The party continues...

Hi everyone...did all of you sleep well last night? You did? Excellent! We are continuing to live the dream and even through the sleep deprivation (which is improving), we are still feeling incredibly blessed to have such a big wonderful family. Here are the pix from the past week. The babies are now 7 weeks old and growing by the moment. They definitely had a six week growth spurt and ate ALL DAY EVERY DAY last week through today. I can't wait to see how big they are tomorrow. Lily had an art show at her school last Thursday with an ice cream social afterwards and she was so proud of what she had created. Ty is becoming an accomplished two-year-old, honing his skills in whining, tantruming, and defiance. Life is just not slowing down one bit. I can't say that things are getting easier, or even that I am better able to deal with them--but I can say that I KNOW it will get better...soon. Maybe even tomorrow...cheers! Isabella looking sweet in her car seat... All buckled in and ready to go...
Bella and her mommy...

Daddy with the twinkles...
Lillers feeding James--she always wants to help and is actually a good assitant!
James looking peaceful in his car seat...
Ty Ty ready to tear it up in the backyard...
Lily at her school with her crab that she made in the background...

Ty enjoying his ice cream...
Lily with her class project, Rosie the Octopus...
Lily with Daddy...
Lily and Mommy with Lily's fish that she made...
Ty and Zachary, his little buddy from school...they just look like trouble, don't they?

Bella waiting for a table at Cracker Barrel
Lily and Ty hanging out in the Gator chairs at Cracker Barrel
Ty and Jonathan--his very best friend!!
Mimi feeding James...
Ty and Auntie Lisa (Aunt Weesa)...

Lily's whale...
Lily's crab (she popped off one of the eyes and added the feather at home)...
Lily put all of her art on her wall to display it--she's mighty proud!
James with his new elephant--thank you Yvonne!! Bella likes hers too!
Y'all come back now, y'hear??

Life lately...

I finally have a moment tonight to add some pictures and write a bit--granted I am pumping whilst I write this, but that's my life lately. The key word is "multitasking." I had dinner tonight with Sam and Melissa to celebrate the awarding of Melissa's PhD today--I'm quite proud of her. In the past five years she's become a doc and I've had four kids...funny... anyway, I had the babies with me and they were little gems the whole time...and then they screamed the whole way home. When I arrived at home, Sonia reported the atrocious behavior of my eldest child. Apparently she was playing Todd off of Sonia and being very difficult through all of it. I am usually at a loss at what to do with her when she acts like that and each night I pray that she doesn't act that way anymore...but I feel like she's my test (whatever that means). Ty had a fever today--a continuation of yesterday--but no other symptoms. A virus perhaps? Who knows. We gave James gripe water today in an attempt to ease his colic and I think it took the edge off. Isabella smiled at me today for the first time--so cute and rewarding!! Gosh, that's a lot of kids to report on! I have been thinking of all the numbers lately--4 kids, 3 in diapers, about 20 diapers a day (amongst all those in diapers), 16 bottles a day, about 8 feedings (x 2), 10 outfits a day for all the kids, no less than 3 loads of laundry each day, about 5 hours of sleep at night, almost 2 hours each day spent pumping (collectively)...I have to stop because my brain starts to hurt. My workload this go-round has intensified exponentially (thank you Sonia for reducing my numbers on many of those categories above!!!). I think that's all for now...cheers!

Boom-dee-ah-da

In my moments of "I can't do this," and "I'm going to cry," lately, I smile every time this commercial comes on. In fact, the whole family has been singing it and humming it and now requesting it--you'll see why. Enjoy...

Oh, and I had my 6 week check-up today and all was well. I weighed James and he was 10 pounds, 8 ounces and he was so fussy that I decided to weigh Isabella tommorrow. Last week she was 10 pounds, 11 ounces so hopefully she'll weigh more tommorrow. Also, James has been on his AXID for a week now without much improvement. He basically cries when he's not being held--all day long. Thankfully, both babies go right back to sleep at night and are sleeping longer stretches. They have been going 3 and a half hours in between feedings at night!I will post again later with pix of the kids. Cheers!

The Honeymoon is Over...

