Lake life

We spent the last weekend at the lake with MammaBapa Affeldt. The weather did a complete switcheroo and instead of sweltering humidity and heat, we were all a little chilly, if you can believe that. Of course we didn't pack accordingly for Henry and Bryn but they couldn't have cared less. For some reason unknown to us, they HATE putting their feet in the wet sand and would curl up their legs any time we tried to surprise them. We chalked up the experience as practice of tummy crunches.... Another surprise was how upset they both got when I jumped in the water to water ski (don't worry, there are no pictures to view of that). I could hear Bryn's screams above the roar of the engine as I rode the waves and tried my darndest at looking like a"cool waterskiing mom", if there is such a thing.

My little corn dog just watching the water.

Wet butt and all....

So, they now have yet another game to play at the lake. Don't yet have an official name but it involves a clothes chute on one end and one fun Mamma (grandma for those who don't speak our language) at the other end. Once mamma was done entertaining them, she had to take them each down so they could get a look up.

Our family would like to ask you to please keep our tiny twin nieces, Jay's sister Jen, her husband Shawn, and his family in your thoughts. Mia and Allison were born a little after 24 weeks and need all your positive energy as they continue to fight. Thank you....

A blog has been created by Jen so you can check on their progress at
www.miaandallison.blogspot.com

Self training, Bryn style

As we wait for our new potty chairs to arrive Bryn decided to get things rolling. Bryn and Henry have done quite a bit of naked swimming these days as the thermometer hangs out in the 90's. On Monday as they were splashing around in the pools I noticed that Bryn was squeezing her thighs and making faces. I asked her what was wrong and she shouted.."Potty mommee, potty" Jay held the door open as I wisked her into the bathroom and sure enough she was right. I think she thought all the hoopla was pretty cool cause 30 minutes later we did it again.

Lady bug ride

Blast from the past.

I am honestly amazed that the Green Bay city park system has not only maintained this little treasure for kids but has added new rides and kept the prices dirt cheap. Bay Beach was a favorite of ours when we were young and will be a Green Bay destination for Bryn and Henry too. Where else can you put your kids on a cute little boat that is actually in water and watch them "driving the boat" for 25 cents? OK, so some rides are 50 cents a kid and the pony rides were 2 bucks. Mama Georgia had fun watching them wave, yell and squeel. Most of the noise came from Henry as Bryn kept a pretty serious face on most of the rides. Obviously the train was a hit since they are both choo choo lovers. Did I mention the food is cheap too? Not too many places that you can get a cheeseburger for $1.50.

Our babies are two?

OK, so I've been just a tad reminiscent lately as Henry and Bryn started approaching their 2 year birthday. For all the worries, fears, and tears (yes, lots of those from all of us), I am SO PROUD of the little people they have become. Our pediatrician recently reminded us of the "rough"start they had, with Henry's skull fracture and the fact that one was hooked to a bili blanket while the other was strapped to a torture device also known as a bili bed for the first week or so. Once we got through that accompanied by weeks of sleepless nights, it was the worry of how much or how little they were nursing (OUCH), peeing, playing (yep I was constantly trying to entertain them as infants ), exploding through diaper after diaper and wondering if we would ever make it through. That led to wondering why one or the other wasn't crawling, walking, talking or climbing stairs and unfortunately comparing them constantly to each other. Poor Henry was even evaluated by specialists who tried to assure us that he was just fine and that he was just doing things on his own time. Took awhile for us to believe it. At times we wondered if we would puree their food in a blender forever or if they would ever figure out that a fork and spoon can actually come in handy. Not only have we watched them learn new tricks on a daily basis but Jay and I have become pretty darn good multi-taskers. We don't think twice about pushing a double stroller through narrow aisles with one hand while pulling a shopping cart with the other. We can still hoist all 60 pounds of them into our arms and struggle through a door if we absolutely need to (I remember having my mom take a picture of me holding both of them at 6 months of age since I thought they would quickly be too big to do that). Our "littles" that weighed in at 5lbs 11 oz for Henry and 6 pounds 4 oz for Bryn are now HUGE with Henry topping the scales at a little over 32 pounds with Bryn close behind at 28 and some change. They are still maxing out the head circumference at 96% and 97% (it's the brains, right?) but apparently need a little help in the height category.



Bryn and Henry, who can seem like complete opposites at times, have become an inseparable team. That is not to say that they don't yell, scream, drag or push each other around, cause they do. Watching them reach across the backseat to hold hands while buckled in or share food or toys with each, and seeing them try their darndest to make each other laugh with crazy animal sounds or peek-a-boo, makes every tear worth it. We have got to be the luckiest parents........






Here is their first pic together July
18th 2005. Henry is on the left and
Bryn on the right.
Their birthday started with a visit from DoJo and Sara. They proceeded to open their gifts in the nude after showing off in the kiddie pool. Thanks for the ball game and truck!

