tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69041484763030717782024-03-14T03:54:38.994-07:00 My Twinspirational JourneyThe Adventures of a First-Time Mom Raising Boy/Girl TwinsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-31722962149309660092015-12-08T20:32:00.001-08:002015-12-08T20:32:03.869-08:001st Year of Life Video Montage<span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">This is something I've been working on for a very long time. Put my heart and soul into it and consider it my video masterpiece thus far. Better late than never, here it is, a video montage of the twins' first year of life!</span><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="http://youtu.be/OzxnzZMz5kk">http://youtu.be/OzxnzZMz5kk</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-87399560143966064872015-08-26T17:49:00.000-07:002015-08-26T17:49:06.203-07:0020 Months Update<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Twenty Months?! Whaaaat??? I'll still never get over how fast it's going. But here they are, 20 months and more lively than ever! To say that these two are a handful is certainly an understatement but at the same time are an absolute joy to be around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As time goes on, their personalities are definitely showing. Initially we thought Riv was going to be the nervous one and Riley would be our little dare devil but the more time goes on we are seeing the opposite is true. River loves to climb on everything, jumps into things head first without looking, smiling and laughing every step of the way. That's not to say Riley doesn't get into mischief, she's just a little more leery of new situations. When approaching people she hasn't met before she tends to hide behind our legs and giggle nervously while Riv is more likely to go to the person with open arms. Depending on the situation (and whichever one of us is closer to her) I've also seen her run and hold on to River for protection. It's so sweet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They both have been mimicking Mommy more and more. It happens throughout the day, sometimes in the most surprising moments. For example, their latest thing is imitating me when I'm doing yoga or Pilates. The only chance I have to workout during the day is with them in the room so I'll pull out some toys next to my yoga mat and they play right next to me. However, that quickly turns into them trying to do the same motions as me OR they look at it as an invitation to climb all over me like a jungle gym. And it is not easy trying to workout with an extra 50 pounds on you... Especially when it's on your head! LOL. I have a toddler yoga book of poses I also do with them and they love it, especially Riley. I figure it's never too young to start! There's actually a place that does Storybook Yoga for toddlers that I'd like to get them involved with this Fall! And, in fact, I'm in the process of trying to find a good dance or tumbling class to enroll them in. I want to get them out doing more physical activity and with other children. There's a lot of options here in Orlando, I just have to test them out and see what's the best bang for the buck. Luckily, most places allow you to try out a class first before signing up. And once the twins turn two there's even more options, so I definitely plan on exploring what's out there to ensure they are involved in some fun activities to foster their development even further. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sadly, this month the twins have started fighting a bit. Well, it's actually more like Riley throws a fit if River takes something she has or wants to play with whatever she's playing with. She can be quite possessive with her things, which can be a challenge when everything is BOTH of theirs! River is so laid back, if Riley takes something of his he just moves on to something else but if she takes something of his? Forget it. Meltdown city! That is another thing that Riley started doing this month... throwing herself on the floor when she's upset. I could be over anything. Riv took a toy, I wouldn't let her play in the garage, not giving her orange slices fast enough, you name it. Luckily, I've read a ton on positive discipline so I'm packed with an arsenal of tricks and tips to handle these next few sensitive years. Whenever she goes into tantrum mode if G or I gets down to her level and talk calmly to her she picks herself up and calms right down. It helps to understand the part of their brain that processes emotion is under major construction (hence the "terrible twos") and their frustration is merely a lack of being able to express their emotions. So it takes a lot of patience and understanding on our part, but hey, that's what being a parent is all about!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And while we're on that subject, that is also something G and I have been working on lately ourselves. Being more patient and understanding. How we express ourselves. Learning to be Mindful. Practicing meditation to give our bodies and minds a break and to recharge. Setting our intentions each day to ignite positivity from within to spread outward. All things we want to make a part of our daily routine so that we can pass it on to the twins. Our journey to spiritual enlightenment, as we call it. It's really been great for us. It helps us connect in the evening after a busy day. Our goal is to make it a part of our daily lives and pass it on to the twins. And that's not something that has to wait until they are adults. As they grow and start understanding more I plan on using these learned techniques from the start so they'll grow up having the skills to handle their emotions and let go of negativity easily. It's truly a precious gift we will give to them, one that will last a lifetime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it comes to communication, they are both making strides in their own way. Riv is still behind and has actually been recommended for Speech Therapy in their most recent Early Steps evaluation. And we are totally fine with that, we figured as much. It's free so I am all for anything that will help with their development. He did add two new signs this month. He does the signs for "please" and "bird." He also started saying "RaRa" for we think both him AND Riley. It's not much but I'll take it! He'll communicate more in his own time so I'm really not worried about it. :-) Riley has added more words and signs as well. She now says "yummy" anytime she's hungry, which is just too cute. She also says "home" and for a while she was saying "ok guys," something Daddy always says to them but she hasn't said it in a couple weeks. Funny how they'll start staying something and then stop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So that's about it for now. Each month brings so many new exciting changes and while I'm looking forward to watching them flourish, I also don't want them to grow up too fast! But it's going to fly by whether I want it to or not, so I just have to soak up every last second!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lots of Daddy pics... he's such a good man <3</span></div>
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Reading to Riley at the Dr's office</div>
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Making flower arrangements</div>
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Pool Fun!</div>
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LOL!</div>
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Our little blondie!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-58778647104393595602015-08-25T11:24:00.003-07:002015-08-25T11:24:23.332-07:00NICU Scrapbook<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally finished the scrapbook of the twins' journey through the NICU. (It takes a looong time to put these together and I have a lot of catching up to do!) I had it printed like I usually do but here is the digital copy for those who'd like to see it. Hard to believe they were so tiny and fragile! Breaks my heart to see them like that... no wonder people would cry when they came to visit the NICU! Our little miracle babies...</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-40942436841939390862015-07-07T17:35:00.001-07:002015-07-07T17:41:33.665-07:00Easy Dinner Prep Tips for busy Moms (and Dads!)<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">For those who struggle to find the time to cook, this crockpot prep ahead method has been an absolutely lifesaver!!! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I don't know about you, but between taking care of two active toddlers, trying to keep the house clean and prepping food for the family, I am wiped out every day and still feeling like I couldn't get everything done that I intended to. With stress levels high, but still needing to remain happy-peppy-rah rah rah for the twins my therapist suggested I take 15-20 minutes out of my break each day (aka nap time) to meditate. I got a good laugh out of that suggestion at first, but once I actually did it and felt a WORLD of difference mentally, I decided I needed to make it a daily priority. But something had to give as I usually prep dinner during nap time. I thought "Mission: Impossible" until I learned of a handy trick to minimize meal prep time and boom! Life just got a little easier.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Enter "dump" recipes. Now, at first glance it sounds gross, but I assure this will be your new best friend. You'll need a crockpot and some freezer bags and the world will be your oyster. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The idea is that you </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">can prep a whole bunch of meals at once, throw all the ingredients into freezer bags, pull out as needed, toss into crockpot in the morning and have a delicious meal at the end of the day! Sooo easy! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">What I do that makes is even easier for me is I label all the bags first and put the time and setting on the bag (6 hours-Low) then write ingredients for each on sticky notes and put them on the bags to make stuffing them easier. Roll them up and stick in the freezer! That's all there is to it!!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGzE7VQf7RWmydndXrUayt0bevz5Djsr2EMMaqQmAu-VhgcM90_vJ0VdoW14vpyKhbPlj3ZFRYtd3-s3Ywmsj6Spiv2yE0fsOiY-d8WhIOkFj7Hwh5FMbehFcEwVGEFhDCgHt146_l31v/s640/blogger-image-1551275967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGzE7VQf7RWmydndXrUayt0bevz5Djsr2EMMaqQmAu-VhgcM90_vJ0VdoW14vpyKhbPlj3ZFRYtd3-s3Ywmsj6Spiv2yE0fsOiY-d8WhIOkFj7Hwh5FMbehFcEwVGEFhDCgHt146_l31v/s640/blogger-image-1551275967.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRwpg-WdmXUw8-XlF0x4MiBP_B4R7If-kBFm8nwW3Zf5yUQOvKW3j-nEaegsM6pVW-lkU6CQiCOPCxQ2itn0EPUnh_hFtnizGkbSW56Cu6SUIaeYo-2SWsHo0D6mGQq4GMTuhBmrgG1Z5/s640/blogger-image--1739055942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRwpg-WdmXUw8-XlF0x4MiBP_B4R7If-kBFm8nwW3Zf5yUQOvKW3j-nEaegsM6pVW-lkU6CQiCOPCxQ2itn0EPUnh_hFtnizGkbSW56Cu6SUIaeYo-2SWsHo0D6mGQq4GMTuhBmrgG1Z5/s640/blogger-image--1739055942.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div>My suggestion for finding recipe ideas is to look up "dump" recipes on Pinterest (you can also look up "crockpot" or "slow cooker" recipes. I always look using a different search word each time to generate different results. The "dump" recipes are a good start because they are geared specifically for prepping and freezing ingredients). But you can make it even easier than that... If you're in a time crunch or short on ingredients (like I was tonight!) you can just throw some chicken breasts in each bag and dump a bottle of whatever dressing, soup, sauce, etc, you have in your cabinet and call it a day! Some examples that work are:</div><div><br></div><div>Caesar dressing</div><div>Cream of Mushroom soup</div><div>Cheese soup</div><div>Honey Mustard </div><div>Salsa</div><div>Virtually any salad dressing</div><div>BBQ Sauce (and cut up pineapple!)