Big Girl!

My Weekend Escape

This past weekend I went to San Antonio to celebrate yet another Olson family accomplishment.  Brooke just added to that long list by graduating from medical school!  It was wonderful to spend so much time with my second family.  I loved every minute I was able to hang out with my very best friend Brandi.  The first few hours I was just fine being away from my babies, but by the wonderful dinner party the Olson's hosted for Brooke I was missing my little ones. After dinner we all went out for drinks and I realized I hadn't been in a bar in about 18 months.  I felt a little out of place!  It was really nice to have some fun with my cherished friends.  Congratulations Brookie!  I am so proud of you and all of your hard work.  Welcome back to Houston!

My Second Family - The Olsons

Brett, Brandi, Dave, Brooke, Debbie, and Ben

Brandi and Dave are doctors as well so they were able to participate by hooding Brooke in the ceremony.  

Brandi, Me, and Brooke

So lucky to have these girls in my life!  As close to sisters as I will ever have.

Two Little People

In the past few weeks the twins have changed so much.  I feel like I went from having two little babies to now having two little people.  They are definitely showing preferences which is pretty funny sometimes.  Clara still loves Bailey.  She also really enjoys the jumper.  That girl is going to have some strong legs.  She seems to like any toy that has a face too.  George still loves the activity mat and enjoys the ring stacker too.  He is getting into the rattles that he never really cared about before.  Most things go in their mouths these days, especially Mommy's fingers.  I think they are getting their first teeth which can be tough at mealtime.  Poor babies.  They eat solids with three meals a day now which Mommy is hoping will spread out their feedings to every four hours instead of every three.  I am sure that is just wishful thinking.  They have both discovered their feet and are rolling over all the time.  Clara can sit alone for minutes at a time now.  She is starting to lean forward to put weight on her arms which I am guessing is a precursor to crawling.  I am so not ready for mobility yet.  We are starting to baby proof the house because I was told crawling happens pretty quickly. 

We did the whole cry it out thing and while it was SO very hard listening to my kiddos cry, my mommy friends were right.  It was worth it!  George sleeps from 7 pm until 7 am.  Most nights Clara sleeps from 7 pm until 5:00 am.  My little Clara is one head strong child (I wonder where she got that?) and still cries to go to sleep.  Some nights she whines for five minutes and is out.  Some nights she really cries and it can be up to 45 minutes of us going in to soothe her.  The best part of it though is that John and I finally have some time alone again and we actually sit down to eat dinner together.  Another very big positive is that my serious baby has turned into a happy smiling baby.  It is amazing what a good nights sleep can do for a girl.  It seems like every time I turn around she is laughing or smiling at something.  It's great!

This weekend I am leaving the babies with John overnight for the first time.  A very good friend is graduating from medical school in San Antonio.  I am looking forward to the escape but I also know I will miss my family.  I am in the process of joining a Mother's of Multiples (MoMs) group and have attended a few coffees.  I know the women in this group will be a great resource for me and I bet I will make some great friends too.  This week I got really sick with a horrible sinus infection.  I was in bed for two days with a fever and horrible headache.  John had to take two days off of work to watch the babies.  I felt so bad laying in bed while I could hear the babies crying or throwing a fit and I was unable to help.  But one of the best parts of the two days was listening in when John didn't know it.  I loved hearing him make the babies laugh, read them books, and play silly games with them.  He is such an amazing Dad and I am so lucky he asked me to marry him.

 

Happy Girl!

 Happy Boy!

I'm telling you she is so happy now!

  

I love watching them interact with each other. So sweet!

 

This is how Clara protests going in her car seat.  She refuses to sit and locks her legs to stand.  It's pretty funny.  This is why we call her Stinkerbell!

 

My parents are so awesome and want to make it easier for us when we bring the twins to their house.  Not only did they set up my old crib from them to sleep in but they also bought them this walker which Georgie loved.

 

They also bought these high chairs for them.  We so appreciate them!! 

Our First Adventure Swimming!

Clara and George were quite underwhelmed with their first swimming adventure.  George eventually warmed up to it a bit but Clara basically sat there stone faced.  It was a fun day for Mommy and Daddy though who enjoy watching their kiddos experience new things. 

 

Grandpa I'm not too sure about this!

 

Uncle Jay with Georgie

  

Hmmm...

  

 

This might be fun!

 

Daddy with the twins

 

Is that a little smile?

 

Georgie loves Grandpa!

 

Georgie doesn't miss too many meals.  Check out that belly!

Happy 6 Month Birthday George and Clara!

I wanted to take some nice pictures of the twins today to capture them on their 6 month birthday.  Well, Clara wasn't having it. 

First she kept leaning in to cuddle George.

 Then she decided to eat George's hand and of course he didn't mind

 

Then she got mad

  

Which ended with George looking like this

Then she decided to try to roll over

 

And play with her feet a bit

Before I finally got this shot

What a cutie!!!

And of course George just cooperated as usual

My adorable little guy

It is hard to believe that six months ago these two little angels entered this world.  I am beyond blessed to be their mommy and look forward to watching them grow even more.  I am so proud of my munchkins!

Becoming a Mother

It's amazing that last year on Mother's Day I was about 10 weeks pregnant and dreaming about my twins.  A year later I am the very proud mother of two wonderful almost 6 month old babies.  During the past six months I've gone through quite a transformation.  My priorities, my identity, and my relationships have all changed.  All because I became a mother.  I have to say I didn't totally get it at first.  What people don't tell you is that it isn't like in the movies...laughing and smiling, baby slung on the hip dream (when is it ever though?).  It takes time to fully grasp and embrace being a mother. What I mean is that I did everything a mother does with her children...bounced, played, laughed, cuddled, cried, changed, fed, rocked and loved my kiddos, but I was holding on to the other me.  The woman who loved her job, did what she wanted when she wanted, went out to nice dinners, had drinks with girlfriends, went on vacations, and lived for her husband.  It took me some time to let her go. 

One day John took the babies to his parents house and I had the entire day to myself.  He kept asking, "What are you going to do?"  I honestly had no idea so I did what I used to do.  Got up, took time getting ready, dressing up, and went shopping.  At first I enjoyed shopping and my time out.  I ate a leisurely lunch in peace and quiet but found my mind wandering to the twins.  I finished shopping, went home, and sat down on the couch to catch up on some of my favorite shows.  I found the house eerily quiet.  By the time John called to say he was on his way back I actually missed the chaos.  He walked in the door with the twins and I couldn't get my hands on them fast enough.  That day I finally let the old me go and fully embraced my new title, "Mom."  Nothing is more important then taking care of my children.  Every day has it challenges but every day has its rewards.  I have never loved someone so unconditionally and so fully as I love my twins.  And I have my wonderful husband to thank for them.  I wouldn't change one late night, dirty diaper, or cry-a-thon because they are worth every second of it.  I would much rather spend the day with my twins on the floor playing, not showered, in jeans and a t-shirt then dressed up and shopping.  I've come to realize that my life before my babies was nice, but my life with my babies is lovely.

My first Mother's Day

The George's at brunch  

Grammy, Clara, and Uncle Jay at Brunch

Grandma and Georgie at brunch

 

Grandpa and Clara Bear at brunch
 

Daddy and Georgie at brunch

Just a few pics

Our First Kentucky Derby:

 

Hanging with Grandpa Quinn waiting for the race

  

I've got my hat and dress...now where is that milk julep?

Our big kid stroller:

 

Big girl Clara sitting up all by herself:

 

And sometimes we get the pleasure of these sweet babies falling asleep on our shoulders.  I cherish these moments:

Clara Bear

 

Georgie