A Sad Good-Bye

Unfortunately, the girls no longer have their Poppa to cuddle with... But they will never forget the time they shared!

Yesterday & Today

Four years ago today, Heather and I were wed...

The more things change, the more they stay the same!

The Twins Two-Year Photo Session

We just got back the wonderful pictures from our girls two-year photo session. We'll put a handful of our favorites below but the very first in the bunch, which we also made into the new blog header, is the embodiment of why we love being parents to Braelyn and Gwendolyn.

Here they come... ENJOY!

Don't know why but this is already one of our favorite shots of the girls (probably because they aren't in meltdown mode or hitting their sister).

That's Braelyn playing hide & seek instead of standing by her sister and posing for a photo... It was a common theme of the day but she's so photogenic even these unintentional shots came out great!

Our very first true photo session shot of Gwendolyn standing.

Braelyn sports her trademarked smile.

Gwendolyn and her loaner walker (that we affectionately call 'Solid Gold' for obvious reasons).

Gwendolyn Goes Unbuttoned

This week, Gwendolyn again had her semi-annual clinic visit at the hospital.

As the photo above reveals, one of the results of that visit is that she had her MIC-KEY button removed. It was a welcomed advancement. In fact, she has nearly healed up even though we were warned it could take as long as five weeks for the wound the button had sat in to close. Better yet, (as the photo also shows) Gwendolyn seems quite happy that her belly now button free.

Luckily, the button removal wasn't an isolated moment as the entire visit went rather smoothly. Gwendolyn's specialists were very impressed with her continued physical advancements.

Outside of the fact she already needed to get fitted for new set of carbon-fiber AFO's, compliments of a growth spurt rendering her current set of braces obsolete, it was a rather routine visit.

Here's hoping her subsequent clinic visits continue this positive trend!!!

Dad's Lessons Learned from the Pumpkin Patch

Mom and Dad decided to bring Braelyn and Gwendolyn to the pumpkin patch this weekend. In fact, we convinced Grandma McKee to come along too. It really was an enjoyable visit and one that once again gave us quite an education (by "us" we really mean "Dad").

You see, there are some things that transpire and all you can do is shrug and chalk up to a life lesson. For Dad, here's a quick hit list that he learned this weekend:

1) Just because they say that the pig race will start at the top of the hour, it doesn't mean they actually begin the race then. There's apparently an elongated program that proceeds the swines making an appearance. It isn't nearly as entertaining as Dora (or so I'm told) and that renders two-year olds cranky. You can only exclaim "Oh, here come the pigs!" unsuccessfully so many time before your children are pretty sure you are a flat-out liar. Save yourself the headache and enjoy the sights on the farm for another 30 minutes. Oh yeah, as a special note remember that a pig race only last a few seconds!

2) Wet grass (or any type of wetness for that matter) and Braelyn are not fast friends. In fact, once she gets her knees wet, she'll spend the rest of the time pointing in disgust at them until her pants dry. (Side note: Don't let the kids get too dirty on Dad's watch... Unless the Dad in question is in charge of the laundry duties... Sadly, this Dad isn't!)

3) Children LOVE petting zoos... and they sure aren't thrilled to leave when it's time. (BTW, petting zoos with slides for exits are particularly exciting for little girls).

4) The only thing Braelyn loves more than petting zoos is a playground and she REALLY doesn't like to leave them when it's time.

5) Gwendolyn Marie would have been content even if she was on the deck of the Titanic as it sunk into the ocean. For the majority of the day, she sat in her stroller with her hands folded wearing a big smile across her face... That is until she saw the donkey at the petting zoo. That elicited an excited "There it is!!!" as her finger excitedly jetted in the donkey's general direction. (We still aren't sure why, of all the animals she saw, the donkey was the day's big winner. For his part, the donkey stuck out his tongue in her direction. Other than that and an occasional tail-swat at the flies, the donkey was pretty lifeless.)

6) Pay attention because this is the most important lesson from the weekend! Children are the most special of gifts. Each and every time you think you've got them figured out, you get turned on your head and start to realize that you aren't as smart as you once thought you were.

Enough about the pumpkin patch. As most of you likely remember, October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month. Just like last year, our friend Cassie, who pens the "Beyond Measure" blog, has taken the opportunity to spotlight some very special kiddos throughout the month. This past weekend, it was Gwendolyn's turn. I encourage you to click here and look at the entry... Mom added a narrative with The Gwenner's photo that still makes Dad misty every time he looks it over!!!

And if you don't regularly pop in to read the outstanding job Cassie does with "Beyond Measure" we highly recommend it. Her family has been an inspiration to the Castellanos and their little Caleb is one of the reasons Mom and Dad knew we'd be able to figure things out when Gwendolyn was born!

Fall Photos

Of late, Braelyn and Gwendolyn have taken advantage of the warmer than normal Autumn weather to get out and have some fun. Luckily, they've had Mom and Dad along for the ride too. Here are some recent shots of our little ladies!

Nothing says embrace retirement like a nice rocking chair session


Slide over "Gigi" I'm out of gas...

... Besides, Mom is always talking about us sharing

Watch out... We're coming through!

Mom's Video Vault Monday

Well, Mom unearthed a few videos of our favorite subjects... Braelyn and Gwendolyn.

So, sit back relax and enjoy the following clips by giving them each a click:

1) Gwendolyn test drives her walker in the driveway.

2) The girls goofing around at the kitchen table.

3) Eating Mommy's yummy monkey birthday cupcakes.