Two Peas in a Pod

Everyday is just full of new and exciting things for my girls and I am so glad to I get to witness it! The personalities are definitely in full bloom. Mia is a ham and Livvy is just a pleaser. They are more and more active everyday and the littlest things bring them enjoyment.

Yesterday was quite a sight to see! If you have been around the house lately, you've seen Livvy's lightning speed crawling. Imagine that, with Mia behind her walking on her knees, holding on to the back of Livvy's shirt as if she were holding on to a horse's reins. Of course, with the biggest smile on her face and loudest giggle coming out of her mouth. If I only knew where I left our camera, I would have tried my darnedest to capture that moment.

They have also taken to tickling each other. When either one is on the floor and there is the tiniest piece of flesh showing at the belly, that is the green light for the other one to go in for the full-on tickle. They even make a "tck, tck" sound.

Many of you have heard stories of the diaper shedding. First it was Livvy, taking off her pants while she slept at night. I would come in and ask "who took off their pants?" and once, Livvy pointed at Mia. Pretty funny! Then, last week, I went to get them up from their naps and Mia had no pants and no diaper on. But she was wearing a huge grin. Mia did this once more, but the 2nd time she had the diaper in her hand when I came in and then threw it on the floor. A couple days go by and no other incidents, until Friday night. My parents were here and dad checked the monitor. He then asked me what Livvy was wearing to bed. I told him pajamas, not sure where he was going with this. He then tells me that it looks like her legs are bare on the monitor. So, I go check so I can redress her, so she won't wake up cold. Low and behold, she is completely bare from the waist down. Diaper (wet) in one corner of the crib and pj pants in the opposite corner. We couldn't stop laughing. She didn't even stir when I put a fresh diaper on and redressed her.

Speaking of diapers and their new-found talent of removing them, as many of you have experienced, diaper changing time is becoming more and more of challenge. They can twist out of the belt on the changing table. So, I have taken to staying on the floor. I was putting Livvy's diaper on and she was struggling and whimpering. Here comes Mia to the rescue, not only does she come over to console Livvy, she also quickly undoes the diaper velcro straps and frees Livvy from the wretched diaper. They are just too much!

Cousin time, singing, and 1,2,3

The girls have frequent visitors and they love it. Cousins are their heroes and I wouldn't have it any other way. A short glimpse into this week's happenings:

Visit from Sarah and Reed. Everytime Sarah would blow bubbles, it cracked Livvy up! As you can see, she is in full laughing mode, tongue out and all. (Yes, that is mommy's beer, it was that time of day.)

Sarah, again, being the biggest celebrity, had Mia in full mimic mode. Whenever Sarah started to jump rope, Mia would put her arms up in the air, like she was getting ready too!

Jake who is playing with Livvy, has Mia vying for his attention. She gets closer as if she is saying, "I'm over here".

I saved the best for last. Mia has strong legs and she proves that today by pinning Livvy down. Livvy tried to get up, she tried to push Mia's legs off, but to no avail. Mommy did intervene but I had to capture the moment first.  


In other news, Livvy is getting closer and closer to walking on her own. Still favors the push toys and pushing chairs around the kitchen island. Mia truly believes she can sing the words to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I will post that video on Facebook cause I don't know how to do that here. I just can't believe that I have little girls now, no more babies. :(

Precious Moments

While the girls are still trying to get over being sick, they have been a little bit of a challenge. You know how it is, when you're sick, especially with a fever and your sleep pattern gets all off. Well, that is where we are, times two. Good times.

Yesterday, I witnessed the sweetest thing to date from my girls. Livvy, who is still not 100%, was quite cranky and had a crying fit yesterday. She just wanted to be held by Mommy. Even that didn't appease her completely. So, she is in Mommy's lap, cuddling and crying. Here comes Mia, right behind her and put her arms around her and then rested her cheek on Livvy's back to console her. You just can't teach that kind of compassion. I wish I could have captured that moment on film but alas, my hands and lap were full. 

I just had to share.

My Week as a Single Mom

Daddy has been working in Albuquerque for most of the week, which left me to fend for myself. I know what you're thinking, "you're a stay-at-home mom, that's what you do". That's kind of what I thought, but it's so not the same when Daddy doesn't come home during lunch to give me a break, put them down so I can eat dinner, or be the one to get them in the middle of the night. To make things even better, they are sick. We thought we were so careful last week when I was sick but not so much. Thank goodness for Dr. Grandpa.

So, as it goes with siblings, first one is sick then the other. We did make it to Mother Goose time at the library Tuesday and I managed a dinner with 3 of my favorite ladies Wednesday. Then the fevers started. I ask you, do these girls frolicking in our front yard look like they are on the verge of illness? I think not.

As always, I am most grateful that we made our way back to the Houston area because my family is such a blessing. I did not have a shortage of hands to help me out or phone calls and emails of everyone checking in to see how everyone was feeling.

That brings me to my funny of the week. When Dr. Grandpa came to check up on them today, Mia was doing her usual entertaining the grandparents. Spatial reasoning definitely not developed yet, no matter how small the space, Mia thinks she fits. Dad was on the floor, leaning on the couch and she kept trying to walk behind him. Dad, of course, would lean forward. So, she would do it again. It quickly became a game and she would stop and lean back on him. Her hands are on her head because she is mimicking Grandma's fake cry when the girls won't come to her. Funny, funny girl.

Livvy is such a trooper, you wouldn't know from this picture that her temperature was 101.7, only .1 lower that it was this morning. That fever is holding steady. Hopefully, not for long.

Easter Weekend

Wow! What a difference a year makes. This time last year, my girls were making their first public appearance at Easter mass. They had just received their 2 month shots and the coast was clear. Now, they are walking, talking, laughing, dancing. My heart is so full. People tell you over and over about the love you will feel for you children and you just don't get it, until you have them.

This weekend was not without its bumps. I was amazed by the greed I witnessed at our neighborhood Easter Egg hunt (by adults) and disrespect shown by other adults while shopping for Easter. One look at my girls smiling face or little hands trying to break into the eggs and I know it's all worth it. On a side note, the high school volunteers restored my faith in people. They were so courteous and worked for us so diligently Saturday. I even witnessed my Asian volunteer (teenage boy) give that bow of respect whenever I introduced them to another mom from my neighborhood Moms and Kids group. Totally restored my faith that my girls are going to meet genuinely nice people in this world.

Back to Easter events. The girls were able to participate in their first ever egg hunt at Candy's house on Good Friday. What fun they had and Grandma introduced Olivia to Reese's. She loved it, of course. She is her mother's daughter. They had a fabulous time with Grandma.

Saturday was our neighborhood hunt and festival. This is the first day, the Texas heat and humidity decided to make it's debut. The girls did not last long, I sent them home with Daddy while I worked the rest of the festival. But they did get some bonding time with their cousin, Kobe.

Sunday, Easter mass. We got the last two chairs in the cry room. Missed the drama of someone hitting (then leaving a business card) a car in the parking lot at 7 o'clock mass, thank goodness. But then the little princesses developed a fever. So we missed the Garcia cousins at Aunt La's house. :( Luckily, they were back to normal after their naps.