Preschool

The picture says it all! They are officially in Preschool and have survived their first day! 

It's so bitter sweet when it comes to them being gone every other day for a few hours. I didn't cry on the day of, but I cried the night before. More so for the worry that I wont be able to protect them from everything, that they will experience things that may hurt them in some sort of way. That's all about growing up right? But what if I don't want them to grow up! NO I TELL YOU! On the other hand it is going to be nice to have a little time in the morning to myself, doing things that need to be done or heck even things that I just want to do. 

Regardless of my woes they were so excited! They couldn't wait to meet the kids and learn the ABC's with their teacher. 

Let us not even forget how much they love having back packs. They loaded them up with toys and wanted to take the toys to class..of course that wasn't going to happen and caused a ruckus. 

It was so different going back to school shopping for my own kids! I was having a mini panic attack as I ran around the stores thinking of what they will need for the upcoming fall season (still no coats chosen as the Mr and I couldn't agree to colors and styles, haha wow). Silly reason for stress but alas it happened. 

They are growing into their own little people and it's a blessing that we get to witness it. Although coming into their 3's I've decided that people who warn you about the "Terrible 2's" need more warn you about the "Terrible 3's". We've had more meltdowns, tantrums, fights and everything in between over the summer of them turning 3 than we ever had while they were 2! 

Besides the emotional roller coaster that is children. It's a blessing in disguise of two little gremlins ;)

So far this year...

Life is constantly getting more and more crazy as the twins grow older. They are trying new things and testing not only their limits but ours. This last May they turned 3 and show their age by throwing fits but making big steps in things like riding their bikes and swimming without our help. We find them clothe-less more often than not. Which I don't really mind and want them to enjoy being toddlers [still babies to me]. 

O weighs about 32 lbs while K is as usual one pound behind. They both know their letters very well and shapes are easy peasy. 

The strider bikes we got them for their 2nd birthday are getting great use as they now can ride down our little hill without putting their feet down! I took them on their first motorcycle ride on their little Suzuki 80. They were nervous of the noise at first but then asked for more. [girls after their mothers heart]  Of course as usual they are little fish and love to swim. We purchased them those life jackets that go around the arms and then the chest. They love them and just recently took the step to letting go of mom and dad to swim on their own like "doggies" as they say. 

They tend to get bumps and bruises much more often than their mother would like but I cant help but see a little bit of me in them. Especially little K who just seems to be a spittin' image of me...scary in some ways I suppose! Lets me know what I have coming. :) 

Their grandpa moved away to LA for 6 months and it was always a treat when he came home and they got to play with him. Easter was especially fun as they ran around asking where the Easter bunny left them eggs. 

They are the light of our lives and even though there have been struggles and bumps along the way, waking up to them smiling every day is a blessing. We have  had some rough spots that I wont bore you with today, and I know it has effected them with the stress levels. Luckily things are always overcome with a little faith and love. It also helps to have such loving family so near and close to our hearts. 

Once they slightly understood what prayer was we have started having them say it regularly before bed. They love it and even though they may not fully understand I think it's a great thing to have them recognize the thanks with should give. 

Our little family tugs at my heart in all the good ways. Watching us grow, watching them grow, and wondering what the future will bring. We try to live it to its fullest. Get out as much as we can, explore where we can when we can. I want them to grow up with the childhood I had. My younger years are some of the fondest memories of my life. So many amazing things I was able to discover. I have my parents to thank for that. I truly hope that we are able to bring those same opportunities to them throughout their lives. Only thing they have to worry about is that I'm no girly girl..so they may have to look to their grandmas for those "make-up" tips. ;) 

What they're up to

   This coming month will count the 2 year mark these two have been in our lives.  Can you believe it?  TWO years! I sure can't.  Pretty sure we have fallen more and more in love with these gremlins as the months go on.  

    Oakley is still a little bigger than her sister.  But not by much.  We are guessing they weigh about 25lbs now.  They both have most of their teeth in.  Those vampires are just finishing.  

