My Little Fish

When Craig and I bought our house last summer we also became "pool people." Pool people are people who spend way too much time, energy and money desperately trying to keep the water in their backyard clean and sparkly. Well our pool had some added fun as the previous owners had not covered or used the pool in years. Craig tried desperately to get the pool ready before the girls' birthday party. It's about 98% there. The water is clean and safe for swimming but it still isn't perfect.

The girls were able to go swimming at their party which was a good thing since it was so hot. I expected tears but they LOVED it.

Goodbye Baby Mush

It astounds me how quickly things change when it comes to the girls. About six weeks ago when we went to the pediatrician we were talking about table foods. I was concerned because the girls were very sensitive with the different food textures. Anything with chunks would make them gag. Well apparently they have grown out of that We're having a hard time going through all the frozen pureed baby food I've made because feeding themselves has become so fascinating. I'm actually impressed with the amount that makes it into their mouths. Since their first birthday has passed the Dr. has given her ok for them to eat nearly anything. This has made dinner lots of fun they can/will finally eat whatever Craig and I are having. Currently chicken and peas are big favorites.

It may be fun but it is generally a lot messier too. Our floors seem to have a constant coating of random foods and as much as I sweep I still step on Cheerios almost ever day.

Georgia also seems to end up with a nice coating of whatever she's eating... She loves to run her sticky fingers through her hair. I think this was a mixture of pureed sweet potatoes and food she was feeding herself.

I mentioned before that I am really excited to get rid of formula and bottles. The Dr. wants the girls to continue with the formula until about August/September depending on their growth. At that time we will be switching them to whole milk. She did encourage us to continue transitioning the girls away from bottles to cups or sippy cups. So about a month ago we started giving them formula in a cup with meals. They are doing so well. They take about 1/2 a bottle in the morning, and a full one in the afternoon. Usually they take the rest of their formula from a cup.

Someone made a snarky comment to me recently as the girls were drinking and spilling a little that "that little girl needs a sippy cup..." Well I ignored her but to anyone else wondering why I torture myself with spills and messes, I personally don't like sippy cups. There has been lots of recent research linking sippy cups to speech impairments, tooth decay, etc. Don't get me wrong they seem to be super convenient and of course eliminate a lot of mess so yes I know we're not taking the easy road on this one but the girls do great with a cup and whether it's now or later they're going to need to learn how to drink from one and I'm sure whenever the time they will spill a little.

Bath Time!

We are currently loving bath time around here. The girls are instantly happy and entertained by the water. Lots of splashing and giggles. We can usually keep them both happy and occupied for atl least 20-30 min. which is as long as you can do anything when you're 1. Our only problem is Georgia is constantly trying to drink the bath water and coming up with a mouth full of bubbles.

Madelyn

Georgia

Happy Father's Day!

I am so lucky to have such great men in my life. My dad is of course my go to handy man. We have lots of discussions that begin with "do you think you could build..." and of course he says yes. He is also without a doubt who I turn to when I need to have a good deep discussion. Craig doesn't put up with hypothetical situations or my ranting for very long. He is such a wonderful man, father and grandfather. We took my dad out to dinner tonight and he shared some fun times with Madelyn. Lots of cute photo ops, unfortunately I left my camera at home. :(

I can't thank my handy men without thanking my father in law.  I owe a lot of our house remodel to him, both his physical labor and his teaching Craig how to do and fix. Since his sons have gotten married he's getting used to having more girls around... and trying to get used to hugs, apparently before we came along he just shook his sons' hands. :) Now he's getting used to having babies around. He is such a proud Grandpa and we are lucky to have him. We were also lucky enough to see Craig's Dad this weekend and share lots of great moments of fun and conversation. Again... I'm having some issues remembering the camera.

