M and D wish everyone a Merry Christmas

M and D had a very exciting Christmas, beginning with Christmas eve, when they went on their first trip with Grandma and Aunt V, without mom and dad. Can you believe that dad let us take them away? It was the very first time they left the house without a parent, M and D survived, Dad, I'm not so sure. We were given all of the rules, which we followed, except that we broke the curfew that dad set. I'm sure it won't be the first time for those two.

I can't understand why people were blowing their horns at me and driving fast around me, I was going the appropriate speed of 25 miles and hour with such valuable passengers.

We took them to meet their cousins on dad's side. They had a wonderful time, were only held by their aunt, uncle and dad's first cousins. They loved the excitement and can't wait to go again next year, as Aunt J, says it is now a tradition.

Dad has been saying for a long time, that D looks like cousin C and finally they got to meet and hit it off immediately. M got to meet Uncle A and thought he was the best!

Christmas morning started a little late, between naps (good thing) and getting two babies out the door. Out of control grandma, was waiting with anticipation.

This was M and D's piles, I don't understand why Mom and Dad were going OMG. I told everyone I was out of control.

D loved the car, but M's eyes lit up when she got put in it, you know the song Fun Fun until Dad takes the T-Bird away? I can see it now. However, there is a green dragon on the activity center, and both M and D loved that piece of it. I can tell you that M didn't go to bed until 3AM, dad said that she would cry when they took her out and then be fine when they put her back in, good thing there are two of the activity centers, since sharing is becoming a problem.

D had to take some time out for a snooze, opening presents is a tiring thing to do.

M true to her personality wasn't going to miss a thing.

A great time was had by all, as soon as I edit out the protected people I will add more pictures.

Christmas Pictures

My how have they grown.

Mom and Dad wanted to have pictures taken for their Christmas card. How hard can it be, M and D smile alot, smile for the camera, and Mom and Dad are adults. Well 94 pictures, alot of crying, and kicking off of shoes there was one acceptable picture taken. Being part of the witness protection program, I am unable to show you the pictures, but here are some of the better ones.

Mom and Dad had their comfortable shoes on, although they are dressed very nice.

This is the only picture of M with her shoes on, if you notice she already has one half off. She likes them, just not ON!

Even after the shoes came off, she kept her mean girl face on. It was her favorite face of the day.

D has a cold, so even though he was handsomely dressed, he was a little whiny. Notice he is wearing his first tie. The shirt is a full button down shirt, he was a little man.

All in all it was a fun time and smiles were plenty as soon as the clothes came off.

Seven Months today

Here we are seven months old and all is well. New things this month, both of them blow bubbles, sit in the high chair to eat, and have taken their first drinks from a sippy cup. Princess for M and Pirates for D. Blessings abound!

They are just growing so fast, mom and I reminisced tonight and celebrated with cupcakes for everyone. From their first month birthday, I kept saying I was bringing the cupcakes and tonight I did!

M and D also played their first recital on great gram's organ, video to come later.

One of M and D's good friends had surgery today, it all went well and we are looking for a good outcome, please put T in your prayers today for a speedy recovery.

Here's the pictures you are waiting for.

A day of babysitting

D bit me.

M pulled my hair.

The kicker, D hit M so hard she cried real tears. I really believe it was not on purpose.

D is getting ready for his college scholarship at a predetermined college of dad's choice.A good player has to think about his play. Teeth are coming soon, I'm sure.

They grow up so fast!

Mom and Dad let me do alot of the "first" that M and D get to do, so M and D let me be the first bite and hair pull!

While I was away

M and D had their first fight over a toy, D won.

The best news is M gained 6 ounces, and continues to eat like a big girl.

Will update pictures tomorrow.

Missing M and D

Mom knew I was missing M and D so she sent me new pictures.

Enjoy! I think we have a little executive in the making.First time in the chair, she is eating like a big girl this week. Our deal was she was going to gain a pound this week. We will find out tomorrow!!

D and the Cubs

We are an equal opportunity Chicago baseball team fans, although as we all know the White Sox are the team.

D was in his Cubs outfit, and I'm not sure how he really feels about it. I'm thinking he was wanting his Sox outfit!

M

M and I have had a special understanding since she first held my finger on the day she was born. At that time, I told her how much she was loved and that she needed to fight to stay with us, she became my tough girl, and we had an understanding. M and I have had other conversations some which I have told you about, some are between M and I but think socks on the feet as one of them. Now, dad yells at me, when I don't have socks on, because M has upheld her part of the deal.

At M's last Dr's appt, he said that she needed to eat more. She has been very difficult to feed, and it is easier to give up than fight. So, we had a conversation and she began to eat a lot easier, but then came the time that she started fighting again. Since M and I made the deal, dad called me and told her he was telling me, and I was going to yell at her. He put me on speakerphone and I started telling M how important it was for her to eat, and I would be over later to see her. D was in the background laughing at M, yup, it starts early.

When I got there M wouldn't even look at me, she is still a hoot and knows whats going on. We went into another room and had another conversation, about growing up and the part nutrition plays, then we had dinner. She ate everything she was given, and has continued to eat well.

I will be checking on her while I am gone, but I know she will continue to eat like a big girl.

Here are some pictures, which is what most of you want to see. I know, the rest is a record for M and D.

D

Anyone who has seen D lately knows he is a flirt, he has aways been the quiet one who amuses himself in thought and investigation. Well, D has now discovered getting attention. I was there with Mom, D and M while mom was working on a project. D has learned to whine, then get louder, then cry until you pay attention and of course pick him up. He know how to pull up his shoulders to get you to pick him up. It was quite amusing when he would start, I would look at him, he would stop, I would look away, he would start. Mom and I were quite amused.

