Lots to Post!

Time really does get away from me and before I know it, weeks have passed since my last post and I forget the milestones we've achieved that I haven't kept up with! So...wha have we been doing?? Creeping (crawling hasn't been mastered yet), pulling up on things and occasionally Campbell thinks he can walk...he can't, but sometimes I think he thinks he can!





The twins are SO different. Of course, when they were born we were determined to always look at them as their own individual self and try not to refer to them too much as "the twins." Well, it isn't too hard to do that! They have such different personalities and those sweet little personalities are coming out more and more each day! Just for me to remember what they were like at 9 months (I can't believe 9 months have passed!) here is a little about each baby:



Campbell...my sweet little Campbell is what we are calling "all out"!



By this, we are referring to his busyness and desire to be into EVERYTHING, but only for about 15 seconds before he moves on to the next thing. He loves to take toys from his sister, but as soon as he does he drops them and it's on to either the toy she has picked up or another toy laying on the floor. He loves his walker because he has discovered he can get anywhere in it...especially following us around. He LOVES to climb on everything and into everything! Tonight, David found him in his baby bouncy seat (that we used when they were tiny babies) sitting on top of the bobby pillow laying in the chair! He LOVES to climb on his siser and bite her from behind (not to worry...doesn't do much harm through her clothes and diaper), sit on her or hit her on the behind. Not sure where all this comes from, but he actually does love her and loves it when she pays him a little attention! He is usually the first one up and as soon as she comes downstairs, his face lights up. Melts a mommy's heart! They have started playing a little better together, but like I said before...he gets bored after about 1 or 2 mintues. He has LOTS of energy and keeps us on our toes. He did give us a scare 4th of July weekend...I had gone to the store and David was at home with the babies. David had taken Avery into the bedroom to change her diaper and Campbell was left playing in his jumpy seat in the keeping room. David walks back into the room with Avery and doesn't see Campbell. He panics and then he hears him fussing. He sees him laying on the floor beside the jumpy. Apparently (all we can figure out because we tried to replay the events when I got home) he decided he wanted the toys attached to Avery's jumpy (that was sitting beside his) and so in true Campbell fashion, he goes after them only to come out of his seat and FORTUNATELY her bouncy broke his fall. So...lesson learned...Campbell can't be left alone except in the play yard. David freaked, I freaked, but thankfully he was okay...barely even cried. Just a few seconds of whining. The first of many near heart attacks he will give us I'm sure. He has the cutest little dimple and loves to smile at you. When he is doing something he isn't supposed to, he looks at you while he is doing it to see your reaction and then smiles. Makes it so hard to
tell him No!



Avery...my little princess.



All I can say is that she is her mother's child! I see so much of myself in her (and my mom confirms it) that it is scary. She is very skittish and scared of everything. She warms up eventually to strangers, but not before crying and screaming! She analyzes everything before she goes for it and touches it. She's a thinker (like her daddy in that respect) and if you put her down in unfamiliar territory she will sit there until you pick her up (their pool in the backyard is a prime example...put her in it, she didn't move until we got her out). She is prissy and very finicky. She doesn't like to get her hands too dirty and holds everything very carefully. When she looks at you, your heart melts. She has the sweetest smile and with her one tooth right now, it is precious! I think she won't mind shopping one day with mommy...actually I think it will be right up her alley! Avery can also hold her own (which is a good thing with so many boy cousins!)! Many times, we have found her sitting on top of Campbell and using him as a prop to pull up on. She doesn't always let him take her toys (occasionally she pulls back and holds on to it), but if he does, she just picks up something else. I guess you could say she is used to it by now! The few times she is caught doing something she isn't supposed to, before you can get the word "No" out, she gets a scared look on her face and drops whatever she is doing...Campbell on the other hand forgets his name when you say it and keeps doing what he is not supposed to be doing until you pick him up and tell him "No."

