"White Kitty", Apple Picking and More!

It's been pretty chilly here the past couple of days.  Not long ago we had the AC turned on and now the heat is on.  The air smelled so fresh like Fall this morning.

Before I write about some of our fall activities, I wanted to introduce the newest member of our family.  This is Oliver or as the girls like to call him "White Kitty."  About a month ago, my neighbor called me and asked if we would like a kitten.  There was a stray outside her son's preschool.  She took him home, gave him some food and took care of him for the afternoon.  We went over to see him and he is a beautiful, completely white cat who LOVED people and seemed to be OK with kids.  That evening we went to the store and bought new kitten supplies and decided to bring him home.  The poor thing was covered with fleas and ear mites so he stayed in our spare room for a few days until we were sure he wouldn't get Fiona sick. Oliver is so friendly and loves Jenna and Rachel.  It's been good for them to learn how to be gentle with a pet. Fiona's still not so sure if she likes him.  He wants to play with her and like to jump on her and she hisses at him.  It's good exercise for her (she's getting fat!). Hopefully they'll get along and become friends!  

In my last post, I wrote about the girls helping me with baking.  Their aprons came in the mail and they are perfect!  We've made pumpkin bread and apple bread recently.  

Growing up, my mom made us play dough to play with.  I made it once when I was teaching preschool so I decided to try it again.  I found a recipe online and it made nice, soft dough.  Jenna and Rachel love playing with their blue play dough! 

 A couple weekends ago, we visited an orchard and picked apples and brought home some pumpkins.  It was the same place we visited in August to pick peaches.  The girls loved it!  They were able to get apples right from the tree and drop them in our bag.  When we got home, I made applesauce   Over the next few days I made apple pie and apple bread too.  Yum!

Trying homemade apple sauce.

One last picture that makes me smile.  They look cute in overalls and were having fun with Daddy!

August update, a little late

I was so good about trying to blog twice a month.  August was busy and I didn't get around to writing! I'd like to publish this blog into a book because I've written so much about the girls so I want to make sure I write something each month!
The girls love to help in the kitchen. I let them push chairs to the island.  They help me dump ingredients into the bowl and mix with the spoon.  My great Aunt has the BEST zucchini bread recipe and we've made it at least 5 times since the beginning of August.  I have it memorized!  They can name the ingredients we add.  Rachel loves to say salt!  Jenna likes the brown sugar.  I just ordered them some aprons to wear when helping and they should be here soon!

Helping mix zucchini bread

My mom came on August 18.  The girls love their grandma!  We were busy everyday, going to the park, a book fair, storytime, and going out to lunch.  My dad came the following Thursday, on my birthday.  We went to a local peach orchard and had fun picking peaches.  It was the end of the season but we were still able to find some on the trees.  I loved having my parents here and the girls had so much fun with their grandma and grandpa.

Feeding ducks with Grandma

Sneaking a taste of birthday cake

Grandpa and his girls

Grandpa and Jenna

Just being silly!

What's new with Jenna and Rachel?
After being so worried about Rachel walking late, she has really caught up with her sister.  Jenna's still a little faster but Rachel can keep right up.  At the nearby park, they love the big slides and can climb the stairs and slide by themselves.

Their talking has really blossomed.  They often speak in two word phrases, often using the word "please".  "Up, please, daddy."  "Drink, please."  They don't use signs any more because I am usually able to understand what they want or need.  Rachel and Jenna both know most/all their letters (I think) and still like to do the starfall.com website.  Rachel loves her flashcards with letters and animals.  Jenna likes to build tall towers with her blocks.  Even with small temper tantrums here and there, they are both happy girls who love to play, look at books, and snuggle.  They make me smile every day.

July Update Part 2

Yesterday we got back from a trip to Charlotte, NC to visit Kenny's parents and brothers.  The girls love seeing their Anne' and Papa!  With one stop, it's about a 5 1/2 hour drive.  The girls did great in the car.  They love looking at their books and playing with toys.  Still being rear-facing, it's hard for me to pass them things.  We put a box of toys and books between their car seats and they're able to get something to keep them happy! 
They had fun going to the pool, playing on the slide that Anne' got for them, playing piano, and exploring a new house!  They were so cute with Wolfie, the schnoodle.  Jenna was a little scared of him but would walk up to him and say "hi".  Rachel liked when he came up to sniff her.  Wolfie loved following them around and was so good with them.  

 Playing duets on the piano.

Building with Papa.

"Cheese!"

Unfortunately, Jenna got sick while we were there.  She had a fever which turned into a rash.  Luckily she was still pretty happy! I was able to call the doctor's office on our way home and make an appointment for her.  The pediatrician examined her and said it looked like she had Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (which both girls had in June) and a bacterial skin infection.  He thought she may even have a yeast infection/diaper rash.  She's been playing and eating like the rash isn't bothering her.  I'm wondering if Rachel will wake up with the rash one morning.  They seem to pass sickness back and forth to each other!  Oh well, we'll have to stay away from other kids for the rest of this week.  

July Update Part 1

It's July 31st and I never sat down to write a blog this month.  It's probably because I'm now chasing around 2 toddlers! We had a fun, busy month.  At the end of June the girls had their 18 month checkup and continue to be just about 2 lbs apart.  Jenna was 25lb, 3 oz and Rachel was 23lb, 3oz.  Jenna was about 3/4 in. taller.  Their pediatrician was very pleased with their growth and milestones.  When we went for the appointment, Rachel had a high fever so they didn't get any vaccinations.  We'll schedule to have them soon. It turns out Rachel's fever was because of a UTI.  Luckily after a short course of antibiotics, she was feeling much better.  
My mom and dad came on July 4th and spent several days with us.  The girls love say "ba ba" and "bop pa" for Grandma and Grandpa.  They love the extra attention they get when visitors are here.  We had fun going to the park, feeding ducks, playing at the play ground, and going in the swimming pool.  It was SO hot when they were here, we all sat around with our feet in the wading pool!

Mom and Dad brought a child-sized picnic table that my sister, brothers, and I used when we were little.  It was perfect size for Jenna and Rachel.  Kenny and I went to Home Depot and bought some new primer and paint so that we could refinish it.  Kenny sanded it down.  There were many layers of paint!  Then we painted 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of paint.  I decided to stick with a sunny yellow because that's how I remember it.  The girls love it!  They sit there and color and eat snack there. 

Rachel likes to use my nursing cover as a cape!

A few more pictures from July.

I told Jenna to smile. 

Here I said "Say cheese!"

Rachel's saying "cheese"! 

Jenna loves her blocks and building towers. 

Videos!

I was looking through the blog and realized the last time I posted videos of the girls was in January.  Since then, both girls are walking, talking and have changed from babies to toddlers.  Tonight I was having so much fun looking through the videos I took and seeing them grow and change before my eyes.  I thought I'd post a few here.  

January 16, 2012: Laughing in the curtains!

March 8, 2012: Jenna learning to walk. 

March 14, 2012: Being silly in the kitchen 

 May 30, 2012: Jenna wearing Mommy's shoes

June 21, 2012: Rachel's walking!

 July 14, 2012: Saying letters with Daddy

July 18, 2012: Coloring at the picnic table

18 Months!

Today Jenna and Rachel are 18 months old.  In 6 months I will have two 2 year olds!!  Where has the time gone?  They have their 18 month check-up tomorrow so I'll post updates on their size.  
There were a few pictures from Saturday that I wanted to post.  My favorite is the last one! They like to climb up on the coffee table.  It was a good time to get pictures of both of them together!

"Hi, Mom!"

"If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!"

HUGS!