</div><div>Coconut Milk & Curry powder (stir together first) </div><div><br></div><div>Get creative! The possibilities are endless! </div><div><br></div><div>We don't eat a lot of meat in the house (as I'm a vegetarian) and G usually only likes chicken so I buy a large pack of chicken breasts (I've been getting it at the meat counter at Whole Foods) so that I can always make at least 3 chicken "dump" bags at a time, plus 1-2 vegetarian recipes at around 5 meals let food prep session. On <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">days that I use a pre-made crockpot meal I prep something non-crockpot (like something I'd make in a skillet or oven) so it's ready to go for the next day! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So if you keep sticking your freezer you'll always be ahead of the game, which is awesome if you ever have days where you don't have time to do anything!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This method has saved me SO much time and stress!!! Just wanted to share! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-47745267478799813082015-06-24T10:14:00.002-07:002015-06-24T10:14:34.097-07:00River's Surgery<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since birth, River has had a blocked tear duct in his right eye. This means the eye wouldn't tear like normal, it would just get all gunked up instead. Every time we'd go outside (in allergen infested Florida) it would ooze yellow stuff. So gross! He was always rubbing his eye so it was constantly red and swollen. People often asked if he was sick or had pink eye. Some mornings he'd wake up with his eye completely crusted shut and we'd have to use our fingers to pry it open! Poor little guy. So the eye dr finally said the only option would be surgery since he didn't grow out of it by age 1. We decided it was the right thing to do since he was on finials suffering and uncomfortable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On June 5th he had the surgery and it was the best decision we could have made. The procedure was done at a surgery center and the anesthesiologist was from Arnold Palmer Hospital, which definitely have us peace of mind. The surgery was a <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">balloon catheter dilation (DCP). In DCP, a balloon is inserted through an opening in the corner of the eye and into the tear duct, then inflated with a sterile solution to expand the tear duct. The balloon is then deflated and removed. Our biggest concern wasn't the procedure, as we had faith in the doctor. We were more worried about the whole fasting thing before the operation. Riv tends to have a royal meltdown when he's hungry, especially in the morning since it's so long between meals. Luckily, the surgery was in the morning and all the commotion kept him pretty happy and occupied. While waiting his turn for surgery he started to get a bit fussy so we walked him up and down the hall, which bought us a little more time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once it was his turn the procedure took about 30 min. They reversed the anesthesia and we were able to go be with him in recovery. He had a rough time coming out of the anesthesia, which is apparently common. He fought and kicked and screamed for about a half hour. G walked him up and down the hallway again and he eventually calmed down and fell asleep in his arms. When we got him home, he was still tipsy from the anesthesia. And was walking around like a little drunk person. Too funny!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NiZQniXxc0" target="_blank">here</a> to see a video of woozy River at home after surgery</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's been a few weeks and I'm happy to say his eye is better than ever! No crusting or oozing. The surgery worked! So glad we went through with it! :-D</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-70271184129451164712015-06-17T14:37:00.000-07:002015-06-17T15:03:27.704-07:0019 Months Update<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1434054231947_2335" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So here we are at 19 months already. River and Riley are still moving along developmentally at their adjusted age, which is now 16 months. </span><span style="font-size: large;">They are getting more fun and more challenging with each passing month. They've gone from taking a few steps to practically running! They spend their days exploring the house and would much rather play with household items than their toys. One of their favorite things to do is stand on their Learning Tower and help Mommy prep food. (I'll be doing a separate post on that!). So I spend a lot of time with them working on practical life skills (putting on sunglasses, washing toys, prepping good, cleaning etc). And they just love doing activities like that. Especially Riley. She wants to do everything the adults do, particularly Mommy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Washing their animal figurines </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Making pumpkin muffins in a mug </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This month has brought a language boom for the dynamic duo. For River it has been with understand and Riley it has been with signing and speaking. Riv is a bit behind his sister in the language department, but we're not too worried about it. (We all know women talk more anyway! LOL). He says Mama, Dada, Baba all the time. He knows G and I are Dada and Mama but he also uses it for different reasons- such as Mama when he wants something in general and Dada when he points to objects and wants to know what it is. We <i>have</i> noticed he calls his cup and blanket baba, which I recently connected the dots that both items start with a B (Blanket and his <water>Bottle). So that's a step in the right direction! They are both still signing "more" "eat" "all done" and Riley also still signs "help" and "please" but has also added "potty" "book" "hat" and "bird." When it comes to speaking this girl is amazing us with new words all the time! She's up to about 25 words! Mind you, she's not making sentences or anything, but she can repeat the words we say and is JUST now starting to point to things and say things on her own. The words she added to her vocabulary this month are: water (wawa), hello, hi, owl, kick, cow, yes, potty, bow & okay. She also babbles and talks with her hands (hmmm that sounds a lot like Mommy ha!). So needless to say, we are pretty impressed with her. They both are understanding SO much though. We've always talked to them in complete sentences and explain everything we do around the house and apparently it's paying off! They totally surprised me recently when I asked them to throw something away in the garbage and they each individually walked over to the laundry room, lifted the garbage can lid and threw it out! They really do pay attention! </span></div>
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<span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1434054231947_3201" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Ever since being in swimming lessons the twins have been SO comfortable with the water. They LOVE going to the pool and swimming underwater between us. So we try to make it a point to go to the pool, or some other water activity, at least once each weekend. Some close friends of ours were visiting from Tallahassee this month and we got to visit with them at their hotel pool! It was a wade-in pool so the kids could just walk right in. Funny thing was, they would have kept right on going if we didn't stop them! They were so comfortable being in the water, they walked all the way in until the water was up to their necks! Such a brave little pair. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">This month we had a visit from their Aunt Kim (G's sister). She spent a long weekend with us and got to have some quality time with the twins. It was great seeing her and she was a huge help with keeping the twins occupied!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Other than that, not much else to report. Riley is still a book worm (although River really loves books as well!). You can frequently find her in the playroom surrounded by as many books as she can possibly pull down!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eating watermelon in their Adirondack chairs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eating corn on the cob for the first time</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Someone stole Mommy's sun hat!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Besties <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z7t6I1R7Cg" target="_blank">here</a> to see River & Riley's 19 month montage video.</span></span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-20980769088185591272015-06-04T16:17:00.000-07:002015-06-04T16:17:13.421-07:00River's First Haircut<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For weeks we've been deliberating what to do with River's hair. We LOVE his beautiful curls and the fact that it's got some length to it fits with our hippie-dippy lifestyle (and his hippie-dippy name). But it was starting to look straggly and, at times, like we found him on the street. We originally wanted to have his first haircut be at Magic Kingdom (since we've become the Disney family we never imagined now that G is an official "cast member" with the company's IT department). However, we envisioned it happening in the Fall when the weather is a little more tolerable. But since Riv was looking like the Shaggy Dog we realized it was time for a trim and there was NO WAY we were parking, walking and taking a ferry into Magic Kingdom in blazing 5,000 degree temps so we <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">decided to find an alternative.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In comes "Pigtails and Crewcuts," a salon that caters to little people (and no I don't mean Peter Dinklage). I made sure to get there when it opened and as luck would have it we were their first customers of the day! This wound up being the first time going anywhere with them and not using a stroller (yeah I won't be doing THAT again!). I got to choose which chair River would sit in- we had a choice between a fire truck, airplane and train. The airplane struck me as the cutest so I went with that. There were plenty of fun toys around so Riley kept herself entertained throughout the haircut, although she spent most of the time staring at River with a puzzled look on her face as if to say, "what are you doing to my brother?" and "why don't I get to do it too?". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I give the hairdresser a lot of credit. River was moving his head all over the place but she didn't miss a beat. I guess they are used to a moving target since they cater to toddlers and kids. But Riv was really great the whole time! Didn't fuss once! The whole process went smoothly, however once he was done and I was checking out the dynamic duo went running down the hall and into the break room (hence why I said I wouldn't go anywhere without a stroller for a while!). But all-in-all it was a fantastic experience and I will definitely be going back for future haircuts!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> This pic cracks me up!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> All Done!