Monday, August 31

Dancing Queens Babies Toddlers!

Cady and Addie have become more like sisters than anything over the past few weeks. Before Mother's Morning Out started, Cady stayed with us for 3 days each week for a couple of weeks. We had so much fun! Now the girls go to MMO two mornings a week, stay late one day for lunch bunch, and stay with me on Wednesday and one afternoon.

We've learned how to get one out of a car seat, throw a diaper bag packed for two over one shoulder, and unbuckle and pick up the other child with one hand, lock the car and make our way to the grocery cart in less than 90 seconds...with a child on each hip. They both love riding in the Pub!ix "car" and have managed to learn not hit each other while sitting so close!

Putting 2 toddlers down for naps at the same time gets smoother everyday. And we've basically got the "feed 2 toddlers at the same time" routine down, all while blocking the dog from eating off anyone's spoon or plate!

The girls love to read, run around the house, play with whatever toy the other one has at the time, swing outside...and dance! Each girl has her strengths, and Addie might be able to jump when she dances; but she can't hold a candle to Cady's dancing! That girl can get down, toddler style!





We are so glad Chad, Mandy, and Cady are in Montgomery. Old friends become new friends! And what a joy to watch our girls grow up as friends!

Friday, August 28

Beneath the Hat

All your future lies beneath your hat.
John Oldham

Addie has recently become fascinated with putting things on her head (and around her neck, but that's another post for another day).

Hats are a rather challenging thing for a 17 month old to put on. They always seem to fold in half or get caught up in themselves. It takes more coordination than I think we consider.

Except if that hat is in all actuality a bowl. Then it's much easier!
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

I suppose if all her future lies beneath this hat, or between her ears for that matter; then I pray that her future holds joy and peace, learning and discovering, and a love beyond measure for our amazing God!

Happy Friday! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, August 26

Wordless Wednesday

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Baby A's Ultrasound Pictures

9 Weeks               
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13 weeks
Baby B

18 Weeks
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1babya3

1babya2
32 Weeks
baby a profile
36 Weeks
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Baby B's Ultrasound Pictures

9 Weeks
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13 Weeks
Baby B

18 Weeks
1babyb2

1babyb3

1babyb1

32 Weeks
baby B profile
36 Weeks
babyB36wks

Sunday, August 23

Subtle Reminders

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
Psalm 37:7
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Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

Saturday, August 22

Enough is Enough!

Paul and I got home today to a rapidly heating up, humidity filled house with a constantly running AC producing nothing but warm air. {try saying that 3 times really fast!}

(this is Addie immediately after we got her up from her nap. pretty unhappy there at first. i know many babies are a tad sweaty when they wake up...but this was a tad extreme for our baby! this was even with the fan on and windows open!)
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And two days ago we had to have a roofer come out and re-tar (is that a word?) the flashing around our rock chimney so water would stop trickling pouring inside our wall, creating an ever growing ever wetter ever peeling spot!

And yesterday, we found pieces of our cracking (and now crumbling) plaster kitchen ceiling on the floor due to the house shifting with all the rain.

I won't rehash the last 9 months (a new under the house AC/heater unit, new water line and main sewer line, new refrigerator, new tire, and two dog surgeries), but enough is enough!!!

At least we've had time to pay off the under the house unit.

At least we'll only have to replace the outside unit, if we have to replace anything at all.

At least it's a gorgeous, cool, day with relatively no humidity, which is completely off season here.

At least we've had time to pay off the refrigerator.

At least the trickling pouring water problem was localized in one section of the wall.

At least it was easy to fix (if you count the two trips out by the roofer who just couldnt seem to find anything wrong with it, a friend who's an appraiser finding the actual problem, another friend doing a mold test, and our handyman telling us what we needed to do, how, and when).

At least it's not termites...

At least we're all healthy!!!

But enough of all that!

Addie's growing and changing every day. She's constantly trying new stuff and saying new things.

Her favorite: jumping! She's even gotten some some air time finally!

She's also started this "Oh wow!" face where she makes her mouth in the shape of an "O" like she's just seen the most amazing thing ever!

Her newest word: DiDi! My best friend Diane met us for lunch yesterday. She walked into the room and, with no prompting, Addie yelled out "DiDi!" for the very first time and near about flew out of my arms to get to her!

