6 months

 

I can't believe it has been 6 months! My babies are getting so big. They are doing great...and so am I. I love being the mom of twins...and I love being the momma of 4. I am truly so blessed. I will have to post a pic of Luke soon, but here is one of my recent favorites.

Adopted Family

I have a great big family that I love dearly. We have shared in births, deaths, hopes, fears, holidays, birthdays, and regular old days with lots of living, laughter and love. These fine folks are not blood relatives, but they are all my family.

4 months

Well, the Taylor's have survived 4 months with the twins and things are going well. We were doing pretty well with a schedule for everyone until we took our cross-country trip to WV. It was a wild ride, but worth it. We had a great time! But readjusting to "normal" life is taking some time.





I do want to take a few moments and share some of our trip highlights.


I was a little nervous about the success of our trip when the night before we were to leave, I got a flat tire. So instead of leaving at 5 a.m. as planned, we did not get started until 10 a.m. The blessings in that were I found the flat in my church parking lot with wonderful friends to help change it and watch the kids. Also with the late start, we stopped short of our intended destination which was hit that night with tornadoes-hhhmmmmm.

The next day our DVD system broke so we stopped to get another one (necessity) which put us behind again, so we did not make it to Nashville. That night Nashville was hit with tornadoes and killed nine people-dodged the bullet again.

Then on the third day (yes, I said third day) we were about 200 yards shy of being hit by a car that lost control on the 4 lane and hit the wall and spun around. Eric and I both prayed and thanked God for his blessings of protection disguised as delays in our trip that were annoying at the time.

While in WV, luckily things were pretty uneventful in the car. We enjoyed Easter with the family. The boys received way too much candy from all the baskets they got from the grandparents. My sister and brother were both able to meet and hang out with the twins which was great! We got to visit with old friends and family that we do not get to see that often. We also had a blast at my brother's wedding where my boys were dancing fools!


April also marked the date for my eldest turning 6. Jacob is turning into quite the little man.I can't believe how fast the time has passed! On his birthday, we had his party in the park with a big-bouncy moonwalk. The party was at 5:30 and at 4:30 it started to rain. Of course I was getting worked up and upset by the rain. I was reminded quickly by my son to get myself in check. He said, "Don't worry Mommy. God is just trying to give me a rainbow for my birthday." The party was a huge success and yes, it did rain and the kids loved it! Oh well.

Thanks for checking in on us and keeping us in your prayers. Hope you enjoy the pics. I have more on my facebook page if you want to check them out.

3 months

I just can't believe that it has been 3 months that the Taylor twins have been with us...but that is the case. I am so happy to report that everyone is adjusting well, is happy and healthy. Jacob and Sean love on the little ones all the time and the twins adore their big brothers. Rebecca has found her thumb and is so cute sucking it. Luke smiles every time someone smiles at him or talks to him. He is just a happy little guy. Both babies are around 12 pounds and have dropped one night feeding. So I actually can get about 5 hours of sleep at once if I take advantage of it. Yeah!!!!
We are gearing up for a big cross country trip to WV for my brother's wedding in April. That should be an adventure.
Here are a few pics to enjoy.
God Bless.

Try again

For some reason I could not get these two photos attached to the previous blog so here is Rebecca before church today in her super cute outfit Aunt Brenda gave her. Sean is having a little cookie with his sprinkles :)


 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Things here with the Taylor's are getting better. Two weeks ago Sean got a nasty case of the flu...he passed it to Jacob...and Jacob passed it to Eric. Eric is feeling a little better, but I am still keeping my distance just in case.

The twins are smiling much more as you can see...I only wish they were progressing as well with sleeping through the night :) They had their 2 month check up and both babies were over 10 pounds! Luke weighed 3 ounces more than Rebecca. Luke has a little issue with his neck. He does not turn his head to the left on his own and struggles when I try and make him. We are going for an x-ray and PT eval this week to make sure all is ok. Besides that, their check up was perfect.

 

 

I actually have two of these bibs even though they are photographed together. I couldn't get them both smiling in the same shot.

 

Jacob decorating our Valentine's Day cookies.


 

Thanks for checking on us. We will talk to you soon.

Smiles

As promised, I am adding some new photos and giving a quick update on the Taylor house. I only missed my week update by 2 days....and that ain't bad :)






The babies are starting to give us smiles. We have to really work at it, but they are starting to be in response to our smiles and silly talk rather than just gas. We still have not settled into a schedule, but they seem to be happier much more than not which seems to make the rest of the house happier.

