What I love...

This blog post was inspired by our first ever empathy cry...Morgan has decided to get on all fours during her nap time and missed a nap...she was beside herself with overwhelming exhaustion and tears.  Riley couldn't help but cry...she wanted to help comfort Morgan, make her smile, and make sure she was okay.  They are sisters and I can actually see the connection!  I love that they met each other even before I met them.  I love that their relationship started as Baby A and Baby B, floating around side by side, sharing the same space.  I love that after almost 10 months, they love each other SO much.  Here is what else I love...
I love when they sit next to each other and talk...I don't know what they say, but they do!
I love that they can grab each other in the face and not cry...it's okay for sister to do that.
I love that they can roll on top of each other and not complain.
I love when they look at each other and giggle and grin.
I love that they look to each other to see if the other is watching.
I love that they show off for each other.
I love when they think no one is looking so they shriek for attention.
I love that they get jealous when one gets attention and the other has to wait their turn.
I love that if they go down for a nap and they are both awake, they make noises for the other to hear.
I love how they light up when I go to pick them up.
I love how they kick in the air like a dolphin in the water.
I love that no matter how tired they are, they still want to be a part of the party.

     I have watched our baby birds blossom and grow so fast.  We have seen them put on enough weight to keep up with their height...if you know Mike and I, you know that we have tall babies.  Suddenly, they have the baby rolls that I dreamt of.  The chubby legs and arms and round faces that you could just eat up.  I thought that this stage would never come...just when they got a little pudgy, they would sprout and inch.  But it is here, and I hope it stays.  Our girls are growing up so fast and I am ready to push pause and let this stage stay a while.  However, time keeps flying and we are having lots of fun!  We have lots of talking and crawling on the horizon.

Lavender Festival 2010

The girls and I went on another adventure to Sequim...this time was just as fabulous and highlighted by the annual Lavender Festival!  We began by going to the street fair.  This is like a huge market with tons of homemade goodies...including the adorable hats pictured above!  We strolled up and down looking at all the crafts.  The girls were quite entertained!  Then we packed up and went to a Lavender Farm called Lost Mountain!  This is one of our favorites!  We set up camp in front of some live music and sipped a glass of wine.  The restaurant that sponsored them this year was Bella Italia...the restaurant from Twilight!  Of course, I indulged in their special...mushroom ravioli!  All you twi-hards know what I am talking about!

Morgan at Lost Mountain!

Riley at Lost Mountain!

The girls LOVE Harley!

Riley learning how to drive on the ferry!

Morgan and her Husky Hat!  

The Girls are 9 months old!

    A year ago I was sitting in the sweltering heat wave of 2009, pregnant with twins, and melting away!  Now the girls are 9 months old and Seattle is hit with another wave of heat...it was way easier with the girls on the outside!  We have reached so many milestones lately.  We still have to take into account the fact that the girls are actually 7 months old according to their adjusted age, but we are seeing that diminish as they move up the 9 month old chart.  The only time we really consider them younger is eating...maybe it is just me, but their little digestive systems aren't ready for sandwiches and burgers yet.  We have made our way through the vegetable and fruit families and we have added graham crackers and baby yogurt.  I ventured into the culinary field and made a few batches of baby food.  Thanks to my Vita Mixer, it was a piece of cake!  They both showed a lack of interest in the beginning and now they are actually opening their mouths up for the spoon or taking the spoon out of my hand and feeding themselves.  I still count their solids as practice food and not survival food!  

     We had 2 huge appointments in the past month.  The first was back at Hotel Evergreen Hospital.  Oh, the memories came flooding in!  We walked into an office and the girls went through a series of fine motor and large motor tests.  It was quite entertaining!  My bragging moment...each of them has amazing pincher skills!  Who would've thought!?!  Is that a sign of times to come?  They both did some things fabulous, some things not as well, and a lot of things the opposite of each other.  Go figure!  The bottom line...they are totally on track and total rock stars!

