WOW

WOW. That's my first thought for this year, but not the only.

A year ago today I got confirmation, via blood test, that I was pregnant! Talk about a wonderful Christmas present (after peeing on a stick Christmas eve) and perfect way to ring in the new year!

First of all, I cannot believe a year has gone by. It seems like we were JUST in NOLA for the Sugar Bowl and I was celebrating my 27th birthday. I was walking the streets of New Orleans, pregnant. I was quite achy and quickly puffy, but had no idea what was in store. The day after we returned home, and two days after my birthday, we found out we were expecting two babies to arrive in 2011.

How did I manage not to blog about the pregnancy until March? I was so tickled when I read everyone's comments when I shared that we were having twins! I couldn't believe 630 people actually read my blog in order to comment and I just sobbed at how loved I felt from so many people that I really don't 'know.'

I get emotional trying to think of what I want to say about this year....in this post. Parts of me are still in shock, but if you knew the amount of times a day that I think to myself "Thank you, God" then perhaps the word "thankful" best describes how I feel about 2011.

I'm so thankful that I became pregnant.

I'm so thankful that we found out there were two sacs.

I'm so thankful both sacs both developed heartbeats.

I'm so thankful that we participated in our local Heart Walk in memory of Cohen and thankful that so many came to support us. 

I'm so thankful that we found out at twenty weeks that both babies were healthy with healthy hearts.

I'm so thankful that I never went into early labor after my trip to the hospital at 24 weeks.

I'm so thankful that many of my best friends delivered healthy babies this year.

I'm so thankful that Cohen's first birthday actually brought me smiles along with tears.

I'm so thankful that I have an amazing husband who is the father I knew he would be.

I'm so thankful we have family & friends that have supported us throughout this journey.

I'm so thankful to have had this blogging community that has also provided support in many ways.

I'm so thankful Knox & Sloane were born through an easy delivery and we left the hospital.

We all left the hospital. All healthy.

I'm so thankful Brent got a new job that he loves.

I'm so thankful that I adjusted to mommyhood quite well...after a little new parent anxiety.

I'm so thankful that we figured out a way for me to stay at home with Knox & Sloane.

I'm so thankful we sold our house quickly and found another that is a great fit for us.

I'm so thankful Knox & Sloane have all their grandparents close by.

I'm so thankful that He gave me THIS life.

I'm so thankful I wake up every morning.

I've blogged about this before, here, but starting out this year I was so excited, but so scared. It wasn't our normal to come home from the hospital with our baby. My initial thoughts, along with being thankful I was pregnant, was to be worried of the issues we may possibly face. It was, once again, a too-good-to-be-true feeling. However, I knew that we good deal with whatever came our way, considering, and God truly had a plan. When we got confirmation that Knox & Sloane had healthy hearts I felt like I could breath. I think I knew their hearts were fine, but it gave me such peace. My next battle of fears was the delivery, hospital and bringing them home. It all happened quite smoothly. So thankful.

I'm trying not to live in fear anymore. I know I have, but I think after our experience with Cohen it's probably not abnormal. When it's time, it's time. His plan is His plan. I want Knox & Sloane to live healthy and happy lives and we will do everything in our power do our part. I know we are not in complete control. I'm thankful that 2011 brought Knox & Sloane to us just fourteen short months after our angel, and their brother, left us.

Yes, I still think, "Wow, I have two babies in my arms!" I am SO thankful for 2011.

{picture taken yesterday 12.30.11}

This next week I may do a few more posts about 2011.  I've seen a few people do a recap of their favorite posts and that looked fun. I still have some precious Christmas pictures to share as well.

Hope you all have a wonderful New Year's Eve!

Twin Treats :) 17-19 weeks :)

So between moving and Christmas I got a little behind on the weekly "twin treats" post. Today, Knox & Sloane are 19 weeks old!

Their first Christmas was AMAZING! We loved every second of it. I still haven't posted all my recaps from it so I'll plan to do that next week!

They are SO FUNNY! They are really starting to jabber, make noises, giggle lots and melt our hearts non-stop. Seriously, we can't get enough of them.

They are holding hands lots and grabbing onto one another.  

Knox likes to pretend he is going to bit you when you give him kisses, but he doesn't.

Sloaney is fighting craddle cap and it's so sad. I've tried several things and while it gets better for a day or so, it returns quickly.

Knox's cheeks are getting red after he nurses. I think it's just him rubbing around. 

Sloane found her feet. She is constantly pulling on them and lifting her legs up.

They are both sucking on their hands lots. Sloane will still take her paci, but seems to think it's more fun to put it in and out of her mouth than to actually suck on it.

Knox is drooling big time. Some days he has more than others, but I think he is starting to play with it and blow spit bubbles and giggle.

