Letters to my daughters...

Going to one blog...

2009-11-11T08:03:00.000-08:00

Head on over to www.octobertwinsplusone.blogspot.com This is where I'll be doing all our updates....of our family of five :)

What's new?

2009-09-26T08:28:00.001-07:00

So much has been going on...

The girls are very ready to meet their brother. They went to a big sister class at the hospital and we were amazed at how well they put diapers on their baby dolls. They also practiced burping and holding and talked about ways they can help Mommy with the baby. It was so sweet. They made their brother birthday cards. We had friends over the other day who have a 2 month old, and they sat next to her and wiped her mouth with a bib and put her paci in and just oohed and ahhed over her. It was so sweet. I can't wait to see them act that way towards their brother.

School is going well for them. Teacher still says they spend most of the time together. She said she can tell they are getting ready for their brother because every day they choose the housekeeping center and play with the baby dolls.

They want to help with everything from laundry to dishes! I love this age. I taught four year olds in my life before children....and it is just my favorite. Can NOT believe they will be four in 2 weeks. I still call them my babies, and the other day Nelson said no, it's just one. I said no, I'm talking about the girls. Whatever, they'll always be my babies :). If you ask them they'll tell you that too ;).

Love

2009-09-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

We were talking to the girls tonight about school. This year is still new to them so they are still glued to each other. It's important to me that they play with other friends, not sit next to each other all the time, and choose different centers to go to. This will help me to decide to keep them together or if we'll need to seperate down the road.

So, tonight we asked them who they played with, and again they said, "Sister". I told them they need to play with other friends and go to different centers sometimes. Mikayla said, "But, I love my sister so much". Then, Brianna said, "Yea, and we want to play husband and wife in housekeeping center". So cute. How can you not want them to be together?? I told them that's wonderful, and sometimes they can play in housekeeping together, but they also need to play with other kids and sometimes do different things. They just fill my heart with so much joy everyday :).

Money Tree?

2009-09-12T10:50:00.000-07:00

We went this morning to have all 3 car seats checked. We moved the girls to the back row, and put Joshua's car seat in the middle row, and took out a captain's chair so that the girls could easily get to the back, and we could easily get them in and out. Well, the CSI (car seat inspector ;) ), looked at baby's car seat first. They have already become more high tech in the past 4 years. There was a knob to turn to make the seat level that we didn't have on the girls' Graco Snugfit's. Crazy. So, he adjusts baby's and it was all set. The girls' were more tricky, because they've been in them for 3 years now and so the straps had to be checked and everything else. He gets them all set, and they are all buckled in and we are about to leave when he calls the fire marshall over to double check...this is where I freak out (inside, no waterworks with everyone there)

Their convertible car seats are good until they are 40 lbs. The girls both weigh 33 lbs. They gain about 3 lbs. a year now...so I figured we wouldn't have to buy boosters until they were at least 4 1/2. Well, the fire marshall looks and she says, "You need new car seats, and they won't fit in boosters yet" WHAT?!?!? My girls apparantly are too tall for their seats. She told me there is a car seat that is a 5 pt. harness starting at 20 lbs, and turns into a booster when kid reaches 40 lbs. BUT, that's 300 dollars right there for both of them. We have had SO many expenses come up that we weren't expecting. It's freaking me out so much. Then, in 3 weeks we are going to have an astronomical hospital bill. Seriously, where is the money tree I so need to visit?? Ugh...

Open House

2009-09-10T18:42:00.000-07:00

We went to the girls' school tonight for their Open House. The teachers put together these little school houses with the kids' picture, and some questions they asked with the kids' answers. One of the questions was: I love Mommy because.... (Brianna said "because she gives us baths", and Mikayla said, "because she hugs and kisses me") LOL.....Well, the REALLY funny one was what they said about Daddy. I love Daddy because....(Mikayla said, "becuase he makes me oatmeal", and Brianna said, "Because he goes to work") LOL ...How funny, Brianna knows how she gets toys and clothes is because Daddy works ;).

Grandparent's Day at school tomorrow. I'm going to send them in red, white and blue...can't believe 9/11 was 8 years ago. So sad.

So so sweet

2009-09-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

Mikayla just hugged my belly, and said, "Joshua I want you to marry me". Then, she looked up at me and said, "Can I marry Joshua someday, mama?" I said, "Well, no, he's your brother, and you can't marry your brother. Just like Mommy couldn't marry Uncle Ricky or Uncle Joey. You have to find a boy you love that isn't in your family." Mikayla then said, "I want to find a boy that's just like Daddy".

AWE....SO Sweet.

I told her I thought that was a wonderful idea, and she said, "Mommy, when I find a boy like Daddy, can I have a baby like you?". Oh geez. So, I told her that first she needs a husband and then she can talk about kids ;).

No self esteem issues here...

2009-08-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

I have always said that I want my girls to have high self esteem, and know how amazing they are. Well, don't know if we've gone overboard with complimenting them ;).

Awhile ago Mikayla said, "Mommy when Joshua's born he's going to say, Wow, Mikayla you're so beautiful". LOL

Then, when I was sick over the weekend Brianna said, "Mommy whenever you feel sad just think about the day I was born. That will make you feel better."

Then, today, Brianna said, "Mommy we are best friends". I said, "Yes we are :) ". Brianna said, "I'm just so wonderful". LOL.

They fill me with such joy :).

Ears are pierced!!

2009-08-11T10:18:00.001-07:00

My ears were pierced when I was 6 months old, and my mom jokes if she had it her way my girls' ears would have been pierced as soon as they were born. Nelson and I wanted our girls to ask to get their ears pierced. Well, they have brought it up here and there when they admire Mommy's earrings. A week ago they were asking a couple times, and I told them we would have to talk to Daddy about it. I was excited at their enthusiasm for earrings, and the fact that you have to care for new earrings 3 times a day for 6-8 weeks seemed like now was the perfect time. I have 8 weeks before Joshua is born. So, I'll be cleaning 4 ears 3 times a day until my son arrives :). I was just amazed with them. They didn't cry, didn't even say ouch. They were so brave. Mikayla went first and sat on Daddy's lap, and then Brianna went and sat on my lap :).

They each got to choose their own earrings. Mikayla chose her birthstone which is a pink sparkly stone. Brianna chose yellow gold balls. These are both very fitting for my little girls. They also already got a new pair of earrings from a family friend. I am hoping to find little hello kitty and pooh bear earrings for their birthday :). Ok...enough rambling...here are the pictures of my BIG girls! :)

Mary had a little...Jesus?

2009-07-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

So, Mikayla has been asking a lot of questions about Jesus' family. I have a friend who is the youth director at a church and she said this is the age where they are so curious about it all. Well, the other day Mikayla is singing the nursery rhyme Mary Had A Little Lamb...and instead of lamb she said Jesus, and then said, "and everywhere that Mary went Jesus was sure to follow". LOL. This has been her new favorite song to sing. They still are having a hard time understanding Joseph is married to Mary but God is Jesus' Father. I told them that Joseph was like a dad to Jesus though. I don't think they are at an age to go into different types of families. I don't want to talk about step-parents and all that because I don't think they are old enough to know they don't need to worry about their family breaking apart. Probably when they start school and see many different types of families we'll discuss it.

In other funny sayings, Brianna told me out of no where that she is my "miracle of life" and I am the "hero of her life". She cracks me up. I don't know where they get this stuff.

Holding grudges...

2009-07-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

I got to go on a girls trip with two of my close girlfriends that I have grown up with. We went to Savannah, and had a nice relaxing trip. All three of us are pregnant, and this was our only chance to all be together before our babies arrive. It was awesome :).

Well, my girls were home, and my husband was wonderful as always with them. They really loved their time with Daddy, but really missed me.

When I got home they made me promise to never leave them again. Then, on Monday Brianna was super grumpy. She's usually my easy going kid, and not as dramatic as her sis...but Monday she wasn't acting like herself at all. She seemed angry with me. I asked her if she was upset that I went on a trip without her. She said, "yes", with no hesitation. I told her I wasn't going away any time soon, and that I love her...and she seemed better.

Nelson reminded me that when I went to Vegas when they were a week shy of turning one Brianna acted the same way when I got home. She's always been such a Mommy's girl.

Things were good today, and I had my happy-go-lucky girl back :).

Birthday

2009-07-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

The girls' birthday party will be a month early because of their brother's arrival being so close to their b-day. So, I ordered their invites yesterday, and the proof came to my e-mail today. I love it! They have their favorite color on in the picture. The theme is Tink/Hello Kitty since they both have different things they like. The lady who made the invites was able to incorporate it and everything.

Well, I showed the girls...Brianna loved it, Mikayla did not. She says to me, "Why did you put that picture? I look silly." I told her she looked beautiful, and she said, "I don't like it" and stormed out. She is 3.5 going on 15!!! She is warming up to it now ;).

Here is the invite minus the party info since this is the world wide web and all ;)

Tuning 'em out...

