Epic Fail

I know every parent has their Moment. You know what I am talking about, The Moment where you fail miserably. My Moment was today. I fear that because of my Moment, my poor Jillian may be frightened of snow for the rest of her life. Allow me to enlighten you:


So, it snowed today! Where we live we typically get just a handful of snow days in a year. Today was the first time it snowed for us this season. Last year the girls weren’t even walking during the winter, so the snow in our yard was sadly left pristine and untouched. Which is why I was so excited that it snowed today. It is Sunday, we are all home together, and there is snow on the ground begging to be played with. Now that the girls are old enough to play it I couldn’t wait to get them out in it.

After Jared and I got the girls bundled up we ventured out into the front yard (less dog poopie than the backyard). At first, the girls weren’t completely sure what to do with everything. Jillian did as she normally does and braved a walk out into the middle of the yard. Jenna stood still in the spot Jared set her down on and didn’t move for quite a while. So, Jillian and I are out walking around. I am trying to show her exactly how magical all the white stuff is and how exactly it works. You know, on second thought…I think the video can better describe it from here (sorry for the lack of sound, the video was actually shot by accident as Jared thought he was taking a picture and was in fact filming…but the volume on our camera doesn’t work. In any case, I highly doubt you need the sound, just imagine a lot of crying…and apologizing):

Yes, you saw right. I smashed Jillian in the face with a snowball. I absolutely promise with all of my heart that I was trying to aim for her tummy. Really and truly I was. And even tho it was a really soft toss, I don’t feel any less guilty that she had snow in her nose and mouth. ). Unfortunately, my aim (even from a VERY close distance) is unreliable at best. Just ask my co-workers who repeatedly witness my embarrassing attempts at tossing trash into the waste basket several times a day. I felt awful, apologized to Jillian over and over, and tried to explain that Momma made a “boo boo” and that snow really is fun. None of that worked tho and despite my very best efforts Jillian is not only petrified of snow (really….she won’t even walk in it now, only look at it from the safety of a window inside) but she has suddenly become a Daddy’s Girl (she has been permanently attached to my hip for the last month to two). Anyhoo, our first attempt at playing in the snow can officially be characterized as an Epic Fail.

In other news, we had a great Christmas. Busy as usual but the girls did well and even managed to open a present or two themselves on Christmas Day. ;) The Terrible Twos are continuing as well….just in case you are curious. The will of a two year old is a mysterious and mighty thing to behold; a little tiring as well. :)



More to Come,

PS: We are wishing all of our friends and family a wonderful 2011, filled with the love and peace that can only be found in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

A Set of Twos

Look at that Slide Hair! So funny how both Katie and Jenna's hair stuck straight up!

Yumm-O. What could be better than a cupcake with pink glitter?



Proof that the cupcakes were good...at one point all of the little girls there were sitting on this curb eating cupcakes. It was adorable!



Jillian and Jenna got Pillow Pets for their birthday. They were very excited, as soon as they were opened Jenna shouted "Pill Pet, Pill Pet!"

Jillian playing with her balloon

Jillian had a great time at her party :)

And so did Jenna Bean

Jillian with Mom, Dad and Jenna

If the pictures of above aren't clear; let me make sure you understand: The girls are now 2...and they are everything you would expect a 2 year old to be. Other than being a bit small for their age still, Jillian and Jenna are pretty much caught up with other kids their age when you consider milestones; which can either be good or not so good...depending on the day. Allow me to exaggerate:


GOOD- Jillian can count to 5 with only the tiniest bit of help

NOT SO GOOD- Jillian throws tantrums almost every time her diaper has to be changed and about half the time when getting in her car seat

GOOD- Both Jillian and Jenna know their colors and like to tell you when they see colors they know (and they will continue to tell you the color they see until you acknowledge their accomplishment)

NOT SO GOOD- Both girls know how to say "No" in the right context and unfortunately like to say "No" a lot

GOOD- The girls pretty much know every animal sound there is to make, including a skunk. AND they know what Santa says...Ho Ho Ho. :)

NOT SO GOOD- I am seriously considering tearing down the Christmas Tree as I type on this 22nd night of December...3 days before Christmas...just because the girls won't leave it alone.

