What to Buy: Mom Edition

As promised, here are some of my favorite mom must-haves.  A lot of these aren't truly necessary and some could even be considered slightly extravagant.  However, they've been wonderful to me so I felt they were worth sharing.
 
Undercover Mama Shirt
My friend Leslie told me about these tanks and they are WONDERFUL.  Rather than recreate the wheel, CLICK HERE and read what she has to say about them.  I purchased a black tank and a white tank and wear them all of the time!

Gilligan & O'Malley Women's Nursing Cami
I also purchased a few of these tanks from Target and love them as well.  They're great for layering--I wear mine with cardigans (when I leave the house) and I don't think people can tell they're nursing tops.  I purchased both the grey and the black. 

Medela Pump in Style
Can't say enough great things about this pump.  We also use the bottles that come with it.  I'm not spending a lot of time on this because I'm pretty sure every mom already knows about this guy.
Sidenote: There is no such thing as pumping in style.  What a ridiculous name.
Tip: Don't spend the extra money on the hands-free version.  There are hands-free bras you can purchase or you can do what some of my genius friends did and cut holes in a sports bra.   

Tree Hut Almond & Honey Shea Sugar Body Scrub
A relaxing shower has become an endangered species around these parts.  During the week my showers are insanely fast.  While this is no big deal for some, I am one of those people who LOVES showers.  Michael knows this and encourages me to take my time on the weekends.  Don't mind if I do.  A few weeks ago I stepped into the shower on a lovely Saturday morning and found this jewel.  It's incredible (so is the sweet guy who gave it to me).  Smells great and is gentle enough for those with sensitive skin.
Warning: You must love almonds because the smell is quite strong.  Me?  I can't get enough of it.
Tip: If you're pregnant, start washing your hair every other day.  Once your hair has gotten used to that, go another day without washing.  I now wash my hair twice a week and it's been a huge time-saver.

Baby 411
I started three different baby-related books during my pregnancy and didn't finish any of them.  I found them to not only be overwhelming, but also irrelevant to my situation since I was having twins.  Several friends mentioned this book and I ordered it a week or so before the babies arrived.  I read some of it while I was in the hospital and the rest of it once I got home.  It's a great reference guide, very matter-of-fact and to the point.  When you don't have a lot of time but want to make sure green poop does not mean something is wrong with your baby, this is a great book.
Warning: The book shape/size is ridiculous.  Apparently they spent all of their talent on the writing/research and none of it on the overall packaging.  Oh well.

Amazon Mom
We've been Amazon Prime members for several years.  Amazon Mom is a free membership program that gives you great deals on diapers, wipes, etc.  We did several price comparisons (Babies R Us, Target, Diapers.com) and this seems to be the best deal.  We have several items auto-delivered to our doorstep once a month.  Pretty fantastic and I love that we don't have to lug around those huge boxes while we're out shopping!

Starbucks Gift Card
Do I even need to explain?  This was a Christmas gift from my parents.  As of last week Michael and I became a single income family so the Starbucks line item was removed from our budget.  Sometimes, however, you just need to get out of the house, even if it only means going through a Starbucks drive-through so you can get a tall white chocolate mocha and remember what delicious tastes like.  It's been the gift that keeps on giving.  Until it runs out.  And then I will cry.
Tip: Register your gift card and download the Starbucks app.  You get a free drink on your birthday and free drink/food for every 12 drinks purchased.  Hey, every little bit helps! 

Lululemon Astro Pant
Ok, I realize approximately 60 seconds ago I was writing about a strict budget and now I'm talking about one of the most expensive brands out there.  However, these pants were a gift from Michael (in case you haven't noticed, he's a terrific gift-giver) and they are amazing.  Once you become a stay at home mom, your wardrobe (well at least my wardrobe) starts to look a lot like sweatpants and t-shirts.  I walk into J. Crew and see beautiful sweaters and then picture them with spit-up and they lose their luster.  When I put these pants on, birds sing and I swear my hips shrink a few inches.  I feel the same way about Lululemon jackets.  The cut is perfection and the fabric is so nice.  Will I buy a second pair?  Probably not.  Will I wear the crap out of this pair?  Absolutely.

 

There you have it--hope this helps!  I would love for others to do the same! :)

ps.  My friend Amber also wrote a baby must-have post and I thought it was great!  CLICK HERE to read it!

What to Buy: Baby Edition

It is NAPTIME at the Haynes household!  What a lovely time of day.