2009-07-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

I was watching Chelsea Handler last night, and she was interviewing Brooke Burke. Brooke was saying she can do things and talk on the phone because mom's can tune out the kids. This is so true. I am able to talk, make lunch, deal with issues, and it can be super loud but it doesn't bother me. Nelson can't handle this. He hasn't been able to tune them out yet :). Chelsea said that when she talks to her sister that it totally stresses her out when she hears her nephew freaking out in the background and her sister just goes about the conversation. I'm wondering if my friends without kids feel this way. If they wonder how I can be having a conversation with chaos all around me. I figure I either talk with the background chaos, or never talk...I'd much rather tune out then miss out on my conversations with my friends :).

Bedroom transition

2009-07-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

Today we moved all the toys out of the playroom/soon-to-be baby's room. The girls were all excited when we started this morning. Then, when we finished, Mikayla had a melt down. She said she wanted her brother to sleep in the guest room (which is now their playroom/guest room). I told her that the baby would be lonely in the back of the house, and now his room will be right next to her room. She said, "Mommy, his room is next to the bathroom". LOL...there is a bathroom right in between their rooms, so she got me there. I expected Brianna to be the one upset not Mikayla...though, Mikayla does hate change like her mama. Hopefully she learns to love her new playroom soon :).

4th of July

2009-07-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

We had a great 4th of July! Some friends came over, and we went swimming and had a bar-b-que. Then, we headed to Channelside for some great fireworks :). I absolutely love having kids and seeing the joy of holidays in their eyes.

Summertime

2009-06-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

It is hot hot hot outside. We have been staying cool by going to the YMCA pool, free movies that are offered for kids over the summer, trips to the mall, and the spray park. My mom started today by taking the girls out for the morning. She is going to do this on Thursdays during the summer. It was a really nice break for me this morning.

The girls are good girls, but lately have been driving me crazy. WHINING is a constant in my house lately. I keep envisioning what their high school years will be like, AUGH! I feel like since I have all these pregnancy hormones going on my patience isn't as great as it usually is. They are loving being cuddled by me since I can't pick them up anymore. I hate that I can't carry them, but it was hurting me too much when I tried that I didn't want to hurt Joshua, so now I hold them when I'm sitting. That is nice that they love it when I hold them. They are so so good about not asking me to hold them. When Nelson's around they immediately run to him and ask him to pick them up :). Mikayla said when she grows up she's going to wish to go back to being little, because she never wants to be big ;).

On Father's Day, we let Nelson sleep in, and then went to Lenny's for breakfast...his favorite. Then, we headed to play mini golf for the girls' first golf experience...they loved it! Afterwards we went to my parent's for a barbecue. It was a really nice day...the girls and I are so grateful for Nelson.

Imagination Movers

2009-06-15T10:00:00.001-07:00

For those of you not familiar with Imagination Movers, it's a show on Playhouse Disney that my girls are a big fan of. It's one of their favorite shows that I like too :). There are 4 guys who sing, play instruments, and solve problems using imagination. It was on the other morning, and Mikayla was sitting in my lap, and Brianna was right next to me. Mikayla says, "I really like Rich, he's my favorite". Brianna then said, "Dave is my favorite, he has a cool red hat" (Dave's hat is like Mary Poppin's...he can pull anything out of it). Mikayla then said, "Mommy, who's your favorite?" I told them that I liked Scott. Brianna then said, "Then, Smitty must be Daddy's favorite". Because surely we must all like someone different right? It was really cute. They are definitely little girls now...no more toddlers...it's so strange to me. The past 3 years have just flown by, and yet it feels like my girls have always been a part of my life.

My Fish!

2009-06-12T07:37:00.001-07:00

The girls are in refresher swim lessons, through ISR, since they haven't been in the pool since last September. Last year when they took lessons they basically just learned survival skills. How to float, and roll over and get the wall of the pool. No actual swimming was really going on. It was fine with me, because my big worry was that we have a pool, and I wanted them to be safe. Well, now they are actually swimming! Their last week of refresher lessons is next week, and it's just AMAZING how far they've come. We went to the Y's pool with friends yesterday, and they both were swimming for dive sticks!!! They are amazing me. A month ago Mikayla HATED to be in the pool, and now I think she likes it more than Brianna! Crazy. The other newest thing, is that Mikayla is OBSESSED with Belle (the Disney princess). She's always been her favorite, and has liked her, but it's an all new level now. The past two weeks I've had to do her hair so it's touching her shoulder like Belle's...and the other day she noticed a picture of Belle where one side touched her shoulder and the other side didn't. Mikayla freaked out that her hair wasn't exactly like Belle's. So I had to pin back one side of her hair. She immediately lit up, and ran to the mirror and kept spinning around saying she looked just like Belle. Oh my gosh. This poor little boy has such girly sisters ;).

Never a dull day...

2009-06-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

Monday we had our usual day of staying home and recovering from the busy weekend, and doing laundry and all that. Well, the girls were in the playroom, and I turned on A Baby Story, and there were twin 4 year old b/g twins and the mom was having a baby. I called the girls out to watch, and they were glued to the tv, and kept asking questions, it was really cute. I really think their age is the best age to be pregnant...they are SO excited. Anyway, later I'm folding laundry in my room and the girls were in the living room right next to my room and I hear furniture moving. I walk out and Brianna was laying on the ottoman with a doll (and a ted) under her shirt, and Mikayla was moving her bed to the room where the Dr. had to take the baby out ;). It was really funny.

Then, after nap time I heard the girls' door open on the monitor, and they always come to my room after nap...no girls. I thought they must have gone to the playroom, and as I went to go see Brianna came in. I asked her where her sister was, and she said she didn't know. Hmmm...we looked in the playroom, family room, no Mikayla. I go back to the guest room...and there she was with my purple scrapbooking marker. I looked at her and said, "What are you doing?!?!?" She said, "Mommy, I'm your little kitty." Oh geez.

So much going on!

2009-05-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

The girls had a very big week.

They had their last week of school...their first year of pre-school! It was a bit emotional for me. Their teachers made beautiful portfolios of their year, and they ended the year with a class performance and family picnic. I'm excited about them starting back in August. I have really seen them excel this year.

Here are the girls on their last day of school

Mikayla and Brianna also had their dance recital this week. Which was one of the best things I've ever seen. They were so excited, and you could just see how proud they were of themselves. Neither one of them got stage fright, or was nervous...I felt so very proud of my girls.

Married...

2009-05-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

So, on Tuesday I went into the girls' class to observe. The girls were in centers. Mikayla at art, and Brianna working on the small group activity. They can change centers whenever they want if there is room in other centers. I think only 5 kids per center, and they have to take their name with their symbol on it and velcro it to the center.

Anyway, Joseph, this boy who Brianna has been starry eyed for all year was in the housekeeping center. He had on a top hat and a suit jacket, and a little girl, Makenzie, had on a dress-up dress. Joseph asked Makenzie if she would marry him. Brianna heard this and left the small group activity to go over to housekeeping, and she put on a hat and a necklace, and said to Joseph, "No, ME!" LOL. Joseph, said ok, and they held hands and rocked back and forth like 3 year olds (and me ;) ) dance. It was SO funny. I felt bad though because the whole time Makenzie had her bottom lip out and was pouting. Brianna has since been telling everyone about how she married Joseph. She does go after what she wants ;). I so wish I had had a camera or video camera!!

Our vacation...

2009-05-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

We left on April 26th and returned home Saturday, May 9th. So we were away with two weeks, and got home with so many great memories.

First stop, Pennsylvania. On the drive there I sat in the back with the girls during lunch while we were on the road, and Mikayla went to hand me her milk, but I wasn't paying attention and it spilt all over me. I freaked out, and Brianna very calmly says, "Mommy, sometimes things happen."...ah, yes, my 3 year old wise daughter telling me not to stress over the spilt milk! PA was great we had a lot of fun in Hershey and went to the Chocolate Factory, Children's Garden, and the Indian Echo Caverns.

Next stop, Jamestown, New York. We got to spend some time with Menash and Nichole and their girls. It was really great. The girls loved spending time with their friend! We went to a bouncy place, bowled, a princess breakfast, Madelyn's 3rd b-day party, and had lots of fun!

We then headed to Niagra Falls in Canada. It was so fabulous...BEAUTIFUL! We did all the touristy stuff, and I loved it. I got really sick...blah, and am still trying to get better. Blah. Other than that it was perfect!
Then, we headed home, and stopped at my cousin's for the night. I love seeing my girls play with their cousins...it's so sweet!
Such a great trip!

We're home!!!

2009-05-09T07:01:00.000-07:00

We came home a day earlier than expected...I've been sick for the last half of our trip, and Nelson wanted to just drive all night home...so 4 am we arrived home. The trip was great, wish the girls and I had been feeling well, but overall it was a really great trip. We went from FL to Canada and back stopping along the way....I'll blog about the trip later...lots of fun times...and I need to upload pictures later. For now I'm thinking about my precious baby who is with Jesus now, and who was due today. I miss you sweet baby. Thank goodness I'm pregnant now, not that this baby takes the place of the baby we lost...I just can't imagine how I would have gotten through this day otherwise.

Blog now open...