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To see a short Magisto montage of Ruver's haircut click here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://magis.to/PzY4TEZaCAMzPT0HDmEwCXl6?l=vsm&o=i&c=c">http://magis.to/PzY4TEZaCAMzPT0HDmEwCXl6?l=vsm&o=i&c=c</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-4292968913743506862015-05-28T10:03:00.001-07:002015-05-29T08:30:06.450-07:0018 Months Update<div><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Happy 18 months to the twins!! I can't believe they are a year and a half already! And while they are still developmentally at around 15 months, they are making leaps and bounds with each passing week. </span><span style="background-color: white;">It's truly amazing how quickly they are learning things these days. From social skills to manners and communication, they are turning into little people!</span><br style="background-color: white;"><br style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">We've had some fun times lately. For one, we've been taking them to a few local splash pads to play in the water and we've started swimming lessons (I'll be writing a separate post about that stuff!). But I'm thrilled we are getting them comfortable with being in the water at such a young age. Especially since A. We live in FL and B. They were born into a waterskiing family (Daddy's side... but Mommy has been learning these past few years!). And while it is crazy Africa hot in Florida, going to the pool and splash pad gives us something fun to do outdoors without melting into a puddle. ("what a world, what a world"). G's parents came down for a visit from northern New York (not upstate... way further up than that!), specifically to help me with the swimming lessons. It was really nice spending time with them and having the extra help is always a major bonus. G and I actually got to go out on a date, visit with some friends and go to the movies. All the simple things you take for granted before you have kids. We've been missing that stuff a bit (not that we'd trade our life for anything in the world) but it did us good to get out a few nights. :-)</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Big smiles with Grandma</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_M9U6jFLYpXEAjYQ6a58DZWiN96OzfmHGZ0SJA93vjYFiuCZnOz89USsajWJbhWIarcnvA0I1Y7PmzFIz9reX6ZvctluLyLVNrjoBbxjvfhwuYte7J-qs_liac8LBdaKdcArYEgXi1vL/s640/blogger-image-368153001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_M9U6jFLYpXEAjYQ6a58DZWiN96OzfmHGZ0SJA93vjYFiuCZnOz89USsajWJbhWIarcnvA0I1Y7PmzFIz9reX6ZvctluLyLVNrjoBbxjvfhwuYte7J-qs_liac8LBdaKdcArYEgXi1vL/s640/blogger-image-368153001.jpg"></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhyC2enDykto6EneXrlNPcrS7FTn3-AanhsPqJ3z5ggfD-9unhw2TeNpj28PE7cQur5-gfQR670dhnIIMR_50S6jU0eeKXo9IRu4HSGkxGVVWNlPnC03s3mpCx3FNgU-AOC3ef_f4SLvJ/s640/blogger-image--652605335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhyC2enDykto6EneXrlNPcrS7FTn3-AanhsPqJ3z5ggfD-9unhw2TeNpj28PE7cQur5-gfQR670dhnIIMR_50S6jU0eeKXo9IRu4HSGkxGVVWNlPnC03s3mpCx3FNgU-AOC3ef_f4SLvJ/s640/blogger-image--652605335.jpg"></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"> It was a drive-by pouching! LOL</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQc4_rv0H67UlgOZEmHG66XplRqpDfYvYvrODXqoVYZMDP_-sxJpTgxu9osDJTUjnXhyphenhyphen1eLLVQuOWg8jzE667sYSXZGdf9rqmVTLkoZg-Z2dFSGI1F5v8zyD6hecC9IGWgL2RJCT5fzjX_/s640/blogger-image--931886571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQc4_rv0H67UlgOZEmHG66XplRqpDfYvYvrODXqoVYZMDP_-sxJpTgxu9osDJTUjnXhyphenhyphen1eLLVQuOWg8jzE667sYSXZGdf9rqmVTLkoZg-Z2dFSGI1F5v8zyD6hecC9IGWgL2RJCT5fzjX_/s640/blogger-image--931886571.jpg"></a></div><br></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, as for the twins' development this month I'm proud to say they are officially out of their high chairs! (sniffle...)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We got them a cute little table from Ikea and for the past month they have been sitting at their for all their meals. Riley stays at the table the whole time (hey, she takes food very seriously) and uses a real glass plate, however, River gets up multiple times during a meal and is not quite ready for plates. He tends to use them as a Frisbee. But he's learning and doing better all the time.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another noteworthy change is their new-found explosion of language skills. While before they were <i>understanding </i>more each day, now they are <i>expressing </i>themselves in many ways. For one, they are trying really hard lately to repeat words. Especially Riley. Communication is definitely her strong suit, but that's nothing new. She's just continually getting better at it. She's back to saying "baby" a lot, along with "mama" and "River" being the words she says the most. Funny they both can say "River" but neither can say "Riley." In fact, we are a bit concerned Riley thinks her name is " Good Girl," as when we point to her and say her name that is what she says rather than repeating "Riley." So we are working with her on that (and trying our best not to say "Good Girl" anymore because CLEARLY we were saying it too much! LOL). Here are the new words she has added to her vocabulary this month:</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">17 Months: 18 Months:(</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in addition to 17m) </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mama Brother (brubba)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dada Grandma (gamma)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">River ("Ribba") MiMi - other grandma</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Baby Hi</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Duck Eye</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cat </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dog</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Go</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Girl</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good Girl</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bath</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bubble (bubbo)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">While River is a little behind her in saying words, he does say a few words (Mama, Dada, River, Duck and his new words this month are "baby" and "Grandpa" - which he says as "Gampaa" or "Pa"). This doesn't surprise us because he sure does love his Grandpa and was looking for him all the time while they were staying with us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the most exciting language skills they have learned this month is sign language. I have been working with them on a few basic signs this past year and they are finally doing them back! Riley is now signing "eat," "more," "please," "all done," and "help". According to the ASL baby-signing books I've read, you are only supposed to introduce new words once they've mastered two or three so I am just now adding some more to the mix for her. Riv can do "all done," "eat" and "more," which is a really big deal for him (since Riley is more of the talker between the two). The amazing thing is how they aren't just doing the signs to mimic us, they use them independently to communicate! For example, if I am feeding them a snack they will toddle over to me and sign "more" when they'd like more snack and then sign "all done" when they don't want any more. It blows us away! It's really great that they are able to communicate their needs before they are able to really talk. I would definitely recommend to anyone with a baby/toddler to incorporate sign language while communicating with their little ones!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The amount of words and phrases they are understanding is growing by the day. It's honestly too much for me to write, but some examples include: wipe the table, push in your chair, wash your hair, sit at your table, push in the drawer, play on the keyboard and so much more (of course always saying "please" when asking to cultivate a respectful environment). And oh. em. gee. they are now both blowing kisses, giving lots of hugs and doing Eskimo kisses with us... and each other! (You KNOW I'll have to get <i>that</i> on video ASAP!). In addition, Riley is giving real kisses as well and says, "muah!" when she does it. I think my head is going to explode from cuteness overload!</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In other news, River has to undergo surgery on his eye June 5th for a blocked tear duct. They will push a super thin rod through the inner corner of his eye and open up a small balloon to create a passageway. I am not happy about it, but it is a necessary evil. His eye is always oozing and is sometimes completely stuck shut in the mornings. I <i>really </i>don't like the idea of him being under anesthesia but it's our only option. It is only a 20 minute procedure and has a quick recovery time, however, there is also a risk it doesn't work and they have to try a different type of surgery. Fingers and toes crossed it goes as planned. Poor little guy. :-(</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's about all for now. But I've got a few more posts coming soon. Until then...</span><span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To see the 18 Months Montage click <a href="https://youtu.be/RFdablLiJVI" target="_blank">here.</a></span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-20822466502196944592015-05-15T13:15:00.001-07:002015-05-18T17:13:07.787-07:00Amazing Underwater Pics of the Twins<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We had a special surprise at one of our swimming lessons! The owner of the company was there, as he chose our class (they apparently choose one per session) to do underwater pictures! He had this huge contraption he took in the water to capture pics of the babies as they went under water! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The photos turned out AMAZING!! Ri</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">v's hair looks SO red! And check out Miss Riley the swim queen blowing bubbles under water! So incredibly thrilled to have these special keepsakes! :-D</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So glad I had River wear his Shark Beach rash guard, it goes perfectly with the pics! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They made one of his black and white as well...</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-44315964891509635702015-04-28T20:34:00.001-07:002015-04-28T20:36:51.193-07:00Rock Stars in the Making<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrmU83kbSweh-bWg3lx30EQ441criwIeIQjgwZqN2xtxNxDAoH9ShyphenhyphenHuoH0jv9d_960yR2xajZ62ocHl4PHH9V__kbfSPx6Jvngd2CnzBTo5Ln6_iWLuj3v-S-LZf_Esr6ruBkvafn5Nf/s640/blogger-image--2041586595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrmU83kbSweh-bWg3lx30EQ441criwIeIQjgwZqN2xtxNxDAoH9ShyphenhyphenHuoH0jv9d_960yR2xajZ62ocHl4PHH9V__kbfSPx6Jvngd2CnzBTo5Ln6_iWLuj3v-S-LZf_Esr6ruBkvafn5Nf/s640/blogger-image--2041586595.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62Bq0xGr5FVs4G6qNGVpc_DBfyAbTCrTZR6ykocmGPwK5waTWq8P-aq6Lr-Lp4XNfyxXqgz0JAG82nLNmYA_x9wrAewWYfnduNCuUvfeoYE2KNIWB3sl3XoBYoO4EeWmni5-HGok9J6eN/s640/blogger-image--1059553253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62Bq0xGr5FVs4G6qNGVpc_DBfyAbTCrTZR6ykocmGPwK5waTWq8P-aq6Lr-Lp4XNfyxXqgz0JAG82nLNmYA_x9wrAewWYfnduNCuUvfeoYE2KNIWB3sl3XoBYoO4EeWmni5-HGok9J6eN/s640/blogger-image--1059553253.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><div>These two are something else! They already love music so watching them play with this full-sized keyboard for the first time was awesome (especially since Mommy grew up playing!). It was hilarious to see how much they were rocking out! They absolutely love it!