Colter's message to Daddy

We miss Daddy!!!! Colter didn't go back to bed right away after the early morning feeding. He told me he wanted to send his dad a message. Here it is:

I also caught my little boy's smile on camera for the first time. We've capture'd Riley's grin several times, but Colter has made us work for it. It was worth it!

Martha and Lily visit

Today Martha and her little girl, Lily, came to visit us at Mom and Dad's house. They only live about 30 minutes away, so we wanted to take advantage of being so close and get together. Lily is almost 1 1/2 and was so much fun to play with. Here's a picture of what lunch is like with our group. Colter was sleeping, but Riley got to get to know Lily a little bit more. Mar is such a trooper to come and see us. She's due with their second baby in July, so I know she gave up some precious rest time to come over and hang out.

Here she is with her husband, Franklin. They came to our house for a couple nights at the beginning of April. They were so much help. Both of them got up in the night to feed Riley and Colter so Jeff and I could get some extra sleep. They also took care of them for most of the day on Saturday while Jeff and I ran around and got some errands done. Plus, Franklin took a ton of pictures of the four of us. He's an awesome photographer, and we really treasure those photographs.

Just a fun picture of the twins in the adorable denim outfits Emmy gave them.

Mom and I gave Riley and Colter a bath together again tonight. Sorry about the naked picture, kiddos.

I've posted a video so you can see them splashing away!

A little church and a little school

We went to Grandma and Grandpa's church this morning. It was wonderful to see more of the people who had been praying for Riley and Colter. They enjoyed the music (it helps that Grandpa is part of the praise team!) and slept for most of the time. The twins enjoyed posing with Uncle Shawn and Aunt Rita in their church clothes. They are getting so much love, attention, hugs, and kisses.

Rita and Shawn played school with Riley and Colter this afternoon. Shawn told me there were three subjects they were learning, but I only remember that math was one of them. You know, 1 stuffed hippo plus 1 stuffed hippo equals 2 hippos. We'll do fractions tomorrow.

Rita and Shawn are by their side whenever the twins are awake. They read us stories while they are eating, go with us (and the rest of the family) on walks after dinner, alert us if someone is crying, and supervised bathtime. It's really quite cute. Shawn says he's going to teach Colter how to run when he is 4. Rita plans to teach them how to walk. Both of them agree that the twins are quite lucky to have an aunt and uncle who like to play so much.

Speaking of bathtime, Mom and I bathed Riley and Cotler at the same time tonight. We just filled the tub up a little bit and they kicked around on their backs. This was great because each of them love bathtime, but usually cry while Jeff and I are bathing the other one. Hopefully we'll be able to give them longer baths and make evenings a little more fun.

We've had the funniest conversations with Rita and Shawn about nursing the babies. They had been really excited about feeding Riley and Colter. They were a little confused and disappointed when Mom explained that the babies are not drinking from a bottle. Mom told them I was nursing them. It immediately made sense to Shawn, who told Rita, "Yes, that's because people are mammals and mammals can make milk for their babies." [This is the same boy who informed her that she was eating a pig for Easter dinner]. I don't normally think of myself in terms of being a mammal, but I sure am! I love the way kids can see things in such uncomplicated ways.

First big trip

Well, I've learned that it takes almost all day to pack everything I think we need to take the twins to Raleigh for a week. This pile doesn't even include the stroller or my stuff! I'm sure I packed too much (Jeff would say, "yes!"), but it's hard to know what we will need. I'm really excited for Riley and Colter to meet their Aunt Rita (5 years old) and Uncle Shawn (7 years old). And from what I hear, they feel the same way. It will be awesome for them to see Grandma and Grandpa again, too.
The four of us left at 8:45am and met my mom in Charlotte at 1pm. Jeff transferred all the stuff to Mom's van (he he) while I fed the babies in the car. Mom drove us the rest of the way to Raleigh and Jeff went back home (I miss him already!!) for the week. We got to Raleigh just after 4pm. Not bad. The babies did great in the car. Each of them cried a litte bit, but they slept for the most part.
Here's Aunt Rita holding Riley. Doesn't she look proud?! I'll post more pictures tomorrow.

More visiting and playing

Mandi came over to visit today. We got to catch up while Riley and Colter were napping, which was awesome. It's always good to have some grown-up time during the day. Plus, she has a boy and a girl who are 2 1/2 years old, so I get a preview of what's in store for us.
Here she is holding the twins. She couldn't believe how big they are!

We keep using the bumbos during playtime. Governor was overseeing today's activities. I'm not sure what he thinks of the babies. When he comes inside he looks through the house until he's found them both. If they're within licking distance, he gives them a good lick across the face as he walks by. But, if either of them is crying very loudly, he goes to the door and asks to go outside. I can't blame you, Gov! I keep telling him they'll get more fun as they grow up.