I could go through a whole list of GOOD/NOT SO GOOD things but I think you get the idea. We've entered the stage where the girls want to do things for themselves, have an idea of what they want to do and get really frustrated and angry when they can't voice it. Thus...we've entered the Terrible Twos. Hopefully this stage won't last as long as the teething has (one thing we are still behind on and currently working on).

Anyhoo...
We had a "Princess in the Park" party for the girls 2nd birthday party. Immediate family and a few of the girls' "friends" were invited. It was so much fun! We had pink and purple cupcakes, balloons, sippy cups and princess crowns (with their own names) for our young friends, and the all important snacks at the park. It was nice and sunny, even if it was a little chilly from a cold front that had just pushed through. After the park ended family went back to the house for pizza and presents. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed the girls didn't want to open any of their presents. I figured this year they would be all over unwrapping the gifts themselves. That SOOO didn't happen. I pretty much unwrapped all of them, except for a few Katie took of. Granted, there was a lot of excitement happening and a lot of people. But, I am keeping my fingers crossed they'll be into it a little more at Christmas. I will be sure to let you know how it goes.

Until Then....

PS: We wish all of our friends and family the most Merriest Christmas ever!! Be safe and we will see you in 2011!

Momma Bear Unleashed

Jenna feeding the duckies





Jillian loves to feed the ducks at the park!




Jillian modeling her new fall clothes, including boots!




We are still learning how to take turns :)




Jillian gives a big smile




Jenna smiles, too. These girls have cheesing down!




Peek-A-Boo Jenna!




Sweet Jillian





My husband, Jared, has a funny nickname for me: The Baby Whisperer. He calls me that for a number of reasons, but mostly because he thinks babies like me and I can *usually* get them to stop crying if they are upset. In the general sense, I would mostly agree. I love children, but young children especially bring me much joy and delight. I can relate to them, I have fun with them, they are honest, open, and in general I find communicating with them easy. In fact, sometimes I have an easier time communicating with a child vs. a grown adult. :) I don't think my "Baby Whispering" talents, so to speak, are noteworthy or impressive. I think it is just kids can feel that I am at ease with them and that I don't get easily stressed by their actions (unless they are the actions of my own children, of course!...Ha!).

This is why I was so surprised by the Momma Bear Instinct (you know what I mean... protective towards her cubs; prone to aggression when she feels her cubs are being threatened) I exhibited towards another child at our local story time at the library this past Saturday.  I shocked myself!! I have never before felt that fierce, protective, instinct on such a powerful level directed at such a young person. Sure, I've felt protective feelings before, but the emotions I felt behind this particular instance were much different. Allow me to explain:



Our library has several different types of story times available to the public. We usually try and go to the time geared towards toddlers (up to 36 months); however, for the past few months I've been participating in a Bible study during the times we would normally go. The girls love the story time (and know some of the moves to the songs!) and so I decided that we would go to the general story time this Saturday, for kiddos ages 1-5.

The story time was wonderful, as I expected. Afterwards, the libraries allow time for the kiddos to play together. The library we went to on Saturday has a super-fun play area with a fort-like hut, big, giant, stuffed animals to play with and sit on, chairs and tables to color or read books, etc. I hadn't been to this library in several years so I wasn't aware of how AWESOME their kids area was (or we would have been going a lot more often!!). The area is off limits to kids 10 and over; however, the area really should be off limits to 6 and above because the theme is much more suited for toddler and preschool aged children.



