TWO is for TWINS!!!

As you can tell by the number of pictures I have posted, it has been a while since I updated the blog. We have been so busy and our little angels are now two years old. It is really hard for me to believe.

Below are Sophia and Claire's stats from the 2 year check-up at the doctor. Once again they received an A+!!!

SOPHIA
Weight: 29.8 lbs 85th percentile
Height: 36.5 inches 99th percentile
Head: 48 3/4 cm

CLAIRE
Weight: 27.6 lbs 65th percentile
Height: 36 inches 95th percentile
Head: 48 cm

I guess we will begin where we left off at 20 months (that seems so long ago). The girls enjoyed the Easter festivites a lot this year. They participated in their first Easter Egg Hunt at Aunt Meghan's house with cousins Will and Owen. They loved doing it every day in our backyard after that. We decorated a dozen eggs. The girls loved coloring the eggs with crayons and then dipping them in the coloring cups. The girls woke up on Easter morning to a lot of surprises from the Easter bunny. They got movies, bubble maker, sidewalk chalk, toothbrushes and polly pocket princesses but I think the chocolate and jelly beans were the biggest hit! We headed up north to attend church with the entire AFC and enjoyed a beautiful day and lunch at Nanna and Pappaw's.

Don't let us forget the Royal Wedding....yes, the girls and I watched the entire thing. One picture I posted below is the girls eating breakfast and watching as Kate arrived at the chuch with Pippa! Ok, I have an obsession with this kind of famous stuff...but the girls liked it and said Kate was Mommy and Prince William was Daddy! I'll take it : )

The girls turned two on May 28th and we celebrated the entire week!!! Matt and I took the girls to a birthday breakfast and then headed to the zoo for the day. We have taken Sophia and Claire to the zoo numerous times but this was the first time they really enjoyed everything! The girls especially loved the new tiger exhibit! When we got home the girls got their presents from Mommy and Daddy. They got Princess Quad Cars and gardening tools which they were so excited about. The next day we had family at our house for a cookout and gifts. The girls enjoyed playing in the pool and sprinkler and the day was complete with a chocolate ice cream cake!

The next weekend we celebrated with all our friends and family at Morse Beach and Park. You might know it was 100 degrees and as humid as it could get. We made the best of it and had a Picnic/Ladybug theme. The girls got so many great gifts...bike helmets, beach chairs/toys, backpacks, clothes, dolls, blankets, easel, basketball hoop, cash register, princess costumes, books and so much more. These two girls are definitely blessed with great people around them.

We celebrated 4th of July at Uncle Steve and Aunt Meghan's in Bloomfield. They have the best view of the fireworks from their backyard and we had a full day of fun. The kids played all day and The Dowden's had tables of food, popsicles and candy for everyone! I was so excited for the fireworks but Sophia started screaming as they started going off so we went inside and Claire soon followed with Pappaw. I heard the fireworks were good...maybe next year I'll get to see them. HA!!

We had a lot of fun adventures over the summer. We got to visit Conner Prairie for the first time with Nanna and cousin Stella. The girls loved following Stella around and had a lot of fun. They pumped water and watered the vegetable/herb garden, got to see baby pigs and hang out with the barn animals. They even helped Stella make a candle and peg!!

We visited the Children's Museum again with Aunt Abby, Riley, Stella and Drake. This was the first time we barely spent any time in the Toddler area which was a nice change of pace. We got to enjoy a couple of the new exhibits (Dora and Diego and Treasures of the Earth). They loved the Barbie area where they got to be Barbie receptionists, take pictures on the catwalk and model some of Barbie's best clothes!!! They especially loved Science Works and the ride on the carousel.

The girls took swim lessons at the YMCA and it was nice because Mommy got to do it with them seperately. I love what little alone time I can get with each of them. The girls did great and learned a lot. They especially loved boat safety day where they got to ride in a canoe! Since then, we have spent a lot of time meeting famiy and friends at Tropicanoe Cove, Nanna and Pappaw's pool and of course the good old backyard blow-up pool. Of course now we have to use the slide into the pool or it is not fun at all. The girls are little fish and are definitely not scared of the water. They jump in and out and swim all over with their puddle jumpers. They love going under water and don't want Mommy or Daddy's help. Next year I have a feeling they will be swimming without floaties.

Over the last two years we spent some time out on Morse with Uncle Chris, Aunt Shannon and cousin Brycen. We love being on the water and the girls really began to enjoy the boat this year. We love the idea of the girls spending their summers on the water so we bought a boat in August with Grandpa Benny and have been on it every weekend since. Grandpa got to go on his first ride with us over the weekend and I think he loved seeing how much the girls enjoy it! We are going to make so many memories in the upcoming years!!!

