Awoke this morning to rather loud squealing and laughter from the twins room! Should've known that would mean an energy packed day! :) Even little Abigail seemed to get the memo (as she's even now still awake at 9:45pm.)
Lots of book reading this morning as usual. I also had the twins "write" their own thank you notes to Mrs. Barbara for their Halloween gift bags! That was going so well....I had kept the finger paint from getting on anything..only to realize that Annabelle had a pen and took it down by her side to " decorate" the fabric on the dining room chair. I'll have to pick up some hairspray as that usually gets the ink out, or it may be time to recover the chairs ( in all my spare time) LOL! Oh well, the notes turned out cute! I even got Abigail to hold still long enough to get a little handprint on a card and not have her eat the paint. Then we headed out to take Shane into school at the start of his second class. He had complained of not feeling well and not sleeping. It was odd that he went to bed at 10pm when he normally is up until around 11:30. Sure hope he's not getting sick for the trip! agh!
When we got home, I opened the van side door to find Annabelle sitting with her little fingers laced together and laying casually in her lap! It's so funny to see such adult mannerisms in her. She is quite the grown up (ha ha) sometimes, When I went to change her from the car ride, she laid down in front of me and calmly said "cream" as if she were putting in her order for how she'd prefer to be diapered. "Cream" is what we call desitin diaper rash ointment. So of course, I put cream on her..who knows, maybe she was feeling a little irritated?
She slept through my cooking a pecan pie this afternoon, but made sure she was up in time to "cook" dinner! She sat on the counter and poured all the ingredients in a large bowl for a chicken casserole. She even stirred it all up. I poured it in the casserole dish and put it in the oven for her. I told her that, "Annabelle had done a good job cooking dinner". She then said " I cooked". She told her Daddy that when he got home too! She did a good job! Now if she can just learn to wash the pots and pans! :)
Cade was adorable today too! It cracks me up to hear the two of them playing and giggling when they think I'm not around at all..or don't even care if I'm around. They played in the foyer with a little tunnel and tent and just hooted for a good 20 minutes. I called my mom to just let her listen. His belly laugh has to be the best I've ever heard! I am so blessed that they aren't at the fighting phase yet and rarely argue. Usually if they do, its just a quick squabble over wanting the same toy, but it doesn't last long. I love to see how the twin factor affects their sharing ability. If one of them has a bowl full of goldfish or some snack, the other will come up and start munching with them and its just kind of expected between them that what one of them has, the other one should too. The fussing happens when one tries to totally take what the other has. Thank goodness it hasn't happened too much yet! Holding my breath! Annabelle was squatting over his bowl today and picked up a goldfish and stuck it in his mouth in between her bites. He giggled and drooled some of it out. ick! She's lucky she got out with all her fingers. LOL! Have to enjoy the sweet moments to help get through the tough ones.
He also enjoyed spinning himself in a circle today until he got dizzy. He would laugh and fall down! The actress of course had to come fall down too even though she clearly had not spun enough to be all that dizzy! Little drama queen! He ;ater walked over to the fireplace screen and said "hot" even though there was no fire in it. I said, "yes, it is, Cade man! Hope he always thinks so! :) So try to keep them safe!!
Abigail is just mashable! Lots of grins and coos! She rolled over from her back to her tummy today!!! SHe has been able to go the other way for along time, but this direction is a 7mth skill for a baby without Down's! Whoo hoo! So proud! Had to call Daddy at work!
Shane snuck her a little of the sweet mushy part of the pecan pie tonight. Just enough to get a taste! Oh my! That little tongue went to town..licking her lips..over and over again! She just smiled so big at him as if to say, "thank you"! You're the best! .....He is!
We have an early wellness 6 mth check up with her pediatirican in the morning! Hope she isn't due any shots but we probablby won't be so lucky! fun fun!
Better get some rest. I've stopped and started typing do other things and now its 11:45 already. agh!
Sweet dreams!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tonka Dreamer and Dancing Queen
It's been a rainy Monday..we couldn't get out to play! :( Had a great weekend though!
