Carseats in Cars - not fun. Carseats in the Kitchen - fantastic

Ruby loves to buckle herself into things like the stroller and her carseat. So far, she still can't UNbuckle herself (that's a good thing). Lily just says "buckle" over and over... as demonstrated in this video.

Oh, and Ruby has a new phrase. See if you can pick it out before you MELT from over-exposure to adorableness.

Boingy-boingy

Is it cruel to laugh?



Oh, and yes... I realize they are always naked... and look ridiculous (ly cute) in those hats. I blame Daddy.

Singing Time

Since the girls started nursery, they have LOVED to sing. Coincidentally, the gal that does singing time for the nursery has been filling in as the chorister in Sacrament meeting as well. The moment the opening hymn starts, they both freeze and gaze up at Sweet Sister Fankhauser. It's like she casts some sort of spell! They're mezmorized.

Their favorite songs include: "Do as I'm Doing" (they know ALL the hand motions! haha), "The wise man and the foolish man" (You know... the one with the rock and the sand and the rain), and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" (I taught them that one! I'm such a good mom...) Here they are singing with Dad before bedtime.

Belly Button

Who needs toys (or clothes, for that matter) when you have a twin sister?



Notice that at the end, Lily is laying down for her turn at the fun. They switched back and forth 3 or 4 times before finding a different game.

Bed Time = Party Time

Yes, young ones. Jump. Jump, Jump, Jump! Spend your energy and I'll see you in 12-14 hours!

"Niiiiice"

Lily was sad one day (because Mom left), and Ruby did everything she could to make her happy again. Don't let them fool you. They're actually monsters. :)

BFF's

Lily and Ruby are really best friends. Granted, we still have to teach them not to hit, share, and play nice... it's so easy to see how much they love each other! Most mornings and after (or during) naps, we can hear them laughing together in their cribs. They like to talk and make each other laugh during mealtimes, too. Our home is never short on love with these two around! Here's a little glimpse into the fun they have together.

And then there were shoes.

One day, Lily discovered shoes.

Day at the Zoo

During Aaron's spring break, we took a family trip to the zoo. The girls loved the petting zoo area, because they got to get out of the stroller and pet the goats! Luckily, the goats were smaller than the twins! Every animal we saw, they would say, "Puppy! Puppy! Ruff Ruff!" Yeah, we'll have to visit the zoo again and again so they learn the rest of their animals!

Here's Ruby petting a little goat... then she went for the tail, but got out of the way just in time!

Wee!

I picked up QUITE the find at the local Goodwill. It was under $2.50 for this adorable rocking horse painted like a giraffe. I spent a little time tightening some screws, putting new yarn in for the hair, and doing a little touch-up painting... and voila! The girls LOVE it! Here's Lily enjoying a ride on the giraffe!

Lily Juggles

Well, if Harvard doesn't work out, I guess there's always the circus!

Curling up with a good book

Aaron and I are pretty much the best parents ever. Lily & Ruby love books. Love them. Can't get enough. They have a house full of toys, and all they want to do is read their books! You will ABSOLUTELY MELT when the cutest baby ever (AKA Lily or Ruby) hands you a book and then holds her arms out for you to pull her up on your lap and read to her. They do this all the time. I love it! Here's Ruby demonstrating with their favorite book about a puppy. Enjoy the cuteness.

Playing with Daddy

Here's Lily and Aaron just playing around. Yes, they are at that stage where they copy everything we do. Time to watch our step!

I know it's not a video.... but... still funny

Identical Twins are "identical"? I think not. Notice that Lily & Ruby were both given the same amount of Great Value brand Mixed Veggies. Add a little chicken, and it's a delicious and nutritious dinner! Notice that Lily (on the left) has picked out everything green... leaving the carrots and corn. Ruby (on the right) has picked out everything orange... leaving the greens and the corn. My question is... What's wrong with the corn?!

They Must Be Twins...

Here's a twinner moment caught on tape!

I'm sad and I don't know why...

Nap time in the Smith household:

Drum Roll Please....

Well, the time has come! I guess 13 is the lucky number! Almost 13 months to the day, and the girls popped up and decided to walk! While Ruby has been taking her first steps - 2 or 3 in a row (and only towards someone's open arms) - On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, Lily surprised us both! She just jumped to her feet and started cruising! I guess after Ruby saw us both clapping and cheering for Lily, she said, "Hey, I know how to do that too! Is that all you wanted!?" And she starts running around the house, too! They're pro's!
Here they go! Don't mind Daddy as he tries to clap with the camera in his hands... could make you sea sick! Lily was pretty exhausted at this point. She was doing a lot better at staying up before. She just didn't want to stop!!

Above is Ruby taking her turn around the kitchen. Don't judge me because my children's PJ's don't fit and/or they are naked. You can't win every battle.
I think we might need traffic lights around here!!

Sleep Over Disaster

Nap time is a precious thing at my house. Even if the girls are awake, I still don't get them out of their room till the 2 hrs are up. I call it my quiet time. Well, when I babysat Owen (the boyfriend), it didn't turn out as I had planned.

Daddy made a rule: No boys in the bedroom. I should have listened!

Music to my ears!

I can't take it anymore! They're just too cute!

1 Year-Olds (x2)

My babies are girls now. Ever since we found out we were pregnant... it was "baby this" and "baby that." "Baby" soon became "babies," and they've been my babies ever since. Well... now they're 1. I guess now they're my "girls."

We had a big party with lots of friends and "family" to celebrate. The "girls" loved their cake and frosting. We're so thankful for all our loved ones who came over to celebrate their 1st birthday. We're a lucky family!

Did I break down in sobs and gasp, "My babies are grown up!"? Well, no, I didn't. Of course there is always the astonishment at how fast time flies... But I feel that from any given Monday to Sunday, too. I was excited. Every single stage (save 2 hrs after the epidural wore off) of these two girls in our lives has be indescribably joyful. These two girls are special... just you watch.


Happy Birthday, Lily & Ruby! We love you!