Sleeping Beauty

OH AVERY! Sleeping has become somewhat of a circus act around here. Poor Avery still hasn't adjusted to having the freedom of a big girl bed. Actually I should rephrase that and say, "Poor Mom and Dad!" We were still fighting her for 2-3 hours of her climbing up to the top bunk and waking Addi up. Addi falls asleep pretty fast, but Avery wants to play for a few hours still. We've tried lots of different tricks and ideas... and nothing seems to be working. I never thought that I would say that I didn't want my toddler to take a nap! We've had to cut Avery's naps off by 3:30 which makes her really sad for the next little while. Watching her on the video monitor makes me laugh during quiet time. She usually passes out somewhere on the floor. On the days that I want her to go to bed early and I try to skip her nap she will fall asleep right before dinner on the couch! Recently we've worked it out that we put Addi to bed in our room which causes some tears since she wants to be in her new bed. Avery then goes to bed alone in her bed. It has cut the chase time down a lot and then Dave carries Addi back to bed. I am hoping that we can transition them together soon and bedtime is a happy time again!

My Little Crafters

We've had to get really creative with the cold temperatures and having to stay home more. Santa brought some fun canvas that we finally got out. They each had their own set of paints and boards. Addison painted in the lines very carefully and Avery enjoyed mixing all the colors. Addison tried the whole time to tell Avery that you need to paint in the lines. Avery in her wild high voice would shout, "Never, Ever Addi!" It made me laugh even though its a problem that she keeps saying that to everything. We've not sure where she got the naughty little phrase from.  Dave hung up the masterpieces in the playroom and the girls love looking at their final products. Another day we got out a craft supply box that Addison got for her birthday last year. It was full of lots and lots of things to make. I helped the girls craft for the entire afternoon! They made some really cute puppets that we used with the new puppet theater set that Grammie made for Christmas. Avery managed to use a whole glue stick mostly on the table! A huge mess was made, but they both did a good job picking up the mess. I love that they like to create and it brings back a lot of memories from when I was little. Addison put one of her pictures on Dave's nightstand that is of a fully loaded pizza. Here's to always having a fully stocked craft closet!

Let It Snow!

We got our first couple of dumps of snow a few weeks ago. I'm loving the ages that Addison and Avery are at right now! Addison is old enough to help Avery out in the snow and I can watch from the window. They are happy to run around and play with each other in the freezing snow. I am a wuss these days and really don't want to gear up and go out. We got home from preschool on day that it had snowed and Addison asked if she could shovel the driveway. I got down her little shovel and she got to work! She did a really good job and lifted a lot of snow.  I've had the hot chocolate supply stocked for when they've come back in.There were a couple of days that it was just too cold for them to even go out and play. Avery's little face is always beat red because she eats the snow:) At least this year everyone will leave their gloves and hats on!

Dancing Queens

Addison and Avery love to turn on music and dance away. Grammie is a good sport and dances with them. They love to take turns twirling:) I love to sit back and watch their faces and how happy they are. We've had a lot of stay at home nights now that I am not able to do as much. These are the moments that help me feel like I am not failing as a parent. My girls are still enjoying life even if we aren't running around to activities.

Twinning is Winning

Avery is growing like a weed lately. She eats double what Addison does right now and could go back for more! Her lunches usually include 2 yogurts, cheese stick, fruit, turkey slice and then she begs for more yogurt! I had to put away her 2T clothes and get out the next size. Her legs seem to be longer than Addison's which is a problem since I hemmed all of the pants! Since I've had to buy some new pants for Avery I've given into Addison's requests to match Avery. They picked out these cute donut pants which they would both wear every day if I would let them. Addison will often help get Avery dressed and always tries to dig for the donut pants! I love that they like to match right now! I'll be sad the day it ends. 

Welcome 2016

2016 has gotten off to a little bit of a rocky start. The girls are still fighting winter germs and we've made more trips to the doctor than I would like! Avery is on a second round of antibiotics and I'm hoping all these coughing germs will disappear soon. Addison has been the most sad about missing a few days out of preschool. I hadn't been feeling well since I went in with a kidney stone. I went up for a check up and ultrasound and found out I have gestational hypertension. Or in other words high blood pressure. I never realized how crumby that can make you feel. This has resulted in a lot of changes around here. I got put on the care of the high risk doctor and now have frequent appointments. I've been traking my blood pressure daily and pretty much sitting on the couch. I was told to rest 70% of the day and now it's down to 30%. I have had no energy from doing nothing which is kind of not fair! I am not supposed to lift anything heavy...aka Avery. This has been one of the hardest parts about all of this. She cries for me to pick her up and I've had to explain that I can hold her hand or she can sit on my lap on the couch. Simple tasks such as carrying laundry baskets and changing bed sheets have been passed to Dave. I hate feeling so helpless and dependable on someone else. Dave has been a good sport and comes home from work and puts on the Mr. Mom hat. I can't lean over and do baths or wrestle Avery at bed time alone. He's had to miss a lot of YM activities and we're learning to be happy at home. Papa and Grammie took turns coming up and helping with the girls while I ran to doctor appointments. One day the girls talked Papa into taking them to see the puppies at the mall. This is a favorite activity to go and do for both of them. You pick a dog and they put you in a little cubby and let you play. Somehow they always pick a really wild and nippy dog that chases them around. I've appreciated all of the help of having my parents close. It's hard to have to go to a doctor that is 30 minutes away. I just hit 32 weeks and I'm trying to try and not wish this to be over. It is must easier to sit on the couch than to have to live at the NICU. I've had a lot of friends take the girls for a playdate and bring meals. I am hoping that life goes back to a healthy new normal in a couple of months!