What a Week (and it's only Wednesday)

Things around our house have been different from the norm this week. Both Mim and Nana are staying with us while Durinda is out of town. They have been a wonderful, much needed, and much appreciated help.

While they've been here our schedule has gotten a little out of sorts simply because we have four adults here after work and we can do things that normally can't with just me and Tony. For instance, Tony and I have been working out at the same time this week- something we only imagined possible after the kiddos came along.

You'd think with the extra help and extra time on my hands, I'd have lots of time to blog, and get caught up on my grading, and get everything done I need to- wrong. Somehow, I have managed to do less with more- go figure.

We have had some minor drama around our house that had contributed to the lack of productivity. Jack has his first cold complete with choking drainage and constant drool-  poor guy. He was so congested yesterday that Tony took him to the doctor; she said we have to let it runs its course. So, lots of nose suctioning and sailne solution and humidifiers for the next week or so.

We also have a broken garbage disposal. It backed up on Tuesday night and when we went to hit the "reset" button, I noticed there was standing water under the sink. When you run water in the kitchen sink, it now leaks out of the bottom of the garbage disposal. One clean up crew later and a big bucket, we are still living without a kitchen sink while we wait for the repairman tomorrow.

Harper also had a night last night unlike any she's ever had. She does not like to sit- my daughter is not a solitary creature, even when she's sleeping. Last night, I did not get up and walk her when she cried- I didn't want to walk her; I was tired and wanted her to go to sleep. This was the beginning of the battle of wills and it lasted about 30 minutes. Harper won- eventually I got up and walked her and when I sat down again, she got so upset, she cried so hard, that she choked and threw up- ugh- not the outcome I was looking for. So, I sat covered in baby vomit while my child still screamed, trying to figure out how I was going to calm down enough myself to calm down this little fury.

Thankfully, my mom was here to help me. Though I was more irritated than thankful at the time, she managed to get me calm and Harper calm and then I could get Harper to sleep. I was so thankful to be able to go to bed last night- what a night.

On a brighter note, Pop and Great Granny came to see the kids yesterday. I leave you with a couple of pictures of their play date; the kids had a great time!

Happy Memorial Day!

The Collett Family Circus had a great three-day weekend; I know it's going to be hard for Tony and I to return to work tomorrow. We had a very low key weekend and got to play with the babies, watch some movies, attend a first birthday party, and even do a little car shopping. 

The babies are much more fun and playful these days; they are spending more time awake and giggling and smiling and less time sleeping. We still have our meltdowns and crying fits, but it's so neat to see their little personalities develop. A bad day at work can be erased by a sweet smile from Jack or Harper when we walk in the door. We like to spend time on the play mat, read books, talk to the stuffed animals, and go for walks. 

This weekend we also went to our friend, William's, first birthday party. His party was Monday at a local park so we got to spend some time outside. The weather was very nice and a little overcast which was great because we didn't have to slather sunscreen on the kids- I know you can still get sunburned even in overcast weather, but we were under a covered pavillion 98% of the time. In fact, the only time we left the pavillion was for Tony and Harper to swing for a quick moment. 

Harper is our little dare devil, so far. She loves when Tony holds her above his head and hums the Superman theme, and she likes to bounce, spin, and dance. Harper is on the move, or she's asleep. So, Tony thought she would like swinging and he seemed to be right- no tears from that girl.

When we got home from the party, Tony and I went car shopping. The best part about buying a new car will be not having to shop for a new car anymore. We are currently looking at Ford Explorers and GMC Acadias- anyone have any suggestions one way or the other?

When we got home from car shopping, we spent some time on the play mat doing tummy time and Jack and I took Abby for a walk. Then Jack and Harper took baths and put on their pjs and got ready for their last bottles of the night. Right now, I'm watching my kiddos sleeping peacefully- a wonderful way to end a wonderful weekend.

I'd like to give a quick shout out to Jack and Harper's Aunt J who got them the adorable "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" outfits they wore today- too fitting :)

I would also like to take this forum to remember all those who died in service to our country. 

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died.  Rather, we should thank God that such men lived."- General Patton

Happy Memorial Day

Uncle Tanner is Home!

The kids have been having a great week hanging out with Mimi and Nana. It's so nice to know that the kids are in good hands while Durinda is on vacation and I'm glad the Grandmas are having fun and getting to bond with their newest grandbabies.

In fact, when I came home yesterday, Jack, Mimi, and Nana were playing while Harper was napping, and Jack was just smiling and laughing- it was adorable. I have a video of it; I'll have to figure out how to upload it- too cute.

