Peek-a-boo

Posted: February 5th, 2010 | Author: Liz | Filed under: Hop-twins | 1 Comment »

Holly and JD are really aware of their surroundings. They know what they want and if you take something away from them they show you they aren’t very happy! I love how they can play together on the floor, although sharing is still something they are learning. I try not to sit them on the floor and leave them to play alone for too long so I get down there with them. As you can see in the video we were having fun playing peek-a-boo behind the tree thingy. JD isn’t shy around the camera anymore either!

Holly playing peek a boo, JD laughing from Liz Hopkins on Vimeo.


8 months old

Posted: January 29th, 2010 | Author: Liz | Filed under: Hop-twins | 1 Comment »

Well, they are actually 8 1/2 months old but who’s counting?! Time flies when you’re having fun. Jim and I were talking about how much Holly and JD have grown and how much they will grow within the next few months. I mean they are almost one and in the next few months they will learn how to crawl, walk, get more teeth, eat solids and make more sounds. It’s crazy. They sit like champs now and can entertain themselves for a while. At least long enough for me to cook a decent dinner or eat some lunch. Holly and JD recognize each other so much now that they make each other laugh. They looove bath time. They could care less about the toys but if they had a wash cloth to suck and chew on they are happy.

Holly a.k.a Sissy Bean the Beauty Queen

Holly still loves to take JD’s pacifier. She is growing more hair, woo hoo, and doesn’t mind wearing a headband. She is trying to go from sitting to crawling forward but doesn’t quite know how to do that yet. And her latest thing is pulling herself up on the coffee table. I caught her the other night on her knees. She has the cutest toothy grin, and today we discovered another tooth coming down from the top! She doesn’t enjoy baby food very much but I am persistent! She loves rubbing Jim’s beard as she sucks her thumb and she holds my hair and sucks her thumb when I rock her to sleep. We just love our Sissy bean!

More food on her face than in her mouth. Gotta love those cheeks! She's learning how to drink out of her sippy cup. Yum, rubber ducky!

JD a.k.a Bro Bro

JD is our little big dude! He is one solid guy and weighs more than most one year olds. He’s just a good eater, what can I say? He loves his little sister and thinks she’s pretty funny too. Oh, he’s a momma’s boy to the max, especially when he’s tired and hungry (for obvious reasons). He enjoys eating baby food but would rather eat big people food I think. JD loves playing on the floor with his sister but after a while the poor guy has a hard time holding up his head and starts leaning backwards. He hates tummy time so walking might come before crawling. We shall see. He’ll have to learn something to keep up with his sister. JD is cooing a lot these days and is a pretty happy boy. Can’t wait to see what the little man has in store for us the next few months.

He looks satisfied, right? He enjoys biting on the sippy cup. JD loves bath time and cries when he has to get out.


Christmas in Virginia

Posted: January 28th, 2010 | Author: Liz | Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Christmas 2009 was spent in Virginia with my family. It was so nice to have everyone together, time went too fast as usual! It was especially fun to see the baby cousins play together. We took a red eye Christmas eve eve and arrived in Virginia at 9am Christmas eve. The flights weren’t too bad because Holly and JD slept most of the time. We were happy when we finally landed in Virginia, although it was freezing and there was snow on the ground. My siblings and in laws were waiting at the house for our arrival. We were able to take a quick nap thanks to the many babysitters available. Thanks to my dad and all the traveling he does Jim and I stayed in a hotel, which was wonderful. Christmas eve we read the Christmas story, ate a nice dinner and played Christmas carols with home made chimes. It took us a while to get going but once we did the music sounded beautiful. Each night we left to go to the hotel and thanks to my sister the babies were bundled in pink and blue fleece jumpers so they were warm. Christmas morning we had a nice breakfast and then opened presents with the family. It was fun to see what everyone got, especially the little ones. Thank goodness we didn’t have to do much for Holly and JD this year, we are only allowed one bag on the airplane. They enjoyed the wrapping and the toys my family got them.

The rest of the week we spent time hanging out with the family, playing Nerts, enjoying Sonic trips (it was right next to the hotel), eating Sunday ice cream cones (just ask Holly), playing volleyball at the church and eating and eating and eating. It was fun to see how Holly and JD play with their cousins, they definitely loved the toy the other kid had! Oh yeah, almost forgot, Holly got two bottom teeth on Christmas day and JD’s popped up on New Years day. With everyone together we also took the opportunity and took some family photos. Holly didn’t crack a smile the whole photo shoot, but smiled the rest of the day. Go figure!

Jim left New Years day to come home to go back to work and thanks to my mom I was able to stay with the babies for one more week. We iChatted everyday so Jim was able to see the babies and we him. It was nice to have some quality time with my family but we did miss Jim. My mom flew back to Virginia with the babies and I. The flight home wasn’t full so we were both able to lay Holly and JD down to sleep. Thanks Mom for spending a few extra days with us.

It was a wonderful Christmas!

