Opposite Day & Walking Buddies

Part 1: Opposite Day

So...today is going to be opposite day so that I don't jinx myself over here! ha! Where should I begin? The babies have NOT been doing great lately! They have NOT been going down easily for their naps and sleeping between 1 1/2 to 2 hours per nap twice a day. They have NOT  been easy to get to sleep at bedtime and right on schedule. They have NOT been doing better at night. They have NOT been in great moods. We had a rough time for awhile there...well OK having twins hasn't been easy from day 1 but it was a little more rough for a couple of weeks which I now blame on their first two teeth coming in. Now that they both have those first two bottom teeth life is more normal. Phew!!

This weekend was wonderful! Saturday after the babies laid down for their morning nap I ran out to do a little shopping and meet two friends for lunch at my fav Olive Garden while Eric laid on the couch watching basketball. I'm pretty sure he was in heaven. :) After the babies woke up from their afternoon nap we loaded up and went to walk at the park...I'm pretty sure my legs were close to falling off for how far Eric wanted to walk and uphill...with the double stroller. ha! He wanted to see another part of the trail we walk. After the babies were asleep Eric went out to get us Panera Bread for dinner and we watched a movie. Oh how I L-O-V-E Panera!!
Here are a couple of weekend pics:

      This is before we went to the park. They were bundled in their cute bear jackets from Jennifer and boots from Nana. I think they were looking at each other like- what is that on your head?! ha!

Presley wanted to hitch a ride on brothers car. ha!

Part 2: Walking Buddies

So, one of my best friends that also happens to have twins- Jennifer- and I have been on a roll walking a few times a week! It works out perfect for us to walk between the babies morning and afternoon naps.

Yes, we are crazy and love Taco Casa so prior to our "work out" we ate a burrito...however, we walk around 4 miles so we figure it all balances out. haha! Griffin and Gracyn slept most of the walk...Parker & Presley love the scenery.

                       Parker was a little stiff before we left. ha! He wasn't sure about being all bundled up at first. Reminds me of a Christmas Story. But there outfits are super cozy.

 Checking out the scenery.

 The park we walk at is quite the nature trail...we even saw this guy below.

Ok, well I better get some things done before the babies wake up. :) Happy Monday.



Parker Driving

This is just a real short video of Parker walking in his Jeep walker from Nana & Papa. When he has shoes on he's real quick around the house! :)

10 Month Pics

I'm a little late posting these because I took them a couple weeks ago...but here they are! I love taking pics of my sweet babies and seeing how they grow!

                                            

Coming up next are some crazy pictures I took of them together...haha!

10 Months!

Another month has rolled by! Here's the latest updates of what Parker and Presley are up to :)

Presley-
*Such a curious little girl getting into everything. It is so sweet to watch you when you find something you want to investigate...you sweetly go from crawling position to sitting and ever so gently and cautiously use you little hands to figure it out. I'm sure one day you'll be tearing through things but I love how gentle and slow you are now. I also love that when I say your name you stop.
* Your crawling style is changing. For awhile now you've been slapping your hands down on the floor and basically dragging yourself but now you've decided using your legs is a little faster. I love when Daddy comes home and you crawl as fast as you can to him and usually start crying because you can't get to him fast enough. Daddy's not a huge fan of the crying from both  babies when he walks in the door, but it's so sweet how y'all love to see him.
* When music plays on your toys you start bobbing up and down dancing! Or if we sing and dance to you you start dancing. :)
* Would rather not be in the excersaucer because you'd much rather be on the ground getting into things.
* You have started having a tough time at night between 9-12 with a lot of crying. Last night I brought you in bed with Daddy and I. I turned the lamp on and you were ALL smiles crawling back and forth between Daddy and I having so much fun. We haven't decided if it's because of your tummy troubles (constipation) or separation anxiety. Usually you go back to sleep when I sing to you and rock you, but wake up when I lay you down.
* Love the big bear stuffed animal Nana bought back when you were in my tummy. You use him to pull up and crawl around on. You love to hug on all stuffed animals.
* After every bite of baby food you put your little fingers in your mouth...after EVERY bite. It makes your meals very messy. :)
* You love to kick your feet in the ball pit!
* I love when you peek around to see people with those big blue eyes!
* You like pulling Parker's hair.
 * You love to pull up!
* Your hair is getting long, starting to cover your ears. You are an expert at ripping bows out. I think your hair is starting to have a little curl in it...especially when wet.
* You have 2 bottom teeth that are cute as can be.
* You do not like being laid on your back for diaper changes, etc, you sometimes tell us how mad you are and kick your legs!