2009-04-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

I've been writing a blog about baby #3 due in October, and have kept it private. I just made it public though, and invite all of you to go and look :). www.octobertwinsplusone.blogspot.com

Easter

2009-04-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

The girls had a blast on Easter. They woke up and ran for the door where they had left their baskets for the bunny. They were so excited about all the treasures the Easter Bunny left them! Then, they went outside and searched for eggs the bunny hid for them ;). It was so fun! We headed to church, and my dad and sister met us there. Then came home played with their new kite and bubbles, and then they took a great nap ;). After napping we headed to my parents house for Easter dinner.

Weekend Wedding

2009-03-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

We went to a wedding this weekend, and the girls were the flowergirls. The bride, Rachel, was Nelson's close friend in high school. She did such an amazing job of making the girls feel so special. At the rehearsal dinner she got them these beautiful Lenox music boxes to put their jewelry in. They were even engraved with their first and middle names. They didn't want o put them down all weekend! Then, when we walked into the reception there were bags waiting for them full of things to keep them entertained during the reception: a tiara, lip gloss (Mikayla's favorite), Pooh books (Brianna's favorite), bubbles, coloring book, and crayons.

I was so nervous that they would both freeze, or one would freeze, but they were perfect! The ringbearer went first, and he started crying and sat in the middle of the aisle! So, I was super worried that the girls were watching him and it was going to spook them! They waited at the door and apfter a couple of us waving them forward they started walking (with smiles on their faces!). Half way through the walk down the aisle they started throwing the petals ;). They then went and stood with the wedding party the whole time! They were so so good! We really are so blessed to have such amazing daughters.

Here are some pictures...they were too sweet:

Sweet sweet girls

2009-03-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

So I'm in my room, and Brianna puts on her mouse ears hat w/Minnie on it, that she got at Disney. She says, "Mommy, I have an idea. How about if we have a new baby we get a mickey one for a boy or a minnie one for a girl". I said, "Honey that's so sweet, we'll definitely get our new baby someday a mickey or minnie hat.". She looks down, and after a minute says, "Mommy, can we pray right now for a new baby". I said, "Yes, of course." So, we put our hands together and both said a prayer for a healthy baby. It was so very sweet. My girls have such amazing hearts. They really are such amazing kind girls.

Speaking of sweet things, this woman at my church who I've known since I was young had suffered 5 losses before she welcomed her son, Luke, into the world. I told her last week about our loss in October, and she is praying the Novena for me at church for the next 9 weeks for a healthy baby. She said she's gotten 11 women to have healthy babies after losses by doing this prayer, lol.

March of Dimes

2009-03-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

The girls in the NICU 10/2005

We are marching for the 3rd year for March of Dimes. We are saving babies! The girls spent 10 days in the NICU, and it was a very hard time, but we felt so blessed that they had such great care.

Pleae help support us in our walk on April 25th

www.marchforbabies.com/mandb

The girls at the 2007 and 2008 March for Babies!

The little things...

2009-03-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged to list my top 5 little things that make me happy...

1. Definitely not a little thing, but my girls always top the list. I smile everyday because of them. They are my joy, and really my daily dose of laughter.

2. shopping...really my therapy. It doesn't even matter what I'm shopping for...it just does make me happy ;).

3. Ice cream...seriously I could eat it every day. Love it!

4. The mornings my husband lets me sleep in. The only thing I miss since becoming a parent is sleep. I require it, I love it, and I never feel like I get enough of it. Luckily Nelson is great, and lets me sleep in some days during the week so I feel rested and ready to tackle a day with my kiddos.

5. taking pictures...my little hobby...my girls are usually my main focus. I love capturing their expressions, and knowing I have them to look back on.

Best family...

2009-02-22T17:48:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful weekend. Yesterday we went to the beach and Bubba Gump's in John's Pass. It was a beautiful day. The girls had a lot of fun. Brianna kept calling Bubba Gumps "bubble gum", and was so excited about trying bubble gum for the first time. We kept reiterating, no, bubba gump...and she was so disappointed...but got a lollipop after dinner, so all was good ;).

Today, we, well Nelson, totally redid the front of our house. All of our plants had died, and we decided we wanted red mulch, and to make it look better. I'm so impressed with all he did out there. It's almost finished, and it looks SO much better. I did tons of laundry, and am trying to get the house in order for our guests this week :). Anna and Shawn get here Wednesday, and Alison will be here Thurs.! I'm so excited to see them, and excited to see Evan Baptised on Saturday.

The girls were playing in their playroom today, and Brianna asked me to leave. She said, "you can go now, we're fine by ourselves." They are 3 going on 15!!! Way too big. So so funny. They were pretending Mikayla was the mom, and Brianna was her daughter, and Mikayla said naptime, which Brianna didn't like, so she said I'm going to get my real mom...and came and got me. LOL.

The Cost of Children

2009-02-17T16:25:00.000-08:00

The Cost of Children

This was posted on a message board I read...

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down.

It translates into: * $8,896.66 a year, * $741.38 a month, * $171.08 a week. * A mere $24.24 a day! Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is; don't have children if you want to be 'rich.' Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140.00?
* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up.

You get to: * finger-paint, * carve pumpkins, * play hide-and-seek, * catch lightning bugs, * never stop believing in Santa Claus. You have an excuse to: * keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, * watch Saturday morning cartoons, * go to Disney movies, and * wish on stars. You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for: * retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, * taking the training wheels off a bike, * removing a splinter, * filling a wading pool, * coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and
* coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat in history to witness the: * First step, * First word, * First bra, * First date, * First time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!! Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren!!!!!!! It's the best investment you'll ever make!!!!!!!!!

So much going on!

2009-02-16T17:32:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a couple weeks because we've been super busy. Our cousins were in town which was so fun. The girls wanted to emulate everything their 8 and 10 year old cousins did, it was really cute. When I was young and my cousin, Sabrina, would come spend some time with my Grandparents I wanted to have my hair like hers, and dress like her....and now my children are doing that with her children...crazy. We just celebrated Nelson's b-day...he turned 27. It reminded me of his 19th b-day (the first day he flirted with me ;) ). Now here we are with our children and we're going to celebrate 6 years of marriage in June.

The girls are amazing. So fun, and full of joy. They are needing their own space more and more. I have to separate them lately a lot just because they get on each other's nerves over silly things. I think it's just the age. Usually they are sweet with each other though :).

So much going on...

2009-02-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

Nelson and I had a wonderful romantic getaway a couple weeks ago...we went horseback riding on the beach, went on a ghost tour, shopped in a cute downtown area, and enjoyed some us time :)

We have been so busy, our cousins are in town and we got to spend time with them at Disney. Luckily they will be here next weekend for more fun! The girls start dance this week and I'm ecstatic!!!

I am praying we are blessed with a healthy babe soon, and since more people are reading this blog I'm going to not share that aspect of our lives on this bloggety-blog. I don't know how long it will take, or what will happen...just please keep us in your prayers. Speaking of babes, the girls met my friend's baby today. It was so sweet. I think when we do have another one the biggest issue will be that they help too much ;).

Did I mention I was offered a job?!?!? UGH! I was so flattered...(the director at the girls' school said a position is opening up for next school year, and she would love to have me)...perfect hours, 1/2 of tuition...BUT, if we are able to have a babe..........I am going to be honest and tell her we are trying to add to our family and it's not the right timing, but to think of me in the future (hopefully). I told her I'd think about when she brought it up....so now I'm going to have to talk to her tomorrow since I have to pay their Feb. tuition (HELLO...how is it already February?!?!?)
Hopefully the job's available in 3 or so years ;).

Wacky Day/Donuts with Dad Day :)

2009-01-27T08:09:00.000-08:00

The girls had "Wacky hat and socks day" at school today. They also got to get to school early with their Daddy and enjoy some donuts. It was such a nice morning. I worked the book fair, and got to see the girls have some special time with their Daddy. They also all joined in prayer before starting school. It was so nice to see all the dad's and their kiddos out there. Here are some cute pictures...

25 things

2009-01-26T10:31:00.000-08:00

25 random facts about me...

1. I have biked down a volcano in Maui.
2. I have gone swimming with dolphins.
3. I have gone horseback riding on the beach.
4. I have done the first 3 things with my husband who is my very best friend.
5. I love sweets, but am super picky about them...I will also not eat white chocolate.
6. I hate nuts, but I love snickers...weird, i know :)
7. I was alone when I found out I was having twins (Nelson was in a meeting) It was so overwhelming, exciting, scary, and shocking.
8. My girls were born at the same hospital where I was born...24 years later :)
9. I wish I took more time to catch up on my scrapbooking....I have thousands (literally) of pictures from the last year that need scrapbooked!
10. I freak out when I get my hair cut. I have cried before because I haven't liked it...I usually need a change so I chop it off, then regret it later...I needed a change in Nov., and now I'm growing it back out ;).
11. When we first bought a house I told Nelson we had to have pest control. I am terrified of roaches and rodents.
12. We have only been married 5 1/2 years and we've lived in an apt. and 3 houses. Yes, it's ridiculous, and I'm never moving again ;).
13. I was a teacher for 3 years, and I don't think I want to teach again, and the idea of having no clue about what I want to do freaks me out.
14. I love reading celebrity gossip ;)
15. I love Broadways...I've seen RENT, Les Mis, Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway in NY, and out of NY I've seen Wicked, RENT, I love you you're perfect, now change....ready to see more ;)
16. My girls are only three, and they've been to North Carolina, New York, Seattle, all over FL, (and St. John when they were in my belly :P)
17. I pray we can have another baby.
18. I had a miscarriage in October, and it turned out it was a partial molar pregnancy so I have had weekly blood draws from Nov.-end of Dec., and then now monthly to make sure there are no cancer cells due to the partial molar. Scary.
19. I have met Pres. Clinton and Hillary Clinton. They were so nice!
20. Some moms say they don't have time to shower...this has not and never will be me. I can't start my day without a shower.
21. My siblings mean the world to me, and I love watching them grow up and seeing the paths they choose for themselves.
22. I wish my best friends lived closer.
23. Shopping is my therapy :).
24. I am loyal, sensitive, and an over analyzer.
25. I am a reality tv junkie :)

Sweet words...