They still sleep in cribs and have yet to try and climb out. We are in shock really at the fact they have yet to attempt to do so.  Naps are still a regular thing.  Generally every day from 1:30-4:30.  I don't know what I'll do when they refuse to do so.  It's my time to get things done I need.  

We thought they would never talk, but now it seems we can't get them to be quiet. ;)  
They copy and say almost everything we do.
If you never believed that twins had their own language. Come spend a few hours with these ones.  The use complete sentences, usually only to each other.  Most the time we can't make sense of it but most the time it's the best part of our days.  
Aussie Bear has become their best friend.  He lets them hold on to his fur and drags them around the house.  They often use him as a pillow or to sit by and read to him.  
Books are still their favorite thing to occupy their time.  They love to be read to, but are definitely OK with just sitting together and reading by themselves.  


Kenzington has shown us she is the adventurous one of the two.  She will jump off the couch first, climb as high as she can first, and try out new things first.  I imagine most mothers would be worried or nervous to have a kid so willing to take risks.  In all honesty it makes me so excited to get her going on bikes, motorcycles, snowboarding and more!  


Oakley isn't against being out there but she will sit back and watch to make sure "sissy" doesn't end up hurt. Even then she often just takes a leap of faith, ha!  She has shown us how motherly she is towards others.  Making sure to gives hugs and kisses if anyone is upset or crying.  Even just on the drive by she'll stop to give a hug and smile.  It's something that pulls on those little heart strings.  


             Call us crazy, but we started potty training about a month ago.  K was showing all the signs of being ready.  She would hide in the corner, get mad when her diaper was wet or messy or even just tell us she went potty.  We went for the Naked Butt potty training.  Keeping them naked from the waist down for a solid three days and consistently putting them on the potty.  They still run around in just undies or nothing at all if we are at home to keep it easy for them to run to and from the potties.  
One thing I do want to address is that ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN!  We have been told so many times even after having just one accident, that we should give up.  That doesn't make sense to me.  They love running around in their undies now that it's warmer.  They also love telling us and showing us they can use the potty themselves.  So why on earth would we put them back in diapers just because they couldn't run to the bathroom in time once and a while?  It's a work in progress, Dr's and books even say that depending on the kid it could happen over night or it could take years of training.  
To us it's about being positive.  Letting them know "Pee Pee goes in the potty", if they do make a mistake.  But positively reinforcing them when they are successful. We are down to 0-1 accidents a day and have yet to have any accidents while out on the town.  They do wear diapers or pull ups at night or nap time.  Even then their diapers have been getting drier and drier at night as the weeks go on.  

I can't even express how proud and happy they make me.  They have been through some amazing things in their short 2 years.  I can only imagine the ones they have ahead.  Every day they show us something new and simple things we should all sit back and enjoy!  
I'm lucky enough I get to spend most my day with them before heading off to class at night. It's hard to leave at dinner and not come home till they are fast asleep.  But in the long run it is what is best for our little family.  I am just so thankful that from 8am-5:30pm I get to share all the new things they are experiencing each day.  I get to hear those adorable voices as I go to wake them saying "mommy! Momma!".  That's something I don't think even words can describe.  

Growing up- 16 months

The growing up thing is something we knew would happen.  It's just inevitable that they wouldn't stay small.  It's filled with so many mixed feelings though, happiness to see them go through and experience things.  Then sadness to know that they will never be this tiny again.  

Right now they are at my favorite stage so far.  Every day I just can't stop smiling as I watch them explore, learn, and play.  They seem to happy with the little things and easily brush off the big things.  

Sometimes I wish I could think like they do and see the beauty and fun everywhere.   

A little bit about them-

They weigh in at about 23lbs now and shooting up like bean stalks, to us at least, hehe.  Both are still sporting the beautiful blue eyes and dusty blonde hair which has grown into a cute little mullet of curls.  We refuse to cut it...is that bad?  If not daily, weekly, we seem to occasionally mix them up.  Leaving it up to a guessing game for people who are unaware that their earrings are different.  It's amazing to see that as they grow the differences, like Oakley's stork bite, grow less and less noticeable.  