We are having so much fun with them right now and it is so neat to see them get bigger, stronger, and discover the world around them. Looking back, this time last summer I was very pregnant, we were looking for a house and trying to imagine how much our life was going to change in 3 months...little did I know that we would find a house at the end of July, move in, be put to bed, and then have the twins 7 weeks early. They may have been teeny tiny then, but now looking at them it's hard to imagine them that small!

Precious Avery...1 day old



Sweet Campbell...1 day old



I know I say it in just about every post, but David and I feel truly blessed to have these precious miracles and be their parents. It's just passing by too quick! Why doesn't time just stand still??!!

We Survived!

Yes! We survived (or should I say I survived?!) 10 days by myself (with some assistance from great family!) while David was in South Africa hunting! It was daunting to say the least and I didn't let on that I was quite nervous for two reasons...1) My husband going to a foreign country hunting big game and 2) How would I survive working and taking care of two babies by myself??! Thank goodness my sister Julie (Aunt JuJu) has been staying with us the past few weeks because she was a GREAT help! (And also GiGi and MiMi and of course our wonderful nanny Carolyn!)

So what did we do while Daddy was gone? We crawled on top of each other and used each other as a prop to pull up on...



We watched our crazy cousins be silly...





And were cute as always!



Well almost always...



We were so glad when David returned...not sure who was happier me or the babies (probably me!) And he brought friends with him when he returned (well they will be here in a year or two)...5 friends to be exact. I can't remember all 5, but I know a Kudu and Impala will be hanging somewhere in our house (his room of course!). He had a great time and I'm so glad he got to go with his dad. We're just glad to have him home safe and sound. Maybe in my next post, I'll have some pics to show!

We have reached another milestone...we had to lower Campbell's bed tonight. Avery's will probably be lowered this weekend. Sunday morning when David returned, we discovered that Campbell had figured out how to use the bumper pad to pull up on his knees in his bed and bang his hands on the bed...NOT good! Of course I had to take a pic!



We are reaching so many milestones and I'm so happy to see them thriving, but at the same time, it's a little sad to watch my babies grow up! We're almost 9 months old and I know 1 year is just around the corner! We are just trying to enjoy each day with them! I love watching them discover new things and it is so much fun to watch them interact with each other. Of course it is not always in the best way (using each other as a prop to pull up, taking toys from each other), but they are so much fun right now and I can tell they are going to take care of each other as they get older. Avery is our drama queen and Campbell is our busy-body...what a combo! Looking back, that's how they were in the womb! Campbell was always kicking and turning (on the sonograms and all day long) and Avery was the one that put me in labor!

As tired as we are at the end of each day, we wouldn't trade the craziness for anything!

Back to Blogging!

I'm back!! After 8 months off, I thought it was time to get this blog up to date! I wish I had been blogging throughout the past few months, but not quite sure when I would have done it! It has been so busy!!! Besides keeping the few people that read my ramblings up to date, I want to be able to look back and remember the milestones the twins have accomplished. Maybe one day, I can sit down and review the past 8 months, but for now, I'll start with where we are at the moment!

Avery and Campbell are definitely on the move! They are not completely crawling yet, but they have figured out how to get from point A to point B even if it means climbing over each other! It's only a matter of time before they are up on all fours...I cringe at that thought! They are all over the place though, so today, we have locked them up. We knew it was coming, but I don't think they did. Poor Campbell didn't understand why we were on one side and he was on the other. Avery on the other hand, could care less!





This just shows how different they are! It's amazing to watch their little personalities develop and change DAILY! We have figured out though that Campbell is into EVERYTHING! Avery is just content (most of the time) to sit on their "play area" and play with whatever toy she can get her hands on! Campbell on the other hand...well you turn your back for less than a minute and he could be in the other room! I guess that's what we get for having such an open floor plan! I just didn't think they would move that quick on their tummies! Avery has almost figured out she can get places quicker if she gets off the floor, but she hasn't mastered being on her hands instead of her elbows yet. Campbell is just content getting everywhere on his stomach.

