Matt is on the Move

He's been on the brink for awhile now. Matt has decided he's tired of hanging out wherever we happen to set him down. I will sleep tonight in fear of the moment when they both decide to head in opposite directions

First Trip to an Amusement Park

So every year P&G rents out the Kings Island Amusement Park for employees and their families. We didn't think the boys would meet the minimum height requirements for most rides, but we thought we might be able to sneak them onto one or two. This actually proved to be more difficult than we thought.



The first ride we attempted to take them on required that children be a minimum height of 42 inches "Or accompanied by a responsible adult." After waiting in line we were told that the boys would require socks before they could ride. I'm not sure how having socks on made the ride safe for an 11-month old but who were we to question the powers that be at Kings Island. Conveniently, the gift shops at Kings Island sell toddler socks.

Here Ben seems a bit puzzled to find the ground moving.



The second ride also had a sign requiring a responsible adult. The staff at Kings Island waited until we were actually on the ride before asking me if Matt could walk. I responded that he could not and they kicked us off the ride. Walking was apparently an undocumented requirement to ride. So here we are in line after getting kicked off



Luckily the staff at the Carousel was far more laissez-faire when it came to socks, walking abilities, and height requirements.

The boys in Reds Gear

IMG_1542, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

So jess and I took Duncan to the Reds game last night. In support, the boys wore their Reds hats while they got ready for bed.

Thoughtful Ben

Thoughtful Ben, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

Ben has learned how to use a sippy cup. And also to gaze upon you with intellectual curiosity

Matt With a Giraffe Thing on His Head

IMG_1500, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

He gets very excited when you put things on his head.

Matt is *almost* there

So Ben has been crawling for a few weeks now. And Matt does not like being left behind. He's *almost* there.

Ben in the Circle of Pillows

IMG_1488, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

We've discovered he like climbing over things. He will barrel his way right over pillows, toys, his brother, the dog, etc.

Matt Makes Noises

Cincinnati Children's Museum

So its actually kind of struggle to find places to take the boys to where they can actually *do* anything. Now this is mostly because at 10 months old they really don't know how to do anything. Almost every place for kids requires the kid to be able to at least walk. So we go to the aquarium and carry the boys around and point at thing, and sometimes they even look. But that's really abolut it.

Enter the Cincinnati Children's Museum. Not only do they have an entire area for kids filled with things that are *extra* interesting to look at while being carried around by a parent, but they actually have an infants area, with a padded play area and a railing two feet off the ground so infants can hold themselves up. Its a fun little trip we've made a few times and were joined by Grandma and Grandpa Wetzel for this trip.


Here Matt demonstrates the railing while Ben watches from the play area.


A few more pictures are available here

Matt and Ben Hanging Out

Matt and Ben Hanging Out, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

Better and cuter when viewed large

First Trip to a Playground

So we really hadn't considered taking the kids to a playground yet. It seemed like they should be able to at least walk before they could handle the slide, right? Actually it turns out that they can totally grasp the clasps that attach to the kiddie swings. They both seemed to have a good time.

How Ben Sleeps Now

IMG_3070, originally uploaded by wetzel9.

Fingers in mouth and bum in the air.

And so Ben has Learned to Do This

(The video will be right side up as soon as you hit play)

MVI_1415
Originally uploaded by wetzel9

So this has started happening. A lot. And he seems to enjoy it. A lot. I've taken to feeding them while wearing a rain poncho. Its like being at a Gallagher show

Hanging Out in Florida

We went to a cool restaurant that was on the water while we were in Florida. The boys were well behaved despite being up past their bedtime, and I discovered that fish Rueben sandwiches are delicious.

First View of the Ocean

The boys' first visit of the ocean wasn't in the nicest of weather. In fact I think it was raining pretty good by the time we headed back up to the condo. It was fun though.











Ben reacted to his toes in the waves a little less favorably than Matt.





In fact we waited until the next day to let Matt try his toes in the water.