Shane had a fun camping trip with his outdoor adventure club from school! So wish we had done that kind of fun stuff when I was in highschool! They hiked and played ultimate frisbee along with all the traditional camping activities (camp fires, making smores, eating way too much and staying up late) ha ha! He was one tired young man when he got home Sunday! :)
Jamie and I actually stumbled into getting some Christmas shopping done early! We realized there is no way we will be able to get out in crowds with all these little ones as we get closer to Christmas! Got lots of book and and puzzles for the twins. It hit us that we only got them one toy each, everything else was for learning. Oops, they need to be kids too! It just seems like they are so hungry to read, learn, and figure things out right now. The den is filled with toys and they always want their books.
Annabelle is such a stinker! We were in the toy section at Kohl's Saturday and she came across this leap frog learning toy that looked like a big TI-84 calculator that could also text. She sat down on the floor and went to town. We had opted for another toy that made her actually "write" her letters with an electronic pen as she learns, not just hit a button that puts it on the screen. We couldn't distract her with anything else. It was time to go, and the little funny buggy was full so she couldn't put it in the normal place. She thought we weren't watching and put it on the very bottom just on top of the wheels..not really a place for it, but she felt confident if she could get it on the buggy, it would come home with her. She didn't realize Jamie put it back while we were checking out. They haven't seen the bags from the store since, so I'm hoping its out of sight out of mind! That girl is as determined as her father..okay, and her mother!
Cade loved all the cars and trucks! Unfortunately, most of the stuff he loved was made for ages 3 and up. He adores firetrucks, tractors, and dump trucks. Mostly anything with wheels! His favorite book is still Chuck the Tonka truck. We must read it at least 15-20 times a day, no joke. As soon as we finish it, he hands it right back to us to start again! He always points to the tires! Next year he'll have lots of options for bigger boy toys! :) Both the twins hit overload at Toys R Us, wait... that was me.. and them actually! It was overwhelming and packed with people already! I couldn't take it! Little Abigail was in the body carrier and I felt like I couldn't get down any aisle without other kids and people being right on us! Not to mention all the toys to look at! Trying to focus while the kids were fussy and other kids were noisy too! Whew.. I hadn't had my coffee and I think that was the real culprit! It was fun to get out though! We try to run errands early on Saturdays and then just enjoy the weekend at home after. Just going to make sure I have my big "sippy" to go cup of coffee next time!
I gave the twins goldfish snacks while Jamie was in Lifeway book store and we were waiting in the truck. Cade was in the car seat in the middle with Abigail (who is still rear facing) and Annabelle on either side. They happily ate the goldfish up and washed it all down with their sippy cups! When we got home, I lifted Abigail out of her car seat to find goldfish all around her from where Cade had wanted her to have her share and not miss out! I adjusted the rear baby mirror so we can see what he's doing to her from now on! ( It reminded me of how Annabelle was enjoying teddy grahams one day a few weeks ago and I looked at the baby to see that her jaws looked funny..and of course, she had 2 in one side of her jaw! I tried to explain to Annabelle that she couldn't have them! Today, in fact, I had to pull down the baby's lips to show them that she doesn't have any teeth to chew and keep them from feeding her again! They both say "teeth" and love to brush theirs, so hopefully they understood and won't continue to shove stuff in her mouth! At least they share and try to take care of her!
When it got closer to bedtime Saturday, Jamie turned the rubber alphabet mat in the kitchen into a dance floor! He sang and danced and so did they! Annabelle is tireless! That little princess can cut a rug for a long time! To the point I thought they would drop! I held Abigail up standing on the mat too and Cade immediately came over and grabbed both her little hands to dance with her. Oh how she smiled soo big! He loves her and includes her in everything! She just lights with him! Anyway, Jamie has no idea how much blackmail footage I have of him dancing and singing in a high pitch voice! Just kidding! I love that he doesn't mind being crazy with them! Laughter has been such medicine in this (previously quiet) house!
