The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

As the title hints...it's Christmas time around here!! Last Thursday...5 days before Christmas...we were hit by the lovely stomach bug!! Me & Evan were actually sick Thursday. Emma got sick one time Friday, and Justin woke up with a fever Saturday. We weren't able to make it to the Leopard family gathering because of all our sickness. We didn't get to go to church Sunday morning. We did go to Justin's mom's family gathering at the church for lunch and then back to our house to open gifts with Jason , Ashley, the kids, Dottie, & Mike. Emma & Evan got clothes, rocky horses that talk, and books! Emma at first was not a fan of the talking rocky horse...but here a few days later...she is warming up to it! I finally finished all my Christmas shopping Monday...Christmas Eve. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. Justin worked on Emma & Evan's swing set Christmas Eve too and thanks to the rain...it didn't get finished. Matt came to help. They got it all up except for the monkey bars. Emma & Evan didn't care though!! Katie got sick Christmas Eve night and wasn't able to have her normal Christmas morning brunch with Matt's family. I thought we were over our sickness but I am really hoping we didn't pass it on to Katie. Christmas morning, we got up and showed Emma & Evan their gifts. We also read the Christmas story and unwrapped the most important gift we will ever get...Baby Jesus. Justin left early to go fry the turkey at momma and daddy's. We got there about 1:00 ready to eat. Alison, Nick, & George were also there. Katie and Matt didn't come to eat. They came later for presents. Emma & Evan got new bookbags, more books, tricycles, savings bonds, and money for whatever Momma and Daddy think they could use. I think overall they had a wonderful 2nd Christmas. We are so thankful to be able to celebrate this wonderful time of the year with our precious little family!!

 

 

Emma & Evan's gifts from Santa!!

The letter Santa wrote!

Emma's ready to see if Santa came!

Evan's ready to see if Santa came!

 

They were checking out their stuff!

Talking about Baby Jesus and reading the Christmas story!

Momma and her sweet babies on Christmas!!

Emma & Evan's swing set minus the monkey bars!

Emma & Evan checking out their tricycles!

Gifts from MaMa, PaPa, Aunt Alison, & Aunt Katie!

 

A little bit of EVERYTHING...

I can't believe it has already been over a month since I blogged last.  Well, time is short these days! Let's start with Emma & Evan's birthday party!!  They probably won't remember any of it but I couldn't have asked for it to go any better.  Justin and Aaron put the tent up Friday night and we started decorating EARLY Saturday morning.  It was COLD and I was a little worried what we would do if it didn't warm up.  It did though...so no worries there.  Katie & Alison did all the food so that was one less thing for me to worry about.  We had all the tables set up and the wagon ready for the hayride.  Emma & Evan took naps right when I wanted them to...which was another answer to prayer!!  As soon as guest started arriving we started the hayride.  All the girls took the babies on the hayride instead of the guys like I had planned.  Oh well..we enjoyed it.  Then, it was time to eat & of course time for CAKE.  Neither baby would dig into the cake like most 1 year olds do...but after I put Evan's hands in his cake...he got the hang of it.  Emma was not a fan of having cake on her hands.  Then, it was present time.  They sat pretty still for me to open presents.  Evan reclined on his beanbag the whole time and played with a cellphone Anna Kayla gave him.  That was a great gift for both of babies considering they are obsessed with a cell phone.  The whole day was perfect and they are both so blessed to have so many people who love them.  After everyone left we cleaned up and headed home.  I knew as soon as got in the car they would both be knocked out...but no such luck.   They played and played when we got home.  It was lots of fun trying to figure out where to put all those toys!  

Next, we had our 12 month check up at the doctor's office.  The computers were down that day so I wasn't able to see how they had grown and what percentiles they were in.  Evan weighed 25lbs and was 30 inches long.  Emma weighed 21.8 lbs and was 29 1/2 inches long.  They are both doing great developmentally.  They are talking ALL the time and we can actually make out some of their words.  Evan can sing Deep & Wide, and they will both do the hand motions.  It is CUTE!!  Evan will give you sugar if you ask for it.  He will even give Emma sugar when she doesn't ask for it! :)  He loves her!!  They are pretty good listeners...Emma's much better than Evan.  Evan tends to listen when he wants too!  Typical BOY!!!  He loves being outside and Daddy has taught him to throw leaves.  Emma is still not a fan of dirt or touching the ground for that matter.  I don't blame her though...I'm not a fan of the outdoors either.  I have lots of plans for this girl that don't include dirt!!

