Happy 10th Month Girls!

Wow, 10 months! Girls, you constantly amaze me on how much you grow and change month to month. This week you actually have caught me off guard with your increase in eating adult food. We have been more and more adventurous in what we give you and you just take it all in. You even hold a french fry now and know how to eat it like mommy. This is probably not the best habit I could have taught you but after all it is evident now by how well you caught on that you are my daughters! Ava you have 4 teeth (2 top and 2 bottom) right now but 2 additional ones on top have just broke through. Belle still just 2 on the bottom and you are pretty tight lipped so I can rarely get you to give me a peek.

Right now it is still a guessing game on the hair color. Not sure if it will been light brown or blondie. Ava since you have more hair we call you our wild child since it is unruly at times. We are constantly wetting it down so it doesn't stand up all over the place. Can't wait till I can get it in pig tails. I think it will be sometime still. Belle you have the same amount of hair. Just enough to evenly coat your head and it stays perfectly in place all the time. We don't even have to brush it after the bath. Lucky girl. I am able to use bows on each of you now so I enjoy playing with them when we get you dressed up.

You both have new nicknames. Isabelle you are gumby due to the fact that everyone is amazed by the positions you can get your legs in with ease. We say you are going to be our gymnasts. Ava you are speedy (coined by Uncle Tony) because you are really quick now and you don't miss a beat. Ava you are already pulling yourself up (in very creative ways I might add) on everything in site and also maneuvering down things like the sofa. There is nothing you really can't figure out how to get to. You even have let go with both hands a few times. (Not sure if I am ready for that yet...you scare me to death when you are that bold). Isabelle you have just started pulling yourself up on things. You don't do it as much as Ava but I think that is just because you aren't as nosey.

You are very cute now playing together. You play nicely at times but other times you push each other now and make some loud noises signaling the other that you are upset with whatever they just did to you. You also both want to be on our laps at the same time. This is a challenge at times cause I feel bad when I can't get you both at the same time. Daddy has been wonderful in getting you down at nights as he has the special touch. You are getting more and more into your books and crawl over when I get one out to read to you. You often want to touch the pages but seem to really be listening to what I am saying. You also have some favorites now like 5 little monkeys. It always gets a laugh out of you, especially when mommy bangs her head. You love repetition! You can predict what is coming next and seem to play along much better. Lastly, you are very vocal now and jibber jabber all the time. At times it seems like you are having a complete conversation with each other or even alone...if I could only understand. So with 9 month completed and starting your 10th month, you are truly unique and amazing personalities and make mommy so proud of you. Love, Mommy

Happy Birthday Uncle Tony

Stealing Liam's Giants hat.

Its a little big.

Now that's just right. Ava is definitely a Giants fan like her daddy!

The birthday boy (Uncle Tony) and cousin Liam.

Uncle Curt and Ava

I promise Belle was there too but was on my lap so not in any shots. Poor Belle. However, the girls had ziti with sausage, Italian bread and Swiss cheese at Grandma and Grandpa Pondillo's and loved it.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning began with presents, presents and presents. Grandma and Grandpa Kees came down to our house to open their presents with the girls. The girls got some great walkers (which happened to be ride on toys too!!). One was a car and one was a lion. The girls love them so I am sure you will see more pictures to come of them in the weeks to follow.

Isabelle admiring her new storybook.

Grandma Kees and the girls.

Ava attacking the presents. She got into it.

Loved ripping the paper off. (It took hours of wrapping but worth every minute).

Daddy and his new U2 frame.

Grandpa Kees and the girls.

Playing nicely with their new piano.

Belle eating the shiny red bow.

Ava eyeing the shiny red bow.

Ava stealing the shiny red bow. Guess who is going to be on the naughty list next year.

Cousin Liam checking out his new DS game from the girls.

Uncle Curt and Isabelle

Grandma Pondillo and Ava.

Snuggling with Daddy.

Ava

Isabelle

on the go...

The girls had a wonderful 1st Christmas and received a ton of wonderful gifts and much appreciated donations to their college fund! Next year, we are going to build in a little more relax time to enjoy the days without rushing around. Time just goes so fast and you work so hard for just 2 days. Lucky for us, we are keeping the celebrating going as the rest of the Kees clan are arriving on Tuesday to celebrate.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve started out with the girls having a lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Kees. The girls had a blast eating ham, string bean casserole and mashed potatoes. They ate like big girls and just had small bites (nothing blended!) and loved it! The ham was a big hit!

