High Five for Friday!

{one} My mom has been in town this week, so we have enjoyed all the Grandma time we could get! Eli and Maddie LOVE Grandma...they think she is the most fun {and the funniest}. And to be honest...she really IS super fun! She has all the best songs, games, and imaginative play. Our house has been full of giggles this week, and it has been the absolute best. We are excited that we will get to see her {and my dad} again for Christmas!

{two} Christmas is in 10 days! How on earth is Christmas in 10 days?? It's hard to believe it's almost here, and it doesn't quite feel Christmasy yet...I mean, it's still 60 degrees outside most afternoons {no complaints here}, so there's that. And we decided to forego the Christmas tree this year, well #becausetwins. We did put up the lights outside {or rather, Mike did}, and a few other decorations. But it feels weird not to have a tree. Maybe next year... But on another note: my major Christmas-related accomplishment this year? All gifts were ordered/purchased by December 2nd and wrapped by December 6th. Boom. 

{three} So I am {obviously} not doing monthly milestone posts for Eli and Maddie anymore. Partly because ain't nobody got time for that, partly because we're not going to the pediatrician as regularly to get their measurements, and partly because I have always thought it was weird to refer to your kids' age in months. Mostly after the 2nd year, but some a little after the 1st. Just say your kid is 2; we don't need to know they are 27 months old {I will still love you if you use months for your kids after 1 year...I just won't use months for my kids haha}. Anyway...with that being said, I thought I would still update a few stats on where they are now!

Twins

• We successfully weaned from bottles AND formula by December. They both did GREAT with that transition! And they are both loving cow's milk and water.
• Their nap schedule changed, so both naps are now later and shorter. This was not such a great transition. But I think we're finally getting into a good rhythm again. Though mama is having to adjust to the smaller pockets of time to herself :)
• They are interacting SO much more now! Lots of giggling and wrestling together. Lots of hitting and making each other cry. Lots of "talking" to each other when they're supposed to be sleeping. But we are loving watching their relationship grow.

Eli

• Teeth: 5...2 on the bottom, 3 on the top- one of which is an awesome front snaggle tooth :)
• Steps: This little dude is walking ALL over the place! It's still so weird to catch this tiny person walking across the room.
• Personality: He is still our sweet, sensitive boy, but his little goofy side is starting to come out. He LOVES his sister and tries to mimic a lot of what she does. He also thinks she is pretty hilarious.

Maddie

• Teeth: 2...still just the 2 on the bottom
• Steps: She will stand up tall {and is super proud of herself} and will attempt to make steps. She has made a few here and there, but mostly she just sticks her belly out, or plunges her head forward :)  But she sure does watch her brother when he walks across the room, so we know she's close.
• Personality: She is our sweet and goofy girl. And she feels hard. Her little will is most definitely being asserted. She struggles the most with "no" and not getting something she clearly wants, and she LETS YOU KNOW she's not happy. But if you can distract her with the right thing quick enough, she is all smiles and laughs again in an instant. 

{four} We have found a new church home! We knew that when we went back to Woodcreek after Redeemer closed, it would be a temporary stay. We love that church family, but we knew that God was going to eventually send us someplace else. And we believe that next place is now The Parkway Church in McKinney {funny that we're back there!} Mike went to seminary with Geoff, the lead pastor, and so he has kept updated on Geoff moving over to Parkway. We decided to go visit a few months ago, and we really loved it! We have now walked through the membership process and are making Parkway our church home. We are so thankful for this group of believers, and we are excited to see how the Lord grows those relationships.

{five} Eli had his LAST chiropractor appointment today- wahoo! We have been going to see the chiropractor since May so that he can work on stretching Eli's neck muscles from his torticollis and help remold his occipital bone from his resultant plagiocephaly. I was super skeptical at first, but we have seen a lot of improvement, and we were able to avoid a helmet for our little guy. We are thankful to Dr. Reif {and his sweet staff who endured the crazy mama of twins!}