Cutie Kewpies

Do any of you remember Kewpie dolls? Apparently, they date back to the early 1900's! I think they're adorable. A few weeks ago, my Mom went to visit my dear Grandma & she brought the girls home presents she made for her "Babes". My NINETY year old Grandma crocheted their adorable outfits without even a pattern. She put so much love & hard work into them & they mean to world to me. Eventually the girls will be able to appreciate this as well, but for now, they just want to tear off their hats & shoes & chew on their heads! haha

I had a fabulous birthday week! I was spoiled as always by my friends & family and feel so blessed every day for the people in my life. Plus, a big group of went to to see a Neil Diamond cover band on my bro's b-day & we had a blast. I love being a day apart (+ 364) from my brother. It's so special. Here's a pic us.

We also had our Family Reunion last Saturday & it was so fun. I'm so grateful to my cousin Mike for hosting this great event each year. Here's most of us.

Here's a couple other funny pics. I couldn't find Siena & it was far too quiet. This is where I found her- in my closet. (Don't judge me by our messy closet. haha)

Sara saw a zucchini on the counter & kept pointing to it. I'd cooked them for her before but she didn't like it. I gave it to her anyway & she walked around the house chomping on it raw. Too cute.

Getting Into EVERYTHING....including the doggie door

So, they're always following me around & whenever I go into the garage, they get upset. Well, they finally figured out how to get out there. I had to take pics. (Just because these pics are of Siena doesn't mean that Sara wasn't in on the action too! lol)

Also, I have to post this video. The girls were suppose to be napping the other day but here is what went on instead. They're too funny.

Use this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oqUC8Hxmdg

15 Months & Warming My Heart!

I really can't believe my girls are already 15 months. When I go to bed at night, I sneak in to peak at them & they look sooo big in their cribs. A little part of me is sad that they're growing up so fast, but then they do something that makes me so happy they're becoming little ladies. My favorite moment as of yet happened yesterday. Siena was sitting on the kitchen floor & started crying. Sara walked over to her, kneeled down, put her hand on Siena's cheek & kissed her on the mouth. Siena kissed her back & stopped crying. I couldn't even believe what I had just seen. I scooped them both up & smooched them all over. I can't wait to witness many more moments like that......

So, we're having a great summer! For one, Siena had her 2nd follow-up with CHOC & was seen again by a team of Dr's/Therapists. She is still a little behind in motor skills but did great with the speech & occupational therapists. (This kind of surprised me since she's still not using many words, but somehow they could tell she was on the right track.) She's now 22.3 lbs & is 2 feet 6 inches tall!!! :-0 She's as smiley as ever, but her little temper tantrums are not as cute. She's also started to bite (much to her sister's dismay), but I don't think she's really doing it to be mean. Not every time anyway. She also babbles A LOT! She says Dee Dee for doggy & a lot of other things it seems. Today she saw our turtle outside & got all excited yelling "Dee Dee! Dee Dee!" She also has been saying a lot of "Uh oh's". I love her blabbering. She has the cutest little voice. She's also still a big Daddy's Girl. Every time she notices a picture of him, she yells "Da-ddy!" I love when he walks thru the front door at night & she runs to him with that big open mouth smile. Another heart warmer. Here's an adorable pic of my once little Peanut. The face is too cute but the belly is great too! hee hee

And another one.

Sara is still a big Mama's Girl. She'll be perfectly content with Jeff when I'm not around, but the second she hears the door, she's runnin to me! It's so sweet. I hope that never changes (although I'm fully prepared that it easily could). She now says "Ma" a lot for "more" & does a lot of grunting & exasperated whines. She's really trying to communicate but I can't understand most of what's she's trying to say. She also likes to back herself into my lap & has to sit in a certain position on my leg. And lately, she's been loving dancing. Really it's me holding her while I dance, but she loves it. Siena also wants to join in, but every time I try to hold both & dance, I can't last more than a min. That's about 44 lbs. of extra weight!!!! So,whomever has to wait their turn turns into a puddle of tears. So much for fun! Here's Sara once again trying to make me laugh. She's kept putting her "Lamb-y" on her head as a hat.

