Cousin Emily's Wedding

 A few weeks ago, Izzy & I headed to Savannah to celebrate my cousin Emily's wedding to Jon.  It is always so fun to spend time with extended family and this trip was no exception.  Some pictures I lifted from my sister (thanks!)

 Amelia and Avery were the flower girl and ring bearer.  Aunt Pat made Amelia's stunning dress.

 Avery was quick to notice when someone was going to take a picture.  I just love the smurk.

 Oma & Opa with the grandkids at the reception.  Izzy & Audrey missed nap time so it was a little bit of a struggle.

 Part of the fun was all staying together in the hotel and going out to eat or fun activities such as the pool.  In addition to Oma & Opa, we also shared this time with Cathy & Bill.

 The 1st night here we went out to eat at The Pirate's House.  The kids enjoyed dressing up as pirates and seeing the real pirates who roamed around stopping to chat throughout the evening.



JP Lantern Festival

 Typically the weekend before Halloween, JP has their annual lantern festival.  We live right by JP Pond which is 1.5 miles around.  Many people walk or run this route.  You can boat the lake and we often feed the ducks.  I've been taking the babes for daily walks here.  This past weekend, I didn't realize this was the lantern festival.  I had gotten the babes ready and in their stroller.  Izzy was coming with us since the weather was so nice.  Half way there I realized this weekend (and not next) was the festival.  Izzy knew that many of the kids wear their halloween costumes and so she asked to go back and put it on.  She also wanted her lantern that we made last year.  If you don't have a lantern, there are many you can purchase (above).  Once everyone starts walking around the pond at dusk, it is a beautiful sight.

 Izzy posing with Abe at the begining of our walk.

And here is the cherished princess dress.  Notice that her lantern is also princesses :-)

Pumpkinfest

 This weekend was Pumpkinfest at a local elementary school.  This is their annual fundraiser and they go all out.  Their were activities outside including a dunk tank, a live band, dancing and food.  Inside there were all sorts of games and activities that you could participate in including the classic cake walk and photobooth.  One of Izzy's friends from preschool, Bonnie, joined us for some fun.

 The girls are getting their hair wrapped with colored thread.  Not sure how long this will last in her hair but it withstood the bath last night so here's hoping since she loves it so much.

 The girls got their faces painted.

 Izzy was very adamant about what she wanted.... a blue and pink butterfly.

 This one made me laugh... it is a version of bobbing for apples.  They had donuts hanging that you were suppose to eat without hands.  Izzy understood and explained to me she wasn't holding her donut... just the string.  Clever!

Love the stuffed face full of donuts.

2 Months Old... Already!

 Today Micah & Victoria are 2 months old.  Hard to believe that 8 weeks have gone by.  I should cherish the time left I have of them being such small babies.  Their personalities can definitely be seen.  I call Victoria 'cuddle bug' because she could live her life with her head on your shoulder.  This makes watching TV soothing.  Micah had a rough start to life.  He would scream after both breast milk and formula.  We finally changed formulas (looks like he was allergic) and he is a brand new baby.  He will also cuddle up on your chest but will bury his head.  Since he's such a little guy, it is very cute.

Here are a few pics of live with the twins.  Above was Micah's 1st bath.  Izzy was and continues to be such a helper.  She sprays the water in and gets her own washcloth.  Once one cries, she will cover her ears and say it is too loud.  She is then off to watch TV.

 We were lucky enough that Oma was able to stay and help out for several weeks.  Before the twins, Clay was spoiled by sitting in her lap.  Once the twins were here, he still thought that lap was his no matter what else was there.

 Every day we try to get out and take a walk.  This is typically in the mid afternoon when they are cranky.  When Opa visited, he brought the Husker hats which they were proudly on those walks.  Since its getting cooler outside, the bundle me's are very helpful

 Big sister loves her little brother and sister.  Sometimes she loves them a little too much :-)

 The twins were baptized over the time that Oma & Opa visited.  Even big sister was able to help out.

 The men during feeding time.  I guess the women can go shopping :-)

Here they are in what we call the 'jiggle box'.  Victoria isn't really a fan currently.  However, Micah spends most of his nights sleeping in one.  They look so small in this picture compared to what they look like now.

Columbus Day Fun

 This past weekend was Columbus Day which meant Izzy had a 3 day weekend.  It was almost 80 degrees on Saturday which meant a very lovely day to get out and enjoy the weather.  At Izzy's request we headed to the Aquarium.  On the way there, one of the water features was up and running.  This meant Izzy wanted to play in it.  Unfortunately, I did not bring any extra clothes for her to change into.  However, a GAP was close by so we purchased some summer clearance items and off she went to enjoy her time running in and out of the water.

Mornings

Abe & I've decided to split the night up to let each one of us get some sleep.  His shift usually starts at 4:30 which means he is the one up when Izzy awakens.  Often one of the twins is also up ready to eat.  Today Izzy wanted to help feed Micah and was so happy to be able to do so.

Victoria & Micah Arrive!

 As some of you know, the twins arrived this past Wednesday (8/15).  Their arrival was not necessarily as predicted but they arrived healthy.  I woke up with contractions at ~1:30am.  At that time they were coming every 4-6 minutes.  I called my OB who said I could either come to the hospital risking the chance that this was false labor & be sent home.  Or I could stay home for another 30mins to see if the contractions would continue over an hour.  I decided to go to the hospital.  I woke up Abe and we were off in a few minutes.  In the car, Abe said the contractions weren't every 4 minutes but every 40 seconds!  We only live 5 miles from the hospital and there was no one on the road at the time of day which was a blessing in surprise.  We got to the hospital and was taken back by about 2:30.  At that time I was having contractions every 10-15 seconds which ended up meaning no epidural because I was progressing too fast.  When they were ready to place it, I was already pushing even though I was trying not to.  When having twins, they want to delivery them in the OR in case one goes into distress or one turns breech (these 2 were both head down) and hence why they want the epidural as well.  So off we went to the OR.  Abe was at that time parking the car since we just left it in the circle drive.  He came back and they said I was already in the OR which I can imagine was a bit scary.

Good thing this delivery was so quick given no epidural.  A few pushes and Micah Ryan was born at 03:00.  Six minutes & two pushes later, Victoria Ruth was born.  Micah weighed 5lbs 12oz & Victoria weighed 6lbs 9oz.  They did well and were able to room with me in the regular nursery.  We must have been mini-celebrates at the hospital because many nurses and other care providers spoke about us being the ones who were born vaginally without an epidural.  Most are via a C-section.  My recovery was very quick because of minimal interventions.  We are now home and trying to learn how to manage live with twin newborns and a big sister.  Thank goodness Oma is here to help.

Victoria & Micah at home.

Big sister Izzy meeting her brother & sister for the first time.  She has been asking a few days 'are the babies here' when coming home from school.  She asked many 'why' questions and was excited to bring Micah a blue silky just like hers.  However, she did not want to hold them for a picture.  Since being home she is a big help.  She wants to get the bottles when one cries.  The first night she woke up because Victoria was crying and told me that 'I think my sister needs a binkie'.  She's adjusting so we have good & bad moments.  For the most part, she's doing pretty well.