Farwell 2013

With a little less than a hour left of 2013 I am sitting here thinking about all the things we did this year.
The twins turned 1 and started walking everywhere. We celebrated Kaylee, Mikey and Lexis birthdays! We enjoyed the summer with lots of swimming. We moved into Mike's parents because they asked us to. The kids had to switch schools in which 1 kid was upset about. I took a stay cation with the kids during their spring break. I took all the kids to the zoo one fine spring day. We all went as a family to the new Perot Museum in Dallas.  We all sat as a family most Sunday evenings to watch the walking dead on AMC. We bought a new to us car and I pretty much like it. I had a dear cousin pass away. My sister and her family came for a visit over the summer and we had a blast getting to visit, although I wish I had had more time with her on her visit. All in all 2013 has been a good year. Here's to 2014!!

Not gone

I'm trying really hard not to be gone from my blog but it sure is tuff. The kids only have 3 days of school left before christmas break and I'm ready for them to be home. Tonight we made candy sleighs and it was so much fun. Everyone wanted a turn with the glue gun and everyone got their turn twice. We made 8, right now they are being a centerpiece but on Friday the kids will be taking them to school to give out to their teachers. This was a last minute gift idea and I went with it because I forgot to buy gifts for the teachers.
I have enjoyed 2 days off being with the kids. I cooked a homemade dinner today too! I did some running after the kids got home. I needed to make some copies and then go and buy the candy for the sleighs.  Back home to make sleighs and feed babies and play with them and now it is really getting time for bed. I sure wish I could make myself go to bed sooner but it never happens!.

Thawing

This time last week we woke to a winter wonderland! At first the weather said we would get about 1/4 of an inch... However we ended up with about 2 to 2.5 inches of sleet. School was canceled on Friday and as well as work for me. I was already scheduled off for the weekend so it was nice being home but cabin fever sure did set in fast for me.
Friday Michael did go into work but came home early as most people didn't show up. He made a stop by the store to get a few things we needed.
Saturday I needed to go to target, I had a bunch of coupons set to expire that day and I didn't want to miss out on my savings plus we needed out of the house. We made our way slowly to the store and got what I was after.  We came back home and relaxed for the day.
Sunday the ice began melting a little bit. We made a trip to walmart to pick up something I had ordered and for a few needed items. Afterwards we decided to go over to babies r us for some long sleeve onesies for the twins that they really needed and were on sale. We got everything home and put away and went to lunch that we had planned on earlier in the week. The roads weren't really all that bad, we just really had to watch for the bridges and over passes. After lunch I took everyone home and lexi and I went to big lots to do some Christmas shopping. It is nice to get out with just one kid. We finished up and headed home for the evening.
Monday the kids didn't have school again. I was kind of glad, one I got to sleep in and secondly I had a nice set of helpers for the day. Although I did have to work that evening. Monday we still had areas with ice but thankfully our area was getting better.
Tuesday was back to school for the kids, I think they were happy to go back. That evening some more of my online orders were ready to be picked up so I took along Lexi and first we went to target to get stocking stuffers and gifts. Then to walmart to pick up my orders and get a few things. It was a busy couple of day but I am so glad we are thawing out even if we still have ice here and there on houses and on the ground in shaded spots.
I saw online it's possible for us to have another winter storm just a few days before christmas and one part of me says ok but the other is screaming no!

Keeping Up

Keeping up is so hard! Most days I wish I were a kid again and didn't have responsibilities! I constantly have to remember dates for the kids, like school functions, no school dates, I have to keep up with what bills are due and actually remember to pay them, doctor's appointments, cleaning house, doing laundry, grocery shopping and the list goes on and on. I laugh because my husband thinks he has it hard, he works 40 hours a week and has to watch the kids when I work. I guess it's not really about who does what but that it all get done and taken care of, right?

Kids are out of school early today, I have work and then I have the whole stinking weekend off and I couldn't be happier. I want to try and get some pictures of the kids this weekend for Christmas cards. I have already taken some but would like some more to choose from.

Lexi is very phylogenetic! Glad she was into taking pictures! This is her school photo, 8th grade, I am still having a hard time believing it.

Kaylee my sweet 2nd grader. Glad to know that this year she has the same teacher that Lexi and Mikey had for 2nd grade! This mom is very glad we moved back to our favorite school!

Mikey a 6th grader, he will be jr high bound next year. I find it amazing how quick kids grow up.

Ella running at the park

Harley peeking at the creek

 

And some rare pictures of me! I hardly ever let people take pictures of me but my sweet 13 year old told me the other day that we need pictures of me too for memories, so when I am gone I can be remembered. You know she is right! So we made some memories! I hope to do this more!

Me and my big girls

Me and 4 of my kiddos, love that we only got a eye from Kaylee, ha

Me and Elle Belle

Me trying to make a funny/scary face, hehe

 

I think I will grab the big kids and go and do a photo shoot tomorrow. The weather is suppose to be beautiful. And maybe if I can wrangle the little ones we will venture out to a field or backyard for some pictures of them.

