Picture of the Day

Did I mention that Will got me a new camera for Valentine's day...and my birthday...and our Anniversary...and Christmas...and probably next Valentine's day!!! We've been talking about getting a nice camera for a while and he finally decided to bite the bullet! So no more missed smiles for us!

7 Months

Thing 1: Kipton

Thing 2: Coleson

Their first wrestling match in the bounce house:

A brief sweet moment before they tried to bite each other ha!

A proud big sister:

Update on the boys: Kipton weighs 15 lbs 14 oz and Coleson weighs 15 lbs 5 oz. The boys are receiving monthly synagis shots which is meant to prevent serious complications caused from RSV, should they be exposed. Both boys are wheezing and have been for almost a month, so we are treating them around the clock with nebulizer treatments; however we have switched medicines and added an additional one to try to fight these coughs that will not go away. They did blood-work and a strep test today since they have been sick for so long; they tested negative for pneumonia and negative for strep, but the blood-work did reveal that BOTH boys are fighting some kind of virus, which could be RSV or a cold....grrrrrr!!!

Regardless, we are loving our sweet little boys and our mess of a big girl!! They are all so happy and are the joys of our lives!

Almost 7 Months

Thing 1 and Thing 2! (The above was NOT posed; Kipton rolled over and wrapped his arm around Coleson. Of course, he tried to bite Coleson's ear when he first rolled over, but that was beside the point ;)! )

I can't believe Thing 1 & Thing 2 are approaching 7 months!!! Before having the boys, I often wondered, how I would share my love, especially since I was an only child, but the simple truth is, it has been so easy. I love my children so much and love the fact that they are so different.

What's in a name? Bella (Mini) means beautiful and she is such a "beautiful mess," a little girl full of life and energy, which is infectious and can't help but put a smile on your face! She reminds me so much of Jimmy Buffet's song Little Miss Magic...she is our "Little Miss Magic." Kipton's middle name is William, named after Will obviously; both are laid back and just like to take things in stride. Coleson's middle name is Richard, named after my dad; my father was always quick to make jokes and make light of irrelevant situations, but just like me, had a slight temper, and surprisingly enough, Coleson seems to be the same way!

The boys are growing like weeds...Kipton was 15 lbs 12 oz and Coleson was 15 lbs 2 oz at their last well child visit. We have been frequenting the doctor's office as of late; between well-child visits, synagis shots for RSV, and cold/flu seasonal issues, we have been to the doctor's office more than our fair share! I joked with our dear friend who works at our pediatrician's office that we were single handily trying to work on getting her a raise with all of our visits, ha! Kipton has a tooth, and Coleson has 2 teeth that have now broken through the gums. Both boys are LOVING solid foods; at this point both have started rice/oatmeal cereal, vegetables, and fruits. Whenever they see a jar of food coming out, they get very excited. I hope to start making baby food soon, but I'm also being realistic in the fact that I have a lot going on and if I have to continue to buy food, then I will.

We are all doing well and very thankful for the life we live...it may be chaotic, but in the midst of chaos, we also can enjoy all of our blessings!

Mother of the Year Strikes Again

Seriously, I would love to say, I am perfect and these "mother of the year" moments are totally written about someone else, but that would be a BIG FAT LIE! Instead I choose to embrace these moments and laugh at myself, because sometimes, you have to just laugh (LOUD and HARD) in order not to cry, ha!

A few weeks ago, we had to increase the nipple size on the boys bottles, so we bought all new nipples. I started boiling the nipples in water to sterilize them just as the package says, and then I walked away from them because I was trying to get 3 children (and Myself) dressed and ready for school. Did I mention I was doing this at 6:00 am because I am a procrastinator and always wait until the last minute?! Well when I returned to the kitchen about 15 minutes later the water was gone (evaporated obviously) and there were the nipples sitting in the pot just cooking!!! Of course, those of you who know me can imagine the words that came out of my mouth. I panicked...all I could think was BPA leaching from the nipples every time the boys drink from them, even though they are BPA free nipples! I did some Internet research and from what I read, the nipples were not compromised; no one online had experienced the exact same situation, so either no one was dumb enough to do the same thing or no one was dumb enough to admit it...except me of course!!!