Lastly, we went last week to meet Santa Claus for the first time.  I was so excited because everyone goes on and on about this Santa.  Well, the day was going just like I had planned.  We picked E&E up from school, took them home & fed them, and loaded them up in the car.  They both slept the whole way down there.  Evan woke up himself about 5 minutes before we got there.  Yay...another answer to prayers.  He isn't a happy camper when he is woken up!! We dressed them in the car and headed in for our picture time.  As soon as we hit the door Emma started clinging to me and crying if I attempted to put her down.  Not what you want when it is picture time.  Evan did EXCELLENT!!!  He LOVES to have his picture taken.  He wasn't afraid of Santa Claus and would sit in his lap.  Emma didn't do anything.  I even left the room hoping it would get better.  A few minutes later...Justin came outside hoping if we both left she would get alright.  Again...no such luck.  After we left she started clinging to the photographer and wouldn't let her put her down.  We ended up getting 2 pictures of them.  I had been telling people all along I just wanted one good picture of both of them.  Well...that's what I got.  One good picture.  Oh well...there is always next year.  At least I have one picture to remember this experience by!!

They are growing so quickly and becoming such independent little people.  We are venturing out by ourselves more.  I even took them both shopping with me this past Saturday.  Of course...I didn't try anything on.  With it being so easy to return things these days...we just by pass trying clothes on.  They do very good in restaurants.  Of course...we only go to loud ones in case they decide to scream...but they are easily entrtained by people walking by.  They are eating more and more table foods and have cut out formula.  I still add a little to their night bottles because I am NOT wasting what we have left...but once that's gone...NO more formula!!  Evan refuses to drink milk out of anything except his bottle.  He will drink water & tea out of his sippy cup fine...but not milk.  I try everyday and soon enough he will get over having to have the bottle.  I figure if this is the worst thing I face in life with him...I am doing good.  I can't believe we are fixing to celebrate their 2nd Christmas.  Santa got them a swing set for Christmas that Daddy is going to have lots of fun putting together. 

Momma and the birthday girl!!

Family photo!!  It was a little WINDY!!

Emma thinking "Momma...what is this on my hands???"

Evan offering Daddy some of his cake!

                                                   Momma and the birthday boy!!

Emma & Evan's little pumpkin cakes!!

The food table...courtesy of Katie & Alison!!

                                             Our one picture with Santa!!

Well...someone is awake from their nap...so blogging time is over!!  Until next time...

Two little pumpkins...sitting on the porch!

As the title hints...our sweeties were PUMPKINS for Halloween.  I figured they wouldn't be too cooperative with a fancy costume or really anything on their heads...so we went for the pumpkins costume.  Much to my surprise they kept the hats on most of the night.  Of course during the car ride from house to house...they were immediately taken off...but while at each house they didn't seem to notice the hats were on!  I had the babies fed and dressed & our supper ready when Justin got home.  We ate real quick, took a few pictures and headed out.  We went to Justin's parents, Katie's, Alison's, & back to my parents.  Those were our only stops and it took us almost 4 hours.  They all live in different directions!  Next year, I decided that they are all coming to me instead!!  E&E did very well to have been in the car so long and to have been up way past their normal bedtime!  Anyways...enjoy the pictures!!  I already know what they are going to be next year...you will just have to continue following to see what they will be!! :)

Sweet little Emma!

My Little Pumpkins!

Sweet little Evan!!

11 month update!!

