birth day

One year ago today the babies came crashing into this world, five weeks ahead of schedule and weighing only 4 lbs. They have since quadrupled their birth weight and have gone from scranny little babies that I was scared to hold because I thought I would brake them to beautiful funny and happy babies that love to wrestle. Motherhood is so much more complex than I imagined it would be. I love these two little ones with all my heart, but they also drive me crazy. They bring out more patience and determination that I thought I had and yet they also frustrate me to no end. My emotions are so tightly wound up in their emotions, whether it be laughing or crying, that I have ridden an emotional roller coaster or confusion and euphoria for the last year. I am grateful for the learning. I am glad to have passed this far. I am so happy that the babies sleep through the night so that Ian feel more emotionally prepared in the morning. I love getting to

happy birthday babies

save me a piece of that corn for later

We jokingly offered the babies corn on the cob for dinner, not thinking they would be interested. They loved it!

(Can you name the quote in the title?)

bathtime hair-dos

growing

I think it might be time for new carseats.

entitled

I've always felt awkward asking for and receiving gifts on my birthday. Although I always enjoy a good party, it seems a little strange to celebrate a feat that not only required very little effort on my part but that I don't even remember. I have similar feeling of Christmas. I love getting together with family and friends around the holidays, and I like having a time to show gratitude to those I love. But Christmas is a celebration of the marvelous gift of our Savior and not a time I feel comfortable making a wish list for Santa.

But this Mother's Day, I felt especially entitled to a little bit of pampering, and I told Lonnie exactly what I was expecting. After dealing with "woman stuff" for years, the long drawn out dating years, the infertility years, a nausea-filled pregnancy, and topping it all off with the last year of intense sleep deprivation and unprecedented needs for patience and compassion, I felt I deserved a little rest and appreciation.

Thankfully, Lonnie rose to the task. Last Sunday, after being out of town for an entire week, Lonnie made me a delicious breakfast and an impressive dinner. He cleaned the entire kitchen (while I laid on the sofa reading a book) and also made a beautiful arrangement of magnolias and gardenias from flowers in our yard. Thank you, Lonnie, for making my Mother's Day wonderful.

No matter what stage of womanhood, you are experiencing I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day and someone showed you just how wonderful you really are. (Don't worry guys, your day will come in June.)

explorers

The babies have a new play house. Thankfully the gameroom cupboard was empty before they discovered it, but now that they know how to open doors I am in need of additional security measures.

cute kids

skills

These kids have skills.

Maya has been crawling for about three weeks now. The babies follow each other around the house and seem to like to occupy the same space. They are now working together to find new places to destroy.

Max also started walking last Sunday. He also was so proud of the accomplishment that he repeated the demonstration several times and has started adding more steps. He is only up to about five or six steps at a time, usually landing on his bum but he is getting more confident. Funny enough he didn't take the steps toward Lonnie or me, he took them away from me towards our friend Jill who came over dinner.

The babies also love to play pat-a-cake. If I even say pat-a-cake they will start clapping. Max also likes to wave and now stands near the window to wave good be when Daddy goes to work. Maya waves when she feels like it.

big rain storm

We had a big rain storm yesterday. This is a view from our front door to the river that formed in the street. Thankfully, the storm drains in this area are ready for this type of weather and within an hour the water receded.

The crosses in front of our neighbor's house are not grave markers, but decorations for Easter. :)