BUENO TWINS

The Magic Of Christmas....

2012-01-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

Is truly through my girls eyes. There constant smile and hearing them say ahh and ohh goodness just fills us with so much happiness. Ashlyn would open up a gift and then say more, more. Christmas Eve was spent at Jeffs Aunt Jackie's we had an amazing prime rib dinner and the girls got very spoiled. Christmas morning we opened up gifts with the girls then Jeffs mom and dad and sister Kimmy and Melissa came over to spoil the girls even more. We then packed up and headed to Santa Barbara for the night to my brothers and sister in laws home. My sister in law is due any day now and we didn't want her traveling down here. It was such a relaxing time the drive was so great since the girls slept the whole way and it was a nice get away for all of us. We truly had an amazing holiday and are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.

Christmas Eve at Aunt Jackies enjoying their juice

Playing with their new toys

So excited to open presents

Nothing sweeter then seeing Daddy with his two girls! Love them all so much!

Best family picture we could get

Grandma Toni and Aunt Jackie

Christmas morning

Jillian opening her stocking

Ashlyn opening her stocking

Opening up their big gift Nana and Papa

Its a basketball hoop!

Christmas afternoon at my brothers. Ignore their hair they slept the whole drive down. Jillian checking out her new clothes

Ahh Ash you make a beautiful gift

Waiting for Grandpa to open their computer

Don't worry I got this Grandpa I know how this thing works

Ashlyn and Grandma drawing a picture

Telling Grandma exactly what to draw

Christmas Tree

2011-12-13T09:36:00.000-08:00

We set out to Home Depot for our Christmas Tree this year and of course when we got there the camera was out of battery that is the story of my life. So when my dad asked me to take him to pick up his tree I made sure the camera battery was charged. My parents pick their tree out a week before Thanksgiving and then they go and cut it down I love that idea, but Jeff and I prefer Noble trees and the place my parents go they do not have Noble's. The girls loved running all throughout the trees and kicking the dirt. It's so pretty seeing the trees everywhere.

Ashlyn liked this one

Grandpa trying to get them by the tree so I can take a picture

At home by our tree Jillian talking on her phone

Ashlyn is not a fan of having her picture taken

Love this picture Jillian is pretending to take a pic of me with her phone

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

We started this Halloween season with carving pumpkins with Auntie Kimmy and Melissa. Ashlyn loved it she got right into it watching Auntie Kimmy carve away. Jillian just wanted me to take her pictures. We got the girls Elmo to put on their pumpkin it was so cute. This was actually the girls very first year of trick or treating and they loved it. They got the hang of this holiday really quick. They were both Dorothy's and just so cute. We had a wonderful Halloween!!

Love Ashlyn's concentration

Jillian just wanted to see what she looked like after I took her picture

Getting Elmo's arm in the pumpkin

The finished pumpkins

Kimmys Pumpkin-awesome huh?!

Melissa's pumpkin so cute

Jeffs pumpkin the Grim Reeper

Halloween! Jillian getting ready

Ashlyn with Nana (Jeffs mom) or Ashlyn calls her Nanee

Practicing trick or treating

Family Halloween pic

The girls with Gavin

Catching Up!

2011-10-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

I made a promise to myself to blog once a week and well apparently I am not good at keeping promises to myself BECAUSE its been 2 months since my last update YIKES! Our summer flew by and we enjoyed every minute of it. The girls are so connected with one another they have become the best of friends its truly an amazing journey watching these two girls grow up.

Visiting Toms Farms (taken in August). Ashlyn on the train

Jillian on the train

Ashlyn on the carousel she has a tight grip on Daddys shirt this was their second time around Jillian was done after the first time.

Feeding the goats with grandpa

Beginning of September we took a little trip up to Santa Barbara to visit my brother and sister n law. We went to the Santa Barbara zoo. The girls loved it and of course my camera ran out of battery right when we got there, but I captured a few pictures.

We took the girls to their 1st USC game. To our surprise they made it through the whole game! There were a few little tantrums thrown by someone pics will speak for themselves:)

"Look water" says Jillian

Favorite pic

Running through the rose garden

Checking out the roses

Ashlyn was not in the mood for pics.

And still screaming..hahhaa...

Thanks Jillian for the pic

Future Cheerleader?!

Loves her hat

Loves the pom pom

Bass Lake

2011-08-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

Wahoo we made it to Bass Lake this summer! Jeff and I have missed the last 2 years the first due to the girls being preemies and the 2nd due to Ashlyns surgery/spica cast. My family has been going to Bass Lake since I was 10 so the past 24 years! And Jeff has been going since we began dating. The girls had so much fun playing in the water and just exploring new scenery. It was a wonderful family vacation and we can't wait for many more years at Bass Lake.

Jeff teaching Ashlyn how to throw rocks

Floating on Aunt Kachina's raft

Ready to head down to the lake

Ashlyn wore Jeffs USC hat everyday and never wanted to take it off. Lets just say Jeff was proud!

I could look at this everyday! Such a beautiful place.

They both cried because they weren't sure of their bikinis

This is Ashlyn telling me "to go away"

Good Bye Bass Lake. I already miss you!

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T20:10:00.001-07:00

From Jillian

And Ashlyn

Today we went to our friends neighborhood 4th of July party. The girls had fun at the playground

And then we could never get them off this train. This little train is great. Its trackless and just goes throughout the neighborhood. You can rent it for parties what a great idea!!

They do look alike:)

Ashlyn peeking out (you can click on the picture to make it bigger and see Ashlyns smile this is how she was the whole time on the train just precious! )

You can barely see Jillian peeking out through the back

I think this was their 4th time going around or was it the 5th we stopped counting. Happy 4th!!!

Picture Overload

2011-06-24T20:34:00.001-07:00

Trying to capture some pictures for Jeff for Fathers Day. Getting them both to smile at the same time is difficult, but it didn't matter Daddy's girls in USC gear with a football I knew would melt his heart! Oh and meet Bear(the stuffed animal Jillian is holding) she insisted he be in the pictures and she named him Bear.

On June 4th my family had a memorial service for my Aunt Carol who passed away last year. One of her requests was to have some of her ashes put in the ocean. It was such a peaceful evening out on the ocean and just a beautiful way of remembering a beautiful woman.

Beach Day this was back in late April. The girls love the beach.

Daddy's Love

2011-05-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

I should have saved this post for Fathers Day, but hey Jeff doesn't do the hallmark holidays anyways so its probably more special I am writing this post today:)
The day I said "I Do" to Jeff I knew how much I loved him, BUT what I didn't know is how much I could love him even more just by watching his bond with Ashlyn and Jillian. Those girls love their daddy so much and seeing them light up as he walks into the room just makes my heart melt. They fight for who he will pick up first and who he will read a book to first. Having twins isn't easy, but when you have the right partner, the right person who is for the most part on the same page you are makes each day a wonderful blessing. We hope you know how special you are to us Jeff/Daddy because your smile makes our world a wonderful place to be in. We Love you!

Easter Part 2

2011-04-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

Here are the rest of the pictures from Easter. The girls had so much fun doing the egg hunt and you will see why!

Jillian ready for Easter

Ashlyn and Daddy

Family picture

Yummy!

