After standing in the rain for 1.5 hours (they eventually moved us inside) and running around after three very good, yet active girls, I cast my vote. I knew the lines were going to be long but I didn't expect that I would wait well over an hour. Luckily, I scheduled Adeline's speech therapist to join us which provided me with another set of hands and Adeline with lots to keep her busy. All girls ate a good lunch in the stroller and then seemed to occupy themselves while we stood and waited. Lila Grace was on her best behavior and come nap time, hopped in her stroller and snuggled Bunny. Savannah was lucky and joined me in the actual polling room. I left the large stroller and twins with Miss Ruby in the lobby. The polling room was quite warm and very small. Leaving the girls with Ruby was an excellent choice.
I planned to bring a camera and take a picture of the line (I knew it would be long and that Savannah will remember it next year and so forth) but of course I forgot it. I enjoyed carrying out my civic duty with my three girls in tow. It is nice to be in a swing state where I really feel my vote counts. Can't say Texas has any swinging in its future.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Twin Speak
I have often heard mothers of twins say that their twins developed a sort of twin speak. I am pretty sure we aren't mirroring that development because of the girls and their very different levels of development, especially when it comes to speech. It is only recently that Adeline is acquiring words by the day and trying to spontaneously repeat what is said.
I have noticed that the girls are developing their own sort of twin speak. Today, Adeline grabbed my glasses off of my night stand and handed them to me saying, "tank ooo ga ga." Translation - thank you. Well, it is Lila's version of "thank you." Ever since Lila Grace could hand us something and verbalize she would say, "tank ooo ga ga." I realize that I am the one who should be saying, "thank you" but it has always been mixed up with the girls. It was interesting to hear Adeline spontaneously use her twin's version of thank you. She also uses Lila's version of "open please" and "no." Not quite twin speak but something pretty close. It makes me smile for many reasons but mainly because it is indicative of their twinship.
I have noticed that the girls are developing their own sort of twin speak. Today, Adeline grabbed my glasses off of my night stand and handed them to me saying, "tank ooo ga ga." Translation - thank you. Well, it is Lila's version of "thank you." Ever since Lila Grace could hand us something and verbalize she would say, "tank ooo ga ga." I realize that I am the one who should be saying, "thank you" but it has always been mixed up with the girls. It was interesting to hear Adeline spontaneously use her twin's version of thank you. She also uses Lila's version of "open please" and "no." Not quite twin speak but something pretty close. It makes me smile for many reasons but mainly because it is indicative of their twinship.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Trick-or-Treating
Our day started out with a Halloween parade at Savannah's school. We got everyone in costume and out the door by 8:45. Quite the accomplishment. Thank goodness daddy was home. Once Savannah's class paraded through the sanctuary and stopped upfront for pictures, I had come to the realization that I have "that kid." Yes, that kid is Miss Grace the child who really doesn't like people. However, when it comes to standing up in front of more than 100 people and pretending to be a 5 year-old (as she did when she just squeezed her way into the line of Savannah's class and stood there like she belonged while all the parents took pictures) Lila Grace is in her element. She smiled and knew that she was getting away with something.
Soon after we headed back home and tried to get a few pictures of the twins before their therapist came. Wouldn't you know that Lila Grace would pose for 100 parents that she doesn't know but wouldn't sit for even a second while smiling when I am behind the camera. So much for the "picture."
After therapy, the girls ate lunch and went down for an early nap while Savannah and I helped one of her friends celebrate her birthday at a local farm. We were exausted when we got home and passed out for a quick power nap. It wasn't long after that we were, getting costumes on, face painting and quickly trying to inhale our dinners. Miss Grace pulled at the stool while I was working on Savannah and said, "Up please." I thought she wanted to watch but then she was doing her Lila jargon and pointing at her cheek. She wasn't going anywhere until she got her face painted too. How is that time races away on a day like Halloween. I tried to plan everything but still felt rushed at dinner time. Thank goodness, Elmo seemed to take the edge off the girls while I was running around and organizing their costumes. Lila and Savannah were very cute all snuggled up watching their show.