 

Time just passes

Time just passes along, it's crazy! How could I get time get away. Need to get back on the blog train!

Cupcake

The babies had a wonderful day and after dinner we had cupcakes. We gave them the cupcakes without frosting and they loved it. They both did a pretty good job almost eating it all. There was quite a mess that wasn't too bad to clean up thank goodness. I'm sure saturday at their party they will really dig in their cake that will have icing. I will be sure to have all the stuff I need for bathing and change of clothes.

Like yesterday

It feels like only yesterday we brought the twins home from the hospital. The day I had them I had been up for hours before. I went to sleep that night on the 29th but kept waking up, my body just wouldn't let me sleep, I wasn't having any contractions that I knew of. Sleeping weeks prior was restless, my body ached when I layed down and was difficult getting into a comfortable position.

At about 1:30 I decided maybe I needed to go to the bathroom, so instead of waking Mike with the bathroom light I went to use the kids bathroom. So I was sitting there trying to do my business and my water broke, Ellas to be exact although we didn't know that at the time. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get back to my room to wake Mike without making a mess everywhere as water was leaking everywhere. I finally made it back to wake him and he woke frantically, he thought it happened in the bed so he was feeling all along my side to see if it was wet. He finally fully woke and I told him to wake the kids and get ready, I called my mom to let her know we woulf be heading over. I jumped in the shower and got dressed. Every step I took water gushed so I had already changed my pad twice and asked for one of the kids to bring me a baby diaper, it worked like a charm. The time it took to get to my moms and to the hospital and walking into labor and delivery, I didn't leak one bit, that Lil newborn diaper absorbed all!

We arrived at the hospital at 3am, they had to assess me and make sure I was in labor and that my water did indeed break, that took an hour all the while I was having contractions. They finally wheeled me to my room and asked if I would like and epidural, I said yes please. I finally got my epi and could have killed the dr who gave it to me, he did it in mid contraction and was telling me not to move.

My ob arrived at the hospital and did a sonogram, Harley showed to be transverse, either way I had to deliver in the operating room, which there went any chance of Lexi or my mom being at the birth. I was check and at 6cm. They told me I may go fast to if I felt pressure to alert a nurse. 15 minutes later I was a 9 and they frantically started getting everything ready and taking me to the or. They had me do a practice push when they determined I was a 10 and told me to stop cause babys head was right there. I gave a good push when told and Ellas head was born, gave one more and she was fully delivered. 4lbs 5oz and 17 3/4 inches long.

They went right into getting Harley out, since he was transverse he tried to maneuver him into the head down position but couldn't because the cord was wrapped around his neck, the dr determined he was in distress so on to an emergency csection. Finally after what seemed like forever they had him out. I heard no crying and Mike was assuring me he was ok. He finally let out a cry. 6lbs 1oz 19 3/4 inches long.

I got all put back together and was taken back to my birthing room where they kept me until my temp was normal, it was really low, probably from the or, surgery and medications, oh and not to mention throwing up on the or table. Finally I was taken to my post pardum room where I was told it would be a while before I would get to see my babies. I hated that wait and finally got to see and hold them at 8:30 that night.

My recovery was horrible, lots of swelling, lots of bruising, high blood pressure and I was on the verge of needing a blood transfusion due to being anemic, but thinking back I would do it all again in a heartbeat!

Happy Birthday to my Ella and Harley!

Happy Birthday

Happy 1st Birthday Ella & Harley!

Warm

It's too warm for January! It has been in the 70`s the past few days! Saturday it's going to be in the high 60`s!  This is crazy! I wish I could change the location of the babies party to a park instead. I'm sure all the kids would have a blast playing outside, enjoying fresh air! I really hope this means we aren't going to have an extremely hot summer! We may be moving in August so I hope its not too hot come then!

Tomorrow my babes turn 1! I can hardly contain my excitement! I know they won't remember it but I will! I remember when Lexi turned 1! She was happy to see all her family and she was shy about digging into her cake. Mikey too was shy about his cake until we gave him a taste! Kaylee didn't want much to do with it. I have a feeling Ella and Harley are going to be different, they already like cake! I plan to let them both enjoy a cupcake tomorrow.

Work

I look forward to the day I don't have to work retail & can share the weekend with my family. I have dreaded work today and I don't want to, but I will. I think I should start job searching. I feel like sometimes it's not even worth my time to be there on my weekday shifts. I need something with longer hours. Maybe one day.

3 days until the babies birthday! Hard to believe a year ago I was hugely pregnant and waddling around! I do miss that big ole belly and feeling them move around. I'm sad sometimes that I will never experience that again. If I could have 20 kids I would but 5 is my number and I wouldn't trade any of them.

Countdown

We are counting down for Ella &,Harleys big day! I can't believe its been almost a year since they were born, it feels like yesterday!

We are having a party for them on the Saturday after their birthday with close family. I plan to make cupcakes for their actual birthday and let them have at it.

I was really undecided on what to buy them for their special day, I mean they just got a ton of gifts over Christmas. I think we are going to get them a slide, I think they will really like it.