Mom is convinced D has spoiled D, I think he might have learned some of this from M who also knows how to play the game, maybe not quite as well, but she gets her point across.

Dad just called to let me know that D has also been banned from the couch, that he too has now rolled over.

Six month comments

My six months comments to M and D are two blogs down from this one. That's what you get for planning ahead.

Happy Halloween

More of my favorite pictures

Remember this hat? When it was way too big for her and we had to fold it up.
I think Dad is going to have a run for his money, a new king of the couch and more importantly, king of the remote is here.

D and his teddy bear at gram's

D talks to his bear when he is in bed, and I had left him to go get M, and he had scooted all the way over to sleep next to his bear.

D gets a pony ride
M not as interested in a pony ride.

To M and D at six months

M and D I wrote to you at two months and am going to try again.



Since you both came home, you have grown and displayed those personalities you showed us in the hospital.



D while you were laying there being quiet and patient you were finishing growing and developing. You are a beach boy no more!



It is so much fun to watch you look around and entertain yourself. Lately, you have figured out that by kicking your feet you can travel, and you can make the animals talk to you in your bouncy chair. I truly enjoyed watching you crack yourself up the other day when you kicked the chair to make the animals shake for you. When they stopped you would kick and start laughing all over again.



D you have such an easy smile, it is a half smile, like your grandpa's. You always have a smile for everyone.



D you love your teddy bears, your Cub's mobile, and talking to your Winnie the Pooh characters in your bed. I can't wait for the stories you are going to tell us, you are going to have a great imagination.



D, I love singing songs with you, you sing along, and are now trying to form the words with me. You love music and the television. And even danced along with Dance with the Stars!



D you still look out for M and reach out for her when you are close. Mom and Dad say you act like the big brother even though you are the younger one. The other day, when M was crying and crying you looked at her, as if to say " Knock it off, what is your problem". I think you will be having those moments with M many times. I think she will have the same feelings for you at times too. Just don't give up on her, your bond is very special, and I know you always have it.



D, I remember the day your were born, the fear that everyone had, I remember when you let M come home first, and your great homecoming, and I am so enjoying watching you grow up.



M, my little "hoot", you will always be my girl, the bond we formed in the hospital will always be there. You too are growing up so fast, in different ways than D. You are the active one, turning over already, moving all of the time.



M we also called you the Drama Queen in the hospital, and you still have the title. You know how to get attention.



M, I love that you always like to be close to someone. Mom says you sleep better when you are touching her. You show us your independence, but down deep you need us.



M your smile is a little slower to come, but when you share one, it is always a big one and we know you mean it.



M you have this determination about you, I call it the tough girl. We know you needed to be tough to stay with us and you were, and we are so grateful that you fought. Even though your determination can cause you not to eat what you should, and you win battles you shouldn't, it is extremely funny. I know there will be times that you try mom and dad and push, and they will win, you will be angry, it really is for your own good.



M, I love that when I put you and D next to each other, you still lean on him. You have done this since the first time you were put together. I hope you will always lean on your brother and keep the bond the two of you have. It is a very special thing. Remember the times you and D, twin talked and played tricks on all of us?



I am so grateful that you are both doing so well. You have both worked so hard to grow, develop and are working on learning new things everyday. You will never know all of the people who have prayed for you or are still praying for you, but let me tell you, you both are very blessed, as are the rest of us with so many blessings.





Love,



Gram

Five and one half months

I have been a little slow to update this, I have been looking back as well as looking forward. It dose seem like yesterday, but time has also flown as two beautiful babies keep growing and growing and learning. D now smiles and laughs so easily, M is a little slower to share her smile, although dad can make her laugh quickly.

D now weighs 14 pounds and M is 11 pounds, they are now eating fruits, vegetables and cereal. Each new one is an adventure, D does enjoy eating, sometimes you lose the battle with M, it is amazing how strong willed she can be. She can close her mouth so tight and she can ignore you better than any adult I know.

M is like her grandma, in that bare feet are so much more comfortable that wearing socks. M will kick off her socks as quickly as you put them on. I recently gave her some that she can't kick off, and dad said it was quite amusing to watch her try to get them off. She also tried to rub them off on the edge of her swing (she really is a smart girl). With it getting colder, wearing socks is no longer an option for little girls, so M and I had a discussion and made a deal to wear socks everyday. I broke my promise quickly, she is trying harder to keep hers.

Here is the picture of our deal.

They both enjoy television, and M likes to eat while watching. Dad was telling us the other day, that he was trying to feed her, but she was more interested in the television, so he turned it off. Well, she let him know that watching television is part of the plan and if you want her to eat you better work with her. He turned on the television. He might be a big guy, but her little finger has him wrapped. However, we all cave, she is so irresistible.

Mom let D dress up in my favorite teams outfit during the playoffs, she saved their other outfits for when they were with dad watching that other team that lost in three games.

M and D recently spent the day with me, both mom and dad had to work all day, so they were dropped off at 7:00 AM. Those of you that know me, know how much I must love mom and dad, and these babies. It is obvious that M is alot like gram, not only doesn't' she like socks she might not be a morning person either. Once again, there is a big difference between M and D. See picture below.

Please indulge me while I show the where we have been to now.

The pink and blue items in the pictures are the caps they wore when they were are born, the other hats are the hats in the pictures above.

The bottle picture should have included the 8 oz bottle, as two days after I took this D has decided that 4 ounces of milk isn't enough to go along with his cereal, fruit and vegetables.

This might not be a clear picture, if you click on it it might get bigger. D is laying next to all of the items pictured in the above pictures.