Babies First (White) Christmas

Owen and Emmaline celebrated their first Christmas last week, and while it probably wasn't memorable for them :), it definitely was for us! We made it to Vince's Dad's home in Hydro, Oklahoma last Wednesday night and woke up to what the news creatively named "Blizzard 2009." It was windy, white, and cold cold cold! Since we were snowed into Hydro and snowed out of Norman (where my family celebrates), my family rescheduled for that Saturday. It was short, but at least we were able to spend time together.

Owen and Emmaline received so many wonderful gifts, and are having fun playing with them this week. Vince's dad (Papa) bought them each their first pair of leather cowboy boots, which I need to take a picture of to post. I had no idea boots came in such tiny sizes! My mom (Grandma) gave them, among other things, a wiener dog toy that moves and barks to encourage crawling. The babies love him, but Ella definitely was not amused!

We took so many cute pictures, and I've picked my favorites below.

Santa's lap...score!

Emmaline with friends Laura and Trey's daughter, Riley.

Lisa (Sarah's sister) smiling through Owen's yells.
"Aunt Lisa, you can call me Crankypants...Owen Crankypants."

Owen and Emmaline, look at the camera! Hey-eeee, look at the camera!

Look at mommy acting like a fool! Look, look!

"Ha, I knew you'd blink before me!"

"Oh...my...gosh, will Santa be able to make it in this blizzard?! I need answers now!"

"Hey, I'm cute!"

"Fun For All That Children Call Their Favorite Time of Year"

Holiday Fun

This has been the week of holiday get-togethers, and my friends are pretty creative when it comes to reasons to have them!

On Saturday, I went to my friend Laura's house in Fort Worth for her annual Gingerbread House Party. I'm not exactly a "make and do" person :), so I was a little nervous since she has been throwing these parties since she was in middle school and some of her guests have been going since then! Anyway, we had brunch and worked away on our houses, it was a lot of fun!

Laura took a break from slaving away on her house to take a picture.

My house held its own against the fierce competition. Sadly, my "tenant" lost an arm when I had to break quickly in the oh-so-jolly holiday traffic on my way home. R.I.P. little man.

On Monday night, my friend Bianca had a wrapping party at her house. Each guest brought a roll of wrapping paper, gifts to wrap and, in my case, their children. Owen and Emmaline loved the attention, and played on the floor in Bianca's living room (on one of the gorgeous quilts my friend Angela made for them when they were born...so talented!). They loved being held by so many cute girls too, especially Owen! And, thanks Angela for wrapping a few of my gifts while I took care of babies!

Showing off the CUTEST socks from Bianca for the kids: Skater socks for Owen and Anniversary mary janes for Emmaline, by Trumpette! Love them!

Owen: "Hel-lo ladies..."

Emmaline: "Hey Mom, come eat the rest of your Sprinkles cupcake before I put my foot in it!"

Owen: "Real men suck their thumbs."

Owen and Bianca (Owen wouldn't stop sticking out his tongue!)

O Christmas Tree

I love, love, LOVE this time of year!! And, the holidays are even more special this year since we're celebrating it with Owen and Emmaline.

I worked on our Christmas decorations little by little each night last week after the babies went to bed. It's so much fun to watch them captivated by the lights, not to mention a nice distraction if they're upset! :)

The weather also turned very cold last week, so we weren't able to walk around the Arboretum. Instead, we walked around Northpark mall a few times, and Owen and Emmaline had their first visit to Santa (a very impressive Santa too, stay tuned for the adorable picture!). Luckily, they were taking a nap while we waited in line. When it was our turn, they were still asleep, so a very sweet "Santa's helper" (and did she ever earn that title with me!), unstrapped one sleep baby from the stroller while I woke up the other. Needless to say, they were a little stunned! I don't think they really knew what was going on, but I still had my moment watching them sit on Santa's lap!

We're working hard during playtime, extending tummy time and spending time in the Bumbo seats working the neck muscles. I feel like their personal trainer but, (sigh) doctor's orders at their four month check-up. Since they were born early, they struggle a little more than most four month olds, but they get stronger every day!

"Hey, take our picture, this is cool!"

"And no Mom, we just can't make the letter M right now!"

