Seeing Double

it’s been a LONG time since our last blog entry…unfortunately, chad’s computer “sheila” went on the fritz, and so went our photo software along with the computer. now it seems that the substitute machine is here to stay, so we’re up and running again. so we have lots to eventually share. a couple of highlights from the past, er, 2 months include mina and zoie transitioning to one big afternoon nap, speaking in gaelic, playing and torturing jones, screaming loudly, reading lots of books and going sledding for the first time. video coming soon.

mina sporting some skin-tight long underwear style pjs

zoie enjoying lunch

a visit from uncle todd

tis the season.

from our family to yours, happy 2010!

3 feet of christmas love

zoie strategizing

we originally thought that a christmas tree was not a good idea due to curiosity of mina and zoie and their propensity to pull, tug and grab everything. we certainly didn’t want the tree to come toppling down on top of them nor did we want any choking hazard hanging from the branches. but as we got closer to christmas we really wanted a tree to light up the living room. my colleague nelson came to our rescue and generously offered to cut down a toddler friendly tree from his acreage. so it’s official: a charlie brown christmas. we limited the ornaments and didn’t use any hooks. after numerous reminders to be “gentle”, we’ve encountered only one incident: zoie pulling down the tree. the funny part was mina scared and crying 10 feet from the crime scene while zoie mischievously and carefully crawled away. as for the ornaments, a couple of arms and legs cracked from heidi’s collection of rudolph and the misfit toys, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a little glue.

woefully tardy in posting so we’ll try to catch up. since september, carryn has been doing a great job of helping us take care of the girls. we are happy to have her and the girls certainly do their best to wear her out. the picture is an appropriate depiction of her day: sitting still is not an option.

it’s about time we start posting video. the first is a short clip of playtime in the tupperware drawer: the girls favorite activity. they empty it out at least twice a day. the second is enjoying the boys from down under… don’t ask.

caught in action.

we finally got proof of the girls starting to walk. well, at least zoie. it seems as tho both girls stop whenever we pull out the camera. but after a week or so of attempts both have put together a series of steps. next up, mina. more soon.

caught in the toy box.

all smiles.

well, what can we say? the twins keep us busy… really busy. with the little time we have,  we either try to nap or dream of taking a nap. need-less-to-say posting on the blog has taken a back seat. the girls turned one and all of a sudden the switch was flipped and they learned all kinds of new tricks: how to take steps, how to crawl in the toy box and tupperware drawer and how to race up the stairs whenever the gate is left open. they also like to chase each other around the kitchen table, occasionally stopping to laugh at each other. they recognize shapes, like to read a good novel, and enjoy a good gin and tonic at happy hour. oh how they have  grown. this week they have been sick (again). mom and dad are fighting it, too. i guess this is a preview of the next 18 years…

cabinet hopping

mina has eight teeth now – practically a mouthful! they’re easy to see when she cracks out her big grin. she is quick to smile and laugh (usually at herself), and she is very good at figuring out when mom and dad are being silly.  she definitely has a good sense of humor. but don’t be fooled! she is also very sly. one second with your back turned and she’s conquering the tupperware…

early morning light.

little z is big on personality. she eats and sleeps like a champ, and is slowly learning how to fend off her big sister. this past week she has taken more than a few steps on her own. below, check out mina and zoie with the walking toy. usually when they decide to ’share’ it, one of them pushes while the other is dragged along on their knees holding on for dear life… i wish we could get the video working on this blog…it’s hysterical!

exercise time.

mina and zoie playing in their handmade costumes (ala heidi)

zoie getting the best of mina. it's usually the other way around.

posers.

it’s been a busy week. after celebrating over the weekend, we returned back to aa with a full week of work and doctor visits. on tuesday, the girls had their one year checkup. with the exception of some shot-induced screaming, the girls enjoyed the visit and received good reviews. both mina and zoie continue to be in the mid to high 90 percentile for height. as far as their weight, mina is topping out at 22 lbs 4 oz and. zoie remains the lighter of the duo at 19lbs 8 oz. oddly enough, zoie has a ravenous appetite and regularly eats more than mina. the weekend greeted us with 60+ degree weather.  we were able to get outside and have some fun with the girls in their halloween costumes.

the cousins: kelsee, meghan, luc, zoie and mina.

nana and zoie, grandpa and mina

this fall, we have had a couple of visits from the reicherts. it was great to see everyone and spend some quality time. here are a couple of outtakes.

confusing it for cake, zoie eats her hat.

c-a-k-e

one year old! over the past several weekends we had a great time celebrating mina and zoie’s birthday with both of our families.