tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91748561446455063802024-02-07T02:59:50.473-06:00alo's placeALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-79516427820455794542016-10-01T22:50:00.000-05:002016-10-01T22:50:00.679-05:00I Ain't Got Time For ThisFor real...I DO NOT have time to blog...but I want to. I want to make time to get some of my thoughts out again. So this first one back will be some sort of list, some ramblings, some well...I guess we will just have to see.<br />
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1. Motherhood is really hard. Not hard like I thought it was when I first had the girls...now it is about attitude adjustments, appropriate responses to toddler life, referee, chef, housekeeper all while still carrying on normal life, some semblance of normal life. Also, please note, my social media posts are the good stuff...I am one of THOSE moms! I love my kids. Gosh, i think they are so smart! They sure are smart enough to push every single one of my buttons. But I really do love them. I love that they are becoming more independent...potty trained, sleeping great (including naps each day), can feed themselves...you know big kid stuff. Claire is feisty, sassy, lovable, spunky, and loves fiercely. Annabel is quiet at first but loves to sing, quirky, bossy, sensitive, and tenderhearted. The best parts of me and Peter all crammed inside little kids bodies. It's so bizarre!<br />
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2. I am a momaholic...yes, its a thing I say. I have mostly given up alcohol but there are some days when mama needs a margarita!!! Sometimes its after the girls have pushed every single one of those buttons. Sometimes its after we have had a really good day...very little fighting/ate all our veggies without a fight/etc. But really. I love margaritas but they are so full of sugar...and that aint good for my waistline...and I aint got time for that! So, I have mostly given them (margaritas) up...mostly. But let me tell you, I make a MEAN marg...just ask any of my friends...AND I learned from the best mom I know!! :)<br />
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3. I am still/always trying to loose the baby weight. Actually, thats not true. I lost it but then gained it back...2x. Listen not only do I love margaritas, but I love all things Tex Mex...chips, cheese, tortillas, creamy jalapeƱo dip (Chuys...holla). And I REALLY REALLY hate giving up some of those things. No excuses, but of course I have some. That's another post for later. But on that same note...<br />
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4. Peter needs to chill out! My hubby and I have both been drinking shakes to cut out some extra calories...of course he cheats WAY LESS than me and I forget that when I get really upset about the fact that he has lost 2x more weight than me in the same amount of time. But again...the whole thing about guys loosing weight faster than girls is really annoying!!! Ugh, why can't I just think about loosing weight and it be gone??!!?? This whole eating right, working out, BEING SWEATY is the worst!! And...it's still in the 90's here in Houston.<br />
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5. Peter and I have been married for a DECADE!!! Holy smokes, I am SO SO SO proud of us!! Marriage is hard, sometimes harder than motherhood, but of course totally different. Peter and I have had our fair share of both good times and bad. This past year we have really been focusing on us. We have had more date nights, more quality time together at home, worked on our line of communication, and been intentional. I have loved him for almost 13 years, but I really really really LIKE him right now too! And to celebrate the love and the like, we went to ALASKA!!! Wow...what a dream!!<br />
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6. The biggest thing right now (the last few weeks) is that I am trying to make time for the right Yes. I have worked really hard the last few...i don't know...DECADES on saying yes to too much...even the things that I KNOW I shouldn't say yes to. My yes is like an addiction. Im addicted to helping/serving/pleasing but have let my right yeses be over shadowed by the wrong yeses I get into. I am currently in a Bible study with friends who are holding me accountable to these new standards for myself...and we are also reading Present Over Perfect (Shauna Niequist) which is a fantastic book. So, here I am shaking from withdrawal, necessary withdrawal, and excited for more time...to be a wife, a mom, a friend, a follower of Jesus.<br />
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So this blog is a little cathartic. Just an overview to get me going, until I change my mind (again) and can't find time to type.<br />
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blessings,<br />
ALo<br />
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<br />ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-55449833356664430842015-01-08T06:00:00.000-06:002015-01-08T06:00:03.065-06:00Dear CharlotteDear Charlotte,<br />
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Four years ago today we saw your sweet face for the first and last time here on earth. For months after you were born I was so sad, depressed, heartbroken, beat up from loosing you. I wanted you so badly from the very first moment I knew I was pregnant. The first time I heard your little fast heart beat at 7wks, I was totally in love with you. Later, when we found out you were sick, I pleaded and begged God to heal you, to "fix" you. I wanted you with me until I was old and grey.<br />
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But God, in His infinite wisdom, had a much better plan for you. Today, we are celebrating what would be your 4th birthday with us. But, sweetie, I know that you get to celebrate everyday. You are perfect in Heaven. You are whole, healthy, and clothed in righteousness!<br />
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I will be honest. Charlotte, mommy misses you, very dearly! I will never stop celebrating your birthday, and I will always remember all that you did to change my life, your daddy's life and the lives of so many others. You made me a mommy...you made me a mama bear in preparation for your little sisters. I know that the last three years I have used the weeks leading up to your birthday to be used for sadness and hurt and pain. I even told your daddy and others that I get a free pass to be mean and angry and on edge because of the pain in saying good bye to you much too soon. But this year I am really trying to choose joy. Joy in knowing that you are exactly where we should all want to be. Joy in knowing that you are exactly as God created us all to be...pain and sin free living with Him in celebration. I am choosing joy knowing that not every part of your life was sad...there are several people here who will meet you in Heaven one day because of your legacy and the impact it had in showing God's true character and love for them. I am choosing joy because of who you helped/are helping me to become. Your life will always be so much more than the moments surrounding my pregnancy and labor and delivery. But even those moments are sweet and part of your story...if i choose to see those.<br />
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Charlotte, yes, you will see mommy cry today. I will cry tears of different kinds...missing you tears, happy for you tears, telling your little sisters about you tears, wishing i could hug you tears, tears when i sleep with your blanket in stead of you tonight, love you forever and forever with my whole heart tears. But I promise to bring honor and glory to God in each moment knowing that because of Him I am blessed to call you my daughter, my sweet angel girl.<br />
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Charlotte, happy 4th birthday!!! I wish you were here helping me make you spaghetti and meatballs birthday dinner. I wish you were here to enjoy your birthday cake and some balloons. But I know that you are in Heaven dancing and singing and I can't wait to get there and join you!! You bring me so much JOY!!! I love you, Charlotte Jean!!!<br />
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xxoo, mommyALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-76716635136036258032014-12-16T08:49:00.000-06:002014-12-16T08:49:30.767-06:00Christmas Time is HereWell, life has been crazy! Not in a bad way, but not always in a good way either. Anyway, you have probably seen all that has been going on in our lives via Instagram/Twitter/Facebook. Its so much easier to post a quick photo than to sit down and write a blog post ;). but today I'm writing to share our Christmas card. Im sorry if you didn't get one this year. We didn't loose love for you, we just cut way back. We went from 117 cards last year to 75 this year. And if you know how big my family alone is, that almost 50 cards!!! WOW! But I know we all love getting those picture cards and I wanted to share our Christmas Joy with you.<br />
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God has truly blessed our family. We know that without Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, we would have very little to celebrate and be thankful for. I know that many struggle this time of year, finding joy in the midst of hardship can be very difficult. Having faith that there is more to life than presents, stressful family gatherings, and kid temper tantrums, and even sending out cards makes this season special. Knowing that we are loved so much that God would send a baby to save the world...a peaceful baby, meek and mild, to give us the hope of more than we could ever ask or imagine. I pray that each of you would find the hope that only god can give through the celebration of His Son's birth.<br />
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This Christmas I am praying for a few of my friends who are spending this Christmas without a special loved one, please join me as I know this may be a difficult Christmas.<br />
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Rachel Kelly in the loss of her sweet baby Annie a few months ago.<br />
Lindsay Puder in the loss of her daddy about a month ago.<br />
Elizabeth Crook in the loss of her grandfather last week.<br />
Ashley Ridge in the loss of her daddy yesterday.<br />
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But we are thankful knowing they are all rejoicing and truly enjoying this Christmas in Heaven with Jesus!<br />
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So, here is our card! I love it and many thanks to my amazingly talented friend, Christie Lacy Photography, for the pictures and the cards...they are pearlized and kind of shine in person ;) Im learning to really love glitter now that i have 2 girls and everything is COVERED in pink or glitter!! lol<br />
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Merry Christmas!<br />
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blessings, ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-22546605503876927222014-11-09T22:46:00.000-06:002014-11-09T22:46:31.848-06:00fall in houstonits finally cooling off here...FINALLY!!! and by cooling off, today was 76, tomorrow is 80, but then the end of the week the highs are around 65. houston weather is seriously crazy bipolar!! but, our amazingly talented friend Christie Lacy got some awesome fall pictures for us almost two weeks ago. she has this great little park that we go to and no one has ever been around or bothered us. if you follow me on social media you have seen three of the pics. i am debating on how many christmas cards i really want to send out this year, but i will do a few, so some of you will see these in card form in a few weeks.<br />
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these pictures are by far my favorite that Christie has taken for us. it was pretty warm (82ish), just before dinner, and there were lots of mosquitos. not to mention the girls turned 20 months today, which means they are super mobile, vocal about what they want or don't want, and they have the attention span of a gnat. we are so blessed to have a high school friend/mentee that has started helping us out twice a week, so she was there to help wrangle kids/change clothes/grab attention/apply bug spray...thanks Breton!!! anyway...i loved that Christie didn't worry about posed pictures. these are my favorites because it was real life...laughs, lots of running, goldfish eating, giggles with daddy, a few tears, but over all shows how we all interact with each other. these girls are animated. they are serious characters in their own way. you will see, even in these pictures, that claire is bossy, loves to be in charge, loud, and acts a lot like mommy. annabel is sensitive, somewhat emotional and reserved just like daddy!<br />
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if you are in the houston area and need a fantastically talented photographer to capture your family, you have to contact Christie!!!<br />
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enjoy these...maybe help me decide what to put on the card. (ps. these are a few of the 72 that she sent me!!!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire in mid "bull in a china shop" run</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a typical expression for a lot of things, but i am pretty sure she was concerned about a bug here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the moment Daddy got there and they saw him come around the corner. priceless</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet annabel. she really wanted her minnie mouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">too many caption options. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">claire keeping us all entertained, I'm sure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maybe if we throw them around they will stop fussing for a bit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"WWWWEEEEEEEEEEEE"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">daddy's girl (1 of 2)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALA2hKCWa7RCEWeXP91a7ZRQ2gg4Gc-9WBvXPjE6KV2s82Wsur_frTU8gDyUkvMzR6u5etnLxpdUeKwMqbMLk_eayyRkPckmM4aeHTDIqDENd_7hDIqeVaSmMg1WFtl1zTi8Jbb7Jhhg/s1600/Loeser_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALA2hKCWa7RCEWeXP91a7ZRQ2gg4Gc-9WBvXPjE6KV2s82Wsur_frTU8gDyUkvMzR6u5etnLxpdUeKwMqbMLk_eayyRkPckmM4aeHTDIqDENd_7hDIqeVaSmMg1WFtl1zTi8Jbb7Jhhg/s1600/Loeser_0039.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">every kid is infatuatied with their nose, right??!! Annabel was signing and saying "mo, mo" more, snacks dad!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxytXw36AXFEbYpCZsZz_yLJvcrR_UwT55CkpUBzzpo1lIisCYd0YR8Vx4As-BFX-Xx__BhgWi0a9qXkB26-IRNiLyJQB_Wm7oFO1t9RLHwYdp6l1_VIUpPwj8QNpQbQ5XCSTRbfx1nM/s1600/Loeser_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxytXw36AXFEbYpCZsZz_yLJvcrR_UwT55CkpUBzzpo1lIisCYd0YR8Vx4As-BFX-Xx__BhgWi0a9qXkB26-IRNiLyJQB_Wm7oFO1t9RLHwYdp6l1_VIUpPwj8QNpQbQ5XCSTRbfx1nM/s1600/Loeser_0044.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seesters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn_QOU8Rgk5nm9Vd4zjE2-7270vat9WeXLhXCqsFeyvE6vG2GlcWhgiXH7uvnijK53KsWrJtcjJaZBlUVpHXnnKTQJ_cxFqlvcPRMggaeRZ3LlcQPyGEE9UnjgpUOLJpRFQ8N5_XldME/s1600/Loeser_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn_QOU8Rgk5nm9Vd4zjE2-7270vat9WeXLhXCqsFeyvE6vG2GlcWhgiXH7uvnijK53KsWrJtcjJaZBlUVpHXnnKTQJ_cxFqlvcPRMggaeRZ3LlcQPyGEE9UnjgpUOLJpRFQ8N5_XldME/s1600/Loeser_0052.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh my...A, are you flipping Christie off??!!??</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJKeEszhOTGvkB3YYtwDeU_Vz6Ylz8e07tA0RGSk3vwiVRIZ9BO3xFTZuLJJfcru7gE02V_8yV8f7Sl2Z0-9mvuuJ5ofWP0rRiUkxuJFcGjjugyt8ov5SNqLs7eI6f_AQcq6YJ3N2bMU/s1600/Loeser_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJKeEszhOTGvkB3YYtwDeU_Vz6Ylz8e07tA0RGSk3vwiVRIZ9BO3xFTZuLJJfcru7gE02V_8yV8f7Sl2Z0-9mvuuJ5ofWP0rRiUkxuJFcGjjugyt8ov5SNqLs7eI6f_AQcq6YJ3N2bMU/s1600/Loeser_0053.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perfect...nice and naughty!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8o5H27jurzo0bLf6YYr_h1FPGeuEOX1MLrCsd31qlsLKGw812A_DqMBtW_ohLh1foLU2__RelIC3wjFTRTFskxXKNlnHQcqDbmo7cuaHcxTMd-mHi1AMQrX6oozkxVFX0QzVufZqB6c4/s1600/Loeser_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8o5H27jurzo0bLf6YYr_h1FPGeuEOX1MLrCsd31qlsLKGw812A_DqMBtW_ohLh1foLU2__RelIC3wjFTRTFskxXKNlnHQcqDbmo7cuaHcxTMd-mHi1AMQrX6oozkxVFX0QzVufZqB6c4/s1600/Loeser_0054.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet girl, annabel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaCSMpYJyoX9Zuss_Zvi6aX1FW3TURoNAdD77VGG-jzLtk1VM-6fx8jcwSJF6b6LL3Fj9MEjG4Mi7pbYh6WDu5fKKPFABClRxnp7_2sFAzxIG8Q7dMFN6rKFRzf5WBohB1MWxggyS0Sw/s1600/Loeser_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaCSMpYJyoX9Zuss_Zvi6aX1FW3TURoNAdD77VGG-jzLtk1VM-6fx8jcwSJF6b6LL3Fj9MEjG4Mi7pbYh6WDu5fKKPFABClRxnp7_2sFAzxIG8Q7dMFN6rKFRzf5WBohB1MWxggyS0Sw/s1600/Loeser_0055.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLILgp0-IU2X9uZm63M1R5RYu4YeObxw3ak81ZObESyyEdDzeg2_iepjhk2SWsXKJG1nT3ZRM2gBAnHwb3k5-cRHWAuPGAiUEChrTuRUCnU6ZAjxzigZkY4kkolJ4eEmAjYNvNQFVBENg/s1600/Loeser_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLILgp0-IU2X9uZm63M1R5RYu4YeObxw3ak81ZObESyyEdDzeg2_iepjhk2SWsXKJG1nT3ZRM2gBAnHwb3k5-cRHWAuPGAiUEChrTuRUCnU6ZAjxzigZkY4kkolJ4eEmAjYNvNQFVBENg/s1600/Loeser_0058.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how are they so big already???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63LMbv42TQntgK-tzB90eShSzTLWHA3iqp3amJsdNhmeUUGw1Oc_-D-On3aMlXJpXNp7-nBwqYbFVTuVBgGhraNFSS9_VjwcgEXkUPoFtMtTW_DzkKen0pus-eUcxave-ap3shtDY4n0/s1600/Loeser_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63LMbv42TQntgK-tzB90eShSzTLWHA3iqp3amJsdNhmeUUGw1Oc_-D-On3aMlXJpXNp7-nBwqYbFVTuVBgGhraNFSS9_VjwcgEXkUPoFtMtTW_DzkKen0pus-eUcxave-ap3shtDY4n0/s1600/Loeser_0062.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">momma's girl (1 of 2)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq6jFshumqil9vg2gilyQDYMNwoS1oVbzM87Iqk8RHqyJ7zEyCf6aEBPRIzuxXSQHHsrNp93BsD2fXDeJ109y4DlSQBYx-OfY_SowzAXpCEm3wjAL5arBTsT8wBIQgdJYOjy3YpMXK9Y/s1600/Loeser_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq6jFshumqil9vg2gilyQDYMNwoS1oVbzM87Iqk8RHqyJ7zEyCf6aEBPRIzuxXSQHHsrNp93BsD2fXDeJ109y4DlSQBYx-OfY_SowzAXpCEm3wjAL5arBTsT8wBIQgdJYOjy3YpMXK9Y/s1600/Loeser_0064.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">melt my heart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1rnSyMOkiHWaZoBWBN_mf3An8qq8yDholY8pXOWQy8cjaWAC7Ade6N8JlBIbXFeEVNH4YKvijICz3QYAT30wNUPoqI-42382ex6ZJV_ciEDRp0hoVvogFgK5V2k5MlZRC2g4ea-x7pQ/s1600/Loeser_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1rnSyMOkiHWaZoBWBN_mf3An8qq8yDholY8pXOWQy8cjaWAC7Ade6N8JlBIbXFeEVNH4YKvijICz3QYAT30wNUPoqI-42382ex6ZJV_ciEDRp0hoVvogFgK5V2k5MlZRC2g4ea-x7pQ/s1600/Loeser_0069.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><3 td=""></3></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIVzJ94KW91FXpAeZfyh18wH0ucFOVQR9HV54i1AIoRKySG-p60rqGKuXxmM70Bqt9WJXPFGJ5wSZij7V369g2bBYle2qKxdO9rfDV9TVh3WxIqYKuLGhaPdjrkNmig0TO6MV9oRWd-Q/s1600/Loeser_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIVzJ94KW91FXpAeZfyh18wH0ucFOVQR9HV54i1AIoRKySG-p60rqGKuXxmM70Bqt9WJXPFGJ5wSZij7V369g2bBYle2qKxdO9rfDV9TVh3WxIqYKuLGhaPdjrkNmig0TO6MV9oRWd-Q/s1600/Loeser_0072.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my loves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
blessings,<br />
ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-8407915753953234762014-11-08T22:46:00.001-06:002014-11-08T22:46:55.369-06:00Timehoptimehop, you get me every time. usually my posts from a year ago are little twin pics. 2 years ago i was posting pregnancy cravings and twin prego pics. 3 years ago i was blogging a lot! 4 years ago my little bro was living with us, so that was always interesting. 5 plus years ago, i was working like crazy on building my clientele and busy being a wife to my hunk. (ps. if you don't know what timehop is...its an ap that connects with your social media outlets to give you a recap of what you posted exactly that day a year ago all the way back as far as you posted).<br />
<br />
two weeks ago on timehop i saw my first post about "babyLo"...i announced our pregnancy with Charlotte. the thursday before my 28th birthday i heard her heart beat for the first time. i was 8 weeks pregnant. i was elated, over joyed!! nothing was "off". peter and i left that appointment with tears in our eyes bursting to tell the world.<br />
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today i got this on my timehop: "annoyed...didnt get to have the ultrasound bc the highway was shutdown while we were on it! not cool!!" looking back i remember being so disappointed. we were glad that we were safe...the highway was shut down due to a fatality, but we had been gearing up for this other first with our first. now, i know that God gave me another week of the joy. the next week we went in for the ultrasound and our world changed forever.<br />
<br />
you know the rest.<br />
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usually i love timehop. i wonder though if i should just not look for a few months to spare myself the emotional roller coaster it may put me on. the last time we..., the day we found out..., God why..., all of the things that i posted in fear, pain, grief.<br />
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its amazing all that has happened in the last 4 years. i am not sure that i would even recognize that young woman from 4 years ago. i wonder if i would be anything like i am today if it were not for our short time with Charlotte. would we live where we live? would i know what i know about life? would i love my hubby the way i do today? most likely no. while i often look back over those few months with sadness and grief, but i have been blessed...richly, abundantly, beyond measure. i was broken, beyond human repair. but God has used me. God has healed me. God has brought me back...beyond where i ever could have gone without my time with Charlotte. my whole life was turned around and i can't be sad about that. i miss Charlotte, some moments more than others, but i know she's holding my spot for me in heaven...i can't wait!!<br />
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so, heres to the silly posts of 5+ years ago, the emotional and grief stricken of years 3-4 (ago), the excited and weird posts of 2 years and the adorable ones from last year. time passes much too quickly so i will relish the times and thank God for each of them...a reminder that "(His) love never fails, it never gives up, never runs out on me"-Jesus Culture.<br />
