Flashback Friday (on Saturday)

silly a year ago

silly today

somethings just never change...

see other flasbacks and add your own by visiting Jen's Flashback Friday linky.

Toliver Ten on Tuesday

1) It's late, but I'm up working anyway so I thought I'd go ahead and publish my Ten on Tuesday.
2)We watched The Voice again tonight. I like it but don't LOVE it like I'd like to. KT actually left in the middle to run to the store. Now I'm really lookin forward to So You Think You Can Dance.
3)I got the girls their first pair of flip flops.  Nala liked holding them but didn't like the way they felt on.  I could tell that Nia felt cute in hers.  We stopped by my mom's and she got to show them off.  I got them at Babies R Us for only $3.99 each.  While there I also scored a couple of camera tees...not as cute as some of the ones I've seen online, but cute still. 

4)If I thought it would help, I'd love to make fun Bento Lunches  for my girls.  Nia and Nala always get "ate some" on their take home papers.  I'm just not sure what to pack them because they can't have warm ups...
5)MacKenzie wrapped up her school year on Monday.  It was a short day.  They just had field day and were dismissed at 1:00.  I can't believ how fast this year went by.  I think I've just about gotten her summer schedule set.  Before the twins, I'd always have this done by early March. 
6)MacKenzie's teacher for next year gave them summer homework. She has to read and critique 5 books for a minimum total of 500 pages.  This is no problem for her.  She loves to read and I'm requiring her to read 100 pages a day anyway.  Speaking of books, We spent a lot of time at Barnes and Noble this weekend. I used to take MacKenzie to the bookstore all the time. It's just a bit harder with the girlies. I have to keep them in their stroller because I have runners (this week, we had running episodes at Target and at Food Pyramid). I got Mammarazzi: Every Mom's Guide to Photographing Kids, NiNa got Marvin K. Mooney (one of MacK's favs when she was little), and MacKenzie chose Four Truths and Lie and Sounder.
7) My cell phone whacked out on me last Thursday.  I called customer service and they want me to do a master reset. When I realized I'd lose all 718 (yes...for real) pictures that I had on my phone, I told the rep, I just wasn't ready.  I'm not.  I'm so mad at myself for not backing those pics up... In the meantime, while I mourn (yes, it is that serious) I am left using my HTC HD2 phone that I had before getting the Samsung Vibrant.  I remember why I switched!
8) The girls and I also went to my two nieces' piano recital...UNFORTUNATELY, we had to step out almost as soon as we walked in because a)Nala decided whining was appropriate in a quiet auditorium and b) Nia wanted to loudly greet her Nana.  We spent the rest of the recital in the noise proof cry room...those girls!
9) My sister wants to go to the Katy Perry concert and I told her I 'd go with her...but the truth is I've only heard one of her songs...I'm so out of touch and I'm largely ok with this.  I just looked because of course I had no idea...it's in September so I guess I have a little bit more time to get more familar.

10)Cue the orchestra!  Pomp and Circumstance would be appropriate.  Nia graduated from her fingerguard and I'm all done talking about it here...LOL.  I'm just loving seeing her put better use to those chubby lil fingers.

Have a great rest of the week!

Finger Sucking | Finger Guard

A couple of weeks ago I posted that we were going to be trying out the finger guard for Nia.  We are about a week in a half into the recommended three weeks. 

I was totally skeptical about the whole ordeal, but attempted out of desperation because she refused to listen to me.  I searched and couldn't find any third party reviews outside of those on retail sites.  But when I found a site that was selling it with a Money Back Guarantee and free shipping (I'm a sucker for free shipping), I figured I had nothing to lose.  Well ten days in, I HIGHLY recommend  mommies of finger suckers give this a shot.  I am AMAZED by how well  and how fast it is working.  Here is a summary of our progress.