</div><div><br></div><div>Check out the twins getting into the preprogrammed music, it is too funny! Riley looks like a little composer/producer and Riv must have been a Rock Star in his past life. I especially love the part in the second half where the music stops and they get all concerned for a minute but then it restarts the song and they immediately start dancing again. LOL.</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><a href="https://youtu.be/wF_LbV-Gaso">https://youtu.be/wF_LbV-Gaso</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-26067704192077306792015-04-17T07:21:00.001-07:002015-04-17T07:48:42.899-07:00Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers<div>Some easy fine motor activities with everyday household items! Great for anytime but we also like to do them after their bath as a mellow activity to wind them down before bed...</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>1. Cards in and out of a wallet. I found them at Dollar Tree and let them play with old cards. I'm planning on getting a few family photos made in wallet size and laminating them to use instead, as I think the twins would love that!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLEVki9yfBIHGNpjp7RfeRuP5zhR3ywr4Jok_R1kU4qe9IcxWJmP1LsCTNr3A2A5wBg3kvInBf6cFw_jK5nmu_DqEpbKeW7xEbgIn0FMwOukCkLvJDBCnC5k6YQTv2asNJncEfIhyphenhyphen76O-/s640/blogger-image--165523658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLEVki9yfBIHGNpjp7RfeRuP5zhR3ywr4Jok_R1kU4qe9IcxWJmP1LsCTNr3A2A5wBg3kvInBf6cFw_jK5nmu_DqEpbKeW7xEbgIn0FMwOukCkLvJDBCnC5k6YQTv2asNJncEfIhyphenhyphen76O-/s640/blogger-image--165523658.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>2. Pipe cleaner and a colander. Pretty self-explanatory. :-) They can just stick the pipe cleaner into the holes.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OYB49wHKSPQWzTjLRjguUUWXK8lh90Oiws0_S6oprCWTPJhVEikVPBfn_9mD31vvjSE2gwA0xI9GtcEPFxj90gmjCXjsbxO_og6Ot-7G4uQg4wld8cSI53xLz9oehyjr4s-P3Ov3xCaD/s640/blogger-image--2129006856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OYB49wHKSPQWzTjLRjguUUWXK8lh90Oiws0_S6oprCWTPJhVEikVPBfn_9mD31vvjSE2gwA0xI9GtcEPFxj90gmjCXjsbxO_og6Ot-7G4uQg4wld8cSI53xLz9oehyjr4s-P3Ov3xCaD/s640/blogger-image--2129006856.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>3. Transferring dried pasta from one bowl to another. As they get a little older you can show them how to do it with little cups, pouring pasta, beans, rice or water from one cup to another (which serves as a Practical Life Skill!)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy3nnyJWQI_-3EeBMiUao2y-4t7sGZLwwgfeED2l6AsxrO4PvxFDXoAdIn0f233RNiC9ABztgCOe3mnLMiWr5HjKNASb_Mlv6JSSEl0x_BZjs8ncQflFGpg9lbSZ0QjrXTpi1DpB4xgCX/s640/blogger-image-825316579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy3nnyJWQI_-3EeBMiUao2y-4t7sGZLwwgfeED2l6AsxrO4PvxFDXoAdIn0f233RNiC9ABztgCOe3mnLMiWr5HjKNASb_Mlv6JSSEl0x_BZjs8ncQflFGpg9lbSZ0QjrXTpi1DpB4xgCX/s640/blogger-image-825316579.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>4. Stacking CDs! Using a spindle of old blank CDs just take them off and let them have at it sliding them over the stem.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9u0Jaq3gjkHUZeo77t0aFGh8hyphenhyphen9hD1zTXk7mhukskML_zOyl9V35MeCM1IQPR36PlfR5v8PX1q2KmLGKycWRYgC1OpUhmqf6IDHexWJr-psZAwJfrkToa_qIJMwIdVXAdwo1dOKAbyQe/s640/blogger-image--27243538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9u0Jaq3gjkHUZeo77t0aFGh8hyphenhyphen9hD1zTXk7mhukskML_zOyl9V35MeCM1IQPR36PlfR5v8PX1q2KmLGKycWRYgC1OpUhmqf6IDHexWJr-psZAwJfrkToa_qIJMwIdVXAdwo1dOKAbyQe/s640/blogger-image--27243538.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>5. Transferring Pom Poms. Start off with Pom Poms in a bowl and have them put them into mason jars, cups, or anything else you'd like. As they get older they can do this with tongs and older yet with chop sticks! Great hand-eye coordination practice!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpWWfx8thh9yeSewarfL9Usu93pmu2K2gQKGXnaACUYN0HE186Kr6ns8Pzm-lmn5FdyIIUoHzoiTC64Dy0ZfxMzfXZwqBEzvmUQ9AU47TIZBwlkebGMPq1Q-O6Ygac7-6m0tg3QG7VkAc/s640/blogger-image--1647122660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpWWfx8thh9yeSewarfL9Usu93pmu2K2gQKGXnaACUYN0HE186Kr6ns8Pzm-lmn5FdyIIUoHzoiTC64Dy0ZfxMzfXZwqBEzvmUQ9AU47TIZBwlkebGMPq1Q-O6Ygac7-6m0tg3QG7VkAc/s640/blogger-image--1647122660.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>6. Using Connect Four let them put the chips in the slot!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dmybEuDcBa2qSS8k3JQ9_wxRHZftt5yrRAVpBxSUm7wMxqvwaTMQMei-Fn3gZMUusXON6-D7ob2S3mPCHIDDY-FewIsFu2QzR_5jaJ8YMXegXLCuDBnpZ0S87sDYJDWuYeo5KxSWRlHE/s640/blogger-image-756392840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dmybEuDcBa2qSS8k3JQ9_wxRHZftt5yrRAVpBxSUm7wMxqvwaTMQMei-Fn3gZMUusXON6-D7ob2S3mPCHIDDY-FewIsFu2QzR_5jaJ8YMXegXLCuDBnpZ0S87sDYJDWuYeo5KxSWRlHE/s640/blogger-image-756392840.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>7. Painting with water! Super easy with no mess! (Unless your toddler likes the flip the water bowl like River does! LOL). The water makes lines on the paper. I used large art paper from Dollar Tree. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JM896c8VIl9oCVqA5Ioxrbpbzavcr1-oig5b4XMFG_fnjkolMmNpRHCZrQPD56C1tEwxUXkuMp5K4Ik1bHAVAqyrdbd1p_9KD7AWw__fdyWE01anrnTDokkr_q58RSBiWu47pknFHmNM/s640/blogger-image--1985163715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JM896c8VIl9oCVqA5Ioxrbpbzavcr1-oig5b4XMFG_fnjkolMmNpRHCZrQPD56C1tEwxUXkuMp5K4Ik1bHAVAqyrdbd1p_9KD7AWw__fdyWE01anrnTDokkr_q58RSBiWu47pknFHmNM/s640/blogger-image--1985163715.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>*Note: if your toddler loves to mouth things like mine do just be sure to keep a close eye on them while they play. I have to constantly remove pieces from the twins' mouths but they also have periods of time where they are really focused and into it!</div><div><br></div><div>Here are some more fine motor activity ideas for you! <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(It's a great resource I like to use to get ideas for all types of activities- lots for older kids too!)</span></div><div><br></div><div>http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-fine-motor-activities-toddlers</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-25226147709059563262015-04-07T09:14:00.000-07:002015-04-08T18:26:06.867-07:0017 Months Update<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">I started writing this in February to be ready to post the 16 months update on time, but as per usual time got away from me. Despite my valiant effort to write whenever I can, alas, it just wasn't enough. So here I am once again cramming two months worth of news into one update. I keep saying if I could just write a short blurb each day, or at least a few times per week, I would get more posts out. Anything is better than this once or twice every two months routine! But then again I am feeling this way about most things these days. For instance, all the things I wrote about in the last update (doing more yoga/pilates, reading, meditating), I am definitely falling short in those areas as well. Pretty much doing anything for myself is at the bottom of the totem pole, but I guess that just comes with the territory of being a Mom. I <i>have </i>managed to squeeze in some time to read. I have a long list of books lined up that I am wanting to read so I've been trying to get some reading in before bed. It actually helps me shut off my noisy chatterbox of a brain and get better sleep. Plus it satisfies my inherent need for iiiiinpuuuut so it's a double win! I am currently midway through a VERY large book about how the brain develops in the first five years of life. Very wordy and scientific, but I am loving it. If I ever get the time (LOL) I'll write about it in a separate post. G and I have been meditating a few nights a week (which I would really love it if we could every night but I'm happy we are doing it at all!). We do guided meditation using Yogaglo on the computer and it really does wonders for unwinding from the day. (Yet another topic I'd love to write about!). Anyway, I am still in the process of organizing life but have definitely made some headway. My end goal is to seamlessly work in cleaning, cooking, exercise and hobbies into the already full schedule of taking care of and teaching the babies. I mean, I already do the cleaning and cooking and occasional exercising, but the operative word here is <u>seamlessly</u>. It is a work in progress, but I am getting there! Enough about me though, let's move on to what you really want to hear about... the twins!</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">These two are really blowing us away with how much they are learning and understanding these days. Their minds are little sponges soaking up the world around them. I'd say they are learning at a similar pace, but they each have their own unique strengths and interests. </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Let's start with their receptive language. Their comprehension of words and phrases expands with each passing day. Currently, they both understand the following words:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 385px;"><colgroup><col width="83"></col><col width="73"></col><col width="75"></col><col width="121"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mommy</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">milk</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">laundry</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">pants</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Daddy</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">head</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">hanger</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">shoes</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">River</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">eyes</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">fork</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">socks</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Riley</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">head</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">shake</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">diaper</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mimi</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">belly</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">clap</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">shirt</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pop-Pop</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">nose</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">baby</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">ball</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grandma</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">hair</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">tree</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">ball pit</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grandpa</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">mouth</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">plant</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">wash hands</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">outside</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">window</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">leaf</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">arms up</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">wagon</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">chair</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">hug</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">come here</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">book</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">wall</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">gentle</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">lay down</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">water</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">fork</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">nap</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">basket</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr valign="TOP"><td width="83"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">bath</span></span></div>
