Nora and Crosby Are One!

I thought these beautiful babies were worthy of a blog post. I may be a couple weeks late but I'm quite positive they wont be offended.

How has a year already passed, I honestly can't believe it. Tyler and I tease that it has been the longest fastest year of our lives. I was a little sad that they were turning one, I want my kids to stay little forever. We have learned many things---patience, love, sacrifice, family love, family is amazing (extended family), friends are kind, the gospel is vital and kids are blessings. I dare say this has been the most challenging year of my life. But also the most rewarding. I guess those two have to work hand in hand. But with all the hard times comes the most amazing times. Healthy babies, wonderful big brother and sister, and seeing these two precious babies grow and learn---they amaze me daily. I still wonder how I was so blessed to be their mom.
I hope I don't disappoint.
There are so many people who I want to thank. So many who without them I wouldn't have survived (or still be surviving). Being away from family is hard but Kirksville is amazing and it comes with amazing friends. How will I ever repay them for their kindness and willingness to help me (and still do).
I am a high maintenance friend.
And to our dear family---
your thoughts and prayers have helped in more ways then you'll ever know.

Okay on to the fun stuff!
I really wanted to celebrate. They are only one but hey I think Tyler and I deserved a party :). The theme was "double rainbow". I used a GIANT nursing pillow to feed both of them and we called it the double rainbow. It went everywhere with us---trips, airplane, car rides, out to dinner, zoo. So the party was a tribute to the double rainbow and our double babes.

Present time!
Books and a riding/push toy.
One year olds are hard to buy for :)

Cake time!
I made them each their own little cakes.
Testing it out.

Oh yes dig in, it's delicious!

And now tubby time

Nora's 1 year Stats
15 pounds
26 inches
6 teeth, waves night night goodbye and hi, says mama (close to saying dada), loves food, gives the best loves and kisses, excellent sleeper, makes you work real hard for a smile, patient, can put a mini clip into her hair, crawls and gets into everything, loves the dishwasher, pulls herself up onto everything and is starting to cruise along furniture, boss of Crosby, loves the dog, loves her siblings, no more nursing--onto milk in a sippy, loves her muslin blanket, loves her binki, makes kissing sounds, rubs her little tummy, carries things around in her mouth like a puppy, loves goldfish crackers.

Crosby's Stats
15.2 pounds
27 1/4 inches
2 teeth (with 4 more on the way), waves night night goodbye and hi, says mama (close to saying dada and night night), loves food, still wakes up in the night, gives the best smiles and giggles, loves his siblings, speed crawler and gets into everything, ring leader of getting into cupboards and drawers, loves the dishwasher, loves the dog, still nurses, loves his muslin blanket, loves his binki, loves balls, pulls himself up onto everything (cruising a little), makes kissing sounds (we call it a smack off--once one starts the other does too), loves chocolate animal crackers.


Crosby and Nora you have forever changed our lives, for the better.
Jackson and Olivia adore you.
They think everything you do is funny. It's a race to get you out of bed when you wake up and they love to make you laugh.
I love that if Tyler or I stop for 2 seconds your both instantly standing at our legs to be picked up.
You have brought a light and spirit into our home.
We love you sweet little babies.

What did you do 8 months after having twins?

Well Aimee ran a marathon! That's what she did and she started her marathon career with one of the more notoriously hard marathons. I am so proud of you Aimee. You inspire and amaze me and so many other people. The goals you set and achieve make you the coolest person I know...and I know some pretty cool people. I love you. Thanks for making me want to be better and for being the best wife and mom ever known to mankind.

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freeze time

Ever wish you could freeze time?
I do.
A lot.
I'd freeze time right now.
I bet I've told Tyler that a hundred times throughout our marriage.
We're having a lot of fun.
It's busy, and stressful, and a bit crazy but time is passing and passing to quickly.
I love these faces. Even when sometimes they drive me crazy.
I'm happy their my faces to love.

