Amazement

My children amaze me on a daily basis.
Libby:
Walking
Shaking her head "no"
Crinkles her nose for "bunny"
Laughs alot
Easy going
Knows what she wants and when she wants it
Is a petite eater
Blows kisses
signs: more, all done, please, milk
points at everything
waves
kinda shy
loves to be chased
loves books
Last weight 17 lbs  28in

Sawyer:
Full of smiles
Walking
Makes a "roar" for a lion sound
signs: more, eat, all done, please, thank you, juice, milk
waves, but tucks his thumb in (super cute)
very social
loves to be chased
loves to exam things (figure it all out)
Last weight 18lbs 29in

We are so blessed!

Worst Blogger ever ...

Sheesh almost 2 months with no updates! While I realize blogs are great for keeping good records of life events there are a couple of challenges that come along with that responsiblily ...

1) Time ... always about time
2) Things to say ... the kids do lots of great things, but ....
3) Remembering ... sometimes by the time I am here, I forget what they were!
4) *this should be the #1 reason really* FACEBOOK ... since most of the living world is on Facebook, lots of photos and updates go on there, which makes it even harder to post on the blog.

I know I need to be better at it. Even if its only 3 short sentences a day. Who knows if Facebook will be around for the kids or what next social media will be invented. Who knows, blogger may not even be around! LOL Which is why I should just print it out as a book for them. We will always have books, right?!?!

Anyway, Ill try to be better .... but no promises!! LOL

Easter, Mothers Day and everything in between

So we had our first Easter at home! It was simple and nice.

I also got to celebrate my first Mother's Day at home with my babies! I spent all day just hanging with my babies, grabbing kisses and hugs at every moment! Pure bliss for sure!

We had our first official play date, since RVS season is finally over and we can socialize finally!

Since the weather was nice for a bit, I broke out the mini pool and we played in the backyard. Sawyer was less than thrilled, but Libby loved it!

The kids are growing by leaps and bounds. Everyday they are discovering new things. I love watching them learn, explore and grow. I put up posters around the house with letters, colors, number and a calendar. They aren't into it much right now, but I know that day will be here sooner than I think. Lucky for me the twins are really good at independent play and playing together. Lately they have been laughing and playing with each other. Its super cute to watch. Sawyer is finally clapping! That's a huge step in the right direction. He also is attempting to stand all by himself. So far the record time is maybe 1 minute! He still wants "mama" when is is tired, but I am happy to take it! I feel so blessed each and every day!

A whole year

So I have obviously been super bad at updates. I would say I will try to be better, but Im not sure that will happen either! Oh well.
Anyway, on May 16th, our Little Libby has officially been home with us for 1 year. I can't believe it! She has been having some tough nights lately, so I have been able to rock her a bit more. Last night I just rocked her and looked at her in awe. Awe of who she is, how far she has come and who she will become.
She is doing so much now. She loves to laugh at everything! Crawls around like a trooper and pulling herself up on things too. She is still pretty cautious when it comes to taking risks, but sometimes she tries.
She did run a low grade fever awhile back. No cough or running nose, but you could tell she didn't feel well. She just wanted to be held and rocked, which Daddy was happy to do!
She loves playing in the kitchen. I just got them some new kitchen pots and pans and I know she is in there making me a cake or something! She also loves to hide things. Not so much that we can't find them, but loves to put toys in things (box, chair, jar) whatever she can! She has 5 teeth now (2 bottom, 3 top) and is fitting in 9 months clothes (though it depends on the make) and size 3 diaper (but can still fit in a 2). She is still a picky eater but does love, pancakes, waffles, sausage, hamburger, blueberries, pears, peas, carrots and even tried onions and peppers the other day!
I am so proud of you Libby girl! Keep growing!

I hope

I hope I never forget what it's like to want a family so badly. To wish to hold a newborn in my arms and know that they are mine.
I hope I never forget the feeling of failure when it comes to feeling like that is what you are in the "reproductive" world.
I hope I never forget the feeling of loss, when you think you are so close, but yet so far.
I hope I never forget the feeling of sadness, when it comes to thinking that just maybe you will always be a family of 2.
I hope I remember that their are lots of women and men out there ... longing to expand their families. Just like we were, not that long ago.

