Hello again! We’ve had a few busy months here. The girls are still doing therapy and were recently reevaluated. They have improved remarkably in the past year. At this time they are only delayed in speech, which is actually pretty common in twins. We still see a developmental therapist that works on getting them to say new words and we are adding a speech therapist to work on forming words properly. I’m sure they’ll be talking my ear off in no time. The thing that has really started them talking more is music. They love it and are slightly obsessed with Bruno Mars. They could listen to his album all day if I let them. They particularly like Uptown Funk and 24K Magic. They like the horns in Uptown Funk and started imitating that sound and then started singing along to the songs. When they want to listen to music they make the horn sound “Na,Na,Na”. Then they usually start chanting “Bruno!” At night we put videos on the tv and have a dance party. They also really like Pharrell’s Happy. It’s funny because the tv will be on during the day but they don’t stop to watch it , unless it’s the commercial break between shows on the Disney Channel. The only other time they sit and watch is when music videos are on. They like the ones that have dancing in them. They study the video and have finally started dancing along but they want to copy the moves they see. Taya likes to try breakdancing spins and Emi is more into twirling. I’m thinking we’ll have dance classes in our future. They certainly aren’t gonna get any sweet moves from Tim and I. I’ve at least got rhythm, but I’m fairly uncoordinated. Tim has fun and good intentions but nothing else.

The weather here is getting warm so we’ve been outside much more, which has been fun. The girls do not like to hang out in the house all day. They start saying “go,go,go” when they feel cooped up. They do not like lazy days at all. I’m hoping they grow into it.😀 I wish someone would tell me I didn’t have to change out of my pajamas all day because I was just going to lounge around, eat food and nap all day. Not all the time, but every now and then it’s awesome to have a day like that. 2 year olds have no idea how good they’ve got it! Lol. Anyway, we took them to the nearby amusement park, Busch Gardens, a couple of weeks ago and they loved it! Their absolute favorite ride was the teacups. I hate the teacups. I’m not a spinner, I’m a front car of the roller coaster kid of girl. Teacups make me nauseous when I watch them and the ones at this park are fast! I was doing everything in my power not to hurl and to keep them from getting tossed around and hurt (no seat belts) meanwhile they’re laughing like maniacs. That deep belly laugh that is pure joy. We have season passes so I’m gonna be nauseous all summer long.

Easter was fun this year. They were into the picking up eggs and putting them in their baskets but once Tas showed them candy was inside the eggs, they took it to a whole new level. I don’t know if they enjoy the taste of aluminum foil or just couldn’t wait to take it off, either way they ate a lot of it. We went to 2 Easter egg hunts and one party. I still have candy in the cupboard.

Their personalities are emerging a bit more. Taya is outgoing, friendly and loves attention from strangers. She’s always waving at people and putting on the charm. I go workout at the local Y and she’s got quite a few of the regulars that go there and one of the daycare workers wrapped around her little finger. She’s also the one that likes to be naughty. She will look at me, smile, say “naughty” and then do whatever naughty thing she was thinking of (like throwing toys) and then take off running and laughing. She’s fearless and independent.

Emi is shy but it’s more than that, it’s like she really just doesn’t care if she impresses a stranger or not. They need to impress her. She’s also very affectionate and loves hugs and kisses but only with those she deems worthy. People get excited when Emi acknowledges them because they know she’s a hard sell. It’s funny. She’s also a fan of naughty but not as brazen as Taya. She’s sly. They are also each other’s biggest fan and worst influence. At any given point one can be playing contentedly and the other one will come over and be like “hey, let’s tear this joint up right now!” and off they’ll go. They often communicate with just a look and then take off in the same direction. Probably why they don’t feel so compelled to speak. They don’t need to.

I’ll write again in September. As always, you’re in my thoughts and I hope you’re happy and well