33 Weeks

Dear Babies,

This month has, by far, been the hardest. You are running out of room quickly because Mama is so short. Your brothers are starting to get really excited! Although Kolbe doesn't really understand, Rocky is excited to hold his "sistahs".

You are probably weighing in at about 4-5 lbs. I am hoping 5 because I want you chubby and healthy and able to leave the hospital with you! I am a bit nervous for that. If you come too early, you will be hooked up to machines and need to stay longer than Mommy and Daddy. This is just unacceptable!

Your hiccups come and go but you both are getting so big that Mama is in A LOT of pain and can rarely sleep because her legs feel like they have a mind of their own!

Grammy and Grammy Sherry are hard atwork making your nursery something special. All of your Bell County relatives wanted to do something special for you so they are planning some fun and practical things for your room (including PINK CRIBS!).

You both scared Daddy this week when you moved. His hand was on my belly and you moved and he jumped up out of his seat! It was hilarious!

Your lungs are finishing developing so you should be able to breathe on your own if you come next week or after!

I love you both and pray for you faith in God. NEVER WORRY! It is like paying interest on a loan you have not taken out yet. Thank you for coming into our lives when you did because I needed you!

The Start of Week 32

It has been a while and a whirlwind of events. Since it is Thanksgiving, I thought it appropriate to focus on my thankfuls.

Being a parent is so difficult... But, not really, if your mantra becomes, "There is no me, only you". When we became young parents, we made the decision to live life a certain way. We chose to live out God's Plan for our family and we know what that means. It means that we will not ever be rich but we will be financially responsible. Afterall, NO ONE on their deathbed talks about how much money they wish they had, but they wish for more family and more time with their family. We will always be busy and sometimes have to leave things undone. We will always be overwhelmed so it would be easier to smile and laugh about misfortune and NEVER make it anyone else's problem. We knew people would judge us and have rude comments to say about the size of our awesome family behind our backs and to our faces. We also know that our kids are the ones people are going to want running things in the future because of how we raise them. And we know that at the end of our lives, they will be there along with their kids giving us a glimpse at our legacies.

I am thankful to my girls. This is the first pregnancy that I have accepted with open arms. The first pregnancy that I have not been scared. The first one where I am completely and totally on God's side. It feels good.

I am thankful to my boys for making me chill out and stop being such a control freak. Showing me the joys of wrestling and that cuddles from your sons are monumental experiences.

I am thankful to my husband for literally ALL that he is.

Pregnancy Update: The girls hiccup constantly and Zoe's bottom is on Molly's head. I can barely walk because I am so sore. I stopped working last week because I knew that I was trying to "make it through" the day and my students deserved more. Good thing I stopped working because my boys and I had TERRIBLE colds all week and are just now getting over them. Three more weeks and we should be good to pop these babies out safely.

Picture to come later!

7 Quick Takes at 26 Weeks

1. I think it is hilarious that my family spends most of their lives in pajamas. I think being pregnant for three years has made us welcome comfort and home!

2. Political (Skip if you must): After watching the VP debates last night, I think it is illogical to oppose abortion except in cases of incest and rape. If you think it is a life, then if someone takes it, it is murder. Murder is NEVER okay.

3. My husband is a saint for dealing with my crazy exhaustion. He lets me sleep in, cleans the house, cooks for the boys, etc. There is no one better than him and he is why our marriage is amazing and the best in the world.

4. I love my sisters. They are beautiful, insightful, and encourage me to be a better person in EVERY way... that is why having big families is a must, if you can. I learn what qualities I want in myself and, very araely, the ones I do not want. ;)

5. I am so blessed to have God control my life. He has made it so that we are having kids when we have extreme energy. He made it so that they are going to be close in age, which will be easier on us in the future. Hard work when we have the energy, and then we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor (i.e. have indentured servants until they are 18! lol).

6. Sometimes, I still find myself judging other families because I think mine is the best. I understand that this is wrong and definitely not true, but it is hard when we love each other SO much and have incredible amounts of fun. ( I just reread this and it sounds so egotistical, but isn't that what blogs are, anyway?)

7. My belly is so incredibly big that I have a VERY hard time breathing. It is funny, but, on days like today, I remember that even though I am SO happy to be having 4 kids in 3 years, it is a difficult feat that sometimes I need to acknowledge.