Wearing brothers cowboy boots Nana bought

Parker:
*Sweetest. baby. boy.
* You love to cuddle
* You've been able to put yourself to sleep lately at nap times! You watch your aquarium, twilight turtle, cuddle your glow worm, and listen to your music. Sometimes you get upset and I come back in to calm you down then put you back in your warm bed and you do great.
* You have one tooth just poking through your gums.
* You are getting so big and heavy! My arm starts to hurt now when carrying you for longer periods of time. It's almost time to switch you over to 12 month sleepers because you are so tall.
* You love the spin top toy. You have figured out you can press down and the balls will spin. Your face lights up when you see this toy.
* You still are not a fan of being on your tummy.
* You love to stand.
* You are a speedy driver in your walker when you have shoes on. :) I love that you follow me. You grunt if you get stuck somewhere. I love when Presley follows you crawling.
* You like pulling Presley's hair.
* It's about time for us to get you a haircut.
* You are a little bit of a picky eater.
* Still love to jump!
* Are most happy being held by Mommy.
* I love when you smile big at the tv. You like Sid the Science Kid- you always smile at him!
* Sometimes between 9-12 (when sisters fussy) at night you cry out but when I pick you up you lay your sweet head on my shoulder and go right back to sleep.
* You are very curious!
* You can be very difficult during diaper changes. Who has time to lay on there back when there is so much to explore? You roll, reach, and search for something to get into. It becomes especially difficult/dangerous if you have a dirty diaper. ;)
* You are a very neat eater. You do get inpatient at times if I'm not feeding you fast enough since you have to take turns with sister.
* Your cry, since it doesn't happen often, still breaks our hearts.

Both of you:
* You both love to play catch.
* Y'all have been great nappers. There was awhile that you had a really tough time napping Parker. Lately, you've both been napping right on schedule in the morning and afternoon for an hour and half each time. Wonderful! :)
* You keep us very busy!
* We LOVE you both more than anything! Happy 10th month!

New Blog

I decided to make a photography blog- http://cuteandclassyphotography.blogspot.com/

Photography- Griffin & Gracyn

Last week I took pictures of sweet Griffin & Gracyn. They are 3 months old!

Having Fun

Parker and Presley have been having a lot of fun with all their toys from Santa and family.

Notice Parker's little fingers in his mouth- poor little guy is having a rough time getting in his bottom two teeth

                              This below gave me a good laugh. Little Presley was crawling with the boppy pillow, dragging it along. It was on the play mat you see in the background.

                       It was nice one Saturday so we took the babies walkers outside and Eric gave Parker a push around

                       Doesn't Parker look like Kramer from Seinfeild? I can't help but do crazy things with their hair while washing it. haha!

                              Another pic from the day we went outside with the walkers. Cutie pie Parker

                                 Nice day for a drive!

             Eric and I had a nice, relaxing New Years Eve. The babies went to sleep at their usual 7 pm so we rented a movie, ordered Niki's, and had a great bottle of wine my parents gave us awhile back. It was wonderful!

                      This picture is from this summer but I just saw it and I don't think I ever posted it. :)

                       Presley LOVES all stuffed animals and especially this huge bear! She likes to pull up and crawl all over him! She seeks him out everytime we are in the playroom.

                       She wasn't a fan of the baby gate. I need to get the pic on here from my cell phone...she has her nose smashed up against the bars and her tongue on the bar. Hilarious!

                                          Parker attacking..loving on Presley. hehe!

                              A very mild version of bumper cars!

                                Mission accomplished...every toy is out of the basket ;)

                          And I had to get a picture of this. Every time we go somewhere in the car I always sit in the back with the babies (unless I'm driving of course) and Parker always gets a little anxious when he gets sleepy so he holds my finger to help him fall asleep and doesn't let go. Sweet little guy!!!

I'm off to bed! Parker's teeth have been bothering him so he's been waking up a lot at night. I gave him Tylenol before bed tonight so hopefully he'll sleep better. Night!

Getting Closer...

