Funny memories already

Riley and Colter are only 2 1/2 months old, and we already have quite a few funny memories...

• Like the time when I was changing Riley's diaper in the middle of the night. She looked like she might be developing a diaper rash. The light in the nursery isn't very bright, so I bent closer to check it out. (Jeff will also tell you that I need to wear my glasses, but that's another issue.) Well, just as I got close, our little girl lets out a very loud and very wet stinker. Oh yes, there were specks of poop on my face!
• Speaking of tooting...there was the time when Colter tooted so loudly that Governor turned around in surprise to look at his own butt.

More firsts!

We really got out of the house today. We took Riley and Colter to see Dan (the son of our friend Chris) get baptised. Here he is holding Riley.

Their church did a special service to baptise almost 30 people. They played a video testimony prior to each baptism. It was really amazing to hear some of those stories. We're so happy for Dan. I had a new appreciation for how wonderful parents must feel when their children accept Jesus. No decision is more important. I pray every day that Riley and Colter will come to know and love the Lord.

After the baptisms, we went straight to Uncle Greg, Aunt Laurie, David, and Rachel's house for Rachel's 18th birthday party.

Here's the birthday girl.

I can't believe she's 18 already! It was great to see family again and the twins enjoyed their first birthday party.

First real outing

Today we went on our first real outing (besides trips to the doctor and lactation consultants). We went to the mall to see if we could find a couple new pieces of clothing for me. While nursing is great for losing the baby weight, I have very few shirts that fit. Dad went too, of course, as the resident fashion consultant. We didn't have much time before the next feeding, but we were able to find a couple shirts and a skirt.

Here we are in the parking lot documenting our outing. I'm sure the people waiting to pull into that particular spot were thrilled - oops!

Grandpa visits us

Grandpa arrived yesterday to meet the twins. We were so excited he was able to visit us before going home after a business trip.

We took Riley and Colter on a walk around the neighborhood yesterday. We took the stroller, but Riley decided she would rather be carried. So, Grandpa carried her for about a mile. Spoiled already! These babies are lucky their Grandpa has cared for so many dozens of foster babies. He jumped right in and helped with soothing the babies during their fussy evening moments, middle of the night feedings, and diaper changes.

It was a quick visit and we miss him already. We'll have to make a trip to North Carolina soon.

Thanks, Pat and Greg!

After staying for a week, Pat and Greg left today. They were such a huge help. Pat got up in the night with the babies so that Jeff and I could get some extra sleep. Greg cooked up a storm (seriously!) in the kitchen and filled our refrigerator and freezer with yummy meals: pasta salad to feed an army, Great Grandma's mac and cheese (my favorite!), veggie lasagna, chicken casserole, meatloaf, and more. Boy can he cook!

We're so thankful for all the help we've gotten from family and friends. We'd be insane without you because taking care of two babies takes so much energy. The grown-up to baby ratio was 2:1, and Pat and I still didn't get a shower every day!

First Baths

Don't turn us in to the authorities, but the twins finally had a real bath today. I promise they weren't smelling or anything. Does it count that technically they aren't even supposed to be born yet?

They both seemed to enjoy their baths, so we had a lot of fun. Exhausting, but fun. I suppose that's the name of the game for a while!

Riley's first bath.

Colter's first bath.

Modeling our new robes!

Grandma went home today

Today was sad because Grandma had to go back to North Carolina. We know Grandpa, Uncle Shawn, and Aunt Rita miss her a lot. What would we have done without her? She got here on Monday, 2/18/08, while we were still in the hospital. She even spent the night in the hospital so Jeff could get a little sleep and get things ready for us to come home.

Our family took care of foster babies when I was growing up - over 60 newborns stayed with us over the years. Needless to say, Grandma has a way with babies. She loves to snuggle with them and seems to know just what they need. She really helped us transition into parenthood and get more confident caring for these little ones. Plus she looked after me as only a mom can. I am so grateful she was there to send me to bed for a nap, make sure I had something to eat, and calm me when I was feeling anxious. It was wonderful to see her with Riley and Colter. I cried when I dropped her off to go to the airport tonight.

Here's some pictures of her with the twins.