oh yes, and Christmas too...

ok so,

I guess I left out a few details about Christmas yesterday. The girls' birthdays overshadowed Christmas just a bit...but that's exactly what Christmas birthday kids want, don't they? This blog is mainly for the girls to read when they are older, so I will just recap their 1st (I am not sure if this is their 1st Christmas or their birth day was their first Christmas) Christmas. Both girls were showered with gifts both in the morning but also in the afternoon/evening when my family and Augie's family came to celebrate with us. Augie's sister Judy was the hero of the day. Aunt Judy came bearing gifts for all. The girls girls received the new talking Elmo, which Bella is crazy about and Lily is cautiously curious. They both got beautiful dresses, bishop gowns and accessories from Strasburg Children. They each received a baby doll in a moses basket, loads of WONDERFUL books including a children's version of the Barack Obama story, an old fashioned string along phone and also a string along doggie, an activity table, a ride on car, a rocking horse, a lap activity car panel, an portable activity farm, 2 inauguration day t-shirts, a huge set of toddler friendly crayon/marker set, a toy cell phone/car key set, a couple of children's DVDs and 2 gorgeous faux fur-lined coats. As you can see, the girls are in want of nothing but mommy could use a larger house!

Party Poopers...

ok so,

Today was Christmas and the girls' first birthday. We opened presents in the morning like a traditional family Christmas. After our Christmas feast, we had the girls' birthday party. It was a lot of work trying to coax the girls into enjoying themselves. Bella had a blast and Lily...well, she didn't exactly relish the moment. We all had a great time and even cousin Gabriel proclaimed it his happiest Christmas ever! Wow, that's something from a 13 year old! In the end, though, after smearing cake on themselves, getting undressed, having a bath and getting a bottle, the girls both pooped out and couldn't even stick around to open presents.

Finally...

Ok so,

It is just incredible the way the girls are progressing at super light speed now. Not only are they starting to cruise the furniture, they are waving and playing pat-a-cake on cue. Bella can even hold up her palm to mean "all gone". The best part is that they both finally say their first words that have meaning. Bella says "kitty" all the time when she sees the cat only when she says it, it sounds more like "goat". Don't ask! Lily will say "hat" every time you put something on her head. She also makes funny faces at you if you make them for her. Lily smiles all the time and Bella loves to laugh. I can't believe how cute they both are.

So, finally on the 21st, we went to take pictures with Santa, oddly enough, at the Santa Anita mall with Great Aunt Gloria, Aunt Judy and cousin Gabriel.

Here is Aunt Judy with Lily:

Here is Bella looking for her imaginary "kitty":

Faking it is making it...

Ok so,

This Christmas should be quite an occasion. Last Christmas, I was knocked out in the hospital as the girls were being delivered via emergency C-section. After my 6-week stay in the hospital, I was hardly feeling festive. This year, however, the girls are healthy (well, as healthy as they can be in daycare) and it will be their first birthday. What? Yes, the Twincesses are turning 1!

And what do I have planned? Um, well, not much, got any suggestions? I have never known anyone born on Christmas let alone twins born on Christmas. I am at a loss. Thankfully, they won't really remember it but I hear that the first birthday is a photo-op that I may never live down! I need to stage something good! Luckily, I have already done a fairly good fake job with their 1st birthday studio photos. However, I had to bring in all my own props which was quite a task in itself! The final effect was sweet, though. The girls look like they are amidst a birthday tea party. In reality, the photographer had to shoot quickly before their next bout of hysteria.

It begs the question; how will the actual event go?...and is it really worth it? I'll let you know after Christmas...