12 of the most beautiful months of my life...

Alas, I am completely in awe that it has been an entire year with my sweet Evie and handsome Graham. A year full of laughter and memories, no doubt. I simply have no idea what I did with my time before these two. Busy, indeed, but most definitely the greatest joy my heart has ever known. We have grown so much as individuals and as a family over the last twelve months. I have discovered hidden traits about myself and Stewart. I admire him more each and every day. Patience and Humor have found there place as the themes in our household. Although at times,  tears of frustration seem more appropriate, we have decided to replace them with belly rolls of laughter.  I intend not to mislead you that every day is an absolute paradise, but we have truly learned not to sweat the small stuff and to just relax and enjoy each and every moment. In that, lies my best advice for parents, new and seasoned; Savor every moment, every bedtime story, every tickle/wrestling match, even every disaster and late night. We have but a few years in which our children view us in this way. I hope to be the Mommy they see me as. :)

Just Pictures... What you guys really want.

I am not silly enough to think that you guys would rather read my rambling so we will just skip that part this time and go straight to the pictures of these two adorable kiddos. :) But next time you will have to suffer through my sentimental mommy chatter! :) Here are a few pictures of the last few months!  Hope you enjoy!

Once again, I find myself beginning yet another blog with an apology for the lack of consistent blogging. I assume I am forgiven seeing as how I can't seem to change two diapers or feed two mouths and type at the same time, although I have tried and failed quite a few times. :)

Evie Kate and Graham are growing so much these days! It feels wonderful as a mommy to know they are healthy and growing but sometimes you wish you could just hug them and squeeze them tight enough that they would stay tiny forever. Alas, they are growing in so many more ways than one. Their curious little eyes and hands want to see and touch everything.. finally "playing" with some toys and by that I mean swatting at. It is so precious to watch them smile and coo at everything around them; I wish I saw the world through their eyes often. Yes indeed the smiling and cooing is in full force and I am loving every single one! Evie Kate is our Chatty Cathy at night right after her bath and feeding and Graham... well he always has something to say and thinks everything is hilarious. :)

It is so true that those first smiles are priceless as a parent. It melts your heart in an instant. Those sweet smiles are well worth the last 8 weeks of sleep depravation. :)  I simply can't wait for those first words but are hoping these two hold off on the crawling and walking for a while; I can only imagine how fun that is going to be.

I officially return to work Wednesday, July 7th. Bittersweet really is the word for my feelings. I know I am going to cry crocodile tears when their grandmommy comes to get them, but honestly it will be nice to return to an "adult" environment and my old routine. I am so thankful for my job and have missed all those I work with so much. Needless to say my desk will be wall-papered in their photos.

Oh, exciting news! Evie Kate's hair is growing back!! Indeed, she has some lovely dark brown hair coming in just like mommy! Graham, unfortunately has fallen victim to an adorable heart-shaped recession. :)  I love how delightfully different their looks and personalities are; we truly are so blessed with two amazing children.

Well, Graham is "calling" me ever so politely from his crib so I must go. Wish me luck!

Beauty of Silence

Alas, it has been TWO weeks TOO many since I last posted. Needless to say, the beautiful chaos of caring for twin infants leaves little time for meals and showers much less blogging. But I finally find myself here at the desk... all are fed, bathed and snoozing... quiet. I have forgotten the beauty of complete silence. :)

Well, I would love to go into of every detail of the past two wonderful weeks my two little ones and I have spent together but we both know how lengthy that could and surely would become. So I will try my best to pack it all into an update of sorts.  As of their one month check up, Graham weighed 10 pounds and 4 ounces and was 23 inches long and Miss Evie Kate was 8 pounds 12 ounces and 21 and 3/4 inches long. It is crazy how much they have grown over the last 6 weeks. It's almost as if you don't notice until you can't fit on those precious newborn outfits anymore.

 Stewart and I are loving every moment of getting to know each of their wonderful personalities which are really beginning to shine through these last few weeks. Graham continues to be all of our entertainment with his face full of expression and tummy never quite full enough it seems. Evie remains ever sweet, although a sensitive tummy has caused a little bit of fussiness.  Graham seems to be the most alert in the morning, Evie the evenings ,which keeps Mommy quite busy but constantly entertained no doubt. 

Finally  the "schedule" of eating and sleeping is starting to come together. We haven't quite made it through the night, but here and there each of them has slept 5 hours.. Unfortunately not the SAME 5 hours. It's a work in progress though. I will be returning to work in 2 weeks so hopefully things will come together and as I hear from some of my fellow mommies, it may be the very last night before I go to work that they snooze through the night.