</td><td width="73"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">eat</span></span></div>
</td><td width="75"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">girl</span></span></div>
</td><td width="121"><div align="LEFT">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">blanket</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- animals (referring to their animal figurines)<br />- colors (referring to their color learning station in playroom) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They are also able to identify their wild animal figurines by pointing to the appropriate one when asked! They can point out lion, tiger, hippo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra and alligator! Next we will be working on farm animals!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">They also show understanding by following instructions to:</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">-Hand something to us or to someone else </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">-Bite into something</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">-Take a drink</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">-Use their fork</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">-Pulling/pushing arms in and out of sleeves</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">-Give their doll a hug</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Brush their teeth<br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">-To go get something and bring to us</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Take laundry out of the basket</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Put toys into a bin</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Take shoes or socks off</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Brush hair</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Lay down</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Chase after each other </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Spin the wheels of their toy trucks</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Choose between things (toys, books, shirts)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Push a button</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Flip a light switch</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And it's too cute, when we say "gentle" to River when he's about to touch something he lightly uses one finger!<br style="background-color: white;" /><br />So their receptive language is really coming along! Expressive language (talking) is supposed to take a lot longer to learn but they are certainly making strides. Especially Riley. She is a little ahead in this department.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Words they both can say:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
Mama</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dada</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">River ("RiRa")</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Baby</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Duck</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Riv says "nana" for banana and has also repeated his own variation of, "sit down" when we tell him to do so in the tub- he loves standing in there. And the other day he surprisingly repeated, "thank you!" </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Additional words Riley can say:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cat</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dog</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Go</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Girl</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good Girl</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bath</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bubble (bubba)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Book</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Another exciting milestone in sight is walking. As of last month</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">, River took his first steps! And while he is still primarily crawling, he is walking more and more each day! He was up to about 10-15 steps at a time for about two weeks and all of w sudden he woke up one morning this week and was walking all around the house! If we tell him to walk to one of us he'll gladly do it with a huge grin and an even bigger sense of accomplishment! </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can tell by the look on his face that he knows exactly what he is doing and is proud of himself for doing it. This is usually followed by Riley waving her hands at us as if to say, "I want to do it, too!" While she isn't up and walking like her brother she </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">won't be too far behind him. She is a lot more wobbly and is just starting to stand on her own but she is one determined girl. And, as of recently she has been taking a few steps at a time on her own! My guess would be that they'll be fully walking in another month or so. We are constantly preparing the house, as we are learning as they grow which things need to be baby-proofed! They are grabbing, reaching, swiping, pressing, banging on just about anything they can reach these days. At this rate we're going to run out of room to store everything! LOL. We did purchase baby gates but haven't put them up yet. Our plan is once they are fully walking we will put them up to split the house up into two sides. This way they can at least be contained to whichever side of the house we are on and can't toddle off too far!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This month River and Riley switched from two naps a day down to one. It has been tough, but a necessary step considering their morning nap was starting to consist of them standing in their cribs babbling and playing with each other. So far it seems to be working out, but I am definitely missing that extra hour to get things done in the morning! And speaking of playing... they have been interacting with each other like never before! Not only do they play together throughout the day, but now they are even playing <i>around </i>with each other! Tapping each other on the head, giggling and just overall being silly together, it's a wonderful sight to see. It warms our hearts like we never could have imagined!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://youtu.be/4LZnL2Z7pqk" target="_blank">here</a> to see the twins being silly together</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Something I am thrilled about is the twins' affinity for books. What started out as Riley being the one who was really into them, is now BOTH of them loving books more than any of their toys. We have story time every hour on the hour of the day and one book is never enough. When one story is finished they hand me another book... and another... and another... It's pretty amazing! And now they are pointing out people and objects in the books, too! About a month ago I went around the house to all their "treasure baskets" and switched out the toys for books and they are really loving that. Whatever room they are in they always go for the books and can frequently be found sitting there flipping through the pages together. It makes me SO happy I've fostered a love for reading in them and I hope it remains a lifelong passion.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">In other news, the twins have definitely approached toddlerhood. In fact, it's more like they are knee deep and wading through it! With each passing day they are continually doing/saying/understanding more. They are becoming little people with their own thoughts and feelings. And with those feelings, coupled with their inability to express them, comes the dreaded (yet inevitable) tantrums. You never know what is going to set them off. Telling them "no" to keep them from touching something dangerous, picking one of them up (when the other wants to be held, too!). Luckily, I am constantly reading up on child development and learning strategies on how to best deal with these situations and better yet, how to prevent them from happening in the first place. I am learning a lot and just in this past month have been able to minimize the amount of tantrums just by being mindful of their moods/needs and ensuring they don't get too tired or hungry. I also always try to get down to their level to talk to them, read their body language, continually assess the situation and pay as much attention to them as possible. For it is a combination of all these things that lead to emotional outbursts in toddlers. (Low blood sugar or over are the top reasons for toddler tantrums teamed with the fact that the part of their brain that processes emotion is just starting to develop- and will be until they are around 4 years old- so all these new feelings can be quite overwhelming for them, especially when they don't yet have the ability to express them). It takes a LOT of patience on my part, which has never been my strong suit, so sometimes I have to dig deep! Some of the best advice I've read is to make sure I keep my mood light and upbeat around them even if I'm feeling frustrated because they will definitely sense tension; to say things in a sing-songy kind of way (I make up songs about the things we are doing all the time! LOL); stick to a nap schedule/bedtime routine and ensure they never get too hungry to avoid meltdowns; and rather than saying "no" to everything (unless it's an immediate danger), redirect them to something else. For example, River LOVES to bang on glass surfaces with hard objects. Obviously that's not the best idea but I've learned rather than just saying no or taking the object away (which is a surefire way to bring on a tantrum) I show him something else to bang on. It is much more happily received than just taking it away or saying no. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am finding the more present and aware I am, the more stable and happy they are. (Hence why I really want to do more yoga, meditation and other peaceful activities so that Mommy can release her emotions and tension in a healthy way, too!). I'm truly grateful we live in an era where information is at our fingertips and I absolutely make good use of it! It is helping me be a better parent, spouse, educator, organizer and planner!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Well, that's about all for now. I will leave you with these montages of all the exciting new skills we've caught on video the past month</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To see their 17 Months Montage, click <a href="https://youtu.be/BWOtjBusuCg" target="_blank">here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">Click <a href="http://magis.to/zm4vpf1H" target="_blank">here</a> to see last month's 16 Months Magisto montage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Hopefully I can start writing a little bit a few times a week to get more posts out. That is the plan, but you know how that goes! Until then...