Christmas Cousins

The Stabinski cousins were reunited again for Christmas. The boys weren't too sure about Lilly at first, but warmed up to her quickly. Mommy is so happy that they have a cousin to grow up with! Hopefully she won't grow (up) as quickly as the boys are!! xo

Christmas Blessings

Mommy's Helpers!

The boys were nice enough to set aside their usually busy schedule to help Daddy and I decorate our Christmas tree....It was so much fun to watch how excited they got as things progressed. Each morning they run out of their nursery, straight to the tree to admire it.... Mommy can't even imagine her life without her little angel boys.......xo xo

Santa photos!

I thought the boys might be afraid of Santa this year.....but that didn't happen. They were very excited about the book he was about to give them which I think made for a beautiful photo.....xo

National Premature Baby Day at Geisinger

We were honored to be invited back to Geisinger's NICU as "graduates" for National Premature Baby Day. The president of the March of Dimes was there which was a big deal. What was very exciting was the fact that ''our preemies'' were part of a campaign to promote all of the good that their NICU is doing. We were also interviewed by 2 local newspapers and are happy to have those now for the boys to see years from now. Channel 16 news interviewed us and we were able to share our story that way as well. A few people at the Steamtown Mall recognized us a few days later!! Still, the best part of all was being able to bring the boys back again this year to thank all of the physicians who gave us our babies back..... that is as best as you can thank someone for saving your childs' life......Again a mix of pictures from this year and last.....xo

Thanksgiving

I'm being told that I need to update this blog.....I don't know where the time has gone since October! Here are the babies last year...and then this year.....And with their Cousin Lilly....We all had so much to be thankful for this year....and all of our family and friends were included in our prayers and thanks. xo

Trick-or-Treat!

Last year the babies were "2 peas in a pod"....this year they were "monkeys"...Mommy thought it was appropriate for them!! We all had lots of fun! Mommy & Daddy (again) wondered what we ever did to deserve these little boys....and what we ever did before them! These "monkeys" have so many people who love them, it took 4 days of Trick-or-Treating to visit everyone!! Thank you again to all of you~ who helped our little boys have such a wonderful time~ and feel so loved....xo

A perfect autumn day....

These are some photos of the babies enjoying themselves outdoors on a beautiful fall afternoon....They were at their great-grandparents home...Nana used to pile the leaves for their Mommy...just like she's doing here for them.....

Why we need big boy shoes....

..because we NEVER stop! We especially love spending time outdoors.....running& falling, digging & getting dirty....basically "boy things"....Here are some photos of us enjoying ourselves in our new shoes....

Shoe Shopping

We had lots of fun while Aunt Stephanie was in town...and shared lots of adventures...one of which was shopping for "big boy" sneakers...Nikes~ no less! You'll find Evan has a bump on his head in these photos...You'll also see the photos of Mommy telling one baby to sit down...so then the other stood in his carriage....to see if the "no" applied to him as well!!

Aunt Steffie's boys....

Evan gives Aunt Steffie a flower
Alexander has a flower for her too!
Alexander couldn't be happier!!
Mommy & Daddy recently visited friends in California....Aunt Steffie came in from Philadelphia to help Grammy babysit the babies...These were taken when she first arrived and the boys couldn't believe their eyes! I think it is obvious how much they love her!

Labor Day

Labor Day 2006 and Labor Day 2005

One of these things is not like the other....In "2006" Alexander is on the right & in "2005" that's him on the left....It looks as though he was a big fan of Labor Day both years...!

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day! It seems as though the babies are just as impressed to have me as their mother as they were exactly one year ago today!

Mommy's gone to the "bad place"

Oh dear...it's official...I think I've gone to the "bad place"....Yesterday my Mom and I took the babies to the mall, shopping for fall clothing...and by the end of the visit all I could do was laugh. Their big finale was to stand on their tippy-toes (in their stroller) while singing and dancing AND hanging off of a clothing display of Strawberry Shortcake clothing...All I could do was laugh like a crazy person and get them back into their seats. I had left them for 15 seconds tops..to find some onesies for them.. I couldn't stop laughing to myself...My mother just kept looking at me, like I needed medication or something. I like to think that God's first gift to me was in fact the boys..and then as a second (parting) gift...he's officially sent me over the edge (or to the "bad place") so my nerves are kept intact. It's not really like we're safe here at home though either....The babies enjoy moving my furniture around...literally. They found a way to get out the back kitchen door two weeks ago...Alexander lays on the ground and Evan stood on his back to open the door. We're making progress though. Last week I accidently left the kitchen door unlocked and they found that stretching themselves up high enough would help them to reach the knob and open the door. And this past week the door was locked...so....they figured out the deadbolt...and again escaped! Did I mention they walk? All over. In different directions....I think it is better that they sometimes split up though...it scatteres their forces and power. Instead of napping last week...Alexander found that peeling his ducky boarder off the nursery room wall was relaxing. And someone has gnawed a good side strip of varnish off the crib. Alexander "falls in love" with every girl he sees...he bats his eyes, wears a goofy smile on his face and flirts...if they respond he blushes, turning bright red and gets very flustered. By 11 am yesterday he had fallen in love 4 times...and we only left the house at 9:30 am! Evan is more serious..when we're out..but at home he's the one who always makes his brother (and the rest of us) laugh...with a funny face, a new dance, or game he makes up. I still can't believe how lucky I am to have these boys..and my only wish would have been if Christopher could have stayed with us. THAT would have been something to see! The babies had a doctor's visit yesterday and he couldn't believe how big they grew, how well they filled out, and how advanced they are. They are considered to be 14 months old...and they walk really well. He said most babies don't walk until 16-18 mos. The babies like to eat every 2 hours..like when they first came home. And I don't mean cookies etc..They are given food....The other day Grandma Barby brought them Arbey's..and Alexander ate 3/4 for a large sandwich (bun included) by himself. In addition to fruit and milk! Evan is 23lbs one ounce, 31 1/2 inches and Alexander is 23 lbs. ,13ounces and 31 3/4 inches. Not bad for 2 pounders! When they finally stop moving, they love their books...especially Alexander. He loves to bring me a book to read to him...or he'll read a book to Evan who helps by turning the pages. Lots of time (when it gets quiet) I'll check on them and find them reading their books in their nursery. I hope everyone is well. Summer came and went too quickly. Lots of love to everyone. xo xo xo

What happens when you feed them......

August 2006 Evan (L)..still silly...Alex(R)... still serious August 2005....Evan (L) silly...Alex (R) serious

These photos were taken a year apart......everyone tells me that I should stop worrying about their size...I guess they might be right?

Cousins

( Baby Evan....Baby Lilly....Baby Alexander)
Cousin Lilly came to visit this weekend...and we were all so happy to see her.....most of us that is......! I'm not sure if the babies thought we were bringing her home...or they were just afraid of catching cooties! Either way...I do think this photo says it all.......

Happy Birthday Grampee!

August 2nd 2006 Alexander (left)
August 1st 2005 Evan (left)
Yesterday we helped our Grampee celebrate his birthday...see any differences from last year? We may have grown a bit bigger, but the love our Grampee has for us is just as apparent!