Blessings

I have to hurry, if I want to take a shower today... Both girls are sleeping and Mack is at the library with a friend.

First of all, I have to say what a wonderful sister I have! A couple of weeks ago, I wasn't getting much sleep and I began to feel CRAZY. It seems that when I don't have control over my sleep, I become controlling over everything else. My poor family. Anyway, I called Shaurie on a Tuesday evening and asked how she felt about us coming for a visit. The next morning, I loaded up the kids and headed out to Roosevelt for a FULL week. Shaurie (and Mike) took care of all four of us: fed us; let me take naps and sleep in; entertained Mack; bathed, dressed, changed, and fed the babies; did my laundry... Having her help was such a lifesaver! Chad stayed home and was able to catch up on sleep. I was able to catch up on sleep, get my milk supply up, and figured out how to get the babies to sleep better. Since then I feel completely calm and feel like I have the ability to handle anything.


Now for some fun pictures...

This is what Lydia's expression is when she isn't smiling. She concentrates on things for a long time and scowls as she does it.

Addie has become more content these days. When she is awake she is very pleasant (of course sleeping is very pleasant, too). She is getting more of a relaxed personality and is starting to smile more. Mostly in the mornings when she is about to be fed.

I found them cuddled like this one night.

This was last night, after their bath. It was impossible to get a good picture of both of their faces...

Mack has been amazing the past couple of months. We struggled at bedtime every night before the twins were born. A typical night before: Dinner, bath, p.j.'s (which included a diaper) all while ridiculously hyper. Family prayers and story time. I would then try to leave, but he refused to stay in bed unless he had hot cocoa in a sippy cup and either Chad or I cuddling with him until he fell asleep and he had to have a lamp on. He claimed he was scared to go to sleep, because he feared the chickens on Sesame Street would come and take his slushes away. I don't know where he got that from... On a typical night, he would finally be asleep by 11:30.
Since the girls have been born, we have bedtime figured out. Last night was flawless! He bathes with the girls and while we get them dressed, he gets himself out of the tub. He helps get his p.j.'s on (which he doesn't wear a diaper anymore, because he is a big brother) and then brushes his teeth. Then while Chad and I feed the girls, I read two stories to Mack. By then, the girls are done eating and we put them to bed and say family prayers. Mack gets one more story in my lap and then we take him to bed and tuck him in. One flaw... I have to threaten him that if he comes out of his room, I will go crazy. He must not like crazy mom, because he stays in his room. By 10:00, all kids are asleep. The whole routine takes an hour and a half. I feel that is great timing for getting two babies and a 3 year old to bed.

Anyway, here is a great shot of my handsome boy drawing outside with chalk.

At Shaurie's wearing his awesome Texas shirt from my awesome Aunt Jana. He insisted on sporting this "bowtie" all day. It is actually a hair bow...

This is the BEST blackmail photo! I love the expression on his face. He has become very curious about my "bottles" lately. He even tries to get the milk out of them by squeezing and I have to get after him. The best, though, was when he tried to convince my mom to let him feed Lydia while he was laying down with his shirt up. My mom didn't like it too much.

He loves to rock the babies. One crazy night, he even rocked Addie to sleep for me while I was working with Lydia. Such a great big brother!

P.S. You are the greatest blessing in my life, Chad. I love you.