Both are walking, yes you read that right walking.  They have been for a month now and are getting to the point they just want to run every where.  Kenzington started her first steps on her own a couple weeks before Oakely.  We expected this due to Oakley's broken leg in the past.  But, it didn't slow her down for long.  She was determined to be right there with her sister!  

It's so fun and cute to see them chase each other, the dogs or even run away as we say "we're ganna get you".  Just to think not that long ago we were just waiting for them to crawl.  

Mopping floors is a bit of a bitter sweet thing in this house.  I can't help but laugh as they slip and slide and eventually end up crawling to the carpet, as they can't help but yell and get mad that they can't keep walking on it.  Yet, they keep coming back for more... kids ;)

The bumps and bruises have already shown their ugly head and sometimes it makes me feel so horrible but I have to tell myself it happens to them all.  

K has 10 teeth and O just got her 11th.  Which means K is not far behind on getting the same one.  

They are eating pretty much anything we give them now, but recently was limited due to us trying to find out what was causing their tummy issue for over a month.  Narrowing it down to Hot dogs, bananas, and juice.  We think it's juice.  

Favorite things for them to do is read books, yes it's upside down and of course it's in another language we have yet to figure out (or should I say they have yet to figure out?)  but none the less they read to us and each other as if they knew all along.  

They don't say much other than the normal simple words.  Kenzington is on a kick of pointing at everything and saying "da" as if to ask "what's that"?  I'll answer and she'll move onto the next thing.  The same is with something, toy, book, anything she wants me to do or figure out for her.  She hands it to me with this stinking adorable face and say's "da"..just now as I type she handed me a little bucket with it's lid.  I put the lid on for her and she walked away.  Freakin' love these girls. hehe

Oakley has mimicked her sister but we joke because her "da" is in a much deeper voice.  

They sing, they dance, they make loud noises, and they even tend to whisper on occasion.  

They still sign milk, more, please, and recently learned thank you.  

We already hopefully seemed to have passed the biting stage.  First it was Kenzington who bit Oakley, hard enough to leave a welt for a day.  Then it was Oakley to show revenge and bite K the following day, for the same reason, a toy.  

At first I was lost as what to do to, but thanks to advice from everyone I chose the smother the victim with affection and ignore the other (for a short period of time).  To my luck it worked and since then we haven't had any incidents to report!  

TV isn't something they really pay attention to, not that we really try.  But music is definitely their favorite poison.  Any music even heard off in a distance they start to bust a move and sometimes sing.  

Through out the summer they were able to really experience a lot of new things from all our vacations and trips.  Some I hope to blog about soon.  To me those are the best times, the times when I was young and our family went out and did things together even when I was really young.  We really hope to do it often.  

Other than the normal bumps in the road they have been amazing little gremlins and as much as I hate to see them grow I cannot wait to see what they will figure out next.  We are so lucky to have two growing happy healthy baby (or not baby toddler?) girls.  I can't imagine life without either one of them.

There's one, where's the other?

It's been a while since I've done an update post on the gremlins and their progress.

Things have changed so much in just a months time.

At 13 months they weight about 23lbs each. Both are crawling and the statement, "you'll be chasing one while the other goes the opposite direction", has come to life.  I end up hearing one in the kitchen while the other one attempts to attack the entertainment center.  Luckily if mom says no they generally listen and move along.  Keeping them in one spot is nearly impossible unless there are snacks.

Both can pull themselves up to stand using furniture or other things around them.  Kenzington has once or twice walked a gap from one piece of furniture to the next but they generally stay attached to the furniture walking along it.  For now, anyway.  They love little animals and fluffy things.  Especially Oakley who likes to cuddle them.

Both talk and giggle all the time.  It was probably one of the most adorable things as a mum to watch Kenzington sit on her gammas lap with a magazine flipping through the pages and reading to her gamma.  Literally for 5 minutes just pointing at pictures and text, jabbing away.  

