Sunday, May 18, 2014

Capture the Moment: Maddie and Daddy

a little daddy-daughter hangout-while-watering-the-yard sesh
I love watching John be a daddy.
And I love watching how Maddie and Rachel watch him.
They love their daddy.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Moments Today

Today I'm thankful for:

maddie falling asleep without tears after our 3am feeding
having time to pump and read a few scriptures before the girls woke up
a day with my mom
center of a cinnabon to share
white hairbows that stay in place
confusing questions from starbucks baristas that turn into a yummy frappuccino
a fresh haircut and brow wax
grace from my hairdresser when i'm 10 minutes late after she squeezed me in #newtwinmom
a stroller with wheels and babies that like movement
couch chats with mom
pictures on the wall
the gift of formula and gracious parents
a fire-free neighborhood in the midst of fire-filled san diego
air conditioning that works
cockatiel chirps
sister's voice on the phone
taco salad and in-laws that bring dinner
freed-up space in my closet
coffee bean, starbucks, cinnabon, and drumsticks in one day #sleepdeprivedmompickmeups
clean cozy sleepy snuggly babies
new garbage disposals and plumbers that come at a moment's notice
free personalization
clean laundry, matching dresses, and lights that turn on
freshly watered back yards
bed time #fortwohours
a full tank of gas
couch chats with j
bedtime lullabies

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Growing Up: The First Month

2 days old




 And we're already six weeks old as of yesterday! My how they are growing fast!
I love these baby girls more every day. How is that even possible!?

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Capture the Moments: Twin Outings

first big car trip and photo shoot with the amazing desiree (well, that we traveled to.. we had a hospital one!) - 1 wk old
first easter and first church service - april 20
first lunch date to panera with auntie - may 6
first time to the park - cinco de mayo
one of our family sunset walks with our ergo carriers - may 8.
i love my family!!

Monday, May 12, 2014

Little Letters

Dear J,
     Tonight you went to the grocery store for us on your way home. Thanks for taking care of so many tasks like that so I can be home with our babies. I still can't believe we have babies! I love building a family with you.

Dear little anchor ergo carrier,
     You make me excited to wear you because you're so cute, you make walks fun, and my daughters love you. Thanks for being the coolest invention since liquid flavored coffee creamer.

Dear Fur Babies,
     You taught us how to be parents. Thank you for being so patient with less walks and a slightly more boring life. Hopefully you like having me home with you more. I love you puppies so much! Don't worry, you will like your little sisters more and more as they grow.

Dear pillow in my bed,
     One day I will lay my head on you and leave it there for eight hours. But that day is nowhere near today. It's nice of you to always be so inviting anyway.

Dear Maddie,
     Your extreme stretches make me smile every time you do them. I love your morning routine of stretching/yawning/making noises and cute faces for a good 5-10 minutes before you're ready to eat. You are so precious!

Dear Rachel,
     The way you calm down so quickly when you get in your swaddle with your nukky is the sweetest thing ever. I love snuggling you, baby girl.

Dear Mom,
     Yesterday was Mother's Day, and well, I'm pretty sure that day was created for you. Thanks for loving me like Jesus does. If I can be half the mom you are, I'll be lucky.

Dear Kris,
     I'm so thankful to have married into such a sweet family. Thank you for loving me as your own. You are the best MIL I could have asked for!

Dear Moments in my day,
     I want to treasure you always.

Dear Lord,
     You give grace. You are my strength. You are my all. Thank you for blessing me with abundantly more than I deserve.

Capture the Moments: Twin Time

first day home from the hospital in Rachel's crib

auntie snuggles
twins do similar things!
first time in dresses and bows with our favorite NICU ALS nurse
outfits from uncle sam and auntie v!
morning hangout in mommy and daddy's bed
classic Maddie vs Rachel posture

Saturday, May 10, 2014

All about Rachel: 5.5 weeks

Besides learning about Maddie, I've also learned some things about my Rachel Claire.

She is so very strong! She has been able to pick her head up during tummy time since week two. 
She's gonna be crawling before I know it and she will be everywhere!


She loves to snuggle. She likes being held close and rocked. She sleeps swaddled and relaxes when she goes in her little swaddler and even falls asleep on her own usually when she's wrapped in it. Her natural posture includes her hands close to her.

five weeks old
She loves her nukky. She falls asleep with it and is comforted by it. Hers has the baby chicken on it. :)


She looks like Daddy when he was a baby. She makes the cutest little furrowed brow that is the same expression as in a few of Daddy's baby pictures.


