The motivation of Pollys

So much for being able to do the dishes while the girls play quietly in the other room. Leia has become quite the monkey lately:



If you're wondering what is attached to Leia's shirt, it is a ladybug balloon from her birthday. Kate thought Leia's hood was a good place to stow it.

The 1 Year Stats

Leia had her 1 year checkup on Friday. She's a healthy little squirt.
Weight: 16lbs 11oz (5th %tile)
Height: 29 1/4 inches (50th %tile)
Head: 17 1/4 inches (15th %tile)

She's a full pound lighter than Kate was at 1 and is a 1/2 inch longer. Who knew I would grow a smaller baby! She weighs the same as a average 8 month old. I love my tiny little girl (and so do my arms and back!).

Flower Art

Leia was given some beautiful flowers for her birthday, thanks Amanda and Shea! They brightened up the room for almost a week and when they began to wilt I let the girls destroy them. We made some fun new window decorations (and of course Leia did a little taste testing).


Can I eat it mom?




The finished products. Leia was a little lacking in the concept of leaving the petals on the paper so I took over after a while.

War Cries

There is a jeep at the park down the street that is perfect for little walkers to practice their climbing and balance.....and their war cries!

Leia Feb '10
Kate Spring '08 (?)
Luckily there is also a horse for more experience kids so the girls won't have to fight over a toy to ride.

To the Villagers

A lot of people I know blog letters to their kids on their birthdays to preserve the memories. I'm still a pen and paper kind of girl so instead that will be an addition to the baby book. However I can't say enough about the village that is helping us raise our girls. There is support from so many angles that the girls will never question if people care about them. If you are someone in our village Thank You for being a part of their lives and ours.
Looking back at a year ago today I was nervous about how we were going to care for two children and make them feel equally loved. I think the key was Kate having so many friends to hug her along the way (whether she wanted the hugs or not!). They never let her get lonely or lost in the shuffle. I hope that all the little people Leia hangs out with now become the friends she hugs when she needs a little extra support.
Here's to the birthday girl!

Opa's Camera

With Leia's birthday 2 days away, and our resident photographer absent for this occasion (*sniff, sniff*), I have borrowed Opa's camera to try and capture the fun. I spent this afternoon messing around with it and am completely addicted. No good can come of this.....except these fun specimens:
SOLD! Seriously coveting this camera.

Deep concentration/fascination

Kate being a surprisingly willing model.

Both girls are proud owners of a stuffed animal made by me. They are proud, I am a bit embarrassed and did not expect them to be the "must have for comfort, can't sleep without" toy. Leia's is named Mongo and is supposed to be a bunny.

This is Kate practicing her swim lesson skills on the couch with Scott. She crouches on the couch like a frog and then shoves off backward and he is supposed to catch her. He only missed once....

Thanks Opa!

Indo Boarding

A stop to visit Scott at the office warranted the girls an attempt at Indo Boarding. I decided not to partake to save us all the limbs wildly flying around the office.



This activity may have been what sparked the Trampoline Antics that occurred later in the evening. Leave it to Scott to bring out the thrill seeker in the girls!

Why Swing Alone...

When you have friends to swing with?

Willow was an eager swing companion.
Rylee was a bit unsure but enjoyed it overall.

These two barely fit all bundled up and were a bit sparky with all that fleece.

Cookies with Claire!!

We love weekend playdates with CJ and Claire. This one was extra sugary. The girls "decorated" Valentine cookies. They were very liberal with the sprinkles, and the taste testing. It was a great afternoon.





The spoils were quite good.

Trampoline Antics

As a follow up to the Couch Antics post here is some more of the silly stuff the girls have learned to do.


A few weeks ago Leia could barely climb up on the trampoline, and was just figuring out how to bounce while holding the bar. Now she is testing her balance skills (and my nerves) with her "look mom, no hands!" move. Kate meanwhile figured out how to swing like a monkey on the bar. Thank goodness she is light or the whole thing would topple over on her!