Christmas Part 2

We had a wonderful Christmas (or 2). This was the kids' first Christmas and I am sure that they had no idea what was going on. They got some wonderful Christmas gifts; clothes, crib toys, toys and diapers. The twins also got plenty of attention from all of the relatives that came to visit. Their Mimi, Grampa Rick, Nonna, Great-Granny, and Aunt Dede all took turns spoiling them (and us) rotten. I don't know what we are going to do when Chris and I have to do all of the feedings and change all of the diapers alone.

Opening Presents

Christmas Outfits

Like Father...Like Son

I just thought that this was so cute...

Audrey's Piercing

Audrey got her ears pierced today. We decided to have them done while she was little so that she wouldn't remember the pain (I hope that doesn't come back to bite us). She teared up for a second and was over it. She looks so cute with her new earrings.

Electric Piano

For the past month after feeding the babies I have started singing and reading to them. They are finally old enough that they will watch me and smile and kick when I sing a song that they recognize. This routine gives me enough time that I usually do not get wet when I change their diapers afterward. Yesterday, I introduced them to their Leap Frog Piano for the first time. Their reactions were priceless. I thought that Jackson's reaction was a fluke, so I tried it again with the same result. Enjoy!

If You're Happy and You Know It...

Chris took the adorable picture of Audrey and bet me that I could not get a better one... I think that I win with my picture of Jackson. :)

Getting To Know You Christmas Edition

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift Bags. I can't wrap a gift to save my life.

2. Real tree or Artificial? No tree. We have a male dog and we don't want a port-a-potty in the house.

3. When do you put up the tree? See #2

4. When do you take the tree down? See #2

5. Do you like eggnog? I like hot chocolate much better.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? It is a tie between my Power Wheels motorcycle and my Wonder Woman Under Roos.

7. Hardest person to buy for? I have a hard time finding meaningful gifts for everyone.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Chris and I usually agree on something for both of us before Christmas.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. Chris' grandmother gave it to us on our first Christmas.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail Christmas cards.
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Running shoes and the stitches that I got after I ate it on the pavement running

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story - "You'll shoot your eye out!"

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Early December

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Snowcaps (Meringues with chocolate chips - See Nina's Recipe Blog for the Recipe)

16. Favorite Christmas song? Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel... except for this year because the kids are little and travel with a lot of "flair."

18. Missed this question. So say anything that comes to mind..........................Favorite quote given by a guest when my cousin received an ugly ornament at her ornament bridal shower "Everyone needs some ornaments for the BACK of the tree!" :)

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? See #2

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? In the morning

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The same commercials that have been playing for the last 2o years (ex. the Norelco Santa skiing down the blade, the coffee commercial where the son surprises his family by coming home for Christmas and making coffee to wake everyone up)

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? Macaroni ornament themed

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Pumpkin Pie

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? I already have what I want... My wonderful husband and beautiful children.

I tag Nina & April

Winds of Change

It is amazing how quickly Jackson's moods can change. One minute he is having a great time cooing in the swing and the next minute he is crying and then back again to cooing. I love the big smile that he flashes right before the first time he bursts into crocodile tears. Mom is hip to his game. :)

A Little Peek...

Here is a little peek into our not so distant future....



You may notice that the dog is trying to get into the middle of the action. You may also notice my foot scooting him out of the frame. :)

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

We received something (2 somethings) special in our stocking this year!

Thanksgiving

This year Chris and I are thankful for our wonderful new additions, Jackson and Audrey. They are such a blessing in our lives. Over the Thanksgiving holiday Jackson and Audrey got to meet my sister, Nina, my Dad and Chris' Dad, his wife, Deb, and sister, Anna, for the very first time. it was really neat to hear who others think that the kids look like. It was also great to have several extra hands to help with the babies. Thanksgiving now has a special new meaning in our family.

Put me in Coach!

We were really worried about how Charlie would react when we brought the babies home; so much so that we hired a dog trainer to come to the house before they were born (best money we have ever spent). Luckily for us he loves the babies like they were his own. When they cry, he is the first one to the crib to check on them. When other people hold the babies, he watches them like a hawk, ready to step in at any time. We are so happy that he has adjusted to our extended family as well as he has.









*Charlie is a member of our family, but he is still an animal so we never leave him alone with the babies.

Activity Gym

It is so neat to see the kids play with their new toys for the first time. Jackson and Audrey had a great time playing with their activity gym. They were both fascinated with the cloud print on the bars.

Let's Go for a Ride

Audrey has finally gotten big enough to ride in a "real" car seat. She was getting too long and her feet were going over the side of her car bed. Both kids slept the entire time we were walking through the mall. It is funny traveling with the babies because we are constantly being stopped and asked if they are twins.

I Love the Swing

Jackson and Audrey got to try out their new swings today. These swings are so cool because you can either plug them in to the wall or use batteries. The swing put them both out like a light. I need to send a thank you note to Fisher Price. Check out the video from our brand new camcorder.

It Starts Already...

