Thanks Opa and Bubby

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my camera has been on it's last legs. It takes a while to turn on and when it does, every other picture is blue and fuzzy. Since I just got a Macbook for my birthday I knew it was going to be a while before we could afford a new camera. And who wants to read a blog that doesn't have pictures? Opa saved the day by sending me his camera. Woo Hoo! It's much nicer than the one I've been using. And...

He got the girls a new book.

Sophie carried it around with her most of the morning...

even though it was almost as big as her.

Thanks Opa and Bubby!

Daddy's Girl and Strawberry Flavored Formula

Well, both girls have been sick. Just in time for our trip to the mountains. Although I love being able to drop them off at the YMCA daycare, this is the downside. And the fact that Hannah still cries sometimes but that's getting better. She actually (gasp) reached for one of the girls as we were leaving.

Sophie has turned into a real daddy's girl lately. She lights up when Craig comes home from work and loves spending time with him. She's also been a real snuggle bug too. She loves to be held and just drapes herself across us and rest her head on our shoulders.

Daddy's girl!

Lazy Sunday

Belly Button

We are still working on Hannah, trying to get her to take more of her bottle and just eat more in general. It's hard now because she's sick. I tried the strawberry syrup in her formula but I just can't tell if she's not taking much of it because she doesn't like the way it tastes or she's just not feeling well.

We also tried the straw cup to make it interesting.

Shake! Shake. Shake?

Sophie likes to shake her booty. It doesn't matter what kind of music. It could be from the push and ride lion or the laugh and learn house. Whatever. She starts shaking her booty. Sometimes, if it's a really good tune, she waves her hands in the air. This morning I was feeding the girls their breakfast and I had VH1 Totally 80's on in the background and Sophie was bopping around in her high chair. Hannah isn't really a booty shaker.

We are still struggling to get Hannah to eat. She rarely takes a full bottle. I talked to one of the nurses at the doctor's office and one of her suggestions was to add a little strawberry syrup to her bottle. Another was offering her milkshakes. Strawberry Syrup?! Milkshakes?! If only we could just eat cheese and bananas all day. I offered her blueberries for the first time and they were a big hit...sort of. She ate the first bunch no problem. Then she started eating the inside of the blueberries but spit out the skins. Good Lord, you know you have a picky eater when she doesn't like blueberry skins.

A Day at the Pool

Ladies, remember the days when the hardest thing about picking a bathing suit was trying to decide whether you wanted the one with the turtle and pink stripes or the blue one with the goldfish on the skirt.

Every girl should have a pink swimming pool in their backyard!

And a request from Nana

It hasn't even been two full weeks since Nana left and they're already walking all over the place. I wish she could see them in person but I guess this is the next best thing.

A lot of walking going on here:

This one isn't very good but I think the last part where they're "talking" by the window is really cute.

And this is what it looks like when your camera starts to go:

It wasn't working for a few days and then yesterday and today I was able to take a bunch of pictures. What really makes me sad is that this is the camera the took the first pictures of Sophie and Hannah. Blech, I never thought I'd get sentimental over a camera!

Father's Day Part II

Father's Day hike at North Table Mountain

Proud Daddy.

And I can't forget this picture of the dinner table:

Nothing says Father's Day more than hot pink paper plates! They're leftovers from the girls 1st Birthday Party.

Happy Father's Day Craig!

The Daily Poop

Here is an email I sent Craig this morning in response to his email asking "How are the girls?"

Sophie had a monster poop. It was disgusting. She was mad at me for changing her diaper so she kicked her diaper and the poop got on everything including me (then a comment on how this would make a funny blog entry) And they're both not happy to be stuck in their cribs while the cleaners are here. Daycare will be interesting. Oh and Hannah took a total of 5 oz today. I will be calling the doctor in the lobby at the Y while I listen to her scream in daycare. Should be fun. I think I will take your computer in today. We'll see how it goes. XOXOXO, Lisa

Wow, nothing brings a married couple closer than a morning poop report. At least I added the hugs and kisses at the end.

Oh and the reason I haven't had any pictures lately is because my camera is on it's last legs. Every other picture I take is blue and has lines running through it. Ack.

Fun at the Y

I finally signed up at the YMCA and today was my first day. The main reason I chose this gym is because of their awesome daycare. The program director suggested I bring Sophie and Hannah in for an hour to help them get used to everything. Today was the first day I had them in ANY kind of daycare. It's just been family watching them until now.

I brought the girls to the childcare wing, signed them in and brought them to the designated room for their age group. Sophie was fine. She walked right in and started playing with an exersaucer. Hannah immediately started crying. Anyone who knows Hannah knows that her cries are loud...and piercing. After dropping them off I lurked around the room for a while (out of sight) while she cried (and cried and cried). Finally, went to the lobby to wait it out. Her cries carried all the way to the lobby. I happened to run into a former co-worker while I was there. He asked about the girls and I said "Oh they're back there howling." He said, "Oh, what group is that?" Like it was a kids group or something. The Howlers. I pointed to the childcare wing and said "No, she's howling."

