Turning Two!!!

The party and excitement is a few days away so we stay busy coloring, playing with dolls, and working in the kitchen during the early part of the week.

Cooking up a storm while still in their monkey pj's.

These darling little dolls are handmade by Aunt Jean from Iowa. She also made little miniature quilts for each doll with some of the same fabric that was used in quilts made for Chloe and Claire when they were born. Below in two of the pictures, Chloe is wrapping up one of the dolls and giving her a kiss. It was so precious to hear them both talking to their dolls on different occasions.

Here is a "self-portrait" that Claire took with Grandma's camera.

Claire and Chloe turned two on Friday but party time took place on Saturday. It was a fun, low-key time at a local pizza parlor. After pizza and salads they had their cupcakes and presents. During the week they had discussed their upcoming party several times. Chloe had told me that she was having pink cakes, "pesants and ice ceam". She also named everyone that she thought would be there and she was right on target as far as guests.



Yummmmmmmmmmm------

Here Claire is trying on her new fancy slippers.

Checking out a new book with her friend Katie.

Claire is bringing the two new doggies to put in the back of the new tricycle.

Chloe is checking out the tricycle with Katie's brother Matt and Claire is hanging on the back.

Matt, Katie, and their Mommy Jen, fancy up the tricycle with all the balloons.

And finally, Chloe is saying her good-byes. Here she is with Haley a good friend and next-door neighbor to Claire and Chloe.

We are looking forward to the next year as the twins continue to grow and change. We feel so blessed to be a part of their lives.

Almost 2!!!

The first glimpse of the girls this week finds the twins taking care of their twins. If you notice, Chloe has a little toy juice box that when held to one of the dolls mouths, starts a drinking sound and then...yikes!!!....non-stop talking and singing for a while. Mysteriously, on Tuesday, when I arrived home I found that little juice box in my bag where I carry my camera, water, book to read, or whatever else I need for the day. I returned it to Claire & Chloe on Thursday, and believe it or not, I found it once again in my purse this time, when I arrived home. We have had a good laugh, and are not too sure who the culprit is.

When Papa shows up, he often brings the girls a little surprise. Tiny pieces of beef jerky seems to be one of their favorites, and this week he brought a bag of popcorn. We popped it in the microwave, and the girls enjoyed it for quite a while. Here Claire is with her little cup that I think I filled three times.

Chloe, enjoying her treat.

Almost 2 year old twins!

Claire brushing her teeth with one of her Christmas presents from Aunt Suzie and Uncle Eric.

Chloe, likewise.

Saturday, the family got together for a low-key lunch at Smokin' Moe's to celebrate Uncle Jon's birthday a day early. Here are the girls with their Daddy/Mike, and Papa.

Uncle Jon and Claire.

Claire with Smokin' Moe's pig.

Aunt Suzie and Chloe and following, Chloe kissing the pig.

Chloe and Uncle Jon. I think she is saying "booyah" which is how the girls often greet Uncle Jon. He taught them to say it and now they have such fun teasing him with that.
This week is the countdown to Claire and Chloe's 2nd birthday on Friday. We are so looking forward to a fun family party on Saturday. Pictures and details next week!

What a Difference a Week Makes!!

Claire and Chloe have certainly come around after their week of being "under the weather".

Here they are playing with a new to them, but hand-me-down, dancing Dora. Two little videos, (excessive for sure, but I couldn't decide which one to use :) ) The first one they collide and both need their heads kissed. The second one they are saying, "this is fun".

The girls put their little kitchen to use and prepared themselves a little meal. Chloe could be heard saying on a couple of occasions, "Now, eat your dinner". Actually, as Daddy said when he arrived home from work, it looked like a pretty healthy dinner.

The quote of the week is from Claire. On one of their little toys there is a likeness of a "dressed turkey" and Claire and I had a discussion about whether she likes to eat turkey and also whether she likes to eat chicken. In that conversation it came up that they were both a type of bird. 15-20 minutes later when she was just about to fall asleep on Papa's lap, she sat up and said, "Papa, do you think.....do you think, I can eat birds?" Once again, we were quite taken back by the processing she had done in her mind to come up with that question. Certainly, there is never a dull moment with these almost two year old girls.

The last little video is of Chloe waiting for the soon expected Papa. She knew he was coming and was looking through the keyhole saying, "Papa, where are you?" It really is the highlight of their day when he arrives. Claire is busying herself making something in the kitchen.

