The party!

The girls party was on Saturday. I think we ended up having around 13 kids show up plus parents. It was a big crowd to put in our house. The kids went from inside to outside and back. They all seemed to have a great time! I stressed over everything and made some stuff myself. We had our house and our yard ship shape. Wes and I made the birthday banner, the invitations, pin the nose on the monkey and the square crayons. Making the crayons was really fun. We melted then together. The best part was that we had LiaLezon take pictures to help us remember everything!

The banner. My mom, the artist drew the monkey.

Banner

Pin the nose on the monkey

Crayons

Crayons hot from the oven

Babies Second Birthday

Today is the girls second birthday! We are so excited. The girls are staying home today with Grandma and Papa and celebrated with a McDonald's breakfast.

This year has been a blur. It was a difficult one for the family but we made it through. Wes is now happy in his new job.

I thought I would just try and keep a record of what we've faced and accomplished

• Stopped nursing at 12 1/2 months
• Transitioned to milk and all table foods
• Started walking at 15 1/2 months
• Started talking
• Went back to daycare
• Transitioned out of our bed room and into theirs
• Stopped taking a pacifier
• Started running
• Mommy and Daddy are always tired
  
• Gracie's seizure and ER visit making it necessary for us to always have a thermometer and Motrin on hand
• Gracie's breathing issues and ER visits to get it under control
• Lizzie's follow ups on the tubes in her ears - no new surgeries scheduled
• The girls both being on allergy medicine (we thought we were done with medicine every day after the Previcid but I guess not)
• The girls awareness of everything - the way they love their dog Molly and try to chase the cats
• Their love of family - they love their cousins, aunts, uncle and grandparents
• They can put on their boots
• They can take off socks and shoes in 2 seconds while sitting in the car
• They know "No", "Please", "Thank You" and "Milk"
• All stuffed animals right now are "Melmo" (Elmo) or "babies"

I guess that's a long list! Soon I'll be blogging about their birthday party tomorrow!

Memorial Day

What a great weekend! Wes and I took Friday off and had a four day weekend. My family had planned a family vacation to Beavers Bend in Oklahoma. The plan was to meet my parents and my sister and her family and spend the weekend together having fun!

We started the weekend on Thursday night by going to my Grandma's house. We hadn't seen her in a long time and decided since we were close and had the time we should visit. We got to her house really late and didn't have the pack-n-play set up. Wes and I decided that we had luck once with the girls sleeping in big kid beds we would try again. That was not a smart decision. Because the girls slept some in the car and were excited to see Great-Grandma, they did not want to sleep. They both SCREAMED for a couple of hours. Good thing is that great-grandma and great-papa are hard of hearing and didn't hear any of it. Finally, around 1:30 we all got to sleep.

The next morning, we got up and had breakfast. Around lunch, my parents and niece and nephew showed up. Then later that afternoon we left for Beavers Bend. Again, the girls fell asleep in the car and screwed up the nap schedule. We met up with my sister, Laura, that evening in Beavers Bend.

Day 2 of our adventure started with horse back riding. This was the first time the girls were really up close with a horse. Every time they see a picture of a horse, they bark like a dog. Anyway, they rode double with Wes and I. They loved it. Lizzie got a little tired and fell asleep on the horse toward the end of the ride. We rode for an hour on a trail and then had cotton candy and slurpees. Right next to the horse ride was a miniature train. Of course, we had to ride that too! The kids all love it! So many smiles on all of them.

That afternoon, we decided to go swimming in the hotel pool. We all got ready and grandma went ahead with Lizzie while Wes and I were with Grace still in the room. We were getting ready to head out when Sydney (my niece) came banging on the door saying that Grandma fell in the pool with Lizzie. Wes bolted (as he always does when it comes to the girls) for the pool. I was left with Grace and Sydney. It turns out, the railing on the pool steps was loose and grandma slipped in the pool. Lizzie went under and took in some water, but no serious injuries (only trauma). Lizzie was so traumatized that the rest of the pool time, we were all trying to get Lizzie to like the water again.

Day 3 of the trip was our lake day. We rented a boat for the morning. My sister was a little freaked but ended up loving the boat. She drove the boat most of the time. We had a blast until the girls got a little bored and wanted to head back. For lunch, we found a great picnic spot and grilled hot dogs. The girls played near the table while Laura and the kids went and played in the stream. I guess my sister will never get to old to look for crawdads. That afternoon we went swimming again. Gracie takes to the water like a fish. She loved it. Wes and I will have to get her in swimming lessons. Lizzie is still a tad bit apprehensive, but is warming back up to it.

