Happy Birthday Opa

This post is a little late ... my dad (Opa) celebrated his birthday November 26th. I love this picture of him with the girls!! He looks so happy and proud.

Thank you Opa for all your prayers to get us here. We loved snuggling in your arms during Thanksgiving. We can't wait to come see you this summer and go on your boat. Opa ... will you take us to the waterfall??

Sleeping Beauties

Grace


Natalie

Ornament Party

Camille and Hayes

Ryan

Carmen and Natalie

Jennifer and Grace


You have all heard me talk about the babies I have nannied for ... I had a very special day with them recently. When I nannied for Hayes I made an ornament for his parents for Christmas with his handprint - putting paint on it and turning each finger into a snowman. It turned out really cute. I made another one the following year at Carmens request. Then last year it turned into a slightly bigger event when she invited her girlfriend Christine (the mother of baby Cole) and we made ornaments for Hayes, Camille and Cole. (I ended up watching Cole after finding out that he needed someone to keep him during the day.) This year Carmen decided it was part of her Christmas traditions with the kids. She invited he girlfriend Brandi and her little boy Julian, Jennifer the mother of Ryan (you will remember that I was his nanny before Paul and I got married) and Christine (and baby Cole). We planned on making ornaments for all the kids- including the girls and having lunch and girl talk. It was also an opportunity for everyone to meet and love on the girls. Sadly, baby Cole woke up that morning with a fever and couldn't make it. I hope to see him soon.

The ornaments were a huge success. The kids did great! We had large clear and frosted bulbs for the "big" kids and small clear bulbs for the babies. I couldn't believe how big their hands were. Its amazing how fast they are all growing. I was especially caught off guard when I made Camilles ornament. I held her big girl hand in mine and wondered where time had gone. I looked at Carmen and said "Where has my baby gone?" Camille was sitting on my lap at the time and immediatley leaned in and put her cheek on my cheek. TALK ABOUT MEALT YOUR HEART!! It was like she was saying "I am right here!" Ryan is getting so big. He is 6 years old now and has an adorable dog Freddie and enjoys swimming. I can't believe this is the same little boy that I used to snuggle with each day. Hayes is almost 4. He is reading and loves Montessori school. I can't believe this is the same little boy I rocked to sleep each day. Oh how I love these kids!! I have my own girls now ... BUT these children will always be MY babies!! I LOVE YOU RYAN, HAYES, CAMILLE AND COLE!!

Mary did you know?

This is my favorite Christmas song. (well non-traditional Christmas song... )

Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?

This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

The blind will see.And the deaf will hear.The dead will live again.

The lame will leap.The dumb will speak. The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you knowthat your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

As I was rocking the girls to sleep Christmas Eve I found myself in awe of their perfect little faces and all their dainty features. I watched as they peacefully slept breathing in and out ever so slowly. They were all wrapped up and felt so warm in my arms. Its these moments of motherhood that I longed for all those years. These moments of pure bliss, deep gratitude and complete happiness I craved from deep in my soul. I couldn't believe that these precious little girls were actually in MY arms. I pondered how deep my love was for these two angel babies. I thought of how Mary must have felt when she held baby Jesus. Did she study his beautiful face? Was she too amazed by the incredible love she had for her newborn son? What dreams did she have for her son ... knowing that He was the Son of God? I wondered if she was overwhelmed by the awesome responsibility that was hers ... to raise the Son of God!!

Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath

We have been hoping to get some bathtime photos for awhile and I finally managed to capture some of our bathtime fun today. The girls have started to enjoy their baths (instead of crying the entire time) which makes this part of our evening routine so much more enjoyable.


Grace


Grace


Natalie

Natalie

PRAYER REQUEST

Please join us in fervent prayer for my friend Sarah, her husband Patrick and their sweet baby. She is 24 weeks pregnant and has been diagnosed with stage 3 non-hodgkins lymphoma. She started chemo the 26th of December. She has 5 other treatments over the next couple of months. Please pray that her baby will be healthy & that she will not suffer with nausea. You can read more about her precious family here: http://www.baby-hull.blogspot.com/

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Grace (L) and Natalie (R) in their Christmas pajamas (thank you aunt gerry for the darling pj's) on Christmas Eve waiting for santa.

Our futile attempt at a family Christams picture after church on Sunday. Anyone know how to get both babies to look at the camera??

Sisters

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. ~Isadora James

As most of you know I am an only child. I have made a habit of harassing my parents about wanting sibling for most of my life and promised them I would NEVER have an only child. (Its really not so bad ... but at this point why stop harassing them right??) I envy my mother's relationship with her sisters. They are so very close and share things in a way that an only child can only dream of comprehending. I watch my cousins with their siblings and am so jealous of the closeness that they share. While I am so greatful for my friends- many of whom are like sisters to me- I know its just not the same. When I found out I was expecting twins I felt great joy knowing that I would not have an only child- and I cannot even begin to explain the abundance of my joy when I found out it was TWO GIRLS!! Oh how I love girls!! I just knew in my heart that they would be so close and never long for companionship or someone to share their deepest secrets with. I knew they would share many adventures and have a bond that runs through every fiber of their being. I very much look forward to seeing Natalie and Abbie Grace grow in that special sisterly love.