The girls had a wonderful time trick-or-treating. I think they were out longer than most of the other kids in our cul-de-sac. It took a little while for them to get the hang of it, as seen in the video, but by the third and fourth time, they were pros. Lila Grace would lead the way up to the door and say, "Trick-or-Treat" while taking as much candy as the adult would allow. Adeline was right there with her and said, "Trick-or-Treat" most time too. Savannah enjoyed going to all of the different houses and soon realized that she was going to bring home a very large amount of candy. The girls took breaks every now and then in their stroller but were on their feet and walking up to houses the majority of the time. There was no fussing, crying or complaining. It was truly a fun-filled family outing. I couldn't be more proud of how they interacted with their neighbors, their display of great manners (please, thank you and bye bye were often heard) and how well the twins caught on to the sequence of trick-or-treating. I love it when my children surprise me.
Off and running
She sees an airplane
Miss Justine had special goldfish for us!!!
Why tear off the wrapper when you bite right trough it?
Savannah and her friends
Can you get your hands on any more things at one time?
Lila was fast asleep in bed. Possibly, Adeline should join her?
Will the sugar high ever end?
Soon after we headed back home and tried to get a few pictures of the twins before their therapist came. Wouldn't you know that Lila Grace would pose for 100 parents that she doesn't know but wouldn't sit for even a second while smiling when I am behind the camera. So much for the "picture."
After therapy, the girls ate lunch and went down for an early nap while Savannah and I helped one of her friends celebrate her birthday at a local farm. We were exausted when we got home and passed out for a quick power nap. It wasn't long after that we were, getting costumes on, face painting and quickly trying to inhale our dinners. Miss Grace pulled at the stool while I was working on Savannah and said, "Up please." I thought she wanted to watch but then she was doing her Lila jargon and pointing at her cheek. She wasn't going anywhere until she got her face painted too. How is that time races away on a day like Halloween. I tried to plan everything but still felt rushed at dinner time. Thank goodness, Elmo seemed to take the edge off the girls while I was running around and organizing their costumes. Lila and Savannah were very cute all snuggled up watching their show.
The girls had a wonderful time trick-or-treating. I think they were out longer than most of the other kids in our cul-de-sac. It took a little while for them to get the hang of it, as seen in the video, but by the third and fourth time, they were pros. Lila Grace would lead the way up to the door and say, "Trick-or-Treat" while taking as much candy as the adult would allow. Adeline was right there with her and said, "Trick-or-Treat" most time too. Savannah enjoyed going to all of the different houses and soon realized that she was going to bring home a very large amount of candy. The girls took breaks every now and then in their stroller but were on their feet and walking up to houses the majority of the time. There was no fussing, crying or complaining. It was truly a fun-filled family outing. I couldn't be more proud of how they interacted with their neighbors, their display of great manners (please, thank you and bye bye were often heard) and how well the twins caught on to the sequence of trick-or-treating. I love it when my children surprise me.
Off and running
She sees an airplane
Miss Justine had special goldfish for us!!!
Why tear off the wrapper when you bite right trough it?
Savannah and her friends
Can you get your hands on any more things at one time?
Lila was fast asleep in bed. Possibly, Adeline should join her?
Will the sugar high ever end?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Messy Play
During Adeline's last speech therapy session, she was engaged in messy play. She had finger paints on just about every surface of her and the room. I was please that she was engaged and not distressed. This is a very small step closer to being able to accept the "not so everyday experiences" into her life.
Of course, big sister had blast joining in on the painting. Luckily, little sister was pacified with Elmo in my bedroom or the whole thing would have gotten out of control.
Big sister looks so old in this picture. It was picture day and I had put her hair in hot rollers before she went to school. It didn't stay too well but the body in her hair made her look more grown up than ever.
Of course, big sister had blast joining in on the painting. Luckily, little sister was pacified with Elmo in my bedroom or the whole thing would have gotten out of control.
Big sister looks so old in this picture. It was picture day and I had put her hair in hot rollers before she went to school. It didn't stay too well but the body in her hair made her look more grown up than ever.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Third Annual Pumpkin Carving with the Anstines
We just completed our third year of carving pumpkins with the Anstines. The first year our girls were still in the NICU right beside their little girl Charlotte. This year they were all running, jumping and playing around while we tried to discern what shapes they wanted on their pumpkins. Lila Grace tried really hard to like the taste of the pumpkin while Adeline tried to not let the wet stringy pieces force her off my lap. We had a great time and celebrated how lucky we are to have three healthy and thriving girls.
Our first year. . . still in a state of exhaustion and disbelief as our girls have not even made it home yet
Year two. . . happy that all the girls are making tremendous strides in their development
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