Every stage with the twins is new and fun, but I must say that at 15 months old, these are my most favorite days ever. I am not accustomed to how easy our days are now! I am so impressed with my sweeties! I think I have been so used to running around like a wild Indian grabbing bottles, changing diapers, feeding babies, and picking up toys that I forgot how to sit still and simply relax. And I actually get so much rest at night now that I don't even need to take a nap when they do during the day. WOW. Never thought that would happen. :) Billy typically sleeps for 11 hour stints and Brooklyn sleeps in at least 8 or more hour stints (she occasionally stirs about 30 minutes after bedtime but will then go back to sleep and stay asleep). I feel so blessed and do not take it one bit for granted.
We have officially made it over that hump of exhaustion that we (enjoyably of course) experienced over the first year. I feel quite accomplished. :)
These days, the twins are saying more and more words and they are playing so well during the day. There are times when Brooklyn will just come sit in my lap for fifteen minutes or more, or Billy will lay on his sleeping bag and just simply hang out, and it is so nice! They also understand me clearly. If I ask Brooklyn to bring me a book or her baby doll, she will go grab one or the other and bring it back. Or if I ask Billy if he is hungry or wants a bite-bite (food) he will come to me or go to his high chair. Easy breezy.
The only real struggle we have is getting them to sit still during worship service. Whew they hate being confined! And I understand. I have been trying to pull out all the stops though and it is getting easier. :)
Billy IV told me he loved me for the first time last night. Since the day they were born, I have told the twins I love them thousands of times (literally), and to see him make eye contact with me and say those words melted me into a puddle of mush. God is so good!
I am so thankful for these two amazing blessings!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
14 months!!!
Well, one of my New Year's resolutions was to write on my blog three times a week....
Well, er, then we all got sick. Repeatedly.
I feel so sorry for the twins. One will get sick, have it a few days, and then the next one will get sick and have it for a while. I don't think they have went more than three weeks since November without getting sick....bless them. But mommy and daddy are taking extra good care of them and giving them lots of love and attention. :)
These days, it seems like the twins are growing SO fast. It used to be that I would seem to see changes week to week, and now it as though I am seeing them minute to minute.
Brooklyn is a WALKER now. Ah yes, at 14 months. :) She has reached the point where she prefers walking over crawling and stands up like it is nothing. I can tell she thinks she is big to do, and she IS. Brooklyn looks eerily like me in my baby pictures, and I can't describe how good it makes me feel to see brown-eyed Brooklyn toddling around in her princess pj's with a doll in hand. There is something so special about that...sometimes I feel like I am watching myself from 25 years ago. Minus the "diva" aspect. Yes indeed. This is Brooklyn's world and we are living in it. ;) haha I am super laid-back about things, so most the time it just makes me giggle more than anything. But I can tell we are going to have to work with her a tad in the good ole discipline department. Patience grasshopper as Billy III would say! :) But she is just as loving too. She gives more hugs and kisses than any other toddler I have ever seen. And it is so precious to see her rock her babies and give them sugars. She is also developing into a "mama" for Billy IV, which I knew would happen eventually. She will bring him his pacifier if she sees it laying around and will put it in his mouth for him (He always smiles really big). Or during bathtime, if she sees that he is fussing (he suddenly isn't a fan of baths) she will pick up a water toy and hand it to him. But along with being a "mama" to him in that way, she is also attempting to be a mama in other ways too, lol. For instance, the other day Billy was standing up by the couch watching Bubble Guppies from the laptop and she decided it was best that he not be touching the couch, so she carefully (and softly) removed his hands from it. Um, no ma'am. :) haha I have an older sister, so just as much as I adore Brooklyn, I adore Billy just the same and am serious about making sure Billy doesn't experience the younger-child syndrome (yes, one minute makes a difference- I'm telling you). So it is a sweet dynamic. :) But they are both so precious and I can tell they genuinely love and appreciate each other.