The past 8 months have been a blast...hard at times, but we wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything! These babies have changed our lives and brought us so much joy! When we found out we were having twins last year, it scared us as we knew it would be an undertaking getting them into the world (and it was) and then the daunting task of making it through the first year and raising them. God has truly blessed us and we feel honored that He chose us to be their parents. What a gift and privilege it is to be a parent. We know these babies are not ours, but HIS. We just have the joy and privilege of raising them and teaching them about HIM.

I think we're ready...but are you ever really ready??

So...I'm on bedrest now. Well, actually I've been on bedrest since Sept 1st, but just now getting a chance to update. I knew it was coming, but didn't know it would be 7 weeks out!!! We went to the Dr. Sept 1st and apparently my cervix had shortened which means it would be only a matter of time before I started dilating. We got a good report otherwise. The babies both looked good and growing ahead of schedule. Campbell weighed 3lbs 7oz and Avery weighed 3lbs 2oz. Apparently Campbell is head down and ready to go and that may be part of the problem. Avery was being her normal calm self and curled up breeched. So far my tall frame and long torso has helped me out, but since I'm all belly, the weight is centered in the front and the babies are wanting more room! We also found out our children have long arms and legs...hmmm...wonder where that comes from! So...in order to keep them in a little bit longer, I was put to bed for the remainder of my pregnancy. I also had the privilege of getting 3 shots in two days!! I got my flu shot in my left arm and a steroid shot in my left hip on Tuesday (and they still asked me what arm and hip I prefered? Seriously? Does it really matter? It's going to hurt ANYWHERE you stick me!). I went back Wednesday to get stuck in my right hip (the steriod shots were to help speed up the development of each baby's lungs). Then I was given medicine to take every four hours that is supposed to relax the uterine muscles and the cervix. So far, I can actually tell it seems to be working.

We went back to the Dr Sept 8 for our weekly appt hoping that the bedrest had been doing the trick. Well...not so much! The babies looked great and she could tell a difference in their lungs from last week to this week which was great! Campbell and Avery were both measuring about the same give or take a few ounces (they said they don't usually measure from week to week because the change is so little). Campbell had turned again and was now feet down and Avery had her feet tucked undeneath her. I could tell Campbell had turned again because I didn't feel as much pressure. If only he would stay in one place!!! Well...my cervix had shortened to .6mm which was not good! Basically I'm starting to thin out! And I thought I was nervous last week! After a quick check, I've dilated 1cm, but my contractions are coming about every couple of hours and only like 1 or 2. So, after consulting with the specialist (Dr. Perry) we were sent home to wait and hope I don't dilate more and if I have more than 6 contractions an hour to head to the hospital. We'll go to Dr Perry on Tuesday and see Dr. T right after. He'll get a better look at the babies and my cervix and then she'll do her checks and they will make the decision of how to proceed. She would really like for them to stay put at least to 34 weeks...if we can hold on! We're praying BOLDLY for that! These babies were prayed for before their conception, have been prayed for while they have been growing inside and we are so grateful to have so many friends and family praying for their safe delivery. God has a plan and He is in control...He's proven that so many times in my life and in David's so we wait on HIS perfect timing for their entrance into the world. Until then, we take it day by day and know that He will take care of the four of us.

So...a few pics to go along with this VERY long post!!

30 Weeks...the growing belly!



Some pics from my baby shower! I am so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family!!!

Loved my cake!!! It matched the invitations!



Mom and her daughters!



The sisters and the sis-in-laws



Me and Lil



Not a favorite pic, but it is a pic at 26 weeks and since Lil put it on Facebook I will put it on the blog.



BSBFs...almost all of us!



GiGi and Mimi



The Hostesses



My Girls!



My old roomie...I love her!



One of my dear college friends that drove over from Atlanta! I miss you Kim!!! (I stole this from her blog!)



Maybe I will get one more update in before the babies come...we'll see how Tuesday goes!

Update on Campbell and Avery

I've got to get better at updating this blog!!! I want to remember so many things in this pregnancy, but it's so hard to blog it all!!!

