Winding down

You know how sometimes you just wish that you were a kid again and there were no worries, just a pool on the deck, a slide, some water and an uncommonly warm September day?  Myla and Kinsley have been making up a lot of games together lately – sometimes it involves running across the room and diving into a pile of pillows, or chasing each other through the tent and tunnel in the basement, or putting their babies to sleep in the fort that they built in the family room.  They really are pretty good friends.

They also take pretty good care of each other.  Myla will tell Kinsley that “you have to eat your dinner if you want a cookie” and Kinsley will yell “abah ato bu bu a ooo!” (which I roughly translate to “come upstairs and brush your teeth!”  They make each other laugh, or stay awake in the car and yes, cry.  But they are always looking out for each other.  Kinsley gets worried when Myla goes to school and is very excited to see her when she picks her up.  Myla will ask first thing in the morning when I wake her up “where’s Kinsley?” and sometimes will rush to put on her clothes to go wake up little sister.

As the summer winds down and we start to take stock of the memories we made, I think that it’s the moments when they are playing together that I will treasure the most.  The ones when Kinsley will take Myla her water cup first after playing outside or Myla will run to the slide on the playground and say “c’mon Kinsley!”  I will remember the bouncy castle and the swimming pool and the wagon rides.  And I will look forward to the leaf jumping and crunching, the snowman making, the…

One project down!

This weekend was one we’ve been waiting for all summer.  Johnny has been working hard on the sprinkler system for our all dirt backyard.

We had already moved the big piles of rocks earlier this year and planted a cute little tree in the hopes of shade someday.  And now that we had it leveled and prepped, sprinklered and ready, it was grass time.

It took a couple of hours but we got it all down.  Myla was a big helper in rolling it all down and Kinsley was a big helper by napping.  :)  And after it was down, we did what any self-respecting sod layer would do -

We ran through the sprinklers.

Adventures in Mini-golf

Friday was a special day because Johnny got to be sort-of off to spend time with the girls.  (I say sort-of because he’s never off, his work phone is constantly ringing.)  The day passed so quickly for them that Johnny didn’t have time to think about what was for dinner.  I seized upon the opportunity to make it a family outing and do dinner and mini golf.

I’d been wanting to take the girls for awhile, even though I knew that Kinsley wouldn’t really know what to do and Myla would didn’t know much more.  But it was about making memories and so we made a night of it.  We went to Qdoba for dinner, the girls got special necklaces for our family “date” and then we went to the course.

I was pleasantly surprised actually.  Kinsley made it though 11 holes before it became more fun to chase the baby bunnies and Myla even got a couple of hole-in-ones before we were done. 

And then we did what any good family outing wraps up with – ice cream.  We had a lot of fun and Myla (who’s been all about exciting stuff these days) even asked if we could go do mini-golf and ice cream one more time before we went home.  I’d say that’s a ringing endorsement.

Reunions

Saturday was the annual preemie reunion, which I always love to go to because I want to show Myla off.  This year, Myla loved to go to it because they had prizes and dancers and fun things to do.  Kinsley had a great time too playing in the swimming pool full of water and looking for babies.  The girls got matching flowers on their arms and Myla did some crafts and played some games.  We only saw two of our nurses this time, but they both were excited to see us and thought Myla was beautiful.  They still check in on her health (can’t take the nurse out of the person even if they are at a luau) and are very happy to hear that she is “normal.”  It was a lot of fun for all of us.

Firsts

Myla started her first day of pre-kindergarten on Monday, and while it wasn’t quite the kick in the stomach for me as last year, she didn’t even seem fazed.  In fact, I went to kiss her goodbye and she said “okay, mom, bye!”  Her teachers (Ms. Jelly-bean and Ms. Teddy-bear) seem very nice and totally interested in each kid and she has a couple of friends from last year that are with her too.  I still rushed to go pick her up, and true to Myla form, she didn’t tell me a thing about her day.  But she did get a sticker for listening, so I guess that is a good sign!  She's the smallest girl in her class so far, and yet so big all at once.

And Check-ups

Kinsley had her 18 month check up on Monday – 18 months!? – and it was the first time with her new doctor, so she tried hard to be impressive.  She climbed up and down the stool, talked and didn’t even cry when the nurse gave her a shot.  She’s gaining fast on Myla – 32 1/2 inches tall and 26 pounds 12 ounces.  Her doctor thought she was perfect, healthy and happy – and yes, impressive.

Myla had a check-in with her eye doctor and I’m proud to say that after almost five years, we have finally been released!  Her eyes were 20/20 and she has no signs of cross-eyes or lazy eyes, which is seen a lot in preemies.  They thought that her eyes were beautiful blues – but of course!

We've been very blessed with these two girls.  And had so much fun in the process.  They certainly keep us on our toes!

Floppy hats and pretty shirts

Our little girls are such… girls sometimes.  They love to walk around and wear necklaces, or dress up as Cowgirl Myla and Sheriff Kinsley.  We’ve had many pretend picnics and parties and balls, and worn many necklaces, medals and scarves.  And sometimes, there’s just something in the store that you have to try on, or a box of clothes will arrive in the mail that you have to see how it looks.

It always amazes me how two little awesome beings could come from two tiny little cells.  They are happy and smart and funny – you should see the things that Myla comes up with when she’s playing or watch Kinsley walk around the house chattering away.  They are so sweet when it comes to giving hugs goodnight or recently, Myla will randomly say “Love ya’ mom.”  Its been great fun watching them grow and change each day.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about family and making memories.  My friend Kate just found out that her mom is terminally ill and each day I’m thankful for my family.  For my mom and dad.  For these two sweet smiles that greet me in the morning.  For each and every moment that we get to spend laughing and talking and being together. 

Wow – I didn’t mean to make this such a mushy post.  Sorry mom, should have put a disclaimer at the top huh?