Sizzling in Spokane

 Sizzling in Spokane:

On Tuesday the girls and I packed up the car and headed on our 6 hour drive to Spokane, Wa to stay with my aunt for 4 days.  School had just ended the week before and we were all looking forward to a relaxing get away.  

Packing:

cowboy boots/barn boots

socks

sunscreen 

shorts (for 4 days we needed just 2 pairs each because we could re-wear)

tank tops (2+)

board games

Go Fish

Coloring crayons/markers/paper

Ipads

chargers

sleeping bag and floor mat

bathroom necessities

underwear

PJs

reading book(s)

2+ re usable water bottles

long pants (1 pair each)

personal fan

DIDN'T NEED

personal laptop

TUESDAY

We left Lake Stevens around 9 am; the girls were not allowed to use their Ipads until there was only 2 hours left of the trip so the first 3 hours we played road trip games, road trip BINGO.  I also packed some car snacks (granola bars, fruit snacks, etc). We took 90 over and the traffic was light and fast.  We made it to Ellensburg for lunch at McDonalds and then a bit farther we stopped at a rest stop for bathroom breaks. 

We arrived at Donna's in Spokane (Deer Park area) around 3 pm.  We hadn't been to Donna's in a couple years (because of Covid) so it was nice to be back.  

She lives on a small farm by herself; my uncle passed away last November 2020.  Her brother in law, Bob lives with her for the time being while he is building his own house.  

WEDNESDAY:

The girls and I got up and left around 8:30 to drive an hour to ValleyFord to meet one of my good friends, Melissa. I used to teach with Melissa at Cavelero Mid High.  A couple of years ago, she and her husband moved to the Spokane area so I always make a point to see her while we are there.  Lucky for us she wanted to join us for a fun day at Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho.  

Last year we went for the first time.  Because of Covid, Silverwood limited entrance last year and we had the most magical day.  We went the exact same day the year before so I was hoping it would be the same magical experience...however Idaho has relaxed most of its Covid restrictions so I had a bit of anxiety as we were going because if it was fully open, then the risk of the girls acquiring Covid increased. 

We picked up Melissa and headed out on the hour drive to Silverwood.  Now as a mom, I know the importance of using bathrooms before you leave because 7 year old bladders don't last long road trips.  And sure enough, 20 minutes before arriving at the park, Adelyn had to pee...and not just sort of...she HAD TO PEE.  Quickly finding a parking spot, we hurried to get in the bag check line.  For some reason, I ALWAYS pick the wrong line and today was no different.  OMG.  Our bag checker lady moved at snail pace and the agony on Adelyn's face was intensifying.  Tears were starting to roll down her cheeks.

Finally we made it through that line to race to the ticket line.  Luckily for us, we got into a fast paced one and checked in quickly. Then we raced for the bathroom...only to wait again.  I swear, Adelyn's ability to hold her pee deserves Gold Medal Olympic status.  That girl was a trooper.  

After relieving her worst nightmare, we made it into the park.  At that point, Melissa and Adelyn went

claim our spot at the Splash Pad and Clara and I headed to the Information Center to get Clara her Courtesy Pass.  Silverwood gives out passes to individuals with disabilities (seen or invisible) and we decided to take advantage of that opportunity.  I highly recommend you do if you or a family member qualify.  

We met up with Melissa and Adelyn and while the girls explored, Melissa and I got some adult time to catch up and visit.  The Splash Pad was a HUGE hit last year...we must have spent 2 hours there alone, but this year...the girls wanted to move on after about 30 minutes...so off to the rides. 

WEATHER AND PEOPLE

The weather was interesting.  When we arrived it was in the low 80s but there was a cold breeze and overcast.  It was actually a bit chilly especially after getting wet on the water side...but lucky for us the sun came out in full force.  Melissa actually walked into Silverwood with a jacket.  I am not sure the reason but there actually weren't that many people there.  Maybe it was because went on a mid day or because Father's Day was the Sunday before (the park had a Father's Day special) or the "cold" weather?  Either way, the numbers were low and I was thankful.  99 percent of the people there were without a mask but we were able to stay 6+ feet safely away from other people.  We went to the water side first and there was ZERO wait for the rides.  ZERO.  We rode each slide ride multiple times without waiting more than 2 minutes.  The longest wait we had was the walk back to the start of the ride.  

