Is this real life? Are our babies REALLY 8 months old already? Time is going by too fast!!!
So much has happened over the past month...where do I begin?!
Well for starters, we have TWO crawlers on our hands. Hadley began crawling about a month ago, but not very well. It really wasn't until the beginning of June when she took off. Her sister wasn't far behind. Ava James became an expert crawler about a week ago. Needless to say, we definitely have our hands full now! Hadley is absolutely fearless. She enjoys crawling over things. This includes people, her sister, the bottom of the coffee table, pillows, and anything else that gets in her way. Every evening, like clock work, she takes a "stroll" down the hall, and into the kitchen. I'm guessing that this is her way of telling me that she is ready for dinner! Ava James can crawl very well, but would rather stay close to her Mama. She doesn't stray too far. Compared to her sister, she is MUCH easier to keep up with. Thanks to the girls new mode of transportation, Mama and Daddy ordered a playpen this week. Mama is VERY thankful that it is set to arrive TOMORROW!
Another big event of the past month was our family vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida.
The girls Nonnie, Poppa, cousin Harper, Uncle Jason, and Aunt Meredith were all there. They thoroughly enjoyed having their cousin Harper there. Harper always made sure that the girls had their paci and that they always had a toy to play with.
While at the beach the girls got to swim for the FIRST time! Our condo had a small, personal pool that the girls really enjoyed.
Ava James warmed up to the water immediately. I don't think she even flinched. As soon as we put her in the water she began splashing and laughing. It took a little longer for Hadley to feel comfortable in the pool. Once she felt comfortable she began splashing and jumping. By the end of the trip, both girls were voluntarily putting their faces in the water and were not bothered by being splashed in the face (normally by their sister) at all.
The girls also went onto the beach for the first time!
Ava James loved it. She didn't even mind the waves washing over her feet. Hadley, on the other hand, wasn't so sure. She was fine at first, but then became more and more uncomfortable. This could have been because she hadn't had a nap yet!
The girls also spent a day at the lake for their Nonnie's birthday. They got to go swimming again, but this time in a smaller, inflatable pool. They LOVED it. Mama (me), being an ex-swimmer, is very proud of her water bugs!!!
(Mohawks compliments of their Daddy)
The girls haven't had a doctors appointment, but I can tell you that both girls are growing like crazy. Both girls wear 6-9 month clothing which seems to get smaller and smaller every day. They eat three meals of solid food each day (followed by a bottle), and one "snack" bottle in the afternoon. Ava James is our picky eater where as Hadley will eat anything you put in front of her. Ava James mostly likes fruits, but also enjoys sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash. She does NOT like meat. Most of the time we have to trick her into eating her dinner (this meal almost always includes a meat) by playing peak-a-boo. If she is slightly distracted she doesn't even realize she is eating meat! Like I said before, Hadley will eat anything and seems to be hungry ALL THE TIME. I think she would eat all day if we let her. As far as sleep goes, the girls are sleeping EXCELLENT. They go to bed at about 7:30pm and sleep until 6:00 the next morning. We (Mama and Daddy) finally moved out of the guest bedroom, which is next to their nursery, and back into the master bedroom.
It will not be too much longer until we have to rearrange their room. As of today, the girls cribs stand next to each other (within arms reach). Both girls can pull up in their crib now (lowering the cribs is on our "to-do list" THIS WEEK) and constantly stick their arms and legs out of the crib. It is only a matter of time until they figure out that they can reach one another.
Now here is some more about the girls at 8 months...
Hadley is fearless. There is no other way to put it. She is not afraid of diving off the couch head first or crawling over a tall pile of pillows, toys, bumbo seats (which she can escape from now), or bouncy chairs. Thankfully, she is tough. Being a parent of twins, its harder to drop everything and run to your child every time he/she cries. This isn't a problem for Hadley. If Hadley is crying, it is normally because something isn't going her way, not because she's hurt. She bonks her head and falls down (from pulling up) constantly but never complains. She is an excellent crawler and uses that to her advantage. She is all over the place and is into everything. She doesn't enjoy the jumperoo anymore. Well, I take that back...she doesn't enjoy being IN the jumperoo anymore. If her sister is in the jumperoo she enjoys standing on the outside by herself. She is fairly good stander but would be even better if she would quit standing on her toes. Hadley loves holding onto someones fingers and walking. She is determined to walk. I have a feeling it won't be long until she is running up and down the hallway. Hadley doesn't talk (baby babble) much at all. I am fairly certain that this is because she is just too busy. She loves to explore and play. She continues to be a happy and sociable baby. Everyone that she comes into contact with is greeted with a smile. Hadley is also our flirt. She is not afraid to flirt with a complete stranger. Hadley also gives kisses CONSTANTLY- Mostly to her Mama, but she will give out kisses to other family members as well.
Ava James is still the sweetest, most patient person I have come in contact with. She seems to always be happy- Even when her sister crawls over and takes her toys or paci away. AJ talks...A LOT. Her only word is "Da Da" right now, but she definitely knows the meaning now. She babbles constantly. It won't be long until she discovers new words, I'm sure! Ava James is a Daddy's girl, through and through. She LOVES when her Daddy comes home in the evenings and always greats him with the biggest smile and a "Da Da." Although AJ can crawl, and crawl well, she would rather play with her books, talk, or roll around. She is very content the majority of the day and requires VERY little attention (unlike her sister). She is still very shy around strangers and will sometimes get upset if someone new invades her personal space. Once you get to know Ava James, she is sweetest little girl you will ever meet. She LOVES to snuggle and give out kisses. I can't even begin to explain how sweet her personality is. She is still very sensitive and will get upset if her sister gets upset or another baby gets upset. Her favorite toy is now the jumperoo. She loves to jump and is a fairly steady stander. She stands flat-footed and very steady as long as you hold her waist or hands. When Ava James does crawl, she has a habit off getting stuck. She gets stuck under the bouncy seats, coffee table, and the jumperoo. We aren't sure if she just enjoys being under things, or what?
Believe it or not, I am sure I have missed so much stuff. They are growing and developing so fast...its unbelievable.
This morning at church the sermon was about praying while in awe of God. Every night before I go to bed I sneak into the girls room, kneel at their cribs, and thank the Lord above for the wonderful miracles that changed our lives. Talk about being in awe...WOW. These two little girls never cease to amaze us. How amazing is our God?! I mean, really. I can't help but look at their faces and see God. Hadley and Ava James are the best thing this side of Heaven. How great is our God!!!
