My first official Mother's Day

It was surreal to experience my first official Mother's Day. There was a time didn't think I ever would. Fast forward a few years later and here I am with the LPs and experiencing more joy than I ever thought possible. 

Last year was an amazing unofficial Mother's Day. My mom (Tutu), Noel (Grammy), Mary Kay (MK), myself and Nick all went to brunch. At brunch I felt flutters for the first time. It was incredible. I had everyone put their hand on my belly and they were all able to feel the flutters/kicks. I looked forward to feeling more and boy did I!!!

This year, both boys woke up uber early - 4:30! It was storming all night and tornado sirens were sounding so I'm not surprised by their early arousal. The upside was that I got to nurse them. And I nursed them back to sleep! Yay!!! We all slept in until 7:30 when Nick's phone rang. It was the movers telling us they'd be at our house by 9. Perfect! Nick would have time to go pick up the Uhaul.

When I got up, there was a set up of presents for me! My mom had gotten me a Tory Burch bag that I adore  and a plaque that says "No one else will ever know the strength of my love for you. After all, you're the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside."  I've seen this quote before and it always warms my heart. Thank you mom. I love it!!!

Nick and the boys spoiled me too. Nick had asked me what I wanted for Mothers Day and I had told him I would like a Tory Burch fit bit holder. Well I already knew the one I wanted was sold out because I tried to buy one for my mom for Mother's Day. So in place of the one I wanted, I received a gift card to purchase it when it becomes available again along with a plastic fit bit holder for the meantime. Not only that (which was more than enough!) but he and the LPs also got me a silver bracelet that's engraved with "Knox and Pierce" and is signed on the inside by my three men! Very thoughful and unique. I love it all and felt very special. 

At 8:30, the phone rang again. It was the movers to tell us sorry but the weather was too bad so they couldn't help us out. Awesome. Nick then had to find us another set of movers which he was hesitant about doing. Luckily Brent and Aubrey had arrived and Aubs and I were insistant on hiring another set of movers. Nick was able to find two guys who were willing to come help us out. Hallelujah. In addition, our sweet friend Ballard came to help us too. Mimosas for everyone!

Pierce was not liking all of the commotion going on around him and was VERY fussy. Knox was pretty fussy too but not like Pierce. At 11, I called a girlfriend I work with and asked her to please come over and watch the boys because I wasn't really able to help pack.  She was there for 4 hours and we were able to get so much done!!!

Packing took ALL day. To the point where it was 7:30, and the boys were up way past their bedtime and absolutely loosing it. I felt terrible but I had to leave and take them to the hotel. 

I got the boys down and for the first time ever, they slept in the same crib. We have the pack and play with us and we will use it the rest of the time we are here but I was unable to get it set up before they were both sound asleep. 

Nick dropped his phone during the move and it stopped charging so his battery died. Brent was kind enough to let Nick borrow his phone until he can get a new one so that we can communicate. Thanks Brother. 

Nick drove the uhaul out to DU and parked it there. At DU, it will be under constant security and I am so thankful for that. I'm hoping and praying that everything makes it out ok. Time will tell. 

I was getting worried about Nick. I had dozed off and he still wasn't home when I woke up at midnight. I knew we had to be out of the house at midnight and I was hoping he wasn't still there. When I called Brent's phone to check on him, he was on his way to the room at our hotel. 

The boys slept beautifully. They had barely napped all day so this was a blessing. Especially since I had to work Monday morning!  I hope this week goes well and I am looking forward to being in our new home. Until then, a happy Mothers Day to all and let the adventure begin!!!!

My fir bit reading from moving day!!! Crazy. 

Packing and a Gender Reveal

Saturday was jam packed with packing and followed by a gender reveal for two very special people in our lives. 

We started out the day with McDonalds and coffee followed by packing, packing and more packing. Brent and Aubrey came over and helped us. Aubs was especially helpful with the boys. She kept an eye on them while we threw things in boxes. 

A tremendous amount of work got done in a short amount of time but there is still A LOT to do. We had to cut our packing short to go celebrate our sweet friends L2 and their new little one to be!

It's a ................

                        GIRL!!!!!!!

Everly Belle - we cannot wait to meet you!!!

I'm so excited to have a girl to spoil!!! We've had a run of boys lately. Looks like we finally get some bows and dresses to buy!!! I'm beyond thrilled for them. They are so deserving of this enormous blessing and will be amazing parents. 

We fed the boys their nightly meal and bottle after changing them into their pajamas. We then headed home. Both LPs fell asleep in the car and when we got home, we immediately put them in their wombies and then to bed. They adjusted beautifully. I was so happy! 

Nick and I did some more packing and got to bed late. Lots to do tomorrow!

Our Little House

What a bittersweet day. Thursday, we closed on our very first house.  I hope the new homeowners, Emily and James, enjoy this house as much as we have. 

