X-Mas Card Shoot 2009

How did my girls grow up? Their dresses with crinoline, black patent leather shoes, and bows in the hair made them appear just that much older to me. I remember dreaming of the day when I could get them all to pose (using the word loosely) for pictures in pretty dresses. I just adore these sweet faces - even if they are growing up way too FAST!

We took them down to the Brandywine River to try and sneak in some holiday card pictures. After dressing them and doing hair, I was already exhausted but off we went. The excursion proved to fun while providing some quality family time.

Upon arriving, we found the bridge and surrounding area were being turned into an X-Mas tree stand. There was a lot of noise and movement which initially put Adeline at odds with the place. She eventually warmed up. Lila was in heaven because there were rocks everywhere. It is a good thing that her palms don't show in the pictures! She was filthy yet again. Savannah found the tranquil river appealing but enjoyed tossing rocks around with Lila too.

And yes, we got some pictures too. You will have to wait for the card to see my favorites but below are some less perfect but sweet pictures.

The Things They Love Part III

Miss Grace! I know just where to start. . .

Lila is my biggest binki/bunny and now blanket girl. Her Bunny is in worse condition than Savannah's which is very hard to believe. Possibly the most unique and humorous aspect of Lila's Bunny love is where she likes to rub it. I bet you wouldn't have guessed on her toes. Each morning while riding in the car for 1.5 hours, Lila takes off her shoes and socks, hikes her pant legs up, and gives her toes a good Bunny rub. Rubbing Bunny's ribbon on the inside of her nostril seems to be a favoirte as well. We have limited the binki to the car and bed but she still loves it immensely. She only likes certain ones - never pink or purple to be exact. The blanket, well the blanket has been with her from the beginning. It draped over her isolette serving as "room darkening shades." Now it snuggles with her under her sheets to keep her warm.


Coming in at a strong second is Savannah. Lila Grace adores Savannah and their relationship. Their monkey see, monkey do interactions are priceless. Lila Grace puts up with a lot because much of Savannah's pretend play remains above Lila's head. The two of them would rather play with each other, running, screaming and chasing, than playing with a toy any day. An example of their sister games is playing tag. One must tag the other and then say, "I love you." Savannah came up with it on her own.


There aren't many material items that rank high on Lila's list. In fact there are just a few and Ernie has climbed his way to the top. Lila fell in love with Ernie when she turned two and now can spot him an mile away. She recognizes his voice in songs, used to only want Ernie diapers, and is the first to tell a stranger, "I like Ernie."

Another material item that Lila will spend her time on is a puzzle. She isn't independent with 24 piece jigsaw style puzzles but she is getting closer each day. She is a pro at this wooden three pieces to a picture puzzle which is pretty tough. Lila carefully searches through all of the puzzle pieces looking for just the right one. It is nice to see her methodical when most of the time she flies by the seat of her pants.
Dancing, dancing and more dancing. Spinning, singing and dancing. This is what Lila does for fun. She has a favorite song and it must be blaring loud. She won't dance in shoes or socks and we just recently won the clothing battle. For the past six months, she has danced in just her undies.

Does filth count as something one can love? Anything that is wet and has the ability for Lila to drag her feet through it calls her name. She strips off her shoes and socks immediately when she sees a puddle. Luckily, she is getting old enough to know that I DON'T like it which makes her hesitate and ask - sometimes. Most of the time her hands are muddy and her feet are wet.
Along this same line of thinking are rocks. Lila loves a good rock. When she was younger, she would pick one up off a parking lot and carry with her until we got home. I would have to pry it out her hands in order to avoid living in a rock pile. Now, she picks them up and looks for places to throw them. Give her a stream lined with rocks and the child is occupied for hours.

Finally, I must include the color red. Lila Grace feels entitled to anything red because, "I like red mommy." Every picture she brings home from school is colored solidly with red. She used to insist on wearing red socks with everything. Today it was the red bow that had to be in her hair. It seems that red is factor in each day of Lila's life. The funny thing is, Savannah was the same way!!

The Things They Love Part II

Adeline's loves have been pretty consistent over the past couple of years. Although most of them have taken on new complexities like swinging in a big girl swing in comparison to the baby aquarium swing. Adeline is is simple yet opinionated.

