Monday, March 26, 2012

16 month check-up!

Today was shot day for the Helton twins. I always get a little anxious before these visits, because while Billy IV handles them pretty well, Brooklyn does not. The last two shot visits, she has cried and cried and been so upset. :( Bless her. Billy IV is my tough little man and Brooklyn is our diva gal. :)

The doctor was very pleased with how the twins are growing. Billy weighed 20 lbs 5 oz and was 31 inches tall. Brooklyn weighed 21 lbs 6 oz and was 30.5 inches tall. I am very proud that their tummies are finally starting to "hang over" their pants a tad. :)

Billy IV was talking up a storm and smiling while the doctor visited with us. I love his level of independence and how easily he entertains himself. Brooklyn sat firmly in mommy's lap with her arms around me. Ha. Gotta love a genuine mommy's girl. There are true blessings to both scenerios. :)

Surprising (and thankfully), the twins handled their shots really well! They each only cried for a minute or two. I was SO relieved. It absolutely breaks my heart for them to have to get them but I know it is entirely necessary.

After their check-up, we treated them to the donut shop. The owner was so sweet and as we got ready to leave with our sweets in hand, she gave them each a donut hole to enjoy on the car trip home. They had glaze smeared all over their faces and little hands when we got home. It was precious.

We spent the day playing with toys, talking to our kitty, going on a long walk in our jogging stroller (LOVING this weather and being able to get out and about- I could see each of the twins dancing their little feet back and forth while we were strolling along), eating popsicles, and watching cartoons. I could tell the twins were a little uncomfortable tonight and were ready to turn it in for the night a little earlier than normal.

They are now sleeping soundly. :) All in all, I consider it a good day despite the shots! Tonight I was thinking about all our blessings and how thankful I am to have two healthy, happy one year olds. Thank you Lord for watching over our family! I don't take a single bit of it for granted!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Adoration

I can't help but absolutely adore my two little ones...I absolutely eat up every single moment I have with them.

From Billy's sly grin when he climbs up on top of a toy for the tenth time (which he knows it is a no-no), to Brooklyn patting my back while giving me a hug.

From Billy's loud giggles as he barrels down the hallway chasing after a ball, to Brooklyn's sweet grin as she says kitty-kitty while looking out the front door.

From Brooklyn following me from room to room and sticking her fingers under the door while I'm in the bathroom, to Billy dancing up and down when one of his favorite Bubble Guppies episodes come on.

From Brooklyn wanting mommy, and only mommy at certain times, to Billy suddenly having the sweetest expression across his face and surprising me with a sugar.

Even when Brooklyn is kicking and huffing because she doesn't want to sit still in the church pew, or Billy gets his feelings hurt because he isn't allowed to climb to the highest point in the room, I love them so incredibly much.

These are the days.

Is it possible to adore your children too much? I think not.

Even when they are acting like little Indians and I have to discipline them, I love them that much more.

They are constantly filling my heart with so much tenderness, my actions with so much affection, my soul with so much fulfillment, my prayers with so much fervor.

I have never felt more loved or more counted on than I do now.

The stage the twins are in gets more and more fun each day. I am endlessly thrilled by each new word I hear and each new reaction I see as they explore the world around them. Children have a way of allowing us to break apart our busy lives into small segments, and they teach us to appreciate the smallest of things. Brooklyn got the biggest satisfaction out of carrying around an empty KFC box today. Billy adored the fact that he got to carry around a capri-sun drink.

With each new day, my eyes open a little more and I see just how much they are watching Billy and I, and sweetly, just how much they want to be like us and do the things we do. It gives way to a little self-examination. Exactly what am I showing them is important? How do I react when the going gets tough? What are the expressions I give? What am I showing them regarding how a husband/wife relationship should be? How often do I tell them about our Lord and His love for them? It is never too early to set a good example. Especially in the world we live in today.

Parenthood comes with some serious responsibilities.

It still amazes me to think about how far we have come over the last sixteen months. All the sleepless nights and fussy spells and sickness. It's hard to believe Brooklyn will sleep for ten hours at night and Billy gobbles up his food so well at mealtime.

