Time for your check-up

Last week was a whirlwind of 3 year appointments for Jack & Maggie.  Midweek poor Jack got an ugly stomach bug too.  All in all, the kids did great for all the doctor visits.  We graduated from High Risk follow-up at Children's, which was exciting!!  It was amazing to see how much the kids have changed in the last 6 months.  They walked up to the doctors alone and I didn't have to do anything during their exam.  Saturday was our first visit to the dentist.  Maggie did great!  She got x-rays, her teeth cleaned and examined.  Jack on the other hand, he tolerated the x-rays, but wanted nothing to do with the cleaning or exam.  Poor guy was tortured again the next day during his hair cut.  I had to practically man-handle him to get through the cut.  He did get a new train set when all was said and done, so I think he might forgive us eventually. Meanwhile, Maggie was informed by the dentist that since she is 3 and a big girl, she no longer needs her pacifier.  I let the dentist be the bad one...plus she isn't around to be mad at. :)  It worked!  She cried for maybe 15 minutes during her afternoon nap, but hasn't looked back.  She reminds us when she goes to bed that "the dentist said no more paci's" and that is that.  My big girl!

Letters & Stats

Here are the big 3 year stats:

Maggie
24 lbs. 3 oz.
34.6"

Jack
26 lbs. 7oz.
35"

And their Birthday letters:

Jack & Maggie,

It is amazing to me that you are 3 years old today!  Time sure has flown by as you have gone from babies to infants and are now leaving behind your toddler years and entering preschool age.  It has been such an amazing past year, and you have certainly changed so drastically this year.  You both love Bubble Guppies, Mickey Mouse & Team Umizoomi.  You love chocolate milk, though recently have discovered strawberry milk.  Aside from Mommy & Daddy, Papa & Gee are your favorite people in the whole world.  You are getting more and more independent and each of you have such distinct and unique personalities.  You may be twins, but you are certainly individual little beings.  I love you both all the stars in the sky and all the fish in the sea!

Maggie,

My sweet little lady, you have grown and developed into quite the little girl this past year.  You amaze me with your creativity and independence.  You are very aware of what is going on.  You seem to have your ears perked and are listening to everything.  You ask questions all day long about everything, you are constantly learning and exploring your world.  You talk all.the.time.  You love being a Mommy to your babies and sometimes just sitting back watching you play pretend makes my heart melt with your sweet, gentle nature.  You are definitely the bossy sister of the family.  You have taken that role to heart and although it means your poor brother often gets two Mommies, you are also able to be very kind and helpful.  You are still our petite little thing, and we struggle to get you to eat at meals.  You do have your favorites: cheerios, ice cream, popsicles, fruit snacks, macaroni and cheese, pasta & spaghetti with meatballs.  You do NOT like peppers or pickles.  You love playing with your friends, especially doctor.  Miss Maggie, you hate being dirty.  I think that is why you took to potty training so well.  We still struggle a little, but you wear big girl panties and we couldn’t be prouder!  You still twirl your hair when you are tired and we continue to battle with the pacifier.  Just wait for your first dentist appointment this weekend!  You sing all.the.time!  “Twinkle, twinkle”, “Somewhere over the rainbow”, “I love you”, and “Home” are among your favorite.  You are certainly a performer, often breaking into song in the middle of a party, dinner or just at the grocery store.  Your sense of humor and sheer joy in simply enjoying life is awesome to watch!  Being your Mommy has made me so proud; especially as I have watched you blossom into such a strong, beautiful little girl.  You still have your long curls in your hair and your eyes have remained a cross between steel blue and green.  Although you can be stubborn and assertive at times, deep down you truly have a sweet nature and are a protective little lady.  We look forward to all the fun this year brings.  Happy, Happy Birthday Maggie!

Jack,

You are my wild child!  You always find a way to make something funny.  You LOVE anything with wheels or parts.  Cars are certainly your go to toy, and fire trucks are even better.  You have recently started enjoying blocks and will sit for hours building and playing.  You are far more of an independent player.  You enjoy company, but certainly prefer to play solo.  Sharing is sometimes a struggle, but certainly something you are getting better about.  You have your moments with eating, but for the most part eat well.  Your favorites include: muffins, ice cream, macaroni & cheese, peppers, grapes and spaghetti with meatballs.  You like pickles.  You are a very sweet little boy.  You will give hugs to everyone in a room and smile all.the.time.  You aren’t nearly as verbal as your sister, but you do have a lot to say when it is on your mind.  You are goofy, and make us laugh constantly.  Your laugh is contagious!  Watching you enjoy life makes me so happy.  You love singing along with Maggie.  You also love to tease and taunt your sister.  Sometimes the way you misbehave is just so funny we have a hard time not laughing.  You are happy most of the time, when you are not happy, everyone knows it!  You play hard all day and never want to stop to sleep.  Sometimes you will try to continue the party in bed and we have to remind you to stop and simply rest.  When you wake up you are ready to begin the party again!  You no longer look like our little baby boy, but truly look like a kid.  We haven’t delved into potty training with you yet, all in good time.  I love being your Mommy.  Happy, Happy Birthday Jack!

3 years old!

Our 3rd Birthday!

The obligatory chair picture

Big 3 year old boy

3!

Big 3 year old girl

Building Jack's CARS track, ugh!

Princess baby doll

 

Birthday ice cream after dinner at IHOP!

 

Presents from Papa Ron & Grandma Shannon

Thank you!

Money!!!!

Jack & Maggie's 3rd Birthday party

We celebrated with family the weekend before the kids' actual Birthday.  It was a nice family get-together and Jack & Maggie enjoyed seeing everyone.

Cake!

Happy Birthday!

OK Mom, enough pictures

    

 Singing Happy Birthday

Presents!

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out for the party.  Jack & Maggie are very lucky!