September 10th, 2009

Exactly two years ago today, James and I were at the perinatologist's office having a check up and an ultrasound. I was 24 weeks and 6 days into my pregnancy, and everything was going great. My doctors said everything was good, and we were going to start weekly stress tests to monitor the girls the following week. We went out to dinner, went grocery shopping, went home, and went to bed. I woke up early on September 11th and realized that I was in labor. James drove me to the hospital, and our tiny babies were born a few hours later. We have been so blessed over the last 2 year. We have watched our very small, very fragile, miracle babies turn into toddlers. We are so excited to celebrate their 2nd birthday this weekend! (We have already been celebrating for about a month!) These are the ultrasound pictures that were taken the day before they were born:

Emerson

Stella

The girls have been playing with their Rose Petal Cottage non-stop! They were cooking together!

Stella cooking.

Emerson throwing her monkey out the door!

We are working on potty training just a little bit.

I am beginning to think that they just like to sit on their potties so I will read to them! They get read to a lot anyway, but they have figured out that they can be read to whenever they want if they say they need to go potty!

See what I mean?!

Silly kids!

Emerson loves laying on the kitchen floor. We still aren't sure why she does it.

Stella getting ready to go to a softball game.

James' parents came out for a visit last weekend. This is Grandpa Kim reading to the girls.

Grandma Natalie and Emerson playing.

Stella and Grandma Natalie

Emerson has her hand in Grandpa Kim's shirt pocket!

Stella playing peek-a-boo!

Cousin Ruthi hanging out with the girls.

September 2nd, 2009

More birthday photos...

September 2nd, 2009

Only 9 days until our baby girls turn 2!

Thanks for the beautiful pictures, Sharlla!

August 25th, 2009

We had a surprise on our front porch this morning! My dear friend Amanda sent the girls an early birthday present! She got them the Rose Petal Cottage! They have had so much fun playing with it today. I had to force them to eat their lunch and take a bath. They didn't want to stop playing with the cottage! Thank you Auntie Amanda for the fabulous gift! We love it!

As soon as they got out of the bath they were right back in the cottage!

Emerson has taken ownership of the door!

Emerson kept taking her bitty baby and putting it outside the door. She would say, "Bye Bye, Baby!"

Stella has taken ownership of the stove!

Emerson mistreating her bitty baby some more!

Emerson left the door for a second to check out the stove. Stella ran to the door as fast as she could!

Stella checking out the door.

Cooking together.

Emerson was trying to find new ways to use the door.

Stella was cooking a spoon!

James had his first softball game last night. I tried to take the girls to a few games last year, but it was extremely difficult because they were so small and were barely crawling. It was so much easier this time around! The girls loved being able to play with their friends and run around. They also like harassing their daddy when he walks out to be the first base coach!

Brittni, Sharlla, and Dennis all came to the softball game to help out last night. This is Brittni and Sharlla messing with Emerson.

Emerson and Stella harassing James!

They would both yell, "DADDY!" when he would walk out onto the field!

Emerson being silly.

Stella watching the big girls.

Emerson looks like she is about to get into trouble!

Stella wore pigtails in her hair last night!

Brittni taking the girls away from the fence.

Watching the game.

August 24th, 2009

I know it has been a while since I have posted any pictures. We have been pretty busy the last few weeks. Here are all of the pictures that I haven't posted (In order from newest to oldest):

James went back to work this morning. His school started a week late because of an electrical fire. Brittni came over to help out with the girls. Stella was cuddling with her!

Uncle Al and Aunt Cindy came up for the weekend. They bought the girls Radio Flyer tricycles for their birthday! This is Mamaw Ruth helping Stella ride her new trike!

Aunt Cindy helping Stella!

Uncle Al helping Stella. Emerson didn't need help! (She thinks she is a big girl!)

The girls love their new trikes! Thanks Uncle Al and Aunt Cindy for the awesome gifts!

She may be a big girl, but she still needs her blanket!

Stell thought she was hot stuff!

They did really well on their big girls trikes. They are even getting the hang of pedaling...geniuses!

Brianne came home from Wyoming for a few weeks, and we got to spend some time with her. She (and Brittni) helped me out a lot when the girls first came home. We have missed her!

Brianne gave the girls their birthday presents early since she won't be here for their birthday. Thanks Bri!

We got the girls a "ball pit!"

They seem to be enjoying it!

We had physical therapy at Jump 4 Fun last week. Emerson loved the inflatables, but it took Stella a while to try them out.

Stella was clinging to the side for dear life!

Emerson had a blast!

We went to Indiana for a few days to visit with James' family and have an early birthday party for the girls. I didn't get many pictures during the party because the girls weren't in very good moods. This is the girls enjoying their cake.

They didn't quite get the hang of blowing out their candles, so we helped!

Emerson and Stella playing basketball with their daddy, cousin Matt, and cousin Michael.

The girls opening their gifts from Aunt Sarah, Uncle John, and cousin Ellie. We stayed with John, Sarah, and Ellie during our visit. They just bought a house, and we had a lot of fun with them!

While we were in Indiana, we were able to go back to Marion to visit with dear friends and family. I forgot to take pictures when we were with my friend Kim and her kids. This is Stella playing with her Great Aunt Pat. Pat and ODell took care of James and I when we lived in Marion. We miss them so much!

Great Uncle ODell playing with Emerson and Payne. The girls have only met Pat and ODell a few times, but they went right to them!