28 Months and Growing

I know it has been awhile since I have blogged about the girls, so I am sorry to those that like to keep up with this blog. It has been a crazy couple of months and the girls are growing so fast. Hmmm, where do I start?

I guess I can begin with a health update. Juliana and Olivia continue to grow. Even though we have not taken them in to the doctors anytime recently, we can see that they can reach the railing on the stairs now and things on the counter. There was a time that I had left my phone on the counter, to where I thought the girls could not reach it and walked into the living room. As it got quiet, I asked the girls what they were doing and the response I got was, "Uh oh!" So I rush to see what they were doing and there sitting on the bottom of the dog's water bowl was my phone. "Oh girls!" Olivia preceded to pull it out and then drop it on the tile floor. Ugh. Needless to say, it never worked properly again and I had to get a new phone. That was the day that I found out they grabbed their little stool and stepped up on it to reach what they couldn't on the counter.

Moving on with their health update, Juli and Livi love to eat. As southern little girls, they love their grits. Other things they love are oatmeal, bananas, grapes, green beans, corn, and strawberries. They aren't exposed to a lot of processed sweets. Once in awhile they will be allowed a half a cookie. When I make banana bread or zucchini bread, the girls call it "cookie bread." They seem to think its a cookie, so I let them think it since its a much healthier choice and they can have it more often. Since they are eating so well, it has pushed us to visit the grocery store more often. We have two favorite stores, Ingles and the Natural Food Market.

Olivia

Juliana

Ingles, for those that aren't aware, is equivalent to a Kroger. Mama likes it for its clean atmosphere and the food is always in the same location as before. Olivia and Juliana love the store for the bagger and cashier. The bagger, Mr. Fred, is an older gentleman who greets us every time with a smile and a clean basket for the girls to sit in. He loves talking to the girls and talking about his grandchildren. The cashier Judy, loves to carry a conversation with the girls and lets them know every time that they are her favorite twins that come through the store. We love the experience we get from shopping there. The Natural Food Market, is another neat little store. This is a little health food store in Johnson City. This is where we go to pick up our non-dairy items. The girls love this store because of Elvis the bear. In the back corner, there is a section for children to play. They have all kinds of toys and one HUGE teddy bear that sits on a kids bench. The girls LOVE this bear. Every time we visit they run to the back and give the bear a hug and kiss. This makes it really nice for Mama to get all of her shopping done when a black bear is babysitting (in a very small store.)

Elvis the Bear

Speaking of babysitters, the girls have a new friend. Her name is Jillian. She is the girls' babysitter. She is our neighbor and a very responsible 17 year old girl. She has experience with children and is even CPR certified. We just love her. There are days that she will come over just to visit with Juliana and Olivia. The girls get the pleasure of spending time with her at least once a week whether its due to Mama needing to run an errand, or just some play time with Jillian. What a blessing to have this girl in our lives. She has been a great big help and has been there for us when we were in a crunch.

Jillian

For the past couple months, the girls have learned their complete ABCs and numbers 1-10. We have not mastered the potty, in fact, they don't really want to go on it very much anymore. So occasionally, I will put them on the seat and see if they will go. I figure we have some time and I won't push them right now.

Juliana and Olivia have taken to cooking. They love to spend time with me in the kitchen making all kinds of goodies. This most recent adventure, we made gnocchi. It was so much fun and the girls made it completely on their own. (Recipe coming to www.cookingwithsugarandspice.blogspot.com). I love that they are learning all kinds of new things and that I am able to share those moments with them. I look forward to sharing many more. Hopefully they will be able to cook better then their Mama someday.

Olivia pouring the flour in.

 Juliana wanting to help.

Olivia

 Juliana cutting her gnocchi. 

The results of their gnocchi making skills, not bad for 2 year olds. 

There have been so many other things the girls have been doing. We are about to sign them up for Kindermusik. This is a program for babies and children to learn all about music. Our girls have shown a lot of interest in music so we want to foster that as parents and help them grow in that area. We will be going to the open house August 17. We can't wait! We hope this to be a great experience for them. Right now we need something to help them channel their energy. We have not really experience to the terrible twos and they are called, but there are some challenging days, for sure.

Olivia and Juliana trying to ride a bike at Oma and Opa's home. 

Girls relaxing before nap time. 

Recently, Juliana has decided that she wants to be much more independent. She is trying to push the boundaries with us and it usually ends with her crying. This is so painful to see as her Mama. I know that Daddy and I often look like the bad guys, but limits are limits and they need to be set. I have been praying continuously that God would strengthen us as parents and let Juliana and Olivia learn their boundaries quickly. It really hurts my heart when I am rejected that I love you Mama and kiss at night, but I know it is just a phase and that it is one small hill I will be able to step over. I never understood what it meant to love a child until I had my girls. They are such a precious gift and I will continue to call them my sweet angels. Life is beginning to change for them and I pray that God will give us the guidance to lead them in the right direction.

Juliana with her bunny from Uncle Greg.

Olivia (left) under her thunder blanket.

Time sure flies when we have fun. It is time for me to say goodbye as I must go and prepare breakfast and wake my sleeping angels from their slumber. We are going to a book sale today and hope to find some new gems for our story time before bedtime. Have a blessed day from our family to yours.

Olivia and Mama

 Daddy and girls