Apple Babies!

Yesterday, Some friends (Joy and Jan), Mike, and I spent the day canning applesauce. It was a rainy day and what better way to spend it than with friends and family. It smelled like fall in the house...apples, cinnamon, and pumpkin (candles). The girls were great the whole day. They ate, slept, and ate and slept. After canning all 55 jars, we all packed up and went to Olive Garden to celebrate...no, we didn't have applesauce. What a great day.

The girls are growing so fast. They are starting to sit up more, with support, and pushing up on their arm when on their tummies. Olivia likes to tuck her leg under her and scoot forward. I think she will be crawling in no time. The other issue we ran into was Olivia's sleeping position. She loves to sleep on her tummy. When she falls asleep we put her down in her crib, only to find her in the morning on her tummy with her legs tucked up under her and her tushie in the air. It is really cute. We have resorted to dressing her in warm pajamas and no blankets in the crib.

 Juliana Grace

 Another event that we had the pleasure of participating in was camp-meeting. Last weekend Mike and I had song service, offertory, and special music for Sabbath school. The girls did real good and sat up front. We did hand them off during part of the time so we were able to do our music. When church started both girls were so tired they were fussing. We ended up going outside and taking in the view of the surrounding mountains for the remainder of the service. It was a good experience for the girls. There were a lot of people and several wanted to hold them. Needless to say, they had baths that evening.

 

Camp-Meeting

 Juliana Grace

 

Olivia Judith

Biking with the Babies

We recently have had the advantage of going for a couple of bike rides. It has literately been 2 years since Mike and I have been on our bikes. We didn't think it would be possible with our girls, but thanks to a friend of ours, Robin, she bought the girls a bike trailer. At first, it took awhile to get it set up, but when we did the girls had a great ride. They were a little unsure about it, but eventually Olivia fell asleep.

 

 Mama and Olivia (Juliana in car seat)

Me and Mike

In the bike trailer.

Olivia sleeping

Other new skills the girls have developed are grabbing their feet when changing their diapers and rolling over both ways. One evening, the girls were sharing a boppie pillow on the floor and Mike was laying next to them. Olivia decided she didn't want to share anymore and rolled right off onto the floor next to Mike. It was quite cute. There has been several times I have checked on the girls and they were on their tummies in their crib. Pretty soon these babies are going to be on the move!

 Juliana and Olivia

Olivia and Daddy

Laughing Olivia.

I see you Mama!

Another fun thing we introduced to J&O was the "Jenny Jump Up". They love it! With the exception of it being a huge chew toy, they are getting great exercise pushing up on their legs! We love to see them smile and laugh when it bounces them. So so cute.

Olivia enjoys her book while Juliana jumps!

Around the same time that we introduced the bike trailer to the girls, we introduced them to the running stroller. Thanks to my Aunt Ruthie and cousin Tina, I am able to keep up my running and involve my girls. We did happen to take the girls out for a walk right around bed time and Olivia cried the whole time. The second time we took them out, the girls loved it. In fact, they were talking to each other on their ride. We have been so blessed with family and friends that care for our girls. 

Olivia not happy.

Juliana not sure about the whole thing.

5 Months Old!

We have had a very eventful past two weeks. Last week, on September 3rd, the girls turned 5 months old. I can't believe how much they have grown. I remember when we could hold both girls in one arm. What beauty God has given us. They were once so tiny and now weigh 13 3/4 pounds each and 24 inches long. In the girls' check-up with the doctor last week, he said we can start solids next week. The doctor said they are really healthy girls and he was impressed with how well natured they were. We really do have happy babies and everyday they remind me of how happy I am to have them in my life. I never knew my life could be filled with such happiness and love.

 Olivia's Smile!

For Labor Day weekend, we were very excited to share it with Uncle Doug, Aunt Nik, McMillen and McKinnon. The girls got to meet them all for the first time. What a blast we had. Juliana and Olivia spent an afternoon with them as Mike and I went to a wedding. That evening, the whole family went out to Ryan's Restaurant and then to the school. There Mick and Kinnon had a chance to play with Mike and Uncle Doug, while Anika and I caught up on past times. After the school we went back home where it was time to put the girls to bed. Anika fed Juliana and I, Olivia. We needed to make sure that they had plenty of rest for the next day. I was racing in a 5K!

 Greg and I before the race.

Just starting the race

Dawn and Anika with the girls

Who knew that 5 months after having my beautiful twin girls I would be running a 5K? The last one I ran in was in high school, 10 years ago. On race day, I woke up at 5:45AM to get dressed, feed the girls, and get them dressed and out the door by 7:00AM. We were at Fender's Farm at 7:15AM. Mike and a friend, Dawn Schrader, held the girls while Greg Schrader and I did a warm up lap. By the time we were back from our warm up, Doug, Anika, Mick and Kinnon were there to be my cheer team! I have never felt so loved and supported! They were all awesome, not to forget everyone on facebook, and those who called me to encourage me for the race. This was a really important event for me and what better way to experience it, than with my friends, and family, especially having my girls there. During the race, the girls were taken care of by Anika and Dawn, while Doug and Mike took pictures. They were such great babies. When I finished my race, I was greeted by my sleeping Olivia and my sleepy Juliana. Next year, Mick wants to run with his Aunt Jeni, well, maybe ahead of Aunt Jeni. :)

McKinnon and Doug

Juliana

When it was all said and done, we had an awesome time and so many memories were made. I hope one day it will be me and my girls crossing that finish line together.

McKinnon, Me, and McMillen