RIDES: WATERSIDE

We started with the double tubes.  Those continue to be our favorite. These ones are right by the

lockers...which we ended up getting two by the way...we definitely needed two.  

The next favorite ride is the Avalance Mountain/Ricochet Rapids raft ride.  It's a big circular raft and you can go down the open tubes side or the enclosed/open tube side.  We did both sides, numerous times.  Last year I was the one that got the "lucky" seat in which you get soaked each time and this year Melissa and Adelyn were the lucky chosen ones.  They were. soaked. to. the bone.  And when we reached the bottom, both girls begged to do it again. and again. and again.  

We ended out water side at the wave pool; the girls' year of swim lessons paid
off so there were able to play there without me and Melissa and I could relax in the lounge chairs.  After the wave pool, we got a JUNIOR cone.  I preface this with a couple things....one: get the junior cone...trust me...the name doesn't do it justice...and two: the weather melts the cone faster than you can eat it so get the junior one. 

RIDES: RIDE SIDE

First...make sure you have a SHIRT on.  They won't let you go on the rides without a shirt on and they will call you out in front of others.  I had my tank top bathing suit on and it didn't "count" as a shirt so I wasn't able to ride on ride.  After being a bit embarrassed, I bought a cheap shirt so I could continue to do the rides.  I was too lazy to walk back to the water side to our lockers to get my actual shirt so buying a cheap one, satisfied my current need. 

There aren't a lot of rides but with the minimal people, you could actually ride the rides numerous times so that's a plus.  Our first ride was the Thunder Canyon.  We knew we would get wet so that's why we still had our suits on....there was at least a 45-60 minute wait there however, with Clara's pass, we were able to jump to the front of the line.  As the sign stated, we did get wet and had a blast doing so. After that one we went to do the log ride (you get wet there too) but I was denied because of my top.  Melissa took the girls and I waited for them to finish.  We were going to go back and change...but it was so hot, we dried naturally in about 20 minutes. 

Adelyn and Clara are roller coast fans...me, not so much...however we ventured to the new Stunt Pilot roller coaster ride.  You go straight up and then I am not sure you are upright again until the ride ends.  You go around and around and around upside down, inverted, and who knows what else.  I had my eyes glued shut the entire time but the girls gave it two thumbs up and claimed they had their eyes open the whole time. It is a baby version of California Adventure's Incredicoaster and if I could survive that, this Stunt Pilot would be nothing.  While I did survive, I am happy to check that off my list and wave from the sidelines from now on. 

We did the ride side from about 3-6 pm and that was long enough (for us); we were exhausted, burned
from the sun and despite the girls pleas to stay, we had an hour drive back to Melissa's so I made the decision to head home.  

MUST DOs AT SILVERWOOD:
-get the junior ice cream cone

-get the chicken strips...they look delicious

-claim a chair by the wave pool.  Your towel is safe there all day. 

-get a locker or two on the water side

-bring your own food/snacks (you'll save money)

-bring water bottles

-one day is enough for this family (11 am- 5 pm was our stretch)

THURSDAY:

After a great night sleep, the girls and I helped Donna with breakfast and then headed to my mom's cousin Anthony's farm about 30 minutes away.  He has about 700 acres of blueberry fields and Donna was picking up a pony to bring back to her farm along with some hay.  

His farm is beautiful.  Besides being so hot outside, the green fields amongst the brown hills were a beautiful contrast.  Anthony was so kind and showed the girls how to ride a kid's quad and treated them to a ice cream treat.  

We were only there for about 30 minutes but the girls had fun saying hi to all the horses, emus, alpacas, chickens, cockatoos, and the dog. 

We got back to Donna's and got the new pony settled.  

 It was super hot outside so the girls took a "cool break" for an hour or so and then we set up our water balloon fight and rock painting station.  FYI the blue water balloons don't work as well during the water fight.  They don't break on impact.  The multi colored ones seemed to work best.

After dinner the girls (and I) got to ride CeeCee.  Donna walked around the horse in the corral and it was the highlight of the trip for the girls.  They just loved it.

FRIDAY

We started our journey home around 9 am.  I decided to take Hwy 2 home since it is a prettier drive.  It is longer though so prepare for that.  It takes 5 hours driving time via I-90 but around 6 hours via Hwy 2 (and then add an hour to which ever way you take for bathroom breaks and food breaks).  

