The Campout

After months of talking about 'someday' camping, the day had come. Summer is now coming to an end and Elise will be starting school next week. Warm summer days won't be with us much longer so daddy and Elise made plans to spend the night down by the river. As it turns out, not only had Elise never camped, but nor had Jeff-- at least in a tent. So, after a morning of shopping for the perfect lantern and sleeping bag for daddy, the two were ready for a night of camping.

So we hauled all the stuff down the hill to the tent that they built together-- sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, Smoochie the frog, s'mores stuff and toothbrushes. Don't all campers travel with Sonicares?!

After the babies went to bed, I joined the campers for the campfire and s'more making. Elise prefers her marshmallows 'raw' (AKA- out of the bag) while I like mine black!

As the sunset, Elise ran around chasing lightening bugs and I pulled out the Chinese sky lantern I had bought a few days before. We officially closed our summer.

When it got dark, the campers said goodnight to me (as I was sleeping in bed to oversee baby duty). I left a door open should the camping adventure be aborted but it never was. Elise and Jeff reappeared the next morning at 7am dragging all of the stuff from the tent. It had been a fun night and Elise wanted to camp again that night. Jeff on the other hand is nursing a sore hip and vows that next time he will bring down an air mattress.

Good night my campers....

The Funeral

 

The other day Elise and I had noticed an injured bird in our yard. I suspected that maybe his wing was broken but didn't think too much about him after that. That next day, as we were picking our tomatoes, we saw the poor little robin had died next to one of our plants. I suggested we give him a funeral.

After digging a little hole next a tree, we buried him. I told Elise we needed to each say something nice about the bird. I said that I enjoyed his singing and went on to tell her that he was now up in heaven with Brutus and Garth. Then Elise got to say a few words...

'Well, I was impressed with his flying.'

It made me smile that she said she was impressed! The sweet things little kids say. Later in the day she wanted to know where we go after heaven. I told her that heaven is so wonderful that we want to stay there forever. She just continuously blows my mind...

Cecilia Crawls

Sometimes I have my cell phone on me at the right time! Today was one of those days. With the girls getting on their knees and 'practicing' their crawling, it was only a matter of time that someone did- and today Cecilia did! What an exciting moment. She had been 'commando' crawling for about a week and was determined to move around. I caught her the other day sharing a dirty bone with Demi. But sweet little Ceci was happy to have maneuvered across the room for that dog toy! I guess I will have to keep an extra close eye on her now.

I might also point out that she (like Hadley) can get from a sitting position into a crawling position... and back again to sitting.

It's nice to breathe and check off each milestone with each girl. Elise struggled so much with her gross motor because of her prematurity. Each step with her was because of  help from physical therapy and hard work at home. We are thankful that some of these milestones for the twins seem to be coming all on their own. I am grateful everyday that we can celebrate our health. We have so much to be thankful for!

Farewell Jessica

Since I was pregnant with the twins, we've had the most wonderful helper... Jessica. At first she babysat Elise and helped to clean when I wasn't supposed to be on my feet. But what happened is that we gained a new family member! 

She was the one who would watch the girls so I could nap or run errands during the day. She was the one who sometimes helped with the middle of the night feedings so I could actually sleep undisturbed. She anticipated things as if she was also the mother! She had an invested interest in our little girls and it was she who gave me the opportunity to breathe... especially in those beginning months with the twins.

But Jessica graduated college and got a 'real' job out in Colorado. We are so happy for her but sad as well. We know she'll be back to visit her family and friends... including us. Elise misses Jessica a lot but knows that she'll see her 'when she's five'. Until then, we catch up with her via texts and snapchats. Thank goodness for our iPhones! We miss you Jessica! Thank you for all your help, kindness, thoughtfulness, support-- and friendship.

6 month check up

Cecilia, Hadley 6.5 months

The girls had their 6 months check up on July 31st. We were anxious for the appointment as it also served as a followup for both girls as each were on antibiotics for double ear infections! Plus Hadley wanted to show off her first tooth!

