Twins at Three

THREE years old.  I still can't believe it!  I never got a chance to take their three year old photos, and these kind of came about as an accident.  I was trying to take a sister pic with Brooke in the middle, but she wasn't in the picture taking mood.  I did get a few of the twins that I absolutely LOVE and wanted to share them with y'all!

Silly.  Only Lauren would pick her nose.  This photo session lasted about five minutes - and all I did was click away while they did their own thing. I love how silly, playful, sweet and fun these two are with each other.

Sweet memories - each their own little person, yet so much alike.  What a gift they have in each other as constant companions and friends!

Lily & Lauren turn THREE!

These two turned THREE Monday.  I can still remember every detail the morning I met Lily and Lauren.  They were each their own little person, yet so much alike....

Lily was born first.  She was the smaller, more active twin.  She is still exactly the same...she will most definitely be our sporty girl.  She is shy, sensitive, soft spoken, sweet and loves to touch.  

Lauren came out a minute later.  She was always the twin I had to poke to get a response while she was in my belly.  She is still that way...pretty laid back most of the time.  She is a girly girl, and is Brooke's biggest fan.  She is sweet, sassy, loud, sensitive, dramatic and loves to give hugs.  

It's been such fun watching these two grow up together.  They are no longer babies, but now growing into little ladies.  I love to watch them interact with each other - there is such a special bond between them!  

I'm so thankful God chose me to be there Mom.  God has taught me so much through each one of my children.  These two have taught me how to laugh and enjoy these little years.  

Lily & Lauren Update

I can't believe it.  December 10th marked Lily & Lauren's half birthday making them TWO & A HALF!  Wow - I can't believe it - I still try to rock them to sleep and call them babies but they are growing SO quickly.  I'm so thankful for them and believe it or not, I am STILL in awe every time I think about the fact that they are twins.  It's amazing to see them growing up together.  They have their own little personalities but are always looking out for one another (and Brooke!).  

 Lauren is always VERY affectionate to Lily and gives out kisses and hugs freely!  Landon and I gave each other a camera last week for Christmas.  I a SO excited to have something to capture these special moments.  

Lily loves her baby - she doesn't leave home without her.  She loves boots, meat, singing, playing the guitar and dancing.  She is very loving and my favorite thing that she does is when she wraps her arms around me and plays with the back of my neck.  

Lauren is a little more on the crazy side.  She follows Brooke wherever she goes and that little dimple on her left cheek makes her look even more mischievous than she already is.  :)  She loves shoes, carbs, singing, jumping on the bed and spanking her own bottom.  ha ha.

So BLESSED.

Sweet & Unexpected Moments

I don't know if you read my last post, but God has really been testing me in the area of patience and love the last few days.  Instead of seeing certain circumstances as "nuisances", I have really embraced them and enjoyed every minute of "unplanned" time with the girls.  

Here's my sweet Lily bug. She was rebelling against nap time, but Lauren was OUT.  So I grabbed Lily and we made cookies.  She insisted on wearing the beanie. We had such a sweet time together - I rarely get to spend time with the twins one-on-one.  

Tuesday morning came along.  Let me just tell you our schedule right now on Tuesdays: 

8:00 - Brooke wakes up, gets ready for school

8:30 - wake the twins up and get them dressed and fed.

8:50 - we really should leave the house by now, but I usually forget SOMETHING and have to go back into the house several times, as well as chase Lauren around to get her into the car.

8:55 - get to school.  On Tuesdays the twins go to a "mother's day out" program.  For some reason they HATE it.  Yesterday Lauren was in the corner of her room by her crib holding on for dear life.  I have to pick them both up and carry them in.  I WISH I had a video camera so y'all could see how crazy we look. As much as I LOVE a 3 hour break once a week, I don't want to take them somewhere they are not comfortable, so we are praying about some different options.

12:00 - Pick the twins home, race home feed them and lay them down.

1:50- wake the twins up and load the car.

1:55 - unload the car to go get Brooke from preschool.

2:00 - reload the car

2:05 - get home and unload the car.

2:06 - wish I could take a nap

 Since Lauren has some SERIOUS allergies, not to mention she had a firm grip on my hair, I decided to keep her with me.  I felt SO guilty for leaving Lily there alone, but we paid for the month, and I knew she would have fun playing.  Lauren & I went to Utica Square and had a wonderful time together.  I didn't get to peacefully shop, but I had so much fun with Lauren just running around freely in the BEAUTIFUL weather.