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tonight i will sleep and probably dream of my angel girl...i think her hair is the same color as the twins by the way...thats what it is in my dreams.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGX22qRuJUbfwjG1B6lm7J_lapYkZv3W35jcsHOnbsIFhpNAj_sxFpjygP1mvmXXaQWVkCPwTFQgzHhYmKfyKtwuStPmJQpEliGNp2TM-QV9j_tEsVGzBNv5PKK8WIeEnMuuUNH6Ps2Q/s1600/tonight+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGX22qRuJUbfwjG1B6lm7J_lapYkZv3W35jcsHOnbsIFhpNAj_sxFpjygP1mvmXXaQWVkCPwTFQgzHhYmKfyKtwuStPmJQpEliGNp2TM-QV9j_tEsVGzBNv5PKK8WIeEnMuuUNH6Ps2Q/s1600/tonight+poster.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
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blessings,<br />
ALo<br />
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ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-36140269141140309102014-10-30T22:48:00.000-05:002014-10-30T22:48:00.766-05:00so exciting!today i did a little bit of baking. i had been looking forward to this little gig for so long!! i met bridget through our church just before i got pregnant with the twins. bridget was also struggling with unexplained infertility. the journey sometimes feels so lonely and bumpy and hard, so meeting bridget was good for me. then i got pregnant and she did not. i felt bad. she did not make me feel guilty but i knew how it felt. i knew what she was going thru and i hated to make things worse. so, we kept in touch but only here and there. i knew she read my blog posts but i didn't want to make things harder for her. bridget and her husband went through many treatments and procedures and struggled with what God wanted for their family. fast forward several months...bridget is pregnant!!!!!! praise the LORD!!!!! she texted me a few weeks back asking me to make her a cake...a gender reveal cake. AHHHHH!!! so exciting!!! bridget and her hubby had an ultrasound but did not find out in the room what the gender is, but they know their baby is healthy and everything looks great. she did bring me an envelop so <b><i><u>I</u></i></b> know!! :) i am not sure when they will be cutting into the cake, but i am so excited to have been asked to be a part of their excitement. i am thrilled for bridget to be a mommy, especially after her long hard road to get here. please join me in praying for bridget, her hubby and baby! pray that God will continue to give them all health! here is just one pic of the cake, but no giveaways...not until they get to tell their families!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLW2Pgjxi3ryUvhH9Kfs8G532zoWgNLcFeWSTbuYFGx9dnbuwcnChLuXKd72fjUMhlbCis5Ek4ecI8rLyY8Z1glopeS1cmyG1O2mknMvVDF9IN2muf3eY5cFhWKJov_VnMtE0ST5hyphenhyphen9w/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLW2Pgjxi3ryUvhH9Kfs8G532zoWgNLcFeWSTbuYFGx9dnbuwcnChLuXKd72fjUMhlbCis5Ek4ecI8rLyY8Z1glopeS1cmyG1O2mknMvVDF9IN2muf3eY5cFhWKJov_VnMtE0ST5hyphenhyphen9w/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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i love helping and blessing others!!!<br />
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blessings,<br />
ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-19168860627523071872014-10-18T22:55:00.001-05:002014-10-18T22:55:47.987-05:00so soreholy smokes. I'm going into week 3 of a 21 day fix by beach body. to say i am sore is definitely an understatement!! if you don't know much about this program, you should definitely check it out, especially if you have extra weight that has been stubborn in coming off! i have more than a few pounds to loose, so i am going to be doing this a few times. usually at this point (2 weeks) of a diet/eating plan/whatever, i am totally over it. thankfully the only thing that i am really struggling with/missing is sweets. lets be real, if you follow me on social media, you know that i am a hobby baker...it even pays sometimes. its not helpful though when there is little to no room for sugar in my diet. even my coffee has had to change! so, quickly, this plan is all about eating the correct portions of the right foods and pairing that with adequate water in take and at least 30 min of exercise. lucky for me, the plan included several 30 min workout videos (it even tells you which days to do which workouts). to maximize your results, they suggest upping the workouts to two a days at week two. i have started doing that (thankful that my mother in law has been in town so that i can actually work out during the day and not wait until 8pm) and let me tell ya, they pack some serious workout into those short 30 min!!! i love it! well, i hate the workout during those 30 mins bc i have sweat dripping into my eyes, i can't breathe, and every muscles is shaking from exhaustion, but the feeling after is great! and seeing the numbers drops on the scale and my pants getting loose is worth every minute of pain! if you are interested, click the link. if you have more questions, let me know! i will be starting another 21 day challenge Nov. 3...just before thanksgiving.<br />
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http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/dlsmith0314<br />
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a little more background. i used to intern at a church in naples, florida where i met Lauren (Nolton) Smith. lauren is now married and mom to cutie, elliot. lauren started posting last month here and there about her challenge and her results. she also posted her husbands progress. both have been athletic and in shape, but with jobs and baby and life, each had gained just a few extra pounds. when i saw that lauren had lost several pounds and even more inches, i was intrigued. then i kept hearing of others who had done a challenge and had great results. i have 25 pounds that i would like to loose by the girls 2nd birthday and thought this would be a great thing to try to get things going. the first week of my challenge was hard for me. i am/was COMPLETELY out of shape and WAY over eating. my body had to go through withdrawal and shock for a few days. now, i am feeling so much better!! its crazy!! i feel kinda weird carrying my colored containers into restaurants but it works!!! plus, i am still eating real food, including carbs, so i don't feel deprived!<br />
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i have nothing to gain here...i am not a rep, or trying to sell you, etc. just wanted you to know what I'm doing and tell you something that is super helpful for me. if you do want to start let me know, i would love the support/accountability and you will need it to as you get started! :) if you are on it or have done a challenge, send me some recipes!!!<br />
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i can't wait to post before and after pics!!<br />
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here is a pic of each girl from yesterday. annabel is in a serious teething funk so she hasn't been in the mood for pictures this week. claire, well, she is just as animated as ever...per usual! :) they both keep me on my toes!!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXY_We-SxkuAzaiuy2e4mMiV1RRmM9zZLa9ioGXvHAueQ65CZSonS-46INhkqFiMZzQU8_jBUbSkUCYa5LZ9zttk1XRzmB4WwgoCyMmKrfIb3f4bz6vWmml3ZoGlhKo2hrJzZ8oTrANI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXY_We-SxkuAzaiuy2e4mMiV1RRmM9zZLa9ioGXvHAueQ65CZSonS-46INhkqFiMZzQU8_jBUbSkUCYa5LZ9zttk1XRzmB4WwgoCyMmKrfIb3f4bz6vWmml3ZoGlhKo2hrJzZ8oTrANI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel, just before she started crying...again! :(</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmK66iN519vyyAc4E1qGOW6kYu0cIqrwACTVpnSnOcl-ZKUHc0zwkP7ZCQCN8kEHVSgWfg1v1pee7nOHgD6wiw3rQDFnIkaHJfkQhuCHgWF8DJ7Pn7VnraHu7JW8D-_mkC4ofAr9WuvQ/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmK66iN519vyyAc4E1qGOW6kYu0cIqrwACTVpnSnOcl-ZKUHc0zwkP7ZCQCN8kEHVSgWfg1v1pee7nOHgD6wiw3rQDFnIkaHJfkQhuCHgWF8DJ7Pn7VnraHu7JW8D-_mkC4ofAr9WuvQ/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire tried feeding this fake dog. so cute!!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
thanks Little Eclectic House for letting us snap (try to snap) a few pictures!!!<br />
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blessings,<br />
ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-51943257628911566192014-09-30T20:42:00.001-05:002014-09-30T20:42:57.630-05:00Knocked the wind out of mehi. my name is aimee and i used to blog.<br />
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so, i had been inconsistent and then i took a 1 year and 1 week break. there are reasons, nothing major, other than people stealing my kids pictures...idiots!! people, DO NOT steal my pictures, its rude and totally creepy!!! the other reason was i just didn't feel like sitting down and blogging for a while. i started my blog for <i>me</i> in the very beginning. then i blogged our pregnancy with Charlotte. then i blogged about our infertility issues and then my pregnancy and birth of our sweet twins, Claire and Annabel. at the time i quit blogging they were 6 months old. i can't believe it, but they are already almost 19 months old! so my blog had transformed into something i didn't really enjoy. i needed a break from it, to miss it and want to do it again.<br />
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so, here i am. my blog is entitled Alo's Place. this won't always be about my girls, it won't always make sense to any one but me. i need this to be my outlet...my processing spot. so, feel free to keep reading...or don't. its up to you. but either way here is my blog...<br />
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yesterday was a weird day. one of those days where grief creeps in and knocks the wind out of you. its been almost 4 years since we had Charlotte. four years!!!! thats just crazy to me. well, yesterday was one of those "normal" mondays in our house. i only do home hair on mondays (its gross to have hair all over my house with 2 toddlers more than just one day) so i was busy with people in and out, taking care of the girls, making dinner, etc. i really didn't have much time to think. when i sat down after putting the girls to bed, i sat down to respond to an email from a recent baby loss mom i have met through my blog. i was recalling so many things of our last days with Charlotte. typically, when talking about "our story" i am very factual, i rarely think about or explain the emotions. for some reason, last night was all emotional for me. that got me thinking about everything. i realized it was 4 years ago to the day that we found out we were pregnant with Charlotte. that gave me a huge smile. thinking back to before i had any fear of pregnancy, anxiety of doing something wrong, just pure joy in being pregnant. i was ELATED!!! i was so excited to tell Peter. i mean, we were pregnant after our first "try"!! (which is what made our journey for Claire and Annabel so confusing) anyway, that made me start thinking about it all. how our joy was stolen and our dreams for our daughter were crushed after our first ultrasound. our life took on a whole new meaning that day. then again on january 8th, i became a baby loss mom and had to leave the hospital with out my sweet girl. just typing that again brings me to tears, for the 2nd time in two days. the grief creeps in. my throat feels tight with tears.<br />
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of course God knows my heart, He knows my pain. last night, in the midst of my grief, my husband was there. he held me and let me cry. he let me talk and weep through it. we both miss her so much. we wondered how different it would be with Charlotte here...bossing her little sisters around. there is not a day that goes by that i don't wish things had been different, that i don't miss my baby girl. but this is our life...this is part of our story and sometimes there are parts that still hurt. sometimes the grief still knocks the wind out of me.<br />
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feels good to blog. thanks. also, i am sure there are plenty of grammatical and spelling errors, and i know i don't capitalize...i choose that. these are my vents and i will type as fast my fingers will let me with zero regard for rules!<br />
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blessings,<br />
ALo<br />
<br />
ps. i know a couple readers reached out (***Rachel :)***) and some of you found this through a search (usually my post on nuchal fold test). if you want to follow me on Instagram and see pics, just request me, its private..again because people are rude and steal images of my kids and pretend my kids are theirs...creeps!! my instagram name is aimlo. Facebook is Aimee Loeser. i will post a few pics here, but i need to figure out a watermark first.ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-28885950509379095992013-09-23T22:15:00.000-05:002013-09-23T22:15:54.383-05:00Happens to the best of uspostpartem hair loss...it happens to the best of us. i knew all about it. i knew that it is more than normal (can something be more than normal??) when a woman is pregnant she does not shed hair the months she is pregnant. it is her bodies natural defense to protect the baby. once the baby comes and her hormones level out (usually once mom is no longer nursing the baby, or greatly decreases her production) she sheds all the hair she would have lost while pregnant plus the 40-100 "normal loss" hairs. its shocking!! its even more shocking when you have very fine and thin stringy hair like me. its completely shocking when most of your loss is around the front hairline, again like me. it was gross. my hair loss started around 7 weeks postpartum. nursing did not go well for me and the twins. i think i have mentioned that before. but if not, in all reality i was pretty upset about it and it really sucked. we are over it now. i cant go back and change any of it. so, around week 7 i was pretty much completely dry and my hair was everywhere! every time i would look down my shirt had a good 10-15 hairs on it. i would pick them off, get up and thrown them away and then realize one or both of the babies was also covered in my lost hair. peter was completely grossed out. and when i say it was mostly in the front, around my hair line, i am not kidding. i looked like i was a middle aged man. i had a receding hairline and a thin patch in the very front. i was super self conscience when my hair was pulled back. well lets fast forward about 4 months. my hair is now coming back. its crazy! of course i now look like i have side burns and "angel hairs" all in the front (especially where my hair parts) and all down my part. in case you havent seen me, or just dont know, i have been growing my hair out since july 2012 including my bangs. my hair is longer than it has been since my wedding! and i have had bangs since middle school! i have enjoyed longer hair...being able to curl it, pull it back, etc. but now i am rethinking that! these little short hairs all over my head sure would blend in better if my hair was shorter and bangs help blend, but i think either way i am going to have awkward hair for a while. good thing i love these babies and they are totally worth sideburns and porcupine hairs! <div>
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here are a few pics for ya!!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABEBb7tixRFjsFFHSZZgCxdSg5Kf-pPl5eVW2_GraMk4BjqmOo9_Dkv8s5nsQ0ImUS5KIRJarCN8ToKckJ5ZSLjnnnDZRuDnjjylXPv5Mludpup94g8S3v5eCSdcghZH4LdelGb3UtP4/s1600/photo-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABEBb7tixRFjsFFHSZZgCxdSg5Kf-pPl5eVW2_GraMk4BjqmOo9_Dkv8s5nsQ0ImUS5KIRJarCN8ToKckJ5ZSLjnnnDZRuDnjjylXPv5Mludpup94g8S3v5eCSdcghZH4LdelGb3UtP4/s400/photo-11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last thursday our friend Juliet came over, she is 3 months old. their first play date together!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjTECqP0SIv1MqmetbFj0U6G0MB4NIvwtvUUP9ay2zRtJP6B-NdN39zRqNmgRi8CGOdamNZ0YoAgyUTofxeZzAIsMvdHu9BL7jZh31vm4HLQYJIkJVdRyTW1Lgd_rCADtf6c8CePXCps/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjTECqP0SIv1MqmetbFj0U6G0MB4NIvwtvUUP9ay2zRtJP6B-NdN39zRqNmgRi8CGOdamNZ0YoAgyUTofxeZzAIsMvdHu9BL7jZh31vm4HLQYJIkJVdRyTW1Lgd_rCADtf6c8CePXCps/s400/photo-8.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">see those little hairs..yep they are all along my hair line! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NMLvpu_uJzzvMLa6DTcgcpK83O-ls9RmEqWYW1WMRbl_spcXlYoLhy0dkQTj5O_TJSaHxaQYVRQPdjGqRvUnXjKpAqzq_AJ96jJezoNebYFsIErnjd2Bb4_Ae89R6IVrz54oARgNnGc/s1600/IMG_4435.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NMLvpu_uJzzvMLa6DTcgcpK83O-ls9RmEqWYW1WMRbl_spcXlYoLhy0dkQTj5O_TJSaHxaQYVRQPdjGqRvUnXjKpAqzq_AJ96jJezoNebYFsIErnjd2Bb4_Ae89R6IVrz54oARgNnGc/s400/IMG_4435.JPG.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel, Briggs, Claire. briggs is our little buddy (just as big as annabel but a month younger) and came to visit friday. claire is already trying to make the moves!! lol </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ0ZIqSnFatSt1fBlffg9RRqP2Hn24sAKDvw-xl07ljzkajlRMeO02Uf1zWQe_Jpj3O4bIrldlMm6VcVSAcpM4m3pyUx8Q4ji-EkEm8QNp3kCX4pjUrTOZSdZBsVXqeEUDTRO6CxT89Y/s1600/photo+1-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ0ZIqSnFatSt1fBlffg9RRqP2Hn24sAKDvw-xl07ljzkajlRMeO02Uf1zWQe_Jpj3O4bIrldlMm6VcVSAcpM4m3pyUx8Q4ji-EkEm8QNp3kCX4pjUrTOZSdZBsVXqeEUDTRO6CxT89Y/s400/photo+1-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet annabel! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LsY0Zj2QfLQJY8PegPf5CIMd4pkBupYPRx6n_f9G_YzfRptDTxO8sseTboUmRgw4elIwUyCx3_NeA2Fkgf8B4-OBjsA8u2-Hb7zNp8yxdPVWcxwsh5LyRlF09DoAa9X7_Kz-DLfXMlo/s1600/photo+2-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LsY0Zj2QfLQJY8PegPf5CIMd4pkBupYPRx6n_f9G_YzfRptDTxO8sseTboUmRgw4elIwUyCx3_NeA2Fkgf8B4-OBjsA8u2-Hb7zNp8yxdPVWcxwsh5LyRlF09DoAa9X7_Kz-DLfXMlo/s400/photo+2-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crazy claire, i love you! ps. she got 2 teeth in 4 days! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIS_Ax0piXtG_U62UpQX46Nc-VZJA-H_zyVoanHVKAZjPutmufJ2MvgBFqmo-OOqSlS_s3yFJj-vHVRg1VtroKvJNhxiuURwyk2Jt4rTQcuE6m19asUYkEhLmV2AD5lQ7evDkh51qPPs/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIS_Ax0piXtG_U62UpQX46Nc-VZJA-H_zyVoanHVKAZjPutmufJ2MvgBFqmo-OOqSlS_s3yFJj-vHVRg1VtroKvJNhxiuURwyk2Jt4rTQcuE6m19asUYkEhLmV2AD5lQ7evDkh51qPPs/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perfecting her little wave on our way to church saturday night</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtMI0_wzLdYxf9zXw6oRsXlyUG31dB9HNhGz3D-Mdyv_kg-ne-1yc0kJB6bdhm47eSS5-AjyOAz8BCWCIXRBd8Y8FheBXCYa4FZSa232mI3G7zMR7xW2np-fXQ-iUFEHhKr6Hr3b_HK8/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtMI0_wzLdYxf9zXw6oRsXlyUG31dB9HNhGz3D-Mdyv_kg-ne-1yc0kJB6bdhm47eSS5-AjyOAz8BCWCIXRBd8Y8FheBXCYa4FZSa232mI3G7zMR7xW2np-fXQ-iUFEHhKr6Hr3b_HK8/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel wasnt sure if she really wanted to leave the house</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPTreeXBR0Elsej9ZPHBR8Gk6YoZm3kD8RVoOzbdxlieS7TvEf6RqfZ4x-lnLaG55NAjrTVbXAlV2RlXsJk61jEPNpqkJeUDAILrycNUCrOaZbAgmttmYhe_fwALs3mkV2xRxVXUdSgU/s1600/photo-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPTreeXBR0Elsej9ZPHBR8Gk6YoZm3kD8RVoOzbdxlieS7TvEf6RqfZ4x-lnLaG55NAjrTVbXAlV2RlXsJk61jEPNpqkJeUDAILrycNUCrOaZbAgmttmYhe_fwALs3mkV2xRxVXUdSgU/s400/photo-9.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on our way to the BBQ cook off, claire needed her thumb to tide her over!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2UJEMUOMu1B9WLXZ17PReFjGkTHR4mJEFeDJua38W2PWXzO7t9v9HxoIp3W7WZ-gG3JgXnFM8gk9oLut6AcPv3yy2WmnCIiooG_tj5HA8ta91KMFEZS0WnKW6skusg5kfjyjnK_hFq8/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2UJEMUOMu1B9WLXZ17PReFjGkTHR4mJEFeDJua38W2PWXzO7t9v9HxoIp3W7WZ-gG3JgXnFM8gk9oLut6AcPv3yy2WmnCIiooG_tj5HA8ta91KMFEZS0WnKW6skusg5kfjyjnK_hFq8/s400/photo-10.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the twins and i at the annual COF Texans Tailgate. please excuse my face...i forgot my makeup on the way out the door! ewwww!! </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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blessings, ALo</div>
ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-83340078995717485622013-09-19T22:43:00.001-05:002013-09-19T22:43:31.860-05:00Wide Loadif you see me and the girls out shopping...watch out! we are wide load! well, its really not all that bad, thanks mostly to decent strollers. man, i would be seriously lost without my stroller!! i love it!! if you are expecting twins you have to get the Baby Trend Snap and Go stroller...even if you are not having twins, i think they make this same stroller for singleton moms, just one less space, go get it!!! and no, i am not paid by this company to rave about them, however, should they feel so inclined... :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2JfVMaeRobzhplAo2vB735p0RqJtcP56E1Hrjyl83glrkvKUYBKTvWAF-qSld6AqZ2NzUVj5b62jEIOeWH1Xk5P1zKp8DMsrmaQIzs2g_hlAj8ib_jwaIYjO5KOOBgK5MqXR_EWjEwM/s1600/stroller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2JfVMaeRobzhplAo2vB735p0RqJtcP56E1Hrjyl83glrkvKUYBKTvWAF-qSld6AqZ2NzUVj5b62jEIOeWH1Xk5P1zKp8DMsrmaQIzs2g_hlAj8ib_jwaIYjO5KOOBgK5MqXR_EWjEwM/s400/stroller.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the exact one i have!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! it is narrow and folds up perfectly and is super light! i could not travel or shop without it!! </td></tr>
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here's the real deal. shopping with my girls is really pretty easy, until it comes to "bigger" shopping trips (i.e. more than the express lane in the grocery store, Sams Club). even going to the mall or outlet mall is usually pretty easy because of the huge basket area at the bottom of the stroller. but shopping becomes a problem with twins when we really need to shop. grocery store carts are not designed for more than one kid and groceries. its either the twins and no groceries in the cart or i come up with a strategy to do both. up until august, the twins and i were getting out a lot more and i would often ask a friend or one of my students to meet me at the store...one of us would push the stroller while the other pushed the shopping cart. but as august and september have rolled through along with the houston heat, i have tried not to take the girls out much (those car seats DO NOT breathe well and my poor girls sweat like their mommy). back up really quick....funniest time shopping was with one of my sweet students at the local HEB (a huge grocery store). she is a freshman this year and was so sweet and super eager to help me out. i picked her up on a super hot day in august, just before school started, to do my grocery shopping. i grabbed a cart and she pushed the stroller. not even 5 feet in the door and people started stopping us about the twins (see my last post). *ps. why do people think its ok to block me/the stroller from moving forward? can you not tell i am on a mission to get out of here? have you really never seen twins before? and please do not attempt to touch my babies, especially after your hands have been all over that grimy cart you are pushing!!! ok, back to the story. by the end of the shopping trip at least a dozen people had stopped us to ask questions and i was pretty annoyed and sweaty (it was august in houston) and i had just loaded over $200 worth of groceries into the car while my helper got the girls in. as we were pulling out she turns and says, "ms. aimee? the next time we come, could i please push the cart instead?" huh?? "sure, why?" (thinking to myself that it is probably faster if i stick with the cart) "well, i love your babies, and its fun to watch them and everything, but everyone kept asking me questions like they were my babies. i felt like i was on 16 and pregnant." lol!! poor girl!! i had wondered why she said asked me 12 times in the store how old the babies were...she wanted to make sure people knew they were mine! just so funny! but this happens to anyone that helps me shop, just ask my friend jess. :) <br />
