Twins are 16 months old

Well our babies are definitely no longer babies, they are running around, climbing on everything, learning new tricks, learning new words, and eating more and more food! I have loved every stage of being a mother, but these last few months have been the most enjoyable. The twinkies are so full of energy and personality. They are increasingly becoming independent and curious, which leads to them getting into everything, but that's alright for the most part :) Here are a few pictures of them in their Easter outfits for their 16 month photos... enjoy

Brotherly and Sisterly love... I will continue to document and enjoy this now because I know the loves and kisses will not last forever, but I do love how often they do give each other hugs and loves :) They give each other more love than momma ever gets come to think about it...

Abover are Dogwood flowers, they grow on a tree and they are the NC state flower, we have 4 Dogwood trees in our backyard, two are a pink and two are this white... I love them! They smell pretty too :)

Ryan is all boy, he is constantly playing in the dirt, scraping his knees and hands up, constantly climbing (with occasional falls) on everything, loves balls and cars, and does already take on the tormenting brother role quite well. For instance, the other day Randi was minding her own business sitting on her bean bag with her dolly "reading" a book and he came up and stole her dolly and ran around and around our kitchen circular wall while Randi ran around and around after him screaming... after about 2 minutes I scolded Ryan and told him to give Randi her dolly back, he did and promptly took on that "I'm so bored" look. He is just like his daddy and already shows athletic ability in every activity he does and he is a tank! Solid muscle this little man is. He flirts with the ladies and has the "I'm a stud" look down to a science. Ryan loves to wear his food and at about every meal I am finding myself clean something out of his hair, he also likes to drop food on the floor then sweetly say "uh oh" yea... real uh oh... NOT! I love him and no matter how much of a boy he is, he is still my little man and he is definitely a momma's boy! Ryans favorite word is Ball or Wow

Our Randi is the epitome of a little girl, she loves dresses, frills, bracelets, shoes, and the whole bit. Any time she can steal my bangles or necklaces she definitely does. She can hold my cell phone and talk to anyone on the other line. She loves to pretend talk on the phone and says "hello" so sweetly. Randi laughs like a girl, walks like a girl, plays the "shy" game like a little girl, loves dolls, loves books, loves to play the piano, and although she doesn't love to get dirty, she does love playing outside. Randi is the NEATEST eater I've ever seen. This girl hardly drops any food on herself or the ground and is so easy to wipe up. I love how she still "cheeses" to the camera and enjoys wearing momma's jewelry and shoes. Randi also loves to dance, her favorite move is spinning in circles and rocking back and forth and let me tell you this girl has got some rhythm! She is beginning to remind me more of myself and it's fun to watch what she is going to do next. I never thought I'd want a girl, but I love everything about her, she lights up my day. Finally Randi loves to say Welcome and Here you go (she is definitely my little helper around the house)

A few new things for both kiddos are that they have mastered stairs. They go up and down and down and up over and over again. They think they are the greatest invention and where there are a few scrapes and scratches for the most part I can open the door and let them go without a second thought or worry of their safety being around the stairs. They are such smart kids I can ask them "What does a cat say" and they meow, I ask "What does a dog say" they ruff, I ask about a monkey, bear, and tiger and they respond correctly and today we have started doing the kissy sound when I ask what sound a fish makes, it is cute watching them try to copy my fishy face. Both Ryan and Randi can "raise the roof" while dancing, say Touchdown with the coordinating move or hands in the air, they say yay and clap for each other after cleaning up or doing something that deserves recognition. They both love peanut butter and jelly. They are starting to play with each other, such as throwing a ball and running for it together then throwing it another way and running together, or just sitting there with cars pushing them back and forth. I love that they entertain themselves. I find it easier to get house chores done now that they can do things on their own.

Finally a short word list for the twinkies and toe phonetic of how they say them... as best as I could do! :)

Ball

Car

Thank You (tan ou)

Uh Oh

Please (peeeees)

Welcome (elome)

All Done (aw don)

Up

Down (dow)

Cat (cah)

Hello (ewwo)

Touchdown (Tudow)

Momma

Dadda

Papa

Nana

Gama

Ryan (Eyan)

Randi (Andi)

I am sure there are more, but for now I'm just proud of them and how smart they are. I love that they are growing up, but I still can't believe how fast it is going by... my 6lb miracles are now near 24lbs... sigh... we love them with all our hearts and cannot wait to continue this parenthood journey with them!