Swimming Lessons

today the girls started swimming lessons. i was a little nervous about how they would do, but they were amazing. we learned how to float, kick our feet and get dunked under the water! they loved it. when we dunked them, they came up laughing and laughing.

i think we have two water babies on our hands!

Mother's Day

for me, this week-end is a time of reflection. i'm coming up on my second Mother's Day on Sunday. how can it be my second one already? time goes by much too fast. it makes me wonder how my own mother must feel. to me, like many of you mommies, this is a special day. it's not because of the mother's day cards, "signed" in crayon, the flowers or even lunch with friends and family. it's the fact that i get to celebrate this day at all. today, i choose not to experience it as a day for me, but to reflect on the two precious little girls who have changed my world.

preslee and mason, i want to thank you. every since that snowy january evening when you were born and placed into my arms, you have taught me more about the value of love than i would learn if given an entire lifetime. now that you are with me, the world has become an exciting playground. together, we notice the trees and the neighborhood animals. the firetrucks that daily fly down providence road and their loud squealing sirens used to annoy me, but now i watch you listen to them in wonder and then give me a pleasing smile, and i find myself welcoming the noise if only to watch your expression. it amazes me to witness your every new discovery. how you babble to each other in your own twin language. in the back yard, you squeal and grin wildly, watching the blades of grass sprout up between your toes. even heidi - who has not been as quick to welcome you - is newly energized as you chase her across the room in a relentless quest to grab her ears. you are so brave, baby girls. you love to tumble, twirl, wobble, and go so high in your swing. every time you topple over when trying to walk, you determinedly begin again. i hope you will always have this fervor and passion. i make it a point to tell you every morning and every evening all of the reasons i am proud of you. of course, there will come a day when you find this routine boring or intrusive as you seek more independence, but i quietly hope that you remember these years or at least maintain the confidence and determination you have now.

mother's Day is so special to me because it reminds me of the vibrant color you have brought into my world and for the life you have breathed into my spirit. in this sense, i suppose we are both discovering a new world. i celebrate this occasion not because of what i have offered to you, but for what you have given your daddy and me. you are two of the most amazing little girls, and you have made every moment a new adventure. happy mother's day, my sweethearts. i love you!

PS: mom, thank you for setting the bar so high. i have waited my whole life to have the relationship with my two daughters that you, amy and i have. happy mother's day mama, i love you!

Ball

i love hearing all the cute stories that my friends with toddlers tell about funny things that their little ones say. i have been so excited lately because preslee and mason are saying so much. i knew a cute story was coming soon. here's my first cute toddler saying story.

i had a doctor's appt on monday and i took the girls with me. while we were waiting to be called back, a very large pregnant woman walked into the waiting room. she was probably days away from delivery with a very round belly. preslee pointed and said, "mama, ball." it was so cute! i wasn't sure how the lady would react, but she reached over, patted preslee's hand and said, "that's right sweetie, it is a big ball".

oh, the things that little ones say!!!

Tiny Bubbles

preslee and mason are saying so many words. their latest is cracker (cracka), bubble and mary (mare) from their story of Jesus' birth book. they are little mimics. we were able to get a quick video of preslee talking today. drew and i are so proud!

GBMC NICU Reunion 2008

today was the NICU reunion. all the babies born in the last 5 years at GBMC that spent any time in the NICU were invited. it was a chance for us to see all the doctors and nurses who cared for the girls day in and day out for the 11 days that they were there. they couldn't believe how much preslee and mason had grown and all the things that they were doing. looking around the room at all these children made me realize just how blessed we are. the doctors and nurses in that NICU do an amazing job. God has blessed us so richly!





preslee couldn't get enough of the bear!

Fun times with Mamaw and Papaw

last week my parents (mamaw and papaw) came to visit for my birthday and to see the girls. we had a fun filled week with something to do everyday. it was so much fun! the girls loved having their grandparents here to play.

mamaw and papaw arrive bringing gifts




on monday, it rained so we went to storyville at the rosedale library. the girls "bought" groceries, built with blocks, had a puppet show and rode in a boat.







on tuesday, we went to chuck e cheese for the first time. the girls loved everything about that day. the pizza, the ice cream, riding the rides and most of all playing with mamaw and papaw







on wednesday, we went to the park. the girls loved swinging on the swings and playing with all the other kiddos.









On friday we took the girls to the baltimore zoo. it was the first time that they had ever been and i was nervous that they might be too young. but, they loved it! they toddled around all over the place and loved seeing all the animals. they thought everything with four legs was heidi (our dog)





thanks mamaw and papaw! we had a great week with you. we miss you already!

"Rhythm is Gonna Get You"

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all i can say is our girl can dance!