One year ago...

This time last year, I was in the emergency room at Frederick Memorial.

This time last year, I called Matt and told him I was SURE I was losing the pregnancy I had wanted for so long.

This time last year, the nurse turned the ultra-sound screen towards me and showed me two beautiful little heartbeats, snuggled together.

Thank the Lord for Christmas miracles. More than we could have ever asked for.

This year's miracle? As if things couldn't get any better...turns out, I married a great guy. I mean, I knew he was great at the time...good family, smart, loyal, loving, cute...but now, I realize there is even more to him. As a mom, when the baby cries to eat at 4am, you are groggy but when you see that little face, all is forgiven. No matter how tired you are, the love doesn't stop. With 2 babies, daddy always has to participate. He can't just roll over and assume I will take care of both of them. When I hand him a baby and a bottle at 4am...he is just as loving as ever. I could not ask for more. Watching someone else love the ones you do...there is nothing better. The hard times are hard...but he is a great partner. Thank you Lord for bringing me who I needed, before I even knew how much I would need him.

Merry Christmas!

Soft and Fuzzy

The boys are big into textures now. These stuffed animals are a big hit. And if anyone from the American Academy of Pediatrics is reading this...contrary to what it may look like, we don't let them sleep with the animals.

just Evan...

Our serious child has come out of his shell. Evan is still as intense as ever but instead of the scowls, he is all smiles and giggles.

I found this hat in the bottom of a drawer.

There are just some things you have to buy because they are cute. Will we EVER actually use these Gymboree swim trunks with the adorable embroidered fish? No. But, we can try them on once and take a picture.

The other night, I went in to check on the boys. Alex was sound asleep but Evan was still up, giggling and talking to himself. I just couldn't bear to leave him alone in the dark so we snuggled for a while. He was so happy and making the funniest faces then passed out cold about 10 min later.

Matt hates when I say things like this but couldn't you just put him on a cracker and eat him for a snack? (I know the Grandma's agree!)

Oh Christmas Tree...

We made our 1st move towards getting ready for Christmas. Our original plan of chopping down our own tree started to look less attractive with the 30 degree weather and 2 boys fighting the croup. So, we settled for a tree farm on the side of the road. We are waiting for Mia to help us decorate it but until then, it still looks pretty festive. Our favorite part is the new smell in our house and the boys love to pet the tree branches.

A couple nights ago, Alex came down with croup. He was wheezing pretty badly so we took him in to see the Dr. He seems to be recovering with just some congestion. So far, Evan doesn't seem to be getting it. He is also fighting some congestion but no seal barking for now. I am hoping for a full recovery in time for Christmas.

Hope everyone is having a good time getting ready for Christmas. Our next challenge is to get our family picture taken so I can get these cards out!

New toy!

(mute the music at the bottom of the blog)

Pre-baby, Matt and I were both pretty adamant about not buying a ton of baby stuff that we wouldn't need. Neither of us reveled in the idea of huge plastic baby toys taking over our life. But, then you HAVE babies and you wake up. Matt's parents sent the boys this Exersaucer for Christmas (don't worry, they said we could open it early!) It is awesome. This video is their 1st time in it. And yes, usually I have my kids wear pants but sometimes...you just go with what you've got.

Thanks Grammie & Grandpop!

baby fat

We have baby fat!! One week shy of 5 months old, the stats are:

Alex, 16lbs 8 oz

Evan, just about 13lbs

We could not be more thankful for two little chunkers. Evan is still working on his michelin thighs but Alex is proudly sporting his pair! They had their 1st vaccination and cried for exactly 1.7 seconds. The Dr. was very happy with their growth and development.

We about to make a big change...separate cribs. The thought of it makes me so sad. They have been two little peanuts so cute together. But, at 13 and 16 pounds, they really are getting too big to share. The saddest part is that once they are in two separate cribs, they are in their OWN room! I know its time though.

Be back later with some new pictures.

Where is the pause button?

Its going too fast!!! I can't believe it. Sometimes, just to torture myself, I scroll back through ALL the pictures of the boys from the day they were born. From this chair, its so easy not to see the hard parts. There are no pictures of the recovery from a major abdominal surgery. No pictures of the 1, 3, or 5 am feedings or struggles through breast feeding, sleep deprivation or the simple "unknown". But, there ARE pictures of two of the most amazing parts of my life. Their tiny hands and feet, big alert eyes and scrumptious gummy smiles.

What I don't understand is with all this love...why is there so much pain? Sometimes, when I look at them and my heart hurts, physically. Is it because its so full? Is it just an overwhelming feeling? Is it the knowledge that you love this creature so much but know that you can't protect him forever? This mother-love is so fierce. I see why its so hard to let go when it comes time. Maybe I just won't. They would have to live with me forever if I requested, right? For goodness sakes, I carried them around for 9 months, changed their diapers and nursed them for hours! Its the least they could do! Ha. In reality, I know God has plans for them. I pray that they are grand. I pray we raise boys who are respectful, loving and strong. Luckily, we have a whole extended family of men who exemplify those very characteristics.

