Summertime in the City

One of my favorite things last summer was taking the twins on walks. We all loved it, BUT it seems like last summer was a lot cooler as well. We have not been out as much in our stroller this year, but the times we have, have been great. Oh how this view has changed in a year!

And OH how the fighting has begun between these two. If one baby is interested in something (a toy, bottle, parent, etc...) it gets the other one's attention and.....the fight begins! And yes, you heard me right, we are still on the bottle. I have taken it away except for one in the morning and one at night. Henley just loves that bottle -- I know I need to give it up, but it might be next week's battle.

This was just bothering for the sake of bothering. Davis LOVES to get a handful of Henley's hair and PULL, HARD! It is just not fair -- a) because he is bigger and b) because it HURTS! We have tried pulling his hair after he pulls hers and he's starting to get it, but wow these two are so different.

Oh but look at those faces! They are so fun and watching those different personalities grow together is something special. Even though we struggle with having two, I also can't imagine not having either one. They are dear souls....dear, but so different.

This is Davis waiting on some waffles. I love being able to relax and eat breakfast with them. It's so nice not to be putting on makeup, packing lunches all while throwing b'fast down their throats. ahhhh, summer.

Henley is always very intense when watching her "stories." The girl will stop in her tracks for an episode of Backyardagains. We try and limit her story intake some days, but the girl just lives for it. Maybe she'll have a great attention span? I know better, but what do you do?

We had our annual summer trip to my friend Kelli's house/pool. I have learned we need an outing everyday and this was a good one! It wore them out. Of course, we also wore Kelli out but she was a good sport. Have I mentioned how HOT it is this summer? Please ignore the sweat sheen only 5 min out of the pool. Ridiculous!

We have a few more trips on the horizon before the dreaded month of August. Boooo! But no need to think about that now....Summer is HERE!

School's out for SUMMER

You know that feeling you got when it was the last day of school. How do you explain it? It's just the best feeling ever....freedom. Well, being a teacher allows me to have that feeling every year....still. It. Is. Awesome. This year was no different and I hit the ground running. Billy and I packed up and went to the beach with friends for Memorial Day. The babies stayed with his parents in Dothan. We had a blast! Then we came back only to turn around and head back to the beach with my family for an entire week. It has been such a much needed let down after a long school year. Here are some pictures from our week with the family.

We had a private pool with a "zero entry." As you can see it was great for the babies to play. Of course, it is still a challenge with 2 babies, but the pool was great.
I don't know if we were crazy or really smart, but we scheduled a photographer to come take some pictures of the family. It was REALLY hard to get everyone together and half-way happy. After it was over, Ashley had the quote of the trip -- "I feel like I need to go to the hospital." Needless to say, we didn't think we got any good shots. But, the next day, to our surprise the photographer sent us proofs that turned out great! We also took some shots with our camera during the shoot and I got a great one of Davis and then one below of Mom and Dad. We'll just say, Henley does NOT like sand, that or either photoshoots?

Mom and Dad and two good-looking 61 year olds!

Henley was only happy being held on the beach. No sand for her this trip. Maybe next year and thank God for the pool!

When good times go bad

Big news to report this week: Davis is walking! I can't believe it's already here. He is VERY proud of himself! Henley is still a little far away from walking...she is pulling up and I think seeing Davis moving is making her "exercise" a little more. He is inspiring her!

They have a very fun new game that utilizes both of their skills: Davis's walking and Henley's sitting. He loves to push her around in the wagon and she loves to ride...

They are really beginning to play together and it's precious. Of course, Davis is a wee bit bigger and stronger and sometimes it doesn't turn out so good.

This is documentation of the bullying. Look closely and you can see Davis start to grab some hair....and PULL, HARD!

and this is when good times go bad...Oh well, it's fun for a little while!

Happy Mother's Day

Since I have no recollection of last year's mother's day...I'm really not kidding, no idea what I did or how we celebrated. This year was really special because I felt like it was my first Mother's day as a mother. We drove to Gadsden and spent the day with my whole family, always a fun time! This was even better because the weather was beautiful and we decided to utilize Mom and Dad's backyard. It was just a really nice day....

Henley's bangs have gotten so long now, she requires a small bow to hold them back. Of course, you can only imagine the battle to keep it in all day.

Nonni and Henley

I just have to recognize the cutest outfits in the whole world! Compliments of Nonni... Excuse Henley's pants not being on, but I just had to show the backs of these outfits. Just too cute!

