Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!

The girls' first Christmas was a wonderful one that Jason and I will remember for years to come. We woke up and shared Cranberry Apple Casserole with my parents and my Grandma Golda before opening presents. Elizabeth and Mary Charlotte received their very first necklace, a train, Cabbage Patch babies, a water toy tugboat, swimming suits with caps and teddy bears. My mom also made the girls dresses from fabric that we used for the bridesmaids dresses at our wedding almost eleven years ago. 

It was wonderful seeing the Collier Family. The girls got to meet baby Atley and see Nora with big brother Ethan. We also got to see life long friends Norma, Lisa, Whitney, Kyle, and Cory. They were great entertainment to our girls and our girls entertained too. Cory even gave the girls his tricycle and driveway car. What a guy!

With all the gifts, cards, dinners, celebrations, and seeing friends and family, my favorite gifts this year came with two little precious girls we were given to love, care for and teach. These two have brought so much joy to our lives and home. We are so thankful this Christmas for the things money can't buy. There's nothing like Christmas with babies.

I had the best of intentions to send Christmas cards this year, but our two littles needed me more, so here's hoping to next year! 
Merry Christmas to you and your family from the Beards!



A huge thank you to Zach Whitworth for capturing these pictures for us. We started a new Thanksgiving tradition with them of getting together as Abby and I were college roommates and love to catch up anytime we can. These pictures certainly show the wonder of Christmas through little ones' eyes. 

Sweet Mary Charlotte

My Babies, E and MC

Mary Charlotte singing while Elizabeth looks at all of us making funny faces!



MC on back, E steering

Elizabeth loves her Gran Di Pie

She's not letting go! Mom just hated that!

The girls loved Mom and Dad's tree

They got to play with lots more ornaments there than at home!


Bath time with Elizabeth Diane and Linda Diane




The line is waiting with MC and Dad

Mom used my old baby brush on the girls

Pony Girl Time

Grandma Golda with Elizabeth and Mary Charlotte

They loved the old phone!

Elizabeth loves to take her sister's toys!



Sara, Mary Charlotte, Lisa and Norma, with Whitney holding Elizabeth

A TRAIN!

We loved our classy swimsuits, Uncle Terry!

Christmas in July!

"Cheese!" says Mary Charlotte.

Arms full of babies

Daddy on Christmas morning with Mary Charlotte and Elizabeth

Beard babies with Mommy and Daddy

Mommy with MC and Daddy with E

Grandpa and Grandma like it when we make faces!

Dad with E, Mom with MC

Love this snuggle bunny with Grandpa




Mary Charlotte discovered her necklace.

Blocks!

Build-a-Bears from Grandma Golda




Girl after Mommy's heart- "Let's see what the sales are for the day after Christmas."

Bath time with new toys

Mary Charlotte loved the new bowls.



Saturday, December 20, 2014

11 Months

Dear Elizabeth,
You are clapping, saying hi, and never meet a stranger. You have also picked up the perfect technique in shaking your head "no". You love to stand on the outside of your exersaucer, you love to hold soft toys and you are a skin baby who likes to cuddle. You startle really easily still and need Mommy or Daddy close by when you find a loud toy. You point at lights and love to read and look at books. You take your sister's pacifier and will play until you are so sleepy. When we go to check on you in your crib, your hands are always straight out and you throw all of the blankets off and trade them for two fingers in your mouth. 
We love you, Elizabug! Happy 11 months! 


Dear Mary Charlotte,
Peek-a-boo and scratching your hands on objects to make different noises (your Daddy loves this one, especially on chalk boards) are the two activities we can count on to entertain you. You don't like lotion and really could be just as happy with no clothes on! You like to look outside the window on car rides and you definitely already love music. You bounce around when our favorite tv shows come on or when your toys sing to you. You just started clapping this week and can wave when others say hi to you. You like to be caught in the air and don't mind a little rough play. It's so cute to watch you crawl. You slap those hands down on the floor and go so fast. You love to babble and pat your toys. We love you Peanut! Happy 11 months today! 


Elizabeth has discovered a stocking!

Mary Charlotte found a present from her cousins.

Daddy picked our overalls.

Elizabeth and Mary Charlotte, 11 months


"How could that be?" says MC.

"Let me help hold this," says MC.

Yay for teamwork!

And this is real life with twins!