So, Jenna and Jillian are playing in the area. They are a little timid so I walk them over to the fort where the fun is happening. They are shy so I hang out at one of the tables just a few feet away. Offering encouragement to join in the fun but trying not to hover.  Jillian decides she doesn't much like the fort now that she has seen it up close and she comes over to my table and is content to color. Jenna is still deciding what she wants to do but stays near the fort. The kids are starting to thin out as more parents are taking their kids home. So I am sitting, watching both girls and during one of the times that I am helping Jilly with a new color or commenting on what she is creating, Jenna starts to cry. I look over and she is on the floor in tears. No big deal, Jenna is a tad on the klutzy side and she falls down a lot. I assume it was her mistake, so I go over and encourage her to get back up and continue playing. She does and I go sit down again. I am watching more closely though and within a few seconds of her calming down and going back in the fort I see this big boy (I am absolutely sure his name is Bully Bob and he was probably 5 or 6) push Jenna! It wasn't a little push either, it was a big ol' shove!! She falls forward onto the ground and immediately starts to cry...again!



I can tell you right now that the desire to pop that kid upside the head was strong!  Did you just push MY child? I don't think so, sir! Hands off you little varmint! I got up quickly, going to Jenna and in doing so I am talking very firmly to the boy. "No, no. We don't push." "We keep our hands to our self..." that sort of thing, basically trying to exhibit an enormous amount of control over my tongue as my mind was waging war. Anyways, since I am talking to Bully Bob in a firm manner (not loud, just assertive) his Mom comes over and asks "did he just push her?" Uh, yup lady...he sure did! After Bully Bob apologizes, his Mom takes him out and they leave.  One of the Dads sitting near me tells me about how Bully Bob had already pushed Jenna once (the first time she fell) and had pushed his kid as well. He was complaining that the boy's parent should have removed him several minutes ago. I agreed and wanted to ask why he didn't confront the boy or his mother when his own kid was pushed but I thought better of it.

I think I was most taken aback by my own reactions because in my mind, for that instant, Bully Bob was no longer a little kid.  He was an enemy; someone I needed to protect my child from. And while I am on one hand, pleasantly surprised by protective instincts (as a first time parent you always wonder how you will react if____ ), I am also a little bit apprehensive about what that means down the road. Jenna isn't even 2...she hasn't attended school/daycare yet....and the only bullying she has endured thus far is from her two-minute-older sister. If this is how I feel now...how am I going to feel when in elementary school she gets teased, or her best friend spreads a rumor in middle school, or her boyfriend dumps her when she is 16 (all of these are hypothetical that, by the way, I hope NEVER happen....but I'm not naive either)? All of the sudden the road ahead looks long and very much like a battlefield. I guess only time (and experiences) will tell how I handle future situations. But in all fairness I am warning you now: Bully Bob....don't you ever touch my kid again!

:)



PS: thanks for the welcome back sentiments everyone. It feels nice to be well received. :)





The Blog is Back!

It has been 6 months and 14 days...28 weeks...197 days...4,278 hours....However you add it, it has been too long. Taking time off from The Blog has been a much needed break; however, I have found that at times I dearly miss posting the comings & goings, milestones, and hilarities caused by my children. The blog was a great way to share information and an even better way to be reminded that my parental mishaps or groanings (if you will) aren't new to the "motherhood" community.  Several times now there have been stories I wanted to share via blog but felt that I couldn't or didn't want to get back into the habit of having to post consistently.

You see, The Blog began to feel like more of an obligation than a blessing. A nuisance instead of a ingenious way to share. Always living up to my "Type A" personality, I felt if I was going to have a blog that I needed to "do it right." In my mind that meant posting as much as possible, even if there was nothing to post....if there was nothing I needed to create something to post.  I forgot that the beauty of having a blog is that I GET TO CHOOSE how to write it. I can update it as often or infrequently as I feel.

So that is what I going to do. I've revamped The Blog, cleaned house (did you notice the CUTE decorations??) and committed to myself that I won't feel guilty if I don't have time to post this week (or for the next five weeks). I guess you could say that this time The Blog will be as much for others as it will be for me. :)

Until Next Time....

PS: Another obstacle in keeping the blog was going to be lack of Internet at the house. While the Internet we have is usually unreliable, Jared was able to figure out a way to get something. I will write my posts in a word document and then copy and paste to a post on days our Internet is feeling agreeable. :) Like they always say, "Something is better than nothing..."

