Birthday Trip to the Zoo and 3 Year Check-Up

One of the best things about the girls' birthday being in early June is that there are so many things we can do to celebrate because the weather is perfect (much better than December, when mine is! ). This year we went to the Topeka Zoo. It was the ladies' first trip to the zoo & they really liked it. The zoo was also the perfect size for two little girls [and semi-lazy adults ;-)].  Uncle Caleb went with us, and it was really nice to have an extra set of hands! Across the parking lot from the zoo is a playground and mini-train. We played there for a while and then rode on the train. Overall,  they loved the entire thing!

Looking at the Elephants!

Looking at the Elephants!

After playing in the park

After playing in the park. Poor kid's hair part got sun burnt!

Later in the day, we went to Fritz's for dinner. We've eaten there a few times, and they love getting their food via train! We also got a free birthday sundae to split. It was huge, and fed all of us!

Whoa, look at that sundae!

 

After dinner,  it was time for more presents, blowing out candles, and a cupcake. I think they had enough sugar to last a month, but it was a blast! 

CHEESE!

Blowing out the candles all on their own!

Eating in style!

The next day we went to their 3 year checkup. This check-up went much better than normal. Since the girls like watching "Doc McStuffins", they seemed more interested in his instruments than scared (which is usually the case). Luckily, our pediatrician is very patient with them, and showed off the tools he was using (like the Otoscope) They are both healthy and normal, and (still) very petite! Lily weighed about 28lbs (around 20th percentile) and Madi weighed about 26.5lbs (around 7th percentile). They have always been teeny-tiny, but they're just so cute!!

I don't think the girls' birthday weekend could have been much better...We all had a ton of fun!

Family pic at the zoo!

First Spring in Our New House

Spring 2013 was the first Spring we spent in our new house. When we bought it last Fall, the yard was a mess. It was all weeds, dead grass, and dirt...a lot of dirt. Our neighbor had an all-dirt yard until he got sod put in...If I could have afforded it, I probably would have gotten sod, too! Of course, we took the harder route with seed. Hubby worked VERY HARD, but was able to get our yard growing and looking great (with the help of our new sprinkler system that Papa and my uncle installed). There's still a few bare patches, but overall I think it looks pretty good (and we DON"T have the worst yard in our neighborhood :-D)

Before picture, right after we moved in

This is what our grass was up against, a MAY snow storm!

After!

Hubby added roses that he bought on Mother's Day...

and lots of pink flowers that the girls picked out!

3rd Birthday Party!

It’s hard for me to believe that we just celebrated the girls’ 3^rd birthday, but celebrate we did with a Sleeping Beauty party! We tossed back and forth a few different themes, but a princess theme seemed to fit them best :-)

We were blessed to have BEAUTIFUL weather and lots of family and friends there to celebrate with us! Of course, the girls’ favorite guest was Sleeping Beauty/Aurora/Briar Rose herself. It was probably a little over the top to have a princess at their party, but since I only plan one birthday party a year, I don’t mind going all out. We borrowed three tents/canopies to set up in the back yard since we don’t have any shade, and it helped keep the sun off of everyone...loved it! The girls’ Grammy made their cake and cupcakes, and I decorated adorable marshmallows with the girls’ names on them (too cute). Words can’t really describe how fun the party was, so I’ll let pictures do the talking…

Cake table

CHEESE!

Walking with the princess

Opening the treasure chest!

Loving her story!

Let's get some bubbles!!

Love this picture, Madi was SO happy!

Admiring their wands!

So serious ;-)

Grandad, Madi, Papa, and Lily

Let them eat cake!

Family pic with the princess!

Overall, we had an AMAZING time!!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

It is hard for me to believe that my little ladies are 3 years old today. When I first found out I having twins, I was completely overwhelmed. Now, I can’t imagine only having one…I was always meant for twins, I just didn’t know it! 

Our journey into “twin world” began at our first sonogram over 3 years ago (Feb. 19, 2010 to be exact). My appointment wasn’t until late in the day, so I spent all day anxiously awaiting my appointment. I thought for sure I was having a boy [even though I was secretly wishing for a girl…be careful what you wish for I suppose ;-)]. My mom, hubby, and I all went to the appointment. I sat down in the sonogram chair, and laughingly told the technician that she better not find two or three in there. Her response was, “Well, there is two in there.” I nearly died from shock. 

There is LITERALLY no bigger shock than that in the world (for me at least) than finding out that you are having more than one baby. Instantly, I began to cry and worry about the health of my TWO babies. My husband was so shocked, that he barely spoke through the whole thing (later, he told me he was looking for a trash can, because he thought he was going to get sick). My mom was so excited and shocked. She was ready to be a grandma, and now she got to do it times two! We composed ourselves to make it to the waiting room and then into the elevator. As soon as I got in the elevator, I started to bawl. I wasn’t sad, just scared and nervous. How were we going to take care to two babies?! I think we were in a blur/daze the rest of the night. The next day, we had already planned to go register for baby stuff…which became registering for our babies! 

I don’t think it REALLY sunk in until I got to hold both of the babies after my c-section. One in each hand, it doesn’t get more real than that. I instantly loved them, and always will. I didn’t know it at that sonogram, but God had a plan for us. He knew we could handle two, and he knew that my mom’s time was limited. Having twins, gave my mom a chance to see both my girls, and I am very grateful for that.

So, today I am wishing my ladies a very happy 3^rd birthday! And, I can’t wait to spend many, many more with them! 

 

 

First family picture: June 10, 2010

First Birthday: June 10, 2011

2nd Birthday Party with Nana

2nd Birthday: June 10, 2012 (Crown Center)

3rd Birthday: June 10, 2013 (Topeka Zoo)