Social Distancing :: Day 22

Today the original stay at home order was supposed to expire, but they have now been extended through the end of the month {and Dallas County until the end of May, so I'm sure the dominos will continue to fall}. I know this is the reality of where we are, but it's still so surreal and sobering to hear. 

Yesterday was actually the first time I left our neighborhood in 21 days {so crazy}. I took a drive to pickup some medications for me and Sasha, armed with my Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer, of course :)  I didn't actually leave my car, but I was just so thankful to be OUT. There was still a surprising amount of traffic, but it was strange to see empty parking lots around stores and restaurants. 

Moving Everything Online

I am so thankful that we have the technology to "meet" together online. It's definitely not the same, but how incredible is it that we live in a time when we can still "see" each other, while safely social distancing? This was our first full week of moving most of our normal activities online: from church and community group to Bible Study and Skype/FaceTime sessions with family.

Haha- this is a very typical preaching stance for Zach :)

I was wrangling the kiddos and didn't get to enjoy the time with our Community Group, but we have been making every effort to connect throughout the week

I am so thankful for these wonderful ladies in my BSF group. And they are even posting videos with the children's story and songs that I got to sit and watch with the kiddos. They definitely miss their teachers and friends!

Potty Training Update

Just thought I'd give a quick update...so far, not too bad. We have had 2 accident-free days {though not back-to back yet}, and overall, Eli and Maddie are seeming to get into the new routine. We still haven't ventured further than our yard {so no walks for us the past week}, but I'm hoping we can try that soon. I have been surprised with how quickly Eli has caught on, simply because he was the one that had shown zero interest in potty training before we started. I have not been surprised at all with how my Maddie girl has responded...she's doing well, but like any strong-willed child, she comes with her own set of special challenges :)  But overall, they're doing well. I have just decided that I hate the whole potty training process. It's just so time-consuming and inconvenient and inefficient haha. Thank goodness we don't have to be anywhere anytime soon. 

We have used a modified 3-day method. They were naked for the first 2 days, but both of my kiddos HATED that. My little modest kids were so uncomfortable with that. So we skipped the commando step and went straight to underwear. And they did so much better with that. And they are even wearing pants now. No pull-ups for us {they're just more expensive, and we still have diapers to use at nap and bedtime}. We also haven't used a reward system {no M&M's or stickers}, but we have talked a lot about not going potty in their Mickey and Minnie underwear {respectively}. But don't worry- they get lots of praise and potty dances when they go in the potty :)

It is pretty interesting potty training two at the same time...it can easily become a competition of who gets to go potty first, who gets to flush the toilet when they go one right after the other, etc. But I think it has actually worked to our advantage to have them both learning at the same time. They tell each other "we don't go pee-pee in our underwear" and will even sometimes encourage each other too. Aiden is there the whole time, watching, trying to stick his hand in the toilet, or climb up the stool to try to wash his hands too. Maybe he'll get potty trained soon too!

More Outside Time

Since we have needed to stick close to a toilet during potty training, we haven't been on any walks this week, but we have done our best to get a lot of outside time. We pulled out our bubble mowers, and that has been really fun. Aiden got to play with Maddie's old broken one, but he's too smart. He quickly figured out his wasn't making any bubbles and didn't like that too much #littlebrotherproblems

Bubble mower races...

Christmas 2018

We had a really low key, but fun Christmas this year. Because of all the craziness of a newborn, my hospital visit, and twin toddlers, we decided not to put up any Christmas decorations. Which is so sad, considering this was our first Christmas in our new house {and Aiden's first Christmas!} But it made things a lot less stressful, and we really didn't miss out on any actual Christmas fun. Hopefully next year we can decorate...Eli and Maddie can "help" and we can focus on just keeping one walker away from the ornaments {we can only hope}  :)

My parents came into town, so we were able to spend a lot of time with them. My brother had the weekend off, so he spent several days with us too, and that just about made Eli and Maddie's whole world, being able to play with "Uh-Michael." We spent a lot of time at home just playing, and it was fun just to be together as a family.

