One Year Later

Cole

Then: 5 lbs 3 oz  (18 inches)

Now:  25 lbs 11 oz  (31 inches)

Cole's our only walker (so far).  He's also, our pickiest eater (go figure).  He smiles so easily and is always making silly faces.  Cole is by far the loudest talker of "The Gang" and his loud, gutteral growl and grunt has become Mommy's alarm clock at 6:45 each morning.  He only has 2 teeth (one bottom & one top) but manages to eat Gerber Puffs faster than Mommy can put them on his tray. As "The Oldest", he has definitely grasped the protective and empathetic role...he cries when Mommy or Daddy says "No" to others.

Potential Future Occupations: NFL Lineman, Professional Wrestler

Eli

Then: 4 lbs 4 oz (17 inches)

Now:  20 lbs 8 oz (29 inches)

Nicknamed "Goofball" in the NICU by his nurse, Cathy, Eli has remained the smiley, giggling, curious boy he began as.  The downside to Eli finding humor in everything is when that "thing" is him hitting his little sister on the head with a hard toy...REPEATEDLY...and she's crying...and yet he's still grinning ear-to-ear.  He is by far the best sleeper in the bunch...and therefore is a tempation for Mommy to claim as her favorite (he's not...no one is...)  He is a speedy little crawler and can easily stand independantly but refuses to take that small step (not that Mommy's anxious to have two walkers).  Eli is leading the "tooth race" with 4 (2 top & 2 bottom).

Potential Future Occupations: Ethan Allen Quality Assurance Director (he loves to "inspect" chairs), Podiatrist (he also loves feet)

Ava

Then:  4 lbs 5 oz (17 inches)

Now:  16 lbs 13 oz (27 3/4 inches)

Shane's little "Princess"...Momma's little "Bean".  Don't let the size of her fool you...she's just as tough as the boys.  Ava eats whatever Mommy puts in front of her...even though she has only one lone tooth (on the bottom).  She's the best cuddler in the group, but quite possibly the worst sleeper.  She loves to play with toys and is often seen with a toy dangling from her mouth as she crawls across the family room.

Potential Future Occupations: Model (assuming her parents don't have a say), Human Paper Shredder