Santa Claus visited on Christmas Day! He looks so thrilled. Grandma helped JD open his toy. He enjoyed the box at first, then the lights and sounds were intriguing! This is how they looked every night going back to the hotel. Nice and warm! I could've used one myself! Holly, JD and Taylor did a lot of playing. I wonder what they were thinking? All the cousins ready for bed! Holly spent a lot of time with Grandpa. Her look cracks me up. She had fun, trust me! JD enjoyed helping Daddy with his work. We introduced Sunday cones to Holly and JD. Holly used her tongue to lick it and everything. They both got mad if we didn't give them another taste! Thank goodness she was wearing a headband and that JD is so strong! Don't worry, no babies were harmed in this photo, JIm was holding them from behind! Much better, well Holly still isn't smiling! Our little family! One big happy family!


2009 Review in Pictures

Posted: January 7th, 2010 | Author: Liz | Filed under: Hop-twins | 3 Comments »

Began the year at 19 weeks pregnant. It was confirmed we were having a boy and a girl! My mom came to visit and we made a trip to See's Candy! We got a new nephew, Taylor! I stopped working too. Jim and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary by going to another ultrasound. We went to a Giant's game and sat right behind home plate. Great seats, great company, Big Belly! Jim and I became parents and welcomed our miracle babies, Holly and JD! It was a wonderful day. June - We took Holly and JD to their first A's game. Box suite and everything! June - We were really starting to understand what twins really meant! We loved it though. July - Jim blessed Holly and JD. We had all of our family in town. It was a great day! August - Learning new ways to take care of twins. JD loves his pacifier and Holly loves her thumb!September - nothing too exciting. JD and Holly continue to learn and grow. They especially loved their new walker! October - Took a trip to Nashville to visit my sister and her husband. Jim started a new job! October - We walked the Golden Gate Bridge with the youth. Holly and JD enjoyed it too. November - Started feeding them rice cereal. Was an interesting start to solid foods! December - Cheered on the BYU Cougars and couldn't resist a photo op. December - Spent Christmas in Virginia with my whole family. Took family photos.


I Had a Moment

Posted: December 9th, 2009 | Author: Liz | Filed under: Hop-twins | 4 Comments »

Last night I had a little moment. A moment of pure love for my two babies and my husband. JD is a champ at falling asleep at night. He pretty much knows his bed time and gets a little fussy letting us know it’s time. Holly, on the other hand, does not enjoy falling asleep on her own. She needs to be rocked to sleep, which is totally fine, but we would like for her to learn. So last night JD was awake and we took the opportunity to try with Holly. We can’t have her try with JD in there because she screams. Which is what happened last night. I was feeding JD in the living room and Jim layed Holly down. Not even five minutes later she is screaming like she is scared out of her mind, so I rescued her. I know I’m weak. She has tears rolling down her cheeks and is shrieking with fear so Jim took her to console her. She continues to sob with her little bottom lip sticking out. We couldn’t help but chuckle. Watching Jim with our little girl was priceless. Now she is calm enough to sit on my lap next to JD. Holly is still a bit sad and JD was looking at her and touching her as if to say, “it’s okay Sister.” Then he starts babbling like he wants to talk to her. Jim and I looked at each other with smiles on our faces. Holly and JD continued to look at each other. I’m not gonna lie, I had a frog in my throat and wanted to cry. I can already tell JD is going to be Holly’s little protector. They already love each other so much. Okay, my moment is over!

I can see many more moments like this!


Love a Baby in Jammies

Posted: November 24th, 2009 | Author: Liz | Filed under: Hop-twins | 3 Comments »

JD Loves his Pacifier! Holly sitting like a big girl on the couch!

I couldn’t pass up a cute photo op this morning. I decided to do tummy time this morning with blankets and Holly and JD didn’t seem to mind. They just look so adorable in their jammies. They are starting to sit up for more than just a second these days. A small milestone this morning: After Holly’s little photo shoot she was laying on her back so I took the opportunity to get her bath ready. When I came back to get her she was doing tummy time in a whole different direction from where she was laying. She totally rolled over and I missed! Next time I’ll have to catch it on video.

How cute is that face? Good thing she has something to hold on too! Love this little guy! Cheek to Cheek


6 months

Posted: November 16th, 2009 | Author: Liz | Filed under: Hop-twins | 1 Comment »

I know, I can’t believe it either. It seems like yesterday we were on our way to the hospital to deliver. The past six months has flown by! Holly and JD are starting to sit up, usually not for too long or straight up. They love touching and grabbing anything they can get their hands on. It usually ends up in their mouths too. They haven’t mastered rolling over but they’re getting there. Eating solids is still a big mess and quite amusing! Cereals aren’t a big hit but carrots and bananas seem to be the solid food of choice. JD loves to make lots of noises and Holly is making sounds that actually sound like words (mama, ga, dada). Holly loves to bounce on our laps and if we stop she starts bouncing on her own. We were excited because it seemed as though Holly was growing more hair only to see that it fell out again so I decided to make her a few headbands so people weren’t confused. After all, cutting felt and sewing it to a headband can’t be that hard, right? She looks quite adorable! JD is more cuddly lately and continues to prefer his momma over anyone. His hair is growing in a little bit too! We realized he is a little ticklish and loves to laugh. It’s been a wonderful six months and can’t imagine life any sweeter!

Can't help but love that face! JD very calm and collected Holly loves to stand and wave her arms. Love this little guy!