Photoshow

If Photoshow is correct, anybody should be able to view this version of the latest slideshow:

September 2007

The boys are now a little over 16 months old. Because they were born significantly premature, we also need to refer to their "adjusted age", or how old they would have been had they been carried full term. That's because they are not expected to have reached the developmental milestones of an older baby. In their case, they are right on schedule developmentally for their adjusted age of 13 months. Shane started walking a few weeks ago (which means he is now RUNNING!) and Dylan just got the hang of it a couple of days ago (which is OK, because Dylan learned to crawl several weeks before Shane...so now they're even!). As you might expect, at any given time, each of them is sporting one or more bruises on the forehead.

The photos above are of Shane (left) and Dylan (right). You can click on them to enlarge, if you'd like. I realize it's been a long time since I've sent any photos. The truth is: ever since they started moving on their own, it has been challenging to get ANY good still photos of them at all! We try...believe me! But most of our shots end up showing a baby's forehead as he crawls in range of the camera and, often, a little hand trying to grab the camera. We also get great pictures of their backs, or their little butts crawling away. And it's almost impossible to get any good shots of the two of them together, both looking at the camera. One of our graphics clients is a clothing manufacturer and she asked to use the twins as models. Well, she came over one morning for a photo shoot and, needless to say, she spent over 30 minutes snapping photos and only came away with one good one of them together. Oh, well! Anyway, I will include below a link to the latest slideshow (which includes some shots from the photo shoot).

We started using sign language with the boys when they were very little (4 or 5 months?) and it has really paid off. Shane, especially, knows a TON of signs. The problem is that, like any baby's language, only Mommy can understand which signs he's doing -- to everybody else his signs probably all look like pointing. But, he definitely has a huge vocabulary. Dylan chooses not to use his signs as much, although he knows them. He is more vocal and is just starting to speak. His first words, "tickle, tickle, tickle" came several weeks ago. Adorable!

Like their father, these little guys LOVE music. There is nothing funnier than watching what happens when Daddy takes out his guitar and starts strumming a Grateful Dead tune. Both babies immediately start dancing and often accompany with one of their musical instruments. It's hysterical! (As I type, Shane is dancing to his favorite Wiggles song: Here Comes a Chicken.)
Both boys are growing fast and as healthy as can be. They've actually grown out of almost all the hand-me-down clothing they received at birth, so if you know of anybody with boys clothes that they're wanting to pass on (sizes 18 mos to 2T or older), please send them our way!

Myself, I feel like I have finally emerged from the shock of their unexpected early birth. We're still not sleeping through the night, but both boys usually take at least one long nap per day (not always at the same time, though!) and can be counted on to go to sleep (at least for a few hours) by 10 or 11pm. So I do get a little more time these days to get some personal stuff done. I've even been known to have an occasional extended phone conversation now and then!

We still don't leave the house much, though. This is mostly due to logistics. Just taking two babies to the grocery store is monumental. And they are at the age now where they don't want to be held or strapped in a stroller for more than a few minutes, so we can only take them places that are fully baby-proofed. My rule for outings is: one (or more) adults per baby, nothing less. And we try not to go anywhere that isn't set up for toddlers. So...again...we don't leave the house much. We're still thrilled to receive visitors, though! It really helps brighten a day -- and I think the visitors get a lot out of it too!

So...here's the deal on the SlideShow: I heard some people have not been able to view the previous shows, so I've published this one in three different versions. If your computer has the latest Flash Player, you can view the really good slide show (with subtitles and music) here: PhotoShow  (This is my favorite version, so please try it first!)

If that doesn't work, then you might be able to see this one (same photos but without the cool fades/titles/music): Edwards_Twins_Sep_2007.mov

And, if THAT doesn't work, OR if you want to see bigger versions of the photos, then you'll have to settle for this version (if you click on any of the photos on the page, it will put you in "slideshow mode" and you can click forward or back: Web Page

I can't begin to tell you how much it has meant to me, Clif and the boys to have SO much support from friends and family. I can't imagine how we could have done it without all of you!