I told myself after Christmas I would start thinking about Parker and Presley's 1st Birthday party! So, when the babies nap the last couple of days I've been researching ideas...it's not easy thinking of a perfect theme for both a boy and girl. Don't worry I think I've got a theme chosen. :)

As I've been doing this planning for their 1st birthday I've been doing a lot of thinking at night...thinking about 1 year later and remembering those first few days of Parker and Presley's life. Looking back I ask myself, how in the world did I survive all of that? But, I've found when you are put into a position, you do it, and don't even realize how hard it is until later. The first thing that came to my mind when thinking about their first birthday is a memory of me walking in the hall of the hospital. The nurses are nazis about making sure you walk after c-sections. I was slowly taking steps holding onto the rail with my Mom on the other side of me. I was a few rooms away from my room when I heard a Mom and Dad singing Happy Birthday to their baby...I instantly felt sadness and started crying because I wasn't able to sing Happy Birthday to my babies...and then I think I wasn't even able to see them on their birthday. Although I did see them as they were wheeling the babies to the NICU in their warmers, they paused by my head for me to see them...but it was hard to see them with the C-Pap tubes in their nose and little hats. They do usually wheel mothers into the NICU in their beds on the way to recovery but I was taken immediately to recovery with my Magnesium Sulfate IV.  Once I was in recovery Eric was able to go see them. I remember him telling me he was scared, he didn't even really know where he was going, or what to expect, or what to do once he got there. But, I sent him with my cell phone and he was able to take pictures so I could see them and I sent a text of the pictures to a few friends. The next time I saw them was 24 hours later when I was finished with my Magnesium Sulfate IV. On the way to a postpartum room we were able to go to the NICU. I saw Presley first...my tiny princess. I remember poor baby was crying and I felt so sad until the nurse said, "oh we like crying babies, it means they are strong." Eric then wheeled me over to pod 2 to see Parker (the little rooms are called pods.) I remember he looked huge compared to Presley. It's amazing the difference 1 pound makes! The next day in postpartum was awful for me. I was in so much pain and on top of that lets just say the nurses were a little too anxious (multiple drugs given) to have me use the bathroom which resulted in every 30 minutes needing to get out of bed, which is the last thing you want to do. However, I did have a wonderful experience that day! The NICU doctor who took care of the babies the first few days was wonderful. He would call everyday and give a report about the babies. The first day he called (second day after birth) he told me I could start kangaroo care with Parker (skin-to-skin contact with the babies on the mothers chest.) I remember questioning him, are you sure it's ok? That's when he made me very sad by saying oh yes it's fine and I'm sure they are missing you. Holding Parker although I was terrified was the best moment along with the next day being able to kangaroo hold Presley. The rest of the hospital stay consisted of pumping and Eric wheeling me to the NICU so I could kangaroo hold the babies...unfortunately the NICU at Baylor All Saints is very far from the postpartum section because of renovations. I felt every crack and door frame in the hospital floor along the way to the NICU. When it was getting close to time to leave the hospital I tried convincing my OB I needed to stay longer but that didn't work out. I was dreading the day of leaving the hospital and not being under the same roof. Before leaving the hospital my ton of milk came in and the nurse called lactation because I was so engorged. So, my parting gift leaving the hospital was the directions to pump every hour to help the engorgement go down, then after the engorgement went down to continue pumping every 3 hours. It was exhausting pumping all the time in addition to making my way to the car and the bumpy car rides (not fun after a c-section!) to see my babies. But, I wouldn't change all the pumping for anything in the world to be able to give the babies what was best for them (even after a total of 6 rounds of mastitis!) Coming home was tough and every little thing made me sad thinking last time I saw that or sat there I had my babies inside me. Exactly one week later I spent the entire day crying. I remember my Mom asking what was wrong because I literally cried all day. The NICU nurses assured me the babies were doing great, but it wasn't just that- I wanted them with me 24/7. I loved all my time with them in the NICU but it just isn't the same when you are never alone with them. A little over a week later the babies were off their c-pap, breathing on their own, and able to take bottles (and nurse!)  They ended up going back on some oxygen help but they were still doing great. Looking at them today being active little curious cutie pies it's hard to remember the days of watching their heartrates and oxygen levels drop on the monitor. It wasn't an easy road but it's been amazing and I still cherish every minute with them today. They are just perfect (to Eric and I of course!) =) I can't wait to spoil them on their birthday this year!

Even though I feel our journey was incredibly emotional and difficult I realize we are lucky and some have it a lot harder. I read these prayer request today on Kelly's Korner blog- please pray for these families-

Erika recently delivered triplets at 25 weeks. One of the triplets did not survive and the other two are in critical condition. This family also lost a baby about a year ago so I know they could use our prayers.

http://www.stedjefam.blogspot.com/
 
Jen Epper - delivered twins early due to preclampsia - one did not survive and one is in the NICU. She also has a two year old daughter.


Pray for the Crettenden family who lost their son Aiden after 13 days of life. They think he passed away due to apnea. They could use our thoughts and prayers

I leave you with a sweet picture of Presley napping on me :) (pic not the best quality- taken with my phone)

Off to enjoy this beautiful day when the babies wake up! Next week will be SO cold!