I ended up working out for a little bit too. I have to say, except for the crying and screaming part, it was great. It was nice to have a little "me" time. And I never thought I would equate working out with getting a little "me" time.

Hopefully the next time will be better because I really want to try the sauna.

Random Pictures

Confession: I used to judge people whose living rooms looked like this. For bonus points, see if you can spot Sophie and Hannah in this picture. Answer below.

Tupperware...more fun than laundry.

Craig teaching the girls all about percussion (banging toys together).

* Answer: They're in the laundry basket.

Kiss Kiss

Guess who gave me an unsolicited kiss?!? Craig was holding Hannah and we were talking when all of a sudden Hannah leans over and gives me a kiss! Twice. Just because she loves me. So sweet! Craig and I talked about it the rest of the night.

Just because:

Poop in the Tub!

We had our first poop in the tub incident today.  It was one of those experiences where you are not sure how to proceed.  A wet (oblivious) baby in the tub splashing away, the offending poop innocently floating around, another baby in the Pack N Play downstairs crying because she is certain you are having all kinds of fun in the upstairs bathroom without her.  

Let's just say it was taken care and life goes on.  But it was not a pleasant experience.  I guess I should be grateful that I've gone an entire year before reaching this inevitable milestone.

Let's Get This Party Started

What gets a party started faster than you can say "tumble dry low"?  

Laundry!

Seriously...what is it about laundry?  I've never seen them get more excited than when I have a load of laundry to fold.

Swings are fun too!  Especially when they're in your backyard.

Zombies

Sophie and Hannah are starting to walk all the time.  Just little trips here and there.  But constantly.  They will see something they want and just walk to it.    Today I had Sophie in our bedroom while I was getting dressed.  Normally I block off the closet but today I left it open. Sophie pulled herself up and walked over to the closet, looked at me (to see if it was okay), then walked inside.   I can't help but laugh when I watch them because they look like little zombies when they do it.  They grunt, wave their arms in front of them and sway side to side. 

Tonight after Craig got home we sat down across from each other in the playroom.  Craig started off with Sophie and I started off with Hannah then we said "Okay, go to Mommy/Daddy". Sophie walked to me and Hannah walked to Craig.  Then we'd switch.  They thought that was most fun ever.

Walking, Walking

Sophie and Hannah are walking more.  And I turned 40 today.

For the past couple weeks all Sophie wanted to do was have us walk her around the room. Forget books or signing or stuffed toys.  Just hold out your hands and she's a happy girl.  Then we got the push and ride Lion.  Sophie and Hannah took turns pushing that thing around all day.  Little by little they've been taking steps on their own.  This past weekend (while Craig and I were out of town of course) they started walking more and more.  We got the phone call from Mom Mom and Pop Pop that "Hannah took sixteen steps."

Here is what we came home to:

Push And Ride

This is what I call teamwork:

Leaving it to the professionals...

I can't honestly say the photo shoot went well but we did end up with some cute pictures.  Notice that the bow in Sophie's hair did not last the entire session:

Even the professionals have a few outtakes.

Birthdays

My sad attempt at a birthday photo shoot.  I just can't seem to get them sit still long enough.  I gave up when I realized I was talking to them like they were a pair of puppies instead of little girls.  I was saying things like "sit" and "stay".   Eek.  I think I'll just leave it to the professionals from now on.

 The best of:

Cuteness

There was a lot of this:

I finally went with a ponytail but by that time the photo shoot was definitely over.

Happy Birthday Sophie and Hannah!!!!!!!

One Year Ago Today....

Sophie Jade

Hannah Elise

Walking, Teeth and Toys

Today was all about trying out new toys and spending time with Nana.  With all the birthday excitement I forgot to mention that Sophie walked four steps!  She took her first steps on Saturday and today she did it again.  Yay.  Hannah has taken a few steps here and there but hasn't made much progress beyond that. Hannah has three teeth on top now and the two on the bottom make five.  Sophie has a new bottom tooth which makes four on the top and three on the bottom for her.  

It was cold and rainy this morning so we unwrapped two toys.  A Baby Einstein tunnel and a Fisher Price push and ride toy.  Both were big hits!  Then the sun came out in the afternoon so we took the girls for a walk in downtown Golden.

Playing on the swings in Lions Park. 

Who doesn't love swings?!

Or slides?!

 Reading with Nana.

Princess Ponytail on her lion.

Trying the new tunnel.

That didn't take long...

From the looks on these faces I think it's just as fun tipped over as it is right side up!