Possibly her favorite love of all time is anything with wheels. Before she could crawl, Adeline would prop up and roll a car back and forth. The car has evolved and Adeline now loves everything "Lightening." Yes, that is Lightening McQueen. You would be surprised that this house sports more Cars than dolls. It took me a good two months to not have to give Adeline the toy below during her every waking moment of play.Speaking of play, Adeline has always been a puzzle girl. She is obsessed with train floor puzzles but is currently favoring the number train over the ABC's.
I don't know if I am responsible for her next love but I am pretty sure I have some part in it. Adeline loves giraffes. She really doesn't take to any other stuffed animal. She enjoys giraffes in plush (as seen in the picture) but also loves to wear her giraffe print hoodie, read giraffe books or see them in real life at the zoo. The irony in the big animal/tiny girl only makes it that more precious.
I wasn't sure if I should post baths under Lila or Adeline but I am going to put it here. I remember how motivating baths used to be for Adeline. Hearing the water run would give her the gumption to crawl when crawling was so laborious. Today, she continues to kick and splash but feels most proud when she is "swimming." (The girls put color tabs in their bath water which is why it looks like someone vomited.)
As I mentioned, her love of swinging started the day she came home. Come to think of it, she would swing in the NICU once she was past term. Once big enough, Adeline used to sit for an entire hour in the baby swing while Savannah and Lila played on the playground. Now she explores, climbs and slides but there is not doubt what she likes most. Possibly her vestibular needs shining through. I can't believe I don't have a picture of her in an outdoor swing.
Don't mess with Adeline's trains. She will kick and scream. She will especially stick it to you if you take her Henry, Clarabel and Annie away. Don't try to trade them for Lady or Thomas, don't try to take turns, and don't pull them apart. The girl likes what she likes!

Finally, for the girl who was always a tough feed both with the bottle and later with solids, it is funny that she will do anything for the following two items. Yes, she still gets a bottle of Pediasure in the morning. If you enter her room without in hand, you will hear her scream, "Bottle!" over and over again while you walk downstairs to get it. She sucks it dry in two minutes but loves is just the same. And forget cookies, crackers, and candy, my littlest girls LOVES Trader Joe's yogurt. She begs for it and if you finally give in a say yes, she hops into the kitchen, opens the refrigerator, digs it out of the drawer (we buy mass quantity when we go) and finds herself a spoon. She also eats it in two minutes flat with the biggest bites imaginable. I will be surprised if she ever grows tired of the two. Don't know what her roommate in college will think about her sucking down a bottle of Pediasure (no she doesn't want it in a cup) but I will let the two of them work it out.

The Things They Love

Alex asked me why I was taking pictures of the girls and all of the things they loved. I told him I was afraid I wouldn't remember which he didn't take too seriously. I promptly asked him what the girls loved when they turned two and he came up with, "I would have to think about it." I think that was his way of giving the admission of not remembering.

So here we go. I will start with my oldest.

Savannah still is holding strong to her creative side. Here favorite past time is crafting, creating, and writing. She spends hours at her desk either writing/making things for the pretend world she is currently in or for something or someone in reality. I took a picture of her desk and there was a journal she had made two days ago for herself. "It is for me to write in when I feel like it." Write she does.

As far as creating goes, she brought what she called a robot (a recycled box taped to a train) upstairs to show the family. It was done completely on her own and sports a nice smiley face if you look closely.

She also loves anything small and plastic that has a community of it's own. Ponyville and Thumbelina are currently top of the list.

On the first day of school, Teacher Michelle asked the class what they most wanted to learn. Savannah was the only child that did not say she wanted to learn to read. Instead she said, "I want to learn to count money." Not surprising, Savannah has learned it on her own at home as she spends far too much time counting her change and dollars. She also hoards coupons that she dreams of using but never ends up pulling the trigger on because she can't part with her money. I couldn't find all of her change but she is thrilled to be a proud owner of a five and ten dollar bill.
Although she didn't say she wanted to learn to read to T. Michelle on the first day of school, not a day goes by without helping her work her way through a book. Her class hasn't started in on heavy reading instruction yet but Savannah is progressing due to own determination and patience. It pains me when she calls her sisters up to on the couch to listen to her read one of their favorite stories. Time and again, they get frustrated and I hear Savannah say, "Girls, I just don't know how to read this book yet. I am sorry." Oh, how I wish there were more hours in the day so I could teach this bright little girl reading fundamentals.
I have to add that one of Savannah's favorite past time is dragging Lila around to play whatever game Savannah has concocted. Savannah loves Lila dearly but sometimes I have to remind her that Lila Grace is not a toy. If Lila gets to it before I do, Savannah is left hurt and tearful wondering why Lila doesn't want to play with her.

