June Recap

So much happened around here in June.  I was reminded over and over again how blessed I am to have such wonderful family and friends.  We had a lot of adventures, a lot of firsts, and a lot of visitors.

Jana and the cousins came to visit and took Lila with them to Sea World.  We love spending time with them so much, and I really appreciate them always taking Lila everywhere with them.

Alex was showing Audrey things on the iPad and she would just watch him.

 I love this picture.  Just look at those little faces...pure joy!

Landry got two teeth.  Aiden was upset that he had to leave town and didn't get to see Landry's teeth, so I had to take a picture and text it to him.

That same week, we also had visits from Blue Papa, who was in town for a conference and Nana who was staying the weekend with Natalie, and Oomma who took Lila to her first concert.  They went to see The Texas Tenors at the Palmer Events Center, and spent the night in a hotel. 

The next week Lila went to Bible School.  My neighbors helped teach the vacation Bible school at their church and they took her and brought her home every day.  We love the Ellis family so much.  They are wonderful people and we are very blessed to have them right next door for all these years.

Here is Lila performing at the Bible School ice cream social.  She was a little nervous at first, but then she wanted to go on stage with Mrs. Laura.  She was so proud of herself and, of course,  I was proud, too.

Mom got to have a night out.  

Very lucky to have all these ladies in my life.  This is a group of my co-workers and former co-workers, who try to get together once a month.  First of all, I am lucky that I like what I do for a living, and I have a good job.  Not everyone can say that.  Second, I am blessed to have these women in my life.  We have been through births, death, sickness, health, marriages, divorces, good times and bad together...and we still like each other (most of the time).

Then I got a big surprise at work.  I was standing there, when these two ladies walked in.  This is Janet and Claire.  They are former co-workers who are now semi-retired, but remain two of my favorite people, and it is always a treat to see them...and they brought me these quilts they made; one for each of my girls!

We finally got out the splash pad.  All the girls had a great time (and drank a lot of water!)

It seems lately, everyday I hear a story from someone, and I am reminded how fortunate I am to have had such a great twin pregnancy, and how blessed we are that these two babies were born so healthy and happy.  They are amazing little creatures

 Lila learned how to swing all by herself...

and she learned how to blow bubbles (in JC Penney at Lakeline Mall with gum from Chuy's)

and, I finally had time to get a pedicure (my first one since January 10th).  A much needed pedicure that was a gift from my Mother-in-law.  

I Have Been Blessed by Martina McBride

I get kissed by the sun
Each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughing
Down the hall through the
Bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my
Front porch swing
Just soaking up the day
I think to myself, I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place

I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones
That love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Our newest addition...

Meet Little Olivia.  Lila actually named her "Little Olivia" after an epidsode of Olivia (the pig) where Olivia names all the dolls Little Olivia, Little Olivia II, etc...Olivia is like a member of the family.  

She plays with us

Goes places with us, and sits in a car seat base (and we can't leave her in the car, because "it gets too hot and you can't leave babies in the car, Mom!")

See Lila's phone stuck in the side of the car seat?  That is exactly what I do.  She doesn't miss anything!

Here we are leaving Chuy's.  Lila got mad that day because we wouldn't get a sling for Olivia's car seat at the table.

Going to Michael's

Her bottles go in the fridge, and she has just started eating cereal (of course she has her own bowl, spoon and box of cereal)

Her belongings get labeled

She gets swaddled for nighttime

...she also takes medicine for reflux (just like Audrey), and when she is sleeping we are not allowed to go in that room or turn the lights on.

I love my quirky little Lila Bug.

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Hallettsville, and were able to do so many fun things.
On Friday night, we went to Anneliese's t-ball game and then over to the Noska's for dinner

We had story time with Nana,

fed chickens and ducks with Papa G.

Here's how Landry spent the weekend

Audrey watched the Indy 500 with Papa

we met Granny G's new dog, Luvey

and we went to the Sacred Heart Church picnic where Lila 

had a blast.  She rode the train, did the fish pond, jumped, did the cake walk, and played Bingo

Jr. Pre-K Graduate

Last Friday, we attended a program at Lila's school to celebrate the end of the school year, and showcase the accomplishments the kids have made this year.  We have loved all Lila's teachers since she has been at the school (since 4 months old), and this year was no exception.  Melissa and Janet took all the kids to the Cedar Park library every other Monday, had a Chinese New Year parade complete with paper lanterns and dragons, had picnics, dug up worms and always had the classroom decorated to the hilt for whatever theme they were learning about.  Lila learned so much this year; she knows how to write, count to 30, and is beginning to sound out words.  The theme for her class was building self confidence, and they did so many neat art projects, and you know we are big fans of arts and crafts.  