Yesterday and today I have been putting up some Christmas decorations. We will be leaving town this weekend for the whole week of Thanksgiving. I have never started this early, but I am hoping we can come home and everything will be done and we can enjoy the season. Of course, I may not it all taken down until February! The kids are so excited! They both started "hanging"- or trying to hang, ornaments on the big red and white tree upstairs way before I was ready. My camera is in the shop, so its like someone cut my hands off. I hated not being able to get a shot of that, so now my video recorder is getting used like mad! I waited to finish decorating until naptime. Too many breakable things on that tree..speaking of that, Cade took off the glass red and white car and tried to make it "go" to have it crumble in his hand. It was one of the old timey painted fragile glass ones I had bought during my days of working at the RAZ showroom at the Merchandise Mart in Atlanta! Can't blame him, he just loves little cars. I didn't get mad, just explained "no no". We'll see how much of that I have left by Christmas Day. Annabelle saw me picking up the big pieces before getting the vacuum out and she started it too. Before I could tell her no, the poor little one's finger was bleeding from a cut. She didn't even notice at first. Did I say "at first"? Yes, well, when she did notice, there was a great wailing and knashing of teeth......until I could get the cartoon bandaids and kiss it several times! All while trying to keep Cade from getting the pieces too! I did move the more fragile ones to the top. We've been watching craigslist for the configurable gates to go around the trees, but no luck yet.
I put a beautiful 4 ft small all white tree in Abigails room! It has pretty white lights and bright purple and hot pink balls on it! The twins got close to the big pink balls to look at them! I asked them if they could see Annabelle and Cade! They looked closely and laughed hysterically when they realized they could see their distorted reflections. I laughed hysterically too! :) I got the 6 ft colored light tree put up in their room as well today. I don't put any breakable ornaments or hooks on it! They loved going to sleep with it on tonight. I'll go turn it off when I sneak in for their last cover up and kiss. Oh what a fun year for them to enjoy all the beautiful lights and shiny decorations! I had made an all cloth nativity set when Darby and Shane were little. I'll be fishing that out for sure! Annabelle folded her little hands tonight before we we were ready to pray. She knows its part of her little nightime routine! So precious to see those little hands together. Need my CAMERA! agh! I'll be crazy if canon doesn't fix it soon!
We get blue on Sunday evenings! We have such a good time with Daddy and Shane home on the weekends! Oh well! At least the weeks have been flying by! Looking forward to having a whole 9 days together soon! Can't wait for Darby to come home and be with us all too! Then everyone else gets to experience all that these twins can get into!
Night all!
Shane had a fun camping trip with his outdoor adventure club from school! So wish we had done that kind of fun stuff when I was in highschool! They hiked and played ultimate frisbee along with all the traditional camping activities (camp fires, making smores, eating way too much and staying up late) ha ha! He was one tired young man when he got home Sunday! :)
Jamie and I actually stumbled into getting some Christmas shopping done early! We realized there is no way we will be able to get out in crowds with all these little ones as we get closer to Christmas! Got lots of book and and puzzles for the twins. It hit us that we only got them one toy each, everything else was for learning. Oops, they need to be kids too! It just seems like they are so hungry to read, learn, and figure things out right now. The den is filled with toys and they always want their books.
Annabelle is such a stinker! We were in the toy section at Kohl's Saturday and she came across this leap frog learning toy that looked like a big TI-84 calculator that could also text. She sat down on the floor and went to town. We had opted for another toy that made her actually "write" her letters with an electronic pen as she learns, not just hit a button that puts it on the screen. We couldn't distract her with anything else. It was time to go, and the little funny buggy was full so she couldn't put it in the normal place. She thought we weren't watching and put it on the very bottom just on top of the wheels..not really a place for it, but she felt confident if she could get it on the buggy, it would come home with her. She didn't realize Jamie put it back while we were checking out. They haven't seen the bags from the store since, so I'm hoping its out of sight out of mind! That girl is as determined as her father..okay, and her mother!
