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

Flying Fun

I got to go with Lila's class to the park this morning for some kite flying.  It was a good windy day for kites.  The kids had a great time...

...and they had a picnic lunch, which is a big deal if you are 4.

My favorite part was getting to listen to their conversations.  The things they talk about and think are important are so innocent and cute at this age.  Here is how the lunch conversation between Lila and Jayden went.

Lila: (leaning over to whisper to Jayden as if she has a big secret)  I have a Sunny D in my lunch.

Then they both look in Lila's bag

Jayden:  Where did you get that?

Lila :  HEB...does your brother like fruit snacks? (random)

Jayden:  Hey look, I have lots of little sandwiches and gold fish

Lila:  I wish my Mom would buy gold fish

Growin' Girls

The baby girls turned 2 months old this past week.  It really is amazing how much babies grow and develop in such a short amount of time.   We love them so much, and are having a lot fun with them.  They are becoming more and more interactive and are starting to develop distinctive personalities.  Both girls are good sleepers and get up one time during the night, usually around 4:30 am.  We are going through about 12 bottles and 14 diapers a day

They are starting to track moving objects and people with their eyes.

and they are starting to notice each other.  Here they are talking and smiling at each other

Audrey weighs 9 lbs 12 oz and is 21.5 inches long.

We love to kiss those big cheeks.  She is a Daddy's girl.  She smiles and coos at him constantly(and mostly just for him) and seems to really notice Pete, our dog.  Audrey also seems to like music.  If she is fussy, music really catches her attention and calms her down.  She is a very calm baby; she has a very soft little voice and keeps her little arms and hands close to her body most of the time.  

Landry is 10 lbs 2 oz, and is 22 inches long

She is a go-gettter.  She is really "talking" and cooing, and has a very expressive little face and eyes.  She likes to sit up and look around, and be part of the action, and she is so strong.  She is a good, easy baby, but seems to have more of a quick temper.  It's like she doesn't really just get upset...she gets MAD.  She sleeps with her arms straight up in the air.