We love summer around here! The weather is so beautiful and these summer nights are so pleasant. The girls have loved taking walks again and playing at the park. We've had lots of fun summer outings as well. Here's what we've been up to the last little while:
We've also spent lots of time dressing up like ballerinas, princesses or basically anything you can imagine. Maddie and Bella have quite the imaginations. They are really into "collecting" things these days. They find little bags or baskets or whatever and gather stuff from all over the house. It makes a huge mess and drives us crazy but they sure love it.
We FINALLY got rid of the pacifiers a few weeks ago. Yes- it really happened and you may be shocked that they had them for so long. They are nearly three! They were so attached though and they slept so good and actually asked to go to bed and take naps basically because they wanted their pacifiers. The Pacifier Fairy made a visit and took the Paci's away. The girls did pretty good at first but then we've had a really rough few weeks with them waking up all the time just crying and so sad. We have vowed not to let this happen with any of our other kids! I initially wanted to hang on to them because I didn't want to lose their naps, but the past while they are starting to grow out of naps anyway. Somedays they really need them but if they take a nap they are up till 11pm! They still take them every other day or so but I think by the fall they'll be done. Maddie and Bella have always been such good nappers and I'm so grateful. I think it was partially due to the fact that I've always been a little fanatical about their sleep schedule. Good sleep is the way we all survive though. (Love that Dr. Weisbluth! Every parent needs to read Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Baby!)
Anyway, our other milestone is potty training. My girls really are growing up! It has been quite the process and we definitely aren't there yet, but they are certainly making progress. It is amazing how much patience the potty training takes. I was hoping that by waiting so long they'd pick it up really quick but they are stubborn little girls and it is taking lots of bribery, accidents, and PATIENCE!
They'll be starting preschool in the fall and I think it is really hitting me how big they are getting. Then we'll have all sorts of crying, tantrums, fighting, etc and I will remember that they are still very little! We've had a rough month to be honest. I think the pacifiers set them off, but we are getting through! They have been more defiant and are throwing tantrums and crying about every little thing. They are total girls- completely petrified of any sort of bug (including ants) and any tiny little scrape or bruise sends them into hysterics for a good hour (wonder where they get those things from :) Certainly not their mom.) My job as their mom has really only begun and there are days that I feel really inadequate. After a rough day it usually just takes a couple hours after they are asleep for me to remember how much I love being home with them all day and how grateful I am that I can be. I love being their mom. They are such beautiful and wonderful little girls. It scares me to think of what they'll be faced with as they grow up, but I know they have so much potential. They are so creative and imaginative and they are best friends. I'm so grateful they have each other and LOVE having twins. What a blessing. This is how we found them the other night- asleep together in Maddie's bed... We really do adore these girls.
-Cleveland zoo. The camel was the favorite. Not sure why- they are such a strange creature aren't they? No pictures I'm afraid.
-Strawberry Picking at Patterson's farm. The girls were in heaven. They love to watch the part of Sleeping Beauty where she goes out to pick berries and meets the prince. The whole time they were pretending they were her out picking their berries. They were yummy little strawberries too and the girls downed them.
-Maeva's 3rd birthday. Maeva is one of the girls' friends from Kirksville and they only live about an hour away from us. We loved going to her party and it was picture perfect from the PINK cake and icecream cones to the balloons to the homemade tutus melissa did for all the girls. Thanks Melissa and Maeva! What a blast.
-Multiple trips to the Shaker Heights swimming pool. We have decided to make this an entire family outing from now on though. I took the three kids by myself last week and we lasted about 15 minutes before Bella fell in the toddler pool and scraped her knees. She was hysterical and wouldn't calm down. I was the embarassed mother who got lots of looks as I carried out my little crew of 3 sad, screaming children.
-Tuesday morning story and craft time at the library. We have gone to this all year and it is a highlight of the girls' week. They love listening to Mrs. Maureen read stories, sing songs, and making something fun. We also love the play and learn center at the library. We have LOVED having a big, wonderful library just down the street. I think we've been nearly every week since we moved here.