Cade loved all the cars and trucks! Unfortunately, most of the stuff he loved was made for ages 3 and up. He adores firetrucks, tractors, and dump trucks. Mostly anything with wheels! His favorite book is still Chuck the Tonka truck. We must read it at least 15-20 times a day, no joke. As soon as we finish it, he hands it right back to us to start again! He always points to the tires! Next year he'll have lots of options for bigger boy toys! :) Both the twins hit overload at Toys R Us, wait... that was me.. and them actually! It was overwhelming and packed with people already! I couldn't take it! Little Abigail was in the body carrier and I felt like I couldn't get down any aisle without other kids and people being right on us! Not to mention all the toys to look at! Trying to focus while the kids were fussy and other kids were noisy too! Whew.. I hadn't had my coffee and I think that was the real culprit! It was fun to get out though! We try to run errands early on Saturdays and then just enjoy the weekend at home after. Just going to make sure I have my big "sippy" to go cup of coffee next time!
I gave the twins goldfish snacks while Jamie was in Lifeway book store and we were waiting in the truck. Cade was in the car seat in the middle with Abigail (who is still rear facing) and Annabelle on either side. They happily ate the goldfish up and washed it all down with their sippy cups! When we got home, I lifted Abigail out of her car seat to find goldfish all around her from where Cade had wanted her to have her share and not miss out! I adjusted the rear baby mirror so we can see what he's doing to her from now on! ( It reminded me of how Annabelle was enjoying teddy grahams one day a few weeks ago and I looked at the baby to see that her jaws looked funny..and of course, she had 2 in one side of her jaw! I tried to explain to Annabelle that she couldn't have them! Today, in fact, I had to pull down the baby's lips to show them that she doesn't have any teeth to chew and keep them from feeding her again! They both say "teeth" and love to brush theirs, so hopefully they understood and won't continue to shove stuff in her mouth! At least they share and try to take care of her!
When it got closer to bedtime Saturday, Jamie turned the rubber alphabet mat in the kitchen into a dance floor! He sang and danced and so did they! Annabelle is tireless! That little princess can cut a rug for a long time! To the point I thought they would drop! I held Abigail up standing on the mat too and Cade immediately came over and grabbed both her little hands to dance with her. Oh how she smiled soo big! He loves her and includes her in everything! She just lights with him! Anyway, Jamie has no idea how much blackmail footage I have of him dancing and singing in a high pitch voice! Just kidding! I love that he doesn't mind being crazy with them! Laughter has been such medicine in this (previously quiet) house!
Yesterday and today I have been putting up some Christmas decorations. We will be leaving town this weekend for the whole week of Thanksgiving. I have never started this early, but I am hoping we can come home and everything will be done and we can enjoy the season. Of course, I may not it all taken down until February! The kids are so excited! They both started "hanging"- or trying to hang, ornaments on the big red and white tree upstairs way before I was ready. My camera is in the shop, so its like someone cut my hands off. I hated not being able to get a shot of that, so now my video recorder is getting used like mad! I waited to finish decorating until naptime. Too many breakable things on that tree..speaking of that, Cade took off the glass red and white car and tried to make it "go" to have it crumble in his hand. It was one of the old timey painted fragile glass ones I had bought during my days of working at the RAZ showroom at the Merchandise Mart in Atlanta! Can't blame him, he just loves little cars. I didn't get mad, just explained "no no". We'll see how much of that I have left by Christmas Day. Annabelle saw me picking up the big pieces before getting the vacuum out and she started it too. Before I could tell her no, the poor little one's finger was bleeding from a cut. She didn't even notice at first. Did I say "at first"? Yes, well, when she did notice, there was a great wailing and knashing of teeth......until I could get the cartoon bandaids and kiss it several times! All while trying to keep Cade from getting the pieces too! I did move the more fragile ones to the top. We've been watching craigslist for the configurable gates to go around the trees, but no luck yet.