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so today we took our first trip to sams club. and if i need help going to the regular grocery store, i knew there was no way i could tackle sams alone. my newest friend (we have known each other for a while, but just started hanging out) elizabeth has a membership and she goes with her little 2 year old, charlotte, quite a bit. so when she mentioned me tagging along, i jumped on it! thankfully sams has huge carts, but they also have these pallet carts. dont you know i got one of those!! i put both of the girls on there and had just enough room for the rest of what i needed (did you know i am really good at tetris? i can find the perfect spots for things!). so i had two babies and over $330 worth of stuff on this pallet cart. you should have seen the looks we were getting. elizabeth had to lead the way by the end...we seriously had a big, wide load!<br />
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i am so greatful to those who have helped me shop! it can be difficult, but the good news is, the girls seem to love it! knock on wood, they do not get upset...maybe its the movement or the stimulation of the passing items, either way, i will take it!<br />
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so when you see us out shopping you have two choices...1. move son, get out the way! 2. help a sista out! grab a cart and follow me or help me load my bags...i will gladly take the help. (plus i tend to tip in desserts!! elizabeth and her fam are getting a batch of cupcakes next week!! elizabeth, sorry its not sooner, im kinda busy with the shower!! just let me know your flavor preference!) and even if its not me you see out, if its another mom of twins, at the very least, please do not stop her and ask a bunch of questions. her ice cream melts in her cart just as fast as yours does!<br />
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here is a pic of the little ones after our sams run...this is just my stuff, elizabeth had her own cart! charlotte, thanks for being a big helper today and keeping the twins entertained!!<br />
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blessings, ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-15061231176698164212013-09-15T21:42:00.001-05:002013-09-15T21:42:06.239-05:00Dumb Questionpeople say there is no such thing as a dumb question. i TOTALLY disagree!!! listen, i have worked with middle school students for a long time. i have worked in the salon world where i have met all kinds of people. but i have met more oblivious/dumb people in the last 6 months than i have in my entire life!!!! i am not trying to be rude and i try even harder not to be sarcastic or insensitive or say all the remarks i really want to say when i have to respond. yes, this is a little bit of a rant post, but this is my life just about every day now, and to be fair, i will only address the three biggest stupid questions.<br />
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1. "Oh, one boy and one girl?" "Oh, two boys?"<br />
i am not even kidding you that i think i can count on one hand the people that have have said "oh, two girls?" i mean, the fact that you have to question is crazy. if you have ever seen me and my GIRLS out in public, there should never EVER be a question!! most days they are dressed head to toe in pink/ruffles/flowers or some combination and if they are not i make sure they have their pink blankets AND a bow or headband on. but besides that, their car seats are ALL PINK and have PINK toys hanging from the handle. yes, i know that in todays society, some boys wear pink, but when was the last time you saw a baby boy in a pink car seat with a bow on his head? dumb question!! but i really do try to be polite because i know people do not pay attention.<br />
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2. "Oh, are they twins?"<br />
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this may not happen EVERY time we are out, but pretty close and i almost always want to respond with the above answer, but choose instead to give a little smile and say "yes, they are!" then in most cases they respond with dumb question #1 or with what i will write about in #3. but seriously, in how many situations do you see a person pushing a double stroller with two infant car seats (or two children that look VERY similar in age) and it turn out those kids are not twins? maybe when the girls are older i will expect this question to be more appropriate. after all, they probably will not look just like each other, and i may not always dress them alike, and annabel may always be a bit bigger than claire...ok, i get it then. but right now? i mean i am pushing a double stroller that has two identical carseats on it with two babies that are always dressed alike or coordinating. so, yes, they are twins. next... :)</div>
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3. let me preface this one...i have really only had this said/happen 3 times in the last 6 months but it is very fresh in my mind because it happened today at church. also...2 out of the 3 times, a man has said it... :) most times people say something about me having my hands full with 2 babies, but here's one for ya...</div>
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"oh, twins...probably not much different than one kid." </div>
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are you serious???!!?? i am pretty sure that the one lady who said that has never had a child and the guys, well, seriously...! yes, i have really good babies and not just good for twins, just good babies. even in the midst of teething, they are happy! sure we have our moments of tiredness and frustration and hunger crying, but for the most part, my girls are easy! but, that being said, it is still (i think) much more work than just having one baby. from the get go, growing two babies is more taxing (my BP was an issue with the twins but never once was my BP high when i was pregnant with Charlotte). i was immediately a "high risk pregnancy" because there was two babies. from the beginning its double the stuff...paperwork in the hospital, carseats, bassinets, a double stroller, blankets, pacifiers, bottles...everything. which then leads to double the amount of stuff to take care of (blankets, clothes, pacifiers, etc.), double the laundry, double the bottle making, double the bottle cleaning, DOUBLE THE DIAPERS!!! yeah, someone's butt or nose or drool always needs to be wiped. most days i look around and feel like a baby store threw up in my house...there is stuff every where, but we use it. at some point each day both the bouncy seat and the swing are each in use, the carpet has a quilt with at least one baby in a boppy pillow while i work the other on scooting/crawling, there are two high chairs in the kitchen covered in baby oatmeal but both babies are learning to eat real food (meaning there is more on me and the highchair and the floor than what gets in their mouth). there is always a pile of clean clothes somewhere in my house with an equally big pile of dirty clothes waiting to be washed. even traveling to see family (airplane travel) is <i>literally impossible</i> for me to do without another adult. please hear me say this is not me complaining!!!! i know that each new mom has a lot of new adjustments. i know that we all need to find our new balance of how to make it all happen. but, i do not think that having one baby is just like having two. but when that is said, instead of listing all of the things that makes it different, i will continue to smile, shrug my shoulders and say "i am not sure!". because that really is the truth. maybe its not different. i love both of my girls and i love that my life seems crazy and busy and hard sometimes because i have both of them! i get double the smiles, double the baby gurgles and bubbles, double the morning cuddles and bed time stories, double the fun all around! but, if anyone wants to come clean my house i will let you! ;)</div>
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there are plenty of other dumb questions that i have heard...i guess it just keeps me on my toes. :)</div>
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and now my friends...its 9:38pm...the babies have been asleep for almost 2 hours, the dish washer is running, the washing machine is running and i worked all three services at church this weekend. im tired so IM GOING TO SLEEP, at 9:38!!!! hahaha!!!</div>
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blessings, ALo</div>
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<br />ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-17656899831928046182013-09-10T23:06:00.000-05:002013-09-10T23:06:38.745-05:00halfy birthdayhappy half birthday to my babies...a day late! :) yesterday was busy...well, so was today, but i am carving out a few min to blog and post a few pics. i can not believe they are already 6 months old!!! everyone said it would fly by, but this is crazy!! even just the last month has gone so quick and each day is full of new things!!<br />
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yesterday we celebrated their half birthday by going to the doctor and getting shots...boo!! i really hate that. i dont understand why they make the parent hold their hands and look at them. its so sad, just plain heartbreaking!! both girls have been a little cranky since yesterday morning, and rightfully so! poor babies!<br />
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i love watching my girls figure things out and start trying new things. claire has semi serious separation anxiety with me but other than that, they seem to be doing awesome. one of the best parts of them getting bigger is their awesome sleeping schedule. right now they both take a morning nap, claire takes a mid morning/early afternoon nap, and they both have an afternoon nap. at night we start the bed time routine around seven and they are usually in bed around eight and sleep right at 11 hours!!!! its so awesome! i am usually in big trouble the days they dont stay on schedule...both for naps and for feedings. my girls love schedules. they both love to eat and sleep (esp claire, she might sleep all day if she could!).<br />
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we took a trip to michigan for labor day and they both did fantastic traveling. we had a little detour in chicago prolonging our travel time, but they just went with the flow. it was awesome! we are headed to pennsylvania the beginning of october and we are hoping for the same!!<br />
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so things are good...wont complain. im too tired to take the time for that!! lol!!<br />
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here are their 6 month stats from yesterday's doctor's appointment and a few pics.<br />
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*percentages are based on other 6 month old babies (not just girls)<br />
Annabel: weight 17lb 4oz (70%) height 27" (89%) head 17" (75%). she is my big girl! ;)<br />
Claire: weight 14lb 11oz (28%) height 26" (52%) head 17" (75%). jumped up in weight percentage! at least she and annabel can still share headbands/bows :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">naked baies!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh, great! mom is at it again!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel isnt so sure that toes taste as good as claire says they do!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet girl with dimples</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">something was funny because she is laughing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g8Wi6LGpWBRF96gRXnZ4mf3xd-NdmHe5QqvftOeH-YlFgInXk20VO8lY2dhcQu9uRFD6zXHYGiyu5U67HATBphl1_eRAFf2TREhPhRhlQifAj781IHqKP1Yo3vtQMjEIeEDgnWpT2Lo/s1600/P1020871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g8Wi6LGpWBRF96gRXnZ4mf3xd-NdmHe5QqvftOeH-YlFgInXk20VO8lY2dhcQu9uRFD6zXHYGiyu5U67HATBphl1_eRAFf2TREhPhRhlQifAj781IHqKP1Yo3vtQMjEIeEDgnWpT2Lo/s400/P1020871.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mom, dont forget im still hungry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPWi8ASN6-eheufAnkdnPuqVPczQ6tPqwD99ZObjP98hn6Ozz6nNx0I8U16BQ5_7WV6JTsYL-MeYTmjdTR70_SAb3brsqqhKqrZNFyeE9dNY566CoyRLcSt8U83XaRC-vQTP5NxMpdsg/s1600/P1020880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPWi8ASN6-eheufAnkdnPuqVPczQ6tPqwD99ZObjP98hn6Ozz6nNx0I8U16BQ5_7WV6JTsYL-MeYTmjdTR70_SAb3brsqqhKqrZNFyeE9dNY566CoyRLcSt8U83XaRC-vQTP5NxMpdsg/s400/P1020880.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"i know something you dont know!!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCggErsAL-ENYoJh-kBG6_i5haAxRo7l55m4ngKRj9dpRmlchowBe1kmAGIn-xUW7YJsjO7FZJNNzVGvSvr5fC15U7YycBVTmWdMdz5LrLYjM8O27j_3ZUDhdwcB1XEZa8inpeqb3NAc/s1600/IMG_2139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCggErsAL-ENYoJh-kBG6_i5haAxRo7l55m4ngKRj9dpRmlchowBe1kmAGIn-xUW7YJsjO7FZJNNzVGvSvr5fC15U7YycBVTmWdMdz5LrLYjM8O27j_3ZUDhdwcB1XEZa8inpeqb3NAc/s400/IMG_2139.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looks like a baby store threw up in my living room!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQP1G0MKbaNQq4nUJae0Jh4IsyAuoDdX5BnGxHjFj20DOY522gJ3kxJmiefyRfGv3Lfmm9QxX4vpPm52nBFOz81GJHZu82w9wQM7x3CeuSX23tY-m-OSlm7dP6_e7E3CbdaBWFTQm0XI/s1600/IMG_2145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQP1G0MKbaNQq4nUJae0Jh4IsyAuoDdX5BnGxHjFj20DOY522gJ3kxJmiefyRfGv3Lfmm9QxX4vpPm52nBFOz81GJHZu82w9wQM7x3CeuSX23tY-m-OSlm7dP6_e7E3CbdaBWFTQm0XI/s400/IMG_2145.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thanks to our friends charlotte and elizabeth crook, we have a jumperoo to use! claire looks so sneaky here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49VMmdnGGwbWxZ6ex58evHpeA3ofj8Mc0WQg4P8yLVa38cxdc-8xc-qf4EXzS1Z0Na8v9UCZWSvNOCDhzHOjBtIwdVzYMaL1kIIh6_nRx7FgJPc-c-kkcKluYgvTzR4Z18R0lU6GCLB4/s1600/IMG_2150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49VMmdnGGwbWxZ6ex58evHpeA3ofj8Mc0WQg4P8yLVa38cxdc-8xc-qf4EXzS1Z0Na8v9UCZWSvNOCDhzHOjBtIwdVzYMaL1kIIh6_nRx7FgJPc-c-kkcKluYgvTzR4Z18R0lU6GCLB4/s400/IMG_2150.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel made sure i knew she was next!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAalQgWPUobbt8gqTDOJzKUbTdoqtkd5TI0h0qBP__sIkedqQ2qWPx6Wk424xqkUzDBWr923vmAXXxsUG8l59F5A0-C5HR7m3UhHeSdnQS3My6eLR9WafWgJUbGm2_0lwZQQlpQUc2cs/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAalQgWPUobbt8gqTDOJzKUbTdoqtkd5TI0h0qBP__sIkedqQ2qWPx6Wk424xqkUzDBWr923vmAXXxsUG8l59F5A0-C5HR7m3UhHeSdnQS3My6eLR9WafWgJUbGm2_0lwZQQlpQUc2cs/s400/IMG_0620.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting ready for their first cereal experience...went pretty well!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUW3a4CvAgDAXCmOt86SjtPx4Jh1bkQqCv58ZG2iOwpY4-5b5OnW8GEYaE_bgDOpSdZWqr2Kclgky_ZsahQnsT4avmFYYUdkLzW4gXhfDOJ2JRPRhkLVJJP28xVBm7YAGBc8qw4aMHmw/s1600/IMG_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUW3a4CvAgDAXCmOt86SjtPx4Jh1bkQqCv58ZG2iOwpY4-5b5OnW8GEYaE_bgDOpSdZWqr2Kclgky_ZsahQnsT4avmFYYUdkLzW4gXhfDOJ2JRPRhkLVJJP28xVBm7YAGBc8qw4aMHmw/s400/IMG_0622.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these babies love to eat!!</td></tr>
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blessings, ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-44859878421600807182013-09-08T23:58:00.000-05:002013-09-08T23:58:34.593-05:00Strangeoh, hello...yes, i know i have been a stranger. im a new mom of twins. well, not that new anymore. the girls will be 6 months tomorrow! but everything that happens is new to me. the last two months have been beyond full! we have traveled, camped, baked, shopped, picked up the home hair business again, volunteered, did an overnight with no babies...we have done so much, everything but blog. but if you follow me on instagram or Facebook then you know all of that already.<br />
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this weekend was a big weekend for us. the twins were dedicated to the Lord at church! it was strange. not strange in how things happened, or what happened. strange for me emotionally. i have wanted this day for so long. i have dreamed about this day for years. before charlotte was born, baby dedication days at church were always one of my favorites. i loved seeing the babies and little children fidgeting in their parents arms while the parents and pastor prayed over them. i loved seeing the emotions play out on the moms face as she committed to honor God in her child rearing, to help that child grow in a relationship with the Lord. i loved seeing the daddy stand there so proud of his family, yet so humbled by what God had given their family. then, after charlotte was born and up until my twins were born, i could not sit through a baby dedication service without gripping peter's hand, without crying tears of sadness and jealousy and pain. i would put my head down, not able to even look at the families. one time i faked an illness so as not to sit through a baby dedication. that may sound extreme, but i was hurting...deeply. so, now we have our twin babies here. we signed up for the saturday night service dedication as soon as we heard about it (i had somehow missed the dedication in the spring, on mothers day!). as the weekend was getting closer, and i started planning our schedule/events for the weekend around dedication i couldnt help but start to think about Charlotte (a little more than i do on average). thinking about our time with her. thinking about how we had given her to God from the moment we knew about her, just like we did with the twins. i thought about my dear friends don and marcie solin coming to pray with us as soon as charlotte was born. so saturday i was a little emotional, missing having charlotte there as we got ready for a big day in the life of our family. missed getting to dress her up in a sweet dress to stand in front of a congregation to say that we were blessed because of her. just emotional. i was honest with a few people, so as not to get overwhelmed and then get REALLY emotional. yikes! but then as i stood at the front of the worship center, i felt this peace. it was strangely unexpected. as my friend robin sang a sweet song and pastor mark prayed over our family, i felt a sense that God is still healing us but also peace knowing that my sweet girl will always be a part of our celebrations because she will always be in our thoughts and will always have her special place in our family. as we walked off after the dedication my heart broke seeing familiar tears on a woman's face. here i was, heart full of joy and peace, a feeling of excitement and pride and gratefulness, walking with my two beautiful daughters and husband, but then being stricken with the knowledge and understanding that this young woman was having a hard time being excited for me. i wanted to stop and hug her, tell her that i understand, tell her that God sees those tears. but i didn't, i couldnt. no way! its so strange because i remember when people would do that to me/for me. it doesnt help!! so i prayed for her, for her family. i felt strange feeling both sides...remembering just a year ago being right where she is. i am praying for her now. praying that God gives her the desires of her heart...soon! but i continued to walk out and we celebrated God's faithfulness with friends at dinner after church...we sure do love to eat! :)<br />
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so, that was a lot of words for what happened in just one day. :) i am so blessed by my girls. they really are the sweetest babies. yes, we have our moments each day where i wonder if God knew what He was doing giving me two at the same time. we have our times where i actually scream right along with the girls, usually its just the three of us and they arent big enough to tell on me, yet! i have plenty of strange moments...feeling like i live in some type of parallel universe...like, is this even real??!!?? but i am assuming most people feel that way when it comes to parenting, or life with children, or just life in general. but through it all, even in the times i really miss charlotte, i feel so blessed to be claire and annabel's mom. i am grateful that God gives me exactly what i need to get through each day. i am humbled by His goodness and i am thankful for His peace!<br />
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God, please help me. give me the wisdom i need to raise my children to do Your will. help me to teach them Your ways, not mine. give me the words to encourage them. God, please protect my babies from harm and direct them towards you. i give them to you, today and every day. thank you for blessing me with them. i love you more because of them. God, please help me!<br />