I am so exicited to celebrate their day!!!

Thumb sucking

Last night the bigger girls and I went for a visit with my sister and then after we left we stopped by my moms for a quick visit. Although our visits are never quick, we always chat forever. I blame that we dont see each other that often, but could be because we get along so great!

I was suppose to take Kaylee shopping with her birthday money but we ran too late with our visits. So I will take her tonight instead. She came in and played and then before I knew it she was fast asleep on the couch. She has always been a thumb sucker and she was fast asleep sucking her thumb, it was cute cause her other hand was covering the other. I know she shouldn't suck her thumb but she doesn't do it that often. I rarely see her do it, I fully wish she would drop the habit but at the same time it comforts her. We have spoke with her about it and she says its what babies do, but quickly said shes not a baby! I believe she will out grow it, hopefully someday soon! Ella sucks hers every now and then, no where near how much Kaylee did at this age so I don't forsee her keeping the habit as long as Kaylee did.

Twins

So I have been mothering these twins of mine for almost a year and life of twins is much different than a single!

From the very start of knowing we were going to have twins I said they will be kept to a schedule! And from day one we have mostly kept to it. Those first couple of days were hectic trying to get a routine, sleep and keep my sanity. No seriously it wasn't that difficult, I just had health problems going on and Ella was so tiny we had to go and do weight checks with the dr.

As newborns they slept alot but we would wake them every 3 hours to eat. Before feeding they got a diaper change and any clothing or bedding change needed. They would eat at the same time, no other way was allowed, this was easy when 2 sets of hands were present, otherwise they got propped on a pillow and I fed them that way so it was the same time!

I have always put them down at the same time for naps too! I try to keep to the same time each day. Sometimes one will be grumpier so we will go ahead and start naps early, usually the one not grumpy will play for a bit in the crib before falling to sleep.

When we brought the twins home they slept in a pack n play bassinet until they reached the weight limit. So then we put one of their cribs in our room where they slept together until they were about 6 months old. We finally had to separate them because sometimes they would wake up too close to each other and that scared me. I was afraid one might suffocate the other. So sadly they got moved to their own room in their own crib. I thought it would be a tough transition for them but I think it was harder in Mike and I. So bedtime happens for both at the same time. We have very rarely had one up playing as the other sleeps.

Table feeding is a breeze. You feed them at the same time and they share the same spoon, must be how they shared their last cold as well but thats ok! Its possible to feed them with two sets but its just more work for the person feeding them.

This is how a normal day goes. They usually wake around 6 to 6:30 depending on the noise level from the bigger kids getting ready for school.  I have learned not to peek in as this causes both to completely cry and freak out until I walk back in with a bottle for each. So they get their bottle and I change the as they start at their bottle. Then they get their tv on with sleep timer. They go back ti bed and sleep until about 8:30 to 9:30, sometimes even later. I try to stay up and get chores done but most days I go back to sleep until they wake. After they wake we go to the living room where they both get diaper changes and then into the high chair for what i would call brunch, lol. After eating we play until noon and then its nap time! Sometimes nap time happens a bit earlier or later, it all depends on what time they wake for the day and levels of grumpiness! They take a 2 to 3 hour nap, which is great because I can get caught up on housework. When they get up its back in the highchairs for eatting. Then playtime. They both go to bed around 8 and 9 pm. But it all depends on what we have going on in the evenings. Twins for me has been easy! People think I'm buts for saying so but its been a blessing!

Tags

Most of the time I post from my phone. I now have the option to put tags/labels about my posts. I sure wish they had done this before now!

Planning

I'm in planning mode for vacation! I love the word vacation! I am so happy and excited that we will be going on a trip! We try to take a family vacation once a year. Last year we didn't go anywhere seeing that we had 2 newborns. I am excited, as is everyone else. We were going to camp but then reality slapped me and said what the heck are you thinking??? Yeah camping with two one year olds, no we will pass on that for a while. So I was able to find a reasonably priced hotel that will accommodate all 7 of us in 1 room and we won't have to take out a loan to afford it! I was worried we would have to get two rooms and have horrible nights not being able to be in the same room as a family!

Happy Birthday Kaylee

Well my middle child turned 7 today! What a great age, I remember when I was 7! I had to get up extra early this morning and go to work but we didnt let that ruin our day. After I got home my sister was already at my house and then Mikey and Lexi came home from Grandma and Papa Ts house. We all chatted and Kaylee played with her gifts, we had cake. Ella and Harley had cake too! Grandma really enjoyed feeding Harley boy some cake too. Those babies are going to go nuts for their cake on their birthday in a mere 9 days! Grandma and Papa T left after a while and then Aunt Angie and Haiden. The kids did some playing and then I had to put the babies down for their nap, not long after Grammi and Grandpa came over. I think Kaylee was really surprised to see them. She opened her gift from them and we all chatted, it was a good visit, too bad the babies were asleep though.

Kaylee had a wonderful day and she was so happy everyone came to visit her. I was worried she would be upset she wasn't having a real "party", but in the end in her eyes it was a party day!