The Busy Booths: July 2014

Most people who know me know that I've always said I wanted twins. Ever since I was a little girl I wanted twins. I remember once my Gran showed me a newspaper article about a woman who had 2 sets - AT THE SAME TIME. Otherwise known as quadruplets, of course, but they were 2 sets of identical twins. She told me "be careful what you wish for!"

She was right. Naturally. Aren't grandmothers always right? I would not in a million years trade my twins for anything in the world because you know what? I still wanted them. I never imagined that after my three singletons God would decide to give me those twins I always desired but He did. And not even just twins. I always always always wanted twin girls. He blessed me with these two precious little girls and I adore having them.

But, man. Twins after three singletons? 5 kids? It's hard.

Tonight I carried both girls to their room, sat down in the rocking chair and enjoyed being in their bright and cheery sunshine room and snuggling my two sweet babies. I sang "Jesus Loves Me" and "You Are My Sunshine". And they looked at me and smiled. My heart was full. Every hard moment was worth it.

And then they both started crying. And I said, "Bedtime!"

"Bedtime? What do you mean bedtime? Look how adorable we are. You do NOT want to put us in those beds.
Hey, where are you going? We said no bedtime! NO bedtime!"

We've survived three months with twins - and 5 kids! I think this is some sort of major accomplishment and I deserve a celebration. Who's bringing the cake? Make it chocolate. And I'm gonna need some Dr Pepper. Seriously, though, that has become my saving grace. Every night when the kids are all in bed and the house is quiet, I get some chocolate and a Dr Pepper and I sit down to watch General Hospital. It may cause issues with losing these last 15 pounds but...it's my sanity right now and I'm not giving it up yet!

The evenings get really really hard at this point. The girls are in that phase of life where they don't like to be awake for more than 2 hours at a time but they also don't want to take a nap in the evening anymore so they pretty much scream from 5:30ish-7 unless I'm holding them (and sometimes even then). And there are two of them. And I have to make dinner. And I have to bathe Caedon. You know, other things besides sit and hold two adorable but fussy babies. And Brian's schedule keeps him at work until 9:30 Mon-Thurs so he's not here to help. But I remind myself that this will pass. It helps to post in my Mothers of Multiples group and get support and encouragement from others who have been there, done that - or are currently in the same stage. We can commiserate together about the joys and trials of having two!

One major problem caused by the situation is that I have been staying up way too late. It's SO hard for me to go get in bed when (1) Brian's not home and (2) the house is so calm and peaceful. I have no demands on my time, no requests, no one asking to be held, watch a movie, have a snack, read a book, etc. I've got to get some discipline going and get myself in bed by 10 at the latest but it's so hard!

The big kids are pretty helpful - they feed the babies for us sometimes and it's really great when both girls want to eat at the same time and it's just me. I can get Kyler or Melissa to feed one for me. They also sit and talk to the girls or give them their pacis and Caedon loves to bring them toys. That said....I'm ready for school to start. SO ready to get into a normal day-to-day routine that keeps us all busy. The big kids are bored this summer and I'm letting them watch way too much TV!

Melissa feeding Sadie

This was the day Kyler got home from camp. I think he missed his sisters :)

Caedon brought a blanket and toys into the living room for the fussy twins. Sweet big brother!

OKAY - the girls at three months! They are amazing, precious little people! Even when I'm completely overwhelmed, I'm so thankful they are part of our family.

Sadie - weighs about 12 1/2 pounds now. She gives the biggest best smiles. I adore them! She is still the more calm baby girl but don't let that fool you. She can scream with the best of them.

Rylan - weighs about 12 pounds. She started sleeping through the night! So now they BOTH sleep all night every night. WOOHOO! She also rolled over. Three times in one day and hasn't done it again since. :)

Did you notice that Sadie passed Rylan up in weight again? When she was sleeping all night and Rylan was still getting that extra bottle, Rylan got bigger again but as soon as they both went to the same amount of formula again, Sadie passed her back up. It's so strange because Sadie just always looks smaller. I guess it's just the way their bodies are built.

Nooooow, for my favorite part of all blogs. PICTURES! Here are their three month pictures. They did so good. I usually take my kiddos in to the studio at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months but their 1 month session showed me that two is much harder than one and I also know that the girls happiest time of day is first thing in the morning, after their first bottle. Obviously the studio isn't open that early so I decided I'd do the pictures again and we'll wait until they're happier people before we go back to the studio for pictures. The onesies I bought for decorations for my baby shower and my sister made the tutus and the big bows. So cute!