Cecilia Is Walking

The babies are officially walking. Cecilia started walking a week before turning 11 months and Hadley is just now starting to take her first few steps at 11 months. Yikes! I don't know what to do with these early walkers. The fun is just now beginning (insert sarcasm). After a few days of stumbling around, Cecilia is off and running. She spends all her waking time roaming around the kitchen and family room with her arms above her head for balance. She occasionally stops long enough to remind me that we haven't yet baby proofed the kitchen drawers and dining room china cabinet. 

Hadley, on the other hand, is content with reading a book or 'knee walking' behind her sister. If someone is getting into trouble or making a mess, then the other one is usually there helping. I live with a gang!

This video was from last night... Cecilia and Hadley were in silly moods... giggling up a storm. Curtains can be fun!

But even though I live with a gang, we love them so much... even if I have to fold the same laundry 3 times because they help to unfold it. We love them even though they break into my kitchen cabinets and take everything out when I run to the bathroom. We love them even though it takes an additional 20 minutes of preparation to get out of the house. I guess you can say that we love those little girls. They are worth all the fuss and stress. Once they smile, or wave, or clap, or any little thing.... I know it's worth it.

Christmas Pictures 2013

Every year we take family photos with Santa Claus at a photographer's studio in downtown Toledo. This year was no different. Jeff and I remembered back to Elise's first Santa meeting and we recalled that it didn't go well. She was too scared of him to sit on his lap and had to take photos next to Santa instead. We were anxious to see how the twins did. They were interested in his beard and handsome suit. In the end, there were no tears. Cecilia was smiling and Hadley seemed a bit cautious of the bearded stranger.

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas...

My, oh my! I think life with twins, a preschooler and the holiday season has caught up with me because I feel busy, busy, busy. At least I have neglected my posts but I like to think I'm caught up with everything else. And yes, I still have the time to vacuum at least once a day!

I wait all year long for this time of the year. It's time for Christmas music and festivities! Granted I may have broken down once in July to listen to some Christmas music but now I can listen to Bing Crosby and not hide.

We started the holiday festivities with our annual Perrysburg Holiday Parade. The weather was crisp but the sun was shining. We met up with some friends and all their kids. I still love that Elise doesn't have much memory of last year (although the silly girl remembers a soap pump I had in the old house when she was 2!!!!) so everything is like a first! It's magical....

Elise, Eliza and Anna Hebeka

I wish we could have taped ourselves getting the girls dressed and in their stroller. It was an assembly line of clothes and blankets. Jeff and I were sweating by the time we wrestled them out the door.

All the kids lined up

Because I'm a bit of a dork for tradition, we had to put up our Christmas tree after the parade. We put the babies to bed, donned our pajamas, and blared the Christmas music. My sweet little Elise 'oohed and ahhed' over each ornament. I guess I was too.

And don't forget about our elf Jingle. He made his appearance on December 1st in our kitchen. Silly guy. I can't tell you how much time Elise spent that day staring at him. Yep, that's right Elise. He talks to Santa all the time!

And Cecilia and Hadley, Jingle can see you stealing the iPad off the table. You better stop teaming up and getting into trouble!

Hadley and Ceci 10.5 months

Last weekend, Elise and I went to a tea and gingerbread decorating event. After gobbling down chicken sandwiches and countless desserts (and tea too!), we headed over to the other side of the ballroom to claim our gingerbread house.

Self portrait

I can't begin to describe Elise's eyes! She was amazed by the rows and rows of candy. I thought we would work together on our house but instead I raced to decorate while Elise raced to consume as much candy a 4.5 year old can eat without getting sick. I never worked so fast!

.....a full mouth.

In the end, she got full and helped with the finishing touches. It was a work of art!

Then Santa made his appearance. What does Elise want this year? She told him she wanted 'fairies, a mom fairy (whatever that is!) and a jump rope'.

Later that day, we took the babies and had our family photo taken with Santa. Two Santas in one day. Busy guy! I'm still waiting on my Christmas cards so I'm not yet posting those photos. But I can share an attempt to photograph the dogs. It was a debacle. Gladys felt that staged photo taking warranted 'sad' ears. She must have thought she was in trouble. Demi was just disappointed that I work her up from a nap.