2009-01-19T17:53:00.000-08:00

Friday I took the girls to a Mommy and Me that a local parent magazine puts on. The girls had a lot of fun as usual, and on the way home Brianna said...,"Mommy, I love being your friend". Is that not the sweetest thing ever?!?!? I just love them more than words can describe.

Friday night they spent the night at their best friend's. It's so funny when Nelson gets home from work I need a break, and complain about whining or whatever occured, and the moment they are away from me I miss them and feel like a piece of me (2 pieces) are missing. They had a great time...such big girls.

We had a nice day at Animal Kingdom yesterday. We left early and ate dinner by home...such a nice perk of having passes you don't have to rush through to see everything.

I have to mention...on Saturday I was driving home and Nelson called me and put Mikayla on the phone. My chatterbox and I were on the phone for almost 20 min. It was so awesome. Just another thing though to show me how big my babies are getting. Geez. I do love all the new things they do though :)

My Dad

2009-01-15T07:38:00.001-08:00

My dad's going to be on Bay News 9 on Monday at 5:53 am, and every :53 after the hour until 5pm. He was nominated by someone in his office as an "Everyday Hero", and was picked! We are excited to see him, hope if you are reading this and in the Tampa Bay area you can check it out too!

Here's a picture of my dad reading to the girls 3/17/07....old picture, but a cute one!

Unbelievable

2009-01-14T16:02:00.000-08:00

We got another bill today for bloodwork. We don't have maternity coverage. Nelson has his own business...so we have private insurance, and not group insurance. No private insurance comes with maternity, you can add it on...but by the time you negotiate with the hospital it makes more sense to not add on maternity (every insurance rep has told us this too). Well, if you have a baby it's not a huge deal money-wise. However, if you have nothing but pain to show for it's freaking unbelievable. We added up all the bills today, and it's cost us $8000 and no baby. Praying we can pay all this off soon, and have enough money to try again soon. I have been more down lately and I think it's because we're able to ttc soon, and I'm absolutely terrified of going through this again. My hope and want for a baby outweighs the fear, so I am ready to try again...I just pray pray pray it's a healthy baby next time....I also hope it happens soon. It's so emotionally draining on me.

My Nannie passed away 11 years ago today. I always think about her more when this day approaches...on a great note Evan got to go home today...YAY! My mom goes for a stress test on Friday and we'll see if she needs a stint or what the next step is then...

This is not an up-beat post at all...just feeling blah. It comes and goes. I am grateful for so much, and I try to remind myself of that everytime I feel this way.

Sleep over!

2009-01-12T10:20:00.001-08:00

The girls had their best friends over for their first sleep over on Friday! It was so fun! They did art, made pizzas, danced, slept some ;), had pancakes, did a puppet show, went to the park and loved being together...

2009-01-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

I had a rough morning. Went to a meeting at the girls' school, and one of the mom's told me she's pregnant and due in May. She had such a cute bump, and I felt so jealous and sad...that I should be sharing that month with her. Then, we get a flier about our school's biggest fundraiser, May 9th....my due date. BLAH. I'm excited about planning our trip to NY and Niagra Falls it'll be nice to be away during that time with friends having good memories.

Thank goodness for my girls...such joy.

EVAN!!

2009-01-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

Sara, one of my best friends, college roomie, siamese sister as we've once been called...had her first child...Evan. He's so perfect. She was there when my girls were born, and there was no way I was missing Evan's arrival. Boy did it bring back memories. I don't want to put too many details of him on the web, but his journey is starting off like my girls' and no mom should have to go through that. I can't wait to see him again, and to hold him! Sara is the first from my core group of close friends to become a mom :). It's such a special feeling when someone who is close to you becomes a mommy. It's hard to explain. Like a bonding feeling, and a sense of joy for someone you've known so long to start a new chapter in their life.

In other resolution news...I've given up diet coke. I don't want the aspertame in my body...trying to have a healthy body to create a healthy baby ;). I never drank caffeine when pregnant...but it never hurts to stop bad things before becoming preggo. I told Nelson I think I'm obsessed with getting pregnant, and he told me that I'm not obsessed that it's beautiful how much I want another baby. I thought that was super sweet. That's why I love him, well one of the reasons ;).

Year in review...and hopes for '09

2008-12-31T11:24:00.000-08:00

What a crazy year '08 has been.
January: We spent a lot of time at Disney and saw our wonderful cousins with our new annual passes.
February: Nelson turned 26.
March: We spent the first week in Seattle, WA. The girls were fabulous on the airplane...I suggest everyone fly at bedtime with toddlers :). On the 8th Alison got married to Bob, and my girls were their flowergirls. I was a bridesmaid and ended up walking down the aisle with my shy Brianna as Mikayla was so big and brave and walked in front of Alison :).
May: We moved to our new house, where we are going to stay forever and ever ;). We also found out our friends Sara and Dan were expecting a baby!
June: Nelson and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary in Vegas. We went with Sara and Dan who were celebrating their 1 year anniversary.
July: Tiffany turned 27.
August: The girls started pre-school!!! My babies are actually big enough to be in school.
September: We were so thrilled to find out we were pregnant again.
October: At the end of October we found out we lost our precious baby. On the 9th, the girls turned 3. We celebrated at Disney World for the weekend with our family. It was a weekend full of wonderful memories.
November: I found out the pregnancy had been a partial molar pregnancy. I had weekly blood tests for 5 weeks until I was finally negative. I will have a monthly draw in January. I'm hoping for the best and that we'll have a healthy pregnancy and baby in '09.
December: We had such wonderful Christmas memories and fun family times. We enjoyed seeing Santa bunches, and Disney with friends, and making cookies together. This month was just perfect.

As for '09....
I'm praying we get pregnant and stay pregnant, and that our baby is healthy. Please pray about this for us...we could use all the prayers we can get.

I'm hoping the girls can be potty trained at night pretty easily

I'm so looking forward to our trip in May to New York to meet baby Lucy and go to Niagra Falls.

I can NOT believe my babies will be turning FOUR. That is just too big. I'll definitely have tears that day (so hoping I'm preggo by then so I know there will be a baby on the way)...pray pray pray!

I'm praying the market gets better so my husband isn't so frustrated at work.

I hope my sister graduates college and doesn't stress so much over it.

I hope my parents living close is a blessing.

I need to figure out where I want the girls to go to kindergarten...public or fundamental???

I want to be more organized.

Great Christmas!

2008-12-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

This was by far the best Christmas morning with the girls. They were so excited, and so thankful. It was so sweet. One of my favorite parts of the morning was when the girls opened a gift from each other and then went over and hugged each other and said thank you. I captured Brianna's thankful, excited expression...

They are just the best little people :). Today they pretended to be husband and wife. It was the funniest thing ever. I'm listening to my work out mix...looking forward to going tomorrow. Hoping I can be more consistant with it. I'm going when Nelson gets home from work because the girls got sick after starting the Y and being in the kidzone, and Mikayla always gets upset when I leave. SO, MWF I'm going when he gets home, and TR going when the girls are at school. I'm bound and determined to shed some lbs before we can ttc again :).

Hanukkah

2008-12-22T18:39:00.000-08:00

We went over to Nelson's mom's to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. She got the girls a power wheel barbie jeep...that they LOVE! The girls painted a menorah for their Nana, and then had so many questions on the way home.

M~Why does Nana have Hanukkah?

Daddy and Mommy~we explained different holidays and 3 year old understanding of why.

B~*thinking a lot* Mommy, is there a Christmas tree for Hanukkah?

Mommy~No

B~Nana has a Christmas tree...bewildered look...

Mommy~That's because they celebrate both.

Brianna and Mikayla~I want to celebrate both! (they just see more presents!) lol. I then explained again...we are Christians we celebrate Jesus' birth....so funny.

Negative

2008-12-21T18:23:00.000-08:00

Got the call Friday...I'm at zero :). I go in in a month to get my levels checked again. If they are still at 0 we are good to go :). Had a great weekend in Orlando with our friends. I love this time of year. Can't believe it's almost 80 degrees and almost Christmas though!

My STARS!

2008-12-18T18:51:00.000-08:00

The girls had their first Christmas show today! They were beautiful, sweet, angelic singers on stage. Since they are one of the younger classes they came out towards the end and did two songs. I took pictures, and Nelson recorded them :). I don't seem to have the patience for YouTube, always seems to take forever to upload for me, but if I do upload them singing I'll for sure post :).