Billy still prefers to speed crawl over walking. He sees Brooklyn walking around, and quickly speeds by on all fours. :) Oh, he says, whats the big deal? He will walk when he gets ready! He is so good with his vocabulary right now. I have come to believe he can repeat any word that he feels like repeating. The other day, Billy III asked him if he would like Lucky Charms cereal, and he said "Lucky Charms" like he had said it a million times before. He is also good at repeating animal sounds. He can say woof woof, moo moo, growl like a lion, etc. Right now his main words are Boo (our dog), bite bite (for more food), daddy (naturally-he is a daddy's boy), horse, kitty, and there are a slew of other words. He says them with such ease. He is such a sweetheart. He has a laid back demeanor and typically just goes with the flow these days. He rarely fusses and just plays and plays. I am so proud of him. He recently got some new toddler clothes (along with sis), and he looks so handsome in them! His hair still has a reddish tint, and I am SO hopeful that it will stay around. Please please please! :)
The twins typically play really well together (I would say around 85% of the time we are good to go) but we have just entered a "non-sharing" phase, or possessive stage, whatever you want to call it. I read through some of my books and it said the typically child doesn't genuinely understand what sharing means until around the age of 2.5-3. Okay, so we are roughly 1 year away. :) haha They do understand no-no though and that it is not appropriate to take things from one another. That is the interesting thing with two, we are going to experience phases much sooner than other singletons. And I completely understand. I wasn't a fan of sharing my toys all the time either. haha
I am so proud of my two little ones. They are growing, learning, and developing so quickly. I am soaking these moments in!!!
Well, er, then we all got sick. Repeatedly.
I feel so sorry for the twins. One will get sick, have it a few days, and then the next one will get sick and have it for a while. I don't think they have went more than three weeks since November without getting sick....bless them. But mommy and daddy are taking extra good care of them and giving them lots of love and attention. :)
These days, it seems like the twins are growing SO fast. It used to be that I would seem to see changes week to week, and now it as though I am seeing them minute to minute.
Brooklyn is a WALKER now. Ah yes, at 14 months. :) She has reached the point where she prefers walking over crawling and stands up like it is nothing. I can tell she thinks she is big to do, and she IS. Brooklyn looks eerily like me in my baby pictures, and I can't describe how good it makes me feel to see brown-eyed Brooklyn toddling around in her princess pj's with a doll in hand. There is something so special about that...sometimes I feel like I am watching myself from 25 years ago. Minus the "diva" aspect. Yes indeed. This is Brooklyn's world and we are living in it. ;) haha I am super laid-back about things, so most the time it just makes me giggle more than anything. But I can tell we are going to have to work with her a tad in the good ole discipline department. Patience grasshopper as Billy III would say! :) But she is just as loving too. She gives more hugs and kisses than any other toddler I have ever seen. And it is so precious to see her rock her babies and give them sugars. She is also developing into a "mama" for Billy IV, which I knew would happen eventually. She will bring him his pacifier if she sees it laying around and will put it in his mouth for him (He always smiles really big). Or during bathtime, if she sees that he is fussing (he suddenly isn't a fan of baths) she will pick up a water toy and hand it to him. But along with being a "mama" to him in that way, she is also attempting to be a mama in other ways too, lol. For instance, the other day Billy was standing up by the couch watching Bubble Guppies from the laptop and she decided it was best that he not be touching the couch, so she carefully (and softly) removed his hands from it. Um, no ma'am. :) haha I have an older sister, so just as much as I adore Brooklyn, I adore Billy just the same and am serious about making sure Billy doesn't experience the younger-child syndrome (yes, one minute makes a difference- I'm telling you). So it is a sweet dynamic. :) But they are both so precious and I can tell they genuinely love and appreciate each other.
