What we have been up to...

Abby loves the baby puppies. She wants to hold them all of the time. 

And swimming...

and having a picnik...

Things have been a little wild around here but we are enjoying every moment. We had a picnic in the gardens, watched baby ducks and played in a field. There has been a lot of swimming and the babies tried on their suits for the first time. They loved the water more than I thought. Kiley loved it longer and was actually upset when I made her get out because she was getting chilly. Kara did not like it as long and would rather 'sunbathe' Abby snuck out of the house this morning, lost her pj's... and was headed towards the pool at 9am. Yeah... she loves swimming too much. I try to keep the doors locked now. She loves to ride her bike and has pretty much mastered peddling. She also has learned to make excuses to prevent going down for naps or bed. These are her excuses as to date: "Ice in Sippy? Watch Caillou? Watch Barney? Want to eat? Change diaper? Want Mommy (or daddy or anyone else within sight who might 'save her' from her nap. Now I remember my brothers doing this and I'm SURE I did this... what I didn't realize is that it could start so early. At TWO? At first I didn't realize what she was doing... the third 'sleep time' I noticed that is exactly what she was doing. 

What a clever little cookie. 

My parents have been gone on vacation and Abby has noticed. Every time we get into the car she asks to go see them. It's hard to explain to a two year old that we can't just get in the car and go see them right now. I also miss my parents terribly. It's funny that when I was little I remember vividily when my parents went to Florida. Whether this was because of how much I missed them or some combination of the fact that they got me a hot pink plastic minnie mouse canteen... but it makes me smile that in some small way I'm still that little girl and I still miss my parents and want them to come home... as much as I've grown up and become a mom. I'll still always be their daughter.

I hope my girls feel that same way some day too... 

(The story behind this is...)

We were walking on a path and we see a squirrel. Abby is facinated with this when suddenly it runs up into a tree. "OH NO! Mouse! Mouse scaaaaaaaaaaared! Mouse!"

We couldn't convince her it was a squirrel ... and that they live in trees. 

Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday

 (Kiley)

They always tell you that "they grow up so fast..." and in the midst of late night feedings, multiple blowouts and baby food smeared on every surface you sometimes forget that. Or putting your two year old in time out because she managed to dump a whole can of rice on the floor just because she knew you told her not to.... and then you turn around and suddenly... they aren't sweet little newborns any more! Some how right before your eyes they are changing and growing and learning new things.

Especially with Abby... I can't believe how grown up she is getting. 

A few things she is enjoying right now:

• Riding her 'bike' (Tricycle)
• Elmo & Abby Cadabby & Cookie Monster & Ernie & Big Bird & Grover
• Holding the baby puppies that my sister brought over to stay with us for a few days (such cute pudgie things!)
• Cereal.. the girl who NEVER eats breakfast wants like three bowls a day! Something about Trix I guess
• Splashing in the pool... or really anything involved with water
• Making cookies (the fake wooden type)
• Changing her baby's diapers or putting different clothes on them. 

Kara and Kiley have added another food to their small diets... bananas. I think they liked the sweet potatoes better. I'm sure they will catch on to them fast though. Wow are they little munchers. I managed to get in TWO feedings with them today. What a lot of work. Kara is especially hard to feed because she likes to get her fist and hands involved which usually contributes to baby food being everywhere. If you can hold onto the spoon while feeding her than it is a success. I guess she just really gets excited about her food! I think they really love being able to try new things. Abby loves to help when I let her... sometimes it's just too hard to have that many hands involved!

The girls have really dropped their formula intake. Apparantly I'm still able to keep up with them... perhaps it's the increase in other calories but I haven't felt the need to supplement. My other question for you seasoned mommies out there. Kiley has on 3 separate occasions puked baby food back up after eating? With different foods. Is this normal? Kara doesn't do it and I don't remember Abby doing it when she was little.... It's not a lot but enough to stain my carpet.... lol

Let me know if you have any ideas! 

Night!

Green Beans and Sweet Potatoes

... that is what the girls are into now. Kiley will eat both, the sweet potatoes with a little more fervor than the green beans. Kara on the other hand gags when I give her the green beans. So far I've only been able to feed them baby food once a day. I probably should increase this but I guess we are just starting out so perhaps it isn't too bad.

(Kara)

(Kiley)

The girls are all recovering from our crazy weekend. Abs had her two year check up yesterday. She got one shot which she was less than thrilled about. Otherwise she did well. My pediatrician.... I know I've complained about him before... and maybe I just need to bite the bullet and switch but good grief I swear he doesn't listen to a thing I say..