We went to the Dr last Tuesday and got a great report! Both babies are doing great and she is pleased with where they are in their growth! They both weighed 2lbs and 5oz a piece...they are in the 50th and 51st percentile for growth! She says we look good enough to go all the way to 37 weeks! If we do, both babies will weigh in around 6lbs a piece (if they continue their growth)! Unfortunately she wants me to start taking it easy and cutting back some...I was like seriously??? "Don't you know how much I have to do to get ready for their arrival???" We're still working on their room and getting everything ready for their arrival on top of just moving into a new house and working a full time job!! I know it will all get done, but seems like the time is getting shorter and shorter before their arrival!!! I'm feeling good so far, but can definitely tell my energy level is very low! I've figured out I feel the best between 10 and 4 each day...after that I might a well call it a day! We'll go back to the Dr Tuesday as we have started our every other week visits! I can't believe we only have 9 weeks left!!! We are so excited about their arrival and with each Dr visit feel so blessed to continue to get great reports and see how these sweet babies are growing!!!

Just a few new sonogram pics...we've about figured out that Avery will be our shy child and Campbell may give us a run for our money (he always tends to make his presence known at each sonogram! They are both breeched (which is fine since I'll have a c-section anyways. Campbell was sitting with his legs crossed and Avery had hers tucked under her. I think they are both starting to fight for space (the first of many fights I imagine)...it seems to be getting tighter in there!!

2 Heads!



Avery (she wouldn't look at us...so shy!)



Campbell...a face shot of his sweet face!!! Can't wait to see it face to face!!!



Another shot of Campbell (apparently he has some long legs...he spent a little time showing us how he likes to play with his toes as he stretches his legs above his head!) I shouldn't be surprised he has long legs...he can't help it...his parents both have long legs!!!



And another



I'll try to post some pics from our baby showers! We are so blessed to have so many wonderful friend to help us celebrate the upcoming arrival of these 2 sweet babies!!!

More Pics

Well...as promised I have finally gotten a chance to upload more pics!

The babies are doing great! We had a great Dr visit at 23 weeks on the 21st and due to the babies size, they couldn't get a shot of them together. Of course Avery would not cooperate (as usual) and Campbell loves having his picture made! Campbell weighed 1lb and 6oz and Avery weighed 1lb and 3oz. They are doing very well and so is mom! We'll go back at 27 weeks for another check-up and then we will start going every other week! I can't believe I'm already this far along! I must say the time has passed rather quickly although there have been a couple of weeks when I was thinking to myself how slow time is moving!!

Avery



Campbell



As much as I don't like doing belly shots, I really would like to remember how I grew throughout my pregnancy.

8 Weeks



16 Weeks



21 Weeks



24 Weeks (kind of looks like pregnancy is starting to tire me out!)



Hopefully, since I'm starting to feel a little bit more caught up, I'll stay caught up! Who knows...with the move in a couple of weeks and being pregnant it doesn't look like life is slowing down too much!

Returning!!!

New updates are coming....I promise!!!

WOW!!!

(It should be noted that I started this post on June 8th, but didn't finish it until July 14th...I'm slow!)

Wow...it has been FOREVER since I last posted and there is no possible way I can catch up on the past 3 months!!! Maybe a brief recap will suffice! But beware, long post ahead!!!

In January, we celebrated Foster's 2nd Birthday!!! I can't believe he is already 2!!! I know I say that and he is just my nephew, so I can't imagine how Jay and Melissa feel about it!!!



In February, David and I went back to Las Vegas. We had a great time, but I'm thinking this may be our last trip there for a while...after 2 times, I think you've seen and done it all! This time we did go to California to Death Valley. I was very impressed. I had always pictured this desolate place in the desert...it was actually beautiful! We went to the lowest point in the United States, Badwater Basin. I actually felt a little more educated when we left even if we had spent the week in Vegas!!



We watched the Sirens of TI this year (last year when we were there, we didn't get to see it).



