December 25th, 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas with our girls! Now that the girls are big enough to appreciate Christmas, we decided to start some new traditions for our family. On Christmas Eve we wanted to make sure that Santa stopped at our house, so we set out an adult beverage and chocolate candies instead of the traditional cookies and milk. We figured that milk and cookies probably gets old after awhile! On Christmas morning we woke the girls up and read them the Christmas story while they drank their bottles. The final tradition (and possibly my favorite) was that we all stayed in our pajamas all day! We took the girls into Mamaw and Papaw's house for brunch and presents, and we were all very comfortable in our sweats and pjs! The girls got more gifts and enjoyed playing with cousin Ruthi all day. It's probably worth mentioning that one set of toys that Uncle Eric and Aunt B gave the girls were baby dolls. The dolls looked liked they were wearing scrubs, so we decided that we should name them after two of our NICU nurses. The girls love their new dolls, Baby Lori and Baby Mindy! (Lori, we thought you would appreciate that.)


Emerson playing with her new kitchen set (Thanks Mamaw Ruth and Papaw Marty!)

Climbing all over Mamaw Ruth and Papaw Marty

Playing with cell phones and baby dolls! (Thanks Uncle Eric, Aunt B, and Ruthi!)

One (toy) blackberry wasn't enough for Stella!

Emerson climbed in Ruthi's doll stroller on her own!

They still love wrapping paper!

Chaos!

Daddy reading the Christmas Story to the girls

We figured that if Santa likes cookies and milk, he probably loves beer and chocolate!

Emerson got into her toy basket to play with her toys.

December 22nd, 2008

Today the girls had a follow up appointment with the audiologist. Emerson passed her hearing screening with flying colors! Stella had some fluid behind her ear drums (most likely from the last cold she had) and will have to go back for another screening. The audiologist wants to recheck her ears when the fluid is gone. We also stopped by the NICU for a visit while we were at the hospital. It is so great to go back and visit with the nurses and staff that took such good care of all of us. It is also nice to be able to show off our big, healthy girls!
Uncle Al and Aunt Cindy came to visit us over the weekend. We had a great time visiting with them, and the girls loved spending time with them. While they were here, Emerson started taking a few steps independently! Of course she didn't take any when we had the camera out! We just keep waiting for her to walk across the room!

Emerson playing on her slide

Stella trying out her Christmas present from Uncle Al and Aunt Cindy!

Mamaw Ruth and Emerson at James' basketball game

Uncle Al and Stella at the game

Presents!

Stella loves her pony!

Emerson loves her pony!

Stella also loves wrapping paper!

Ruthi opening her present

Thanks for the awesome toys Uncle Al and Aunt Cindy!

December 16th, 2008

Emerson and Stella started drinking whole milk and Pediasure yesterday! They are drinking whole milk with their meals and then drinking Pediasure before bed. They love it! We are so glad that they transitioned so easily. We had Christmas with my grandma this weekend, and the girls wore their new clothes from Auntie Tina. They looked so cute! Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Emerson opening her Fridge DJ - Thanks for the gifts Nanny!

Stella and Ruthi opening presents with Nanny.

Emerson standing ALONE!

Stella playing with her new blocks. Thanks for the blocks, Aunt Kayla.

Emerson went down the slide holding the basketball.

Emerson climbed into the dishwasher while we were unloading it!

She was very proud of herself!

December 13th, 2008

Christmas came early at our house this year! We have a lot of family that lives out of state, so the girls have been getting gifts in the mail all week. I hope they don't get used to opening gifts every day! They loved all of their gifts, and they really love the wrapping paper! They are at such a fun age!
The girls had their 15 month exam this week. They aren't quite to 20 lbs like we were hoping for, but our doctor is still very happy with their growth. They are both almost on the growth chart for their actual age for height and weight. AND Emerson's head is in the 75th percentile for her actual age, and Stella's head is in the 65th percentile for her actual age! (That is a pretty BIG deal!) If you adjust their age for prematurity, they are both doing quite well on the growth chart. Our doctor has also decided to take them off formula! They will take whole milk and pediasure now. We are really sick of mixing formula! We are so proud of our big girls!

Emerson and Stella trying to climb up the slide.

Emerson playing on the slide.

Stella going down her new slide! Thanks for the slide Grandma Natalie and Grandpa Kim!

How cute is this?

Emerson loves her babies!

Stella checking out the baby.

Thanks for the babies Aunt Karen and Uncle Larry!

New clothes and books. Thanks Auntie Tina, Anna, Matt and Mike!

They love their Oilily clothes!

They love their books (and the wrapping paper!)

Stella signing "More, please."

December 8th, 2008

On Sunday, Mamaw Ruth and Papaw Marty treated all of us to an awesome lunch at The Blue Owl in Kimmswick. The food was fantastic, and the girls had their first encounter with Santa Claus! Stella kept trying to pull off Santa's beard, and Emerson wasn't sure about him. Emerson eventually got upset, but we were able to get a few pictures. Cousin Ruthi isn't a big fan of Santa, and she kept her distance!

James was trying to make sure we were all in the picture!

Stella with Santa.

Emerson with Santa.

Kayla (ultra pregnant), Mamaw Ruth, and Me!

Stella making friends with Santa.

James trying to convince Emerson that it was okay.

Stella pulling on Santa's beard!

Emerson has a lot of stranger anxiety, and the red suit and crazy beard didn't help!

Crazy girls! (They were playing, but it kind of looks like they were fighting.)

December 2nd, 2008

Last night we went to James' first game as the Boys Head Coach. The girls sat through the girls game and the entire boys game! We had 5 adults and 3 babies, and we needed every one of those adults to help entertain the girls! Cousin Ruthi came along to cheer for her Uncle Jimmy! The girls did surprisingly well, and seemed to enjoy the excitement and the activity. It was a great game, and we won!
The girls both have runny noses and little coughs, but we are pretty sure that it is related to teething. Emerson's first top tooth broke through yesterday, so that makes 3! I don't think Stella has gotten any more yet, but it won't be long. Emerson seems like she is going to start walking any day now-life will never be the same! Stella is signing the word "more" when she is eating! They are growing up so fast!

Coach Benson

Papaw Marty helping Emerson watch the game.

Sharlla keeping Stella happy.

Mamaw and Ruthi cheering for "Uncle Jimmy."

James with his boys.

I woke up with a sore throat and the girls came in to help out. James called it "Breakfast in Bed."

Uncle Eric with the girls.

Emerson got in the basket first, but didn't seem to mind when Stella joined her!

Silly girls!