Remember to be sensitive, to care, to have compassion and empathy.

Respect hurtful words like:  "oh at least you get to sleep in", "you can jump in the car and just go", "at least you don't have midnight feedings", "with the cost of diapers, you can take a vacation instead", etc, etc

When you are in a position that you would LOVE to have sleepless nights, dirty diapers, and no vacations. You want to console even the colicky baby and have the midnight feedings. You would give up all vacations, just to hold a little one in your arms and know that special moment.

I hope I never forget and always remember ... for I am truly blessed.

1st Birthday

So since we are pretty much shut off from the outside world at the moment, the twins 1st birthday (and my birthday) was just grandparents and us. VERY small, but still fun! Their big party will be in May, for their adjusted 1st birthday (also celebrating when they came home from the NICU!)

I made blue and pink cupcakes, which the kids totally loved! You would think that we never feed them the way they devoured those cupcakes. It was a great moment! I also just realized that I probably should have gotten a photo of the 3 of us .. the birthday peeps! Oh well .. next year! For their actual birthday it was just us and my parents and a small little thing, then we had 2 other family members over on Saturday to open gifts and such. The kids actually had 3 days of cupcakes .. they loved every single one! And of course Nelly loved the left overs! LOL

My 1 year olds!

Mirror image .. so amazing!

Libby eating her pink cupcake

Sawyer eating his blue cupcake

And once her hands got dirty .. this is what she did!

Yummy!

2nd day of cupcakes

She really gets into her cupcakes (2nd day)

3rd day of cupcakes!

3rd day of cupcakes!

and of course, all where bath nights! LOL

Random things

I know eventually that my memory wont be as good as it is now (for the most part!). So here are some random things about the kids, that I would like to remember. I hope to do this on a more regular basis, because they are changing and growing much faster than I care to acknowledge!

 

This hat was made from Cotton Blossoms. It didn't have a name. I suggest Sawyer. And so here is the Sawyer hat! 

 

 Then of course I had to have her make a Libby hat!

 Sawyer LOVES to find the doorstops and make "music" with them.

 He also decided that since he can stand in his crib, it makes for a good teether!

 When we don't feed him he resorts to eating his feet! (Libby does this too but I have yet to get a photo of it!)

This is giraffe. He stays on our changing table. So when diaper changes are happening and someone wants to move around, they play with giraffe instead. So far, it has worked!

365 Days of Sawyer

Twin B .. my sweet Sawyer Kelly (the one who wanted out!)

You are my shining star. You came into this world full of fight. You still have that spark and determination in you. Just this morning you fought sleep (yet again) and mama has been up with you since 530am. It allows me to see how special and sweet you are. You love to see the world. Discovering new things each and every day. Even though you started out as my tiny little guy, you now out weigh you sister. You crawled first, sat up first, stood up first. You are my go-getter. You smile ... oh I just cant say enough about your smiles. They melt my heart. Your sweet dimple that you got from your dad and the sparkle in your eye. You have 5 teeth now! You love to make a growling noise. It is your way of talking to the people around you. You love to be the center of attention and are usually the first to approach people. You are still a mama's boy when it comes to cuddle times. Which I don't mind one bit! You love to crawl up to me and stand every chance you get. You love anything that makes music and has lights. You have something special to offer this world, and I can't wait to see where you take us this next year! I love you .. with more love than stars in the sky!

 

 

365 days of Libby

Twin A ... my precious baby girl, Libby Patricia

You have such a sweet soul. Very calm and gentle. You love to "pat" anything, especially mama when you are nursing. Maybe that is Grandma Pat's way of saying she is here "pat, pat, pat". You are a quiet talker and like to whisper to your toys. Then again, you also love to scream your happy screams. Especially when something excites you, which people in general do! You are cautious around new people, but once you feel secure you will flash them a smile. You have 2 teeth. You take your time getting those in. You crawl around the house, at your own pace and take breaks to "smell the flowers". You are my skinny girl, which makes it easier to hold you when we dance around the room, which you love! You laugh and laugh. I love your sweet giggles. When I pretend I am going to tickle you, the anticipation is more exciting for you than the actual tickling! You are starting to actually sit on your knees and try to pull yourself up on mommy. Its adorable. Your hands are so precious to me. So delicate. You are very textile. You love to grab things and shake them to see what sound they make. You can hold your bottle all by yourself and when you are done you like to hold it up and talk with it. You self feed so well. You have figured out the perfect way to maneuver a pea or cheerio just right so it makes it into your mouth. You recently started clapping and it is pure joy to see you sitting there, like a big girl and start clapping. You have brought so much happiness to me, sometimes I think my heart will explode! Thank you Libby, for just being the sweet, delicate, you that I love!

