What's in a Name?

Today was a very special day. It was the day our firstborn got to meet her namesake. Elizabeth met Elizabeth. We named our Elizabeth after my dear childhood friend. It was so wonderful to be able to have them both in the same country, same city, and same house. Elizabeth has been overseas for the past three years and we were so delighted to be able to visit her in Indianapolis. I always knew I wanted to name my little girl after this sweet friend. Jason had to write down her name, "Elizabeth Diane" on a napkin to tell Elizabeth because the sound on Skype wasn't working that day. We both cried without saying a word once she read it. That's the thing about a friend that goes back to preschool, I didn't even have to say a word and we both just knew! Half way around the world and we always pick up right where we leave off. Names and meanings  are so important. They go with a child long after parents are gone. They are a part of her life on the first day of kindergarten, the day she graduates, the day she gets married and has a little one of her own. I hope our Elizabeth will take this special name with her throughout a lifetime and cherish the person behind her name. I hope it inspires her to do great things and have a great laugh and love for people as my childhood friend has. 

Abigail, Sara,  Mary Charlotte, Elizabeth, Elizabeth and Abram

Two sets of twins....the people in Chickfila couldn't figure us out! Especially since Hap was out of town and Jason was there! We have seven kiddos with our two little families!

All those play dates where we played with Cabbage Patch babies sure are coming in handy now!

Playtime with Grandma Di Pie and Grandpa

Mary Charlotte and Great Grandma Golda

Elizabeth and Great Grandma Golda

First swim in Salem

Di Pie with MC

Di Pie with MC and E

Elizabeth with the ball toy

Mary Charlotte with ball toy

Grandpa with MC and E

Norma made these dresses for our girls and thirty two years ago made one for their Mommy

Grandpa takes MC for a wagon ride

Mary Charlotte is always on the go!

Cute little bottom

Strawberries in the South

Elizabeth and Mary Charlotte

Jacob and Elizabeth

Precious Abigail

Elizabeth and Elizabeth
She looks so proud of her name!

Sweet Abram

Abigail, Andrew, Abram, Sam, Mary Charlotte, Elizabeth and Jacob

Yes, Annie has returned! She lives with us again in Nashville

Jason was thrilled to have some boys to hang out with!

Andrew and Jacob

16 Months

Tonight we tried out a really neat spot in 12 South, a Nashville neighborhood. It's an up and coming part of town, but I have to admit that Edley's was the closest thing to Memphis BBQ, specifically Central BBQ, we've come across so far since we've moved. The atmosphere was great, nice and loud, so that not even twins stuck out too much! Jason had a pulled pork, peach and preserves sandwich and I stuck with a Southern favorite of pulled chicken with pickles and slaw. It was super yummy and my favorite night of the week to go out...Thursday! Love and hugs from Nashvegas! (Thank you, Aunt Denise, for your gentle encouragement to blog this week, I'm getting better! Who will urge me for next week?!)

Dear Elizabeth,

We were very glad that Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana shares at least two names with you this month. That just tells you how special you are that a princess would be named after you! ;-) We are so proud of you! You started walking this month and you love every minute. You are still a little timid and girly about it all, preferring the quick crawling, but nonetheless, you are a wobbly walker! Your little giggle when we tickle you is the most precious sound my ears have heard and the way you put your little lips right on our face and "kiss" us, making the puckering sound a few moments too late, warms our hearts and leaves us yearning for the next embrace. You say hello, bye-bye to EVERYONE, including Aunt Sue (who knows who that was in the parking lot tonight). You get very attached and have a little come-apart when someone leaves the room. You hold two lovies, one in each hand as Mommy tries to distract so I can at least wash one of them. Avacados and bacon are keeping you alive and you love to pat books and sing in a high pitched hum. 

We love you, Elizabug! 

Dear Mary Charlotte,

We were very pleased that Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana got one of your names. If she had one more, we are betting Mary would have been it! Your smile makes us feel like all is right in the world and the way you light up and tip your head over to the side when you grin is adorable! You carry purses around the house all day. These "purses" include Easter baskets, lunchbags, and any other form of bag you can find. You like to add things and then take them out and then put them back in. You do the twist, better than anyone in the family can, and you never get far from your Baaba. Everyone talks about what great shape you are in. You have the tightest little tum tum and legs and you are so strong, walking LOTS of steps in one attempt. You are tough as nails and even after a good head bang, you go right on with life and on to the next adventure. You love helping Daddy put toys in the bath water and saying "Uh-Oh" is your favorite past time. 

We love you, little red peanut!

