Twins but so DIFFERENT!

Lila came downstairs with the above drawing.  She explained that the orange paper was a drawing of Adeline and the red paper was a drawing of herself.  Adeline is astronaut Jet (Adeline has moved past calling herself Sam and has taken to the name Jet) with her helmet, plain clothing and boyish hair.  The other drawing is of Erika, a princess Lila has named herself after.  Erika is sporting a fancy long dress, fancy princess shoes and a beautiful up-do.

I often try to explain how different my twins are.  I think these drawings sum it up nicely. 

About a week later, Adeline tried on her Christmas dress with, surprisingly, very little push back.  I convinced her that she would like spinning in it because the skirt would look cool - I couldn't say pretty or beautiful because that would turn Miss Adeline off immediately.  As I suspected, Adeline loved spinning in her dress.  I think it was close to a novelty because the girl never wears fancy dresses.  When taking the dress off of her, I saw the wheels turning in her head.  Next, she walked over to Lila's side of the closet and asked if she could wear Lila's pink dress - perfect for twirling.  Alex and I were shocked.  Lila seemed pleased to share her dress and Adeline laid it out to wear for the next day.

The next day rolled around and Adeline wasn't thrilled with her choice of clothing.  I made her stick with it and I am so glad I did.  She was so cute in her twirly pink dress and bow.  The Belle does NOT like pink or bows, and yet, it looks so good on her.   I used to think she was going to be my dainty, girly-girl.  Somehow, she has grown into the opposite.  While I love her unique style of caterpillar shirts and jeans and her imaginary  persona, (think astronaut Jet) I loved seeing her twirl gleefully in the driveway while waiting for her bus!

To close this post, here are Lila and Adeline dressing up at Charlotte's house.  Can you guess which one is Adeline. . .

So Very Thankful

There are no words to express my thanksgiving when I look at my girls. They are happy, healthy and bright shining lights in a sometimes chaotic and stressful existence. This last month has been even more busy than the last, even though I didn't think it was possible. Now we are entering into an even more busy time of year which easily draws us out of our home, running in every direction. It is my hope that as we try and navigate through this holiday season, we keep our focus on that which we are thankful for. It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in the inch of dust that is covering my house from the construction of our basement, the one day sale that saves me $15.00 on the requested Christmas gift or the must see Christmas event that drags us out of our house longer and later than we should be.

This season, I hope to focus on my girls and give them the gift of my time and love.

I do love them so!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From Springfield, Virginia!

Playing Together

I always say that my twins can play for hours with something as little as a paper towel roll, bowl, flashlight, laundry basket, or box.  The list could go on and on. 

Today it was a single pillow.  It was a car, a bus, Santa's sleigh and finally a couple pillows came down to the floor and the girls lined them up like race cars.  They laid flat on their stomachs  in Superman style while kicking their feet.  I believe the quicker the kick, the quicker the car went. 

Here they are riding to school in the car.  Adeline is the Mommy and in the driver's seat. 

A Sneak Peek at Santa

Miss Lila made a bargain with me yesterday.  If she napped, she wanted me to take her to see Santa.  I had been to the mall with Savannah that morning and Lila caught wind of Santa's arrival.  After an hour of playing in her bed, Lila eventually fell asleep which signed me up for another trip to the mall.  She waited patiently all afternoon and evening for daddy to come home.  He had to go into the city to pick up his race packet for the Philly Marathon!  Daddy finally returned around 7:30 p.m.

Lila was so excited to see Santa.  I told her we weren't going to talk to him or sit on his lap because we only do that when the entire family is present.  I also warned her that due to the late hour, Santa may have left and gone to bed.  Because Lila was so gleeful she replied, "If Santa is in bed, I won't cry.  When I was a baby, I would cry if Santa was in bed but now I am big girl and I will say, 'It's okay.'"  She was aiming to please during the entire car ride.  It was late and Lila knew that she was getting a special treat.  When passing McDonald's she asked to stop and I told her no.  Her reply, "Oh good for me.  I don't want McDonald's anyway."  Again, aiming to please.  She thanked about twenty times for our special trip and asked if she could sleep on the in the car on the way home because it was late and she was tired.  It always makes me laugh when she asks permission to sleep. 

When we got to the mall, Santa was definitely not sleeping.  He was walking around giving out high fives,

 fist bumps, (this was a first for Lila)

 and squishy hugs.  It happened so quickly that I didn't have my camera ready in time and the picture is blurry.  Regardless, Lila's smile shines through and is an indicator of her happiness. 

 Before leaving, Lila wanted to explore the area around his chair.  She clearly remembered if from last year. 

 All in all it was pretty successful sneak peek at Santa.  Unfortunately, I paid for the late outing once home.  The battle for bed ended in tears which was a sharp transition from the Lila that was riding in the car.  She keeps us on our toes!

5 Years Ago. . .

I brought my blue eyed girl home from the NICU.  Her eyes were bright but we had yet to discover the spirit behind them.  Lila Grace makes us laugh louder, snuggle closer and paints our world with vibrant colors.  She has delightful highs and can celebrate the smallest detail when most would over look it.  She challenges us when those highs turn to lows but, in the end, she adds just the right amount of spice to this very quiet family. 

I love this girl.  I love her for loving and me telling me daily, "You're the best Mommy ever."  Who would have thought that this little baby, that barely filled a car seat, would fill our family with love and laughter.

Prematurity Awareness Day

Over five years ago, we joined the prematurity community.  Before having the twins, I never stopped to think about babies that were born early and the subsequent implications of their early birth.  I didn't understand what was behind the NICU's closed doors or what the families of those babies went through.  Now I know all too well.

Today, I pause to celebrate our successful outcome while recognizing those babies and families that are not as fortunate.  I give thanks for the doctors, nurses and research funding that played a role in my babies coming home.  I pray for the tiny babies laying in their isolettes clinging to life on their breathing tubes.

Those were my babies five years ago.

Here the girls are on their first Prematurity Awareness Day. 

Today is a day to call attention to babies like mine because awareness leads to funding.  Funding is what provided my girls with the medical equipment and knowledge doctors needed to keep the girls alive. Funding is what provided the countless hours of therapy my girls have received and still receive.  Funding is what helped pay for the million plus dollars in medical bills.  Funding is everything when you are born at one pound! 

Here are my girls five years later at yesterday's swim lesson; alive, well and happily jumping into the pool together.  We are so darn lucky.