White Christmas

We enjoyed a wonderful white Christmas this year - my first, that I can remember.

WHITE was an understatement... They have been calling this storm the "Arctic Blast". Funny since it's not near the storm other areas of the country get. But, the Portland area basically shut down for almost two weeks with the biggest/longest winter storm in 40 years. We probably had 16 inches of snow in our yard. Coby bought chains for our van and car and braved the roads, going in to the office almost every day, basically so he could cancel his patients that wouldn't have shown up any way. The last week of school before Christmas break was canceled. Poor Sage prayed every night that she'd be able to go to school the next day. One night she asked how come she didn't get to go to school even though she'd prayed she would be able to the night before. I told her there must be lots of other kids praying that school would be canceled again. One of the days, Sage played in the snow with our neighbors and her dad, and another day, I packed up the babies and Sage for the day and we went to our friends the Lee's, so Sage could play in the snow with Jayda and Blake.

December 23, 2008 - Our House

On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, we caroled to a few of our neighbors and friends on our street. Stacy and Lisa, two of our neighbors, shared Christmas Eve dinner with us. The evening consisted of eating Clam Chowder in homemade bread bowls (a tradition from Coby's family), watching "Mr. Krueger's Christmas" commentated by Sage (I guess she's seen it a few times), sharing memories of Christmases past, Sage opening gifts from Stacy, and finally the Tippetts traditional Christmas Eve gift of pj's. The best was watching Sage open one of the gifts from Stacy -- she was so tickled that she got her OWN pack of gum - no other gift this Christmas got near the reaction -- she couldn't stop giggling, and grinning so big -- I wish I'd had the camera rolling, but who would've thought? The babies were in bed for most of the action, but it was fun thinking that maybe next year we could stage our own nativity now that we have 3 kids.

Christmas morning we enjoyed our own little family time. The babies were entertained by the wrapping paper and bows, and Sage commented, "Santa must have borrowed our wrapping paper." That kid... What was Santa thinking not using his own paper? Maybe he'll be smarter next year. The snow that had kept us from venturing too far from home for almost two weeks melted on the arterial streets and freeways enough that day that we were able to venture over to the Sorks house in Vancouver to visit with the rest of my family. (Tricia was here from AZ and Jason was here from MI, but wit hthe snow we hadn't seen much of anyone.)

Sage and her new "ipod". We love listening to her sing along.


Reese enjoying the wrapping paper.

Mira munching the bow.

Sage holding Reese and Mira before our Christmas church service held the Sunday after Christmas, since it was cancelled due to snow the week before.

As the holiday season closes out another year, I find myself counting my many blessings. We were blessed with so much in 2008. I'm most grateful for my sweet little family, my big extended family, our friends, and especially the peace I feel knowing Jesus Christ was born to save the world from sin. - sj

Just Cute

I am totally loving this stage with the babies. Though they still keep me busy all day, they are more manageable and predictable, still fairly immobile so I can keep track of them, and their toothless grins are so endearing. - sj

December 9, 2008 - Mira
We finally got a video of Mira laughing - a little. That serious little girl is a tough sale... When she does smile and laugh, her eyes smile and twinkle, too.

December 6, 2008 - Reese
Reese has her toes in her mouth quite often. The camera captures her attention, but her heart's set on the toes...

Some Firsts

A couple firsts for the babies the last few weeks. There's even been a first for my sweet Sage -- she threw up for the first time ever, but I didn't get a picture of that! -sj

1st Solids
December 5, 2008
The twins had their 6 month well check with the Pediatrician on Dec. 3rd. Reese hadn't gained an ounce since her 4 month appointment staying at 12# 9oz. and Mira gained a pound weighing in at 11# 7 oz. Reese joined Mira below the growth curve for weight. Dr. G good naturedly said, "These babies are ready for solids! You need to start feeding those babies cereal twice a day - in the morning and evening, and don't take out any other feedings." I guess I make skim milk, and not enough of it! The thought of trying to fit two more things into our already full schedule made me want to cry. A couple days later, Coby was home in time to help me feed them...