Cecilia

16 pounds 3 ounces (50%)

26 3/4 inches long (80%)

16 3/4 inch head circumference (60%)

Hadley

16 pounds 6 ounces (60%)

26 1/2 inches long (75%)

16 1/2 inch head circumference (30%)

When did we get such big babies?! The whole thing is mind boggling to me! I'm so proud that they are on track for growth and development. And by the way, their ears looked much better...

Ready, Set.....

The babies are 7 months today... and they are anxious to get crawling. Both Hadley and Cecilia are up on both knees and rocking.

Hadley

Just the other night I heard a lot of crying. Thinking someone had gotten an arm stuck in their crib or some other tragedy that would warrant such a distress cry, I went in. Poor Hadley. Hadley was up on her knees rocking back and forth. It was almost as if she couldn't figure out how to stop. I put her back down on her back-- she instantly fell asleep.

Cecilia

Cecilia

I'm ready for the chaos that is about to come with crawling. I don't mind the baby proofing and gates. We are super excited that our girls, who obviously feel trapped in their little bodies, will gain some freedom and hopefully a bit more peace. As of now we can't stray too far from them as they easily become frustrated with the toys that are around them. They need someone to stay nearby who can feed toys to them when the other twin steals from them or they tire from what they are doing.

I say bring the crawling on! Bring on the madness!

Cecilia in the background
Hadley showing her moves

Hello! Bonjour! Hola!

Shaving with Daddy

We had the Hebekas over last night for swimming and pizza. They had a friends in from out of town that came along too. The friends were from Montreal. While the parents are bi-lingual, both of the children (Margo 4.5 years and Lucas 7 years) only speak French. We explained to Elise ahead of time that the children didn't know any English and therefore they wouldn't understand her.

One of Elise's five zillion zucchinis

 After all the company left, Elise asked the a very serious question. She wanted to know if before we moved to Perrysburg, did we speak another language too?

The bug matching game--
Elise is showing the Blue Morpho Butterfly (her favorite!)

Wood County Fair 2013

Jeff and I took Elise to the Wood County Fair.  Memory is a funny thing with kids. Even though Elise had been to the fair many times in the past, she had no memory of going. So, it was like taking her for the first time which was extra fun and exciting for us!

The animal barns were definitely fun for our nature girl... especially any animals that were close enough to touch! I don't think I've ever used so much hand sanitizer! While it was exciting to see such big, beautiful cows and horses, Elise said the rabbits were her favorite.

After some animal petting, we tried out some John Deere tractors. Elise chose this one because it was more her size.... unlike the big farm combines and backhoes.

On our way out, we bought tickets for Elise to ride 2 rides. We gave them to her to pick which rides she wanted to go on. First she picked the carousel. I stood next to her. I felt dizzy for about an hour afterwards.. augh! But Elise was so happy. She had the cutest smile plastered on her face.

Her second pick was the helicopters. I am leery of carnival rides. I always think some important bolt will come loose and everyone will plummet to the ground. But no worries, the ride was safe and sound.

Our day at the fair had come to an end. We were tired from walking in the heat and Elise was getting pooped and cranky-- after all, 4.5 year-olds shouldn't just have 4-H milkshakes for lunch! But then again, that's what a day at the fair is all about. It just made for a good nap later that afternoon.

The Dragons

Elise is playing her first season of tee ball through the YMCA. Her team's name is the Dragons. Intimidating? You better believe it! 

Armed with a pink glove and a batting helmet that wouldn't even fit daddy's head, the Dragons are in first place this season! Just kidding. They don't even keep score but each child bats 2 times, gets to run all the bases and then the game is over.

I'm sure this conversation was like this:
Coach: 'Ok Elise, run to second base next.'
Elise: 'Where's second base?'
Coach:' That way... past the extra people on the field.'

Tee ball is a funny game. There is a lot of confusion but then again there aren't any practices and the game resembles nothing like baseball. For instance, only 2 people field the ball at a time.

However, Elise loves tee ball. When you ask her what she loves best (batting, running, catching, etc), she says 'All of it'! Plus who doesn't mind some fresh air on a warm summer evening? Demi agrees.