twins!

This June, our family got some exciting and super surprising news...we're expecting TWINS! That's right :: two babies. At one time.

A few random facts about it all...

- Yes, we were surprised! 100%. I couldn't get in to have an ultrasound until 9 1/2 weeks, so for around 5 weeks, we knew we were pregnant, but we assumed with only one baby. (Except that my baby belly sure was growing faster this time!)

- How did it go down?

(Something like this...)

Tech (pulling up a baby on the ultrasound): "Baby looks great and healthy."

Me: "Yay! (Looking at the kids) There's the baby."

Tech: "Is this your first ultrasound?"

Me: "Yes ma'am."

Tech: "Well, there's another baby in there. You're having twins!"

- What was our reaction? When she told us, we were f-r-e-a-k-i-n-g out. Immediate tears. Immediate, hysterical laughter. Immediate gratitude. Immediate anxiety. :) It was the sweetest moment. And everyone was there!

I just happened to take this photo right before we found out.

They were just all too cute sitting there!

- The twins in my belly are fraternal, meaning the gender combo could be anything! So, do twins run in our family? Way, way up. And see below. (But as an FYI, fraternal is genetic, identical is random!)

- My older sister actually has a set of twins (the sweetest, most adorable pair, pictured right). Hers are also the 3rd and 4th, with a very small age gap between the 2nd and the twins. And hers are identical.

- Delle will be 20 months old when these guys arrive (assuming they're not too early), and Hammond will be three months shy of 4. That's right...4 babies under the age of 4!

- Will we find out the genders? We haven't in the past, but considering all that is going to come our way in January, we've decided it's the wisest thing. I haven't quite come to terms with that (a gender surprise at birth is the absolute BEST, in my opinion!), but again, I know it's the wisest thing. The plus side? All of the freshly laundered, gender appropriate clothes ready to go in their drawers and closets. Monogrammed items. The decorating possibilities.

- On an ironic note, we don't own a car that will fit four babies in it. And our house is barely going to be able to fit six people in it! But we are so grateful, and we have about 5 months (yes, we are already to that mark!) to figure all of that out :).

Another photo from the day we found out

Their first photo together

Delle :: One year

365 days with this beauty. Delle Louise, you have surprised us more in this past year than I thought possible! Your sweet, cuddly personality pairs well with your firecracker spirit and tolerance for your brother. We love you more than you'll know, and I am thankful to have a front row seat to your little life. Happy one year!

Nine months ::

Ten months ::

Eleven months ::

(gotta show one pic of the 3 year old bday boy!)

Delle updates

At this point, I'm probably writing for myself (after all, it's only been about 5 months?!), but I want to have all this in writing.  So, here are some baby Delle updates.

Six Months ::

Seven months :: 

 Eight Months ::

Hammy goes to school!

When Hammond was born, Jamie and I made the decision (because there was opportunity) for me to stay home.  It is SUCH a gift, but it's not always easy.  However, we also decided not to put him in any sort of day program (which, depending on where you are and who your friends are, may or may not sound normal).  So, aside from the gym and a Bible study I do once a week, we spend most of our days together!  Until now…

With little sister joining the chaos, we decided maybe it was worth a try for this fall.  Not to mention that Hammond is a social kid.  If he's given the opportunity, he wants to be with friends. All the time.  

After asking to go to school repeatedly, I decided to try out a VBS this summer that his friend, Conrad, was going to.  

Here he is!  Day 1.  SO excited!

That week went really, really well, and he had a blast.  5 days was definitely too much for him (although, if he could, he probably would have told me otherwise), but it was such a success that we decided to try out a program this fall.

After much procrastination, I finally signed him up for the PMO at our YMCA (I have a post coming dedicated solely to that place…we LOVE it!) for two days a week.

Day 1

Day 2 (with the support of baby sister)

And here he is being walked into the building after 

drop off!  Does he not look like such a big boy?!

picnic at the playground after his 2nd day

So far, it's pretty good!  The program we're doing is such a baby step into school for him, which is perfect for where we are right now.  It's not a formal program, and some kids only sign up weekly.  But, he is enjoying his time with new friends, play time, and crafts.  I mean, he loves it!  And I'm actually getting a few things accomplished in a day!  And getting to spend a little more one-on-one time with sweet Delle.  

For me, I think there will always be tension with how much time our kids spend away from the influence of our home.  And I'm ok with that.  But, this is certainly a fun new season for the little man, and for mom. :)

Months Four and Five :: Delle

(Disclaimer: Wrote this post a month ago, and just now posting it!)

Delle has turned four months, and now five (!), and we are into such a good groove.  When you have a fast-paced toddler around the house, you just have to keep moving, but I am realizing a few things about our sweet baby girl.  

The most profound :: she's not her brother.  The first few months she was as laid back a baby as he was.  But she's changing, she's teething, and she's sassy!  While big brother would lay on a mat for days, playing with toys, rolling, trying to crawl.  Delle would prefer to spend 5 minutes on the mat, then the bumbo, then the exersauser, maybe the swing, and then "would you just hold me?"  She's a little more high maintenance, and that's ok!  (Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself?!)  

Anyhow, here are her four and five month photos - 

A week before she turned 5 months, we switched to a two nap (and a cat nap in the evening for about 2 more weeks) schedule.  She's done great with it.  

She's rolling over, as little as she has to :).  

We also started solids, taking it slow and steady.  

At her four month appointment, she weighed 16 lbs 5 oz (90th%), and was 26 in tall (98th%).

In the meantime, we've had some quality time with family...

four generations

solids

celebrating our BFF and cousin, Riley Kate's, baptism