Visit from the Wray's

My brother Jason and his family were in town for 6 days during the middle of October.  As usual, Alena and Addie had a great time playing together.  Kelsey tried to keep up, but for the most part she had fun playing with grandpa and grandma. 

 

Uncle Jason and Aunt Jessica

Best Buds!

The twins had their first road trip while they were here. We took the family truckster (aka our new mini van!) up to Ames for the afternoon and then to the Center Grove Orchard/Pumpkin Patch in Cambridge, IA.  It was a beautiful day and the girls had a fun time.  We just wished they lived closer so we could see them more often. It will be fun watching all of the kids as they grow up...

Grandma and Papa with their 5 grandkids (the twins are in the stroller :))

               Kelsey wasn't too excited about her baby (oops, looks like Lauren lost a sock)

                                                     Addie wanted to "switch babies"

Twins - 1 Month

It's hard to believe the twins are one month old already!  So far, we have been blessed with two really good babies.  Thanks to the NICU, they have been on a nice three hour schedule during the day and at night we usually get one 4 hour stretch.  We have also been lucky that they go right back to sleep after their nighttime feedings.  I know many moms do the night feedings alone, but I'm so lucky that Justin helps with the midnight feeding. I do the 4:00 feeding by myself so he can get some sleep before work. It takes about 40 minutes to change, feed, and pump (we save the cleaning up for the morning).  I've become pretty good at feeding two babies bottles and pumping!  Sometimes I feel like I have triplets because I have to pay so much attention to my friend, Medela (my pump).  At times I think about how much easier it would be to just give them formula, but then I remember the many, many benefits of breastmilk (and the cost of formula!) and I remember why I'm doing this.  Plus it is the best weight loss plan ever! 

The twins are starting to have more awake time and their personality differences are already becoming evident.  Lauren has a sassy, "you won't sleep through this," cry, while Caleb's cry starts out as more of a whimper and then escalates.  Lauren is so observant when she is awake and doesn't miss a thing.  I rememeber one of the neonatologists in the NICU noticing this and speculated that she would make a good journalist one day.  Caleb is more of a snuggler and is very laid back.  However, before they were even born, I knew Caleb would be the calmer of the two-Lauren spent the last two months kicking my left ribs (I swear she bruised them!). 

We haven't ventured out too much with the exception of a doctor's appointment to check their weights.  With them being preemies we are trying to keep them out of public as much as possible with flu and RSV season here.  Our double stroller will work great when we do decide to go for a walk or hit the grocery store or mall. 

Alena's 3rd Birthday

Wow, it's hard to believe we became parents for the first time three years ago and now we are a family of 5.  October 5th, 2009 was definitely a special day...

Alena Jane-10/5/2009

For her birthday, Alena took popsicles to school.  Daddy picked her up early in the afternoon and we all went to Monkey Joes for a little fun. She had a great time.  We celebrated her birthday the following weekend when my brother and his family were in town from Colorado.  Alena specifically asked for a green tractor and a small ambulance for her birthday.  We had a great party and were glad so many people could help us celebrate. 

10/5/2012

Dear Alena,
    You have grown into a beautiful little girl!  You have so much energy and love to run.  We will be surprised if you do not follow in your mom and dad's footprints and become a runner (hopefully a hurdler).  You love all sports, and are especially good at dribbling a basketball.  Your teachers comment on how athletic you are.  They also comment on how bright you are-by now you nearly know all of the letters of the alphabet and can spell your first name.  You can count to 20 easily and can sometimes count higher-you are so excited to start preschool next month.  Lately, your new favorite word is "actually," and you know exactly when to use it.  Unfortunately you are a picky eater, like your mom was, and meal times can be challenging sometimes.  You love to read and have memorized many parts of books.  You continue to love music, probably because we have listened to music since the day you were born.  You know so many songs!  We love listening to you sing at night after we have put you to bed.  Sometimes these singing sessions can last up to 45 minutes!  One of our favorites is "Take Me Out To The Ballgame."  You have become a great big sister and have adjusted well to having two new infants in the house.  You are fascinated when they poop and help entertain them when they cry.  You've even helped with a couple 4 AM feedings!  We know you love your brother and sister very much and are always excited to see them when you get home from school (especially Caleb :)).  Happy 3rd Birthday!
                                                                                         Love, Mom and Dad


20 Birthday Questions:
1.  What is your favorite color?  Purple
2.  What is your favorite toy?  Elmo
3.  What is your favorite fruit?  Applesauce
4.  What is your favorite movie?  Tinkerbell
5.  What is your favorite TV show?  Blue's Clues
6.  What is your favorite thing to wear?  A dress
7.  What is your favorite animal?  Giraffe
8.  What is your favorite song? ABC's
9.  What is your favorite book? Cliffords First Valentine's Day
10.  Who is your best friend? Gavin
11.  What is your favorite snack?  Fruit Snacks
12.  What is your favorite drink?  Milk
13.  What is your favorite breakfast?  Toast with peanut butter
14.  What is your favorite dinner?  Cheeseburger
15.   Where is your favorite place to go?  Papa's house
16.  What is your favorite game?  Candy Land
17.  What is your favorite thing to play outside?  Ride tricycle
18.  What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
19.  What do you sleep with at night?  Eeyore and Piggy
20.  What do you want to be when you grow up?  A teacher



The Birthday Girl

Best Attempt at a Cousin Picture

                                          

First Picture as a Family of 5

                                   

Alena Enjoying her Paint Set