Here's Colter showing off his O.U. outfit with Jeff. Aren't they handsome?

Happy Birthday, Gram!!

Today is Gram's actual birthday - Happy Birthday, Gram! Before Papa Jim took her out for lunch and a movie, she came over to watch Riley and Colter for a couple hours so I could go to the gym and run some errands. Wasn't it nice of her to spend her birthday morning helping us?

Here she is "visiting" with Riley. Those two could talk for hours. The topics of conversation are quite varied: shoe shopping, tea parties, etc. While Riley isn't actually using words, she does lock eyes and goo and coo for a long time. It's actually quite funny. Colter has just started the cutest habit. He loves to cling to are shirts when we're holding him. He's also giggling more often, including in the car when Riley is crying. I'm telling myself he's not aware enough to be laughing at her yet. It must be the monkey mirror that's so amusing.
I've gotten so I really love the mornings. Both babies are so happy and excited to be up and playing, that there's lots of smiling and cooing from each of them.

Gram's Birthday Party

Tonight we went out to dinner to celebrate Gram's birthday. As usual, Riley and Colter had a wonderful time. If only we could afford to go out to dinner every night, since they are a lot less fussy than the average evening at home.

Colter loved playing with Papa Jim!

They made their usual trip around the table, getting loved on by everyone. What lucky babies!

Jeff and I had so much fun that we lost track of the time. After the meal, the babies started getting a little fussy. We were chalking it up to being evening, and just tried to jolly them along. We didn't realize how late it was until someone asked, "could they be hungry?" Oh yes, it was 8:30pm, and they were quite hungry. Poor things. It was way past time to feed them. Good thing we didn't have far to drive to get them home.

Congratulations, Uncle Matt!

Today Uncle Matt was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. This is a huge deal, and we're really proud of him. Here he is on his wedding day, looking handsome in his uniform.

This is a busy weekend for him and Aunt Nicole. She's having a baby shower tomorrow to celebrate the upcoming birth (July) of my nephew. We're thrilled that Riley and Colter will have a cousin so close in age. I really wish we could have been there this weekend to celebrate with both of them. The good news is they will be moving to the East coast this fall, so we'll be seeing a lot more of them.

The twins are three months old today. Oh my gosh, the time has flown! Not all the time (long nights) has flown, but as a whole... They are getting so strong and have really started "talking" a lot. It's so cute. I'll post a video of Colter chatting away soon.

Here they are admiring their cute selves.

Jeff and I decided to put Colter in his own bed tonight for the first time. Sniff, sniff. It's kind of sad to think of them in their beds by themselves, but I think it's time for them to have a little more space. We'll see how they sleep tonight.

Riley's in on the rolling

Riley couldn't let her brother have all the fun, so she decided it was time to show off her own rolling skills. We actually caught it on video. Check it out!

Gram came over to play with the twins this afternoon. She comes over at least twice a week to take care of them. I know Riley and Colter love to see her and I REALLY appreciate having a break to look forward to. This is the first week I've actually left the house instead of just taking a nap.

I didn't do anything too exciting. Wait, that's not true. I returned the breast pump we rented from the hospital - finally! I had it for almost three months and relied heavily on it for nine weeks. Our "team" wouldn't have made it if I hadn't been able to pump. I was so thankful to be able to return it, though.

This was the typical set up for the past months.

We have put the bottles away for the most part (except when I want to leave the house for an extended period of time) and are finally at the point where nursing the twins is going well. I am able to nurse them together with a special pillow designed for twins. Oh, the time we have gained! Thank you to all the friends and family who supported us, cheered me on, and let me know it was OK if the nursing thing didn't work out. While I was at the hospital returning the pump, I ran into the nurse who worked with me during two outpatient lactation consultations. I was so glad to be able to give her the update.

Outing with Amy

Today we met Amy and Bryce and went walking at an old farm about 20 minutes from our house. It's not a working farm anymore, but it was really neat to peak at the old farmhouse, blacksmith's building, tenant house, etc. Plus, it was great to get out of our house, catch up with Amy and get a little exercise. Two months of bedrest did a number on my endurance, so any activity is so good for me.
Riley slept through most of the walk and Colter didn't really know what was going on, but somehow I still think they liked it.

Mother's Day present from Riley and Colter

I got the best Mother's Day present ever. We put Colter to bed last night at 10pm and Riley to bed at 10:15pm. At 6:00am, Jeff and I woke up and realized they were still asleep. To be more accurate, Jeff realized it right away, but I was so sleepy I kept trying to figure out if we had brought them into bed with us! We went back to sleep and ended up waking them up at 7:15am so we could feed them and be on schedule to go to church. Yea!!!! Nine hours! I can hardly believe it. Thank you, babies.