The other exciting news is that Uncle Tanner is home from college for the summer. He finished with his finals and drove Colorado to Texas straight through. We are so thankful he made it home safely and I am so glad we'll get to spend some time with him this summer. He has a job that is going to be taking him all over the Metroplex, so I'm hoping he might find himself in our neck of the woods every once in a while.

Here's a quick picture I shot of the kids with their uncle yesterday. Tanner came over to see them and was trying to take a nap- silly Uncle Tanner, there's no napping for adults at our house!

Ruffles and Lazy Boys

After seeing the horrific images coming out of Oklahoma today, I have to pause and thank the Lord for my two precious little ones. I don't know why things happen when they do, and this has certainly served as a reminder that there is no promise of tomorrow. Holding these babies close to me and smelling their sweet skin and kissing their foreheads has only made me realize how lucky we truly are.

So I thought I'd share a couple of pictures of the twins on this rainy day that reminded me of the little things I may forget about years down the road- the little things that I take for granted. Here is my chance to stop and give thanks for...

A little tooshie with ruffles

who sleeps in funny positions

and her big brother relaxing in his new chair

This is what I'm thankful for.

Weekend Visitors

We were blessed this weekend to have some family visitors who have decided to stay on and help while our Miss Durinda is on vacation.

Nana came out Wednesday night and stayed until Saturday to help with kids while Tony and I worked and spent some much needed time working in our neglected yard on Saturday morning. The kids were nice for Nana and only had one meltdown which didn't last too long.

Saturday afternoon Mimi and Papa came up to see the kids and to deliver Mimi who is going to join Nana on our childcare team for the next two weeks. We are so thankful and lucky to have family so close who are willing to help when we need it. I think the Grandmas are pretty excited to be here and to be able to love on their grandkids all day- they don't even have to fight over who gets to hold a baby!

Jack and Harper had a good weekend. We decided to let Harper dictate her own feeding schedule which worked out really well for one day- she took more out of her bottle than she ever had before. The second day, she took a little less...the third day, she took a little less...so, now back to the drawing board a little bit.

We also had bottle science lab going on in our kitchen Sunday afternoon. We thicken their bottles with Beech Nut rice cereal. Some bottles seem very thick- almost like pudding- while other bottles seem thin. Tony and I were baffled by the inconsistent results even when using the same mixture. So, Debbie and Tony got in the kitchen and mixed up several bottles. After a couple of hours, we settled on a method that seems to be working.

Aside from their feeding, we spent a little time this weekend making some improvements around the house- including hanging some art work in the kids' room and putting together a little rocker that Jack really likes. We also ventured out to dinner with the kiddos and Mimi and Papa. The kids were great and didn't even cry when the food was served (like they have in the past).

Tony and I are both so thankful that the kids are happy and healthy and growing and we treasure weekends spent with the little ones just watching them smile.

Busy Kiddos

This week has gone by so quickly that I haven't had much of a chance to sit down and catch up the blog.  

Harper is still eating well. She hasn't had any gagging or throwing up in a whole week and we are hopeful that she will continue to eat in this manner and will start increasing her volume. Harper has also been much more talkative and energentic and happy since her eating has picked up. She is putting on weight and smiles all the time; we love this happier Harper so much. 

Brother Jack has also been putting on weight. He continues to sleep through the night and, like his sister, he is a happy little one. We are working on his tummy time. Jack has a big ole Collett noggin and  he has problems holding up that head when he's laying on his tummy, so we're working on strengthening those neck muscles. 

Here are a few pictures of what we've been up to the last few days. 

 

Mother's Day Revisited

On Mother's Day the Collett Family Circus packed up and went to Arlington for the day. Not only did we take the kiddos, but Abby came along too. I was very proud of us; we got up at 6:30 and managed to get everyone fed, dressed, and out the door by 9.

We had a great day in Arlington! The twins got to meet their Great Grandparents and see their Nana, Pop, Granny, Aunt Becky and Uncle Rex. I was so glad Grandpa and Mama Reba finally got to hold the kids and love on them. We took lots of pictures of the family and I've finally got them uploaded to share. 

I had a wonderful first Mother's Day thanks to my family and to my wonderful husband and kids. I got some awesome new running shoes, a beautiful new wallet and a gift certificate for a much needed massage. Most of all, I got a day to spend with people that I love very much and I got to snuggle with my son and daughter and our four legged child- that's a successful day in my book!