Wednesday, June 24, 2009

A Bit of a Twin Update


Katie and Emma will be 1 1/2 years old on July 7. It is hard to believe how quickly the time has gone, and how far they have come. Some of you haven't been with me through Kristen's high risk pregnancy, the 7-week premature c-section, the 4 weeks in the NICU, the joy of watching them develop normally and beating the odds that the doctors felt they were up against. I always think of the prayers of so many blogging friends as we went through this journey. This was taken in the NICU by the nurses and I will always treasure the picture of their first time together out of the incubators.




One of my favorite things to watch is the closeness they have developed. They are truly best buddies. When they hug each other, it would warm the coldest heart. The young lady on the left is the one who volunteered to babysit for us last week so Kristen and I could have a break for two days. What a blessing. And we will never know who paid for her hours, but are so grateful for those who listen to the whisper of God to help someone in need.








One of the ways we tell them apart is the large red birth mark on Emma's back. I wish I'd had my camera in the bathroom the other night when Katie seemed to notice it for the first time in the tub and was poking it.

They definitely have their own language and communicate quite well - we only wish we knew what they are saying. Their big sisters, by this age, had impressive lists of words they were saying. These girlies are saying lots and hopefully someday we'll understand! Katie's latest thing is to point at everything and say "Whassat?" or something close to it. She's very fascinated with lights and ceiling fans at the moment.










Here is their new double stroller.




And here are the new double walkers, in no particular order, just randomly working on their new skill in the back yard. It brought to mind the phrase "PERSEVERANCE PERSONIFIED" and made me think of life - we often fall down, but you have to "pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!"

It is somewhat like "herding cats" to keep up with them when we're out and about - you get one corralled and the other one has taken off. I can't even imagine being Kate or Octomom (well, except they will have lots of help as long as they continue to exploit their broods).

I decided not to use the stroller yesterday at the library, but discovered that they (especially Katie) really don't want to hold your hand when they're walking in a parking lot. Not a good thing!

It is such fun to see these still little bitsy beings exploring their world on foot.













We go to laptime at the library every Friday, a misnomer if there ever was one - the only ones in laps are those who haven't learned to crawl yet. I've shown a picture of the chaos before, and it's really something now that these girls are walking. But one of the things they do every week is sing "The Wheels on the Bus". I found this book that Katie is carrying around at the library last week and she absolutely loves it. You'll see it with her on every picture. I need to find one for them that we don't have to return next week.











Far be it from me to understand their fascination with walking around on the rocks surrounding the foundation of the house - it makes my feet hurt to think of it. But they spent a great deal of time there that day. Even checking out how they taste.




Never fear, mommies and grammies, I am keeping a close eye on that sharp object!










Don't worry - we put the rocks back where they belonged before Grandpa could hit them with the lawn mower! Well, I put them back - several times, over and over again.








Feisty isn't the only one who has made friends with Belle, the neighbor's cat who loves our yard and all the attention she gets when she slips under the fence (or over it). It's the next best thing when you can't have your own kitty.






Belle finally let me photograph her beautiful eyes.





Until I get around to budgeting and ordering those adorable sock monkeys from
Barb, they'll be content with these cuties from the Dollar Tree! And breaking that love affair with the old bottles will be a real challenge.





26 comments:

Needled Mom said...

The twins are really growing and progressing well, Dawn. I love that beginning walking age. It is really like a whole new world has opened for them.

I am with you on walking on those pebbles. We have them in our yard and I hate walking on them. Perhaps it is a great way to learn balance for them?????



It must be so much fun watching them communicate with each other. Our grandson, who is the same age as the girls, isn't talking much either. They have taught him sign language so he really doesn't need to "talk" yet. I'm sure they will all make sense eventually and then everyone will wish they weren't so "mouthy".

Have a good weekend.

Hootin Anni said...

Good Morning Dawn!!! I so enjoyed playing with your girls. My have they grown....and such beautiful babies. But you know that already without me telling you. Love the fact they put the rocks back so grandpa wouldn't hit them with the lawn mower....I could just hear him holler if it did happen. Or it would fly out and nick the house siding.