As I mentioned in my last post, I wanted to share some baby items I've found helpful in the past 12 weeks.  I'll provide links where available!

By the way, if you're having multiples you really need to join a moms of multiples group in your area!  I have purchased several of the items below from other twin moms for a fraction of the price.  It's also a great way to meet people and get great advice!  I'm a member of the North Dallas Mothers of Twins Club.  Every morning they send out a "classifieds" email where members sell their gently used items.  I stalked it during my pregnancy and will do so again once we need more baby items.  Let me know if I can answer any questions about it!

Baby Jogger City Select Stroller
I've talked with several moms of twins and this seems to be the most popular twin stroller.  While it's not the cheapest, I consider it a very fair price due to its customization ability, weight, and ease.  I've also recommended it to my friends who have one baby but plan to have two (or more).  Right now I'm able to attach the two carseats onto the stroller but when the kids are a little bigger I will use the seats provided.  One of the nice things about this stroller (versus a side-by-side) is if we're only taking one child out we don't have an empty seat (or don't need to purchase a single stroller as well).

My Brest Friend Twins Plus Nursing Pillow
I've discussed this item several times but it is probably the number one necessity for breastfeeding moms (well, besides boobs--HA).  The boppy doesn't even come close.  You can also purchase another version of it that is specifically for breastfeeding one baby and the moms who have it love it as well (especially in the beginning).

 

Aden & Anais Burpy Bibs
Works as a burp cloth and as a bib.  We have six.  I wish we had 20.

Summer Infant SwaddleMe Blankets
Everyone raved about the Aden & Anais swaddle cloths so we bought several.  Unfortunately, our children busted through them every time and it became a very frustrating ordeal for us.  We received a few SwaddleMe blankets and gave them a shot.  Love them.  LOVE THEM.  They're dummy proof and made the middle of the night feedings a breeze.  We still swaddle Sloaney because of her crazy legs and arms--she's now in a size medium.  The size small was perfect for the first two months.

DropCam
A twin friend told me about the DropCam after we'd ordered the Summer Infant Baby Touch monitor.  We'd yet to open the box since the twins were still sleeping in our room so we gave the DropCam a shot.  It's worked really well for us.  The picture is very crisp, sound is good, and delay is minimal.  The best part?  It's also an app on your phone, iPad, and/or computer so Michael can sign on while he is at work and watch the kiddos sleep or play.  At night we keep the laptop running in our room.  I do have a friend who purchased it and said it lost connection quite easily but we haven't had that issue.  It's also cheaper than most baby monitors! (There is an option to have DVR service, which would be great for those who have a nanny, etc.)

Here's a screen shot from my phone:

4moms mamaRoo
This has been a lifesaver when we're dealing with a fussy baby.  It's the spaceship version of the baby swing.  :)  We fell in love with it because of its small size (when you're buying two of so many things, you notice how much floor space items take up).  It has several different motions, speeds, and sounds.  You can also plug your phone/iPod into it and play your own music.  Also, this is one of the only (expensive) brands that has yet to be added to the monster list of exceptions on Buy Buy Baby's 20% off coupon.  So while it's a little more expensive than most swings (it retails for $250), you can save $50, making it a pretty close contender.

Total Baby App
This app keeps track of EVERYTHING: nursing, feeding, sleeping, bathtime, etc.  I only use it for feeding--I always forget what time they last fed and which side they fed on.  I believe it was $5 and can keep track of multiple children.

Wubbanub Pacifiers
Michael and I came home from the hospital totally against pacifiers.  That lasted one night.  I was also totally against pacifiers with animals stuck to them.  That lasted two weeks.  These pacifiers have been great for us and the babies.  They are so much easier to find (what is it with pacifiers and their ability to disappear?) and the babies have an easier time holding onto them.  I think they are the most overpriced item we've purchased ($16 EACH!) but I would do it again.  Love them.

Dreft Spray Stain Remover
My sister-in-law recommended this and it is magical.  From spit-up to poop, it gets everything out.  We had one instance this weekend where we actually had to wash the item a few times (didn't get everything out the first time) but it now looks brand new.  And in the spray's defense, the item I'm referring to was absolutely covered in... well, you know.

Rock n Play Sleeper
Sloane slept in this for the first two months and really enjoyed it.  We still put her in it when she's not sleeping well in the nursery.  It is very portable and can be placed right by your bed, making life easier for both of you.  I know there was a recent recall due to mold (ew) but my thoughts are if you take care of your stuff it will never be an issue.  So... take care of your stuff.

Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Bags (for the diaper bag)
Tiny. Affordable. Smells great.

Boudreaux's Butt Paste
We've been very lucky in the diaper rash department.  Jude has had it twice and Sloane has had it once.  We've used this stuff and it's cleared up within the day.  Glory.

 

Hope this helps! Next up... What to Buy: Mom Edition

Oh and here are a few pictures of my two favorite little people (who aren't so little)!

Life With Twins

Holy cow, I'm actually writing before Jude and Sloane's 3-month post.  Who knew it was possible??

I don't have much time so I'll just start writing and if I stop in the middle of a sentence, please forgive me.  I'll pick it up later.  :)

I'm not sure if Instagram led some of you to my blog or my blog led some of you to Instagram, but there are several new followers (hello!!) and a lot of you are expecting twins or just had them (yahooo)!  I've received a few emails asking for tips and must-haves so I thought I'd share a few on here.  Before I do that, however, I wanted to discuss something else.

From the very beginning, Michael and I have been told we make this whole twin thing look easy. People have commented on Facebook that our babies can sleep anywhere, that they both look perfectly put together, and that Michael and I are "naturals."  While these are all flattering comments, I have to remind everyone that Instagram and Facebook (and this blog) are only a part of our lives--the part I choose to share.  I don't take pictures when the kids are screaming their adorable heads off (though I do take videos and share them with friends--hehe).  I cut myself out of pictures when I'm still wearing pajamas and yesterday's makeup at 5p.  I've also made a point to post pictures of Jude and Sloane in outfits our friends and family give them so that is where people get the (silly) idea that they're always dressed up and fresh-faced.  95% of the time they are in their jammies with spit-up on their shirts and milk in their hair.  And so is their mom.  :)

It's messy.  It's beautiful.  It's life. 

Also, I only know life with twins but I have a difficult time believing it's twice as hard.  A lot of women vent to me about their baby situation and then immediately apologize, but whether it's one baby or four, everyone has extremely difficult moments.  Every single day.  My only frustration is when people complain to me about how many diapers they have to change.  That?  Makes me laugh.  :)

What I want is for new moms and future moms to realize social media can be quite deceptive, even when it's not intended.  Do I ever plan to post pictures of Sloane screaming or Jude with spit-up in his ear?  Probably not.  But does it happen?  Every single day. 

I think I'm on borrowed time so I'm going to end this and save the must-have purchases for a future post.  Hopefully that will occur sometime in January.

And ps. I miss you guys. 

Jude & Sloane | 2 Months

Our babies are two months old!  The second month passed far quicker than the first and at this rate they will be graduating college in a few weeks.

While month one was all about survival, month two was all about growth.  Along with our babies and hours of sleep, our confidence also grew.  We've been able to see glimpses of their personalities, which has been so rewarding.  

We had their two month appointment today and both did great.  They were measured, weighed, examined, and given three shots and one oral vaccine.  We gave them half a bottle before the appointment and the other half as soon as they received their shots.  Both cried a little but didn't seem too bothered by the needles.  Praying neither has my fear of shots!

Jude's Stats at 2 months:
Weight: 12 lbs 11 oz (75%)
Height: 23.5 in (70%)
Head: 16 in (65%)

Sloane's Stats at 2 months:
Weight: 11 lbs 1 oz (60%)
Height: 23.4 in (80%)
Head: 15.7 in (75%)

Our pediatrician was really pleased with their sizes.  After the nurse told her their weights she walked in the room and asked how our "piggies" were doing.  :)

EAT
I'm still exclusively feeding them breastmilk and it's going really well!  They eat every 3 to 3.5 hours during the day and we give them bottles at their last feeding and when we're out.  Sloane usually takes 4.5 oz and we've started giving Jude 5 oz.  The rest of the time I breastfeed, which has become quite humorous. While I wouldn't say they've "found" their hands, they're using them quite a bit more.  When Sloane eats she always has her hands balled into fists on either side of her face.  Jude, on the other hand, gets a little too excited so his hands go all over the place.  90% of the time they end up in Sloane's face or more specifically, her eye.  It doesn't seem to bother her but I spend most of my time moving his hands away and saying things like, "Jude, please quit punching your sister in the face while she's trying to eat."

