It's hard to believe my precious babies will be one in two months. Like everyone says, the time has flown by, and I have taken special care to soak up and enjoy every moment and detail so as to have no regrets. That doesn't mean I haven't been utterly exhausted at times, or wondered how I would make it to 4:15 when Billy arrives home from work every now and then, but like a good friend told me, it is important to enjoy both the good and the bad moments because they help us to grow. Prior to that realization, I dreaded when the babies would both start fussing or crying every now and then during the day (lucky for me, this has been a rarity because they are both great babies) , or when they would wake up ready to go when mommy had only slept two hours the night before. I have quickly learned how important it is to live minute to minute, and moment to moment. And this has made me appreciate life so incredibly much. It is hard to describe. It feels so amazing to be concentrating on the present and to not be dwelling in the past or future. It is such a release. :) My life has changed dramatically over the past year. I have learned to love more strongly, forgive more easily, pray more fervently, give more freely, to focus on what is important more clearly, and to live more spiritually. I am yet to understand or fathom what I could have ever done to deserve these two precious gifts from God, and something tells me I never will. "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward." (Psalm 127:3) Life with two additions has been a learning process, but it has brought more joy to my life than all my previous 25 years combined. Surprisingly, it has been easier than I thought it would be. Way easier in fact. But then again, they are our first so we wouldn't know any different. ;) Billy and Brooklyn have so much in common, yet also have so many differences and are each their own individual. I have enjoyed watching them grow, smile and giggle, learn new tasks and words, develop independence, and begin to interact more and more. I have tried to keep up with all their similarities and differences so that I can reflect on them as they continue to grow.

Here are a few examples:.
-Billy absolutely loves fruits and does not care for veggies. He makes the most horrible face when I try to feed him sweet peas. Brooklyn, on the other hand, loves veggies and does not care for fruits.
-Billy loves using a green solid rubber/latex pacifier, while Brooklyn prefers a half plastic/rubber Playtex pacifier.
-Billy fights going to sleep at night but then sleeps better when he does falls asleep, all while napping really well during the day. Brooklyn goes to sleep more easily at night, but then usually wakes once or twice a night even thought she often wakes earlier from naps than Billy during the day.
-Brooklyn's favorite toy is a purple puppy called Violet. Billy's favorite toy is a monkey rattle that squeaks or his white baseball.
-During the months of 4-6, Billy LOVED the jumperoo but strongly dislked the johnny jump-up. Brooklyn was "okay" with the jumper but LOVED Johnny jump-up.
-Billy loves eating oatmeal, while Brooklyn loves rice.
-Billy "looks for a good time" and smiles and giggles at just about anything. Brooklyn closely monitors what is going on around her, and smiles/giggles frequently but with careful observation.
-Billy would go to just about anyone as long as it means cuddles, Brooklyn prefers being with someone she knows and is comfortable with.
-Brooklyn is vocal and frequently squeals, growls as we call it, or jibber-jabbers. -Billy is becoming more vocal but is more of a doer than a sayer. He is constantly on the move.

The list goes on and on...

One thing is for sure, I don't know where I would be without my sweeties! I love you Billy and Brooklyn!

Most of the recent pictures of the twins found below are from our trip to the Pumpkin Patch with Ashley! More Halloween stuff to come!!!

Gracie is here!!!

On this past Friday morning we were blessed to welcome our beautiful niece Gracie into the world.

She was born at 9:09 AM, weighing 9 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 23 inches long.

I am so proud to have my first niece. She is so gorgeous! She has a head full of dark hair and looks like a little Indian baby. :)

The first time I held her, she became really quiet and looked in my direction while holding my hand in-between hers. I was hooked immediately. :) I am looking forward to spoiling her rotten. I can't wait for all the ice cream dates, pedicures, shopping trips, and sleepovers that are to come.

Ashley did incredibly well during the birth of Gracie. She is truly a CHAMP. We came in to see her right before she gave birth and she had a huge smile on her face! And Adam was absolutely GLOWING. They are going to be amazing parents. There is nothing quite like being a parent. The amount of love that soars through your heart is indescribable! Gracie has also been blessed with two wonderful sets of grandparents. Netty and Big Daddy go above and beyond for their children and grandchildren. I can say from experience over the past year that Billy, Brooklyn, and Gracie will ALWAYS know just how much they are loved.

It was so wonderful to see Billy, Brooklyn, and Gracie together this Saturday. God has blessed our family so much over the past year and I am SO thankful. To God be the glory!

Sleepless in Tennessee

Sleepless in Tennessee after 8 months...but hopefully not for long.

As of lately, the twins have been rotating out and having cycles of "frequent wakings." Haha you say, welcome to mommyhood! :)

Last month, Billy had a period of two weeks where he woke up every hour each night. BUT as of today he has slept through the night for two weeks!!!!

Now it's Brookie's turn it appears. For two weeks, she has been getting up every hour.

I have found that I would rather be utterly exhausted than allow them to cry themselves to sleep. I have read countless articles and books that advocate both sides (CIO and nurturing your baby). After reading each article and finishing each book, I still come to the same conclusion: As a parent, it is my job to love, nourish, soothe, comfort, and build trust with my babies. Not the opposite.

You should do what is natural and instinctive as a mommy.

That being said, I have plenty of friends that have used CIO and their babies sleep soundly through the night. And sleep is extremely important for babies. That method just isn't for me. :)


My current reads are "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins", "The No Cry Sleep Solution", and "The 90 Minute Sleep Cycle Program."

I've researched everything from teething, reflux, separation anxiety, feeding schedules, lovey's, bedtime routines, to sleep crutches.