Finger Guard Journal  | Days 1 - 10
Day 1 | Morning  - Showed Nia a portion of the included instructional video and told her I had something to help her with her finger sucking.  She has no problem letting me put it on.  I called it a bracelet.  It actually comes with 50 colored hospital bands that secure the guard on the fingers. 
Day 1 - 30 min later  - She wanted to take it off.  We told her no, that she was going to have to try.  I left for work and felt awful because she cried a bit. 
Day 1 - Noon - KT called and said she had a hard time at naptme and cried for a while but eventually went down.
Day 1 - Evening - Took her a while to go to bed.  She usually goes right down.
Day 1 Summary - Just need to keep her busy and she'll be fine.


Day 2 - Morning - No hesitation when I washed and changed her guard.   No finger sucking.
Day 2 - Evening - Totally fine until bedtime. Cried but by then, use to the guard, just not to sure how to otherwise comfort herself.


Day 3 - Morning  - Again no hesitation.  She doesn't mind wearing it at all.  No finger sucking.
Day 3- Evening - Caught her with fingers in her mouth with the guard on.  I was discouraged.
 
Day 4 -10  No hesitation to wear the guard.  Enjoys picking the bracelet color.  Leave "bracelet" off between 10 - 60 min to let her fingers breathe a bit better and wash it warm soapy water.  No attempts whatsoever to put her fingers in her mouth.  Convinced that the product has worked as promised.  Planning to finish out the 21 days though.
 
I am so thankful to have found this.  I know it sounds crazy, but I think I can actually see a difference in her teeth already.  I confess, and my friend Brandy will confirm, after a good workout, I can always see a difference in my ab muscles...but seriously...I think I can.  I told KT and he doesn't think it's possible.  I was shocked but thrilled when my mom told me on Saturday that she thought she could see a difference.  This was BEFORE I even mentioned it. 
 
I'm loving seeing Nia's beautiful smile more and seeing her  make better use of her hands.   Interestingly, she seems to enjoy wearing it now and picking the colored bracelet.  It's funny to see how she is now using her left hand more, but she totally works that right hand with the guard on. It's not intrusive.  Her usage was a little off the first two days, but that is it.  Out in public, we've only had a couple of people comment on it.

Sidebar - Nala was upset that she didn't have a bracelet on day 1 and still occassionally puts her hand out for a bracelet, but I've tried to be clear that it was for Nia to help her. 
 
I'll post again after the 21 days... but I'm just thrilled and so hopeful that this is over for her.
 
If you have a finger sucker...TRY it!!!
 

Nia in her finger guard  purchased from A Zeal For Living.

Bad Habit | Finger Sucking

Spend any length of time with Nia and you are sure to see her doing this at some point.  I won't say it's constant, but it's a frequent habit.  We wanted it to be a phase.  We obeyed the doctors and dentists and tried not to make to big of a deal out of it...but she's two now.  I'm ready for this habit to go bye-bye.  It may not be a popular choice...but I'm going to be trying out  Finger Guard.  We are hoping that if she wears it for 3 weeks or so she can break the habit.  I feel bad, because I can see that it's effected her teeth.  She has a bit of a cross-bite, the slightest bit of a lisp (so far only noticed by me...), and gets seriously mad when she's tired and you bother her finger sucking.

So...I'm hoping it will be here by the end of the week.  I'll document our journey.  Hopefully it will be smooth... It looks pretty funky, huh??

They recommend it for ages 3 and up, but I've read that some kids have had success at 2...here's to hoping Nia is in that group!

Interestingly, I'd never seen nor heard of this habit prior to Nia, but it really isn't all that uncommon from what I've read and heard now.  When I've talked to other people about it, they almost always say they know someone who did or does.  And oh my goodness, I was checking out Oklahoma City photographer, Beth Jansen's blog and saw the cutest little red head doing the same (look!!! serious adorableness) ...I showed Nia and she instructed "No Fingers!!"... mimicking what she hears from us...Now if she'd just take her own advice... :P

Ponytails!!!

