1 year old!

I found this photo recently and thought there were no truer words than this to explain the last year.  Everyone says it goes by fast and I really tried hard to study, notice and breathe the girls in. Even the middle of the night feeds that seem so long ago, I tried to enjoy that time with them, knowing it would be short lived. Here we are one full year later, December 17 2013, and cannot believe how much life has changed, how much the girls have changed, how much my love for them has changed and how Joeys and my relationship has changed. All for the better!  

Happy birthday girls!  This year has flown by and I cannot begin to tell you how you have lit up our lives!  I look forward to more birthday celebrations with you. So on this 1st birthday we light a candle for you, to celebrate and light up your day. 

Hope year two is as amazing as the first, but hopefully with alot more hair growth!

Ella Cabella

It always seems that Josie does everything first, but Ella really never ceases to amaze me.  That tiny, but mighty girl has accomplished so much in just 2 months.  Here are some videos of her, some are just having fun and others are figuring things out.  I just love this little girl so much!  Keep going Miss Ella, mommy and daddy are very proud of you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

walking with those braces on!  For real?!!!

 

 

St. Nick

St. Nicks day is something we have done when I was a kid. You put your shoes out and St. Nick comes and puts little gifts/coins in your shoes. It was fun when I was a kid and now I'm passing it on.  Obviously with their tiny feet the giant stuffed animals didn't fit into their shoes. :). Happy St. Nicks day girls!!

(Love that Ella's shoes are her braces)

Happy Turkey Day

We had a great thanksgiving this year.  Nothing like home cooked turkey, mashed potatoes and Grandmas noodles.  Sure beats the hospital thanksgiving last year.  This was Joeys first time home to Ohio since March 2012 and with the girls.  We left Tuesday after work and drove the entire way.  We are officially crazy!  The girls didn't do too bad, Ella cried for about an hour and a half on the way there.  We arrived to our destination at 2:15am, unpacked and set up and were thinking about bed, but the girls were ready to play.  We let them move around for little bit and suprisingly did go to bed.

 

(all packed, but still have some room)

 

(we hit a patch of bad weather)
Thanksgiving was spent with Joeys side of the family. We all had a good time until the girls ended up having diarrhea and we ran out of clothes to put them in.  Fun.  The joys of twins....diarrhea x2 :)

 

 

(Aunt Sandy playing with the girls) 

Friday, we met some friends for lunch and that was fun!  Not enough time with them :(  and we even tried some shopping.  Dad was really nice and took the girls so I could go shopping with them :)  I really miss those times with my friends.  We always had our shennanigans that just seem to continue no matter how long it's been!

 

Saturday was my family thanksgiving and I saw relatives I hadn't seen in 2 years.  It was nice to see and visit with them.  We did the typical card playing, eating way too much and drinking too much. 

 

(Bob and Josie)

 

  Ella had a weird day on Saturday. When I would put her on Gigi's lap she would cry. Out of the people to be afraid of Gigi is not the one. I told Ella she had it all wrong. This was the first time this had ever happened too!

 

Sunday we were off to Iowa!  We packed up and had WAY more stuff than we came with, including a passenger.  Joeys mom rode back with us.  We had been givin lots of clothes as well as gifts that we needed to fit into our SUV.  We still have stuff at my moms house that couldn't fit.  We will get it later.  I decided that our girls' are spoiled rotten.  They do not need a thing!  The girls' did absolutley great traveling! What a great thanksgiving and we have so much too be thankful for!    

  

(Loaded up with on our way home)

Preemie Assessment

Did you know that November 17th was National Preemie Awareness Day and girls 11month birthday?

 

On that note, the girls had their follow up preemie assessment yesterday.  They did an in depth developmental assessment on the girls to see where they are and see if they are behind. 

They weighed and measured them too;  Josie is 18.5lbs and Ella is 16.5lbs

 

Everything checked out ok for Josie, she is doing great and they really have no concerns for her, but still want to watch/monitor her.  Ella is behind in motor/mobility skills, which we knew, because of her clubfeet and the wearing of the brace.  She is also behind in oral motor area.  We got into her eating habits and I learned that preemies are at risk of being "picky" eaters do to oral motor developement delays.  I knew it affected breast feeding, but didn't realize it would affect solids.  We discussed if she had a texture problem or temperature of food problem and so on.  We discussed that she is on regular table foods and we are using up our pureed food.  I asked if we should go back to mostly pureed and she said no, still offer table foods so she can work on it, but not force her.  So last night, I fed her slower and much smaller bites than Josie and I even let her guide the spoon into her mouth and she did great!  So I think Mom and Dad will just need to be a bit more patient with Ella and give her the time she needs to eat.  As for Ella,  we will monitor her more for mobility and eating.  Overall, the girls are doing great, play great, socialize great and they were very impressed by the how happy the girls were (without naps) and their delightful dispostions! 