Happy Birthday Grandma Pat

Grandma Pat celebrated her birthday November 19th and the girls made a suprise visit at her school where she teaches 3rd grade. The school secretary told Grandma that an angry parent was waiting for her in the office ... but when she came into the office she saw her two FAVORITE grandaughters (and her MOST favorite daughter-in-law)!! She was very suprised! The word spread quickly that Mrs. Pat's twins were at school and we had several teachers come catch a glimpse at our little angels. They gave grandma a BIG balloon and cupcakes for her class so they could celebrate with her on her special day. The girls would have stayed for the celebration but mommy was afraid one of the children would have "lovingly" bestowed too many germs on her preemie babies. When the girls are bigger and healtheir they will visit again. Happy Birthday Grandma Pat ... thanks for all your prayers to get us here safley and for all that you do for us, mommy and daddy!

Blessing Day

We blessed the girls at church on December 7th. It was a perfect day (with the exception of us missing Opa and LaLa-my parents- who were unable to attend.) It was a very emotional day for me. Paul and I had waited for this day for a very long time. As we were dressing the girls that morning my eyes welled with tears thinking of all the days I longed for a baby to hold & love. I thought of all the prayers we had prayed and all those who had prayed for us. I thought of my beloved grandparents who are all now in heaven and how much I wished they could be a part of this special day. I felt that they were so close to us this day.

Both of the girls dresses have a story behind them and are family heirlooms. The dress that Natalie wore was sewn by my grandmother Alice (dad's mother). Her sister made the crocheted squares that go down the front and on the bonnett. Her aunt made the tatting and trim that are on the bottom of the dress and on the bonnett. It is a beautiful dress and Natalie looked like an angel in it. My grandmother wrote a letter to me and tucked it away with the dress many years ago telling me that she hoped one day I would have a baby to wear the dress ... Grandma today was the special day you and I both wished for. The dress that Abbie Grace wore has been worn by my mother, her two sisters & all my cousins (including Andre who was christened in Germany- yes the dress was hand-carried by Aunt Tim to Germany for the special occasion!!) The coat for the dress was sewn by my grandmother Dorothy's (mom's mother) aunt Margie. Interesting side note ... she sewed design samples for Doris Day in the film "Pillow Talk." The bonnett for Abbie Grace's dress was sewn by Pauls mother. She made the bonnett to match the dress with pin-tucking and lace. My mother gave the girls beautiful satin shoes and a dear friend Mrs. Jackie gave the girls pretty socks and a burp cloth with crosses on them.

Paul asked his father Mike, Ole Christensen (recent stake president and close family friend), Bert Barilleau (close family friend and father of Megan who introduced Paul and I), and Chuck Banz (close family friend) to participate in the blessing of the girls. He had hoped to have Tristan Bernard (close family friend) also but he works offshore every other week and was out of town. Each girl was given a beautiful and unique blessing from our loving Father in Heaven. We had a small get together that evening at the church to celebrate the girls blessing. We had cake and icecream to for the occasion. I had hoped to get this beautiful cake in the shape of a Christening gown from Ambrosia (the best bakery EVER) but it didn't work out ... so I figure that means I have an even BIGGER budget for the girls first birthday cake ... and you better believe that cake is coming from Ambrosia!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was an amazing day and I hope I will never forget how special Paul and I felt to have our girls at church with us and to celebrate the richness of the Lords blessings in our lives.

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!

I woke up to a wonderful suprise this morning. After feeding the girls at 5am I looked outside expecting to see the rain and it was SNOW!! I ran and woke up Paul to share my discovery ... he was interested but sleepy. I convinced him to take a few pictures before he headed back to bed. What a party pooper!! I can't wait for the girls to wake up so we can take them outside!! I will post more pictures after the sun comes up ... but I wanted to beat out all you diehard bloggers and get my snow picture up first ... he he he!!

After the sun came up this is what we saw ...

our house !!

sledding in the streets!!

a BIG snowman!!

4 inches of snow!!

Abbie Grace and Natalie exploring the winter wonderland. I would say that they enjoyed it .... but Abbie Grace was crying because she was cold. She is like her mother and does NOT like being cold. Natalie is like her daddy and loved the cold!!

Happy Halloween

I am posting this a little late ... the girls first Halloween.  Thanks to Great Grandma & Grandpa Ruebsamen for sending the girls their very first card in the mail ... an adorable pumpkin card addressed to each girl!!  It was so cute and thoughtful.  

I dug around in my stash of baby clothes that I have been collecting over the years hoping to use one day and found some halloween costumes for the girls.  A pumpkin for Natalie and a Bear for Abbie Grace.  The costumes are not what I would have picked if I could have taken the girls shopping ... but they had to work because the pediatrician wants the babies to stay in for three months except for necessary trips out.  

