Merry Christmas to all...

We hope you have "loads" of fun this Christmas! 

Love, The Hartig Family

Halloween 2011!

Halloween was fabulous for the Hartig family this year. I have always loved Halloween costumes, and getting to dress two little girls makes it even better! There really isn't words to describe how adorable my little ladybug (Lily) and bumblebee (Madi) were...so, I'll let the pictures do the talking!

Pre-Halloween Fun!

Trick-or-Treat!

Here's a quick flashback: Halloween 2010

My ladies are getting so big!

Watch Out Picasso!

Last week the girls experienced another "first" -- coloring! I bought the special markers that are non-toxic, and only color on the paper that goes with them (i.e. no mess for me to clean up!). It may have been their first time, but they are both naturals!

Take at look at my little artists...

I have to admit that I'm not much of an artist, but I think my kids might be. Of course, they're only 15 months old, so it's hard to tell for sure ;-)

Couldn't end the post without putting up these pictures...they look SO big!! My babies are certainly toddlers now...

Twins, Twins, Twins...

I recently found out that my cousin is having twins. When I heard the news, I was instantly taken back to February 19, 2010, the day I found out we were going to have twin princesses. I don't think that there is any surprise filled with both joy and terror like finding out you are having multiples!

There was no previous history in our family of twins before us. My husband always says that it's got to start somewhere, and apparently it started with us! I never even considered the idea of twins before that rainy day in February...and now, I can't imagine it any other way!

I believe that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of work, but it's also the most rewarding time of my life!

So, here's to twins! Like I always say, anybody who's anybody has twins...just ask J.Lo, Angelina Jolie, SJP, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and me!

3.5 Weeks

12 Months

Summer Fun with the Little Ladies

Another month has come and gone, and it was for sure a hot one! The girls are getting so big, and running all over the place. (A lot different than this time last year, when they weren't even rolling over yet!) Normally, I enjoy summer and flip flop weather, but this year it has been quite unbearable (108 degrees this week)! The girls and I all have cabin fever, which I used to think only happened in the winter. What's a Mom to do?

Our summer fun is limited to what I can do with the girls by myself. I would, of course, love to take them to the pool everyday...but that's just not a good idea by myself. Instead, we've been reading LOTS of books, playing with their ballpit, playing with blocks, and trying to learn new words. One of the cutest things that the girls have started doing this month is show each other affection! We say "give sissy hugs and kisses" or "give sissy love" and they will go to each other. Usually they end up trying to kiss or put their heads together (a sort of "baby hug"). It's adorable! They are also starting to share and trade toys...which is amazing! I worked at a daycare in high school and college, and never saw little ones this young share. What can I say, my kids are gifted! ;-)

We also broke out the baby pool again, which didn't go well the first time (Madi refused to get in). This time was MUCH more successful. They both LOVED it :-)

We also went to Little Monkey Business for the first time. We had never been there before, and I didn't really know what to expect. It was geared more towards bigger kids (maybe 3 or 4 and up), but they had a small play area for kids the girls' age. My little monkeys had lots of fun climbing into, onto, and around everything that was set up. I'm sure we will make another trip out there soon!

My babies are becoming little girls!

Lily and Madison at 13 Months Old

It's already been one month since the girls turned one, and they haven't slowed down one bit! Everyday they turn more and more into toddlers, and become less like babies. We took the girls for their 1 Year Check-Up the week after the girls' birthday. They are still very small for their age. They were both 27.5 inches long and 17lbs 8oz (Madison) 16lbs 12oz (Lily)....they started out at 5lbs 10oz and 4lbs 11oz, so they've certainly come a long way!

Let's take a sample of what my munchkins are like at 13 Months:

• Both girls are walking, nearly running (started just before they turned 11 months old)
• Both girls love to clap, high five, and wave
• They are very affectionate, and love to give kisses and hugs (which I LOVE)
• Girls can say a few words: Momma, Dada, Papa, Bye, Hi, Yea/Yes, Hi 
• I don't think the girls know that my name is Momma and that my husband's is Dada, but they're getting there. Lily's big words right now are hi and bye. Madison's likes saying Yes (which sort of sounds like a$$) and Papa (she also says something that sounds like "oh, sh!t"--don't know where she would have heard that)
• Eating table food (like yogurt, green beans, apples, sandwiches, peaches, all kinds of pasta)
• Sleep through the night, for the most part (from about 8:30pm to 6:30-7:30am)
• Take two naps a day (usually each nap is between 1.5 and 2 hours)
• Loves our dogs. Lily likes to drop balls in front of them, and watch Ginger (one of our dogs) get excited. Madison loves to pet Chewy (our other dog). Both girls give the dogs hugs and (try to give them) kisses
• Lily is our climber/adventurer. She immediately loved playing in the baby pool and in the ball pit. She also loves to climb into their toy box, even though she can't get out of it on her own.
• Madison is our mover and thinker. She was the first to roll, crawl, and walk, but she's a little timid when it comes to new things. She has to slowly be introduced to things, like the ball pit, but then she loves it! Basically, it has to be her idea.
• They love drinking water out of their sippy cups (they like the ones with the built in straws)
• The girls are also learning to share already, they will pick up a toy and give it to the other baby. Of course, they are also learning to take toys away, bit, and hit...all part of being 1, I guess!

Here's a stroll down memory lane--Lily and Madison, birth to 13 Months

Born 6/10/2010

3.5 Weeks Old

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

6 Months

 

 

7 Months

8 Months

9 Months

10 Months

11 Months

12 Months

Almost 13 Months

 

Loving every minute of it!