Christmas Post

Finally time to blog about Christmas. After a week and a half of "vacation" time to get stuff done (yeah right) I have completely given up on the idea of baby books. So this blog will serve as my memory as these years, I have been told, will soon be a blur. So feel free to skip over, but Geneva & Lexa this is for you when you feel sorry for yourselves in 20 years...my mom didn't love me enough to make me a baby book. Yes your mommy loves you but God blessed me with two of you at once...we are just trying to keep you fed & happy!

G & L's first Christmas was wonderful!! Just a disclaimer before we get started...now that Patrick has a $600 camera, it is HIS responsibility to take pictures. He forgot the camera at 3/4 Christmas' which is why certain family members are not pictured. Every Christmas gathering we go to requires moving-- the diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, rice cereal, changes of clothes, toys, bouncy seats, etc. so the camera stayed in the suitcase most of the trip. Funny note on that--one of my cousins laughed at us carrying in a laundry basket with all of their stuff but then quickly said...I guess a diaper bag is too small for twins!

We made the 3 1/2 hour trip to Dad's Christmas Eve in.... 5 hours... the girls did GREAT until the traffic jam! They slept & talked back & forth through the POURING rain while Mommy was very nervous. We got 2 miles from the city limits of my Dad's town...and STANDSTILL!! Apparently a stretch of I-30 was CLOSED & the traffic from Memphis to Dallas was rerouted through my Dad's smalltown of 3,400 people. You can imagine how that worked out. It was so frustrating as we could have made it to Dad's on foot quicker than sitting there. Well, the girls got understandably hungry so with us being in two separate cars I did the best I could mixing the bottles in the front seat & climbing in the back without unbuckling my seatbelt mind you to feed the girls. No burping could be managed, however. It was quite stressful trying to get there during one of the worst floods in history with 2 babies & a dog in your tiny car! I NEED a min-van. What happened Santa??

We had a great time staying with Dad & Scarlet. The girls slept in their portable cribs (thanks, Libby for letting us borrow Mason's). The girls are now too big for one. We only moved about 1/2 of our house with us!! We had Christmas morning breakfast with Patrick's family which involved another interesting car trip with a 45 minute detour thanks to yet another interstate closing because of the flood. The girls got lots of clothes at Granny & Granddads & their highchairs (which were delivered so we wouldn't have to transport them back)! Christmas lunch we were back at Dad's extended family's where we caught up with cousins we hadn't seen since last year (when I was pregnant!). The girls were SO happy being passed back & forth. Never once cried or fussed. People were actually fighting over who could feed them & change them!! WHAT?? We had gift opening with more clothes, books, & fun toys that make lots of noise! Then back to Dad's house for more gift opening with Pop, GiGi, Amy, Eric, & Luke. The girls got their jumpers/exersaucers & more clothes. The girls slept like rocks Friday night. Back up early & off to Mi-Mi's for day-after-Christmas festivities with Mom's family. We had a delicious southern dinner complete with chocolate pecan pie & turnip greens & yes more gift opening. The girls loved it. Most people thought the girls wouldn't understand the ritual...but I really think they did. They loved ripping the paper & smiled & laughed especially by this point (what the 4th opening). Back to Dad's to spend the night. We relaxed on Sunday & had catfish dinner Sunday night at Uncle Joe & Aunt Bet's with our cousins who were in from Michigan. The girls did great once again. They love being in a new environment, looking around & learning. They sat in their bouncy seats & just watched us eat. I don't mean to brag but everyone is just amazed at how great the girls are. We just take them from house to house & they never cried or fussed. They just fit right in. Never got off their feeding or sleep schedules. Never even cry in their carseats (unless we are stopped in traffic). Everyone comments on how happy they are. It makes me so happy as our only wish is for them to be happy & healthy. We love our babies & Christmas was the best ever because of them.

SO sweet!!! Pop with Lexa.
Mommy with sweet Baby A

SuSu helping Lexa unwrap her gifts

Our only picture of the four of us

Geneva snuggling with Mi-Mi

The girls with Uncle Paul & Aunt Jean

Lexa modeling one of many Christmas outfits

Pop holding Lexa, the best Christmas package ever

Geneva always being mischievous

Geneva being carried by cousin, Megan

Geneva fascinated by Uncle Paul's beard...quite the flirt

Lexa smiling through the festivities

New Pics of Lexa

Both of the girls...eating or kissing each other I'm not sure which

New Pics of Geneva

Merry Christmas from the Smith's

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

The Big 3-0...Not Me (Yet)

Happy 30th Birthday to Patrick. He had a great birthday. We were able to sneak away for a dinner out!!! thanks to our babysitter on Sunday night. We enjoyed crab legs & scallops. Good. And so nice not having to rotate or eat cold food because of you know whos. Monday, his actual birthday, I happened to be off work & cooked a yummy dinner concoction I made up (pesto sauce, ziti pasta, parmesan cheese, mushrooms, & chicken) with fresh bread, spinach salad, & of course a chocolate cake (which I bought). As you can see Lexa & Corkie made it to the party but Geneva & Whiskey slept through it. Patrick's long-awaited "real" camera was his gift from me, so hopefully you'll be seeing some better quality pics of the girls soon. Happy 30th, old man!

Giggle Box

Lexa has discovered her laugh this past week. This video gives you some idea, although it doesn't give it justice. [Notice the carrots on her shirt!] It is such a deep laugh, don't know where it comes from. We discovered it the night before this was filmed. I was holding her and Patrick was sitting across from us in a chair-he stood up and I guess the movement and surprise cracked her up!! She laughed for 2 minutes solid. Patrick & I were both in tears we were laughing so hard. We've had a good week including their 6 month shots & trip to the doctor. Geneva weighs 15-4 and is in the 25th percentile, Lexa 18-13 in the 90th percentile! The doctor is pleased & thinks they are developing right on track. We had their pics made with Santa yesterday. Can't share yet--you have to wait until you get your Christmas card! Let's just say they were both awake, smiling, & did very well!!

Eating Like Big Girls

As you can see Geneva & Lexa have started eating baby food!! And they are officially off their preemie formula and on to regular formula. Here are pics of their first adventure with rice cereal and then tonight's dinner with carrots. Surprisingly, Geneva actually does better than Lexa. Geneva has the pattern down--open mouth, chew, and swallow. Lexa still thrusts her tongue and lets most of it spill out. But we are still learning and considering they are preemies, they are right on track. Lexa prefers the squash, and Geneva the carrots. It is so much fun watching them learn and take everything in. Patrick & I have never laughed more this past week! These girls are a mess (literally)!