Loving Life

Days are going so smoothly at our house. We are on a schedule and introducing foods, having good naps (still only 20-30 mins...), and playing all this time....THINGS ARE SO FUN!

We started giving cereal a couple of weeks ago. The boys didn't really like it at first, but this week we added applesauce to it and they LOVE it. We are giving sweet potatoes tonight for the first time. Here is what they look like afterwards...

I guess the big news this week was Spencer scooted a little on his belly Sunday night! He may be an early crawler and Mommy isn't too sure about what to do with herself once that begins! I have moved our ottoman and just lay out a big blanket. I have their toys all around me and we just play most of the day. We move from the bouncy seats, to the floor, to their exersaucers, floor, then to their bumpos. They aren't sitting up yet, so I don't want them laying on their backs all day (but its hard with two, because I can't hold both of them all the time even though I want too!).

Shep reading a book (yes it is upside down...but hey we are learning!)

Playing in their bumpos and looking at the playmat

Hey Mom!

This is so much fun!

They have begun chewing on EVERYTHING! It is so funny to see the boys grab something and then can't get it to their mouth fast enough. Shepherd has really started yelling this week. He is talking all the time and has gotten very loud. This makes for an interesting church service!.

My gums feel better now!

This is Shep's favorite chew toy!

We have a fun couple of weeks ahead of us! We are taking them on their first beach trip! I love the beach and have been dreaming about going since last October when I was confined to the house! I can't wait to let the waves roll over my feet! I know it will be a little more hectic since we will have 2 little ones in tow, but I think it will make it more fun. We are getting to go and that is all that matters! I can't wait to take pictures of the boys on the beach. I wonder what they will think of the sand on their feet. I can't wait!

In a few weeks, the boys will be going on their first plane trip. Matt's mom is getting married in Houston. We are so excited for her and can't wait for all Matt's family to see the babies! We are staying with Matt's cousins Brad and Lydia who are expecting. I can't wait to see them and talk Baby! I have to admit though, I am a little nervous about the plane trip. We will be confined to 2 small seats with 4 people! I think I am more worried about the people around us! Maybe they will have sympathy for us since we have twins, and not get too aggravated with cries! =) It will be an adventure! I will try and take pictures all along the way!

4 Months

We have had a lot of fun this past month. The boys are smiling and laughing all the time. Spencer is rolling over and Shepherd is able to hold toys on his own. They are learning and advancing every day. I love to see them concentrate on grabbing a toy and then their face when they accomplish it.

I had a great first Mother's Day. I love being a mommy!! I know I have a great task of raising these boys and am looking forward to it! We heard a great sermon on Sunday of the importance of mothers within a home. It is a lot to think about, but I pray everyday that God will show me how to help guide Shepherd and Spencer to Him.

Matt and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary last week. I can't believe we have been married for 6 years. We celebrated it a little differently this year. We went out to an early dinner, came home and gave baths, fed and was watching tv by 8:00. It was one of the best years though! =) My good friend Nicole texted me on my anniversary saying who would have thought 6 years ago that Matt and I would now have twin boys! Sometimes I still can't believe how truly blessed I am!

The boys turned 4 months old yesterday. We had their 4 month appointment. Here are their stats...

Shepherd

14 pounds 9 ounces

24 inches tall

16.25 head

Spencer

15 pounds 1 ounce

24 inches tall

17 head

Here is a video of a few different things.

Shep and Spencer having "twin talk" while eating hands, Spencer rolling over ( I love how Shepherd is almost encouraging him), and Shepherd laughing (excuse my wet curly hair!).

All precious moments!!

(More videos to come, because this month we introduce FOOD!)

Wrestling/rolling over...almost

Rolling over is a new milestone that I know my boys will begin doing soon. Spencer rolled over when he was 5 days old, but hasn't done it much since. I usually have to start him now to get him to do it. I have been practicing with both boys on how to roll over to show them how to do it. Sometimes they think it is fun, and sometimes not... They have really done well with each milestone so far and I don't think they are lagging behind in anything. Our doctor says not to fret if they don't do everything on time since they were a little early, boys and twins. He says all those things are stacked against them...well not if I have anything to say about it! =)

Each day I make sure they boys have some interaction time together. While they are noticing one another, they don't really play together yet. Most of the interactions they have is hitting each other in the face when they are swinging their arms in delight on their play mat. Sometimes they try and eat each other's hands when it touches their mouth. It is so cute! Here are some pictures of their play time together yesterday. We were practicing rolling over and I thought we could roll on each other. They thought it was fun! I know this is the first of many wrestling pictures I will get...