Our first Mother's Day

Turns out everyone (Jeff, Colter, Riley and Gov) was busy this week because I received a card from each of them. Very fun.

We had lunch with Jeff's family after church. It was great to see everyone.

Here's Colter with Aunt Laurie.

Here's Riley with her cousins, David and Rachel.

Here's Riley with Uncle Greg.

Somehow we didn't get a picture of them with Gram and Papa Jim. Here's one of the four of them the day Riley and Colter came home from the hospital. Can you believe they were this small?

I'm so thankful God has given us these babies and so thankful to be a mom. I love it more than I even imagined I would.

Riley and Colter are lifting there heads up more than ever. Here they are showing off.

Happy Mother's day to my mom. Hopefully she won't kill me for posting this picture, but since it's a super cute one of her and a not so cute one of me I think I should be safe. She stayed the night at the hospital before we came home so that Jeff could get a little rest before the games began. Just one of the wonderful things she's done to take care of me (now us) over the years. Thanks, Mom. I love you so much.

Sleeping and rolling

This is a beautiful sight!! I took this picture at 8:30am and actually had to wake the babies up to get the day going. They had a great night! They went to bed at 10:15 and didn't eat again until 5:00am. Riley didn't even need to spend any time in bed with me to get to 5:00am. Plus, I got to get up, brush my teeth, and eat breakfast before waking Riley and Colter up. That felt amazing. What good little sleepers.

Colter also rolled over for the first time today. Jeff was taking care of them while I went to the gym. He had them in the pack-n-play for their nap. When he heard a squeak from Colter, he looked up - Colter had rolled over onto his back and was lying on Riley's legs. I think Colter was probably as surprised as Jeff. Wow, they are learning so many new things.

Just a cute picture of the twins in their Warner Brothers onesies. Thanks, Kevin!

They're starting to like their bumbos a little more. Still a little tippy, though.

First dinner out

We finally got brave enough to take the babies out to dinner. We went to our favorite local pizza place (it's loud enough that a little fussing wouldn't be noticed). Our friends, Mike and Suzanna, joined us with their daughter, Caroline. She was born 10 days before Riley and Colter, and we're so excited they can all grow up together. It's been great to compare notes with Suzanna during our pregnancies and since the birth of the babies.
This dinner was extra special to me because the last time we ate here with Mike and Suzanna (over a year ago) we were all still praying and waiting for our time to become parents and not sure when it was going to happen. They were such a support to us then, and still are. God has blessed us in so many ways.

To quote our waitress, "Wow, there's a lot going on at this table!"

By the way, all three babies were awesome. Maybe we'll try this again sometime...

Too big for the bassinet

Today we finally took the bassinet off the pack-n-play. With their combined weights, they had been over the weight limit for a while. Plus, whenever we tried to put them both in there, they would kind of roll to the center and bump into each other. Funny, but not very safe or restful.
They seemed to like graduating to the big baby version.

Here they are taking a nap. Notice how they're not on the couch for once.

Riley and Colter want to say "Happy Birthday" to Grandma. They can't wait to tell her in person at the end of the month when we go to Raleigh.

A Special Thank You

Our whole family would like to say a special thank you to "Our Amy." (This is what the twins call her. No, they're not talking yet, but this is what we call her when we're talking to them).
Since my mom went home after Riley and Colter were born, Amy has been coming to our house two evenings a week to help with feedings and let us get some extra sleep. When she started, she'd do the 9:00pm feeding and the 12am feeding. Yes, we think she is crazy to be willing to stay up that late with our kids, but we're so grateful. As the weeks progressed, she stayed a little longer. (I'm not kidding!) She'd do a 9:30pm feeding and a 1:00am feeding. A few weeks ago she showed up with her alarm clock. She wanted to do the 9:30pm feeding as usual, but planned to stay and sleep on our couch until whenever the twins woke up so she could feed them again. Amazing. We couldn't believe it. They slept until 3:30am that night. This didn't phase her and she stuck with her plan of evening/night duty twice a week. We don't know how to thank her enough. I'm so glad she's gotten to spend all that time with our kids. She is definitely part of the family.

Here she is with Riley and Colter.
A bird's eye view of feeding two babies at once.

We also want to thank Michael for sharing his wife and doing the occasional feeding himself.

And we can't forget to thank Bryce. When Michael was out of town, Amy would put Bryce to bed in a pack-n-play at our house. He'd sleep here until she had done the middle of the night feeding. What a trooper.

Amy, I will be at your beck and call with your next baby. I can't wait to care for you the way you have cared for me.