Loki

This is Loki, our dog.
We got him about 3 years or so before the girls, so as of December 2012 as I write this, he's probably about 7 years old.  I'd have to check the records to be sure.

This is when he was a puppy.  Mike got him for us for my birthday, from the Humane Society.  It took us 3 days to decide on a name.  My mother tried to name him "Buzz" because we wouldn't pick a name!

He's half boston terrier, half basset hound.
He's a Jayhawk fan.

 
Before we fenced our backyard, we would let him lay in the sun on the deck with a gate up.  (Our neighbors gave the girls that swing in the background -- it's in our yard, now.)

He jumps all over us and thinks he needs fed hourly.  He'll steal food from you if you give him half a chance.  He'll even take things off the table if you leave it unattended.  He's not a perfect dog.
But he's great with the girls and with other dogs, and he's part of our family.  We love him.

During the winter months when it's cooler, he sleeps in our bed.  Under the covers, laying against my legs.  He does tricks on command.  The girls like to try to get him to do things like sit, lay down, roll over -- and Mike and I have to give him the right signals so he'll do it.  The girls get so excited when he does the trick for them.  When they're older, I'm sure he'll do it just for them, too.  They just don't have quite the right way of saying the commands and moving their hands for him to know what they want.  It's cute to watch him watch them as they wave a treat around, trying to make the roll-over signal.

Babies' Bedtime

The girls were playing with two of their dolls this evening.  At one point I had Megan calling her yellow-haired doll "Baby Susie", and Kayla calling her plastic doll "Baby Mary".  Somehow, though, "Baby Mary" became "Baby Susie" as well.  I think it was some time after she had her doing somersaults on the floor.

They decided it was time for the doll babies to go to bed, so they trotted off to their room with their blankets and dolls. Kayla tucked "Baby Mary Susie" in bed on the floor under one of her blankets.  She wanted me to take a picture of her baby.

Kayla got herself ready by putting on her favorite "big tutu" -- inside out.  It's a well-loved tutu, with no hem left.   In fact, all the trim had to be cut off so she wouldn't trip over it.  And she INSISTS it is supposed to be worn with the lining outside, and the tulle ruffles inside.  She wears it nearly every night.

Meanwhile, Megan wrapped her "Baby Susie" in a blanket, then sat in their rocker.  You can see her doll's yellow hair outside the blanket, against Megan's yellow jammie shirt.  She rocked back and forth and sang, "Jesus Loves Me" to her doll.  I suspect this might be part of Granny's routine for tucking them in bed, but I haven't confirmed that.  Too cute not to get a picture!

And then both girls asked me to take a picture of Loki.

And of course I obliged!

Swimming Pool

We got the girls a swimming pool.  Unfortunately, we didn't fill it up earlier enough before our swim, so the water hadn't gotten a chance to warm up enough.  The girls played a bit, but had more fun running around the yard.

Of course Loki thought it was just one big water dish.

I See Your Sprawl and Raise You One...

Sprawled out Kayla....

Sprawled out Megan...

 (no,she didnt fall, she got there that on purpose and hung out like that a while)

Sprawled out Loki...

Let Them Be Little

"Let Them Be Little"

[Originally written and sung by Billy Dean]

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand

Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute

How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink

Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while

Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day

Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle

Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch

I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes

Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see

Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while

Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day

Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle

Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around

It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while

Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day

Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle

Oh just let them be little

Let them be little 

Climbing on the Furniture

Kayla, Megan & Loki

The girls like to climb.  They figured out that if they take the cushions off the chair or off the couch, that it makes it the right height for them to climb up easily.  We don't allow it, but I had to get pictures.  Kayla was just sitting there so perfectly -- like she belonged there!

Kayla, Megan & Loki

Kayla, Megan & Loki

They also have taken an interest in Loki -- particularly his toes.  Kayla usually, although this picture caught Megan doing it -- will walk up to Loki when he's laying still, look at his toes, and gently reach out and touch his foot.  I wish I could read their minds -- I wonder if they think he needs his nails done, or if they want nails like him?

2009 - A Year In Review

2009 is over. It took a year to go by, but it's gone. It wasn't a bad year! I'd do it again in fact! It was such a big year for the girls -- growing up is exciting -- Let's look!


JANUARY

We both were back at work, with the girls at 3 months old. Grandma Ruth was watching the girls and Loki the dog during the day, at our house. This was when I ordered their SPECIAL dresses -- with their names on them.  Love those dresses still!  Of course they've outgrown them, but I still love them!