Elizabeth Diane and Mary Charlotte, 16 months

E and MC

Elizabug and Peanut aka Thumper

15 Months (A little late)

Thank you, Doc B, for giving me the kick I needed to get back to the world of blogging! I've been lazy or busy or a little of both. Living life with twins and documenting it all at the same time is a little tricky! 

We had a wonderful Mother's Day this past Sunday. Jason, as always, has a way of making these special milestones even more amazing, and this day was no exception. I woke up to pancakes, bacon, cards, and a gift from Elizabeth and Mary Charlotte. They got me the cutest little Beatrix Potter figurine with a bunny holding her two babies. I fell in love with it when we were browsing an antique store several weeks ago and he remembered and went back to get it later. I will think about my babies and sweet hubby anytime I am doing dishes as it sits on the kitchen windowsill.

Big news for our babies! They are both taking steps now. Elizabeth just started on May 12th. Mary Charlotte is an ole pro now, taking four or five steps at a time. At their last doctor's visit, Dr. Smeltzer encouraged us to get the girls a grocery cart or doll stroller for them to practice walking. How could we resist a twin doll stroller on sale? Ever since then, the girls take turns pushing each other and their babies into walls, tables, and other objects. The entertainment never ends!

Now onto water news...Our pool in River Plantation recently got a renovation so we are very excited to have it open and just a few steps from our front door. We got the girls inflatable rafts and they loved them and the water. Looking forward to summer sun babies! G-Daddy recently found the girls a new tub toy that are loving (and fighting over). It's a light-up toy that suctions to the side of the tub and changes color underwater. Red, blue, and purple bath water makes bath time loads more fun.


Dear Elizabeth,
You are walking, talking, and very busy. No crook or cranny is safe from you! You love to get into cabinets, drawers, closets and in corners. You still love to suck on your left two fingers and hold your lovie. You have the sweetest high pitched singing voice and you give kisses to everyone who wants one. (Hopefully that will be short lived and not carry on into your teenage years.) You think every animal says, "Moo" and you love to point and look at the birds flying by. You are an easy baby, really laid back and content most of the time. You love to eat bananas (and bacon) and even call out for them if Mommy forgets. You wave anytime someone walks in a room and you sway back and forth when Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood comes on. You love to pat and you love books. Usually when you get really quiet and I can't find you, the first place I look is by the bookshelves. You carefully turn the pages and examine the pictures for a long time. You weigh 18 pounds and are 29 inches tall. We love you, Elizabug!

Dear Mary Charlotte,
You have a new nickname besides Peanut! Mimi started calling you Thumper because you love to thump your left leg against the floor. You love squeeze-its and holler with delight at the sight of marshmallows. Your hair has gotten so red and a little wavy the past few days. You love to say, "Di Pie" when we Face time and "sorting" the laundry is your favorite way to help Mommy. You just discovered your ring toy and love to stack the rings and clap for yourself. You still love your Clifford, frog, and bear and now call all of them "Baba". We have three of them because they frequently get lost, but so far, always make their way back to you. When you get sleepy you lay your head on us and love to rock. Your giant water bottle is your favorite thing to hold and you like to drink lots of water! You are very muscular with very little chub! In fact, you have a six pack with no time at the gym. That is very impressive, little one! We try to beef you up as much as we can. We are thankful you are a good eater! "Gotegotegaa" is your favorite word to say with Mommy. You say "thank you" for everything. You sometimes get embarrassed when meeting new people. You love the raindrop song, especially the "Ahh, Ahh, Ahh" part. You weigh 16 pounds and are 28 inches tall. We are crazy about you sweet girl! 

Thank you, Aunt Denise for our personalized shirts!

Sleepy Nashville baby

Big girl car seats wearing dressing Di Pie made for them

We love suitcases!

From my sweet friend, Rosemary. She gave this to me at a time when we longed to have a child of our own. 

Zoo trip with Annie and Reagan

Getting caught with your pants down was never cuter!

Helping Mommy clean out closets for the yard sale

Eating with Mimi and G-Daddy at Barbara's. Can you tell we love the rolls?

 

A trip to Kentucky with Anna Catherine and Donna to see Jessica

"Look what we found!"

Light toy in tub

So sweet

So over it!

Managing twins is hard! 

New bunny pajamas

Daddy and MC on Cinco de Mayo

We love our tortilla from Chipotle

Thank you, Courtney for our ruffle bottoms!

Elizabug and her raft
Thank you, Uncle Terry for the swim suits!

Thank you J for making my life and our girls' lives so much sweeter!


Love and Hugs from Nashville and the Beard Babies!