Although it is a WAY prettier drive I can see why it is a slower drive...it is mostly a one lane road...so when you get stuck behind a slow vehicle or semi....it is hard to pass and you might be stuck behind them for awhile. 

Same rule applied on the way home...the girls couldn't use their Ipads until we were 2 hours from home so they entertained themselves for the most part really well.  

We stopped in Leavenworth for lunch and our air conditioned car didn't prepare us for the 95 degree heat as we excited the car.  Clara and I are big time sauerkraut fans and Leavenworth is famous for their brauts and we knew we couldn't go wrong.  Sure enough we found a place that hit the spot.  Funnily enough, we ordered a braut and you couldn't even see it through the MOUNDS of sauerkraut on top.  Clara was in 7th Heaven. 

After lunch we had about 2 hours left so the girls dug into their Ipads and I rocked out to my music.  

Overall it was a great trip and something we will look forward to doing every year. 

Five and Thriving

June 17, 2019



FIVE and THRIVING


This has been a tough year...the fives have been rough.  Along with the struggles have been the blessings as well and I definitely don't want to brush over the positives...which there have been many.

At age 4 Clara was diagnosed with L2 autism.  I will write another post at another time about living with autism however, it confirmed and make life challenging all in the same moment.  Girls with autism are highly overlooked and starting at birth, I could feel something was different with Clara. To be clear, I said different, not wrong, not less, not horrible...just different.

To me, knowledge is POWER.  Education is the key to all possibilities and having her diagnosed wasn't a badge of shame but a word of understanding.  With that diagnosis, I was able to advocate for her the support she needs to be successful in life.  She was diagnosed in May 2018 and that took us into her 5s to where we are now.

Clara began her 2nd year at the Early Learning Center in Ms. Lisa Moore's room.  She is twice exceptional...meaning she is intelligent and has autism.  She struggles with attention and focus and her frustrations in addition to navigating social situations.  She loved Ms. Lisa and was continually a rock star every day in class.  She is learning compassion and how to help others who struggle more than she does.

Adelyn began her 2nd year at Zion Lutheran Preschool.  She reminds me that they are called "Pre-Kinders" so I'd better correct myself here.  She is also very intelligent and education, making friends, athletics all come very easily to her.  She loved her teachers Mrs. Hooper and Mrs. Knaub and just loved going to school.

With the massive support from my mom (Gramma) the girls were able to grow into such amazing young ladies this year.

Here is a typical schedule for the week:

Monday - Friday
6:00-6:30 pm bed
5:30 am up/dressed
6:00 am arrive at Gramma's for breakfast
6:30 am I leave for work

Mondays: (late nights)
7:00-9:00 am Gramma School
9:00 am OT (Ms. Casey) comes to Gramma' house and works with Clara for an hour
10:30 snack/lunch
12:10 Adelyn gets dropped off at Zion (2 minutes from Gramma's house)
12:30 Clara catches bus to ELC
3:00 I pick Adelyn up from Zion
3:30 We pick Clara up from ELC
4-5:45 ABA/Speech
6:15 home and get ready for bed

Tuesdays:
8:45-9:30 Clara vision therapy
10-12:00 Gramma school
10:30 snack/lunch
12:10 Adelyn school
12:30 Clara bus
2:30-3:30 volunteer at Clara's school
3:00 Adelyn done
4:05 Clara arrives home from bus

Wednesdays: (late nights)
7:00-9:00 am Gramma School

10:30 snack/lunch

12:10 Adelyn gets dropped off at Zion (2 minutes from Gramma's house)

12:30 Clara catches bus to ELC

3:00 I pick Adelyn up from Zion

3:30 We pick Clara up from ELC

4-5:45 ABA/Speech

6:15 home and get ready for bed

Thursdays:
7:00-9:00 Gramma School

10:30 snack/lunch

12:10 Adelyn school

12:30 Clara bus

2:30-3:30 volunteer at Clara's school

3:00 Adelyn done

4:05 Clara arrives home from bus

Fridays:
7:00-9:00 Gramma School
9:30-12:30  Clara ABA therapy
12:10 Adelyn Zion
12:30 pick up Clara
2:00 Pick up Adelyn

Thanks to my mom (Gramma) providing Gramma Daycare, the girls are able to get to the therapies they need and to school on time.  I definitely don't tell my mom how much I appreciate her enough.