Black women and our hair.  It's a very very very long story.  I'm amazed at what black mamas can come up with when styling their babies hair!  Nia and Nala were born with a little bit of hair but lost it pretty quickly.  It's been... well...rather slow growing...but today I present to you...Nia's TWO PONYTAILS!  In the world of all mamas this is reason to celebrate...In the world of black mamas...it's a reason to stop by Nanas and show off!  My mom, a.k.a Nana, could never braid hair and I've followed in her foot steps.  HOWEVER, what Nana can do is create a head full of ponytails on the shortest of short hair.  Whenever the girls are left with her, you can nearly always guarantee that they will come home with MULTIPLE ponytails...yes, even Nala...I know! I know!  Don't ask because I can't figure it out either.

But today, we celebrate Nia's two ponytails - styled by yours truly.  Look at my big girl...it only took TWO years...

Next goal?? One Ponytail...

disclaimer - this was the end of the day...they were neater this morning...

Check out a few more shots of my three sisters blog that I'm way behind on!!

Flashback Friday - One Pound Difference

My girls...one of their first nights together...still amazed by the difference one lb can make.  Nala was 1 lb bigger than Nia...and now...2 years later...so much bigger...

They go to the doctor on the 12th for their 2 year check up.  While neither of them were on the charts with their birth weights...they've made up for it...two healthy girls today :)

Wanna play, head over to Jen's blog and link up!  I already peeked...some wonderful flashback this week!

Happy 2nd Birthday to Nia & Nala

It happened faster than I ever would have guessed, hoped, or dreamed...but today...I have two year olds!  We celebrated with a party at the Little Gym...not much went quite as planned (cake collasped in the heat, Nia's dressed was stained because her cousin thought she could drink out of a gatorade bottle, I left the favors at home, etc, etc), but I'm learning to roll with life as it comes.  And what matters most is that my girls had fun.

Happy Birthday Nia & Nala!!  Love you both to the moon and back!

Flashback Friday - In the Arms of a Sister

The twins will be two on Sunday so I've been thinking back a lot lately to the day they were born.  The first picture is one of maybe two or three pictures we got of MacKenzie together before Nia was taken to the NICU.  She loved her sissy at first site.   The second is from January of this year.  It was one of the first pics I posted on my 52 Week Blog for 2011.   Love love love the way my big baby loves my little babies. 

Wanna play, head over to Jen's blog and link up!  I already peeked...some wonderful flashback this week!

Warning

Considered yourself warned.  If ever you are nice enough to watch the babies for me, consider this post your fair warning.  YOU CAN'T LEAVE THEM ALONE IN THE BATHROOM!  Within the last week they have done the following on separate occasions:

Exhibit A  - Found laundry in a tub of bath water
Exhibit B - Found nearly a whole roll of tissue in the tiniest of pieces ALL over the floor
Exhibit C - Emptied a full bottle of shampoo into their bath water
Exhibit D - Put one of their potty seats in the tub of bath water.

I mean they are USUALLY good girls, but their bathroom etiquette is wearing me out!

You were warned...

Plasma Car

We got the twins one of those plasma cars for Christmas.  Because I figured they were a bit young for it, we got one instead of two.  But the thing is, it was supposed to be for them.  Big Sister had different plans.  She has a blast on that thing riding around the kitchen.  Glad it's something they can all enjoy.  Super fun!

Having sister is so much fun.  Love my girls :)

She

1) is Nia Grace
2) is the definition of "something else"
3) is a fighter
4) was born 4 lbs 3oz and at 18 months weighed 22 lbs
6) used to prefer "Mommy" but now is a total "Daddy's Girl"
7) at any given moment is either very quiet or very loud and chatty
8) is quite the dancer and singer, currently loving to groove to anything Barney
9) is doing so well in potty training, primarily only wetting at night.
10) reminds me so much of my sister Charmaine in looks, ways, and mannerism, it's a bit scary
11) is a picky eater but will drink just about anything.
12) looks a lot like my sister, Charmaine, uncle Tim, and Grandma Thadia Mae, but a lot of people also see  
      her big sister, MacKie in her too
13) is constantly looking out for her twin Nala but loves to antagonize her as well
14) retires for the night at 7:00 p.m. and  is the first to rise in the mornings
15) has wonderful manners - quick to "thank you" for anything you give.
16) loves to help pickup and for that has stolen her daddy's heart!
17) sucks her two middle fingers ALL the time...a habit we'd love broken and released.
18) wears clothing size 18 - 24 mos and has a size 5 foot
19) finally has enough hair for little pony tails
20) is pretty fearless
21) answers to her rightful name, "Nia" but when asked, answers her sisters, "Nala" and is nicknamed "Ni-
      Ni", "Little Bit" and affectionally just called "eee-ah" by Nala
22) is nearing "2" much faster than I care to accept
23) was delivered naturally and painfree 16 minutes before her twin, Nala. 
24) is often complimented on her eyebrows
25) is destined to a purposeful life