Jillian is ready for the egg hunt

Cousin Lauren helping Ashlyn

So this is how Jeff catered to his girls during the egg hunt. He pulled them in their wagon and would send one of them out to get the egg and then they would get back in the wagon. Jillian was the one always getting out because Ashlyn couldn't let go of a tennis ball she had in her hand.

Getting the egg

Notice tennis ball in Ashlyns hand.....

Still has the tennis ball and Jillian has all the eggs

Love Ashlyn's expression here...

Luke even had to wear the ears

Aunt Jackie and Aunt Marina

Future soccer player ohh how I hope

Aunt Jackie, Auntie M and Kimmy

Luke and Jillian resting after the egg hunt

Happy Easter Part One

2011-04-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

I have to say I was very excited to celebrate Easter this year with my girls. Watching them experience new things always make me smile. I was also really excited about it because their first Easter they were in the NICU and then their second Easter we didn't do much because we had their first birthday party the day before so Easter got a little overlooked. Saturday we had the girls dye Easter eggs. Thankfully we did this outside on their picnic table with a throw away tablecloth. They both enjoyed putting their eggs in the different colors. Sunday morning the girls woke up to see what the Easter bunny had left them and then that afternoon we had family over for an early dinner and a Easter egg hunt for the kids. Part Two will come tomorrow!

The finished product

Their Easter baskets. The Easter bunny left them matching swimsuits, Dora purses, books, sidewalk chalk and bubbles

Seeing their baskets for the first time

Grandma then brought over more Easter baskets for them with bath toys, books and stuffed animals

Happy 2nd Birthday!

2011-03-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

To our sweet girls Happy 2nd Birthday. You bring a smile to our face everyday, our hearts are full of love that we never knew existed until we saw you and each day we are blessed to have you both as our daughters. Ashlyn you are such a strong little girl. With everything you have already been through nothing brought you down and you handled every situation with a smile and making us laugh. You are such a sweet girl always looking out for Jillian and making sure she is OK. You love to play outside and collect rocks, sticks, grass and whatever else you can find. Love you Ash! Jillian such a determined little girl and LOVES to get your way. You like to figure out how things work and you will sit and figure it out until you do with a little screaming fits in the middle of it, but you somehow always manage to figure it all out. You don't like to get dirty and when you do you make sure we wipe your hands right away. You so polite always saying Thank You and please and you have this cute little soft voice. Jillian Ryanne you are full of personality and we love you so much!
Love, Mommy and Daddy

On Sunday March 27 we had the grandparents and Ashyn and Jillians aunts and uncles over and their cousins. It was a wonderful afternoon and a great way to celebrate our babies turning 2!

Happy Birthday Jillian

Happy Birthday Ashlyn

Eating their Birthday lunch

Jillian in her new wagon

Opening presents

Giving her new doll kisses

Yep I'm excited its such a cute gardening cart. Theycan help mommy and daddy in the yard now:)

Jillian and I

Giving her a doll a ride

Singing Happy Birthday

They both loved dipping their fingers in the cake and feeding their grandmas

Ashlyn and Nana

Eating their cake

Ash loves her daddy

LOVE this smile (ashlyns) Ahh melts me

Just precious

Jillian giving Ashlyn a kiss

more kisses

Jillian and Katelyn. Poor Ash got cut off

Auntie Kimmy and Katelyn

Things the girls love to do

2011-03-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

There are many things the girls love to do, but there is one thing in particular I can catch them doing on a daily basis

Ashlyn loves to wear Jeffs hat she just throws it on top of her head and off she goes

Jillian loves to be naked. She can get out of any outfit I put her in and takes off her diaper. She sometimes has a helping hand Ashlyn can be found helping Jillian getting her pants off or taking off Jillians diaper. Jillian always tells her "Thank you" so polite!

LOVE

2011-02-21T20:03:00.001-08:00

These two melt our hearts everyday!

Giving each other a hug. I promise I did not tell them to do this it was all on their own. They love each other!

Another sweet moment. Again all on their own I was just quick with the camera

Discussing what to play next

Having fun with the camera. Jillian saying "cheese"

Being crazy!

Another hug!

Happy New Year...a little late

2011-01-24T20:04:00.000-08:00

So for weeks now, well since the New year I have been meaning to do this a whole write up about the past year and I never did so this will be the shorter version of our 2010 year in review. This year brought us joy, laughter and lots and lots of tears some good tears and many sad, mad and angry tears. The girls turned ONE that was such a wonderful time and they had such a special birthday shared with our family and friends. We then lost an amazing person in our lives and whoever said it gets easier day by day was wrong because it doesn't. We lost my Aunt Carol to liver cancer and each day I am so grateful she was able to see my girls, hold them, play with them and laugh with them. So blessed to have those memories and pictures. Ashlyn then had her hip dysplasia surgery and the next 3 months after that we were just hoping to get to the day she got her spica cast off.....and we did and it was such a great day. Then we moved twice actually. We stayed with my parents for a month and then moved into our new home. The holidays came and went and we ended the year with Ashlyn walking....WALKING!!!! Thats my year in review and heres to 2011!

Here are pics from the girls playing outside. The weather has been so great the last couple of weeks. If Ashlyn could she would spend all day outside and Jillian as soon as she gets dirty is ready to come in, so I just try and dust her off and tell her to get back to playing ahhh such a girl she is:)

Jillian likes to have her picture taken

Ashlyn checking on her rocks, dirt, and sticks that she likes to put her in quad

Happy Holidays

2010-12-26T20:30:00.000-08:00

From all of us.....

The girls had an amazing Christmas and we are so thankful to our family and friends for all the gifts. We spent Christmas Eve at Jeffs Aunt Jackies house (aka Aunt Pretty) and Christmas morning Jeffs mom, his sister Kimmy and Melissa came over. Christmas afternoon/evening was at my parents house. We had two great days with family that we are so blessed to have!

All the stockings are hung! My heart is full seeing all 5 stockings!

Me and the girls

Enjoying some crackers

Aunt Jackie talking, Uncle Mike pretending to listen and Aunt Marina just looking afar

Ashlyn waiting to open more presents

Auntie Kimmy and Melissa

Grandma Toni

Jillian talking on her new cell phone

Opening up their laptop

Jillian opening up a gift these girls loved ripping off the paper

She threw out some of the clothes and climbed in the box

Santa came and brought them a kitchen the rest was from Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning Jillian ran up to their new kitchen

Opening their gift from their cousins Owen and Avery

Christmas afternoon at my parents. This is Jillians stocking she was giving him kisses

Ashlyn with her reindeer headband

Ohh grandpa let me show you how to open it

Nothing But Trouble

2010-12-15T09:16:00.001-08:00

Found the girls doing this! Jillian is saying Uh Oh when she saw me there with the camera.

At least they cleaned up their mess when I asked them to clean up

Taking a Few Steps.....

