I have a new nephew!!

Marek Honor Cooney was born into this world on December 18th to proud parents, Mark & Cassidee (my sister) Cooney! 7 lbs. 12 oz. 20". A healthy baby boy!! His Daddy got home on leave from the Army the night of the 17th and Marek was born at 10:11 the nest morning. Mark was able to witness his son's birth! What a blessed miracle! All went home 3 days after and are doing very well! God be praised!!

Christmas Pictures

http://picasaweb.google.com/B.MaderFFP/Christmas2010#

Enjoy!

2010 Synopsis

Joyful Tidings to you this Christmas Season!

We have experienced a lot of firsts this year and we consider ourselves beyond blessed! On April 23rd, Ian and I welcomed precious, identical twin girls into the world; Karis Reagan & Kelsie Jordyn. Our year has mostly been centered around their arrival, so please forgive my vagueness on the other happenings, as it all seems but a blur. Before Karis & Kelsie came we were resting & nesting, and after, we've been growing & going. These little miracles have changed our lives and we adore parenthood!!

January marked Ian's first year with College Station Police Department. He enjoys serving & protecting his family and community. I have been a full time wife & Mom and I love witnessing our family's daily growth. My Loves bring me such indescribable joy!! Our girls are now 8 months old and all I did was blink. It is amazing how much time seems to fly when I look into their eyes.

The best word to describe our 2010 is "Awe". We are in complete amazement at the of the majesty of God and marvel at the things He has done and continues to do. It would not have been such an amazing year without your love and prayerful support, dear Friends & Family!

We greet 2011 with grateful hearts and dedicate this new season of our lives to the Lord.

Ps. 118:24 - "This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

Wishing you a blessed New Year,

Ian, Brittany, Karis & Kelsie Mader

Karis & Kelsie Elves

"Why crawl when we can dance?"

Just a bit of fun for the holidays!
Merry Christmas!!!

Taking a break

I just love the way the Lord works! He places people in your life to help shape & mold you into becoming more like Himself. I will be taking a break from blogging & facebook. It will be refreshing to spend less time thinking about ME and more in the Word and on the needs of others. God has given so many people such wonderful gifts. It's time for me to recognize that and appreciate different points of view, not get defensive. My heart aches for the closeness of friends. Friends that I hope will forgive my selfishness and help me change for the better.

Bye Bye Plugs

Time to say farewell to the pacifiers. The girls are teething & can't hold onto them, so Ian and I have decided to take advantage of the natural transition. It's going to be rough for a while until they get the hang of it. It is good for all of us though. They will learn how to self pacify and I will not have to get up 6 times a night to replug them. In the "Juggling Twins" book I have, they recommend getting rid of them no later than 4 months old, otherwise they become a crutch for them and a constant hassle for you. Well, the girls have enjoyed the comfort of them for 7 months and now it is time to let them go. I know that some would not agree with this decision, but every child is different and this is what's best for Karis & Kelsie. We would appreciate your prayers, as we are in for a pretty difficult road.

Thankful

This month has gotten away from me. I can't believe that Christmas is just around the corner. I have been counting my blessings in hopes of developing a lasting spirit of Thankfulness. Karis & Kelsie daily bring me such indescribable joy! They just started making pattern sounds, "Mamamamama" & Dadadadada". They don't know what they're saying, but it is sweet jibber jabber!

They are:
7 months old in 3 days!
not crawling yet
just learning how to sit by themselves
teething
drinking out of a cup & sipping through a straw
responding to their names
finally enjoying being on their tummies
discovering what fun bath time can be
still enjoying their saucers
fascinated watching Baby Einstein
getting too big for bouncers & swings
like to be sung & read to
quickly growing out of their car seats...lengthwise.
are in 9 month clothing & 12 month jammies
starting to reach for us with open arms
used to car rides & usually sleep when we're out & about
always excited to see/play with Ali & Wrigley
developing their own precious personalities
in size 3 diapers
always anxious to giggle
a little stranger shy
developing a liking for different foods (mainly sweet)
strolling around in their walkers at Nana's
enjoying growing up with a constant companion. They love each other!
grabbing faces...especially Daddy's
BEAUTIFUL & I can't get enough of them!!