I'm a horrible blogger.
And I've missed a lot of good stuff---
Jackson's birthday, baby blessings, Odee swimming, A LOT of Utah fun.
We had a wonderful summer.
I hope to catch up soon.
So come back :)

An open birthday card to my wife

Happy birthday to the most amazing person I know. I love you so very much. I have always know that you were wonder woman in the flesh (minus the invisible plane) but you have shown everyone lately that you are truly much more than just a wonder woman. I am amazed at all you do. Each of our kids adore everything about you. I love your sense of adventure, your drive, your competitiveness, your kindness to others, your laugh, your sense of humor, your strength, your faith, your humility, your love for bikes and skiing, and I love just you being you. You are so talented and such an incredible mom. Who'd a thunk that 14 years after meeting we would be where we are now and even more awesome than we were then (and we were pretty dang awesome 14 years ago!). Thank you for all you do for our family. We love you so much and are grateful to have you in our lives. I hope you have an off the hook birthday and a great day. I hope the twins cut you some slack and that Olivia is an angel child today and you can sneak a nap in. 31 is gonna make 30 look so lame! Happy birthday babe. Love you!

Love,
T.

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Visitor--Kiddos---Easter

Well once again I'm behind on my blogging so you get a post filled with a bunch of pics. That's all you really want anyway I'm sure of it. I have never been so busy in all my life, the days are just flying by. Four kids and a hubby in med school----very busy.

This is Auntie Shan Shan (shante'). She is married to my little bro. She came out and stayed with us for a week. We were so excited and loved having her here. She is 6 1/2 months pregnant with their first and it's a full day of traveling to get to us so we were so grateful she was able to come. She made us dinner every night she was here. And then doubled the recipe so we could freeze them for later, it was awesome. A personal cook one day would rock! We sewed, exercised, played at the park and took care of kiddos (pretty sure we wore her out). We love you Shan---thanks for coming to see us.
This is me trying to get a good pic with all four kids. I don't think we'll ever have a "normal" family pic again :) Love it!

I'd snuggle these two all day if I could.

Our babes are growing. We took them for their 2 month check up last week. They aren't quite on the charts yet but at least they've put on some weight. Their basically out of newborn clothes---woohoo! It's also a little sad at the same time, I love how tiny they are.

Nora weighed in at 7 pounds 6 ounces

Crosby weighed in at 8 pounds

They both are smiling and cooing a lot. And they have both found their hands and usually have a wet sleeve from sucking on them. I love when you find them with their arm straight up in the air starring at it looking like they have a question.
They are both eating great and love being held. Next, sleeping through the night (i hope).

Mmmm---scrumptious. Don't you just want to kiss those faces!?!

EASTER
The spouses association does an Easter egg hunt every year. We had beautiful weather and the kids had a blast.

EASTER MORNING
Poor little J had strep but it certainly didn't slow him down. Both him and O were pretty excited for the Easter bunny. The night before O ask us if the Easter bunny was pretend----aaa what now, aren't you way to little to be asking those questions!

We colored eggs. Our best coloring experience yet.

We bbq'd. We were suppose to eat with some friends but due to the whole strep thing we didn't want to share the love. We had all already bought the food so we met in our driveway and did a food swap of what we would have brought. So we still had a delicious Easter dinner but just a little lonely.

And these two precious babes were there too. Just doing what they do best, hanging out mixed with some crying :)
We hope you all had a wonderful Easter.

This Princess is 3

Nope this isn't Nora this is our precious little Odee. She was such a beautiful good baby. She was born with tons of dark hair, dark eyebrows, dark eyelashes. Her big brother adored her and she brought us so much happiness.

It's hard to believe 3 years have passed since she was born. It's hard to believe that she was only 3 months old when we moved to MO. She still has tons of dark hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. Her and J still have an amazing relationship and she is still bringing us lots of laughs and happiness (mixed with a little frustration at times too). This girl definitely knows what she wants and she's pretty good at getting it. She is very motherly, makes us laugh daily, feisty, cuddle bug, will eat most anything, loves her siblings, independent, and is my stay at home buddy.

Tyler and I never wanted her to be into princesses but I have to admit it's pretty darn cute and we love to see her dressed up.
She is definitely a PRINCESS.

We had a little princess/prince birthday party last Sunday.
Played pin the lips on the frog.

Princess cake walk
(i love her in these high heels)

Got spoiled

And had a little cake

We love you Odee. You will always be our baby girl. You are beautiful, smart and full of life.
Happy Birthday!

And for your viewing pleasure---more cute kids.
Nora

Crosby

Beautiful babes
(more on them to come)