October 6- A new highchair

We finally bought a highchair for Grandma’s house. The babies loved eating in their highchairs in Florence so much, it was such a shame to come back to Grandma’s and have to eat in the ‘ole bouncy seat again. So, we finally purchased a highchair for Grandma’s house. Slowly but surely, her house is starting to look like a Babies-R-Us super store too! We have an uncanny ability to “babify” anywhere we go.
We also gave peaches a second chance, and had better luck the second time around. I suppose after trying sweet peas ~gag!~ they realize how good peaches really are!
She loves that thumb
Ella has been a very serious and dedicated paci girl from the get go. She has adored that paci sometimes to the point of obsession. She has become mobile only out of need to reach her paci. Everyone thinks it’s soooo cute how Ella will shout for joy when she sees Sterling. It’s not Sterling she’s so happy to see- it’s the pacifier in his mouth. No kidding, I have witnessed her pull Sterling’s paci out of his mouth and attempt to put it in her mouth along side her own. But as of late, something strange has happened. There has been a turning of the tides. All the sudden Ella has discovered her very useful opposable thumb. I’m not sure which is the lesser of the two evils. A pacifier can be thrown away eventually, but I do hate trying to keep up with those stinkin’ things. Of course, I guess whatever she wants to suck on is fine….. as long as she’s not trying to steal Sterling’s thumb!

October 5- Shop 'till you drop

Today Aunt Jenn joined us for our trip to the North Georgia Premium Outlets:
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=16
Very good shopping! We had a great time and found way too many bargains. Ella rolled around in the stroller loaded down with packages, and Sterling spent the whole day in the Bjorn carrier on his auntie. I wish I knew some way to upload pictures to the blog from my camera phone, because shortly after this I got the funniest picture of Sterling. He had completely passed out in the Bjorn carrier. Guess he just shopped ‘till he dropped- literally!

October 4- First Trip to Chuck E. Cheese's

Every child looks forward with great anticipation to their first visit to Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza. This excitement almost equals the dread in their parent’s gut! Who does want to go eat bad pizza, watch a singing rat, and play games for a million tickets, which might “purchase” a prize paper clip? Tonight Ella and Sterling joined their friends Max and Travis on a trip to Chuck E. Cheese’s. While Ella, Sterling, and Travis didn’t fully appreciate the efforts it took their Mommies to undergo this outing, Max really enjoyed himself. I’m sure this will be much more exciting for the twins when they’re Max’s age (3). Sterling did get to ride one ride with Chuck E. He was pretty scared. But I’m sure I would be too if I were sitting next to a rat that was twice my size!

Oh boy, what fun! Travis and Ella could barely contain themselves they were so excited. Maybe they'll be slightly more active participants next time they go to Chuck E. Cheese's together?
At the eleventh hour Travis and Ella finally woke up to take in some of the excitement of their "date." Daddy won't be too upset if his little girl keeps sleeping through all her "dates." Travis didn't really know what to think of Ella, but she certainly made some eyes at him! Guess we need to teach her to be a little coyer, and not so blatantly flirtatious.

October 2- Oh, "peas"

We tried sweet peas for the first time today. Gag! Mommy could barely stand the way the peas smelled, let alone LOOKED. Sterling was, well, not too fond to say the least. He's a good boy, and will eat all his peas, but he didn't look too happy about it. I can't say I blame him!
What a sweet pea!
Maybe Ella just makes healthier food choices than the rest of us? She actually enjoyed sweet peas. Who enjoys peas?! Just proves that she really is our little "sweet pea."

October 1- Home again, home again

...jiggity jog. That's what Mom said to us everytime we pulled into our driveway growing up. Now, after nearly two months in the hospital, Mom has come home today. She’s doing so much better- it’s absolutely incredible! She of course is glad to be home, and can’t wait to finally spend some quality time with the babies. We’re just so grateful that she made it through the transplant, and can’t begin to express how strongly we believe that it was all the prayers from our friends and family that contributed to her amazing recovery.

I'm not sure who's more intrigued with who?

Ella and Sterling are going to be baby ducks for Halloween this year. Ella is "practicing" wearing her duck head.

While the "big kids" played on the playground at the park, the babies hung out with the Mommies on the bench. They can't wait 'till they're big enough to run around with Lorelai, Max, and Katelyn!

P.S. I swear Sterling really does have lots more outfits than just this one! I guess I got a little hung up on his Baby Einstein outfit.

Add this cute little guy to the list of boys who will be looking out for Ella when she's a teenager. This is Ella's other boyfriend, Travis. He was due 2 weeks after the twins, so his Mommy and I shared a lot of our pregnancy with each other.

Ella went on the swings for the first time today. Ms. Leah held her and she squeled with laughter the whole time. I swear, if she had the ability to speak she would have been shouting "higher, higher!" What a little dare devil she is.

Lorelai and Max were born with in a few days of each other, so we've always jokingly said they were going to grow up and marry each other (they just turned 3). I guess they're practicing their parenting skills on the babies. Does that make little Katelyn the nanny?

All the "big kids" enjoyed making the babies laugh. Lots of tickles everywhere!

Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys

...and cowgirls. Everyone enjoyed "riding" the painted cow in the park with a little help from the Mommies, Leah and Emily.

September 30- The circus

My longtime childhood friend Emily, and her two boys Max and Travis, came to Atlanta to meet the kids. Travis and the twins were due exactly 2 weeks apart. While Emily was in town we decided we should have all the kids pictures made together along with our other friend Leah’s, two girls Lorelai and Katelyn. What a circus we were! Trying to get a picture with just the children in it wasn’t working so well, so all the Mommies had to get in on the fun too. Front row (L-R): Ella, Sterling, Lorelai, Max and Travis. Second row: Courtney and Emily. Third row Leah holding Katelyn.

Teething.....again?

Not more teeth! I’m starting to believe it’s possible that Ella may be getting teeth on the top now. Can’t a Mommy get a break? Thank heaven for teethers.