43 Weeks

Keeping Track

I blame it on the pen. I have this thing where I can only write in the baby book(s) with one particular pen. God forbid that adult Emma and adult Sophia take a walk down memory lane, start reading their baby book and then get halfway through and throw it down in disgust because, well, how dare I change ink type in the middle of the story of their lives.
That is, I'm sure, EXACTLY how it would play out.

The pen ran out of ink.  I finally bought a replacement pen, and have been dreading getting back up to speed in the baby books.  There are 2 people, 2 books, 2 lives...  The books are sitting out on the dining room table, just waiting.

But so much has happened.  From new foods to illness to pinchers and feeding themselves and standing, crawling, cruising... I feel like I have missed the mark on these milestones.  What month? What day? What time?

So I'm going back now to try to remember the exact time for each, and how far apart they were in certain developments, etc.  Thank goodness I took some pictures (with timestamps).

We had a great playdate with coteachers yesterday - and that reminded me to NOT forget about the little things.  The teeny tiny developments that swim right past.

It's going to quickly.  Instead of talking about late nights and switching to larger bottles, we mentioned the transition to whole milk instead of formula and what solid foods the babies are eating (or NOT eating, really).  One mommy is almost at the 1 year mark.  And we are all at the point where we are saying "One year ago today..." and there's the start of a baby story.

Here are some shots from the party.  The best part, for the girls, is getting to experience the new toys and friends...

Figuring out a new toy with a friend.

Check us out! S loved pushing E around, but not the other way around. 

Look at that focus.

Then we could come home and appreciate our own toys.

... even giving them kisses.

42 Weeks

Our first home made popsicle.

I'm fairly sure that they traded bottles at some point.

Locked in.

Not feeling so hot.

Just taking a moment to rest here on the corner.

A rare moment of rest.

Pajama time pictures. NOT my best idea.

Poor girl with her chapped face.  Darn cold.

We'll go back to pictures taken earlier in the day. But they are still darn cute.

Standing and Sleeping

Poor Emma was just wiped out from all her crawling around!

Pulling ourselves up is no big chore... 

Standing on her own! Looks like she's sort of surprised! 

She just continues to stand. Looking around and shaking her first (although she looks frozen here).

Way to go, Sophia!

One Week Late: 39 Weeks Young!

I'm getting a bit behind in these posts.  It seems as though my days are just flying past.   Big accomplishments this week.  Sophia can stand by herself for a super short amount of time.  She's currently going from perching with one knee down to squatting with both feet on the ground, and now rising up slowly to a standing position.  She's been pulling herself up for a while now, but she's becoming more and more confident in letting go.

Emma is also starting to stand, but is enjoying doing some cruising.  She loves to coast down length of the couch to "chase" Jack.  Who, for the time being, is still safe changing positions to the other end of the couch.  It takes Emma long enough to get to him that he can just mosey around.  I'd hate to burst his bubble,  but that won't last long.

Playing around in our jammies.

So excited (and plotting her dive off the chair).

"What did you say?"

Gosh, if only they had some books and toys. 

They are forced to read recipes and play with glass wine bottles.

So very thirsty.

Christmas Picture Picking

Picking pictures to post is far too difficult, so I shall post far too many. The story of the day(s) is lengthly, so I will try to capture it here.  First of all, we got ready on Christmas Eve to head to my aunt's house.  This is where my mom's side of the family gathers and celebrates.  Always on Christmas Eve.  This year we were lucky to have Greg's parents with us again, so they bravely followed us to all events! 

Couldn't resist these tights.  I wish I would have realized earlier that E's ear was sticking out like that. It's all put them in the chair and click click click before they dive off the chair.

S looking excited to be dressed in a remarkably warm dress and ridiculous hat.

Dresses didn't last past dinner (we will refer to it as the Poop Incident), so we got comfy and hung out with Great Grandpa (my mom's dad).

Really focused on opening presents.

Getting the hang of it.

Total pro.

So much excitement leads to passing out in the middle of the floor.  In the time she was asleep - perhaps 20 minutes - there was singing and shouting and laughing. Right beside her.

Christmas Day at our house.  E with Great Grandma (my dad's mom).  

S playing with my dad.

So excited with a part of a new toy. She was screaming.

Box of Cheerios and bag of potatoes. Boy was that box fun to push around.

Bad lighting, but sharing a new chair and reading.

Not wanting to leave the chair, but still wanting to play with that other toy... 

HUGE hit.

First horse ride.

Totally focused on this doll.  So, so focused.  She even leaned down to give the doll kisses.

Never breaking eye contact...

S's new face.

All while E was playing in the corner with the big hit.