Right before Sophia turned two I decided it was time for the pacifier to be eliminated. I was not excited about this because Sophia was very attached. She never had it during the day but she sure loved it at night and during nap. I was told by everyone we would have a couple rough days and then she would be fine. Leave it to my strong-willed Sophia to prove everyone wrong. She wanted her paci so bad she was climbing out of bed and falling, climbing out of the pak-in-play, etc. just to get her paci. This meant that now we had to have her in a big girl bed because she was not safe in her bed. After 9 horrible days of no sleep, screaming, crying, etc. we gave in and gave it back. We could not take it anymore. On the bright side she is now in a big girl bed and we have not had one problem. I guess that is one less challenge to face in the future! Our doctor did not seem worried and told us to try again with the pacificer in the Fall. I am not looking forward to this challenge.

Our little "Pleaser" Claire was potty trained at 25 months. I could not believe it. She rarely has accidents and stays dry during naps and all night. She was so excited to pick out her potty treats which have been Jelly Beans, M&M's (sorry Uncle Nick), Gummy Bears and Resses Pieces. Why so many different kinds in just a few months...because Mommy and Daddy eat them all. HA!! Claire loved picking out her new big girl underwear and of course picked Princess and Minnie Mouse. Claire is cheered on by Sophia (who has no desire to be potty trained yet) who always tells her good job! The worst thing about having a potty trained child is they always want to go the bathroom while you are at Walmart (YUCK)...thank goodness for the convenient portable potty seats they make now.

Sophia is offically riding a tricycle on her own. I couldn't believe it. It was a proud moment which I did catch on video. Unfortunately I was not able to get Sophia to put on her bike helmet and because I so badly wanted to capture the moment I let it slide. Bad idea....she came speeding down the driveway and ended up crashing. Thank goodness I caught her. She is a pro at it and I am sure Claire won't be far behind. The sweetest thing is that in the background of the video you can see Claire and hear her saying "Go Phia"!!!

The girls are learning so much every day. They know all their colors and shapes (even hexagon, trapezoid, etc. which amazes me) and they can count to 13 and attempt to sing the ABC's although many of the letters just get blurred together as one. They love to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Jesus Loves Me and Row Row Row Your Boat. Mommy is not allowed to listen to anything in the car but bible school songs and Disney DVD's. Recently I found myself singing the entire "Peter, James and John in a Sailboat" song before realizing I had no kids in the car and could actually listen to whatever I wanted. HA!!! The life of a Mom!!

Sophia and Claire definitely are twins but complete opposites. Sophia is our leader and is so strong-willed and independent. She definitely likes things her way and because of this has excelled at being overly dramatic and can throw a fit at the drop of a hat. Maybe she'll be an actress is what I like to tell myself. Of course all Daddy see's is her great catching and throwing skills. He is thinking athlete. Sophia is definitely a Daddy's girl and is attached to him when he is home. I cherish my time at home during the day with her because she loves on me until Daddy comes home.

Claire is our little people pleaser. She is more of a follower and wants to try anything she see's Sophia or her cousin's doing. She loves to help Mommy clean and cook which makes me laugh because I hate both. Claire has the most amazing manners. She is always thanking you, saying please, sorry and bless you when you sneeze. She is just so thoughtful and sweet. She is definitely a Mommy's girl. She is always by my side. She does have an adventurous side which is why I like to call her my little monkey.

The girls are best buddies! Yes, they do hit and push but in the end they always give eachother hugs and kisses. They love to hold hands when we are out and about which makes it much easier for me to keep us all together! I love that they always have a buddy to play and laugh with.

The girls are quite the talkers. I am amazed at the things they say. I am just so thankful I get to be with them every day to hear it all. We have so many funny conversations and I love to see their creativity coming out. Claire will repeat anything you say and Sophia is serious about what she has to say. Below are a couple of recent things they said which crack me up and even brought tears to my eyes.

Mommy: Sophia, did you have a stinky diaper?
Sophia: No, it was NASTY!!!

Mommy: Sophia, please don't bite on the sucker (Sophia continues to bite on the sucker)
Claire: Phia, listen to me, stop biting

Mommy: Girls, where does Jesus live?
Girls: In my heart
Mommy: Where else does Jesus live?
Claire: With Mammaw (and then the tears started flowing)

We are headed off on a couple of fun vacations soon so I will be upating you soon. Enjoy all of the pictures! I am a little obsessed : )