I put a beautiful 4 ft small all white tree in Abigails room! It has pretty white lights and bright purple and hot pink balls on it! The twins got close to the big pink balls to look at them! I asked them if they could see Annabelle and Cade! They looked closely and laughed hysterically when they realized they could see their distorted reflections. I laughed hysterically too! :) I got the 6 ft colored light tree put up in their room as well today. I don't put any breakable ornaments or hooks on it! They loved going to sleep with it on tonight. I'll go turn it off when I sneak in for their last cover up and kiss. Oh what a fun year for them to enjoy all the beautiful lights and shiny decorations! I had made an all cloth nativity set when Darby and Shane were little. I'll be fishing that out for sure! Annabelle folded her little hands tonight before we we were ready to pray. She knows its part of her little nightime routine! So precious to see those little hands together. Need my CAMERA! agh! I'll be crazy if canon doesn't fix it soon!
We get blue on Sunday evenings! We have such a good time with Daddy and Shane home on the weekends! Oh well! At least the weeks have been flying by! Looking forward to having a whole 9 days together soon! Can't wait for Darby to come home and be with us all too! Then everyone else gets to experience all that these twins can get into!
Night all!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Busy days!
Wow! We've been busy and time has been flying! I can't believe its been so long since I blogged! So sorry!
The twins had a great time trick or treating for Halloween! They looked so cute in their little FSU cheer and football outfits! They liked the whole concept of getting candy at every house! They got excited to see the decorations too! (not any scary ones in our neighborhood) And of course, they've been practicing ringing our doorbell for weeks..so that was fun to get to ring everyone else's! We had to pull all the candy that had any peanuts or peanut butter from Annabelle's little pumpkin bag! She wasn't happy about it! Poor thing! They had learned to get the candy and start sucking it through the wrapper while riding in the wagon to the next house! We eventually had to take it all and give them little bites along the way! They were pooped when it was over! Little Abigail was a precious little sweet pea in a pod! She had her own little pumpkin bag too but unfortunately mommy had to eat her candy ;) She fell asleep after just a few houses. That moving around gets her everytime! I think Daddy was pooped too as he pulled the wagon! My friend Melissa and her little one, Chasity, came over and went to houses with us! We all had a good time!
The twins are jsut growing and learning so much! Annabelle has discovered that when she sneezes, people say, "Bless you"! She is always fake sneezing and then waiting for everyone to say it! Silly thing!
Cade has become very affectionate! I can ask him for a hug and he comes up and wraps his arms around my neck and gives me a "good" hug! He also gives yummy kisses! Wow! I could just eat him up! Annabelle has also learned how to give a kiss on the lips since watching him! She has always just leaned her head in to give love up to now! Darby was the lucky recipient of her first kiss while spending a little time home from BAMA! Always so great to have her here!
Cade has fallen in love with books as much as Annabelle. His favorite one is a Tonka truck book! He also loves his Jay Jay the airplane books! I can't tell him no when he comes to me with them. He would sit there all day in my lap..right next to his sister! :) Sweet moments!
We did have a scare that actually probably shut down my blogging for a bit! Its been a couple of weeks, but we were moving plants into the basement since the weather was getting really cold. The twins were outside in the yard with us and to make a long story short, Annabelle fell into the small pond ( not the 6 ft deep one, thank goodness) It was only about 3 ft deep and had pond plants in it to catch her somewhat. She apparently went under, came back up, and got a scream out! Shane was the closest to her and heard her! He climbed in the water, shoes and all and got to her quickly! I'm so glad I never saw her until she was out on the grass. She was scared and cold, but fine! We got her into a warm bath and calmed her down. It made our hearts stop to realize how fast those things can happen! Whew! God is definitely our protector! We're so grateful He was with her before we ever even heard her cry! It was wonderful that my older baby was there for my younger one! We were so thankful for him too!
