Outside!

The weather has been so nice this week.  Just the right amount of sunshine and warmth.  Perfect for playing outside.  Rolli and Vivian love to hang-out in the backyard.  It's like a whole new world.  I take them around to smell the flowers and herbs.  And I let them crinkle the leaves and pull out the flower petals.  They watch me harvest the produce from our small, struggling garden.  Both of the babies take everything in.  Bella gets excited to see us in the backyard and does all of her tricks for us.  Rolli and Vivian laugh and laugh at her.  They think Bella is the funniest!

this is Viv watching Bella

Rolli watching Bella

Vivian being her usual self... checking things out, moving around

and Rolli being his usual self... loving life, happy to be alive

We love Daddy!

The babies love their Daddy!  I love Marshall too.  And there isn't anything better than being the mother of your husband's kids.  Marshall has been an active father from the start (even before the twins were born).  I love watching their faces when they see Marshall walk into the room.  

Rolli loves to play with Daddy!  They make each other laugh.

Vivian just loves it when Daddy is home!  Her favorite it snuggling with him.

Dr Milnes

Dr. Milnes is the babies' pediatrician.  I couldn't have asked for a better doctor.  We get along with him well.  He has plenty of knowledge and experience both personally and professionally.  Dr. Milnes just returned from a short trip to Africa were he worked under native African doctors.  He has been on other similar missions before.  He is confident, calm, patient, humble, kind, ect.  In general he is just a good person.  The babies love him.  They may not be smiling in the picture but they are relaxed and comfortable around him.  I really appreciate the time that he takes with us.  Always explains everything.  I don't even have to ask.  Dr. Milnes has even called us at home after a visit to make sure that we are doing fine.  I feel like he truly cares about Rollin and Vivian.  We are happy to be his patients.  (I say we because he believes that happy, healthy babies starts with a happy, healthy family so he is always concerned about our well being as a family).   

6 months!

Happy 6 months Rolli and Vivian!  The babies had their 6 month appointment today.  They checked out healthy.  Rollin weighs 14lbs 0.5oz and is 25 7/8 inches long.  Vivian weighs 14lbs 1oz and is 25 inches long.  They are just growing.  Being babies.  Loving life.

Here they are (at work with me on Saturday)... snuggled in their old favorite spot.

They used to stay in the boppy together nearly all day.  Now it's a tight fit with both of them in it.  And Vivian just spotted something of interest outside the boppy.  She's leaving.

oh Rolli!  6 months and so happy to be alive.  Sometimes he gets so excited (about what I'm not sure) that he just squeals.  He is full of energy.  Arms and legs moving.  Ready to smile at anyone.  He even smiles at Bella.









Some of his favorite things to do are drink milk, go for walks, snuggle with Mommy and Daddy, snuggle with a blankie, take a shower, play with Vivian, eat his toes, and poop his pants.  What a baby!  Love him!

Vivian sweetie-pea!  Look at that face.  She is Vivian.  Anything and everything goes into her mouth.  She'll even try a lick or two of dog fur if Bella lays close enough.  Vivi is moving all over the place.  Backwards, side-ways, in circles.  But not forward yet.  Sometimes she yells really very loudly.

Some of her favorite things to do are eating (even though she can't swallow well yet she loves food), talking with her toys, watching Bella or Sylvia, sleeping, sucking her two middle fingers, and exploring.  Love her!

yep, Viv is putting anything within reach in her mouth and Rolli is smiling again.

Play time makes me happy.  

Looking forward to the next 6 months and all that follows.

BUSY

We have been so very busy around here.  I'm trying to get ready for school while still maintaining the household and working a bit extra.  Marshall has been working over time when possible and then watching the babies when I'm at work.  Bella is always busy in the compost, stirring it up for us.  And the babies have been busy growing!  Rolli still keeps himself occupied with his ever moving legs.  Vivian has taken up knitting.

Viv is making me a hat.  Isn't she sweet?

melons

Even after all the neglect that the garden has been through it still produces.  These delicious looking melons are 'Sweet Passion'.  Mmmm!  They just fall off the vine when they are ripe.  Oh' so tasty.  I'm still waiting for the 'Honeymoon' honey dew to ripen up.  The melon vines look awful.  Scraggly and out of control.  Basically the garden in general looks awful.  But I've still been harvesting a hearty crop.  Plus we've been getting lots of peaches from Marshall's grandparents.  I've been busy preserving everything.  Canning, freezing, and drying.  We should be eating good this winter.  And the babies are going to have plenty of yummy baby food!








*FYI our camera batteries died and I haven't replaced them yet.  Once I do I'll have several new pictures to post :)  

our weekend

I had been looking forward to my cousin Nicole's wedding all summer.  We never see the Caryl family enough.  Unfortunately Marshall was gone (surprise) so it was just us three.  Even though I miss Marshall I thought that it would be no big deal to travel over night without him.  Wrong.  I was late getting out of town.  And after arriving at the hotel I realized that it was not handicap/wheelchair friendly (accessible, yes.  friendly, no.)  Which means it is really hard to get through the door with two carseats and luggage.  What a cluster.  The hotel clerk sat there and watched me struggle with the doors.  Needless to say the babies are no help at all.  Then I lost the luggage cart and had to chase after it.  Thank goodness for that family of ours that we never see often enough.  Uncle Dick came along right in time.  All I needed was someone to open the doors.  He did.  Then he pushed the luggage to our hotel room and Aunt Patti stayed with the kids so I could go and park the car.  (big sigh)  I was completely unprepared for the move from car to room.  But it doesn't stop there.  Esther heard of our comedy show and sent Hannah over to help.  She fed the babies and even changed a poopy diaper.  Thank you! ... in case your wondering... we were late for the family pictures.  But arrived well before the ceremony began.         

This is us later in the evening.  Our little family picture.  The three of us.  Missing Marshall.  And of course it wouldn't be realistic if both babies were happily looking at the camera.  

Hannah and Vivian.  Two beautiful cousins.  I forgot the babies jackets so Hannah is keeping Vivi warm.  

Grandma Debie makes Rolli laugh so much!  He just loves her!

Grandpa Rollin and Rolli.  I'm glad that those two were able to hang out for a bit.

Sunday morning.  Hannah and Rachel.  Love having these girls around.  

The wedding was wonderful.  We have a loving, beautiful family.