3 months.... already????

Madelyn is at least 12lbs now. She is smiling but is withholding laughter- guess she hasn't found anything too funny yet. She can lift her head but is a little lazy during tummy time--not many mini-push ups for her. She puts everything in her mouth and likes toys. She has several she likes to hold and will bat at them in the bouncy chair. She is a mommy's girl and is usually the one crying. She recognizes faces and will make a sweet "ahh" sound when I walk near her. She is starting to "talk" by cooing and gurgling. She makes bubbles with her mouth. She is constantly spitting up and spends most of her day in a bib (or several) and takes Zantac twice a day.

Jackson has finally found his voice. He has learned the crying usually equals being held. He was the first to sleep through the night and does it almost 90% of the time. He definitely likes to talk and has made sounds similar to "hi" and "mama" He also mimics mouth movement when someone is talking to him. He likes to sit up and look around. During tummy time he tries to scoot around on the mat. He isn't too into toys but will kick at toys in the bouncer chair. He seems to be cutting some teeth. He can roll from tummy to back and sleeps on his tummy. He likes to bear weight on his feet and will take "steps".

The Fourth...a few days later.

It seems like my life runs a few days late. We have things that we are on time for, but most of the time I am running late and picking up behind me. So...in honor of my lateness let me say....
THANK YOU to the men and women who are in, were or will be in the military to fight for our freedoms...thank you to those who braved the high seas to establish the land we now call the USA. Your journey was dangerous, scary and allows us to be FREE.




Thank You!!!

New vs. Old

I laid in my bed this morning after being up for two + hours with the babies thinking about the differences between myself (and others) as a new mom and the mom I am now~the second time around.

So we have some new vs. old school comparisons going on...

NM: checks on her baby in the crib when the slightest noise is made often up several times in a 15 minute period
OS: when she hears noises, she closes her eyes, prays that they will go back to sleep and doesn't move unless screaming and crying ensues.

NM: sleeps the baby on the back or side religiously- will move the baby (and possibly wake) in order to put on the back. No animals, soft blankets or other potentially harmful objects are within 5 feet of crib.
OS: baby may sleep on stomach and several objects are at the other end of the bed for the baby to look at as they drift to sleep.

NM: the opinions and recommendations from the doctor are like the book of Leviticus in the old testaments...they are taken seriously and followed to the letter of the law.
OS: listens to the doctor, knows what is important for him to know (and what isn't) and uses his advice accordingly.

NM: changes baby within seconds of spit up, urine or BM touching clothes- even if only a spot the size of a dime.
OS: calculates the number of square inches and placement of the wetness before adding to the laundry pile....BM still gets changed.

NM: marvels in her baby's beauty...snaps thousands of pictures-and downloads them to her computer- shares them and prints them off.
OS: marvels in her babies beauty...takes less than hundreds of pictures- downloads them to her computer-shares them on Facebook- doesn't print as many-usually when asked by a family member or friend.

NM: has piles of laundry, floors to be swept, bathrooms to be clean- is super tired from all the getting up and learns a new level of clean (either less than expected BC or much cleaner than BC) could potentially clean in the middle of night while the baby is fussy.
OS: has a schedule of when to complete household tasks...has figured out how to get older children to pitch in (now that they can) and may hire someone to do some of the tasks.

NM: takes the baby on normal everyday errands- may go walk at mall, meet a friend at the coffee shop and maintains and normal routine.
OS: decides what is absolutely necessary to complete and if the errand is worth the hassle of loading and unloading all three children.

NM: baby is dressed to the nines...cute matching outfits complete with hats/bows and shoes. Mom shops for baby frequently buying many cute outfits. This includes cute sleeping outfits. This baby has so many new clothes they may not be able to wear them all.
OS: kids are dressed at least by the afternoon, definitely cute outfits for church and other special gatherings. Before purchasing new outfits mom decides how long and how many times baby will actually wear the new outfits...price is considered and many things are purchased second hand. Boys may wear older sister's pink sleeper-after all who is going to know in the middle of the night.

NM: teaches baby sign and is excited for her baby to talk and walk as soon as possible...often regrets the walking part ad maybe the talking part too. Wants her child to follow the books of development and checks frequently. She is amazed by the personality those little people already show.
OS: knows that communicating is important. She wants this to happen in the appropriate time with no delays, but is definitely enjoying her baby in the baby stage and not wishing the time away. She is excited to see the differences in babies and enjoys each one individually.

NM: devotes all her attention to her baby-may neglect self, friendships and marriage until finding a good balance
OS: divides attention between all children, giving each one what they need, trying to be fair and equal- knows the importance of devoting attention to self, friends and husband in addition to all her children.

Each mom loves and cherishes the time with her children and is so thankful that God trusted them to be the Mom of these precious lives.

