The twins are two!

So, I've decided to come back to this blog, because I looked on here last night to remind myself of the day the twins were born, and looked at Clara's 2-year post to compare kiddos at 2 years... and realized that I had forgotten so much of all the special little milestones since then! I think most of why I haven't blogged for 8 months is because I felt like I needed to get pictures on here every time, and it's a lot of work for me to upload photos, digitally mess with them, and post them to facebook, let alone try to get them on here. So, new plan: Just use this as my personal journal. Occasional pictures. I just want to write stuff down about my kiddos, our life, my thoughts, etc. before I forget!

That said, today is the twins' 2nd birthday! Events of the day: made smoothies for b-fast (their favorite), went to the Pet Store, got a treat at Starbucks, and went to the Riverfront trail to try out new tricycles! They were so darn cute with the trikes... really wanted to do it like Clara and be big girls, but it will take a few months, I think, for them to really master them. Tonight is the dog-themed party with G-ma and Papa Ben and Bev, Aunt Melissa, The Blacks and the Carters. Singing time, presents, pizza and doggy cupcakes!

I'm not sure where to start in terms of describing these two little rascals . . . I will say that when they were born, it was super tough for the first 2 months or so, then got easier for several months, and when they started moving it was busy until we got good at walking and didn't fall so much. We always said from the start, "Wait until they are 2 years old and we have two toddlers at the same time . . that will probably be one of the most challenging times." Yep. We were correct in that prediction. But they are so darn cute!

The two of them don't get along super great most of the time. They tolerate each other. Occasionally, they will hug each other, or play with someone together, but those moments are few and far between. I have talked to other moms of twins, and they assure me that it will get better with age, so we keep praying for that. In the meantime, we encourage them to be kind to each other, and just have to do a lot of time-outs for pulling hair, taking toys from each other, etc. They do both, however, LOVE big sister Clara! Especially Emma. Clara has figured out that Emma is the one who will just follow her around like a little puppy dog and do whatever she wants, so the two of them are quite a pair. Sav doesn't usually seem too left out . . she'll get someone out and do it by herself or come whine to me to pay attention to her.

Some favorites right now:
1. Fresh Beat Band show on Nick jr. We "naked dance" to this show almost once a day in diapers and undies and it's the best part of the day! They are not nearly as into TV as Clara was at 2 years, which is good . . . I suppose. :) Some days, I wish they would both just sit there like Clara did and let me get something done.

2. Doggies. They are OBSESSED with dogs. And really other animals, too, but puppies are definitely their favorite.

3. Toddler Class at the YMCA on Friday mornings. I teach this class, and it's way different than the one Clara did in Puyallup, but they don't know that. They especially love the singing time and getting a stamp on their hands at the end.

4. Singing nursery rhymes. All of them. All day long.

5. Swinging on the swingset and playing on the slide.

6. Playing with baby dolls (emma) and looking at books (Savannah) . . . they both will look at books, especially with an adult, but Sav will just go to a bookshelf and sit and look through books by herself, even at the YMCA nursery. Emma almost always has a baby doll in her arms walking around the house, and loves to put them in the stroller and push them around or feed them.

7. Fruit. These two are complete opposites of Clara. She's my "meat and cheese" girl and I have always had to force-feed her fruit. Emma and Sav will eat any fruit, any time, and we have to use it as a bribe to eat a few bites of meat or cheese. So funny how different they are!

8. Blankets and binkies: Yep, these two still have their binkies. But now, we truly have transitioned to them staying in their cribs for most of the day... they get to go up and get their blankets and binkies for about 1/2 hour before naptime and again before bed. Not looking forward to the day when we take them away at night, too.... not really anywhere near that at the moment. :)

9. Doing things by themselves: Trying to put on clothes, shoes, getting into new booster seats at the table, walking down the sidewalk on a walk . . . you name it, and they want to do it themselves. Savannah currently has a backpack she loves to wear constantly and it has two huge buckles that she wants to fasten herself. About every 4th time, she pinches her fingers in it, but it doesn't stop her from continuing to do it over and over. When she does anything right now, we get an emphatic, "I did it!"

10. Mama: Both of these two have had a different first 2 years than Clara did . . . Clara was with a lot of different people while i worked for the first few months, she had foster kids around, she had lots of different people babysitting her. The twins are with Mama pretty much ALL the time, with the exception of an hour workout 3-4 times/week at the Y when they're in the nursery down there. They definitely prefer me to anyone else, including Daddy, which can be frustrating at times. They are getting better, and Sav is turning more and more into Daddy's girl . . but Emma is holding out and is just more into Mama.

Well, that's about it for now! They are both talking much better in the past 2-3 months or so, especially since we have taken away the binkies during the day. I think those were hindering much progress in that area . . . but I pretty much made them have them so they wouldn't choke on all the toys they were putting in their mouths. :) They are not too easy to understand, so maybe it's a good thing I'm with them most of the time, because I have to translate for everyone else.

Happy Birthday, Emma and Savannah! We love you both so, so much, and we can't wait to see what God has in store for your life and for the next year! You bring us so much laughter and joy, sweet girls!