I told him that when she was bit/stung by a bug she had a reaction to it... I asked him what could have caused that type of reaction (aka type of bug... bee? ant? other?)... his response. "A bug probably bit or stung her." um... yes... I just said that. Perhaps I should clarify more. Bee or ant allergies can have more severe 2nd reactions... I wanted to know if he thought it could be possible she had a reaction to one of them... but yes,... a bug got her.... why didn't I know that.


Doctor "So she's drinking plenty of water and milk?" No... she doesn't drink milk. This is like our 30th visit (exaggerating) ... I've told you she's intolerant to the milk protein, it upsets her stomach. Doctor: "Oh she has a milk intolerance? Ok..." Then he starts going through the developmental things like potty training etc. Doctor "You can drop her intake of whole milk to 1% or 2% milk" Seriously?! I just told you she doesn't drink milk. 

I stopped talking at all to him at that point and let him finish his routine. I seriously don't want to take the girls in for their 6 month check ups next week. He does... not... listen. Not to anything I say. Ok rant done. I should just change doctors eh?

(Kiley)

Otherwise Abby is doing very well.  On the smaller size for her age as far as weight but with how much that girl runs who is surprised!

Kiley and Kara can sit up mostly unassisted right now, a few tip overs are to be expected. Kara is really army crawling around. Today she was chasing me as I was vacuuming at my Mom and Dad's house. Kiley is just starting to 'womp' as we call it on her hands and knees. I'm sure she'll be right behind Kara soon... or going in the opposite direction as she loves to do. I think in a way Kiley is more apt to cry until we pick her up... balancing on her stomach and flailing her hands and feet. Kara is more gung ho and will come after us if she wants us. The more upset she is the better she crawls... wow they can scream when they are mad. Sounds like angry little bob cats... sometimes it's a little funny how much they sound like baby cats.

(kiley)

The twins are sleeping so-so right now. Better than lately but not as well as before. Hoping for a good night tonight... my head hurts I'm so tired. And THAT is my cue to go.

P.S If there is an overload of Kiley photos... it is because the other two have not been as interested in 'playing' with me and my camera habits lol. Hopefully more soon!

A wedding, A zoo... and some cake!

Wow what a busy weekend! We had a bunch of Tom's family come up for a wedding and to celebrate Abby's birthday. It was a whirlwind but I think we all had a lot of fun.

It was a little crazy going to a wedding with two 6 month old babies and two 2 year olds. Yep it was a lot of work to keep all of them semi-quiet! There were quite a few other kids and babies at the wedding so I didn't feel too bad but I really didn't want Abby's "Duckies!!!!" To show up on their wedding video. Thankfully we survived and after a supper at the reception hall we called it quits. The wedding started pretty late (6pm) so by the time we got out of there it was almost 9:30. The kids were exhausted.

Yesterday we went to the zoo to celebrate Abby's birthday. She also got a few fun other toys from her Grandma and Grandpa and her aunts and uncles. She got a little tea cart with all these little dishes and then some play food to go along with that from McDonalds lol. She got a little stroller for outside and a set of outdoor tools and a bubble gun. Of course a few outfits to go along with that too and some Abby pj's.

The zoo was a lot of fun but HOT and HUMID. Strange how the weather can flip from 40's and windy to 80's and humid... and windy. Tom's family came along with my grandma and a friend of mine. We were quite a crew! Sadly Africa was closed off so we couldn't go back and see the elephants and other animals like that... but I think we were all hot and tired and needed some AC. I'm so thankful for everyone that came out to play with us. I'm sure we will have to go again sometime with just our little family. Thankfully we didn't have the winds yesterday at least. I think the whole week has a chance of storms. We went out to eat at Olive Garden after the zoo... that was a zoo in itself! I think we were all a little sad that the $6 soup salad and breadstick deal isn't around anymore. hmmmm :(

I made a cake for Abby's birthday... yes a homemade cake with homemade icing and decorating and everything. The cake pan that I used was less than wonderful however and took off the top layer of the cake... which I had to scrape out of the pan with the help of Tom's mom. I had to draw the Abby Cadabby completely free hand with icing... and it was my first attempt at even decorating a cake like this so I didn't quite get everything I needed for the icing bags and ended up having to duck tape the tips to the plastic bags. In the end I was quiet impressed it turned out as well as it did. If you are a cake goddess please don't judge my amateur abilities!!! lol In the end it was for Abby so that is all that matters... but Abby? If you are still into Sesame street in a year... we are doing Elmo!

Abby is still sleeping, I think she is completely worn out. She has her 2 year check up today... hoping she doesn't need to get shots or she will be cranky! But we will see. Kara is really 'womping' now and is rocking back and forth on her knees and hands. Won't be long till she is really crawling now! Time for some coffee and cleaning!