Reese liked the rice cereal, but had a hard time keeping her tongue, and therefore, the food in her mouth. She stopped thrusting her tongue out after a week or so, which made for much less mess.

Mira REALLY liked the cereal the first night - swallowing and opening her mouth for more, reaching for the spoon... The next morning and for a few days after, she would NOT open her mouth, which was kind of funny to me since she puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. She eventually got the hang of it and remembered she liked it.

December 18, 2008 (Mira, Reese)
Patiently waiting (for the moment) for their cereal. I still can't believe I have two sometimes...

1st Self Bottle Feed - out of desperation!

December 9, 2008 (Mira, Reese)
Right before bed, the babies always get a bottle after they nurse to top 'em off. This particular night, Coby wasn't home from work yet, so Sage was helping me by giving Mira her bottle, while I fed Reese. Both babies ended up needing me at the same time between Mira getting a bubble and Reese seriously leaking milk out of both corners of her mouth. I just didn't have enough hands and I was getting all sweaty... So, I made them feed themselves. They did pretty good, however, I eventually moved them to lying flat on their backs on the floor and that was easier for them. You can't tell in this picture but Reese white nuckles her bottle, and Mira practically sticks her dainty little pinkies out.

1st Roll

December 22, 2005 (Reese)
Reese rolled over from her back to her tummy while I wasn't looking, of course. Then, she rolled back on to her back, again while I wasn't looking! This is another attempt right after. She was working really hard, even grunting.

Good Times...

So, we need to make up for the lack of posts since Halloween. -sj

Fussy Time

November 12, 2008. (Reese, Mira)
Well, maybe I wouldn't consider this a good time, but it's how we get through the 5 0'clock hour. I was surprised that I couldn't find a picture of both of them screaming. Mira had actually fallen asleep in this one. Baby Einstein is most likely playing for them... I have to admit that Baby Einstein works magic!!!

Play Time
November 17, 2008 (Mira, Sage, Reese)
Sage built quite the fort and wanted to play in it with the babies. The fort was complete with "accessories" including, a vase with a flower in it, a choice of books and dvd's, headbands, clips and jewelry.

Bath Time

November 19, 2008 (Mira, Reese)
Mira loves her bath, and Reese loves getting out of the bath.

Thumb Time

November 20, 2008 (Reese)
Reese sucked her thumb for about a month. It was so cute, but I was torn between the cuteness and the thought of some day having to break her of the habit. I only catch her sucking her thumb every once in a while now. Thank goodness and sniffle, sniffle.

Tickle Time

November 20, 2008
Reese laughs when you do things to her, and Mira laughs at things. Unfortunately, we haven't caught Mira on camera yet. She's a pretty serious baby. Sage was the videographer for this one. And, if you listen, you can not only hear Reese laughing, but you can hear Mira crying. Am I a good mom or what... letting one cry just so i can hear the other one giggle.

Turkey Time

November 25, 2008 (Sage)

Sage's kindergarten class put on a Thanksgiving Concert. She practiced her songs over and over the week before the concert but seemed a little shy when she finally performed. We spent Thanksgiving at the Sorks (my olders sister's family) and ate lots of turkey and pie and counted our MANY blessings.

Christmas Time
November 27, 2008 (Reese & Mira in the Limo) (Sage, Coby)
Zoolights opened Thanksgiving weekend, so we made use of our zoo membership to get in to the spirit of Christmas.

Sage Making a Basket

December 8, 2008
These are few and far between, and my friend Heather happened to catch one on video. Go Sage! (Love Heather's commentating.) The little basketball camp put on by some friends down the street that Sage went to the last week of August is paying off!

FYI... This is Shalyce in my very first blog post. Thanks for the tutorial, Heather. Hopefully Coby will still post now and again, because he is just too funny. -sj