And then there's the kisses: She's been giving kisses, when asked usually, for a while now. But she reached over to me yesterday, turned my head sideways, and planted a big, slobbery kiss on my cheek out of the blue! Precious and priceless!

Yes, I'm gushing; but no, I'm not trying to tell you that she speaks three languages fluently, performs with the local ballet, or has solved the economic crisis. I mean, she does and has; but I'm not saying that here!
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Enough is enough!

Friday, August 21

Seeing Music

***Oops! I forgot to make the videos public. They should be working now!***

“Dance is music made visible.” George Balanchine

There is no denying the fact that Addie loves music! She's loved it since she was itty bitty.

But she's moved from sitting and dancing to standing and dancing!

There's much less clapping now. Her hands seem to be doing more of an artistic interpretation of the music, if I thought that was even possible! It's certainly her interpretation though!


Sometimes it involves bouncing.
Sometimes it involves squatting.
Sometimes it involves swaying.
Sometimes it involves jumping.

Sometimes it involves the bottom half of her body remaining completely still and the top half doing all the dancing!

Sometimes it's completely silent.
Sometimes it's the loudest thing ever!


But the newest move is the head banging. No, she's not head banging in the truest sense. No, you don't need to be concerned. Again, I think it's an artistic interpretation of the music. It's just that sometimes objects get in the way!


And other times it involves a t-shirt and tutu. Lots of prodding. And a failed attempt to hold the camera still while laughing! (This one's a little longer and a little slower than the others...but I couldn't not show you the video with her in a t-shirt and tutu!)

Can you squat in a perfectly seated position while maintaining your balance like that? Yeah...me either!

Wednesday, August 19

Monday, August 17

You Did What...?

Before I redirect you to Mandy's blog, I'll answer that burning question: "You did what...?"

Yes, my lack of blogging last week was due to cooking. What? I don't cook you say? Well, why would I when my husband loves to cook!?!

However, Mandy and I cooked 13 recipes, yielding 50 meals (25 for each family), used mostly organic meat and fresh vegetables, for a mere $5.20 a meal, in two nights (next time will be 3 or a Saturday) and have a packed freezer!

Am I bragging? I have no room to brag! I don't cook...remember? Therefore someone must have inspired me!

Mandy told it far better than I could, so I'll redirect you here!

A side note: many of the items we cooked not only fed us for one meal...but 2 or 3! So that's chicken spaghetti for $5.20. We got 5 adult meals and 1 child's meal out of it! Hmmmm...eating for less than a dollar a piece!?! Can't beat that!

Most of the Super Supper meals feed 3...for somewhere between $12-$15.

And for the record, I never would have done this without Mandy! I can make an excel sheet but hand me 13 recipes, and I'd throw up my hands and quit in a heartbeat!

The only downfall of the two nights...I did not take one single solitary picture! What's wrong with me?

Pictures or not, give it a try! Two {very} late nights of cooking have been totally worth it so far! Thanks for the great idea Mandy (and Mandy's mom)!

It Says What...?

You might remember this post.

But we've clearly upped the ante when it comes to animals sounds.

I apologize for the shakiness. I was trying to keep Addie in one place, think of animals to ask her about, and keep the dog out of my lap!

My favorite sound...the sheep! Rather vicious sheep, but it still tops my favorites!

This got cut off...

"What does the cat say...? (which is the 1st sound you hear)




I forgot duck, chicken, snake, and horse. She was clearly moving on though!

Oh well :) Hope you enjoy!

Friday, August 14

Laugh Like There's No Tomorrow

...because you can!

One of my favorite things to hear is Addie laugh. When she gets going, it turns into an all encompassing laugh! Joy at it's finest!

Paul went to a training session in Atlanta about two months ago. I had a dog class with Addie; and my mom was tutoring, so Diane was sweet enough to let me bring Addie to her. As you might remember, Addie adores Tyler and Ellie; but Tyler has a special place in her heart. He can look at her, and she'll crack up. Well, get him dancing or being silly; and it's all over!

Like here:

I hadn't gotten Addie's true, long laugh on video yet; but Diane did, and I love it! Thanks Di!

Back closer to the beginning of June, Paul was playing with Addie; and I started hearing that laugh! I walked in, and this is what they were doing!