All thru the night

I am sure this is a fluke and writing about it will just jinx it...but lately (at least the last 4 of 7 days) Jackson has slept all through the night. Maddy contributed yesterday as well- . It was so nice to get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. I still awoke at the normal feeding time, just thinking that my dear sweet husband was taking care of it. He, on the other hand, was asleep in the chair in the den. Last night Maddy awoke at her normal time, but Jackson stayed sleeping. Hopefully we are moving toward "all thru the night" sleeping. Fingers Crossed.


oh and for those of you not on facebook...here is my lasted picture creation.

The faces of Jackson

This and That

The babies appt went well. Madelyn weighed 11.01 and Jackson weighed 11.06! They got three shots and did remarkably well- just a few seconds of crying and it was over. Jackson had a fever the rest of the night and Maddy didn't act as if anything had happened. Since then we have been busy with pretty full days. They have started sleeping much more and that really helps.

This weekend Michael had to work, so I took mom to a few garage sales. I got a box load of clothes for Jackson and Evy. Thanks Traci and Amy for having such great taste in clothes. I also bought some Hanna Andersson pilot hats for the twins and bid on a lot of clothes and hat and won for 99 cents.

Jackson has an appt with the pedatric urologist in Tulsa in a couple weeks and we will know more about his condition at that time. I am pretty sure that surgery will follow before the end of the summer- but I am praying not.

Oh...and I am in the sexy black boot for another 3 weeks. Yeah Me!!!
I will post more pictures soon

My housework has been neglected lately as my little ones have learned how to seek attention- C-R-Y! We were use to Madelyn doing this- she has been the attention seeking child from the very beginning, however, Jackson has learned this skill. They seem a bit uncomfortable in their skin. Madelyn has reflux and we were able to start meds this week. Her amount of pain seems better- but she hates the meds-so I mix it with some apple juice. She is still spitting up several times a day, but it isn't followed by the terrible screaming. We still have screaming and body tightening, but that is when she has a gas bubble.

Jackson likes to be more alert lately and seems to overtire himself. Today was the worst...he was cranky and fussy the majority of the evening. Michael was finally able to get him down for a few short naps and now he is in his bed-probably snoring.


Tomorrow they go for their first round of shots and their two month check up. I have several questions for the doctor- concerning sunscreen, bugspray, swimming pools- you know normal summer stuff. It is hard for us to be tied down to the house. When Evy was born at the end of summer in 2005- we didn't take her many places that would require such things...however with an (almost) 5 year old, our lives can't stop. In fact, we let to babies take a swim with us the other evening. Madelyn loved the pool and Jackson was too hungry to care.


They are making more milestones each day. Jackson is rolling from side to back or tummy. They are both very active and can move themselves around the floor a few inches during tummy time. Jackson is pushing his head up and lifting his chest about 6 inches. He is also on the verge of laughing. Madelyn is cooing more and likes to lay on her side instead of participate in tummy time. She still needs to be swaddled at night to get a good sleep. She did sleep 6 hours the other night...my fingers are crossed that it will be repeated from 12-6AM.


This past weekend we went out to the Jayla Alexis Tuck Cancer Foundation kickball tournament. Superfun to watch- would have been more fun to join. I am getting a little frustrated with the broken foot thing. Today it hurts a lot and I am missing exercise. Before I got pregnant I was doing pilates with a trainer and loving it. I have lost a lot of weight since the babies and wish I could be doing some toning...but hauling the black boot around the gym isn't the most effective workout.

I am excited to have some people over this Friday for dinner. Michael and I use to have a very active social life- before kids. We had about 6 sets of military couples that we did things with. They have since all moved away and we have not really connected with other couples. This is partially because we don't want to invest and build solid friendships and then lose them. We know that it is easy with social media, blogs, email, texting and phones to keep in touch, but it takes effort to find the time during your busy weeks. When friendships are local it is easier because you run into them at church, restaraunts and around town. I am definately looking forward to cultivating new friendships.


And because I can't leave you without pictures...here are the babies with their bears at 6 weeks and 9 weeks

7 weeks!!!

On Monday Madelyn and Jackson were seven weeks old! I can't believe how time has flown by. Before I know it, summer will be over and we will be heading back to school- guess I should get daycare arrangements figured out.

At 7 weeks Madelyn and Jackson are:
~holding their heads up and looking around
~eating 4-5 oz every 3-4 hours
~are smiling Maddy 5/8 and Jackson 5/20
~have had their first cold
~sleeping in their own beds
~switched to soy formula since M spits up so much
~J has been cooing for a week or so M just started
~can roll from tummy to back and are very active
~have been to the splash pad, soccer games and to get snow cones- celebrating summer!
~J crosses his eyes frequently
~like to gaze at fans and lights
~J has slept up to six hours

At 7 weeks, Mom has
~lost all her baby weight, plus a few lbs
~broke her foot!