We all enjoyed some great family time this past weekend! Darby came home! I could just hug her all weekend! I'm so proud of who she is and all she's doing at BAMA! She's so humble about what God's allowing her to be apart of with starting the chapter of IJM! She's gaining support from many of the churches in Tuscaloosa and has been working with different groups to raise awareness throughout the Southeast! She's also working with a Christian singing group called 10th Avenue North to possibly perform in Tuscaloosa in the spring. Unfortunately she will be studying abroad in Argentina and Peru in the spring, so she won't be here to see it all! ( Be still my heart- I will miss her so!) We are blessed to have such an amazing young lady in our family! I've said it many times, I take no credit for how wonderful she is, it's just a God thing! Anyway, on top of getting to see Darby, Jamie's daddy and sister, Sylvia came up! It was so great to see them! The twins and Abigail really enjoyed them too! Poor Grandaddy had to read endlessly one day to them! We got to take a picnic lunch up to the office on Friday to eat with Daddy and Izzy ( Elizabeth- a family friend from Jamie's hometown)! It was fun! The twins were delighted to press their faces on the window of a cubicle! Little piggy faces were so silly! I had some cleaning to so there! Abigail really enjoyed some snuggle time with Aunt Sylvia! She slept in the same room with her each night! Aunt Sylvia had a secret weapon to get her to sleep ( she would hold Abigail close in her arms, and take her hair down out of a pony tail and let Abigail hold it and rub it! ) Apparently the baby loves her hair! I've tried it, my hair must be the wrong length or texture, because it doesn't seem to work the same! I may have to get her back up here! :) I do wish we had longer with them all, but I'll take any time we can get!
Annabelle never ceases to crack me up! This evening I looked at Abigail and told her that she smelt like spit up and needed a bath! Annabelle climbed down off the couch, went to the other room, and pulled Abigail's big plastic baby bathtub into the den and said "bath"! She understands everything we say! We took the twins into our bathroom and put them in the garden tub! Jamie leans over the side and lets them play for a while before he soaps them up. He was busy telling Annabelle not to dump a cup of water on Cade's head, when she decided, okay, and dumped it on his head! He was so shocked, he didn't say anything. She did it 2 more times while we were laughing! He was still in his clothes from work and was soaked! Oops! It amazes me what that little girl can do to him and get such a good reaction! Cade too! He can just belly laugh and we all are laughing, no matter what has just happened!
Cade has just really blossomed lately! He can go up and down the stairs while holding on to the bannister railing! This was a big deal for his physical therapist! Annabelle has learned too! He was doing it a little bit before, but now its everytime! He flashes that big smile and is so proud of himself! He just seems so happy lately! I'm so glad..we could tell he was frustrated at some of the things he struggled with for a bit! There is still nothing like that little laugh of his!
Jamie actually played softball Monday night with old friends! I' ve been bugging him to for a while! It's so fun to have a little break and get out! Shane headed down with him and I think they had fun! When I asked if they won, I got the response, "We snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory"! Oh well! At least he was laughing!
Abigail had an appt with the ENT last week! She's up to 18 lbs! Goodness! we still didn't get a pass on the low pitches in her right ear, but they think its probably still from fluid in her ear! Thats common apparently for babies with Downs. We are putting off the tubes until at least February. Bless her heart, she had a hard physical therapy session today! We saw her breaking point. She worked so hard and does try to extend backwards sometimes when she's sitting up. We're trying to teach her body not to do it, and our compensating tactics upset her! This also is common. Sweet Cade and Annabelle came and touched her gently and brought her toys trying to comfort her! They love her so! Her therapist assured me its just a hiccup, and that we will get her past it! Her strength is so good! Its just a silly thing they do.. not wanting their knees bent up under them ( makes learning to crawl hard) and extending backwards to straighten out. Hopefully the exercises we are doing with her will get her past oit sooner rather than later!
Shane has been so great! He's having a lot of fun with his Outdoor Adventure Club at the school! He has a camping trip with them this weekend! They will be leaving from the school! I'm sure they will have a great time! He's involved with other clubs too! He's the president of FBLA and stays busy with it all! So proud of him!
I'm hanging on! ha ha! Most days at least! ( I did 7 loads of laundry between yesterday and today- and I did 3 on Sunday, so I shouldn't have been behind) LOL! I find myself snickering that when I try to get a restroom break, I'm actually happy to see 10 little fingers poking under the door so I know that they're not getting into something! How different life is now! Hard to keep up sometimes, but so fulfilling! Jamie was laying on the floor playing with the babies yesterday and commented on how sweet these times are and how blessed we are! Its so true. We may be as tired as dogs at the end of the day, but we wouldn't trade it! It's all going way too fast!
