Back from Hiatus

I seem to have forgotten all of September and October. So, here it is the a week before Thanksgiving and I am just now posting September & October happenings. First off, the girls are doing great at Mother's Day Out. Amazingly, the girls completely switch personalities at school. Mia, who in any other situation is a total momma's girl, is the independent one who consoles her sister when she is upset. Livvy who is my social butterfly, is the one who cries when I drop them off. And she has been known to follow around the teacher until they pick her up. Go figure.

The girls love to play "side". That is their word for outside and sometimes for slide too. They are loving their little fort outside. Now that it's cooling down and they have better motor skills, they really get into their outdoor play. Livvy used to be scared of the slide. Now she is all over the place, on her own. Mia remains to be my fearless one. I mean no fear, which scares Mommy more than anything. I know that is a good trait to have sometimes.



Their favorite new words are: mine, no, more, what's this, what's that, and here. "Here" is usually used when they are trying to pawn off toys on each other, to replace the one that was previously snatched. Smart cookies.

Their personalities continue to compliment each other when it comes to music. Livvy is always the first one to start dancing and Mia is the first one to start singing. They make quite the performing pair.

I should mention the main reason for my hiatus was a rough, as in sickness, first trimester. The girls will be big sisters come this May. Every time I sat down at the keyboard, I wanted to share but it was too early. We are in the "safe zone" and I see a light at the end of the morning-sickness tunnel, so I thought it was time to share.

Growing up so fast - 18 months

I just can't get over how fast they are growing up. The girls sure did make us proud today at the Wiggles concert. They took everything in, enjoyed their surroundings, stayed close to mommy and daddy, and we loved watching them get so into it. This is just the beginning, I know. There will be many more, loud concerts that we will have to endure as their tastes change. This was perfect, 1 1/2 hours, small venue. I have to say they really know their audience because the audio wasn't so loud that it scared little ones. Well done, Wiggles.
When we are watching the girls have such a good time, suffice it to say, it made us enjoy the day that much more!
 

New happenings, we are now the parents of two walkers. Olivia finally stopped holding out on us last month and took more than two or three steps. And she just hasn't stopped. The girls are talking to each other more than ever. It's just so cool! We will hopefully starting Mother's Day Out next month. We have been on the waiting list at St. Laurence since January and are still there. So, I have been frantically calling other programs and am currently at the top of 2 other waiting lists. We are also going to be returning to Familia next month. Can't wait to start that back up. And, will be adding MOPS to our agenda once a month. I think I am getting the hang of this stay-at-home mom thing.

As busy as we are going to be, the girls are going to be sad that their cousins won't be around as much now that they will be starting school soon too. They have always been social butterflies and they love entertaining company!





Oh, a new favorite toy,that is not a toy, is the blanket basket. They love to sit in it and use it to help them get up on the bench. This allows them to enjoy their window seat.



That's all the news I have to report for now. Be sure to check back next month! Or, if I am doing really well, later this month!

Chatter boxes

The girls are less and less babies everyday. They talk to each other and they understand each other. It is something else to watch, you can really see the conversation take place, the back and forth and taking turns. And they seem to answer when asked a question.


As you can see, they are showing more and more interest in stuffed animals. It's pretty adorable when they hug them and carry them around with them. And of course, now they are starting to fight over them too.

Livvy is really starting to walk. She is taking more than one or two steps. She actually walked across the living room yesterday. When she is frustrated, she reverts back to crawling. After all, she can do that at lightning speed!

Sidney's new favorite way to torture me is to joke about the girls pageant days and that someday mommy will have them on Toddlers and Tiaras. Let me rest all your worries right now, that is not going to happen. Boy, he loves telling people that though. Those of you that know him know he's kidding. But not everyone does. But now two of their new favorite toys from Ally's hand-me-down dress up box are, of course, the 2 plastic tiaras.