We are now 11 months old and into EVERYTHING!!!  We are having to put locks on all the cabinets to keep Evan out.  He pulls things out of every cabinet he can reach...then Emma joins in on playing with the goodies Evan pulls out.  It is funny because that is exactly what Katie & I did.  I would pull things out, then Katie would play with them.  What's going on with us right now...well Emma is sick again.  We went to the doctor Monday after 20 days of antibiotics trying to clear up the double ear infections and her ears were FINALLY clear.  Just in time because we were almost going to be referred to the ENT doctor.  Then, this Friday...their 11 month birthday...Emma started running a fever again.  I just knew it was from another ear infection but we went to the doctor today and they were clear.  YAY!!!  The doctor said it was probably something viral and she should be fine within 72 hours.  The more I think about it, I wonder if she isn't cutting more teeth.  She is drooling a lot again.  She still only has the one tooth on the bottom but you can see the tooth beside it underneath the gums.  It should be coming through soon.  At the doctor this morning...Emma weighed in at 21.2 lbs.  She is still only taking a few steps at a time.  But she's working on it.  I bought her her first pair of shoes this weekend.  It's Keds and they look adorable on her little feet.  She isn't quite sure what to think about these shoes.  Pictures of that to come along with our 11 month photo session.  Now for Evan...My sweet boy is also WALKING!!!  He decided to take a few steps Sunday at my parents.  He was just waiting for everyone to be there to watch him reach this milestone!  I'm not sure of his weight.  Probably around 25 lbs...but since he hasn't been to the doctor recently we don't know for sure.  He still only has the 4 teeth too but he is also drooling A LOT...so we are expecting new teeth any day now!!   As for their first birthday party...the invitations are here and they are SOOO cute!!  Katie & I have the menu, layout, and lots of other small details all planned for the big day!!  Daddy already has the wagon for the hayride ready!  We are going to take a test ride this coming week to make sure we have all the details down pat!  Matt is working on maybe getting me a tent reserved from the Burton Center...so we are making progress!  I have their Halloween outfits complete.  They are going to be pumpkins!  These pumpkins outfits are the cutest things ever!!  My sweet babies are going to make the cutest little pumpkins!!  I have also made them an appointment with the Real Santa to have their pictures made.  We go Dec. 5th and I am SUPER excited about this!!  More to come on all of that in time.  Just some sneak peeks of future posts.  Hope you will continue to follow!!

Happy 11 Months!!

 

 

Where did my babies go??  They are growing too fast!!

 

Happy 11 Months!!

 

A Turner Toddler

Life for the Turner's is about to get real interesting!!  Emma is now walking!!  Yesterday, October 16th...she took 4 steps two different times.  Today she has walked several times with each time getting longer and longer.  Just a few minutes ago...she walked the entire length of the couch.  She is still getting the hang of it but I'm sure it won't be long before she says goodbye to crawling!!  Evan is watching her closely though...so he won't be left behind too long.  He will let go of things and just stand for a while.  He hasn't attempt to even make the first step yet...but he will soon enough.  We are truly enjoying watching them learn and grow.  They are little miracles.  Look for the 11 month update and pictures soon.  Plus...some party planning details!!

Life as we know it with two 10 month olds!!