Billy still prefers to speed crawl over walking. He sees Brooklyn walking around, and quickly speeds by on all fours. :) Oh, he says, whats the big deal? He will walk when he gets ready! He is so good with his vocabulary right now. I have come to believe he can repeat any word that he feels like repeating. The other day, Billy III asked him if he would like Lucky Charms cereal, and he said "Lucky Charms" like he had said it a million times before. He is also good at repeating animal sounds. He can say woof woof, moo moo, growl like a lion, etc. Right now his main words are Boo (our dog), bite bite (for more food), daddy (naturally-he is a daddy's boy), horse, kitty, and there are a slew of other words. He says them with such ease. He is such a sweetheart. He has a laid back demeanor and typically just goes with the flow these days. He rarely fusses and just plays and plays. I am so proud of him. He recently got some new toddler clothes (along with sis), and he looks so handsome in them! His hair still has a reddish tint, and I am SO hopeful that it will stay around. Please please please! :)
The twins typically play really well together (I would say around 85% of the time we are good to go) but we have just entered a "non-sharing" phase, or possessive stage, whatever you want to call it. I read through some of my books and it said the typically child doesn't genuinely understand what sharing means until around the age of 2.5-3. Okay, so we are roughly 1 year away. :) haha They do understand no-no though and that it is not appropriate to take things from one another. That is the interesting thing with two, we are going to experience phases much sooner than other singletons. And I completely understand. I wasn't a fan of sharing my toys all the time either. haha
I am so proud of my two little ones. They are growing, learning, and developing so quickly. I am soaking these moments in!!!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Made from scratch chocolate croissants- Recipe #1 of 52 new recipes for the new year.
Ever since seeing the movie It's Complicated, I have been obsessed with making chocolate croissants from scratch. Since one of my new year's resolutions is to make one new recipe a week for the full year, I thought why not start off 2012 with a bang! So I researched several recipes, picked one out, and went right to work.
Making croissants is a little bit time-consuming (you have breaks in between the dough chilling), but it is super easy and totally worth it. They are SO much better than store-bought crescent rolls and don't have that fake butter taste like the ones in the frozen foods section. Eek.
Here is the recipe I selected! It was borrowed from chickensintheroad.com.
Step 1
1 1/3 cups cold butter
3 cups all-purpose flour
Cut butter into 1/2-inch slices. Mix with 3 cups flour in a bowl and chill while preparing Step 2.
Step 2
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package yeast
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
Combine 1 1/2 cups flour and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Meanwhile, heat milk, sugar and salt in a pan on the stove till warm. Add to yeast-flour mixture along with the egg. Beat with an electric mixer for 30 seconds on low, then on high for 3 minutes.
Step 3
Stir in chilled butter-flour mixture. Flouring hands, knead dough very gently, punching about eight times. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 20 inches by 10 inches). Fold dough into thirds, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours or overnight (or freeze for 30 minutes).
Step 4
Take dough out of refrigerator. Using a floured rolling pin again, roll dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle as described in Step 3. Fold, wrap, and chill dough again, this time for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 5
Remove dough from refrigerator and divide into fourths (*I did mine in thirds) by cutting the dough. Shape each piece into a ball. At this point, you can either use the dough right away, refrigerate it for up to a week, or freeze it for later use. Wrap balls in plastic wrap and store inside a Ziploc baggie. Thaw frozen dough to use. To use immediately, put on a floured surface and using a floured rolling pin, roll out dough into a circle.
I floured my working surface, rolled a third of the dough into a very thin pizza shape with a floured rolling pin, cut it into 12 pizza-slice shapes, and then put chocolate chips on the fat end of each slice of dough. Then I rolled them up, pinched the ends together, and placed them on a greased baking sheet.
Next, I whisked an egg white with one tablespoon of water and brushed each croissant with it.
Finally, I sprinkled each croissant with a little salt, preheated the oven to 375 and baked them for 10-15 minutes.
All done and super delicious!!!
There is something about making your own bread that makes you feel like a legitimate homemaker. Sure made me proud. Haha I was so worried that they wouldn't come out right but they were perfect. So if I can do it, then that means you can.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Letting Go and Letting God
As another year passes me by and a new one begins, I can't help but think of the importance of "Letting Go and Letting God." This quote has always been of significance to me. It is all to easy to become wrapped up in every-day worries and concerns and to lose focus on our Lord. I wish I had a "counter" of sorts so I could see just how much time I spend worrying about the health and future of our twins, the spiritual life of family members, finances, a clean house...