2010-12-04T20:24:00.000-08:00

When I was pregnant with the girls we had known Ashlyn had club feet and we were prepared for it. Once the girls were delivered and rushed to the NICU they were evaluated by a team of doctors. One of the doctors was her orthopedic surgeon he evaluated Ashlyn about 11:00 p.m. and came to our room close to midnight the day the girls were born. It was then he told us about Ashlyn's right hip. Jeff and I just sat their listening to the doctor talk to us about what was ahead for our little girl and we knew it would be a long road and although her surgery is over we still have a long road to go down, but nothing makes us more blessed then seeing the determination in Ashlyn trying to walk. I remember when we started correcting her club feet and taking her to her weekly cast changes and I asked one of the doctors if Ashlyn would walk and she looked at me and said I can't answer that because she not only has the club feet, but the hip dysplasia. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't focus on that I knew we had to be strong for her and we would do anything to see our little girl walk. On Thanksgiving morning Jeff and I were getting the girls ready and Ashlyn all the sudden stood up from the floor and took a few steps sideways. She then continued to take a few steps forward. I started to cry not only because I had been dreaming of this day, but the smile on her face was priceless she was so proud of herself and just so excited to be on the move without pushing a toy. Her legs are still trying to get the strength back, but each time she walks by herself she just smiles and smiles and that brings us so much happiness.

Her she is taking a few steps by herself. This was taken the other day while the girls were playing outside. Jillian is waiting for Ashlyn to come back and push her.

October/November

2010-11-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

Catching up! I am sorry I am 2 months behind! I will post pics instead of boring you with what I have to say besides its the 2 cute girls that all of you want to see!!!

Cuddling in the morning. They love each other.

Playing at the park and look at Ash she is cast free! We got her cast off on October 4th this picture was taken the following week.

Jillian swinging

Ashlyn could swing all day she loves the park

Halloween! Jillian as a ladybug this is the costume Ashlyn wore last year

Ashlyn was Dorothy I tried to squeeze her in Jillian's bee costume from last year, but it was to small

Jillian loved her Halloween cookies from Nana

Ladybug on the loose

Me and my girls

Love her smile

Happy Thanksgiving from Ashlyn

Happy Thanksgiving from Jillian

Me and Jill

Ashlyn cruising Jillian around on her quad

Meet Kylie. Ashlyn loves her cabbage patch doll. She has to have her by side when she eats and she is so happy.

Jillian looking all grown up!!

Are You Ready for Some Football

2010-09-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

WE ARE! We love to watch College Football and cheer on USC!!! We start the morning watching College Game Day and we love it!

Taking time out to discuss the game

Jillian would rather be shopping

Cast Change

2010-08-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

Last week Ashlyn got her cast change, which means we are half way there! I have to say having a child go into surgery is such a hard thing. No matter what the surgery is for the fact that they are in an operating room while you wait down the hall to hear how it went just turns your stomach into knots. The first time Ashlyn went to have the hip surgery done it took 3 hours! Basically you wait in this room while nurses come in get her vital signs, ask the same questions over and over again. Her doctor comes in to see if we have any more questions and he KNOWS me so well so of course I have my list of questions ready. Then its GO time! We walk down the hallway us holding Ashlyn while one of the nurses pushes her crib. We get to these double doors and this is where we say good bye to her. This is THE hardest part of all. Of course she doesn't want to go in the crib she wants to be held, to be loved and she starts crying. We hug and kiss her and I am doing everything I can to be strong so the tears don't stream down my face that will just make her more of a mess. We hand her over to a nurse who seriously acted like she had never held a baby before. I mean come on my child is screaming show some compassion. The nurses start walking towards the double doors the doors open and we just see Ashlyn crying and her eyes are just fixated on us and there is nothing at this point we can do she is on her way to the operating room. The double doors close and I just loose it and grab onto Jeff and just cry. Now fast forward to last week. I knew what to expect although still not easy I knew what was next. This time we got a nurse who adored Ashlyn, who wanted to hold her when we handed her over and although Ashlyn still screamed as she was being taken away I was able to take a deep breathe and tell myself it was a cast change no surgery and in ONE hour she would be in recovery. Its never easy and its so hard on everyone involved. Thankfully Ashlyn forgets about it all as soon as she sees us again. As for us its a memory we will share with her in years to come.

Here she is in recovery with the oxygen mask still on. Ahh sweet baby girl!

Still looking a bit foggy, but she woke up very well in recovery

There's her thumb

Of course Jeff had her laughing in no time after this picture was taken he can always get her to smile:)

The girls don't miss a beat this was them when we got home. Jillian loves to have Ashlyn drag her around the house.

I'm ready to play!

A couple of weekends ago we all attended a wedding. It was at the Vintage Steakhouse in San Juan Capistrano. Here is Jillian ready to go with her cell phone with her in case anyone needs to get a hold of her.

Eating bread Yumm!

Ashlyn doesn't fit in highchairs so thank goodness there was a booth for us. Here she is just relaxing with her crackers.

Jillian enjoying her food

I tried to capture Jillian dancing so this was the pose I got

More dancing she loves music

So happy to be able to play together again!

2010-08-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

When we first brought Ashlyn home Jillian seemed sad because she didn't have her sister to play with since Ashlyn mainly just sat in the bean bag or in the recliner. Ashlyn is now all over the place pulling herself through the house and actually trying to stand in the cast. Jillian was so excited once we put Ashlyn on the ground. Jillian started laughing with excitement and was even giving Ashlyn kisses it was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes seeing how close these girls are.

For the love of cleaning! Jillian loves to clean she tries to get a hold of the baby wipes and when she does she is so happy taking the wipe and wiping down everything. From the furniture, the floor to even wiping down Ashlyn's cast and feet. Jillian will purposely spill her milk on the floor just so she can wipe it up. Its so cute and the poor thing doesn't know it yet, but if she continues to like cleaning she will be doing chores by the time she is 3:) Here she is cleaning the wall.

The floor

The furniture

I'm free. Look at how happy she is. She is just laughing! This is the first time we put her on the ground.

Getting tired. When we first put her the ground she would get tired very quickly. It was a lot for her to hold her head up especially since she had been sitting for 2 weeks.

Jillian leaning in to give Ashlyn a kiss. Of course I missed getting the picture of the kiss

Excited to be playing together again

Laying together watching TV

Jillian giving Ashlyn a foot rub

Trying to balance to get inside the toy box

Sure Mom you can take my picture

Ashlyn making sure Jillian stays away from the bus by trying to push her away

Trying to stand

Now trying to stand with the bucket

So happy! Love this smile

Ahh I love you sister

Gorgeous girl

Smiling Ashlyn

Hanging Out!

2010-07-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

We are all still adjusting to Ashlyn's spica cast and I can say it is harder on Jeff, Jillian and I then it seems to be on Ashlyn. Ashlyn's personality is shining through and she is constantly making us laugh. Jillian misses roaming the house with Ashlyn and playing games with her like in the previous blog post. Jeff and I are on countdown mode now. 11 more weeks!!!

This is how she spends some of her day in the recliner and we just keep handing her toys

Eating the Xbox controller-Yummy!

Moments of frustration

Love these next pictures of Ashlyn and Jillian. Hanging out together on the bean bag watching TV.

Jillian posing!

Ashlyn cracks herself up when she puts things on her head. She just starts busting up and of course it makes us laugh too. Here she is with the play doh on her head

And her shirt

Random Pics, 4th of July and Ashlyn's new look

2010-07-11T19:49:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I haven't blogged in awhile, but we have been busy over here physically and emotionally so I am about to make up for it all. I have some random pictures of the girls playing together and of Jillian doing some walking. Yes that's right we have a walker and she knows she is so cute walking she just smiles and laughs. For 4th of July the girls played in their pool, had dinner at my parents house and Ashlyn rode her quad. Ashlyn had her hip dysplasia surgery so I have pictures of her new look for the next 3 months.