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here are a few pics. the gorgeous dresses and bibs came from my very sweet (and very southern, hence the monograms) precious friend, morgan. and the cute socks are from a generous friend in michigan, miss jane! thanks so much ladies for decking my girls out...i am biased but i think they were the best dressed this weekend!! :) here are just a few pictures (i took over 150!!!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE04MMaqHKE0SOnTMh1Zlrhr4YnWP-ek15j0jLgDaxNmSaCGRZyUWvUNVZiau46QOtk_xlmiGNDb51fXS0po2opqrWlnz-FlANcMAcz_bezLAy5Scj_FjpnytrzVQIN0KkBy30dn8Oz7Y/s1600/P1020694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE04MMaqHKE0SOnTMh1Zlrhr4YnWP-ek15j0jLgDaxNmSaCGRZyUWvUNVZiau46QOtk_xlmiGNDb51fXS0po2opqrWlnz-FlANcMAcz_bezLAy5Scj_FjpnytrzVQIN0KkBy30dn8Oz7Y/s400/P1020694.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Mark praying for our babies and family</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGkh0ZVm3l-verLMTNxMlQiaTF9m6g5j6mjaagyJq2XFNSOS_2g71HcjBcTgqEcRQtEE3jpAL-zMLiOHGW51lbNKBhJde6qUCdoSg5aLBmwnqt5sDbbNYnw8qEKoc9V0Amtsh0Xt2sXE/s1600/P1020700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGkh0ZVm3l-verLMTNxMlQiaTF9m6g5j6mjaagyJq2XFNSOS_2g71HcjBcTgqEcRQtEE3jpAL-zMLiOHGW51lbNKBhJde6qUCdoSg5aLBmwnqt5sDbbNYnw8qEKoc9V0Amtsh0Xt2sXE/s400/P1020700.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just waiting in the lobby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CHh6p1vI9aJfmyFC_OSPXysvojKcPJHZsu8nYxvivfE3X4zrYyWh7OAdR4oketJynnImfq2wsr_6CAMt-Ze_qwgzQKXbZF1tjJv8ckD7hyw7zIc-1fsQMymbmT0Qo0KCm6YKDaUJL_8/s1600/P1020703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CHh6p1vI9aJfmyFC_OSPXysvojKcPJHZsu8nYxvivfE3X4zrYyWh7OAdR4oketJynnImfq2wsr_6CAMt-Ze_qwgzQKXbZF1tjJv8ckD7hyw7zIc-1fsQMymbmT0Qo0KCm6YKDaUJL_8/s400/P1020703.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel was all geared up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ-KpWwjLjeHTO2mGkB_aevG_qGwk7Oe8b_kb0uwFcQfBPDRa26ufMFFWmZGGuEvZ8wmzsgD2RRww3nKm5DlKbD-IH7bAmiaJRj2VVCwDAfDdVejrWw7K_hUOtZReL9gvyQbS1py93g8/s1600/P1020704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ-KpWwjLjeHTO2mGkB_aevG_qGwk7Oe8b_kb0uwFcQfBPDRa26ufMFFWmZGGuEvZ8wmzsgD2RRww3nKm5DlKbD-IH7bAmiaJRj2VVCwDAfDdVejrWw7K_hUOtZReL9gvyQbS1py93g8/s400/P1020704.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">claire was hungry, but made it through</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDA0JzLSCVCx4A0C7cqm4pqkNTxTxDrMdybi8n8Kv7fmQGDQu0IC-HYkkMR48mu8b6WaY4c05coyHhRLFNMeJAbkSwowynMlKsl3d3oEBXeB83V9Q1g9qIiOn92ZYG5ISHnuHD36Cme0/s1600/P1020728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDA0JzLSCVCx4A0C7cqm4pqkNTxTxDrMdybi8n8Kv7fmQGDQu0IC-HYkkMR48mu8b6WaY4c05coyHhRLFNMeJAbkSwowynMlKsl3d3oEBXeB83V9Q1g9qIiOn92ZYG5ISHnuHD36Cme0/s400/P1020728.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mark and laura have been praying for our family for two years! so blessed by them!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIcpZz39OI2FWrDujWiW-4eZBA5K2to1dm3XRicFarCjiQBcjYKZCECGocdnNpy6JsF-IkQeI3X1GE08dORVoUGO6QdGKi5XO4YDNR0DV6ILluGroPjL_vAJE3v1pA2vF5hzaIF6OGdk/s1600/P1020731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIcpZz39OI2FWrDujWiW-4eZBA5K2to1dm3XRicFarCjiQBcjYKZCECGocdnNpy6JsF-IkQeI3X1GE08dORVoUGO6QdGKi5XO4YDNR0DV6ILluGroPjL_vAJE3v1pA2vF5hzaIF6OGdk/s400/P1020731.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hard to get a good one of all 4 of us, but we try!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWvowlU-qpIbXoikka69N-m9SCfpyNqcsji7tqU8G-BZNVoe-res00uF3Y0FkxjS6ZGxlKVkoGJWGInzFT4iqLNfGslBxz1dqtjW1kg4-VRkPen53iuPi8yr9Tv8idcsvixgAZN1w8Uo/s1600/P1020744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWvowlU-qpIbXoikka69N-m9SCfpyNqcsji7tqU8G-BZNVoe-res00uF3Y0FkxjS6ZGxlKVkoGJWGInzFT4iqLNfGslBxz1dqtjW1kg4-VRkPen53iuPi8yr9Tv8idcsvixgAZN1w8Uo/s400/P1020744.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">curious claire...so sweet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiT1WFNtjFbmaWwxUzSabv_Zg_v5lQPXxkt20bMW-uvefCaYJ6N7hN5WJhzp4ccBd6-l8hoZixvsAIF0JNdhHoZE22z7c_RB0HyCZXFgZhM6xDsfJtjqccxnUQV518SgNYjtphwVUfV4/s1600/P1020760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiT1WFNtjFbmaWwxUzSabv_Zg_v5lQPXxkt20bMW-uvefCaYJ6N7hN5WJhzp4ccBd6-l8hoZixvsAIF0JNdhHoZE22z7c_RB0HyCZXFgZhM6xDsfJtjqccxnUQV518SgNYjtphwVUfV4/s400/P1020760.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she has started to embrace tummy time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubZwUdnMSMNpGDtLVfaDkQLpggYgxF8exhhJf4FdZRmFDKyGM_RRMVY_w0Cstp6raz_p-Nk706e4Hw3cEzrPyRb_eYsDy0kLkdyKBL3f1ILgtjZvR64TgNLcRHNbz_M_Sq-A6dKp3Ezo/s1600/P1020781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubZwUdnMSMNpGDtLVfaDkQLpggYgxF8exhhJf4FdZRmFDKyGM_RRMVY_w0Cstp6raz_p-Nk706e4Hw3cEzrPyRb_eYsDy0kLkdyKBL3f1ILgtjZvR64TgNLcRHNbz_M_Sq-A6dKp3Ezo/s400/P1020781.JPG" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel was pretty happy about being at home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIJTDz3Av6kyjABbmiowjX4f9xwlxLemMenn9qXFSyLhRzWOvppizsSHvfiL7wiCRLZ8hIfaFl47lcWyFk0z_V3X0hpNc5GnNuKRe_oJ1iSO5tgqesaYRhik6mV3JpzEbouaP-HNRiak/s1600/P1020789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIJTDz3Av6kyjABbmiowjX4f9xwlxLemMenn9qXFSyLhRzWOvppizsSHvfiL7wiCRLZ8hIfaFl47lcWyFk0z_V3X0hpNc5GnNuKRe_oJ1iSO5tgqesaYRhik6mV3JpzEbouaP-HNRiak/s400/P1020789.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh my.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm74RTTWg52VWKMtrD_d7VKdx5IJAIXw_exKugtIEfyqhUYnUOSgyIJ3EQmwMac6C8TPvsD90oXdaOTlPCOWmP7q0tVf22DS-KrR5fnKjI6aHcQGwe_5g45cnN25LdWR7mjYDbOV-JJ8/s1600/P1020794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm74RTTWg52VWKMtrD_d7VKdx5IJAIXw_exKugtIEfyqhUYnUOSgyIJ3EQmwMac6C8TPvsD90oXdaOTlPCOWmP7q0tVf22DS-KrR5fnKjI6aHcQGwe_5g45cnN25LdWR7mjYDbOV-JJ8/s400/P1020794.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"claire, mom said to keep your legs down!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlcnMPoksgYvEZXAEuIoLKPbTZIRHseo2z-kLHLFVoArBzUq6Gv2rICy86qniW0rjk2MApjazaaypRnaKYCAQfZgn8QTNWTjslCV1Gts9V65X8eP6dKvR5xrIRfTRvBEfXIurCmZcZks/s1600/P1020800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlcnMPoksgYvEZXAEuIoLKPbTZIRHseo2z-kLHLFVoArBzUq6Gv2rICy86qniW0rjk2MApjazaaypRnaKYCAQfZgn8QTNWTjslCV1Gts9V65X8eP6dKvR5xrIRfTRvBEfXIurCmZcZks/s400/P1020800.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at those pursed lips of claire's! so many expressions from her! they like to be near each other...holding hands, rubbing feet, bumping heads. its so cute!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyUl5U8BllygxoMZ8PgWDwvASjPw4FX8mE_te1hzrTm4k7AfUsJR2aL566kXeOTe97gGyYDJFKMa6WHcWjs-CmakWfm94FYt6V_a7T929Z8nfHehOzVv1w8IHnvCErpjCAHGbqNdA2HQ/s1600/P1020809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyUl5U8BllygxoMZ8PgWDwvASjPw4FX8mE_te1hzrTm4k7AfUsJR2aL566kXeOTe97gGyYDJFKMa6WHcWjs-CmakWfm94FYt6V_a7T929Z8nfHehOzVv1w8IHnvCErpjCAHGbqNdA2HQ/s400/P1020809.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lol</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppc4pV2M3jBV_HcXfNky_Z0pZQ22Xcl4SE8rjnFWPsbqEmztcXz_h8y6ROElED7WKgo07KSs2C4m59MF-5vAGjLB9aIHAbxirBkmF8asjqydUCUpWqLx9mkDOwwWsxQ0kSG4QiG2MnrQ/s1600/P1020819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppc4pV2M3jBV_HcXfNky_Z0pZQ22Xcl4SE8rjnFWPsbqEmztcXz_h8y6ROElED7WKgo07KSs2C4m59MF-5vAGjLB9aIHAbxirBkmF8asjqydUCUpWqLx9mkDOwwWsxQ0kSG4QiG2MnrQ/s400/P1020819.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just give me my space and stop taking your clothes off!! :)</td></tr>
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blessings, ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-22981685771673540012013-07-10T17:33:00.000-05:002013-07-10T17:33:56.681-05:004 months already!!well, at least i am giving you the monthly updates!! lol.<br />
<br />
in the last month it seems the girls have gotten so big! they are growing like crazy! life with twins is becoming much more normal for us. i have the girls on a great schedule...thankfully! i am not sure what i would do otherwise. i am super thankful for my husband who has been more than helpful/supportive/the best dad ever. we haven't done anything too major this month except sit at the pool at few times and we did go to our church middle school camp for a few days. peter went to help set up the tech and sound, so us girls went too...just for the weekend. it was so great being a small part and being with the students for a few days at one of my favorite times in a students' life...camp! i love being a mom and it is the most rewarding job in the world, but it is also the hardest and most demanding job. sometimes i miss being able to leave my job and come home and not get up at 3am for a feeding. :) so, being at camp, as a family, even for just a few days was the best of both worlds for me!!<br />
<br />
so, we went to the doctor on monday for the girls' 4 month check up. they are hitting all of the milestones, right on track! annabel weighed in at 14lbs 9oz (75th percentile), 25 1/2" long (90th percentile) and her head is 16 1/4" around (75th percentile). she is a little ahead of the game...she is rolling over and cant be swaddled at night anymore. she is super strong and is really good at bearing weight and holding her head up. however, they both HATE tummy time!!! i mean, they pitch royal fits over it!! claire is still my little peanut. she was 12lbs 5oz (10th percentile), 24 1/4" long (50th percentile) and her head is 16" (50th percentile). she is not "standing" as much as annabel, but she is getting pretty good at holding her head up. i was encouraged by the doctor to not "baby her" as much...let her gain her strength. claire is not rolling yet, and still likes to be swaddled when falling asleep. she wriggles out of it pretty good, but they both like to be held tight when falling asleep! my girls are really good sleepers. we have had several nights of not getting up. the 3am feedings are becoming few and far between...thankfully! so, right now, they go down around 10 and get up at 5 to eat then sleep again until between 8 and 9. the last two days were off because they had to have 3 shots...that always really messes with things!! they both LOVE their hands...i mean eating them. they are also really figuring each other out. i love to watch them interact and have "twin time". they still both do great in the car, so we get out as much as we can. the texas summer heat is trying to kick our butts, but we do what we can! :)<br />
<br />
each day has moments when i question if i know what i am doing...or if God was crazy in thinking i could be a mom to twins. then i will catch one of the girls smiling, or studying something, or a smirk while dreaming. thats when i stop and take a breath and say a prayer. i pray that i can continue to do my best, that the girls continue to grow and pass those milestones, and thank God for each moment that i have with them. these first 4 months have flown by and the awesome times way out weigh the hard moments! today was a good day...better than yesterday. we got out to run errands, stopped to see a few friends, did some laundry (this is everyday) and even made a batch of cookies. its a good day when you can sit and enjoy an almond joy cookie (recipe at bottom) while the babies nap! :) now off to start dinner!!<br />
<br />
before i post the pics...please be praying for my mom. she had to have surgery today to repair her torn Achilles tendon and get rid of a bone spur on her heel. it has been an awful week for her awaiting surgery and now she will have to be in a cast for 3 months. if you know my mom, then you know this has got to be one of the worst things...especially this time of year! mom lives on a beautiful piece of land in michigan (michigan summers are the best!!!), so she wont be enjoying her tennis (which is how she got her injury), her horses, or the pool and lake. so sad!! she also cant drive!!! and lets not forget i have a 15 year old brother at home and she is a single parent...long thee months for both of them now! i so wish i was there to help her!!! love you, mom!! you are so strong and i know you can do this!! xxoo<br />
<br />
here are a few pics from today... :) they are so big and starting to look a little more alike!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u80PopK9fdPQkaJdrTBHoGIg9Vf0mHJ4mVLioOVXVFA5q33OqV-zqD8_ztdR5JvuyV2WNpNA_5KEja3KFwdHuHvs1f-55u_QMVHMbbeHtHh0NXvWgBDGiVxsaO7-y_vjqc1519VZR_Y/s1600/P1020586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u80PopK9fdPQkaJdrTBHoGIg9Vf0mHJ4mVLioOVXVFA5q33OqV-zqD8_ztdR5JvuyV2WNpNA_5KEja3KFwdHuHvs1f-55u_QMVHMbbeHtHh0NXvWgBDGiVxsaO7-y_vjqc1519VZR_Y/s400/P1020586.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel Marie</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXV9uL6tQCFMDpunLul5t6COgSM0QpaDLGRrHSZW66_AF9eSDpSDOGDCweBIY0KykY2kzSoMh7kgZ-ni9sc3vv7I60i60W_RdjtCd1c_zr5Z-O0lTbxymBHmZf9izTZtys0D5cuRT9G8/s1600/P1020591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXV9uL6tQCFMDpunLul5t6COgSM0QpaDLGRrHSZW66_AF9eSDpSDOGDCweBIY0KykY2kzSoMh7kgZ-ni9sc3vv7I60i60W_RdjtCd1c_zr5Z-O0lTbxymBHmZf9izTZtys0D5cuRT9G8/s400/P1020591.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giggles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKb4q-a2e0VLufs6-XMdI7RrPd6F9H17Y-6q-zGWZA0Poj3RYIZs9JBUWEyeQ36MdHp5uuQ5OKBMBz4sEHDuumxhFeOlVKEoHVLT0nQfyO_qG5_HDW-C1TgCSuNhogd_dzP_p02olf3PQ/s1600/P1020597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKb4q-a2e0VLufs6-XMdI7RrPd6F9H17Y-6q-zGWZA0Poj3RYIZs9JBUWEyeQ36MdHp5uuQ5OKBMBz4sEHDuumxhFeOlVKEoHVLT0nQfyO_qG5_HDW-C1TgCSuNhogd_dzP_p02olf3PQ/s400/P1020597.JPG" width="321" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CYvd_CzHVSwpPGdf34UcAFz6uJ_vA8w-XoJvETwejQAqed7e-dHDRBiy5cN9hKgRej1XYn-d6hOAAHC1a-6UQ3opRhiACX3b5xNtAsJp7xJXZGiAKx3P9abz3xIsl5Ya1dnBWpQGvuc/s1600/P1020599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CYvd_CzHVSwpPGdf34UcAFz6uJ_vA8w-XoJvETwejQAqed7e-dHDRBiy5cN9hKgRej1XYn-d6hOAAHC1a-6UQ3opRhiACX3b5xNtAsJp7xJXZGiAKx3P9abz3xIsl5Ya1dnBWpQGvuc/s400/P1020599.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire Mackenzie</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9plOJrWnuruMbgZji0zfHnHFYako24zWFLuIXBZ1saREkiK6cTFklLgxWPORsbv1aFSZGBtXlwG0BLC6mnb1hq5RWfQRzehwWFYZ8xrOZljBersAK1Kc7qdLTsqr_wjre4zQQ7fN1D5s/s1600/P1020604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9plOJrWnuruMbgZji0zfHnHFYako24zWFLuIXBZ1saREkiK6cTFklLgxWPORsbv1aFSZGBtXlwG0BLC6mnb1hq5RWfQRzehwWFYZ8xrOZljBersAK1Kc7qdLTsqr_wjre4zQQ7fN1D5s/s400/P1020604.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a8L4KrK7LY_h09cNNAzcWYxj3-IGWvRcdzeChKd8PPLSwp0y0IRQ_I1ikoD_OlW7BwuYqY7HPWRhxYGBzJ2uvRPc4iXavcOx05uUHcSF7izLaJJO6PwK4-n3l6QnFlyL3R9ctC1nr7w/s1600/P1020605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a8L4KrK7LY_h09cNNAzcWYxj3-IGWvRcdzeChKd8PPLSwp0y0IRQ_I1ikoD_OlW7BwuYqY7HPWRhxYGBzJ2uvRPc4iXavcOx05uUHcSF7izLaJJO6PwK4-n3l6QnFlyL3R9ctC1nr7w/s400/P1020605.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she gets shy in front of the camera. glad she finally smiled!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvfqOtOs8k0SHLboV5lim42ybSmA8jmPgNNpoJeFOzYUfVGRjQWOWa_2uboetYFIwze9TyIy9hmUv6jp4FRIVaeAWWsSSVyLtkTMRYYClKZrm_VZJIVUGNi6QnSm0cFnF0qgm73JS51Y/s1600/P1020614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvfqOtOs8k0SHLboV5lim42ybSmA8jmPgNNpoJeFOzYUfVGRjQWOWa_2uboetYFIwze9TyIy9hmUv6jp4FRIVaeAWWsSSVyLtkTMRYYClKZrm_VZJIVUGNi6QnSm0cFnF0qgm73JS51Y/s400/P1020614.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1RAPK7VQA0W04y8-qVa_bFccm8TLpBQNJV96QHEvCBfWL0DFuxxfap3fymko_Z8X4REgCCtNJnwt6R5UCHrNAtUe1qm1zEjeqfjm7ua6j_CSXEVhqzrG2JyOfRdoGi2CL2CgQdUtnKU/s1600/P1020617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1RAPK7VQA0W04y8-qVa_bFccm8TLpBQNJV96QHEvCBfWL0DFuxxfap3fymko_Z8X4REgCCtNJnwt6R5UCHrNAtUe1qm1zEjeqfjm7ua6j_CSXEVhqzrG2JyOfRdoGi2CL2CgQdUtnKU/s400/P1020617.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blue eyed babies!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VY_UEc0ykJnPrP3IOqD6EiDTL_y6ta3-uL4ncOYRBfvEkJ3xwMzFa-F7TXd4OWySSuwv5d-Y-uvwjCp29YKcx3nph-CGtou7PyBWi4kgnkcp1g9mjgN9MyEwxF_DCyzDijDkMgGP7LE/s1600/P1020621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VY_UEc0ykJnPrP3IOqD6EiDTL_y6ta3-uL4ncOYRBfvEkJ3xwMzFa-F7TXd4OWySSuwv5d-Y-uvwjCp29YKcx3nph-CGtou7PyBWi4kgnkcp1g9mjgN9MyEwxF_DCyzDijDkMgGP7LE/s400/P1020621.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they love to hold hands, rub feet, anything to touch each other!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f-HC_ghyKSwUmHRVvA5brpsmNTsPNJU_rW_Nzi8rIR4LGP3bd38O-Iys59gxm55dxFH27qGcLwOLrcuZF-_NdEyMlXEDJ-Xq5vKL_TUQuRAmHdgxK-yY4u6jftoCCEF26fCtpDr18dU/s1600/P1020625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f-HC_ghyKSwUmHRVvA5brpsmNTsPNJU_rW_Nzi8rIR4LGP3bd38O-Iys59gxm55dxFH27qGcLwOLrcuZF-_NdEyMlXEDJ-Xq5vKL_TUQuRAmHdgxK-yY4u6jftoCCEF26fCtpDr18dU/s400/P1020625.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">serious!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcaTLOP7WarjMffGKkNWSIXTCQwikZU2lj-BNSaM2sBUDZeIN9nTAxxr9x4klFAvicG-Z-xmNpoASM_SpB2t48mmiF6-mTEimq-pz7ogsHxVcd7eGiNhDi9fNBTV4QBjlKIF92LqTktE/s1600/P1020632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcaTLOP7WarjMffGKkNWSIXTCQwikZU2lj-BNSaM2sBUDZeIN9nTAxxr9x4klFAvicG-Z-xmNpoASM_SpB2t48mmiF6-mTEimq-pz7ogsHxVcd7eGiNhDi9fNBTV4QBjlKIF92LqTktE/s400/P1020632.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Annabel, do think if i start crying she will stop??"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4OJVA83MhxO2mLUhjnjb-xOs6CdNWR1NjQCov89Wvltj1_A6vQ0dhU9laxNp0iNZkco9fJSvV1hkRd-vy1aNFwH6DzUt9BO9dYtO15Ww2uGaSHnEiBzH9s5Z9S_sxT3K6DroeV1hI0o/s1600/P1020638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4OJVA83MhxO2mLUhjnjb-xOs6CdNWR1NjQCov89Wvltj1_A6vQ0dhU9laxNp0iNZkco9fJSvV1hkRd-vy1aNFwH6DzUt9BO9dYtO15Ww2uGaSHnEiBzH9s5Z9S_sxT3K6DroeV1hI0o/s400/P1020638.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mom, Claire is serious...you might need to be done!"<br /><br />i like big bows and i can not lie!! :)<br />bigger the bow, better the mom!!! lol<br />welcome to texas!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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blessings, ALo<br />
<br />
almond joy cookies, courtesy of my cousin Brooke Southwick<br />
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2 cups dark brown sugar (all i had was light, it worked!)<br />
1 cup softened butter<br />
1 tsp. salt<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 1/4 cups AP flour<br />
1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut<br />
1 cup almonds<br />
1 bag chocolate chips<br />
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pre heat oven to 325. cream sugar, butter, salt, and soda. add eggs and cream again. mix in the flour and coconut until well blended. mix in the almonds and chips until just incorporated. bake for approx. 15 min or until just golden. these are much better if not too done!!! enjoy with coffee or really cold milk!!ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-55981121274505582492013-06-18T19:31:00.000-05:002013-06-18T19:31:00.634-05:00No Timehi.<br />
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i cant believe i am sitting down to blog!! the last month and a half, or whatever it has been since my last post, has been crazy! we went to michigan for almost three weeks and i, obviously, didnt blog there and then when we got home, i have been inundated with life...raising babies, home hair, being a wife, trying to get some sleep! go figure...the mom of twins is busy! i used to blog at night, but family time has become very sacred!! so blogging has taken a back seat! sorry!<br />
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so, i probably dont have much time before one of the girls wakes up, so in short, things are good! the girls are both getting so big!! i weighed them just before we left michigan (june 10th)...claire weighed 12 pounds and annabel weighed 14.5 pounds! lol!! so annabel is my bruiser and claire is my peanut. we will see what happens when we go to the doctor in a few weeks, but i have a feeling not much will change between now and then! they are both in 3 month clothes. annabel can rock the 3-6month stuff, but claire is swimming in those outfits. they are almost sleeping through the night. annabel wakes up around 2 to eat so i usually get claire up too...she is the one that needs to catch up anyway. otherwise, they are going from 8pm to 2am then 2am to 8am. not too shabby!! we have mastered the eating at the same time thing, now we are working on nap schedules. today was not a good day. in fact, right now is the only time since 8am that they are both sleeping at the same time! needless to say, i didnt get a whole lot done today, but thats ok :) i will take some awake happy baby time when i can get it!!<br />
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so, i have been keeping up with my question a day journal that i started last year. it is so interesting to look back at where i was last year at this time compared to right now. last year, right now, i was really upset that we were not pregnant yet. that we were missing our window of opportunity to try that month. what a low point for me. but i specifically remember being at camp, teaching our high schoolers to trust in the Lord and getting a good swift kick in the pants from God, a true wake up vcall. not more than a month later we were pregnant!! God has so richly blessed us. my heart has been restored with these little girls. just this morning, as i was holding an upset annabel, i was so happy with my life. of course, i could complain about lack of sleep, not being in the shape i was before pregnancy (maybe more on that later), or so many other things, but i just wont do it! thank you God for these babies. thank you!<br />
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here are a few pics of the girls at 3 months! there are tons of pics on facebook from our trip to michigan if you want to see them. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8ExZiQrtEqo8xIhMW8B5WtFwzQWeD_P5O8HCxzFQnurk-G2WtDbRbaRD2LD32hCBLiE0XKfSG6lgCDBTv1faDUNW8frdpNbsP7kx9zCebedVWwuNmGXrwQ3n-JJP9YiorK9N0QnClnk/s1600/P1020479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8ExZiQrtEqo8xIhMW8B5WtFwzQWeD_P5O8HCxzFQnurk-G2WtDbRbaRD2LD32hCBLiE0XKfSG6lgCDBTv1faDUNW8frdpNbsP7kx9zCebedVWwuNmGXrwQ3n-JJP9YiorK9N0QnClnk/s400/P1020479.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel Marie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuJsTiMpiLEkJ0GnXBOW67FX4vfY8L4kodSGfhBTJj2rCFhnjNBMDlQPoxGn4clkJrSzFmbiZiXGVYLar77oxsEb3KCOqL946X3XyOBO8df5tttnlbE6TgBGHz6Z3Qc96t0-B00GExRI/s1600/P1020484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuJsTiMpiLEkJ0GnXBOW67FX4vfY8L4kodSGfhBTJj2rCFhnjNBMDlQPoxGn4clkJrSzFmbiZiXGVYLar77oxsEb3KCOqL946X3XyOBO8df5tttnlbE6TgBGHz6Z3Qc96t0-B00GExRI/s400/P1020484.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel needed her paci for a bit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL5Gn5QjwhOIGSnF9VqsMIPGWtxwvWO97hwO6sLdCpBHayXCTXkgFggapHhFgQnkwm8eirplw3-4AwTCe5PcHPnM9xTb1GU8H5pp6rIxTiDbbZU9o96r1SENhA-vToe8C7UIARH_9IWE/s1600/P1020489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL5Gn5QjwhOIGSnF9VqsMIPGWtxwvWO97hwO6sLdCpBHayXCTXkgFggapHhFgQnkwm8eirplw3-4AwTCe5PcHPnM9xTb1GU8H5pp6rIxTiDbbZU9o96r1SENhA-vToe8C7UIARH_9IWE/s400/P1020489.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire Mackenzie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge05TjpjmGXAdxKQqIkSwLfO5yzAeKTBOwdHoVT6flOJsxl-9u8w_9DJH0Q4QhN6pfFSaIHRpa0pRqwISzg-rX2vWJu5mVFR5dolueHfRYnbXLpaFVuI5EoDX1lcnbFcdz0eDGWPOe3us/s1600/P1020491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge05TjpjmGXAdxKQqIkSwLfO5yzAeKTBOwdHoVT6flOJsxl-9u8w_9DJH0Q4QhN6pfFSaIHRpa0pRqwISzg-rX2vWJu5mVFR5dolueHfRYnbXLpaFVuI5EoDX1lcnbFcdz0eDGWPOe3us/s400/P1020491.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire syas "who, me??"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92Xvbu_rgVDe1RIUV_A3gUBsNh0ILjxVaDci_gxEGM3nEfZFJFABPZNz1qe0K7tKgf08HWuSU1-dSPyA0S9zA9dOZ_Ecr868DYbOPsrCVOnd7JiWmjSsctbrS5WeXf3BEd3r59pdxDyY/s1600/P1020494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92Xvbu_rgVDe1RIUV_A3gUBsNh0ILjxVaDci_gxEGM3nEfZFJFABPZNz1qe0K7tKgf08HWuSU1-dSPyA0S9zA9dOZ_Ecr868DYbOPsrCVOnd7JiWmjSsctbrS5WeXf3BEd3r59pdxDyY/s400/P1020494.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TWINS!!</td></tr>