FEBRUARY

Our first (and so far only) night away from the girls, with my sister watching them at our house. Coincidentally, we're planning our second night away from the girls this coming February, only they'll be staying with Granny and Grandpa at their house. 

Kayla playing with the toy in her Bebe Pod chair, 

padded with a blanket made by Aunt Marilyn and Cousin Lori

Grandpa and Megan

Great Grandma Vogts and Kayla

MARCH

The girls started baby food! Who knew the messes ahead! Well, everyone that's that ever had parents before did - but not us!

Granny and Kayla, first time with carrots

Also was our first -- and so far, only -- trip to the ER. Megan had breathing difficulties due to RSV.  She looked so lost on the big hospital bed!  Of course all turned out well in the end.

Megan at the ER

Granny and Megan - they match!

APRIL

6 months old! This was Grandma Ruth's goal for watching the girls at home. She beat it and was still taking care of the girls.
Mommy couldn't let Easter go by without several special outfits!

Kayla, Megan

Kayla, Megan

Kayla, Megan

Kayla, Megan

MAY

This was when Kayla started sucking her thumb. She still does it -- Megan still doesn't.  This was when Megan started waving bye-bye. She still does it -- Kayla does now, too.

This month was the one time we left the girls with a non-family member. Two of my friends from work, Shelley and Laura, came over and watched them while we went out with James and Tricia for dinner.

Megan wants to feed herself

The girls started growing up.  No longer sleeping swaddled, they'd move around their cribs at night.

 

Kayla, sleeping

Megan, sleeping

JUNE

The girls' teeth started coming in --they both got the first four pretty quickly. No more came in until December!

They both started pulling up on furniture and standing. And falling.  Loki became more interested in the girls, and more interesting to the girls.

Grandma Ruth, Loki, Kayla and Megan

Loki and Megan

JULY

July 7th -- the girls' first day at daycare. We found a nearby in-home daycare that we still absolutely love! Grandma Ruth took care of them until they were 9 months old. 3 months past her 6-month goal! We can't thank her enough -- we're all forever indebted to her for doing it. We never worried when we went back to work. Well, we didn't worry about Kayla or Megan, but the girls can keep you hopping!

Getting them to pose for pictures just kept getting harder.  At least they had fun!

Kayla and Megan

Megan, Kayla, Granny

AUGUST

Cruising on furniture like they'd been doing it all their lives. They started wrestling. Yes, wrestling. They still do it -- they love to tackle each other and roll around together, laughing hysterically the whole time.

Megan, Kayla

Kayla, Megan

Loki, Kayla, Megan

SEPTEMBER

Walking like champs! Well, like 11 month old toddlers...

Kayla, Megan

By now I'm seriously into coordinating the girls' clothes, rather than dressing them the same. Sometimes it's challenging, but it's fun!

Grandpa and Kayla

Megan

OCTOBER

One year old! I confess -- each girl had three fancy dresses. One for pictures, one for the party, and one that they never got a chance to wear. It was my quest for the perfect 1st birthday dress!

Granny and Kayla

Megan

I searched and searched for the perfect pair of Halloween costumes. I wanted something that they could wear comfortably while we handed out treats, but that made a matched pair of somethings. I gave up. Unless a lamb and a bear are some sort of matched pair of somethings! They went to see Granny and Grandpa in Canton, but we didn't take them trick or treating. Too young for candy this year.

Kayla, Megan

NOVEMBER

The girls got pink-eye! Several times. They passed it back and forth. They shared it with mommy. They shared it with Grandma Ruth.

Their personalities develop more and more each day.  They walk everywhere now, except when they ride ponies.

Kayla, Megan

And mommy cut their bangs.  While their hair was wet.  Way too short.  Even Megan knew it was too short.

Megan

Kayla

DECEMBER

Then of course came December, when we moved to big-girl car seats and stopped using the infant carriers.

The girls enjoyed the boxes tremendously!

 Megan, Kayla

 Kayla, Megan

Christmas! Not their first, but the first in which they could get involved. They didn't understand who Santa was -- but they understood how to unwrap presents!!

 Kayla, Megan -- a Christmas kiss!

2009-- what an exciting year!  And here's looking forward to an even more exciting year in 2010!

Happy New Year!