birthday wishes from Tanzania

Dear Sweet Emme and Roo,

Mammaw and Pappaw did not forget your birthday. We have had Internet and/or computer problems for a week and have not been able to get to our email to wish you girls a happy birthday.

Did you have a great day? Did your friends come over and play? Did Marmee and Grandpa get to come? Did you get lots of presents and have some yummy cake and ice cream? How about balloons? Did Maggie dog get to come celebrate with you? Did they take lots of pictures? It must have been a wonderful day.

I saw the pictures of you at Sea World. My favorite part of Sea World are the whales and the dolphin. I wish we could see them together some time.

Mammaw and Pappaw have some new dogs at our new house in Dodoma. One dog looks like Maggie dog. Her name is Gus, but i call her Gussie, so I can remember she is a girl. She is very sweet and I think she would like to be Maggie's friend. Do you think Maggie would like a new friend? When the other computer is fixed, I will send you a picture of Gussie to show to Maggie dog.

We have many lizards in Dodoma. Some get in the house and some are outside, Mammaw is very happy when they stay outside. Last night I saw an "albino" lizard, but he was gone before I could get the camera. One lizard has lived in the window encasement for 2 weeks and could not get out. I finally got him out today...I think he was very happy to be outside again so he could eat.

Watching you girls grow these past 3 years has been a delight. I don't know what we would have done without getting to see your blog every few days. You have an amazing Mama and she writes the sweetest things about you. Give her and your Daddy a big hug and kiss for me.

I better go for today. HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, MARY ELIZABETH AND RUBY.

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH.

MAMMAW AND PAPPAW

they say it's your birthday

The girls had a wonderful 3rd birthday!

We celebrated with the McGrandparents, Aunt Kaki, and 7 of the girls' friends from playgroups or school (along with their families).

This year, the theme was an ice cream social. Daddy brewed homemade Rowdy Girl root beer. We had cake, treats, loads of ice cream, and probably should have had the party sponsored by a pediatric dentist.
The weather held, so the outside play stuff was what it was all about. The newly assembled swing set, bouncy house, sandbox and trikes were all up for grabs.
It was a great little party with sweet friends, yummy treats and happy kids.

The girls are still talking about their "happy you cake party". My 3rd birthday party is my first memory and I hope that this is one of Em's and Roo's lasting impressions.

A Letter To Emme

Dear Mary Elizabeth,

Today you are 3 years old! What a fun 3 years we've had with you.

You have an infectious laugh,
a sparkly personality, a flair for drama
and are a big ball of energy.
Emme, you are crazy smart, passionate and beautifully balanced. You want to do everything, know everything, be everything. You're having a difficult time being 3 because you know exactly what you want but can't always make us understand. And you don't take no for an answer. At least not without an Oscar winning performance. Your tantrums are fiery and choreographed. Someday, I'm sure, I will look back and admire your style.
I see many years ahead of soccer, ballet, gymnastics, piano, violin, tap, jazz, swimming, softball, volleyball, etc. You have the ability to be good at anything you put your mind to.
You are amazing.
Your favorite game at the moment is "I Spy". You use it to pass time, start conversation, redirect attention and... just for fun. "I spy sumpin... hmmm... hmmm... BLUE!" You always sign the color as well as speak it. Emme, you adore sign language and have an extensive ASL vocabulary. If you can move as well as speak, all the better. You are such a kinesthetic learner.
You have an amazing memory for movement. I am astonished when I watch you recreate dance steps and act out scenes from movies. You're turning out to be quite the actress.
You can memorize a scene and play it out verbatim. Singin' In The Rain is also one of your favorite films. You've just about nailed the flapper dance from the beginning. It's incredible!
You've also got the softest heart. You love so sweetly and also get your feelings hurt easily. I adore the way you gently pat my heart and tell me, "love you soooo much", in a little whisper. You give the best kisses and the hardest hugs. And like nothing better than to curl up into a tight little ball in my lap with your Nannie blanket and thumb. I hope that doesn't change for a long time.
There's a special bond between you and your Ruby. You call her Ruby Care and watch over and protect her. When we walk in parking lots, you tightly grip her hand and refuse to let go. You hug and kiss her and love to perpetuate the games that Ruby invents, just because it makes her happy.
You desperately want to read because Ruby can. And Emme, you're so close! You know all your beginning phonics, can sound out 3 letter words, and have at least 30 sight words.
You're a great little momma, Emme. You prefer to have two babies at all times, because that's how we roll around here. You rub their heads softly and say, "Ohhhh, baby." Then, tuck them in, feed them and show them the sights.
You love to pretend just about anything. Right now, you're enamoured with Sea World and pretend to be dolphins and whales splashing in the water. My bed comforter is your preferred ocean playground. Unless it's swimming pool time. You like that so much, you call it the "swimming cool".