It was a busy, busy weekend. So many of you asked about the girls. I knew I was overdue an update. So here you go. One interesting thing, Dad was on duty yesterday while I was at Salsa Luncheon and let me tell you, they are full-on Daddy's girls this weekend. When he tried to go to the gym, Livvy was holding on to the legs of his shorts. Then he picked her up and tried to hand her to me. She held on to his shirt with both hands. Didn't want Mama. It was actually a pretty sweet moment. I think Sidney enjoyed it. A funny Mia tidbit, she says "Hi--ii" every time we pull into our driveway. It's as if she is greeting our home.
We are practicing going up and down the stairs. I may actually have to start working out again if I am not carrying 40 pounds up and down the stairs. I leave you with a cute shot of synchronized stair climbing or should I say, race to the top. I think it really was a tie.

Another step closer

Livvy is really getting the itch to be more independent. Saturday while Aunt Betty was here, she was just video taping Livvy's cute babbling. So, the beginning is just cute conversation and then she stands up and takes a couple steps. Two seems to be her limit.Tried to post video with old editor with no luck but here is an action shot of her getting around Mia.

Livvy has also taken a liking to climbing, I think she got this from watching Mia. Now she'll climb up the bottom step, hang on to the balusters, then cry for help when she realizes she went up to the second step.

The girls favorite place to make a mess is in the study. They managed to get the door open and I came in after them and asked "Who let you in here?" with my hands on my hips, being fake stern. Mia looked up, gave me the most innocent look and asked "What?".

During a play date, Mia answered a mom's question with "Right here". When I give them a choice of what to wear, I get "this one" as an answer. Now they sign done, more and eat pretty consistently! Of course, they still have the special twin language going!






Another one of their favorite things to do is to tear down the sheer curtain I have in the window by the door.  Here they are caught in the act and as you can see by the delighted smile on Mia's face, there is no remorse. Could be worse. Not complaining. Can't you almost hear the laughing?!

Father's Day

Father's Day was fabulous. I had so many ideas brewing in my head. Thanks to Erin introducing me to Piggies and Paws, we have a wonderful keepsake picture using the girls footprints hanging in the study. With the help of Candace, my personal paparazzi, I was able to create an awesome picture book of the girls enjoying Daddy's favorite sport, golf. On a mini scale that is. Boy, was it hot! I was even able to impress daddy with some golf lingo in the captions. Thank you Bing.com.

Funny side note, a couple of times in the last couple of weeks the girls have been shy around Candace ... until she pulls out her camera. It's as if, they didn't recognize her without it. Coincidence?  I think not. hehehe

We have been able to enjoy play dates at the pool. My girls love the water. I really need to get to swimming lessons scheduled. There is no fear, just like at the beach! Even when we are in the water, it's h-o-t out there. So, we don't last all that long but it is nice that we have such fun pools in the neighborhood.

I know I have said this before, but Livvy is getting much closer to walking. She's taken a couple of steps, then realizes what she is doing, then gets on all fours again. So, I am trying my best to just let it happen and not pressure her. Easier said than done, especially when I see that she is right there! 

We have some new words in our vocabulary, they include: don't, stop, and my favorite, up and down. When you say up and down they will act it out. Pretty sweet. Mia is pretty close to saying Jacob. Of course, they don't speak much in front of others, so, it makes mommy look like a liar. That's okay, I can deal.

We had a fun play date today with Hope and Isabelle. They mainly oohed and aahed at Isabelle but there was real interaction with Hope, not just parallel play. It's so great to see these changes and developments. Tomorrow, we get to see Courtney & Kendall and Harrison & Hunter. The best thing about play dates at this age, we all know, is that the moms get to visit! Just ask Sidney, I am positively giddy about being able to see so many friends this week. It's been too long.

Beach Babies

After a couple of summer colds and fevers, we were finally able to make a trip to the beach. We missed the other cousins that were there on Memorial Weekend but we had a good time all the same. As usual, Mia is fearless and ran straight to the water. Livvy, always watching, is not far behind! It was so fun to watch them get excited by the waves. As usual, they tried to eat sand and drink the water. Gotta keep your eyes peeled all the time!!!