Yes, Doggy, Igty (kitty), hi, daddy, momma, are the choice of words so far but they are constantly trying to say new ones.  They can both sign milk, all done, and more.  Dancing to music and clapping is something they just love to  do daily.  

Just like their mom they love to swim and can't get enough of the water, they are even attempting to kick their legs to swim now.  We recently took them to Las Vegas for the 2nd time this last week and they do amazing in the car.  They talk and play, never fuss and sleep without a problem.  Going to see new things and new people is something they love to do as well.  They flirt and just smile shying away.  We thought while we were in Vegas visiting my brother that they would get scared like they sometimes do with guys they haven't met before and it had been a while since he'd seen them.  Surprisingly it was like they remembered him and just loved sitting on his lap and playing.  He's such a good uncle.  

We now realized we have to keep their pants on at night otherwise they take off their diapers, haha.  Luckily there wasn't an accident.  

Both have 8 teeth and counting, we are getting to the more painful sets and it's causing some discomfort. They are chasing the dogs more and more. I'm pretty sure the dogs never thought this day would come, as Auzzie sat without moving while K probed his eye with her finger...yeah we have to watch for that now.  

I cannot believe how fast they are moving along and how much we get to see for the first time daily.  I've said it before but it just amazes me and I love it!

We have been blessed with some amazing kids, family and great friends who are always there.  I seriously hope we can keep up with the craziness because I don't want to miss one minute of it! 

For the 4th we are off to spend time with family and friends in WA.  It's going to be so much fun and great to see everyone.  

Everyone have a safe and happy holiday weekend! ❤

11(9 adjusted) Month RN Visit

The RN came by again today, giving me a much needed break from study/homework.  

Her only concern was Oakley's core strength, as she tends to slouch and not want to sit up for as long a periods of time as her sister.

So what we are working on this month is:

Helping them learn crawling positions.

Build core muscle strength with Ms. O.  

More/different solids.

Oakley

21lbs 8oz

Blue eyes, Blonde-ish hair

Stork bite on forehead

• gets around by rolling
• Waves
• "Momma" and "Dadda"
• Peaches, pears, bananas, apricots, strawberries, blueberries, apples, carrots, green beans, cheese, crackers, cereals, squash
• Cries at strangers
• mimics noises
• Shakes her head yes
• 6 teeth.  4 top 2 bottom and possibly more coming in.
• Loves car rides and long walks on the beach ;)
• Can sign "milk"
• Sleeps from 7:30pm-7:30am 
• talks or cries herself to sleep
• tries to crawl but usually ends up rolling
• Sleeps mostly on her tummy these days
• mommy's girl
• talks to her sister

Kenzington

20lbs 12oz

Blue eyes, Blonde-ish hair

birthmark on right shoulder

• Gets around by Rolling or pivoting, but likes to stand or sit more
• When asked for a toy will hand it over gladly.
• "momma" and "dadda"
• Peaches, pears, bananas, apricots, apples, strawberries, blueberries, carrots, green beans, cheese, crackers, cereals, squash
• Cries at strangers
• cries and gets mad at loud noises
• Mimics noises and mouth movement
• 4 teeth, 2 top 2 bottom, more coming in on top.
• Loves car rides and little animals
• dances to music
• shakes her head yes and no
• can sign "milk"
• sleeps 7:30pm-7:30am
• talks herself to sleep
• tries to crawl but only gets the butt moving
• starting to lift her legs to walk when helped by mom and dad
• talks to her sister

(PS. I'm going to be doing a giveaway as soon as school slows down[the next week or so]! So keep in touch! <3)

Frankly I'm excited!

After much thought of not knowing what the heck we were going to do for the girls birthday, I've decided. :) Thanks to everyones suggestions and support, which helped very much in the decision process. 

Here is the over all look/theme I'm wanting to shoot for:

[Love my little throw together? Me too, ha.]