Grandma and Isabelle

Daddy and Isabelle sneaking a nap upstairs in Grandma's spare room. Not sure who was more tired after dinner.

Belle

Ava

Ava and her thumb (her best friend when she is tired)

The girls trying to open Uncle Curt's present. Some chaotic family shots.
With Grandma and Grandpa Pondillo back at our house after church. I am very happy to admit that the girls were ANGELS at church. Besides a few raspberries that Ava blew and Isabelle playing with the little boy in front of her which kept saying "Hi baby, Hi baby, Hi baby" they were quiet and calm. However, I think they were overtired and a little off schedule by the time we got back to the house for some late appetizers because they were little devils. They were good for a few minutes, then upset, then good, then upset...it had all of us on our toes!! Here is one of the quiet moments with Daddy and Isabelle watching people open their presents.

Miss Ava admiring her new radio flyer wagon from Grandma and Grandpa Pondillo! Can't wait to test that out! The best part is it rides 2! Shortly after this picture we put the girls up to bed. It wasn't the easiest night to put them down but I am sure they just heard all the chatter of the Pondillo clan downstairs and still wanted to party....however, luckily they eventually went to sleep so Santa could arrive.

Miss Gumby

Here some film of Miss Gumby (Isabelle). She loves taking her socks off and eating her toes. She is the most flexible kid I have ever met. She goes into full blown splits all the time! Also, I swear Ava does not sleep like this all the time. She fell asleep watching Baby Einstein in this weird position so I just had to capture it.

Ride on Fun

Now, this is what you call giving mommy a break. The girls are loving their new car from Grandma and Grandpa Kees (which happened to be both a ride on a walker ...but thinking so far that the ride on part is going to steal the show).

T'was the Night Before Christmas

Thought you might enjoy this edited version of the original poem as I loved it when I first read it. The girls had a nice Christmas eve and were finally tucked in about 9pm. More to come on the details of the day once I get more time to post but right now Christmas with the hubby (while we have some quiet time) is calling....enjoy!

"Twas the Night Before Christmas for Mom"



Twas the night before Christmas and all through the abode,

Only one creature was stirring-she was cleaning the commode.

The children were sleeping all snug in their beds,

while visions of play station and dolls flipped through their heads.

The Dad was snoring in front of the tv,

with a half finished bicycle upon his knee.

So only mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,

which made her sigh and say "now what's the matter?"

With the toilet brush still clutched in her hand,

she descended the stairs and saw the old man.

He was covered with ashes which fell with a shrug,

"oh great," she muttered "all over the rug."

Ho-Ho-Ho cried santa, I'm glad you're awake.

Your gift was extremely difficult to make.

"Thanks santa, but all I wanted was some time alone."

Exactly he chuckled I've made you a clone.

The mother's twin-same hair, same bust,

she'll cook, she'll clean and even dust.

You just relax and take it easy.

Watch you're favorite soap. It sure sounds breezy.

"I can't wait, my dream come true!

I'll shop, read, and sleep a whole night through."

From a room above, someone started to fret.

Mommy, Mommy i'm scared and wet.

The clone replied" I'm coming sweetheart"

"Hey," the mom smiled "she knows her part."

The clone changed the small one and hummed a tune,

and bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.

You're the best mommy ever, then she heard I love you!

The clone smiled and sighed I love you too.

The mom frowned and said "sorry santa no deal,

that's my child's love she is trying to steal."

Smiling wisely santa said, to me it is clear,

only one loving mother is needed here.

The mom thought for a moment and then said,

"Thank you santa for clearing my head.

I sometimes forget that it won't be long,

be grown up, too big for a hug or song.

The clock on the mantle began to chime.

Santa whispered to the clone, it works every time!

With the clone by his side he said goodnight.

Merry Christmas Mom it will be all right!!!

Naughty or Nice....

Here are some shots of the girls the night before x-mas eve. Do you think they are on Santa's naughty or nice list? Here they are watching Rudolf. Grandma Pondillo bought them a set of dvds of the classic holiday cartoons. They loved frosty the other night. Ava is ultra observant so I think she really liked the shows. Both sat up watching every detail to see what happened next to little Rudolf. (Unfortunately I look like Rudolf too these days since I have the worst cold.)

I loved these I (heart) Santa outfits...so sad to pack them away...I think Christmas has to last longer....maybe we'll be able to use them for the next baby one day.

playing with their new stuffed animal for the holidays.

Eating their Christmas song book.