The girls sat outside with me and handed out candy ... okay well they slept the entire time while mommy handed out candy ... but they looked adorable!  One lady thought that they were dolls. I was like no they are REAL babies!!  

I can't wait for next year when we can get the girls all dolled up and hit the streets in search of M&M's (dark chocolate), Kit Kat and York Peppermin Patti's!!! (mommys favorite candies)

7 weeks old

Natalie (top)  Abbie Grace (bottom)

Our little angels are 7 weeks old today!! They are such a joy and we cannot imagine our lives without them.  Its hard to imagine life without them.  I can't believe we survived the 5 year wait.  Some days it seemed impossible to go on ... other days were easier thanks to prayer, loving friends who offered us a shoulder to cry on, something to laugh about or their kids to borrow.  Sometimes I still feel like a knock will come at the door and someone will take our girls away.  I have caught myself several times getting ancy during the last 15 minutes of Oprah when it goes to lots of commercials ... (this was my cue that my "work" day as a nanny was nearing the end.  It was always a sad time for me because I knew that the parents would be home soon and I would have to leave the precious babies I spent all day loving on and caring for.) ...thinking that I will have to hand over the girls to someone.  Then I remember that they are ours and I feel overwhelmed with joy and an occasional tear.  I hug them extra tight and whisper in their ears that we will be together forever.  I hope they hear me and know how much they are loved.  

Tired Mommy, Tired Babies

This is from the week of November 10th.  I am trying to play catch up on my blogging.  I feel like I am trying to meet a deadline for a paper in college ... only I don't have Alisha to help me finish on time.  

This is why the girls are so sleepy:

Tuesday: Mommy's post delivery checkup.

Wednesday: Mommy & Babies Lactation consultant appointment.

Thursday: Babies ENT appointment & physical therapy appointment. Renewed Inspection sticker on mommy's car.

Friday: Mommy's haircut & oil change on mommy's car. (thanks to "Take 5" oil change station where you don't even get out of your car!! I was done in less than 10 minutes and had peacefully sleeping babies the entire time!!)

Prayer Requests

I have two prayer requests for everyone. These two families are on our prayer list every night.

1. Austin and Amber Fatheree. This is my cousin Celeste's brother and sister in law. They are an adorable couple and recently welcomed a new baby boy named Cib. Sadly, Ambers mother was in an accident in September that left her paralyzed from the waist down. They are a strong Christian family and trust that Heavenly Father will strengthen them during this difficult time. Amber updates their blog about her mother's progress and posts specific prayer requests. You can read more about their precious family here: fathereejoy.blogspot.com

2. Darren and Jody Riggs. This is my friend Jessica's husbands best friend and his wife. For those of you who know Brother Riggs ... Darren is his son. Their precious little boy Karson has been diagnosed with Type I Spinal Muscular Atrophy- a terminal illness. Karson is 7 months old. Jody posts prayer requests for baby Karson on their blog. You can read more about their precious family here: djriggs.blogspot.com

I have a testimony of prayer. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. I know that miracles can happen as a result of prayer. I know that prayers can strengthen us when we need it most. I know this because many of you have prayed for us and now we have two precious little girls. Please join Paul and I in praying for these two sweet families

The Joy of Football

As most of you know I LOVE football. I have been known to yell at the TV and on occasion throw things in protest of a bad referee call. I have learned these fine lady-like behaviors from my father. THANKS DAD!! When I was a little girl he would take me to the LSU games. I felt so special on those days. He worked alot ... but on those days I had his complete attention. We would go to a restraunt and load up on the most unhealthy food and soda (mostly because mom was not around to stop us and suggest that we have milk with our pizza!) As we walked in the crowds of roudy tailgaters I felt like the luckiest little girl in the whole world. I would cheer my heart out with my trusty yellow pom-pom and win or lose as we walked away from Tiger stadium my world was perfect because I was walking hand in hand with my dad. I look forward to sharing the joy of football with our little girls and creating memories with them that they will carry in their hearts forever.

Natalie is taking a quick nap during halftime ... dreaming of an LSU victory!!

Abbie Grace is ready for the LSU game. GEAUX TIGERS ... BEAT BAMA!!

Slacker Blogger

I know its been a while since my dear friend Jessica created my blog but now I'm finally committed to blogging...well at least for the next few minutes! Most of you have seen these pictures of our little angels but I wanted my first post to be their first 'dress up' pictures.

Natalie Adelle (L) & Abigail Grace (R)

Natalie Adelle Born Sept 30, 2008 4lbs 8.7oz 18 inches 1:47 pm
Abigail Grace Born on Sept 30, 2008 4lbs 8.2oz 16.25 in 1:48 pm

...a little practice post...

I am so excited for my favorite people, Paul and Elizabeth, to start blogging! Can't wait to meet those twins!