The ball has finally started to roll!

Well, got our express shipment out the door today. Essentials we'll need to get us through temporary housing is on it's way to Guam. Should be there July 9th, the day after we all arrive.

We're getting ready to travel to St. Croix this Friday. Getting laundry done and starting a list of stuff to pack.

Been kinda quite around here with Beans and Salty MIA. Salty went to Alex's and Beans to John's for them to dogsit while we were away. I haven't been tripping over or yelling at Beans..feels really wierd. I guess I miss my lil turkey sidekick. Salty is having a blast at Alex's. He tried to follow us out the door, but quickly gave into returning to his bed and burrying himself under said blanket.

We went to Fort Wayne this weekend past for my annual Cool People's Reunion. Or CPR as we know it! It's now in it's 3 year and growing with each passing year. Alex, Jacquie and I were there, with Jim Jackson, Kevin and Tom Cook and Mark Tester were the founding members.

This year past we had Joe Custance and Diana "Fager" Meese come and an old friend of mine Michele "Kolash" DeLeon. John and Angela also came with Janie earlier on in the day to hang out. We had alot of fun. Drank too much and got rained on. We camped out in Alex's backyard and woke up to eat breakfast in the "center of town" Long story, but Alex's backyard is a replica of a wild west town. "Flakesville, in Kellogg County" to be exact!

I have the BEST friends ever! and I love them all very much. Will be hard to give up the CPR for the next 3 years.

1st Birthday, can't believe we made it!

Originally Posted Date: 5/10/2007

It's been a while since I've been over here. Sorry about the negligence. Things have been getting crazier around here as time is ticking down. Passport drama, the adoption finally coming to a close. Movers setting dates to come in a pack and move stuff. Express shipment of esentials, shipping the car........wholly molley the list goes on. I'll be glad when June 1st gets here, we're going to lime in St. Croix for a few. Ahhh, love it there. The girls had their first Birthday party recently. It was a blast watching them make a mess outta their cake. Not big sweet eaters at this point. Syani's walking. She started the Thursday before her birthday. Eve's main mode of transportation is still a fast crawl...but she's getting braver at standing and cruising furniture. I know it won't be long. They both are cutting their front teeth. Eve's got Sy beat here. You can actually see to little white chicklettes coming in. They're doing well with finger foods and have actually graduated to real food now. Working on sippy cups, and cutting back on the bottles. I can't wait to put them in the ocean! They're gonna be so suprised and tickled to be in the water. They love the bathtub. Would sit in there for hours and hours. Both of them lean over and stick their face in the water to take a big drink! YUCK. They're hilarious. I never knew having kids was this much fun. They're such a joy with all the pointing and laughing and exploring. I've got the perfect excuse to act like a kid myself again. OH! Sylvin got the girls their first little red wagon, complete with seatbelts, seatbacks and waterbottle holders. So cute! Can you imagaine....waterbottle holders! Geesh are they spoiled.

In like a Lion

Originally Posted Date: 3/7/2007

Ahhh, all is finally right in the world again. I don't know if you all heard....we finally got our orders and we're headed to Guam this summer. It's in the very South Pacific Ocean, right above Australia and east of the Phillipines. It's a US territory, and very tropical so I hear. My only worry is the active Typhoon season...but I guess we'll get through it, we have to cause we're going. I'm excited about being tan again and all that time to spend at the beach. I can read once again possibly....if that's possible with twins at the beach?!........probably not. Oh well, a mom can dream. The girls have been good. Sylvin's back home from training in Virginia until next month and Linneth came to visit for her check ups. The girls were so exicted to see her, it was like she never left to them. They took to her right away as usual. We're planning a trip to St. Croix in May to go see Sylvin's family there, his dad has yet to meet the girls and we wanted him to before we're half way around the world for the next three years. They can finally sit in their little inflatable tub I put in the big tub. They scream and cry when I take them out. They'd turn into prunes if I let them. Hope you all are well.

