Happy One Month!

---Be ready for a seriously long post---

Read if you want or just check out some ridiculously cute babies

Wow I can't believe our babes are 4 weeks old. I am excited and sad all at the same time. I can't believe how fast it has gone. I love the newborn stage. It's challenging at times but I love their sweet innocents, the way they cuddle, the way they just want to be loved. And trust me they get plenty of love around here, sometimes a little too much love (um Odee).
I'm going to rewind a bit (4 weeks to be exact) to their birth day. Here is their story.
I always knew these little ones would come early. I was hoping they would come by 36 weeks and they did not disappoint. I was hoping to be able to go natural, again they did not disappoint. Saturday February 5th was just like any other day. I was feeling pretty sick and having lots of back/sciatic/rib pain. We hit the Walmart to load up on food, made cupcakes for a super bowl party the next day (we just love football---who played again?!?), Tyler studied. That night when I went to bed I was feeling extra sick. Around 1:30am I got up and puked, I should have known right then that I my body was getting ready to deliver, I did that with all my kids. I didn't have any contractions until Sunday morning starting around 9:30am. They were pretty mild and varied between 4-10 minutes apart. I showered, played some Mario with J, ate breakfast---I love doing the laboring at home. At 1pm our good friends came and got the kids for church. That's when the real fun began :) The contractions were more intense and really close together, I felt like I never got a break. At that point I told Tyler I wanted an epidural, I didn't know if I had the confidence to do it twice. Around 2pm we headed to the hospital (which is only a mile away). We checked in and got into a room, all of which is kind of a blur. The nurse asked if I wanted an epidural, I told her yes but deep down I knew I was to late. She checked me and I was already to a 10 (it was like a repeat of when J was born) although I didn't freak out like I did with J. I had done it twice before, I could do it again. After the nurse found out I was a 10 the delivery room was filled with a crowd of people. My eyes were closed through most of it, I just prayed my doctor would get there in time. Thank goodness for a small town, he made it just in time for me to push. That first push was probably by far the worst, thought I just might die. I remember the pain, having to have oxygen and I remember Tyler being right at my side. I couldn't have done it without him. He was so loving and supportive and he gave me all the confidence I needed. With only 5 pushes our little Nora was born at 2:40pm. Tyler got to cut the cord, I got to sneak a peak and then then they took her away to get her in the warmer. It was sad not to be able to hold her right away but I knew I still had work to do. Crosby was such a good little boy and followed his sister. He moved himself head down, it couldn't have been more perfect. My doctor did have to manuever his head a bit, now that was painful and Tyler said I yelled at my doctor :) But 4 minutes and 2 pushes later, little Crosby was born at 2:44pm. Tyler got to cut his cord too and I got to spend a little more time with him. They gave him to me right away and we got to enjoy some time together, giving him many kisses. I have to say that this delivery was the most amazing bizzare moment in my life. Delivering 2 babies felt surreal. It's hard to put into words how I felt, I hope I never forget. It really took some time to sink in. We were so lucky and felt very fortunate that they were both healthy and had no problems. These little ones were ready to come to our family. They are little peanuts, we adore them.

Both J and O were in a bit of shock when they came to the hospital. But it didn't take them long to warm up. O thought that she could only hold the baby girl and J could only hold the baby boy. She'll hold C now though. They loved hanging out at the hospital. Playing with the bed and having all the juice and graham crackers they could handle.

Family of 6

Crosby's first tubby. This boy does not like to be naked (i'm sure that wont last). He's got a set of lungs.

Nora is a little more easy going. She thought the tubby was quite enjoyable.

Thank goodness for grandparents.
My mom spent almost 3 weeks with us, we were very grateful. Definitely not a dream vacation being cooped up inside all day but I couldn't have done it without her. Lot's of cleaning, folding laundry, entertaining kids and dog.
Grandma Reeder

At the end of her stay my dad came out for the weekend. It's hard living so far away from Grandma's and Grandpa's.
Grandpa Reeder

Ty's parents also came for a weekend and now g-ma Smith is staying with us for a week. Again, so grateful. Tyler is heading into finals and I know I may be going crazy if she wasn't here. It's so nice having an extra set of hands to hold a baby. Want to hold a baby? Come on over ;)
Thank you Grandma's and Grandpa's---it just didn't feel right until these little ones could meet you.
Grandma and Grandpa Smith

These babes sure have brought a whole new light into our lives. It honestly took me about 2 weeks to not look at them and think "wow 2 babies, this is weird". Now I look at them and it seams so normal so amazing so perfect.

We've had our ups and downs since we've been home. Mostly with nursing and weight gain. We've had some tears, frustration and sleepless nights. But we are doing a lot better. Nursing is going very well and these peanuts are putting on some weight. We had a weight check last week and Nora was a chunky 5lbs 2oz and Crosby back up to his pudgy birth weight of 5lbs 4oz. We were very excited. J and O are handling all this change very well. J's laid back personality makes it easy and O is a second mother around the house. She's had some jealous moments but I guess that is to be expected. They both definitely have lots of love to give.

Our sweet baby girl
Our precious baby boy
What would they do without each other?
And what would we do without them?
I have felt so much love and peace since they entered our life. Our life has changed---its a bit crazy, a bit busy, a bit chaotic but this is our life and we couldn't be happier.