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. 

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. :(