Birthday!

This was the big birthday celebration week and we have had a blast! It started with mommy and daddy singing happy birthday to Riley & Ryan as they woke up. They weren’t quite sure about what was happening, but as the day (and weekend) progressed they thought it was all very cool! Their actual birthday was a great day.

I was able to take cupcakes to their class at school. It was quite a site to see 12 2 year olds sitting nicely eating cupcakes and drinking milk out of big cups. Then, the most amazing thing happened…they each got up after they were done and took their napkin to the trash can, poured out any remaining milk and threw away their cup…all without the teacher asking! Pretty impressive if you ask me. Riley and Ryan were thrilled to have me there and kept asking me to “come sit” with them. Very cute to see them so proud!

This is the sign they had hanging in their classroom - so sweet!

No caption needed...

See! All sitting nicely - amazing!

After that, we met Daddy, Mee Maw and Gran-daddy at La Parilla for a Mexican fiesta dinner. They loved all the attention, but weren’t so sure about them bringing out the big hats and singing. In fact, Ryan burst into tears…see he’s not all grown up yet! J We went back to the house and opened (many many) presents. It was like Christmas and they loved pulling the tissue paper out of the bags. They got so many great things and have loved playing with all their new loot!

Cheese Dip!

Happy Birthday Boy!

Dessert!!!!!

Presents Presents Presents!

On Friday, their school was closed for a teacher workday, we Kevin and I both took the day off to have a family day and to get ready for the big party on Saturday. We went to their 2 year doctor check up that morning. Ryan saw the nurse in the waiting room and burst into tears. We really haven’t been there much lately (I know I will pay big for pointing that out), so I was surprised he recognized her. They were hysterical while they were getting weighed…something we do regularly at home on the same type of scale. And then came time for the shots. Definitely not my favorite moments to see them each lose it…but then…me mentioned lollipops and suddenly the tears began to subside. It’s amazing how they can turn them on and off!

Here are the stats:

Riley
Weight: 25.6 pounds (40th %)
Height: 33.75” (75th %)
Head: 18 5/8”

Ryan
Weight: 33.11 pounds (95th %)
Height: 35.5” (70th %)
Head: 20.25”

I will have to write later about the big birthday party. We are still recovering today trying to get the house cleaned up and getting all of their new toys organized in the play room.

Web Album Added: http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20091007Birthday#

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Two! Wow! We’ve come a long way since this picture was taken, but I can remember it like it was a few hours ago. I can’t even believe that 2 years have flown by. When you think of this as an 18-year adventure (and yes, I know it doesn’t end there), to know that we are over 10% of the way through it just absolutely blows my mind. My babies (who I declared “no longer babies” this time last year) are 2. I never really was in tune with what kids should be doing when, but I can’t get over how much they are talking and having opinions already – it seems so early. I got so used to clearly communicating with them without words, that now that they are (very) verbal, it’s like a whole new ball game. I was talking with a friend of mine with twins that are less than a year and we were saying how walking is so liberating (she very much looks forward to this). Most parents of singletons declare walking as a negative adventure, but for most parents of twins, it’s liberating. No more double strollers needed every single time you want to get out of the car. Think about it – with one child you can just grab them and carry them wherever you want to go, but with two it’s just not so easy. I would have to say the same thing is happening with talking. It’s making it that much easier. We are constantly encouraging them to “use your words” and we focus on their requests and try to comply as much as we can when they ask nicely rather than whining or crying about it. So far so good! I’ve always heard of the terrible 2’s, but as I’ve said before, I think it just keeps getting better. Again, I think parents of multiples have a little different perspective and you get a crash course in the beginning that makes some of these times seem so much easier...all about perspective.

I don’t want to paint this picture perfect scenario…we have our moments of complete and utter unexplained meltdowns (and I’m not just referring to the 2 year olds) and then the instantaneous recoveries like nothing ever happened. This will forever baffle me. Real crocodile tears streaming down the face that turns into laughter in a split second??? Wish I could recover that quickly! We have the times of saying “No Mommy” and really meaning it. We have kiddos that utterly refuse to eat certain things…one I can usually convince to try it “like mommy”, but the other that just smiles at me and nicely says “no” as he grips his lips and shakes his head. We have lots of bad poopy diaper incidents and runny or crusty noses. I even have one that shows me her finger and proudly proclaims “boogers” and then asks for a “tissue” – isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Even with the challenges, I say this is the best life we could have. Even in the midst of chaos and busy-ness, these 2 munchkins bring more joy to my life than I could have ever imagined. I’m already so proud of them and I can’t wait for the days to come.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Riley & Ryan…
I love you more than you can imagine!

Pumpkin Patch

Last Wednesday, my dear friend, Kathy, took Riley and Ryan out for their first "2nd Birthday" celebration. Although their birthday isn't until this Wednesday, we thought we could start the celebration a week early. We went to our favorite Mexican Restaurant and the kiddos had a blast. Ms. Kathy gave them pumpkins that light up and a play spatula so they can help me cook!

Our little ham

The full celebration wouldn't be complete without sombreros and "feliz cumpleanos"

They kept it mellow so no one would get upset -

Ryan didn't seem to care as long as he got his dessert!

On Saturday, we made our 2nd annual trek up to Burt's Farm in Dawsonville, GA. As we were riding up there I was thinking back to last year and how this year would be different.

Last year we had to push them around in a stroller, this year they can walk/run by themselves.

