Happy 15 Months to Astral and Defy…

Today Astral Defiance and Defy Aster turn 15 months old. They’ve come a long way since they were born at 5lbs 13oz (D) and 6lbs 8oz (A). We have their big 15 month check up next week. We can’t wait to see how much they’ve grown in the past 3 months.

After reading my last post I started remembering things that I failed to mention about the guys, so I thought I’d do an additional quick post. Wow…I know, 2 posts in 1 week!!!!!

I stopped pumping about 2 weeks ago. I started it off with a trial run the first week to see if I could get through the day without too much pain, pressure or leaking and it all went very smoothly. I nurse the boys in the morning, right after I get home from work, at bed time and during any times they wake up in the middle of the night. Thank goodness everything seems to be working fine. I love the connection I share with Astral and Defy when nursing and I don’t intend on stopping any time soon, but I am so glad that I don’t have to carry that bulky pump around with me anymore. They also get plant milk, water and green juices throughout the day. Their favorite plant milk is fortified coconut milk and their favorite juice mix would probably be a toss up between kale/strawberry and broccoli/peach. I can’t ever imagine giving them cow’s milk or sugary processed juices.

We introduced the potty to the boys at 10 months shortly after they both started walking. After 4 months of them using the potty on and off when we put them on it, they both went to their potties at the same exact time and peed in them on their own. We were beyond thrilled, though after they stood up from their potties they both simultaneously peed on the floor. We sometimes let them run around in just a t-shirt to air out and see if they will take the initiative to use the potty. I know we still have a long way to go, but the fact that they did it on their own was stellar and brings us one step closer to not having to clean their cloth diapers…

As far as other milestones go during month 14 they perfected the art of self feeding with a spoon and learned how to get down the stairs on their own fairly safely. Climbing up the stairs was easy and mastered quite early on, but getting back down safely was a little harder. They are also getting really good at removing their own shirts and almost able to put them on as well.

We are so proud of our twin tots and all of their accomplishments. I love when people ask us if we are raising them vegan as they are living proof that vegans of all ages can be happy, healthy and vibrant...

To All a Goodnight…

5/29 14 months old

Defy Aster

Astral Defiance

14 months old

Whew…This month has flown by. I struggled all month to get a post up, but I REFUSE to let a month go by without updating this blog at least once. There are so many reasons I strive to keep the blog going, but the most important reason for this blog is to combat all the misinformation out there about veganism. Vegans can easily have healthy pregnancies, healthy children and healthy lives. Astral and Defy are proof of this. They are the best examples, times two!

There are a lot of people who read this blog from all over the world and every time I check the stats I feel an ever-growing responsibility, even with limited time. Almost every time I find a new vegan parenting, family or pregnancy blog I am disappointed with what I read and see. I just want to find consistent vegan, no-compromise messages out there, but there are few and far in between when it comes to children, pregnancy and families.

As I write my eyes are red and itchy from being outside in the 100 degree, pollen filled air at lunch. As I have said before, I hope Astral and Defy DO NOT inherit mommy’s allergies. Maybe this can be my excuse for ranting a bit. I never usually use this blog as a platform for complaints, but sometimes you just have to let it out.

Breathe out…

Our little guys are now 14 months old, though they will be turning 15 months in 3 days. Astral and Defy continue to learn new things at record speeds. The amount of objects, animals, people, etc they can identify is amazing. In addition to constantly pointing out things and explaining what is going on around them, we use flash cards and books to teach them new items. I think there is a lot to say for the no television rule. These kids are always engaged and never pacified by the magical branding machine. For 14 month olds they have a great amount of patience and are very observant. The boys are still a little shy at first with new people, but they are warming up faster and faster as time goes by.

With the scorching temperatures comes pool season! The boys have been thoroughly enjoying outdoor water play. They love playing outside, going on long stroller adventures and walking around the neighborhood with daddy. Recently walking indoors and out has morphed into very fast, reckless running which has led to various minor injuries. In one week we had a busted lip and chin. For the lip debacle I totally panicked and almost drove to the ER, but Lucas always the voice of reason calmed me down and everything turned out fine. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the bumps, bruises or scrapes…

DnA continue to eat an amazing vegan diet and have added even more new foods. I’m sure I’m forgetting something on the yummy new foods list, but here goes:
Swiss Chard
Cantaloupe
Sugar Snap Peas
Watermelon
Cucumbers
Grapes
Tahini
Black Strap Molasses
Papaya
Tamari
Canola Oil
Romaine Lettuce

We are gearing up for the second plane trip with the boys in the next couple of weeks. NOT EXCITED. This time we don’t have business class seats with the extra room. The boys were just learning to walk the last plane trip so obviously now they are way more mobile. We will be bringing lots of snacks and distractions. Wish us luck!!!

Astral and Defy are obsessed with the children’s book we read to them before bed. We both read the book out loud to them in unison in silly singsong voices. The very last page reads “Goodnight!” so now of course every time we get to the last page the boys say, "GUH-NIE". They are so adorable greeting the mornings with "hehwo wohd" and ending the nights with "guh-nie". Little things like this make all the bathroom totally drenched after bath-time, oatmeal in your hair and on your clothes right before you walk out the door to the office, random cry fest in the middle of the store moments of parenting so worth it…