So Many Changes

Our summer has been flying by.  We just said goodbye to my parents this morning after a 3 week visit that felt more like 3 days, and as always, it was sad to see them go.

Caroline and Ellie have definitely not suffered from lack of attention and love this summer.  After spending 3 weeks in Bakersfield at the beginning of the summer with Yiggie and Pa and now having a 3 week visit from Grandmom and Grandpop, these girls are going to be disappointed when they realize that it's just me to provide the entertainment during the day!

The girls have changed so much during the time my parents were here.  Both girls started sitting up on their own and Caroline started crawling.

Caroline

Both girls have their 4 top teeth that have completely come through since my parents arrived at the end of June.

Ellie has taken a step or two, but she continues to be more interested to sit in someone's lap and play instead of taking off on her own...for now anyway.

Ellie

The girls will be 9 months old tomorrow.  I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how we have already arrived at this stage where C&E are highly interactive babies, and the newborn stage is so far behind us that I have a difficult time remembering it with any clarity.

I take so many pictures, and right now, it just doesn't seem like enough.

Shopping at my Mom's Second Favorite Store

My mom has two very favorite stores.  No other store can hold her attention and/or browsing capabilities like #1, the Apple Store, and #2, Wal-Mart.

I am a product of my upbringing and am also a fan of Wal-Mart.  Going there by myself with the girls, though, is such an effort.  I have to make sure that the girls are well rested and fed for the long-haul because everyone knows that there's no such thing as a quick trip to Wally World no matter how few things are purchased.

The girls are still wobbly when they are sitting, so putting both of them in the cart isn't yet an option.  I've tried several different methods with shopping with the girls, but the easiest for me is just taking the stroller and loading it up with everything I need.  Usually by the end of our shopping, the three of us look like a walking circus, but we always make it through.

This is what we look like shopping.  We get a lot of "oohs and ahhs" as we meander through the aisles.  Everyone young and old is enamored with the twins.....actually, it's mostly just the young and old.  People 15-65 aren't so interested, unless they have twins, know twins, or are a twin themself.

Everything these days seems to be an adventure with Caroline and Ellie as they are changing so much.  I'm noticing right now of how much longer things hold their attention.  They do really well when we're out as there is so much to look at, and they love to touch/hold/eat everything...except for their toys, of course!

We're having a lot of fun these days.  My mom arrives next week, so we'll be able to do some big shopping when she comes....as in purchase more than 10 things at a time!

Visiting Yiggie and Pa!

We had such a wonderful time visiting Yiggie and Pa, which is what all the grandkids on Blake's side of the family call his parents.  Who knew 3 weeks could go by so fast.  We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends, and even still, there were still people that I didn't get to see.  It's amazing how much I can't get done with 2 babies in tow.  (How many times have I said that??).

The girls mastered sitting up and rolling over with ease while we were there, and they both had some new teeth pop through.  Ellie had her top 4 teeth come quickly in all at once, and Caroline got 2 teeth with 2 more slowly making their way.

I did a terrible job taking pictures while we were in Bakersfield, and I'm crushed.  I had big plans of making a little baby book with a picture of everyone in the family for the girls to have, but clearly that's not happening right now.  We'll be there for Christmas, so I guess I can refresh my good intentions during that visit that will, let's be honest, most likely have a similar outcome.

Thankfully, these girls are adorable (I say with complete objectivity), so even a picture taken on my "2009-definitely-not-smart-phone" or Blake's phone is a keeper in my book!

With their Great-Grandma Winnie!  We saw her almost every morning, and it was wonderful!  The girls definitely knew their Great-Grandma after a couple mornings, which warmed my heart.

Visiting the firehouse and Uncle Cole.  Thanks Vanna for sending me this picture!  :)  All the cousins got to go to the firehouse and visit - absolutely adorable!

Playing on the floor at Yiggie and Pa's house.  The girls mastered their sitting up skills while were were there!

Ellie and here Daddy!  It's difficult to tell in this picture, but Ellie developed a freckle on the top part of her forehead right before we arrive in Bakersfield.  It was very convenient for everyone knowing who's who.  Plus, Ellie always sucks her left hand, which is always a giveaway!

We borrowed a lot of pack-and-plays and cribs while we would go visit people's houses.  This is Caroline and Ellie passed out together in my friend, Annah's crib.

The girls started sitting in high chairs for the first time since they could finally sit up by themselves.  They really got to the point of enjoying their baby food too.  It's amazing how much they changed while we were there!

Flying with Ellie, who didn't want to sleep on the flight since there was so much to observe and people to look at through the seats.  

Gettin on a Jet Plane

Blake and I flew to Bakersfield with the girls for our first plane ride experience since we've had them.  In the past, we both have always enjoyed getting on a plane - it means total relaxation and a good nap for the both of us.  Ahhh...the good 'ole days.

Caroline and Ellie did extremely well on the flight.  They were enthralled with all the people and the noises from the plane and on the way there, they did not make a single peep.  Not one.  

We had an extended unplanned layover in Phoenix that delayed us several hours.  It was late.  The girls were tired, but they hung in there with their people watching and Blake and I pacing the terminal trying to keep them comfortable.  However, in the end, we made it!

By the time we arrived in Bakersfield, it was the equivalent of 1am (Texas time), and the girls had hardly slept.  We think that was the ticket to getting them quickly adjusted to the new time zone.  They slept in and were ready for a 7pm normal bedtime the next day!  

