Movers and Shakers

It's hard to believe, but Ava and Kennedy are almost a year old! It makes me so sad to know that I'm never going to get that time back but at the same time, it makes me incredibly happy to have experienced their first year with them. I know I'm biased, but they really are two of the most amazing kids in the world. Their personalities are so stinking adorable and I am so lucky to call them my daughters.
People keep asking me what the girls are doing these days...
Aside from the things I already listed in the last post, both girls are doing so many things. Ava loves to bark when you ask her what a doggy says and will moo when we ask her what a cow says. Kennedy makes monkey noises when we ask her what a monkey does, which is quite appropriate for her b/c she really is a little monkey...she LOVES to climb things. They both know where their hair and mouths are and will point to it when we ask them. They will sign for more when they want more to eat or want me to read another story. Ava likes to bring books to me and then back up into my lap until she's sitting on it. SO cute! Oh yeah...and they are WALKING! Both girls started walking on the same day. They had both taken 5-6 steps at a time but never more than that, then one day this week Ava just walked across the living room and not much later, Kennedy was doing the same thing. They haven't stopped since. Both girls are really little for their age so it looks odd to see them walking. They look closer to 8 or 9 months; people are going to think we have little geniuses on our hands.
We're having a family birthday party for Kennedy and Ava next Saturday and I just can't believe it's here already. Hard to believe that I started this blog over a year ago and would sit here typing with my enormous belly, just dreaming of the day my two little girls would be here. Crazy!

Summer Fun

I have to go back to work in about a week and I'm so sad to see my summer with the girls coming to an end. They are such big girls now and it amazes me every day how much they've grown and changed. Ava has become the more aggressive one of the two. She is a little chunkier so she can push Kennedy over quite easily and has no problem doing it. Kennedy is much more sensitive. She gets her feelings hurt easily and is very much a momma's girl lately. I have to say that I kinda like it :)
Both girls are doing so many things now. They both wave and clap. They both put their arms up when you ask them how big they are. They also both give kisses...best thing ever! Kennedy says "dog" or attempts to anyway. She loves playing with Maggie. Ava couldn't care less about the dog. She's content crawling all over Jon and I. She's up and down a thousand times a day! They have been saying mama and dada for a while now but now they actually have figured out that I am mama and Jon is dada. They will both stand on their own for a while but neither has tried taking any steps!
Kennedy and Ava are very attached to Grammy and G-pop. When they are around, the girls are so happy. It's fun to watch! I have to say that Grammy and G-pop look just as happy as the girls when they're with them.
We went to the Loveland bike trail with Ang, Jesse and Spencer. They loved the stroller thingy that hooks onto the bike. They both fell asleep, although I think Kennedy was a little more comfortable than Ava!

Kennedy

Kennedy made it to the top of the steps! Uh-oh...we're in trouble now!!!

9 months!

I can't believe the girls are 9 months old. It's going way too fast!!! They had their 9 month check-ups and are doing great! Both girls weigh 15lbs 6oz and are only in the 4th percentile for weight. Kennedy is 27.5 inches long (50th percentile)and Ava is 25.5 inches long (3rd percentile). Basically, Ava is just really tiny and Kennedy is tall and skinny! They are both into everything and are becoming hard to keep up with. Ava is just as fast as Kennedy now and equally curious about everything around her. They've knocked just about everything over that is in their reach and are not liking being told no. They love to pull themselves up to a standing position and Kennedy has even attempted to stand without holding onto anything. She lasts a few seconds, then falls and looks at us like we were supposed to stop that from happening! They both like table food so far, although Ava is more picky than Kennedy. They're both going through a mommy phase right now. I think they've really gotten used to me being home every day with them and they're becoming quite attached. Letting them cry has been hard, but I know it's the right thing to do if I want them to be healthy, independent little girls!
Jon and I are leaving for Chicago in a week and we're dreading it and looking forward to it at the same time. We've only left the girls once overnight and we came back the next day. We'll be gone for 3 nights this time so I know we'll miss them like crazy! BUT, the trip is much needed and should be a lot of fun!!!

Woo Hoo!

Finally, finally, finally Ava is crawling!!! Thank you God!!! She was beginning to get so frustrated and was getting more and more difficult to make happy! YAHOO!!!!

"Tough love" is tough!

I am loving my time off with the girls and have decided that the summer is going way too fast for my liking! Kennedy and Ava are almost 9 months old now and I can't believe how much they're changing! Kennedy has become a very easy baby. She has always been really good but now that she's crawling, she's so independent. She keeps herself entertained for hours...exploring everything around her. Ava still isn't crawling (although I give her an A for effort) so she's becoming quite frustrated. She sees Kennedy getting the toys that she wants and going wherever her heart desires and that just pisses her off! She has decided that instead of trying to crawl, she's just going to cry for mom. SO, as Kennedy explores, I find myself walking away from Ava so that she realizes that she can't be held all the time. Hearing her cry as I walk away is heartbreaking but I know it's for the best. This tough love stuff is tough!!!!

Summer is here!

I've been done with school for two weeks now and am loving my time at home with Kennedy and Ava. Kennedy is crawling all over the house and requires a lot of energy to keep up with. Ava, God love her, tries so hard to crawl but hasn't figured it out yet. She goes backwards and often gets stuck under the couch. Poor thing. She's definitely working up a sweat trying. Kennedy now has two bottom teeth and looks so cute when she smiles and shows them off. No teeth for Ava yet but she's chewing on everything in sight so I think she'll get them soon! Here are some recent pictures.