*Sorry if this post is pretentious, I am feeling VERY blessed and love my family!

The Boys

This isn't a "Dear Babies" post. Though I love writing to my girls, I need to acknowledge my boys.

Rocky,
 I love that you bow your head and pray at meals and before bed. I love that you brush your teeth better than most. I love that you say, "Hmmmmmm, pray for _______" after our evening prayer. You always add in an inanimate object like the elmo balloon or Madusa monster truck but you always remember either Mama, Daddy, Brubber, or Sistahs. I love that you watch over you little brother by making sure that he has toys if he is sad and trying to ask "You Okay?" in order to make sure nothing is seriously wrong. I love that you are always wanting to cook with Mama. I love that you ask Mama to sleep with you at night by whispering "Yay down, Mama". I love that you squeal when I walk through the door after being at work. I love that you throw your dishes in the sink when you are done with a meal and close doors that are left open. Overall, I love the little things that make you one of the best children ever.

Kolbe,
 My sweet cuddler. I love that you are always giving Daddy giant kisses and hugs (although, I would rather you give them to me). I love that you follow your older brother around like he is already your best friend. I love that you freak out if you cannot find your favorite book. I love that you walk around with a blanket over your head making monster noises to scare us. I love that you cover your mouth when you laugh. I love that you watch college football with such interest and focus. I love your sleepy eyes in the morning. I love that you have full on happy conversations with yourself when you first wake up in the morning. I love that you climb on everything in sight. I love that you dance with more rhythm than your father. I love that you attack your brother with kisses goodnight. I love the way you smile at me like we share a secret. You are very special. The kind of person that everyone wants to know. You are my Kolbe boy and I love you!

Week 24

Dear Girls,

What an eventful couple of weeks! I am so blessed to be able to feel you move! This past week we bought a family van. Mama has always wanted a van so I was pumped!

I just got back from your ultrasound. I found out that you are not identical and Mama is excited! I was a bit leary of having identical twins. Your 3D ultrasounds showed us your faces. My heart melted! Zoe, you were a little gymnast with you foot by your face and you reminded me of Kolbe. Molly, you were calm as ever and you remind me of Rocky!

Zoe, We asked Uncle Aaron and Aunt Paulette to be your godparents. Molly, we asked Uncle Bri Bri and Auntie Mar Mar to be yours. I am so thankful that I can rely on them to teach you the ways of our passion, God!

I pray for you daily (and so do your brothers during night prayer). I cannot wait to meet you! Be happy and healthy!

Love,
Mommy

Week 21

Wow! Keeping up with a blog is the last thing I have time for! My graduate school class is a bit demanding and I am POOPED! Here goes...

Dear Babies.... I mean, Dear GIRLS!

Yes, that is right! I said, girls! I am so excited to be able to share my world with some twincesses! Daddy and I found out last Wednesday. At Kolbe's 1st birthday party, we shared the news wiht friends and family. Mama made cupcakes with the letters A and B. Each guest received one. All the A's took a bite and inside was PINK frosting. Then, all the B's took a bite and inside was PINK frosting, again! Auntie Kay Kay and Grammy brought you over some CUTE outfits and I was so excited!

Mama has been exhausted and sick the past couple weeks. The thing that keeps me working so hard in 4th grade and grad school is... YOU! And your brothers, of course. I think I am so tired because you both are growing like weeds! You are both about 11 ounces each and about 10 inches long! Your kicks make me smile. Daddy started to feel them this week, too.

I pray for your safety, happiness, and sanctity everyday and your brothers do, too. Rocky says his prayers every night and prays especially for his "Sistuhs"! I love you both....

Mama

Week 18

Dear Babies,

No picture this week! A little busy with the first full week of school. Mommy and Daddy are so excited for you to get here and a bit apprehensive. You both are about the size of a bell pepper. Your little fingerprints are starting to develop! Oh, I cannot wait to cuddle you both at the same time! Not many people get this opportunity and I am so thankful. The doctor said that we are going to find out your genders in TWO weeks! Yay!

Daddy picked up some Chinese food (wonton soup and crab rangoon...mmm) which I have been thinking a lot about. Mommy has been in a bit of pain recently. I think you should consider being a bit nicer on her... just a thought!