Owen: "Hey, toy...I said, HEY TOY!"

Owen: "So, we conclude this meeting with the decision to see Santa today."

Emmaline: "Either way, I've got the keys, let's go!"

A pretty picture of Emmaline. :)

"Um...how did we end up like this?"

Four Month Check-Up and First Trip

This past week was such a milestone, the twins took their first trip for Thanksgiving and it went beautifully! We left for Oklahoma last Wednesday evening when Vince got back from Houston (yup, still traveling for work). The drive to Hydro, OK took about five hours, and we didn't hear a peep from the babies. We took both of our cars: Vince had luggage and dogs, I had babies, stroller, misc. Somehow, we fit everything!

Vince's Dad built a home on his land in Hydro and recently moved in from his home in Norman, OK to enjoy his retirement. My family is in Norman, so we spent our Thanksgiving holiday driving back and forth. The drive is about an hour from Norman to Hydro and, again, not a peep from the kiddos! They also slept through the night each night we were there. I'm trying so hard not to brag, but we were so happy! I think Owen and Emmaline loved all of the attention from their aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and great-grandparents too!

I was terrible at taking pictures with my family, but got a few with Vince's. I promise to do better at Christmas!

Father/Son nap time!

Uncle Daniel (Vince's brother) and Owen.

Baby Emmaline


Aunt Dorinda (Vince's sister), cousin Shilo pose with Miss Emmers.

Cousins Shilo and Kyla were such a big help with the babies!

Owen and Emmaline's four month check-up was two weeks ago, complete with scream inducing booster shots. Our pediatrician cheered because not only are they off of the preemie growth charts (finally!), but they are ahead with their social and motor skills for being born at 35 weeks (brag brag brag :)). They won't have another check-up until six months, and I can't wait to see what their progress will be at that point.

Emmaline: 11 lbs, 10 oz (12th percentile), 23 1/2 inches (25th percentile)

Owen: 12 lbs, 2 oz (5th percentile), 24 inches (15th percentile)

Below are a few of my favorite pics we've taken since my last blog posting:

Emmaline sleeping after the doctor's appointment.

Owen taking a snooze after the doctor's appointment.

Belly laugh!

Working hard during tummy time.

October 2009

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All Smiles

I didn't realize until I had children just how hard they are to photograph! I've been so eager to take pictures of them smiling because they do it so much now, but the smile is so hard to actually capture on camera! But, I was successful this week and got a few.

I don't want to jinx it :), but Emmaline and Owen have been sleeping well for the past three weeks, and can sleep together, at the same time, for four to five hours each time. Owen had been religiously waking up every three hours to eat (growth spurt, I think), and we always had to wake poor Emmaline up to eat with him. It's a cruel twin rule, if one wakes up and is hungry, you have to wake the other up to feed as well. I've tried not waking Emmaline up, but each time I end up feeding her one hour after I've fed Owen, and so it feels like we're up all night (because, well, we ARE up all night!).

I've also discovered the beauty of naps (not for me, the babies. Me napping, or Vince napping...how funny!). Naps are magical, I wish I had discovered them earlier! I guess these are the discoveries that happen when you've never had a babysitting job in your life! :) The babies take about three naps a day. The trick now is getting them to take them at the same time so I can get a few things done. But, the positive side of one napping is that I get one-on-one time with the other, which we all appreciate. It's fun to just play and interact with one, I feel like I get to know them better.

This week we joined my friends Laura, her daughter Lola, and my friend Bianca for lunch at Corner Bakery. I wish I had taken more pictures, but I was too busy chatting! We also went to the Arboretum to enjoy our gorgeous weather. I am so glad we joined the Arboretum as members, it's a great way for us to get the babies outside, they really like it. They make the cutest faces when they feel a breeze!

Modeling the "tutu" from Aunt Lisa. Cheese!

Nap time. Hooray!

Owen's nap face.


"I'll bet Bianca wouldn't cheer when I take a nap, so rude! Sorry if I kicked you Baby Schiffman!"

Playing around VERY early in the morning in Mommy and Daddy's bed. "We're wide awake, who cares if it's still dark outside?"

"This toy on my bouncy seat is so funny! Has it been here the whole time?"