Day 4 was our travel day home. We love our vacation and it was great. No family issues and everyone was happy. I'll try and post some pictures tomorrow or you can go here to our Picasa page.

It's finally up!

After several months of thinking about it, I finally launched my Etsy site, Monkeybee Designs. I only have 5 things posted right now, but more are coming. I really love the fabric rosettes right now, so expect more of those. I have several things made, but I wanted to start slow. Please check me out!

The name Monkeybee came from the girls. Lizzie is always a little busy bee and Gracie is our little monkey. That's how it's Monkeybee. My mom hand drew the artwork for the monkey and the bee and Wes worked it up in a graphic design software! It's truly a family effort.

Big Girl Cups

The girls started using regular cups and silverware at daycare a few weeks ago and so we started using them at home. Its been an adjustment and we still have spills but its becoming less and less of a problem. The girls are really starting to master the spoon and fork.

We just recently added using big girl cups at restaurants. It just started mostly because we weren't prepared a few times because we forgot the diaper bag. The girls really like to use cups and silverware. Usually, Gracie asks for it if we forget. When we actually have to get sippy cups out, I feel weird.

Our next 2 big steps are using the potty chair and converting to big girl beds. I think we are close to both but aren't going to really tackle it until the girls turn 2. Which reminds me, we finally decided on a theme and got the invitations out. Less than 1 month and the girls will be turning 2!

Mother's Day

This year was going to be a great Mother's Day. We planned to go to Oklahoma to visit my family and spend the weekend having fun. All went well until the Monday before when Wes tells me he is flying out on Thursday and won't be back until Friday at 6:00. So, we planned to leave around 8:00.

Then Friday came, the school calls and says that Gracie is running a fever. I take her to the doctor and it's either an ear infection or virus. The pedi does say it's ok to take Grace to Oklahoma so the trip is still on. Then I get the news that Wes can catch an earlier flight. So, we can leave earlier. When he gets home, we load up the car and head out.

While in Oklahoma, Lizzie gets a fever overnight. Wes takes her to an urgent care clinic and the diagnosis is an ear infection. All day Saturday the girls take turns with fever, Motrin, lukewarm baths, and sleeping. It was not fun at all. All plans for Saturday were canceled.

Sunday they start feeling better and we do get to have a lovely lunch with all the family. The only sad part is we didn't get to see Grandma and Grandpa Potter. With the girls being sick, we didn't want to expose them to anything.

Maybe I'll get a redo Mother's day.....

Grandparents

The girls have had a busy week! First, Nana came to visit last Monday and stayed until Thursday. Then Grandma and Papa came and spent Friday through today. The girls are so spoiled now! They had a blast with their grandparents. They laughed so hard and have been in great moods! The fun thing they are doing now is holding hands every where we go. We went to see the ducks on Saturday and they couldn't walk very far without holding each others hands. It is so cute to see the sister bond they are developing!

What personalities

The girls are really starting to show their individuality. Their personalities are so different. They both truly love each other and always make sure they know where the other one is. It's so funny to watch they see each other and say "hi sister". Their faces just light up!

What have we been up to?

We have been really busy this week, but when I try to write what we've done I can't think of anything! Our big news is that the girls will be moving up to an older class on Monday. It's a big deal around our house. They have been transitioning for about a week now and it's been hard. They are very cranky because they are trying to keep up with the big kids.

Today was very fun for us. We met our twin friends at Chuck E Cheese to play. This is only the third time the girls have been to one but they are now old enough to understand. We bought them tokens to play games and ride the rides. Gracie loved the rides. She wanted to ride all of them over and over. Lizzie was not sure of the rides and hated them. She didn't really want sister to ride them either. Lizzie was happy just carrying around the cup with the tokens/tickets. She tucked it under her arm and walked all over with it. Every time she bent over, she would drop everything out and then have to pick it up. It was very comical.

Change of Plans

Well, our craft fair fell through. We had problems getting confirmation on our booth. Anyway, our weekend is nothing like we planned. Wes was suppose to go out of town this weekend for work and that got changed too. So instead, we are getting family pictures taken as a fund raiser for my MPOM group. I'm looking forward to it.

We may also play with our friend the Coddingtons and visit the Nash Farm in Grapevine. I've always wanted to go there especially after I drove by it at least once a week the summer the girls were in the NICU.

With how are lives change so quickly, who knows what we will be doing!

Craft Show Preview

I have been working and going crazy getting ready for the craft show this weekend at Keller High School. Karla at Soap Addict and I will be sharing a booth! I'm excited and nervous at the same time! I can't believe it's almost here.