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ps. annabel will be having her surgery july 22 to repair her hernia. i will hopefully be finding time to blog more often, but just in case, now you know! :)<br />
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i know it was quick...i will catch up more later!<br />
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blessings, ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-66316388503414677232013-05-15T22:43:00.000-05:002013-05-15T22:43:49.493-05:00Two peastwo peas in a pod? not my girls! they are very different from each other! its pretty funny actually. you have seen the pics, but every time we go to the doctor and strip them down it is just so much more evident. plus, annabel is my drama queen. that really showed through today during shots. (ps. shots are awful!!! i know all you moms know what i mean! i almost started crying today too!!)<br />
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so, as promised here are a few more pics and 2 month stats! i cant believe how much each of them has grown in just a few short weeks! i wish i could just stop time and keep them babies, but i know that i will love each stage of their growing up...well maybe not LOVE every thing in each stage, but you know what i mean. each will present its own trials and triumphs, but that is what will keep me on my toes! and with twins!! my life will never be dull again!<br />
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one last thing...thanks to my "village" who has helped me get the girls on a schedule this last week. from moms of multiples to singletons, each has been so encouraging and helpful...we are doing so much better now! its also so nice to have two healthy babies again! today was a great day, even with the shots, because we are finally on a good schedule!<br />
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sweet curious claire's stats at her 2 month check: weight 9.9 (11th percentile); height 21 1/2 inches (10th percentile); head 15 inches (50th percentile).<br />
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drama diva annabel's stats at her 2 month check: weight 11.8 (50th percentile); height 23 inches (75th percentile; head 15 1/4 inches (75th percentile).<br />
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so, claire is a peanut and annabel is a champ at packing it on!! :) remember, claire weighed 4.11 at birth and annabel weighed 5.9!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMtzI1tG7UeP3G7r1s8HSLDSzzfCNDf9gNZ19yPDvpwM1KLXLMtk0OHoKwbl7TtgATUTX0xQhMYHKM3Envt1juts9B7fNOgaO8aAak3I0HMusenJ_hcVzC4LTwVUPAXWVF16HcEPu_tE/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMtzI1tG7UeP3G7r1s8HSLDSzzfCNDf9gNZ19yPDvpwM1KLXLMtk0OHoKwbl7TtgATUTX0xQhMYHKM3Envt1juts9B7fNOgaO8aAak3I0HMusenJ_hcVzC4LTwVUPAXWVF16HcEPu_tE/s400/IMG_0138.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel on mothers day. love these sweet dresses from some friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukolrgsfNDxnu1OIC2TYKKMUQnZWg77FRGRgHA2Ah2y722kkuiAqT8UnlbETf6ETn2XEt1ivjOUDpfV0rBCNUqMCA27jNlZhoLMYPrpnJe5YtX_Yq6WqEPHImcoV2gONLS8Uq3rxSbmw/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukolrgsfNDxnu1OIC2TYKKMUQnZWg77FRGRgHA2Ah2y722kkuiAqT8UnlbETf6ETn2XEt1ivjOUDpfV0rBCNUqMCA27jNlZhoLMYPrpnJe5YtX_Yq6WqEPHImcoV2gONLS8Uq3rxSbmw/s400/IMG_0144.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">claire. and they were rocking their daisy sandals from ashley!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBA-dvM0Q9L07EbDup8KEp0o2YW95xezWE7wvwF0scONlKM2Fjkm7un1086-B2spV0t4szna7dBz7ucx603JHvvF0zrduKWpc-1uAlLxFirmHv1iH17tVeV95B-JBW2eJyCkG6t04cOk/s1600/IMG_0147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBA-dvM0Q9L07EbDup8KEp0o2YW95xezWE7wvwF0scONlKM2Fjkm7un1086-B2spV0t4szna7dBz7ucx603JHvvF0zrduKWpc-1uAlLxFirmHv1iH17tVeV95B-JBW2eJyCkG6t04cOk/s400/IMG_0147.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">claire and her make shift sleep mask today at nap time. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jaqMNpqTV2AUQBgSye3jXD2NMuCnZqMXQI2Qu5m1mjebivu3jDiaCCeb1phlcMWK1F555mDZ_sE9ARyjBtBQmKnvziAAboO75nQtAArp8kgNHjqim5kqEnuop14GwuZ8OWfjHAq9gnI/s1600/IMG_0157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jaqMNpqTV2AUQBgSye3jXD2NMuCnZqMXQI2Qu5m1mjebivu3jDiaCCeb1phlcMWK1F555mDZ_sE9ARyjBtBQmKnvziAAboO75nQtAArp8kgNHjqim5kqEnuop14GwuZ8OWfjHAq9gnI/s400/IMG_0157.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel has awesome amazing eyelashes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgievdHNJE9ED5r8trg_OOcZQasWhDXBk4a40pCgOTXOjDW37aHt22EogOaqK0pb-CPxKjr_sDgJxertViJRgOxCJlaYDJF1bwoorvp9mNn7MueQfabaKeJXB0d8o7UvBKycm6uQnerY34/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgievdHNJE9ED5r8trg_OOcZQasWhDXBk4a40pCgOTXOjDW37aHt22EogOaqK0pb-CPxKjr_sDgJxertViJRgOxCJlaYDJF1bwoorvp9mNn7MueQfabaKeJXB0d8o7UvBKycm6uQnerY34/s400/IMG_0158.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the girls were rocking head to toe vera bradley outfits today from mimi (my mom).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W-OYQg74W-UUHu7Ci7CRj0KVncYES5g-L24in_gTqzBsB1CbxBCyaAuXrAkwgzdB_D-nkqIsuuiFbuJ22ymoGWpRsviAZYz97EDctDHMOHyblib5SbrKlHmphec3pj_irIfq52NDUbU/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W-OYQg74W-UUHu7Ci7CRj0KVncYES5g-L24in_gTqzBsB1CbxBCyaAuXrAkwgzdB_D-nkqIsuuiFbuJ22ymoGWpRsviAZYz97EDctDHMOHyblib5SbrKlHmphec3pj_irIfq52NDUbU/s400/IMG_0159.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snoozing after shots</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD7MJUlhkWlfnx9q1kn_VfPotMDzZcpABSgrWbzMw06e1mwqPoLza9gJecGdp-zOnDN7HnvcQq3m-bIetYHNyAaZ1nnhC7zSYebaFMU1COyab89szfns4ZvyLwq3MbQksn-MBOtSigGw/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD7MJUlhkWlfnx9q1kn_VfPotMDzZcpABSgrWbzMw06e1mwqPoLza9gJecGdp-zOnDN7HnvcQq3m-bIetYHNyAaZ1nnhC7zSYebaFMU1COyab89szfns4ZvyLwq3MbQksn-MBOtSigGw/s400/IMG_0160.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dont even think about waking her up!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf2EF14Mydbx29vBECKGnDh4lskVKKgfDPEq_0_8CQ6BRkIgMvTjC0_4Q8cDUe2y_4S34S0bA6E33iQWdWAZ6TbbsXV1KXOYnKQSX9tAj5huOEEbwhjXfG6xqWjCYgkb7bSTRvOTdNjE/s1600/IMG_0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf2EF14Mydbx29vBECKGnDh4lskVKKgfDPEq_0_8CQ6BRkIgMvTjC0_4Q8cDUe2y_4S34S0bA6E33iQWdWAZ6TbbsXV1KXOYnKQSX9tAj5huOEEbwhjXfG6xqWjCYgkb7bSTRvOTdNjE/s400/IMG_0162.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">awesome hair claire!!<br /><br />the following are from our 2 month pictures. the first three are claire and then 3 of annabel. i think the crying pictures are so funny!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trying to get both together is hard! good enough!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was at the doctors office today. really shows how much bigger annabel is compared to claire. can you believe these girls are twins??!!?? i love them both so much!!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Psalm 89:1 "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">blessings, ALo</span></span><br />
<br />ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-1742325442973846052013-05-13T22:40:00.000-05:002013-05-13T22:40:51.900-05:00Mothers Day 2013i couldnt post yesterday. i was pretty tired. but thanks to my amazing husband (and babies, if you ask him) i was totally spoiled! peter helped in a huge way during the night by taking care of claire! all of her feedings and diaper changes, which was amazing because the girls somehow got way off schedule from each other! i woke up to feed annabel and found some amazing gifts from the girls! daddy helped them pick out a monogram necklace with the girls initials, and a kate spade pendant and earrings. so sweet! the gifts along with cards were in their bassinets. we took it easy that morning, sleeping in and what not...we went to church saturday night (sunday morning is still a little hard to get all of us ready, fed, bathed, and to church on time). i wanted brunch at a new breakfast place in town so we headed over there. the wait was crazy, but it all worked out because we were able to feed the girls while we waited. after lunch we went home to hang out and eventually went to some freinds' house out in the country. it was a great day of relaxing and enjoying our new family of four.<br />
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i, of course, couldnt help but think of my last two mothers days. i couldnt help but think of Charlotte. i miss her so much. i think about her all the time. i wonder which of the twins would look like her. i wonder if she would be a helpful big sister or more of the jealous type. i wonder what our lives would be like with a two year old and twins...well, i know what it would be like...it would be chaotic. but i also now know that Charlotte was SUPER sick. i mean, i have always known that, but when i look at my twins and i think about all the things Charlotte was facing/would have dealt with, it is just so overwhelming. Charlotte will always be our precious, perfect little baby, but i can say with full knowledge that God knew what He was doing, even though i still miss her so much!<br />
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i know that mother's day is hard for so many women. my heart ached for them yesterday. women who have lost their mothers. women who have lost their children, their babies. women who have lost hope of having children. women who have had to say good bye to too many things much too early. my heart aches for them. some of these women are friends of mine, family of mine. and i, unfortunately, know that there is nothing i can say to ease that pain, especially if this is the first mothers day after loss. but, does it ever really change for them? this mothers day was different for me this year because i was allowed to be celebrated. i had two babies to carry around. but not everyone can do that, many of them felt the same way i have the last two years and that hurts my heart. <u><i><b>but</b></i></u> they are still mothers. i like what my "fake mom", Caroline, posted:<br />
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"<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">For EVERY woman today, a mother or not.... realizing women of all ages and stages of life may be experiencing different feelings today for various reasons.... YOU ARE LOVED, and your life is valuable and important in the lives of others. Many women who are not mother's have spoken immensely into my life, and the lives of others, and I am grateful to God for your life. . . . YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made! You are DEARLY LOVED! </span><i class="_4-k1 img sp_c7zwpc sx_86a0bf" style="background-color: white; background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/kpVQGAPnpSw.png); background-position: 0px -2129px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 27px 4413px; color: #37404e; display: inline-block; height: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> </span><i class="_4-k1 img sp_c7zwpc sx_86a0bf" style="background-color: white; background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/kpVQGAPnpSw.png); background-position: 0px -2129px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 27px 4413px; color: #37404e; display: inline-block; height: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> Psalm 139:14"</span></span></div>
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i know that i am behind in posting 2 months photos. i am waiting until wednesday when we see the doctor for their visit...i will have their weight and height, etc. it got pushed back a week because we wanted to give the girls a chance to get over all their sicknesses before giving them shots, etc. so, i will post that this week :) </div>
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here are a few pics from when peter's family was here the end of april and a few of me with my girls on mothers day and 2 collage pics to show how much our girls look just like us!! :) plus just a few others from here and there. enjoy! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fCg99x3qm8K8zP0F-a2nGp4S3aU_iQ4tF7jE7z1qzyA61g_rmFIRFF8ORv0Wrg_6ezacNNbq4NfnJwZ5yjMU7wXVfV6rDIzoCrqMMSldaX05Tz7v7a0z6FWwyH8cFpxpzDOVw74e-ck/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fCg99x3qm8K8zP0F-a2nGp4S3aU_iQ4tF7jE7z1qzyA61g_rmFIRFF8ORv0Wrg_6ezacNNbq4NfnJwZ5yjMU7wXVfV6rDIzoCrqMMSldaX05Tz7v7a0z6FWwyH8cFpxpzDOVw74e-ck/s400/IMG_0030.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">casual in their jeans and tshirts. annabel on left, claire right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4BlXAwJZLkyMC1lhw-tUbUa1nCfcvMLGKtxxLsbcma5cNsmtkoAM4M-MLLq99jRofmB23a0bTOKTI-B-utkxVMwFe-DZH12FH_UK1CNOgYvfQF3JAg22JPmahM5ipZjMuBbCHcMOJk8/s1600/IMG_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4BlXAwJZLkyMC1lhw-tUbUa1nCfcvMLGKtxxLsbcma5cNsmtkoAM4M-MLLq99jRofmB23a0bTOKTI-B-utkxVMwFe-DZH12FH_UK1CNOgYvfQF3JAg22JPmahM5ipZjMuBbCHcMOJk8/s400/IMG_0044.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">claire all swaddled up at nap time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddcXpUUyKEtZ-FSFCs7XprhrESV1PvncWRIgQdMtMQWDa_ibj1k9N5r7dnRXV3IPrCXGdDQTIeMPQH3Y4kpOStEXgIAmgWoNvqAz0q6bOEDl13yvan33y4UTYk41559rSpnl1Q6iwk5s/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddcXpUUyKEtZ-FSFCs7XprhrESV1PvncWRIgQdMtMQWDa_ibj1k9N5r7dnRXV3IPrCXGdDQTIeMPQH3Y4kpOStEXgIAmgWoNvqAz0q6bOEDl13yvan33y4UTYk41559rSpnl1Q6iwk5s/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel was having a good dream</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWcMCwxhWyoFik9LPcH7kQqBhSDZgC-IJ3VoVTR_ovVyk5Irym1S3BW0UJvVvnCMCOG-ObW9eaRWuUOcBrfWfh0KxHFnRb4Ok5xLjdbHIGhaKpkGgywSuEcms_F1whHFIqAoHmscG7_4/s1600/IMG_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWcMCwxhWyoFik9LPcH7kQqBhSDZgC-IJ3VoVTR_ovVyk5Irym1S3BW0UJvVvnCMCOG-ObW9eaRWuUOcBrfWfh0KxHFnRb4Ok5xLjdbHIGhaKpkGgywSuEcms_F1whHFIqAoHmscG7_4/s400/IMG_0049.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lol, claire was obviously totally relaxed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMJRoSXkJjK7UpemnN2-pylbz22wrrEz7bfHJ8PzvfljScaXNPkS64WOzbRR299HHgIBtORHuhL8FngVJpWeNoDRUSRyYdiDOEy_hTIBLYDserVi7oren44qj72gjAxhPIHwYNfS8yso/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMJRoSXkJjK7UpemnN2-pylbz22wrrEz7bfHJ8PzvfljScaXNPkS64WOzbRR299HHgIBtORHuhL8FngVJpWeNoDRUSRyYdiDOEy_hTIBLYDserVi7oren44qj72gjAxhPIHwYNfS8yso/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">claire may not have been loving the ruffles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzpmpGDReeewEo3ApyfNo3V9UTaPFANDF2SfALHx_nzdUkACreZhc3V0rUq_ns4WQk_qtwlJKVDzj_hTGpFKgdPnTpeSotfeG15GGo-hbNAsjTkSlLhdyNLImsRTrG90SLwc0sfypDYc/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzpmpGDReeewEo3ApyfNo3V9UTaPFANDF2SfALHx_nzdUkACreZhc3V0rUq_ns4WQk_qtwlJKVDzj_hTGpFKgdPnTpeSotfeG15GGo-hbNAsjTkSlLhdyNLImsRTrG90SLwc0sfypDYc/s400/IMG_0058.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel wasnt sure either</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HiBgeCQy1Hf0ASDjmCtH-sZJV1MDZRIcE_iT-U_tDyp6uFRg4bAWZQx30pB97v32VfLxplKLiZbopOaahq5EiBQHnQnq4NZgIcldE8ALmvhixz9j-MfvVOU7_MApf4twQ8CrbufJD3A/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HiBgeCQy1Hf0ASDjmCtH-sZJV1MDZRIcE_iT-U_tDyp6uFRg4bAWZQx30pB97v32VfLxplKLiZbopOaahq5EiBQHnQnq4NZgIcldE8ALmvhixz9j-MfvVOU7_MApf4twQ8CrbufJD3A/s400/IMG_0069.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all ready for bed! they wanted to sleep with mom and dad!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pmIVVXfDGdQFtzo_hASUDeT5PhxbV-u7QRmf7YotF0ZuMMmCriEb6V_jlO-4rcNeepfjP_ZiIfkWbdlRB5kelsENs2OFLNlV0eAMDza4BkexQddXggVAawSmRM-HyV9EgYDdCATzs4A/s1600/IMG_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pmIVVXfDGdQFtzo_hASUDeT5PhxbV-u7QRmf7YotF0ZuMMmCriEb6V_jlO-4rcNeepfjP_ZiIfkWbdlRB5kelsENs2OFLNlV0eAMDza4BkexQddXggVAawSmRM-HyV9EgYDdCATzs4A/s400/IMG_0073.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty sure those socks are 1/3 of her body! lol </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwg95L1wCyMDQSETBAYKYSie8TZnSNcMa4Uh-FOihf4YaR2tuZas_4b3IOb9XLVPgE0RAm0Gw8MxBwUWNOqzdNJwpY8I9TFDeC-e6y1CQKuIdTo3vOJ67eM8XRdCZ4WX9PlmtwMJ4ZGY/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwg95L1wCyMDQSETBAYKYSie8TZnSNcMa4Uh-FOihf4YaR2tuZas_4b3IOb9XLVPgE0RAm0Gw8MxBwUWNOqzdNJwpY8I9TFDeC-e6y1CQKuIdTo3vOJ67eM8XRdCZ4WX9PlmtwMJ4ZGY/s400/IMG_0075.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel's fit a little better</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsivc4WD5cl_Qo1cy5sl9McggalGGnZoWWmVJVnPmmCgDIXGDR2mH0uni33hZlPC25H4kde9Vfvi8Aypyc6ZTWxnPO2G5yOdLbF2xZ2lOkYpaWtUYYkGKh5q-2YgLGMwpOuHSGXY6MkE/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsivc4WD5cl_Qo1cy5sl9McggalGGnZoWWmVJVnPmmCgDIXGDR2mH0uni33hZlPC25H4kde9Vfvi8Aypyc6ZTWxnPO2G5yOdLbF2xZ2lOkYpaWtUYYkGKh5q-2YgLGMwpOuHSGXY6MkE/s400/IMG_0079.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mothers day gift from claire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5STALa6a-c6m-mcTmtkG_BZxlR09nHHoOgr-TFud1_IMHAeXODYH_WOgtMvmXGqYEzoMxOOIdKHH6WGpACI29fHNkR-HSIkvYxwd6KHNQ2fqXsKrP1YAfst142yFjAw2XW5ETMZnM_0Q/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5STALa6a-c6m-mcTmtkG_BZxlR09nHHoOgr-TFud1_IMHAeXODYH_WOgtMvmXGqYEzoMxOOIdKHH6WGpACI29fHNkR-HSIkvYxwd6KHNQ2fqXsKrP1YAfst142yFjAw2XW5ETMZnM_0Q/s400/IMG_0080.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mothers day gift from annabel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp9nuHlCcnWCiHGxvuJxGuQpAeurM4lTx5OzQ3ila8YgmBEM9iVuYf-ozmS-t-XTVpM8D7JKhOaXe9G4IM2m-zL7_q7QfoBcw3WqKobwau2kNqcORmApYsW5axMTB1jcLiLHc6PL9x_Q/s1600/IMG_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp9nuHlCcnWCiHGxvuJxGuQpAeurM4lTx5OzQ3ila8YgmBEM9iVuYf-ozmS-t-XTVpM8D7JKhOaXe9G4IM2m-zL7_q7QfoBcw3WqKobwau2kNqcORmApYsW5axMTB1jcLiLHc6PL9x_Q/s400/IMG_0064.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">claire was rocking daddy's shades while we waited for brunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxlsFrZgm7G9oZmJRIVOByZ43cukdRKLsUuOb_S7ve9jW0_n5ZRs3JBNkXOMyy7YPgtdMgedkNNYfqB8w8zUszaGF5vfZP3xzzXUyaobgZunoE0BS_WZLxky6px8MVbF9ZAhOWHLo7tw/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxlsFrZgm7G9oZmJRIVOByZ43cukdRKLsUuOb_S7ve9jW0_n5ZRs3JBNkXOMyy7YPgtdMgedkNNYfqB8w8zUszaGF5vfZP3xzzXUyaobgZunoE0BS_WZLxky6px8MVbF9ZAhOWHLo7tw/s400/IMG_0099.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so precious! love you, claire! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dKVzJzqJP2HtsG-4VdmN7ZH_tKEXubHdCE-AnaZUFm3iw0MRcwDFcfIi5PdjCLvWVDAJpGZy3AZff0Htz9pKjixyHayTcU0KIrzh-f2YF6nuTrW89wSOVdSccniHdTdSQQ6DL501l-s/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dKVzJzqJP2HtsG-4VdmN7ZH_tKEXubHdCE-AnaZUFm3iw0MRcwDFcfIi5PdjCLvWVDAJpGZy3AZff0Htz9pKjixyHayTcU0KIrzh-f2YF6nuTrW89wSOVdSccniHdTdSQQ6DL501l-s/s400/IMG_0122.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i am on the left and annabel is on the right. we are twins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1YqWj1pTsurR_S1MNpz2lsAcqhmBvGsF4kjk4g-HK2TYfO3LdE-NYd_NBTGawcvh-qIwrCTrYf9xZVWgCEwbVrxY-djLtTfaDIUrYxVfuE2R8ucxE_Zm2_VXuZgcUvVPig5HVw3teNg/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1YqWj1pTsurR_S1MNpz2lsAcqhmBvGsF4kjk4g-HK2TYfO3LdE-NYd_NBTGawcvh-qIwrCTrYf9xZVWgCEwbVrxY-djLtTfaDIUrYxVfuE2R8ucxE_Zm2_VXuZgcUvVPig5HVw3teNg/s400/IMG_0126.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peter is on the left, claire is on the right! twins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZIvCS-FG3DFlQiq2mL6e7rQGo1NNNLd-CoveW12HMq2uJpYVR85iKac6BRSWHMl_OG8hPfTBALGs88-GwDmyA3mPNCXxdPp_efj2ArZd2CPfWZ-W97IO6eIg4HunZQaZdVHnxiruMTQ/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZIvCS-FG3DFlQiq2mL6e7rQGo1NNNLd-CoveW12HMq2uJpYVR85iKac6BRSWHMl_OG8hPfTBALGs88-GwDmyA3mPNCXxdPp_efj2ArZd2CPfWZ-W97IO6eIg4HunZQaZdVHnxiruMTQ/s400/IMG_1855.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">claire looks good in vera bradley!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAJB_dGGyFxZgSNoWSfzsRs4hrpu2gab_wR45rE_agkf3mhnLcAqRvEa_b0B-LrageJpYZdjEsG_MR4y-EVW8PVC1D0iC1s5MZ5-6xSjIQKgx4KNnOvMHuLCaI5pEpg56Pc7oFFy4WhY/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAJB_dGGyFxZgSNoWSfzsRs4hrpu2gab_wR45rE_agkf3mhnLcAqRvEa_b0B-LrageJpYZdjEsG_MR4y-EVW8PVC1D0iC1s5MZ5-6xSjIQKgx4KNnOvMHuLCaI5pEpg56Pc7oFFy4WhY/s400/IMG_1856.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so does annabel! starting them young!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkJld-5-y5Q6Hwj5u5GtMrlyNufGGjrvjeoL8uBHQLisLNmfgeeCuqmcUYG36SxsNTejzn8G-N2L9xfIJcbVLgPnL74QVLl2DFJaFzVadVMvKvM-PCFJPfxGJCTWCSubHDfpvHILxxlc/s1600/IMG_2135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkJld-5-y5Q6Hwj5u5GtMrlyNufGGjrvjeoL8uBHQLisLNmfgeeCuqmcUYG36SxsNTejzn8G-N2L9xfIJcbVLgPnL74QVLl2DFJaFzVadVMvKvM-PCFJPfxGJCTWCSubHDfpvHILxxlc/s400/IMG_2135.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel was so alert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PQXC_Dd-beUvA8n9T6tg3hooLdb0xrjTDccXg0J_czhYJYaX-iF3ayvHXwHe-twi8Lspqs_t9ONh47cga8qYg0dFh_RJYA-hTn-cAUBBBAiBW76mXRUl0SiSaL-rt58A_qPjBosuRh8/s1600/IMG_2136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PQXC_Dd-beUvA8n9T6tg3hooLdb0xrjTDccXg0J_czhYJYaX-iF3ayvHXwHe-twi8Lspqs_t9ONh47cga8qYg0dFh_RJYA-hTn-cAUBBBAiBW76mXRUl0SiSaL-rt58A_qPjBosuRh8/s400/IMG_2136.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">claire may have been mid cough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q80Mep_36GSLFNLCRKkdir4-y7L13WuOt1R1r3TkgIp2DxUGMLDT4sVPDuP7PK9cxI_I2l8Gr8yyyExFtlos7exIADrx5TwLKhBiGRF9x4lVHJzUt-CDEHL3I11FsXPHbDe1yhPxWHM/s1600/P1020024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q80Mep_36GSLFNLCRKkdir4-y7L13WuOt1R1r3TkgIp2DxUGMLDT4sVPDuP7PK9cxI_I2l8Gr8yyyExFtlos7exIADrx5TwLKhBiGRF9x4lVHJzUt-CDEHL3I11FsXPHbDe1yhPxWHM/s400/P1020024.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">aunt laura, mom with annabel, dad with claire, grandpa </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Fd8l9boFBN-xCkvEPXgN8IEBxeCIQda1ZxDw37pILGZbMKTcLBDXAEb-etfdDrZ5sOObHKPPbESRZrMtHWr7OdY7Vc9JkPOU8Lwn9A2eRIckSa7pri4HnJ5zUy3Xkz_KH0ZRGRXmE1A/s1600/P1020028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Fd8l9boFBN-xCkvEPXgN8IEBxeCIQda1ZxDw37pILGZbMKTcLBDXAEb-etfdDrZ5sOObHKPPbESRZrMtHWr7OdY7Vc9JkPOU8Lwn9A2eRIckSa7pri4HnJ5zUy3Xkz_KH0ZRGRXmE1A/s400/P1020028.jpg" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the LOtwins love their aunt Laura</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1d2qFup-ZilrIXo4bCBgtaperTPFF1MQPK0e-H6I_2SlS8y9lUmvRozZXcvbgvFGQ84ifLg77-KzqYxmJtaT6aqQfVN2LR9u-u6K-js34rAkn5dE5mTcESHjbBGiEIrt_IuZOM65Z0zE/s1600/P1020029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1d2qFup-ZilrIXo4bCBgtaperTPFF1MQPK0e-H6I_2SlS8y9lUmvRozZXcvbgvFGQ84ifLg77-KzqYxmJtaT6aqQfVN2LR9u-u6K-js34rAkn5dE5mTcESHjbBGiEIrt_IuZOM65Z0zE/s400/P1020029.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">babies and grandpa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dlBMkL7Goosq_NpK0zyvZJG5qgfI_uQwo6yPD-XTwD4tXiWl0mXynfAgVSzGWYTSgFrH3AX2lDTWlzGllwI6X4c-f56C-TFtmm5yaBTDw_Id7IPCVsthwM50MazOQYMP9-Djn093N7k/s1600/P1020141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dlBMkL7Goosq_NpK0zyvZJG5qgfI_uQwo6yPD-XTwD4tXiWl0mXynfAgVSzGWYTSgFrH3AX2lDTWlzGllwI6X4c-f56C-TFtmm5yaBTDw_Id7IPCVsthwM50MazOQYMP9-Djn093N7k/s400/P1020141.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mom, this sun is too bright!!! (ps. i remember saying this to my mom ALL the time growing up!!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QRIpNYJRTcrCTXc8J2Vxc9-WGmLHMyTee31X_I4wUfl8xCnHsCA1MEEk6AZYJ65v0pcOL8KBEwVcg-kHj8lXXjthxiN_Z9AtO8HqHsjDi5hTACjEdcZHWRznmOwQhiE0MLihcUi10vo/s1600/P1020143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QRIpNYJRTcrCTXc8J2Vxc9-WGmLHMyTee31X_I4wUfl8xCnHsCA1MEEk6AZYJ65v0pcOL8KBEwVcg-kHj8lXXjthxiN_Z9AtO8HqHsjDi5hTACjEdcZHWRznmOwQhiE0MLihcUi10vo/s400/P1020143.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel smiling for me!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzM67VUOv9bhSqexLGr449L4U6wU_M1V2NosfBZpFW0RSHMyH2thHVH007_E46zb0pA7IZdz7poz3SVmM6_h1CoQ7Jfr9B2LiHLepX8EYFifVbimm7JDQU46yDKroHoZhf_cyk5XMaAw/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzM67VUOv9bhSqexLGr449L4U6wU_M1V2NosfBZpFW0RSHMyH2thHVH007_E46zb0pA7IZdz7poz3SVmM6_h1CoQ7Jfr9B2LiHLepX8EYFifVbimm7JDQU46yDKroHoZhf_cyk5XMaAw/s400/IMG_0088.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snuggles on mothers day with annabel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEr8S3L7mmrAXl9vr6zzZbS5ES9KVCOjdAlXekOTawaTnYUxM_QrUZhigVuGU-NtrACLtArz8HGMUjaxzmq8mC7WO02w1TvTfRCljgbQsCQar6ifCVzARje0tlTRUx5GN5qv3gsesO30/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEr8S3L7mmrAXl9vr6zzZbS5ES9KVCOjdAlXekOTawaTnYUxM_QrUZhigVuGU-NtrACLtArz8HGMUjaxzmq8mC7WO02w1TvTfRCljgbQsCQar6ifCVzARje0tlTRUx5GN5qv3gsesO30/s400/IMG_0100.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bed time kisses from claire on mothers day</td></tr>
