1 Month - Grant Michael

Grant Michael -

You are 1 month old today. I might cry if I dwell on that fact too much. You are sound sleep on my chest right now and looking simply adorable. I would love to keep you this way for so much longer then I know you will be. I know it is going to be an amazing thing to watch you grow and I will love every minute of it but if you could slow it down a bit that would be great. :)
So far you are a good baby. A little bit fussy at times but if you are being held you are just fine. Ok, so I am spoiling you a little by holding you but I don't really care at this point. Hoping you are too little to have it really effect you.
Sleep - You sleep really well. We'll just talk about night time because during the day it's just whenever you want really. You and I usually go to bed around 9 pm...basically we snuggle and I watch tv while you sleep on my chest. You eat around midnight, go back to sleep and wake up to eat again around 4 am then go back to sleep until about 7:30/8 am.
Feeding - You eat about every three hours during the day and about every 4 at night. You are strictly breast fed at this point.
Diaper Size- You are on the verge between newborn and 1's. We used up the last of the newborn so 1's from here on out.
Clothe Size - You out grew your first newborn outfit about three days ago and now almost all of them are too tight.
Activities - You smiled for the first time last week...at about 3.5 weeks old. It was when Payton was talking to you...the sweetest thing ever!
You are such a blessing and we are so thankful God has given you to us.
We love you so much Little Buddy.
Love,
Mommy & Daddy
(Payton & Charley too)

2 x Baby = 2 x Belly

Approximately 32 weeks ago my sister and her hubby were shocked with the news they were expecting identical twin girls. They were still a little in shock over finding out they were expecting in general then to throw in the identical twin card, well, they were surprised.
Along with this surprise came a lot of fear over how the pregnancy would go. Mainly the fear of early delivery and very small, potentially sick, babies. These are ligament fears. You hear of people delivering twins early all the time and you see the health issues that go with it. So the prayer warriors started praying.
I felt from the beginning that Heather & Mark's story was going to be different. That their story was not going to be one of those 'sad' stories. Our family has had it's share of 'sad' stories over the past years and I just had a peace that this was not going to be another one.
With twins full-term is 38 weeks. With a due date of February 16 that put 38 weeks at January 31. I joked from the beginning that that was going to be their birthday because they were going to have 'go in and get them'. Well, here we are...tomorrow is January 31 and Heather is going in for her induction. Hate to say 'I told you so..' ok, no I don't SO I told you so! :) Honestly, I didn't actually think she would go the full 38 weeks...I mean who gets induced with twins!? What an amazing thing. God has a funny sense of humor sometimes but his answer to prayer is just so awesome!
Heather thinks it's a cruel joke because she is fairly uncomfortable as you can imagine. At her last appointment she was measuring 50 weeks, yup, 50!!! Two weeks ago the girls were aprox. 5 lb 6 oz & 5 lb 11 oz. My final guess for their weight...Baby A - 7 lb 1 oz and Baby B - 6 lb 11oz. heheh...she hates it when I say that. :)
I can't wait to meet my nieces tomorrow and finally see what they look like...and how big they are.

Please keep Heather, Mark & Babies in your prayers tomorrow.

Life With 3

I have been a mommy of three for three & a half weeks now. The most common question I get, 'how is it going?' Well, it has been an adjustment I am not going to lie but it is going good.

Often I have to strategies about how I am going to get a shower in...put the TV on for Payton, put Charley in the high chair with a time consuming snack...aka Cheerios, take the bouncy seat and Grant into the bathroom, then shower really fast. Don't wash hair if not necessary and apply soap and rinse as fast as humanly possible.
I am also learning that getting ready to leave the house does take an hour from start to finish and that does not include getting myself dressed an ready to go. This may seem like an exaggeration but trust me, it is not. My three year old is very poky and sometimes has a big opinion about what she will be wearing for the day which often times results in a time out due to 'attitude'.
My house is a total mess for 95% of the day. If you know me this stresses me out (it's silly, I know but that is just the way I am) so I am trying to just 'let it go' which is easier said then done let me tell you.
Over all it has gone better then I thought that it would. The fears I had before Grant was born have not been real issues. At times I get a little frustrated with Payton when she says she can't do something that I know she can but I just have to remind myself that she is 3 and still kind of a 'baby' in a sense and she is just seeking some attention.
I figure at the end of the day if my kid's basic needs...fed basically... have been met and they still say 'I love you Mommy' when I put them to bed...the day has been a success.

Happy Due Date Grant, Happy 16 mo Charley & Happy Birthday Papa!

Today marks some special events in our family.
First, it is Grant's official due date. At 8 lb 7 oz eleven days ago, I for one am happy he did not wait to show up. Whoa! We are very blessed to have had him in our lives for the past week and a half and are enjoying every ounce of him.
Second, Charley is 16 months today. He is growing up so fast and is so much fun. Naughty, for sure, but fun. :) He just enjoys life, everything is a game to him and he does my heart good! Love you Charley Bear.
Last but not least it is my dad's birthday. Happy Birthday Dad/Papa! We love you so much. You are an amazing dad and a wonderful Papa.

1 Week

Sweet Grant;
You are 10 days old today. 10 days! Where is the time going? :) Ok, ok, I won't get all mushy on you but you are my baby so I can be dramatic if I want to, get used to it because everything you do for the first time will mark an 'end' for something for me...tear.
You are such a good boy and so super snuggley. Daddy yells at me and says to 'put him down' but I know all too well that tomorrow you will be Payton's size. I am going to hold you as long as I can. I may be setting myself up for trouble but, oh well. :)
You are eating every 2.5/3 hours. I don't know how much you are eating because you are not taking a bottle yet. Your sleeping habits are great. At night you wake up about twice...2:00ish & 5:00ish...after eating at about 11/11:30. During the day you aren't awake a ton but clearly enough to make you sleep well at night which is all that matters.
I do love watching you when you are awake. I wonder what you are thinking in the midst of the chaos that is our house on a daily bases. Don't worry, you will love it! :)
I love having you lay on my chest after Payton & Charley have gone to bed. It's our special snuggle time and I can't get enough of it.
I love you so much sweet baby!
Don't grow up too fast ok. :)

(I promise not to do a weekly update on Grant for the rest of his life but i feel like the week mark deserves a post. :)

Newborn Pictures

Yup, you guessed it...my cousin Misty captured some amazing newborn pics of my littlest man on Saturday. This is just a preview and they make me super excited to see all the rest of them.
Click Here

Finally, Snow

Payton was so excited the other day to finally get a chance to go outside and play in the snow with Daddy & Charley. It's too bad the snow didn't last longer because both her & Charley had a lot of fun making snow angels and going down the slide in the snow.

Excited about the snow

Ready to head out

Snow Angel

Yes, his boots are pink. That is what happens when you have an older sister and her old boots happen to fit you. :)