18 months with pics

Hi everyone. The twins are now 18 months old. It's hard to believe. I took them to the doctor yesterday for their check up, and they are doing great. Brooke is measuring off the chart for height and weight. Her doctor said she would be about 5'9" when she is an adult. That's how tall I am, so I'm pleased as punch. Kamryn is measuring just above average for height and weight, and will be about 5'5" when she is an adult. Brooke has a little cyst on the inside of her thigh that isn't going away, and will have to be surgically removed. But, it's nothing alarming and we will wait until the beginning of the year to do so. Her speech is a little delayed and we are also going to have her see a therapist in the beginning of the year as well. I'm not concerned. She's trying hard to say the words, she just can't put 2 and 2 together quite yet. Kamryn is THRIVING with her talking!!! She can say dog, cat, mama, dada, this, that, mine (her favorite), duck and more. She's just so sweet. She hates to snuggle with us, but the day that Ava passed away, it was like she knew. She woke up early from her nap the next day, and allowed me to rock her and hold her close and tell her how thankful I am for her.

This past weekend, I went to Austin to visit my mom, step dad and grandparents. Saturday morning, I was feeding the twins breakfast, and I looked over my shoulder, and the twins were holding hands in their highchairs. I took a picture in my mind (camera was too far away), and thought to myself, this is what it's all about. They are bonding more and more every day, and I don't think they realize how good they have it, having a sister their own age.

We went to visit my grandparents in the nursing home. My grandmother kept asking me if they were twins. I kept reminding her that they are. Then, I brought to her attention, Kamryn's curls in the back of her head. When my mom was 11 months old, my grandmother gave my mom a perm to get the curls she so desperately wanted. I couldn't imagine putting all those chemicals on a babies head??? My grandmother kept asking me if I put a curling iron to Kamryn's hair. I just laughed and told her no. Kamo got those curls from Shawn's side of the family. His dad had really curly hair. He desperately wanted straight hair, and I have a feeling that Kamryn will too. We always want what we can't have. We have to learn to be thankful for what we are given though.

On Sunday, we all went over to my friends house to take pictures. I've known my friend Diana, since we were in 1st grade. She is an artist and professional photographer and VERY TALENTED. Here are a few pictures she took... She has a gift of capturing moments!!! You can see more pictures of the girls on her blog... http://www.dianamlottphotography.com/blog/. She is just amazing at what she does.







Aren't they cute??? Even in my most stressful days, and with the recent passing of Ava Elaine, I don't take my daughters for granted. When I go to kiss them and feel their breath on my skin, I think how very blessed and thankful I am to be able to feel that. I'm so grateful that I can see them smile and even kiss away their tears. I know how lucky I am to be able to hear their cries and fussing.

I want to wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season!!!

Love,
Stephanie