Bunny Ears

This kid cracks me up!

On our way home from dinner this evening, Hampton and I ran into Target to get a birthday present for his friend Carsen's party. On our way in, we stopped at the Dollar Spot to look for some fun stickers to add to her gift. Hampton quickly found these bunny ears. He looked at me and matter of factly said, "I need to put deese on to hop like a bunny." I helped him put them on and he proceeded to hop like a bunny all through the store. I was doubled over laughing because they kept falling off so he held them on. Everyone who saw him smiled or laughed too.

I let Hampton pick out some new art supplies for Carsen. We debated between some Color Wonder products and sidewalk paint. I wanted him to get her the Color Wonder stuff, but he insisted we get the paint. I have really enjoyed watching Hampton make decisions and stick with them. He is definitely becoming who he was created to be and I am so grateful to be a part of the Lord's plan for his sweet little life.

After we checked out at Target, he wanted to wear his bunny ears out to the car. Ben rolled his eyes when he saw Hampton's treat, b/c boys don't wear bunny ears :), but he too laughed to see Hampton's excitement. Hampton held his ears on the whole ride home and hopped into the house like a bunny. So much fun!!!

I am crazy about my precious family!!!

I guess his excitement faded more quickly than I thought it would. He will probably be excited about them agian in the morning. Night all!

2 Month Stats

Lucy and Reid got 2 shots today at their 2 month appt. True to form, Lucy was easily consoled, but Reid took it a little harder. They both calmed down pretty quickly, but had a hard afternoon and evening. I don't remember Hampton reacting to his shots, but Lucy and Reid sure did. They both ran a tiny fever, were fussy and had sore legs (where they gave the shots). Ben is out of town, so I was thankful that it hit them at different times. I was able to hold and comfort both of them. Here are their stats.

Lucy:

9 pounds 10 ounces

21 1/4 inches long

Reid:

10 pounds 6 ounces

21 3/4 inches long

The babies are starting to smile and it is SO cute!!!

Eight Weeks Old

My sweet babies are 8 weeks old today. It's hard to believe it was nearly 2 months ago that they joined our family. You would think that by now I would have it together, but I still feel like I'm treading water. From the time I wake up to the time I crash on my pillow, I am going pretty much non-stop, but at the end of the day, I have nothing to show for it. I have a list a mile long of things I need to accomplish, but none of it gets done. I remember feeling this way with Hampton and I have to remind myself that even though you see no evidence that I have been busy all day long, my kids are fed, loved, learning and happy. I just want my house to be picked up too!!! Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything and I L-O-V-E my family. I'm just a little overwhelmed right this second. Enjoy some sweet pictures of Lucy and Reid. I am crazy about them!


LUCY JAMES

Reid Matthew

Last night as Ben was putting Hampton to bed, the following conversation took place:

Daddy - "What do you want to pray for tonight?"

Hampton - "Boogers!"

Daddy - "Boogers? What about boogers?"

Hampton - "For people with boogers...bunches of 'em."

Then they both burst into laughter.

How sweet it is...

Images of Grace

We were so blessed to have the opportunity to have Lucy and Reid photographed by an amazing photographer. Amy has a true gift for capturing life through pictures and we were thankful to be able to "help" her start her new website. She has a well established photography business, but needs to start a website designed specifically for children birth through 1 year. On her blog, she asked for volunteers, especially multiples, to help. I have admired her work for quite a while now, so I jumped at the chance!!! Here are just a few...

I can't wait to see all the images she captured...it's going to be hard to choose!

Meeting Family

My mom's aunt and uncle, Moppy and Jack, stopped by on their way from San Antonio to Canton today. They brought all kinds of goodies for all three kids. We enjoyed a good visit and they got to meet Lucy and Reid. Moppy and Jack visited when Hampton was about the same age. Moppy was kept saying that our house seemed much bigger than she remembered...then she realized the hardwoods made things seem much more open. We replaced our nasty carpet with hardwood floors just before Hampton became mobile. I was reminded of what a blessing this home has been and how thankful I am to have been able to make it our own. The Lord has blessed us greatly and often I take those blessings for granted.
Lately the babies have been pretty fussy in the evenings...I think it must be gas, because Mylicon usually calms them down. We tried some Hylands homeopathic tablets last night and they did not work at all. After an amazing dinner of chicken and dumplings (thanks Ginger) Hampton and Ben went to Cameron's basketball game. I was a touch anxious about having 2 fussy babies all by myself, but thought it would be easier than two fussy babies and an energetic toddler :). After feeding the babies I put Lucy on her Boppy...she has been SO happy. Reid isn't usually as content on his Boppy, but Lucy seems to like it. She rested and made those sweet cooing noises. They have both started "talking" in the last few days. I love baby noises!!! I snuggled Reid until he started nodding off and then put him to bed. Lucy played and has just closed her precious little eyes. I thought she was too cute and couldn't resist pictures. Enjoy my sweet girl in her pretty pink ;)

1 Month Stats

Lucy:

7 pounds 7 ounces -10th percentile

20 inches long - 10th percentile

Reid:

8 pounds 1 ounce - 10th -15th percentile

20 3/4 inches long - 10th percentile

Our babies are now the size of an average newborn...yipee! The doctor was amazed that both babies had gained over 2 pounds. They like to see the babies return to their birth weight by 2 weeks of age...they both did plus an ounce or 2. They like to see babies gain 1 pound above their birth weight by the time they are 1 month old...Lucy and Reid blew that out of the water. All this focus on their feeding is working. I praise you LORD for my healthy babies, all 3 of them.

