Spring Break & March Madness!

So, Jeni pointed out that it had been quite a while since I had made an entry into our Blog. You would think that since I am on vacation this week that I'd have tons of extra time to do this, but oddly, I haven't. We've been packing lots of family fun into this week! Before I get to that, I'll get you up to speed on what's been going on in the last week or so.

The girls were supposed to get their RSV shot on Saturday March 7 but our doctor's office called to tell us that we needed to reschedule. So we had to go in on Wednesday the 11th instead. The girls are finally putting on some weight as they both are up to 12lbs 12oz! Still small for 8 monthers (as they turned on March 10th) but good that they are still showing steady growth. They got 2 different shots (in 3 needles unfortunately) and actually handled them well. We didn't have the massive meltdowns that we've seen from them in the past.

The girls have graduated to eating some fruits including apple sauce, bananas, and prunes. Next week we'll be doing pears. They have also started being more vocal. Sydney has started a constant babble of "Mamamamamamamama" Now we understand that she doesn't actually know she is saying "Mama" but it's nice to hear.

Thursday night Jeni had Parent/Teacher conferences and worked late at work. I invited Uncle Ben (no, not the guy who makes the rice) over to visit the girls. Jeni got home around 8:00 just in time for the girls' last bottle.

On Saturday, I met some friends at BWW in SoCo to watch Mizzou play for the Big 12 Championship against Baylor. Great game and a great win for the Tigers who take home the Big 12 Conference Tournament title the first time ever!

On Sunday Grandma Pat, Uncle Mike, and Aunt Nozomi came over for St. Patrick's Day dinner featuring, of course, corned beef & cabbage. The girls also got visit from their Great Aunt Nancy and Great Uncle John. The last time they saw the girls was late last Summer when the girls were still very tiny and in the NICU.

Playtime BEFORE our visitors.....

Olivia....

Sydney....

Great Aunt Nancy with Sydney....


Great Uncle John with Olivia....

Olivia....
Sydney....all tuckered out from visiting.....


After our visit with Great-Aunt Nancy and Great-Uncle John we had to get our outfits changed...a common occurance these days! :)

Sydney...

Olivia...

Monday was the start of my vacation and Jeni's Spring Break. Typically I try to take a week's vacation during Jeni's Spring Break and spend the week doing nothing but relaxing. Well, obviously with the new additions to the family, relaxing wouldn't be as easy. So this year, since the weather was predicted to be so nice, we planned some outings.

On Monday, Nana Sharon came up and we took the girls out for lunch. We went to Chevy's and sat on the patio. While it was a little chilly in the shade, it was nice to get out. After lunch we went to Babies R Us and picked up a few things, including some cute hats for the girls...

Sydney.....modeling her new hat...there are sure to be new pics in this hat of BOTH girls to come this weekend! :)

On Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day, we had a family outting to the Botanical Gardens. We started the day with breakfast/brunch at First Watch. We've taken the girls there several times now. We love the big booths where we can put their car seats next to us. The girls are always really well-behaved and usually end up sleeping almost the whole time.

The weather was absolutely perfect for our day at the Gardens! It was sunny and 80 degrees. It was so nice to get out of the house with them and enjoy the weather. We definitely were a spectacle as we made our way around the Gardens with the twin jogging stroller. Nearly everyone we passed stopped and stared. Most of those we passed would say "Oh my! Look! Twins!". It doesn't hurt that our kids are about as cute as can be...and that MANY people commented on how perfectly beautiful they are!

After the Botanical Gardens we headed down to Ted Drewe's and got concretes. Well Jeni and I did anyway. It'll be a while before the girls can enjoy that favorite St. Louis tradition.

It was a BIG day for everyone, so when we got home everyone took a nap! We weren't very inspired to cook dinner, so we ordered some Chinese. The girls had some prunes for dinner which I know they enjoyed (oddly enough).

Sydney...
Olivia....

I have to say, Tuesday was one of the best days we've had as a family. It was so nice to actually have a normal outting that didn't include a doctor. As Jeni remarked to me later, "This is the kind of day that makes all the stuff we had to go through last year worth it." I agree completely. This day will be one of my fondest memories that will stay for a long, long time.

Daddy and Sydney....

Daddy and Olivia....

On Wednesday of this week, the weather was supposed to turn ugly with storms and rain, so Jeni and I planned a day out together. However, our nanny called to tell us that her sitter was sick and couldn't watch her little boy. So, we called Nana Sharon and Papa Rick and asked if they wanted to come watch the girls. I know Papa Rick was having some Baby withrawl because a few days ago Mom had asked if they could stop by and just see them if possible. So Rick and Sharon were very happy to come watch the girls for a couple of hours while we went out and ran some errands. Nothing too exciting was accomplished. We went to O'Charly's for lunch and then to Target for some basics. We made it back home and then Jeni left again to get a few items from Sam's Club. That evening, we spent another nice relaxing evening at home playing with the girls.

That brings us to today. Today started at 7:15 when Miss Sydney decided to wake up her mommy and daddy in a new way. Remember I said that she likes to babble mamma? WELL this morning, instead of waking to her crying we woke to her saying MAMMMA...so precious... oh well, back to why else today is important!