 

Boot Scooting

 Some of you may be wondering how Ella will crawl with her boots on.  Here she is getting it figured out!

 

 

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!  The girls' first Halloween and I didn't go all out.  I know there are so many great ideas I could do with twins, but I'm cheap, not creative and don't have time!  So we had a bee and a pumpkin...the cutest bee and pumpkin ever! :D

 



Daycare was doing a trick or treat thing at school so the girls wore their costumes to school.

 

 

J being all cute

 

Daycare made these adorable trick or treat bags for everyone

 

E checking out all her loot. 

Great ideas for little trick or treaters.  The had gold fish, teddy grahms, and even puree pouch! 

Josie was clearly loving her loot!

 

Other than at school we didn't do much.  We didn't even hand out candy!  We just don't get many kids on our road and I definitely don't need candy laying around the house.

 

 

This last picture was earlier in the week and think its funny!

Ella was trying to pull herself up using her sister and OOPS!!! 

HAHA!!

Sunday Funday Videos

 

 

 

Just a few videos for your watching pleasure!

 

 

The girls are at daycare and supposed to be napping.

 

 

Getting in the Halloween spirit.

 

 

 

Ella LOVES this boat and honking the horn!

One year ago...

It was one year ago today that I was admitted to the hospital for fetal monitoring.  We made it to 24 weeks in my pregnancy,  VIABILITY!  That was one of the biggest milestones of the pregnancy, besides delivery.  So many emotions for Joey and I that day.  So happy to have made it this far with the girls', hoping to go longer, not excited about being in Des Moines in a hospital, but finally my mind could rest a little knowing we had close eye on our girls. 

 

This is me the day I was admitted

 

I went directly from the doctors office over to the hospital for admission.  Luckily we packed me a suitcase figuring this would happen.  Time. stood. still. for the next 8.5 weeks.  It was boring, long and not very fun, but I couldn't help but want to be there.   I had ultrasounds every other day and fetal monitoring so I knew things were good with my girls'. Thank goodness the election was almost over; the commercials drove me nuts! 

That time in the hospital was awful, but here I am a year later, busier than ever!  What a year it has been for us!  =D 

Tea for Two

 

The girls' were invited to their first birthday party and it happened to be a tea party.  Miss Lily turned 3 and had a tea party for just the girls!  It was just too cute.  We made the trip to the QC on Sunday to make it for the party.  Josie and Ella were sooo excited they slept the whole drive there, except when we got pulled over for speeding.  Thank you TWINS, we got a warning!!!  So the girls are not at any age to know what was going on, this was really for Joey and I to go visit some friends for the day and help a little girl turn 3!

 

The set-up 

 

 

 the princess cupcakes for all the little princess'

 

Lynn had made princess crowns for all the little girls.  She even made special little ones for these two!!  And the girls wore their fancy dresses.

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

I had told Lynn that during the party I would get pictures for her.  Well, 2 infants made it so that didn't happen.  :(  The birthday girl wouldn't even let me take her picture. 

 

 

 

 Lynn with Ella before party time

 Josie getting some time with Kara

Addison and Glorianna enjoying the "tea" (strawberry milk) party

Olivia ready for her cupcake

Ella REALLY liked the cupcakes (preview of her 1st?)

 

Everyone checking out the birthday gifts



Too much excitement for the girls!  Lynn was prepared with a pack n play.

 

The boys were all in the basement watching football and hanging out!  It was fun to see everyone and we really enjoyed the day.  Happy Birthday Lily!  I can't believe you are three!  Hope you enjoyed your tea party, we sure did!  Wish you woulda let me get your picture! :)

 

Pictures-9 months

Here are few of the girls' nine months pictures!  I was hoping to get more up, but there is so much other stuff to do. So now that they are going on 10 months, I'll have to settle for these few....

9 Month Stats

We went to the doctor this past week and have our numbers!

At the doctors office.  Ellas feet with no braces too!

 

 

Ella:

Weight: 16lbs (3-10 percentile)

Length: 25.5 (3rd percentile)

Head: 17 1/4 (50th percentile)

 

Ella you are not crawling, but I think that has everything to do with the brace you wear.  She can sit up great, even when you get the brace off and you also can stand by things (brace on).  You are wearing 3-6 month clothes,  just about 6 month clothes, and are wearing size 2 diapers.  You are a picky eater, but we found some favorites like sweet potatoes and all fruit.  Still only have 2 teeth in (bottom).  You didn't care for pepperoni, but you liked my chili!  You are sweet and happy baby!  You laugh a lot and are very ticklish and LOVE bath time.  You haven't said any words yet, but Mama should be coming soon! LOL! And you are just starting to wave bye bye.  As of your IC appointment on Friday, we get to decrease your brace wearing down to night time and naps.  YES!!!!   You are happy when we take those off and I bet you will take off with moving now!