Beautiful, beautiful babies!!!

And Belle's eyes are eerie tho so very very pretty too. We had a dog with one brown eye and one blue when I was a kid...a neighbor's dog, and I loved it.

Have a great day dear friend...now that I wrote a novel to you, I may have to charge you reading it by the minute. But, wait, this is YOUR blog...you may have to charge me!!!

Rita Loca said...

Cute babies! the cat with two colored eyes is striking.

Robin said...

I can't believe how much they have changed in such a short time - and at the same time they seem so little!
I love that you take them to the library and I can't wait to do that with my own grandchildren. I read to Ava Claire lots right now and she LOVES to be read too. A girl after my own heart.

groovyoldlady said...

:) You have some seriously adorable grands!

Silly Head is eight and STILL sucks her thumb. Since she's about to move into $4,000 of orthodontia soon (Phase 1 starts in January!), we're quite anxious to help her quit. Trust me when I say that the bottles will be MUCH easier.

I'll try to post tomorrow. Between the never-ending rain and having more stuff "to do" (we're taking off for 3 days tomorrow for 4-H) and, once again, getting injured and not being able to complete the Trek (*sigh*), I've been a bit too emotional to write much.

Love those kitty eyes!

Just Call Me Grammy said...

Darling pictures. I did not know about their difficult beginning--they sure are doing great now. I love the pics of them walking on the rocks. We have similar ones around our patio and Olivia loves walking on them even barefoot and playing with them. Makes my tender feet hurt to watch :0)

Barb said...

Before I forget, your neighbor's cat has got gorgeous eyes. Are they really different colors or is that a trick of the lighting?

It's so much fun to see the twins walking. How these little ones walk on the rocks, I have no idea but Avery does it too.

It's hard to believe it's already been a year and a half. I remember when Kristin was in the hospital on bed rest, before they were born.

Time is flying by. They're both as cute as can be.

Unknown said...

It has been fun to watch then grow up. Too bad they cannot play with little Avery, Barb's grandbaby.

And our youngest son (18) had a very large birthmark on his back too. He used to call it his "Spot" and when he demanded he didn't like it we assured him it was special, a gift from God.

grammy said...

They are so cute. Tiny sweet hearts. My girls love the rocks too. Even the seven year old plays with them. Go figure. I have that same double stroller (o: How funny.

Kristen said...

Oh, my precious, percocious, mischevous, amazing, odds-defying twins! A long way they have come from the days where one wasn't supposed to live and the other was supposed to be severely deformed. Wow did they ever prove those doctors wrong! I really need to start blogging again! If for no other reason than to document their little lives. All four of them.

They are a definite handful, but the hugs, and the unconditional love they bring every single day far outweighs the challenges! Thanks for this great post of my (our) precious darlings!!

Midlife Mom said...

Dawn they are getting even cuter every day! Just so sweet walking around on those bare feet! I would be saying ouch over and over!!

Yes, they certainly have beat the odds that were given them at birth. I think all the prayers that went up at that time made such a difference in their little live. God is good!!

That cat is beautiful! The eyes are just amazing and so unusual. Nice that she can come over and have some fun time with all your girls, lots of pats and hugs for sure.

VERY dark and overcast this morning. Don't think it's supposed to rain but it sure looks like it. I went out at 5:30 AM and put the boys out with a good coat of bug spray on them. Sure need some sun!

nancygrayce said...

What a journey! The twins are growing up and the pictures of them walking are adorable!!! I've always been fascinated with the language they develop with one another!

A Hint of Home said...

They are so cute and I'm sure a blessing. How wonderful that prayer was answered and they are doing well and happy.

SentimentsbyDenise said...

Cute, Cute, CUTE!
They can be so entertaining at this age!
How blessed these little girls (and their big sisters) are to have you caring for them!

Sam said...

It really is hard to believe they're 1 and a half!! Amazing.