It's a New Year

Originally Posted Date: 1/21/2007

Wow last year went fast! The girls enjoyed the holidays that's for sure. They got lots of presents and lots of love. No shortage on the love part either. They were so cute opening presents, but they were more interested in the paper than the actual present itself. New Years was pretty quiet around here dispite the fact all of us were sick. Both girls have two pearly white front bottom teeth that they got for Christmas. Sy's been a lot more fussy at nighttime lately, but they seem to be doing alright. Eve can too pull herself up and tho Sy has learned to get herself back down or fall with grace, Eve has not and will cry til someone comes to her aid. I've also noticed that they are starting to seek one another out to play with. That's really sweet to watch. They both have learned the meaning of "No" the hard way also. Both are pretty hard headed. Just my luck. Can't believe how fast they're growing! OH! Thank you for your prayers. My Christmastime talk with Letina was a good one. I was so suprised. I think we both were. Still, communication is staying the same as it is now. Wanted to try and add a link to my photos. See if it'll work. http://new.photos.yahoo.com/usviislandgirl/album/576460762387279219

Starting to pull themselves UP!

Originally Posted Date: 12/12/2006

Sylvin and I were playing cards last weekend. The girls were on the floor playing with their toys and Sylvin all the sudden says "Dani look!" I looked and there was Syani on the end of the couch standing all by herself! She obviously had pulled herself up and now was standing there grinning at us in all her glory. Followed by an unsteady teeter and then her Papi reaching quickly to steady her once again. We couldn't hardly believe it. Now when we get down on the floor with the two of them, that's the first thing they do. They come crawling as fast as they can to get to you, crawl all over you and then pull themselves up. It's hysterical. But trying to steady both of them at the same time proves to be a little more ingenuative. They're both pretty vocal anymore too. They're both babbling 'Dah, dah, dah." I'm suppose to call Letina, the birthmom on Decemeber 22. Little apprehensive about that, as we're still not on the best of terms. But I promised and I can't break a promise. Please pray I'll find the right words to say and that all goes well. Love to you all.

Originally Posted Date: 11/27/2006

Wow what a holiday! The best one I can remember in a long time, partly because I finally shared it with my children. They were so good with all the family coming and going, being passed around and smooched on. Dad, Jan, Aunt Julia, and Uncle Vincent's family were here Thursday and then John, Angela, Sarah Jane, Jenna and Jara were here for the weekend. It was spectacular. The girls love thier cousins, but especially Sarah Jane. It must be a height thing. It was good seeing everyone. We truely are very blessed. I hope those of you that didn't see us over the holiday enjoyed yours and that you were missed here. Can't hardly believe Christmas will be here in under 30 days. All this started around Christmas time for us last year and it's cool to see a full year has passed and how much God has blessed us. Incredible. A true testament of his love is named Syani and Eve. Love to you all

Great Auntie Visit

Originally Posted Date: 11/14/2006

I didn't mention that my Auntie had come up to see us a few weeks ago. She drove from IN all by herself to come spend time with us and see the girls. We had so much fun and I think by the end of the visit, the girls had really warmed up to her. Eve doesn't appreciate new faces. She's so sensitive and Syani will go to anyone. Syani will be in a person's arms looking at Eve in perplexion like, "Why in the world are you crying? This person's great!"Anyway, I really do believe they enjoyed her. She brought them thier very first baby dolls. They love them. We had a great time with Auntie and I hope she comes to see us again soon.

Originally Posted Date: 11/9/2006

Whew, I can hardly believe they're 6 months old. Everyone says it goes by fast....way too fast is my observation. They're starting to try to crawl. Eve actually moved her hands and knees three little scoots this evening. I thought for sure it would be Syani crawling first and Eve to talk first, but of course it's thier job to make a liar outta momma! That's okay. At least I am "Momma" Eve is so vocal she has started grunting/screaming when she has decided she wants something now and won't quit until you've attended to her needs. She's funny. Syani who is usually pretty quiet, has been very vocal when laying on the floor 'cooing' at her toys or the dogs. Dogs still steer clear of them, but every once in a while they get slow and get an ear pulled. The girls LOVE thier Papi. Sylvin comes home and they just beam at him. He gets down on the floor and will play with them and keep them entertained while I make bedtime bottles and dinner. Babysitter is still employed and working well. We'll see if she still gets high marks once they start crawling and really making her work for her money. 6 mo old shots were a tumultuous task and they've still got to go back for the flu vaccine. They were bears for a day and a half running temps and just generally fussy. All if fine once again, they endured. I dunno how much I can take of it though! I hate shots!.....Now the hunt is on for Christmas presents. YIKES, can't believe the holidays are right around the corner. It's going to be a very cool season this year! Enough for now. Love to you all. Take care