Bon Voyage

Jillian, Jessica, Jared and Jenna playing at the park with friends

The time has come for the blog and I to part ways. I knew when I started the blog that it would be temporary, but I wasn't expecting the sort of sadness I am feeling once it was time to say goodbye. This has been without question the best way to keep family and friends updated on the adventure Jared, the girls and I have been on the last year and a half (well...almost a year and a half). We are so grateful for the prayers, love, support, and advice we have received. I keep reminding myself that there are other ways of communication and sharing information but I think my sadness is more for those who aren't here to watch the girls grow up in person. I know for many seeing the pictures and reading the stories has made you feel like part of our family...like you are watching us through a window. I know emails and pictures won't be the same but I will do my best to send updates of achievements and happenings as the girls get older.

I know I promised to keep the blog going until the girls started to walk so you are probably wondering why I am signing off now, when our biggest milestone has yet to be achieved. Sure, the girls have taken some tremendous steps, but they definitely cannot be defined as "walkers." The reason I have to wrap up sooner than expected is mainly due to financial reasons. I know we haven't been the only ones struggling in our current recession (I know it is officially over but for some reason our pocketbook doesn't know that yet!) and Jared has been diligently trying to cut out things we don't need. So we've decide to turn off our landline as well as our DSL for the time being so that the money from those bills can be spent more wisely on needs for our family. I am hoping by late next summer we will be in a better position to have internet again but for the time being we are sacrificing where we can.

Jenna (top) and Jillian (bottom) take a stand!  Jenna can stand steady all by herself now!

Another reason for the farewell also has to do with the simple fact that life has become incredibly busy. Yes, the girls have gotten older and the independence they have gained from infanthood has made life and everyday tasks loads easier; however, as any parent knows, toddlers are curious little bodies who can wiggle into any and every situation. Gone are the days when a baby gym or bouncy seat would keep them occupied and in one place so that I could steal some blogging time; nope...constant supervision is required for the next few years at least. :)
Anyhoo...I did not want to make this last blog entry a teary goodbye. Rather I wanted to dedicate the entry to my children. I have said before that I plan to get the blog made into a book for them. I think it will be so neat for Jillian and Jenna to read about and see their lives as babies chronicled in stories. So, to my dearest Jillian and Jenna, this post is for you:

The Surprise News

My Dear Ones:
I cannot recall the exact date or time, but I will always remember the moment when I found out I was pregnant with two babies, you two babies. Daddy and I were in the doctor's office and I was reclining on the sonogram chair. We were comfortably chit chatting with the sonogram technician and she was explaining that with me being 6 weeks pregnant the most important thing we see on the monitor would be a little flicker. The flicker would be the teeny-tiny baby's heart inside me. Daddy and I couldn't wait to see the heart beat so the technician started right away. After a few moments of her trying to find the right spot, she asked us if we had taken fertility medication. We answered no but right away were curious as to why she would ask. So our technician said, "Well...the good news is that we can definitely see the heart beats." The s on beats triggered immediately in my brain that there was more than one heart beating. "Twins!" says the technician. That initial moment brought so many feelings to my heart, with joy and excitement being the front running emotions. I turned to Daddy and of course he had a very surprised look on his face but once the words sunk in he had a smile bigger than I had ever seen. Bigger than when he got any new car, or a house or got married...the biggest ever! We were so excited.

Now it is time for mommy to admit that joy and excitement weren't the only emotions I was feeling. After the appointment ended and Daddy and I went our separate ways to work, I got scared. In less than 9 months I knew that I would have two little babies to take care of and I was worried I wouldn't know what to do...how to do things...when to do things. Within a few days of the sonogram, the morning sickness that almost all mothers experience set in. I felt fine...as long as I was constantly eating. When I wasn't eating, I felt sick morning, noon, and night. Daddy was so sweet during that time taking care of me and going to get food I could manage to eat without grossing out on. :) For some reason you two babies made mommy crave things like Taco Bell burritos, Chick-Fil-A nuggets and KFC mashed potatoes. By the way, those cravings never subsided and you both are 16 months as I type this! Haha!

