Life's a beach!

At the beginning of the month we took the boys on their very first vacation to Rosemary Beach! Ari and Noah were terrific on the drive down, and on the drive back...we didn't even have to stop! The house that we stayed in was perfect and didn't need much baby proofing. The first night was miserable because the boys wouldn't sleep, but once they got used to their new surroundings, everything was great! Just like their mommy, they HATED the sand! They wouldn't even sit down on a towel that was laying on the sand. We had to hold them the whole time, but thankfully they enjoyed the water, so we were able to get plenty of swimming in.

My mom went with us, which was a HUGE help! I really can't imagine what the trip would have been like had the four of us gone by ourselves. I know that we will in the future, but it would have been quite difficult without an extra set of hands.

Thankfully, the beach was still beautiful and unaffected by the oil. We made it by just a week or two! I know that each time we go back, it'll be a little easier. Hopefully next year they'll enjoy playing in the sand...and will even walk on it if we're lucky! : )

The boys loved walking to the beach every day!

And thankfully, they loved wearing their hats!

Snacks were an absolute must!

We brought Ari and Noah's toys down in a tupperware storage container,

which they turned into a new toy using their creative imaginations!

The boys loved the freedom of being able to run around!

A few from the first

School's our for summer, but it might as well not be! Summer learning is going to be keeping me busy after-hours for a few weeks. This is going to be a super busy week. The boys have their 15 month check-up on Thursday, and we're leaving for Rosemary Beach on Sunday. Lots to pack, and get ready for...and some summer learning to do in between. I'm just a little bitter about it, if you couldn't tell!

Anyway, I needed a little pepping up, so here are a few from the first! The boys enjoyed their cupcakes, and thankfully didn't get too messy. A few days later we had a big family event at the house, which ended with Ari getting sick. All in all, it was a great time!

Where the Wild Things Are

On Friday, April 2, 2010, Mark and I took the boys to the zoo for the very first time. It was hot as ever, but the boys were really great! They loved looking at the animals! Snacks were an essential in keeping the boys happy, and they each got to choose their own keepsake!

When you're 15...

you can build a masterpiece...

or be silly one minute...

and serious the next!

How time has flown! I can't believe that they boys are 15 months old today. It seems like just yesterday we were waiting for them, and now they're here, and doing amazing things! Both boys had a bit of the sniffles this weekend, and somehow passed it on to me and both grandmas. It's so sad to hear them all congested. I've suctioned out the noses, but the sneezes seem to be their only relief in getting the yucky stuff out. Mark took Ari to the doctor on Friday because he was running a bit of a fever. Beside the cold bug, he has 6 teeth coming in all at once...poor little guy! Today was much better, though! He definitely had a big smile to show for it!

Begging...

Dear Ari and Noah,

The two of you have always been such good eaters. You must be going through a phase. You haven't made feeding an easy task the past few days. I hope that tomorrow will be better. Please eat!

Love,

Mommy

gimme, gimme

The past few days our little Noah has been all about giving! Every little thing that he finds on the floor (crumbs included) he brings to me, and puts into my hand. Sometimes he just pretends. It's too cute! Ari on the other hand, is only giving to himself...everything goes in the mouth!

On a side note, we had the most AMAZING day yesterday! We started the Sunday morning off with our usual Publix run. When we got home the boys went down for their nap, and slept for almost two hours. Afterward we went to Longhorn for lunch. The boys totally ate up their grilled cheese sandwich and french fries. They also had two people (diners) come up to them to tell them how well behaved they were! ; ) We then journeyed up to the outlets and walked around for a couple of hours. We couldn't have asked any more of them! They were so wonderful!! Each day they remind me of how lucky we are!

Looks like we made it!

Seems like time is passing faster than the blink of an eye these days! The boys are now almost 15 months old. On February 24th they hit the one year mark! It has been such an amazing year! It was so exciting to see them turn one, but I also felt a sense of accomplishment in that Mark and I survived a whole year as parents. And I must say that we've done a pretty fantastic job! However I can't take all the credit...our family has been pretty amazing as well!

Ari and Noah are now officially two little people! They are definitely no longer little balls of silly putty that just lay around staring at toys hanging up above. At the end of their 13th month they both started walking. Ari was the first to take a few steps, and Noah followed right after the very next day! I'm also very proud to say that bottles and jar food are no more! Although I have to admit that I do still stress a good bit about feeding them.

Both boys totally have minds of their own. Noah is the talker, Ari is the problem solver, but on certain days I find that roles reverse. There is nothing more entertaining these days than sitting around watching the two of them play! I only have 10 more days of work until I get to spend my entire summer with my delicious little munchkins. Can't wait!

