I Don't Mean to Brag... Well Actually... Yes, Yes I do!

This post is kind of more of a scrapbook. The girls are changing so much every day, so there is a lot to tell!

This picture of Ashley won't turn the right way, so you might need to crank your neck to see it right...

We have begun the stage of copy cats. When we hold Ashley, she will do everything she can to imitate what we are doing. Christian likes to click his tounge while he is holding her. She will scrunch up her face and move her tounge all around trying to figure out how to make that amazing sound. All of this practice has helped her to create new funny faces. This is her 'blowing through her lips' face.

Ashley has also moved into her own crib! For awhile, they loved to sleep next to eachother with their arms around eachother. But after they began to scream directly into eachothers ears, claw at each others faces, and pull the blankets off of each other, I figured it was time for them to have some independance. Around the same time, their Grandma Olsen - Christians mom - made them some winter quilts. When their beds were all set up, I let Ashley try it out. She even matched!

They still love to talk to each other. When they can't see eachother when one of them is talking, the other one will usually look around for her sister. Elysha will laugh at Ashleys funny faces, and Ashley is always happier when she has Elysha next to her. Probably because she likes to be laughed at.

Elysha has decided that she wants to be an only child. Yes, she loves Ashley. But when they are laying next to eachother and I pick up Ashley instead of her.. oh I usually regret it. She frowns all the way down to her chin and lets her lips quiver as if I just broke her heart. The best part is that Ashley usually laughs at her when she does that. Elysha loves to play with her dad and have her one-on-one time with him.

One of Elysha's favorite games to play is peek-a-boo. We will cover up her face and she will flail her arms and legs all over. And every time we pull the blanket away, she startles like she never expected it. Then she will giggle... then screech until we do it again. A few days ago, she literally was not happy unless she was playing peek-a-boo. She was so tired, but she refused to give up. She fell asleep under the blanket.

They both hate to sleep. They will fight it until there is no other option. Elysha will start getting tired, her eyes will droop, then she will suddenly screech to wake herself up again. Ashley wants to play all the time! She doesn't want to cuddle with me, she wants to play. This results in her falling asleep in strange positions and places as she finally passes out.

My family came down to visit last weekend. The girls loved having them here, and I did too! They got lots of attention, and it was good for them to spend time together.

They both loved playing with Jordan. He would sit and talk to them and they would just giggle and laugh at whatever he did.

Their grandma loved feeding them and taking care of them. I think they liked it too! I know I did! It was so nice to be able to relax and know that the girls were having fun too.

Never Ending Tummies

As soon as 7:30 hits, life becomes just a little more chaotic. Ashley and Elysha suddenly realize that they are dying of hunger. They scream and eat and scream and eat for two hours, until they finally pass out of exhaustion. So we decided to try a new tactic last night. We went to the store and bought some rice cereal and baby spoons!

We have our experience on video! Enjoy!

They were actually pretty good at eating for the first time! Elysha got it all over her, but she loved it and (as you probably saw) would screech so that she could get some more. Then she would suck on her hands to get it to stay in her mouth. Ashley learned how to swallow it pretty fast, but made that exact same face of disgust with each bite! She would make a face, smile, and open her mouth for more.

We gave them baths and put them to sleep, and skipped the entire two hours of despair that I normally face. I had high hopes of sleeping through the night, but I was still getting up every two hours. I guess they just wanted to watch the reruns of the end of the utah game at 3 in the morning. Oh well, maybe after they learn how to swollow, they will sleep better!

Tooting and Crying

If you have ever ordered something off of the Internet, I am sure you will understand me in this post. You can find a beautiful 75 % off deal on a textbook, and feel relieved beyond description. Suddenly, that heart-crushing $150 book is only $30! It is a wonderful feeling. But this elation is followed by the uncertain waiting game. The window for that $30 textbook to arrive is 'between August 21 and September 17'. At first, the $30 is the only thing you care about. "Oh, I can go use the textbook on reserve at the library until it comes!".... hence my story for today.

I only have one online class that has due dates throughout the semester. That is also the only class that my book hasn't arrived for. Ironic, eh? So, I set off yesterday to be a good student and do my homework on time. The girls were asleep, so I decided to tote them to the library and write my essay during their morning nap.

I arrived at the library to find there were no close parking spaces. This was not too much of a surprise, and I don't mind carrying their car seats for a distance every once and awhile. So I pulled into a parking space down the street and set off. After about 50 feet I was breaking a sweat. I had two car seats, an overflowing diaper bag, and my backpack (complete with a laptop inside) flung over my shoulders and arms. I stopped to take a break, practically panting. Then I set off again. After about 3 breaks and some determination, I made it to the library. I thought "That wasn't so bad, and the worst is over!"

I got the book and went up to the second floor to find a private study room. There were none open. "No worries", I thought, "They are sound asleep". I crashed onto a table in the back of the library, hiding the car seats out of viewpoint of baby hungry girls. I opened my laptop, the book, and my notebook... and Ashley woke up. I wasn't too shaken, she is usually happy after naps and had just eaten. I spread out a blanket for her. Before long, Elysha had joined her. They were being pretty good!

Then the tooting began. My babies are very gassy, and don't try to contain it. They were still out of eyesight of the rest of the students. So when little tooting noises came from my table, people began to look at me with curiosity and amusement written across their faces. I moved them into viewpoint. "Alright," I thought, "Just a half hour. I can do this." I tried to block out their noises.

Ashley decided she wanted to play. When she decides this, she always turns on the charm. She started laughing and giggling, trying to get my attention. Every time I looked at her, she would smile really big and flail her arms and legs out in all directions. I tried to shush her, but she thought I was playing and just laughed more. Consequently, some girls came over to look at them and ask questions. The boys surrounding us just looked up annoyed. I had one sentence written of my essay. We had been there for 45 minutes at that point. Elysha then proceeded to scream. So I decided to pack up.

Ashley decides she isn't happy after all, and starts screaming too. So I am running around my table, shoving blankets into the diaper bag and my books into my back pack. By now, everyone in the library is very aware that we are there, and probably excited to see that I was frantically in the process of leaving. By the time I got out of the door, I had three girls helping me carry my stuff out to the car.

I don't think we will try the library tactic again.

Besides that, life is getting better every day! Elysha learned how to roll over on Monday. She keeps rolling from her back to her stomach and then she will proceed to grunt until I roll her onto her back so that she can do it again. Ashley is starting to put things in her mouth, so I have officially baby proofed our house! She is also starting to get attached to blankets. As long as she is holding a blanket, she is usually happy. And despite what it may sound like, I am starting to get the hang of school and I can find times to study every day.

We are going to see my family this weekend. Aunt Alyssa is getting blessed! I am excited to have them all meet up together again, and to see how much Alyssa has changed too. Also, this is the Brady week of birthdays, so it should be somewhat of a party! I called Nathan on his birthday and we had a real conversation, I suddenly realized that he is actually growing up!

My geology teacher has invited me to bring Ashley and Elysha to open lab tomorrow, she really wants to meet them. This may result in another story, so wish me luck!

By the way, to reiterate my point, I just heard Elysha toot. She is sleeping and I am two rooms over with the door closed. Funny little girls!