This is what the girls love to do together except poor Jillian never gets a ride Ashlyn doesn't ever want to get out

Jillian loves to sit in this bus

Wrestling

Go Jillian she is now walking

Look at those legs

Ashlyn loving her pool time

Just chillin'

Jillian having fun splashing away

Love Ashlyn laughing here

Jillian was over it

And can't get Ashlyn out

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July

Ashlyn loves her quad

Look at how serious

Here is Ashlyn's new look. Her surgery went well and now we are all adjusting to the spica cast. She gets frustrated and we are trying to keep her busy. Here she is just out of recovery at the hospital.

Her thumb was her constant soother thank goodness for that thumb

Sleeping with her friends

Waiting to get discharged

Jillian seeing her sister for the first time since the surgery

Really I have to be in this for 3 months?

Our strong baby girl

I love this picture of Jillian its just blurry. Jeff took it when Jillian was playing with Nana and she just looks so grown up here. Ahh love this!

Eating dinner with my new table

Happy Fathers Day!

2010-06-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day to you Jeff! You are such an amazing daddy to Ashlyn and Jillian and it fills my heart with so much joy watching them light up when you walk in the room. When you get home they get so excited and can't wait to see you walk through that door. Its cute to see them fight over who you will pick up first. No matter how hard of a day you had or how long of a day you had you always step right in and help with the girls without asking. You get down and play with them and it brings a smile to my face to hear them laugh continuously with you. You amaze me everyday and I am so blessed that I not only have you as a husband, but that Ashlyn and Jillian have YOU as a father. They are the lucky ones. I see you light up when you talk about them and everyone can see how much you love your girls. I thank you Jeff for everything you have done for us and for what you continue to do for us we appreciate it all. Your smile, laughter, fun loving personality brightens our day everyday and we all love you so much.
Happy Fathers Day!!! XOXOXO
Love Your Girls, Lindsay, Ashlyn and Jillian

Pictures of Jeff with the girls through the year!

Sleeping with Jillian

Admiring your baby girl

Jillian helping Jeff work

Ashlyn's turn to help Jeff work

Playing XBox with Daddy

A song for you Jeff with you by my side and always staying positive I have everything I want and "I could not ask for more"
the video is a little cut off, but you hear the whole song!

Beach House with Aunt Carol

2010-05-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

For the last 6 weeks my Aunt and Uncle have been staying here

Such a beautiful home in Newport Beach. Its three stories and it had a perfect master bedroom for my aunt which is on the second story with her own balcony then on the third floor is the roof perfect for laying out! Jeff and I would spend our weekends down there and we had so much fun being with the family and having the girls play around the beach. I am so grateful my aunt picked somewhere by us that she wanted to stay so we could spend more time with her. She is now back home up north so please keep the prayers coming and please keep her and our family in your thoughts. Here are some pictures throughout the weekends we were there.

Love this picture! Jeff holding his girls to show them the ocean for the first time

Grandma and Ashlyn

Jillian meeting Charlie AKA Charlie Brown and Chuck! She loved him and she would get so excited to play with him!

Jillian with her cousin Avery. So excited to watch Jillian, Ashlyn and Avery grow up together they are 10 months apart.

View from the family room

Trying to get a picture with Jillian she had no time for a picture she was to busy watching Charlie

Aunt Carol and Ashlyn:) Grandpa is in the background getting in the picture!

Jillian having fun watching Avery jump on the couch

Get this hat off me!

Jillian not so sure of the sand

My mom and my aunt relaxing on the patio

Its tough getting a picture with both girls looking. Ashlyn was still frustrated with her hat

Ashlyn and her frown

View from the patio

Ashlyn trying to escape. Jillian is ready to follow behind

Fighting over the table

I want to RIDE, I want to RIDE

2010-04-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

The girls each got their own Barbie Quad for their birthday! The girls love them and let me tell you I have never seen Jeff put together anything faster then he did so he could see the girls on the quads. I have to say its really cute to open the garage and see the girls little quads and all of Jeffs dirt bikes sitting there. It will be interesting to see which one loves dirt bikes as much as their daddy does. My guess is Ashlyn and Jillian will be concerned about how cute she looks in her gear! A huge thanks to Reed, Alison and Annie for the quads now come over and teach them how to press the button:)

Ashlyn about to read the instructions to daddy

Ok now listen daddy it says here to....

Jillian playing with the seat while Ashlyn watches Jeff closely

Hurry daddy I want to get on

Alright outta my way let me get on this quad

Wahoo these are cool

Jillian in her moto gear. Yep she knows she is cool

Ashlyn ready to go

Jillian is done

Daddy and Gavin (our neighbor) trying to teach Ashlyn how to press the button

Ok daddy now I am paying attention I press what?

Jillian just wanted to hang with the girls

Still teaching Ashlyn about the button

Why are we stopped daddy? I want to RIDE!!!

Were done? No more? Are you sure?

The Girls 1st Birthday Party

2010-04-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

On Saturday April 3 the girls had their 1st birthday party! We held the party in my parents back yard and Jeff's only request for the party was to have a taco guy(woman) serve up tacos. They were so good. The girls did so well with how many people we had and although they were a bit tired they enjoyed themselves. Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate Ashlyn and Jillian's 1st birthday it meant a lot to us to have you all there.

The cake table

Candy Buffet party favors. I also had cookie favors that my friend Katie made they were such cute centerpieces and I don't have a picture of them, but they were so adorable and so good so if any of you would like cookie favors for your next party let me know and I will send you her way!

Jeff inside the bouncer with Ashlyn and Lucy

Ashlyn and Jillian enjoying the bouncer

I had to post this pic I love it! So I know this picture is out of order, but as you will see as you get down to the cake scene Ashlyn was a complete mess and of course I pack everything else, but extra clothes thank goodness I had this sweater for her so we took her shirt off since it was covered in cake and put the sweater on her complete with her belly sticking out. So here is Daddy with his girls!

Jillian having fun with Daddy and some of the kids

Cousins playing

Katherine and Katrina

Katrina and Ethan

Singing Happy Birthday

Ashlyn is crying here because she wanted to touch the cake with the candle burning and I told her No! She was ready to dig in.

Nickolas making sure Jillian is enjoying her cake. Jillian was so sweet about eating her cake didn't get very messy at all.

Ashlyn on the other hand enjoyed it very much! Of course I had to get a hot pink cake to go with the colors of their party and I put Ashlyn in white capris. Thank goodness to my friend Carrie and Jeff who carried her so nicely into the kitchen so I could clean her off without messing up her white capris

So tired at the end of the party. Ashlyn sleeping on Grandma

Jillian sleeping on Daddy

Disneyland

2010-04-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

On Friday, March 26 Jeff and I took the girls to Disneyland my family was down and so we tried to make it a big family trip to Disneyland. With two little ones nothing seems to go as planned. We got there around 11:30 and basically we headed towards Small World. For those that know me know that I have become more of a germ a phobe then ever since having the girls so my anxiety was up there and sure enough as we are in line the girl next to Jeff throws up and it splashes on his leg. Yep it was pretty gross. We got on Small World and lets just say the girls were not into it. Jillian was trying to climb out of the boat and she was more interested in the girls behind us and Ashlyn was falling asleep. After small world was done we went through Toon Town and they both asleep. Our Disneyland trip lasted about 3 hours. But hey at least I got Jeff to go to Disneyland those girls have him wrapped around their finger:)

The girls when we first entered Disneyland. Jillian is kicking back

Small World

Me and Ash

Jillian with Daddy

Yep Jillian is getting ready to cry she's got her lip pouting. She wanted out of the boat.

