1/31/11

Bazooka

Polaroid Picture

Show off

Emma is showing off her sweet new skills.

Working from Home

Happy Birthday Uncle Mike!

Happy Friday!

Lester has left the building.

I'm happy to report that our friend Lester has left the building. Although, we have been told that Lester probably isn't alone, he could be with 200 of his closest friends. Needless to say, I will not be going up into the attic anytime soon.... and we will be having our attic inspected in the spring!

Only a Bubba!

On Monday, Amelia and Emma went to the doctor. They are currently weighing in at:

Amelia Jane: 11lbs 13 ounces

Emma Jane: 12lbs 1 ounce

With the difference being (for you non-math folks) 4 ounces. This is what the girls eat at one of their feedings, so technically Amelia is only a bubba away!

It wasn't a mouse.....

A few weeks ago, Derek and I were in the attic bringing down Christmas decorations. Now as you all know, the girls baptism dresses were made out of my wedding dress, so all that remains in the attic is the box and a few swatches of dress. I happen to look over and saw what appeared to be a dead mouse under the box cover (which is clear). I freaked out and called Derek upstairs to have a look at the mouse. Derek looked at it for a minute and solidly stated - that is not a mouse, it doesn't have a tail. I asked, not really wanting to know, what it was. His answer....a BAT. After trampling Derek over to get out of the attic, we quickly shut the door and have not opened the door again....until today.......

Today, it was time to put the Christmas decorations away. We had been dragging our feet putting things away, cause we really didn't want to deal with the bat. Today, Karen came down to help me put away the Christmas decorations. She had the day off, and what better way to spend the day than cleaning my house! I had warned her about the bat, and being a bit interested, she went up to the attic to check things out. She told me the bat was still there. We put rubber gloves on our list of things to get at the store later, so that we could safely remove him. We decided that it was safe to put away and started to bring things up. Karen was up in the attic and i was passing things to her from the stairs. At one point, she accidentally kicked the box top and thought to herself..oh I should tell Jen the bat isn't there anymore.. No sooner did she think that then the bat started moving.... The conversation went something like this..

Karen: "Um, the bat is not dead"

Jen: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN ITS NOT DEAD"

Karen: "It's crawling towards me"

Jen" WHAT DO YOU MEAN ITS CRAWLING TOWARDS YOU"

KAREN: "It's little legs are moving"

It was a flurry of screams and yelling, as we quickly made our way down the stairs..

I decided that the best thing to do was to call a bat exterminator. There was no way I was touching that thing! We called a service we found online. After describing the situation and asking for someone to call us back, we decided to venture back up into the attic, to see what was happening with the bat. Lucky you for, we documented our adventure...

6 Stars

Bad Charlotte

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Big Deal

Big Deal like our Daddy!

Sleepy Heads

Snow Day

Love to cuddle with my girls and watch the snow.

Dear Amelia and Emma,

In five short months you girls have nestled your way deep into our hearts, it occurred to me last night that I can't even remember what life was like without you. So many people say "Oh I could never have twins" but I always think that I could never not have twins. Yes, it's double the diapers and double the feedings but it's also double the smiles and double the giggles. And there are four feet to kiss. And two bellies to blow raspberries on. I don't know what life would be like with only one of you, we are so grateful to have you both in our lives.

Amelia,

My sweet baby girl. Always melting my heart with your smile. It amazes me that you can crack a smile even with all of your fingers in your mouth. You have a new accomplishment this month. You laugh! It is so adorable. I have to stop myself from laughing along with you so I can stop and savor every second. I don't ever want to forget it. You have continued to explore all the sounds you can make. Your dad and I love listening to all of your stories and even add some ooh's and ahh's of our own, which you really seem to like.

Another accomplishment this month is you have noticed your hands and feet. We find you staring for hours at them. Looking at one, then the other and back to the first. The excitement in your eyes is so innocent and pure that it really makes me slow down and appreciate all the small things. You have always had a passion for exploring the world around you and I can't wait to see what you will find next.

Emma,

My sweet and very serious baby girl. You make my heart happy because even though you are so serious most of the time, I still know how to make you crack a smile. You are a thinker just like your dad. You want to know how everything works. And even though you don't smile all the time, doesn't mean that you aren't a happy baby. You just make us work a little harder at getting the smiles and giggles. But when you give them, you have a smile from ear to ear and a giggle that goes on forever. I could listen for hours and hours, soaking it all in.

Another accomplishment that you've mastered this month is holding up your head. I am so amazed at how strong you are. You love to sit in our laps and look at the world around you. Up, down, left and right. You want to see it all! Even during tummy time, you don't want to put your head on the mat. It is so adorable to watch you learn the world from this new angle. I can't help but think... if this view is exciting to see I can only imagine what it will be like when you are standing!

Girls,

This month has been a great one, and definitely one I will never forget. You've noticed each other. I love watching as you both look at one another, smile at one another and reach out for one another. I know this is just the beginning of a friendship that will last a lifetime. I truly cannot wait to see you both grow up together. I whisper to each of you "See your sister, she's going to be there for you always and be your best friend forever". You are both so lucky to have each other and I know it's only days before you realize this too.

It is incredible to me how quickly you've grown over the last five months. It really does go by so fast. You are little people now with your own personalities and voices. I'm not sure if this is even possible, but each month is better than the month before. I can't wait to see what January brings!

Love,

Mom

Happy New Year!

We spent a fun New Years Eve at my parents house with Karen, Joe and Maureen. Derek was excited to bring a new game he got for Christmas, Dicecapades. Let's just say the night had many hilarious moments, one of my favorites was when Derek and Maureen arm wrestled! Derek won, but it was close... and if he wasn't cheating it might have gone the other way. (the photo captures derek's illegal left hand)

Toy Story

When I was the girls age my parents took a picture of the aftermath of Christmas morning. In their picture I am laying on the floor with all of the presents around me, you barely notice me. I wanted to reenact that picture... it would have been really cool if I could find it, but I couldn't so you'll have to use your imaginations.

Christmas Wrap Up

We celebrated the holidays with lots of family and friends. We are so fortunate to have such amazing people in our lives. Thank you so much for all of the memories.

Christmas Cuties!

Girls posing with their loot.

"Hey where's my stocking?"

Amelia loves that thumb, best present ever... and there's two of them!

Emma wants to know why does Amelia get two thumbs...

Llama Llama's have taken over!

Christmas Morning

Every Christmas morning Derek and I have celebrated together has always started with an Easter egg hunt for Penne and Charlotte. This year was no exception. Random, yes. But they love it!

Then onto the presents:

Derek got each of the girls a special gift for their first Christmas. He included a letter with each. He wrote about his love for mathematics and how he hopes to use his gift with them as they grow up.

And, he signed the letters:

"I love you more than anyone could ever count!"

Christmas Eve

Our Family

(if you look close you can see spit up coming out of Amelia's mouth)

Amelia calling "dibs"

Posing with their Bumbo's, an early Christmas present!

9 stockings waiting for Santa

2 new ones this year!

Drum Roll....

The baby on the left of the Christmas card is.... Amelia!

Congrats to all who guessed right. When we were taking this picture, the photographer had two head bands but they didn't match. I decided that since Amelia seems sweet and innocent that she should be in pink and Emma seems to be the diva so she needed to be in black and red.