Two Cuties

Ever since about Christmas we have been eating Cuties Clementines at our house like crazy. I couldn't help but look at those colorful boxes and think...these could make a really cute picture. So, that's exactly what I set out to do. I put my little cuties in a Cuties box! 

[I think this would be a super precious idea for someone with newborn twins]

 Now that the weather in our part of the country has felt more like Winter we are loving having fires in our fireplace ALL day long. The other morning, after helping his Daddy build it, David invited Rachael to come sit with him on the blanket and watch the fire. And she did.

Our little cuties just keep getting sweeter.

A Precious Moment

Today was just a normal day. Our schedule was the same as any day. In the afternoon, we ate lunch and then headed up stairs for nap time. The kids take their afternoon naps at the same time [yay for me!]. So everyday the three of us pile into David's bed, each kid with a cup of milk in hand, we snuggle up, I read a book, Rachael nurses, David plays with my hair, and I sing. I cherish this time with my babies!! 

They are usually asleep in no time. But, today they would not go to sleep. They had to be tired. We had a fun morning full of activities, so I knew they should be asleep, but they weren't. They were both very wiggly and playful. Finally, I gave them an ultimatum- be still & go to sleep or I'm taking Rachael directly to her bed and you can both put yourselves to sleep. Not something any of us wanted.

David looked at Rachael, who was laying on my chest, put his arms out and asked her if she wanted to snuggle with him. I chuckled. Rachael has never wanted to snuggle with David, yet he continues to want to hold her and be close to her. So, I thought I knew what her answer would be- a big head shake. But, it wasn't. She nodded bigger than I have ever seen her nod and rolled off of me into his arms. 'Okay', I thought, 'she'll be there for maybe a minute and then want up.' I just kept singing, watching, and waiting. All of a sudden they were both asleep! 

It was the most precious scene I could imagine. My two little babies snuggled up with each other. I relished the moment. I knew it was a time I would always remember.

that's David's hand on the bottom around Rachael.

But, I also knew I had to get a picture of this because I didn't know how long it would last. One of them could move and wake the other and it would be all over. I had to wedge David's bear [his name is Beer, but that's another story] under their hands because they were propped up on me. I quietly rushed downstairs, I think I continued singing thinking it might help them stay asleep. I grabbed my camera and snuck my way back up. I prayed that my camera wouldn't wake them up. It makes a sound when it's in focus and I had to use the flash. I did a test run and it was clear- they weren't waking up. I took several more and they never moved. I did eventually take Rachael to her bed. I couldn't chance one or both of them waking up too early. 

It is moments like this that I live for. They make me thankful to have babies so close in age. Yes, it's tough. Yes, there are times I get frustrated, annoyed, impatient, and exhausted. And then they do something like this and it just melts my heart and I forget about those difficult times. Because they are only 17 months apart, David can't remember a time when he didn't have a little sister. There is no jealousy or competition between the two [at least not for now, we'll see what the future holds]. But, when I was pregnant with Rachael and would talk to mothers who had raised children close in age, they all said the same thing- 'they will be best friends.'
These sweet moments are becoming more frequent. David and Rachael are learning to play together, share, and help each other. It's so much fun to watch them interact. They are even starting to have their own conversations, which is just too cute. Rachael's favorite book right now is called My Brother and I. The last line is: "We'll be best friends forever, my brother and I."   

I hope so. 

Happy New Year!

In an attempt to get caught up on our adventures we call life, I am posting about New Years just a little late. Better late than never, right?

We had lots of fun during the last few days of  2012 and rang in the 2013 with tradition. The day after celebrating Christmas with my family, we went out to our 'farm' in Alabama. 

Before we said goodbye to last year, Big Daddy wanted to introduce us to a special place he visited once as a kid. You see, a few years ago Big Daddy purchased the land that once belonged to his paternal grandfather. When he was young his father brought him, along with his two brothers, to this spot on his grandfather's land to camp by a creek on the property. 

He remembered playing under this rock, which he called a "cave". 

I think it's so neat that his grand kids played under it. And loved it!

Part of the reason we weren't able to visit this spot on the land before is because it had become overgrown. Until this showed up:


David was a little unsure about this piece of machinery at first, but once he saw what it could do, he loved it!




Also before the end of the year [12/29] we celebrated Bogie's 13th birthday! The kids absolutely loved singing Happy Birthday to him. In fact, we did it again several times just for fun.


Getting a birthday pat from David.



And finally getting to eat his cake. Bogie, not David.

Did you notice Rachael's outfit? That would be her winter pj's with David's boots. She is so silly sometimes.


The weather was very cold while we were out there, but don't worry, Rachael still looked cute and stylish.

That used to be my hat!

Then it was New Year's Eve! We all gathered on the upper deck of the barn to watch Ryan and Uncle Rich set off our fireworks show just like we did last year and the year before [any many years before this blog began].

All the kids ready for the fun to begin.


The pretty girls.


And handsome boys.




And after the fireworks-- SPARKLERS!!!
.
Look at that face. Pure joy.


On New Years Day we had our Southern tradition of turnip greens, black eyed peas, and cornbread. We believe that anyone who stirs the greens will have good fortune for the year, the peas are for luck, and in the cornbread a hidden dime- extra good luck to the one who finds that!

Both kids took their turns stirring the pots.













I can't wait to see what 2013 holds for our family! Happy New Year!

Rachael's 15 Month CheckUp

I can't believe my baby girl is 15 months old! Seriously, where did the time go? 

