A walk on the wild side

So I have been really bad about updating. My apologies! As many of you know, we were extremely busy getting our house and yard ready for my parents' surprise party. That was pretty much all we were doing and I obviously couldn't blog about it since Mom reads my blog (and has been harassing me for not updating it)! She wants new pictures. Don't worry Mom, you'll have some by the end of the blog.

Let me just say how happy I am that my in laws live so close and have a basement. Andy and I were just discussing how there have been more tornado warnings near us since the kids were born than in the entire time we have been together. It's nuts! Sunday evening/night, I think the tornado sirens went off here 3 times and then yesterday we were watching the news when one of the reports was saying that rotation and a debris cloud were spotted on the leading edge of a storm not far from us and that he thought he saw something on the ground. Needless to say, we grabbed the kids, loaded them in the car, and high tailed it up to the front of the neighborhood to Grandma and Grandpa D's. We have determined we need to clean out under the steps and have some emergency supplies in there, just in case. Here are some pictures of the hail we got:






In munchkin news, Colton is now walking!!! He is so proud of himself too. He's now started walking with his hands in the air (as if he is doing "so big"). It's too cute! One of his new favorite things to do is to climb on top of their picnic table (pictured below) and stand on it. Problem is, he hasn't figured out how to get down without falling off. He'll learn eventually.

Nora is dying to walk. She keeps having me help her walk to me so she can dive into me like Colton does and get praised. She loves it.

Colton got his 2nd hair cut just before my parents' party. It is growing so quickly! We are just letting Nora's hair and bangs grow out for now.

May 17th was a big day for our family. We officially became members of Southminster Presbyterian Church and Nora and Colton were baptised. Their baptism took place during the 8 am service and they did great. Andy said it was the first baptism he's been to where the child being baptised didn't cry. Heck, they both wanted more water to play with!

They also are both no longer taking bottles (Yippie! No more formula!) and are eating what we are eating. They both love berries! Colton is comical and practically pounces on them when you put them on his tray. You would seriously think we never feed him by how he eats! He is so messy too. Nora is dainty and meticulous in her eating. It's so funny how different they are!

Writing this blog today has made me realize I need to get some more pictures! Homework for myself. Hopefully I will get some new ones posted this week. For now, here are 2.

Can you tell they like their picnic table?!? They put themselves there!

A year ago today

A year ago today, life as I knew it changed forever. After years of wondering if I would ever become a parent, I became the mother of a daughter and a son within one wonderfully terrifying minute. We had travelled down a rough road to reach this wonderful moment. We wanted so much to hold a baby in our arms. We went through months of medicines, test, shots, and procedures to fulfill our dreams. Little did we know our dreams would be fulfilled bigger than we had imagined. We weren't being blessed with one baby, but with two.

It seems like yesterday when I was being rushed into the operating anticipating our first meeting. Even though you were 6 weeks early and I knew what problems could arise from you being so early, I was overwhelmed by a strange sense of calm and relaxation. They brought you both over for me to see you for a brief moment and then they whisked you off to the NICU. I never thought I could love someone so much!

Our first year with you has been filled with joy, worry, sleepless nights, love, stress, patience, giggles, and smiles. I have loved every minute of watching you grow, change, and learn new things. Some days I feel like I am living a dream, and I am. I can't remember, or imagine, life without you. Happy Birthday my little ones. Mommy and Daddy love you both!

Easter

I wanted to share some pictures of the munchkins from Easter and other recent events with you all. They are both doing great. Colton is now standing without holding anything on occasion, only for 15-30 seconds, but it is still on his own. He also has one of his top teeth through and the second isn't far behind! Nora is about to cut hers through too! Enjoy the photos and I hope everyone had a great Easter!

"Helping" Mommy clean!

Our 1st Easter Egg Hunt

Playing with our goodies in our Easter baskets from Grandma and Grandpa Dickerson

Family photo

Nearing a year

Well, it's April. I can't believe Nora and Colton are almost a year old or how much my life has changed in the last year. I've found myself reading my journal posts from dailystrength.org from this time last year. A year ago today, Andy thought it would be funny to call my mom up and play a prank on her. He told her that I was having contractions and we were on our way to the hospital. Little did we know, that night, I would start having contractions. Keep in mind, my due date was May 24th, so even though we knew I would likely deliver early, we never thought I would start contracting so early. Our little ones had other ideas! Christ Hospital became my new home. I even had mail delivered there, no joke! And now, I have two little miracles who are getting into everything and loving every minute of it!

Speaking of getting into everything, on Sunday, Andy was watching the munchkins while I was getting some paperwork done. I was in the room with them, but he was watching them. We hear them behind the chair laughing at each other, which they do from time to time. They just kept giggling for a few minutes. All of a sudden Andy jumps up. He realized why they were laughing. One of them had gotten the box of tissues off of the end table next to him and they were pulling the tissues out of the box, and of course trying to eat them! They had half of the box emptied!

Nora has now pulled herself to standing up. She isn't doing it constantly, but she can do it. And she has definitely mastered crawling! That girl can move when she wants to! Colton has now realized he can flip over his toy tub and climb on top of it to get to things. What can I say, he is his father's son!

Both of their ear infections are cleared up now. I had to take Colton back to the doctor on Monday because he was covered in a rash. Turns out he has a viral rash that is caused sometimes when they have a virus or are getting over one. It's not contagious and looks like it is clearing up already.

They are both loving the weather and going outside and going places. It's comical. They get excited when I bring their jackets to them and when I carry them to the garage door or go to put them in the car or stroller. I'm glad they enjoy going outside or going places. It makes it so much easier!

Our first sick visit...

Today we had our first sick visit to the doctor. Considering they are 11 months old, I think we are doing pretty good! They have both had runny noses and were congested, which I halfway thought was from teeth, but Nora was coughing more, so I thought I should take them in just in case. Well, good thing I did because 3 out of 4 ears are infected, both of Nora's and Colton's left ear! They really aren't acting sick or like their ears are bothering them.

On a good note, I was emailed their pictures from Target, so I can share some of them with all of you! I can't wait until I can pick them up this weekend!

It won't be long now!!!

We are in trouble now...Colton is pulling himself up to stand by himself and Nora's not far behind!!! They are getting around and getting into everything. Nora's new favorite thing to do is to try to climb onto her brother. I think she thinks he is her own personal jungle gym. They are both trying to cut more teeth and are having runny noses and getting a little congested at times, which is making for very interupted sleep for Mom and Dad. Hopefully we will be over it soon!

We are in the process of planning their birthday party. I can't believe they are almost 1! Everybody told me they grow up too quick, but I never thought it would go this quick!

We have forward motion!!!

Wednesday afternoon, Colton mastered forward motion! He is now crawling like crazy. The comical part is that Andy and I noticed for the first day he was doing it, he would stop anytime Nora would start watching him. He's seeming to not care today if she sees him or not. Nora has been getting on her hands and knees a lot more too. It won't be long before she takes off!

Yesterday, Nora and Colton had their 1 year photos done. Yes, I know they are only 11 months old, but I wanted to have their pictures in time for their party and the photographer at Target told me 1 year photos are normally taken between 11-14 months. The pictures turned out amazing! I had such a hard time narrowing them down and I spent too much money, but this is only the 2nd time I have had their photos professionally taken, so I don't feel too bad. There is already one pose I wish I would have ordered one more sheet of. As soon as I get the online link, I will post some of them. They are precious!