Tomorrow we are going to Orlando with friends. I'm excited :). I hope I get a call tomorrow saying I'm FINALLY negative. We'll see. I had my blood drawn again today..I feel like a damn regular. HATE that. Dr. seems really certain we'll be fine next year...praying he's right. I'm just so sick of these weekly dr. trips to be surrounded by husband and wives excited to see their ultrasound. Today I walk in and the ultrasound tech who gave us our bad news got a huge smile on her face when she saw me and smiled and said hi...I quickly walked away and said hi...afraid she thought I was there because we were pregnant again. It's been SEVEN weeks so likely if it was a normal miscarriage that we could be pregnant again...BUT I had this horrible molar preg. attack me which is like a prison sentence. I hate that normal people get to decide when they ttc, and me I have to be told, don't try cancerous cells might still be in your uterus it's not safe. This dr. visit was a rough one for me...praying I hear ZERO tomorrow.

Looking Good!

2008-12-17T16:41:00.000-08:00

Today I'm in my room listening to my girls at nap time on the monitor. They told me they weren't sleepy...so I told them to get a book and look at it quietly in bed. I could hear them "reading" and then it got really quiet (this can mean they are sleeping, or getting into trouble). I need to create a monitor that records what they say because I LOVE listening to their funny talks on the monitor :). As I'm listening I hear..."How do I look sister?" Then, Brianna said, "You look GOOD!" SO cute. So I went in, and they were in their closet. Brianna had three shirts on. Mikayla had completely changed her outfit. Oh goodness. CAN'T wait for their first Christmas program tomorrow!!!!
<3

Christmas Party

2008-12-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

Mikayla has a stomach bug, and missed her first Christmas party at school :(. Brianna has been fine, and she went and Mommy went :). Uncle Ricky was awesome and stayed with Mikayla...Brianna packed a bag of goodies to bring home for her sister it was so sweet. Mikayla seems to be doing better, and has been able to hold some food down today. You can tell she's sick when she didn't want the cookie her sister brought home for her!

We are going to a neighborhood party tonight and Santa is coming on a firetruck! Then, the girls' first Christmas program is Thursday...hoping Brianna doesn't get sick and Mikayla is 100% by then!!!

Here are some cute pics from the party...

Brianna in circle

Eating her treats with her friends

Lacing and decorating the stockings Mommy made for the class craft.

Brianna

2008-12-13T18:29:00.000-08:00

It seems my baby has her first crush ;).

Last Sunday at church when the priest says, "Now show each other a sign of peace" Brianna went back to Joseph (a boy in her class), and shook his hand. No one else's...just wanted to run to him :).

Then, today at a breakfast with Santa at church Brianna went up to say hi, and Joseph's mom said she thinks something is going on with these two...lol. Joseph had a baggy of acorns from outdoor play in his backpack Thursday with his name, and another with Brianna's name. Joseph had told his mom that they found them together, and that Brianna wanted Joseph to have hers.

So funny!

Fun with friends...

2008-12-11T18:06:00.001-08:00

We went for the 2nd annual trip to see Santa with our friends. This is the girls' 4th year seeing this Santa! They have seen him every year since they were born! Here's a picture of all the kids (3 sets of twins) with Santa :)We are getting ready for a super busy weekend...
I go back to the dr. on Thursday. My levels were at 12 last week. Going down, but still not negative. After 6 flipping weeks still not negative. I truly don't know how I would get through this without my girls. Their teacher said today that they have been doing great. Brianna got to bring in the show and tell box today :). I can't wait to see them next week in their first Christmas program!!!

Santa

2008-12-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

My girls are so excited about Christmas this year, and not at all scared of Santa :) :). Today we pull up to school and Santa was there welcoming the children!! This year they already have seen 4 Santas and we are going Thurs. night to see Santa, and breakfast with Santa on Saturday!! I only remember as a kid seeing him in the mall. Craziness!! They haven't wondered why the Santa's look different which surprises me. I just keep telling them he keeps coming to see if they are being naughty or nice ;). Gotta love November and December when you can use Santa to keep you kids in line :) :).

December

2008-12-07T11:36:00.000-08:00

Brought the girls to a birthday party last night. It was so fun...and the family went all out. Towards the end of the birthday Santa himself made an appearance!! I always said I don't think I'd want to have a baby in December...but this made me reconcider. We are able to ttc again sometime in '09. If it happened for us in March we'd have a Dec. baby. At this point I don't care if the baby is born on Christmas Day as long as it's a healthy baby. I got a new excitement though about a fall/winter baby. I had been so sad that we were going to have a baby in "Our" perfect time and then it didn't happen...and maybe God got me at that party yesterday and got me excited to say that this could be His perfect time for us. Or maybe I overanalyze EVERYTHING;). Either way, I'm excited...and SO anxious for our time to be here. I hate that we have to wait. I hate that this is going on with my body and I have no control over it. In other news, we've had a wonderful weekend. Nelson is out putting lights on the house right now...our first year doing that!! It's starting to look a lot like Christmas....

YMCA

2008-12-04T14:15:00.000-08:00

I joined the Y on Tuesday! I went on Tuesday only for 15ish minutes. We had to get home for dinner, and I didn't want to leave the girls in the Kids Zone for too long. I did the treadmill the whole time. Today I went for 40 min. I did the bike, treadmill and stairmaster. I felt too intimidated to try the ab machines. (Which is what I need to be doing). Nelson's going with me tomorrow and he's going to show me what to do. Tuesday and today Mikayla cried when I left...she has been so attached to my hip lately. Brianna was so excited to be there (it really is a fun place, tons of toys, games, big climbing area with slide). Hoping Mikayla does better tomorrow. Today when I came in to get her someone was holding her like she was an infant. Geez. Maybe it's because I keep telling them not to get any bigger? ;)

Girls Day!

2008-12-03T19:53:00.000-08:00

I headed to Epcot today. Nelson had too much to do at work and couldn't come..blah. So, I thought about not going, but I really wanted to see Neil Patrick Harris do the Candlelight Processional. I'm so glad I went. The girls were SO good. We had so much fun! We saw Santa and Mrs. Clause, Aladdin and Jasmine, waved at Belle and the Beast (the girls didn't want to go near the beast), got stamps from every country, went on 2 rides (Mexico boat ride, and Figment ride), then saw Candlelight!! I also got through 2 meals, and many trips to the potty and at the end of the day had a smile on my face!

oh my goodness...

2008-12-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

Mikayla: Mommy you know how I can see your privates when you go potty, but not Daddys because his are different?

Me: Um, yeah

Mikayla: I saw Daniel's privates today (at school)

Me: Where??

Mikayla: He came out of the bathroom for help

Me: Did you turn your head?

Mikayla: No (smiling)

Me: Ok, turn your head next time.

Mikayla: Ok, Mommy

2008-12-01T19:49:00.000-08:00

There is a message board on babycenter.com just for partial and complete molar pregnancies. I am so thankful for this site. What did people do before the internet?? I have found a place where people know exactly what I'm feeling and are going through the same thing. There is a thread called Stories where people answer the questions below in bold and you can see what others "stories" are and are able to compare and relate to each other's experiences. Here's my "story" that I filled out for the thread.

Signs of mp during pregnancy? Some cramping (Dr. kept saying this was normal) I had a tiny bit of spotting at 10 weeks so we went in for an ultrasound and saw a perfect baby with a perfect heartbeat (171)...but the baby measured 8 weeks...after that...no signs...super tired, bloated.
How far were you when mp was diagnosed? I was 12 weeks along. The baby no longer had a heartbeat. My D&C was scheduled for the next day. I didn't find out it was a PMP until 2 weeks after my D&C when I had my follow up appt.
What language did the doctor use to diagnose you? I was shocked to find out they even tested my tissue because they said since it was my first loss they weren't going to. Dr. said baby had 3 times the amount of chromosomes, and it came back as a partial molar. That I would have to get my levels tested to make sure it goes down and that I should get my cycle 4-6 weeks after D&C and then can try to conceive again in 3 months. I also heard him mention cancer which completely freaked me out.
What is the track your hcg levels have taken?2 weeks after D&C:113 3 weeks: 45 4 weeks: 36
When did Aunt Flo come? Was it normal? Still waiting...(update started 12/4 WOO HOO)Dr. reccommendation for trying again?3 months
Previous Pregnancies? a high risk pregnancy that resulted in perfect identical twin girls...I sometimes secretly wonder if they did a number on my body and I won't be able to carry another baby. I pray that's not the case.
Outlook? Hopeful, and terrified. I hope it doesn't take us long to get pregnant once we are ready,but I know I'll be a nervous wreck. We pray God blesses us with a healthy baby to complete our family.
Worst thing someone's said to me: Well, you have your daughters so you'll be ok.. (I loved this baby too, yes, we are blessed to have our girls but that doesn't mean this baby wasn't important and so wanted and loved)
Best/Most helpful thing anyone has said to me: I have had 2 friends who consistently check in on me and make sure my levels are going down after each appt. It really means a lot that they care.
Hardest things to get through: Answering my girls' questions and them daily talking about our baby in Heaven.
Best moments: My relationship with my DH growing throughout this.
Final comments: So glad I found this message board!