David and I took Rachael to the doctor for her 15 month check up this morning. Everything went very well, right up until the dreaded end. Rachael got weighed and measured by the nurse, then examined by the doctor. She was a fantastic patient. David was engrossed by the entire process. He wanted a front row seat at all times. The doctor asked me lots of developmental questions about sleeping at night [10-12 hours], eating habits [yes, anything and everything], talking [as much as she possibly can], walking [absolutely], understands 70% of what we say [I'd say closer to 100%].

Her stats were excellent too. She is 30 1/4 inches long [50th percentile], head 46 cm [50th percentile], and 21 lbs 7 oz [25th percentile].  Right on track. Where does she get her thinness from? Not me, that's for sure. 

Is her hair not the cutest thing you've ever seen?! I love it.

Then came the painful part. The doctor informed me that Rachael would need FOUR shots- two in each leg. Each tiny, sweet little leg would be pierced two times each. Oh my. Honestly, I didn't know who to worry about more- Rachael or David. He hates to see his sister in pain. As soon as I found out about the shots I started preparing him for them. Rachael had no idea, so there wasn't much I could do to prepare her for it. I told David that she was going to cry for a bit, but that shots are a good thing and help to keep us healthy. As you may remember, the last time David got a shot he hardly flinched, but said it hurt. So he knew what it felt like and didn't want his sister to feel it. 

The nurse came in with the shots, David looked them over and asked a few questions. I laid Rachael on the table and held both her hands. I told David to stand close to me. He could still see what was going on, but I could console both Rachael and him if needed. Well, it was needed. As soon as the first needle went in her precious skin she screamed. Her face was beet red, and then she went into that cry where no sound comes out. David tried to stay calm but started doing this nervous laugh thing and kept asking, "All done, Mama? All done?" It lasted forever. It took a looooong time before I got both babies happy again. 

Rachael's legs were sore to the touch all day, so I gave her some medicine to help keep her comfortable. David would ask me several times throughout the day, "Mama, tell me again 'bout Ah-Ah [Rachael] getting those shots." Which meant, 'Remind me again why Rachael had to get those shots because I'm not sure it was worth it.' 

Christmas in Review

I know I'm a little behind in my posts recently. We are still trying to get back to "normal" life after our very busy Christmas/New Years season. In fact, we still have our tree completely decorated [and turned on], all the Christmas cards we received are still on display, our indoor decorations are still all around the house, and our outdoor lights are still up and lit by the self-timers. We are having a hard time saying goodbye to Christmas this year. David, who never wants to watch tv, still wants to watch The Grinch everyday. Both kids are still mesmerized by the lights and ornaments on the tree. We still sing Christmas songs throughout the day. And when I broke it to David yesterday that we will soon need to throw the tree away, he responded with, "And then we get a new one?!"
In my hometown, there was a lady who kept her Christmas tree up all year round. As a kid, we all thought she was a bit crazy, now I'm starting to think I might be turning into her. 

Anyway, here's run down of our Christmas celebrations with extended family. 

We started off at Twinkle and Bing's house a few days before Christmas. We finally got a chance to sing Happy Birthday to Bing the first night. 

Bing and his 3 under 3. As you can see it's a bit crazy. David's the only one totally into the party. Parker was crying, I think, because he bumped his head on the table. And Rachael is focused on the small candle just out of her reach. 

The next morning we woke up and opened presents, but not before some precious cousin pictures. 

David and Rachael pulled up a chair and ripped into their gifts. 

David liked helping others with their gifts sometimes.

Parker was into the present opening too. 

Both kids absolutely loved riding on a horse that was their Daddy's [called 'Clip Clop']. 

We also took some time out of our visit to take some cute family pictures.

All of us.

Grandparents with their grand babies. 

The five of us. I LOVE this picture!

We had a wonderful few days with Twinkle, Bing, Uncle Michael, Aunt Nicole, Cousin Parker and all the pups! It was a great way to begin our Christmas season! 

We said goodbye to everyone there and left for Ma and Big Daddy's house for our annual Christmas brunch with Ma's family. Once again, it was a bittersweet family gathering without our Papaw. 

There was one moment of comic relief, brought to us by my son, during what could have been a very somber moment. As we were all gathering to say the blessing, David came running into the kitchen with a shower cap on his head. Everyone thought David's "hat" was hilarious, but for Ryan and I, it was not surprising. David does things like that everyday.

I also tried to take some cute pictures of the kids by the Christmas tree, but as it seems to go these days, they were too busy being silly and oh so sweet.

I didn't have much time to take pictures, so I am SO thankful my Uncle Tony was capturing the fun of the day with his camera, as he usually does. 

David playing with Hannah [a second cousin] and Cate.

Rachael sitting with Daddy and checking David's gift.

All the little cousins and second cousins on Ma's doorstep. 

Ma with her granddaughters. 

We had one day at home before Uncle Wayne hosted a Christmas Eve Eve party at his house, which is thankfully not too far from our house. My camera battery died right as the kids started open their gifts! But, I did get these two cute ones. 

After having Christmas Day and the day after all to ourselves at home, we went back to Ma and Big Daddy's house to have Christmas with my family.

Ma's main tree- one of SEVEN.



Cousins by the tree.



The girls were dressed alike!



Rachael wanted to show off her bloomers too. She wore them a lot during December because I think they are just too adorable.



It was finally time to open presents and David was a BIG help at passing them out.



When Rachael heard she got to open gifts yet again, she was very excited.



David was very serious about helping others open their presents.

Our evening at Ma and Big Daddy's brought our Christmas season to an end, well sort of. It's still Christmas here at our house! It was a wonderfully blessed few weeks as we celebrated the birth of Our Savior. Now that David's able to understand, Ryan and I got to see Christmas through a child's eye- probably why I don't want to say goodbye to anything Christmas related. It was so much fun and I hate that we have to wait so long to see it again.