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-71984354250882866422015-03-26T15:48:00.000-07:002015-03-26T15:51:03.817-07:00Swinging Champs<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This weekend we took the twins to the park while visiting my parents. It had quite some time since they'd been on the swings so we thought it would be a nice treat for them. (The twins, not my parents 😉). The only other few times we tried they were both sort of blasé about it. They just had a blank look on their faces and didn't seem too into it. Well what a difference a few months make! They were absolutely tickled about it this time, and it sure showed in their expressions. River let out the cutest giggle we'd ever heard and the way Riley was kicking her feet, we couldn't help but smile. The coolest part was, they both figured out how to pump the swing to get it to keep moving! Pretty impressive for their age at only 16 months. So happy we caught it on video!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hope this clip brightens your day like it does ours!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY6dUJo6d54</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YitWJyjLCBiowsIda8mSqT6X8kdY9obamHRNEf2vN4Io5KZjvF0oFtlYqmtggiv8S9KzDMYJCDYAVqmI0YSeQaT-F9HMYxWMw1pCP7OD6x68QeB5mBzHYkCDRvZGSOJ5k4Tm26NhMuBS/s640/blogger-image--57516627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YitWJyjLCBiowsIda8mSqT6X8kdY9obamHRNEf2vN4Io5KZjvF0oFtlYqmtggiv8S9KzDMYJCDYAVqmI0YSeQaT-F9HMYxWMw1pCP7OD6x68QeB5mBzHYkCDRvZGSOJ5k4Tm26NhMuBS/s640/blogger-image--57516627.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSznlpgUNNCiNxGwOmnUs0KOTVARuMHsKGnTxwDOQTHy43jqG5pvRqdHMcg7P8RLdBbLOF3A0-syaPevfPQmswZY1_f7a308DT0817rMqJiR8moHoN_G3a0J7zenLwqTZcQw5z67fktfvb/s640/blogger-image-2141114926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSznlpgUNNCiNxGwOmnUs0KOTVARuMHsKGnTxwDOQTHy43jqG5pvRqdHMcg7P8RLdBbLOF3A0-syaPevfPQmswZY1_f7a308DT0817rMqJiR8moHoN_G3a0J7zenLwqTZcQw5z67fktfvb/s640/blogger-image-2141114926.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-75346768068175655102015-02-18T08:06:00.001-08:002015-02-18T08:06:05.413-08:00Tales from the Crypt<div>Ok so this is so the teacher in me coming out, but as I was reading the twins a book of old-school nursery rhymes I came to the disturbing realization that there were some sick people writing these! Maybe it was a sign of the times or something, but all the rhymes are chock full of violence and/or bad parenting!: throwing an old man down the stairs, a baby falling out of a tree, kids falling down a hill and a mom who whips her kids before bed! How on earth would you explain these to young children who are learning language and meaning!? LOL Then there is "Hey Diddle Diddle," which clearly the writer was on an acid trip! </div><div><br></div><div>And I love how they are all surrounded by cute pictures.... Craziness!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcF0xZG6I7YfUURFmAWCntPlFouGrpxnQSydEMoeXvMvkE0tXIEKgWoEdziJP7p1EiYZ1qCo3CjsnuNxYfpMEzlm1GHT7Eqkep-xmEVIPOk6sAuIp5kj8_3Z8mJFiv_jDRvBpt0cb9-_a/s640/blogger-image-2002439557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcF0xZG6I7YfUURFmAWCntPlFouGrpxnQSydEMoeXvMvkE0tXIEKgWoEdziJP7p1EiYZ1qCo3CjsnuNxYfpMEzlm1GHT7Eqkep-xmEVIPOk6sAuIp5kj8_3Z8mJFiv_jDRvBpt0cb9-_a/s640/blogger-image-2002439557.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMD-Z9H0z7nVBFE7njOBFoVx4fhhuKQlQ-TjO6SAXcsVpSeq6g-hlKITiO_y-mYcviAC0lriXxgdaHD8D3iS2TDayMnDy2tv5bEGFgrKgvkF-SVIumWO4kOdz95_IHXveOdKEAnNLGOsP/s640/blogger-image-320655614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMD-Z9H0z7nVBFE7njOBFoVx4fhhuKQlQ-TjO6SAXcsVpSeq6g-hlKITiO_y-mYcviAC0lriXxgdaHD8D3iS2TDayMnDy2tv5bEGFgrKgvkF-SVIumWO4kOdz95_IHXveOdKEAnNLGOsP/s640/blogger-image-320655614.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOaTsq8EpHMQLDUZoKn9IRFZzKeHXR90o-ZYkC6W85tQnWFYHvQ4MOXaqMx50WfIrvhF1zXL29w0kozEHt_xvuFuMIba3-wWx8__fd2weFJzNdjehsFBXMr6cxlXHFVcIEJrtMUJTmNyI/s640/blogger-image-1446465635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOaTsq8EpHMQLDUZoKn9IRFZzKeHXR90o-ZYkC6W85tQnWFYHvQ4MOXaqMx50WfIrvhF1zXL29w0kozEHt_xvuFuMIba3-wWx8__fd2weFJzNdjehsFBXMr6cxlXHFVcIEJrtMUJTmNyI/s640/blogger-image-1446465635.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBXzCX5NvKub9hXEvn0nRqFv6RwG6POJbRo7ibHEeHv1ELj8qBbyPJH8iWIj4-O38A7nbh_NeLV-ynq0wRS_nbNoiswbyA8h73RQGHZbq0O_JvBco0DGgNghk6aBKE1qiLDgvWLiaQpdH/s640/blogger-image-1534453245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBXzCX5NvKub9hXEvn0nRqFv6RwG6POJbRo7ibHEeHv1ELj8qBbyPJH8iWIj4-O38A7nbh_NeLV-ynq0wRS_nbNoiswbyA8h73RQGHZbq0O_JvBco0DGgNghk6aBKE1qiLDgvWLiaQpdH/s640/blogger-image-1534453245.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-D8GmqzUCYDeZYcEG4GPaLR3QBihzfZHwGOMBskYB3kILTo7Z547nV5UDFEerhW8h_NLlL_jKc7_3AHJPO8vIJq5n5VDVY-Y6er1z3L3XwpGZorATenC-NrGKo9_Hr25MTlFA2LMr52tp/s640/blogger-image--928706738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-D8GmqzUCYDeZYcEG4GPaLR3QBihzfZHwGOMBskYB3kILTo7Z547nV5UDFEerhW8h_NLlL_jKc7_3AHJPO8vIJq5n5VDVY-Y6er1z3L3XwpGZorATenC-NrGKo9_Hr25MTlFA2LMr52tp/s640/blogger-image--928706738.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-17254051900809905232015-02-17T12:18:00.005-08:002015-02-17T12:18:54.751-08:00Disney's Animal Kingdom<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks to my parents for getting us Disney passes for Christmas this year we've been able to take the twins to different theme parks on the weekends. Before having kids, I always thought the idea of taking a one year old to a theme park was pointless, but seeing the magic through their eyes has definitely changed my tune. While they won't remember any of it being that they are so young, they are certainly experiencing some pretty spectacular things and enjoying what they see. All those experiences are firing up those synapses in their brains, which is reason enough for me to keep taking them! We can only last about 4 hours or so at the parks before we get in the "red zone" and head home before the meltdowns begin. This is why the passes are great! We don't feel bad only going for a few hours and can always come back the following weekend! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our most recent adventure was to Animal Kingdom. The
twins had a fantastic time, but even more
so G and I were elated to watch their excitement. We did one section of
the park (Africa) where we went on a 22-minute Safari ride in a giant
jeep, saw lots of animals and watched a great musical!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />Riley
was so enthralled with all the animals and it was too cute, she would
point at every one of them and say, "ooooh!" LOL. The show
we saw was "Festival of the Lion King" and it was quite the
production (think Broadway meets Cirque Du Soleil with Lion King
characters). River & Riley really surprised us by not only sitting through
the half-hour musical on our laps, they were dancing and clapping
their hands through the whole thing! Riv, being the ham that he is,
found that the lady next to him was getting a kick out of how he was
clapping so about a dozen times he would reach over, tap her, and
start clapping with a huge grin on his face! He sure loves attention!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />We
had a fabulous day and made some great memories. Can't wait 'til our
next Disney adventure. These two are a riot!</span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Riley was pointing at all the animals</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So fascinated on the Safari</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Riv zonked out in daddy's arms</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Petting a stuffed bear (that they thought was real!)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-80647285279807154042015-02-03T10:54:00.004-08:002015-02-05T17:30:33.259-08:0015 Months Update<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy New Year! I can't believe it's 2015. I remember back in 2008 when I had renewed my license the expiration date was 2016 and I thought that seemed light years away. Now it's next year! Unreal. This year I have lots of resolutions, all centering around becoming more "enlightened." That includes doing more yoga and meditation (G and I have been doing some guided meditation together</span>- </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">using the Yogaglo website- </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">at night once the twins are in bed and it really does wonders for us!), and reading some Deepak Chopra/Dhali Lama books. We both feel that by continually working on being the best versions of ourselves it will carry over to the twins since modeling behavior has the most long-term effects. I've also been on a purging and renewal kick, gutting out all cabinets, drawers and closets to reorganize and start fresh. And I must say, it feels good to get organized!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This new year also brought some major changes for the twins. They have suddenly gone from babies to toddlers right before our eyes! How this happened so suddenly I have no idea, but I certainly never got the memo! And while this change comes with new and exciting developments, it is also exponentially more challenging. On one hand they have become so much more aware and are doing a lot more. For one, they are both on their way to walking. In just two short weeks of working with them on taking their first wobbly steps holding on to their walker wagon they were up and pushing it around like little pros! It's pretty amazing. I do feel Riv is going to walk first and Riley will talk first. He can do laps around the house pretty quickly while Riley can only go a much shorter distance before getting wobbly and sitting down. Lately they've been taking turns where one gets in the wagon the other pushes. It is SO cute! They love being on their feet more than anything, and they can now pull up to stand with the greatest of ease on anything, including walls, and hang on to things with just one finger. They have the strength, all that is left is the balance. But they are both on their way! And believe me, I'm in no hurry. These two already get into EVERYTHING and they are only crawling! Their favorite thing these days is to go from room to room opening cabinets and emptying them out - especially Riley- but only the safe ones... any cabinets with hazardous materials have child locks on them. It leaves Mommy in a constant state of clean up! We recently added a few more locks just to cut down on the mess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As for saying Riley will most likely talk first, she is just more vocal. They both say Mommy/Mom/Mama and Daddy/Dad/Dada (they use all the variations at different times). The only other thing Riv really says is "nah nah nah nah nah" when he's not happy with something. It's definitely his way of showing disapproval. Riley, however, has a few more words in her vocabulary. Her current favorite being "uh-oh," which she does on cue when she or someone else drops something. She also says, "baby" which makes sense because I always say things like, "I love you babies" and refer to them as such when addressing them both. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's amazing how they pick up on the things we say! She also says River, but it comes out as "Ribba" or "bubbo" which we think is her way of saying brother. She says "ball" and still randomly repeats words we say, but usually only once and it's sporadic. She has been doing this new babbling thing with her tongue and is pronouncing more sounds and syllables each day! We recently got a cute little fake phone toy from a friend and Riley can't get enough of it. We hold it to our ear and say, "hello," pretending to talk on it and now she's been holding it up to our ear and even says "hello" sometimes! While Riv isn't saying any other words, he gets on a babbling kick and will have a whole conversation where I'm sure he thinks he's talking. It's too cute!