What is going on?

I want to get him!

Love it!

The boys looked so cute at church yesterday. Here are them playing with Matt before we left yesterday.

Fun Fun Fun

Having so much fun!

We have had some great weather and fun weekends! We spent a lot of weekends in March in Birmingham. It was a lot of fun, but traveling even 2 hours is hard with twins. They love their beds and like to nap when they want. Last weekend was A Day here in Auburn. We went and walked around campus, had a picnic lunch, and saw the new basketball arena. It makes me excited for the boys to get older and enjoy seeing the eagle and Aubie. I can't wait for them to say "War Eagle Hey!" for the first time! Tomorrow my parents and Justin are coming down. Saturday is Cityfest and I can't wait! It is a big outdoor arts and crafts show. I had a booth in it 2 years ago, but this year we are going to go walk around and have a picnic lunch! I hope the weather holds out for us!

We are battling with our first cold this week. It is horrible! I hate to see them not feel well. At least it is not affecting their sleeping. We have now slept through the night for ONE WEEK!! Right now they are eating every 3 1/2 to 4 hours and usually eat around 4 :30 or 5. We get baths around 6:30 and then they are so ready to go to bed by 7 to 7:30. We wake them up for their last feeding around 9 or 9:30. I know most people say DO NOT WAKE A SLEEPING BABY! But right now this is what is working. After that feeding, they will sleep until 5ish or even 6:30 like they did today! Matt and I feel like new people!

Shep and Spence are laughing out loud for the past couple of weeks! We are going to try and get it on video soon! it is so precious! Shep laughs at bath time every night. He loves not to have on clothes and thinks it is too funny! They both laugh during the day, but I can't video them while holding 2 babies!

They have been noticing each other for a while now, but never at the same time! This past week, they both looked at each other at the same time, smiled and cooed! It was such a special moment...I got teared up. Since then, it has happened at least once a day. It is going to be so much fun through the years to watch their friendship grow. I love my sweet Shepherd and Spencer so much!

A Day in Auburn

While walking back to the car, we saw the new Auburn basketball coach. Shep and Spence were very excited to meet him!! =)

Hanging out with Brooks

Resting in the new basketball arena

War Eagle! The new basketball court

I love all the orange!

Just for fun...

ADORABLE!

PRECIOUS

Hanging out in Dad's chair

Waking up from snoozing on couch

Hey Mom!

Sweet Moments with Twins

Mornings are my favorite time. Both Shepherd and Spencer are in good moods and all smiles. This past Tuesday I heard jabbering over the monitor during their morning naps and this is what I walked into...

2 Months old

10 weeks old

(They were more intrigued with looking at the fan than their mommy)

I have been trying to post now for a week. This past week has been very busy. I cannot believe Shepherd and Spencer are 10 weeks old today. Time is just flying by. My boys are so precious and I am so blessed with such sweetie pies!

We have been dealing with a lot over the past couple of weeks. My last post was short and sweet and just said we have been dealing with hard times. Well, Shepherd has some colic and Spencer has had some stomach issues which cause a MAJOR diaper rash that would not go away. We have FINALLY gotten that under control and am amazed at the mommas that can use cloth diapers everyday. We used them for a while to help the rash, and I don't see how they do it!

Through all these tough times, the boys have really started smiling! It is so wonderful to see them respond to my smile! They are cooing and even trying to laugh. Spencer will open his mouth so big and want to laugh, but nothing comes out. It is so funny! Both are really holding their heads up well when they are on our shoulder. They love to look around to see what is going on. It really shows me how big they are getting. They are eating every 3 1/2 to 4 hours and taking anywhere between 4 1/2 to 6 1/2 ounces. They both love to eat! They are wearing most 3 month clothes. They are a little big, but all their newborn outfits are too small. So we don't have too much to wear right now, because we are in between sizes.