This year the girls have also been doing Jazz/Ballet/Tap on Saturdays through Turning Point Dance Studio and soccer through I9 sports in Snohomish on Sundays.  There hasn't been much time to breath and yet we are still thriving.  Clara is as tall as I was when I was 7 years old...did I forget to mention she is FIVE??  She is wearing size 10-12; the doctors say that she will be over 6 feet tall if she continues on the path she is on.

Adelyn is wearing 7-8 and is in the 80+ percentile for height. She is also tall for her age yet I can still pick her up.  I can't pick up Clara anymore.  I am still grieving that reality.  She seriously went from my toddler to big girl overnight and no one warned me not to blink.  If I could go back in time and just soak in the last time she ran to me and I picked her up I would in a heartbeat.  Seriously.

Today I took the girls out for a celebratory dinner.  Like I mentioned early, education is very important to me.  It was instilled my generations of educated family members and I wanted to take the girls and celebrate a year of learning.  Next year they will be in kindergarten and even though I have won many a staring contests in my day, I don't know how long I can hold off from blinking... in fact, I think there is a tear starting to form in my eyes as I write.

There have been many positives as well.  Clara has lost 3 teeth so far and the Tooth Fairy pretty much just hovers over our house waiting for another of Clara's teeth to fall out.  Adelyn learned to go down the pole on the play yard by herself and can make a superb chocolate chip cookie, if my expanding tummy has a say in it.

Sensory Friendly Child

Here is an article I wrote for my local Moms of Multiples Club.  Thank you to Judy Davis for editing.


Please click on the link to read.

Sensory Friendly Child

2017 Presidental Election

                                                                                     1/20/2017

Dear Daughters,

I have been struggling how I am going to explain to you when you are older, my feelings about Donald Trump becoming president.  I am so conflicted as an American because I respect the office; I respect the government; and I respect my leaders; yet I do not respect Donald Trump, even though now he is my president.  

Our country is so divided right now and it was a brutal election campaign with both sides slinging mud at the other side.  Most Americans took a stance and the name calling between Americans, friends, and families became muddier than the politicians.  My own brother, your uncle, unfriended me on Facebook because he didn't like my political views.  He was/is a strong Trump supporter and took every opportunity he could to support Trump's narcissistic views.   It was hard to even participate in social media because people took every chance they could to broadcast their political views and some would harshly demoralize others that didn't share their exact views it only perpetuated the divide amongst friends/family.

I did not vote for Trump.  I don't even know how to express all the reason why I didn't.  Many will claim that I am complaining that Hilary Clinton didn't win; if I question Trump, I am told to "get over it."  I didn't vote for her either. 

I believe the leader of America should be in a class of their own. They should be above the fray and set a positive example for all Americans to follow; yet Trump continues to behave like a junior high student.  He is not a president to just the rich or white Christians, he is a president to ALL American despite their race or religious affiliations.  I am not naïve that previous presidents have let the power go to their heads and have behaved badly.  Lucky for them, they were a president before the age of the internet where someone's behavior can be shared instantaneously.  If I knew about them or if they acted like Trump did, I wouldn't have voted for them either. 

He has been caught on tape claiming that he can grab any woman's private areas because of who he is.  He can been caught on video mocking a disabled reporter because he didn't like what the reporter was saying.  This was ALL BEFORE he became president.  A famous actress used her podium moment to preach that we need to love one another and not let bullies win.  Trump took to Twitter the next morning and claimed that she was an overacted actress and is just bitter that Hilary didn't win.  Who does that??  There are teachers at my school who don't like our principal.  If my principal acted the way Trump did and treated the staff members that didn't like him, like Trump did, my principal would have ZERO respect from his staff.  Trump's behavior doesn't inspire togetherness, it inspires hate and disrespect. 

He wants to build a wall so that illegal immigrants “can't get in”.  He wants all Muslims to "register".  It scares me because what he says, and what he wants to do sounds very similar to what Hitler said during WW2… and look what happened when he became leader.  There was a time in the 1940s that Americans were so scared of the Japanese that they made every American Japanese register and move to an internment camp.  It took American 40 years to apologize for that.  We knew it was wrong, yet that is the direction our current president wants to take America. 