David and I at Badwater Basin



At Death Valley

In March, we found out we were expecting!! It wasn't a complete suprise, but little did we know what else we would find out later on!!!

On March 31, we went in for our first appointment. We were hoping to see our baby on the sonogram and praying that everything was okay after losing a baby at 9 weeks in September. So, we are sitting there and they start doing the sonogram. This is what we saw:



WOW!!! I had to ask her at least 3 times what she was telling us! She said "Oh look, there are 2 sacs." I was like "whatever." David started laughing and I sat straight up. Yes...she was not kidding and as David told me later, they don't kid about things like that! I had her say it again and she once again repeated, "there are 2 sacs." I could not believe it!!! "2 sacs as in 2 babies???" It just was not processing in my mind!!! She said, "2 sacs...you are having 2 babies." I said, "we're having 2 babies???" I know by this time she was probably wanting me to be quiet because I kept repeating everything she said, but I was in shock!!! I mean how in the world could that be??? After the sonogram, we saw Dr. Travelstead. She was so excited after everything we had been through with the miscarriage and the weeks and months following. I was still in shock!!!

We called our parents when we left and all the family. My family was so funny. No one believed it!! It was so funny and then to tell my parents that I was pregnant and then proceeded to tell them we were expecting twins!!!

What a blessing and gift from God to be given 2 babies! When I experienced the miscarriage in September, I just remember being so broken and not understanding at all why it happened. I remember crying out to God so many nights to take away the pain and to help me make it through a day without crying and blaming myself for the loss. I knew I needed to completely immerse myself in His Word and studying His Word. I was looking at different devotionals and found one by Beth Moore...90 Days with Jesus. I love Beth Moore and her applications of the Bible to real life. I picked it up and started it that night. The first section was on the birth of Christ. I thought, how ironic that I am going through losing a baby and this study starts out on when the angel appeared to Mary and told her she would give birth to God's only Son. I remember crying through alot of those first few devotionals. Then, I began to understand what God was teaching me. The book was about Jesus, from the beginning of His life until he ascended into heaven. After hearing from so many people that God's plan is better and more perfect than ours, I really started to understand it. He knows better than me what I need when I need it. Maybe at that time in my life, He knew I was not ready for a child, but He had something bigger and better in store for David and I. How amazing to see that come to life. I also found strength and healing from my BSBFs (bible study best friends). This group of girls are my rock and taught me so much about the power of prayer and what happens when His people call on His Name. When we would have our prayer time, we would have our requests, but then we would have our bold request. That one request that was specifically on our hearts and minds. Healing from the loss became my bold request. On the first Sunday in February, Chip asked us all at church to pray specifically for 28 days (there were 28 days in February) for a certain request. I thought..wow...mine is definitely for a child. I prayed fervently every night on my knees for that baby. The difference in this prayer time and in other prayer times in the past is that combined with the devotional I was doing and seeing how God was working in our Bible Study by answering prayers, I truly believed that God would answer. How awesome is it to finally understand the power of prayer???!!! To pray boldly, sincerely, honestly, and believing He will hear and He will answer! And answer He did. We actually found out at home March 5 that we were pregnant. I remember hitting my knees and crying for several minutes thanking God for HIS amazing work and His amazing gift. Fast forward 3 1/2 weeks later, to find out we were having twins was even more amazing. God once again proved He is in control and His will and His way is more perfect than mine could ever be!!! How do I sometimes doubt that??? I'm not sure, I guess it is my ugly sinful nature. He knows what we need, when we need it. Who am I to try to control that??

On May 26th, we found out more exciting news!!! We will welcome Campbell and Avery into the world sometime in October!! Yep! That's right!! A boy and a girl!!



Once again, I stand amazed and in awe of God's awesome power and provision. Each step of this journey for David and I has been guided by Him.