I love seeing them toddling around. So cute as they explore their world.

And I also love that you all let them go barefoot! I'm a big believer in children spending summertime without shoes!

That cat is beautiful. And looks friendly too!

Christa said...

Truly God's miracles.

Susan said...

Glad you two were able to get a little break. I know you needed it. Just from the pictures we can tell them are perpetual motion machines!!!!
Susan

Sharon Lynne said...

It was fun to see the twins roaming around in your yard. The grass looks so green and soft to the bare foot. Yet they like the rocks just as well. It looks like you don't have to spend a lot of money to entertain them.

What a lovely cat photo!

Mary said...

Dawn,

I can hardly believe that the girlies will be 1.5 years old. Seems like yesterday we were praying for Kristen during her pregnancy, and then for the babies when they were born premature. Time flies and stops for no man. Thanks for sharing these precious moments.

Blessings,
Mary

Amy said...

I can't believe how big they're getting!

They just keep getting cuter!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Thanks for catching us up on their progress, Dawn. They're toddlers now, won't be long before they're the same size as their big sisters, and they're in junior high!

Belle's eyes are gorgeous, and I think she knows it, lol! ;o)

Happy Friday and weekend, Dawn.

Love and hugs,

Diane

Linda said...

They really have come a long way Dawn. I am quite confident you have no need to go to the gym to exercise these days!
They have the most gorgeous eyes!

You asked about the heat here...we are literally baking under triple digit heat for days on end. And no rain. We are entering stage three water restrictions which basically means we will have no lawn at all very soon. We are fervently praying for rain!

Linds said...

They really are gorgeous girls, Dawn, and I remember the whole story of their lives very well. What an answer to prayer they are. I can't wait for our little one to grow and talk.....no, wait a sec...I don't want to wish a moment by too fast. I am loving every minute of being a Granny! She can take as long as she likes to grow up!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Unknown said...

OMGosh Dawn....back up...first let me tell you THANK YOU for inviting me to visit and read you blog! I loved looking at all of these amazing photo's of your precious little girls!

Okay....now back to where I was....

OMGosh Dawn! Katie and Emma are just the cutest little things since Strawberry Shortcake!!! They are just so cute looking and petite seeing them as they take their steps walking around. LOL...they are so precious and adorable that I had to chuckle out loud (so I guess that would be COL). :D Sorry for my poor humor today! No sleep due to a very unhappy 3 year old last night has left me a very poor decision maker and very loony thus far today.

How much did the girl weigh? I am still viewing your site and am hoping to read about the details of their birth. My Hannah, as you know, was also a preemie. She weighed 1 lb. 9 oz. 11 in. long. God is certainly in the miracle making business ins't He? To God be all the glory for Katie and Emma being healthy and developing well.

Oh, and the whole loving the rocks thing? My kids did that same thing too! Especially my son; still does today at 3. Thankfully your little angels put them all back in their spots. My son leaves them sprawled out all over the place, leaving mom to clean up behind him. We're sloooowly learning though. Seems he's already been taught about this before though, we're just repeating the stage I suppose. :)

Well I'm going to go back to reading up on your blog! Tell your daughter her girls are just beauty's from God! Beautiful!!!

Nancy said...

I just love this update. It takes me back a few months with my twins when they first started to walk and were into everything. They are finally more stable with their walking and listen better now about hazards, etc... They love rocks too. I even gave each one a bag full (too big to swallow) and they are smooth for their little hands. They are trying to practice counting them and they are doing pretty good, amazingly! I'm glad to see your twins so happy and healthy.

Carole Burant said...

Hi Dawn, I'm finally here to catch up:-) Omigosh, I so enjoyed looking at each and every picture of the twins. It is hard to believe that they're already walking...so much exploring to do now! lol I remember praying when Kristen was pregnant and the doctors thought something was wrong with the babies...looking at them now, it's a wonderful feeling knowing that God answered those prayers:-)

Belle seems to enjoy having the kids petting her:-) How fascinating her eyes are, she's beautiful!! xoxo