Happy 2nd Birthday, Luke and Molly

I love birthdays and I love them even more when we are celebrating my kids.  Luke and Molly are now 2.  TWO.  two. 2.  No matter how you say it, it doesn't make it seem any more real.  I can't wait for this year and to watch them grow even more.  I love to see them play, love, learn to share...just be friends.  I love even more to see Ely play with the babies.  They actually are at an age where Ely can play with them and not just around them.  Even tonight, Ely was busy teaching Luke how to play a new game.  They were both having a ball.

We celebrated on 2/2 with a party at The Ark at our church, GracePoint in Coppell.  Despite a stomach bug that went through the house earlier in the week, we all had a great time. Our Little Monkeys had a blast! It was so much fun celebrating them with friends and family.  We truly are so blessed to have so many people in our circle to help us raise our kids.

So surprised to see Emily in town (for Jane's birthday) and it is always wonderful to have Grandma Lois join us!

Ely even had a few friends come with younger siblings

Sweet Jacque and Micah

Smouses :)

Everyone had a great time!

Lisa, Ian and Baby Jake (on the way)

The very best group picture!

The slides were fun for the young and young at heart!

The twins got a kitchen for their birthday and it has been a HUGE hit (for all 3 kids!)

This year will bring on so much joy and delight as well as work and struggles.  Although the babies are growing and thriving, we are faced with a struggle when it comes to their speech (or lack there of).  Even though Molly has about 20 words, Luke only has about half as many and doesn't speak clearly.  We have just gone through a round of ENT and GI appointments to look at what the issue is.  Luke failed part of his hearing test because he has fluid on his ears and horrible infections.  We might be looking at tubes in the coming months.  Molly passed her hearing test but I really think she is not talking because Luke is not talking.  They will both be spending most of their 3rd year in speech therapy.  More to come as we get enrolled in programs and see their development.

Both are being tested for food allergies and we are waiting those results now.  We hope the Twos bring a lot of medical answers as well as more content babies - ones who can communicate their wants and needs and ones who enjoy eating meals!

Just for the record....
Luke is in the 8% for weight at 24lb and 40% for height at 33.75"
Molly is in the 8% for weight at 23" and 25% for height at 32.5%

Luke can say (when prompted): bye, more, milk, night night, uh-oh, moo.  All on his own, he can say: ball, duck, mama, Elmo
Molly can say (when prompted): hey, more, please, quack quack, moo, night night, ruf rub.  All on her own, she can say: baby, duck, bye bye, yeah, milk, mama, dog, bird, uh-oh, Elmo, no, me.

Molly and Luke - there are no babies who make us laugh like the two of you can.  You make us work so hard but every moment is worth it!!  We love you!

We were so lucky to have Mom in town to celebrate the twins birthdays

My precious children

So thankful for this picture.  For some reason it still surprises me we have 3 kids!