Leila's new specs

I took Leila for an eye appt. at a new optometrist today. We really liked him, and she was such a big girl. He told us that he did think the patching was helping and it seems like her eyes are improving. Yay! He said that he thinks her eye drifting is only an accomodative problem and would get better with age. We will evaluate in two months again. The girl is going to be a professional at this eye visit business! We picked out some new glasses today since she is a growing girl and insurance pays for them. ;) She picked them out by herself and wouldn't even consider my suggestions. So, here is a sneak peek at her choice. These aren't hers....just the sample at the store. A funny little story from today. The doctor was putting letters on the view box and asking Leila what they were. When he put the letter C on the screen, she said, "I'm not quite sure, but I know it is the Chicago Bears." Ha!Ha! Yes, her daddy is proud. He taught Asher to recognize every football team this fall....I guess his girl was paying attention too! The doctor thought it was hilarious.

Asher didn't go to school today because he has cough and said he wasn't feeling well. My guess is he wanted a little Nana/Papa time and thanks to them for keeping him for me! I am hoping for no snow tomorrow or anytime this week. After this weekend's weather, I say bring on spring!!! Update on the twins, I couldn't feel it but last Wednesday night (my hardest, worst day/night of my week) I could see them moving from one side to the other of my belly. It looks so weird still....you think I would be used to it after twice but it's still freaky looking!

Twins....12 weeks

It's a girl and a ?. I had my 12 week appt. today and we had another ultrasound. To my surprise, the sonographer checked to see gender. Now, keep in mind it is VERY early but she seemed quite confident that Twin B is a baby girl! Twin A had it's legs crossed so we aren't sure. We saw something poking out from between it's legs but she said at this point she isn't going to call it. She said it could be the umbilical cord but it may be a boy too. She said we will check again in 4 weeks. I can't wait to find out. How fun it would be to have a boy and a girl! It doesn't matter...we just want healthy twins. The Dr. did say that my due date will not exceed 37 1/2 weeks....looks like no later than mid July. Please keep praying that I can keep growing healthy babies. Leila and I had a fun morning together while Asher was in school. Asher was so excited to come home and tell me about his travels to Japan while at school. They ate with chopsticks, on the floor, with their shoes off. He also got a fortune cookie which said "Beautiful things are coming your way." His interpretation.....our babies are going to be beautiful. He's a sweetheart and bound to be a wonderful big bro!

Maybe next year...

Can you tell who we were cheering for today? Oh well, maybe next year. The kids are having a blast playing the Wii tonight. I love these pyjama nights at home. :)

Tonight, I was at church and I remembered having a dream about having twins when I was pregnant with Asher. I didn't remember details....just that it seemed like I was really holding two babies. So, I came home and was reading in the pregnancy journal I kept when I was pregnant with Asher. Week 39, I dreamed that I was holding a baby boy and his twin sister. It said that I couldn't see his their faces but I described it as magical. Will be interesting to see if these little munchkins that are making their momma so tired and sick are a boy and a girl!

Music

We went to see Old Crow Medicine Show in concert (again) with the Shepherd's on Friday night. This time, we only had to drive to Fayetteville. I will say that unless Dolly comes close, we are nearing our end of concert going days. Getting home at 1:30 am is way too late for us old folks. ;) I don't think Dolly would keep us out that late! The music was great though!! When we were standing outside in the twenty something degree weather, Emily snapped this photo of the sign. I wasn't taking any pictures. My only concern was snuggling into Tyler and letting him keep me warm. Ha! Ha! Anywho, the sign reminded me of something. Robert Randolph (the most amazing steel guitar player) played George's on Thursday night. When Asher was not even a year old and we would get ready for church, we would put him in the playpen and turn on Robert Randolph on tv. He would dance and dance while holding on to the side of the playpen. At bathtime, he would say, "Do do doot do" requesting we sing Robert Randolph. He hated his hair washed and this is how we kept him calm. Oh, I can't believe those times were 4 years ago! Tear. Look at my big boy now. He played in the snow on Thursday with the neighbor boys....by himself. Don't worry, this momma was watching everything from the living room window. He had a blast! Time just keeps marching on.

Stay at home Saturday night

We had some friends visit last night for pizza, cookies, playtime, the Miss America pageant, and a little music playing too. It was fun. Good friends are wonderful to have. I snapped a few pics of the kiddos to share.

By the way, I still can not believe that we are having twins!!!!! For those of you have asked....yes, we do have twins in our families....both sides. We probably shouldn't have been so surprised but we still just can't believe it. We are soooooo happy and excited! Thanks for all of your sweet comments and prayers.

Surprise!!!!! We're pregnant.....with twins!!!