These girls are talking up a storm and believe you me, they have their own language. They are already conspiring to do things together! The "see what I can do" antics continue with removing diapers while they sleep. But now, they do it together. It's like one of them says "look, like this ..." and the other follows suit. Now, who is the ring leader? That is the question. 


                                              The tradition continues of finding multiple uses for items. When together, these blue and yellow semi-circles are a sphere with shape cutouts. But in my girls hands, they are the latest trend in hats!


Another new talent of my girls is one of a dramatic nature. Whenever Livvy wants to be picked up she summons you with both her hands. It makes quite the picture. When she is happy it's adorable. When she is crying, she looks like she is begging. And Mia is my soap opera actress. When she gets upset, she often flees to the opposite side of the room, turning her back on you to cry. Then glances over her shoulder at you. Sometimes, she leaves the room and other times she hides her face. But she always comes back or peeks to see how you will react to her crying.

I leave you with my funny for the week. I caught a humorous moment on the monitor a couple days ago. Background: When the girls go down, they each have a lovey and 1 small stuffed animal in their cribs. I usually find these on the floor in the mornings, I guess they toss them when they are done cuddling. Back to story: I was watching Mia on the monitor and I see her take the lovey and hurl it out of her crib. I think okay, she didn't feel like cuddling with it tonight. Then I switch cameras on the monitor so that I can see Livvy's crib. Low and behold, her crib is packed with 2 loveys and 2 stuffed animals.  Mia has been throwing them into Livvy's crib. They are too much!

Summer is near ...

As futher proof that the girls are growing up , we are attending events later in the day. Like going to cousin Reed's baseball game. It was a continuation, so only a few innings but we made it through the whole thing with only one hitch. Reed had a great hit. Such a great hit, that it inspired an eruption of screams and claps from the stands so loud, that it scared the bejesus out of my Livvy. Which is odd, because it's usually Mia who gets scared by loud noises.

As many of you know, everything is a toy, especially items that are not toys at all. Here is Livvy playing peek-a-boo with a piece of a floor mat. It also serves as a nice hat. And Mia with the undeniable, giddy expression of victory on her face because she has acquired the coveted remote control!

Their smiles are also showing maturing signs as both girls have about 3 new teeth breaking through, further changing those smiles from baby to toddler smiles. ~Sigh~  As a result, much like puppies, everything goes straight to the mouth. Here they are literally eating their alphabet in the tub.

Mia has recently discovered the joy of bouncing on things. She takes pillows off the couch so she can sit and bounce on them on the floor. Anything she finds that has give, becomes her mini- trampoline, including mommy's belly.

As a final testament to longer days, the girls have consistently refusing to sleep during the afternoons now. But they do still get some downtime in the cribs, so mommy can have a 20 minute power nap to keep up with these growing girls that are now awake all afternoon!

Mother's Day and May Developments

There are sometimes I still can't believe how lucky I am to be a mom to these beautiful girls. God is good. Very, very good.

My husband did a fabulous job with his gift. He was thoughtful enough to give me two charms for my "mommy" bracelet. His card thanked me for doing all I do and a card from the girls thanking me for bringing them into this world. Which of course, brought me to tears. We had a great weekend celebrating with both families.

Livvy is getting closer and closer to walking. She is standing more on her own but has taken a liking to the sudden dive, especially on the couch. The girls are talking more and more to each other. Their bond grows stronger and stronger each day.

Mia is continuing showing her attentiveness by giving everyone something they put down or took off. Shoes, purses, bags, hats, keys, cups, you name it; she knows who it belongs to. She is also a little parrot, repeats every thing that she can and if she can't, she tries.

Livvy is singing and dancing to her heart's content. She has mastered the long vowel sounds of o and e. And loves using her tongue to make various noises, I can't begin to describe. Not clicking, almost words. When she repeats the long vowel sounds, I inevitably hear Morris Day's "Jungle Love" in my head for many minutes afterwards. Sometimes I even sing it to her and she loves it.

We have also been spending time at the pool. They love splashing in the water but they cold so we don't stay so long which is probably good. Daddy loves this time which is amazing because before the girls, unless we are on vacation, it's like pulling teeth to get him in the water.