On Christmas Eve, we decided to show Eli and Maddie A Charlie Brown Christmas. They haven't had much screen time {only watching a soccer game, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and a sing-along video on Right Now Media} so this was a special treat! I had given them a Charlie Brown Christmas book that I had found at Target for $1, so they were familiar with "Char Char Bown," Linus, and Snoopy. So when they saw them on the screen as a moving cartoon, they were pretty excited! They were both pretty attentive...until about halfway through when Maddie lost interest and wanted to move around and play instead. Eli sat pretty much in the same spot, eyes glued to the TV the whole time haha. He would get excited and point whenever Snoopy came on the screen, but otherwise he was intently watching. When it was over, his only comment was "again?" :)

We tried to grab some quick photos before heading to the Candlelight Service at Parkway. Taking photos is a challenge these days, so I definitely bribed Eli and Maddie with a granola bar to get just a couple where they were sitting somewhat still...and poor Aiden wasn't a huge fan of his outfit at first haha. But they all sure looked cute! :)

We were definitely thankful to have extra hands {giving us the ability to play man-on-man defense haha}, and our little ones did really well through the Christmas service! It was nice to be able to go to church on Christmas Eve, sing carols with our church family, and be reminded of the good news of the incarnation of Christ.

We were able to get a really great family photo with my parents and brother. I LOVE how it turned out! And then we tried to get a family of 5 photo, and well...they did well through the service, so I can't really complain that they were done and not wanting to take photos. #reallifewithtoddlers

Christmas morning was fun, as this was the first real Christmas where Eli and Maddie knew about the excitement of opening presents. But they are still young enough that they didn't know that this morning was any different than any other morning, so we were able to get up and have our normal morning routine and jump into the present opening when we were ready. We enjoyed breakfast, finished up our Advent reading and song, and then let them open presents. After we snapped a few photos in our Christmas pajamas, of course :)

Take #521

#reallifewithtoddlers

We like the idea of keeping the presents simple. We want them to have the fun and excitement of opening presents from Mommy and Daddy on Christmas morning, but we want to be sure that doesn't overshadow the celebration of Christ's birth. We hope to incorporate some more traditions as they get older and can understand more, but for this year, we stuck to Advent and 3 gifts each. We gave them each something they wanted {something to play or create with}, something they could wear {our matching family pajamas!}, and something to read. And they each got their own wrapping paper, just to keep it simple for Mommy. Aiden is still too little for presents, plus his brother and sister have more than enough to pass down...but he did get his own pajamas :)

Learning how to use the power drill

Our little builder :)

Helping Daddy open his gift from Mommy

Mike wrote me a Christmas poem for my gift! I have to wait to find out what it is {it's apparently a planned event a few weeks from now}, and I'm so excited!

Since Grandma and Grandpa were here, our kiddos also got to open presents from them. So to say that they had a fun morning playing with new toys is an understatement! And I mean our kiddos AND Grandma and Grandpa :)

Aiden loved his Pooh bear from Grandma and Grandpa! :)

#safetyfirst

Granny and Grumpz came over after nap, and they came bearing a fun new gift! Eli and Maddie got a new play kitchen, and they absolutely love it! I see myself eating lots of play food and drinking lots of pretend coffee in my future haha. They also brought over a tool bench that cousins were passing along to us, and I also foresee a lot of cute tool man {or woman} photos in our future :)

We had a really fun Christmas, and we are so thankful for all the sweet memories!

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!}

{iPhone Rewind} :: November

Before and after...proof that I do sometimes have a clean house. And it lasts about 2 minutes :)

We had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa in town!

Our calm, peaceful child at his 1 year check up

And our more spirited and opinionated child at her 1st year check up {notice her legs are stretched straight out because she does NOT want to be examined by the doctor}

Play time with Grandma, Grandpa, and the duck

Grandpa was left in charge for a little bit :)

Trying my hand at candied snowflakes...at least they tasted good :)

Eli and Maddie have loved playing with all their fun new toys they got for their birthday!

It seems that Maddie loves guitar players :)

It's Monday...so the lawn crew is here, and these 2 have a front row seat :)

Eli and Daddy...love my boys!

This little one likes to climb up on the window sill...when I told him to get down, he decided to growl instead.

Cute little baby butt :)

Love this cutie patootie :)

We run errands in our pajamas...that's how we roll :)  {also...stores that don't have shopping cart stalls in the parking lot are SUPER inconvenient for twin mamas}

Watching the lawn crew across the street!

Outfits are ready for our little turkeys!

Just a little family photo in the hallway :)

Dannie and Grace came to visit; it was so good to see these sweet friends!

Family selfie in the church parking lot #becausetwins #matching

Yeah. I'm liking the bows :)

Just chillin' with daddy :)

Love these two. They had been "talking" to each other for about a half hour. Love getting to watch their budding relationship.