I still can't believe they are 8 weeks old, but they are growing so fast. My back is letting me know that they are putting on the pounds...especially Luke.

Time flies when you're having fun!

Hello everyone! I am sitting at my computer with a quiet house. Yes! All 4 of my kids...and my hubby...are napping. I found myself wondering what to do with myself. I don't even have to plan dinner because my sweet friend Jennifer brought us a yummy chicken pie for dinner...Thanks Jen! So, I decided to update my blog since it has been a while. When I logged on I couldn't believe it had been 6 weeks since an update....I felt like only a week or so had passed by, but time truly does fly by when you are having fun....or when you are just exhausted. I have had a lot of both in my life the past 6 weeks.

Where to begin??? I guess I need to start with a photo because many of you have not seen Luke and Rebecca since their hospital photos.







Are they beautiful or what ????? I truly am a blessed woman. Rebecca is in her girly pink and purple, and Luke is our little baldy. The photo with Sean is so funny because he made that face when Sean screamed "Cheese!!!" for the picture.

Our last few weeks in a nutshell.....

The first 2 weeks were pretty calm because the twins slept ALOT. It fooled me into thinking that I was just a seasoned mom who was up to the task. Boy was I misinformed because on week 3 they woke up! Don't get me wrong, the twins are not bad babies. In fact, when people ask I say that if either of them were a single they would be an easy baby...but when they gang up on you-look out. The lack of down time is probably the hardest thing to adjust to, but I have always been one to stay busy....it is just now I have no choice.

Both babies are eating well and sleeping much better. Luke wakes up frequently crying needing to burp or spit up, but after he gets it out seems to do ok. Sweet Rebecca just likes to be held and look around. She is so inquisitive already...I can tell :)

Jacob has jumped right into the big brother role and has been such a big help to me around the hosue. Sean loves is little brother and sister, but is having a harder time adjusting to "sharing mommy." Mattie (our dog) just tries to find a quiet place to nap....good luck!

2009 has just started so wonderfully and our family feels so blessed to be healthy and surrounded by such good friends who have really taken care of us with meals, phone calls and outings for the boys. Thank you just does not express our gratitude.

I am hoping that these quiet times will be more frequest and I am going to post at least once a week, even if it is just a short note and photos.

God Bless!

Going home.

Jacob holding Luke for the first time

Sean holding Luke for the first time






Jacob sees his brother for the first time

Wanted to let you know that I'm packing up our room and looking forward to taking our new family home. My mom and dad came up yesterday with the boys and we had a great visit. The boys were excited to see Rebecca and Luke, and mommy too, of course.

Everyone seems to be doing ok. Luke is a bit jaundiced, as is Rebecca, but nothing a little supplement won't fix. Last night was a long night for everyone. It seemed as if every time you'd get "comfortable" where you were napping, someone would fart, poop, pee or cry. At one point Danel put them together with her in the bed and they slept for 3 hours!

Note to self...

Anyway, I'm sure Danel will blog more when we get home.

First photos (click photo for larger version)

Right before we left for the hospital



Luke William


Rebecca Christine


One amazing woman

They're here!

Rebecca was born at 5:39, weighing in at 6lbs 1oz and 19 inches long. Luke followed 6 minutes later at 5:45, weighing in at 6lbs 7oz and also 19 inches. Mom is doing fantastic! The babies are in ICU right now, their breathing was a bit labored but nothing to be overly concerned about.

I'm sure that Danel will have much more to write when she can.

Things moving along

They just finished with the epidural...

Rebecca is on her way!

This is Eric. Danel wanted me to update everyone on what's going on: We're at the hospital and they just broke her water (or Rebecca's water, depending on how you look at it) and that should speed up the delivery process. Honestly, it seems like everything has been moving pretty quickly, but there's quite a bit going on.

Will post with more updates later...

And Waiting

I am feeling kind of strange today and not feeling great, but still no trips to the hospital. The days seem to be dragging but I think it is because I am feeling worse and I am so anxious to see Luke and Rebecca.
Thanks for your continued prayers.

Still waiting

It is Sunday afternoon and I am still waiting on babies to arrive. It seems like the past few months have flown by and now each day is taking forever. I can't wait to hold Luke and Rebecca in my arms.