I pray every night that God will give them long and fruitful lives in His Service.

Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for the two biggest blessings and accomplishments of my life. Everything I did prior to November 18th 2010 carries so little comparison and meaning to the day my precious twins entered this world and became my life's work. Please be with Billy and I and give us the knowledge, patience, and know-how to lead them to You through our consistency, our gentleness, our love. I take time everyday to kiss Billy's short, chubby feet and to hold Brooklyn's small hand. I pray that one day they will meet strong Christian mates and that they will grow together in Christ and will have a happy, Christ-centered home. May we always remember James 1:17 and always give You the glory. Amen.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

St Louis Trip and updates on the twins!




The twins are getting bigger and bigger these days! I still refer to them as babies, but I guess when Billy IV starts walking full-time I will have to own up and refer to them as toddlers. He is up to sixteen steps so far. He does things on his own time. He carries around his basketballs on the back of his legs and will crawl everywhere with them. It is quite the skill. And he is mad fast at crawling, so I suppose he sees no need to walk. Secretly, I think he knows it will be hard on mommy for Brooklyn and he to not offically be "babies" anymore so he is being kind and crawling for my benefit. ;)

A little over a week ago Netty and Big Daddy kept the twins Thursday night through Sunday night so Billy and I could go on a anniversary/Halloween convention trip. Ah yes, Halloween. My husband is obsessed. Every year in March, there is a huge Halloween convention in St Louis, MO. I think this year was it's 17th year running (my husband will correct me if I am wrong). They have hundreds of vendors there. Billy was literally like a kid in a candystore. When we got out of the car, I literally had to hold his hand tightly to keep him from sprinting off to it. For once in my life, I held the credit cards. :) There were so many scary creatures there! Apparently I must look sweet and innocent, because all the owners of the vendors would see me coming and as we passed by they would suddenly push a button and BOOM! Some scary creature would jump out. I could seriously feel them watching me as I strolled along and got closer. They would be in the middle of ringing up a purchase and ta-da! A mechanical dog would jump out of it's cage or a monster would come storming out of a coffin. I tried to contain myself but jumped at least twice. Several people thought it was funny. :)


(The B&B we stayed at- I LOVE homes like this!)

Billy got several good ideas during the trip. He wants to have a haunted house/trail a few years from now. I definitely think it is something he can and will achieve. Every year he purchases a few props and builds several of his own. He is great with money and has some great plans so I am looking forward to scaring the people of Lawrenceburg and surrounding communities one day. :)

While we were in St Louis, we also enjoyed some amazing meals and I did a little shopping. I had been deathly sick the week before, and some of the sickness was still lingering but I made it through. It was nice to relax and to take it easy.

I definitely missed the twins though! When we got back to Biff and Penny's house to pick them up, I was out of the car in a flash and had them in my arms smothering them with kisses. Sorry kids. :) Billy and Brooklyn are my WORLD. Everything I do revolves around them. I am so thankful to have to a wonderful set of second parents like Biff and Penny. I don't even refer to or think of them as in-laws. They genuinely treat Adam and I like we are one of their own. That is a rarity and such a blessing. They have done so much for us, and we will have some huge shoes to fill one day when it comes our turn. And I will absolutely ensure we do the same. :)

It was nice for Billy and I to have some time to ourselves and to have the opportunity to "miss" the twins. I am of course with them 24/7 and I will admit that on those rare occasions, I do get a little exhausted and need a little time for mommy. I think the twins enjoyed having time with Netty and Big Daddy as well. When we all got home and I was helping Brooklyn get to sleep, she put her little hand on my face as she drifted off and I absolutely knew that I am right where I am supposed to be at this point in my life. I have never felt more loved or needed than I do right now. And it is such a blessing. Billy IV will often give me a big ole grin and start laughing and I can tell in his dark brown eyes how much he loves mommy. It melts my heart. :)

The twins are playing so well during the day and are saying more and more words. I am so proud of them. Brooklyn walks here, there and everywhere and I can tell she thinks she is at least 16. Billy climbs this, that, and everything. :) He is like his daddy! So thankful for these two little ones!