We didn't want to have a set theme of some disney movie due to the fact they haven't seen any yet. So it just didn't make sense.  What did make sense was something focusing around colors.  I liked the idea of a "monkey" theme but not a traditional one.  Something I've always liked since I was little was the Julius  Knit Monkey/Paul Frank design.  The colors and everything that go along with it just seem too cute.  

Cakes:   After looking at some great ideas from some Twin groups and people I follow I've decided 2 smaller cakes for the girls to destroy would be best fit.  But instead of making a larger one for everyone else, I want to do little Paul Frank Cupcakes.

I hope to be able to talk one of our friends into making the cakes for us!  She does an amazing job and did for her little mans birthday. (If they'll be in town)

Colors:  The colors I want to focus on for the cake and cupcakes are the ones seen on the pants (mid left).  Yellow, Pink, and Blue pastel'ish colors. With each cake alternating it's focusing color maybe so they both aren't exactly the same?

Patterns:   I haven't really decided and hope to get help when the cakes are being made, but I'd like to have mostly polka dots, if stripes very few, and possibly the adorable girly Julius monkey with a bow (top left) to be placed somewhere.  

Decorations:  I plan to keep it simple.  Probably some really cute banner flags strung in places and if I can find any some decorative plates/napkins.  Of course some party hats for the gremlins to top it all off!

It sounds like a lot of planning, kind of, but I'm trying to keep it pretty simply and small.  I just want it to be cute and memorable for us and in pictures for the girls in the future.  

The decision on weather to have it on their birthday the 19th or to wait till that Saturday has yet to be decided, it depends on some key family members if they can make it to one or the other.  

I'm a horrible planner so this will be exciting as I plan to handle most of it...*sigh* so much for a easy going summer right?!  I'm still excited and gotta love every minute of it though :) ❤

Why you little..

This is what we see at night.  And that last picture, well that's what we see either in the middle of the night or by morning.  

What's that all mean?  They are rolling over in their cribs now.  For the first time ever, we found K sleeping on her belly just the other night.  I can't say I don't blame them, I myself can't stand sleeping on my back (as you probably already know).  But despite that adorable face, we still can't help but be completely nervous about their new ability.  What if they get stuck in the corner and can't move?  What if they get the blanket wrapped around them?  So many "what if's" run through my mind it's crazy.  Maybe I'm being utterly silly about the whole thing and shouldn't worry because all kids go through this.  I still can't help but think of worst case scenario and my heart races a little every time I find them that way.  

Any advice on not being such a crazy scared mother?

Also, I'm in need of some help from all you creatively thinking people out there.  As you know in a little over a month the twins will be 1, I know nuts!  I still haven't been able to think of a good party theme!  It's getting down to the wire where I may be too busy if I don't get it started now.  I've seen lots of Thing 1 Thing 2 themes, or Monkey themes..I've been wanting to do something that somehow incorporates twins or multiples, then again as long as it's fun and is adorable of course it doesn't really matter if it incorporates twins.  But my mind just draws a blank!  

:) so if you have any fab ideas or have seen any cute themes out there throw them my way! 

{Much love and Happy Wednesday!}

9 month RN visit

Oh boy, 9 months already. So nuts!  Anyway, the RN that has been seeing the girls once a month came again today.  With the girls being sick last month we were really interested to see how much they weighed. Not to mention I had some questions about Kenzington.

Oakley 

19lbs 5oz  

Down from her 19lbs 8oz last month.  

She rolls all over the floor, picks up and puts everything possible in her mouth.  

Just this last week she is getting the hang of standing up like her sister. 

 When we say her name she turns and smiles.  

She is still sporting her stork bite on her forehead and seems to have longer hair than K. 

Little miss dramatic as always is teething again and has finally cut her top right tooth and the one to the right of that.  Now in total 4 teeth.

She is our little motor boat and likes to blow bubbles.

Oakley is definitely a little more shy and quiet but also seems to soften up a little quicker and smile more often.