Here is a preview of some of the items I'll be selling.

Spring Time

The girls are starting to do all kinds of silly and amazing things for us. They understand almost everything and have memories like elephants. Last night, we had a great family night. The weather was great, so we took the girls outside after dinner to play. The played on their slide and picked the million dandelions in our yard. The girls love to watch the petals blow in the wind. Gracie has it figured out how to blow on it to get them to move. Lizzie on the other hand is funny. She holds it out really far and then blows.

Lizzie is my flower girl. She has been really excited by our crab apple tree. It's in full bloom right now (which I hate because that means tons of stinky crab apples on the ground that we have to pick up). She loves to look at it and pick the blooms off for herself and Gracie. Gracie usually could care less. Last night, she wanted to take in her yellow dandelion to show her daddy it was so cute. She picked it and said Dada and then went to the door.

Visitors

Because this week is Spring Break for my sister and her kids, they decided to spend the weekend with us. Grandma and Papa came earlier because she wanted "alone time" with the girls. The girls love their aunt, uncle and cousins. Sydney and Sam keep them busy and entertained. We had a really busy weekend.

On Saturday, we went to the Fort Worth Stockyards. The kids did the maze, bought cowboy hats, watched the cattle and went to a petting zoo. It was fun! For dinner , we had really yummy greek food.

Today, we just hung out. Gracie and Sammy weren't feeling good so we order lunch in. Everyone left early this afternoon so I took a nap.

Recent events

I'm still crafting and trying to perfect my technique. I've tried some different ways to make rosettes and think I have settled on two ways.

Also, our social calendar has been full this week. Wes worked late a few days this week and we went to his first office party. It was in the evening so we had to find someone to watch the girls. My parents couldn't come up so we had the girls teacher sit with them. At first, the girls couldn't figure out why she was here but then it was all fine. They didn't even cry when we left.

This weekend, we went out each evening with friends and got our hair cut. All of us! It was the first haircut for the girls. It was only a trim on their scraggly bangs but hair was cut! The girls did really well. They really like Cristi who cuts our hair.

Next step

Ok, so I'm still on this crafty kick. I'm always searching all the craft blogs to find out new things to make. Here is my latest. I bought a tank top at Target and sewed rosettes on it. I'm pretty pleased with it. See for yourself.

Ta da!

Well here they are, my first attempts at the fabric rosette headbands. The only thing I could find to display them on was one of the girls' stuffed animals. The rosettes were easy. Wrapping the headbands took some time. The carpal tunnel that I acquired because of the girls and working on a computer all day did not agree with this activity. I'm rethinking wrapping the headbands.

Latest Craftiness

I've been inspired by my friend Karla of Soap Addict to expand my crafting. She started making soap full time. Soon, Karla and I are going to do a craft show together and I need to get stuff ready. I've beaded for years and made stuff for myself, gifts and sold a few things.

I expanded into hair bows and have made a few for the girls (which they won't keep in their hair) and some for friends. Now, I've decided to move into making rosettes out of fabric. I made a necklace last night and tonight I made some clips for friends' kids. I'm going to try my hand at headbands soon. I just started so everything is practice at the moment.

Below are some pictures of my first attempts.

Rosette hair clips

Rosette bib necklace and hair clip

Fun picture of Gracie before church on a rainy Sunday

Lizzie before church on the same rainy Sunday

Can't catch a break....

But we can sure catch whatever virus is going around. After Grace being diagnosed with pneumonia a week ago today, we took Lizzie this past Friday to the doctor and she has a sinus infection.

After nap time today, Gracie woke up with the nasty stomach bug. That means all of us have had it! Hopefully, there will be one week where all of us are well.

Our Night Out

Today was a big day for us. This morning, we went to our MPOM snowflake festival. Its at a place called Paradise Pond in Grapevine. The First Baptist church has taken some of their space and made a big playroom for kids. The girls had a blast. They went right to sleep when we got home and slept.

After nap time, it was time for Wes and I to get ready for our night out. Tonight was the first time that we actually paid a babysitter to watch the girls while we went out. We went with some friends from church for a dinner out. We had a great time with no kids and adult conversation. We even talked about when we could meet up again!

Sickness.....

For the second week in a row (or third week I've lost track), we have sick people in the family. Last week, Wes and I both got sick and had to take a day off work. This week, Gracie has come down with pneumonia and a double ear infection. Fortunately, I think we caught it in time and started her on antibiotics and breathing treatments. She started feeling better the next day.