I hate that this entry has been so scattered. Kind of the state of my mind ( lots to catch up on and I'm trying to watch the CMA's too! LOL)! I'll do better, I promise- well, maybe ;) I'm sure I've forgotten a ton, but I'll add it in when it comes back to me!
Night all
The twins had a great time trick or treating for Halloween! They looked so cute in their little FSU cheer and football outfits! They liked the whole concept of getting candy at every house! They got excited to see the decorations too! (not any scary ones in our neighborhood) And of course, they've been practicing ringing our doorbell for weeks..so that was fun to get to ring everyone else's! We had to pull all the candy that had any peanuts or peanut butter from Annabelle's little pumpkin bag! She wasn't happy about it! Poor thing! They had learned to get the candy and start sucking it through the wrapper while riding in the wagon to the next house! We eventually had to take it all and give them little bites along the way! They were pooped when it was over! Little Abigail was a precious little sweet pea in a pod! She had her own little pumpkin bag too but unfortunately mommy had to eat her candy ;) She fell asleep after just a few houses. That moving around gets her everytime! I think Daddy was pooped too as he pulled the wagon! My friend Melissa and her little one, Chasity, came over and went to houses with us! We all had a good time!
The twins are jsut growing and learning so much! Annabelle has discovered that when she sneezes, people say, "Bless you"! She is always fake sneezing and then waiting for everyone to say it! Silly thing!
Cade has become very affectionate! I can ask him for a hug and he comes up and wraps his arms around my neck and gives me a "good" hug! He also gives yummy kisses! Wow! I could just eat him up! Annabelle has also learned how to give a kiss on the lips since watching him! She has always just leaned her head in to give love up to now! Darby was the lucky recipient of her first kiss while spending a little time home from BAMA! Always so great to have her here!
Cade has fallen in love with books as much as Annabelle. His favorite one is a Tonka truck book! He also loves his Jay Jay the airplane books! I can't tell him no when he comes to me with them. He would sit there all day in my lap..right next to his sister! :) Sweet moments!
We did have a scare that actually probably shut down my blogging for a bit! Its been a couple of weeks, but we were moving plants into the basement since the weather was getting really cold. The twins were outside in the yard with us and to make a long story short, Annabelle fell into the small pond ( not the 6 ft deep one, thank goodness) It was only about 3 ft deep and had pond plants in it to catch her somewhat. She apparently went under, came back up, and got a scream out! Shane was the closest to her and heard her! He climbed in the water, shoes and all and got to her quickly! I'm so glad I never saw her until she was out on the grass. She was scared and cold, but fine! We got her into a warm bath and calmed her down. It made our hearts stop to realize how fast those things can happen! Whew! God is definitely our protector! We're so grateful He was with her before we ever even heard her cry! It was wonderful that my older baby was there for my younger one! We were so thankful for him too!
We all enjoyed some great family time this past weekend! Darby came home! I could just hug her all weekend! I'm so proud of who she is and all she's doing at BAMA! She's so humble about what God's allowing her to be apart of with starting the chapter of IJM! She's gaining support from many of the churches in Tuscaloosa and has been working with different groups to raise awareness throughout the Southeast! She's also working with a Christian singing group called 10th Avenue North to possibly perform in Tuscaloosa in the spring. Unfortunately she will be studying abroad in Argentina and Peru in the spring, so she won't be here to see it all! ( Be still my heart- I will miss her so!) We are blessed to have such an amazing young lady in our family! I've said it many times, I take no credit for how wonderful she is, it's just a God thing! Anyway, on top of getting to see Darby, Jamie's daddy and sister, Sylvia came up! It was so great to see them! The twins and Abigail really enjoyed them too! Poor Grandaddy had to read endlessly one day to them! We got to take a picnic lunch up to the office on Friday to eat with Daddy and Izzy ( Elizabeth- a family friend from Jamie's hometown)! It was fun! The twins were delighted to press their faces on the window of a cubicle! Little piggy faces were so silly! I had some cleaning to so there! Abigail really enjoyed some snuggle time with Aunt Sylvia! She slept in the same room with her each night! Aunt Sylvia had a secret weapon to get her to sleep ( she would hold Abigail close in her arms, and take her hair down out of a pony tail and let Abigail hold it and rub it! ) Apparently the baby loves her hair! I've tried it, my hair must be the wrong length or texture, because it doesn't seem to work the same! I may have to get her back up here! :) I do wish we had longer with them all, but I'll take any time we can get!