She is our cuddler and will always grab your face and pull you in or just simply lay on you and watch her sister be hyper.

Kenzington 

19lbs 1oz

Up from her 18lbs 15oz last month.

Although she has rolled over before front to back, back to front.  Recently she has refused to do so and insists on simply standing or sitting up.

Miss K is all about trying new things and insists on doing it her self.

She has started to shake her head no and dance to herself.

When we call her name she also turns to see but with more of the look of "What?! I was busy."

Her hair is a little shorter than O's and seems to stick up in some of the most funny places.

She seems to be starting to get her upper right tooth as well but it hasn't cut yet and she is handling it much better than her big sister.

Just these past few days she has started to try and really talk.  When she sees a new thing in the room, like the vacuum for example, she will look at it screech and say "bubub" then look at us like she is wondering what it is.

Speaking of Vacuums she is afraid of loud noises and when I clean she gets scared and shakes..makes me so sad, lol.

Their eyes are still blue with specks of gold in the middle.

Both talk to each other and play with each other.  It seems to be a game how many times they can pass a toy back and forth.  At least they are sharing right?

When they talk and scream at each other the dogs whine, mostly Kiona like she can't stand it..we can't help but laugh. 

My cat lives with their grandparents and when ever they see it we call it the "weird dog" so we are pretty sure they wont know that a cat is called a cat when they are older.

O is a mommys girl and K is a daddys girl.  

Both are eating new things often, just recently we tried Cheerios and loved them :)

Their grandpa is naughty and gives them jello or ice cream when mom isn't looking. 

They seem to attempt to say "milk" through signing but always at the wrong times.

The only things we are going to be working on is using a cushion to show them the kneeling/crawling position.  As well as getting Kenzlee comfortable with her tummy time again and rolling over. 

4 more months

So, I know I say this stuff probably more often than I should but hey I'm still trying to convince myself it's happening.  My girls are getting bigger by the day!  I'm kind of jumping the gun but as of tomorrow they will be 8 months old!  Can you believe that?  4 months away from being a year old....yeah, I'm pretty sure this is all just a crazy dream and I'll wake back up at 19yrs old living in Washington again.  *Pinch*

OK, it's not a dream.  

Just the other day we finally set up their high chairs...sigh...high chairs.  We were excited, proud.  That's a little odd to be proud?

Papa (which I'm starting to think they girls call "baba") setting up the chairs

Even though they seem to slide down they actually enjoyed sitting in them!  

For a bit now they both have been able to sit up on their own un assisted.  Kenzington even bends over and chews on her feet, often.  Although Oakley seems to think her belly gets in her way and fusses more than not.

They both completely love sitting in their "learning chairs".  Spinning, bouncing, chewing on all the toys!  They talk to each other and babble on forever.  

Both are supporting themselves when picked up to stand.  Kenzington more so, when in her chair she doesn't even sit in it.  She simply stands and crouches up and down now and then as if to jump.  When we walk her she actually seems interested in getting going.  We think she may end up like her mother and walk before she crawls!  Which would be scary but makes sense.  She almost never will roll around like her sister and shows really no interest in it.  With all this moving around they are starting to thin out a wee bit in the face, so we're told. 

From what I hear they do great when I'm gone at school and as much as I miss them I'm glad they are doing well with me not around.  I just love coming home and watch as they notice me for the first time that day and just smile huge!  It makes all of the annoying things that may have happened during my school day just go away!  

Although I will say this, it's very nice to get out of the house and be on my own again for so many hours out of the day.  Gives me time to focus on me and life.  I think we all need to think about us once and a while.  It's not selfish by any means, I think it helps build yourself into who you need or want to be.  

I have a goal to not stress as much this year.  It causes wrinkles..and for being in my early 20's I feel I already have too many :(.  (it'd probably help if I got contacts/glasses and didn't "squint" all the time) Besides, stress is bad mojo!

Another goal, be more creative...zAp that brain back into action and get that imagination going!  Hmm...not to work on how I'm going to do that..