If life couldn't get more exciting (and maybe a little bit scarier!), we put our house on the market in May and 10 days later while we were on vacation in Florida (pics to come soon), we had someone look at our house and 2 days later make an offer! I thought, "Wow! Life is really about to get interesting!!" So in 3 weeks, we packed up our house and moved in with David' parents. We began looking ferverently for a house to bring our babies home to. Once again, doubts began to creep in and I started to wonder would we find a house to bring these babies home to? And once again, I heard God saying, "Trust Me." Why oh why was this so hard to do? But my sweet husband kept saying, "It's going to be okay. He has a plan and it will work out. HE will work it out." And I'm reminded of one of the MANY reasons why God brought David into my life...he is my helpmate and when I doubt and struggle, he is there to remind me of God's perfect will and timing.

Fast forward to 14 weeks later which is where we are today! We are 22 weeks pregnant and both babies have received good reports at each monthly visit and a very good report from Dr. Perry (because it is multiples we are in the high risk pregnancy group now and we had to see him at 18 weeks). I am still amazed most days that there are 2 babies growing inside of me!! Or should I saw growing and KICKING constantly inside of me!!!

And you may ask where we are today on a house? Well, I am happy to say that we made an offer on a house and will be moving in August 18th (our 2 year anniversary). God is an amazing God and He provided for us as He has with every step we've taken.

So, as I look back at where we've been since my last post in January, I see God's handprints on every part of our journey. It hasn't been easy and to say that it will be easy from here on out would be a lie. But I know He has a plan for our lives and our family. He always has, sometimes it just takes me longer to meet Him where He is waiting on me.

I have SO many pics to post, but due to being "out of my element" and having them on a different pc, they will have to wait for another post. I'm sure that's what you read the blog for anyway..to see the pics!

Christmas with the Dale's

I'm thinking I better do a post before I get 6 weeks behind again! I honestly thought I would do this during the 2 weeks that I was off work, but it was so nice not to have to touch a computer since I sit in front of one every day for 8+ hours!

We had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed all the time spent with our families! We went to Brookhaven Dec. 23rd to spend the night with my family and have Christmas with them Christmas Eve. This was a new experience for me in that this was the first time in my life that I did not wake up at my parents' house on Christmas morning and we celebrated Christmas Eve. I was a little apprehensive and wondering if I would be a wee bit sad, but discovered how nice it was to wake up in my own house with my husband and have a quiet morning before heading to the Dales'. Anyway, I digress. Back to my original story of Christmas in Brookhaven. We had a wonderful time with everyone and it is always so much fun to see what everyone gets. Foster still hasn't grasped the concept of Christmas yet, but he had so much fun opening his presents. He went from one thing to the next! Benton really enjoyed his bottle! Maybe next year he'll participate a little bit more!

I just had to post this cute picture of Benton taking a bath in my parents' sink. Mom wanted to rinse him off real quick after his nap before everyone arrived. This is how she did it!



Benton and Foster



Foster playing Santa Clause!



Off he goes!



A boy on a mission!



What a cutie!



He loves his bubble lawn mower!



Seriously, Jenny...



He loved his scooter (or whatever it's called)!



He gives great hugs!





Sweet Cousins!



GiGi and her boys



The Byrds



The Christmas pic



I love my family! (Fortunately for Jay it was quick and painless...it only took 2 shots!) I am blessed to have such a wonderful family!



After the annual Christmas Eve service at my parents' church, we loaded up and drove north to Jackson. David was up early Christmas morning (as I said in a previous post, someone has to feed the animals on the holiday!). After opening our gifts, we headed to the Dale's to spend Christmas with David's family. We had a great time with them and watching William open gifts. He knows what is going on and it is so fun to see his excitement after opening each gift!

William in his camo!



Ready to go to the woods! (Of course it is only a Nerf gun, but it was still funny!)



David and Doc putting the toys together!



William helping David



Not only am I blessed to have a wonderful family, I also have wonderful in-laws. I love my in-laws and I'm so thankful to be a part of their family!



My next post will be my trip to the woods...brace yourselves...I got dirty and I hate getting dirty! I also got to experience my husband shooting a deer for the very first time in front of me. What a weekend!