--The Dalli: Friend to Friend, Babies are NINE months!

Sunday, February 21

Oh my goodness. My babies are NINE MONTHS TODAY! I still have not written down their birth story. I am so disappointed in myself. I keep not doing it and I just need to make it happen! I kind of can't believe that I had twins and that they are already this old. Honestly, I kind of can't believe I am a mom and have FIVE kids! When did that happen?! How am I that old? And qualified? Am I qualified? I try to be honest with my girls and let them know that I have a TON to work on. I sometimes even let them know specifically what I am struggling with.

One time, after a particularly rough day (I don't remember the specifics - probably house was a disaster, kids got cranky with each other, and then I got cranky with everyone), I let the girls know that I really wanted to be a better mommy. I told them if they could see I was getting cranky, they could remind me that I wanted to be a better mommy and that would hopefully help me remember to take a deep breath and handle things so much better. It was a great idea. Until they started telling me all the time, "Remember you want to be a better mommy?" Yes. That's true. But I also want our house clean and for you guys to do what you're supposed to do!

Anyway, back to the babies. They are SO GOOD. There are many times I feel like I would love to have another set of twins if they are just like these sweet girls. They are pretty much always giggly and smiley and make the cutest sounds - Mabel growls a lot and Olive makes sweet da-da-da sounds. They love exploring and climbing on everything. I love cuddling with them and having them climb all over me. They are champion eaters of everything and continue to love nursing. I love these sweet babies and honestly, the biggest reason I worry about having more kids is myself. I just feel like I need to be a better person and want to be sure I can do that.

Yesterday, our church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) broadcasted a "Friend to Friend" event. We didn't watch it live, but we showed it to Emma and Alice after we got home from church today. Wow. It was incredible and they LOVED IT! It was really great at being interactive and teaching powerful principles in a simple and fun way. It was 45 minutes long but the girlies were watching it for longer because they would pause it to finish drawing, or look for rocks, get their scriptures, practice a song, etc. Since watching this broadcast, Emma has been dying to create her OWN "Kid to Kid" broadcast.

This "Friend to Friend" event reminded me of how impressed I am with how so many have handled this pandemic and how many great ideas have come because of it. I never imagined or considered having so much virtual stuff - baby showers, weddings, magic shows, family game nights, church, school, music lessons, and so much more! I am astounded by the creativity of so many and how life has continued amidst this shake-up. I feel, as Jo March says in Little Women, that "necessity truly is the mother of invention."

Anyway, here is a pic of Emma and Alice following along with the broadcast. Lucy was taking her nap right now so that's why she's not in the picture.

It was a BEAUTIFUL DAY! So when Lucy woke up, we went for a walk! As you can see, it was still chilly, but sunny and shiny.

Here's Dallas pushing the babes and Emma getting ready to fly on her scooter.

Oh hey there, Olive! I know it's Olive because she's got the blue cover.

And hiya, Mabel!

"What's that?" Emma always loves to drag her feet on the curb or in the snow and I often remind her that's not the greatest idea. She's crashed a couple times because of it.

Here's both of 'em! Kind of. Sorry, Olive. It's hard to get you when you're in that back seat.

Emma tried to sled on these little hills the whole way home. She was in her Sunday dress and tights. And it had to have been cold, but she didn't care. She really wanted to sled.