     The next appointment was the 9 month check up!  The doctor LOVES the girls and is very impressed with their growth and development!!  Riley is now 13 pounds, 9 ounces and 25.5 inches long!  She is almost on the 9 month growth chart!  Of course, her head made the 25th percentile!  Go Roo!  Morgan has rocked the 9 month chart!  She is 17 pounds, 13 ounces, 28 inches long and in the 50th percentile for weight and height!  Imagine if she had gone to term!? Her head is in the 75th percentile!  Big heads for big brains!  It was so fun watching the girls sit up for their appointment, shred the paper on the table, and smile at each other in the mirror!  Riley pulled the paper so hard she ripped it in half and almost took out Morgan!  They are such happy, wonderful girls!  We are so blessed!

Happy Double Father's Day, Mike!

For Mike's first Father's Day, we took the girls to their first Mariner's game!  It was so much fun!  They made it about 6 innings before we snuck out.  Morgan was content with me cheering on the players and practicing her clapping.  Riley was not as content until Daddy walked her around the stadium for a couple of innings.  That, right there, says it all!  Mike is an amazing Dad and he always puts his girls first (myself included).  Morgan and Riley are so lucky to have a Dad who loves them so much!  Mike has built such a strong foundation with each of them and they melt when they see their Daddy!  The challenge of twins has not even phased him!  Thanks, Mike, for being such a great father and husband!  I love having you as my partner in crime!  Happy Father's Day!

What happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's!

For my first full week as a stay at home mommy, I packed the girls up and took them to visit Grandma!  It was our first road trip.  Mike had to work, so we left him and the cats behind!  You would assume that Mike would be thrilled...the house to himself for 3 days and 2 peaceful nights!  But NO, he was so jealous!  He wanted to go, too!  He missed us like crazy and he knows that a trip to my moms means delicious food and non-stop laughing!  Oh well, next time!  The trip was about 3 hours so I planned to take a stroll around the ferry to get them out of their car seats before the final drive to Sequim!

The girls and I strolling around on the ferry!

When we arrived, as expected, the entire house was ready for her girls (myself included)!  She had 2 pack n' plays for the girls to sleep in and a changing table all stocked up!  When you walk in to the great room, there was a giant pink comforter on the ground!  In the middle was a mat with toys and then a toy on each corner.  The girls were so excited to try some toys that were made for sitters!  

Big sitters!

Of course, as if this wasn't enough, she had some BIG surprises waiting!  Each girl had a corvette sitting in the living room with steering wheel, vinyl seats, and lots of sounds!  I think she had Mike in mind when she chose these!

Vroooom, vrooooom!

She also found a PINK John Deere wagon...only in Sequim!

I can't wait to tow them around Sequim in this wagon!

The girls acted as if they had been to my mom's a million times before!  They slept on their normal schedule, napped beautifully, and were happy little girls!  We ventured to the park to go on the swings, they took baths in a sink, and they had their first taste of graham crackers!  It was the perfect weekend and the first of many more!  

Morgan LOVES bath time!

Riley LOVES her Grandma!

Thanks, Mom!!!  You are the best!

Let's hear it for the DOG!

Kona has been our dog for 4 years!  I LOVE HIM!!!  I kind of consider him my first child.  We wanted a medium-sized dog to take on walks and we got an enormous one. Oops. He is pushing 80 pounds and most of it is his height.  He has been absolutely amazing with the girls!  He survived the pregnancy when I suddenly disappeared and went on bed rest for a month.  He welcomed the girls with open arms and curiosity.  We now go on daily walks and he is absolutely flourishing!  I noticed lately that not only do people rave about my girls, but they rave about my dog, so this is a necessary shout out to Kona!  He walks right along side us, he doesn't lunge at any other dogs, he listens to all my commands, he waits for me to get out the soccer ball and kick it around...he is a rock star!  I love that the girls will be able to grow up with such a kind, loving creature.  If only Kona knew what was coming...before we know it the girls will be chasing him all over the house!  He will love it!  Here are some Kona highlights:

Welcoming Morgan home!

Trying to get used to all of the baby stuff around the house!

Kona sleeping on a boppy...totally pooped!

His absolute FAVORITE part of the day!

If he thought this was fun, just wait until they can walk!

He loves his sisters!