Noah and Ari

Becoming parents has been the best experience in the world. There is nothing more important to us than providing unconditional love and laughter to our little ones. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. People look at us and often say, "I can't even imagine what it'd be like to have twins." I can't imagine what it would be like to have just one!

Oh...I guess I do need to mention that these photos were taken by Brigette from Just Bee Photos! She did an amazing job! : )

So mad...

at myself for not keeping up with this blog! New posts to come very soon...tonight!

I've been a bad, bad girl...

as Fiona Apple would say. Where have I been!? Life has been so busy, and it's been really hard to keep up with this blog, especially after a long day! It's hard to believe that one of the most amazing years of our lives is coming to an end, but I am so looking forward to what the coming year has to bring.

Ari and Noah have grown so much in the past few months! They've gone from being little balls of silly putty, to strong and curious little munchkins. Noah started crawling on Thanksgiving Day, and Ari just a couple of days after. Both boys are now pulling up on everything to stand, and cruising around! Walking, I'm sure, is right around the corner!

I hope that in the new year I will find the time to blog more. Life is quickly changing on a daily basis and there is so much that I don't want to forget. New pictures to come soon!

Happy New Year, everyone!

We're back!

So sorry for the one month hiatus! When it rains, it pours, and life has definitely been pouring around us. This past month has had its many ups and downs, but we're picking up the pieces and moving on. Yesterday we celebrated Ari and Noah's 8-month birthday! Can you believe it, 8 months!



My sweet, sweet grandma passed away on September 30th. This was the last picture that I took with her and Ari back in August.



The very next day after she passed away, Ari had surgery at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. He was such a trooper! Everything went very smoothly, and healed very quickly!



The boys totally love each other! They play together all the time now, and have started fighting over toys! I'm so glad that they have each other.

Ari has a new-found love for taking off his socks...and eating them! It always seems to be the right sock that comes off.

The boys are so interested in everything now. They love to touch and feel objects, and explore. Of course, everything usually ends up in their mouth!

Ari and Noah both have their two bottom teeth! My sister took a bunch of these amazing pictures today. Ari was proud to show his pearly whites!

And if you look very closely, you can see Noah's too!

Ari has also learned to clap! He does it all the time. Of course, I totally dig it when I get a round of applause from a great singing performance! : ) Noah is still working on the clapping, but can totally wave bye-bye!

The boys also have a new-found love for Nixon, and he totally loves them! Our poors dogs have completely been shafted since the boys were born. It's been difficult to give them the attention that they deserve. Now that the boys are becoming more mobile, it's a totally different story!

It's crazy to think that a year has almost passed us by. The boys will be a year in just four more months! An entire year! They're learning so much everyday and growing so quickly! When Mark took the boys in for their second flu shot the other day, Noah weighed 20.8 lbs, and Ari was 20.3 lbs. We are so blessed to have such amazing little munchkins in our lives. I thank God each and every single day for them!

crazy week

Happy 7 months my sweet little angels! I can't believe that time has flown by so quickly! This week has totally been thrown off by the rain days, testing, and life. It's amazing to see how quickly you've grown, and you constantly impress me with all of the new things that you're able to do each day. We love you so much!

Another first!

Last night the boys had their first non-family babysitter, and they did great! Mark and I went out to dinner with my closest of kin to celebrate some birthday fun. My dear friend Lisa was kind enough to offer watching the boys for a couple of hours while we went out! She brought her daughters along for a few extra helping hands! I thought that I'd be a little nervous, but I was completely at ease. We got an excellent report, and the boys were asleep before we got home!

I couldn't be more grateful to have such amazing family and friends in my life! I love you guys!

So stinkin' cute!

Sippin' once, sippin' twice...

The boys tried out their new sippy cups for the first time yesterday! I put just a tad of water in them to let them practice. They seemed very interested!

We're so excited!

I'm not so sure how i feel about this whole television thing, but the boys love it. They're crazy for Moose on Noggin! Everytime they hear his voice, they're glued with their big gummy smiles!



This past weekend on our trip to Costco we put the boys in their car seat stroller frame. Ari usually sits behind Noah, but within a week somehow he grew (who would of thunk it)! His poor little legs had no room to stretch out and were on top of Noah's car seat. So the husband and I decided it was time for the bog boy car seats! Noah was very excited! We tried Ari out in his this evening...he wasn't as excited.


The little doodle-bugs are totally getting a kick out of being able to sit up! They love playing together. I am so glad that they have each other! They are adorable to watch. I missed the moments where Noah was petting Ari's head! : )



Life is so good.