Baptism & Birthday

The more I think about it, the more perfect it was. We decided to combine the babies' 1st birthday and their baptism all in one. It was an emotional day on so many levels. My babies turned 1 year old! That in itself is emotional, but also we officially "gave" them back to the Lord. This was full circle for me because during my struggle with infertility, I promised God over and over that whatever baby he gave me, I would do my best to raise it in Him. I felt like the baptism was a symbol of giving a little back and recognizing how much we have been given and how very blessed we feel.

Of course, the day couldn't start out without a little drama from Henley. You would have thought we were sticking her with needles when we put her dress on her. Typical for the girl!

Davis was a champ about it. Nothing much bothers to boy. He was, of course, very interested in the service and what was happening to him. Just wants to figure it ALL out.

These pictures don't have to best backgrounds. Our church does not have a building yet and we meet in a high school for the time being. Anyway, I included the pic below to show off Henley's dress. It doesn't do it justice by any means. Mom made both dresses. Of course, the boy's dress was old hat since she has made 3 for the boys before Davis. But Henley's was another story. She, of course out did herself. The dress is just amazing and I was so proud to have such pieces of artwork on the babies. It was special... I think that became the theme of the day.

Here's our proud family after the service. We feel so very blessed to have been given these children.

Dad and Davis

Nonni trying to keep Henley occupied during the service

After the service, my entire family and Billy's family met at Wilson's house. It was so special to have everyone together to celebrate.

Billy's mom and dad with the twins...

Mr. and Miss Personality

We celebrated the babies' baptism and birthday yesterday and I have a big post coming up, but in the meantime I wanted to show you these little personalities that are developing. Davis is bananas! He is fast and everywhere at anytime. He prefers to be doing anything he's not supposed to be doing. Our house is nearly empty because of this little monster. Everything has been put up or moved to Gadsden.

Davis is a doll though and a boy in every way, he makes us laugh. He's in love with older kids...just like we've always said, he just wants to be 6 yrs old!
Henley is such a girl! She loves chicken salad, potato salad, egg salad and pink lemonade to wash it down. She will sit and read her books, hum to herself or watch her backyardagains as if she's never seen it before. For the most part she is quiet until Davis gets too rough. She is easily "hurt." When she meets anyone new, they always comment about how solemn she is -- well, I have news, she's not! She is just very picky about who she is going to show her true colors to....

This is Henley in the morning -- apparently I was extremely funny with the camera or she was just wanting to show off all those teeth. It just doesn't get any funnier than this child.


She throws her head back, closes her eyes, scrunches her nose and smiles with those chubby cheeks. It is quite a process and just makes our day when she decides to show off.

I have been a little sad about the upcoming milestone -- 1 yr old this Wednesday. I no longer have babies, but we are so full of love and laughter these days, I can't wish for it to be any other way. see you soon....

Spring Break '10

Oh my goodness, it's been such a great week at home. I decided this spring break to not plan anything and just breathe! I've been at home this week just being a mom and I've LOVED every minute. It certainly is a little taste of summer and if it's any indication, it should be a great one with these little ones.

We have played, crawled and watched the cars go by. Currently trying to get back on a schedule and trying to eat with our hands. Of course, my two cruise right by the vegetables on the plate, but love to pick up the puffs and goldfish and eat those with no problem. They got the cutest toy for Christmas and they love it now. "5 little monkeys" Henley even knows how to make the monkeys "jump"

This is what the kitchen looks like now. Usually happens a few times a day. We go in there for a change of scernery and they love to get into anything they can reach. This was at night after their bath. Nonni got them their cute new PJs -- they were just too cute!
Mornings usually consist of a small bottle (our coffee) and the Backyardagains. Henley LOVES the music. Have I mentioned she loves to dance? Davis is not as interested, but he will sit for a minute before moving onto other things.
Taking pictures usually ends up looking like this.

The babies are really enjoying playing together now. They recognize each other, torture each other and love playing "peep-eye" together. It's been so fun to watch them develop into friends and also it's kind of nice to have a little break from entertaining. I always thought (and heard from a few people) -- if you can get to a year with twins, they start to entertain each other. Well, I'm starting to see the benefits now. Also, it's just fun to have two!

We had a playdate with my friend Valerie and her two boys at the park. It was so fun to be outside even though it's been so cold here. Who knew we would be wearing our big coats on Spring Break?

One more random pic... This is Henley after a bath one night -- she was REALLY into the mirror and herself.

Oh how I've loved being home this week and love these babies.... It's just too much fun right now!