Friday, June 13, 2014

Whole New World



The twins have been spending a lot more time lately in their Bumpos.  They get so excited to see things from a different view!  We have been spending more and more time "eating" lunch all together.  Well, Barrett eats.  They watch.  And he tries to entertain them.  It's pretty cute

 Heeey ... What are They Doing Up Here?


Playtime

 Do We Get Food Too?

Hey Mommy

 Love It Up Here

 The Whole Gang While Daddy is at Work

Surprise Attack Hug!

Friday, June 6, 2014

Road Trips


Road trips these days are ,,,,, interesting.  I never know what I'm going to get in the car on the way there.  The twins don't seem to love riding in the car as much as Barrett did when he was a baby.  They don't hate it, but I wouldn't say they necessarily love it.   We visited  Gamma and Poppy for the weekend because I had a baby shower to go to with all of my college friends close by!

"Mommy, is this better?"
After he put the entire pillow case over his face and head

So Excited that Mommy Came Home

All 3 of my kids got to see my grandmother while we were there over the course of the weekend.  Maw-Maw has had a rough few years.  Her brain isn't quite what it used to be, and having a conversation with her can be difficult because she doesn't remember much.  I was so happy to see her in high spirits this particular weekend. 

Barrett

Parker

Payton

And I Got a Little Maw-Maw Time Too

She was a little confused when we ran into her at while we were eating.  She kept telling me that my grandpa was going to be so jealous that she got to see me and my kids.  My grandpa has been gone for quite some time.  But it got me thinking about the great-grandparents that they never met.  

Kids, your great-grandparents would have ADORED you.  Paw-Paw (Mommy's grandpa) would have thought that every single thing you did was the best thing ever.  He loved hugs and kisses and showing off his grandchildren.  Family was everything to him, and he would have thought you each hung the moon.  Although he never met you, I know that he loved the idea of each of you.  And he would have been so proud to be your great-grandpa.  Daddy's grandparents, Grandpa Tom and Grandma Mary, would have encouraged you to be your very best.  They would have encouraged you to find something you loved and go for it with all your heart ... and these talks probably would have happened at the duck pond while you were feeding ducks.  It's important to know where you came from, and although you never met them, I hope you ask us questions about what our grandparents were like.  And what our parents were like.  And our brothers and sisters while we were growing up.  


We always go out for and adventure at Gamama and Poppy's, and this time we went shopping.
Parker Loving Life Back There

Happy Payton Girl

Some Girl Time While Big Brother Was Outside Playing:
Cute Twin Moment

Thursday, May 29, 2014

What the Day Brings

Dear Barrett, Parker, and Payton, 

One day Mommy and Daddy will tell you about how we waited to meet each of you.  One day we will tell you how he showed us what real faith in Him looks like.  One day we will tell you all about the love we already had for you before you were even here.  One day, probably when you have your own babies, you will maybe see just how special you are to us.  One day.

Barrett, you are our little miracle.  God saved you when you were still in my tummy.  We are so thankful that we were able to witness one of God's miracles ... and that our miracle was YOU!  

Parker, you are the baby girl that we waited years to meet.  We prayed that one day we would get to meet our Parker Girl, and you are an answered prayer.

Payton, you are the baby we didn't expect to meet.  You are our bonus baby that completed our family.  Without you here, a piece of my heart would have been missing, and I am so thankful God gave you to me at the same time as your sister.

But today is not that day.  Today is a day that Mommy celebrates.  Today is a day that I am thankful. Today is a day where I can't help but reflect on how God prepared me to be your Mommy.

One year ago today we found out that Barrett was going to have a brother or sister.  One year ago today my heart was heavy because I knew it was going to be a long wait to meet you.  One year ago today I didn't know that we were going to have twins.  One year ago today I prayed like I had never prayed before.  One year ago today marks the end of a heartache I had been carrying for so long.

I never know what to expect each day.  We have days like this: 







And then we have days like this:





 And then, well , there are days like this:



We can't predict what the day is going to bring us.  Just like we can't predict that path God had laid out for us.  It was hard.  It was filled with sleepless nights.  It was filled with prayer.  It is our story.  A story I would not change a single part of because it led me to you.   If just one part of our story had been changed, you would not be here.  I would not be your Mommy.  And I love being your Mommy.  

We don't know what each day will bring.  But we do know that each day is filled with a promise.  We promise to teach you about all the lessons we learned while we were waiting for the day we got meet you:
  • We promise to teach you about Jesus and how much he loves you.
  • We promise to show you how to lean on God when life doesn't go your way.
  • We promise that we will let life happen to you so that you can learn how to pick yourself back up again before you have to conquer this world once you leave home.  
  • We promise to show you how to be a good friend to others.
  • We promise to show you how to stick by your friends in the tough times and how to celebrate with them in the good times.
  • We promise to teach you how to use the Bible to help guide you.
  • We promise to teach you how to be still and listen to what God is trying to show you.  
  • We promise to show you how to recognize Christ's love, and how to show His love to others.
  • We promise to teach you that God will never leave you.  
  • And we promise to love you and build relationships with each of you so that you know you can always come to Mom and Dad for advice, help, guidance, answers, or even just a hug. 
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." 
Hebrews 11:1






Sunday, May 25, 2014

4 Months

What a month!  My sweet baby girls started off the month with fevers from their shots, had growth spurts at different times, moved into their cribs, and Parker has been visiting the chiropractor twice a week.  But, Parker has also started giggling and BOTH girls are trying so hard to roll over.  Parker is successful sometimes, but she usually just gets mad when she gets stuck.  Payton looks like she wants to roll over, but gets stuck and gets comfy in her "look Mommy I was trying to roll over" spot.  