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it comes to receptive language, they are both understanding more each day. When we say "up" they lift their arms to be picked up. When we ask if they want to go outside, they rush to the back door. If we mention their wagon, they immediately crawl over and start walking with it. They also understand and respond to "eat," "milk," "hug," "book," and "bath." (And boy do they LOVE bath time!- more on that later). They certainly know Mommy and Daddy and one another. If we ask where one of us is, they look right at them or crawl over to them. They understand when the door chime sounds that someone will be coming in from the garage. When Daddy gets home from work they excitedly race out of the playroom looking for him. If we ask them to hand us something, they do. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When they are playing with a shape sorter if I point to the spot a specific shape goes in they drop it in that hole. It's pretty mind-blowing how much they understand and that knowledge base continues to grow every day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They are both continually improving their fine-motor skills. Particularly River. He just adores putting things into other things. (Or as my dad says, "he likes the guzzintas." - this goes into that, that goes into this). LOL. Unfortunately for Riv, his sister is the opposite. She prefers taking things apart and knocking things down. So every time he tries to work on something she goes rushing over to mess it up! At this rate he'll never get anything done! They both really enjoy playing with shape sorters, although River has a little more patience with it. He can do pretty much ALL the shapes now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been working on colors and shapes with them. While they are still a bit young, it definitely doesn't hurt to expose them to the concepts. I made a color-matching game using paint swatches that I laminated and have permanently up on one of the glass doors in their playroom. This way we can play with it at anytime and it will still be there as they grow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, back to bath time. Nothing brings these two more joy than being in the bath tub. They splash & play, stand up, crawl through the water, yell and laugh their heads off. It's such a delight to see!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As for Mommy and Daddy, G and I are doing great. We are loving this adventure. I wish we could just be independently wealthy so G didn't have to work. His presence is definitely missed while he's gone and the twins are at their happiest when we're all together. <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's all for now. Until next time!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Click <a href="http://www.magisto.com/album/video/MDx9Xl9aCAMzPT0HDmEwCXh9" target="_blank">here</a> to see the 15 months video montage.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-12145316559171306492015-01-12T13:16:00.001-08:002015-01-12T18:18:17.131-08:00The Happiest of Holidays<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The holiday season really flew by this year. And that's even with us milking it down to the last drop! Since the day after Thanksgiving, when we put up our tree and decorated the house, we listened to holiday tunes every day to get in the spirit. While the twins are still too young to understand what's going on, we still tried to make it special for them. Every morning I would take them into the living room and do a countdown to turning the tree lights on and their sweet faces would light up with it. By mid-December they knew what the Christmas tree was because when I'd ask them, "where is the Christmas tree?" they would crawl over to it. They did pretty well not messing with it. Occasionally they would tug on a string of lights at the bottom of the tree, but we didn't have to keep ornaments up high or block them from getting to it at all. On weeknights we would take them for a walk around the neighborhood to see Christmas lights and each weekend we picked a new place to walk around that had a lot of lights and music. Riley would always say, "wow" and "ooooh" at all the displays. It was too cute! We took them outside to see Santa coming down the street on the firetruck, but the sirens and horns freaked them out a bit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Christmas Eve my parents came out and we all went walking around Gaylord Palms hotel, as it was something free to do and we read that they had a TON of lights. They also had a Christmas show with lots of great music, so it was something fun for the twins to see. They looked pretty adorable in their festive outfits and while they didn't really know what was going on, they were definitely more wound up than usual. They must have sensed the excitement in the air! We took them home and let them stay up a little later than usual and they were pretty entertaining. River was playing with the wrapped presents under the tree and Riley was trying to run off with them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Click <a href="http://youtu.be/yI3B21zm8CY" target="_blank">here</a> to see the little present thief in action!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next morning we tried to make as magical as possible. Which is what we have always done anyway, but this year the focus was on the twins. We let them open presents and I of course took a gazillion pictures. My parents had stayed the night so it was nice having all of us together. The only thing that would have made it even better was if G's parents and sister were there too! But it was a wonderful day filled with lots of gifts, food, love and more cute outfits!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To see a fun video montage of our Christmas celebration, click <a href="http://www.magisto.com/album/video/fi09RF1aCAMzPT0HDmEwCXx8" target="_blank">here.</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-22212731216430859952014-12-16T09:07:00.000-08:002014-12-16T09:07:06.353-08:00Playmates for Life<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nothing is more touching than seeing the twins interact with each other. True best friends, they enjoy playing with one another more than anyone else. They seem to do it the most when I leave the room, so I sometimes walk away just so I can hide around the corner to see what they'll do. I recently got an AMAZING video of them playing in their tunnel and it is something we will cherish for a lifetime. The best part is hearing Riley laugh. This girl is a tough nut to crack when it comes to making her laugh, but her brother makes her laugh hysterically! Too cute for words...</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjtY8cYkURw" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjtY8cYkURw</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-87668942583251596192014-12-16T09:06:00.001-08:002014-12-16T09:06:37.606-08:00It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's no secret, there is a lot of holiday spirit in our house. And to now how have the twins to share it with, well it just makes the season even brighter. At the beginning of the month we put on some Christmas music, decked our halls and put up the tree with the help of the kiddos. They may not have a clue what's going on, but the sparkle in their eyes as they experience the magic of it all is a sight to see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To see a montage of the twins getting in the Christmas spirit for the first time, click <a href="http://www.magisto.com/album/video/OTwiRFxaCAMzPT0HDmEwCX17" target="_blank">here.</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-59385614460108394002014-12-16T08:53:00.000-08:002014-12-16T08:53:03.490-08:00Chitter Chatter<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The twins have been chattering up a storm lately! Each with their own unique sounds, they are VERY vocal and express themselves all the time now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is a video from playing outside the other day. They were feeling particularly chatty so I wanted to catch it on camera. You can hear Riley with her "ooh" and "whoa" and River is talking to himself sounding like an angry Asian man or something! LOL</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCFATAb4N3w" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCFATAb4N3w</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-78752559355978894032014-12-16T08:49:00.000-08:002014-12-16T08:50:19.548-08:0013 Months Update<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It has been a crazy few weeks for development here at the Hayman house!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since their birthday this is all that's happened...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">River is doing an excellent job mimicking adults. I've been steadily working with him on some fine-motor actions and it's finally paying off! It started with clapping his hands, which is now one of his go-to moves. When he claps we say, "yay" and he lights up with the biggest smile. If we say, "high five" and hold up our hand he brings his palm to ours and laughs. Even if we hold our hand up from across the room he'll hold his up right back. It's pretty amazing! He has also learned to "find Mommy's nose" and as of a few days ago he figured out how to wave. (Although he hasn't linked that to goodbye quite yet, so for now he just randomly waves from time to time). As a bonus when I ask for a hug he throws his arms around my neck, which of course makes me melt into a puddle. <3 He</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> definitely values praise. Every time he does one of these little parlor tricks he turns and looks at us as if to get approval. It's so endearing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">While River is not officially saying any words, he does communicate effectively. He says, "Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah" when he's unhappy with something, growls if we take something away and squeals with delight when he's amused. He also babbles to himself when he's playing independently, which is quite entertaining!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Riv is exponentially more mobile lately. He started scooting for the first time only a few weeks ago and not too long after that he started crawling! He still tends to revert back to bunny hopping on his butt so we have to continually put him in the crawling position to correct him. Whenever I do I say, "crawl," and sure enough as of this week he has learned that command! Now when he starts to scoot on his butt I say, "crawl" and he gets down and starts crawling! It is truly astonishing how quickly they can learn something. He's still getting the hang of being on hands and knees, but is definitely leaps and bounds further along than he was only a few short weeks ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While River is still working to catch up on his gross motor skills he is zooming ahead with fine motor. He is showing signs that he loves puzzle-type toys and activities that require concentration. For example, he LOVES playing with the ball ramp and knows how to put the ball in the top hole and smack it down so it rolls down the ramp. He does it over and over like a pro! He is also getting good at the shape sorter, which his physical therapist says is pretty impressive for his age! Go Riv! He can do the cylinder and square and we are currently working on the triangle. