Cleveland Getaway

Last weekend, Kyle and I got to sneak away for about 36 hours without the girls! It was weird leaving them, though I didn't have as hard a time as I thought I would. Perhaps the horrendous nights (for weeks leading up to the trip) made the time away easier for me...

Anyway, we drove up early Saturday morning and checked into the Downtown Doubletree. It was a nice enough hotel, but they didn't have chocolate chip cookies for us upon check-in (as they were supposed to and did for other guests), which totally tainted the experience for me. Equally uncool were the pictures of gooey, yummy cookies taunting me during every elevator ride. I should have complained, but the front desk lady was rude and I didn't care to deal with her anymore.

:)

Our hotel was within walking distance of several attractions (Great Lakes Science Center, The Q, Tower City Center, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, etc) so I gave Kyle his choice for the afternoon. He chose to go back to the Rock Hall, so off we went. It wasn't far, as you can see (from our dirty hotel room window):














In the early evening, we walked to Tower City for dinner at Houlihan's (decent) before heading to Quicken Loans Arena. We were thankful that the Cavs were out of town so we could enjoy the hoopla that was the Arena area (despite the team having lost at home) without the chaos. And, of course, we needed them to be out of town to be able to utilize the Arena for the Face to Face concert! Elton John said he was thankful for Lebron's last minute 3-pointer the night before, so that he and Billy Joel did not feel as if they were playing a funeral. Cleveland folks liked that, cheering ensued, etc. This NBA loather didn't even know such a shot had been made ;)

The concert was incredible, and Kyle and I had lots of fun. We walked back to the hotel and crashed after, played some games in the morning (of which I won every time, including a dramatic come from (way) behind win in Trivial Pursuit.... sorry Kyle ;)), and headed back home. My plan for sleeping in didn't really happen because I don't sleep well in hotels (shocking, I'm sure), but it was nice to not be "on call" to two people who weigh less than 40 pounds combined!

That being said, I couldn't get home fast enough and was excited to see the girls when they (finally) woke up from their afternoon nap. It's hard having a job that requires you to be on call 24/7, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! I'm just thankful for a vacation day every now and then! :-P

Neighborhood Walks

Before shopping our twins club sale in March, I had a one-item list. I wanted to get a nice wagon for the girls' first birthday, because - well, how cute are twins in a wagon? :) Seriously, I thought it would be so nice for parks, etc.

To my delight, I found the most beautiful wagon! It is the Radio Flyer Ultimate Family Wagon, which usually retails for around $200. It has (in case you didn't click on the link) "flip & fold" seats that face all sorts of directions or fold down for stowing, tray tables, cup holders (for kids and adults), a UV protection canopy, seat belts, etc. All sorts of bells & whistles that probably really make it worth nearly $200. This particular one at the sale had some dirt on the tires that wiped off with my finger, and was otherwise in PRISTINE condition. I swear, it could have rolled in from the Radio Flyer factory, it was so perfect. $50. Or maybe $60, I don't remember. But cheap.

I found my place in the (front-ish) of the line as a committee member, raced my way to the wagon and scored it along with a few other nominal bargains on toys that I couldn't care less about. I had my wagon.

And it doesn't fit in my trunk (the trunk which, mind you, is one of the largest in sedans available on the market but has the stupidest, tiniest opening). So.... neighborhood walks it is, until we can get a new car (next fall, perhaps?). Ugh.

Still, Elise and Avery enjoy it very much, and they are beyond adorable in it! See for yourself --

Sound the Hallelujah Chorus!

Every single change that we've experienced in the girls lives has been, at the very least, bittersweet.  Moving the swing downstairs nearly killed me, even though it was cumbersome and took up space and we hardly used it anyway.  Same for the pack & play.  Some were just bitter, like packing up the preemie clothes that I will likely never have use for again.

And then there is Milk.  I bought two gallons of Vitamin D milk this week, and spent - for the two of them - $3.70.  This should last us 6 or 7 days.  The equivalent in formula would have been anywhere from $13-$30 (depending on the variety the girls needed at a given time).

A nearly 90% decrease in expenditures is never ANYTHING but sweet!

(And if anyone is curious, we decided to introduce milk when we were on our last canister of formula, which just so happens to be a small one (sample).  We started with 2 ounces of every 6 being milk, and today it's 4 of 6, until we run out of formula.  So far so good, so everyone is happy!)

Signing Safari

The girls and I finally made it to our first Signing Safari class at the museum last Monday. It was fun, and the girls did really well despite being the youngest in class (by several months). We talked about and learned lots of signs for various jungle and farm animals!

After the class, we showed Aunt Cassi around the museum again because it had been a while since she got to go.