It is a tad bit tiring to even think about, but also a form of release just to be able to get my worries out in the open. What do you worry about? What is interfering with your ability to fully trust in God and to know that you are His child and that He loves you and will take care of you? What is it time to finally let go of?
Jim Elliot, a missionary that was martyred for his faith (not sure of his exact faith, but found significance in his quote), said the following a few months prior to his death: "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
The Bible supplies us with numerous verses about worry, anxiety, and fear. Something tells me God knew it would be a problem for a lot of us. :) Especially us women.
Luke 12:25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When we spend time in worry and try to control our lives, we move further and further from Christ. And if we get jumbled up enough, it can take a significant event to get us back on track. Have you ever prayed about something over and over that worried you or made you anxious just to see it continue to not going your way? Maybe that is your answer.
So what to do with all this worry? Let Go and Let God. Pray about it. Talk to your spouse about it. Just simply vocalizing our worries to someone we love and trust is a release. Take action and make a change for the better!
It is a tad bit tiring to even think about, but also a form of release just to be able to get my worries out in the open. What do you worry about? What is interfering with your ability to fully trust in God and to know that you are His child and that He loves you and will take care of you? What is it time to finally let go of?
Jim Elliot, a missionary that was martyred for his faith (not sure of his exact faith, but found significance in his quote), said the following a few months prior to his death: "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
The Bible supplies us with numerous verses about worry, anxiety, and fear. Something tells me God knew it would be a problem for a lot of us. :) Especially us women.
Luke 12:25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When we spend time in worry and try to control our lives, we move further and further from Christ. And if we get jumbled up enough, it can take a significant event to get us back on track. Have you ever prayed about something over and over that worried you or made you anxious just to see it continue to not going your way? Maybe that is your answer.
So what to do with all this worry? Let Go and Let God. Pray about it. Talk to your spouse about it. Just simply vocalizing our worries to someone we love and trust is a release. Take action and make a change for the better!
Friday, December 30, 2011
To the New Year!
2011 brought a lot of good memories our way. And with two fresh faces in our home, a few lessons in parenthood as well. :) I learned when it is time to move up in diapers (eek), the perfect bottles to use, how important it is to nap when your sweeties do (if possible), the perfect rocking technique for each twin, their favorite foods, and LOTS more. I have also learned that having children makes you less selfish and more spiritual, less insecure and more comfortable in your own skin, and it fills gaps in your life that you never knew were there and makes you feel so fulfilled.
God has blessed us so much, and I can't help but feel a little undeserving. I still remember how excited I was to see Billy IV roll over for the first time at fourth months this year, and then how thrilled I was to hear Broooklyn say da-da on an afternoon stroll through the neighborhood at five months. I was so proud to see Billy IV army crawl (faster than you could imagine) for the first time at 8 months and then for Brooklyn to take slow, exaggerated crawls on her knees while she was still holding onto a little baby fat at nine months. haha I suppose we will see our first steps in 2012!
I feel so incredibly proud of the two individuals they are becoming.
We had our 12 month check-up this past Thursday, and I must say, it was HORRIBLE. Six shots and two foot pricks were just about enough to put this tough mommy under. Billy handled his shots pretty well, but poor Brooklyn cried and cried. I could tell her feelings were really hurt. I cried right along with her. As a mother, it is of course my natural instinct to protect my sweeties from any possible pain. And while I know the shots were necessary, it didn't make them any easier. But at least we went one for two regarding how they handled them. The nurses gave them suckers afterwards, and Billy immediately cheered up and gave the impression that he would take on another shot if it meant he got another sucker. It was so sweet. He is a tough cookie like his mama. I can tell he is going to have a high tolerance for pain.
The twins are coming along! Brooklyn weighed 19 lbs 15 oz and was 29.5 inches long. Billy weighed 18 lbs 12oz and was 29.5 inches. Brooklyn is headed towards the 50th percentile but Billy still has a ways to go. But he will get there! I was always a skinny minny growing up, and I think he has a little in common with mommy.