In other news, we got our tree tonight. We were suppossed to get it yesterday, but it was raining all day! So, we waited...the girls were SO excited. It was so fun, and it was their first year to help decorate. I love Christmas time!

36

2008-11-28T20:50:00.000-08:00

My levels are at 36. I go back in on the 9th :(. Today is also a month since our ultrasound showing we lost our baby.

In less depressing news...we did have a nice Thanksgiving...and today I shopped till I dropped with my sister and youngest brother. Then, met friends up at Hyde Park's tree lighting. Hoping the girls sleep in after a busy day...but I doubt that will happen :).

daily reminders...

2008-11-26T19:03:00.000-08:00

Had more blood drawn today. I'll get the results on Friday. Praying I'm at 0, but the Dr. says he expects it to drop half of what it was last week, so that would be 20. If I'm above 10 I have to come in next week...and if I'm below 10 I can wait until the end of December. I wish I could move past all of this, but with the constant trips to check my levels, and the constant reminders all around me it's so hard.

Tonight we were talking to the girls about Thanksgiving, and I asked them what they were thankful for...they were in quite the moods and I was VERY ready to put them to bed. They both replied at the same time to my question by saying, "Nothing". I was so upset! I sat them down and told them they have so much to be thankful for and they had to list 3 things right then or Santa would see them being naughty. (whatever will work, right?) Well, right then Mikayla said 1. God 2. Jesus 3. Our baby in Heaven. Don't know if she was working me (they are 3 and already know what buttons of mine to push)....but I truly think this was sincere because of how quickly she said her 3 thankful things. Brianna went 2nd so she said 1. Teddy's 2. God and 3 Our baby. They really are the sweetest girls. I have so much to be thankful for...I pray next year I can add another healthy pregnancy to the list of things I'm thankful for.

SO ADORABLE...

2008-11-24T15:25:00.000-08:00

I had to hop on the computer and type this out before I forgot any of it...

So, I'm driving with my girlies this afternoon and Brianna out of nowhere says, "Mommy I love you. You are cool dude." I said, "OH, I love you!" Then, she said, "You are just perfect." !!! (I say this to them a lot) So so super sweet. They say I love you out of the blue all the time now, and it feel so sincere since it's not just after I tell them I love them. It's just the best.

In the same car ride I got frustrated with traffic when I had to make a Uturn, and said something like, "There's so much traffic I'll never be able to turn". Mikayla in her many statements that are beyond her years, says, "Mommy take a deep breath." Seriously?!?!? It was so funny.

We had a fabulous weekend. Two of my friends are really into garage sales, and since money is tight lately I've decided to see what all the hype's about ;). We went out last Saturday morning and I found a real $5 LV purse!! Then, this past Saturday I told the girls I'd find something for them and for $1 I got them an Asian barbie with a kimono and everything, she's beautiful...and I found a set of 4 Pooh books for $1 :). It was very exciting :). On Sunday we headed to Disney where it's hard to be thrifty, but we had a great time...and seeing Santa was free! The girls were so excited and told him what they wanted and had no fear going up to him! Such big girls...ugh...I told them today I want to put them in a bubble so they stop growing, and Mikayla said, "Mommy I'm just growing up a little bit". Well, ok then :).

Joke

2008-11-22T16:10:00.001-08:00

My daughters are hilarious. Today Mikayla told me a joke that she made up, and it was SO funny!!

Mikayla: Mommy how do monsters count to 15?
Me: I don't know, how?
Mikayla: They use their fingers!
Me and Mikayla: LOL!!!!

It was so cute!!! Mikayla is my deep thinker and story teller. Brianna has Nelson's wit, and silliness :). Today Nelson told her she needed to lay down after Mikayla was already napping, and Brianna said, "Daddy you are so funny." Like why would I want to lay down when I can hang out with my parents. They are SO big lately to us, that it makes us even more sad that they are leaving all the baby stages. I just pray it doesn't take long for us to have a baby once we can start trying. I try to be optimistic and think that it'll be easier with the girls a bit bigger. We walked around Toys 'R Us today to get ideas for what they want for Christmas. We are going to let the girls pick something out for each other this year and hopefully keep it secret. Probably RIGHT before Christmas so they don't spill the beans :).

Feeling nervous...

2008-11-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

This wonderful, kind stranger has been so helpful to me the past couple weeks. I met her on a pregnancy loss board, and she had a partial molar pregnancy. She has e-mailed me information she had, her betas and how long it took for them to get to zero, and really has been so kind, and supportive. She's really helped me understand what's going on and the hope to try again. She was also 5 weeks pregnant when we started talking. I was excited that she had easily gotten pregnant again after the partial molar. Then, yesterday, she miscarried. The Dr. thinks it was ectopic, and is having her come back in next week. I felt like this affected me too, which is silly...but I'm so afraid of going through this again. I know that the odds are that I won't go through this again...it just so terrifying. I'm so sad for her, and pray that the doctors can figure out why she is going through this, and can help her in the future. I'm so blessed to have my girls...and can't imagine if I had to go through this with no children. Speaking of my girls...we had a great morning at the Mommy and Me today. The girls got to meet Wubbzy, from the cartoon on Noggin :)

Too early...

2008-11-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

Too early this morning for the kind of talk Mikayla wanted to have ;). We are driving to school and out of no where she says "Mommy, can Jesus do anything?"
Me: Yes he can
Mikayla: Why?
Me: Because God's his Daddy, and he can do anything
Mikayla: because he was on the cross and now he protects me?
Me: yes
Mikayla: Is Jesus with Great Nannie, our baby, Aunt Alison's kitty?
Me: yes
Mikayla: ok.
Oh geez.
As hard as it is for me to understand all this, I can't imagine for a 3 year old. Her curiousity is wonderful, but I feel like on the topic of death I struggle for the right words. The other day she asked me why she couldn't see Great Nannie. I said because she was in Heaven. She asked me why, and I said because she was really really old and God needed her to come to Heaven. Then, on Saturday my baby brother turned 19. I said to Nelson I can't believe how OLD Joey is, and Mikayla heard me and said is Uncle Joe going to Heaven?!?! She was so worried. (Since I told her Nannie went because she was old and here Joey is now old). I told her no no no...you have to be older than Gigi and Pop Pop. She seemed ok with this answer. Brianna doesn't really get into conversations like this. They all started after the miscarriage, and I think she sees how upset I get whenever the baby is brought up so she steers clear of these topics. Mikayla is just really seeking answers....aren't we all.

Beautiful Day

2008-11-19T17:52:00.001-08:00

Played a lot outside today, and then headed to a bouncy place for open play tonight with some friends. It was a really nice day. Here are some pictures...

numbers in

2008-11-18T12:37:00.000-08:00

Got the call about my bloodwork yesterday. I'm at 45, was at 113 last week, so it is going down which is good. I was secretly hoping I'd already be at a 0. I have to go in next week :(. I heard a quote on ER last Thursday that's stayed with me:

"When you lose a spouse you are a widow, when you lose your parents you are an orphan, but when you lose a child there are just no words for that."

I talked with the girls' teacher today. Was having some issues, and basically they let the kids choose everything, and it drives me nuts. Choose if they put the smock on and ruin their clothes, choose if they do the art project of the day (so I have art from one kid and not the other), they choose if they wash their hands well (some days they come home with paint all on their arm) ugh. Trying to decide if the pros of the school out way the cons. I get that kids need to make choices, but I feel this is too much. They aren't in Pre-K they are in a 2's and 3's class. They have 2 more school years after this one before they go to Kindergarten!

Got my bounce back...

2008-11-17T16:50:00.000-08:00

Well, today went better than I had expected. Went to the Dr., had my ultrasound first, and everything looked good. No residual tissue...which is great. My Dr. said as of January (after 2 cycles...hopefully end of Nov. I'll get my first and then end of Dec. for the 2nd) we can ttc again! Never have wanted to see AF rear her ugly face, but now I'm asking her to come for a week long visit now! LOL. My dr. seems really optimistic and I asked about coming in to get my hsg tested monthly and he said he doesn't feel it's necessary and doesn't want me to feel like we need to wait before having a baby. So, that was good to hear. The nurse hugged me on my out (I was crying, surprise surprise, and she asked about the girls...which always makes me smile) she's my favorite nurse there. Hope she's at my appt's when we get a BFP again.

I'm on a pregnancy loss message board that has been helpful...and so I've picked up a lot of their lingo (real quick: AF:Aunt Flo ;), ttc: try to conceive, BFP:Big Fat Positive)

I'm going to start going back to stories of my girls since that's what the purpose of this blog was in the first place. They are so wonderful. Amazing little people.

Great friendships

2008-11-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

I got to see a lot of my closest friends this week. They all have gone back home now, and I already miss them. It wasn't enough time that's for sure...but the quality of time was great. Yesterday we went to the beach with my friend Alison and her husband, Bob. The girls had a blast. They could literally spend all day at the beach. They dug in the sand, built (well, really enjoyed destroying) sand castles, played tickle monster with their Uncle Bob while Aunt Alison kept them safe, found seashells, and had so much fun :). I love days like this. Here are some pictures....

Dr. called...

