Updates

   Ian - Celebrates 1 year of being a patrolling peace officer in October! For those of you that don't know, CSPD went to 10 hour shifts, so he works 60 beat from 4pm - 2am every week Friday - Monday. The girls and I enjoy having him home 3 days a week (Tuesday-Thursday)! He is also finally over the wost of this obnoxious cold that has been lingering for the past 2 weeks. Since he has Wednesdays off, he & I will be signing up for Grace's Bible study this Fall!!    
  Brit - I confess, this week has been a fairly lazy week, as I had hoped that a state of rest would aid in the healing of my family. It has helped! Aside from the typical laundry, housework, and twinraising, I haven't done much. We've been enjoying the comfort of home. Next week will be far more productive. I am looking forward to beginning my Jillian Michael's workout & starting the girls on solids! I have decided to only allow the use of plugs(pacifiers) during cribtime. So far, they've done pretty well; using their fists, chew toys, teething rings as replacements. I'm aching to get back into a routine, and once the girls finally get over being ill, hanging out with friends is a very important item on my agenda. Oh, I also celebrate 27 years of life on Sept. 9th!    
  Karis - Every time I lay this girl down, she rolls onto her tummy. She hasn't quite figured out how to roll back, so she gets a little frustrated, but I'm confident that she'll soon figure it out. She loves to carry on a conversation with anyone & anything. Yesterday, she was talking to the butterfly on the exersaucer. She has a very strong grip & enjoys grabbing Mommy's hair & Daddy's face. As of now, her hair is a light strawberry blonde, and there's not much of it. She's loosing some. She's happy to be held by anyone.

   Kelsie - This little one is so verbal! I'm convinced that she talks & screams, just because she likes to hear herself. :)  She wants to be mobile so bad. Like her sister, she often rolls to her tummy, but cannot roll back yet. She reaches for things hanging above her and also has a very firm grip. She is practically bald. She's very good at communicating her joys & sorrows! She prefers to be held by Mommy.

   Both Twins - Love to laugh & hang out with eachother! They're in size 1-2 diapers! Still haven't had to buy any...AMAZING!! They love to sit & stand, supported. They're drooling like crazy!! Maybe pushing teeth in the next few months. In 6 month clothing due to their height! They love staring at ceiling fixtures, especially fans...even if they're not on. They enjoy watching Baby Einstein and watching Mommy's mouth move when she reads them Bible stories. They are quiet on car rides (usually because they fall right to sleep). They are impartial to bathtime. Can't say they enjoy it because they don't smile or play in the water, but they don't cry either. I think they'll enjoy it more when they can sit up.

Quarantine!

Sadly, yes...we are quarantined for the time being! Whatever cold flies around in 100 degree weather has stopped to visit us for a while. Ian caught it first & we girls managed to stay away from it until now. I got it pretty bad 3 days ago & then Kels got it on Saturday. The poor little thing can't breath. I have to keep bulb syringing her nose to clear her passageway. She had to sleep in her swing last night. Sitting propped up seemed to help and she was able to still suck on her plug. Karis hasn't had it full force yet, but I know she's not feeling that great. I pick her up & she just lays on me, as if she has no desire to do anything but sleep. It's difficult, because I want to snuggle them both & can't. Thankfully, my mother-in-law lives here! She has spent the last 2 days lending a helping hand & taking care of us 3 girls. We also have an appointment with Dr. Tomlin early this week (4 month routine checkup), so she may be able to aid in their recovery. Even though the girls aren't feeling well, they still have big smiles for Mommy and it warms my heart! They are so good-natured! I pray for quick healing for my little angels. They're pretty miserable and I think it's still going to get a little worse before it gets better. But at least I am feeling better so that I can give them my all! I would appreciate your prayers.

A tribute to "EVE's"!

The "EVE-Line"...

This line is made up of many, many women...all Mothers. These "Eve's" have gone before me and experienced similar things in life, in regards to children. Granted, each child is different, and a new story will be written for every new life. We Moms have the privilege of witnessing God's miracle of children and the joy of taking part in raising them for His glory! I've been thinking a lot and there are things that I have noticed about myself, as a Mom, that I would like to change...

Why do I become defensive when simple questions are asked?  Why do I reject the "helping hand(s)"? Why do I automatically assume that any advice given is a criticism? Why don't I accept gifts, even if they're not on my "preferred items" list? Why don't I solicit advice from other Moms? Why do I fight so hard to have it "My way" when the children I've conceived are the Lord's anyway?

I believe that Motherhood is just as amazing as Childhood! Every Mom was once a little girl. It is a strange and wonderful concept to think that along with the birth of my girls, Motherhood was born in me. Growing pains & learning curves come with every new stage of life. I am in awe of the many women that have gone before me on this journey.

I think of Eve, the Mother of all living. What was she like as a Mother, not having any other example to live by? Who taught her how to feed her babies? Who taught her to make clothes for them? Who babysat when she was having a rough day? What did she do if they got sick? Who did she share all her joys & sorrows with, without having another female to chat with on Facebook or Skype? :)  Did she complain about her Motherly duties? What was it like not having a Mother of her own? Or a childhood? How did she know what was normal baby behavior? Did she spank?

