February has brought record snows to Colorado, and we've spent some time in the backyard with tons of snow and a new sled. At the beginning of February, we took the girls out and they were a little unsure of riding in the sled. You can tell from their facial expressions, they're getting used to something new. We laid them down because if they were sitting while the sled was moving, they fell right over. There were a couple of faceplants in the snow that day, but both girls recovered well and after warming up to the snow, they had a lot of fun playing in it.
A little over two weeks later, we took them out for another sled ride, and their balance had improved enough (they are changing so fast these days!!) that they both sat up for the ride. (The fact that there wasn't any fresh snow and the track was a little less bumpy probably helped, too!)
Earlier this month, I was given the link to an article that talks about how chaotic being a parent can be, but how there are special moments (Kairos) when time stands still and the amazing wonderfulness of your children soaks you to the bones.
The author puts it this way, "There are two different types of time. Chronos time is what we live in. It's regular time, it's one minute at a time, it's staring down the clock till bedtime time, it's four screaming minutes in time out time, it's two hours till daddy gets home time. Chronos is the hard, slow passing time we parents often live in. Then there's Kairos time. Kairos is God's time. It's time outside of time. It's metaphysical time. It's those magical moments in which time stands still. I have a few of those moments each day. And I cherish them."
I had a Kairos moment that morning, looking over into the family room where the girls were "reading" books together and giggling while I made breakfast...
We've found a new park by our house that has two baby swings, bonus! The girls really enjoy riding in their new wagon, and it's our preferred mode of transportation to the park.
I used to get so excited when the girls would accidentally hold hands. This time, it definitely wasn't an accident, and the avocado slipperiness was definitely part of the fun.
Since this pic was taken, Addie's top right middle tooth has come in, so she no longer sports the fangs
How can it be? Almost a year?!?! Time has absolutely flown, even though I've done my best to make it stand still.
One of the best pieces of advice we got before having the girls came from the instructor at a childbirth class. She told us to enjoy each stage because they each go by so quickly. She advised us to try not to think, "I can't wait until (she can sit up, she's done teething, she can walk)" because that time will come before we know it, and we'll be wishing we could go back and experience the time when they were small again. So I've been trying really hard to live in the present, and not think or wish into the future.
Lately, though, I've been spending a lot of time thinking about the past year, because they will never be little tiny babies again. But then I remind myself that they will never be 11 month olds again, either, so instead of daydreaming about how little they used to be, I'm focusing on enjoying exactly who they are right now. My current whiteboard quote: "Be intent upon the perfection of the present day." ~William Law
In the last few months, the girls have gone from just noticing each other to really interacting and playing with one another. If I'm in the other room and I hear giggling, it's because they've invented some game to play and it's cracking them up. This happens at least once a day, and the sound of their laughter never fails to make me laugh.
Recently, one of their favorite silly games is the high chair game. Whoever gets cleaned up and set down first invariably races over to her sister's high chair to tickle feet and peek up at the still-restrained sister. Sometimes the messy, seated sister will throw scraps down to the clean sister. All of these things bring rounds of giggles from both girls.
Here they are at IHop one Sunday in January. They were so excited to sit at the table with us, and loved our waitress for putting plates and forks right in front of them. (I guess she was testing Chris and I's reflexes). Emily loved her pancakes and eggs so much, she threw them all up at the end of the meal. Oy!
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Later that month, we went up to Fort Collins, where the girls were treated to Noodles & Company's famous Wisconsin Mac n Cheese.
This avocado held Addison's interest for quite some time. Avocado slices are one of her favorite things to eat right now, so it seems only natural that she would want to know all about where they come from.
So now it isn't just the sound of the dishwasher opening that brings both girls run-crawling. The fridge has also become a favorite kitchen appliance, and when it opens up, it's hard to keep these two out. If you ever need lemon or lime juice, beware, they have been sucked on (producing great sour-face grimaces) more times than I can count.
I love hair clips. The trouble is, so do the girls. A fun game? Pick the hairclip out of your sister's hair and try to eat it before Mom can take it away. Here's an attempt at a photoshoot with hair clips....
Emily! You're looking so cute! Addison! Look at the camera!
Yay, Addie! Emily! Over here!
A clip "capture the flag" war followed, during which I needed to put down the camera to snatch the clips before they were ingested.
Hey, give us those clips back, Mom!
So I figured I'd try again, with bigger clips that wouldn't be so easily swallowed. I couldn't even snap one picture before this happened...
Emily: I'll take that. Addison: Again?
Addison: I want it.
Emily: Ahhh, don't touch me!
Dad ended the craziness by giving the girls something they could actually put in their mouths.
Thanks for the snack, Dad! More pictures, Mom? Seriously?
I joined a new mom's group through the hospital where the girls were born when they were only about 2 months old. The group met on Tuesdays at the hospital and was open to moms with babies from birth to 6 months old. A group of us with babies around the same age decided to start our own group when we were nearing the 6 month cut-off.
Since all our babies are one or nearing one, we decided to have a big family party to celebrate birthdays. We rented out a community center in one of the mom's neighborhoods, put a giant tarp down, and let the babies go to town with cupcakes.
Emily and Addison play with a few of their friends as the party gets started
As usual, Addie immediately takes off her left shoe before doing anything else
Trying to get a picture of the girls with their friend Lily....I wasn't fast enough!
Emily found a monkey to love
Emily sees cheese...and she wants it
After we'd eaten dinner, it was time for cupcakes. I was trying to get the bibs on, and I wanted Chris to come over with the camera before letting the girls dig in. Emily was not happy that she needed to wait.
Emily: Zander's coming towards my cupcake! Noooooooo!!!!!
Emily digs right in, Addison's a little hesitant
What is this thing? It's kinda sticky.
Emily's more than happy to help Addison finish her cupcake
Can't talk. Eating.
This was the first time we noticed the little hand gesture Addison does at the end of the video. One of the moms suggests she's asking for milk to go with her cupcake. Later that week, as she continued doing the gesture, I took it to mean "I want" She still does it when she sees something that looks good, exciting, or yummy.