Looking forward to a new week. The weather doesn't look promising, but it would certainly be nice if we could get some outdoor time.

Rough Start to 2010 !!

This past week we experienced a first with the twins. Both were very sick with fevers, congestion, and horrible coughs. They have each had a runny nose before, but had never been to the doctor for other than a well-baby checkup, nor had they had any antibiotics up to this point. Chloe came down with the bug on Sunday, and Claire on Monday. On Monday while Mommy took Chloe to the doctor, Papa and I stayed with Claire. Here is a cute little movie of Claire playing around with Papa. Shortly after this, she had a fairly significant fever that came on very quickly.

Below you see Chloe upon her return home from the doctor's visit. We are trying to get her to drink some chicken broth. We were not successful.
Chloe and Papa share a little quiet time. Claire was sleeping. They definitely changed their nap habits while ailing, and rarely slept at the same time but would take little short naps frequently.

Papa getting some fluids down Claire. Even on one of Claire's sick days, she greeted Papa at the door with, "I love you Papa, SO MUCH!"

Chloe eating chicken soup, I believe this was about Thursday. They virtually ate nothing for several days other than juice and milk.

Below you see Chloe giving herself a breathing treatment. She had, on every treatment previously, screamed and wailed and was hysterical. On this particular morning, Mommy had decided Claire was needing some breathing help as well, so prepared it with her in mind. Claire would have no part of it. She had watched Chloe have a few, and would soothe Chloe and say, "It's ok Coco, you'll be ok" but when it was her turn that was another story. We had a very hard time even holding on to Claire, she is so strong and muscular. All of a sudden, Chloe walks up, takes the mask and proceeds to give herself the treatment as if it was no big deal. All hysterics for Chloe were gone, we were stunned! I guess she just needed to show Claire she was a big shot.

Watching the Mickey Mouse Club...one of their favorite shows.

Thomas the Train moved in around Christmas time. The girls love to play in it.....

...or rest inside....

or peek out the window....we are starting to feel better.....

More evidence that Claire was feeling better, she was singing again and still in the Christmas spirit.





One thing both girls like to do is to "get naked". For them, that consists of taking off their shirts and occasionally their pants too, and running around. Daddy has started to set the timer for 10 minutes when this activity comes up, and then they need to put their clothes back on. On this day they wanted to "be naked" and Chloe reminded me to set the timer. While she had her shirt off, she tried to help Papa with his soda cap.

Once again, the apple peeler entertained the girls. We certainly have gotten our money's worth from it already. Claire had tasted apple slices earlier in the day but really wouldn't eat much. Chloe, after helping "make apples" decided she would eat some slices. That was good, she had refused them several times before during the past few days.

I am happy to report that the girls are on the mend. Both are feeling much better and look much better. Claire and Chloe are so fortunate to have their own private nurse/Mommy and who did an excellent job taking care of them, even while working two 12 hour night shifts this week and a Daddy that takes such an active part in their care. Even before this episode, our family has recently been reminded again, that good health cannot be taken for granted. We are so very thankful that things are looking better. Thank you God!

Happy New Year!!!

Chloe and Claire received some very special dolls for Christmas. They are twin dolls, (not identical) and talk to each other....on and on and on, and sing....on and on and on. It is pretty funny. Both Daddy and Uncle Jon encouraged me not to get them started. Interestingly enough, the girls named them Claire and Chloe. After Christmas, Claire, Chloe, their Mommy and Daddy, Noni, and cousin Richard took a couple of days off and went to a Christmas festival at a children's park in Gilroy. They also visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium and were blessed with beautiful weather on that day. In addition to visiting the aquarium, the girls were able to spend time and play on the beach. Chloe told me repeatedly about her sandcastle that she built and how "beeeeeutiful" it was.

Below are some pictures of repairs being done on the kitchen light by Uncle Jon and Papa. Claire is usually the "family safety monitor" as Uncle Jon calls her, but on this particular day Chloe was very concerned that Uncle Jon be careful as he was up on the ladder. The girls definitely have wormed their way into Uncle Jon's heart. He enjoys every minute with them.

As always, the packaging from the new light became the highlight of the hour. Here is Claire is standing on some styrofoam and enjoying the moment.


We are on the downhill slide to Claire and Chloe's 2nd birthday at the end of this month. Wow, what a great 23 months it has been! Papa and Grandma's life has never been so full and blessed.
Happy, Happy New Year!!!