Finally, thank you Craig.  I don't think I could have imagined a better father if I designed one myself. He is my rock and partner in every way. He was there at 3am when the girls both needed to eat and I needed to pump even if he did have to get up and go to work in 4 hours. Amazing. He makes the girls laugh and smile when I have given in. He not only sniffs out the smelly diapers but also changes them without even attempting to pass the stinky baby off to me. Remarkably I have only seen him gag once :) I think the most impressive part of all this is that I feel he genuinely loves every moment of it. He loves his little girls and they love him right back! 

Craig might kill me for including this picture but I just can't help it. It's one of my favorite candid shots.

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers out there.

Party Time!

The girls have been celebrating their birthday a lot. A couple of weeks ago Craig's family threw them a great party on the east side of the state. We shared the day with lots of family and friends. I'll be sure to update with more pictures soon.

The girls loved their cakes! Talk about a sugar rush.

Last weekend we had a birthday party here for the girls. We had a BBQ, swimming, cake and lots of fun in the sun. It was so great to catch up with friends and family while focusing on where the past year has taken us. I was so busy running around with food and entertaining babies that this was the only picture I managed to take, after the party...

Madelyn fell asleep about halfway through her bottle. I think the rest of us felt exactly the same way. Hopefully some of the grandparents I saw snapping pictures will get them to me. Look for more party pics to come soon.


Our girls are so blessed and spoiled but I feel even more spoiled to have them in my life. Thank you everyone for helping us celebrate and spoiling our little girls! Look at the girls surrounded by their loot. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Johnson Family

As most of you know, growing up I was very involved in dance. Naturally my dance teacher Danielle, because she was young and fun became a close friend. So when I was a teenage girl and she had her first baby Sage I was instantly amazed. She was adorable and I loved to entertain her. We spent lots of time together traveling to dance competitions together and playing at the studio. As a result I have lots of fond memories of her as a baby/toddler and  I have more than a couple embarassing stories stored away for future graduations, weddings, etc.

I was equally impressed and in love when Danielle had her second little girl Myra.

When I graduated and moved to Detroit to go to Wayne State I tried to stay in touch but things naturally changed. I didn't see Danielle or the girls as much and have always missed them.  We got together for sleepovers every once in a while and talked on the phone lots. The girls were in our wedding and made the cutest flower girls.

They stayed busy with dance and Craig and I moved again and time just kept moving. Well, recently this weird phenomenon has occurred. They are no longer babies... freaky. They are growing into beautiful young ladies. While I was watching Danielle's babies learn to walk and talk and grow I don't think I ever imagined they would one day be holding and feeding MY babies!

On a funny little sidenote Georgia spit up all over Myra about 30 seconds after this photo. :)

I'm glad they also got some good use out of the bumbo chairs... People have asked me "how long will the girls be able to sit in those..." I guess until they are about 8?

On a not so fun note Sage has recently been having some medical issues. Sage had been suffering from horrible headaches for weeks. An MRI revealed a tumor in her brain had been causing the headaches. She had it removed at Children's Hospital in Detroit about two weeks ago. As anyone can imagine though reovering from brain surgery is no small feat and not any fun. She is such a strong little girl, I am so impressed. We shared hospital stories and war wounds last week and girl you have me beat. :) Stay strong and remember we love you!

Hello Summer!

I feel like winter lasted forever this past year. Between the bed rest/NICU last summer and the preemie induced cabin fever this winter we have been ready for an excuse to get out and enjoy the sunshine. The kite festival in Grand Haven a few weeks ago turned out to be a perfect early summer day. Craig and I were both eager to kick our shoes off and wander along the beach.

We felt the sand on our toes while we watched all the kites fly along the beach. We took the girls down to the water and Madelyn was instantly mesmerized by the crashing waves. Georgia on the other hand was not impressed. She also did not appreciate the feeling of cold wet toes as a wave rolled in a little too close.

Craig's parents have a summer place at Sandy Pines in the area and were out that weekend so they came along for the fun.

We love Grand Haven and I anticipate a return trip to the Kite Festival when the girls are old enough to fly their own kites.