So last night by the time I had cleaned up after dinner, I was SO ready for bed.  I was also feeling like I was coming down with a weird "bug".  So when the girls went to bed, I just melted into bed.  1 a.m. came around and I was WIDE AWAKE.   I laid in bed until 3 just tossing and turning trying to fall asleep.  I finally got out of bed and sat at the computer looking at Pinterest, and contemplating whether or not to go to Wal-Mart.  I decided getting clothes on was too much work.  As I sat there, I heard an odd sound coming from the twin's room.  I walked in and Lauren was choking and having a hard time breathing.  I picked her up and she coughed up some of the allergy drainage that she was choking on.  We got some snuggle time in, and I laid back down and fell asleep pretty quickly.  God allowed me to wake up for those few hours so that I would hear Lauren choking.  I'm so thankful even though it meant missing a few hours of sleep.  I know he will give me the energy to get through today....and I'm sure that Starbuck's can help the situation a little bit too.  :O)

Crazy Day & Churro Chex Mix

I have had mixed feelings about Lily & Lauren turning two.  I LOVE their little personalities developing, but I am missing those little baby days so badly.   I had some GREAT things planned for this week...none of them we have been able to get to.  Let me just give a re-cap of yesterday just for laughs:

6:00 - run, eat, read and get ready

7:30 - Brooke wakes up, eats and gets dressed

8:30 - Twins wake up, eat and get dressed

9:00 - we all load up in the car and head to wal-mart to look for a sound machine for the girls' naps.  While we were there, I didn't even look for one because I forgot.  he he.

9:20 - we all load up in the car

9:30 - we tour a school we are hoping Brooke will get into 

10:00 - get home and unload

***play, scream, cry***

10:55 - Load up into the car

11:00 - Meet a friend for lunch at Chick-Fil-A....I long for adult fellowship!  :O)

12:00 - get home and lay everyone down for naps

This is where it got crazy - LOTS of screaming.  I tried to separate the girls, but they just kept screaming each other's names across the house.  Funny now - not so much yesterday.  I had plans of cleaning the house and preparing dinner.  Lauren has had a pretty bad cough (which is keeping her up)....so she had an appointment at 2:30.

2:30 - load up into the car 

2:45 - we are late.  I hate being late.  Thankfully they are pretty understanding.  :O)

3:00 - Head home with a prescription for steroids and an antibiotic.  Thankfully nothing contagious, she just has some serious allergy problems. Poor baby girl.  I had an appointment scheduled for 4:15 so I called Landon and begged him to come home to watch the girls so I wouldn't have to take them.  :O)

***Play, scream, cry***

4:15 - Who knew going to the dr. could be so relaxing?!?  I'm exhausted from just the loading and unloading!

5:00 - get home and hustle to get dinner & dessert ready!  I also got a phone conversation with a sweet friend who was encouraging me in God's word. I am so thankful for the friends that God has placed in my life!

6:00 - we enjoy some great fellowship with friends after a crazy day.

Whew.  It as a crazy day and I didn't get anything done that I had planned.  Several times throughout the day this verse came to mind:

"From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2

I am already missing those sweet newborn days.  I know in another year I am going to wish I could go back in time to "enjoy" another one of these crazy days.  I need to look to God for strength and patience, but I also need to ENJOY every day as a gift from Him.  

Since I didn't have time to make the dessert I planned,  I made this churro chex mix that I spotted on Pinterest instead.  It was a hit!  Have a great week!

Cinnamon Churro Chex Mix

1 box of Rice Chex cereal

1 cup cinnamon chip (Hershey's is the brand I found at wal-mart!)

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Microwave the chips and butter in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth.  Pour over the cereal and stir until coated.  Throw the sugars and cinnamon into a large plastic bag if you have one (if not, pour on top of the coated cereal and toss) and toss the cereal in it.  Shake until coated! Throw in a bowl and enjoy.  Just a warning:  this is highly addictive!

Our First Surgery

Here we are all "dressed up" and ready for our procedure.  Mommy & Daddy woke us up at 5:15 a.m.   We normally sleep until 9...so we were pretty tired.

The medicine they gave us to calm down before the took us back made us REALLY HAPPY.  :O)

All the nurses loved us and told daddy and mommy that we did a great job!  We even got little teddy bears to take home with us.  We had a lot of infection back in our ears, even after 3 rounds of antibiotics, and large adenoids.  We hope this is the road to better health for both of us!

I'm Lily!  I was tested for my hearing and speech a few weeks ago and didn't do so well.  My comprehension level was above the two year level, but my speech skills are at the level of a 13 month old.  I'm not worried though - since my surgery, I am already trying to say words and repeat the words my mommy says.  I just felt like I was wearing earmuffs all the time!  I will bounce back quickly and I even have my own speech therapist to help me!  :O)

I'm Lauren!  I can say a few more words than my sister, but I am excited to be able to hear more clearly!   My favorite word is "shoe".  You should hear the way I say "Lily".  It's pretty cute.  :O)

Thank you for all your prayers!  We appreciate all the love you have shown our family!

just a year ago...

