Moving day!!!

Friday we had our final walk through, closed on our house, and officially are new home owners!!!!

Here we are getting our keys!!! And then the craziness began!

Our gift basket from KHov

Our gift basket from our builder. 

The boys set up in the media room. 

We are blessed because mom (Tutu) and Mary Kay (KK) arrived. They helped tremendously!!! Not only did they help with the LPs but they helped unpack and get things out of boxes and put in rooms. In fact, KK pretty much did my ENTIRE kitchen. That my friends, was no easy feat. It's organized and it all makes sense. I truly cannot thank her enough. Tutu was incredible with the boys - as she always is. She kept them fed, changed and entertained while we worked on the house. 

We had the same movers who loaded us last week come back to unload. They unloaded and put together most of the furniture for us. And only a few minor things were broken. Yay!!!  We are trying to figure out where to put everything and what all we still need. This will be a process. I'm trying to be patient but I wish I could snap my fingers and it would all be done!  Wouldn't that be nice???

The house is incredible. I still have to pinch myself that it is really ours. It's too good to be true in a lot of ways. I'm so excited to raise the boys here and to watch them grow up. I'm hoping and praying we are the house that everyone wants to come to. I want the boys to make memories here that they will never forget. A place that they love and are proud of. 

I cannot thank Tutu and KK enough. Another huge shout out to Brent, who helped us on his 34th birthday and Aubs. Aubs was amazing. She directed where to put things and unpacked LOADS of boxes. She claims her "inner Kendal is coming out!"  And boy am I glad it did. It was just what I needed. We've gotten so much done thanks to everyone's help. We truly are blessed beyond measure. 

2 days with my boys

Monday was a work day for mommy so my angels were asleep when I got home. 

Tuesday was a fun day with the boys. We spent the morning playing and then around 11 we headed out to run some errands. 

First stop was Red Oak Drug in Red Oak. We drove about 30 minutes each way for me to pick up Domperidone. Domperidone is a drug to help increase milk production. It's a hard medicine to get because it's a compound drug and not many pharmacies make it. Luckily, ROD will send me my refills!! Yay!

Next stop was the mall and where we spent most of the day. When we got there it was time to eat. We went to Nordstrom where they have a sitting room so I could change their diapers and nurse the boys. They did great!

Knox while nursing. He was comfy!

Sweet P!

We walked around for a while. The boys got LOTS of attention. Everyone wanted to stop us and ohh and ahh at the LPs. I didn't mind as long as they didn't touch them and get in their faces. Boundaries people!

When they began to get fussy, we atopped in a dressing room in Dillard's. I laid out their blankets and let them roll around while I nursed each of them. It was good because they got out of their car seats and were able to play for a while. 

Knox

Pierce

Eventually the boys napped! Yay!

Around 4:30, we headed to the hotel. The boys played and played and played until bedtime. I decided they needed a bath. Nick got home around 6 and we tag teamed bath/bed time routine. 

We had a bit of a rough night between 8-12. Both boys woke up a few times in need of paci's and snuggles. Luckily they slept from 12 on. In fact, Knox slept until 7:30 and Pierce slept until 9! I had to physically wake P up or I think he would have kept snoozing. Sweet P was tired! That and I think the black out curtains helped!

Wednesday the boys ate and played for a bit. Then it was time to head to the chiropractor. First stop though was Starbucks for this tired mama. Luckily there is one attached to the hotel. We were quite the entertainment while my coffee was being made. Everyone wanted to see the LPs. I love their questions. My favorite being, "are they twins?"  Hmmm..... 

The boys and I waited about an hour before we were seen. They both fell asleep on the way there and Knox woke up first. I played with him for a while in my lap while P slept. When Pierce woke up, he was ok in his car seat so I left him there. We all got adjusted and headed to Crisp Salad to get lunch for mommy and Kelly. Kelly was kind enough to let us spend the afternoon at her house so we could do our laundry. 

I started a load while Knox slept in his car seat and Pierce was wide awake and ready to play. Unfortunately, P was having one of his screaming days. He pretty much squealed and screamed the whole time we were at Kelly's other than when I patted him to sleep. It was a rough day and I felt SO BAD for Kelly. She was trying to keep Jackson calm and happy while P just wasn't having it. I'm so thankful for her sense of humor about it all.  And for letting us so our laundry!  Hotel living isn't too bad if you can keep your clothes clean!

After doing laundry, we headed back to the Fairmont. The boys had had it and so had mommy. I put the boys in their exercaucers and got everything ready for bedtime. It was going to be an early night for them. And for me! Work tomorrow. 

Praying the boys have a better day than they did today. 

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....