On the way home, this past weekend, my sister, Lauren, helped me get the girls back to Texas since Blake had already left the week prior to get back to work.  Caroline and Ellie weren't as easy going on this trip.  Lauren had Ellie on the first flight to Phoenix, and Lauren fed her about a lb of baby puff crackers to try to keep her quiet.  We couldn't sit next to each other on that flight and I could hear Ellie from a few rows back fussing loudly in between each puff that Lauren shoveled into her mouth!  Our flight from Phoenix to Houston was cancelled at the last minute and so we had to hang around the airport for about 6 hours waiting for the next flight.  Caroline and Ellie did great the whole time, although Lauren and I were exhausted just trying to keep them entertained and happy.  

By the time we got on the plane, the girls were spent, tired and we were all ready to be home!  At some point, though, you just gotta laugh.  I have one amazing sister who put with so much to help me out!  I'm not sure what I would have done without her!

The girls finally fell asleep and they never cried once from the air pressure changes.  I think Lauren is looking forward to her flight back...all...by....herself!  ha!

Even with all the schedule changes and a lot of baby bouncing, we made it home and everyone survived!  It was so sad leaving Bakersfield and Blake's parents, but it's nice to be home and be back with Blake.

One on One

I am frequently stopped in the store to chat about twins, which I always enjoy.  I've heard more stories from strangers about fertility ups and downs, twins, triplets, quadruplets (not kidding), etc.  Ever since Caroline and Ellie came along, I have quickly resolved to the idea that everything takes about 5 times as long as it did before twins, so stopping a couple times to chat and have sometimes lengthy conversations is just part of the gig.  I honestly enjoy it and try to soak in everything I can.

Dada

Caroline and Ellie love their Daddy.  They say "dada" all the time when they're making their constant noises, and Blake can't wait until they make the connection that HE is Dada.

with Caroline

I have come to learn that there is a universal fussy time for kids, and these girls are no exception.  It's always around the time Blake is due home from work, and I have sadly been known in an act of desperation to be standing on the driveway holding both girls waiting for him to pull up.  No matter how fussy they are, though, they immediately stop when they see him with faces lit up and arms and legs flailing until he holds them.

Ellie in pink shirt and Caroline in plaid

Lovin these Sweet Peas!

Caroline and Ellie are progressing everyday with their eating.  It's so fun to watch them discover new things to the point where you can visibly see their mind working.

Feeding twins has been an adventure.  It's funny to watch them not only getting their food all over themselves, but they also wipe their food on each other.

With their new reaching capabilities that I always seem to underestimate, I don't think I have successfully made it through an entire feeding without one of the girls knocking the bowl of food upside down at some point.  

....and it always happens the same way....

I put food in one girl's mouth while keeping the bowl outside of her reach, which is usually and unfortunately within reach of the other one [when will I learn?!?].  The other immediately takes advantage of the opportunity, and with arms flailing outside of my peripheral, knocks the bowl out of my hands and sends contents flying all over my lap, table, and floor. 

No matter how it ends up, I'm loving my two little sweet peas, and they seem to like theirs too!  

Both girls finished eating complete with peas on table.  I scooped up what didn't land on the ground or in my lap and finished feeding them.

Caroline showing off her two bottom teeth!

7 months old

Caroline and Ellie turned 7 months on Sunday.

Scootin Around

Caroline and Ellie are still working on sitting up by themselves, but they are scooting and rolling on their sides which has greatly influenced their reaching capabilities.  They are still at the point where I can lay them down and walk away, but I think I'm on borrowed time when it comes to leaving them unattended.

I briefly walked away from them the other day, and I found Ellie, the escape artist, on her way to....well, not exactly sure where.  All I know is that the floor hasn't been mopped in awhile [code for I can't remember the last time I did it].  I'd better get on that.

In efforts to keep it interesting around here, I'm constantly having to change up what the girls are playing with and how they play just so they stay content.  They think sitting up in their bumbos while attacking the hanging toys on their playmat is cool....for about 5 minutes, and then it's "okay, Mom, NOW what?"

What they really want is to be held.  Sadly, they know they will win and its just a matter of time before I'm holding both of them, pacing and bouncing around the house until my lower back can't take it anymore.

I know, my brother tells me I have a weak core and I need to work on that.  ....Right after I get those floors mopped.

Caroline

Ellie

The Key to Eating with a Spoon

We started feeding the girls food this week, and the two personalities couldn't be more distinct.  We started them out on rice cereal and after a couple days of trying, Ellie got the hang of it and has not looked back.  Caroline took a little longer to get the spoon down, mostly because she doesn't seem all that interested.  I think she's still annoyed that she has to sit in this bumbo thing, which she has never really been a fan.  I point you to Exhibit A.

Do I even need to say which baby is which?

Clearly Caroline is on the left and Ellie chillin on the right

Both girls seem to agree that the best way to wash down your food is to suck your thumb.  As soon as the spoon has left their mouth, they suck their thumb which, of course, causes a colossal mess.  Hence, we eat outside.

Ellie finds the bumbo perfect for resting her elbow on while she sucks her thumb

Caroline loves it too

They also like to simply move their thumb to the side while you shove it in.  I guess it's easier that way.  

Ellie

Once they got the rice down, we introduced them to carrots, which was gag-ilicious.  As soon as I put it in their mouth, they would think about the taste for a second, wince while throwing their head back with arms flailing, swallow, violently gag and cough a couple times, and then go back for more.  To describe it as entertaining would be an understatement.  

Ellie

Caroline

Caroline on left and Ellie on right

Caroline

Both girls taking a break.  Ellie sucking her thumb.

Ellie

The introduction to food has been a cute adventure.  However, the newfound adventure of changing diapers that look and smell quite different than what I'm used to....now THAT I could do without that.