Brooke couldn't wait to meet her "babies"

Oh this was about 2 days before I had the babies. Ready to POP!

Our little family of THREE!

One of the happiest moments of my life...meeting #2 & #3

Just a year ago I was anxiously awaiting the date of our scheduled c-section set for June 10, 2010. The week was filled with trips to the doctor, special ultrasounds, and visits to the cancer treatment center for vitamin infusions. I spent a lot of time laying in bed and floating in the pool to keep those girls baking as long as possible. We tried to spend as much time with Brooke before we rocked her world by adding TWO babies to our little home. I remember just crying on our bed with Landon the night before the big day. I was feeling every emotion possible...I was excited, fearful, nervous, anxious, and relieved we had made it so far. Let's just say my pregnancy was so physically painful I did not take any pain medication stronger than tylenol after my section. It just didn't seem like anything in comparison to the previous 36 weeks. Every minute of those 36 weeks was completely worth it and forgotten when I heard those little cries in that operating room. It all seemed like such a little sacrifice for such a BIG blessing.

Today....almost a year later I am in awe of how I can love 3 little girls SO much. They have each brought such joy to our lives. Parenting has shown us how inadequate we are without the Lord's strength. He has provided for our every need and has given us the strength and love to get through each day. We are excited to celebrate this first year that the Lord has graciously given us with our sweet little girls.

Party Planning...Bittersweet

Every time I sit down at my desk to craft something for Lily & Lauren's party I just can't start it. I usually just cry. Ha ha. I will blame it on the weaning...these hormones are out of control. I am usually WEEKS ahead of planning any sort of party...even the little details. I know I am not saying good-bye to the girls....but I feel like I am saying good-bye to the sweet baby stage. I have gone into their rooms every night to just hold them while they are sleeping. Instead of crafting and cleaning, I have been playing with them during the day. Right now I have 6 big eyes staring at me while I write this, and 4 little hands throwing cheerios all over the floor. I am trying to hold on to every minute...

Random fun fact - Over the last 358 days we have used approximately 5,475 diapers. You are Welcome Huggies.

On the other hand...I am VERY excited to celebrate their first year with us. I still cannot wrap my mind around the fact that we have TWO babies. Two babies that sleep, eat, giggle, play, get in trouble and GROW together. As we say "good-bye" to the baby stage we say a big "HELLO" to the toddler stage (times two). Oh my is all I have to say to that.

Landon and I feel so blessed to be parents of 3 wonderful little girls. We are thankful for the opportunity God has given us to be parents and never expected 3 years ago that He would bless us with so many sweet little girls to share our lives with.

Crazy Parents at midnight...

This is Lauren happy as can be!

Freely giving some sweet kisses!

There are a few questions we have answered a few hundred times since we added the twins to our family.

1. Are they twins? Hmm....no...they just look exactly the same and are the same size.

2. Are they boys? Sure....boys with earrings, pink damask car seats, pink shirts and bows stuck to their head with KY jelly.

3. Do you get any sleep at night? This is one question that Landon and I avoided answering directly. We tried not to "jinx" ourselves by answering completely. To be honest the girls have been sleeping through the night at about 8 weeks old. Since we did our best to keep them on the same feeding/napping/sleeping schedule they would sleep and wake around the same time. God really blessed us with babies who slept at night. He knew we needed all the strength to take care of the kids the next day!

All that to say....every couple nights Landon and I go into the twins room and pick up a sleeping baby. Just to hold them. They immediately wake up. They will not allow us to rock them to sleep or hold them while they are sleeping. They just smile and play for a couple minutes with us in bed until we put them back in their cribs. So we are pretty crazy for waking our babies up in the middle of the night while they are sleeping so soundly...but we just love that sweet couple of minutes with our sweet little babies. They won't be little for long!

TEN months

Lily & Lauren at 10 months

My sweet Lauren

My sweet Lily!

Where has the time gone? My girls have gotten so big...all 3 of them. I can't believe Lily & Lauren will be 1 in less than 2 months. If I think about it for more than a minute, I start to cry. I know that every stage of their lives are sweet, but I just love to hold and cuddle my sweet little babies. I am desperately trying to enjoy every single minute in our very fast-paced lives!

Landon's 26th Birthday!

We all had a fun time celebrating Landon's birthday "week"! I am so thankful to have such a wonderful husband....we had to make his big 26 special!

Landon & his birthday cake!

Breakfast at Chick-fil-a with the girls!

P.F. Changs date! We had a great time!

Daddy & his four girls - We just love him!

