Say what??

My best friend from high school (my first best friend) who has two kids already just called to tell me she is expecting twins.  The surprise kind.  As in she went to her first appointment at 7 weeks or so and was told there was only one (she says she had intuition there was two) and now at her 11 week appointment was told "actually there are two".  Her doctor (the same doctor I went to for the girls) believes that they are likely identical because they appear to be sharing the same gestational sac or placenta (whatever means identical).

Anyway she called me and told me the news and then joked she'd probably be calling more often to get advice and tips.  I told her that I went into it with only twins so it's a different ball game for her already having two kids.  She says that her youngest will be 3 and her oldest 5 when the twins are born so they won't be as much work.  I think she's still got rose colored glasses on if you ask me.  I am happy for her.  But there was a surprisingly big twinge of jealousy too.  I didn't expect that.  It's like the fact that the people I know with twins currently are those that I share a familiar bond through infertility with.  But this friend is the opposite of infertile...she gets pregnant the moment they start trying I swear and even claims to have gotten pregnant while on the pill with her first child.  I don't know it just makes me feel like I'm not really connecting on the "yeah it's twins" front with her yet...in fact I mostly feel a really big disconnect with this news.  Has anyone ever experienced this??  I mean hey it's only the first day so I'm sure it's just my initial gut reaction.

Weathering Storms...

During the holiday season I was unfortunate to learn of two couples that I am close to announcing impending divorces.  It breaks my heart for both of them and for their families.  Neither were announcements I expected really.  One came as a complete shock to me.  An old roommate mentioned a "new place" on facebook and I assumed that this meant she had moved with her husband and little boy.  I commented about it and received an email in return from her relating the divorce news and saying "it's been a very rough and sad year for us and our marriage couldn't weather the storm".  This is one of the women I mentioned in a previous post that this time last year had lost her little girl shortly after birth.  I know this has been part of their struggles and I don't know if there have been others but I imagine this type of thing could easily do a couple in.

Weathering the storm can sometimes be the hardest thing we can call on our loved ones or spouse to do.  Some people have thunderstorms and for whatever reason others are dealt hurricanes.  And sometimes it is the perception of the person or couple involved.  They say finances is a leading reason for divorce and I can see where this would easily lead the pack.  Everyone in a marriage has to deal with this.  But what about the storms that not every couple has to deal with like infertility, loss of a child, terminal illness, life altering challenges, etc.  I think of these as faith questioning trials.  I know not everyone goes into marriage with a religious aspect but I know a lot of us do.  And like finances I think this is even harder to find someone on the same page and depth as you are.  Then you throw in a big storm and you kind of wonder if you'll ever be on the same level again.

I know for Jeff and I that this was probably the biggest area of our life that has been affected.  We were pretty active in our church going into marriage and did the things we should but as my infertility diagnosis became more drastic and certain this became harder to maintain.  These have probably been the most heated discussions and disagreements we have had also and if there is anything that has ever made me question the strength of my marriage to overcome something it would to overcome these differences of opinion we now have.  But we've been weathering our storm (heck maybe it's even past) and fixing up the damage that the winds and rains caused.  I think we are in a good place and I am grateful that at least at this point in our marriage and life together we have weathered the storm and pulled through to be stronger.

Happy New Year...

Yep it's 3 days into the New Year so you definitely didn't hear it here first but Happy New Year just the same.  We have been enjoying the New Year so far.  We said our goodbyes to my parents who left to head back home to Florida on the 2nd.  The girls had so much fun with them and enjoyed all the fun, games and attention they got.  I think they definitely remember them from the trip we took to visit in August.  We definitely enjoyed our time as well.  We were all very spoiled with love and gifts and time together this season. It's always hard to say goodbye even if it (hopefully) isn't for very long.

We then followed D family tradition by going to breakfast on Jan 2nd with all of Jeff's family (usually it's New Years Day but that was on a Sunday this year).  This was also enjoyable and the girls enjoyed some pancakes, eggs and apple juice in their sippies.  It's hard to believe last year at this time they were barely joining the world and unable to do much of anything.  Now they are feeding themselves and getting themselves around (prob soon to be walking)...time goes by so fast.  We also enjoyed a movie while Jeff's mom watched the girls which was such a treat for us.  We always enjoy time with Jeff's family as well and I think we feel pretty lucky to enjoy both of our families so much.