Interested in the girls behind us and their conversation and the suckers they had

Happy 1st Birthday Ashlyn and Jillian

2010-03-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday Girls! We love you so much and we thank you for all the love and laughter you bring us everyday. Your two amazing girls and we can't wait to see what the future holds for both of you. Dream Big Little Ones!!! May all your birthday wishes come true!! Love you!!! XOXOXO

A Prayer for Aunt Carol

2010-03-13T19:40:00.001-08:00

My Aunt Carol has been diagnosed with liver cancer and the doctors have given her only 6-9 more months to live. We are all so devastated by this news and we just want her to be healthy and for her to have more time with us. She has a wonderful family who is helping her every step of the way and amazing grand kids that are keeping her full of laughter. Please to all our blog readers please pray for my Aunt Carol and please continue to keep her and her family in your prayers. Thank you so much it means a lot to all of us!

Playing Outside

2010-03-08T21:11:00.000-08:00

Ashlyn and Jillian love to play outside especially when the neighbor boys are outside playing because there is so much action for them to watch between the boys riding their bikes, scooters and skateboarding on their ramp the girls just stare. If Ashlyn could she would get right in there with the boys and Jillian just likes to observe. Jeffs cousins gave the girls this Ride On toy and at first the girls would fight over it actually Ashlyn would scream if we took her off and would only give Jillian a few minutes on it. Its pretty much become Ashlyns toy now and Jillian is just fine watching her.

Jillian relaxing in her neighborhood umbrella stroller. Yes the girls are outside playing in their pajamas.

Jillian's new facial expression

Ashlyn stopping for a quick picture

Alright you can take my close up

Ok just a few more and then I need to go play

Having a good time

Jillian laughing

Her other new face expression

Jeff crashing the girls into one another

Sister Love

2010-02-27T20:27:00.000-08:00

Watching the girls play together is very cute, but it also can be challenging. There are times when they will both stare at a book together and one will turn the page and everything is fine, then there are those times where one plays with a certain a toy and the other just watches and just enjoys the fun. THEN they are those times (which is many) where they both want the same thing and it just breaks into complete madness. Jillian is going through a stage, well I don't know if its a stage it could be her personality (great) where if we take something away from her that she is not allowed to have she has a break down and just cries. It makes me sad that she completely breaks down, but I say to myself "Be strong Lindsay, don't give in." If there is a toy that Ashlyn has that Jillian wants Jillian will climb on Ashlyn's back and pull Ashlyn's hair to try to get the toy away. Ashlyn will also try and grab Jillian's hair. I know its sad and trust me I am trying so hard to stop the hair pulling they both grab mine and it hurts so I am trying to do the stern NO thing, but they just laugh at me. Its so great seeing Jillian and Ashlyn's personalities come out they are both so different and we wouldn't want it any other way! They love to play together and they just laugh at each other and have a great time. In the car they hold each others hand. I can see them in their mirrors on their seat, but whenever I try and capture it I am driving so its been difficult to get. Here are some pictures of the girls fighting, I mean playing Hahaahaha!!

Ashlyn playing with Jillian's foot

Happy Girl!

Having fun together

Jillian getting all the toys out

Going after the same toy

Don't worry I'm sharing!

Jillian trying to go over Ashlyn's back for the block

Listening to them laugh together is the best sound! We LOVE IT!!!

It's In Her Eyes

2010-02-16T19:30:00.000-08:00

Whenever anyone first meets Ashlyn they are always complimenting her on her beautiful eyes. Jillian you also have beautiful eyes:) Ashlyn's eyes have such long eye lashes and they have this blue-green color to them (Thanks to me :)), but there is also something more to her eyes something that just draws you in. I could never put my finger on it until a friend of my moms was looking at pictures of the girls and she said Ashlyn just has this twinkle in her eye and that was exactly it. The twinkle in Ashlyn's eyes comes from my Grandpa everytime he smiled his eyes would just light up just like Ashlyn's do. It's so great to see that twinkle now in Ashlyn's eyes. I am writing this blog entry on the one year anniversary that my grandfather passed away. I remember telling him I was pregnant with twin girls and he just smiled and said Good Luck. He knew I would need it as he raised three girls. Although my grandpa didn't get a chance to meet and hold the girls I truly believe he watched over me for the rest of my pregnancy and that he passed along a beautiful twinkle that his great granddaughter Ashlyn now has. We miss you everyday Grandpa! Love You!
Here are some close up pictures of Ashlyn

My Grandpa and I on my wedding day! I know its hard to see his eyes, but let me tell you they are twinkling!

We're Here, We're Here!

2010-02-08T20:27:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it has almost been a month since my last blog entry. Where did January go? Lets see what is new with us? On January 31 Jeff and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary. One of my friends on Facebook put it best when she said this is your best year yet and she is so right. Having the girls has completed our family and watching Jeff with the girls makes me love him so much more! Oh alright I will save the mushy stuff between just Jeff and I:) Jillian is trying to stand on her own and loves to just be on the go. Ashlyn is trying to stand, but its hard with her hip and she tries so hard I love the determination in her makes me hopeful that she will take her surgery better then what my mind is envisioning. Ashlyn is loving her finger foods and Jillian not so much she doesn't like to get her hands messy and I think she is going to be a picky eater like myself. I am a texture person and I think she is falling in my footsteps gotta change that! Ok enough rambling here are some pictures of the girls from Superbowl Sunday. They are in the Raider Jerseys. Jeff is not only a USC fan, but also a Raider fan and so a friend of his from work got the girls these Raider Jerseys they are so cute . Yes, I know the Raiders weren't in the Superbowl, but Jeff wanted them in something dressed for the occasion!

Playing together

So cute from behind

Jillian doing her pose

Ashlyn loves to come right up to the camera. Ahh look at those eyes..Melts me

Love Jillians little smirky smile. Its like Hahaa Mom I am crawling where I am not supposed to

Ashlyn showing her teeth. Seriously all the sudden she had like 4 teeth coming in at once on the top. She handles it very well. She likes to chew on our kitchen chairs and the wall. I thought we had to worry about Luke eating the furniture...Nope Ashlyn Hahaa

Laughing for the camera

Jillian looking outside she loves to do this and loves to watch the rain fall when its raining

9 Months

2010-01-15T09:10:00.000-08:00

Ashlyn and Jillian are 9 months (they turned 9 months on December 29) so crazy there growing so fast and we love it! Their personalities are so much fun. The girls had their 9 month appointment last friday and so I thought I would share their stats. Ashlyn is 18lbs 120z and 25.5 inches and her head circumference is 45. Jillian is 16 lbs 12.5 oz and 26 inches and her head circumference is 431/2. We have a chunky monkey and a itty bitty. Love it. Here are a few pictures I took of the girls for Jeff and Papa that I thought I would share.

Ashlyn loved the football wanted it all to herself which was good because Jillian wanted nothing to do with it.