My Pregnancy Story

Delivery Day! 5:45, and SO happy to meet my girls

I just can't explain the relief that I felt hearing these screams!

My sweet girls

9 months ago I was 9 months pregnant with the twins. It is so hard to believe how quickly the time as gone by! I have had so many friends ask about my pregnancies...so I thought I would share a little bit about that with you all. I hope it will encourage you!

Landon and I have been married for 41 months. Out of those 41 months, I was pregnant for 18 and nursing for 21. So for almost 40 of those months, I was either throwing up on an hourly basis, or eating everything in sight to keep up with my milk supply. Added to that are the hormones that can get out of control. He got one month of "normal", and that was the first month of our marriage in the "honeymoon stage"! Poor husband.

With both pregnancies, I had extreme problems with keeping food down. I threw up the entire pregnancies several times a day. Hyperemesis Gravidarum is the medical term for what the doctor diagnosed me with. This pregnancy had a rocky start. At week 5, after a lot of bleeding and my first ER visit, we weren't sure if we were still pregnant. I had my HCG levels checked every other day. They seemed to rise slightly under the normal rate, and certainly not at the rate of a twin pregnancy. The next 3 weeks were the longest weeks of waiting. At 8 weeks we saw the heartbeat...of TWO babies. We were so relieved and shocked at the same time. While pregnant with the twins, my body could hardly keep up with the pregnancy. I was in and out of the urgent care/emergency room...getting fluids twice a week. My doctor threatened to put me on feeding tubes every week if I did not start gaining a pound a week. Every week I would pray that I would gain the weight so I would not have to stay in the hospital. At week 20, I was placed on bed rest. For me, that was the hardest thing to face...especially with a very active 1 year old. Every time I stood up and walked around, I would immediately start having contractions. I knew that I needed to obey his orders for the health of the twins. By week 30 I really struggled with Anemia and malnutrition. I was so anemic, the doctor didn't even know how I was standing without passing out. I had to visit the cancer treatment center to receive IV's for Iron and other nutrients. I was in so much pain, but in the midst of all these physical trials the Lord really made His love clear to our family. I knew that this pain and suffering was only temporary. In just a few short months I would get to hold two of the sweetest baby girls in my arms and forget about it all.

How did we get through this time? Only by HIS strength and grace. My husband is amazing. He always encouraged me, kept me calm, reminded me of truth, helped with the house, did the dishes, played with Brooke and loved me sacrificially on a daily basis. God gave me such a gift when He gave me Landon. I can't even begin to count the number of people who prayed for us during those long months. I am so thankful for a mom who couldn't always be near, but prayed very fervently for my family. I am also thankful for a mother-in-law who also prayed, but was also a true servant to us. We moved into the Miller's home when I was placed on bed rest. Poppy and Gi Gi helped us all through a very hard time, and gave sacrificially by sharing their home with us. Our church family prayed for us, and also sent ladies to help me once a week for almost 8 months! We are thankful for our friends and family who were an encouragement by sending notes, emails and cards and uplifting us in prayer. "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16.

June 10, 2010 we finally got to meet Lily & Lauren. Born by C-Section at week 36. Lily was 5'10 & Lauren was 6'1". Despite the physical problems I went through...two HEALTHY baby girls were born. They stayed in our room with us and never saw the NICU. After 3 days we were sent home! I refused any pain medication after the C-Section because I was determined to nurse the girls. I knew the medication would make me loopy, and I didn't want any chance of the girls getting any traces of it. Honestly...it was painful, but not as painful as the last 9 months. What is amazing is that immediately after both pregnancies, I was able to eat like a normal person and keep food down again. AH....food has never tasted so good.

Nursing was a big challenge because of my nutrition issues. I was determined, but I also knew that it might not be a possibility. We tried to stay positive and just try as hard as we could. After a lot of prayer and determination, I am so thankful to say...they are 9 months old next week and have been breastfed exclusively! Another answer to prayer.

Lily & Lauren have brought such joy to our lives. They are a miracle and blessing from God. I wanted to share my story with you all, and also thank you for all your prayers and encouragement!

Lily & Lauren at 8 months

FOUR MONTHS!

I just can't believe the twins are 4 months old. Time is flying by, and we are trying to enjoy this baby stage as much as possible. The girls are SO SWEET. God has blessed us with 2 very sweet babies, and 1 very loving big sister (even though she has her moments). Everything looked great at their 4 month check-up! They are climbing the scales...Lily is 11.9 and Lauren is 12.2. They are both 24 inches long, and Lauren's head is still bigger. :O) For all of you who have asked the twins are IDENTICAL. Their Dr. said they were, and 3 OBGYN specialists said they were. Just thought I would confirm that for everyone. Time to get back to my sweeties...hope y'all have a great weekend!