Well, off to tend to the tower of laundry. :)

4 Mile Soy Chai Latte

Today was one of those days that you just can't stop smiling.  Graham, Evie, and I ventured out for our first walk and ended up doing a little more walking than any of us had planned.  I packed up my car and drove to nearby downtown Homewood: a great place with cute shopping, sidewalks, and most importantly a lovely coffee shop. We parked and I constructed the ENTIRE Graco DuoGlider with both carseats. I was so proud of myself for doing it completely alone and in record time, may I add. So we began to stroll.....

Our first stop of course was O'Henry's Coffee Shop.  Upon reaching the register I realized I had left my wallet at home. But remember as I said, today was just one of those days you just have to smile. So we backed our twin-wagon out of the shop and stood on the sidewalk, smiling.  We had a decision to make; go back to the car, tear down the stroller, put the carseats back in and go home to retrieve the wallet OR walk 2 miles home and 2 miles back.... we chose the latter. :)

Of course, Mommy had to re-apply her deodorant once home, but we made it and I am not lying when I say that was THE best coffee drink I have ever had.  I was so proud of Evie and Graham; they slept the entire way. :) It felt great to get some exercise and be out of the house.  I wonder what people were thinking when they saw this lady pushing a double stroller down Old Montgomery Highway? It makes me smile.. and I hope it made you smile too. 

So we are trying to maintain a day and night routine for our sweet little ones. Feedings every three hours and then bathtime, last feeding, and bed at 8:00p.m. Some days this is more successful than others, but I think they are starting to fall into the swing of things.. Evie at least.  :)  My darling Graham still seems to think he runs the show and from the looks of things, he really does. Oh well.. in time it will all work out. 

I am hoping to have professional pictures taken of the twins soon.  I just need to find Evie a dress and some much-needed headbands to grace her sweet balding head. :) I am actually thinking of just making them seeing as how when I shop for them, places are charging between $5 and $10 for a simple piece of lace with a bow. 

Well, it seems Mr. Graham is hungry yet again, so I must go, but I will try my best to post more often.  :)

Wooten's Wonderful Wonders

I know, I know... I haven't been keeping up with this blog as I should. Granted, I have been keeping up with the two most adorable babies in greater Birmingham. :) 

Alas, the babies are three and a half weeks old and besides being sleep deprived and unbathed, I am so blessed and overjoyed to have them in my life.  I am so thankful for friends and family who excuse my smell and have showered so much love on our family these last few weeks.

We are desperately struggling to put TWO infants on ONE eating/sleeping schedule; there are good days and there are bad days, but I know each day draws us closer.  Their sweet personalities are starting to shine with Graham our curious and wide-eyed spectator and Evie our sweet and patient lady. They are growing so fast and as of their two week appointment Graham weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces and Evie was 6 pounds and 11 ounces.  I am such a proud mommy!

Graham has finally warmed up to bath time and we started "tub bathing" last week. My precious Evie continues to love every moment of bathing, lotioning, changing outfits and brushing her hair. Unfortunately, I have noticed that her beautiful hair is beginning to recede, and I regret to say that she is indeed losing it. I am so curious to see what color replaces it and can't wait to start putting in the ribbons and bows!

I have learned so many things in my first month of motherhood. I have found that having two swings was not in the least bit a waste of money. I can multi-task FAR more than I ever thought humanly possible. Babies require more clothes washing than an entire football team I am sure. Twins fill up a diaper genie in about 2 days. I have finally had to let go of my incessant need to clean and organize and just let my house fall apart.

God gives you children to teach you so much about yourself.  It amazes me what I see in and through them. I have a better understanding of unconditional love.  I don't know what my life was like before Evie and Graham and I am daily thankful for them.  Being needed by these sweet babies gives me all the purpose and joy I could ever imagine.  I really understand why my mother always called us her "heart and soul".

Sleeping Beauty and Sir Eats-a-lot

It is simply unreal to me how fast time has flown.  Evie and Graham are 10 days old today... the best 10 days of my life, no doubt.  It's amazing how having children reminds you how simple life can, and possibly should be.  All we need is love. We must enjoy every moment while we are in it, regardless of what it is. They have already taught me so much about myself.  Graham continues to be my constant eater and cuddle buddy, Evie remains my content sleeping beauty.  Days are getting easier and things are falling into more of a routine thankfully.  I simply can't wait to get out of these four walls, not only for my own sanity, but also to show off my beautiful babes! I am such a proud mommy. :) We are hoping to go for our first walk this Sunday. :) Don't worry,many pictures are soon to follow.