We've also spent lots of time dressing up like ballerinas, princesses or basically anything you can imagine. Maddie and Bella have quite the imaginations. They are really into "collecting" things these days. They find little bags or baskets or whatever and gather stuff from all over the house. It makes a huge mess and drives us crazy but they sure love it.
We FINALLY got rid of the pacifiers a few weeks ago. Yes- it really happened and you may be shocked that they had them for so long. They are nearly three! They were so attached though and they slept so good and actually asked to go to bed and take naps basically because they wanted their pacifiers. The Pacifier Fairy made a visit and took the Paci's away. The girls did pretty good at first but then we've had a really rough few weeks with them waking up all the time just crying and so sad. We have vowed not to let this happen with any of our other kids! I initially wanted to hang on to them because I didn't want to lose their naps, but the past while they are starting to grow out of naps anyway. Somedays they really need them but if they take a nap they are up till 11pm! They still take them every other day or so but I think by the fall they'll be done. Maddie and Bella have always been such good nappers and I'm so grateful. I think it was partially due to the fact that I've always been a little fanatical about their sleep schedule. Good sleep is the way we all survive though. (Love that Dr. Weisbluth! Every parent needs to read Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Baby!)
Anyway, our other milestone is potty training. My girls really are growing up! It has been quite the process and we definitely aren't there yet, but they are certainly making progress. It is amazing how much patience the potty training takes. I was hoping that by waiting so long they'd pick it up really quick but they are stubborn little girls and it is taking lots of bribery, accidents, and PATIENCE!
They'll be starting preschool in the fall and I think it is really hitting me how big they are getting. Then we'll have all sorts of crying, tantrums, fighting, etc and I will remember that they are still very little! We've had a rough month to be honest. I think the pacifiers set them off, but we are getting through! They have been more defiant and are throwing tantrums and crying about every little thing. They are total girls- completely petrified of any sort of bug (including ants) and any tiny little scrape or bruise sends them into hysterics for a good hour (wonder where they get those things from :) Certainly not their mom.) My job as their mom has really only begun and there are days that I feel really inadequate. After a rough day it usually just takes a couple hours after they are asleep for me to remember how much I love being home with them all day and how grateful I am that I can be. I love being their mom. They are such beautiful and wonderful little girls. It scares me to think of what they'll be faced with as they grow up, but I know they have so much potential. They are so creative and imaginative and they are best friends. I'm so grateful they have each other and LOVE having twins. What a blessing. This is how we found them the other night- asleep together in Maddie's bed... We really do adore these girls.
Little Nathan has been the sweetest, happiest little guy we could have asked for. Definitely a jolly giant. :) He has his dad and me already wrapped around his finger. He gives us the best smiles and giggles. He's 3 1/2 months already. He really has been the calming presence we've needed. We just kiss those cheeks all day long.
Scott has been busy busy studying for boards. He takes it next thursday so say prayers for him! He's had a lot of stress the past little while and I'm so proud of him for getting through it all and still being a wonderful husband and daddy. We all love him. The kids and I are getting ready for an extended visit to Utah in a couple weeks. We can't wait to see our families and have lots of time at "home" but I'm also dreading being without Scott for so long. We'll miss him terribly!
Wow, that turned into a really long post! If you are still reading at this point I'm amazed. I hadn't blogged in a while and guess it just all came out! Love to all our family and friends from Cleveland and whoever is in Utah we'd love to see you while we are there.
3 comments:
Katie! I read the whole thing- every word. I think you are a great example of a Christ-like mom, and I hope you'll share more of your motherly wisdom when I'm there. Your kids are adorable! I wish I could be closer and come on a play date with you.
loved the update! Cute 4th pics. love you guys and can't wait to see you!!!!
Thanks for the update---I think about you guys all the time and still don't know how you manage...... o'wait I do, YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!
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