SLEEP
Their sleeping has improved dramatically during month two.  The first week of December they started regularly sleeping 5-6 hours at night.  After their last bottle we swaddle them and put them down, typically around 10 or 10:30.  They now sleep 7 hours, which I consider sleeping through the night.  After that feeding, three of us are fortunate enough to go back to sleep until 8:30 or 9, while dad gets up and goes to work (sorry dad).  For the first two months they slept in our room.  Jude slept in a pack n' play and Sloane in a rock n' play but we moved them to the nursery last Saturday.  Michael and I have temporarily moved upstairs to the guest bedroom, which is right next door to the nursery. We also set up the video monitor to make sure we completely filled the roles of overprotective parents.  :)  Even though I told everyone I didn't mind them leaving our room, it did break my heart a little.  I loved waking up throughout the night and having my babies three feet away from me.  However, I'm pretty sure I'd still feel that way when they're in junior high so it needed to happen sooner than later.  We only have two nights of nursery experience but they seem to be dealing with it well.  Jude slept through the night both times and Sloane made it until 3a the first night and 4a the second.  We then put her in the rock n' play in our room for the remaining few hours so she wouldn't wake her brother.  Overall, I'm really proud of them!

TRAVEL
We traveled to Fort Smith for an early Christmas with my family when the twins were six weeks old.  We were extremely nervous and I spent an entire week making a list of things to bring with us.  I was embarrassed at how scared I was--Jude & Sloane were champs.  They love being in the car so we woke them up to eat halfway there and then they immediately fell back asleep.  We had a wonderful time with the Besancon clan and loved meeting sweet Adelyn (she is exactly 4 weeks older than the twins).

We stayed in town for Christmas and my parents drove down to celebrate.  We had a wonderful celebration at Michael's parents house and the twins now know the true meaning of Christmas (haha).  We gave them stockings and two Christmas ornaments.  The grandparents were much more generous.  My parents gave them their high chairs and Michael's parents gave Jude a rocking horse and Sloane a rocking snow leopard.  :)  I hate to sound cheesy but those two kiddos were (by far) my favorite gifts this year.  Sloane even had a red bow to boot!

Dear Jude,
My big little boy.  The first thing I see in the morning is your smile and it is the perfect start to my day.  You have the sweetest personality and are as laidback as they come (unless you're hungry, then watch out)! You still have most of your hair and it's just like your dad's... soft, straight, and a wee bit crazy.  Friends always comment on your wild hair, your long eyelashes, and your beautiful lips.  Your mom is jealous of the last two.  You are still Michael's mini-me, both in looks and disposition.  Your blue eyes seem to get lighter every day while your skin is getting darker.  You're wearing size 1 diapers but will probably move to size 2 in the next month.  You absolutely love the playmat and ceiling fans (the "spider in the sky").  You are very strong and I'm already terrified of the day when you're stronger than me (I'm thinking six months or less).  You've been lifting your head for a month now and this past week started using your legs to support you.  You are a loud sleeper and eater, constantly making funny noises that make your dad and I laugh.  You love to cuddle and are happy in the arms of family and friends.  When I'm holding you I can't stop kissing your sweet cheeks.  You put up with it well. While you don't particularly love baths, you've come to accept them and we in turn make them as quick as possible for you.

You are quite the hit on Facebook due to your big smiles and your crazy faces.  As soon as I pull out the camera you become a complete ham, though you were very serious for your two month photoshoot.  Perhaps it's because you were wearing a button-up and felt like a grownup? 

You are a wonderful older brother and we can't wait to see what month three has in store for you. I love you, sweet boy.

Dear Sloane,
Oh Sloaney Bologna.  You are an absolute hoot, though I'm not sure it's your intention.  You cannot keep still, which is why I think you weigh so much less than your brother (flailing arms and legs burn a lot of calories)!  One of my favorite things to do is remove your swaddle in the morning and watch you go--those arms and legs have to make up for lost time!  When you're asleep and aren't swaddled your arms are always straight out with fingers separated--it looks like you're drying your nails.  :) Your Gramsie (my mom) mentioned you may not walk but instead go straight from crawling to running!  Your disposition is the exact opposite of your brother, and we wouldn't want it any other way.  You absolutely love your pacifier and almost always want it when you're awake.  You also love to observe people and items around our house.  You get bored easily so we tend to move around the house when we're holding you.  While your skin is getting lighter, you have beautiful dark blue eyes and dark eyelashes.  You lost most of your hair last month and it's coming back thicker and darker.  We actually think it may be wavy or curly but it's still too early to tell.  You wear size 1 diapers and will be in them for awhile.  You also started lifting/supporting your head several weeks ago and can do it for a fairly long time.  You really started smiling when we were in Fort Smith and while we may have to work a little harder to get a smile out of you, the ones we do receive are big and so precious.  You smile most and sleep best when you're being held by your daddy.  While I should be jealous, I'm too happy to care. 