Grandma M. Visit

Originally Posted Date: 10/25/2006
Well Gma M. was here to see the girls. She actually had her 2 mo. check up post breast cancer and all is well. She's making excellent progress. What a relief. It was good to see her, the girls recognized her right away. They had big smiles for her and she even got both of them to laugh out loud on several occasions. It's been really cool to see them enjoy her and visa versa. It's only been a short visit though. She arrived on Saturday and is leaving early Thursday morning of the 26th. Only to be back again if Feburary. We will miss her while she's gone. Eve and Syani continue to be happy and smiling. They're really starting to roll and they can use their hands more. Almost holding their own bottles. They know what the bottle is for, that's for sure. Their eyes get really big and they start drooling even moreso when they see it. No signs of teeth yet, but I swear Syani is going to crawl soon. She gets up on all fours and starts going back and forth like she's gearing up to take off. They both can pull themselves around with their arms. Although Eve likes to push rather than pull herself. So as she's going backward, Sy is going forward opposite her. They're so funny to watch. They like each other too. I put them side by side in the jumperoo and the excersaucer at the same time and they look to one another and laugh. Now if I can just get them not to poke one another's eyes out when they're within arms reach we'll be square. That's all for now. Love to you all.

Can I say they LOVE Squash?!

Originally Posted Date: 10/16/2006



They do! Love it! Still not quite sure what to do with a spoon or why it's in their mouth, but once the get the taste of the squash they're eating it up. Eve's been blowing rasberries lately and Syani has to investigate everything she can touch or move. They're really amazing. Growing up fast and their personalities are so cool to watch emerge. Syani can literally roll across the floor now. And Eve still gets vexed when she flips to her back cause she can't roll back over on purpose. Let the wailing commense! Babysitter seems to be working out nicely. She's very good with the girls. I can't more than two words out of her at a time, but the girls seem happy and the schedule remains intact. So she stays. I just hope child care is tax deductible. I had them in their winter couture this past week. It's been very cold here and so getting them ready for the cold outdoors has tacked another 10 minutes on to our time. But they're adorable wrapped up in their blankets and hats.

5 Months Old Today!

Originally Posted Date: 10/1/2006

Where has the time gone? I know you all have said it flies by, but I guess I wasn't expecting it to happen to us!I can't believe our sweet gorgeous girls are 5 mo old today! They are getting so cute. No longer blobs. They've been laughing out loud and smiling when they see you from across the room. They finally figured out the jumperoo and have gotten so good at all the toys on their excersaucer. Today I even noticed they're trying to roll over from their back to front. They've got front to back mastered. Have even discovered their feet. I'm so amazed at these two. I've went through their closet and am having to reconcile with the fact that some of their summer clothes I'll have to get rid of with the tags still on them cause it's getting too cold up here these days. Okay, so when does the teething really kick in? They are sleeping so well, I'm afraid to ask when it's going to get horrible?

Wholly Smoke We Have Hair!

Originally Posted Date: 9/27/2006

Eve is finally catchin up to Syani with the hair! I didn't think it was ever going to grow. Just in the last couple of days it's sprouted up. I swear I can watch it get longer. They both are going through a phase were they really look identical again. If Eve gets anymore hair, I might actually get them mixed up! Nah, just kidding. Nothing too exciting around here. I've got to work two days this week instead of the usual one. Babysitter seems to be okay. Although she's been late both times she's to be here. But then again, I do remember NEVER being ontime myself! Can I yell too loudly? Probably not. Auntie Shammy is coming in a couple of weeks, followed by Grandma M to follow shortly after. We're looking forward to their arrivals. They're not going to believe how big these two are getting. My girlfriend Dani who lives in Virginia that had the twin boys. They are 3 mo old and already weigh in at 12 and 10 lbs. But in their defense, their father is a very ominous guy! But just thought it was interesting they are so cute.