He is the textbook definition of a narcissist and despite that, I don't want him to fail.  I want him to "Make America Great Again," now that he is president. But just because I respect the office he holds, doesn't mean that I won't support the causes that I believe in.

The day after Trump was inaugurated there was a women's march.  Women and men from all around the world met in their cities to march and marched for many reasons.  Most marched as a protest to Trump becoming president in response to the hateful comments made during the election, , some were protesting for immigration rights, some for LGBT rights, and some just to support the women in their lives.  They predicted maybe 100,000 people would protest, and in the end about 2.5 million people worldwide peacefully marched.  Your grandma made the pink cat hats symbolizing this movement and you wore them on that day.  You were too young to go and actually protest but had you been old enough, we would have been there. 

Most claim that it was beyond moving to be there marching .  It is now the largest worldwide protest in US history and I wish we could have been a part of it.  I am honored to know many women and men who were there marching and were apart of making history! 

People cried and were so depressed the day before when Trump was sworn in; I didn't cry, I wasn't depressed but I would never criticize those that were.  The next day at the march they all felt powerful and hopeful that they were surrounded by such likeminded people...2.5 million likeminded people. That says something.  Trump of course took to Twitter and responded with the following:

              "Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy.  Even if I don't always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views" (Trump).

"Don't always agree"????  He doesn't agree that women's rights should be heard and protected?  He doesn't agree that our country should work to make sure women have rights worldwide because if he actually took the time to listen to the people, that is what he would have heard them protesting for. 

He then went on to Tweet:  "Watched protests yesterday but was under the impression that we just had an election! Why didn't these people vote?  Celebs hurt cause badly."

WHAT???? Those people DID VOTE!  For the record, Trump didn't win the popular vote.  He lost the popular vote by about 2 million people, but because of our Electoral College system, he won the Presidency.  Why would he assume that those people marching hadn't voted???  Why didn't he watch the march and think, hmmm....women want to be heard, as their president, I should listen??  Instead he basically dismissed all the people marching as insignificant. 

I am scared for the next four years (maybe up to 8 years); You are both too young to know what is going on right now, you will be growing up in a country that is shaped by things that happen in the next 4-8 years and I want you both to know that I will do everything in my power to make sure your rights are protected; I will write my congressmen; I will speak for truth and justice; I will participate in marches; I will not send hateful "tweets"; I will not make fun of my leaders; I will not waste my time engaging in behavior that our president thinks is now appropriate when you disagree with someone. 

I am going to continue to pray that God watches over us and that we are in his hands.  I do know that Love Trumps Hate so all I can do is live by example of the world I want you to grow up in.  I love you both!

December 2015

December 2015

Our adventures continues as always.  Instead of sending out individual "what's been going on this year" letters, I thought I would finally just update my blog!  What a difference a year can make!!!  This time last year, the girls were about 13 months old and still only crawling.  They weren't quite aware of what Christmas meant...heck...they hadn't even started walking yet.
     This year is completely different!  They still may not fully understand what Christmas is or who Santa is but every morning Adelyn says, "purrretty trweee" as I bring her down the stairs and she can tell you that Santa brings presents!  Clara seems to be a little indifferent to all the holiday decorations but I think her mind is just working too fast and she just can't slow down and truly appreciate her surroundings.  It is definitely one of the most treasured experiences to see life through your children's eyes.  It is like I get to experience Christmas, snow, rain, puddle jumping all over again, for the first time.
      This was a big year for both girls, but Clara especially.  She spent a majority of 2015 in physical

 therapy.  We had some amazing people working with us to get her up and walking.  She was such an amazing trooper!  She excelled at each appointment and by 19 months she was up and running after her sister.  Since then there is no stopping those long legs of hers.  In addition no cabinet is safe from her exploring eyes.  It is quite comical to watch the girls work as a team (whether they think they are or not).  Clara goes first and opens every drawer, takes the contents out and displays them all over the floor and Miss Adelyn then comes through and "cleans up" all the mess left by her sister.  Besides learning to walk, her vocabulary has exceeded and it is fun to watch her turn into a little person!  At her 2 year check up she weighed 34 lbs (98%), and 37.5 in (100%)....which was 2 inches taller than her sister..but she has to be at least 4 inches taller than her now.
 