2008-11-12T17:42:00.000-08:00

My hsg levels are at 113. I have to go in Monday for an ultrasound and to check my betas again. This sucks. I just want to be back to normal...with a light at the end of tunnel. That's all for now.

News

2008-11-11T17:32:00.000-08:00

I was praying after our follow up today that this would be somewhat behind us, no such luck. The Dr. started off by saying your pathology report came in....I felt like I hit a pause button and my head was going crazy with thoughts. Why did they test when they said they weren't going to? Something must have looked really wrong for them to test. What is wrong??? So, I'm already crying when my Dr. goes on to tell me what they found. I had a partial molar on my placenta. The baby also had triple the chromosomes than normal. I was already scared to ttc after losing our baby, but with this news I am terrified. The Dr. said it's likely to not happen again. He also went on to say they will be monitoring my HCG levels to make sure they are going down. So, it's not over, I have to keep going back to this office that makes me now erupt in tears because of our memories of finding out we lost our baby there. I was hoping after today I wouldn't go back there until I had good news. Through my tears I told my Dr. I can't go through this again...and he said depending on my hcg levels I may need to wait 3 months before ttc again. I was so anxious to try to get pregnant sooner, but we'll do anything we need to do to have a healthy baby. Those of you that read this and pray...please pray my levels go down, and that we can have a healthy baby soon.

Not looking forward to this afternoon...

2008-11-11T10:02:00.000-08:00

My follow up appt. is today. Hoping to feel some closure to this ordeal...but just dreading having to once again talk about and go through the emotions of what has happened and how I feel about it. I've been doing really well the past few days about being "ok". Today I told the girls their Grandma would watch them so Mommy can go to the Dr. Mikayla asked if it was because they'd have a baby really soon. UGH. I said, no, where did our baby go? Then, Mikayla said the baby is in Heaven. Hopefully in '09 we'll have good news to share with the girls who almost want to be a big sister as much as their Mommy wants to complete our family with a very special baby.

It's been a whirlwind of a weekend with friends in town and lots of fun things to do.

Here's a picture of my favorite girls :) (well, besides my beautiful children)...

Change, Ch Cha Cha Change...

2008-11-06T17:39:00.000-08:00

Got my hair cut tonight. I really like it. It was a woman from my multiples group who cut it...my first time going to her. I walk in and she says (wait for it)...Congratulations!!! I said, um, no. Then, she inserted her foot into her mouth..ok, not really. UGH. I thought I had e-mailed everyone that knew, but man does word get around fast. So then I told her what happened it was the first time I didn't cry. She had been through so many failed IVF's that I kind of felt like she had been through more than me so I couldn't cry. I'm sure I'll take pictures with my fabulous friends who will be here this weekend. So I'll post a picture soon. The girls liked it, Mikayla kept asking me to pose for pictures (but she took them with her fake camera ;) ).

Tomorrow I'm going out to eat with friends, and Anna will be here late tomorrow night, Saturday is Sara's shower and I get to see Alison and Alison! We're all going out Saturday night and my girls are having a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's. I'm really excited about time with friends. I'm out of my hermit crab status....all I wanted to do the past week was stay home...but I'm trying to feel optimistic about God's plans for us for '09. It's got to be a good year!

My sweet sweet girls

2008-11-05T17:52:00.000-08:00

We pray every night before the girls go to bed. Tonight, Brianna prayed for the baby. I asked what baby, because we always pray for our friends who are expecting, and she says so and so's baby. Well, tonight she said, "Mommy, our baby in Heaven". I of course start crying (which I try not to in front of them...but this week has been very difficult). She hugged me and said, "don't worry I'm your baby forever and ever". Seriously. I have the best daughter's in the whole world. They are so compassionate, and I pray that they stay sweet with a pure heart and love God.

We have friend's coming into town this weekend. I'm so excited. I really need some quality friend time with my closest girls. The picture is of Brianna with my sister, Cortney. I think they look a lot alike here. It's funny my immediate family who can easily tell the girls apart always say Brianna looks more like me (she so has Nelson's personality though ;) )...and Mikayla looks exactly like Nelson (with my personality). Even though they are identical their facial expressions can be different...Brianna's eyes are different from Mikayla's. I think their smiles are a little different too. So funny how different they are, yet so many people can't tell them apart....not even their teachers and it's November!

Watching the Island reunion on MTV tonight...I so love these trashy reality shows ;)

2008-11-04T07:02:00.000-08:00

I ordered this necklace today. It was from a pregnancy loss site, actually called LaBelleDame. The winding circle represents pregnancy and unending love, and the rose quartz heart symbolizes the love, and the stone is suppossed to be for emotional healing. I think it will help to have something special for our baby since there was so much love there already.

On a less sad note... (well, we'll see ;) ) We went and voted this morning. The girls were so excited...and then kind of disappointed. They thought they would see Obama actually at the polls. It was so cute. We walked in and Brianna said, "Where's Obama?!?" Nelson told her he was in Indiana, and she seemed satisfied ;). Can't wait to hear who our president will be...I'm expecting only good things for '09 since we had a crappy ending to '08.

Too smart...

2008-11-03T10:12:00.000-08:00

So obviously since this is my 2nd post in one day it's been a difficult day. This morning I was feeling down and the girls were playing "house". Mikayla came up to me and asked me if she was still a Big Sister. I said...well, you are a twin sister. She then said "I wish there was going to be a baby and I was a big sister". Brianna then, as I was getting teary eyed, ran up to me and said, "Mommy I'm your baby". As much as this affects Nelson and I it really affects the girls too. I hate that they have to go through this. They are going to make the most amazing big sisters someday. We definitely won't say anything when we get pregnant again until we are in the safe zone. I pray it won't be so long until we are there.

Angry

2008-11-03T05:26:00.000-08:00

I should be celebrating today. I should be entering into the 2nd trimester today. Instead I'm reminded that tomorrow will be a week since I found out there's no baby any longer. I feel stabbing reminders daily (I know it's only been a week), but I so want to just feel whole again...instead of empty. Yesterday Mikayla told me she missed the baby in my tummy, and I just started bawling, and told her Mommy did too. I've been ok when I'm on the go...but then while out or while trying to have fun the thought of everything is still right there with me. I don't think I'll really be ok until we get pregnant again and it's a viable healthy pregnancy. Who knows when that will be. I can't even try until end of December...I'm praying I get a period in a month and my cycle is normal. Hopefully it doesn't take too long...and then hopefully I'm super sick and have all the horrible/wonderful pregnancy symptoms...and that 13 weeks goes quickly.

Such a huge loss

2008-10-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

On September 4th we found out we were expecting a baby. We felt so much joy, and told so many people. Then when we went in for an ultrasound at 12 weeks 10/28/08, there was no heartbeat. The ultrasound tech knew beforehand. My mom and my girls were there to see the baby too, and she told them not to come in. We had an ultrasound at 10 weeks, 10/10/08, the baby measured 8 weeks 2 days, the baby had a great heartbeat (171). The Dr. said our dates were off or it could be one of 100 other reasons. He never gave us any indication that we could lose this baby. I was so unprepared. This happens to 1 out of 5 women. That's too high of a number. In every pregnancy there is a 15-20% chance of miscarriage. I feel so blessed to have my daughters...lots of people endure miscarriages, and don't have a child...let alone two perfect healthy children. They definitely have been a light throughout all this darkness.

We already loved this baby. We thought it was the perfect timing for our family. I'm praying God has a better time for a healthy baby to come into our lives. I know He does...it's just so hard. I am already neurotic when I'm pregnant...so I can't imagine how I'll be when there's a next time.

Nelson has been amazing though everything. God really blessed me with this perfect man. Praying for me to emotionally heal...praying for a future with a viable, healthy pregnancy, praying my girls never endure this pain, praying my friends never go through this and if they already have that they never have to again, praying that I can trust God with ttc again someday, praying my eyes stop burning from all this crying.

Update

2008-07-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since I've posted. Not sure anyone reads this, but nevertheless, a good outlet for me :). The girls are closer to THREE. Crazy. They talk about their birthday constantly you'd think it was tomorrow.

They were flowergirls in my best friend, Alison's, wedding this past March. I might be a little biased, but they were the cutest flower girls ever :). One of my other best friends, Sara is expecting! It's so exciting. In our circle from high school I'm the only one with kids, so I can't wait for someone close to me to become a Mommy!

The girls start preschool next month...every Tues and Thurs. from 9-12. I'm excited! We have moved and the girls are in big girl beds. They are doing so well.

10 years

2008-01-13T16:59:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will be 10 years since my Nannie passed away. My Nannie is my maternal grandmother. It is so strange. At each milestone in my life I have gotten emotional wishing she was there. She missed my wedding and the birth of my twin girls. I know she is with us, and I do feel her from time to time...but, it's not the same as talking to her. I have her old rocking chair in my home, and I tell my girls it's their Great Nannie's chair. It touched my heart when a couple weeks later they ran to the rocker and said Great Nannie's! I hope to tell my children all about her, and about my relationship with her. She was a wonderful Nannie, and had so much love for me.

Almost Christmas!!!