During 2012, I plan to make a few changes to my blog (if I can keep up). I am going to divide it in three sections and write three times a week. I am going to write about spiritual life on Mondays, new recipes that are tried and true on Wednesdays, and then I am going to do a general update on the Helton household on Fridays. It is mainly something I am doing for me so I have a little "project." :) Now let's see if I can stick to it!
Happy New Year! I hope this year brings many wonderful blessings your way!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Joy in the simple things
It's hard to believe my two "babies" are 13 months now. The other night they were standing up by the changing table in their room, and I caught a glimpse of how much longer they have gotten in length, and it tugged at my heart a little.
With each new day, I get to see new expressions, hear new words, and witness new areas of growth in their development. And it is happening so quickly.
Right now, the twins favorite menu items consist of apples and chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, grapes, goldfish crackers, and mixed berries. We have quite a time getting the twins to eat as much as the "charts" say they should. ;) I often refer to it as my "patience builder." haha But as we introduce more and more table foods, it is becoming easier and they are eating better.
One of my favorite moments with the twins right now is when we get out of the car with them after going on a car ride and arriving at a location. It always makes me smile to see them pop their heads up and look around to see where we are. The world is so fresh to them. They are so inquisitive. I don't know what it is about it, but it is so sweet.
As you probably know, the twins pretty much spend 24/7 together. They eat together, play together, laugh and explore together. The other day, Billy took Brooklyn with him to run some errands so they were apart for a few hours. As soon as they arrived home, Billy IV threw his arms in the air and immediately started smiling and hugging Brooklyn. It is amazing to see how much he looks up to and loves his bigger sis. Ah you say, they are only one minute apart. But it is amazing to me how much I can tell that Brooklyn is big sis and Billy is little brother. It is so precious.
I was thrilled to receive a new journaling Bible and devotional book on Joy from my hubby as one of my Christmas gifts. We do the "12 days of Christmas" and try to get a gift for each other for each of the twelve days. Being a mommy of two 1 year olds, I feel like I am constantly moving, and I am trying to put extra effort into my spiritual life right now. It is so easy to get caught up in everything going on within our four walls, and I want to make sure that my focus is continually Christ-centered. After doing just one of the devotionals tonight, I already feel a sense of peace.
I am so exciting about spending this holiday season with our familes. This Thursday, we are heading down to Arab to have our immediate family's Christmas party. Then on Friday, we are having our extended family's Christmas get-together at my grandmother's house. On Saturday, we will be back in Lawrenceburg to go to Billy's grandparent's home for Christmas. And finally, We are planning to spend the night with Biff and Penny Saturday and Sunday night to celebrate the festivities further. We are so lucky to be blessed with two AMAZING families.
This year, it will be exciting because the twins will be aware of the gifts they are receiving and will be ready to play. Last year they were snoozing the whole time. haha
Here is to hoping for a happy and safe holiday season from our home to yours!
With each new day, I get to see new expressions, hear new words, and witness new areas of growth in their development. And it is happening so quickly.
Right now, the twins favorite menu items consist of apples and chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, grapes, goldfish crackers, and mixed berries. We have quite a time getting the twins to eat as much as the "charts" say they should. ;) I often refer to it as my "patience builder." haha But as we introduce more and more table foods, it is becoming easier and they are eating better.
One of my favorite moments with the twins right now is when we get out of the car with them after going on a car ride and arriving at a location. It always makes me smile to see them pop their heads up and look around to see where we are. The world is so fresh to them. They are so inquisitive. I don't know what it is about it, but it is so sweet.
As you probably know, the twins pretty much spend 24/7 together. They eat together, play together, laugh and explore together. The other day, Billy took Brooklyn with him to run some errands so they were apart for a few hours. As soon as they arrived home, Billy IV threw his arms in the air and immediately started smiling and hugging Brooklyn. It is amazing to see how much he looks up to and loves his bigger sis. Ah you say, they are only one minute apart. But it is amazing to me how much I can tell that Brooklyn is big sis and Billy is little brother. It is so precious.
