November 27th, 2008

Today was an exciting day for our family. We celebrated Thanksgiving, Papaw Marty's birthday, and the one year anniversary of graduating from the NICU! We have a lot to be thankful for this year. When we brought Emerson and Stella home a year ago they weighed less than 5 lbs, and we still didn't know much about their overall health and the long term effects of being born so early. A year later, they both weigh close to 18 lbs, they are in good health, and they are hitting their developmental milestones! We are so thankful for healthy babies, and for how our family has been blessed!

Touchdown!

Our first Thanksgiving since graduating from the NICU!

Emerson and Stella fighting over Mamaw Ruth.

Emerson showing daddy how to play ping pong!

Emerson chilling with mommy and Papaw Marty.

Ruthi introducing the girls to "Yo Gabba Gabba!"

Ruthi and Emerson "sharing" a toy!

Ruthi playing with her cousins.

Big Stella!

Emerson riding her giraffe!

November 18th, 2008

Emerson walked behind a push toy today!!! Here is a picture of Emerson pushing her toy and Stella cheering her on:

November 17th, 2008

We took the girls to have their Christmas pictures done today. I was concerned about Emerson being clingy and having stranger issues, but Emerson loved having her picture taken. Stella was a different story though! Stella kept frowning and looked like she was on the verge of a melt down the entire time. We weren't able to get one of them both smiling, but this one is still really cute.

We want to thank Mamaw Ruth for the super cute Christmas outfits, Paige for the perfect hand-me-down shoes, and Ruthi for the tights!

November 16th, 2008

We celebrated my great aunt and uncles 50th wedding anniversary this weekend. The girls danced with their Mamaw Ruth and Papaw Marty, and James danced with/on Elvis. Here are some pictures:

Papaw and Stella "dancing" with Mamaw and Emerson

Emerson was so sleepy!

Stella is a party animal!

James shaking his butt at Elvis! (it is a LONG story)

More James and Elvis...

November 9th, 2008

We don't want to brag, but we are pretty sure that we know why the Colts got a big win in Pittsburgh today. We are seriously considering making the girls wear the Colts dresses every Sunday! They clearly played an important role in the victory! Thanks Grandma Natalie and Grandpa Kim for the super cute outfits!

Stella is getting really good at feeding herself. (Especially if it is something that she wants to eat.) Club crackers are definitely her favorite.

Emerson's first pigtails...they were crooked, and she was not a big fan of them!

November 6th, 2008

The girls got their Synagis (RSV) shots this morning. Emerson weighed 17lbs 8oz and Stella weighed 16lbs 15oz! They have both been dealing with a virus this week, and Emerson ended up getting croup. Stella seems to be feeling better, and Emerson is working on it. We are very thankful that they were able to get RSV shots again this winter. The home health nurse that gives the girls their shots always brings gifts. This morning she brought stocking caps for them. Stella's hat fits snugly, but Emerson's hat is just a little too small. Here are some pictures:

A year later, Kylee is finally starting to get used to the girls!

Silly hats!

Emerson was not very happy about her ill-fitting hat.

Stella loves wearing hats (and having her picture taken.)

November 1st, 2008

I wanted to do family pictures when the girls turned one, but then we decided to wait until the leaves changed. Our friend Sharlla took the pictures for us. We got some great pictures today! Here a some of our favorites:

THANKS SHARLLA!

October 31st, 2008 continued...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

part 2

After the pumpkin patch, Mamaw Ruth and I took the girls to the bank to trick or treat and visit with mamaw's friends. Then we all went out to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, and we found out that the girls love ranch dressing! Finally, we went into St. Louis to trick or treat with Papaw's family. The weather was perfect! Mamaw Ruth made coordinating shirts for all three of the girls, and Aunt Brandi made pumpkin hats for them to wear. They all looked so cute!

Stella with Uncle Gene and Aunt Joyce

Papaw with Emerson, Ruthi, and Stella at Nanny's house

Mamaw and Ruthi at dinner

I love this picture of Emerson (she is wrinkling her nose)

Stella and Emerson playing with Mamaw at the bank

James and the girls in front of the maple tree at our house

Uncle Bart and Emerson

Emerson playing with Stella and Aunt Charlotte

Aunt Charlotte holding Stella

Emerson playing at Nanny's house

Stella playing with the treats that Nanny gave her

Emerson with Uncle Gene and Aunt Joyce

Emerson and Ruthi enjoying the big mirror at Uncle Gene and Aunt Joyce's house