Emme, just like you tell your Daddy... You. Rock.!!
Happy birthday darling girl. Daddy and I love you so very much.

A Letter To Ruby

Dear Ruby,

Today you are three years old. And you are incredible. You have a wide open heart that loves deeply. You adore your sister and think your Daddy hung the moon. But, you're still a Mama's girl deep down.
You learn quickly and have, what appears to be, a photographic memory. Your favorite toys are those that allow you to read, spell and count. You are reading. You have an incredible vocabulary, and just about every word you can say, you can read. You have a gift for language, all languages, actually. And you are endlessly frustrated that you don't yet have the skills to write the words you want to spell. Right now, you cope by taking my hand and asking me to write the words for you.
You're intent on asserting your independence right now. "No" and "Stop it" are becoming regular words in your repertoire (but so are please and thank you). And, Ruby, you can throw yourself a fit to beat the band. It is loud and long and raw. Believe me, your Daddy and I get the point you're making. But you don't throw that fit until you've exhausted every other option. The mental gymnastics you exert to get your way are astonishing. Ruby, you're not confrontational, but you are the most determined person I've ever met.
That is a trait that has served you well and will continue to do so (however challenging it makes it to be your parent).

You are working hard in occupational therapy, and you love it! Miss D, the OT, is your personal rock star and you eagerly anticipate the days you work with her.
You say, "Come on, Miss D, let's play! See the toys? Let's go!"
and then you hustle her down the hallway with barely a backward look for me.
I am so proud of this! Already, you are less sensory defensive, are putting together more original sentences and relying less on your amazing memorized arsenal of phrases, and are climbing and moving more freely. You'll be running and jumping with your Sissy soon, Ruby!
This year you've learned to sing (in tune). You love to sing. Your favorite song at the moment is "Singin' in the Rain". At any given moment you'll bust out with "What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again!" It makes me smile every time.
When you watch the movie, though, your favorite part is the Moses Supposes song and dance. For that, you grab your Sissy's hand and the two of you execute your own version of a tap dance routine.
My favorite line that you quote from the movie is, "I.ain't.people!" You use it with serious comedic timing.
You do a lot of things with great comedic timing, actually.
A month ago, you were climbing on a pile of books. I told you to get down and commented that those books were not stairs. With a deadpan expression, you cut your eyes to the book on which you were standing, then looked back at me and said, "my.first.steps." And, sure enough, that's what the book said, complete with a picture of a child climbing some stairs.

Ruby, you have an obsession with toothbrushes. And hats. The toothbrush thing greatly annoys your Daddy. Because it's his toothbrush you particularly love. Once, I asked you where that toothbrush belonged, hoping to get you to replace it on the counter. You told me it went 'in the potty'. I think that's when Daddy really got nervous. You seriously crack me up.
As for hats, anything can be a hat in your world. It's one of the fun ways that you play pretend.
You love to pretend to play different instruments... violin, flute, drums, piano and guitar are at the top of the list. You're very rooted in reality most of the time, so, you sometimes surprise me when your imagination leaps out. The day you dragged your Magnadoodle all over the house by the pen-on-a-string and announced that you were walking the dog, was unexpected! And wonderful!
You make me teary, Ruby, when you sing "Tis So Sweet" and when you run to your Sissy and grab her in a full hug and just hang on as long as she'll let you. I know you're just feeling all that love well up inside you and that's just the best way to show how you feel. You're always so sweet to share with her. When you get a lollipop, you hand it to Sissy before selecting one for yourself.
You are amazingly special, Ruby Claire. Your Daddy and I love you so very much.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jellybean.

Birthday Bounce-back

This blog was born after the RG's first birthday. So, travel back in time with me to document their first birthday party.

It was a Ladybug Picnic Party at the McGrandparents' house. All the great-grandparents were able to attend, as well as Mammaw, Aunt Gail, cousins Charlie and Clint, and great aunt and uncle, Tracie and Ross with their children.