      Painting is one of her favorite activities and she treasures her "puppy" and "kitty." In the last couple months she has discovered The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse TV show and has become obsessed (in a 2 year old sense of the word).  She can't count to 10 but she can name off every single character she sees on the TV (and there is at least 10 of those).  It is fun to hear her laugh at an actual funny part in the show and seem to actually get what is going on.
         Adelyn has also had a big year.  She started walking at 16 months and nothing has slowed her down.  Reading is her passion and can spend hours with a book in her lap.  She doesn't particularly love listening to me read a story as much as exploring the pictures herself.  She is definitely Miss

Independent.  From putting on her shoes herself to helping me with the laundry, I can always count on her.  Showing off how she can count to 10 is another favorite activity and she loves playing any "matching" game.  A new favorite is showing her cards from a deck of cards. She can name off the number and is starting to put them in piles by suit.  Quite the little over achiever. At the 2 year check up, she weighed 30 lbs (87%) and was 35.5 inches tall.  It seems like I blinked and my tiny babies were gone!!!!
          The girls have enjoyed getting together with their "friends" throughout the year and it is fun to hear them call them by name now.  We live in a WONDERFUL neighborhood with kids near their age (7 yr old girl, two 6  year old boys, 5 yr old twin girls, 4 year old boy, and a new baby on the way).  Their faces light up when they see their friends playing in the street and they strut their little bodies down the road to join in.    We are so lucky to be living where we are!  The girls are going to have an awesome place to establish their roots, with kids they can grow up with.
           As for me, it's been busy as usual.  I am teaching 8th grade English this year and I have wonderful kids for the most part!  I drop the girls off at my mom's house at 5:50 am.  We all have breakfast together and I take off for work about 6:20.  Luckily the girls still go to bed at 5:30 pm so I have some time each night for grading
papers and getting stuff done around the house.  After school I pick up the girls and enjoy a cup of coffee with Mom and laugh about all the adventures the girls had that day. I enjoy my coffee time with my mom and it is fun to hear her experiences with the girls.  Besides being a former teacher, Mom loves keeping the girls engaged and providing amazing learning opportunities for them on a daily basis.  Most days she even takes them outside with her to feed the chickens, ducks, and geese. Even though the girls aren't much "help" they love spending that quality time with their gramma.  I appreciate all that she does for us and I don't know where I would be without her!
           I turned 40 this year!  What a milestone!  I was able to celebrate with some amazing friends.

 My mom and Lloyd were able to babysit while I met a couple friends out at a local sports bar.  Pathetically I was ready to come home by 10.. I don't know if that had to do with the fact that I am "older" now or just because I am an exhausted mom of 2 year old twins...both probably.
         The following weekend I did have the amazing opportunity to celebrate my birthday by spending the night BY MYSELF at the Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls.  For anyone that hasn't stayed there, I highly recommend it.  The spa facilities were spectacular and the room itself was so relaxing.  It was such a birthday treat to be able to have no responsibilities for one night.  I was able to leave my "house" after 5:30 pm (girls' bedtime) without getting a babysitter and I slept in!  Heaven!
        I look forward to what 2016 will bring!  Reflecting back on 2015, I have to say that being a single mom is hard, but not as hard as it would be if I didn't have my girls!  Being their mom just gets better and better!  I remember when I was in Rome in 2010. I visited the most famous wishing well in the world, Trevi Fountain.  I threw my change in the well and wished for true love.  I didn't realize until two years ago that my wish had come true.  I found it!  The truest of loves anyone can have, times two!  Adelyn and Clara are my true loves and I am beyond blessed to be their mother!  What an honor!
     