My Favorite

My other favorite

Family Pictures

2010-01-10T12:31:00.000-08:00

Back in October we had family pictures taken at Irvine Park. We were so happy the girls did so well throughout the session. Our photographer was so great to work with, patient and a lot of fun. Tom www.thomasfrankphotography.com is my good friend Heather's fiance and we look forward to many more shoots with him. Here are some of my favorites oh alright many of my favorites.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all our friends and family. On New Years Eve we kept up our tradition and got together with our friends for a nice dinner. For about the last 3 years a small group of us have been getting together for New Years Eve it all started so all of us could see Kelly and John when they would come into town for the holidays. Unfortunately this year Kelly and John didn't come into town, but we still all got together and we missed them! Our group has grown as we all have kids now. It first started out with Nickolas and Katrina. Then Lucy and Vanessa and then this year it was Ashlyn and Jillian and baby Michael. Having the adults get together and watching the kids play is wonderful and Jeff and I are so fortunate for all the friends we have. Love You all.

New Years Eve at Katie and Ryans
This is Lucy. She has such a fun personality. Cracks me up. I've missed Lucy I hadn't seen her since my shower back in February and now she is 18 months old. Time goes by fast!

Katrina taking my picture with Lucy's camera as I was taking hers

Katrina and I. I missed this girl I also haven't seen her since my shower back in February and she has grown so much.

Ashlyn and Jillian playing with their new friends

Nickolas is in the background and he can't wait for Baby Michael to big enough to play. Nick is out numbered by the girls

Baby Michael he is about a month old

Lucy giving Jillian a hug

Katie and Jillian

Ashlyn loves to crawl right up to the camera

Jillian hanging out

MMMM cold beer just what I like!

Way to much partying for Ashlyn. Happy New Years!!!

The Girls First Christmas

2009-12-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

Ashlyn and Jillian had a wonderful first Christmas and they got lots of toys and a ton of clothes:) On Christmas Eve we went to Jeffs Aunt Jackie's house to celebrate with Papa's side of the family and then Christmas morning Jeffs mom came over and made us breakfast and watched the girls open up their presents from Christmas Eve. We had to leave Christmas Eve early because Ashlyn and Jillian are tired after 7. Christmas Day we went to my mom and dads and celebrated with grandma and grandpa and Uncle Todd and Aunt Kachina. There are lots of pictures hope you enjoy! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with their loved ones I know we did and we are truly blessed.

Christmas Eve at Aunt Jackie's house
Nana blowing Ashlyn a kiss

Katelyn and Jeff dancing

Jillian with Auntie Karen

Me and Ashlyn

The girls opening up their first present

Jillian was trying to stand up on the present

The only picture I got of just Jillian and I

The girls with cousin Chris

The girls with cousin Lauren

The girls with cousin Katelyn

Ashlyn with the girls

Ashlyn admiring the Christmas tree

The girls going after the gifts

Jillian trying to climb on the gifts

Christmas Morning opening up gifts
Jillian crawling around

Ashlyn opening the present and eating the paper

Quick smile for the camera

Jillian trying to stand with the gift. She is always trying to stand now.

Ashlyn having fun with their new toy

Jillian posing

Jillian watching and helping Luke unwrap his gift

Christmas Day at Grandma and Grandpa's
Jillian with her doll that my mom put in her stocking. I love Jeffs expression it's like great their playing with dolls now:)

Ashlyn with Uncle Todd playing with her doll and caterpillar

Jillian likes her doll

Grandpa and Grandma with the girls.

The Bueno's with The Heil's

Our 1st Family Christmas Picture

Ashlyn with her blocks

I know this picture is blurry. Uncle Todd and Aunt Kachina got the girls Santa hats that said Baby's First Christmas. The girls looked so cute with them on.

Jillian with her hat on

Jillian playing with the tag from their clothes

My mom and I with Ashlyn

Jeff and Jillian opening up a gift

Auntie Kachina and I with Jillian

My dad and I yes I know I cut his head off and he hates the flash on cameras so he squinted in all the pictures I took of him. Happy Holidays!!

Playdate with Baby Abigail

2009-12-18T09:46:00.000-08:00

I want to apologize for my lack of posting! I really have no excuse. A couple of weeks ago my friend Jen came over with her little girl Abigail who is 11 weeks old. It was great to finally get our girls together. I love watching my girls interact with other kids. From what I have noticed is that Jillian loves older kids and Ashlyn likes the babies. Jillian likes how the older ones are on the move and she just watches them and tries to keep up. Ashlyn likes to stare at the babies and pet them.

Jillian peeking in on who is in there

Meet Baby Abigail

Jillian doing more peeking

The 3 miracle babies together:) Notice Ashlyn's hand on Abigail's shoulder she was petting her

Jillian over it and wanting to play with her toys

Ashlyn moving closer to Abigail to give some more of her love

Thanksgiving

2009-12-01T20:11:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. We went to my parents house and my brother and sister in law Kachina were in town. Thanks mom and dad for the yummy food and Todd and Kachina for the fabulous wine it was so good and the wine was much needed:) Then on Friday our friends John and Kelly came to visit from Arizona with their little one Vanessa. Vanessa just turned one on Halloween so it was so fun to see the girls together. These girls are going to be such great friends. I see many lake and river trips together with John and Kelly and our girls so they will have to be friends:)

The girls playing at Grandma and Grandpas

Reaching for the camera

I like my picture taken!

Ashlyn just chillin

The girls sitting with us during dinner.

Our Thanksgiving feast

The girls got their sweet potatoes after we ate

Kelly with the three girls

I loved Vanessa's outfit it was an Ed Hardy shirt with these adorable jeans

Vanessa hanging out. I have to get used to this the girls all over the floor

Kelly giving Ashlyn some love

So cute!

Vanessa looking outside with Luke

Jillian was just in Ahh of Vanessa she just watched her wherever she went. She wanted to get up and walk right with her. The next day Jillian started crawling no more army crawl.

Watching TV together

Ashlyn and Vanessa playing

Don't worry Ashlyn is fine.

The boys with their girls

Jillian having fun with John

Kelly and I with the girls

On the move and Nap time

2009-11-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

The day has come and the girls are all over the place. The army crawl is in full effect for both of the girls. No more just keeping them in one place. Of course I am still trying to keep them on the sheet I lay out, but that doesn't work they like to crawl on the flooring and pick up all the dog hair in their hands and on their clothes. No matter how many times I clean the floor their is always dog hair around. So to my readers out there who have inside dogs how did you do this with little ones? Did you vacuum three times a day? Please leave me a comment or email me. Yes I know eating dog hair will be fine, but it still makes me shudder when I think of them eating it. Here are pictures of Jillian crawling her way to hang out with Luke.

So excited to go play with Luke

Reaching for his paw

And that was it for Luke he did not want to be bothered he just walked away

So the other day I put the girls down for their afternoon nap. They both seemed tired, but that wasn't the case at all. All of the sudden I hear Jillian just laughing and I am thinking to myself what is she laughing at. I peek in there and they have both discovered they can see one another from their cribs. Protective daddy removed their bumpers so they are able to see one another and babble and laugh. Its so cute. Here is Ashlyn hanging out in her crib laughing with Jillian

Jillian peeking through at Ashlyn

Just babbling from across the room

They did this for awhile until they both fell asleep

Thankful Thursday!