18 Months!

Nia & Nala:

Today you are 18 months old and know I sound like a broken record, but I really honestly can't believe how big you girls are now.  Where are my little babies??

In Music:
You are both now loving to sing along to "Happy & Know You It!", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "I'm a Little Teapot", and "Mr. Sun".  You know all the moves and motions too...You guys are all about the "motions!"  You also can't get enough of big sissy putting on Black Eyed Peas "I got a Feeling" (thanks YouTube).  In the car with Daddy, you love to groove to the "Chocolate Train" cd that Miss Melissa at BAWS made for you.  Nia you love to dance and Nala, you like to nod your head and seem really interested in the music. 

ABCs/123s
Your ABCs are currently just mumbles, but you can both count to 5.  Of the two of you, Nala you show more interest in reading right now.  You LOVE books and can entertain yourself reading all by yourself!  Nia, you generally just pick up a book after you see that Nala has one! :) 

Body Parts
You both know your nose, eyes, ears, arms, feet,hands, head, and belly button.  I love to hear you repeat belly button!  (Super cute!!)

Words
You are saying quite a few words these days including Mama or per Nala "MaMUH", Dada, Pot Pot (for potty), Belly Button, Stop That, No!, Sissy or "Thissy" per Nia, Ball, Up, Down, Yay!, Shoes, I, Nose, Mine, Thank You, Love You, Hi, Uh Oh, you both say Nala, and Nia you say Nia too, but we haven't heard Nala call your name yet Nia.  Funniest of all, most recently Bye Bye Girl (yep, we are now calling everybody girl)!  In First Sentences - Nia has started saying "Here You Go."

Interaction
You are both still a little cautious of strangers, but are generally friendly.  Nala you still have a thing for men...we'll give you 6 more months and then we're putting a stop to that!  :)  You have finally stopped crying when being dropped off at church, now that it will be time to switch classes in a month from now!  At school, they say you are both happy, but pretty quiet.  It's still new, so I'm sure you'll eventually show em how crazy/wild you two really are!

You're growing up girls!

WE LOVE YOU

These two little girls who have absolutely no interest in being photographed, are now 18 months. I so do not have the patience to try to get both of them to smile for a pic...so this is as good as it gets...this is how their 18 mos bday will be remembered.

Enjoying the Park

We had a lazy weekend.  We went to the park Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...the girls loved being outside and with comfortable temperatures, I really didn't mind either.

We went at times that I thought it would be quiet without many other people so that I could feel comfortable letting them walk  little bit.  Nala was so excited that she fell down every few steps...her big sister thought it was hilarious...

They absolutely loved swinging.  Weekends are certainly to be treasured because it is then that I get to really spend time enjoying my three. 

Laughter we picture {this} - a little drama too

September's theme: LAUGHTER.  

 
Camera:  Canon Rebel XSI
Lens:       50 mm 1.4
Exposure: 1/200 @ f/2.8 ISO 400
Mode:  Manual

I took this picture of Nia last month.  MacKenzie got behind me and made Nia laugh.  I love it!  In the same breath she gave me this dramatic pose...

Camera: Canon Rebel XSI

Lens: 50 mm 1.4
Exposure: 1/125 @ f/2.8 ISO 400
Mode: Manual

Combined these two pictures capture the essense of Nia...in one little package she is silly and intense all at once!