Friends comment on how delicate and petite you are as well as how much they love your perfect button nose (I can say that because we have no clue who your nose came from--certainly not from me)!  People have started saying you look a little like me and I take that as a huge compliment because I think you're simply beautiful.

Little sister, I hope you know how happy you make us! We love watching you grow!

(I would say I love you two to the moon and back, but that's not nearly enough.)  So I'll simply say... 

Love-Mommy

 

Christmas 2012

 

(New) Visitors:

12/9: Rami & Jenna

12/11: Trish

12/13: Karen R.

12/15: Justin, Michelle, Evan, Braden, Adelyn

           Connie, Ginger

12/16: Patty & Mike

           Mark & Lynn

           Martha

12/17: Julie & Ann

           Melissa, Jennifer

12/26: Craig & Jessie    
12/28: Amy, Julie C 

Instagram pictures: CLICK HERE
December (month 2) pictures: CLICK HERE

Merry Christmas To All...

 

To see more pictures from December, CLICK HERE.

Follow us on Instagram--we post pictures there often!  @merdstheword @mike1622

Jude & Sloane | 1 Month

Jude and Sloane are one month old!  I'm still not sure how I want to handle these monthly posts (personal letters vs. bullets vs. five paragraph essays, etc.) so this is subject to change in the upcoming months.  All I know is I want to capture as much as possible before I forget.

In short, it's been an incredible month.  October 30 will forever be the greatest day of our lives and the following days and weeks have been nothing short of amazing.  I think we've experienced every possible emotion and while the lack of sleep has been exhausting, it's pretty easy to wake up and smile when we see these two kiddos.

Let's get started, shall we?

EAT
Jude's weight at...
Birth: 7 lbs 5 oz
2 weeks: 7 bs 7.5 oz
One month: 9 lbs 7 oz (!!!)

Sloane's weight at...
Birth: 6 lbs 10 oz
2 weeks: 6 lbs 11 oz
One month: 8 lbs 11 oz (!!!)

As you can see from the weights listed above, both kids LOVE to eat.  From day one Jude has been an excellent breastfeeder and Sloane has recently caught up.   I pump at least once a day so Michael can participate in the feedings.  I like to think it's a good bonding experience for everyone. They both easily take bottles from family and friends (and me). When we do use bottles they eat about 3.5 oz every 3 hours but lately they've been wanting to eat every 2 or 2.5 hours (growth spurt?).   After they eat they're awake for a bit and then crash hard.  At night they've been going 4 hours between feedings, which has made us feel more human in the mornings.  Although Jude has always been bigger than Sloane, she keeps up with him on how much and how often she eats.

While I truly enjoy breastfeeding and all of its benefits, it's very time-consuming with twins, especially if I'm alone. The process involves changing two diapers, grabbing two burp clothes, setting up My Brest Friend (stupid name, seriously helpful), picking up the kids and getting both adjusted on the pillow, feeding, burping one, then the other, getting them re-adjusted, feeding, burping one, then the other, and half of the time changing both diapers again before we're done.  Michael wakes up during the nights to help me, which is so nice.

Sidenote: I was totally that mom who took her kids to the pediatrician yesterday so she could weigh them.  I was so nervous they weren't eating enough (a big fear when breastfeeding twins)!  Fortunately they are gaining weight like champs!

SLEEP
Both kids love to sleep, which was not always the case.  The first week they had their days/nights confused, which made all of us cranky.  Once they adjusted it was much better. For the first few weeks at home we did not swaddle them at all.  Sloane hated it--she is a mover and a shaker and a mini-Houdini.  As soon as we finished the swaddle, BOOM!  Both arms and a foot would shoot out.  Jude, on the other hand, would get so hot that we'd pick him up and there would be a pool of sweat in the pack and play (we are now wondering if it was his diaper leaking and not sweat).

A few days ago we decided to give swaddling one more try because they were both waking themselves up with their own arm/leg movements.  I'm not sure if it's because they're a bit older and/or bigger but now it works like a charm and both sleep longer and better.  We don't swaddle them during the day but let them take their naps in whatever they're wearing.  Sloane is our alarm clock--she almost always wakes up first to eat.  Only recently has she started sleeping in the pack and play (two of them are set up in our room).  Before then she was sleeping in a rock n' play right next to me, which kept her from moving around as much.  She also has a harder time holding onto her pacifier so it was nice to be able to reach over and pop it back in!