Check out this great area full of balls, where kids get to work various machines to shoot a ball across the room, dump a bucket of balls on someone and lots more! It's definitely geared towards an older crowd, but it's so cool. I imagine Kyle will enjoy playing in here with the girls when they are older!














Elise still wasn't crazy about the sand (though she wandered over and decided to play with it on her own this time, apparently having forgotten)!














We didn't stay too long (it was nearing lunchtime, you know!), but the majority of our time that day was spent at this great little car/train table.














It's so much fun to watch the girls engaging in some "imaginative" play, play that gets much more purposeful every day!















As usual, more pictures in the photo album - including one of Cassi working a treadmill that's a bit too small for her..... and plenty of the girls! ;)

To Grand(parents) House we go...

The girls had a wonderful time exploring Grandma Shelly's house last week! And really, why wouldn't they? There is a perfect-sized table and chairs, and even a real tea set to play with! Grandma Shelly didn't even care if a piece got broken, though this mama and Kyle were kind of worried. How cute are they? :)
























































They also got to figure out a fun spiral staircase --






























and discovered a rocking chair just their size upstairs!














There are a lot more (very cute) pictures in the Picasa album!

11-Months! (+ 3 days, but who's counting?)

In less than one month, I will have two 1-year-olds. *sigh*

Anyway, Elise's and Avery's 11th month of life (and particularly the last week or two!) has been one of major changes. We've said for months (or forever, perhaps), that the girls will not take bottles (if we could help it, of course) after their 1st birthday. It's a personal choice, but it's a strong one for us. We also thought they shouldn't have pacifiers after the first year. A few weeks ago I realized that I didn't want to make both major changes at the same time, along with the fact that they've JUST recently dropped their 3rd nap as well. Too much stress for precious little ones! So, we made a plan to start taking the pacifiers away around 11 months and then the bottle at 12. The best laid plans..... :)

The first week of May, we dropped an afternoon bottle in favor of a snack, more like toddlers would have, since that's what my babies are turning into no matter how hard I try and stop time. Around the same time, for whatever reason, I decided to start offering their sippy cup with meals instead of a bottle after - again, like a big kid might take. I thought it would be a one time thing that wouldn't go over well, but they did so great that we've done it for every meal since. There have been about 8 ounces consumed (by Avery only) via bottle for the last 2 weeks!

"Ok," I told Kyle one day, "apparently we're weaning the bottle now, since the girls are enjoying it and pretty much choosing to do so!" Fine with me, I thought, the pacifier is going to be the bigger pain anyway. You won't hear me complain about putting that one off......

Also in the beginning of May, however, both of my girls lost their flippin' minds. Out of nowhere, each and every time I would put them in their crib - be it naptime or nighttime - one or both of them would have complete and total meltdowns. We're talking HOURS and HOURS and HOURS of hysteria. (And no, if any of you think you need to offer unsolicited advice ;), it's not related to the bottles. You might recall my girls have never associated sleep with bottles, so that wasn't an obstacle we had to worry about!)

We would walk in each time and see that they were holding their pacifier - or even one in each hand sometimes! - and it was CLEARLY providing no comfort. So, on Wednesday, May 6th, the pacis came out of the beds and we haven't looked back since. Naptimes are no longer an issue and bedtime.... well, we won't go there. We hadn't planned on doing things this way, but why in the world would we go through this now (whatever the unknown cause may be), and then do it again in 4 or 5 weeks when we start taking the pacifier? I'm no fool, let's kill two birds with one stone if we (meaning all 4 of us) have to go through this anyway! ;)

Language continues to improve, and they definitely understand "no", though they don't always choose to comply. Just like children, yes? :) They continue to learn a few more signs, though some of them are still a bit fuzzy. They love to sing and listen to songs, especially ones with hand motions!

So goodness gracious, in a matter of days I have toddlers it would seem, no? This breaks my heart. As you can imagine though, it's so much fun! The girls love walking with help, and are growing more and more confident and ready to do so on their own. Many times they let go and walk with us just barely holding one hand! They stand with ease for minutes at a time, tell the funniest stories (if only we could understand what they were about! ;)), mimic almost everything I do... there is never a dull moment, for sure!

Avery now has 3.5 teeth (her second top tooth is finally starting to break through, giving her tons of trouble) and Elise has 6! They are definitely choosy with their food -- not in the sense that they won't eat almost anything we put in front of them, but that they most certainly pick (and finish) their favorite things first, often asking (signing) for "more" when the rest of their meal hasn't been touched. Silly girls!

They've outgrown Carter's 6M pants (length) but still do well with the onesies and shorts. I'm sure the 9M stuff will be out soon! 6-9 Month clothes of other brands continues to fit really well. I absolutely can't wait to get their measurements at the MD in a few weeks, because I know they are growing like weeds!