I was thrilled to receive a new journaling Bible and devotional book on Joy from my hubby as one of my Christmas gifts. We do the "12 days of Christmas" and try to get a gift for each other for each of the twelve days. Being a mommy of two 1 year olds, I feel like I am constantly moving, and I am trying to put extra effort into my spiritual life right now. It is so easy to get caught up in everything going on within our four walls, and I want to make sure that my focus is continually Christ-centered. After doing just one of the devotionals tonight, I already feel a sense of peace.
I am so exciting about spending this holiday season with our familes. This Thursday, we are heading down to Arab to have our immediate family's Christmas party. Then on Friday, we are having our extended family's Christmas get-together at my grandmother's house. On Saturday, we will be back in Lawrenceburg to go to Billy's grandparent's home for Christmas. And finally, We are planning to spend the night with Biff and Penny Saturday and Sunday night to celebrate the festivities further. We are so lucky to be blessed with two AMAZING families.
This year, it will be exciting because the twins will be aware of the gifts they are receiving and will be ready to play. Last year they were snoozing the whole time. haha
Here is to hoping for a happy and safe holiday season from our home to yours!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Look Whoo's Turning 1!!!
It feels like it has been a year since Billy and Brooklyn's birth in some ways, and then in other ways, it only seems like it has been a few weeks. I still remember everything about our visit to the doctor that day and then our subsequent admission to the hospital for the birth of our two sweeties. I still remember telling Billy to be sure his bag was packed and in the car. Mommy knew what was coming, daddy didn't. Haha He called his mother a few hours later, somewhat frantic, naming several items to try to locate in our house and to pack in a bag for him. lol I remember complementing our doctor on her scarf that day. Odd but true. I remember her looking rather surprised and telling me how much I had dilated, and that she could feel one of the twins feet. Sorry if that is TMI. I say that because when she said she didn't know which one it was, I knew. It was sweet Brooklyn, who, bless her heart, had been turned to the side the entire pregnancy and was rather tired of being cramped in mommy's tummy. I still remember the powerful feeling the night prior when she decided to get the process "moving" a bit. OUCH. :) She always was a big mover. I am so thankful to Billy for getting this picture of the twins and I following their birth. I wouldn't sell it for a million dollars. You may think I am teasing but I am completely serious. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and to me this one is worth a thousand smiles.
Our twins are incredibly different from one another, but they love each other very dearly. Ah yes, you say, "of course they do." ;) But it is true. They are each their own person, but I have had the blessing of seeing their affection for each other each day, and it is more dear to my heart then you could imagine. Now, that doesn't mean they don't compete in some fashions, or go after the same toy on more than one occasion throughout our mornings and afternoons at home, they are after all normal siblings, but at the end of the day they are each others number one fan. I have witnessed several moments of them this year smiling, holding hands, playing together, and so on. It has been amazing to watch them grow developmentally, physically and mentally each passing day. Here are a few of my favorite photos that capture their incredible bond.
I am continually mesmerized by the closeness they have been given the opportunity to share as a result of being twins. What a blessing it is, and I pray that they will always remain this close.
As I said earlier, our twins have completely different personalities in my opinion.
Brooklyn is strong-willed, independent, curious, and though she is only one, she is quite bright. Proud mommy syndrome...I know. She is very observant and always wants to know how things work. She has always been very interested in learning. Her eyes always light up and she smiles so big when we go through songs, read stories, or play with new toys. She will sit with me and pay close attention as I show her how toys work, and she catches onto things so quickly. She enjoys turning pages in her books and looking at the pictures. Recently she has started babbling to them in her own effort to read. It is so sweet. And while she is independent as I said earlier, she is just as much dependent on mommy. She typically sits right beside me during the day. I realized early that I would need that one on my side, and she certainly is. lol She is one minute older rules the roost as the saying goes. And I eat it up. Brooklyn loves to be with those that she knows best, and for most nights of the week, that includes bedtime. I have decided she really seems to "enjoy" our pillow top mattress and jersey sheets, nevermind that mommy is close by. She has become my "bed buddy" of sorts. And hey, as long as they are sleeping at night, I will do it any which of way. And I have to admit that I enjoy having one of them to cuddle with. But don't tell daddy!
