Dear Sophie, Seventeen Months

Dear Baby Girl,

I love having a little girl so much. You are so sweet and you love to sit and cuddle with mommy all day. Every morning when Jack wakes us up way too early, you and mommy sit on the couch underneath a blanket and relax while watching Jack run around. You are such a social butterfly. You love to be part of the mix, and you are happy to sit with mommy, and hear stories, or talk. You are so curious, and you like to have everything named for you. You like to tell us what names you know. You talk constantly! You like to make the sounds for animals, and we aren't sure why, but when you see a cow, you blow raspberries. Where did you learn that one? You are so spunky, and some days you keep mommy guessing as to what you want and need. Mommy has to work for your giggles, but once I get you going, it's hard to get you to stop. You love to read. All day long, you look at books, or ask for other people to read them to you. You watch all of the trouble that Jack gets into, and try to look innocent when he convinces you to join in. Your beautiful, impish smile always makes me smile back. I can't help it, you are just too cute with you scrunched up you little nose and you look at me like I am crazy. I might be crazy, but I am your mom! I love that you seem to like to do things that might make you dirty. You like to do what Jack is doing. Mommy would love to have a little tomboy that loves to play soccer and run around outside, but if you choose to do something girly, I will love you just as much. You love to eat, and it makes mommy so happy to see your cheeks all filled out. Mommy and daddy were so worried about you this summer, but God took care of you, just like he has always done. We are so happy that he helped the surgeons fix you, so that you don't ever have to worry about it. I'm going to ask your brother the same thing, but maybe you could slow down the rate at which you are growing? We could just stop at this age for a little bit. It's a fun age. Really. We could try at least? I hope you always keep your strong and determined attitude. I hope you always fight for what you want. But I also hope you always remain sweet and kind.

I love you forever and always,
Mommy

Dear Jack, Seventeen Months

Dear Baby Boy,

Can you please slow down? I mean really, do you need to grow so fast? Did you need to start walking and be so independent at such an early age? Mommy can't keep up with how much you change every single day. You amaze me when you run around the house with such zest. Exploring and taking in everything that you possibly can. When you came up to me this morning, and asked, "What is this?" as clear as day, I couldn't answer you because my words were stuck in my throat. My baby is speaking in sentences! I miss my cuddlebug. The little baby who used to snuggle and fit on my chest. Some days, you give me little glimpses of that cuddley little guy, but then right away you are off again, zooming around the room. I love those quick kisses, and little cuddles, almost as much as I love your laugh. You are such a happy little guy. You laugh at everything. Something so small will send you into fits of laughter. Kisses on your belly, and under your arms always get you going. You love your cars, and you love to open the drawers and spew their contents all over the room. Taking a look at each little toy you find in them. Then you climb into the empty drawer, and have a ball. Sometimes we have to get an extra one out for Sophie because you don't always like to share. After you run around like a mad man, you will sit quietly on the floor and look at a book. That's the time when I know I can snuggle with you, and you will listen to a story that I have to read. You are such a rough and tumble little boy. You fall down, or get hurt, and after a quick inspection, and a few hugs and kisses, you are on you way again. You are all boy. You love your milk. You drink and drink and drink. At least we know you will always have strong muscles! You like most foods that mommy makes, but you are just like me, and you don't really like breakfast. You are just like daddy, that you don't really like sweets. Ice cream is too cold for you. Your daddy and I love you to pieces. We can't get enough of your free spirit and infectious laugh. Your little goofy grin. I hope you never loose those things. I hope you always keep that wonder you have for everything in this world. My little toddler. I know I can't freeze you at this age, but maybe we could work on just slowing down a little? Please? For mommy?

I love you forever and always,

Mommy

Videos of Our Lives

Instead of pictures, I made a few posts with videos of things that the twins have been up to. Our days are getting more fun, as well as crazier, busier, sillier, more exhausting, and filled with love!

Daddy Teaches Jack to Dunk

We finally brought the basketball hoop down from the attic, and the twins loved it! Matt taught Jack how to dunk the basketball, and he has been dunking anything and everything since. Blah Blahs, stuffed animals, blocks, you name it, it's gone through our hoop.

Working together to build blocks

The other day, Jack was building his "blocks" into a tower, and Sophie was helping by knocking them down. He gets pretty frustrated, but she loves it!

Jack Gives the Dog a Bone

The kids love dogs, and last week when we went to my parents house, Jack was very excited to feed their dog Kalli, bones. He also wanted to feed her everything else he was eating! I'm sure now he has a friend for life!

Rachel Reads to Sophie

Two weeks ago, we were lucky enogh to have the opportunity to visit with the Fredrick Andersons. Sophie loved that Rachel read her books.

Spring is on its way!

We caught a cute little bunny hopping around our house this morning. That must mean spring is almost here!

Happy Valentine's Day Daddy!

For Valentine's Day the twins and I surprised Daddy by picking out new shirts with our messages of love for Daddy on them. Jack's says, "I love Daddy," and Sophie's says, "My heart belongs to Daddy." We then had a little mini-photoshoot, and I took a lot of pictures and made Matt a scrapbook to take to work. Just a little reminder of how much we all love him. Here some of my favorites from the shoot.

A New Obsession

Things with wheels. Jack did this for at least a half hour on Wednesday. He's not particular about what kind of moving vehicle it is, as long as it has wheels, he can provide the sounds.

I love...

• That the kids love to read books. They do this all day long. Especially Sophie. And they have this silly "reading voice" that is very dramatic. I wonder if they are copying me?
• That the when comes home from work, the kids run to the gate to greet him. Jack pulls on Matt's jacket to make sure that he is staying for a while. Then chaos ensues as they enjoy "Daddy Time."
• That the twins kiss and hug each other all the time. They are also starting to play together much more often than before. They play peak-a-boo, read together, and other games that I really don't understand.
• That they are talking like crazy, and picking up new words all the time. It never ceases to amaze me when they say something new. They say things like, "quack", "ball", "bubble", "flower", "no", and many others.
• When Sophie has her "Incredible Hulk Fit" as Matt and I like to call it. Well, we don't encourage it, but it's pretty ridiculous when Sophie gets so mad she bites things...like a cabinet. So, like I said, she gets in trouble, but it is so silly.
• That they are such good eaters. There are very few things that they won't eat, and they love their veggies. They love enchiladas, salsa, white chicken chili soup, cantalope and rice.
• They aren't big fans of kid friendly foods like pizza or grilled cheese sandwiches.
• That they laugh all the time. It makes stressful days less stressful.
• That they love to go places. Everyday they try to get me to take them somewhere. Matt and I are really excited to have a backyard to let them roam in this year.
• That they love going for walks and being outside. This is sort of mandatory to be part of this family! We love to exercise and relax outdoors!
• That they are our little growing, exploring, sometimes getting into trouble, toddlers. We love being parents!