Hopkins

Good Mom. Bad Mom.

Liz — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:15:02 +0000

Good Mom: Holly and JD had their 15 month check up today. Bad Mom: We were going to skip this one because we heard they don’t get shots so it’s really just an extra visit, an extra $30 visit. So when the office called to remind us Jim kindly said we will skip this one and then we were told they were getting shots. Oh darn. It was nice to have Jim work from home and be there to comfort the babes after they got their shots. Dr. Beatty is a wonderful doctor and sits with us for a good half hour discussing their milestones and giving the babies a thorough check up. Good Mom: I love and hate this part because I get to brag about what they’ve been up to like walking, climbing, dancing, feeding themselves, saying some words, obeying commands, yadda yadda. Bad Mom: But during this part I couldn’t remember all the words they could say or all the things they could do. I mean they’re cute isn’t that enough? So when she asked specific words like bubble and other ‘b’ words I had to say no. Jim reminded me that if they aren’t saying them now they will eventually. I guess I need to play with bubbles more?! Good Mom: During the appointment we started remembering more words. It really was to make us happy and content because the doctor wasn’t writing them down. Then came time for the shots. Good Mom and Good Dad: I am the official holder and Jim is the comforter. Watching the nurse give JD shots was not fun, I swear the needle got longer this time! He had a really hard time because he was tired, not feeling well and had to get pricked in his toe. The band-aid kept reminding him he just got pricked so I took it off. Holly didn’t like the shots either but she had her thumb and my hair to help her feel better. Turns out JD is low in iron and when asked how many times a day we give the iron supplement I said never. BAD MOM! But he hates it, they both do. I won’t even taste it because just the smell is gross to me. The last time I gave it to JD he wanted to rip his tongue out. And the doctor wanted me to start giving it twice a day! We will start with once, Good Mom! Final result of the appointment is that Holly, 24lbs, and JD, 27lbs, are both healthy and doing great!

And what would a post be without pictures? Random ones even?!

We’re Walking

Liz — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:29:35 +0000

It’s official. We have two walkers on our hands and let me tell you it’s fun to see them walking but it’s not easy! JD is a pro and doesn’t walk like a zombie anymore, he’s practically running. Holly started walking for good last week and is trying to keep up with her brother. She walks like a cute little zombie and falls every once and a while but picks herself back up and keeps going! I took them to the park by myself since her walking days began and it was quite a challenge. Luckily they hovered around the misting water. On Sundays, all they want to do is walk around which makes sacrament meeting interesting. I had to teach Sunday in young womens so my friend Mindy took Holly in the hallway and she said Holly would walk ahead of her and turn around and give her this little grin. She’s an adventurous one! They love being outside and they get very excited when they hear the word. We can’t wait to have a yard of our own so we can go out more often. Right now it’s just too hard with the parking lot and busy street in front. Walking around has opened up a whole new world for them.

Fireworks Game…Check

Liz — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:00:55 +0000

The Oakland A’s were having a fireworks night and friends of ours were getting together to go with their family and invited us to go with. So we made a family affair too. It was a nice send off for cousin Megan since she moved to Atlanta and good timing because Matt was home for the weekend. And who doesn’t love baseball and fireworks? The babies were so good, being passed from person to person and stayed awake for the firework show. JD enjoyed it but I think Holly got a little scared during the finale. It was pretty loud! We dressed warm for the night and it’s a good thing because walking back to the car got a little chilly. Not too mention the billions, okay not that many, of people walking the same way we were. JD fell asleep in Jim’s arms on the way back to the car and Holly in the car. It was way passed their bedtime and they slept great that night! In the car on the way home I told Jim that if we don’t make it to another fireworks game I’m good. We’ll go again when they can walk good on their own and won’t get trampled. So really I’m good for a while. Because we left the game so late and the babies were asleep I was able to call it quits with nursing them at night! It’s quite bittersweet because it means they are growing up but now I’m free. So free that we went on a date the next night! Now I just need to stop eating so much.

Who Doesn’t Love Mail?

Liz — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:51:48 +0000

Well, I guess if it’s not junk mail or bills. I love getting packages in the mail and today was no exception. While listening to our favorite nursery rhymes a loud knock came at the door and because our front door is stuck and it won’t open I looked through the peep hole. I don’t like to answer the door if I don’t know who it is. I didn’t see anyone so I walked around the house and saw a package on our front step. It was from Teddy “N” Stuff. I was trying to think real hard to make sure I didn’t buy anything. I opened it and there were two teddy bears inside. One bear said Holly the other said James. And then I found the little card that said Congratulations, The doctors and staff at RSC. Maybe a little late of a congratulations but I found it to be sweet and Holly and JD love their bears already!!