I am trying hard to keep up this blog but Emma & Evan are too demanding of my time and the blog gets pushed to the back burner! E & E are both full-blown mobile now and into everything.  From unplugging the lamps to playing in the trash to just about everything else...these two babies are really developing into little people!  I am blogging while they are taking their naps so I have a few minutes of peace and quiet before the chaos begins again.  I say that but we truley have two of the best babies ever!  It makes me smile everytime I see them playing together or laughing at each other.  It is my constant prayer for their lives that they know they are loved and to have carefree childhoods.  That what parents are for right...to do the worrying for their kids!  I know in these 10 short months...I have probably already done enough worrying for their entire lifetimes! :)  Let me update you and where the babies stand! Evan now has 4 teeth!  We aren't really sure when the second tooth made its apparance.  I was playing with Evan this past Friday night and saw something in his mouth.  So, I went in for a closer look and it was definitely a tooth on top.  We thought the 2nd tooth would be the other bottom front tooth but we were wrong!!  Then, today once again as we were playing I noticed the 2nd tooth on top and 2nd tooth on the bottom.  That's 3 new teeth in 4 days...WOW!!! Evan can crawl like a champ now.  He has even learned to pull up but the funny thing is he hasn't figured out how to get himself down yet.  When he is tired of standing in one place...he will cry until you come move him.  A typical lazy boy!!  That's alright though because he is my lazy boy and I enjoy doing things for him!!  Little Miss Priss finally has a tooth too.  We have know it was coming because she has been crying out at night and would stop as soon as we put orajel on her gum.  She is trying hard to walk.  She pushes everything possible around the house walking behind it.  She is a very curious child!  Emma has developed quite a personality.  She does not like to be told no and will give you a go to you know where look when you tell her no.  But...she is very good about listening and not doing things again that she has gotten in trouble for.  Evan on the other hand thinks it is funny when you pop him or tell him no.  We haven't quite figured out how to keep him out of trouble yet.  Both babies LOVE to clap!  MaMa has worked with them for months now on clapping and they also clap at school...so we wake up clapping and go to sleep clapping.  MaMa is also working with them on their numbers.  Typical Gail...she has to throw counting into their lives somewhere!!  That's fine with me because hopefully they will love school and learning.  They love to be read too.  Now they don't just sit still and listen to a story but like to crawl up and try to hold the book themselves.  Pop-up books are their favorite.  We recently discovered that Emma is terrified of animals.  Even small kittens that can hardly walk...wonder where she gets that from???  She loves Cody as long as he is outside and she is inside but once you take her outside she is not a fan anymore.  We went to Connie Maxwell for Jacob Evan's 3rd birthday party and she didn't like the horses, goats, llama, or the tiny kitten I refered to earlier.  Evan is a HUGE fan of animals.  He will stand at the door for hours...probaly not hours, but you know what I'm saying, looking for Cody.  He liked the goats and horses at Connie Max.  Justin takes that as a sign that Evan is going to love the outdoors.  Both babies are becoming more and more attached to me and I love it!!  It makes a momma happy that her babies want her all the time.  It is difficult when they both want you at the same time but again...I love it!!  That's pretty much it for now.  We are getting into party planning mode since we only have two short months before the big day!!  I've ordered their birthday outfits and made arrangements to have their 1 year old pictures done.  I can't beleive that time has already come.  So, be on the lookout for more party planning details and of course the BIG DAY itself!!   

Sweet Emma!!

 

My Big Boy!!

 

The BEST babies ever!!!

Healthier times are here to stay...HOPEFULLY!

As the title hints...the Turner's have been sick!  We made it two days at Learning Express and both babies caught at cold or something viral as Dr. Fielder said!  Then, they passed it on to mommy!!  When I got home last Wednesday, Emma's nose was running.  I actually thought she was going through the teething process and really didn't think anything of it.  As the afternoon worn on...the snot got WORSE and so did poor Emma's breathing.  Over into the night...I had to put her in the bed with me because she couldn't breathe.  I spent the whole night trying to suck her nose out just so she could breathe.  Of course she wanted her paci to sleep and that just made the breathing worse.  So, we were up and down all night.  Remember all this was going on while Justin was out of town and I was home alone with the babies.  I took her to the doctor Thursday and got some medicine.  Then, as you can imagine...Evan's nose started running Thursday.  I immediately started giving him Emma's medicine too.  Thursday night was REAL fun.  Neither of them could breathe and cried on and off all night.  Again...here I am by myself with this.  I actually slept part of the night on the floor in their room so I wouldn't have to keep going from one side of the house to other all night.  Friday at work...my nose started running and I knew I had it then.  So, I left and went home.  Of course as the day went on....I got worse and worse.  Justin came home Friday and I did everything I could possibly do to keep him from catching it.  Lysol was my best friend.  Justin absolutely hates the smell of Lysol and really I do to...but it was neccesary to keep the germs away.  I ended up at the doctor Saturday and got myself some medicine.  We are now all better and back at school.  Let's just hope this won't be a reoccuring event because it was NO FUN!! :)  This coming weekend we are celebrating Justin's 31st birthday.  Yes, it is odd to celebrate 31 but since bedrest kept us from celebrating his big 3-0...we are celebrating now!  Pics and a new post coming soon!! :)