This house was Nick and I's first home. I remember looking for houses the first time around. We knew what we wanted. A house we didn't have to fix up that was close to downtown ( we didn't want to commute) and was in a good school district. That was our main criteria and exactly what we found in this sweet little Tudor house on a beautiful street called Vanderbilt. 

There is also a lot that comes with buying a home that was built in 1946. We had to replace windows, have the pier and beam checked, our gate has been a huge nuisance as has been our sprinkler system. We get cockroaches - especially in rainy weather- no matter how many times we have the house sprayed. Luckily they die pretty much as soon as they get inside but I scream like a girl nonetheless. We've had trouble with the pluming and our water has had to be turned off on at least two occasions that I can think off. I know there is more but I think it's clear. An older home = more money for repairs. 

This house has been so good to us. We had some hard times too, but overall, I don't think either of us would have chosen it to be any other way. We have thrown countless parties here - ugly Christmas sweater party, NYE, and my favorite, our gender reveal - to name a few. We made this house our home. 

This home is always filled with love and laughter. That is something I hope and pray we take to the next house. We have a sign hanging when you first come in the door that says, " in our home let love abide and bless all those who step inside."  I love this saying. 

The true reason I will miss this house is because this is where we brought the boys home. This is the one place they truly know. While I was on bed rest some of the most important and special people in my life, turned my vision of the LPs nursery into reality. They created a beautiful space for them to grow and thrive and I am, and forever will be, grateful for that. 

I'm sure things will go wrong at our new home too. They always do but I'm thankful for the new home warranties and looking forward to more space. I'm extremely anxious to just get in there!!! It's been a long process for us to find a home we could both agree on and that was once again in a good location, in a good school district, and had (most) of the things we were looking for in a house.  I think whatever may have been missing, we can still create. I'm looking forward to making memories in our new house and I hope and pray the boys adjust well. 

Thursday was a whirlwind. I had a CUSP meeting at 0730 at work and decided to take the boys with me. They did great and everyone loved loving on them. 

My boss and the LPs

After the meeting, I picked up breakfast at mcdonalds and headed home. Nick and I ate while I pumped and then I fed the LPs. They sure do LOVE to eat!!!

Next stop was the title company. Sweet P fell asleep in the car on the way over and continued to sleep for the entire meeting. We signed our house away and walked away with two babies and a big check! A check that is going immediately into the buying of our new home. 

Pierce  continued to sleep on the ride home and then for another 30 minutes once we got home. I think the ladies at work wore him out. Knox and I got a little one on one time while bubba slept. 

Mommy and Knox

They ate again and played for a while and then it was nap time again. This time they both slept for an hour. And mommy got a small nap in too!

We played for a while and then ate again. Eating is messy business so off to th tub they went for bath time. They ❤️ Bath time!!! They love to splash and kick and I am constantly pouring water over their heads because I want them to get used to it and not be afraid of water on their face. They did great. 

It was time for bed and daddy had just made it home. We snuggled the boys and gave them their bottles and then it was off to dreamland....after Kman fussed for about 15 minutes. It's been his new thing. 

Thomas, one of our college friends, came over and chit chatted for a while and then Nick and I ate dinner and off to dreamland we soon went. It was a busy busy day. 

Packing

Currently, I am pumping for the second time today and on my second third cup of coffee.  I was supposed to work today and was fortunate enough to get a "me day".  We have a book at work called the " Me Day Book" and if there is a day that we want/need off, we can put our name in the book and if census permits, we may get the day off.  If census rises and we are needed, we have to go in.  The charge nurse who delayed me this morning informed me that she was delaying 3 people and I am the last one to be called in.  I am hoping that I get the whole day off and that I can get A LOT of packing done.

So far, I have gotten all of my bags and purses organized and cleaned out.  It is amazing to me how much can accumulate in purses! I found everything from old credit cards, gum, lip gloss, and tampons to fetal heart rate strips and menus from when I was in the hospital.

I am so ready for this move to be over already.  I am glad Lena is here today anyway in case I do have to go into work.  It's nice to know that the boys are being taken care of and I don't have to worry about them.  I am hoping and praying I can get a lot done.  I plan on working on my closet for another hour to hour and a half and then I am going to finish the boys room and hopefully start on the spare room.  Nick is going to have to go through the desk but I can do a lot of the other stuff.

Here is to a day full of hopefully getting A LOT of packing done!!!!

Fussy Day

P woke up bright and early this morning. We were able to cuddle with him and get him to wait until his brother woke up to feed. 

Breakfast was served in the table for two.  I always feel a little guilty after they have had a weekend of no TFT. But I know they don't care. They are getting fed. That's what the LPs care about!!!