The Moment I Knew Everything Would be Fine

Around 14 weeks the morning sickness finally subsided and I was able to start enjoying being pregnant. Around 16-18 weeks pregnant, I finally felt the first flutters of the babies growing inside me (you!). It was an amazing moment. The reason I share this with you is that at that exact moment, the fears, worries, and doubts went away. I had just officially become a mom (even though you weren't here yet) and I knew that I would do whatever it took to make sure you both were taken care of. If both of you were crying I would cuddle you at the same time. If you both were hungry, I would feed you at the same time. I knew at that moment, the moment I felt you flutter, that I loved you unconditionally and always would (and always will).

Weeks passed and mommy grew bigger and bigger as you both grew bigger and bigger inside me. Jillian you were always the lowest baby in my tummy and I could always feel you pushing and kicking. Jenna, you ma'am snuggled yourself on my right side under my ribs...every time you stretched (which wasn't often) I could see your head push out my side. In fact Jenna, you were so cozy and snuggled up you decided you wouldn't move very much at all. Daddy and I made a trip to the emergency room one Sunday in October to make sure you were okay...you hadn't moved in more than a day silly girl! In fact, the day before you and your sister were born I had gone to the hospital to again make sure you were okay since you had been so still.

Mommy at 24 weeks pregnant

Your Day Had Come

It was Friday, December 19th and I drove myself to the hospital thinking I would just have Jenna checked out to be safe. The nurses had me put on a gown and get into bed and once they found both of your heartbeats they decided to monitor everything for one hour to see what was happening. Well, come to find out Jenna, you were moving tons and mommy just didn't know that what she was feeling was you. The nurses had more news than just Jenna's activities, mommy was having contractions-- and I didn't even know it! So the doctors decided that mommy would spend the night in the hospital. They hooked me up to IVs and medicines that would stop the contractions. Special sonograms were done so that the doctors could look at each of you and measure you. Mommy finally went to bed late that night but was woken up very early the next morning when the water in Jillian's sac broke. The doctors then had to stop all of the medicine and we waited to see what was going to happen. Do you want to know what happened? Nothing! All day I was fine and didn't have any contractions, both of you were moving around. So at around 7:30 that night the doctor came in and told me that I was going to be put on hospital bed rest for as long as you two would keep growing inside me. I was only 30 weeks pregnant (babies usually stay inside their mommies for 40 weeks)at that time so I agreed to the bed rest since I knew it was way too early for you two to come into this world.
So I settled back into my bed. It was a little after 8:00 and Nana had been visiting for a few hours and decided to go home for a little while. As she left your Uncle Max and Aunt Jamie came in. They were coming to visit for Christmas and had just arrived from an all day car trip. Well, within about 15 minutes of their arrival things started to get crazy and I was starting to feel the contractions I was having yesterday for the first time. At first, they were just uncomfortable but within a few minutes I was officially in the middle of full-blown labor contractions...all I can say is that you two wanted out!

Of course, the doctors and nurses tried to stop the contractions but nothing worked. I was wheeled to the OR and prepped for an urgent C-Section. Jillian, you were born a few minutes later at 11:47 pm. You were 2 pounds 15 ounces and beautiful. Jenna, you came into this world two minutes later at 11:49 pm. You were a whopping 3 pounds 2 ounces and you were just lovely. In fact, I got to see you for just a second before you went to the NICU. I'll never forget, Jenna...the nurse brought you right over to my face. You looked like a little pink tulip and you were perfect. You were both born on Saturday, December 20, 2008. Did you know that you share a birthday with your Papaw Glenn? Did you also know that Mommy and Daddy were married exactly five years earlier on that very same day? I think you must have known because once you both decided to come into the world there was no turning back.

We Meet

Within just a few short hours of your birth, you were both transferred to a Cook Children's Hospital. I saw you for the first time three days later when I came and gave you your Lovies (you both have loved your Lovies fiercely ever since!). Daddy and I got to hold you both for the first time five days after you were born, it was Christmas Day. That was the most special gift in the whole wide world.