We still haven't moved them into their own cribs yet : / The nursery is taking a big longer to do than we had anticipated. Turns out all this lovely dark wood in our house isn't too easy to paint when it comes to the baseboards. Our goal is to start the no-swaddle, own crib, new nursery this next week/weekend.

They are both rolling over from belly to back! Sloane actually did this twice on Christmas morning and she hadn't done it in a week or two. Since Christmas, she is doing it lots every day. Knox is starting to roll over onto his side so I bet he goes from back to belly soon.

Knox is so feisty when he is on his tummy and back. He puts on a big smile and a show! He will scoot all around and check to see if we are watching him.

We think when one gets praise the other one is wanting some.

They are still in size two diapers. We still think Pampers work best for us, but I am trying not to waste and use the Huggies we have during the day.

Their hair is starting to grow! Not quickly, but it's coming. Knox's is still pretty dark and Sloane's is more like with some auburn in it.

They are still sleeping well during the night and during naps.

We all love bath & bedtime. You will have to excuse how extremely awesome I usually look at that point, haha.

They love playing on their activity gym. They are both reaching up and grabbing and pulling on the toys.

A lot of the pictures from the past few weeks I have already posted in other posts. I THINK the ones below I have not. I also have some others I'll post in the Christmas posts. I like to take their pictures. I have LOVED looking back on them all since they were born!

These first two collages are from yesterday ;)

 

 

 

Sloane with her uncle, Brian.

Happy Friday!

Erin Condren planner/notepad - SALE!

Today only, Tiny Prints has all their planners and notebooks 30% off. This caught my eye because it also includes the Erin Condren planners & notepads! So, if you've been wanting a planner, and haven't gotten one, I think this is a great opportunity. It is silly that I've thought about ordering another? I love my planner and the notepads also! I need to share some sweet ones I just got in with you all soon. I'll give you a hint, they have two babies on them ;)

To get the deal - click HERE for the landing page with code :)

I posted a Elton post earlier, just for you! :) Also, thank you all for the feedback.

Don't forget to check out my post about the air we breathe! Moms Clean Air Force is fighting big air pollution battles..and winning!

Elton....our doggie :)

So if you have been reading since August, you do know we welcomed twins into our world :) Soon after, in September, I did this post. It confirmed Elton was still being sweet and adapting really well to the babies. I guess I should say, if you have been reading for a while you probably know us well enough to skip this post all together, but for those who are unsure......

Well, good news, Elton is still doing great! He is doing all the things a spoiled doggie does.

After about the 500th comment since my last post on Elton, I determined it was time for another. And no, most aren't like nice, friendly comments asking about Elton. They are rude, but hey, I guess there are all types out there, aren't there? Anyways, Elton is doing good and he has taken over the role of dog of the house. I think he thinks it's a fun role and he adores the babies, too. I think he misses sleeping with us, but he has a nice comfy chair in our room as of right now. Yes, when we moved, in winter....in the rain...with two babies...we had him at doggie daycare. He loves it there.

They did his well check and determined his little heat is doing great. Have I ever mentioned he has an enlarged heart? Well, he does, but all works well. He also use to have liver enzyme issues, but after changing his food to grain free years ago, those seem to be well. One thing we did ask the doctor about was his bowels. I'm sure I've failed to mention this intentionally, but for the past four or five years we have had to wipe his bottom. Yep, you heard me right. When he poops, we have to wipe it with wet wipes before he comes in. We were originally told this was because he has some allergies and such and that the food he was on helps, but it has never seemed to improve. After his last visit at the vet, last week, they told us they thought we should have him neutered. We never really saw a need to and at one point we were told his heart might not could handle surgery. Well, the doctor assured us that it can and it will help his bowels and perhaps his longevity of life. So, he will be having that surgery in a few weeks, as per doctor's recommendations.

We are very lucky to have family that can watch Elton and take him to the doctor or babysit him if we need a break from dog walks and door barking. They know it's not feasible for me to try to tote two babies to the vet to get the dog in and out. We are very blessed to have family living so close.  

Elton loves the babies. He sniffs their little heads and sits outside their door when we are in there. Sometimes he sits behind the chair while we are doing bedtime. We think he will have lots of fun when they are old enough to actually play with him.

He still barks at the door and tries to run out, which drives us crazy. Our current house needs a fence from the back to the front yard, so we are currently having to walk him on a leash every time it's time to go out.

So, I think you are all caught up on Elton. We love him no less, but he is now officially the dog of the family. Before, he was the baby, BUT now we have real babies at home...two of them! :)

Sure, I snap pictures of Elton. How cute does he look being on watch outside the babies temporary nursery yesterday?

But when I'm not juggling two little dumplings, I'm staring and taking pictures of them :).......