2009-11-19T13:44:00.001-08:00

So I have been seeing this on many blogs I follow and I thought I have so much to be Thankful for right now I wanted to express them.
I am so Thankful for my husband he is the most patient, understanding, thoughtful, fun loving man I know. No matter what kind of day he has he ALWAYS comes through the door with a smile and the girls completely light up when they hear his voice it has been so amazing to see the love between him and the girls. They both have him wrapped around his finger and I wouldn't want it any other way. Thank You Jeff so much for making us all so happy and for loving us with all that you have.
I am so Thankful for my girls. They have truly blessed us more then we could ever have imagined. I am so thankful they are twins, but yet completely different in every way. Jillian will smile and laugh at anything. Ashlyn is the more cautious one and needs to observe you for awhile before she lets her personality shine. I am so thankful for the way they look at us and just smile. I am so thankful that they will have each other as they grow up and they will always have such a special bond with one another.
I am so Thankful that the girls have wonderful grandparents. With invitro, being on bed rest and then hospital bed rest, then having the girls born prematurely our parents stood by our side and helped us along no matter what we were going through. Jeff and I are both so blessed to have wonderful parents and so thankful for all the love they give Ashlyn and Jillian. We could not have survived this past year without them and so I thank you all, Grandpa and Grandma Heil and Papa and Nana Bueno we love you and are so grateful for everything.
I will leave you all with a copy of lyrics to a song its just one of those songs that puts our life in perspective I am so thankful for everything I have in my life right now. Its a country song I know Jeff you are rolling your eyes, but the girls and I love it they like me to turn it up when it comes on. Its called Alright by Darius Rucker:
Alright lyrics
Songwriters: Rogers, Frank; Rucker, Darius;Alright, alright
Yeah, it's alright, alright

I don't need no five star reservations
I got spaghetti and a cheap bottle of wine
I don't need no concert in the city
I got a stereo and the 'Best Of Patsy Cline'

Ain't got no caviar, no Dom Perignon
But as far as I can see I got everything I want

'Cause I got a roof over my head
The woman I love layin' in my bed
And it's alright, alright

I got shoes under my feet
Forever in the eyes staring back at me
And it's alright, alright

Yeah, I got all I need
And it's alright by me

Maybe later on we'll walk down to the river
Lay on a blanket and stare up at the moon
It may not be no French Riviera
But it's all the same to me as long as I'm with you

May be a simple life but that's okay, yeah
If you ask me baby I think I've got it made

'Cause I got a roof over my head
The woman I love layin' in my bed
And it's alright, alright

I got shoes under my feet
Forever in the eyes staring back at me
And it's alright, alright

Yeah, I got all I need
And it's alright by me
It's alright by me, yeah, yeah

When I lay down at night I thank the Lord above
For giving me everything I ever could dream of

'Cause I got a roof over my head
The woman I love layin' in my bed
And it's alright, alright, alright, alright

I got shoes under my feet
Forever in the eyes staring back at me
And it's alright, alright, alright

Yeah, I got all I need, yeah, I got all I need
And it's alright by me, oh yeah
It's alright by me, yeah, yeah, yeah

Walking with Brooklyn

2009-11-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn is the daughter of Joe and Jen. Joe is a friend of Jeffs from work. The next part is a copy of an email from Jen about their little girl..

Brooklyn Elizabeth Chavez
June 10th, 2009
Held by few…
Loved by many….
Until we are together again sweet girl….

Our precious daughter, Brooklyn Elizabeth Chavez, went to heaven on June 10th, 2009. Our entire pregnancy was normal and healthy and the anticipation of our little girl arriving was tremendous. Our family had waited for a daughter, little sister, granddaughter, cousin, niece and friend for a very long time. The boys were very excited about all the things they would teach their baby sister, most importantly, how to play “Star Wars”. Both of Brooklyn ’s wonderful grandmothers had taken the “shopping experience” for their newest granddaughter to new heights! I saw something very special moving in them that I had never seen before.

Our exciting journey came to an abrupt end when we hadn’t felt her as active on June 9th……the doctors confirmed our worst nightmare, Brooklyn would be born stillborn due to complications with the umbilical cord. We were only one week away from our delivery date! Had it not been for the knotted umbilical cord, she would have been born a perfectly healthy baby girl.

The OC Walk to Remember is a 5K walk, done in remembrance of all the babies lost to miscarriage and pregnancy and infant loss of any kind. Brooklyn had the largest team walking for her that day. Like Jen said in her email she was loved by many. The Chavez family is always in our hearts, always in our thoughts and always in our prayers.

I had these onesies made for the girls they wanted to show their support

Jillian and Ashlyn ready for the walk.

Joe and Jens friends had shirts made for everyone that said "Team Brooklyn" with a daisy flower and on the back it said
Held by few…
Loved by many….
Until we are together again sweet girl….

Jillian showing Jen her shirt

Ashlyn didn't want to show hers she was all about her fingers

The girls at the end of the walk

Jeff and I at the end of the walk

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween to all our family and friends. We dressed the girls up and my mom came over in the morning for a few minutes to see the girls before we went to Jeffs parents house so they could see the girls. The girls great grandma was there so it was nice to see everyone! Here are our little bugs!

Jillian is a bee and Ashlyn is a ladybug. I made a deal with Jeff that each year we would switch off choosing their costumes until the girls were old enough to tell us what they wanted to be. So next year is Jeffs turn.

Us with our little bugs

Me and Jillian

Lady Gaga (aka Auntie Kimmy) with Jeff and the girls

Jeff and Ashlyn. Jeff wanted to dress up for Halloween in his USC Trojans baseball uniform

Nana (Jeffs mom) with Jillian. Nana was a Beverly Hillbilly character

Jillian and her great grandma sticking their tongues out together

Ashlyn chillin sucking her thumb

Jillian and Auntie Kimmy

Grandma trying to get Ashlyn to smile

Kisses from Papa

She got her to smile

Jillian and Papa

Happy Halloween from all of us!

First Time Eating

2009-10-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

So the girls got their first taste of Rice Cereal in a bowl and eating with a spoon. They have tasted cereal before when they were about a month old in their bottles it was to help with Ashlyn's reflux and we also gave Jillian some. We only did that for a few weeks because it seemed to bother their stomachs. So when I took the girls in for their 6 month appt their pediatrician wanted us to wait to feed them cereal until they were 7 months actual age/6 months adjusted. Although the girls will be 7 months in a few days Jeff and I decided to give them cereal this weekend. We had a sense they were ready because at dinner they would stare at us eating and would open their mouths when we would. We had such a good time feeding them and the girls loved it. Especially Ashlyn we can't feed her the cereal fast enough and she loves to get all messy with it. Jillian likes it as well, but likes to stay clean.

Jillian first time in her high chair

Ashlyn first time in her high chair

Yumm food

Ashlyn wondering what Daddy is giving her

Jillian happy with what she is eating

Ashlyn wanted to keep her hands in her mouth while she was eating

Ashlyn really liking it Jeff couldn't feed her fast enough. She loved it.

Ashlyn is pretty much licking from the bowl

All done she cleaned her bowl

Jillian taking it slower. Its funny because Jillian can drink her bottle so fast and Ashlyn takes her time at drinking her bottle and then with eating cereal Ashlyn eats it fast and Jillian takes her time

Almost done

Yeah! Our first night eating and they did so good.

Our Little Pumpkins!