Why is it the adults are wearing the hats?



The day ended with a party at Ella's Deli. Their party included four sets of twins, 6 high chairs, two booster seats, one Eliot, a one week old baby, more hamburgers, fries, and ice cream than anyone could eat and a carousel ride for all. Thanks to all the parents (our friends) and Grampa and Grama for providing extra help and celebrating with us.

And NO trip to the ER with Henry like last year!

Miss Piggy in heels

Bryn received her first pair of heels from her dear friends Maya and Josie. I have to say that I doubted a newly "crowned" two year old could wear heels but she proved me wrong again. As soon as the pink Barbie shoes were unwrapped she clicked her way from one room to another. She even took a few swings with Henry's new T-ball set from Eliot while wearing her new shoes. You have to admit,there is a strong resemblance between the real Miss Piggy and our dear Miss Bryn.
Thanks to Joan and Phil for the adorable pink outfit.

Bryn and Henry's newest friend....

One week old Lennon Paige was a treat to see on Monday. Courtney invited us over for a birthday playdate with Aidyn and Hadley (as well as Olivia, Sophia and baby Ava) and we all got to snuggle this sweetie pie. I remember people telling me I would forget how little my two were and sure enough, the second I picked this munchkin up, I couldn't imagine that my two were even smaller than her. Courtney, Bob and fam seem to be dealing with the decrease in sleep quite well. She does claim that one infant is definitely easier than two. While Lennon napped, Henry tried to either cover her in a "BD" or hand her a play toy phone. Bryn watched as Hadley and Olivia held Lennon and had to try it out herself.

Birthday week 2006 with Hadley and Aidyn. We worked up a sweat trying to get them all to sit in a line for a picture. Now look at them one year later......

Cousin in the house

The three amigos....... with Shannon

So, you would think that since Henry and Bryn are almost 1 year older than Liam, that they would be pushing him around. Oh no, Liam pushed them both all over the house. Now we can't expect him to steer too....


Bryn tickling his toes.



Shannon used her Forensic's training as she read one of our favorite books to them. I have never seen them laugh and giggle like that when I read...
Notice the blankie(aka BD) hanging out of Bryn's mouth? Each corner is discolored since she soaks it with spit as she sleeps. Pretty disgusting if you ask me. Thank God, that is one thing that Henry hasn't copied from her. One stinky BD is enough in this house.

We love Jay!!

Although I've been asking for a fence for the last year( ever since Bryn and Henry were more mobile), I never imagined how much it would change my life at home. It's not only functional but it's beautiful. Thanks to our friend John, who provided the design and engineering from his sweet fence. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of stuff around that they could hurt themselves or each other with, but they can't run into the street anymore!! Finny even likes it, and we would all be happy to not to see any more panic- attack holes in the grass where he used to tied up.

It was Bryn's idea to drag over her lawn chair to supervise the second half of the fence leading to our next door neighbor's house. Henry needed his own view of the work so they both kept Bapa in line while he helped Jay with the fence.

This is how it all started....

While at my parents house last weekend, my mom decided to wrap them up like hot dogs after they swam in the kiddie pool. Of course, how it always goes, as soon as one of them sees what the other is doing then they both have to have it. They both HAD to be wrapped as tight as we could get them and whined until they were wrapped up again. I think that my mom had to pick one of them up and hold them like a baby to get them inside and that is how the "baby wrap" started. As they were laying across us all cuddled in, we were pretending they were babies. When my mom asked Henry what his name was he said "Baby Georgia". Hmmmmm. Bryn really trys to act out the part and doesn't talk when asked her name but instead babbles or coos. Henry sometimes is "baby affeldt, baby heny or baby bapa". It is sooo funny. Now any time there are towels laying around they ask to be baby wrapped.

Independence Day on wheels

Boy was it a steamy 4th of July! We did manage to partake in the neighborhood festivities which included streamers, flags and spinny things for decorating the wheels, followed by a parade of sorts. As you can see from the pics, they were much more interested everyone else's artistic expression than their own mom and dad's. They did get to see their friends Sam and Abbey who live in the hood too.

Jen and Shawn's Wedding

Jen and Shawn's wedding day at the East Glacier Lodge! The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, the weather was gorgeous and it was obvious to all how perfect they are for each other. CONGRATULATIONS Jen and Shawn!! Thanks for making us a part of your wedding day.

With Jay and me both in the wedding party, we needed some help keeping Bryn and Henry from taking over the ceremony. Have I ever mentioned that they still don't sit still? A huge thanks to Vicki and Joan who kept them happy with food and fun. We need to send them a copy of the ceremony since they missed most of it. Henry did manage to sneak up front and hold both of our hands. Guess he saw the tears and thought we needed some moral support!

Henry and Bryn kept us busy during the reception by constantly trying to sneek out of the room and onto the lawn behind the lodge.

Father /daugher dance with Jay!

Bryn playing a little rough in Montana.