NEDC 500 Babies Celebration

We attended the 500 babies celebration this weekend. I had gone back and forth about making the trip with our crew (the 3.5 hour trip took 7.5 hours with stops), but I knew I would regret it if I missed it.

Pulling into the parking lot on Saturday morning I nearly burst into tears. I was overwhelmed with the emotions of being back in Knoxville where I first met my babies and with the reality of finally meeting so many others who have walked this journey with us.

I saw so many familiar faces and was finally able to hug some amazing, encouraging women. Poor Robert commented that he didn't know anyone, but that didn't stop him from being approached and told that they recognized him. I tried to tell him that it sort of made him a celebrity.

I met new people and made new friends. And I missed those who couldn't make it. Hopefully I will meet some of you one day soon.

After the party a small group of us met at a park for dinner. It was nice to have even more time to visit and connect. We have been so blessed by our donors, by the NEDC, and especially by the community of embryo adoption families.

We rounded out our weekend with a stop by the University of Tennessee (for some TN gear) and a quick trip to Rock City where I had some fun taking pictures of the girls with pumpkins.

9 Months

The girls were 9 months yesterday. They continue to grow and thrive. Solid foods are a favorite right now - and boy can they eat! Between them, they are eating nearly as much as me at lunch or dinner. Last night it was pork loin and potatoes and they just could not get enough.

We have their 9 month check up in just over a week and I will get updated weights and heights then. Charlotte had a sick visit two weeks ago for a diaper rash that I think was from Hand, Foot & Mouth and at that appointment she weighed just 11 pounds 13 ounces. She is small but healthy. I suspect Elizabeth is at least two pounds or more larger than Charlotte.

Also at the sick visit our pediatrician made a referral for physical therapy services for Charlotte. Elizabeth is getting up on her hand and knees and just in the last week making forward movement crawling. Charlotte is just laying on her belly looking a little like a turtle trying to swim. Also, neither is sitting for long on her own, but they are making progress - Elizabeth more so than Charlotte. Charlotte is not significantly delayed, but it is enough to warrant at least an evaluation. We are still waiting on a date for the evaluation though and have been told that once the therapist gets back to town this week and can scheduled it may still be several weeks for an available appointment. Ironically, the physical therapy is offered through a state initiative called Babies *Can't* Wait...

We had family photos a week ago. Here's my sweet girls with their proud big brother:

Football

It's football season! One of the perks of Robert working for a college is free admission to the games! Last night was the first home game of the year.

Four Years

Leland turned 4 years old on July 3rd. Watching him grow and the many other sweet children on so many of you really puts perspective on how fast time passes. 

For his birthday we baked a chocolate chip cookie cake and decorated it together. He really had more fun baking than actually eating it with me. Then in the afternoon we went to Stone Mountain and climbed the mountain. In the evening we watched the laser light show. It was a fun and special day. 

We went last week for his four year old check up. He is 36 pounds (about 50%) and 42 inches (about 80%). He is wearing a mix of 3T and 4T clothes and a size 11 shoe. He's grown a lot in height this year. He got two shots. He passed his vision test and we have to go back for a follow up on his hearing test - though we do not expect there is an actual problem. He was most excited about getting to pee in a cup. 

He started back to school in early August. He is at a Montessori school and is in the second year of primary. He has the same teacher and most of the same classmates as last year. He is in school from 8:30 - noon and then our Au Pair (nanny) picks him up. This is a big change as he is used to staying all day in the past. He's not really happy about this and keep asking to stay for lunch. He also keeps asking if he can just stay home with his sisters and not go to school as well. 

Lately, his favorite things are books, sports, and superheros. He loves reading. His room is just stacks and stacks of books - everywhere. No matter how much I keep re-shelving them he keeps getting them out. (I know...it's a good "problem" to have). He probably reads for 30-60 minutes each day with us and then another hour or so on his own. He has incredible concentration. 

For his 4th birthday party we had a superhero theme. I cut capes out of felt and added sticky velcro. I also cut shapes out of stick-backed felt and bought a pack of paper masks. Each of the children were about to decorate their own cape and mask. Watching about 20 kids run around my back yard as superheros was so much fun!

We've been trying out a few sports this year. He did a four day soccer camp this past summer and two sessions of swimming lessons. He is swimming on his own now rather well. He needs more practice with coming up for air in order to be able to swim further distances with confidence. Just last week we started T-ball. I had asked if he wanted to continue with the swim classes or if he would rather play on a soccer team - and he asked if he could play baseball. So I signed him up. So far it's been a fun experience and it seems to be paced right with a total of 5 practices and 6-8 games for the whole season. He gets excited about sports clothing, wanting to wear his cleats or his knee socks - or really anything shirt with number on it because "you wear numbers on your shirt when you play a sport." 

Spider Man (August 2015)

Stone Mountain on his birthday!

Birthday Party (June 2015)

 

Smiles

I'm overdue with the girl's 6 month post and Leland's 4 year post, but for now I'll leave you with some sweet smiles...

Elizabeth @ Mama's Office

Charlotte Loving her Avocado

100,000

I reached 100,00 page views today. I'm not really sure if this is a lot or not, but it somehow seemed momentous enough to document. Here are a few other fun stats:

This is my 333 post

I've been blogging since August 4, 2011 (almost 4 years!)

I have 45 followers

Top Five Posts: 

1. Babies are Here!
2. Introducing... (December 25, 2014) 
3. Introducing... (June 16, 2014) - seems I used this title twice
4. Prayers Needed
5. We're having... (gender reveal) 

I've had 921 comments

I was hesitant to start a blog and was a blog lurker (not even a follower) of many blogs for a long time before I finally took the plunge. God has used blogging as such a wonderful source of support and an invaluable forum for building friendships with other moms. I really am in awe at the depth of friendship I have with a few women as a result of blogging. You have supported me, cheered me on, and reached out to me with prayers and words of encouragement - thank you!

6 More Days

In 6 days, Charlotte and Elizabeth will be 6 months old. Time sure flies!!!

And with this milestone comes an accomplishment only attainable by the grace of God - 6 months of breastfeeding twins! If you know how much I struggled with supply for just Leland you know how huge this is.

I don't post much about breastfeeding this time around mostly because I don't allow myself to give it much thought. When the girls were born I committed to "giving it to God" and not allowing myself to stress about it. I work hard at it and do all the "right things" (oatmeal, supplements, tons of water, frequent pumping, feeding on demand, renting a hospital grade pump), but in the end I leave it to God and He has provided.