Well the other day, I needed to do some of the boys laundry, so I gathered the clothes off the floor next to the diaper pail. I had been very careful to pick up the dirty diapers that had missed the diaper pail, or so I thought. Yes...I am lazy in the middle of the night and toss the diapers into the pail, but sometimes miss (only pee diapers)! After the clothes finished washing, I started pulling out wet clothes and small balls started falling on the floor! At first I thought it was detergent until I looked closer, and saw the infamous jell fillings from the diaper all over the clothes and then soon found the disintegrated diaper along with the wet clothes! Again some more choice words flowed from my mouth, but that is besides the point. I rewashed the clothes, and they appear to be fine; however if you happen to see my boys in public and they appear to be glistening...please know that it's not because they have been playing in my craft glitter, but rather their "genius" mom caused a diaper to explode all over their clothes!

Another Month Older

The boys are 6 months old...where has the time gone?! They are growing up so fast. The boys have started solids and are enjoying them! Kipton has a tooth and Coleson has 2 on the way in. Both boys roll both ways and are belly sleepers, despite their mother's insistence on rolling them back over every time she passes by. We are enjoying their smiles and laughter and the complete feeling they bring to our little, while maybe not so little family ;)!

Thing 1: Kipton

Thing 2: Coleson

Getting ready to eat! (Taken on my phone hence the grainy nature :/)

Things We Love...Part IV

1. Summer Infant Babytouch Video Monitor. This was a big splurge for us, but well worth it. This monitor is AWESOME! We ordered it from Diapers.com; we had a problem with the battery on the first one, so they switched it out for a new one without any problems. We have 2 cameras, one for each boy mounted on the wall! The boys are movers and travel around the crib, so this monitor is perfect because it pans and zooms!

2. Nuby IcyBite Teether Keys. The boys are teething and have been for a while. These keys are very cool because they stay colder much longer!

3. Bath time. The boys LOVE bath time, they just kick, kick, kick, and splash, splash, splash. We have a simple, inexpensive tub that we had with Mini, but it's perfect because it came with a sling for when they were really little.

4. American Red Cross Infant Scale. With the boys in NICU, I was very accustomed to receiving daily weight updates. When I came home and didn't have that update, I became obsessive about their weight and bought this scale. I wasn't worried about the fact that it did or did not match the doctor's scale exactly, but more that I could see growth each day! This scale does the job.

5. Green Toys. These toys are made out of recycled plastic and super durable. We have two green toys. Mini has the tea set and the boys have the tug boat! The tug boat is super cute; it has a grate on top to allow water in and spout at the front of the boat so you can use it to rinse small bodies!

The Anti-Resolution Resolution

So this year, Will and I, mostly me, vowed not to make a New Year's Resolution. I always make 2-3 resolutions; the first one is usually to "get in shape." Now let's get real...I have managed to do very little exercise for the last 20+ years, so why in the world would I make a promise that I know I will not keep! The second resolution usually aligns with my project of the moment. This year there are a few things that I would like to do, but being a realist and becoming increasingly aware of how badly I feel when I stretch myself too thin, I have decided to not make any promises, rather to do the best I can! Please know that I'm not "settling," but setting more attainable goals!

PS. As I'm reading this post to Will he laughs and chimes in, "my resolution is to win the lottery!" Will LOVES to listen to financial advisors and has heard that statistically people believe that the only way to get rich is to win the lottery; however he and I both agree that the only way to be successful is to work and play hard. We both work hard during the week and play hard on the weekend. We are so blessed by our numerous blessings...number 1, 2, and 3 blessings in no particular order being the 3 beautiful children that bring us so much joy. We feel rich already!