Two sick babies and a tree tent.

 

Most of my day was filled with cuddling two sick babies.

The rest of my day was spent

playing in our new tree tent...

fun was had by all!

Christmas Extravaganza...

We made it through 3 days of Christmas, including 5 celebrations. Our girls are troopers! It's quite amazing that there were no major melt downs! The girls managed to keep their cool after we forced them into the arms of semi-strangers (relatives that we haven't seen in awhile), deprived them of naps, kept them up hours after their 7:30 pm bedtime, and shoved pureed baby food down their throats (only because it was convenient and neater than finger food). They should really win some sort of award! Words cannot express the excitement and happiness we have all experienced over the past few days. Ava and Izzy have filled out lives with so much joy! And to say the least, we had a very merry Christmas.

Merry Xmas, Izzy!

Merry Xmas, Ava!

Grandma & Grandpa taking a break to feed the girls

Finally they can touch the presents!

Izzy likes the new toy cars

Mama helps the girls open presents

Christmas morning- Ava loves her doll

Family photo

They love their new riding toys

Poor Ava was not in the mood for photos

Cousins

Izzy

Ava

Grandma & Grandpa

Christmas Breakfast at Great Grandma Luella's

10 Months... and 2 days

I guess that's what happens when the 10 month birthday falls on a "school day". So anyways, I'm a couple of days late, but here are the girls' 10 month photos and stats.

It seems like the girls have morphed from babies into little girls over the last 2 months. Most days, there are a total of no less than 25 falls, and at least 1 or 2 bruises. Their teeth are popping through and they are actually eating "real" food! They LOVE cheese, deli turkey, crackers, pears, and spinach ravioli. They are NOT so fond of Jello and Spaghettios with Meatballs (one of mom's favorites). The girls are learning how to clap, high-five, wave bye-bye, do "so-big", and play peek-a-boo. They both say, "dada" (a lot), bottle, and "mama" (randomly). Ava rearranges the kitchen chairs daily, while Izzy is redecorating the Christmas tree or turning on and off the DVR. Needless to say, there is never a dull moment in our household. We are loving every minute of it!

Happy 10 Month Birthday, Izzy!

Happy 10 Month Birthday, Ava!

A Day in the Life of an Elf

Over the weekend, all of the Roehl's took a trip downtown to see the Macy's 8th floor display and the Hollidazzle. Of course we picked the day that it was going to snow. I know grandma was pleased about that! There was so much to see! The girls loved every minute of it. We only caught about 10 minutes of the parade, but 10 minutes was enough. It was very crowded and we clearly didn't get out there on time because we were forced to watch the parade over peoples' heads!  Watching the girls' expressions as the snow hit their faces was priceless. It was all well worth it. Now we know what to plan for come next year! 

Daddy and Izzy waiting in line

Cheese!

Mama and Ava waiting patiently

Cousin Joe takes a turn holding Izzy

Hi Ava!

The girls are ready to roll!

Gramps, Savannah, Cory and Joe... pictures in line

Mama and Izzy at the parade

Daddy and Ava at the parade

Family photo at the parade... thanks Auntie Sheree!

But it's so sparkly!

The Christmas tree went up the day after Thanksgiving. That is the first time it has gone up that early in my entire existence. I wanted the girls to be able to ogle it for as long as possible! Cory was thrilled, to say the least. He was worried that one of them would pull it over, which I suppose is possible, we still have at least 26 days until Christmas. Anyways, I cranked up the Christmas music, we put up the tree, Cory fluffed the heck out it (he thinks that's the most important part), and I decorated it. When the girls got up from their nap, they ogled! And boy is the tree beautiful! Ever since then the girls have been pretty good about staying away from the tree. They haven't really wanted to touch it... until now!

A First...

TOOTH! On Thanksgiving Day, we were all a little thankful when Izzy got her first tooth. However, the whining will be a constant in our household for awhile... at least until the girls get most of their teeth. I guess we'll just have to get used to it.  Nice work, Izzy!

Her 1st tooth- top, left

So Big

The girls are growing up WAY too fast! The other day I noticed that their feet hang out of their car seats    :: tear::       :: sniffle, sniffle::

Not only that, they are using sippy cups now, reading books by themselves and standing in their cribs.

Before we know it, they will be ONE!

Izzy up on her knees

Ava enjoying a book about farm animals

The girls saying, "Bye, bye mama!"

Ava wanting to get out of her crib

Am I seeing double?

Today the girls found a new form of entertainment. They always like to hang out in mom and dad's room, and usually there are a million obstacles in their way: a clothes hamper, pillows, and other junk. Today, they made it all the way over to the mirror... and they liked what they saw!

Izzy liked to give herself kisses

Ava liked to bang on her reflection