The New Babysitter

Originally Posted Date: 9/19/2006

Well, we did it. Hired a babysitter. Her name is Heather and she's only 18. Tell me I'm not crazy to leave my 2 infant daughters at home for half the day with this girl. She hung out with me today to kinda get the feel of what a typical day is like. I think she was nervous around me. But seems like she genuinely likes babies and the girls. They're really fairly easy to take care of. Just time consuming. Gotta keep them occupied and rotating. We hired the babysitter because Sylvin had to return to working half days on Friday and since I've committed my time to working Fridays we needed someone for the girls. It's a great set up. She's driving here every Friday morning at 6:15am. Then leaving once Sylvin arrives home around 2-3pm. I hope the girls are good for her and I hope she's good to the girls. Keep us in your prayers please. We'll see how it goes.

First Cereal Woahs

Originally Posted Date : 9/9/2006

Well, strike one up for the girls. But then again I didn't think I'd win this battle first time out the gate anyway. We had the first taste of cereal today, out of the bottle, on a spoon. They both spit it out faster than I could collect it back onto the spoon and shovel it back in. Stinkers! But it was fun anyway. They're learning about their hands and how to use them. I often find them just staring at them and cooing to their hands. So cute. The exercersaucer and jumperoo are sure getting their use. I purchased these just recently second hand and I'm so glad I did. It's getting harder to try and keep them entertained. They're not blobs anymore. They're still sleeping wonderfully....hope I didn't jinx myself by saying that..... children love to make liars out of ya. I'm learing that one already.Last doctors appointment they weighed in atSyani 12lbs 10oz and Eve 11lbs 11oz. Both 23 in long.

4 Months Old

Originally Posted Date : 8/31/2006

Syani and Eve have both been laughing out loud lately. It's been such a wonderful sound. They don't do it very often, but Sylvin and I have heard them both now. Eve is cooing up a storm. Syani is a little bit more reserved. But Syani uses her hands alot more to grab and bat at toys within her reach. They both smile a ton and have kept me on my toes with their sleeping schedule. Now they've decided to go to bed earlier each night. Usually around 6:30-7pm and they get up around midnight- 1am to eat. Then back down til about the time Sylvin gets up for work. I've been getting up with them at night and Sylvin tends to them in the mornings. It's worked out better this way. Now Sylvin gets to sleep uninterrupted. I think he prefers this. Seeing as he was getting up with me everynight before. Bless his heart. I've got an awesome man. Since his fishing trip though, I find it's not that difficult to feed them both myself, so I've just continued. Fishing trip was good. The girls really missed their Papi though. It was good to finally get him home. I can say on the girls behalf....that they were on their best behavior. Execpt for Friday...they had gone to the doctors the day before and got 4 shots. So all night Thursday and all day Friday they were miserable with 101 axilliary temps. Tylenol was pretty popular round here. We're going to the Michigan State fair this weekend if the weather holds out. Jacquie and Allyssa might be our guests this weekend so hopefully that will work out. I know the girls would like to see their "Nini Jacquie" Love to you all.

TWINS

Originally Posted: Date: 8/17/2006

The other day my neighbor, who is a blonde, came running up to me in the driveway just jumping for joy! I didn't know why she was jumping for joy but I thought, "What the heck," and I started jumping up and down along with her! She said, "I have some really great news!"I said, "Great. Tell me why you're so happy." She stopped jumping and, breathing heavily from all the jumping up and down, told me that she was pregnant! I knew that she had been trying for a while so I told her, "That's great! I couldn't be happier for you!" Then she said, "There's more." I asked, "What do you mean 'more'?" She said, "Well, we are not having just one baby. We are going to have TWINS!" Amazed at how she could know so soon after getting pregnant, I asked her how she knew. She said... "Well, that was the easy part. I went to Wal-Mart and they actually had a home pregnancy kit in a twin-pack. Both tests came out positive!"

A Tuesday like no ordinary other

Date orginally posted: 08/15/2006



Good day today. I'm alone without Linneth and I think I'm getting this mommy thing down finally. Not much screaming going on today. They're smiling and happy girls. I couldn't have asked for more. It's cool to watch them look at one another. They started to really notice one another about 2 weeks ago. Now they exchange smiles back and forth. Really neat to watch them relate to each other.