Now, onto some pictures...

This should have been documented with the video camera. Their 1st official "conversation" with each other!

Explanation: Whenever we would pull their shirts over their heads, their eyes would get HUGE and they looked so freaked out. So, I tried a little desensitization work. I would pull them halfway and we would all laugh (yes, the boys, too). Now, they think getting dressed is funny.

We have a Dr. appt on Thursday. We will finally know their height and weight and have their 1st vaccination. Big day!

Alex talking...

Party Pooper...

Chatter box

(you will need to pause the music at the bottom of the page to hear him)

I spy...

Just pictures...

(You can click on most of the pictures to make them bigger)

Aunt Kristen got them these awesome Bumbos. They aren't quite ready for them...but soon!

Snuggles from Chessie

Grammie found these cute duck slippers!

Playing in the jungle. Alex is starting to get it now. Evan is thinking about it.

This will be one of my favorite pictures of ALL times. I know they can sense when the other is gone which must just be based on smell. If they are both napping in a room and I take one away, the other one wakes up almost immediately. But in the past week, they have really discovered each other...its so cute. Alex just stares but Evan smiles and laughs every time he sees his brother. I can already tell, we are going to have some funny stories to share.

Say Cheese!

Way back in August, we had a couple pictures taken...its crazy to look back and see how small they were!

A friend of the Campbell's came and took more photos:

Some photos from home:

Coast to Coast!

Wow, I have SO much to write about!

My wonderful mother flew out on October 8th for a long weekend and helped me fly back East with the boys.

We left on the 12th and the trip could not have gone better. The boys were perfect, slept, ate and smiled the whole time. We got in to BWI and back to Frederick late and the boys went right to bed, woke up the next morning at 7, right into a regular schedule. Phew!

We had a week of hanging out in Frederick and meeting lots of anxious loved ones! Everyone was so wonderful with them. We would stroll over to get Mia from school, run errands

downtown, met with friends and spent lots of time loving on the boys. My Aunt Diane came to visit for the weekend (we did not get any pictures!!!) so needless to say, these babies did not touch the ground for DAYS! One of the best things about this week was a surprise visit from our BELOVED Virginia Beach neighbors. Bet & Nancy, I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see you and introduce you to the boys. You are family through and through.

Matt flew in on Oct 20th. His parents picked him up and my mom drove the boys and me to Annapolis the next morning. They got to meet Aunt Megan, Uncle Ryan, Aunt Kristen and Uncle Dave and Matt's Aunt Sue (plus, lots more friends). We went to the pumpkin Patch, had lots of family dinners, went to their 1st Navy football game and again, these boys were rarely put down.

We drove back to Frederick on the 28th (thanks again Smiths for lending us your car!). We went to another pumpkin patch and rode the hay ride (which Evan slept through). On the 30th, Matt and I escaped for the night to DC. We went out to dinner and a movie, slept in until I woke Matt up screeching about getting back to see the boys. We met my parents at Mia's soccer game. They had the babies in the bjorns and didn't want to give them back. It was a good time away for us but we missed our boys.

The whole trip was wrapped up with trick-or-treating and our baby dedication ceremony.

Mia was Little Bo Peep and of course, the boys were her sheep. My mom made all the costumes and I have to say, they were the cutest group I have ever seen.

Luther Alexander (the Chaplain that married us at the Naval Academy) did a wonderful job. Thank you to everyone, it was just how we pictured it and something we will hold in our hearts forever. We will post more pictures later, once I get them from my dad.

We had such a wonderful trip. It was so busy but I am glad it all worked out. We missed out on seeing some people we wanted to see and wanted to see more of the people we did see. But, we will be out again and if everyone joins Skype...we can see each other all the time!

Our trip back last night was a long one but again, very smooth. The boys slept the whole way. We got back to the house around 1am, fed the boys and put them to bed. They woke up right at 7am again and are back on a normal schedule...phew, again! We are dealing with the inevitable fussing since they have been held for 3 weeks straight. But, that will pass.

And CHESSIE...we missed her so much but she had a ball. She goes to a lady that boards at her home (she lives on a farm). She got to play with other dogs, swim in the lake, snuggle with Karlee's kids and even got to go trick-or-treating (she apparently was an angel this year, I wish I had pictures). We just picked her up this morning and she is completely worn out. I am surprised she even got in the car!

Thanks to everyone who made the trip to visit us. We are so thankful for your love and excitement. Thank you to the Grandparents for rearranging your lives to fit us in so seamlessly. We can't wait to see you at Christmas time (and of course, over Skype).

I will post more pictures as people send them to me.