Finally, it goes without saying. . . BUNNY! This is a picture she took in for show and tell. They can't bring in toys or stuffed animals so she took a picture of a newish (back up Bunny that never really worked after 1.5 years of age) and the real Mrs. Bunny Ruffle.

More on the the other two later.

Here We Go Again. . .

Why do I think the third time isn't a charm?? I predict the Belle will give us a run for our money in the potty department. I am determined to get her potty trained because poor Mrs. Stueve keeps having to change a poopy diaper at school. Isn't there someone out there I could hire to stay in my house for a week and take care of this for me. . .

The first success. . .

Trick Or Treat

Here goes the obligatory Halloween post. Much less monumental than last year when the girls were just on the threshold of saying, "trick-or-treat," and Adeline was barely able to hold her own with steps. However. . . this year was full and fun.

Due to the impending rain, we took the girls to a large mall to trick or treat. This was my first experience with Malloween, and it wasn't bad. Most retailers were handing out candy and the girls figured out very quickly how to spot the stores with the goods. I was pleased to see them waiting in line and saying, "thank you." None of the three girls really love saying, "trick-or-treat," which most stems from their parents social shyness.

While in the mall, Savannah the hamburger was a hit. She was stopped time and time again by people telling her how wonderful her costume was. I was asked many times if I made it myself. Clearly, I look more able than I am. I have to say the hamburger costume was refreshing. Although it was a last minute clearance purchase with no real decision to wear it, the hamburger reminded me of character free Halloweens past. Nowadays every trick-or-treater is a Disney Princess or Star Wars/Transformer. We are just as guilty as the twins pranced around in their Barbie princess dresses. The hamburger pleased me because it didn't subscribe to a character, gender or time period. And of course, there isn't a cuter smile out there to pull it off!
After the mall, the we headed home for a nap with low expectations for neighborhood trick-or-treating. To our surprise, the rain held off and the girls were out by six o'clock. Here they are with the favorite neighborhood girlfriends.

The girls hoofed it much of the way but the distance between houses here is too much for little legs. The girls were in their stroller and Savannah on Daddy's shoulders by the end. We were all hot (strangely humid) and poured on ten minutes before making it home. What a better way to cure the wet costume blues than a bubble bath in Mommy and Daddy's tub. Finally, all three girls got to tub it up together.

We played around a bit, well who am I kidding, I watched the girls jump, roll, and be lifted by daddy. We will see how much longer Daddy can do this. Savannah doesn't understand why he can't lift her and a twin??? (He is loving me for posting this picture)
Soon, the twins were in bed and Savannah was counting her stash. 78 pieces!! Looks like someone is coming down off of their sugar high.
Now if anyone could just rid this house of candy, cookies, and all other sweets I wouldn't have to be asked a gazillion times a day for a snack. We can't possibly eat all of this. The amount of candy three kids bring in is ridiculous.

Fourth Annual Pumpkin Carving

The NICU sisters met up for their annual pumpkin carving. Hard to believe that we have been schleppin' pumpkin guts with the Anstines for four years. Although the first year brought some much needed lighthearted laughs, year four was much more profound Three years ago, the girls were still fighting it out in their isolettes and now look at them. Talking to each other, loving each other and delighting in each other's presence. Of course, trying to carve pumpkins with five kids rolling around isn't as organized or focused as it once was but who really cares when you are in the presence of miracles. Truly they are!

Here are some picsI asked Adeline what kind of pumpkin she wanted and she responded with, "A Happy Birthday pumpkin." I was puzzled at first but as she kept pulling the pumpkin toward her to look inside I realized she wanted a pumpkin with a candle in it. So cute. She told me what shape she wanted the eyes and nose and told me that she wanted three teeth. I thought that was great communicating. Once we were done and lit her pumpkin, she kept leaning into the mouth to try and blow out the candle. This girl is too funny.

Earlier that day, we had gutted the pumpkins. Savannah wanted to roast the seeds (which I still have sitting in the fridge because I don't know how). She and Lila extracted the seeds and Lila kept trying to eat the guts which really made me want to puke. Surprisingly, Adeline felt left out. I didn't thing she would want to participate so I didn't ask. I guess I was wrong.