For the next several weeks, Daddy and I came to visit both of you and we watched you grow. We watched you learn how to breathe on your own, we watched you learn how to suck from a bottle so you could eat. Daddy and I couldn't wait for you to come home but we knew you had to get bigger first. Jillian, five weeks and two days after you were born you came home to us. Jenna, you followed your sister home exactly 6 weeks to the day after you were born. Daddy and I were so happy to have you both home and by God's grace you were both perfect and healthy.


Since that time Daddy and I have watched you girls grow from teeny tiny babies (both of you were under 5 pounds when you were allowed to come home) to curious, opinionated, funny, happy toddlers. Jillian you are so anxious to walk and the smile on your face every time you take a few steps is pure joy. Jenna you are standing on your own with pride but your steps are taken when we least expect them. Jillian you love animals and can currently quack like a duck, baa like a sheep and moo like a cow. Jenna you love to look at your surroundings and point to them...asking what it is. I have never met a more inquisitive child. You both love to read more than anything else and the happiest times right now are when you choose to sit in my lap and let me read you Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle or Brown Bear, Brown Bear. You both also love The Wiggles and dance to the music when watch them on TV. Daddy and I think your favorite character is Dorothy the Dinosaur as both of you smile a lot more when she is singing. You both also know a few words in sign language, like "more," and "milk."

My sweet, precious, girls, I love you more than I ever could imagine. I pray that as you grow you will remain happy and joyful. I pray that your interest and love for Jesus intensifies, with both of you committing your lives to Christ early on. I pray both of you will remain healthy and I pray that when you grow up you will choose to do something that truly makes you happy.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

With All of My Love,

Momma

Jenna and Daddy cuddle after going down the slide

Mommy and Jillian cruise down the slide

Jenna loves to swing high

Jillian swinging fast

Jillian gives Shelby kisses and Shelby kisses back!

Even though they are twins Jenna doesn't quite share her sister's love for Shelby :)

Baby Steps

The girls (Jillian specifically) are becomming more open to trying to walk and stand on their own. Jillian especially is really working on mastering this new skill! Here is a video clip of her walking to Jared. Jenna, bless her heart! We are hoping she will be more interested in walking once she sees how much fun it is for her big sister. More to Come, Jessica

Silly Girls

My Jenna Bean, happy as a clam :)

Jillian & Jenna

Jillian, look at those baby blues!

Jenna and Jillian, sweet blessings

Jenna (stripes) and Jillian (hearts) are being super silly...they also don't want to get out of their jammies

Our best attempt at a family picture. :) Easter Sunday: Jessica, Jillian, Jared and Jenna

All portraits courtesy of the Wallflower Photographer.

As you can see the girls are doing great! Jillian is starting to "talk" up a storm and is getting braver every day in her attempt to walk. Jenna is fascinated with objects around her, constantly pointing at things and asking in her baby way (typically a grunt) what they are.

The portraits (from the collage) were taken by a friend of mine from high school, Sara Barnes. I saw her a few years ago at a local bakery and at the time she was pregnant with twins. Naturally when I found out I was pregnant with twins as well I searched for her. Of course now it is much easier to find people with Facebook and Myspace. The hard part was remembering her married name. :) Once I found her I was thrilled to find out she too had twin girls. They are almost three and ADORABLE. We've had a playdate and I love watching her girls interact with each other and play off each others moods. Sara is also a good source of information.

Anyhoo, she is a very gifted photographer and she took some shots of the girls during our first playdate (her twins didn't come to that playdate, only Sona...her 5 month old who was around 3 months at the time!). I can't believe how amazing the pictures turned out (considering we had Lovies, pacifiers and sippy cups in the room) but really that just goes to show you what a talented photographer can capture. For those who are local I highly recommend Sara, the Wallflower Potographer, for your next pictures. :)

Oh! I figured it was about time to share some of our latest snap shots (sadly taken by me and not as cute as Sara's snapshots. CLICK HERE to view our latest photos on Snapfish and view all of the professional portraits of the girls. Remember...registration is free and you don't have to buy. Feel free to log on and look at what we've been up to with all the warm weather!

More to Come,
Jessica