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blessings, ALo</div>
ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-32899548342229182342013-05-08T22:23:00.002-05:002013-05-08T22:23:26.286-05:00Hardthe past few weeks have been a little bit hard. not that i thought this whole parenting thing would be easy all of the time, but there are some things that i may not have thought of/considered/known.<br />
<br />
my girls have been sick. nothing horrible or life threatening (thank God, i am not sure i could do that again). just normal stuff, but in a baby everything is exaggerated. and why are my newborns getting sick? probably because i hate to sit at home and mostly because i love to show them off. all of which means that they have been exposed to people and places. not always a good thing. i feel really bad now, knowing that i could have prevented some of this!! i have told you that annabel had an ear infection and they both were congested. and i have told you that annabel has a hernia (not my fault). but now claire has croup!! great! croup is scary...the cough, the weezing, the sad look on her face because she just doesnt feel good. even her skin color looked off for two days. now, i am not some crazy lady that just takes her kid to the doctor for every little thing, but i am also not going to sit at home if/when i think they can help me. so, after lots of research and talking to a few nurse friends, i took claire in this monday to see the doctor. they gave her a steroid in hopes of relaxing her airway. i also took her in because she had projectile vomited all over me. not just a little spit up, not just like, "hey mom, this doesnt taste good so i am going to spit it out." nope, all over the place kinda thing. and of course i had just taken a shower and blow dried my hair!! lol. but what got me a little worried was that it was plenty of time after her feeding to not do that, plus she was not upset and had not been coughing. they said that yes, there was a stomach thing going around so i needed to watch her. but thankfully it didnt happen again...until tonight.<br />
<br />
claire seems to be getting better and not having as many issues with croup, but for whatever reason tonight all of her feeding came up again. this time i think it was a gas bubble's fault, not any type of sickness. peter is out for a guys night at the baseball stadium, so of course, things have not been nearly as easy as when he is here! annabel was screaming and claire was trying to eat. i sat her down on her boppy while i picked up annabel. while holding annabel and feeding claire propped up on the hoppy, 3 oz suddenly started hitting my lap, the couch, the boppy and all over little claire. screaming annabel came out unscathed. lol. funny thing is, as soon as it was all out, claire just sat there like nothing was going on! i kinda panicked. i had just texted my friend a few minutes before and told her that she should have come over while our hubbies were out (she has 3 boys and loves to hold my girls, but tonight one of her boys needed to be chauffeured around town). ironic...i think i must have jinxed myself by texting her. anyway, i called my sweet neighbor next door and she came right over!! christi and tim are so sweet and have always been very generous in helping us with anything and everything. as soon as she walked in, i handed annabel off to be soothed/rocked and i started running a bath for claire. after just 10 min things were good...both girls were falling asleep, so (like the books say), we put them in their beds to soothe themselves to sleep. well, it has been almost an hour and annabel is still screaming. claire is awake, but just hanging out. ugh!!! at this rate, annabel will be screaming in time to start her next feeding. oh wait...i just gave her the pacifier and she hasnt peeped for the last 2 min.<br />
<br />
this cry it out thing is kinda hard! i am waiting 10 min to give the pacifier to her. she will hold it for about 30 seconds before loosing it again. she gets several good screams/cries in, will catch her breath and relax for about 15 then start in again. oh...she is at it again! i am trying to follow the tips from the book "healthy sleep habits, happy twins". its nice because there are different methods/options to helping the babies and the parents, but none of them seem to be easy! and my girls are so different so they dont need the same thing. all of this bed time drama has really been wearing on me the last few nights. i have been so busy during the day that by "bed time" (usually 9ish pm) i am ready for bed too. the crying grates on the few nerves i have left. peter has been awesome and super helpful by taking care of the soothing at night, but i still hear it. and tonight he is not here. so, instead of making bottles, or starting puke laundry, or draining a bath, or taking care of the messy table, i am sitting in my dark room typing and getting up every 10 min to try to not talk to my screaming kid while giving her what she doesn't want. yep...a little overwhelming!! the books "say" this could take 4 nights, but in most cases with twins, more like a week. and i am not even sure i should even worry about it...i mean in just two weeks we are going to be in michigan and then we will have annabel's surgery...sleep schedules will be totally messed up. but i am praying i will be wrong. i am praying that by struggling through the sicknesses and struggling through the screaming fits, that my girls will have it under control!! :)<br />
<br />
sorry this is not the best post ever. tomorrow i will post about their last month (crazy to think they are already 2 months old tomorrow) and some cute pics! for now i am done...its been a hard few days, but i am still so thankful for what i have and who i have!!<br />
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blessings, ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-48156387310947621622013-05-01T21:15:00.001-05:002013-05-01T21:15:04.793-05:00oh man!i am typing this one handed...my other is rocking annabel...my drama queen. i have tried several times to sit down and blog but between two babies, company, lots of laundry, and pure exhaustion it has been hard!<br />
<br />
things are good. crazy and really hard sometimes, but good. i am still only getting sleep in about 2 hour stretches. the girls are getting better!!! we went for a follow up doctor visit today...all four ears look good. claire has a slight dry cough, but her lungs and heart sounded good, so they are not concerned right now. i just have to keep an eye on it. they are new meds for the thrush...it was not getting better fast enough on the first medication. i also had the PA look at annabel...i was concerned that she had an inguinal hernia. unfortunately, i was right. :( so, we are being referred to a pediatric surgeon. thankfully, she is not in any pain, but it is a large hernia and needs to be remedied sooner rather than later. i almost had a breakdown in the office. i am glad that i realized what was going on, but i am so sad thinking that my baby may need surgery! the hernia doesnt seem to be bothering annabel at all...she is gaining weight like crazy. as of today's appointment annabel weighed 9 pounds 14 ounces. claire is a little peanut comparatively, she weighed 8 pounds dead on. yep, that is almost 2 pounds difference!!<br />
<br />
so, we are still here...we are surviving, even thriving most days!<br />
<br />
i couldnt do this without my "village" helping me! thank God for my village, both near and far!!<br />
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here are a few pics!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwpDlt1MzXmjvd3NTTtTEXFmkmeH6IPKJNWiLGK2268pKO_qIFGanmp0mePVa9uE6OE1KOZChdREeS-gvoWs4qtArPju8JvHUXMAqWH81etA3lhLy2y4CD8o7P8JvIhBy6-OJxDZ7-fA/s1600/IMG_1785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwpDlt1MzXmjvd3NTTtTEXFmkmeH6IPKJNWiLGK2268pKO_qIFGanmp0mePVa9uE6OE1KOZChdREeS-gvoWs4qtArPju8JvHUXMAqWH81etA3lhLy2y4CD8o7P8JvIhBy6-OJxDZ7-fA/s400/IMG_1785.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire was serious about our coffee time together! :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGRLX6P2QBMDuuLg1cBCZdMJZdcArynHCEFbs2BwdAYaj9WR5A8BI1JW7NHLT-lpfdS_Bz1KuQVgErPeXbto2p99TnahpYQIwVb8kbbIOfrV7G067rigb6QrrMniV9B2gezwoFBxz30w/s1600/IMG_1796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGRLX6P2QBMDuuLg1cBCZdMJZdcArynHCEFbs2BwdAYaj9WR5A8BI1JW7NHLT-lpfdS_Bz1KuQVgErPeXbto2p99TnahpYQIwVb8kbbIOfrV7G067rigb6QrrMniV9B2gezwoFBxz30w/s400/IMG_1796.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were out shopping and Annabel wanted to say hi to her daddy!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01ggIXxqI_2CBr_Yj-Mc2wO6PDmLZdhLSBXH70VRyiV0xhH3uw2tURGo4aRic8N9gICvAfhbCRCYrLoeuN4K2RV2LKPg9P-DxeaMssmCwuTDdVG_9if5WKh9decwLfv3OKYW_9cA8OvA/s1600/IMG_1837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01ggIXxqI_2CBr_Yj-Mc2wO6PDmLZdhLSBXH70VRyiV0xhH3uw2tURGo4aRic8N9gICvAfhbCRCYrLoeuN4K2RV2LKPg9P-DxeaMssmCwuTDdVG_9if5WKh9decwLfv3OKYW_9cA8OvA/s400/IMG_1837.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby eyelashes. love!! (this is annabel)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUGJD9S63wSATzBDJcnpcynWn2vk4ZV0Z4Ksxz1oyJm1PVA6UlScJnchQQe-gM4tGErCMbDT3VU8mAByEjF9FrZ27knh67aQW6SmDsBxA_zImfWcg1rTE5VySdjFSd-BrdvXETPWRo3s/s1600/IMG_1801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUGJD9S63wSATzBDJcnpcynWn2vk4ZV0Z4Ksxz1oyJm1PVA6UlScJnchQQe-gM4tGErCMbDT3VU8mAByEjF9FrZ27knh67aQW6SmDsBxA_zImfWcg1rTE5VySdjFSd-BrdvXETPWRo3s/s400/IMG_1801.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i got to hang with my friend, Rachel, saturday night at church (i am volunteering with the middle school students) i cant wait to meet baby Ezra in just a few weeks (rach is due the end of june)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhpnKky5VO_TktLnypRaXOezIsahNUW6NGk_87XGa3Edd2TwdBABDMgxVAd_ke2St6AICxxhec2Hrsj_gZFQ2Den97LleFvKxCMAaXr3GFUgfuErcSrhgzG9g6cqTw6WkEKRw-ECNCOQ/s1600/IMG_1807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhpnKky5VO_TktLnypRaXOezIsahNUW6NGk_87XGa3Edd2TwdBABDMgxVAd_ke2St6AICxxhec2Hrsj_gZFQ2Den97LleFvKxCMAaXr3GFUgfuErcSrhgzG9g6cqTw6WkEKRw-ECNCOQ/s400/IMG_1807.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">awww...daddy and his mini me, claire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyT5Lgz6wiegEve82oAMKjCOnQkZylQhY78kTYVeqlvOU-3LHXyHSsTL5AvjG0Eh_us_AbQenegtrk5E3JrP4gEnhXy6SgN1XVvPrl4nu77C89I-Faio_K6o8MVBM1ZBbV-ZdvEZNyq0/s1600/IMG_1814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyT5Lgz6wiegEve82oAMKjCOnQkZylQhY78kTYVeqlvOU-3LHXyHSsTL5AvjG0Eh_us_AbQenegtrk5E3JrP4gEnhXy6SgN1XVvPrl4nu77C89I-Faio_K6o8MVBM1ZBbV-ZdvEZNyq0/s400/IMG_1814.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peanut claire and her hooded towel. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNCTuM_cuIPvn8z-Ok2VAWG-QrkNDXi34QKfzjao6LBNUpk_EyVbbCfzSyoWGkFrmapOuzArGKonpty_5ugTKsUXY5OSubSU9iV93k8lutbXOgdDtcs3YNUfmEwxNZNOWgSXwD_bSsHk/s1600/IMG_1817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNCTuM_cuIPvn8z-Ok2VAWG-QrkNDXi34QKfzjao6LBNUpk_EyVbbCfzSyoWGkFrmapOuzArGKonpty_5ugTKsUXY5OSubSU9iV93k8lutbXOgdDtcs3YNUfmEwxNZNOWgSXwD_bSsHk/s400/IMG_1817.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chunky monkey annabel!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCzYOtgBxJyjn_CeWjCI0TqazdSFhtOxomrifhHVyw-NAlwLlOBC8fwUDB2GFPMUMALz6BqKqBD9As4G4PP_Mt5A2WEYm2pFKOF9DoeDb0CnMzDyCb3HAPKcTmx9kJfSkAiihdt_63E0/s1600/IMG_1826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCzYOtgBxJyjn_CeWjCI0TqazdSFhtOxomrifhHVyw-NAlwLlOBC8fwUDB2GFPMUMALz6BqKqBD9As4G4PP_Mt5A2WEYm2pFKOF9DoeDb0CnMzDyCb3HAPKcTmx9kJfSkAiihdt_63E0/s400/IMG_1826.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i was giving claire a bottle and annabel just HAD to be touching me, so she found my elbow and tucked her hand under it and fell right to sleep. momma's girl!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNLpPTypqemn3Gqd-UKPpJmDFV0JC7mpwD7m0_ny6akdDR2qByTFoW1wNerwJDmUCoz4U4UBIlLIwMYwQxKjO8d6a7HKrze-vwqPtWc3jGSCIfS2BJ874Y6KcwQP9pvXTWGG1kk_UZ_o/s1600/IMG_2098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNLpPTypqemn3Gqd-UKPpJmDFV0JC7mpwD7m0_ny6akdDR2qByTFoW1wNerwJDmUCoz4U4UBIlLIwMYwQxKjO8d6a7HKrze-vwqPtWc3jGSCIfS2BJ874Y6KcwQP9pvXTWGG1kk_UZ_o/s400/IMG_2098.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lol. this is from just a little bit ago. claire loved to be basically naked, watch out!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFJMK9MRaJKq8WmpgKxKZXg4Uep0kGsmmyk-31oyzxgVx1P59_SMulLO9JHHOq844SUL0OdvFxsnDCwXiea9xw_XA9kLceinS2LUSb1XDLAJKHKbmIVkwS_a84ocOQde7uM2ns66JOfc/s1600/IMG_2095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFJMK9MRaJKq8WmpgKxKZXg4Uep0kGsmmyk-31oyzxgVx1P59_SMulLO9JHHOq844SUL0OdvFxsnDCwXiea9xw_XA9kLceinS2LUSb1XDLAJKHKbmIVkwS_a84ocOQde7uM2ns66JOfc/s400/IMG_2095.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel fits just right in her daddy's arms!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoa6Kix08W1Z1XLWQmUozfnvhyphenhyphenwTkeoLrIiiMC5rKQ-he35DFjGusL8Mq6eVOcNjJizaKpFi7_gO5fyT-xBcGeHZL1eTdl0ACmDAETe3tgQpoNYV3YKZN5fY5yV9nJadT2IYvenaf37c/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoa6Kix08W1Z1XLWQmUozfnvhyphenhyphenwTkeoLrIiiMC5rKQ-he35DFjGusL8Mq6eVOcNjJizaKpFi7_gO5fyT-xBcGeHZL1eTdl0ACmDAETe3tgQpoNYV3YKZN5fY5yV9nJadT2IYvenaf37c/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was me the sunday (not quite a week) before the girls were born (3/3/13).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK50hFXrW0OKkhi3SjZRE693y4tZ5zhoXoFczYg_cfGK6OW5zLDzOSrt7eAgAwx8Zgs8QuvGHx_4Oj2NqpAe-yAb97tnuYAO8zK8uLG8qtYh4dgT3NCuENR_Bg7Xs67Quxy7Yqbix56k/s1600/IMG_1825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK50hFXrW0OKkhi3SjZRE693y4tZ5zhoXoFczYg_cfGK6OW5zLDzOSrt7eAgAwx8Zgs8QuvGHx_4Oj2NqpAe-yAb97tnuYAO8zK8uLG8qtYh4dgT3NCuENR_Bg7Xs67Quxy7Yqbix56k/s400/IMG_1825.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i took this two days ago (4/29/13). i am feeling much better about how my clothes fit. i still have a long way to go, but these new shorts are the same size i was before babies and this is a medium tshirt. i should have taken the belt off, everything is a tad bit flatter.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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i will have to post some pics of when peter's dad and sister were here last week...i havent uploaded them yet. :/<br />
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i have a special friend coming over for lunch tomorrow. i am hoping to blog about it tomorrow, but please be praying for both of us. God knows her heart and what she needs...i am praying that He protects both of our hearts and gives us a special time of bonding and sharing. thanks!<br />
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blessings, ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-80609236319543072592013-04-23T22:35:00.001-05:002013-04-23T22:35:47.251-05:00Circles<span style="text-align: left;">circles...dark ones...they are showing up under my eyes!! anyone have any tricks/good products/etc?? i mean, i know that they are not going away any time soon, so...whatever. :) in all reality, things are going pretty good! since my last post both of the girls have gotten sick, we have had several of my siblings here from michigan, and my legs still itch! </span><br />
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annabel and claire got some congestion from someone and then annabel somehow got an ear infection...at 5 weeks old! what the heck??!!?? poor baby!! the ear infection then led to thrush because of the antibiotic (that seems backwards to me, btw). so, two antibiotics also leads to seriously messed up poop. that led to our first blowout diaper. of course we were out at a softball game. in case you are wondering, bleachers are just wide enough to change my babies!! lol. through it all, the girls have continued to be very good babies!! they rarely cry unless they are hungry or needing a diaper change. they have each been sleeping pretty good. their sleeping is good but mine is still lacking...only because i am up feeding two separately. at night, i am up for about 35 min with each baby, that adds up pretty quickly. i am usually able to do the night feedings alone, giving peter a chance to sleep as much as possible, after all, he cant take a nap mid afternoon. i rarely nap, but its the knowing i usually can if needed. but, all of that is contributing to my dark circles. while i am gaining circles, i am loosing weight. i am 6 pounds less than when i got pregnant!! my skin is still loose across my belly and my belly is shaped differently now and lets not even discuss the stretch marks. but its nice to say that i lost all my pregnancy weight within the first month and continue to loose! now, most of that is due to forgetting to eat, but whatever!! lol.<br />
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so, we have also had lots of family visiting the last two weeks. my sister, olivia, and her 2 year old, zoe, came to visit for a long weekend. liv was a HUGE help while she was here. i loved having zoe here too! she is so smart and was super sweet with annabelclaire (yes, they are one person in her mind). liv and i did some shopping, we all went for frozen yogurt (several times), we went to the park and used the moby wraps for the first time, and had some great sister time! i hope that annabel and claire grow up having an awesome relationship with each other. liv and i are finally becoming close, and i love it! right after i dropped olivia and zoe off at the airport i got a call from my brother jonathan that he and his wife and his best friend were coming down the following day for a few days. WHAT??!!?? ok! my bro (whom i call paco) is very quiet and not open about anything. him calling to say he wanted to visit meant the world to me. it was so great having paco, whitney, and beal here. we ate out (thanks, paco), whitney and i had fun girl time while the boys went to a million gun shops, and we took advantage of the media room. i really miss my family and loved having them here! this week some of peter's family comes on thursday..his sis laura and dad carl. we have had a ton of out of town company...we are so blessed! <br />
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yep, legs still itch. i went to see dr. todd for my follow up and he has no idea what it is. he told me to go see a dermatologist. i had an appointment, but i was having a rough day and needed to cancel. so, i still itch, like crazy!! i have little raised bumps from my knees down. i work very hard not to scratch, but i cant help it sometimes...ugh!!!<br />