We are listing our home to sell again and hoping to move somewhere a little more ideal for our new mindsets (better schools, not a corner lot on a somewhat busy street and a different house/bedroom layout, etc).  Not looking forward to moving again but like the idea of having some changes.  We definitely want to find a place we can settle into for the long haul.  Jeff started a new job a few weeks ago that is about 15-20 minutes from home and he is really enjoying it so far and looking forward to a lengthy stay with this company.  So things for 2012 are really look up for us.

My goals for 2012:  being better at keeping a clean house (it's not bad but it's going to be a challenge with toddlers), being better with cooking and nutrition (for the girls and us), building on my interests of crafting and photography and being a better wife.  Working on my 101 list is also on my list but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to complete it in time haha

1st Birthday Party

The girls' birthday was a whirlwind of activity.  I made pink pancakes for breakfast (even sent DH off to work with one hehe) and then attempted some birthday pictures with little luck.  Then it was cupcake making and ordering (a sweet girl agreed to drop the 24 hour rule when my original bakery dropped the ball at 9 am).  Then while they napped I started putting up some of their birthday decor.  We played with their new toys and DH took off a half-day at work in order to help prep for the party and hang out.  Kendall was in awe of the balloons on the ceiling and kept staring at them and at me as I taped them up.  Seren was more interested in her toys still. I felt a little stressed at the end as the details came together last minute and chicken quesadillas were finished up.  But family and friends helped out and I was able to really enjoy the party with the girls and I'm grateful for that.  The decorations came out just as well as I had hoped and the cupcakes were great.  So here is their first birthday in pictures:

 Kendall

 Seren

The best I could get of both of them

 Birthday Breakfast

 Birthday cupcakes (I decorated the larger and ordered the smaller)

 Seren --post cupcake assault

 Kendall --post cupcake mischief 

 family photo before unwrapping presents

 Kendall's birthday banner

 Seren's birthday banner

balloons and birthday banners (balloon idea also above the kitchen table) -- my sweet husband was nice enough to let me know this just reminds him of two boobs haha...now I never look at it the same

12 Months Old -- 1 YEAR!!

Height/Weight:  Approx. 30" long (Seren is 1/4" longer than Kendall according to my measurement).  They are close to 20 lbs...Seren is probably about 19 lbs and Kendall is about 18 lbs.  Seren eats more and finishes most of her meals so she is noticeably a little bigger. I think they had a height growth spurt recently as I've been taking anything less than 12 months out of their wardrobe and even some 12 month clothes aren't fitting.  

Eating:  6 oz of formula 3 times a days with 4+ ounces of solids and then a bottle at bed (4-6 ounces) and two snack times.  Lots more finger food then spoon fed food now.  I am basically emptying out the freezer of baby food ice cubes.  I need to start making new recipes and filling it up with those.  Getting ready to wean off the bottle and a little nervous about it. 

Foods They Like:  They seem to be getting a little more picky but still like most stuff.  Kendall loves pasta and tomato sauce (Seren won't eat this).  They like quesadillas, turkey hot dogs, cheese, pasta with parmesan, apples, bananas, broccoli, yams, beans, etc.  I gave them some homemade gingerbread a few days ago and they love them.

Foods They Don't:  strawberry cereal puffs, they are getting sick of cheerios, cheddar puffs (Parents Choice brand...can't blame them we think these are gross too).

Favorite Things:  They still love each other (more and more).   They had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa B while they were at our house for a week and during their holiday visit.  They love to go to Jeff's parents house for Sunday dinners as well.  They are more interested in crawling off and exploring and trying to play with the big kids.  They love taking baths.  They both love to cuddle more now (I hope this isn't a short phase) but they crawl up to us when we're on the floor and lay their heads on us or give us kisses.  They love to be tickled on the ribs and to have raspberries blown on their tummies.  Seren is also very ticklish on her feet.

Dislikes:  Being hungry and tired.  Getting into trouble or being told "no".  Having things taken away from them (all the little crumbs, threads, leaves, paper, etc that they somehow seem to find even when I think I cleaned up well).  Teething is probably a dislike although it doesn't seem to bother either of them too much.