Peek A Boo

Liz — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:00:11 +0000

JD is walking like a pro with his arms down by his sides all casual like. Holly is not far behind but would rather crawl and climb, on everything. We had to move the laptop from the top of the couch and we need to find a new place for remotes, diapers and wipes. What used to be a safe place is no longer. Holly loves climbing up on the couch and crawling the length of it. JD noticed how fun it was so he has started to copy her. When the both are on the couch at the same time it makes for a fun moment. I just love baby giggles!

Holly’s favorite thing to do and my favorite way to make her laugh is to play peek a boo. And she thinks she’s pretty clever too!

Do You Need A Gift Wrapped?

Liz — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:39:40 +0000

Holly and JD’s room is filled with stuff. Stuff that should be stored in a closet or somewhere else but unfortunately we don’t have room so it must stay in their room. We have rolls of wrapping paper stacked next to Holly’s crib. I’ve heard her play with the paper before and never moved it. The other morning I heard paper being crinkled and babies making happy noises. When Jim and I went to see what they were up to this is what we found.

P.S. I think I jinxed myself. Holly was up every two hours last night. I think she had a stomach ache because this morning when she woke up she smelled like puke and her sheets were stained. Poor girl. Hopefully tonight goes better, I have a feeling it will!

New Jammies

Liz — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:34:59 +0000

First off, Holly and JD both slept the entire night. Oh to have a full night of sleep! The last time that happened was a long time ago!! I hope I don’t jinx myself!! JD has been going strong for a little bit now and Holly was waking up. Last night we put the fleece jammies back on because it has been a bit chilly at night and that seemed to do the trick. So at Costco tonight we picked up a couple pairs for them. They look so cute and fresh!

I’ve been trying to teach the babies new things all the time. Sometimes I wonder how much they really understand and pick up. Baby sign language is one of those. We have been practicing more for a looong time. Recently they have been doing it ‘more’ often and today it was amazing to see that they did the ‘more’ sign perfect! Jim has also been trying to teach the babes words and because JD loves basketballs, big bouncy balls, footballs, he taught JD how to say ball. And it took him a few seconds to learn it. Now JD says it all the time and it just melts my heart! I can’t wait to see/hear the other things they learn.

Happy Eating

Liz — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 23:22:26 +0000

Holly and JD have been very happy babies since they got over their nasty colds. Honestly, I think I am done with those. It always seems like they get a cold right when sleeping at night starts to get better. So back to happy babies. I love that I can pull their high chairs away from the table and say, “it’s time for lunch/dinner” and they come ready to be lifted in their chairs. They are especially excited if I have cheetos or blueberries waiting for them. They definitely come in handy when I am trying to make dinner. Anyway, at lunch they were playing with chip clips while eating Cheetos and JD snagged one in between the clip. He didn’t notice until he went to pick one up with his fingers. When he realized what he did his eyes got really big and he started eating it right off the clip. It was pretty funny.

Can’t Help But Smile

Liz — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:26:22 +0000

Gone are the days that I can shower or go to the bathroom and come out into the living room to find Holly and JD content and playing with their toys or watching their music video. Here are the days that I come in to find them into something. Thankfully it’s not anything that can cause a huge mess and they aren’t hurting each other. I am learning that Holly is more the instigator and JD likes to follow her. A few days ago I found Holly digging in the church bag and out popped her hand with an apple. It’s healthy, she has teeth, no big deal. So I let her chomp away. When she was through she handed to JD so he could have a few chomps.

Holly’s new favorite thing to do is to climb up on the couch, ottoman, our laps, you name it she’s climbing! We keep diapers, wipes, kleenex boxes, and the computer on top of the couch because the babes couldn’t get to them. That is not so much the case anymore. I gave the babies a little snack to eat while I showered and when I came out into the living room it was quiet. I found JD eating kleenex, well he mostly sucks on it and sticks his tongue out so I can get the little pieces out of his mouth. Holly on the other hand is sitting on the couch pulling tissue after tissue out of the box. She was totally surrounded by them and all the while with a grin on her face! I just love these babies kids.

Swimming

Liz — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:30:42 +0000

The first time I took the babies swimming it wasn’t the hottest day. It took them a little while to get used to sitting in their floaties in the water without holding onto me. But after a while they got used to it. We have since been a few more times and they absolutely love the water. Their floaties are in the back of the van and every time we get into the car JD points to them wanting to go swimming. They are getting a little more adventurous and love the water without their floats. JD enjoys jumping off the side, holding on to my hands of course and Holly loves splashing and dipping her little face in the water. What’s great is they both actually keep their hats on the whole time. Everyone comments on their little tans now thanks to getting out in the sun to swim! Hopefully we’ll get to go swimming a lot more this summer.