My current physical appearance consists of dark circles, frequent yawning, and red eyes. ;)

But lucky for me, I have a wonderful hubby who is taking on a few nights each week so I can get a full night's rest at those times.

I have decided to apply the methods of "The No Cry Sleep Solution" consistently and see where it takes us. I am suppose to assess my results after a 10 day period so I'll be back on August 3rd with my findings.

Most importantly, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter how many sleepless nights we experience. I can honestly say there is nothing quite like be needed by your child, whatever the reason may be. I can't begin to describe the love that soars through me when one of my sweeties reaches for me, or gives me a big smile, or giggles while we play games.

God is so good and I am so blessed to be Billy Ray and Brooklyn Rose's mommy.

Now here is to a good night's sleep!

Living in the moment

Here lately, I have been trying to take extra care to live moment to moment.

Life with twins means twice the smiles, twice the laughs, and well, being twice as busy.

Having twins hasn't actually caused me to have to speed things up, it has actually helped me remember to slow them down. When I get up in the morning, I can''t immediately begin to think about where Billy's missing baby shoe is, what flower bow may match Brooklyn's outfit best, whether it will be cool enough for a stroll, how easily the babies will lay down for their naps, or how much longer we have before we need to buy more diapers or formula....I have learned to take things in stride and to live minute to minute. Billy and Brooklyn continually serve as reminders for me to live in the moment, while of course bearing in mind those things of importance for our future. It's amazing to me what two 8 month old babies can teach you about yourself if you slow down enough to truly take in those special moments. Beyond letting me know what faces I make are the funniest (and what faces are not ;)), the twins have helped me to remember what it feels like to be needed, how golden patience is, that you don't have to use words to communicate, and that there can be gaps in your life that you never knew existed until you have someone fill them.

~4th of July 2011~

For this year’s 4th of July, the Helton 4 spent time at Netty’s and Big Daddy’s house. We enjoyed a late afternoon meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, Pina Colada smoothies, and homemade strawberry ice cream. It was all DELICIOUS. The Sandlot was playing on TV, which is one of my ALL TIME favorites and also served to set the tone for the day. As darkness began to fall, Big Daddy and Netty kept the twins so Billy III, Ashley, and I could go watch the fireworks show in Lawrence County. It went off with a bang…well, actually, there was several loud bangs during and at the end of the show as it seemed some of the fireworks were apparently malfunctioning. All in all, we had several good laughs and I was glad that we went. You can’t have a 4th of July without a good fireworks show!

This has been the best 4th of July yet as it was the first one we got to experience with the twins. I was so excited to deck them out in their matching outfits for the occasion. While we were at the fireworks show, Ashley and I noticed a large family sitting together on a truck next to us, and I couldn’t help but think of the future and what I’m sure will be numerous exciting holidays with our families. I have always wanted a big family, as I grew up in one, and it was always so much fun at get-togethers.

This year, I had a lot of things to be thankful for and I took time during the day to think on those wonderful blessings I have received over the past year. It’s wild to think that between last year’s 4th of July celebration and this year’s celebration, I have had a son and a daughter and am getting ready to be an aunt to my first niece. God is so good!!!

The months are speeding by...

On the 18th of this month, our two "babies" will be 8 months old...8 months old seems so much older to me than all the other "monthly" birthdays for some reason. :) Everyone has told me the time would fly by, and it truly has. I can honestly say though that I have enjoyed every single moment of it. I don't take being able to stay at home with Billy and Brooklyn one bit for granted. That doesn't mean there aren't days when I am especially tired, or a bit stressed when they are both ready for naps at the same time, but that just makes me human. And a mother of twins. :)

During my days, weeks, and months with the twins thus far, I have taken special care to remember to do certain things each day.

For one, after I rock them to sleep (yes, we are still rocking them-that's mommy's call ;)), I always make sure I spend several extra minutes holding them. As simple as that seems, it is one of the most sentimental moments of my day. As they are in my arms and I am studying their features, I typically drift into thought- thoughts of what we will talk about when they are toddlers, of what sports they may or may not play, and also into much deeper thoughts, like what kind of friends they will have in school, what kind of spouse they may marry, and most importantly, what I can do as their mother to ensure they are strong Christians. My faith has been strengthened that much more through the blessing of Billy and Brooklyn. I see God's love in their sweet smiles and precious laughs. I see God's grace in the fact that they are both healthy. I could go on and on. Each and every day, I see aspects in our twins that make me realize and appreciate God's love for us and the gift of his Son that much more. I pray that I continue to see my blessings this clearly.

I also take time each day to sing and talk to Billy and Brooklyn about God. It's never to early to started teaching your children about God. Especially in the world we live in today.

In addition, numerous times during the day, I tell Billy and Brooklyn I love them. They may not know exactly what that means just yet, but I can tell that they already know what love is through their expressions, and that means the world to me. May we always remember to do the simple things and to give our children the focus, love, and attention they deserve.

Consider it done!

This morning I made my first attempt in preparing the twinkies food on my own, and it was SUPER EASY! I chose to start with bananas, and the babies gulped them right up! All you have to do is peel the bananas, cut them into chunks, puree (or liquefy) them in a blender, and serve them right up!

For some reason, it makes me feel accomplished when I make them their food rather than buying it premade. In a few hours, I’m off to the grocery store to stock up on squash, carrots, apples, pears, and sweet potatoes. It looks like I can mark this one off my bucket list. Consider it a success!!! :)


YUMMY!!!



Perfectly Pureed!!!

Here goes nothing!


"I'll have seconds."


The most perfect little toes...



For those of you that don't know, Brooklyn owns the place. :)