(Sent from my iPhone so it makes pictures first and the writing last)
So the writing explains most pics, some are just because.
Well they got their shots on Tuesday and today is Thursday. Not a bad turn around for getting back to this post. However, the girls are awake and currently Delaney is laying to my left smiling and cooing at me while Paisley is laying on my lap and is okay until she spots her binky out and gets fussy. SO this might not get finished today. But it doesn't really matter to you other than you have to hear me ramble about it.
Okay, on to the meat of this post. A few milestones for the girls. They had their 2 month check up. Lets just say, since this seems to be a very popular question to ask a nursing mother of twins, (asked by perfect strangers even) Yes, I do produce enough milk for two. In fact, I often make more than they need. You might ask how? It could be genetics or the simple formula: The more you nurse/pump, the more you produce. I don't supplement, because I have enough but according to some experts, every time you supplement, you reduce what you produce. Who knows what's real. I know plenty who can't nurse so I just thank my lucky stars I can...doubled. I nurse during the day and pump at night so they will get a little more and sleep longer than 2 hours. It works great.
Proof that they get enough food:
Delaney's birth weight was 5 lbs 12 oz and now, 11 weeks later, she is 11 lbs 2 oz!!
Paisley was 6 lbs at birth and is now 10 lbs 8 oz.
It has been clear from the beginning that Delaney loved the food more and it shows. Even though Delaney is an inch shorter than her big sis. 22 and 23 inches respectively. Before they were born the ultrasounds always showed that Paisley had a smaller stomach so that is perhaps why she doesn't consume as much but certainly gets enough, so no worries.
Other milestones: the girls had their first road trip! And a road trip it was. 1000 miles to Nampa and 1000 miles back! It took us about 4 days total to travel. About 30 hours total in the car with several stops( equally an additional 1-2 hours) to get the babes out and change/feed/stretch! They did amazing really. I don't even like that trip. I think I get more grumpy than they did traveling that much. They were little champs! The last hour of each leg, Delaney got a little grouchy, paisley was pleasant nearly the whole trip. They slept a lot! The next day at my parents house we ha lots of family fun including fam pics and dinner at the favorite cafe ole. Then that night the girls slept 6 hours!!! Poor thing were exhausted but I quite enjoyed the long nap! ;)
The next day, Sunday, was the girls' blessing day. We blessed them in my parents ward and we were blessed to have 56 friends and family there to join in the special day. Wade gave each girl their name and blessing. He did such an incredible job, each blessing was different and unique to our little sweethearts. He told me not to cry but I couldn't hold back, it was such a special experience. I'm so thankful for a righteous husband who holds the priesthood and can give our children beautiful blessings. It truly was an unforgettable day. The babies did so well and were beautiful in their white dresses. They slept through it all and let everyone hold them. They are just dolls!
What else, well I suppose Spring finally decided to come and winter (the endless winter in ND) came to an end. Thank goodness. I mowed the yard yesterday and loved very second. I always liked mowing the lawn, like my momma. I love being outside in the yard working. But I still stink at gardening. I just like a good green cut lawn. :)
My maternity leave is coming to an end. I go back to work part time at the end of may, however, we have decided that I'm going to stay at home with the girls. I will go back to work to wrap things up and resign. I'm thrilled for this chance of a lifetime, to be able to stay home with my sweeties. I've loved working for the last 10 years of my life but I have a new job, but it's not a job at all, it's a blessing. My mother sent me this quote: "motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling, it isn't something to do if you can squeeze the time in, it is what God gave you time for." -Neil A. Maxwell
I love that. It is so critical and is a gift from God. I could agree more. I feel like I have heaven in my home with these little angels. They are truly sent from above.
Now as I contemplate this Mother's Day, I reflect on the last 25 years of my life and my desire to be a mother and have many children. Yes I realize that I am only 29 but, ask my mom, I've wanted to be a mom since I could carry a baby doll around the house and push her in a stroller. I pushed my little sweeties in our double stroller on Sunday and felt like a little girl all over again with my baby dolls in tow. How sweet it is to have my real life baby dolls. Sure they cry, they fall asleep after nursing for 5 minutes only to wake up twenty minutes later hungry, they poop in a brand new diaper I just put on them, and they don't go to sleep when mommy wants to sleep, but by golly those moments don't define them. They are little angels and they look at me and Wade and Autumn and just smile from ear to ear. They are happy, good natured babies. They are full of love and completely dependent on me for their livelihood. What a huge responsibility an blessing at the same time.
The struggle of infertility was exactly that, a struggle. It was emotional and awful hard to get through. I know women very close to me that are still in the midst of it. My heart goes out to them, but my heart also wants to say: "Be strong, be faithful and be patient, The Lord knows you and will bless you" and when that day comes and you hold your baby in your arms, it will make it all the more sweet. I am living proof of this. I feel like I don't take any moment for granted because of how badly I've wanted this in my life. I can handle the tough times so much better without complaining because this is what I wanted, in fact I sometimes love those moments where I can jut hold them in my arms and try to help soothe them and make them happy (even when I can't always do it, but I try).
I often get emotional, in a good way as I look at their sweet faces and fall in love with them all over again. Time certainly flies but each day brings a new stage and I absolutely love it. Happy Mother's Day to my amazing mom, how I hope that I can give my 3 girls the kind of love my mom gives them. Autumn loves going to Grandma Pam's and gets spoiled as usual and the twins love love love their grandma Pam too. And a Happy Mother's Day to all the women in my life, regardless of your children status, you will always be a mother in the eyes of our Heavenly Father, remember that's what God gave you time for. Whether in this life or the next. I felt I gained my motherhood practice by developing a "mother" love for nieces and nephews, children I babysat, and even roommates I lived with.
Until next time....and enjoy Spring!! My favorite season!
