3 Weeks To Go!

A Message for Baby Aiden

Warning: This is a bit sappy. Blame the pregnancy hormones. :-)

I often sit and wonder how our lives will change when baby Aiden arrives. I imagine that is normal especially in the last few months of pregnancy but it is constantly on my mind the closer I get to the finish line. And, boy do I feel ready for that these days!

I wonder the obvious things like what he will look like, what his personality will be like, and how the girls will adjust to having a little brother. I wonder and worry about not getting enough sleep and about finding a new routine when we are so set in our ways with just the twins. Will we struggle to find a new balance and routine or will he just blend in naturally like he has always been there? These things fly through my mind all the time and the answer is that we just don't know. Only time will tell how we will adjust and accommodate this
new little person into our lives.

But, the one thing that I don't and have never worried about is whether we will have enough love to go around because I know that as a parent... you never run out of love. And, isn't it true that there is no greater love than that of a parent towards their child? At times, it stuns me with the sheer intensity and how just when you think you love them more than you ever could.... you realize that it has grown and expanded once again.

I also know that Aiden will complete our family in a way that we are not even prepared for. It is like you never realize how much you were missing something until it is right there in front of you. And then suddenly there it is and you are totally in awe - simply wondering how you could have gone along so long without it in your life. That is how it was when I first met the twins and I imagine this time around it will be just the same.

I received this baby shower card and it sums up so perfectly what I am thinking and why I am so eager for Baby Aiden to join our family:

One of the sweetest things about welcoming a new baby boy

is learning how you fit together....

The way his sleepy weight

fills your arms so perfectly

and how that place

where neck and shoulder meet

suddenly seems made

for him to snuggle his head into.

But even more than that,

it's discovering just how beautifully

he fits into your life-

how there was always a place

right in the heart of your family

just waiting for this precious boy

to come and fill it with so much love.

Aiden... words can't express how excited I am to meet you and for you to join our family. Most of all, thank you for allowing me to share in this miracle all over again and for the fun adventures I am sure to experience as your mommy.

Love,

Mommy

Riley - 5 Months

Isn't she yummy? I can't get enough of this chubby little one!

A Shower For Baby Aiden

On Saturday, April 21st, my closest friends and family came together for a shower in honor of Baby Aiden. The theme was "brown-n-blue" and everything turned out perfect. I received so many great presents for Aiden and I can't wait to decorate his nursery and for him to wear all the cute clothes he received. I went from being worried about not having a single blue outfit to having more clothes than he could ever wear, in just a few short hours!

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate this exciting time. It means more to me than I can ever say. Extra thanks to my mom for setting it all up, to Jamie for making the customized invites, and for Christy for making a beautiful shower cake.

Here are a few pictures of the gifts and cake. Enjoy!

Oh, to be a kid again....

They have so much fun doing the simplest things. There is nothing like the innocence and joy of childhood.

Just a few pics of my girls playing with their jeep and picking the "pretty flowers." They went a little overboard with the picking though. I am lucky to have any left.

Our New Pet

This weekend we went to buy a new pet for the girls. She doesn't have a name yet but the girls were excited to take some photos with their new betta fish. The lady at Petsmart told them they should name her "Betty the Betta" but I think we can do better than that.

We are just waiting for the cats to notice the fish but so far so good. I don't always keep the fish down that low either. I shudder to think what the girls would do the first time I wasn't looking. :-)

Who knew 2 little girls could cause so much mischief!

Hide-And-Seek

Hide-and-seek is the new favorite game at our house.

It is so fun to play with the girls because they only half get how it works. The funny part is that they understand that they are supposed to hide but they don't quite get the idea of being quiet while they hide. They are so giddy with excitement and anticipation that they laugh and talk the whole time they are hiding. I love to walk into a room and hear them call out "Hi Mommy. I hiding!" I still try to act like I have no clue where they can be but that only increases the laughter.

Here they are hiding behind the sofa from Daddy and Diego.

And here is Kaylee patiently counting to 15 before she could run and find her sister. She really does count to 15 too. Smart girl!

A New Look

Kaylee decided to dress up in this very pink outfit complete with necklace and high heels. She was strutting her stuff all around the house and was more than happy to pose for a few pics along the way.

I thought it was quite the look but let's just say Daddy wasn't as thrilled. :-)

"I Say Cheese Mommy"

Kaylee decided that she wanted to have her picture taken many times over the weekend or in her words "I say cheese mommy." At times, she does the funniest (phoniest) smiles but when she smiles with real joy... her face could light up a room.



However, Miss Kaylee is not one for the faint of heart. She may look sweet and innocent but her moods are totally unpredictable and often leave Mommy and Daddy very perplexed, wondering what in the world happened? She is such a delightful mixture of sweet, loving, goofy, sassy, and drama-full. But, make her mad and the whole world will know it. I guess that is just part of the Terrible 2's. It drives me insane at times but I also have to admire her spunk.

She loves to dress up, play dolls, and act grown up. She often comes walking by with a shopping cart complete with her baby in the front, a purse full of fake money and credit cards, and of course her cell phone. She loves to cook meals for the family in her kitchen and invent new games to play with her "sissy." Her favorite phrase is "That's so silly" or "You're so silly." And her new favorite game is to see how far she can push the limits. She will look at you so seriously and put her hands out and you know the negotiation has begun. "I eat just one more cookie mommy, okay... okay?" If you say yes, all is well. If you say no, the world shatters and the wrath of Kaylee begins. :-)

Alyssa, on the other hand, is truly our gentle, sweet girl. She loves to cuddle, give hugs and kisses, and make sure everyone is doing okay. In fact, she not only likes to give kisses but they have to be big wet sloppy lip kisses. If you try to give her your cheek she will try to turn your face until she can "kiss your wips."


But like her sister, there are a few contrasts to her personality as well. Alyssa is sweet but she takes the title for drama queen of the year. She is such a girly-girl at times and the littlest boo-boo requires endless kisses and attention. She also loves to throw little diva temper tantrums when things don't go her way. Her fake cry could win an award!

The funniest thing she is doing lately is telling long elaborate stories. I can only understand half of what she is saying but she is super animated and sure of what she is talking about. We have heard stories about a monster, bear, crocodile, and my newest favorite, an octopus with a big head and long arms that lives in a garbage can. We are not really sure where she came up with this story but she loves to tell it while making lots of interesting faces and hand movements to add to the story.

Overall, we have our good times and bad but mostly just lots of fun. I honestly think I am learning just as much as they are as we navigate and learn our roles. We are constantly setting and shifting boundaries and learning how much to give and take. My newest goal is to work on patience. I sure do need it with these two and a new baby on the way. Prayers are always welcome! :-)

A Grand Adventure Will Soon Begin....

A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die.

-- Mary Mason

The Kiddos

This weekend we tried to get some Easter photos of the grand kids for my Mom. It has been a while since I last tried to take the girls for professional pictures and I was reminded very quickly of how exhausting it can be. Add in a 6 year old and a 4 month old baby and then the fun really begins.

Can you tell that Alyssa was in a wonderful mood? Nothing we did would make her smile. I bribed her with everything imaginable! Look at the scowl in that last pic! So, I ended up letting them go play blocks. I think that made all of us a big happier. :-)

Here are a few of Miss Riley and Brendon. She is growing way too fast!