Here are some sweet smiles!

Spencer's smile-trying to laugh

Shepherd sweet smile-sometimes almost seems like a shy smile

2 month stats:

Sweet Shepherd

10 pounds 12 ounces

21 inches tall

-Loves to sleep, but fights it. He will cry until he just gives it up and falls asleep. I have realized that he requires more sleep than Spence.

-When he smiles, his nose crinkles up (He has his Daddy's little nose)

-When laying beside his brother, he loves to just look at Spencer. I can't wait for them to really notice one another and make each other laugh.

-Kicks his feet when I change his diaper in pure joy! He loves to lay on the changing table. Sometimes when he is upset, I can lay him down and he will stop crying...

-Loves his bath- he will smile and kick the water

-Looks so much like my dad (especially when he sleeps!)

-Has the longest, darkest eye lashes

-Has his hands in fists all the time. He looks like he is ready to fight. He puts his hands up to his face when he is sleepy. One is usually in his mouth and the other is touching his ear or hair. It is so precious!

Happy Spencer

11 pounds 12 ounces (when I took him 5 days later for the rash, he weighed 12 pounds 1 ounce)

22 inches tall

-Smiles and coos all the time

-Loves to stare and talk to the ceiling fan

-Wants to be held by mommy all the time

-Does not like for clothes to go over his head

-Wants to be entertain and talked to (Today I went into the kitchen and his eyes followed me and tried to stretch his neck to see over the couch. When he couldn't see me, he cried. I walked back into the room and there was a big smile)

-Looks more like Matt's side of the family

-Always moving his arms and legs- I think he will have a difficult time sitting still anywhere!

-Does not like to take long naps (most days)- I think he is afraid he will miss something

-Grunts and makes all kind of noises in his sleep (was snoring pretty loud during church last week)

I can't wait for the boys to get older and can help me cook dinner. Here are pictures of them helping us make cookies. Spencer loved it. I think he is ready to eat cookies now, see his tongue! HA! Shepherd still wasn't too sure about the bumpo! Their high chairs get here on Wednesday, and I bet he will like sitting in that better!

The doctor wants me to give them an hour of tummy time a day. I put them on their boppys so they can look at each other and maybe like tummy time better.

Spencer doesn't mind tummy time most of the time. His neck is really getting strong. I think Shepherd wants to sleep.

MOM GET US UP!!!!

Whacha doin mom?

Shep couldn't find his passy, so he found his thumb during his nap last week.

If the boys nap together, they have to be touching. They are so sweet!

We have had some visitors over the past few weeks.

Tony Mauck was driving through to preach at a gospel meeting in FL and he stopped by to see the babies. It was great to see him and catch up! Both boys loved him. Spence thought he was too funny.

DeeDee came and saw us for a few days over her spring break. She was a big help, especially because we had to go to the doctor some while she was here!

My mom is still coming at least once a week to help. I really look forward to these days! It is nice to have extra hands and someone to talk too! We always go out to lunch and shopping if we do it during nap time!

Spring is here!

We ordered a BOB double stroller and have already used it 5 times. Any time it is 60 or above, I am wanting to go for a walk. I just bundle the boys up and go! They are learning to like it. It is so great to be outside!

Sweet Extras....

Mommy is too funny

Tex knows his place...at least he thinks he does...he has his paws just over the line...

Shepherd loves to cross his legs while he sleeps..too cute!

Tough but Sweet Times

The past week or so has been pretty rough...The boys cried for 2 1/2 hours last night. They are 7 weeks old now and I am really wanting to get them on a good schedule, but we are still in survival mode right now. I keep telling myself not to stress over it and that we will get it all worked out in the weeks to come. I'm nervous about how today is going to go (took me over 2 1/2 hours to finish this blog..HA). My mom was here yesterday and I am so thankful for her! She knows just what to do to help out and it is such a relief to have her here! Love you, Mom!

Here are a few sweet times from this past week...

We have started smiling this week

Not quite ready for the bumpo, but mommy wanted to try it

I'm going to love it!

Wait...maybe not

Sweet brothers!

Daddy already wants me to be able to play in the tub. He bought us rubber duckies.

I'm not too sure about this whole bath thing...