I can just picture it... "Cain just spit up all over the leather jacket that Adam made me!" "Adam, what's this stinky, brown stuff?" "Cain, Abel...Do Not ride the sheep!" "Alright boys, Mom's too tired to cook tonight, so we're having leftovers." "Abel, have you seen Mommy's shoe?"

Eve knew nothing and still had to experience it all on her own. I would cry if I were her. With this in mind, I would like to declare my gratitude to the "Eve's" (Mom's, Grandma's, Great-Grandma's, etc.) out there who do have a wealth of knowledge to share and the desire to do so. Where would we be without you? You are taken for granted, and yet you have decided to show grace to us Newbies. You have chosen to take an "Amateur" role, even when you are an Expert. Thank you for asking the questions you already know the answers to, knowing full well that we'll probably have an opinion that will be contrary to your own. Thank you for still wanting to be involved, even when we put limits on you. I'm sure it's frustrating to sit by and watch us make very similar mistakes, when you know what would be best & how to assist us. You have decided to "tread lightly" & silently walk the path of Motherhood beside us. A path that has already been well traveled by you. Thank you for allowing us to crash & burn, while still being a source of strength for us to rely on when we need you. It is such a comfort knowing that we have your unending love & support. Even though we don't show it as often as we should, please know that you are needed!! For all that you've done and continue to do...THANK YOU!!

I LOVE YOU, MOM!! And I am SO thankful for you!! 

Plain & Simple

You are LOVELY because God LOVES you!
Be confident in that truth! Own it!

Karis rolled over!!!

Sadly, I'm a little late posting this. It happened on the 11th! Karis did it! We were at Nana & Granddad's and she was laying on the floor with Kels. From her back to her tummy, she rolled! I cheered & whisked her up in my arms! SO proud! They're both to the point that they surprise me daily with little things they've learned to do. It is amazing to watch their minds work as they reach for things dangling above their heads, have conversations with you, watch Baby Einstein, play with their toys...etc. They are growing so beautifully! Ian and I are so blessed to be their parents! 

"You Make Me Smile"

Here are a few recent pictures of our beautiful, growing girls! They are almost 14lbs. and will be 16 weeks old on Friday!
They bring me such joy!

Kelsie Rolled over!

Yesterday, Kels rolled over 4 times from her back to her tummy! I couldn't believe it. She did it with such ease, as if she'd been doing so for weeks. Kels is like her Dad in this way..."Git 'er dun!" and Karis is my little contented observer. Kare will get there when she's good & ready, but for now, she's happy to just watch...just like Mommy :)

Kels is my mover, Karis is my wiggler. I put them both to sleep on their sides with wedges. Kelsie stays put the whole night. Karis thrashes about and contorts her body in ways that look incredibly uncomfortable, but finally she finds a position that works for her & falls asleep.

Our daily schedule in a nutshell:
7:30 - wake up & eat 7oz.
8:00 - Playmat/Activity time; Nap
11:30 - Eat 4oz.
12:00 - Activity; Sit in bumbos & watch Baby Einstein; Nap
2:30 - Eat 4oz.
3:00 - Outing & Nap
5:30 - Eat 4oz.
6:00 - Story/Playtime with Mommy
8:30 - Eat 7oz.
9:00 - Bedtime

I know that some books & other Mothers would not agree with this agenda, but that really doesn't bother me. This is how this Mom of twins runs her household :)  It's working really well for all of us, including Daddy!

August already?

Here we are in August and I am just amazed at how time flies. It is true that it goes by much faster after you have kids. I am so grateful that I get to stay home with my sweet girls day after day! They will be 15 weeks old tomorrow. They are fully weaned and have been sleeping from 8:30pm to 7:30am for 3 weeks. When awake, they are very happy & content. I'm counting my blessings with a heart of thanksgiving!!

Never having been a Mom before, I do not claim to be an expert in any way, but I would like to share a bit of what I've learned thus far. It is my belief that moreso than teaching my children at this stage, it is more important that I am a student of them. The two basic concepts that I cling to daily are "Relax" & "Pray". For me, these two words are the building blocks of Motherhood. My children and the Lord will teach me how to be the best Mommy I can be. It is my prayer that Karis and Kelsie see in me a total dependence and joy in service to my Savior, and so likewise develop relationships with Him as they grow. I feel it is my primary job to keep myself close to the Lord and introduce Him to my girls through our daily activities (reading books, singing songs, playing games...). The laundry, dishes, and other chores can wait, and wait, and wait...and it's OK! 

B's poem:

Regularly meet with Christ; He'll lead you through the day.

He will help you tackle whatever comes your way. 
Don't fret about the hard stuff that makes you want to say, 
"I think that I could stand this, if only there was pay."

Instead surrender all, trust in Him and pray, 

"God, You are the Potter and I am only clay".

Pursue the Lord with zeal and from Him do not stray.

The rest will come with ease, when first you seek Him and obey.