Billy IV has such a kind, loving demeanor. I have always been able to tell how soft his heart is. He gives the sweetest, most gentle looks of anyone I have ever known. Frequently during the afternoon, I will be laying on the floor with them while they play, and Billy will crawl over and get on my back and give me a hug and a kiss. I don't prompt it, he typically just comes on over. I don't have to hear him say I love you to know that he does. He is my little mover, always on the go. He can go from 0-60 in a matter of seconds. He is constantly exploring, and is always surprising me with his level of intelligence. As we work on new words, I always find it funny that Billy doesn't have to watch my mouth or hear words over and over to repeat them. There have been many times that I will say a word one time while looking at an object, and Billy will be looking at the object at the time and just say it plain as day. He is also a soft one like his mommy. I contribute it to being the second born child like I am. As he gets older, I can tell he will be the one to ensure no one gets left out, or no one's feelings get hurt, etc. He entertains himself on his own for large parts of the day, observing different toys and seeing how they work. He has slept through the night for a few months now and it is SO nice!
I have learned a great deal over the past 12 months about our Lord, child-rearing, contentment, fulfillment, prayer, unconditional love, patience, lack of sleep (ha), and myself. It's funny how full your life can seem, and then enters two little ones, and you realize how empty it was prior. And more than that, how quickly you realize what truly is important and what needs to be tossed to the wayside. I still have a ways to go, but Brooklyn and Billy have taught me a great deal about being content with where I am and with what point my life is at. They have helped me to live in the moment and to not wish my life away to the next big thing. They have also have helped me to realize how strong I am emotionally and mentally. That may seem strange to point out, but I can say that after a full year with two infants with basically zero prior experience, and being solely on-call from 12:00 at night until 4:00 PM, mommy is a tough cookie. Especially since we have had a lot of sleep "issues." ;) I'm ready for my backrub dad. :) But I am lucky to have two little ones that have mostly taken it easy on me. They never were the type to just cry or to repeatedly fuss or whatnot (whew, lol). I am so thankful for what I have learned from and with them over the past 12 months. As the saying goes, we may not have it all together, but together we have it all.
As a mother of twins, and just as a mother in general, I have learned what seems like a million things concerning child-rearing. I have changed over a thousand diapers, fed them hundreds of bottles (I can pour four ounces of water in bottle without looking at the fill line. I can tell by the sound of the water filling the bottle when it reaches four ounces), I know that 200 rocks back and forth usually equals a sleeping baby. At least until you go to lay them down in the crib. ha I have learned to follow my intuition, and I now know that sleep isn't a requirement, it is a blessing. The list goes on and on...
This past Saturday we celebrated the twin's first birthday. Their theme was "Look Whoo's Turning One." It was so nice to spend a few hours with the people we are closest too and to celebrate the birthday of the two most precious people in my life. I am so thankful to our Lord for providing us with these two wonderful gifts!
Our twins are incredibly different from one another, but they love each other very dearly. Ah yes, you say, "of course they do." ;) But it is true. They are each their own person, but I have had the blessing of seeing their affection for each other each day, and it is more dear to my heart then you could imagine. Now, that doesn't mean they don't compete in some fashions, or go after the same toy on more than one occasion throughout our mornings and afternoons at home, they are after all normal siblings, but at the end of the day they are each others number one fan. I have witnessed several moments of them this year smiling, holding hands, playing together, and so on. It has been amazing to watch them grow developmentally, physically and mentally each passing day. Here are a few of my favorite photos that capture their incredible bond.
I am continually mesmerized by the closeness they have been given the opportunity to share as a result of being twins. What a blessing it is, and I pray that they will always remain this close.