Lena came at 10 to watch the boys so I could pack. I got the rest of the kitchen done and had hopes of working on my room but that will have to wait until the boys are in bed. I had to pump which took out 30 minutes and then I had to run to the store which took up the remainder of our Lena time. 

Lena and I talked about getting the boys on a new feeding schedule. I bought rice cereal and we are going to start trying that. In fact they got their first taste of it today. And I think they liked it!!!

We are going to try feeding them their bottles and then 30 minutes later, giving them their cereal and fruits/veggies. We will see how it goes!!!

After Lena left the boys took a pretty decent nap. Pierce slept for an hour and half but Knox was only out for 45 min. Knox got some one on one time. We took out the trash and walked around and got some fresh air outside and then we played "stand up" on mommys lap for a while. It was time for me to pump again and Knox was not pleased when I put him down. I ended up holding him the entire time I pumped. Pierce woke up about 20 min in and I felt terrible as he whined from his mama Roo but this lady was stuck!

In came the cereal. They really didn't seem to mind it but they were hollering for their bottles by the time they'd eaten their food. I think giving them their bottles first may solve this problem. We shall see!

Next up was Cafe of Life. We ALL needed to be adjusted. The boys went first and they both did excellent as always. I am so glad they don't seem to mind it. I really do think it has helped with their reflux and the shape of their head. Pierce especially. 

Waiting at COL

Since they were already in their car seats, I decided to take them on a walk when we got home. It wasn't a far walk but it was a walk nonetheless. It's supposed to rain all week so I wanted them to get as much fresh air as they could. 

I didn't realize that it was getting close to bedtime until I noticed Knox was asleep and then I looked at my phone! Oops! We headed home and ran into daddy on the way. He got out of the car to see the boys and then we all headed towards the house. Once inside, we shut everything down for our bedtime routine. 

We gave the boys 6 ounces again tonight and they both drank it without a problem. However, the little cat nap that was taken may have prevented them from falling asleep immediately which is what they usually do. Instead, they were both awake and jibber jabbering. I want to think they were talking to each other. 😉 this lasted about 20 min or so before they were both out like a light. P woke up a few times around 1 but it was fixed with a paci and a kiss. 

I'm hoping that their new routine of eating every four hours goes well tomorrow. I'm anxious to hear what Lena says! Until then....

Celebrate!

 Saturday was a bit of a whirlwind! It started out with Pman waking up early and Knoxer boxer laying in bed with Tutu. After breakfast it was time for bananas!!!

While mom and Nick were taking care of the boys, I got ready for the day. It was going to be a busy one. 

At 8:30, Nick and I met with the contractor at our new house while Tutu stayed with the LPs. We had our walk through. Our dear friends, Landon and Lauryn came by to help us. They finished building their house last June so they knew what we should be looking for and what questions to ask. They also helped us inspect the house. I took pictures of everything with my good camera. 

We did have a little wrench thrown into the mix. Apparently sometime between 5 pm Friday and 8:30 am Saturday, one of our air conditioners began to leak. Lauryn had noticed a water line on the ceiling upstairs and I had noticed water pooling on the floor. We showed it to the contractor and he was on it! Before we left, there was someone there fixing it all. Luckily, other than the ceiling, there was no water damage to the stairs or wood floors. Praise The Lord!

Next stop was our new favorite BBQ place, Meat U Anywhere. We are thinking about having it catered for Landon and Lauryns couples baby shower. It was delicious as usual! And I think L2 enjoyed it too!!!  

L2 was kind enough to let use their house to change for our next stop, Jeff and Alma's wedding shower at Grand Cru in Fort Worth. Before we could change, Landon had to share his new toy with Nick - a dirt bike!!!  I envision many days at their house in our near future!😉

Before we met with the contractor, we had stopped at Sonic. Nick needed a coffee and I needed a route 44 diet cherry limeade. The route 44 ended up being where I kept my Breastmilk. I pumped while we were doing the walk through and then again on our way to Fort Worth. I had no shame asking the bartender at Grand Cru to store my milk. They did it without batting an eye!

It was so good to see Jeff and Alma!  We've texted often but haven't seen them since the babies were itsybitsy. Jeff has lost a ton of weight and Alma is as beautiful as ever.  They are just radiating and I am so excited to watch them become husband and wife. 

Jeff and Alma

Me and Alma 

The shower was beautiful and I loved celebrating this special couple. June will be here before we know it!

Mom (Tutu) was awesome and sent me some pics of the LPs. 

I'm pretty sure she had an absolute blast with them and they love their Tutu. It's nice to be gone all day and know that they are in the best hands. We sure did miss them.

We brought home Velvet Taco for dinner and played with the LPs. Before too long it was bedtime and the boys were exhausted. Tutu wore them out!!!