Today marks the start of one of my favorite 4 days of the year: March Madness opening weekend. Whether I spend the day at home or in Vegas, I try to avoid being stuck at work during the Thursday and Friday of March Madness. It's a guilty pleasure of mine just sitting at home watching some exciting college basketball for 4 days straight. It makes it even more exciting this year, that my Missouri Tigers are a #3 seed and are expecting great things from this tournament. So, I'll be comfortably seated at home today watching games basically starting around 11:15 through, almost 11:00pm tonight... The NCAA is nice enough that they provide a little break around 3:30 this afternoon for a couple of hours so I can grab some dinner before games resume around 6:00...

Tomorrow will be more of the same, except I'll be meeting some of the guys at a local sports bar to watch the games (including Mizzou). Also, tomorrow will feature the girls...all decked out in the Mizzou wear in support of their Tigers...even if Olivia is still scared of Truman! :)

Have a great weekend and here are some pictures!

Go TIGERS!

M

A Taste of Spring!

Sorry for the long updates between postings...life is a little crazier around the house these days! We are eagerly anticipating mobile children (crawlers) in the not too distant future. I have noticed that what little 'spare' time we previously had is now eaten up doing fun things like playing games with the girls and hearing giggles and lots and lots of babbling. WE sit up now...mostly on our own, but we still fall! :) Love petting the dogs too...that's one of our new favorite things! Also, we've been teething...fun, fun. Especially Miss. Sydney who is NOT too happy about it.


For the past few days in STL we've had a taste of spring like weather. So nice in fact that for 2 nights we slept with ALL the windows open! It was awesome and depressing at the same time as it's going to get cool again later on this week!



So, in honor of the nice weather we've been taking cute baby pictures! We are soooooooooo looking forward to the end of RSV season and family outings. We actually took the girls out for the first time this weekend...we went to breakfast and then to Sams...of course they stayed in their carseats the whole time, BUT I did wipe it down with sanitizing wipes anyways. WEll, you never know! :) We also spent QUITE a bit of time outside with our jogging stroller that my Dad and Carol gave us for our baby shower...LOVE LOVE LOVE it...and surprise bonus...I got more stress relief from exercising!

Our first time in the jogging stroller...it was only 60 outside, so mom had to bundle us up to make sure we didn't get cold in the wind!


On our walk where no less than 4 people told us how cute and perfect we were/are! Mom and Dad of course agree!




Next week is Spring Break and I cannot wait for some time off! :) I'm even looking forward to summer! :) As always! THis weekend we were talking about our last SPring Break and how I spent the entire time on the couch sick as a dog...yeah, won't be doing too much of that this break...instead I'll be playing with my 2 adorable babies whom we both love more than life itself. Hopefully it will warm up again and we can take the babies out and play!

"Hey...is this mine? It looks like mine...if not too bad...I want it." "Okay...I'm ready for kindergarden, I can share already!"

Olivia giggling it up in her Hawaiian Dress that FINALLY almost fits her...from my Dad! :)

Sydney in her extrasaucer...playing with her teether! She loves that thing!

Sydney going for a walk!

Livi going for a walk!
So, on Wednesday we get our last official RSV shot, we may get another one in April but that all depends on the CDC, so we may be even more particular about visitors in APril/May depending on how the RSV season is going. The RSV vaccine only lasts for a month and then it out of their system.

ON a sad note, I'd like to remind everyone how precious family is. Two families I know have recently been hit by tragedies lately. The first is a family from a multiples chat site that I visit (where I've learned TONS and the same site that I credit causing me to go to the hospital on May 16), both of their twin girls (identicals) were diagnosed 6 weeks ago with Werding-Hoffman's disease or SMA1, which is the number 1 genetic killer of children. It's a tragic disease that heartbreakingly claimed the lives of their twins 6 weeks after diagnosis. Please say a prayer for Sydney and her twin sister Caryanne and their parents Jake and Brook during this tough time. Their blog is on our homepage as I am follower of their blog. It is the Sweet Girlies Blog.

Also, my friend Amy whose husband Matt was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in May while I was in the hospital. Matt and Amy's daughter Mattie was born in December and is perfect and the spitting image of her Daddy who went to stay with god on Saturday morning after a long hard battle. Please pray for them as well during this tough time.

Hopefully the rest of the year is much happier for all...and we hope that everyone is getting ready to enjoy their upcoming spring and Easter Holidays!

Love,

M, J, S, & O

HEre are some new pics for everyone to enjoy!

Just a few MORE....Pictures!

So, since I felt that Matt's last post was lacking in pictures (aka some of my favorite pictures)...I thought I'd post some MORE pics...and b/c it makes my Dad's visits to Grandma's sooooooooo much easier...here are some more baby pictures! Most of these are from last weekend!



"Those sweet potato things...GROSS!!" "Yeah, I spit mine out...Totally Gross!"


"Hey...why do these crazy people keep taking PICTURE of US?"










"Yum...these fingers are GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!"


"This thing is cool...and it makes noise too!"

Olivia...laughing at her Daddy! Don't worry honey, we all laugh at him too! :)

Hope All is well!

Love,

M, J, S, & O

JUST PICTURES!

Due to popular demand for some update photos, this update will be only of pictures...

After all, we know that's why you really come visit our blog...

Enjoy!