1 year later

Today you turn 1 year old. 365 days of being alive. Not all of them happy, lots of them scary, but even more in pure bliss. I am beyond amazed at how far you both have come. Every day you amaze me with your smiles, curiosity, growth, learning and most of all love. When I was about to become a mom, it was very scary for me. You were going to be so tiny, so vulnerable. I wanted to protect you, from the moment you were born. I had to learn who you were, while you learned who I was and what this world is. Today, 1 year later, I am in awe of the love I feel for each of you. How easy it is to know that I would go to the end of the earth for you. Like I tell you both, all the stars in the sky...I love you more than that. Being your mommy was one great purpose God created me for. Being a preemie mom, I believe, was another. You both bring so much joy to our family.

 

Catching Up

This is my catch up post!

The twins had their 2nd High Risk evaluation on 2/9/11. Libby weighed in at 12lbs and Sawyer was 13lbs 12oz.  Small for their age, even adjusted, but to me, so big! They are meeting all their milestones and are even meeting some for their actual age. This is so fantastic! I still called our Alta Regional Program, which offers development services, just to make sure we are in their system should we need anything at a later date.

Both babies are always trying new foods. I try to veer away from the Gerber stuff, but it is just so dang convenient! They like to eat apples, though most of it ends up on the floor, along with cheese cubes! They are partial to fruit, but still like a bit of veggies, mainly squash and carrots. Green beans and peas aren't among the favorites (not sure they are my kids! lol)

They both sleep through the night now, with maybe an odd night here and there. They love their sleep sacks! We have a nightly routine of getting ready at 530, PJs, story time, brushing teeth and then prayers and in bed by 6. Which of course means they wake by 630, but I usually don't get them out of bed until 7ish.  Naps haven't gone so smoothly. We try for a 9am and 1pm nap. Libby is my cat napper at maybe 45 mins worth of sleep. Some days are better than others.

They love to crawl everywhere and explore. Mainly the dogs dishes but we try to remember to put them up before little hands have a chance to make a water mess or eat dog food (but what kid hasn't right!?)
 Sawyer loves toys that make noise and flashing lights. He also loves books and the rainbow rings. I just love it when he sits up all big and just plays. It just amazes me. Libby loves anything she can shake, like rattles and links. She loves the crinkle books too. The kitchen is also a favorite place for them, since I put Tupperware out for them to play with and make noise.

They both wear size 2 diapers. We tried the size 3 but you just aren't there yet. Both are in size 6 months clothing, though depending the the brand can still get away with some 3 month size. You are both tiny, but hey, mommy and daddy aren't exactly basketball players!


I think that is pretty caught up now. I have more about each of them, but I am saving it for my 1 year review.

Growing

They twins are super busy these days! Moving around, exploring new adventures. I can honestly say I love (almost) every moment of it! It is hard to believe that a year ago I sat in a hospital bed hoping and praying that my babies would be alright. And today, here they are, alive and happy! 

I know my "year in review" post will be an emotional one.

Happy Valentines Day!

Yep .. I can stand in my crib now! Time to lower the mattress!

I can pull myself up on anything (and hide!)

 Sharing cheese

Photo shoot for Posh Dollys (poshdolly.com)

Creepy Crawlers

Okay so they aren't creepy...but they are very crawly!! We now have 2 official crawlers! Sawyer is much faster than Libby, but both get to where they are goin'! Its so much fun to watch them grow and develop. Everything is so new for them, on a daily basis. New adventures and exciting things to explore! My teeny tiny babies are growing up ... and frankly, this mama is looking for the pause button!

And we are off to the races!

Sharing nicely and sitting so big!

Pulling himself up on everything!

I love this face!

And this face too!