Merry Christmas 2009

The girls went to see Santa last week, Isabel was not impressed nor entertained by the whole thing, and Alexa liked it, sort of...after we convinced her she did...well sort of!

Wonderful Wobblers

Well the girls are off and running, uh, I mean wobbling. They love to practice walking around, and when one sees the other they too need to "try it". Their newest accomplishment is walking around with toys in their hands. The bigger the toy, the better. Yesterday I caught Alexa trying to lift up the "walk behind" toy to carry it across the room, I couldn't stop laughing. The sight of two 14 month old girls "one up-ing" each other is hilarious, I am so thankful to have these two in our lives; they are the source of so much laughter, and countless smiles.

We are all getting ready for the big move, and the College Park house seems to be closing in on us! Can't wait to have more room, especially for these wobbling girls. They are ready for some real space, I am not sure I am, but they are.

Isabel's latest "favorite thing" is taking things away from Lexi, or you, and then handing them back. She will let you hold onto the item for as long as she sees fit, and then takes it away again, only to then hand it back to you. I am seeing a glimpse into my future of "the Why's?". Alexa just loves to laugh, she loves when Isabel does something silly, and she cracks up. She likes to be startled, or scared, because it makes her laugh. The two of them are a great pair because Izzy likes to try to make you laugh, so they are both very happy in their respective roles!

They are both growing like weeds, we are in the 12-18 month size now, and suspect by the end of the year we might be starting to outgrow it! We have two happy and very healthy toddlers, and could not be happier about it. We are planning to make a visit to see Santa in early December and will post pictures then.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone, we have SO much to be thankful for.

Unbelievable!

Not very many parents are lucky enough to capture their child's first steps on video. Their actual first independent steps, on video, as it happens in real time. Not only was I able to capture Alexa's very first independent steps on video today (albeit by accident), but we got Isabel's also! It is insanely lucky that this happened, we are still in complete shock that not only were we able to get video of BOTH girls first step, but they happened on the very same day just hours apart from eachother. I am reeling...

Fall Fun

Today the girls and I went outside to practice walking. They love pushing their new toys, and I love to watch them grow and learn right before my very eyes. The girls love to be outside, and right now I am struggling not to become the over paranoid mom who doesn't let her kids do anything for fear they will get the swine flu! I just keep hearing about more and more children getting this awful virus, and with Doug working for the railroad well we are exposed. BUT, we must not live in fear. So we didn't go to the gym, but we did make it outside for a while. Baby steps, right? (Pun intended!)

Here are a few pictures from our time outside today. 41 days until the big move! But who's counting....I AM! :oP

Happy Halloween!

The girls had a great Halloween, we played all day and then went to a church trick or treating event with our friends Casey and Rebecca and their son Kaleb. Kaleb and Izzy were monkeys, and Alexa is the chicken. It started raining so the night ended sooner than we wanted it to, but the girls had so much fun for the time we were out. We didn't actually collect candy either, the girls just loved the pumkin. Here are a few pictures, I hope to post all our October pictures on picasa soon (the link is on the right).

More Standing, More Laughing...

Just some play time caught on tape.

Lexi's Laughing and Izzy Standing

So we have a daughter who loves to laugh. I know many of you are thinking, "is she complaining?" NOT A CHANCE! If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Alexa's giggle, it is THE best thing in the world. It is simply not possible to hear her giggle and not smile and possibly start giggling yourself! So here is a video that showcases not only Alexa's perfectly contagious laugh but also Isabel, standing.......independently! She is only days away from taking those ever so memorable 1st steps!

Embarrassing but true...

I can't belive I am going to post these, especially after a game like todays. It is so hard to be a Redskins fan, but so easy to see why I couldn't pass up a chance to share these with all of you!! Go Skins!

13 months...and hoping to slow it down a little!

Yesterday the girls turned 13 months old, I am sure many of you are reading this and thinking, so what? But to me it is crazy, and exciting and breathtaking; where has the time gone? The girls are learning more and more everyday and trying new things everyday. Oh, and they're growing, and growing, and growing!

Isabel is very impressionable, and loves to repeat movements and sounds. Right now her two favorite things in the world are, waving Hi,and trying to also say it. It doesn't really come out as "Hi" but is clear that is what she is trying to say; and also she loves to put her finger in the air, directed toward Jeorgie, and say "sit". It is about the cutest thing in the entire world. She is also trying to master blowing kisses. When we do it, she will try to mimic us, but it is hit or miss right now; she has to be in the mood.

Alexa is huge! I know this would sound crazy to a stranger, a mother describing her child this way, but she is off the charts! I never imagined a year ago that I would be seeing her this way. I am amazed at the difference a year makes, and very sure we are going to have a hard time fitting into the 12-18 months snow pants we bought her!! :) She is entertaining and fearless. She never bats an eye or hesitates in the slightest when she decides to try something new. The other day she decided it was time to use the "walk behind" toy her Grandma Bobbie and Grandpa Jim gave her, correctly! She walked across our living room pushing it from behind and was so proud of herself when she reached the other end. I was proud too, a little too much so probably!!!

They are both standing all the time with the help of furniture, and have begun to want to let go. They move along the furniture with speed and race on their hands and knees to get to something, or someone, first. I can't wait to get them outside and take bets! It won't be long before they are standing independently, and soon after will be walking unassisted; I have mixed emotions about all of it! The girls have been trying all sorts of new foods lately, but to my content they still love their veggies, and fish, the most. So happy to see them growing and excelling, but sad to see that time in their lives go.

Wow, it still stuns me how much I love these babies, I mean kids/girls/angels!

1st Birthday Photos

Here are two of the pictures from their first birthday photo shoot, it was a lot of fun, but somewhat stressful because Isabel didn't like one of the photographers at all, and everytime she would try to position her she would start hysterically crying!!! But here are a couple pictures we liked anyway!

Happy Birthday to the twins!

The girls had a great birthday. Thank you to everyone who sent wishes, and gifts and love from all over the country!! Here are pictures from their big day, I am having trouble loading the video but hope to have it up soon.

A day at the park!!

Here are pictures from the girls first time at the park!! They loved the swing. First we went to a park that only had one infant swing so we put them in together. Then we walked down to another park that had two infant swings and they had even more fun!! Enjoy.

Stats!

This is just a really quick update with the stats from their 1 year appointment at the doctor (we still don't have our computer back yet, I had to borrow Doug's laptop!)

The girls are doing great, our little Lexi isn't so little any more. She has officially become the "bigger" sister! Alexa is 31 and 7/8 inches tall, weighs 23 lbs exactly and has a 46.2 centimeter head! She measures in the >95% for height, 75% for weight and the 80% for head circumference! Way to go big girl!! Isabel isn't too far behind, she came in at 31 and 1/4 inches tall, weighs 21 lbs. and 14 ounces, and her head is a whopping 47.4 centimeters around! She measures in the 95% for height, the 70% for weight, and the 95% for head circumference!! XL hats for her please!!!

We could not be more proud of our little girls. They are dramatic, and fun; adorable and impossible all at the same time, and we could not have ever imagined how much joy and happiness they would bring to our lives. We are ridiculously happy.

Here are few pictures from the last few months, and our trip to PA to see Grandma Q and Papa Bill!!! As soon as we get our desktop back up and running I will scan their 1 year photos!!!