide it will go. So every once in a while he'll yawn and then he'll cry because he stretched his mouth too far.

We're all excited for the kids' first turkey day. We're so grateful for all of the love and support that have come our way. We all want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

Griff's first experience with professional photography. He's had plenty of opportunity to prepare for this moment.

Lily on the roses.

I'm too sexy for this crib... Vogue!

I don't know what Griff was doing before I took this picture, but I'm pretty sure that I busted him on something. HANDS UP!

They call us Mellow Yellow. Quite rightly. (Electrical Banana)

You talkin' to me? Well, I'm the only one here... You talkin' to me?

BALDWIN, Lily C.

#09162006

BALDWIN, Griffin J.

#10112006

Ralphie... Ralphie, wait up!

Just another day in paradise.

Griff likes to play with with his Great Aunt Mary Lynne.

Quality time with Great Grandma Harker.

From two to four, just like that. This picture was taken right after Lily was blessed. It was a really nice day. We had quite bit of support from friends and family, and that's always appreciated.
Things are going well. Melissa is getting everything figured out as far as taking care of our two little bundles of joy during the day. She is doing an amazing job.
Lily and Griff are growing and seem to be getting along pretty well. They generally sleep pretty well, waking only once or so per night. That has been pretty nice. They are pretty good during the day. They like playing on their little floor play area toy thing. They also both enjoy spending time with the pictures on the wall and the fish hanging from their swing.
The kids really enjoyed their first World Series and are ecstatic about how the Jazz have started the season. They also enjoy a little late night Sportscenter or Pimp My Ride during the late night burping sessions. They've got it made in the shade.
We also think that Lily is finally aware that Griffin exists. We're not sure if that awareness is mutual, but Lily seems to notice him - especially when he is being held and she isn't. She is a momma's girl and she's only been alive for 52 days. Griff is generally more content to chill on his own. In fact, much of the time he seems to prefer it. To each his (her) own.

This picture makes my day.

Super Griff. His hat makes me happy every time I see it.

Cheeser

Griff has smiled, but it is very elusive. We will get one on camera, but I don't know when. It's my white whale. (Don't call me Ishmael.)

Great Aunt Sharon is making sure that the kids always have very fashionable hats.

Griff is enjoying the time before he gets unwrapped and gets cold.

The night before Lily was blessed. She has butterflies.

Play time and nap time are pretty similar at this point.

We've included this picture in an attempt to offer fair and balanced coverage of Griff. Believe me, this was about 10 times worse than it looks. It is, however, a good representation of his ability to turn cherry red, which generally happens when he is angry or is handling his affairs. The binky wasn't helping. (Lily has had similar moments, but none of them have been captured quite so perfectly.)

Winding down... but on the edge.

Moments like the one above make moments like this kind of nice.

One of the nice things about L&G, they don't discriminate about where, how or with whom they nap. They are equal-opportunity nappers.

It's been a while since I updated the blog. As you may have guessed, things have been pretty busy. We go from trying to get the kids to sleep to trying to keep them awake... so that they will sleep later. They actually do sleep pretty well, but we've both been pretty tired.

Lily is growing like a weed and is changing daily. Her best friend right now is the picture that hangs over our sofa in the family room. She needs at least 30 minutes of quality time with that picture per day. Griff is becoming more and more aware of the things around him. He is so strong! He lifts his head up all the time like it's no big deal. He was circumcized last week and I thought he was going to crush my finger. (By the way, circumcision is not something I ever need to witness again. I shuddered again just thinking about it. I couldn't look him in the eye for three days because I felt so guilty.) They seem to be a bit more aware of one another, though I'm not sure that they really care that much yet. They seem to get along with just about everybody and they've been pretty good so far. (I'm knocking on wood right now.)

We've had a ton of help from many different family members and friends. It's really been great and I don't think that we'd be where we're at without it. Thanks to everyone who has helped, and continues to help out with our little family. It's more appreciated than you can even know.

Sleep time

Thinking about smiling.

Napping with Grandpa Baldwin. (Grandpa looks like he's about ready for a nap, too.)

These are all gifts that Griff was given by different members of his birth family.

Awww, cuuute.

It had been a long day of photos.

Get off of me!

Say Cheese!

Momma shows Griff a little love.

Griff loves him some nap time.

Lounging with Dad.

Napping with Grandpa Harker.

Pals

Melissa hates when my glasses look this - that's why I've included this picture.

Griff's biggest fan: Kennedy Vorhees

Griffin has arrived! He was born on October 11, 2006 at 1:05 p.m. (MDT) He came in at 8 pounds 12 ounces and he was 22 inches long. He has dark hair and big dark eyes. Melissa and I visited him for the first time on the 12th and we brought him home on the 13th. Placement (when we received him) was quite an experience. He got home at bout 2 pm and he and Lily are now fast friends. They eat, sleep, travel, cry, have their diapers changed and have baths together.
His first night at home was long and hard. He didn't sleep very well at all. (Though Lily seemed oblivious to the whole thing.) Last night was much better. They both woke up at the same times and it made everything quite a bit easier. We've had so much help these first few days and the support has been tremendous. I'm sure that all four of us would be hosed if not for the family and friends who have been so supportive.
Lily and Griff cry much differently. He squeeks and rasps and Lily just wails away. He is better at keeping his binky in his mouth and doesn't seem to despise having his clothes changed as much as Lily. They both take food pretty seriously and they both don't seem to like being put in their carseats. However, they kind of like them once they're in and on the road.
Thanks to everyone for all of the kind messages, thoughts, prayers and well-wishes. We feel so blessed to have so many people praying and looking out for us.