Waiting

Just wanted to let you know that the babies did not come last night. I am going to try to update everyday with a yeah or neah so that everyone knows what is going on.
Today we are going to Jaocb's soccer game and it is 44 degrees outside...bbbbrrrrr.
Maybe if I jump out there and score a few goals the babies will decide to come :)

Now I'm Ready

I am sorry that I did not update yesterday. I was exhausted after my appointments and actually retired to my room before 8 last night. I know a few of you have already called me to make sure I wasn't in the hospital.

First Eric and I went for my ultrasound and praise God--Little Luke has decided to follow his sister's lead and be head down. But Rebecca is not letting him take all her glory because she is down and ready to come out first. Luke will have to settle for being baby #4. So even though he is estimated at being 7 pounds 6 ounces and has his sister beat out by a full pound and a few ounces he will be the little brother :)

So with that wonderful news we headed to see Dr. Galvan. All is well and I am scheduled to be induced next Thursday the 11th. But after my exam, I am not sure we will make it that long. I was dilated to 4cm. So it may be this weekend. If my legs were not so painful and swollen, I would be walking a marathon right now to get things going.

I am just so humbled and blessed at how well this pregnancy has gone. If I make it to next Thursday I will have carried the twins as long as I did Jacob. Isn't that amazing! I am just tired and swollen and ready to see my feet again-but it will not be as long as it has been. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers. I promise I will have Eric update as things happen.

On a side note, a friend was in a motorcycle accident last night and in ICU. His name is Rick. Please pray for his healing. Thank you.

I made it!

I have made it to the official 36 week point. I know some didn't think I would make it this far, and the last 2 weeks have been a little up and down, but overall ok. Eric went on his hunting trip and made it home safely. My mom and step-dad came down and spent Thanksgiving with me ane the boys, which was great and they have made it home safely. We are expecting Eric's parents to arrive on Tuesday. So we have been busy in the guests department.

Jacob and Sean are doing great and enjoying having grandparents around to play with. As for me and the babies we are also enjoying the extra hands around to help out. I had a touch of a stomach bug which was not fun and my feet are swelling horribly now, but beyond that I feel good.

I have an ultra sound scheduled for Thursday morning. The main reason for the ultrasound is to see if Luke has cooperated and turned all the way down. He has been laying sideways for most of the pregnancy and we really want him to turn completely so I can try and avoid a C-section. Then Thursday afternoon I have an appointment with my Dr. He will have the results of the ultrasound and hopefully I will have some news to share with you regarding Rebecca and Luke's arrival :)
I really can't believe it is here. We are all so excitd.....and nervous. I promise that even though the past few weeks I have only updated a few times that once things start happening Eric or I will update often...and hopefully have pictures.

Under the Weather

I am sorry that it has been a week since I last updated. It does not seem like that much time has gone by. At this point in my pregnancy I can't believe I am saying that, but it is true.

Sean has had runny nose-coughing issues all week. Like most kids, when he does not feel well he wants Mommy's undivided attention so I have not been on the computer much. Then on Friday, Jacob started complaining of a tummy ache which turned into some yucky virus. He was up all night vomiting and still was yucky Saturday and today. He is starting to keep things on his tummy though and it does not appear that anyone else has it...thank goodness.

The babies are doing great. Not giving mom too many problems. I am just moving slow and am very tired, but I think that is as much from other issues of the week as much as it is from them. I go to the doctor on Tuesday and will report if there is any new news.

Also, my mom arrives for a visit Thursday and then Eric will be heading out of town to go hunting. I will be spending lots of time letting my mom run things and me relaxing so that Luke and Rebecca do not get over anxious to come into the world while Daddy is out of town. :)

Bon Appetit

 

This weekend I was blessed yet again by some of my dearest friends. Many women who have busy lives, schedules, kids and hubby's at home took hours out of their Saturday to get together and make meals for my family. Many more helped plan, shop and pay for the ingredients and I have been left speechless by this act of kindness (and for those of you who know me well...you know that does not happen often).

They all look delicious!!!! I have almost 20 meals in my freezer ready to heat up along with side dishes to help me make it through these last couple of weeks until Rebecca and Luke decide to come meet everyone.

If you are one of those wonderful women reading this update....thank you, thank you, thank you. Your thoughtfulness is so appreciated.

Carrying twins has seriously increased my waistline, and with all this good food I am sure it is going to grow even more...oh well, I'm pregnant...I will enjoy it while I can.