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i of course think my girls are sweet and totally adorable, so here are a few pics!! :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcmPlPvGRCUrwvX7Evcs9cBHRN4z9HPUQBy4H-FE2kxQGPnl1KDGE10eG6lhQZ5dzLnpIin67QZA4V_e0wXnBDCKtH3O02lt9hn3gUSdbJyo0dOcPjXJLsMHal3yqMNf4-WGmfWF0ZSA/s1600/P1010875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcmPlPvGRCUrwvX7Evcs9cBHRN4z9HPUQBy4H-FE2kxQGPnl1KDGE10eG6lhQZ5dzLnpIin67QZA4V_e0wXnBDCKtH3O02lt9hn3gUSdbJyo0dOcPjXJLsMHal3yqMNf4-WGmfWF0ZSA/s400/P1010875.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on our way to church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">aunt livvy and the girls. annabel in pink, claire in blue</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">momma and her babies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i love this pic!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">daddy holding claire in the moby wrap at the park! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmElsasmBrm_8UceseJAJSMOQOKEFI9ckSlqOg-Ose9uG0kH6G3xkFCVsAQtov9_H59kObSTjyY7HlbmsVCq1ZVRVPRuluInpRlyBBWc5kwdu0g3H_xOEXbPJX8ejOhp49B4lhkY_w8Fs/s1600/IMG_1687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmElsasmBrm_8UceseJAJSMOQOKEFI9ckSlqOg-Ose9uG0kH6G3xkFCVsAQtov9_H59kObSTjyY7HlbmsVCq1ZVRVPRuluInpRlyBBWc5kwdu0g3H_xOEXbPJX8ejOhp49B4lhkY_w8Fs/s400/IMG_1687.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">momma and annabel. we both love to swing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadLhJxN2_LFQ-pFtiJgMQwJ3dmikMtb4MfYP0xPp982H7T5Gyz0_2ZCd1tjjFolKFcHloH4a5GZQ4X_zAcmK8k8aYZ2TzyQ80IFufc7jGZnISmm8TiI8k1hFrSJvvOX0aax0p8alVkuU/s1600/IMG_1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadLhJxN2_LFQ-pFtiJgMQwJ3dmikMtb4MfYP0xPp982H7T5Gyz0_2ZCd1tjjFolKFcHloH4a5GZQ4X_zAcmK8k8aYZ2TzyQ80IFufc7jGZnISmm8TiI8k1hFrSJvvOX0aax0p8alVkuU/s400/IMG_1705.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all of out to dinner! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtaGvkdkhO4J9cbJBw8x9lRBrb9T2BVvDeFu2ktHIjEFRpC9Cn4fUnGJ7LrVJrq9dmRrRbdgXEIzhxCM0MXwvlxpVL2Z058bOZBVAFg6_pUMsgTbBS-zpCbzPAM9lURY6_BE5lqWwnbE/s1600/IMG_1707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtaGvkdkhO4J9cbJBw8x9lRBrb9T2BVvDeFu2ktHIjEFRpC9Cn4fUnGJ7LrVJrq9dmRrRbdgXEIzhxCM0MXwvlxpVL2Z058bOZBVAFg6_pUMsgTbBS-zpCbzPAM9lURY6_BE5lqWwnbE/s400/IMG_1707.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liv and Zoe at menchie's for fro yo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBp0263JFqkoFKZglMnuQ-2p2dNpchnlFVjM8m__o8yEKLNhyphenhyphenNcCkBoZ2smo2DFtiqs29HAzcbYvtj-AsZop07QsM3mBLDXMYN0rsubEidg9GxKAXX3y_kg7LebZ2WlvBICKYGVXfyMQ/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBp0263JFqkoFKZglMnuQ-2p2dNpchnlFVjM8m__o8yEKLNhyphenhyphenNcCkBoZ2smo2DFtiqs29HAzcbYvtj-AsZop07QsM3mBLDXMYN0rsubEidg9GxKAXX3y_kg7LebZ2WlvBICKYGVXfyMQ/s400/IMG_1743.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the many faces of claire..all within 45 seconds!! lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0Kl-CDoRBwqhphDKujTl888AeZZn66yqyXKDwSsF9M7uN4U2nN-ScqypREMUWwZMnPBQZiC-xiFfeUfDqvSjV0ZlO3-XfSG7_v7xyZIkqISNkZWFZ6VX6mSVPBEFDh_BeaglD8ccqGI/s1600/IMG_1749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0Kl-CDoRBwqhphDKujTl888AeZZn66yqyXKDwSsF9M7uN4U2nN-ScqypREMUWwZMnPBQZiC-xiFfeUfDqvSjV0ZlO3-XfSG7_v7xyZIkqISNkZWFZ6VX6mSVPBEFDh_BeaglD8ccqGI/s400/IMG_1749.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Paco and Claire. she wasnt too sure about him!! lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3Gr276u3Ae1PvygIw2vOKdaa_yVIG5BE7jGyQxyuW6fh3lL3D_gvLH2heHC-501TbRU6hazvFlqCdugO4zY-CQsw8SoX5oWEWawJmuobQ-8vJDF01qIY04MZmNY8UwR5qn6LtRl5jCw/s1600/IMG_1758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3Gr276u3Ae1PvygIw2vOKdaa_yVIG5BE7jGyQxyuW6fh3lL3D_gvLH2heHC-501TbRU6hazvFlqCdugO4zY-CQsw8SoX5oWEWawJmuobQ-8vJDF01qIY04MZmNY8UwR5qn6LtRl5jCw/s400/IMG_1758.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pics while out to dinner. top left: Claire. top right: Peter and Beal. bottom left: Paco, me, and Whitney. bottom right: Annabel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjeHjyIH6dX3xjhBuEkPXignYu4uUsJ-zBMMxqRlXyH72J-vSvP1u4hXR_TNV9sspSECUaQc2YRqSdu-N7mEGovNJNPYjMfqCVIASqD1d9aVX9cR-RHXqQsPOE1oyBA-ep_ZthWbw_Ps/s1600/IMG_1778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjeHjyIH6dX3xjhBuEkPXignYu4uUsJ-zBMMxqRlXyH72J-vSvP1u4hXR_TNV9sspSECUaQc2YRqSdu-N7mEGovNJNPYjMfqCVIASqD1d9aVX9cR-RHXqQsPOE1oyBA-ep_ZthWbw_Ps/s400/IMG_1778.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the girls fell asleep while i blow dried my hair this morning! so sweet </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-MyukCg1NX4zcl0mzG1VGNEAcuxbzIWQWXrrUoLmicGjsYzmi5SMl-7G3J1BbZaGftY3nbKOIqhyiSMQD_pm_X_ViyLRIY16W6a8zcGbOm_Jgm41qDaZQ5sTrr37mIOyiLy_21XFCFA/s1600/P1010973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-MyukCg1NX4zcl0mzG1VGNEAcuxbzIWQWXrrUoLmicGjsYzmi5SMl-7G3J1BbZaGftY3nbKOIqhyiSMQD_pm_X_ViyLRIY16W6a8zcGbOm_Jgm41qDaZQ5sTrr37mIOyiLy_21XFCFA/s400/P1010973.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire all dressed up to meet daddy's coworkers today. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_fCfJlwZiwaUqfhv8ajoUPNR5XRMjzV1MCy4wuV13z9otxq9mcgFPTiF4Xz2T2TdE0kc1_YC8Fn3wTIuvKJdUe5AQ_CMdL084ujEhyphenhypheneu1zTieFphQAMaq0FZk2ySg1HP_uYWlC1o9Pw/s1600/P1010993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_fCfJlwZiwaUqfhv8ajoUPNR5XRMjzV1MCy4wuV13z9otxq9mcgFPTiF4Xz2T2TdE0kc1_YC8Fn3wTIuvKJdUe5AQ_CMdL084ujEhyphenhypheneu1zTieFphQAMaq0FZk2ySg1HP_uYWlC1o9Pw/s400/P1010993.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel liked wearing her Easter dress again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHunD9fGEQmt_1tDrnM47_3DSKfbL4gnZMso73m8UOuDrPqiozeacalzVs5PMsTI7s3lYDSVXjZmfRTV0UxK8cBWmd0GL4JR8XpuI1HcPdUnBWJ0w2Tl699xsZDJqYmBCevhaM5lqsnP4/s1600/P1010959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHunD9fGEQmt_1tDrnM47_3DSKfbL4gnZMso73m8UOuDrPqiozeacalzVs5PMsTI7s3lYDSVXjZmfRTV0UxK8cBWmd0GL4JR8XpuI1HcPdUnBWJ0w2Tl699xsZDJqYmBCevhaM5lqsnP4/s400/P1010959.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">precious!! </td></tr>
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i am a momma in love, even with the dark circles! i have things i could complain about (and sometimes i do), but i am choosing to be grateful! </div>
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blessings, ALo</div>
ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-3142575725815187232013-04-09T21:04:00.000-05:002013-04-09T21:04:39.939-05:00One Monththe LOtwins are one month old!! i really cant believe it! this month has flown by!! we are so thankful for how this first month has gone! i have loved (almost) every single moment. the only thing that was hard was recovering from surgery...feeling and knowing that i missed out on the very first few moments/day of their life because i was recovering. but, aside from that, life has never been more perfect, more fulfilling, and more unpredictable!<br />
<br />
Claire Mackenzie:<br />
loves to look around and becomes very wide eyed when moving from dark to light rooms. she loves to look at herself in the mirror when getting her diaper changed or getting dressed...we could be in trouble! :) she is a good eater, but makes a complete mess of herself and whoever is feeding her. she is now eating between 3 and 4 ounces every few hours. she is a great sleeper and doesnt even wake up when her sister screeches! claire is still our little peanut, but has gained almost 2 pounds this month. claire needs to work on her neck strength a little, but she is doing very good for her size! claire fits great into newborn onesies/tops, but newborn pants are too big around her waist. however, she is too big, especially too long, for preemie pants. we still call her curious claire...she just loves to know what is going on...when she is actually awake! :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIROi6fzhSqhFVexDLsGqNi-R4wy82f7gn1_Pe1TMjakeJ33XiNWoh5Q2cxVgo-Auyg_pIYa3TIsaPYw6kRO17cTIGMa38_-qrArzkV481J4uohSnqWlGpYZLrxT_C0umUCxlgBeolUxc/s1600/P1010819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIROi6fzhSqhFVexDLsGqNi-R4wy82f7gn1_Pe1TMjakeJ33XiNWoh5Q2cxVgo-Auyg_pIYa3TIsaPYw6kRO17cTIGMa38_-qrArzkV481J4uohSnqWlGpYZLrxT_C0umUCxlgBeolUxc/s400/P1010819.JPG" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little shy at first...look at that dark hair!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aPUVNVrpHL9W4Qr_3iFZ3U9TUFythct3pHw95Oyv7HY217jHmH6misj1U6mqhETzRxCpZTJjisoYMeMs8TxiKYRvUt86QBMbs9iwC33vhIB79WPMz2-1UCo02Qfp48HbO_bT2L2YBvw/s1600/P1010820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aPUVNVrpHL9W4Qr_3iFZ3U9TUFythct3pHw95Oyv7HY217jHmH6misj1U6mqhETzRxCpZTJjisoYMeMs8TxiKYRvUt86QBMbs9iwC33vhIB79WPMz2-1UCo02Qfp48HbO_bT2L2YBvw/s400/P1010820.JPG" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hi, mom! i love those little bloomer shorts! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENLJ4jR5BwkH0J-BtdmW76KKNgM4pJp1jtDoboWQ_OMXppM8A5Gl1t3H-QOzTj8I7wBMZA-T7ga490cr6UzxNSOvJHu2oM4Ob8lAjYYzsSVg31JylMr57Y-54k5-3V2wBYRJk4me9d9E/s1600/P1010825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENLJ4jR5BwkH0J-BtdmW76KKNgM4pJp1jtDoboWQ_OMXppM8A5Gl1t3H-QOzTj8I7wBMZA-T7ga490cr6UzxNSOvJHu2oM4Ob8lAjYYzsSVg31JylMr57Y-54k5-3V2wBYRJk4me9d9E/s400/P1010825.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we think she looks like her daddy, just more girly :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl2Ot6O-KpyVCXIMGwuUQH5nziy4KL2CLOFTOcay9uFx7vsiZQZ60kC1Zv9N1FbbPOVd-ADT5aEAwA9DGJKCjWJztgs7E_vF_X63LMxi4Y9eMt2IJ-rLW6rhSrXp8KDWIMdXiNW-LQfg/s1600/P1010855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl2Ot6O-KpyVCXIMGwuUQH5nziy4KL2CLOFTOcay9uFx7vsiZQZ60kC1Zv9N1FbbPOVd-ADT5aEAwA9DGJKCjWJztgs7E_vF_X63LMxi4Y9eMt2IJ-rLW6rhSrXp8KDWIMdXiNW-LQfg/s400/P1010855.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">passed out on daddy during pictures :)</td></tr>
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<br />
Annabel Marie:<br />
really loves to be held!! that has become even more evident the last two days. she gets upset when i have to feed or bathe claire in the mornings and no one is there to hold her. she is a good eater and keeps a lot more of it in her mouth, she just takes a little longer. annabel is our little grunter...she makes so many noises throughout the day, including the cutest snorting noises especially when she is done eating. annabel is becoming our chunky monkey. she is starting to little rolls and i love it! i just love kissing her cheeks. she fits great into newborn clothes, but is also abel to wear a few 0-3 month outfits. she is about a pound heavier and inch longer than claire. she really loves bath time and becomes so alert during her bath. i treasure those few moments! annabel loves to wake me up at night by screeching at the top of her lungs...its piercing. annabel was laid back in the beginning, but has shown us her more dramatic side as of late. annabel loves to cuddle with her daddy and it melts my heart to see them together. i am totally in love with this little girl!<br />
<br />
yes there are a few more pics of annabel...thats because her mood was all over the place...its was so funny!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH_REida042OQ16a_sxH0X-9BaVhBewTo2yvktqtd6MXN75pvQbI6VNDyhhOVnjQB47eczbzCFWTpT2l1gOCciHDphs4SI521ZoAFVtORWnEsGTRc1hlZSTjuQH1CVcW5wc8NKSMkB4g/s1600/P1010828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH_REida042OQ16a_sxH0X-9BaVhBewTo2yvktqtd6MXN75pvQbI6VNDyhhOVnjQB47eczbzCFWTpT2l1gOCciHDphs4SI521ZoAFVtORWnEsGTRc1hlZSTjuQH1CVcW5wc8NKSMkB4g/s400/P1010828.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she got really ticked right away...mad i changed her clothes and put on the headband. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEc51tf3jzfYMn1jcQjF4Napp-06B8F1PXbzDDx0PJz-52fhYWbXzurE-cUvpV4EH8Wf3OVt-5USl9UbSVmA-zXcx0TfCpu9uRWSaqPVXJ66zoYihLXXhUTxD_8GPpY-SEHl3FMbx9xI/s1600/P1010829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEc51tf3jzfYMn1jcQjF4Napp-06B8F1PXbzDDx0PJz-52fhYWbXzurE-cUvpV4EH8Wf3OVt-5USl9UbSVmA-zXcx0TfCpu9uRWSaqPVXJ66zoYihLXXhUTxD_8GPpY-SEHl3FMbx9xI/s400/P1010829.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">annabel mid screech</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AN3-ZaHh-DzkVmA7QnbV5P4fvyq1-YLD7oshHF3hG9eKbv4mpNfCB9eJTux84_Sftcx09glpGMT_q9rPFZfiCW-6xeNuJRHrIbnvHfLHmIl2sbs4S9RxYoj0lUnL0sdMzlAtSdDwR_E/s1600/P1010858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AN3-ZaHh-DzkVmA7QnbV5P4fvyq1-YLD7oshHF3hG9eKbv4mpNfCB9eJTux84_Sftcx09glpGMT_q9rPFZfiCW-6xeNuJRHrIbnvHfLHmIl2sbs4S9RxYoj0lUnL0sdMzlAtSdDwR_E/s400/P1010858.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then acting like nothing happened</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSrmQx2qxzd4bUADsp6te4bZQ8_mBI_7ouAH5VvA4Eg91-OlBNVfttt2_I1CdVaQ5caGQ6XFHOtC5PcRPd8ZwN6ryCl7J71UvZS93835rmm0QRclpdrCpVHmE9aQPVUzFxHRF0VKX0dw/s1600/P1010859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSrmQx2qxzd4bUADsp6te4bZQ8_mBI_7ouAH5VvA4Eg91-OlBNVfttt2_I1CdVaQ5caGQ6XFHOtC5PcRPd8ZwN6ryCl7J71UvZS93835rmm0QRclpdrCpVHmE9aQPVUzFxHRF0VKX0dw/s400/P1010859.JPG" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little smirk...mischievous just like her momma! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth0N5v_17Da7SmqcWyQuXJhyCZYtxHKrYhyphenhyphenfQhoMkkFLgiSWZU4acOr8KLNHPmC8BWX46hb2ars6-NttPzSlX2xCJ-jmLuzyMemYhkqq9WeIFBARFOWxZR_rKiMRnpqOTt0EngrgfR1w/s1600/P1010832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth0N5v_17Da7SmqcWyQuXJhyCZYtxHKrYhyphenhyphenfQhoMkkFLgiSWZU4acOr8KLNHPmC8BWX46hb2ars6-NttPzSlX2xCJ-jmLuzyMemYhkqq9WeIFBARFOWxZR_rKiMRnpqOTt0EngrgfR1w/s400/P1010832.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then she totally passed out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSs7T2Tv3A1GtHcUC3HPFX2qs8oJMGGLX8jZ_EJrpWVmNNYpunfRKCKRMHlobP6qOmdbGiJ32MCxuFFPAJMOkxSWGVpHdEkNT_lveZpk2be4fh5D6cibypyozq-FqeJ3Su9crbAiQ9Rk/s1600/P1010854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSs7T2Tv3A1GtHcUC3HPFX2qs8oJMGGLX8jZ_EJrpWVmNNYpunfRKCKRMHlobP6qOmdbGiJ32MCxuFFPAJMOkxSWGVpHdEkNT_lveZpk2be4fh5D6cibypyozq-FqeJ3Su9crbAiQ9Rk/s400/P1010854.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just wanted to hang with her daddy. she looks a lot like me!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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they are really sweet babies and i am so blessed!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97ny1aCiw8f6hltOeO27jJ_v0bj1ldE25twjtholx3PcbXgKTX3wAc1pzckj_rZL-ek1TdfWF6wTr4jfrUGWkA1XN5iDT3YgduzrQybk1RCla0za8UaK8wA_g0lyHK2oGf_rU2w28JA8/s1600/P1010835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97ny1aCiw8f6hltOeO27jJ_v0bj1ldE25twjtholx3PcbXgKTX3wAc1pzckj_rZL-ek1TdfWF6wTr4jfrUGWkA1XN5iDT3YgduzrQybk1RCla0za8UaK8wA_g0lyHK2oGf_rU2w28JA8/s400/P1010835.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">attempt number one: two screaming babies. just like our mornings. it happens! </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrLEkHg4ub0V8ij-w1oMge9EtqOyw1ITZ6-NyvOVjQIPjDfS2gGesx63AjeYOuXE30AhroY3PatBEm9iahz6e4KoOoZg0rxAYJOOdExgYIHtwV6tjIkaSybGF-_8fTlZU3pfCeRzRkmU/s1600/P1010851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrLEkHg4ub0V8ij-w1oMge9EtqOyw1ITZ6-NyvOVjQIPjDfS2gGesx63AjeYOuXE30AhroY3PatBEm9iahz6e4KoOoZg0rxAYJOOdExgYIHtwV6tjIkaSybGF-_8fTlZU3pfCeRzRkmU/s400/P1010851.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they love their daddy!!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLYSZ5_PF5INt9D5ZNNznjPRFAaNrw07EQc4cClke4XQ1gCnGn4Mdqbo0-R2jurdCi02RIS0yc1rGiRb1rfWHveTegLTy1zslo4d9d-7qUhxrewz2fMtzKS_ZCugoscHoMv8oQ-sJzEA/s1600/P1010865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLYSZ5_PF5INt9D5ZNNznjPRFAaNrw07EQc4cClke4XQ1gCnGn4Mdqbo0-R2jurdCi02RIS0yc1rGiRb1rfWHveTegLTy1zslo4d9d-7qUhxrewz2fMtzKS_ZCugoscHoMv8oQ-sJzEA/s400/P1010865.JPG" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">attempt number two: much better and the normal. laid back sleeping babies.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
blessings, ALo<br />
<br />
<br />ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-63997009631539636952013-04-08T15:03:00.000-05:002013-04-08T15:03:31.245-05:00New Crazywell, of course, my life has taken on a new form of crazy. i am the mother of twin girls...i think that explains it all! so, i am sorry for the lack of posts, but this first four weeks has been all about learning how to adjust to this new crazy life.<br />
<br />
honestly, i must have been reading major horror stories, and people must only tell me the crappy stories of being a mom of multiples because, so far, this has gone a lot better than i ever expected! i do have awesome babies though too! they both are great eaters and sleepers. i dont love the whole diaper part, but that is probably normal! :) <u><i>today</i></u>, my favorite thing we do is bath time...they love it, and i love how they smell after!<br />
<br />
the first three weeks home we were lucky enough to have our moms here! peters mom, susan, was here for two weeks and my mom this whole last week. this is the first week we are on our own! my sister and 2 year old niece will be here thursday, but until then...just babies and momma!!<br />
<br />
we have had some really awesome adventures the last few weeks: Easter (yes, we went to church. the girls looked adorable), lots of shopping (including a 3 hour trip to the outlet mall), a day trip to waco, tx. (waco is two and a half hours away, i have cousins that are there at Baylor), and buying a new car for momma! the girls are really good about traveling and being out and about, thankfully!! we love to meet up with people for lunch or coffee or a stroll around target (we haven't done that yet...i have to figure out the logistics of that...2 carseats but only room for one in the cart!)<br />
<br />
with all our running around, i am not surprised that someone got sick. that someone was me and it was on Easter. :( so sad!! we had gone to church saturday night to avoid some of the major crowds, but we still saw plenty of people we knew. sunday i woke up not feeling that great and as the day progressed, i just kept feeling worse. we went to our friends house for an Easter cookout, and i spent the whole time sleeping on the couch...so sad! thankfully no one else in the house got it!!<br />
<br />
that sickness did a number on me...and a HUGE number on my milk supply. that has been the hardest thing for me during this new journey...nursing. in the beginning, the girls did not want to/couldnt figure out how to latch on. after several days, we were all frustrated and stressed out. so, i started pumping and still supplementing with formula. i was not producing enough for both girls, but started taking fenugreek and eating lactation cookies (thanks, lisa!!) and drinking a TON of water. i was getting almost two ounces (total) each time i pumped (yeah, not a lot). but being sick really took a toll. i am now only getting a little less than an ounce (total) at each pump session. what a bummer!! i am so sad!! i have thought several times about giving up, but i am still holding out hope that my supply will pick up again. my biggest frustration is that i feel like a failure. i am supposed to be able to do this, my body is supposed to be able to do this. yes, i know that things happen, but still. i really wanted to be able to do this with and for my girls. both girls are growing like weeds and getting things that they need from the formula, but it would have been ideal to have me suppling the nourishment. but like many things...i made plans to nurse and i have had to change those plans. (that has been a theme the last four weeks!)<br />
<br />
my life is crazy, but its amazing! its demanding, but so rewarding! its the most amazing blessing to be the mom to these two beautiful baby girls!!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuyrDifFAf7MXvQLnu7vpaKfrQr9SHIczRH3vM0sCBYwF2Y4vk_jJue3FfoNpMXPpdW_CjnUvOluDYERCki5Z0Nebbn4CyIe0a18sj6S0f8b7MS2KO-Xm0-C14404EeD0VOFeGIA24zA/s1600/IMG_1576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuyrDifFAf7MXvQLnu7vpaKfrQr9SHIczRH3vM0sCBYwF2Y4vk_jJue3FfoNpMXPpdW_CjnUvOluDYERCki5Z0Nebbn4CyIe0a18sj6S0f8b7MS2KO-Xm0-C14404EeD0VOFeGIA24zA/s400/IMG_1576.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire loves this hair bow, i promise!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMoJkpeQc3Q0KlXC6wln6RlnqrDshQNb5T8NWoRoW271jZ9MgiBs0E6bHmZ1b_74-7hzup6uv7E3K3s9bBEtixmMdcZZiOS7u5aL1YLM4Y1mjVewgPMcgTl2P5T5CZ9yFPVlyw2cor_k/s1600/IMG_1590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMoJkpeQc3Q0KlXC6wln6RlnqrDshQNb5T8NWoRoW271jZ9MgiBs0E6bHmZ1b_74-7hzup6uv7E3K3s9bBEtixmMdcZZiOS7u5aL1YLM4Y1mjVewgPMcgTl2P5T5CZ9yFPVlyw2cor_k/s400/IMG_1590.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire has fuzzy hair after her baths!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jhmixg76RNr-UrzdlKGshIEYkQzx3pI0oRAbUH6teahwxp0yUaJzHw5UgQlyDwh3n2EkkZHz6UTk7Qw9Ijw3iC7JY33C8UOZXY4B1m6VP0IyJqsxTi1pKFZsMQcYo292sPXDFcOYV-Y/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jhmixg76RNr-UrzdlKGshIEYkQzx3pI0oRAbUH6teahwxp0yUaJzHw5UgQlyDwh3n2EkkZHz6UTk7Qw9Ijw3iC7JY33C8UOZXY4B1m6VP0IyJqsxTi1pKFZsMQcYo292sPXDFcOYV-Y/s400/IMG_1603.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel was ticked during Easter morning pictures!! lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEDCTSAZ5VO0P8EB6_tLhncT04RUWRHRUc5_qZheoGtLNtS4Dm9hlK5C51jeIydbIvNguMuU33uTsLP499a7zEekXOu2hAN8kxssd8VDSuhQAsO2q4OWHz7I2E5rZLNL5KxUkQHo7KuI/s1600/IMG_1620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEDCTSAZ5VO0P8EB6_tLhncT04RUWRHRUc5_qZheoGtLNtS4Dm9hlK5C51jeIydbIvNguMuU33uTsLP499a7zEekXOu2hAN8kxssd8VDSuhQAsO2q4OWHz7I2E5rZLNL5KxUkQHo7KuI/s400/IMG_1620.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin Alyson (sophomore at Baylor) loved having coffee with the girls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojciFO5N_3j9KBsYMBbjMUOJDafacEHcmxt8DDoS7qA0YX5MgJtoc6wjRXcSnC1uWYb69F733LwHwAEv6InHXUzCbSZt8XNEiNLnxMN22MNY8WK2thLyLj2vnK2eD01L5tlIaYR4TP-k/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojciFO5N_3j9KBsYMBbjMUOJDafacEHcmxt8DDoS7qA0YX5MgJtoc6wjRXcSnC1uWYb69F733LwHwAEv6InHXUzCbSZt8XNEiNLnxMN22MNY8WK2thLyLj2vnK2eD01L5tlIaYR4TP-k/s400/IMG_1618.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin Brett (on the football coaching staff at Baylor) tried getting the twins recruited! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlX1rMWXzx-nt51-WuBFtsNo6oghDSBMefWZYtTwooA17CHZ91K9E0TK48CIzS9yWwecfhlrLTsYTw1TGswKkiSvRXf6KNXnLQKwGGf17sYANT5utvMOL2tLVb_3qyc26tHQ7ROtnQSc/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlX1rMWXzx-nt51-WuBFtsNo6oghDSBMefWZYtTwooA17CHZ91K9E0TK48CIzS9yWwecfhlrLTsYTw1TGswKkiSvRXf6KNXnLQKwGGf17sYANT5utvMOL2tLVb_3qyc26tHQ7ROtnQSc/s400/IMG_1625.JPG" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire was serious about shopping for her new hat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1GYe_4yO4lH6S4VQZGlfJQd2Q7Efo_8Za-IO0m657ialD4mBHrnVTb0IDDdDN71fc4-SlgCnyJ7-oFGYG8_pjZTTEFn9D2JrjZb3KjsalBfxAWWZIWNU61ZClHrpZxwpLvtunFbw-Zg/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1GYe_4yO4lH6S4VQZGlfJQd2Q7Efo_8Za-IO0m657ialD4mBHrnVTb0IDDdDN71fc4-SlgCnyJ7-oFGYG8_pjZTTEFn9D2JrjZb3KjsalBfxAWWZIWNU61ZClHrpZxwpLvtunFbw-Zg/s400/IMG_1626.JPG" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel was totally underwhelmed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh7jz3p4StLHyWIwqJH79263UFZwV3qJDpwT-TtNe5fuMChwF2BfJrkv8ml-412Vusj_-TPUDFvLZR_EyInv2gMG-IjBygRb7_zl-20tkgyDxbi32GNfPf0tO3BItItfzXGIet3D0x4I/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh7jz3p4StLHyWIwqJH79263UFZwV3qJDpwT-TtNe5fuMChwF2BfJrkv8ml-412Vusj_-TPUDFvLZR_EyInv2gMG-IjBygRb7_zl-20tkgyDxbi32GNfPf0tO3BItItfzXGIet3D0x4I/s400/IMG_1627.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Mimi, for the cuteness!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLt8ase2rJGa-XiGM90mYym_VBeTH5Nv95J9I25YX3nbBBffmmlXmxjjylSSpSqnrwEm4tvKZAiMcjsQYC1DCGl5CjFKma09c9qBCw58V8nY-VpEzqA-zdCjhlXhz-n9TjqvY0PqMvxJY/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLt8ase2rJGa-XiGM90mYym_VBeTH5Nv95J9I25YX3nbBBffmmlXmxjjylSSpSqnrwEm4tvKZAiMcjsQYC1DCGl5CjFKma09c9qBCw58V8nY-VpEzqA-zdCjhlXhz-n9TjqvY0PqMvxJY/s400/IMG_1648.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel is becoming a chunky monkey!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6PhSbwoCrNe7nyvojbtoY5Z2Lmgy7fK-p2-yXOkxvCSjwAYTjBTHUEilMWQg6q94QkBaMtuS-CHWW0E3duFoIZGuubqu6aRKiZhAVRsoCJHDELCupiBFd9at-Cjr1pEGmfIHMKCzH3I/s1600/IMG_1644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6PhSbwoCrNe7nyvojbtoY5Z2Lmgy7fK-p2-yXOkxvCSjwAYTjBTHUEilMWQg6q94QkBaMtuS-CHWW0E3duFoIZGuubqu6aRKiZhAVRsoCJHDELCupiBFd9at-Cjr1pEGmfIHMKCzH3I/s400/IMG_1644.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel loves TV time with mom!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewf4j3dy93UsTqAeabWMq-taZomNWYIaoXj-DOzkPbwwRrccNfiyZotn2CvSd5U6EZIb2aP-lYwVVeXB7pZhyphenhyphen9QvoNU3OzJBM-zxhWOJNwveWKzyXqKTJeNBCKhI97_muwK2Wz1RYph4/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewf4j3dy93UsTqAeabWMq-taZomNWYIaoXj-DOzkPbwwRrccNfiyZotn2CvSd5U6EZIb2aP-lYwVVeXB7pZhyphenhyphen9QvoNU3OzJBM-zxhWOJNwveWKzyXqKTJeNBCKhI97_muwK2Wz1RYph4/s400/IMG_1540.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sisters snoozin!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJyVA7Fyv5N8vfSoV_EwoJUSp31PSAv2gUxVRRJ0F79P4W7m-JB1SyZDFrp3NWaT1Zg87lOgwMFGO1bSnlJBhFytyEYNBXj4YAY8-6msrEYNRzdK6vs1pDWWfT1xAfYrDNvNeTk9XsrI/s1600/IMG_1597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJyVA7Fyv5N8vfSoV_EwoJUSp31PSAv2gUxVRRJ0F79P4W7m-JB1SyZDFrp3NWaT1Zg87lOgwMFGO1bSnlJBhFytyEYNBXj4YAY8-6msrEYNRzdK6vs1pDWWfT1xAfYrDNvNeTk9XsrI/s400/IMG_1597.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Momma and her babies in our Easter best</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3_Ihs8IrSvnR264WOMs8h6-zxwpQs9TzkXkIJNyHMAYlHu3RNZgtbw_zc6Os2yHbbnIP2i2i10IqsnFXLzVtW7LaVMR4UQFlg7Ra8rMQ0y3CdbbkD54CFWo9AxEyd-zbfboJkTpFm-M/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3_Ihs8IrSvnR264WOMs8h6-zxwpQs9TzkXkIJNyHMAYlHu3RNZgtbw_zc6Os2yHbbnIP2i2i10IqsnFXLzVtW7LaVMR4UQFlg7Ra8rMQ0y3CdbbkD54CFWo9AxEyd-zbfboJkTpFm-M/s400/IMG_1599.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 generations and lots of spring colors! (thats my mom, aka Mimi)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYo1bdSdtNEb5I7riMUvoyu_2da56yCkeeWtEn7kEclFLFs1QO8npDIsAjgyBG91B9d3oCBwBnmDpw-R_UHcbObgaeH5omTYV86lnaY5X7-SuUGqW-YzpDN0YbGVk7OLKAtbStKJn7Ek/s1600/P1010804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYo1bdSdtNEb5I7riMUvoyu_2da56yCkeeWtEn7kEclFLFs1QO8npDIsAjgyBG91B9d3oCBwBnmDpw-R_UHcbObgaeH5omTYV86lnaY5X7-SuUGqW-YzpDN0YbGVk7OLKAtbStKJn7Ek/s400/P1010804.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">family of four!!! love this!! what a blessing!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WygEzpe4Wxz1iqNricF6EgyB2h1jsiswI48pWD-FscPOzZeZ0H31YxFllIdj5xqutjSPfnHtBfnjkC-gLUEh6o56J9p2XRwF1s6_OPdsLDohT1qC6UPc0vuW4Tuw7sVtACYMc__ekkc/s1600/IMG_1632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WygEzpe4Wxz1iqNricF6EgyB2h1jsiswI48pWD-FscPOzZeZ0H31YxFllIdj5xqutjSPfnHtBfnjkC-gLUEh6o56J9p2XRwF1s6_OPdsLDohT1qC6UPc0vuW4Tuw7sVtACYMc__ekkc/s400/IMG_1632.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">momma's new to us Acadia...room for cars seats and passengers!</td></tr>