Josie:

Weight: 17lbs (10-25 percentile)

Length: 26 3/4 (10 percentile)

Head: 18 (90th percentile)

 

Josie, you are army crawling everywhere.  You are no longer interested in your toys and more interested in lamp cords, the cords from the TV, outlets and the cat food dish.  You have made it so we've had to put up gates.  You are wearing 6 month clothing and size 2 diapers.  As usual, you LOVE eating.  Anything.  I don't think there is a food you don't like!  You have said "bye bye" and "mama" and you now know how to clap.  You have 2 bottom teeth and 3 top ones are poking thru.  You don't nap at daycare because you just want to know whats going on.  You are our social butterfly! 

 

Although expected, you are developementally behind.  Dr. Miller has referred us to University of Iowa Children's developemental office (here in Ottumwa), where they will do a very THOROUGH  assessment of each of you two.  This is nothing to cause concern (Grandma), just want to keep a close eye on the two of you! 

 

Mom and Dad love you so much and are just LOVING this stage!  You are lots of fun to play with and love when we get those big belly laughs!!

 

 

Spirit Week

This week was spirit week at school so the girls' and I did what we could.

 

Monday: Twin Day (duh, of course the girls' did this)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday: Neon Day

 

Wednesday: Super Hero day

We didn't have super hero costumes, but we made our super hero day work

 

.

 

 

Thursday:  Favorite band T-shirt day

Pink Floyd and Ella rocking Aerosmith onesie!

 

Friday is red and white day, but we won't be there.

SOB

Dear Breast Cancer,

 

A friend of mine has been diagnosed with you.  It is now, that I can call you a son of B.  You are no good, not wanted and a really big pain.  You thought you got one.  Well, you did.  You got one alright.  You got a fighter, a mother, a persistent, courageous tough cookie!  You know what else you got? You got her friends and family that have her back.  See, now you don't have just one.  We are all standing right behind her, cheering her on.  If you knock her down, she's got us.  Breast Cancer, you think you can win, but you are fighting a battle against all of us too! 

 

All the needles, labs, x-rays, hair loss and doctor visits are your little jabs.  You need to watch out, she's packing a TKO punch for you this Thursday.  I'm even giving you a warning because I don't want you to underestimate the strength and sheer determination she has kick your butt!

She's got you!  She's got you backed into corner and she is ready.  You thought she's been fighting already.  Well, honey, that was just warm up for her! She's has 2 beautiful boys to get home to and not even you can stop her!

  

                             

                                  Girls night out before surgery. 

Fall

It's time for the cool nights, windows open and me warm, snuggled under the blankets. Fall is here. The girls turned 9months this past week too!!  I can't believe it!!  With both of these things, I bought some pumpkins for the girls (their first pumpkins) and thought about their 9 month photos I am going to do and thought we needed some "props."  I also wanted to get some photos outside when the leaves have changed colors and fallen.  So they need to start changing colors stat!!  I have some great ideas in my head for pictures, but it is usually the execution that fails!  I am hoping I can get some good ones.

 Totally going to try a Pinterest idea on these for carving!

 

Have I mentioned it's football time?!!!  The Shultzs' and some friends of our, the Schultes,  here in Iowa LOVE watching Buckeye football!  And Lynn, once again, has SPOILED our girls!!  She made these very cute, very awesome dresses for the girls.  They are absolutely adorable.  She said she made these with out a pattern.  You are getting VERY good, Lynn!  I don't know where you find the time for all this stuff.  I have half as many kids as you and I'm lucky if my toilet doesn't have a ring in it.  Thanks sooooooo much for the dresses we LOVE them.

 

 

 

Some other random things here in Iowa, good and bad...

3 of my friends have closed on new houses!!  How exciting for them...except the moving part :/

A friend of ours experienced a tragedy in his life when his younger sister died unexpectedly last week.  Our thoughts continue to be with him and his family.

Our friend Jody, with breast cancer has completed her chemo therapy and is scheduled for her mastectomy next week!  Wishing her a very speedy and painless recovery!!

I continue to try to work out, but find it difficult with schedules to get them in.

Josie has the dreadful runny nose--the continuous drip kind.  Ugh.

 

Coming soon..9 month stats and 9 month pictures!

Oh no!

Josie is off!  She did this last Thursday before Grandparents came and she is even faster now!  We have pulled out the baby gates and the outlet plugs.  Now we just have to figure out where to put the cat food!!  She's been in it twice now!

 

To be fair,  here is one of Ella and I having fun!  She is not crawling, but she is scooting!  Once we get those darn braces off she'll get to crawling.