Check out more laughter posts by clicking on the we picture this button.

Complete Enjoyment

Usually on Sundays while at church I learn so much more about God, oftentimes more about myself, but this past Sunday I also  learned more about my little Nia.  The title of the sermon was "Just Ask" - a message delivered by Ethan Vanse.  In the illustration of his point that we need to move beyond asking in general to being specific in our invitations to have people join us at church he told about how he went on an awesome trip to Disneyworld with fellow church staff members and they went to a really nice restaurant with a view of the parks and super yummy food - his favorite food.  He noted that being there was magical, but he snuck away realizing that something was missing - his wife and kids.  He snuck away to call his wife and told her that as soon as he got home he wanted to schedule a trip for all of them to go. He realized that his personal enjoyment wasn't  complete because he wasn't sharing it with the people he loved most.

If you been around me lately and we got to talking about the girls, you've probably heard me say that every morning when Nia wakes up, the first thing she does is yell for "Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllaaaaaaaa"

If I hand her a treat, she turns and looks back and yells for
"Naaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

When it's time to go and she makes it to the door first, she yells back for
"Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaa"

I wouldn't describe Nia as the "sweetest" baby in the world, BUT one thing is for certain - she LOVES her Nala.  She is always looking out for her, but as I sat in service on Sunday, I realized it might be more to it.  I think right now, Nala is the person she loves the most and knows the most intimately, more than anyone else in the world.  Because of this, it is only natural that she wants to share her enjoyment with her sister. 

I sincerely hope that my girls are always close - and always find joy in sharing with one another...

Wordless Wednesday - A Little Mix-up at School for So NOT Identical Twins

New School

NiNa started at a new school on Wednesday.  A week ago Friday was their last day at their old school.  I really hate that the scheduling didn't work out for us.  We've had a wonderful experience for the last year.  Thankfully we were able to find a place that we will prayerfully love just as much.  The girls are enrolled two days at week to give daddy a little bit of much needed/deserved rest time.

Here are some pics from the first day.  They did pretty well with drop off - just a few tears from Nala when we left...she calmed/quieted down before we made it down the hall :)  Nia was completely fine the whole time, she was off making new friends.  Their end of the day report stated that they were both happy, quiet, and busy.  Also, they told KT that they were pretty tired and very much ready for nap!  Our girls are used to lots of resttime :)

 

4th of July & Waterplay

Yesterday, we took to the girls to see fireworks. Nala wasn't really feeling the loud booms. Nia didn't mind a bit, but ended up getting bored. She's something else!  Unfortunately the show was a little weak, no offense to whomever but it on...LOL.  Before we left, we pulled out some old firecrackers too.  Mack didn't quite trust them...but eventually went out and joined in  for some firecracker fun at home.  Earlier in the day MacKenzie and I made some 4th of July cupcakes.  To be perfectly honest they weren't the best, but it's the experience that counts.  :)  Also, all day long I sat around regretting not getting the girls cute 4th of July dresses. It was definitely in my heart, I just never quite got around to it. I always dressed MacKenzie up for the 4th when she was little.  Second and third kiddos too often get the shaft!  Sorry girls!

I was off today in celebration of the 4th of July so we  took the girls to a splash pad at one of our parks here.  They had a fantastic time.  They had a waterplay day at school week before last too.  I'm so glad they enjoyed playing in the water.  It was a nice day to be out.  It wasn't too hot nor crowded.    In one of the pics below you'll notice Nia playing with a shovel and bucket of water.  Um that wasn't ours.  She took over this little boy's toy and had the nerve to get mad when we wanted it back...clinching her fist and the whole nine yards...again, she is something else!

Its been a fantasic weekend and there is truly nothing in the world I love more than spending time with my family.  I'm grateful that this holiday weekend gave me an opportunity to do just that!

YES, Nala is VERY bowlegged and YES, I did attempt to put Nia's hair in a ponytail or two...and NO, they do not have on Swim Diapers, so YES, their Pampers Baby Dry diapers did blow up like balloons creating an illusion of much junk in the trunk!