I never planned on the latter part of this announcement. Truth is, I never planned on the first part either. We found out the Saturday after Thanksgiving that we were expecting our third child. We were sooooooooooooo shocked! We waited and prayed. We went through 8 long, exhausting days of a stomach bug (from you know where) with our babies. We debated on how to tell our family and prayed about which ob/gyn to choose. Then, on Christmas day, we told our family. They sat there, without understanding at first....they thought we were joking. We couldn't have hoped for a better reaction from them. Everyone was so happy and excited when they discovered we were in fact expecting again. Monday, our family was hit with a stomach bug. This time even I got it. I was off work Tuesday and ended up having to take my girl to the Dr. for an ear infection. Tuesday afternoon, I went to my first prenatal appt. I went exhausted, half sick, and alone. I was just meeting with the nurse anyway. They immediately took me back for an ultrasound. I was happy because I wasn't sure how far along I really was. As soon as the sonographer got in the position and I looked up at the screen, I nearly jumped up off the table. "Oh my goodness.....it's twins!!!", I exclaimed! She thought it was my first child and didn't expect me to pick up on the two sacs and two little babies. She warned me not to get too excited before we measured and got heart beats. Wow, that was scary and made it real. Thankfully, both babies were measuring 10 1/2 weeks and had good heart beats. I fell in love right that instant. These are my third and fourth babies! I called Ty and he thought I was joking with him. They did exams, took blood and urine, and asked about three thousand questions. Are you going to breast feed? Yes.....uh, I don't know....can you breastfeed two babies?! Three hours later, I was leaving my appt. and I was scared and thrilled and thankful and totally overwhelmed. I was on my way to get three new Rx's for me and thoughts of eating 2800 calories a day were swimming through my mind. I'm gonna get as big as a house! I called Tyler to get his approval and encouragement. Instead, he was stressed with a situation at work and wouldn't be able to come home for a while. Mom and Dad, thank you for taking me to eat and praying with us and calming me down. Gina and Roger, thank you for coming to get our babies when Tyler called to say they needed to stay somewhere else. Mom and Dad, thank you for taking in your crying, pregnant daughter at 11 o'clock at night when I found out that Tyler had been exposed to something at work and wouldn't be able to see us for atleast three days. Needless to say, it has been a very happy and emotional couple of days. I am finally back at home but Tyler is still a worried, nervous wreck. He has had quite a week too. I will be happy when our lives go back to normal. It will....won't it?! I can't tell all of you (family and friends) how much you have blessed me with your excitement, prayers, care, and kind words during this very crazy week. I love you all so much! i have one more request from you, please continue to pray that Tyler will not show any symptoms of exposure and that he will not give it to the babies or their pregnant mommy. Also, please keep me and the twins in your prayers. I know pregnancy with twins is more high risk and I ask you to please remember us and lift us up.

Welcome Snow 2011!

The snow arrived yesterday and I had a teacher's meeting at church. Thankfully, I made it home with supplies for a banana split for my boys. Unfortunately, I didn't make it all the way home. I made it to the bottom of our street and walked up to our house. The snow really was beautiful falling. This morning, all local schools are closed and it is Asher's first official snow day. However, my little man woke up throwing up with a stomach bug this morning. The first thing he said when he threw up was, "Oh no, I don't get to eat for 6 more days!" Poor little guy, I sure hope that this stomach bug isn't anything like the last. So far it doesn't seem like it is going to be quite as bad. He isn't throwing up as violently or as much. He even wanted to go out in the snow today. So, it doesn't snow very often and we bundled up and went out to enjoy it for a little while. ;) Leila is convinced that it is Christmas and was soooo excited to make a snow angel. Now, we are in the cozy, warm house, covered up with my granny's quilt, and enjoying this snuggly day! The kids are begging to take a nap so I better hop off of here. Please keep our kids in your prayers that this virus doesn't get any worse. Also, Leila is crying because her stomach is hurting so I know she's next. :(

Family Project Frosty

Today the kids and I completed our January family project.....a snowman. It was messy and fun. I am going to brag on my sweet babies a little bit now. They have been the sweetest, most loving, considerate kids the past of couple of days. They have showered me with praise and "I love you's" and "nothing is more important than our mommy" and lots of requests for snuggling. I have been truly blessed by their love and feel so blessed to be their mommy. I feel like my heart could literally burst right from my chest with love for my precious angels. Asher and Leila, you can't begin to know how much I love, appreciate, and have needed your affection. Thank you, my darlings!

2011

We rang in the New Year while watching Old Crown Medicine Show at the Ryman in Nashville. Dinner and the concert were great! The rest of the trip...not so much. I won't go into tons of details but I will tell you a little bit of the drama....people in our hotel room at check-in, a broken umbrella in the pouring rain and 25 mph wind while waiting 45 min. for a taxi at 1 a.m., and a dead car battery in the cold, morning rain. It will be laughable memories some day. I was pretty thankful to get home to my babies on Saturday. Oh yeah, we did find out that the band we drove 1000 miles to see will be in Fayetteville in three weeks. ;) I don't make resolutions but I can say that I am hoping to be a better saver, a more live in the moment kind of girl, a better wife and mother, and a more Godly woman in 2011. Happy New Year!