The best Christmas yet...

This blog entry is WAY late, but since things have calmed down (somewhat), I figured I'd catch up.  Christmas just came and went, like it always does, but so much faster this year than in years past.  I was into decorating early (only one tree this year but will have more than that next) but dreaded cleaning up all the mess, which I finished today.  BUT, it was such a great holiday, as it always is, with some very special new additions. 

Hayden has finally turned into a diva rock star.  I knew she would, but tried to hold it off for as long as I could.  She was totally tuned in to all the holiday cheer this year, even crying when I packed up the tree this morning.  I told her that it and more would be coming back next year.  Of course that (and a sucker) made it all better.  Even though she didn't get very close, she was obsessed with Santa Claus.  She asked to see him e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y......  Not a huge production Christmas Eve.  Just fun with friends and family.  On Christmas morning, the boys woke up at their usual, 6:30, and we went in to wake a crabby Hayden, surprisingly.  After convincing her it was Christmas morning and Santa had come, she jumped out of bed and shredded open every present she could find.  It was PRECIOUS!

All three got a red Radio Flyer wagon and she got a pink Radio Flyer scooter.  She's been riding that scooter over every inch of my hardwood floors since that morning.  We couldn't test it outside because there was a foot of snow that fell Christmas night to the next morning.  What a way to end the holiday!  Only I'm really ready for it to melt.  Somehow I don't think that's the last of the snow we'll see this winter.  

Hayden just ended the first semester of preschool at Lakeside Baptist Church, by the way she loves school.  We're on a two week break and it's almost about to kill her (and me).  She asks to go every day.  Ms. Cannon and Ms. Marsha are her teachers.

Oh!  and the boys, my precious, sweet, always smiling, boys.  I couldn't have asked for better babies that come in pairs.  Even though they slept through most of the season,  I enjoyed them enjoying it.  They received mostly clothes, but got a few really cute and useful toys.  They will be EIGHT monthes old on New Year's Day.  They are trying to sit up on their own (for a few seconds anyway) and really ready to take off running.  It's hard to even get them to sit because of their stiff standing legs!  They eat around four 7oz bottles and baby food a day, each.  Neither has really caught the hang of taking long naps yet (their sister was a glorious napper), but we're working on that.  At least they sleep around 13 hours through the night.

Garrett went to his last eye appointment today.  The doctor ok'd his vision and he's on the right track developing.  We are so thankful for that.  I have been enjoying staying at home with them.  My aunt should be back at the end of January to help me.  She is such a blessing along with the rest of my family.  I have had a very interesting and thankful year.  I could not ask for anything more and my cup is truly full.  I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for us!

My God is so great....

Please pray for the family of this brave mother....

From Kelly's Korner blog..
 * And a quick update - the mother who delivered twins at 21 weeks and lost them and then had a heart attack passed away yesterday. Please be in prayer for her family and especially her husband. He lost his first wife 3 years ago to breast cancer and has 3 young children. I can't imagine the excruciating pain he must be enduring. Pray that Jesus is close to Him. http://www.lesliejoyevans.blogspot.com/

Guess who will be 5 months old on Friday!!!  This pic comes a little late as I'm a little slack these days.  

E and G are around 13 lbs, 13 lbs of pure sweetness.  They smile, laugh, and coo all the time.  Garrett is my big boy, yet soft-hearted.  He pouts if he hears Hayden or Ethan whimper, and we won't even talk about what he does if he hears them cry.  Ethan is smaller and more cuddlier.  He also has a harder time soothing himself, but doesn't cry as much  (if that makes sense).  They both like to be swaddled while sleeping, even though they fight it.  Their eyes are getting a little better.  We go to their regular eye exam tomorrow.  We are working on sleeping through the night.  They go to bed at 7 pm and sometimes wake up once for a feeding.  I try to let them learn to fall back asleep, but they are definitely fighters and I don't like to hear them cry it out.

 So excited for what the future brings for our family!

Some new stuff!

Garrett is 13 lbs and Ethan is 12.8 lbs.  They are both 24" long!  Hayden is in preschool 2 days a week and loves it.  My baby has turned into a little girl in a matter of months.  They are my world!