Our family really got into the theme of the party and gifted the girls with loads of adorable ladybug books, tents and toys. Plus, our friend, Miss Blythe, saved the day, and found these adorable ladybug halter dresses for the RGs to wear.


They looked like little Marilyn Monroes in them! (except for the nose picking).

Em and Roo were all about the birthday song singing, the candles and the cupcakes.
With perfect hindsight, perhaps red and black frosting was not the way to go.

Oh. Yeah.

Instead of party hats, I painted up the little bopper headbands.
The girls were hilarious wearing them.

So, were the great grandparents.


The party was everything J and I hoped for.

Family gathered together to celebrate surviving and thriving during the first 12 months of Em's and Roo's life. The prayers our family prayed, the food they made, the many miles driven, the bedside NICU vigils, the many hours of sleep sacrificed, the bottles held, the songs sung, the unconditonal love and support... They were in it with us. All the way.

It was a perfect celebration of the miracle of Em and Roo.

second time around

Monday's trip to Sea World was a serious success. Em and Roo were beyond thrilled to return and visit the "do-fins" and "shawks" and "Dory fish" and "wayules".

Roo was totally excited about the first show at Sea Lion Stadium.
Seals, Walruses and Otters, Oh My!

Then, we got some up close looks at the sea lions goofing off and eating.

We made a pit stop at our favorite jumpy house and the girls ran and bounced off some energy.

Waiting for Daddy to make it through the line to order lunch was a little tough, but the iPhone came through again. Well, the iPhone and Sesame Street podcasts.

Look! They held hands while they watched The Street.

The beluga whale and dolphin show was amazing. And one of the whales had her calf swimming with her through the performance. Super sweet. Em kept pointing and yelling "baby wayule!". *We also saw a dolphin mommy and calf up close at the Dolphin encounter.

By this time of the day, a wardrobe change was needed. Both girls got fresh pants. And then, Roo conked out for a 45 minute nap in the stroller.
So, Em got Daddy all to herself in the penguin exhibit. She loved the whole thing. Each time they finished the conveyor belt sidewalk, she ran up to check on Roo and myself. Then, she grabbed J's hand and asked for "Penwens, Peeeeze!" They went through the exhibit at least 5 times.

Roo woke up towards the end of our stay in the dark, cool, Celtic music'd penguin habitat. Just in time for us to jet over to the Sesame Street Beach Party.

Oh. My. Word. She loved it! Once she got rid of the sleepies and realized that Elmo was really on stage, she was in heaven. J laughed when the staff announced during the pre-show that parents should make sure their children did not run onto the stage. (They also had bouncers to assure there wasn't a toddler bum-rush). But, seriously, if he'd let go of Roo at any point during the performance, I think she would have made a run for it.

When the Sesame Street gang said goodbye, J and I were concerned that Roo would cry. She sucked it up and managed to transition well. Phew!

Em enjoyed it all, but she's not hardcore like Roo.

The last show of the day was Shamu's. We were all a bit worn out by this point. The girls totally dug it and Em was all over the crowd participation parts. Very very adorable.




After Shamu, we headed to the car, changed the girls into their jammies, grabbed some supper and headed home. Five minutes into the trip I looked back and saw Em crashed.
Roo watched and sang along to Singin' In The Rain all the way home and then slept the sleep of the Sea World-ed that night.

It was a super day and we're looking forward to going back and doing the water park next time.

our Easter traditions

Easter Sunday was a relaxed family day for Em, Roo, J and myself. We kicked it off with Easter basket surprises. A tradition born three years ago.

Which went over quite nicely. Especially the bubbles.
And the Yo Gabba Gabba friends.

Roo was sweetly pleased to find the squishy ball. She's saying, "Ooooh, cool!"

And Em held tightly to her pinwheel for quite a while.
In fact, she took it to church, though I was able to hide it in their backpack before we got to Sunday school.

The sermon was thought provoking and I was blessed by the old hymns that the worship team worked in.

The night before, we read the Easter story to the girls from their Storybook Bible. This was the first time. And this will become part of our Easter weekend tradition, too.

The girls were, uncharacteristically, attentive. Em and Roo listened as we read about the nails that held Jesus on that cross. They studied the illustration. And they seemed to comprehend when I read, "You see, they didn't understand. It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus there. It was love."