"Mom, she hit me!"
"Well he started it."


We need to stop watching UFC with the kids

Happy Halloween!

Boo!


Audrey saw a ghost... Jackson


What do you mean we are too small to Trick-or-Treat?

Audrey's First Bath

Everyone was pooped after bathtime

The Band Is Back Together!

We were finally able to bring Audrey home last night! The neonatologist decided that we needed a car bed because she is so small. Unfortunately, no one in town carries them so we had to order one online. She looks so cute in her little bed.

Last night went pretty well because we have been working on getting Jackson on a schedule and Audrey has been on a schedule in the NICU (I hope I didn't just jinx myself with this statement). The kids woke us up every 3 hours to eat which was much better than Jackson's first night of being awake all night long.

Both babies are growing by leaps and bounds. As of this morning, Jackson is 5 lbs and Audrey is 3 lbs 13 oz. It is wonderful to have both babies home and healthy.

Jackson's First Bath

Jackson was not happy being wet


Charlie helping out

Update on the Twins

Jackson came home with us on Sunday. The first night was what Chris termed the "Terror Dome." Jackson screamed every time we put him down. We were completely spoiled in the hospital with all of the relatives and the nurses taking care of him. I miss being able to send Jackson to the nursery to get a few hours of sleep. Last night was a little better and he slept more. Audrey is still in the NICU due to her small size (she is currently 3 lbs 3 oz). She is still in her isolette so that she does not burn calories staying warm. She also had a feeding tube put in to bulk up her feeding and get her out of the NICU sooner. We can't wait to have them both home with us.


Audrey (Right after the C-Section - which would explain my "out of it" look and my awesome hairdo)


Chris feeding Audrey on a couple hours of sleep


Mimi, Granny and Chris with Jackson


Nonna with Jackson


"You are bringing WHAT home?!?"

They Are Here!

The Twins were born on Sept 25 at 8:36 and 8:38 AM. Jackson Thomas was 4 lbs 13 oz and 18 in long. Audrey Lee was 3 lbs 3 oz and 15 1/2 in long (yes, we were surprised due to the info we received from the perinatologist). Jackson came home with us today, but Audrey will need to stay in the NICU until she gets bigger. Chris and I feel so blessed to finally have the newest members of our family.


Audrey in her isolette


Jackson (left) and Audrey together

Light at the End of the Tunnel!

Thursday, September 25th is D-Day (Due Date). We went to the perinatologist last week and he said that the babies were not growing as much as he wanted. This means that there might be a problem with the placenta. The boy is 4 lbs 10 oz and the girl is 4 lbs 5 oz. He decided that he did not want me to stay pregnant past the 36th week. It is hard to believe that the time has already come for the babies to arrive. Chris and I can't wait!

Charlie Gets Schooled

One of our biggest worries about having the twins is how Charlie would react to our new additions. He has never spent any time around kids and is not used to sharing Chris and I with anyone. Today Steve with Fidelio Dogworks came to our house to teach us (mostly me) a few techniques that will be important when the babies and guests come to the house. The first technique is how to get him to forget everything else that is going on and sit. The second technique was getting him to not bark or run at the door when someone rings or knocks. I thought that this would be virtually impossible. He surprisingly picked it up right away. It is amazing what a little can of CO2 can do to get the dog to "snap out of it" when the doorbell rings. The third technique is called "place." Charlie's "place" is different from his crate; this is where he is supposed to go when we want him to stay in his area but not have to be locked up in his crate. We still have alot of work and practice to do before the babies come home, but I feel better about the prospect. It was amazing what we accomplished in an hour. Steve is a miracle worker!


Charlie learning "Place." I was able to drop the leash and walk
away and he stayed put. AMAZING!

32 Weeks

The babies don't seem to want to behave anymore... Chris and I have already been to the hospital 2 times this week for contractions. No one can seem to give us a definitive answer about when we absolutely need to come in to see if I am really in labor. My doctor told me that the only way to know for sure is to go in and get checked out. He warned me not to wait until it is too late to stop the contractions. He delivered a set of twins this week that were only 31 1/2 weeks along because the mom waited too long. We want to let the babies bake as long as possible so that they will be able to come home ASAP.

I realized today that I did not have a belly photo and if today was "the big one" I would miss out on getting one.

31 Weeks

Today I am officially 31 weeks pregnant. Only 5 more weeks until full term for twins (yippee). The babies are growing like weeds. She is 2 lbs 15.5 oz and he is 3 lbs 6 oz. Both babies are in breech position with their heads right under my ribs and their feet kicking my bladder. No wonder I have been getting heartburn and waking up all night long to go to the bathroom. We have started setting up some of the baby gear so that Charlie has time to sniff it and get used to it before the kids come. Hopefully he is not marking it when we are not paying attention.

Baby Shower

We had our baby shower last weekend at Rome's Pizza. It was so fun getting to visit with everyone including our friends and family that came in from out of town. Nina and Jennifer co-hosted the shower and did a fantastic job. I think that we are getting closer to being ready for the babies.