So now that I am almost six weeks into this twin-thing and my family help has been gone for 3+ days, I am fully realizing that the honeymoon has ended. Not that we've been picnicking for the past five+ weeks, but there is safety in numbers. One vs. four is a bit difficult. And I am NOT a homebody and I am being forced to be ever so much more so right now. I don't want to use this as a forum to complain or exaggerate or inflate in any way what I am going through--but I will simply say I am finding it way harder than I ever imagined--beyond me? no. Do I know that it will get better? yes. Am I depressed? no. Am I frustrated, tired, confused, sometimes angry and full of self-loathing? yes. Blogging is actually very therapeutic for me--helping me unpack the days and get some perspective. And though I can only speak for myself, I can say that Todd is also quite tired as well. The Bible says over and over that those who call upon the Lord will be heard--and He's been called on quite a bit lately--and I do feel as though I am heard. After all, I wake up each morning, I have a roof over my head--I have a beautiful healthy family and wonderful husband, I have the help that I need with the olders (thank you thank you Sonia), and I have this outlet to process my feelings. So praise God--even through the difficult nights and the trying mornings and the toddler tantrums and the 3 year old drama and the crying babies--PRAISE GOD!!! oh, and I'll post pictures tomorrow--cheers...

Peace and Quiet...HA

So today begins my solo journey as a twin mommy--all the help has gone home and I am flying by myself during the day. Now, granted, my wonderful Sonia will be here in the afternoons and I KNOW I couldn't do this without her, but the mornings are all me...and today was a doozie. Someone was crying all morning--James and Isabella took turns. At one point, they were both howling and Ty had not been changed out of his nighttime diaper and I was half-way through loading the washer and cleaning all the night's bottles and pumping supplies. I took a step back to reflect on this new snapshot of my life...things are going to be a little different this time around for sure. But, Lily was an angel this morning--selecting her outfit last night and putting it on this morning with out being asked (all pink of course :)). Kara will get her from school and keep her until ballet time and then Sonia will collect her from ballet--so atleast one of my four is happy, fed, paid attention to, and taken care of until the afternoon. And I miss her this morning! Her bubble energy and infectious laugh and smile change the vibe around here, even when she is up to no good... I can't wait to hug her hello this afternoon. And Ty has been a trooper this morning--we've played catch and trains and cars and he's watched me do dishes in his front row seat. And as I listen now--the babies are sleeping and peaceful--I have this thought like, "I can handle this," and I almost believe myself. Tomorrow I go to the hospital luncheon and my Bible study and I've never looked forward to them more in my life. My ability to handle all this directly hinges on the amount of spiritual fulfillment and friendly socialization I get during the week. I will post the babies' weights tomorrow. Cheers!

One more thing...

For his birthday, Ty got a tee-ball tee and bat etc. and Todd got it out today for the first time. We're pretty sure we see the beginnings of Ty's MLB career here...his athletic ability never ceases to amaze us! You might need to click play twice...

Week Five

Here are Mimi and Poppy getting ready to feast on some Rendezvous ribs, delivered to our door compliments of Pastor Jay and Eileen--thanks!! The ribs arrived complete with placemats and hats!

Here's Lily eating her first rib ever--she pronounced it delicious!! Ty had a bite of rib too, but he did not appreciate its fine culinary qualities...

We have had a great week, although a dark cloud is hanging over the house--the family help leaves tomorrow and the training wheels come off and we're on our own... but, I am ready to dig my heels in and assume my full responsibility. The babies are almost 5 weeks now and are thriving. James is a little colicky and likes to be held more than his sister, but even so he's still a good baby. I have loved having my mom here (and Todd's mom when she was here) and I am sad to be saying goodbye for now. But it's time to stand on my own two feet...sniff sniff

Ch ch changes...

The pictures here are from Ty's 2nd birthday party (Thomas themed), the babies' baths, Lily's new haircut, and our crazy morning as ambassadors for the March of Dimes March For Babies--we got up and got the babies out at 8:30 a.m. to do this when they were 2 weeks old! As for the babies, they are growing like weeds--at 4 weeks old now, Isabella weighs 9 pounds, 10 ounces, and James weighs 8 pounds, 14 ounces.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Ty Ty-- the next Jim Abbott (you might need to click play twice)