While I'm not an advocate of co-sleeping, I typically let both of them stay in bed with me after their 5-6 am feeding since Michael has gotten up to go to work.  I'm pretty sure I enjoy it more than they do.  :)  After their 8 am feeding we begin our day!

Dear Jude,
You are all boy.  Your burps could put high school boys to shame and they never cease to amaze us.  For the most part you are as laidback and easy as they come... unless you're hungry.  If we wait too long to feed you the whole neighborhood knows it.  It is shocking how such a loud scream can come from such a tiny person.

When people meet you their first reaction is to mention how much you look like your dad, especially if your eyes are open.  You have the same crazy (awesome) hair and the same beautiful lips (I'm partial).  Your eyebrows and eyelashes are blonde so we're wondering if your hair will stay dark.  Both of you have a pretty good "tan" but you are the paler of the two.  You love to cuddle and will fall asleep on our shoulder or stomach in a moment's notice.

You also have your dad's legs and hobbit feet, which are the cutest things ever (when they are not size 12). You have outgrown newborn diapers and most of your newborn clothes.  Each day we put another outfit away.  It doesn't bother you but it sure bothers me!

You did not care for your first few baths but now you don't mind them at all.  Diaper changes don't bother you either (unless you're ready to eat)!

As you'll see from the pictures below, you are a total ham in front of the camera. I am absolutely crazy about you.

Dear Sloane,
While Jude is all boy, you are definitely all girl.  In the hospital the nurses called you "princess" and "diva." You have the most delicate facial features, which we adore but have no idea who they came from.  You have the longest arms and legs, which also gave us several laughs the first few weeks.  When someone startled you, you would raise your arms in a "What the heck is going on here?" fashion and your arms were as long as your body.  Most of the time you've kicked off your socks and your little legs are crossed.  Absolutely adorable.

You had a full head of hair when you were born but lost half of it while taking a bath last week.  I don't want to point fingers but it was the first time your dad washed your hair.  I will never let him live that one down.

You're still able to wear newborn diapers and clothes, though several of your newborn clothes are too short.  Unfortunately, most of the 0-3 month clothes swallow your slender body.

You enjoy bath time and don't mind getting your diaper changed. The hardest part is keeping you still!

Currently you care more about her surroundings than Jude.  When you're  fussy we can calm you down by carrying you around the house and showing you different things (pictures, mirrors, etc.).  My mom figured this out early on and it was a lifesaver.  If you put your brother and you next to one another he will continue looking around but you look directly at him.

I love my sweet Sloaney Bologna!

SIBLINGS
The pediatrician told me twins don't really acknowledge/recognize one another until four months.  However, we've noticed the two of them reach for one another when they're close.  It's the sweetest thing I've ever seen (and it's not just because I'm their mother).

I learned fairly quickly that we need to get out of the house several times a week (preferably once a day) to keep me sane! Sloane and Jude both fall asleep in their carseats almost immediately once we're in the car.  When they were three weeks old my mom and I put them in their stroller and walked around the Galleria and Northpark mall.  We kept blankets over their carseats so they'd avoid strangers and germs.  I like to think the outings are good for all of us as long as we're careful.

In their short month they experienced two holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving!  They were Thing 1 & Thing 2 for Halloween (thanks to adorable onesies from my friend, Savannah) and enjoyed their first Thanksgiving feast with both sets of grandparents at Michael's parents home.

From everything I've heard and read we have two very easy-going kids. We know how fortunate we are and don't take it for granted!

As we start month two, Michael and I are both eager to see their smiles and watch them become more aware of their surroundings.  At the same time, I'm already mourning the fact that month one is over.  It's hard to believe an infant can teach you so much about life (and yourself).  I think both of us started this journey with zero confidence and we now know that not only can we do it but we absolutely love it.  I'm sure we've already made a million mistakes and will continue to do so but we love these two with every fiber of our being and as long as that's the case, all is well.

Visitors:
10/30: Charles & Susie; Phil & Linda; Karen
11/3: Laurie
11/6: Courtney & Hunter

11/9: Wes & Nathalia

11/10: Brent & Collin; Karen & Myers
11/11: Lindsey & Blake
11/13: Lisa & Bryan; Melanie
11/14: Rachel
11/17: Ryan & Ashley; Lindsey & Johnny
11/18: Leslie & Jonathan

11/24: Kaitlin, Steve, & Leighton

11/27: Lauren