 The biggest issue we've had this month is their formula.  Apparently they have a reaction (i.e. screaming and arching their backs) to lactose in addition to their reflux, so we have had to play a bit of a guessing game to find the right one for them.  It's a bit exhausting, but pretty soon we'll be eating solid foods and not just formula.  So I'm hoping that helps with their little digestive tracks.  We've been trying a few essential oils to help with their digestive tracks.  
(Stay tuned to next month's blog to see if it's been working!)

They haven't been sleeping as well as they were last month.  Partly due to the whole formula issue, and partly because they are transitioning from newborns to infants.  But we'll figure it out.  The bright spot is they are still pretty good about falling back asleep after they eat in the middle of the night.  And I always keep lots of coffee in the house for the next morning! 

Happy Twins

 Parker

 Payton


 Happy Twins STILL

 Parker Laughing

 Payton Laughing

 Somebody thinks Mommy is FUNNY!

We started the month with a trip to Gamma and Poppy's, and then went to the Woodlands for Jordan's baby dedication.  Pictures from her dedication are on Aunt Lindey's Blog .

  
They LOVE Their Gamma

And Poppy Is Funny

 And They Learn a Lot From Him ;)


Tummy time is still a huge part of our day!  Sweet Big Brother loves to be anywhere his sisters are.  And this includes doing tummy time with them! 

Just Wanting to Be Close

Payton is Doing So Good!
(And I think her head is evening out)


Parker Playing with Big Brother

I walked out of my room to find all my kids like this: 

And then turned around for a second, only to find them like this:
He Loves His Sisters So Much!

 I keep trying to put both girls in my lap to snuggle at the same time...
... But It's Harder Thank It Looks!


 Daddy Does it Better!

Both twins decided it was time to start helping Mommy in the kitchen. 

Parker 

Payton

And I am continually amazed by how DIFFERENTLY these girls wake up!   Parker wakes up crying, screaming, thrashing around, and her swaddle looks like it's been through a shredder.  Payton wakes up so happy.  I don't even know she's awake most of the time. Sometimes she talks to herself while she waits for Mommy, but most of the time she just lays there and smiles at the fan.   Parker cries (at the top of her lungs) until she gets her bottle, and Payton is all smiles from the second I pick her up.  (Parker girl, I get it.  You wake up just like your mommy.  And your big brother. You just need a little time to wake up!)
Get. Me. Out Of Here!

Mommy, Don't Get Me Up Yet.  The Fan is STILL Moving! 

I continue to put a headband on them everytime we leave the house.  
Usually How it Ends Up

But So Cute When They Stay Put

Why Does Sister Cry When This Happens?  I'm Cool. 

I took both the girls to the chiropractor to look at their head shapes.  Like I said. I really think we have fixed Payton's issue on the side of her head.  But Parker isn't comfortable unless she's in this position:
Usually her head is resting on that shoulder and it was creating a pretty significant flat spot back there.  But the chiropractor said it was already looking better!  And it seems to be helping!  One of the interns who work there, Sera, has developed a sweet spot for my sweet  Parker girl.  She loves Parker and gets so excited when we walk in the door.  Actually, she begged and begged to come over and and play with Parker on her day off.  And Parker loved it because she got some undivided attention all day long. (It's hard beng a twin sometimes!)

I was able to catch Parker's First Giggle on video (totally by accident)
Parker Giggles

Payton's First Giggle was actually at the chiropractor's office while she was adjusting her.  But she did it again the next day when Barrett was chasing his friends outside a restaurant and ran right past her.   But she likes to play the "I Love You" Game too!

Payton and Her "Almost Giggles"

More Pics From This Month:
This Looked Different in My Head

Pay Loves Sitting on the Couch ...

... Figuring Out the Bumpo ...

... Help Make French Toast ...

... Snuggle With Daddy at Dinner ...

... And Snuggle With Big Brother

Daddy With All The Babes


Mommy and Big Brother

Goofball

Parker Loves to Smile and Giggle ...


... Snuggle With Big Brother ...

 ... Grow a Mohawk ...

... Practice Her Gymnastics ...

... Take Pictures ...

 ... And Roll Over Her Sister

Twins Watching Big Brother's Every Move

Story Time With Mommy ...

... Where There's a Will, There's a Way



 Awesome Bed Head

 Happy Payton

 Happy Parker

Sitting in a Chair is Even EASIER Now!


Things We Don't Want to Forget:
  • the look on their faces when they recognize Mommy/Daddy walked in the room
  • the way their eyes light up when I start playing with them
  • they way they smell after bath time
  • they way they cuddle after bath time
  • the strength it takes to not smile back at them when they want to play during their middle of the night feedings
  • the way their heads bop when they try to sit in the Bumpo
  • the precious sounds of their first giggles
  • how they watch everything Barrett does ~ pretty soon everybody will be playing together 
  • smiles in the morning
  • cheering them on to turn over on their own
  • how much Barrett loves his sisters and wants to be with them all the time


Outtakes from the 4 Month Photo Shoot
*it's TOUGH taking pictures of two babies