10 month old twins

What else can I say?  I feel like I just posted about Parks and Marlee turning 9 months.

At 10 months, Parks is:
> Size 4 diapers
> Size 12-18 month clothes
> Crawls all over, pulls up, and stands without holding onto anything
> Eats 4 times per day (8, 12, 4 and 7:30...bed time at 8)
> Takes naps at 10 and 2 for about 1.5-2 hours each
> Drinks about 8 ounces per feeding and eats 1 jar of baby food and rice cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner
> Stills spits up pretty frequently...he will drink his bottle, and then a few minutes into playing (or sometimes an hour later) he will spit up
> Is getting really good at feeding himself puffs and yogurt drops and other finger foods
> Is very interested in eating whatever we are eating, and still likes all food
> Is very ticklish on his ribs
> Sooo happy in the mornings
> Has huge blue eyes
> Momma's boy...follows me when I leave the room   :)
> Such a happy baby...rarely cries or fusses and laughs all the time
> Recently started a cute habit where he breathes in and out really fast and loud when he is excited about something
> L.O.V.E.S. bath time...but is so squirmy....it's like wrestling an alligator
> Cut his FIRST TOOTH - lower right front on January 9!

At 10 months, Marlee is:
> Size 3 diapers
> Size 9-12 month clothes
> Sits up and pulls up by herself (she figured out how to get herself into a sitting position before Parks!)
> Scoots around backwards on her belly, and gets up on all fours but hasn't quite figured out the crawling thing
> Does crazy yoga poses while she is trying to figure out how to crawl...she does an awesome downward facing dog
> Eats 4 times per day (8, 12, 4 and 7:30...bed time at 8)
> Takes naps at 10 and 2 for about 1.5-2 hours each
> Drinks about 7.5 or 8 ounces per feeding and eats 1 jar of baby food and rice cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner
> Is getting really good and feeding herself puffs and other finger foods....LOVES puffs
> Still no teeth
> Pretty much "over" the bouncy seat and exersaucer, but plays really well on her own on the floor with toys
> Laughs so hard at funny noises...sweet, soft laughs that are the greatest sound ever
> Sooo happy in the mornings
> Has huge blue eyes
> Reaches out with her arms when she wants to be picked up
> Still loves her paci, but only gets it in bed and the car seat
> Says "da-da-da-da-da-da...." all day long  :)
> Is so tough (way tougher than anyone else in our family)
> Has really strong legs.  She can stand up forever if she has something to hold on to, and is starting to stand for extended times without holding onto anything
> Favorite food:  still BANANAS!!

Parks and Marlee, I LOVE YOU!!

Christmas Eve 2011

Our first Christmas Eve as a family of four was wonderful.

We dropped the kiddos off with Grandma and Grandpa Richardson and then went to service at Southside at 2:30.  It was great to spend time there with friends and celebrate the reason for the season!  Then we went back and picked up the kids and headed straight to mass with both sets of grandparents, Aunt Erin and Uncle T and Aunt Libby.  The babies did pretty good, and we only had to take them out once...they never cried, but they started talking and being kinda loud (in a happy way) so we walked around outside for a few minutes.

After church(es) we went back to the Richardson's house where we met up with Mamaw and Papaw and ate lots of food.  We sat and talked and laughed and watched the babies crawl around.  Some people stopped by here and there, and after everyone had left we opened gifts.  It's just such a good feeling being together with the people you care about...so much fun!

Toofday

Parks cut his first tooth on Tuesday!!

He won't let me get a good picture of it, but it is SHARP!!

Santa

Parks and Marlee met Santa on Saturday for the first time.  It was so exciting, and a really good experience...I was worried we weren't going to get there in time, because he was scheduled to head back to the North Pole at 1:00 and we pulled into the parking lot at about 12:56.  It worked out perfectly because there was no line and since we were one of the last few, Parks and Marlee's wishes will be fresh on Santa's mind.

Horse Carriage Ride

We love St. Augustine!

We've been going to St. Augustine for years, so it was only right that the kiddos made an appearance down their during their first year.  Grandma Deb had a big birthday celebration (I think it was 35??) so we went down for a quick trip, ate some amazing seafood, and smelled the salty air.  It was such a great time and we did something new...we took a horse carriage tour through the old town, which was actually really interesting.  

Fun Fact:  Did you know that Ponce de Leon was only 4'11" and every person on his ship had to be 4'8" or shorter because he "didn't want to look up to ANYONE!"  

The babies were SOOO good in the car.
I was shocked and so proud. 

Sweet girl just watching the trees out the window.
Awesome traveler!!

I copied Kim...and my friends came over

I've been suffering from a meal-planning-creativity-deficit lately.  Luckily, I have clever friends who have made some yummy dishes that I can copy.

Tonight I copied a recipe for stuffed pasta shells from Kim's blog...and it turned out yummy.  Definitely putting this on the short list (which is made up of EASY and QUICK recipes, my favorite kind).

Jessica and Ed came to visit for the day, and they were brave enough to let me cook for them.  It's always so fun hanging out with them...we just do normal things, nothing special.  Actually, as soon as Jessica walked in the door, she started unloading my dishwasher.  She rocks!!  But really, we usually don't even plan anything, and it's just so easy.  Mikey and Ed took their usual bike ride after pumping up the tires:

Jess and Santy Claus:

 Marlee loves Jessica:

Parks loves exploring the kitchen....

I actually took this picture AND stopped him before flipping over the dog water bowl...I'm quick!

 Where are my eyes????  I L.O.V.E. Parks' smile here.

Awwwww....

So proud of Lucy

My brother's sweet girlfriend, Lucy, is in P.A. school in Augusta.  She is using her newly learned skills right now on a medical mission trip in Costa Rica (something she has been wanting to do for years)!!!   We are sending lots of prayers her way, and so proud and excited for her.  I know the Lord will use her in amazing ways, and I can't wait to hear how it goes.  She is honestly one the the kindest people I've ever known...and I know the people she works with will be blessed to meet her.

This was either just before our
"homemade" Warrior Dash race
or Patrick's graduation....
can't remember which.

Mikey and I are really hoping to go on a mission trip this year.  Southside has a group going to Kenya this year and that region really stands out to me.  I've felt a pull to do this since college, but FEAR (my nemesis) has been holding me back.  I let satan creep in and convince me that I have nothing to share, or that I won't do any good...or, shamefully, that I don't have the time.  I'm ready to get over those lies and it's such an exciting feeling to just think of the potential!!  I am sure I will get more out of it than I give, and maybe that's selfish...but WHATEVER!  It's time to stop thinking about it and JUST DO IT...I might even wear my Nike's.  ;)