Glorious!

We've reached another precious milestone.  I say "we" like my names are Garrett and Ethan!  For the past few days they've both been shooting grins and gums my way.  Along with their little coos, there is not much more of my heart to melt.  I am such a slack mom.  I haven't taken many pictures lately and can't seem to get them to smile long enough to snap any of their recent accomplishment.  All I know is, I can't get enough of them!  They turned 15 weeks on Saturday.  Time is flying, but we're having tons of fun!!

Papparazzi

"Make way for Miss Hayden! No autographs please! "

So while my child runs from shutter flies, I'm trying to grab her and get back some jewelry before she got too tangled up in the mess.  Did I mention she thinks she's a celebrity?  We went to lunch today with Tammy and couldn't get out the door to leave before she told everyone in the restaurant bye!  Love it!  We had a lunch date since Daddy took the boys to their regular eye exam in Raleigh.  Their eyesight still isn't progressing but the doctor doesn't seem to be concerned that it will get worse.  We just need a few prayers and for their eyes to keep maturing.  This is typical for preemies so we aren't worried just yet!

We had some special friends over yesterday.  Leslie came with her two gorgeous kids.  We were so glad she did because she lives an hour away so we don't get to see them often.  He is too cute for words!

Wish we could see them more!  I think L and Hayden would make great babysitters! 

3 Months!

I can't believe my sweet twins are three months old! They reached this amazing milestone yesterday. It's crazy how busy a stay-at-home mom can be, so I'm trying to make a point to take a picture of all of my kids everyday. I had a rough night last night, so I have not been outside all day, trying to rest from the sleeplessness. Spencer took the boys to their weight check today. G is 9 lbs and E is 8.4 lbs! I'm so proud of them. They are thriving and getting so big. It's sad the time has passed so fast, but I'm also excited at what the future will bring for them. I love you boys!


Now to my little "DIVA". Nana came by last night and brought dinner. Hayden discovered her shoes and I must say she knows how to wear heels! Little stinker!




Also, the dreaded REGRESSION has crept into our house. Hayden has had more than enough accidents within the past few days. I try to stay as patient as I can, but when you have two screaming infants and a toddler peeing on every chair in the house, it's hard. I can tell it's getting to Spencer too. I hope she doesn't hate me one day for posting these priceless pictures. I'm trying to capture every moment, right?!

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I'll never get these moments back.... even the awkward ones!

Happy 13th Week!

Garrett and Ethan turn 13 weeks today. I can't believe it'll be August tomorrow. Time flies when your having fun and up at all hours of the night!

Garrett (L) Ethan (R)




We find out how much they weigh at the doctor's on Monday. I can't wait to see how much they've grown on the scale. I can tell just by holding them and by their clothes that they have put on a pound, or more.


At the last weight check, which will be two weeks ago Monday, Ethan weighed 7.2 lbs and Garrett weighed 7.6 lbs. They are three weeks adjusted, so they still act somewhat like newborns, but they are very strong. Both have rolled from tummy to back a couple of times and have great head control. They're both going through a bit of a fussy stage, Garrett more so than Ethan. But when it's time for night, night, they both sleep for about 5 hour stretches until the sun comes up. They're overall great-natured babies. Ethan has been on antibiotics for a stomach infection, but it doesn't seem to be bothering him. The only reason I knew something was going on is because he had blood in his stool. They eat 4 to 5 ounces at a time. I'm so thankful they're thriving.

I have noticed lately that Hayden plays with two baby dolls at a time now, instead of just one. SO CUTE!!! She's definitely a mini-me!






We've had a nice, relaxing weekend. Last night the Moss' came over and we had a blast, of course. Tanner and Hayden played outside until the sun went down. They only stopped for a second to eat, then got drumsticks for dessert. I don't know who enjoyed them more, the kids or the moms!! The night ended with a big splash in Mommy's bath tub. Lots of bubbles, splashing, and fun!







Tammy and Tanner came back over this morning to help with the twins while Travis and Spencer played golf. It's been a nice relaxing day at home as well. The sun's not out and it just rained. Now for a blockbuster movie and Japanese food to end the day. Looking forward to a much needed worship in the morning and a wonderful Sunday.