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Riley is making progress as well. She had started to switch from scooting to crawling on her hands and knees and within a few days she was crawling like a champ! Now she's like a little bolt of lightening moving through the house. Actually, we call her "Hurricane Riley" because every room she goes in she leaves a mess! Her newest thing is emptying baskets, bins and anything else she can get her hands on. It's pretty much reverse cleaning! (Like I didn't have enough work to do, LOL). She's also really good at pulling herself up to stand (and does so on everything she can, including us!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it comes to language, Riley is saying "mama" when she's around me and "dada" when she's with G. She has also added a few new words to her repertoire, although she doesn't say them frequently. As with everything else it is when <i>she </i>feels so inclined to say them. She has said "River" on multiple occasions and has repeated "Pop-Pop," "dressed," "red," hello" "pants" and a few other words recently. It's funny though, out of the blue she'll repeat a word back almost perfectly, but only once! Then she'll just keep babbling. It's as if it just slips out and she doesn't know how to do it again. The words she says most are "ooh" "whoa" and "wow." At first we weren't sure where she was getting it from, but then we realized it was from us! Every time we show them something new we say, "oooh look at that, wow. Whoa how cool" and things of that nature. Well sure enough she knows exactly when to say it because now when we show them something new she does the same thing! Case in point, last week when we took her to see some Christmas lights outside she said, "whoa.... wow wow wow." How sweet! It just melts our hearts. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is no doubt she's</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> definitely <i>trying</i> to learn to say words. When we talk to her she'll curiously put her hands on our mouths while we're speaking and move her mouth at the same time (almost like a goldfish LOL), clearly trying to figure out how we're making the sounds. She's so inquisitive. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have a feeling she'll be the first one to talk. And if she's anything like Mommy she'll be a little chatterbox! She definitely wants to do what the adults do. She always wants to drink water with a straw (she can do it with a regular one!) and whenever someone laughs she immediately starts "ha ha ha ha-ing" right back. She's not sure what's funny, but she wants to join in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Riley still has an affinity for books and favors them over any toy, hands down. When playing independently she's often flipping through the pages of a book, carefully studying the pictures and fully engaged. Lately she has been pulling out EVERY book and then casually starts flipping through all of them while laying on her tummy. It's too cute!! She even went so far as to crawl down to our home office room and pulled all our grown-up books off the shelves to flip through. I think it's safe to say we have a little book worm on our hands! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her love for music is also flourishing. When she's not enthralled in a book she is playing with one of her instruments (her current fav being a dog-shaped guitar that plays music and also guitar chords when you strum it!). She crawls over to it, hits the buttons to play songs and dances to the beat. Lately she's waving her arms and hands in the air. It looks like she's trying to cast a spell! LOL </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It wasn't until I started singing Itsy Bitsy Spider again (I do sign language along with it) that I realized the arm motions she is doing is the sign for "rain." As soon as I start singing the song she starts in on the arm gestures. Too cute!! Waiting for the day when she starts signing some of the other gestures I do with them. (I currently do "eat" "more" "milk" and "all done," as you are only supposed to do a few at a time until they can do it back, then you can add more). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Riley's hair has been growing like crazy, but only on the top of her head! So rather than have her sporting the Elvis pompadour look, she's been rocking some pigtails lately and looking rather adorable!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The twins have an unspoken language that only they understand. I've watched them switch bottles on countless occasions without making a peep. They climb over each other and swap toys all the time and neither seem to be phased by it. But rest assured no one else could get away with that! One thing we've been having fun doing with them is getting them all wound up. It doesn't always happen, the timing (and their moods) has to be just right. But when it does it is HILARIOUS! The other night I would inch toward River saying "chug a chug a chug a chug a" and then say, "choo choo" and tickle him and he'd laugh and squeal with delight, each time screeching louder. Riley was staring at us like she was missing out so I did it to her from across the room, not even touching her when I "choo choo'd" and she started shrieking with excitement, too! The two of them acted like they were so excited they couldn't contain themselves. It was hilarious! They get like that when it's time for bed, too. It's like they need to get out that last bit of energy before shutting it off for the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another new development is how they are getting around in their cribs. Now that they are more mobile it sometimes takes a little longer to initially fall asleep. They sit up and chatter or pull themselves up to a stand. At first we would go in there and adjust them but that soon became an ongoing game of whack-a-mole... we'd get one down and the other pops up and so on! So now we just let them stand up and giggle and before long they both lay down and go to sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've toyed with the idea of switching them to Montessori floor beds if they start trying to climb out of the cribs or they become dangerous. We'd just have to clear their room of pretty much everything to ensure they'd be safe, but we'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They are still sleeping straight through the night- around 11 hours (thankfully!) and napping once or twice a day, although not for very long. It's always a mad dash to get as much housework and cooking done as I possibly can but it's never enough time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, that's all for now. Looking forward to holiday fun with the twins this month!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you'd like to see a short little montage video of some of the new skills the twins have mastered last month, click <a href="http://www.magisto.com/album/video/JCZ7VlxaCAMzPT0HDmEwCXt2" target="_blank">here.</a> </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-60133500806390185622014-12-10T19:42:00.001-08:002014-12-10T19:42:17.339-08:00The Twins' 1st Birthday Cake Smash Photo Shoot<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Having seen so many adorable cake smash photos out in Cyberspace (and given the fact that I am a picture-taking maniac), I decided I couldn't pass up this literally once in a lifetime chance to do a 1st birthday cake smash photo shoot with the twins. However, like with all things, I knew I wanted to do this as creatively as possible on a low budget. Since hiring a photographer was out of the question, I borrowed a friend's camera that took amazing, quick-succession pictures. I scoured Etsy for cute cake smash outfits that wouldn't break the bank and I had another friend make whatever style giant cake smash cupcakes I wanted at an incredibly thrifty price. We planned to do the photo shoot the day after their birthday party since all four grandparents and my sister-in-law were already here and voila!... all the makings for an incredibly fun photo shoot. And boy did it turn out better than I imagined!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We moved the electric fireplace out of the way (hey, I live in FL, what do you expect?!) so we would have a blank wall in the background, got them dressed, sat them in front of their cakes and started snapping as many pictures as possible. The result? Some fabulous photos that we will cherish for a lifetime!</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-1727836192929950812014-11-19T08:48:00.001-08:002014-11-19T08:48:20.768-08:00The Twins' First Halloween Costumes<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sorry I'm a little behind on my blog, but it has been a hectic few weeks! I'll try to catch up this week, starting with the twins' Halloween costumes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were planning on taking River and Riley to a pumpkin patch around the corner from our house to do a costume photo shoot, but realized the odds of it going smoothly were slim to none. We wanted the twins to be comfortable so we decided to take the pictures at home. And we are SO glad we did! They turned out better than we could have imagined! The best part was capturing their reaction to seeing each other in their costumes. They were so perplexed and curious! It was a wonderful and memorable experience and I'm elated we got it on film. :-D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you'd like to see a montage video of the photo shoot click <a href="http://www.magisto.com/album/video/IiN4TVJaCAMzPT0HDmEwCXh-" target="_blank">here.</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-36193820494991782742014-10-09T07:54:00.002-07:002014-10-09T07:54:52.134-07:00The Twins' "My Gym" Experience<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm always actively searching for fun things to do with the twins. Unfortunately, a lot of the classes out there are pretty pricey when it comes to having two babies enrolled. Luckily, a lot of these places offer free one time trial classes so I have definitely been taking advantage of that! So far, a place called "My Gym" has been the best. It was a REALLY cool experience for the babies. They had some pretty amazing equipment there and some things I could never have even imagined! (Like a zipline that sends the babies zipping across the room!). Pop-Pop came out to visit so he could come with us and help out since it's hard to do things like that when I'm by myself. Good times were had by all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Click <a href="http://magis.to/4qqJQADE" target="_blank">here</a> to see all the fun things they did at the baby gym!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904148476303071778.post-74401925382772007472014-10-09T07:46:00.001-07:002014-10-09T07:46:56.711-07:0011 Month Photo Shoot<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am SO happy with the way this month's photo turned out. I went with a Fall theme (my favorite time of year... which makes me really miss living up north with all the beautiful changing leaves!) and the twins had a blast playing with the leaves and little pumpkins. </span><br>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To see the photo shoot in action click <a href="http://magis.to/zqqJWPmT" target="_blank">here.</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0