2007-12-17T16:48:00.000-08:00

UPDATE:

Well, my girls are fabulous. Some days they are very typically TWO! Most of the time they are sweet sweet sweet, well-mannered beautiful beings, that I look at awe with and can't believe I helped make!!! Anywho...

Mikayla, my techinically first born daughter seems to be falling the trend of the typical first born. She's a rules follower (usually), she's mommy's helper, a huge Daddy's girl, When sick or sad though only mommy will do. She follows her sister's command, but if she has a strong idea watch out there's no stopping her! She says please, thank you and your welcome when she is suppossed to, and is so so loving. Her verbal skills REALLY amaze me. When Brianna was repeating every word, and Mikayla was sitting back quietly it was because she was taking EVERYTHING in. Now everything is in a sentence, and she asks questions all the time. She's amazing.

Brianna, is my undeniably cute girl who likes everyone to know she's mommy's baby. She loves being cuddled...but also is a leader. She is always planning and thinking and is quite the character! In other words, she can be a DRAMA queen :). She loves being a little mommy to babies we see. She also has an unbelievable memory. She brings up things from so long ago and wants to talk about things she has done. She also deeply loves her family and is always asking about her extended family.

Happy Halloween!!

2007-10-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

I have decided since I'm not great at "blogging". I am going to do a monthly update. I'll try every 30th or 31st to update.

So here's this months....My girls are TWO. Unbelievable still to me, and they've been two for 3 weeks now! They are wonderful. Saying so many sentences. Their verbal skills amaze me. I'm working a lot on fine motor with them, because they aren't into coloring, and they still need help with feeding themselves with silverware. They seem like they don't have fine motor issues, they just don't want to do it. Luckily I have my background in Early Childhood Education, so I know strategies to help them with this. We'll see if it works :). Mikayla is jumping all over the place which is a great gross motor development to be able to do now. Brianna's almost there with jumping. They just light up my life.

They are Minnie Mouse for Halloween, and so so cute. The love the fact that they get candy. So exciting since candy isn't a treat they usually get :).

The girls had a great b-day party at a local park. It was a fish theme with a bouncy house, fishy decorated cupcakes, and lots of friends! That's are update for now....I'll let you know what happens in November ;).
~~Tiffany

2007-06-27T17:19:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it's the end of June already. Last week was really busy. Nelson and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary. Our friends, Sara and Dan, got married on Saturday. They really are great together and it was really nice being part of their big day.

The girls are going through quite the stage. They really are pushing all my buttons. They say "no" to everything, they have this new SHRIEK, they are just wild at times. I do discipline, but disciplining toddlers is not easy. Oh my, I hope I get through this time in one piece ;). They are just too smart for their own good. I also think because they are so verbal it gets hard. They have so much they want to say and can say that they are loud all day long.

Nelson and I took them to their first movie today. We saw about 15 min. of Happy Feet. We had to get there 30 min. early since it was a free movie. So they actually sat 45 min. The movie just wasn't a very fast start...so it didn't keep their attention. We are going to try again when they show Barnyard. We'll see. I love doing new things with them. I took pictures at the movies...yes, I am that mom. I'll be crying and taking pictures when they go to kindergarten...and every other milestone in their lives. Makes me tear up thinking about kindergarten!

It's so weird how they were both growing in my tummy at the same time, born at the same time, look so much alike, and are SO different. Brianna is "the baby". Acts like it too, but definitely a leader, and mischevious. She is a big Mama's girl, a picky eater, a smile that's contagious, and a big talker...will repeat anything you say. Mikayla, is my sweet nurturing girl. She's a Daddy's girl, loves food, loves baby dolls, has a stubborn side, is a deep thinker, and has a laugh that could make your day! Everyone keeps saying they are almost 2! I am SO not ready for that. It's 4 months away...NOT almost here ;)

OK~Going to run...I'll try to post soon.

Mother's Day

2007-05-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was Mother's Day. I had such a special day. When the girls woke up Nelson went and got them. They came in and gave me kisses and hugs. Then, Nels let me sleep while he fed the girls and made me pancakes. The 3 of them brought me my panckakes, and the girls snuggled in bed with me and helped me eat them :) It was really nice. Then, we went to church and the Outback for lunch. It was a great day.

Since then we've just been hanging out. Not doing too much of anything. Next week is busy...my friend, Anna, is coming into town and Sara's wedding stuff is next weekend. My sister and 2 of her friends are watching the girls Friday so we can go to the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Yay! Hopefully they don't get too overwhelmed with the overnight babysitting job :). We shall see....

The 9th??

2007-05-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

So, I was reading e-mails last night, and the date caught my eye. It was the 9th! That meant my girls are 19 mo. old! That is closer to two than one! I had been at the park earlier with them, and parents asked me how old the girls were, and I said 18 months! Here, they were 19 months all day! Unbelievable...time really does fly!! The girls are doing something new everyday! Today they said soda as they went after Nelson's drink :). Brianna went to kiss me and put her little hands on my cheeks and it was so sweet. Mikayla is in Mikayla land a lot...she's our daydreamer and nurturer. It is so funny to watch her, and then out of nowhere she starts laughing like she had the funniest thought! Brianna is very loud, and hates to not be understood. She'll say the same thing 20 times until she's sure you understand her. She loves very deeply too. They are just amazing little people :). I really just pray we raise them to be nice, loving, respectful, strong women. I hope their hearts always stay so pure and wonderful.

Bambinos

2007-05-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

There's a new baby in our group of friends. When we were at the hospital my husband said, "Oh no, now Tiffany's going to want a baby". Surprisingly enough, I don't. Not yet. It was nice to hold and lovingly look at the babe and then hand him back to his parents. I need more friends to have kids. It's nice cuddling a baby, and handing the baby back when the baby cries, needs something, or my arm is tired ;). I do want another baby eventually, and not too far off because I want a baby semi-close to the girls' age. Though, not soon. My girls have to be able to do more on their own first. They are very needy still :) Which is appropriate at their age, lol. My 2nd Mother's Day is this upcoming Sunday. Can't wait to see what Nelson and the girls are planning :).

2007-05-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

Mikayla went #2 on the potty today for the first time! Ah, and you thought the last post would end the potty talk :). Other than that today consisted of going to Gymboree play class, then coming home, eating lunch, napping, and playing some more. The girls' "witching" hour, as my husband and I lovingly refer to it, begins around 5 and lasts until 6:30 when they eat. It's awful! They are whiny and unless completely entertained, just plain unbearable. Don't get me wrong. These 21 pounds of wonderful-ness can whine every now and then...but why every night at the same time?? We try to go somewhere when Nelson gets home from work just to make it better. Some days I am tired, and don't feel like going anywhere though. This too shall pass I'm sure :). Mikayla has learned how to take her shirt off...so now when I put her to bed for nap off comes her shirt. When she's playing off comes her shirt. It looks like I'm going to have to just put onesies on her ;). It's pretty funny though.

Tomorrow I have a business meeting for my twins club...yay for a night out!

Who would've thought...

2007-04-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

I've always been a pretty private person. I only let people who are close to me in. However, when you have kids a lot changes. I have noticed I'm a lot more open. I talk about things I never dreamed I'd talk about. For instance, poop. Yes, #2, caca, poo poo, whatever you call it...we're talking about it a lot in my house. My girls are very interested in going potty. Brianna though has gone #2 every day in the potty for the past week!! I don't know if she doesn't want to feel it in her diaper anymore, if she loves how excited my husband and I get when she goes in the potty, or the M&M I give her as a treat when she goes ;). Whatever it is I am SO glad!! Mikayla on the other hand will sit on the potty if I ask her if she wants to go and some times she'll go #1...but we haven't gotten a #2 yet. When I ask her if she wants to be a big girl, she looks at me, and says baby. So....their only 18 months....it's ok if I have one all about it, and one who wants to be my "baby". They amaze me so much. Yes, I know this is a topic only a mother can really understand......but it's what's exciting in our house right now :).

Letters to my daughters

2007-04-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

I saw another mom of multiples with a website of letters to her girls. I thought this was a great idea. I know I won't print the blogs...so this will probably be an outlet to talk about motherhood, and what's going on with the girls. I do think I might start a journal that later on they can have. This will allow me to also share my thoughts about my girls with others.

Being a mom to twins has never been "easy"...but it's never been not worth it either. I can't imagine not having both of my girls. They are my everything. Someone once told me every stage gets different but not easier. Sounds pessimistic, but very true. Right now this stage (18 mo.) is my favorite...though it's also been very difficult too. The girls say so many things now, and phrases, they remember favorite places and friends, they get excited about things, they know what they like and don't like. However, they also say "no" A LOT. They run around EVERYWHERE, climb like monkeys, and are full fledged toddlers. So, yes, every stage is different...but not easy. When they were infants they would sleep all the time, and smile, but they were SO needy. My girls also had reflux issues, so that was a struggle...all that has passed, and here we are...toddlerhood.

I can't believe it. It seems like yesterday I was waking Nelson up and telling him to rush me to the hospital! Crazy. Life goes by so fast...enjoy every second of it. Take lots of pictures, and cuddle with your kids as often as possible. I will be that mom crying when I first take them to school, taking pictures, and hugging and kissing them. Ha! Someday they will understand :).