Mader's: July 2010

7/30/10

Amazing skies!

The Lord is SO BEAUTIFUL!! Look at His creation! I am in awe!

All of these pictures were taken right outside my doorstep at different times today!

7/26/10

Pure Joy!

My sweet babies and I enjoying playtime!! I adore them!!

7/25/10

Sunset

We have had some really amazing cloud formations in the evenings! I had to share this amazingly gorgeous sunset! Took this picture right outside my front door! God's creation is truly breathtaking!

7/24/10

Ian and I have considered the pros & cons and we have decided that it's time to wean our girls. They will be entirely formula fed starting August 1st. It has it's advantages & disadvantages. Originally, my desire was to breastfeed for a year, then when we had twins and it changed to 6 months. But things rarely go as we expect or intend. Due to the ICU experience following delivery, my body had to focus more on repairs rather than milk production, so we had a pretty rough start. My girls have nursed & had formula from the very beginning (reliance on the intake of formula to remain full), so it won't be too difficult a transition for them. Doc had told me that while I was breastfeeding to refrain from exercise & not to go back on birth control because it could dry up my milk. I am ready to start doing those things again; especially because the girls are growing and they're only getting about 2 ounces from me anyway. I just do not produce near enough to satisfy their hunger. I know I will struggle with the emotional disconnection a bit, but overall, I really am okay with our decision to go ahead with this. I'm confident that this is the best course of action for our entire family. I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me the ability to nurse them for 3 months! He has always been so good to me!

7/22/10

3 months old!!

I was really trying to get a photo of both my girls smilin'. This is as close as I got.

7/20/10

Become a Ratliff Ranger!

Join us in support of our friends, Derrick & Cherise Ratliff!! Read up on their newest adventure! Watch them compete on the Sportsman's Channel starting January 2011 and vote for them to win their own season! We are SO proud of their vision & ambition! To God be the glory!

http://www.huntingforthedream.com/
http://hunteclipse.com

Also find them on facebook: Team Eclipse - Hunting for the Dream

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144090725606647

No words needed

Our July...so far

We have been enjoying this fun-filled month and have experienced some breakthroughs.

- Ian and I celebrated 5 years of marriage in the 16th (Oh, a Happy Belated Anniversary to the Pauls!) He took me to Luigis Patio Ristorante and we got there right as the mood music began to play. Great atmosphere, food & conversation! I love my Man!! The girls were babysat for the first time by Nana & Granddad.
- Ian enjoys his job and is very good at it. Although he loves being a Dad & spending time with his girls, he is constantly surrounded by femininity. His job is a great outlet!
- Cass (my younger sister) & Mark find out the gender of their baby tomorrow! Mandy (my older sister) & Bill are prayerfully considering moving to Killeen, TX!
- Karis & Kelsie are 12 weeks old this Friday. They enjoyed dressing up in their festive Independence Day outfits & going to church on the 4th! They received their first round of shots on the 7th, but only cried for a moment. They are becoming so expressive; smiling & talking a lot more. They have been sleeping through the night for almost 2 weeks. Karis laughed! We're sure Kels will follow soon. They're both holding their heads up very well. Now we're working hard on standing, rolling over & sitting up. They are both nearing 11 lbs. They've been in the church nursery 3 times.
- We have also been enjoying the company & fellowship of friends & family...Nana & Granddad, Schmuckers, Cherise, Hahns, Gilberts & the Serio girls!!
- Wrigley is on a diet. He loves the girls & Ali thinks the baby equipment is solely for her enjoyment. They are both so good around the babies!

I have so many things to be grateful for! God is Good!

7/17/10

Mommy's Outfits!

The girls in my sweater & bonnet!

7/12/10

Berry Cute Girls

Our li'l sweethearts are 2 and a half months old and if not for the hair, it would be very difficult to tell them apart.

Getting a lot more smiles nowadays!! :)

Captured on video

Posted some new videos of our girls. Check em out!
http://picasaweb.google.com/B.MaderFFP/Videos#

7/11/10

It works!

Just watched "The Happiest Baby on the Block" DVD from Harvey Karp, M.D. He's a pediatrician/child development expert and the DVD is about discovering the "calming reflex...'off-switch' to crying; 'on switch' to sleep". My girls aren't typically criers, so I waited until they did & tried his 5 steps to calming crying babies. They were asleep in no time.
1)S - Swaddle(tight with arms down so they can't wiggle out)
2)S - Side/or stomach (while holding them, turn them over in a comfortable position)
3)S - SHHHHHHH! (over their cries, loudly in their ear. In the womb, they were used to constant sound that was louder than a vacuum)
4)S - Swing (while still in their comfortable position, rock them back & forth on your legs allowing their head to jiggle slightly)
5)S - Sucking (pacify them as you do all of the above)
By doing these things, you're recreating a womb environment. It's pretty amazing how quickly my girls calmed down & went to sleep.

7/9/10

I LOVE MY JOB!!

God created me to be a twin Mom and I consider myself blessed beyond measure! I wake up every morning to His gift of two precious little girls! What a wonderful Maker! He is continuing to shape & mold me while growing these treasures up in His image! His praise will continually be on my lips!

7/8/10

Updated Photos

Check out our web albums for updated pictures.
http://picasaweb.google.com/b.maderffp

Shot Day

We took the girls for their 2 month check up yesterday (11 weeks tomorrow ;). They had to get their immunization shots...3 of them...Aaaoowweee! They were troopers, though. There were tears, but they didn't last long at all. It sure is hard on a Mommy. No one wants to hear their babies cry out in pain. Hooray for bugs bunny bandaids! We made it through with a glowing report. The girls, being identical, decided to stay very similar in height & weight. They are in the 50th percentile on their growth chart. Each 23" long & weigh 10#/15oz. Very healthy girls! They are also sleepin' a lot better. I believe we found our routine! In bed as close to 8:30 as possible. They usually sleep until 5am, are fed & put back down at 5:30, and they sleep until 9:30. I am amazed at how the Lord is growing these two! I am SO thankful to witness His hand at work! It is such a joy & privilege to be Karis & Kelsie's Mom!!