Another one of Sara over at Grandma & Grandpa's

I'm also realizing how much they understand now. When I say we're gonna go to the store but we have to put their shoes on 1st, they run over to me & sit down & put their feet up. Then, they take off for the garage door, ready to go. Also, when I'm looking for something & ask Sara where it is, she puts her hands up in the air like "Where is it?" They also show us they're being sweet by tilting their head & laying it on you or the couch and we say "Ahhhhh....." My other favorite thing lately is them both trying to make us laugh by doing headstands. One will do it & hear us laugh & the other will join in. Here's a pic I caught:

Here's a couple of them together, which has been so hard to get lately.

Fun in the pool

At Aunt Cherie & Uncle Keith's. We went back for Jeff's 20th reunion. Depsite being nervous not knowing anyone, I had the best time. I was so proud to be on my hubby's arm. Everyone said the nicest things about him & were so happy to see him. Do we look like we graduated 20 years ago???

Hope you're all having a GREAT summer!!! Xoxo

I've Been a Bad Bloggin Mommy!

Sometimes I'm just not in the bloggin mood. So, now that I'm soooo far behind, I'll just update what we've been up to with pics & a video. But 1st I have to say welcome to 2 new sweet baby girls that were born in the past month. My dear friends Heidi & K.T., congrats to both of you!! XOXO

Kyrstyn & I bravely took the girls to Legoland. It was fun!

BBQ with Jeff's college friends (& now mine.) 7 kids 3 & under! :-0

Father's Day with my 1st true love. I love you Dad!

Sara not too thrilled with picture time.

SS, KC & I in Santa Ynez. So much fun! (You don't have Google? hee hee)

Sara- now with 11 teeth!

Siena's hair is getting sooo long. Love her in her pigtails.

My nephew Jake announcing a Little League game. So proud of him!

I feel like Siena looks sooo big & grown up in this pic. :-(

Cutie Sara

4th of July party @ Mom & Dad's. Just the 6 of us but so much fun!

Sara's quite the little entertainer. She kept climbing into the rocker & then would "fall off". She did it over & over & loved us watching her & laughing. Here's a short video.

"I'm Gonna Get You!"

Here's a funny video of the girls being silly. I love watching their little personalities emerge. XOXO Having trouble downloading, so use this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWTHeFJFGoE (Please ignore my annoying repetition. lol)

Also, I can't believe I never blogged re: Mother's Day. My 2nd one was very special. I had a nice night at the spa with my dear friend Janet & then on Sat we celebrated at Grandma & Grandpa's w/ a great dinner, margies & cards. I love my girls!!

I'm so sad we didn't get a picture of Mom & I also. :-(

I also wanna say how much I appreciate our troops today on Memorial Day & always.

3 Years Cancer Free!!!

I can't believe it's been that long since my surgery. I was thinking yesterday what a blessing it was after all that I had 3 years of fertility problems. For one, that's how I found out I had cancer. And two, if I hadn't, I wouldn't have these 2 beautiful miracle babies. I had a really good appt. with my Endocrinologist a couple weeks ago. He said the more ultrasounds & blood tests he does, the less worried he is. (I guess he's been so concerned about it returning is because my tumor was really large.) And since everything looked so good, I don't have to do the dreaded diet/body scan til October! :-)

What a blessing it is to have twins. They're getting more & more fun everyday. Sara loves trying to make us laugh. Despite us thinking she was Serious Sara, she's a riot! She'll throw herself on the ground & roll over, then look to make sure you're watching & laughing. She's also walking about 75% of the time & is so proud of herself. Siena loves to giggle & play. She's always squeeling & wanting to climb all over you. Despite a lot of teaching & reading, neither of them are saying more than 2 words & I'm really looking forward for them to be able to articulate what they want/need cuz there's a lot whining! (Trust me, I know the whining won't stop entirely once they can talk. Ask Jeff- I still whine! haha)

We did something different last week. My Mom took Siena for the day while I just had Sara so we could both have one-on-one time. I thought it would be really weird & uncomfortable but I have to say- it was great & so much easier with only 1 baby. lol I didn't have to bring a stroller shopping- just popped her in the cart or carried her. We had such a special day together. Next time, we'll switch & I'll have Siena. :-)

I'm very excited for my parents. They leave this Friday for 3 weeks in Ireland & Scotland!! Having been to both, I know they're gonna have the time of their lives. :-)

Here's a funny video of Sara & Grandma from last week & some pics.

