18 mth check up

As you know, our babies are 18 months old. We just had their 18 month check up. It was kind of emotional for me - although I kept it well hidden.

Lately I've been thinking about and reminded of what a miracle they are. Some day I get to tell them that we prayed so hard for them! It made me think of the day we found out we were having twins. The doc sent me for an early ultrasound (she said to establish a due date, but I found out later she suspected multiples) and Greg couldn't go with me. When the lady told me there were two babies I burst in to tears. She asked me why and I told her I was so blessed. We prayed for so long just to get pregnant and the Lord saw fit to give us two babies at once! Telling Greg was awesome too. I just handed him the picture and let him figure it out. :) 

Just to see how much they've grown since their stay in the NICU was overwhelming. They are caught up on all fronts. Their growth curve is perfect. They even wore bows for me today! Good girls. 

Jaycie and Jemma

And let's not forget their crazy sister. Jadyn is such a blessing. She is a good help, she's so much fun to be around, and she loves to give me hugs. Seriously, she's awesome :) She cried when she found out her sisters had to get shots. She loves them so much! 

Did I mention...

Did I mention this school year is off to a rough start?
I have?
Okay, well I didn't want you to forget.

I do have a few things I'm working on - for me.
1. Being intentional with my kiddos. I come home exhausted every day from a crazy work day. I want to make my time count. We play on the floor, read books, snuggle, and snack. I enjoy being with the girlies. It also means my house is a mess most of the time, when I do laundry I have about 10 loads to do at a time (and FOLD - GROSS!), and I do not feel prepared for most upcoming events. I'm okay with them because I recognize the most important thing right now are my girls.

2. I am working on being aware of what's best for my oldest. These past few weeks we've had a few challenges that have made Greg and I stop to consider long term consequences of decisions we are making for Jadyn right now. Greg and I each have character flaws (shocking - I know) that we see we've passed on to Jadyn. We know that by being proactive while she is young we can help shape some of those issues. Our main goal right now is to teach her that as long as she always does her best we are proud of her. She's a bit of a perfectionist in some areas and really likes to be the best (stop snickering - it's not nice - I'm sorry okay?), so when she has an off day we want her to know it's okay - as long as she knows she gave God her best.

3. I'm learning that the Word of God is so life changing. This is one I knew, but it's so nice to see it again. Jadyn is in Awana's this year. She LOVES it. In fact, last night she asked me how many more days until Cubbies. She's on her first verse and while I know she isn't totally grasping the concepts yet - I know it's only a matter of time before she will start asking questions. We need to be ready!

I'm learning more things right now as well. Several I started to type and then deleted because I'm not quite ready to share. :)

I can't help it

I try not to be "that mom." You know the one who brags about their "perfect" child? I think a lot of my reservation about bragging comes from being a teacher. I see the other side of it. I hear how perfect people's children are - a lot - and I know for a fact that they aren't.

Anyway, with all that said I would like to share, or brag, about my child. Mainly because someday I hope to share with her just how very proud I am of her!

Last week Jadyn started dance class. She is in a 4 & 5 year old class. She is so very very excited to be in dance class. It is a fundamentals of ballet and tap. It is through a church so they have modest dance routines, costumes, and they end each class with a devotion. We love it.
Jadyn has 5 other girls in her class. I don't know any of them. I don't know any of their families. What I do know is that Jadyn was very well behaved in the class. One little girl kept saying "I'm 5 and I've done all this before" another little girl didn't want to hold one of the girls hands and so she licked her own hand before she reached out to hold hands (thankfully the teacher caught it in time). It was so gross. Another little girl kept running back to her parents to get a bite of chicken nuggets before she did the next dance step. I've never seen anything like it.

I tell you this because I want you to know - I'm so proud of my girl! We have high expectations of Jadyn. We demand obedience. We require that she obey quickly with a happy heart. We don't allow whining - Jadyn knows that whining is a lack of self-control and she doesn't do it in the house (or hopefully any where else). So, it's nice to see that it's paying off. Walking that road day to day, keeping up with consistencies, being a parental team, and praying for our sweet girl is paying off - right now.

It was a much needed glimpse that we are on the right track.

New Mama's out there. Hang in there. You can do it though the 2s and 3s.

To myself in another 6-10 months: Hang in there. Keep up with the expectations and remember this night. :)

I know we have a long way to go - but I will take a moment here and there.

18 pictures for 18 months

Today, (September 13) our babies are 18 months old. :) 

We've made it this far! Yee-Haw! 

To celebrate I thought it would be fun to look at the last 18 months! 

March 2012

On monitors and in preemie jammies 

April 2012

May 2012

June 2012

July 2012

August 2012

September 2012

October 2012

November 2012

 December 2012

January 2013

February 2013

March 2013

April 2013

May 2013

June 2013

July 2013

August 2013

 September 2013

What a blessing these two have been to us! 

Our life is so crazy right now.

I thought that life changed drastically when we had Jadyn.
It did, but then
We had twins.

Holy Moly.

Our girls are awesome and just to help me be able to look back and have something to fill in the ol baby books (because let's face it - those aren't happening right now) -

Jadyn:
Jadyn is in pre-k. She started reading books last month. She probably could before then but last month is when she sat down and read a book. We were shocked and we are so so proud!
Jadyn also started Awana's this year and is so excited to be a Cubby! She's already asked twice this week how many more days until Cubbies.
Jadyn is doing dance this year too. She loves to dance around and we are excited to be able to put her in a dance program that is God glorifying and doesn't do skimpy costumes.
Jadyn is an awesome big sister. She is having fun watching her sisters learn to play with her. She loves to play with both of her sisters and she and Jemma seem to share an extra special bond. I have a feeling it's because Jadyn and Jaycie seem to be very much alike.
Jadyn is awesome. Greg and I both love her company. She's fun to take places and shes fun to hang out with at home. She gives the best hugs and loves to cuddle.

Jaycie:
Jaycie is our talker. She is repeating many words and saying a lot on her own. In fact just tonight she pointed to Greg and said "no" when he blew her a kiss. HAHA. It was pretty cute. She is blowing kisses to us all and strangers. She really seems to have no fear. This week she is teething so she is extra cuddly when she gets up from naps and she loves to sit on our laps. She does like to stand in front of the tv to watch Mickey Mouse clubhouse. She giggles so hard on the Minnie bowtique episode when Donald shakes his backside. It is full fledged laughter and you seriously can't help but to laugh with her.
Right now Jaycie seems to be very independent. She definitely has opinions about things and isn't afraid to share them.
Jaycie gives the best hugs. She squeezes your neck and pats your back. After a long day at work it is just about the best thing in the world.

Jemma:
Jemma is happy when her tummy is full. She is just like her Daddy. Jemma is sweet. She loves to sit on my lap and currently seems to be a Mommy's girl. She gets pretty upset if she can see me but can't touch me. Jemma has been slower to talk but she seems to mean it when she does. Jemma said Jadyn for the first time this week which was pretty special because Jemma lights up when Jadyn is around. Jemma and Jadyn love to chase each other around the house.
Our Jemma is a blanket girl. She loves fuzzy blankets and almost always has one with her - especially when we are at home. She sleeps with one and during the day will pull it out of her crib to carry it around. It is so cute! She loves to wrap it around her head - we call her Mary when she does that because she looks like Mary standing at the manger.
Jemma loves to give kisses - they are big open mouth slobber kisses and we LOVE them!

As you can see the Lord has blessed us with 3 awesome girls. I can tell you that after a long day at work seeing these beauties is a beautiful thing.