2009-10-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

We took the girls to the Pumpkin Patch. I just wanted to get some pictures of them. It was right before their nap time so they were not interested in being there at all. We showed them the little John Deere tractors, the petting zoo, the big slides and nothing. Ashlyn cried she was ready to go the minute we sat down for the pictures. But hey at least I got some pictures.

I think I am thinking yep this is going to be fun with one crying

Quick smile for the camera

Ashlyn was done with pictures. Just Jillian and I

Who knows what was so funny just Jeff making me laugh!

All better after our nap

Ashlyn

Jillian

Random Pictures

2009-10-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

These pictures are just pictures of the girls throughout the last couple of weeks. I just came across some of them when going through the camera.

Jeff took this when he was watching the girls on a Saturday morning. I went out shopping to test drive strollers. Yes its like buying a car I even came home with brochures its crazy the double strollers that are out there. This is right before the USC game. I am supposed to get the girls in their USC shirts during game day so they can be in them all day. I guess I only half listened to Jeff about that rule because Jillian wasn't ready. hahaaa.

Watching mom wash my bottles

I want my picture taken!

Laughing at Daddy. Her laugh just melts us.

Jillian waking up Ashlyn. No they don't share cribs I put Jillian in there to wake Ashlyn up. I know thats mean, but we had an appointment and Ashlyn needed to get ready.

Watching Monday Night Football

I think they are starting to like football.

Sister Love

2009-10-11T20:06:00.001-07:00

The girls love to play around on the floor and their new favorite toy are these soft books because they can hold them and since they are teething they love to chew on them. Here they are playing together! And yes there are times where one ends up crying while they are playing!

Looking so sweet together

Jillian eyeing their book

Now she's going to read it to Ashlyn

Tug of war

Ashlyn is just frowning wondering what Jillian is going to do

I promise her cry looks like it hurt more then it did. Ashlyn is pulling her hair and as soon as I got it out of Ashlyns hands Jillian was fine. Of course the hugs and kisses helped her.

Bottle Time

2009-10-06T14:10:00.000-07:00

When its just me and the girls I try and keep them on the same schedule or a half an hour apart. So when they are on the same schedule feeding time is them in their bouncers and me between them holding their bottles. They are starting to grab the bottle and show some interest in holding it so I am trying to work with them and hopefully soon they will be holding their own bottle. Yeah!

MMM what do I do with this?

Jillian missed her mouth and so she had it balancing on her shoulder

Ashlyn getting close she just needs to tilt the bottle

Whoops it fell

Forget it I just want my picture taken

So excited for the camera

Happy 6 Months Ashlyn and Jillian

2009-09-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

Happy 6 Months to our girls! Ashlyn and Jillian have come along way and we couldn't be more proud. They bring us so much joy, laughter and love. We are so blessed to have these two girls in our lives. They complete us. We have everything we have every dreamed of. Happy 6 months girls. We Love You!!!

Jillian when she was a few days old

Look at her now! Jillian at her 6 month appt weighs 14 lbs. and 0.5 oz and is 25". She is in the 25% for being a full term baby. Yeah!!!

Always full of laughter

Ashlyn when she was a few days old

Here she is now. Look at my foot! She didn't like the camera today. Ashlyn at her 6 month appt. weighs 14 lbs. and 11 oz and is 241/2". She is also in the 25% for being a full term baby. Its so nice to have them on the charts. Huge accomplishment for preemies:)

She has found her thumb

The girls together. There first time being together since they had been born

Now here they are together

Its tough getting them to sit still

Ashlyn liked Jillian's arm

Ashlyn showing Jillian love

Here they are "playing together" actually they are both trying to grab the same toy. Its the duck! They both have a thing with this duck

Now Jillian wants the teething ring

Here is there new friend. Its the Fisher Price dog and they love to listen to the dog sing

In Ashlyn news.....

2009-09-22T10:49:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Ashlyn had an appointment with her orthopedic surgeon and she was given permission to only wear her shoes at night! Yeah! She is so excited. She has not been able to kick her feet for more then an hour since she was born. She loves it and we love it. We do have more to go through, but like the doctor said we need to enjoy the time with her feet being free. For those that don't know Ashlyn also has hip dysplasia her right hip is out of the socket. She is not in any pain at all and she will be able to crawl with it not being in the socket. The doctor is waiting for her hip bone to mature so he can surgically place it back in the socket. Every 3 months she gets an X-ray our next one will be in December. Once he feels it is mature enough Ashlyn willl undergo 2 in a half hours of surgery and then be placed in a cast from her belly button down to her feet for 3 months. There will be a cut out for her diaper. We seriously can't think that far ahead we have to take this day by day because I am already driving myself nuts about it. This is going to be a rough road, but like everything we will get through this and 3 months of her being in a cast is nothing compared to the lifetime she will have of having her hip in place and being able to do all the things we dream of her doing. Here are pictures of Ashlyn enjoying her new freedom!

Check me out I can wear capris, pants, skirts and shorts..Yeah!!

Loving my feet

'Tis the Season

2009-09-16T09:39:00.000-07:00

And no I am not referring to the Holidays I am referring to FOOTBALL SEASON!! For those that don't know Jeff is a huge USC fan. I quickly had to learn that when football season began my Saturdays would be planned around the USC games. So before I made plans I would look up the schedule to make sure I was safe. I will admit that although I grew up in a sports home and sports was always on television I had no desire to watch. That all changed when Jeff and I got married and I now love to watch college football. It kinda makes me wish that I went to a college that had a football team, but mine didn't. It's such a great atmosphere when you are at the game to see all the support for the team. We love it! Jeff has been very fortunate to get the opportunity to go to as many games as he has and trust me when he goes even if the game is at 7 p.m. he is there at 6 a.m. to get the party started. When we are at home watching the game Jeff makes sure we are all in our USC gear. Grandma knew Jeff would want these girls dressed for the game so she bought them their first USC gear. Its so cute. Cheerleading outfits are next:)

Wait! What? We have to watch the game?

Alright Dad if you want us to we will with a smile

Having a conversation about the game

Ashlyn having fun

Jillian was so tired she needed a rest

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2009-09-14T17:28:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to you Daddy! We hope you have a wonderful day and all your birthday wishes come true. We know you had a wonderful pre-birthday weekend in Ohio at the USC game. Don't worry mommy took good care of us and we watched the game with her. It was a great weekend for all of us girls because Auntie Kachina came down and spent time with us. She's fun! But we did miss you a lot. We missed your kisses and you playing with us and making us laugh:) We love you and we think you are such a great daddy and we look forward to all the time we spend with you. Happy Birthday!

Love Always your girls, Ashlyn and Jillian

(I couldn't do this blog entry without pics)

Rolling around on the floor together

Their little booties!!

I love Jillians face in this pic

Ashlyn laughing at Jillian

Family Party

2009-09-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Jeffs cousin Jason turned 18 so Aunt Jackie put together a little family gathering to celebrate. Now there are only a few pictures and I am sad I didn't get more. The girls did so good with this being there first big outing with this many people. My poor girls need to get out more or maybe its poor me? Hahaaa!!!

The girls with their Great Grandma. Something must have caught all their attention!

The four us! The girls wouldn't smile trust me we had people dancing to get them to smile. It didn't work.

Ashlyn with her Auntie Kimmy.

Jillian all partied out. She needed a quick nap.

Another shot of the girls with their Great Grandma

Me and Ashlyn