Smiley Siena

Her hair is getting sooo long- I've been having fun with it.

Jeff (aka Mr. Starbucks) cracked up at this pic of Sara. (It was empty, of course.)

Sara showing off how well she can walk.

My big girls don't need everything cut up bite-sized anymore! (Thank Goodness cuz I'm still making a lot of their food!!)

"You Say it's Your Birthday.. It's my Birthday too!"

Fortunately, the girls didn't know it was their birthday cuz we were all sick all week. Not surprising I caught Siena's cold- I've been going zero to nothing the past month. Sara also got it & I have to admit, it was one of the hardest weeks in the past year. Fortunately, Jeff escaped it. We layed low most of the week, but did have a casual lunch with Grandma & Grandpa & Uncle Scott on their actual birthday. Here's a couple pics:

Me & my girls

Sadly, Jeff had to work but here's some of the fam

So, the girls had their 1 yr Dr. appt. & we couldn't wait to see how much they weighed. (Isn't it funny how parents get so excited for that?!) It seems they've gotten so much bigger since their last appt at 9 months. I thought they'd be around 23-25 lbs. I way over-estimated. Forgot to factor in that once they started crawling, they burn more calories. But it is getting much harder for me to carry them both! Here are their stats & what they're currently doing at 1 yr. old:

Siena Maria:

• Easy to smile (typically cute, wide open mouth smiles)

• Giggles for no known reason

• Unfortunately, a whiner

• Daddy's girl. The second he walks in the door @ night, he's not allowed to leave her side or she's hysterical

• Claps her hands & starting to wave Hi & Bye

• Taking about 3-4 steps at a time

• Loves to blow raspberries

• Says "Dada" a lot (not necessarily to Dad), also "Ahhhh" & "Di Di Di Di Di", "Dat"

• Throws the occasional tantrum already. She throws herslf on the ground, arms & legs out, rolls & screams. It's pretty funny. Sometimes....

• Not as good a sleeper as her sister but sleeps about 11 hrs. a night. :-) Nap anywhere from 1-3 hrs.

• Her eyes sparkle- everyone comments on them

• Watching her eat is a treat. She shovels it in & is super messy. We call her "The Machine". She gets food in her ears, hair, eyelashes, up to her elbows, lots hidden in her neck, etc...

• She has 7 teeth. 3 on top, 4 on the bottom

• Sticks everything in her mouth

• Her nicknames: Monkey, Smiley Siena, Suckerfish, Puss, Barky, Chunky Monk, Animal, Porkchop

• Weight- 21 lbs. 2 oz. - in the 55th percentile

• Length- 28.75" - in the 48th percentile

Smiley Siena

Example of Siena post-lunch.

Sara Nicole

*Not as easy to smile, but when she does? Adorable.

*Definite Mama's Girl. She's been attached to my side for over a month. (Unless Grandma's around & she'll sometimes want her over me.) She balls

*Also loves to blow raspberries & clap her hands

*Very curious. I say Nosy. This girl wants into everything!!

*Puts most everything in her mouth

*An observer- she checks everyone out, especially staring down strangers

*Typically doesn't play with toys/books, she dumps/throws them

*Has 8 teeth. 4 on top, 4 on the bottom

*Very impatient (I have no idea where she got this from.)

*Says "Dat" as in What is that? & points, "Ay Yah"- no clue, "Dada"just babbling

*Picks out each particular bite of food at a time

*Needs Baby Rogaine- hee hee

*Takes 6-10 steps at a time

*Still has a very loud cry

*Really good sleeper. Sleeps 11+ hrs. a night & good napper. If it wasn't for her noisy neighbor, I'm sure she'd sleep a lot more

*Nicknames- Red, Brutus, Nosey, Abs of Steel, Busy, Serious Sara, Snicklefritz

*Weight- 20 lbs. 12 oz. - 49thpercentile

*Height- 29.5 inches - 73rd percentile

Likes making me laugh by tilting her head to the side & smiling

My Sweet Sara