4 weeks

I can't believe Lucy and Reid are 4 weeks old today and I have only posted 2 times since they were born! We are doing really well adjusting to our new life and the twins are doing great. We have had a few days alone, but have had tons of help over the past 4 weeks. For the most part, the babies sleep and eat. We often laugh at Lucy because she grunts all the time. She seems to have a little but of a tummy problem...lots of gas and trouble going to the bathroom. They are both starting to nurse well, but we still "top them off" with a bottle. They usually eat between 3 and 4 ounces. Hampton loves "his babies" and tells everyone they are his buddies. Last week he told Ms Pat, his MDO teacher, that he had a buddy night with Reid and Daddy...Ben took Reid in to put Hampton to bed and say their prayers. He is such a proud big brother and loves giving kisses. He often refers to Lucy as "Wucy Wou" or "Wucy Girl". I'm sure by now you can tell that my thoughts are pretty scattered, so I'll just get to the pictures.

Sweet Lucy Girl

"Reider Rabbit"

Best Buddies

Such a proud and helpful big brother!

A look at life with 2 little ones...

Keep those germs away!

Happy Valentine's Day

A progression of photos of the kids...

I have a hard time taking pictures of Reid where his eyes don't look like a deer in headlights.

Happy V Day from our home full of LOVE to yours...

What In the World

On more than one occasion over the last several days, Hampton has said...

"I take Wucy and put her in da potty and fush it and her go bye bye and den we onwy have one baby."

It's always sweet Lucy who gets flushed...poor thing.

2 Week Stats

My mom is here helping now, so she picked Hampton up from MDO while I took the twins to the doctor. The babies are growing and "perfectly healthy." Lucy was 18.75 inches long and weighed 5lb 9oz. Reid was 19.25 inches long and weighed 5lb 14oz. They are both above their birth weight YIPEE!!! and they are both between the 3rd and 5th percentile for height and weight. We have little babies. Some how, I didn't get any pictures today...busy, busy, busy :)

First Bath

Lucy and Reid are 1 week old today. Gran is here helping us and the babies got their first bath at home. It went pretty well, but both of them cried until they got their clothes on again. We had to take the babies to the doctor on Monday to check Lucy's jaundice. Lucy weighed 5lb 3oz and Reid weighed 5lb 5oz. When we left the hospital, Lucy was 5lb and Reid was 5lb 3oz, so they are gaining weight. That gives me a little piece of mind.

Well...

I kept thinking I would get around to posting the birth story pretty quickly after our return from the hospital. But let me tell you, this nursing thing has me whipped. I remember with Hampton always wondering if I was doing it right and if he was getting enough to eat, but I thought that would be better with my second (and third) child. I was wrong...it may be worse. I nursed Hampton for 11 months and had to use the shield the whole time. I am determined not to use that silly thing again. I think the babies are doing great, but I just wonder if they are eating enough. They are so tiny. Lucy latches just fine, but she doesn't eat as much as Reid and can be finished in less than 15 minutes. Reid on the other hand, pulls off about 100 times during his 45+ minute feeding. And to make the feeding even longer, he wants more as soon as he's finished, rooting like crazy. I am learning that I have to remind myself that they are two separate babies and they aren't going to do everything the same. Lucy is just going to be smaller than her brother and she may not need as much food.

Aside from those common new mommy worries, we are doing great. Recovery wise, I feel like a million bucks, but I don't think I've ever been this TIRED! Ben is such an amazing Daddy to all of us! I love him more and more as I watch him intentionally parent our children to know and love the Lord. He has offered more help than I expected him to and has not hesitated to care for the twins no matter what time of night they need him. I LOVE YOU BEN!!!

PROUD DADDY

Ben's mom has been here since the babies were born and she has been a LIFESAVER!!! She has fed bottles in the middle of the night (btw, at night I wake up and pump and then give the babies bottles...much faster than trying to nurse), gotten up and played with Hampton every morning, washed seemingly 100 loads of laundry, cooked some yummy meals and 2 fantastic pies and even sent Ben and me to lunch by ourselves. I don't think we could have made it without her! Thanks Rosie!!!

Hampton is crazy about his babies, but only gives them attention in spurts. He is very much into playing with his toys and Gran. When he got up from his nap yesterday, Reid was on the floor on a blanket. Hampton is not allowed to touch the blanket when the babies are on the floor, so he lied on his tummy and rested his little head in his hands while he talked to his little brother. He kept saying in his soft sweet talk-to-the-babies voice, "It okay, Weid. What you doin' Weid?" While chatting with Reid he heard Lucy and said, "What dat noise?" as he ran over to check on her. When he got up, Reid started fussing a little bit. With a concerned look on his face Hampton asked, "What wrong wit Weid?" " I think he misses his big brother." Hampton looked over at Reid and held up his finger and whispered, "I be wight der in just a second." Sure enough when Hampton went back, Reid focused in on Hampton and settled right down. Hampton looked up with a smile and said, "I make him happy." What a tender, precious big brother.

We are doing great and loving life as a family of 5. We are overwhelmed with gratitude and love for all who have already invested into the sweet lives of Lucy and Reid through prayer, food and company. Thank you for loving us and our children!

LUCY JAMES

REID MATTHEW

Our amazing doctor

Missing 1 proud big brother