Noah's 1st Haircut

Sweet Noah was finally taken to get his very 1st haircut.  I had been putting this off for a while, because his little blonde curls just made this momma smile. Those wonderful curls were starting to cover his ears, and get tangled up at night, so I bit the bullet and took him in.   We had a rough go for the first few minutes, but then a wonderful lady came to the rescue with "bubs" (bubbles) and Noah was a happy camper.  The stylist said she couldn't believe how well he did!  Way to go Brave Boy!

Feeling a little nervous in the chair!

Not a fan of the purple drape or the stranger cutting his hair.

Being brave with a little help from blankie & paci.

REALLY not liking the floor vacuum that sucks up the hair.

All finished and a HAPPY BOY! No more mullet!

 

 

And then we celebrated with ice cream!

Time Out Take 1

What could cause 2 sweet boys to look like this...?

TIME OUT! 
(This was the first time we had tried it.)

 

WHY?
(Because standing on the couch from Nana & Papa is much more fun than obeying Mommy & Daddy!)

p90X ... McNugget Style

Mike was exercising the other day and it looked like so much fun, the boys stopped playing and decided to join in.

Team Beres Exercise Class:  Group Shot

Figuring out that tricky equipment...

Finally getting the hang of these resistance bands!

After all, we take our exercise very serious around here! :o)

15 Months...

My sweet boys.  How 15 months have passed too quickly.  You truly are my two favorite little people around.  Mommy and Daddy are so lucky to have you!

Noah (28.8 lbs. 34 inches)
You are such a delight little guy!  You have more personality than your little body can handle sometimes and you make us laugh all the time.  You are very determined little one, but also very laid back most of the time.  (Unless your bother takes your ball.)  You love to dance and you just can't seem to stop the wiggles when you hear music.  You talk all day long most days in a language only you seem to understand.  Your have a pretty good vocabulary and some the words we do understand include: "Ba" - bottle, car, cup, drink, ball, "baboom" - balloon, apple, cat, squash, "plsshe" - please, eat, bath, cow, duck, dog, "tuck" - truck, up, book, out, tent, walk, "bankie" - blankie, and "pass" - paci,  hi, and bye-bye.  You love - love - love taking a bath and ask for it every night and often a few times throughout the day too!  Your favorite play things are balls, books, and "bubs" - bubbles.  You also squeal with excitement each time we bring out your tunnel or tent. Your best friend is your brother and I think I have even heard you say his name a few times.  You are a fairly picky eater, and still wake up each night to eat at either 11pm or 3am.  You just started consistently walking around on your own this past week without prompting and we are so very proud of you!  You continue to be on your own schedule sweet thing and that is just fine with us!  We love you to the moon and back plus more.

Cooper  (30 lbs. 35 inches)
We love to pieces big guy! You are such a friendly, sweet, snuggly thing and we love, love the hugs and kisses that you give so freely. You are so tenderhearted and you often share and offer comfort without request from Mommy or Daddy.   Our favorite is your "tackle hug."  You are crazy strong sweet one and we are still learning how to help you manage this.  Your vocabulary is growing each day (thanks to improved hearing from your tubes) and your most consistent words include:  "Ba" - bottle, "pass" - paci, car, "god" - dog,  cat, cow, "hoo" - shoe, night-night, bye-bye, "da" - daddy, out, "bah" - bath, "crack" - cracker, snack, ball and hat.  You enjoy using your baby sign language, and often clap for yourself after we understand what you are telling us.  You play with all of your toys equally, but right now your favorites seem to be your slide, books, your piano, and the pirate ship your Uncle Matt and Aunt Braeton gave you for Christmas.  And when you play- man do you play hard!  We call you our little bulldozer for a reason! You are the curious one and sometimes that can get you into trouble.  You love to climb on things just like your brother, especially your train table. You enjoy eating, and there isn't much you won't try or eat!  Most days when you have finished your meal, you like to pull your highchair over to your brothers and help him finish his.  You also head straight to your chair and stand in front of it when you hear Mommy say its time to eat.  Ha!  You have been walking around for a few months and have recently started running. It's so cute! In general, you are a very happy guy and greet us each morning with a big smile and wave.  Coopie you make our hearts smile all the time.  We love you. We love you. We love you!

Ryan Joseph Felsen

Welcome to the family little one!  We are so glad you decided to FINALLY come. 
We love you so very much already.

Born December 31, 2011
8.8 lbs.  ~ 21 inches long

2011 ... What A Year!

2011 was a wonderfully busy year for the Beres Family.  Here is a look back!

In January the boys were finally cleared to attend church...

                                                                  ...We had some snow

                                      ... And our big boys started sleeping through the night!

In February Cooper was fitted for his  STAR Band to correct a flat spot on his head. This was also the month where the boys began to notice and interact with each other.

In March Noah was fitted for his STAR Band, and both boys began wearing their "football helmets." 

Grandma Great came for a visit. 

April was so much fun.  We took N&C to Clemson for the first time for the Spring Game.

And celebrated our very 1st Easter.

May brought warmer weather which meant many trips to the Riverbanks Zoo.  We even enjoyed some "brother time" in the park.

In June we celebrated Mike's first Father's Day and the boys first trip to the beach at Kiawah Island.  Cooper said "Dada" for the first time Father's Day morning.  N&C loved the beach. 

Our sweet Noah had an MRI to confirm a brachial plexus injury.  He began physical therapy this month and did wonderfully.  We have seen great improvement in the use of his right arm.

We celebrated Mike's 33rd Birthday.

And our growing boys passed 22 lbs and 30 inches.  We said goodbye to the infant carriers and hello BIG BOY car seats!

July brought mobility for Cooper.  He started crawling July 1st and our curious fellow has been on the move ever since.  Cooper also completed his STAR Band therapy this month.  He graduated with a certificate and a perfectly round head!

We spent some time in Hilton Head with Mike's Family.
                                                   

August brought a slightly lighter schedule for Mike which meant LOTS of family time!  We traveled up to Boone, NC for my college Sunday school reunion.  We saw a lot of great friends and I was able to show the boys around Appalachian State.  Noah also completed his STAR Band therapy this month.  We were helmet free! Yay!

In September, Mike began residency interviews.  We left the McNuggets with my parents in Charleston for a few days and I traveled to Seattle to visit Mike and to check out the city.  We had a great time and it was our first "weekend getaway" since the boys were born. 

October brought many firsts for N&C.  We flew out to Texas to visit Mike and to celebrate the boys first birthday as a family.  We had a wonderful time, the boys did great on their very first flight.

 In Austin, we went to visit a pumpkin patch and the highlight for Cooper was wearing his Grandpa's hat! October also meant Halloween. The boys had 2 costumes this year. (Thanks Aunt Jenny!)  N&C dressed up just like their Daddy to celebrate with some friends during the day.

Then we changed them into their warmer costumes and headed to the church down the street for a little Halloween fun that evening. 

 In November we took the boys up to Clemson for their first regular season game.  We had AMAZING seats thanks to a friend ...  and really enjoyed them until the crowd went crazy with a TD on the 3rd play.  HA!  At least we tried.  :o)

                                    The boys enjoyed the remainder of the game from their stroller.

December was full of family, friends and celebrations.  Our boys were spoiled by all that love them with loads of attention and wonderful gifts.  Here are a few of my favorite Christmas pictures of N&C.

Happy New Year.  We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for us 2012!