Annabelle never ceases to crack me up! This evening I looked at Abigail and told her that she smelt like spit up and needed a bath! Annabelle climbed down off the couch, went to the other room, and pulled Abigail's big plastic baby bathtub into the den and said "bath"! She understands everything we say! We took the twins into our bathroom and put them in the garden tub! Jamie leans over the side and lets them play for a while before he soaps them up. He was busy telling Annabelle not to dump a cup of water on Cade's head, when she decided, okay, and dumped it on his head! He was so shocked, he didn't say anything. She did it 2 more times while we were laughing! He was still in his clothes from work and was soaked! Oops! It amazes me what that little girl can do to him and get such a good reaction! Cade too! He can just belly laugh and we all are laughing, no matter what has just happened!
Cade has just really blossomed lately! He can go up and down the stairs while holding on to the bannister railing! This was a big deal for his physical therapist! Annabelle has learned too! He was doing it a little bit before, but now its everytime! He flashes that big smile and is so proud of himself! He just seems so happy lately! I'm so glad..we could tell he was frustrated at some of the things he struggled with for a bit! There is still nothing like that little laugh of his!
Jamie actually played softball Monday night with old friends! I' ve been bugging him to for a while! It's so fun to have a little break and get out! Shane headed down with him and I think they had fun! When I asked if they won, I got the response, "We snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory"! Oh well! At least he was laughing!
Abigail had an appt with the ENT last week! She's up to 18 lbs! Goodness! we still didn't get a pass on the low pitches in her right ear, but they think its probably still from fluid in her ear! Thats common apparently for babies with Downs. We are putting off the tubes until at least February. Bless her heart, she had a hard physical therapy session today! We saw her breaking point. She worked so hard and does try to extend backwards sometimes when she's sitting up. We're trying to teach her body not to do it, and our compensating tactics upset her! This also is common. Sweet Cade and Annabelle came and touched her gently and brought her toys trying to comfort her! They love her so! Her therapist assured me its just a hiccup, and that we will get her past it! Her strength is so good! Its just a silly thing they do.. not wanting their knees bent up under them ( makes learning to crawl hard) and extending backwards to straighten out. Hopefully the exercises we are doing with her will get her past oit sooner rather than later!
Shane has been so great! He's having a lot of fun with his Outdoor Adventure Club at the school! He has a camping trip with them this weekend! They will be leaving from the school! I'm sure they will have a great time! He's involved with other clubs too! He's the president of FBLA and stays busy with it all! So proud of him!
I'm hanging on! ha ha! Most days at least! ( I did 7 loads of laundry between yesterday and today- and I did 3 on Sunday, so I shouldn't have been behind) LOL! I find myself snickering that when I try to get a restroom break, I'm actually happy to see 10 little fingers poking under the door so I know that they're not getting into something! How different life is now! Hard to keep up sometimes, but so fulfilling! Jamie was laying on the floor playing with the babies yesterday and commented on how sweet these times are and how blessed we are! Its so true. We may be as tired as dogs at the end of the day, but we wouldn't trade it! It's all going way too fast!
I hate that this entry has been so scattered. Kind of the state of my mind ( lots to catch up on and I'm trying to watch the CMA's too! LOL)! I'll do better, I promise- well, maybe ;) I'm sure I've forgotten a ton, but I'll add it in when it comes back to me!
Night all
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