T minus 4 short months....

....until my babies turn T.W.O!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gasp....gulp.......and...........oh.......my..........gosh!!

That -- is -- seriously feeling like tomorrow. 

Prepping for their 1st bday seems like just a few months ago. 

I LOVED planning their 1st bday party....and thought I'd have so much time to think about their 2nd bday.

Time has flown....and continues to fly right on by me.....

And, speaking of that .... the girls turned TWENTY months on Monday.

Time for a little recap of where they're at....what they're doin'....and sayin.....and eatin'....

In honor of their 20 month bday --- I'm going to write a TOP 20 at 20 (similar to when I did the TOP 10 at 10 months).  Because --- let's face it ... I could literally talk about these girls forever. 

Their cuteness is OVER THE TOP and I can't get enough of it.  Their personalities -- spilling out of them, these days.  Their differences are more and more exposed, but their sweet, sensitive nature is a common thread.  And, although they are sweet and sensitive in their OWN ways --- they both have hearts of pure gold.

Top 20 at 20 months!
1.) VOCAB - exploding! They are picking up so many new words.  I have endless favorites....but as of very recently I'm smitten with Appies (apples), puppies (plural), cheeeeeeese, shoe, papa (Grandpa), mama (Grandma) and the list goes on!
2.) MIMICS - the girls want to do everything we do.  If they see me doing something -- they immediately want to try it.  This ranges from cleaning to eating to doing laundry.  They are excellent little launderers and they love to wash the floor (shocker!).
3.) PLAY - the girls are playing pretty well together these days.  We definitely have our "moments" but it seems as though they are good at turning almost anything into play. 
4.) COMFORT - Ms. R has three blankies, a white puppy, her ladybug pillow pet and sometimes two babies in bed with her.  Mr. Puppy is her favorite and when she sees him her eyes literally dance!  Ms. K has one lonely blanket that she is attached to -- no animals or babies in her bed!! :)
5.) EXPLORING - Since the weather has finally started cooperating -- the girls love to be outside.  I'll admit I could write several posts about the dangers of twin toddlers exploring outside.  But - we take a deep breath (I do!) and attempt to get out each day.  Coming in from outside is not their favorite part.  I usually bribe them with cheese or Barney!
6.) BARNEY - speaking of the big purple guy -- this seems to be their "character" of choice right now.  They will watch other videos, but none holds their attention like he does.  Ms. R is much more into videos than Ms K, though.
7.) BOOSTERS - we've recently transitioned to booster seats at the island counter for snack and mealtime.  This has actually helped tremendously with getting them to sit (buckled) in and attempt to eat.  The highchairs had become a major danger zone!
8.) BOUNDARIES - speaking of danger -- there isn't a single chair, couch, stool, etc. that the girls have not attempted to climb.  We had to remove a few kitchen stools because they want to climb up and onto the island and then turn on the water!  They are very sure that they can do anything! And, thankfully ... more and more they are seeming to be able to get up and down from most everything safely.
9.) BOOKS - the girls love to read and be read to.  We spend much time each day looking through books.  Their attention span is still very short for each book so I have memorized most of page 1 in all our books! ;)
10.) TOYS - it seems they are most interested in how everything works. Ms. K is great at building with blocks these days.  She takes the time to sit down and assemble.  The both love to push things around - shopping carts, scooters, vacuums.  Ms. R will sit still to color at the table while Kenna isn't interested in coloring right now.  They love to open and shut (or ask me to) doors, windows, etc. 
11.) PRIDE - we use tons of praise with the girls.  Studies show that praise is the best form of discipline at this age.  So ... whenever they do something willingly (diaper, clothes, cooperate in general) I literally cheer and clap and have a little party! They eat this up and try to do things on their own searching for praise. 
12.) MUSIC - continues to sooth the soul in our house.  When music comes on the girls just seem at ease.  Because daddy is such a country music fan -- we often listen to CMT or Waylon and Hank Williams.  The girls seem to be catching our country bug.
13.) EAT - that is one of Ms. K's favorite words.  She starts saying it minutes after she wakes in the morning.  We have good days and bad with eating habits.  And, I'm OK with that.  I attempt to give them meals, but some days we are lucky to get milk, cheese, fruit and crackers down the hatch!
14.) DRINK - thankfully the girls drink milk pretty well.  And, of course juice is their beverage of choice! Ms. R drinks us out of house and home -- and her wet diapers show it!! She is just a thirsty kid!
15.) SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES- the girls are both feeling pretty friendly around people in general.  Ms. K is a "people person" for sure, but even Ms. R is seeming more and more comfortable around others.  Today in ECFE class she was very social with the other moms!
16.) HAIR - even in the last week it seems like the girls' hair is growing so much! They are both "tentatively" allowing me to put "pretties" in their hair and keeping them in more than a few seconds!
17.) GOOF BALLS - It must be the genetic combo of our girls - but they are just such silly little - happy-go-lucky ladies.  They are both game for a major tantrum here and there, but overall they just seem so full of life and joy!
18.) CAMERA READY! Lately -- if I ask them to smile or say cheese they are definitely understanding more about being "camera ready".  A great skill for any lady! ;);)
19.) DIRT-- I am coming to accept that even though I am not a "get my hands dirty" kind of gal, my girls love to run and play and jump in the water and dirt!! Nothing a bath can't fix!
20.) LOVE - And, finally -- there is NO GREATER JOY for a parent when you see your children genuinely love each other.  We have seem some amazing moments between the girls the past few months.  They give smoochies and hugs and snuggles to each other and it just melts me to pieces.  Their "constant companion" can be a little overwhelming at times, but more often than not they are willingly playing with or by one another.  I simply can not wait to see their bond grow!

OK -- that was a lot of info -- but come on ----------- there is just so much fun to share!

Here are some pics to end my 20 month post!! And - these days ... all pics come form my camera phone, so please excuse some "blurry" here and there!

It's hard to wrap my mind around the idea that by the end of this summer summer our 'baby' girls will be approaching TWO!!

Spending my days with the girls at this age is undeniably exhausting, but at the end of each and every one -- I honestly feel God has strategically put me right where I'm supposed to be.

With love,

Cuz I'm the mama!