We ate dinner and then started packing. We ended up getting a good portion of the kitchen boxed up. It's hard for me because my ADD kicks in and I get overwhelmed by all I have to do. Sometimes I just stand in one spot and look around wondering where to begin and what to do. It's not a good thing  

Knox woke up around 1030 and I nursed him back to sleep. Poor guy just started screaming at the top of his lungs. He must be going through a growth spurt and/or teething. We shall see. 

Sunday morning the boys were up bright and early. 5:40 in fact. Pierce was restless and moaning and I needed to pump anyway so I nursed him and laid him down hoping he'd go back to sleep. He did. For all of 20 minutes while I fed Knox. So the Jobs and Jimerfield were up! We played with them and then they napped in our arms. My mom and I were in baby heaven when this happened. 

Daddy and Pierce going for an early morning walk. 

Tutu had to go home today so after she got ready we had to say "see you later". Luckily we are going to see her and Papa a few times this month!

Nick and I continued to try and pack. I'll be honest, it was really hard with the babies and made me super thankful that Lena is coming this week to help us out. They were a tad on the fussy side today and really wanted to be held. We did a lot of baby wearing today. 

We went for a walk before bed to give the boys some fresh air. We stopped by our neighbors, Pat and Joe's house to tell them goodbye. We sure are going to miss our sweet neighbors. 

The boys enjoyed the fresh air and were ready to hit the hay when we got home. We upped their feed to 6 ounces in hopes that they would sleep longer. No such luck as P was up at 5:40 this morning BUT we didn't have to go put pacifiers in all night so I am calling it a win!!!!

Hope y'all had a great weekend. It was so good to have tutu here and the boys were spoiled rotten. We love you Tutu!!! Can't wait until our next visit!

Tutu time!!!!

Thurdsay was a VERY busy day for me at work. Our sweet nanny never texts me and much to my surprise I received a text from her while caring for my patients. When I opened up my text, this is what I found. 

I had left the stroller out for her and she took the boys for a walk :). I just love her!!!

When I got home from work Thursday night, my mom was here!!! Yay for Tutu time!!!  I had picked up dinner for all of us on my way home and we popped open a bottle of wine and enjoyed each other's company. 

Friday morning, Pierce was the first to wake up. I brought him into bed with my mom and the three of us cuddled until Knox woke up. We then warmed bottles and fed babies!

After breakfast, I assembled the toy our neighbor Tiffany let us borrow and both of the boys like it! It's a table with a walker and the boys can walk around playing different activities at the table. It's pretty cool. I haven't gotten a pic yet but I will!

Mom and I got ready and fed babies again. We got the boys ready and boy did they look adorable! My work has a baby boutique and I picked up the cutest Mudpie outfits for them. They are red and navy striped one piece with a corduroy puppy on them. Love!

It took a while but by 12, we were headed out the door. We mailed off a package for my second cousin, Brooke who is having a sweet little girl in a few months. We sent her some of my favorites/essentials!

Next stop was Bakers American Deli to eat. Mom and I were starving!!!! We also fed the LPs while we were there. Pierce was being fussy. I honestly don't think it was because he was still hungry but more because he needed a nap!  Knox slept through most of our lunch but not Mr. P! He didn't want to miss a thing!  Tutu did an amazing job of keeping him entertained while we waited for our food and ate. 

After their bottle came their first food pouch of organic apples and bananas. I tried to find packs with the least preservatives and with things they have already eaten. They LOVED it. I would have gotten a picture but I was too busy trying to shovel food from one mouth to the next 😉. 

The mall was next on our agenda. I needed a new denim jacket because I had someone update my closet about a year ago and out went my denim jacket. It was probably for the best since it was from High School but it's spring in Texas! I need my denim jacket!

Hanging out at the mall

We shopped for a bit and found a few things. We ended up at Everything But Water in search of a swimsuit for our Mexico trip. I actually found one I felt good in! Yay! And I have now deemed EBW, Everything And Breastmilk. I breastfed the LPs in the dressing room. Knox proceeded to over feed and threw up all over the floor!!!! Oops!!!!  Sweet Tutu cleaned it up while I buckled the boys up. Thanks Tutu!!!!

Next stop was See's Candy for some chocolate where we ran into this doll, 

Courtney Carter!!!!!

I love this lady! She used to be an L&D nurse with me at BUMC but left a while back to work at a fertility clinic and is currently in NP school!  She has a special place in my heart and it was a true treat to run into her!!

CC and the LPs!

We picked up dinner at Farm to Market and headed home. Nick had some news for me. It turns out we are closing on our house sooner than we thought. As in, this Thursday - May 7. I'm not really sure how we are going to work everything out but we will. I spent the evening lining up Lena to come watch the boys so I can pack and trying to figure out if I should change my schedule or not. Still up in the air with my schedule at the moment but Lena will be at our house almost everyday this week!

Saturday morning will now be our walk through of our new house. Please pray everything goes well with that!  I am a little nervous but I know God has a plan and it will all work out!