In case you were worried though, with all this change -- they're still as cute as ever! Want proof?

Pretty Little Girls

My sweet babies on Mother's Day :)

Busy, busy, busy!

On Monday (as you saw), Kyle, Elise, Avery & I went to the museum. On Tuesday, the three of us girls went to Stroller Fit and then had a visitor at the house in the afternoon. Wednesday was The Little Gym, and Thursday was a jam-packed day of 4 Corners Life Group at Sharon Woods, Playgroup at the Zoo, then a trip with Kyle to Treehouse Kids to check out the girls' new ride (hopefully to arrive someday, though the wait is killing me!). While we were at Forest Fair Cincinnati Mills, we checked out the animals (both stuffed and live!) at Bass Pro Shops. Both girls loved the fish tank... it was like a second round of the zoo in the same day!














Avery enjoyed the stuffed bear --














But Elise, not so much!



















She did, however, find the Fish Bench very cool (and I found her VERY cute, as usual!).




























Yesterday we did Stroller Fit again and went to a worship concert at church in the evening, and today we're off to visit Grandma Shelly and Grandpa Mike in Ottawa!

It's actually a fairly typical week for us, but don't worry -- they have plenty of time to play with all their toys at home, too. :)

I thank God that I am able to stay home with these girls and enjoy so much with them. They really are growing up so fast (speaking of which - 11 month post to come, perhaps a few days late!) and I have to cherish every moment with them!

Garage Sale Steals

When I went to the WCMOTC club sale in March, I had asked Kyle if he wanted me to look for anything specific. His response? A Sit & Spin. For (then) 9-month olds :) Still, I have been on the lookout for one ever since and found a practically brand new one last weekend at a sale around the corner for just $3! It made Kyle's day, though the girls were - as predicted - not super interested in it just yet! At least we'll have it when they're ready. ;)







I also found, just down the street from the sit & spin, a second of the same ride-on/push toy the girls got for Easter -- for $5, and I can't even tell which one I bought brand new! I wouldn't mind garage sale shopping more often if you could gaurantee me these kind of finds! ;)

Free Play at The Little Gym

The Little Gym in Liberty Township has been offering free play sessions the entire month of May, for groups of 6+ kids ages 10 months-2 years. We went to one last Friday with a group of friends (from WCMOTC, Lakota Hills, CHCA... you name it!) and another one yesterday with a different playgroup.

Miss Chase was so great with the girls on the first day, and there were so many fun things to do!

"Parallel Bars" for practicing walking (and climbing, as the case was with my two ;)) --















A big... wheel(?) thing that they got to roll on (and off of!) --














Wedges on which to practice somersaults --














Parachutes, Hula Hoops and Balls --















Not to mention bubbles, musical instruments, steps to climb and lots of things just perfect for little ones to climb around/on. What a fun day!















When we went back yesterday, we had Miss Lindsay as a teacher. The class was a bit different, but the girls still had lots of fun - and Kyle got to meet us there because he was working at the Liberty CCHMC campus (practically right next door)!





































(More pictures in the May photo album!)

Queen(s) of the Mountain

So it's no wonder I find the girls in precarious positions like the one previously posted. They LOVE to climb!














Recently, when I came home from the grocery store, I found them climbing on a "fort" Kyle built out of all of the living room cushions and pillows. (There was at least one more level at one point....?)















They were hysterical, and completely fearless as they'd topple down the sides and start again! :-P

Hooray for Spring!

At the park with Addy and Kane after yesterday's Stroller Fit class:

Body Surfing

"What?"

Music & Movement

I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- this is hands down the best activity we participate in. Anywhere. It blows Gymboree Music (only) away, in my opinion. Miss Ai Li Brown is so energetic and we have such a wonderful time each month.

Today, Kyle got to join us after working overnight! The girls hadn't been in 2 months (illness, etc) and I was so excited to get back. It would turn out to be for good reason too, as they were the most fun they've been yet! They were totally captivated by Miss Ai Li's singing, and are finally old enough to really follow her cues, though (of course) the instruments still found their way to mouths sometimes! ;)

We all had so much fun, and can't wait for next month's class! Maybe some day we will be able to afford more regular classes with the Music Together program!

As usual, the mommies (and daddies, and grandmas, and nannies) sang songs with their kids, danced with them, etc. We also played with scarves and rhythm eggs (Elise's favorite, for sure!) .




At the end, as always, it was time for some free play with musical instruments.



























If you don't have or aren't used to being around kids, I'll warn you -- this video will probably hurt your ears. Parents/caregivers, you'll be plenty familiar with the "music" being made, don't worry! ;)


After the class we stayed for just a few minutes to play in the Little Sprouts Farm.


























We are so thankful to live near such a wonderful Children's museum!