Two by "2"

If you're wondering why I haven't done a blog post since EASTER, there are two words to explain it: GIRLS CAMP. At the end of March I was called to be the stake camp director, which means, I only had 3 1/2 months to plan girl's camp. Aaah! So, it's been crazy but I decided tonight to take a break so I could document the twins 2nd birthday.

Two years ago, I never would have guessed we would survive with twins this long. I am amazed at what a whirlwind the past two years have been. This was me on May 21, 2009...

Here's a picture of our two little miracles who were born on May 22, 2009... (Addie: 6 lb. 15 oz., Grant: 5 lb. 11 oz.)

Snuggling in the swing together...

So, my cute sister-in-law gave me a great idea last year to make their 2nd birthday a Noah's ark theme...two by two. I didn't have much time to pull it together but this was my best attempt. Grammy and Emmy volunteered to make the cakes which saved me. So cute, aren't they?

We had Grammy, Pops, Emmy, Rob, Nicole and TJ over to celebrate their birthdays which meant so much to us.

Grant opens a present. They have definitely gotten the hang of how to open a gift now.

Addie plays mommy and gives Cookie Monster a ride in her new stroller. (Mommy had NO idea that this stroller would be the center of contention in our family for months to come!)

Addie taking the pig tails out of her new American Girl doll (yes, courtesy of Nic and TJ. Is this child spoiled or what?!)
Grant takes Addie's stroller for a spin while he waits for his shopping cart to be assembled by Daddy.

Ethan and Grant find great pleasure in playing with the shopping cart BOX!

A picture with Grammy and Pops!

Addison and Grant enjoying their birthday cakes. Thank goodness we didn't have any reactions this year!

The gang! This is as good a shot as we'll ever get!

I'm so thankful for my sweet little babies. They are such a blessing in our lives. I thought I'd take a moment to document some of the cute things they are doing so I can read back on this in years to come.

Grant:
- Has the greatest deep laugh. He will crack up over the silliest things.
- Loves to dance. He usually tips his head to one side and walk around in circles, jumping occasionally to the music.
- A champ at bedtime. He snuggles me for a minute and then tips his head back and arches his back toward the crib so I'll put him in bed. I have to cover him up with as many blankets as we can find and give him his "gee" (the babies can't say blankie so they call it their gee). Then he literally smiles up at me giggling - so happy to be in his little world in bed. (One morning I was getting dressed and heard a big thunk. Then I heard Grant crying so I thought maybe he bonked his mouth or head on the edge of his crib. When I walked in to his room, I was TOTALLY taken back when I saw him standing in the middle of his room! Yes, he figured out how to climb out of his crib. Aaah!) Unfortunately he doesn't always wake up so pleasant. He's gotten much better since he got his tonsils out but he occasionally wakes up in a very ticked off mood!
- Loves to stack and build with blocks. He's definitely a boy! He loves to play with cars and trucks or whatever Addie and Ethan are playing with at that moment.
- After a screaming and fighting match are over and he's won with the toy in hand, he usually will then give the toy to the other child to share. He's really good at sharing usually.
- Grant has a hard time during sacrament meeting lately - particularly when the sacrament is being passed. When the bread is passed to us, he immediately tries to grab the tray. He wants to hold on to it and eat all the bread himself. When we yank it away from him to pass it down the row, he begins to scream and flail and make a huge scene until we are forced to make the long walk through the chapel out to the hall. This has happened for the past few weeks and I'm not quite sure what to do about it!
- Will only eat a snack if you give it to him in his own baggie, bowl, or the original package. He does not want it handed to him individually and will throw a fit if you even try.
- Loves to give kisses. Sometimes he'll give you kiss after kiss after kiss.
- Definitely my most chill child if you can believe it. He rides great in a stroller or cart for the most part. He's definitely more laid back.
- Some of our favorite Grant phrases are: Ahba you (I love you); more more sippie?!; Where's Jee Jah? (this is how he says Ethan).
- We sure love our little Grant Grant (or snappy pants as Ethan likes to call him). He has a world class smile that can melt anyone's heart and has such a sweet little spirit. He is such a blessing to us!

Addie:
- Loves to be tickled. She squints up her nose and giggles like crazy when you tickle her.
- Great at speaking. Her vocabulary is amazing and she surprises me every day with what she can say. The other day she sang the entire alphabet and counted to 10. I was shocked. I didn't realize she could do that. Thanks Barney and Elmo!
- Loves to jump and do flips. She's always been a jumper since she was a baby. She's wear out my arms jumping on my lap before her little legs would give out.
- Not so great at bedtime. She loves the snuggle before bedtime and will manipulate you in any way possible to extend that time. However, once she hits the mattress, she immediately hops to her feet and begins screaming. I keep thinking that maybe one day she won't cry when put to bed but it hasn't happened yet. However, she wakes up so happy and chipper. She plays in her crib for a good amount of time just talking to herself and hanging out. I never really know exactly what time she wakes up.
- Definitely a Grammy's girl. The other day she was playing with Grammy and then had to go down for a nap. Grammy put her to bed and then drove home. Well, Addie cried for almost 2 hours and never did take a nap. When I finally went in to get her she kept saying, Grammy come back? Grammy downstairs? They are definitely buddies!
- Girly Girl. Addison loves to dress up. After getting her dressed for the day, she will proceed to try to put on more shirts and pants and then try on several different shoes. Then she tries to raid my jewelry box to wear my bracelets and then find my chapstick to put on her lips (or eat). It's funny how innate these things are.
- Some of our favorite phrases of hers are: It's COLD (pronounced CODE) outside!; I love you princess girl (which she says to me after I say this to her); I love you too; NO, MINE!; more more Tangled?!
- We sure love having a little girl in our home. Addie is definitely a feisty little girl who knows her own mind. I'm a little nervous about the teenage years, but for now, I'm going to enjoy snuggling my little princess girl!