As I said earlier, our twins have completely different personalities in my opinion.
Brooklyn is strong-willed, independent, curious, and though she is only one, she is quite bright. Proud mommy syndrome...I know. She is very observant and always wants to know how things work. She has always been very interested in learning. Her eyes always light up and she smiles so big when we go through songs, read stories, or play with new toys. She will sit with me and pay close attention as I show her how toys work, and she catches onto things so quickly. She enjoys turning pages in her books and looking at the pictures. Recently she has started babbling to them in her own effort to read. It is so sweet. And while she is independent as I said earlier, she is just as much dependent on mommy. She typically sits right beside me during the day. I realized early that I would need that one on my side, and she certainly is. lol She is one minute older rules the roost as the saying goes. And I eat it up. Brooklyn loves to be with those that she knows best, and for most nights of the week, that includes bedtime. I have decided she really seems to "enjoy" our pillow top mattress and jersey sheets, nevermind that mommy is close by. She has become my "bed buddy" of sorts. And hey, as long as they are sleeping at night, I will do it any which of way. And I have to admit that I enjoy having one of them to cuddle with. But don't tell daddy!
Billy IV has such a kind, loving demeanor. I have always been able to tell how soft his heart is. He gives the sweetest, most gentle looks of anyone I have ever known. Frequently during the afternoon, I will be laying on the floor with them while they play, and Billy will crawl over and get on my back and give me a hug and a kiss. I don't prompt it, he typically just comes on over. I don't have to hear him say I love you to know that he does. He is my little mover, always on the go. He can go from 0-60 in a matter of seconds. He is constantly exploring, and is always surprising me with his level of intelligence. As we work on new words, I always find it funny that Billy doesn't have to watch my mouth or hear words over and over to repeat them. There have been many times that I will say a word one time while looking at an object, and Billy will be looking at the object at the time and just say it plain as day. He is also a soft one like his mommy. I contribute it to being the second born child like I am. As he gets older, I can tell he will be the one to ensure no one gets left out, or no one's feelings get hurt, etc. He entertains himself on his own for large parts of the day, observing different toys and seeing how they work. He has slept through the night for a few months now and it is SO nice!
I have learned a great deal over the past 12 months about our Lord, child-rearing, contentment, fulfillment, prayer, unconditional love, patience, lack of sleep (ha), and myself. It's funny how full your life can seem, and then enters two little ones, and you realize how empty it was prior. And more than that, how quickly you realize what truly is important and what needs to be tossed to the wayside. I still have a ways to go, but Brooklyn and Billy have taught me a great deal about being content with where I am and with what point my life is at. They have helped me to live in the moment and to not wish my life away to the next big thing. They have also have helped me to realize how strong I am emotionally and mentally. That may seem strange to point out, but I can say that after a full year with two infants with basically zero prior experience, and being solely on-call from 12:00 at night until 4:00 PM, mommy is a tough cookie. Especially since we have had a lot of sleep "issues." ;) I'm ready for my backrub dad. :) But I am lucky to have two little ones that have mostly taken it easy on me. They never were the type to just cry or to repeatedly fuss or whatnot (whew, lol). I am so thankful for what I have learned from and with them over the past 12 months. As the saying goes, we may not have it all together, but together we have it all.
As a mother of twins, and just as a mother in general, I have learned what seems like a million things concerning child-rearing. I have changed over a thousand diapers, fed them hundreds of bottles (I can pour four ounces of water in bottle without looking at the fill line. I can tell by the sound of the water filling the bottle when it reaches four ounces), I know that 200 rocks back and forth usually equals a sleeping baby. At least until you go to lay them down in the crib. ha I have learned to follow my intuition, and I now know that sleep isn't a requirement, it is a blessing. The list goes on and on...
This past Saturday we celebrated the twin's first birthday. Their theme was "Look Whoo's Turning One." It was so nice to spend a few hours with the people we are closest too and to celebrate the birthday of the two most precious people in my life. I am so thankful to our Lord for providing us with these two wonderful gifts!
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