She loves to be outside. An upset Rachel is almost immediately calmed down by walking outside.


She likes to be close to Maddie. She doesn't like when Maddie whacks her face with her hands. ;)


She likes bath time.

She has a strong willed and precious little spirit.


one week old

I love learning about my Rachel! I love her heart so much!!

All about Madelyn: 5.5 weeks

I've spent the last 5.5 weeks learning about my baby girls... their likes, preferences, and dislikes. 
I want to remember each stage. Because every stage is special. 
Every week they change. They grow. They reveal new aspects of their personality.
And Maddie and Rachel are really different! I love learning their similarities and differences...
what makes each of them unique!

So what are a few things I have learned about Maddie Joy so far?

She talks with her hands!


She is quite the stretcher! Yawns, stretches, and many sounds when she sleeps and when she wakes up. Seriously the cutest thing ever!! She's been doing this since she was born and I love it. She loves her space.


She makes incredible eye contact. She loves to watch me and have conversation with her eyes. She tracks so well and looks toward you when you talk to her.


She smiled at Daddy for the first official time this week! (Thursday morning May 8th) 
She loves her daddy. [she then smiled at Grandma later in the day!). She's definitely getting more purposeful with when she smiles. And she has a beautiful little smile!

She loves to be awake and hates to miss out on anything. She's my little hang out buddy. I wonder if she will continue to hang out with me as she gets bigger.


She gets overstimulated easily when she's tired. Sometimes she just needs to be held close.


She has such a curious, relaxed, and sweet little spirit


She likes walks, being outside, her sister, bath time, and being able to see and hear me.


I love watching her grow and love learning about her each day!
I love Maddie so much!!

Friday, May 9, 2014

39 Days

Thirty nine days of being a mommy to Maddie and Rachel.
Thirty nine days of sleeping less than three hours at a time... always.
Thirty nine days of tears, laughs, hugs, exhaustion, and pure joy.
Thirty nine days of feeding babies, pumping milk, washing bottles, changing diapers.
Thirty nine days of cycling through every emotion that exists within a matter of minutes at times.
Thirty nine days of falling in love with my husband in a whole new way as we take on the 
immense blessing and challenge of parenting together.
Thirty nine of the best and hardest days of my life.


I can't believe it's only been thirty nine days.


I can't believe it's already been thirty nine days.


I have learned that I can function on far less sleep than I ever thought possible. 
[being a night nurse, I thought I already did this. well, now I reallllllllly do this.]


I have learned that anything and everything has the potential to make me cry.
[the thought of them getting one day older, trying to feed them, Maddie's puckered lip when she cries and Rachel's hoarse high pitched whimper, their snuggles, anyone doing anything for me, sweet texts, cards, verses of encouragement... you name it.]


I have learned that being a mommy is the hardest thing I have ever done. 
Harder than I ever thought possible.


I have learned that being a mommy is the greatest joy I have ever experienced. 
Greater than I ever thought possible.


I have learned that each day is made of moments, and living in this moment is the best way to live. Thank you Mom for this best piece of advice and encouragement you could have given.


I have learned that my Savior's love for me is deeper than I ever really understood.
I have learned He truly is my strength when I am weak.


I am SO thankful for the blessing of being a mommy.
Madelyn Joy and Rachel Claire are the biggest gifts I could have ever received.
Thank you Lord for these moments.

Friday, May 2, 2014

The Hospital

I still can't believe our little ones stayed in my tummy until 38 weeks!
We had a c-section at 38+0 to welcome our babies into the world. 
Good thing we did because they were very cozy in there
and who knows when they would have made their entrance! :)

It was kind of surreal to get ready in the morning to come to the hospital to have a baby.
And so exciting!
I loved J's OR get-up. Such an amazing morning!
Mom and Carly were there early to give hugs before we went back!
My incredible NICU friend made the day amazing for me.
Maddie and Rachel even had name tags in the operating room!
Maddie's weight!
Rachel's weight!
My friends welcoming my babies into the world.
NICU nurses are the best. Especially these Advanced Life Support nurses.
first family photo!
Maddie is baby A on the right. Rachel is baby B on the left.
Grandparents and Auntie meet Maddie and Rachel
Great Grandma Carol came too!
and my best friend, Auntie Ali
We got some beautiful flower arrangements, oh, and these strawberries.
Best strawberries I've ever had. Thank you Mom!
our first field trip down the hall to our discharge class :)
Our family of four is going home!