18 Month Check Up

18 Month Check Up 4-17-15

As I have always stated, life is an adventure, especially with twins.  At the girls' 15 month check up we went to a new doctor.  There was nothing particularly wrong with the old doctor; we just changed insurances and this new doctor was closer to home...a major plus when you are trying to cart two youngsters around.
      This new doctor is VERY knowledgeable and I trust her medical opinions, I just didn't feel a personal connection with her.  Our first appointment I explained that I was a single parent and that my mom is my support, blah blah blah.  Towards the end of the appointment, she expressed concern and asked me if they ever saw their father...um...well...there is no father...I explained that already...strike one.  Then she made a comment about how other twin moms that see her bring their twins in separately...really??  Who has the time...well I do apparently.  I decided to schedule the girls their own 18 month check up appointment.  I figured I would use it as one on one time and it would be a bonding time...not so much.
         Clara was first on Tuesday.  They scheduled us two days early for her immunizations so in the
end I had to bring her back on Friday when I took Adelyn...so much for individual bonding time.  Strike two.  Strike three came when I asked her about Clara's lack of cuddling interest.  She said that it was just her temperament and hopefully her husband won't mind...um...what??  How about, hopefully her MOM won't mind....what if Clara doesn't want to get married? or turns out gay?  I just got a major feeling that this doctor had very traditional views (and there is NOTHING wrong with that) but we aren't a traditional family.  Our next appointment is at 2 years old so hopefully I will have found another doctor and we can start this process over again.  Needless to say, I will NOT be scheduling separate appointments...one and done.
           Both girls are doing AMAZING.  So far 18 months is MY FAVORITE!!  The girls' brains are developing at warp speed and they are noticing everything around them.  My life is filled with, "WOWs" and "ooohhhh" and "where did it go??"
 

 

   Adelyn started walking at 17 months.  I was wondering when she would give it a go.  Our PT said that one day her mind would just click and off she would go...and that she did.  She started off slow but nothing is stopping her now.  I rarely see her crawl.  She prefers to walk EVERYWHERE.  She particularly loves playing "can I get by you" with my mom.  Adelyn will have a location she is determined to get to and my mom will block her path.  Trying to outsmart my mom, Adelyn will play a virtual soccer game and end up losing.  
           Hammering has become a passion of hers.  She loves grabbing the toy hammer and pounding the balls into their holes.  She gets such a serious look on her face too. It is VERY hard not to crack up while watching her.
         Clara has just started walking this week!!! THANK GOD!!!  She has

been diagnosed as developmentally delayed in her gross motor skills.  We have qualified for Birth to Three program so an OT comes to my mom's house every other week and works with Clara on her walking skills.  Most children are what's called, "bow legged".  Their legs bow out like a cowboy riding a horse.  As they get older the legs start to straighten and viola...straight legs.  Clara is "knocked kneed".  Her thighs go in at the knee and then bow out.  It looks like an upside down V.  She has very limited muscle tone in her legs and hips so walking has been a major struggle for her.  The great news is that all the therapies that we are doing is working!  She sees Sarah, our amazing OT every other week and she goes to a pediatric chiropractor 1-2 times a week.  My mom and I work extensively on her walking exercises and she is making huge progress.  Her confidence is building and she isn't letting it slow her down!

           The twins are such polar opposites at this point in their lives as well.  Adelyn is my affectionate, cuddler.  She loves giving me kisses and hugs and one of her favorite things is to snuggle with me in the morning before we all get up.  Clara is more independent.   She doesn't like to be held and she is very selective with her kisses.   When the girls eat, Clara becomes her food.  She loves to become ONE with the food whereas Adelyn is a delicate eater and freaks out if there is "something on her finger."  Usually Adelyn's pinky finger is sticking out while she is eating...such the lady.  Clara is going to be my trouble maker.  She loves to explore anything she can open or get her hands on.  My mom made a comment the other day, which is just so true.  You could trust Adelyn to explore the whole house and

she wouldn't do anything she isn't suppose to do.  Clara, on the other hand, would have every content of every cabinet out on the floor.  Adelyn loves jewelry and being girly girly whereas Clara is my tom boy and is hiking up her pants and getting her hands dirty.  Adelyn loves walking around with her hat on and Clara yanks it off as soon as you put it on.  They are only 18 months old and already two completely different individuals.  Both are such characters and I couldn't love them more.  I am the luckiest mom in the world.  I have the best two girls who spend their days smiling and laughing.

Adelyn:  weight:  28 lbs 6.4 oz (96%)
               height  33.27 (89%)
               head:  47.6 cm (83%)

Clara:   weight:  31 lbs 6.4 oz (99%)
             height:  35.5 inches (100%)
             head:  48.3 cm (93%)

Adelyn and Gramma

Clara and Mama

Clara and her OT Sarah