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we have taken sooooooo many pics...these were just a few! i am seriously obsessed! lol!! we did have a doctor check up a week ago today... Claire weighed in at 6lb 7oz and Annabel was 7lb 6 oz. they are gaining weight really well and we dont go back until their two month check up!! woohoo!!<br />
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hope you are all great! thanks for all the continued support and encouragement!!<br />
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blessings, ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-89584831987803494782013-03-22T21:34:00.001-05:002013-03-22T21:34:29.260-05:00im a mommai never knew, i never could have imagined, what it would be like to be a momma. to say its the greatest, and scariest, feeling ever is a huge understatement! i became a mother when i had Charlotte, but being a momma...a true care taker...doing the daily ins and outs of motherhood, has been a whole new experience. and thankfully one that i adore so far!<br />
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you know the phrase "always a bridesmaid, never a bride". for a long time i wondered if i would always be an aunt, never a momma. God has made all of my dreams come true in the form of curious Claire Mackenzie and sleepy Annabel Marie. </div>
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one of the most amazing things happens when the girls are upset, especially claire. all i have to do is say in a soothing voice, "Claire, its momma. im right here. you are ok" and she calms right down. just the sound of my voice, even from across the room, and her whole demeanor changes. it melts my heart each and every time!! </div>
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seeing their sweet daddy with them also makes me melt. i dont even know the right words to use to describe all that i see in peter when he is with his babies. he is more that supportive and does more than "his share" of the duties. i rarely have to ask him to do something. he changes diapers, makes and cleans bottles, helps with the late night feedings, and just loves to cuddle his daughters. to hear him praying for them and for our family has helped me fall even more in love with him...something i didnt know i could do. </div>
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our family of four is doing great. yes, i am up every two hours at night, but thankfully the girls are both good eaters and good sleepers making the early hours a little more bearable. they are both getting big...well bigger. i know in pictures they look like every other "average" sized baby, but they are just little peanuts! as of monday at the doc appointment, Claire weighed in at 4lb 15oz and Annabel was 5lb 6oz. they have had lots of visitors and great meals from so many people here in texas. grandma loeser (peter's mom) has been here just over a week and will be here until the 28th. its so nice to have so much help and love for our little sweets!! </div>
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i am doing pretty good. by the end of the pregnancy (friday, the day before delivery) i was up 44 pounds total. my feet and ankles and legs were so full of fluid it hurt to do much. my skin on my belly hurt and itched from stretching (with plenty of marks to prove it) and my heartburn was a permanent fixture. pretty much as soon as i delivered, all of those things started to resolve themselves. while i still have the stretch marks, all of the fluid in my legs has dissipated. i have lost 43 pounds as of today...what??!!?? i still itch, but its a different itch, a side effect of the spinal block (i have scrathed my legs raw in some places...its driving me crazy!). praying (very hard) that it goes away soon! i am feeling pretty good, but still try not to over do it. my scar is still fresh after all.<br />
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i am blessed. i have TWO healthy (and adorable) babies. i have an awesome hubby who is my perfect partner in parenting, i am recovering well and my health is basically back to normal. i am blessed because i am finally a momma!!! i just cant stop saying it...it all seems unreal at times! there are things that i could complain about, but i am choosing to cherish the sweet times i have right now with my family with out focusing too much on the "hard parts"... after all, I AM (finally) A MOMMA!!!!<br />
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thank you, God, for these children that we have prayed for!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOF7ZkGU0ZbC38chQ86oHL2aQnwQxzB23msCup39T4IVV1Tx3Gu_89PKoWjIwNn5TXVRzeP8MZrgrPdXztk-rno-brM9GpP1V6e9r7NsU-ox9-vgWgjijlRfG8TQJxHCSD5rJc9sr7FyU/s1600/IMG_1521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOF7ZkGU0ZbC38chQ86oHL2aQnwQxzB23msCup39T4IVV1Tx3Gu_89PKoWjIwNn5TXVRzeP8MZrgrPdXztk-rno-brM9GpP1V6e9r7NsU-ox9-vgWgjijlRfG8TQJxHCSD5rJc9sr7FyU/s400/IMG_1521.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfd112uIBMIaQzm_GLh1v1NxNIdtjSmNoZ9BJI_DVBxBQUGKBT0aw2gVvIXRQQa9g1K0uTNkWIxU2mhu5DudtIwbbtVwZPPaUP0ZhYpUSux9c9DIbzaKXEiLb-JZkgwMnB4Eel4bX-ns/s1600/IMG_1523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfd112uIBMIaQzm_GLh1v1NxNIdtjSmNoZ9BJI_DVBxBQUGKBT0aw2gVvIXRQQa9g1K0uTNkWIxU2mhu5DudtIwbbtVwZPPaUP0ZhYpUSux9c9DIbzaKXEiLb-JZkgwMnB4Eel4bX-ns/s400/IMG_1523.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annabel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahmfC7HwvbbRyRap3zEkWO-Mj5t0hpx_prjTJkHdhKmBKHg9pcG3LwH048SFJ3X17assQz-ttVvuOtoy9pxombFwd8OCLZi7cnp9PWct_Svzt50-aeV9xIbMYZPZW3XNR6h6W4PhKW8k/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahmfC7HwvbbRyRap3zEkWO-Mj5t0hpx_prjTJkHdhKmBKHg9pcG3LwH048SFJ3X17assQz-ttVvuOtoy9pxombFwd8OCLZi7cnp9PWct_Svzt50-aeV9xIbMYZPZW3XNR6h6W4PhKW8k/s400/IMG_1524.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqNadcRu4Ce5l1AHkjBGO1ulFQpa8Difaj4sD5-Jp9IqtOW-rak06xSFybwNR6kpMmq2SsBbWUxcknBfx7UwyAbv31pJ8HZD39U9rJsSyHkmo3eL2AjObu3_nGdQoRMeDhcVH14_4wJI/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqNadcRu4Ce5l1AHkjBGO1ulFQpa8Difaj4sD5-Jp9IqtOW-rak06xSFybwNR6kpMmq2SsBbWUxcknBfx7UwyAbv31pJ8HZD39U9rJsSyHkmo3eL2AjObu3_nGdQoRMeDhcVH14_4wJI/s400/IMG_1540.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They like to nap together. Claire on left, Annabel on right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT12VDTXC5gJ5bWuje31lXmQqBpQThQ60qqU2xjX5lZRXfA28fjzqmyNXWBAQxKHYleVeUtydyh4MoGBABt7toHBWA9DRt1GhGkrx_6rMHoKoPOOvAcC9NfjznCuyIRty2LOs2tNg-nU/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT12VDTXC5gJ5bWuje31lXmQqBpQThQ60qqU2xjX5lZRXfA28fjzqmyNXWBAQxKHYleVeUtydyh4MoGBABt7toHBWA9DRt1GhGkrx_6rMHoKoPOOvAcC9NfjznCuyIRty2LOs2tNg-nU/s400/IMG_1541.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claire needed to cuddle for a bit after her bottle, this taken while blogging. :)<br /><br /></td></tr>
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blessings, ALo</div>
ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-74511429011345235072013-03-16T23:45:00.003-05:002013-03-16T23:47:16.448-05:00Claire Mackenzie and Annabel Marie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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THEY ARE HERE!!!!<br />
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i can not believe that i have not posted anything over the last few weeks. if you have been trying to follow along, im sorry you have been left hanging. unless we are friends on Facebook/twitter/instagram, you would have no idea. "my" laptop had to be turned in when i resigned from my job, and our home computer pretty much completely crashed that same week.<br />
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so, the quick version goes like this: after that 33 week appointment (last post) my blood pressure was all over the map at pretty much any given point. i would have really good days and really bad days. of course, it just so happened that each time i would have a doctors appointment, i usually had a bad day. i was asked to stay for observation 3 times. those stays always involved a 24 hour urine test to see if there was a certain protein in my urine that would be indicative of pre eclampsia. there was one visit (at 34 weeks) that peter and i took ourselves to the hospital because i was having regular contractions. turns out it was not true labor and we were sent home, but not before a 24 hours test :). in the end, peter and i met up for my bi-weekly appointment with dr. todd on friday march 8. my blood pressure was very high (no surprise to us) and we were admitted. at the end of another 24 hour test and no eating or drinking for over 9 hours, dr. todd came in on march 9 and gave us the option to deliver that night (saturday) or sunday morning. we chose right then...we were tired of all the back and forth, plus i had already not eaten...what was a few more hours? dr. todd thought the girls were ready and based on an ultrasound from friday, told us to expect 6.5-7lb babies, pretty big for 35 weeks and 3 days!!!<br />
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on saturday, march 9 at 8:02pm, Claire Mackenzie Loeser was born, weighing 4lb 11oz and 18 inches long.<br />
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on saturday, march 9 at 8:04pm, Annabel Marie Loeser was born, weighing 5lb 9oz and 19.5 inches long.<br />
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thankfully, the girls came out doing great. they were smaller than what the ultrasound predicted (no surprise there), but were very healthy! they were breathing great on their own and showed no signs of needing assistance. they did go to NICU for the first night for observation and to "be safe"...after all, they were twins and born late term pre mature. unfortunately for me, things didnt go quite as i had planned in my head. dont get me wrong, i had two healthy beautiful babies, but because of my BP issues and because i have amazing doctors who are cautious, i was unable to spend much time with the girls until 6pm sunday night. i was taken to antipartum instead of postpartum to have medicine to control my BP (although it was stable after delivery). i was not allowed to leave my room, and the girls were not able to leave theirs. so, outside of seeing them for 5 min between my move from recovery to antipartum, i did not see them...just a few pics and videos peter and other visitors would show me. BUT all things considered, i am so blessed!! i have said several times over the last few weeks, we make plans so that we can change them!<br />
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the great news is that after the normal 4 days after c-section stay in the hospital we came home all together as a family of four! in fact, we could have left after 3 days, but we opted for the extra day to adjust to being parents with the nursing help if needed. how many 35 week twins can go home 3 days after delivery??!!??<br />
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after being home for a few days, i am so happy to say that we are all doing fantastic! we are TOTALLY in love! i have the cutest baby girls (no bias there), they are good eaters, amazing sleepers, and all around perfect!<br />
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they do not really look anything alike and we can already tell they are going to have unique personalities...its so fun! they also have their daddy wrapped around their little, tiny finger! peter has been an amazing dad from the get go, and this week he has really stepped up his game. i feel like the luckiest woman in the world to have him as my partner in parenthood (more on this later).<br />
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for tonight, i will leave you with the above...maybe i will share more later...like my c-section experience...not at all what i thought it would be. and of course i will have to really tell you how life at home is going. please feel free to follow me on the social media sites...there have been some really cute pics of my sweets added over the last week. geesh...my babies are a week old already!!! but, in case you dont want to do that, here are just a couple.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37a88EuJI41U6yHrALAUxif69jfoUtJN13fdze8UKlnQpQr3PsmmFrPHHVigs1dqTxckEfJJCohMpaTJhnDpNW6BHaqhazCoI4nc5Dbz2vjmfi0wv9jIYN1rxmF45c7A0TNBWxzxRpPM/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37a88EuJI41U6yHrALAUxif69jfoUtJN13fdze8UKlnQpQr3PsmmFrPHHVigs1dqTxckEfJJCohMpaTJhnDpNW6BHaqhazCoI4nc5Dbz2vjmfi0wv9jIYN1rxmF45c7A0TNBWxzxRpPM/s400/photo-5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first day! top is Claire (baby a) bottom is Annabel (baby b)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eLzZQxi0kakipA8DEAliF6zOkB75_azNJdINERGFPjv7A9S0-sj-TVOUyj0UH3MR106bw4hBcBcDtjZQUiBBDaKoMA96eW_EwXxnuGe7lIu4CzerEDQozny1DXvsq5LtrjV8Tczl3AQ/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eLzZQxi0kakipA8DEAliF6zOkB75_azNJdINERGFPjv7A9S0-sj-TVOUyj0UH3MR106bw4hBcBcDtjZQUiBBDaKoMA96eW_EwXxnuGe7lIu4CzerEDQozny1DXvsq5LtrjV8Tczl3AQ/s400/photo-4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taking a snooze on daddy's lap in the hospital. Claire on the left, Annabel on the right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggaKcoxTR2B45-oGukv5GDJ3QX1mSkehSW30FjKP1UrR-GxAxFYfwSF26nubw9NoM-K2hxiQOKO5X9Q-9ADC2LVqhMjDrhqUpFk4kncW6OlmdV-WNm6b8d3mcTgJovhlXvLlBFnJemfY/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggaKcoxTR2B45-oGukv5GDJ3QX1mSkehSW30FjKP1UrR-GxAxFYfwSF26nubw9NoM-K2hxiQOKO5X9Q-9ADC2LVqhMjDrhqUpFk4kncW6OlmdV-WNm6b8d3mcTgJovhlXvLlBFnJemfY/s400/photo-3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i am one tired momma, but soooooo happy! (day 3) Annabel on left and Claire on right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufgWOS5g3eAt1uPhKuIFIfa6MdE_qLd3yh6Fygkph2XPWoYQ1lnYwL6pcdh8Cmu8VqJvotopWYxj6WQagopzLRz7129PrwyWiOIthx0dRMwk2ES0HcM_iY1TguSqXSYY1ZdCKos47plQ/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufgWOS5g3eAt1uPhKuIFIfa6MdE_qLd3yh6Fygkph2XPWoYQ1lnYwL6pcdh8Cmu8VqJvotopWYxj6WQagopzLRz7129PrwyWiOIthx0dRMwk2ES0HcM_iY1TguSqXSYY1ZdCKos47plQ/s400/photo-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finally at home! Claire on left, Annabel right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwPYQWLh4Wlb6iJZfc2duMw83yb7mZhx6hC-5mBwVBSrlX_LD-Mx7jJ_vwg7F4trQNzCAorzKxdJ2W-cdgDqHyQIPPMcGlx8AxhJqNkTf0hsJiHGwTIoh-WSQxDWS2UxCe1n2qmluIL8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwPYQWLh4Wlb6iJZfc2duMw83yb7mZhx6hC-5mBwVBSrlX_LD-Mx7jJ_vwg7F4trQNzCAorzKxdJ2W-cdgDqHyQIPPMcGlx8AxhJqNkTf0hsJiHGwTIoh-WSQxDWS2UxCe1n2qmluIL8/s400/photo.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one week old at the newborn photoshoot. peter loves his new job! Annabel on the left, Claire on the right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuskXG4vHZW8zQjEXSUJ8_EJ28Hx9igLPUrKjyogirYSEvPIhP8voJCYqv7PfPnChhyyf6eVhwb8zR5sBAlNY-sY7tqzrSvX00ae-UfMPqkMmmxBuR-e_z3-rJmMYnC_FbHag2n1Hoek/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuskXG4vHZW8zQjEXSUJ8_EJ28Hx9igLPUrKjyogirYSEvPIhP8voJCYqv7PfPnChhyyf6eVhwb8zR5sBAlNY-sY7tqzrSvX00ae-UfMPqkMmmxBuR-e_z3-rJmMYnC_FbHag2n1Hoek/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cant believe they have been here a week! Annabel on left, Claire on right</td></tr>
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thanks for all the prayers and support and encouragement for peter and me and our girls. we really could not be more blessed or more thankful for all that God has given us in the form of these amazing little people!<br />
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blessings, ALoALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174856144645506380.post-43211263384104582462013-02-19T13:51:00.001-06:002013-02-19T13:51:08.867-06:00Ready, Set...not time to go...yet! i just got back from my 33 week appointment. the girls are both doing great, growing big and still cooking away! peter and i were able to see them on another ultrasound...they wanted to see if they had turned. no such luck there, but they are both doing great. we even got to see some hair on their big ole heads! :) based on the measurements, they are both right around 5 pounds...claire is just under and annabel is just over. i am still having contractions and lots of pressure down there, but the dr. todd says its totally normal. the pressure will not ease up simply because there are two babies, twice the weight and pressure bearing down on me. thankfully, i am still closed, not dilated at all. my belly is measuring 50.5 inches and i have gained exactly 30 pounds. i had gained a little more, but after this weekend i have lost a few. plus, i am trying to cut out sodium so as not to blow up! lol!! so far i still have my ankles showing, so it must be working! :) so, things are still good for us. i go back next tuesday. no plans to schedule anything, just take things one day and one week at a time.<br />
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peter and i were able to get away for a weekend...a babymoon! our friends from church, jimmy and melissa, have a place in matagorda (about 2 hours away from houston) right on the water and they offered to let us use their home this last weekend. matagorda is mainly a fishing village, but it was perfect for us! we were able to lay around and relax, enjoy the beach (which is not like marco island, but totally fine!) get lots of rest, eat good seafood, do lots of walking on the pier and the beach, and enjoy the sunshine (even if it was a tad chilly). we had an amazing time! it was exactly what we needed before our lives become insanely chaotic!! i didnt take very many pics, but here a few:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3FPV-QQMMtY0lBy-OlWQWbwzxSj6ws9GBMkyJN0sGnqRXDQpGeJ1BNORp7nN2q-QFb73oTxLilQ3G4MOwLzWdIwPz_P1txrSgH38luM_o7WcXHW2J2xU_vtB6cBbW2qcq790QJZ-B4g/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3FPV-QQMMtY0lBy-OlWQWbwzxSj6ws9GBMkyJN0sGnqRXDQpGeJ1BNORp7nN2q-QFb73oTxLilQ3G4MOwLzWdIwPz_P1txrSgH38luM_o7WcXHW2J2xU_vtB6cBbW2qcq790QJZ-B4g/s400/beach.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the beach on sunday afternoon. lots of debris, but we didnt care!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYXk1EU1SmlYxdARb-TPdAdO8Kze8r18rxLjZ5a_QprM8L2b4iy6ybKZfIRTVCRE0MR6rtkYz5JaSDjx7TbOt-FxMMODPF9mZ-mRUuSsQzI7gR1dHqsQ1A0m_i4rL4TGZLCAkX9KZNns/s1600/babymoon+couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYXk1EU1SmlYxdARb-TPdAdO8Kze8r18rxLjZ5a_QprM8L2b4iy6ybKZfIRTVCRE0MR6rtkYz5JaSDjx7TbOt-FxMMODPF9mZ-mRUuSsQzI7gR1dHqsQ1A0m_i4rL4TGZLCAkX9KZNns/s400/babymoon+couple.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the babymooners! so blessed by this sweet man!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2FYR7in9PNXNjo0q01w7VFdQhkiv2yuuNnzqumJ3udMMVCuBdyPeRX-NPKh7K0fhSwwOl1APpS-D0e9WfXZsIJsckBOjQ3vDm73y6CwqW3lxVZDMjcFlQDCha2jPngRt5KsXiHCdnvY/s1600/twin+shell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2FYR7in9PNXNjo0q01w7VFdQhkiv2yuuNnzqumJ3udMMVCuBdyPeRX-NPKh7K0fhSwwOl1APpS-D0e9WfXZsIJsckBOjQ3vDm73y6CwqW3lxVZDMjcFlQDCha2jPngRt5KsXiHCdnvY/s400/twin+shell.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the twin shell we found on the beach. we brought it home for the nursery!</td></tr>
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some days we feel ready for the girls to be here, some days i am not so sure. thankfully, God is in control and has blessed us beyond belief with these little ones already! please pray with us as we finish the last minute stuff to bring them home! :)<br />
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blessings, ALo<br />
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<br />ALohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641151843647654718noreply@blogger.com3