Ian continues to be a wonderful husband & father; a source of protection & strength! Amidst the stresses of his job, he manages to come home & shower all 3 of his girls with love. He is more than a hero to us and we are blessed knowing he is out there keeping us safe from harm.

For these things and many more, Lord, I am thankful to you!

We went to the Doc for the girls 6 month check up. Karis is 15.2 lbs/27" and Kelsie is 15.10 lbs./27". They are in the 90th percentile for height! Amazing! Dr. T says they are healthy girls! We are blessed! They aren't crawling yet. Just barely sitting up by themselves. They are wanting to be mobile and get so frustrated when they can't quite reach something or get somewhere. It won't be long now. I have had to pack away swings & bouncers and start baby proofing. They're in #3 diapers...getting SO big! I would say that this is the hardest stage for me so far because they are becoming more aware of their surroundings, developing their own personalities, likes & dislikes...and despite my efforts to keep them on the same schedule, sometimes that doesn't always happen. I anticipate it getting even more challenging when they become mobile. God grows Mommy's too, right along with babies. We're all learning & adjusting. It has been a fun adventure and I'm grateful...tired, but grateful! ;)

Food, Glorious Food!

We started the girls on solid food on September 6th and they have been eating like champs ever since. I have really been enjoying making baby food! It's so easy & much more cost effective to buy the fresh produce, steam cook it & freeze the food cubes!!

So far, aside from the rice & oat cereal, we have had apples, bananas, sweet potatoes, peas, avocado, pears, and yellow squash. Next on the list is peaches & chicken...not together. Naturally, they have a sweet tooth and seem to enjoy fruits over veggies. So sometimes I mix them to fool their taste buds...Shhhh! ;)

 

Halloween/GBC Country Fair

So, I am a little late posting this, but we had some fun over Halloween. We all dressed up (even Ali & Wrig), carved our pumpkin, and went to the Country Fair! And since a picture is worth a thousand words, that's all I'm gonna say. ;)

 Our Precious Punkins

 Daddy loves this load!

Carving an owl sitting on the moon. Wrigley's outfit says "My other costume is much scarier" and Ali's was a t-shirt that said "Hello, my name is DOG"

 Feet up simultaneously. It's like they're reading each other's minds ;)

 Kelsie

 Karis 

 Kare Bear was Junior Mints, Kels Sugar Babies, and Mommy was a Trick or Treat Bag

6 months & More!

Karis & Kelsie celebrated their 6 month birthday on the 23rd! It just so happens that we were able to celebrate with my family in Reno! We were there from the 21st-26th. I would've posted my travel plans before now, but our intention for going was to surprise my little sister & attend her baby shower. She's having a little boy (Marek) on Dec.10th! The twins were prefect travelers & had everyone oogling! They slept most of the way there & back which was a huge blessing!  Here are a few pictures of our trip. 

 Cassidee, 8 months along & radiant!

 Her husband, Mark, just went into the Army

 One proud Gramma!

 Sisters!

Kelsie hugs for Aunt Cassie

Karis Hugs for Aunt Mandy

 Kare Bear with Grampa

 Life of the party

 Celebrating 6 months!

 I wanted a picture of them beside their cake, not in it. I had no idea that they would dive in like they did. It was as if they knew it was a sweet treat.

 Me & my sugar babies

 Uncle Bill & Aunt Mandy

So sweet!

 Merryman Ladies

Best friend Cherise & I

A trip to Lake Tahoe

 Love this photo!

 Rock climbing

 What's up, Kels?

 Travel babies

For more, click here: http://picasaweb.google.com/B.MaderFFP/RenoOct10#

Army Uncles

Uncle Jeff is here in Texas for a few weeks but sadly, we will not be able to see him. He's in El Paso. He gave us these outfits & we miss him. Uncle Mark also just went into the Army. We wish him all the best! 

Here's my 5 1/2 month old camo cuties!