Wes is out of town again with his new job, but fortunately Grandma and Papa to the rescue. They are staying with me until Friday when he gets back. They are the awesome. The girls are going to be so spoiled. This week it's Grandma and Papa and next week is Nana. I don't know what we are going to do with them!

The other exciting news at our house (at least to me) is that we have a lady coming to clean our house tomorrow! I can't wait. This is the other perk to Wes having a job!

Snow Days

Well, again we are caught in record breaking snow. This time, it was only 12 inches. The girls did much better this time than Christmas. Gracie loved touching the snow and trying to make snowballs. I think the footwear made all the difference. We bought them rain boots to wear so their feet wouldn't get wet. They will be perfect in the spring to have the girls wear to get in and out of daycare.

Because they are my children, they love shoes. That is something that I take after my grandma. She and I love shoes and love to shoe shop together. At 85 she is still loves to shop, it just is now at a slower pace. Any way, back to my children and their love affair with shoes. The girls always notice when we get them a new pair and are really excited. When it's time to put shoes on, they stop whatever they are doing and back up to sit on my lap to put them on.

Update on the girls

I thought I would dedicate this entry to how the girls are growing. They amaze us every day. It's so fun to watch them together and separate. They are constantly doing funny and amazing things.

Item number one: Clothing and accessories. The girls love clothes and shoes in different ways. They both love wearing shoes! When we put shoes on Gracie, she tap dances all over the house. She tap dances out the door. Lizzie loves textures. She is constantly loving on towels, socks, anything she can get. The girls love their purses. Both girls will put stuff in the purses and then carry them around. They also love mommy's purse. Tonight while Wes was at a Stars game, I was in the kitchen getting dinner ready and the girls were quite. It turns out they found mom's purse and were pulling everything out!

Item number two: Eating. We have started using plates and spoons at meal time. It's a challenge to make sure that the plates stay on the table and not in the girls laps or heads! They are getting better every day.

Item number three: Talking and actions. The girls are saying more and more every day. They say banana, momma, dadda, Molly, dog, cat, book, bye-bye, hi, uh-oh, stop, no (and shake their heads), stop, milk, etc. Both girls are taking turns testing mom and dad. First it was Gracie, when we told her no she would do it anyway. Lizzie would get on to her too. Now it's Lizzie. At least they have the courtesy to not do it at the same time.

The girls love kissing. They love to blow kisses. When I pick them up from daycare, they blow kisses to their teachers. They love to kiss mom, dad and sister. Tonight, Gracie was kissing Lizzie and making Lizzie laugh hysterically.

Item number four: Making sister laugh. Each girl loves to make her sister laugh. They will "talk" to each other and laugh. They will bring each other toys or milk when the other is crying. Sometimes, they will cry only because sister is crying. They have such a unique bond that always bring tears to my eyes. Something that always makes me think of my sister and miss her because she is far away.

They are our little miracles and we love them dearly!

Life is changing.....

We are starting week three of Wes going back to work. So far the girls have spent about 4 days of the 11 actually at school. The first week Grandma and Papa came for a couple of days and stayed with the girls and then last week we had 2 sick days and a day off.

However, the girls are adjusting nicely. Wes was able to drop them off without crying (the girls I mean) and we were able to pick up two happy girls. The only issue we have is the girls are not sleeping at school as long as they probably need to. On the weekends they will take 3 hour naps and at school they take an hour. Hopefully, they will start napping better.

Inventive toys

We still never tire of the cardboard box. We have had it since before Christmas and it's still a favorite. The other fun thing we like to do is put clean diapers on our heads. Gracie found a little swimmer so we made a hat out of it!

While daddy's away

It's been a long week here for the Potters. Wes was offered a job last Friday and he took it. Which is great! The only problem is that they wanted him to start by traveling this past Monday to New Orleans to see a client and install the product.

So, that means a week for me of working full time and taking care of the girls by myself. It's been a long week. I had to start the girls back in daycare by myself with pick up and drop off. The girls have done well with only a little crankiness. I don't think they have gotten use to sleeping at the daycare yet and they miss their daddy. He has been taking care of them for most of their lives. It's been rough but we got through it!

This is a picture from the final family Christmas for 2009. Every year for my dad's side of the family we stay in a hotel and just hang out. The room had a closet with a sliding mirrored door. The girls discovered it and thought it was fun to play hide and seek.

Our Christmas was very busy for two weeks. The girls and I each got sick. That part wasn't fun. We did have a great time and hated to leave. We are now home and trying to settle back in.