Last day of Pre-K

Yesterday Nora finished Pre-K.  She is now officially a kindergartener.  I can't believe I have a child in elementary school!   I have a couple of months to let that sink in, but I have a feeling come August it will hit me full force.  Especially since Kindergarten here is a full 5 days a week! 

Here is Nora with her certificate

And a comparison of her first and last day of this school year

She has grown so much in these last 9 months (literally, she grew 2.5 inches!) and has matured from a toddler into a little girl.  It is hard to see since it happens so gradually but looking back at the difference from August to May it is unmistakable. 

Her school had her draw a picture of herself on the first and last day of school.  I thought that was a neat idea and her drawings have really changed so much.  I can't say I won't miss the claw-like hands and heart she used to draw on every persons chest ;) 

Her self portrait in August

And the one she drew the other day

We are excited that Mia will get to attend the same preschool next year for their 3 year old class.  The teachers are wonderful and Nora had such a great year. 

Now on to summer break fun!

Twins: 6 months

We made it 6 months! They are both very close to sitting up, smiling and babbling, and playing with toys. We are getting ready to let them try some solids - avocado is on the menu tonight. This age is so much fun and Nora and Mia are loving being able to interact more with them!

 





Here is last month:

Happy 6 months Lucy and Reid!

Twins: 5 months

Lucy and Reid are 5 months old today!  They just keep growing and growing way too fast.  They are much more alert during the day now and like to play with toys, LOVE their big sisters and can go from crying to grinning in a snap if Nora or Mia come talk to them, and are starting to roll.  They are in 3-6 month clothes now and it's a good thing it is warming up because most of the clothes I have in that size are meant for warmer weather!  I think it is amazing to watch them grow and know that my body is capable to nourish not one but TWO babies.  It hasn't been easy but it has been (and continues to be) so worth it.

Here they are!  (They are too big for pictures on the boppies!)

And last month for comaprison.  (I just noticed that Reid is wearing the same pants in the pictures from 4 and 5 months, you can see how much he's grown!)

Mia is THREE!

Three years ago

And today

Mia has been the easiest child and since the day she was born she has fit into our family like she has always been here.   She is such a sweet little girl that always keeps us laughing.  Happy Birthday sweet girl, we love you SO much!

Lactation Cookies

If you don't know what lactation cookies are, they are cookies full of galactagogues that help increase your milk supply.  Lucy and Reid are my 3rd and 4th babies that I am exclusively breastfeeding and over the years I've tried several different recipes for lactation cookies.  They have all been good, but I put together a few of my favorites into one power cookie that is good for a boost if you are nursing, and if not they are still super yummy and have lots of good-for-you ingredients. I had to cut Nora and Mia off after 2 each this evening and hide the rest so I have some for myself! The brewer's yeast and peanut butter also make them high in protein which is another bonus! (the ingredients these cookies contain that can increase milk supply are oatmeal, brewer's yeast, and flax, healthy things for anyone, they just help provide a boost of supply if you are nursing.  They will not cause someone not producing milk to make milk!)  

They would make a great treat to bring to a new mom who is probably too tired taking care of a newborn to eat something for herself.

Don't they look yummy? 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

4 Tbsp water

1 cup peanut butter
1 1/4 tsp baking soda

4 Tbsp brewer's yeast

2 Tbsp flaxseed meal
3 cups rolled oats
6 ounces M&Ms or chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Soak the flaxseed meal in the water for 5 minutes
Beat sugar, brown sugar and butter until creamy. 
Add eggs, vanilla and baking soda, brewer's yeast and flaxseed meal.  Mix well. 
Stir in peanut butter until well combined. 
Stir in oats and M&Ms or chocolate chips.
Place teaspoon of dough on lightly greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. 
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly brown.

Let cool on cookie sheet for 2-5 minutes then transfer to a wire cooling rack.

I like to freeze these in sandwich baggies (usually 2 per bag) and then when I feel like I need a boost, take a bag out of the freezer and set it on the counter to thaw for a couple of hours. It makes it very handy when trying to juggle everything else motherhood brings.

Enjoy!

Twins: 4 months

They are getting so BIG!  They are looking around a lot more, started to reach for toys and turning to look for every sound.  At night they are sleeping a solid 7-8 hours, wake to nurse, and then sleep for another 3-4.  Nora and Mia love that they are interacting more and both Lucy and Reid love to give big grins to their big sisters!

And to compare, here they are at 3 months

They've grown a lot!  

Happy 4 months Lucy and Reid!

Snow

We haven't gotten much snow at all this winter, and the few times we have gotten some it hasn't amounted to much.  The girls have managed to have fun though even if they haven't been able to build a snowman yet this year (the snow has been way too dry).

One of the good things about living up on a hill is that is makes a good place to sled!  

Here they are posing with daddy after a long afternoon outside