Babies, Babies, Babies!

So, at some point I have to quit calling my almost two-year old twins babies! I can't believe they are almost two! I just went into their room tonight and they were both sleeping on the floor. Everything was off their beds and they were laying on top of it...together. It was so cute. Of course I took pictures, but too tired to take the time to download them right now. Hopefully I can get them up tomorrow if the children let me have a little down time to play on the computer!

I have been thinking a lot of a family that I have come to know over these blog sites. They lost their little girl, Cora a couple weeks ago to cancer. They found out that Cora had cancer and 3 weeks later she passed away. She was only 11 months old and as cute as she could be! I can't imagine what that would feel like. I can't imagine losing one of my kids. I can't imagine how I would go on everyday if that happened to me. I can't imagine...

Darin and I are so lucky. We have three happy, healthy kids. They are my life. I have only been a mom for 22 months, but for some reason I can't remember what life was like when I wasn't. I try not only to remember this when I hear of someone who has lost their baby or has just found out their baby is sick. I really try to thank God everyday for my family, but sometimes the loss of others gives me a good reminder. I try to focus on the good, the stuff that really matters.

You know, in the long run it doesn't really matter if they go to bed sometimes with their clothes on or without brushing their teeth, if they eat graham crackers and apples for dinner while watching Dora or if they don't get a bath every night (or more than once a week!) =) What matters is that I love them and am trying to help them become caring, helpful, compassionate and loving people.

I pray tonight for all those families that have lost a child. I don't think that you never get over losing your baby. I pray that they find peace and comfort.

Etc, etc, etc...

Just a couple more pictures I had to put up. Cash is into saying "tank you mama" all the time lately. He is very polite...when he wants to be! =)

Tripp will be 3 months old tomorrow! I can't believe it! I guess now it is finally time for me to quit saying "I just had a baby" when people ask me if I am still pregnant. =(

Here is Miss Riley in her new shades that she got at the eye doctor after she had her eyes dialated. She loved them and wore them constantly for the next few days. She is so funny.

Just wanted to jot down some of our favorite words in their vocabulary along with my best interpretation of they way they say them...

"wapples"=waffles (Riley)

"elitahter"=helicopter (Riley)

"grey"=grapes (both)

"Cash" with heavy emphasis on the"sh"=Cash (Cash)

"Wiley"=Riley (Cash)

"Bench Bies"=French Fries (Riley)

"Tank you"=Thank you (Cash)

"Kooz me"=Excuse me (Cash)

"Ah may"=Ah man (both)

Elmo and BIG Beds!

So we are in big beds now...all of us. Tripp has graduated from his "bassinet" to the crib. He sometimes ends up in the bouncy seat when I need a little more rest! He is a great sleeper. He eats for the last time around 7ish and then goes to bed. He usually starts to stir pretty early around 5 or so, but can usually settled back down and will sleep until 7 am! Yes, he is great!

Here is Riley in her big bed. She likes to play for a while before she decides to lay down for the night. There isn't much in there to get into though so she gets bored pretty quickly, gives up and just gets into bed for the night!
Here is Cash. Now he is a different story. He has been found sleeping not only in his bed, but one night he was sleeping curled up with Riley on her bed. Last night he had everything thrown off of his bed and onto the floor. He was buried beneath it all with his head laying nicely on his dog pillow.

Here we are at Sesame Street Live! We took Cash & Riley to see the famous Elmo and friends! Darin was a little upset that Grover doesn't get more press. He's the same color and looks just like Elmo...what gives? I informed him that he doesn't have the cute little voice that Elmo does. Plus, Elmo has Dorothy, Drawer, Computer, TV and Shade! Sometimes he even has little guest appearances from Mr. Noodle. That, Grover does not have! Poor Grover.

Look at her little face...she was so excited!

Had to get one of Riley in her glasses...

So here are a couple of pictures that I had to share.

The one of Tripp is from his two month montage that I took of him last week. I like to get photos of them at their month birthdays during that first year as most moms probably do. They just change so quickly.

He is a big boy weighing in at 15 lbs 12 oz and is a little over 25 inches long. He was almost 12 lbs when he was born so I expect nothing less! Right now he is in his swing fast asleep and sporting a football sleeper in size 6-9 months...a sleeper his brother, Cash, was wearing when he was about 4 months old! Yep, Cash was big too, especially for a twin!

Tripp has been such a good baby. He is sleeping through the night from about 9 pm until 5 am. This morning he even slept in a little...until 7 am!!! He really only ever cries if he is hungry or needs a diaper change. He is just starting to stay awake longer during the day and is really starting to smile a lot.

I love it when he smiles. It brightens up his entire face as well as mine!!!

Here are my other two crazy kids!

Riley is the oldest by a minute and will never let her brothers forget that fact I am sure. She is a take charge kind of girl already at only 21 months old. She knows what she wants and how to get it. She is very independent, but also loving. When she settles in your lap for a book or comes over to give you a big hug and kiss you really feel like God just gave you a little gift for she does not give those out too freely. She is always on the go and into everything!!!

Cash is our cuddler. He likes to be near by mom and dad. He often likes to give out hugs, kisses or knuckles (fist pounds, bumps or whatever you may call them). He loves his sister and likes to join in on her mayhem, but only after she tests out the waters first! He talks a lot and likes to dance. He also has a love for cars, tractors and "cool" buses along with his sister.

Right now I am trying to teach them their names or to say their names when they are asked. Currently I believe Riley thinks Cash is a Riley too. When Cash wakes up from his nap he always asks for "Wiley". They share a room and if Riley has already gotten up and gone downstairs, Cash will scream her name until he finds her. Obviously I think he has her name down. Sometimes when I ask him what his name is he says Riley, but then he says no and tells me his name is Cash with heavy emphasis on the "sh" sound.

They both seem to know Tripp by name. They always first call him baby, but then they follow it up with "Tip". They call me "mama" and Darin "dada". They know Grandma and both Grandpas, our dog Blue, Aunt Sarah and Cash even knows our little friend Merak by name. I know they probably know more people by name, but those are the ones that they know and say.

They are at such a fun age and I wish their grandparents lived closer to witness all these little changes they are going through each day, but for now I guess the web cam will have to do!

Welcome!!!

Our wedding day...

Rachel & Darin Johnson

March 11, 2006

Our children...

Tripp Michael

November 14, 2008

11 lbs 11 oz 21 inches

Cash Trudeau

April 19, 2007

8 lbs 14 oz 21 inches

Riley Clare

April 19, 2007

6 lbs 11 oz 19 inches

So I have been addicted to these blogs sites lately and thought that I needed my own. Now I am just trying to figure out how all this stuff works. I see all these fun blog sites with fancy borders and pictures...I need that fun stuff on mine. I also think this will be a fun way for me, a stay at home mom, to feel more in touch with the "adult world" out there. We can share some stories, recipes, pictures and all that fun stuff!