Lots of love :)

****And yes, I was one that said things would never change with Elton. They do. It's life.Things had to change in order for us to give the babies the attention they deserve :)

Wish list for the house....

part 1?

So along with a new house, it's natural to want some new things. The things we have now are great and they fit into our old home very nicely. However, I'm having a harder time finding the 'right' place for them in this home. That has led me to browsing. I should be looking for ideas, but so far, I've just been looking a pieces. I may get some of these things. I may not. I may wait a year before buying anything. I have no idea. Our main focus right now is getting the nursery, attic & kitchen complete!

I just thought it would be fun to share some things I have my eye on :)

 

{Settee from Ballard Designs}

{Chevron rug from Wayfair}

{Club chair from Wayfair}

{Kids' play table from Land of Nod}

A few people have asked me about the babies' cribs (seen here.) They are also from Wayfair, here. Wayfair has TONS of stuff. It's formerly CSN. The nursery chandelier is also from Wayfair.

So, the list is much longer, but those are a few things. Maybe next I'll actually find some ideas and post them. I should start pinning, yes? Perhaps, I should unpack first, maybe?

We will see!

Oh, I also want to find a tall Christmas tree on sale. Have you all seen any good ones? Tall, like twelve feet, maybe.

Happy whatdayisit? Wednesday!

Thanks for the sweet comments yesterday :)

All around us...

I do have lots of precious pictures to share from Christmas, but those will come soon.

Cohen has been on my mind a lot lately, which I know is normal for this time of year, and really, anytime of year. Last year during Christmas it was still so fresh. We were healing and at the same time we were being blessed again. We made cookies for Santa from Cohen and we were pretty consumed with the fact that he wasn't here with us to celebrate Christmas with us.

On December 17th, last year, we did IUI. On Christmas Eve I started taking positive pregnancy tests. We didn't have confirmation that we were pregnant or if it was just the trigger shot giving me positive tests, but I hoped and prayed that 2011 would bring Cohen's little brother or sister. Well,  He (and Cohen) had bigger things in store as we welcomed Cohen's brother and sister in 2011.

Every Christmas we will include Cohen in some of our traditions. He will always be apart of our family. Every Christmas I will think about how six months after Cohen went to Heaven, we had broken and hopeful hearts at Christmas. With all things said, it might have been exactly six months to the day that we conceived his brother and sister. Cohen wasn't here with us for his first Christmas and won't be for any others, but I pray Knox & Sloane will be.

My heart was so full this Christmas. I think back to a year ago. I was hurting, but so optimistic. I can't believe a year later and I was holding two babies in my arms who were laughing and smiling at me. I know there is so much of Cohen in them. Whether it's in their looks or personalities. In many ways, he is still all around us and I'm so thankful for that.

I honestly can't remember if I indicated, but we had special hearts on both the babies' announcement and our Christmas card this year that included Cohen. I hope to do that every year for the holiday card. We are getting him a stocking as well. I like the idea of putting notes in it every year.  Knox & Sloane can as well.

And because I do love to bake and make cookies, I have a feeling Knox & Sloane will enjoy doing that, too :) This year, for Christmas, they got an alphabet cookie cutter set. I thought every Christmas it would be fun for them to leave a "K", "S" & "C" for Santa :)

I'll be curious to see how well BT holds up, physically, as we tote him around, too :)

This is one of my favorites.....

{No, I didn't get the tree decorated, haha....or the lights on good, for that matter.}

Luke 2:13-20
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Merry

I hope you all had a VERY Merry Christmas! I wasn't around the computer yesterday to post anything, but we had a very special day! The twins had a wonderful first Christmas and my heart was very full. I have lots of pictures to share soon, but we are enjoying another day with Brent home from work. I will maybe post a bit more tonight.

Christmas morning...

Christmas afternoon..../

One angel declared the news that gave the whole world a reason to rejoice--"A Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:11

Santa Love!

I posted a peek from our visit to meet Santa here. That is the picture Mrs.Claus took. The ones below I took. Knox & Sloane did great! We went on December 9th and we were a bit nervous as we didn't know how long the line would be or if they would cry. There was no line and no tears! We ate lunch right after and they did well there, too. It was a fun outing.

I've determined they smile when I take pictures with my phone because they can still see my face. They don't smile when I'm behind the bigger camera :( I gather that will change with age :)

Sweets....

 

How cute is Santa's house where we took pictures?

When we got home, we sat them on their couch so I could snap some pictures. You can probably tell how tired Sloane was at this point. By the time we sat them next to one another, she was ready to snuggle and sleep, Knox was ready to bit her head, haha.

I can't get over how cute Knox's side profile and cheeks are.

I know, again, exploding heart.