Their Accomplishments:  They both stand independent pretty well now.  They get excited about it and lose their balance and fall back down.  They climb up stairs (supervised of course).  They shuffle more.  They get into everything (I'm sure this is good development but man it keeps me on my toes).  They seem to be understanding language more (ie "hug", "give me a kiss", "soft/gentle", "share" and of course "no" still brings on tears or sometimes laughter in Seren's case when she thinks it's a game).  They are so interactive with each other and I can't wait to see this grow.  They love to love on each other.  Seren especially loves to crawl up to Kendall and kiss her on the head or cheek or sometimes whatever she can get next to.  Kendall loves to cuddle and if I'm laying on the carpet she will come over and lay her head on me or my arm and snuggle.


Teeth:  Kendall has her two bottom teeth.  Seren has her two bottom and two top.

Our Accomplishments:  Still on a great schedule generally.  We make a great team.  I am always so grateful that Jeff is willing to put in the work to take care of them as well.

Sleep:  Same bedtime routine and works like a charm (especially when a bath is included).  They sleep between 11-12 hours at night.  Nap twice a day still...2 hours and then second nap is 45 minutes to an hour.

Looking forward to:  Looking forward to more mobility but also scared of two toddlers running around.  More freedom with food (although having more freedom now I'm realizing this will just mean more work in preparing meals; no more freezer cubed baby food).  Looking forward to warm weather and getting them outside more again. 

You've Come a Long Way Babies...

As the girls birthday draws nearer I keep thinking of the things that have changed over the last year for them and for us.  It has been a wild ride with twins but we wouldn't trade it for the world.  They are the biggest blessing we could ever have.


Then:  22 bottles a day (this usually got us through 26 hours; time enough to turn around and wash them all again)
Now:   6 bottles a day (heck yes!!)...soon to taper off to zero bottles (even better!!)

Then:  3 solid sleeping hours at night (at the most)
Now:  11-12 solids sleeping hours a night

Then:  Kendall was 20 inches and 5 lb 12 oz   Seren was 19 inches and 4 lb 14 oz
Now:  Kendall is ~ 30 inches and 18 lbs         Seren is ~ 30 inches and 19 lbs

Then:  NEVER going out to eat or getting out of the house (way too much work)
Now:  Being able to go out whenever we like (although trying not too for money and health)

Then:  They HATED bath time
Now:  They love to take a bath and don't want to get out.

Then:  Depending on us for their every need (feeding, changing, snuggling, etc etc)
Now:  Able to feed themselves mostly, they crawl to us for snuggles and kisses but they still need changing (darn it) haha

Then:  Both bald as a cue ball
Now:  Seren has a decent head of blonde hair and Kendall's red hair is coming in (it's curly so I think that's why it has taken time)

Then:  They were barely noticing each other and took months to interact.
Now:  They kiss each other (the open mouth to head kind), they steal from each other, they chat it up after naps in their room, they chase each other around and they sit and laugh at each other.  So fun!

Then:  Wondered at times (when they were both crying or screaming and we were surviving on 3 hours or less sleep a night) what we had gotten ourselves into with twins.
Now:  Can't imagine not having both of these wonderful girls in our lives and now seeing the fun that people with one child are missing out on...I'm sure there will plenty more sleepless nights to come anyway.

Bring on the Holidays...

The holidays are in full swing here.  We have decorated, we have grocery shopped, we have made neighbor gifts and family gifts and are still shopping for the last ones.  The girls are seemingly enjoying it.  They like the lights and the decorations I let them play with (Mr Potato Head Santa and a plate for cookies).  They like the new little tastes they are getting to nibble at during family things and soon to happen holiday cooking.

And am I the only one who promises myself every year to be prepared and done early with all of this?  I am pleased that most stuff is done but I still have mine and DH's parents to finish up and family gifts to put together and a blanket to finish before the girls birthday (rag quilt...barely pieced together and no sewing done; one is done however so praise to that).  Anyway I am looking forward to the holidays but also at the same time looking forward to a nice calm that comes after the chaos.

Happy Holidays to everyone.  I imagine I will be keeping up with blogs and news but I doubt that I will get around to adding any of my own until later.  Thinking of all of my fellow IF friends (those with their babes, those expecting and those who are somewhere in the not fun middle ground).  Hoping that the holiday season brings you joy.