During the program, they sang "My Country 'tis of Thee", recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge and sang their class theme song, and we watched a slideshow of pictures from throughout the school year.

this was her picture of the slideshow

with her friends Jayden and Charli

Sitting with Michelle and Charli

Theme song:
If what I am is what's in me
I'll stay strong, that's who I'll be.
I will always be the best me that I can be.

There's only one me, I admit
I have a dream, I'll follow it
it's up to me to try...

Oh,  I keep my head up high.
Keep on reaching high
never gonna quit
I'll keep getting stronger

Nothing's gonna bring me down
Never gonna stop, gotta go
'cause I know I'll keep getting stronger.

What I am is helpful
What I am is musical
What I am is smart
What I am is brave
What I am is helpful
What I am is special

There's nothing I can't achieve
because in myself I believe.
I'll keep my head up high.
Keep on reaching high
Never stop, gotta go
'cause I know, I'll keep getting stronger

4 months old!

                                                               

These girlies are already 4 months old!!!  Can you believe it?  The past month has brought so many changes, and it seems like they are growing so fast.

Audrey (aka Bear, Boo Bear) weighs 13 lbs, 2 oz and is 24 inches long (25th percentile).   Her eyes are still bright blue and she still has those cheeks I love.

Landry (aka Busy, Lou Lou) weighs 13 lbs, 14 oz and is 24 1/2 inches long (50th percentile).  She has dark brown eyes, and the most expressive little face.

 The girls started at day care at the beginning of the month.  While we miss the comfort of Gran's house, they love the activity at day care.  Audrey, who was always so quiet, has really developed quite a little personality.  We walk into her classroom in the morning and she just comes alive; she starts pumping her legs and laughing, and apparently talks all day.  She has gotten so much stronger, and has really caught up developmentally with Landry.  Landry is still a mover, groover, and of course loves the jumperoo.  Both girls are rolling over both ways now, and Landry no longer gets swaddled at night (sniff sniff, they are so cute bundled up, but she is pretty precious in her big girl pj's, too).  Audrey is still pretty content in her swaddle.  They no longer like to lay on their palette, and insist on sitting or being in the excersaucer.  We have started some cereal.  Landry doesn't seem to like it very much and just yesterday learned how to spew it everywhere.

Just for fun, here is a picture of Lila at the same age.  She was 13 lbs and 23 inches long.

Easter 2012

We started Easter off with a couple craft projects (of course).  First of all, my accomplice and I made a cute carrot tree we saw in Family Fun magazine.  It turned out super cute and made the perfect Easter/Spring centerpiece.

Next we dyed Easter eggs.  I have always loved dyeing Easter eggs, and the beautiful colors they turn out to be.  This year, Lila was old enough to pretty much manage the eggs herself.  She decided which colors to make and dropped the eggs in the dye cups.  She would tell me how many minutes she wanted to leave each batch in the dye and I would set the timer for her, and then she would check her eggs.  Most importantly, she was old enough to use the wire egg dipper that comes in the kit by herself. She did a great job.

Now onto Easter...we had a great Easter as always.  We are hardly ever with Shawn's sister and her family on holidays but we are all usually together at Easter, and look forward to it every year.  Our nephew Alex is already a teenager, and Abbi is such a sweet soul and budding artist, and no one can make me laugh like Aiden.  They are growing into such great young people and we are very proud of them. 

We woke up on Easter morning and found out the Easter Bunny had come to see us.

He brought all the girls swimsuits and hair bows and bubbles.  Lila also got some new scissors and sidewalk chalk.

 We did our traditional lunch at Pappasito's and then went to Gran's for the Easter Egg hunt.

During the weekend, Jana helped me stage a little photo shoot with the girls.  I was very pleased with the pictures we got.  Here are a few of my favorites