Last year we propped them up against the pumpkins, this year they were climbing all over them.

Last year they couldn't talk at all, this year they squealed and talked the whole time - mainly saying boldly, "my pumpkin" (to all of them).

Last year they were in awe of the hayride and smiled the whole time, this year they were totally content sitting in our laps and holding on tightly. Riley especially liked pointing out all the scarecrows!

We had a great time and it was wonderful to see their excitement over the hundreds and hundreds of big / huge pumpkins!

This just screams little shool girl. I think she knows just how cute she is, don't you?

My preppy little guy

(yes - that is a pink glove on his hand)

They enjoy looking out the front door - look how big they are - where does the time go?

Riley an Ryan have been really "partying" before going to sleep for naps and at bed time. Today they were especially loud, but I didn't really think much of it - in fact I thought it just bought me mroe time to get my "stuff" done (remember their birthday is this week - birthday = busy week for mom). They are still sleeping in their cribs and "safe", so if they choose to party for an hour before going to sleep then it's ok in my book...right? Well, when we went up to get them from their room when they woke up from their nap, we saw this... WOW! This is not how it looked when I closed the door to put the kiddos down for naps...

...and then we were greeted by this...how cute!?!?

...and then this... hilarious...

Just looks like a big mess, right? Well a big mess it is, but right in the middle of the sheets, mattress pads, loveys, stuffed animals, books and pillows were 2 diapers. Yep - they greeted us in their birthday suits and could not have been happier! Kevin and I just looked at one another and shook our heads. I did have to run grab the camera - this one was a moment to remember. I guess birthday suits are fitting since this is the week of their birthday!

After we clothed our children, we headed out for Josh's 3rd birthday. They played for an hour and a half straight! They might have had the most fun of anyone there! As soon as they heard the word cake, they headed straight to the table and thoroughly enjoyed the cupcakes and ice cream...and then back to the big room for bubbles. When we got home from the party, Gran-daddy was here for his Sunday visit. They played and showed him their pumpkins. Perfect day!

Web Albums Added:

http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20090930BirthdayDinnerWithMsKathy#

http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20091003BurtSPumpkinPatch#

http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20091004BigKids#

http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20091004JoshJordanSBirthdayParty#

Rochester!

Excitement anticipating the ride on the airplane!

Sitting like a big boy on the bus

Two words of advice on how to survive a plane trip with 2 2-year olds...DVD PLAYER(s)!

and earphones give one more way to distract them!

So we survived a great trip to Rochester! The kiddos could not have been any better on the flight up. It went much better than I could have imagined. We won’t go into all the details on the return flight, but let’s just say it was about the opposite of the flight up there! They really enjoyed running in Grandma’s backyard and pointing out the birds. We even coined the phrase “bird dance” for Ryan. He went crazy whenever he saw any birds and danced all around. I think I got it on video – if so, it’s a must see! After we arrived we had dinner and then went out to see the ducks (there were a whole lot of them) and then played on the playground. I think Grandma was very surprised to see how well they got around on the playground.

We were able to experience some early Fall weather!

Ryan doing his "bird dance"

One of my all-time-favorites!

Lots of ducks at Perinton Park

Watching the ducks in the canal

On Friday we started the day at the Strong Children’s Museum. They loved the museum in Atlanta, so we were excited to go to this one. It was much bigger than the one here and had a lot of great things for them to do and see. They had a huge area dedicated to Sesame Street, so the kiddos were in heaven. Elmo everything! They had a train we all rode, computers, grocery shopping, race cars they could sit in, balls, puppets and just about anything else you can imagine. With it being a weekday it was not crowded at all, so we took our time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. After lunch and nap, we headed to Lollipop Farms to check out the animals. Ryan kept saying “horsey” the whole way there and the first thing we saw were horses! They were thrilled. There were ducks, llamas, pigs, goats, sheep and cows. We also went into the see the puppies and kittens. Fun times! The weather was chilly, so we got to sport some new fall clothes and even a light jacket!

"Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street" ...look familiar?

Riley carrying around her pretend hamburger

an early start to becoming computer geniuses

She took her grocery shopping very seriously!

Horsey's at Lollipop Farms

Watching the animals

GQ!

Sporting the new PJ's

Drummer in training

2 of my favorite guys!

Saturday, we snuck off to Joe & Julia’s wedding at noon. Rena and Jackie came to help Grandma and they all had a great time playing. I think Riley served everyone “ice cream” from the pretend dishes. We came back before the reception and spent a little time together before heading out again. We had a fantastic time with everyone Kevin grew up with. Lots of food, fun and dancing!

Sunday morning we went over to Jon & Beth’s house to get everyone together with the kiddos. It was so much fun to see them all interacting. I think it was as much fun for the adults as it was for the kids! We headed to the airport and had an already-very-tired crew, but we survived the flight and made it home safe and sound. It was a tough day, but we were all very glad to see our house and sleep in our own beds! I love trips, but I also love coming home!

Matthew (3 weeks old), Morgan, Kendall, Lilliana, Riley, Ryan

Saying goodbye to Grandma at the airport

Cutie Pie Smile - ready to ride the airplane one more time!

It took less than 5 minutes for them to pass out once we made it to our car in Atlanta

Snoozing away... dreaming about a great trip!

Web Albums Added:

http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20090924Rochester#

http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20090927VisitAtTheRussellSHouse#