It's a log.....log...

Going from one to three kids has RoCkEd my world! I always thought I was pretty good at scheduling and organizing. HA! Boy was I wrong. I've been brought to a whole new level of scheduling and organizing, and it's still not what I think is good. How easy was it to get my first on a schedule? It wasn't easy, or so I thought at the time. Now that I look back on it, and considering my current attempt at scheduling, it was a breeze!

Introducing My LOG! My homemade, simply put, log (in which I can't live without). The LOG is in a 50 cent, three subject notebook (in which I can't live without). I write down all feedings, bottles, poops, vitamins, and medicines. I got the idea from another blogger, and boy am I glad I read that post!

Introducing Ethan and Garrett's LOG!




It's truly important enough to blog about!

Quiet time.... what??

Yep, found a few minutes to do a little update post. My house has been a zoo for the entire month of July. It has been fun, but looking forward to a quieter August, which still includes a toddler and twin infants.

I've had my brother, sister-in-law, sister, and dad here for July and they've all just recently left. It was nice having extra sets of hands around until I could get the hang of things (which is still a work in progress).





The boys are napping (a rarity) and Hayden is watching YO GABBA GABBA.


We went and spent the morning at Mandy's house and played with Gavin. Hayden and I love going there to visit. She loves Gavin, and all of his toys, and I love hanging with my bestie! It's nice because Mandy adores the boys and she has EVERYTHING in the world to accommodate the babies and the toddlers. While the boys fussed in and out of sleep, we got a little break in the pool, which I LOVED. I haven't seen much sunshine lately unless it's breaking through my blinds.






If I can get her out of the pool, she goes straight for Gavins rocking horse!



It's really hard to leave without prying Hayden off Mandy's leg. It's great to have such great friends!

The boys are growing so much and so fast. I've really been trying to hold on to and enjoy the fact that I've had newborns for 13 weeks now. It was tough to have them in the NICU, but since they've been home, I've soaked it all in. There adjusted age is 2 and 1/2 weeks so we've been experiencing the usual fussiness, restlessness, and gas. I know it's short lived, but it's still tough to see them so uncomfortable, especially with two of them and only one of me. BUT...I'm truly blessed to have such perfect, healthy children. I'm aware that one day I'll look back and wish I could have just ten minutes of this time back.



We don't have much planned for the weekend. Hopefully the Moss' will come over one night for dinner. Hayden and Tanner have so much fun. The last time they came, the kids had so much fun running and jumping on the air mattress, which was in the playroom, it was also Dana's bed! They're both potty training and were about to take a bath, which is why they were nearly naked!!






It's a crazy life, but a fun life! I give God all the glory!

Life Savers

OK, maybe I'm going overboard by calling my recent purchases "life savers", but they sure do enhance the quality of life with newborn twins and a two-year-old. I would've laughed five years ago, if you had of told me that in five years, a trip to Babies R Us could make the world of difference. Dana and I went shopping there yesterday after the boys' eye appointment and purchased two Mobys and two Halo Sleep Sacks. OMG! I would highly recommend both, especially if you have a squirmy little boy (or two) who loves to be held and hates sleeping in his crib. The Moby seems a little intimidating at first, but is easy to figure out and they LOVE it!

Dana and I both had a Moby on and a baby in it when we braved the mall after this purchase. We ate in the food court, fed them, and talked on our phones with such ease. Everyone that walked by did a double take, and some commented on how cute we looked, but I felt so liberated in the fact that I could cradle one of my sons AND use both of my hands at the same time. I think Dana felt the same and we both giggled like teenagers while we skipped through the mall. And did I mention that I can put both boys in it at the same time?! It holds up to 35 lbs., so we tested Hayden in it. She of course thought it was fun to have Aunt Dana hold her and do squats at the same time.

I also bought the Halo Sleep Sack for each of the boys and it saves so much time and effort than trying to swaddle them in a blanket that's probably too small, and in which they usually wiggle out of.

Unbelievable what a few pieces of fabric and a good idea can do for an exhausted mother!