I'm not sure who was having more fun!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Monday, August 10

Our Story: the Journey to Our Twins

Below are the main posts about our Journey so far (that isn't over yet!!!):

the big Announcement

Twins. How?

Detour: Surgery for a Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy at 10 Weeks

Another Perspective: as the Husband

The Vessels...

The Third Baby. Our Second Loss

After the Fact of it All

Reality of It all: Gifts...

The Top 20 Thing I Took for Granted...and Don't Anymore!

the Nursery

Our Girls Names!

They're Here!!!

Hospital Portraits: Allison Lewis Photography

Coming Home!

Family


Baby A's Ultrasounds


Baby B's Ultrasounds

These are links to a combination of posts about the girls:

Prenatal Milestones

Belly Pictures

The Twins...

Feeding the Ducks

Mandy, Cady, Addie, and I took a picnic to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) on Thursday. It was a beautiful day to be outside, especially in the shade!
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Addie was thrilled to see Cady (they are such sweet friends!), but all she could talk about were the ducks! The minute she saw the first duck, shes started YELLING, "duck!" "dUcK!" "DUCK!" (all of which sounds like QWUCK!)
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Watch the ducks head...
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It's totally checking out wherever Addie is pointing.
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She did a great job actually feeding the ducks, both the food we brought for them and her food! It's hard to differentiate between the two when your 16 (almost 17!) months old!
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Besides the ducks, there was a very curious (and certainly not shy) squirrel.

It started out there, safely in the tree but still wanting to get in on the action!
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See it watching us?
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Before we knew it, it had scurried down to take part in the feast that was being thrown to the ground!
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But my favorite things were the baby ducks! We looked up, and they were following their mama to the water in the straightest line ever!

Then they got brave and decided to get in on the action too!
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That's pretty hard work for those tiny legs though! So a quick rest was in order!
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And when I invaded their space a tad too much, they were off faster than I could snap my camera to catch up with their mama to stay safe.
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Our little ducks had lost interest in the obnoxious ducks and decided it was time to go visit the dogs at a nearby table. Always going. Always observing. Always moving!

Happy Monday!

Sunday, August 9

After Bathtime Extravaganza

Addie loves taking baths now. She loves playing with her toys. She loves splashing water all over her, and us! And she no longer minds having the shampoo and conditioner washed out of her hair.

But I think her favorite part is getting out. We put her hoody towel over her head, dry her off, tell her to "run to her room" and let her go!

And man can she run now!
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Right past her room and straight to the full length mirror in the hall, where she loves to dance and giggle, march and prance, and throw the ball to herself. Of course, unlike here, all of that occurs fully diapered and clothed! But it has the same purpose...so she can see herself, duh!
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She loves smiling
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and wearing a cape like a super hero
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but all of that gets old fast
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super fast
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and off goes the towel!
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Which is usually right about the time she decides to potty on the floor!

Friday, August 7

Beach Beauties

the last of the beach photos: Beach Beauties

Wednesday, August 5

Cape San Blas, Florida: Part V

Theme V: Families

Some of my most favorite pictures were of the different families.

Millie, Kira, and Jay

Brendon, Declan, and Leslie

Millie was so sweet to take a few pictures of us!

(I didn't manage to get a picture of Price and Margaret. I'm sorry guys!)

There were also some great group shots too.
Kira, Gramma, and Addie

Aunt Millie and Addie

Uncle Paul (aka Daddy), Kira, and Margaret

A few of the guys: Price, Albert, and Brendan

Paul feeding Kira

Paul and the girls: Addie and Kira
I love how Addie's reaching for Kira with one finger because that's how we gently touch!

Daddy (aka this time Uncle Jay) dancing for Kira. That kid's going to have some great rhythm.

Addie and Albert, who gave her this Georgia Bulldogs shirt!

And even though I didn't do a great job with this picture (everyone should have scooted left (their right), hat on the stairs, i'm front and center!, etc), everyone (but Addie) is smiling, you can almost see everyone's face, and you can see everyone's eyes! So i figure it's a success for 10 adults and 3 babies!

Gramma and Albert
Jay, Margaret (and baby-on-the-way), Price
Millie, Kira, Declan, Leslie
Addie, Paul, me, Brendon

And I leave you with curls, because if there's one, only one, thing our baby girl got from me...it's her curls, and they were certainly abundant in that hot, humid weather!!!