As I sit at school, wrapping up my day I realize that I am no better than my students. I am so excited to leave this place and head to the beach for a week. So, Saturday morning, bright and early, the four of us head out to Myrtle Beach to enjoy a little family time. This vacation will be the first time we have been on vacation as a family and the first real vacation for Scott since our Honeymoon 5 1/2 years ago!!!
Shortly after our Honeymoon Scott took a new job and since then he has not been able to leave work for anything longer than a 4 day weekend. Since the boys arrived, he has not had any time away from home with them. I have taken them on several trips, but Scott's never been.
Every morning this week Scott says "Just ____more wake-ups until we leave". Last Sunday as he was finishing cooking us a ridiculous breakfast he said "this time next week we will be sitting on our balcony, looking at the ocean, drinking a cup of coffee". I am so excited to get away with my favorite men, but I am more excited to see Scott's reaction to the little guys running all over the beach. Hopefully we will get to enjoy some beautiful weather and get some quality time with Paul, Alli, Declan, and Carrig!
Pictures of our road trip to follow!!!! For now...20 minutes until I am out of here, heading home to pack, and then on the road by 7am! Look out Myrtle Beach, the Henson twins are headed to town...
Friday, September 14, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Two years ago
It was two years ago that Scott and I found out that we would be blessed with two babies. Today a coworker told me that she is 13 weeks along with twins. I could not be more happy for her. I told her about this wierd "sorority" of mothers of twins. There aren't many of us, but we sure understand each other. At my school there are 5 moms of twins, with one on the way. It's nice to have someone to talk to someone who can empathize!
The news of her pregnancy instantly brought me back to my first feelings about being a mother of twins. I came back to my blog and I looked at some of my first posts. I remember being so happy and so nervous at the same time. If I had to it again, I wouldn't change a thing.
When I was pregnant I kept hearing songs that really just spoke to me. One in particular, by Darius Rucker, felt like it was written for me. The song, "This", is about the journey one takes and how every decision we make in life has led us to the exact point where we are. While I understand that this song is about his life and likely his life with his wife, it speaks to me about my struggles getting pregnant and why every time I didn't get pregnant is the reason why my two angels are with me now. If I had gotten pregnant years ago, I certainly wouldn't have had the need for IVF, and thus TJ and Matthew wouldn't be here today, making me laugh, smile, and cry with joy every day. So this song is for all of my boys, Scott, TJ, Matthew, and Roger. Here are some of my favorite lines from this song.
I don't really know how I got here
But I'm sure glad that I did
And it's crazy to think that one little thing
Could've changed all of it
All the fights and the tears and the heartache
I thought I'd never get through
And the moment I almost gave up
All lead me here to you
I didn't understand it way back when
But sitting here right now, it all makes perfect sense
For every stoplight I didn't make
Every chance I did or I didn't take
All the nights I went too far
All the girls that broke my heart
All the doors that I had to close
All the things I knew but I didn't know
Thank God for all I missed
'Cause it led me here to this
The news of her pregnancy instantly brought me back to my first feelings about being a mother of twins. I came back to my blog and I looked at some of my first posts. I remember being so happy and so nervous at the same time. If I had to it again, I wouldn't change a thing.
When I was pregnant I kept hearing songs that really just spoke to me. One in particular, by Darius Rucker, felt like it was written for me. The song, "This", is about the journey one takes and how every decision we make in life has led us to the exact point where we are. While I understand that this song is about his life and likely his life with his wife, it speaks to me about my struggles getting pregnant and why every time I didn't get pregnant is the reason why my two angels are with me now. If I had gotten pregnant years ago, I certainly wouldn't have had the need for IVF, and thus TJ and Matthew wouldn't be here today, making me laugh, smile, and cry with joy every day. So this song is for all of my boys, Scott, TJ, Matthew, and Roger. Here are some of my favorite lines from this song.
 |
| My Life, My Loves |
But I'm sure glad that I did
And it's crazy to think that one little thing
Could've changed all of it
All the fights and the tears and the heartache
I thought I'd never get through
And the moment I almost gave up
All lead me here to you
I didn't understand it way back when
But sitting here right now, it all makes perfect sense
For every stoplight I didn't make
Every chance I did or I didn't take
All the nights I went too far
All the girls that broke my heart
All the doors that I had to close
All the things I knew but I didn't know
Thank God for all I missed
'Cause it led me here to this
Thursday, September 6, 2012
What we did this summer
Over the Labor Day holiday I actually had a few minutes between loads of laundry and other chores, to sit on the couch, get the boys down for a nap and watch one of my guilty pleasures....One Tree Hill re-runs. This particular episode in which Brooke reflects on all that she did over her summer vacation, got me thinking about what I did with TJ and Matthew all summer.
As the school year wrapped up in May, I was really looking forward to spending time with my boys. During the school year I leave the house by 7 and don't pick them up from my mom's until 6pm. My time with my guys is usually at their worst....they are typically crabby from 6-8pm and then they relax and go to bed. I basically get 2, maybe 3, good hours a day with them and it breaks my heart. I love my job and I need my job both financially and for mental well-being, but I hate being away from these two little boys.
So, vacation begins....which really meant that the hard work was just beginning. I had the task of trying to get these boys to sleep in their own beds, all night AND I had to wean them from breast feeding. Yes, I was still nursing them at 14 months. Quite frankly it was just too easy to keep nursing them, so I did. I kept delaying the weaning process because I was terrified of how TJ would react. Matthew is pretty "go with the flow" but TJ can be quite opinionated and temperamental. As it turns out, it was HARD to wean them...It took almost the entire month of June. It was harder for me than it was for them. I felt like I was letting go of the last thing that connected them to me...just me. Nursing them was something only I could do and it soothed them better than anything else. These two guys are not attached to anything..no pacifiers, no blankets, no toy...Just Mommy! By the end of June they were fine, TJ will still occasionally make a move to try to nurse but I push him away. He is so stubborn.
During the summer I spent all but 2 days with my boys, when I let their grandmother take them for the day so I could get some things done around the house.
So, what did we do all summer...
Well, they mastered climbing. These guys must be part Monkey. They climb on anything and everything. They have no fear. I had to remove the patio furniture from my deck so they wouldn't jump off the deck. They went swimming in Nana's pool a bunch, they fly to NY to visit my family, we went to Cagle's Dairy Farm twice and had a blast. I dragged these two to the farmers market and to garage sales all over the county. We have played at the Bounce House, had play dates with friends, been to a birthday party, climbed and jumped some more, and we wrapped up the summer with a trip to Zoo Atlanta. I also discovered that these two, while messy little boys, love to clean up. They help load the dishwasher, take clothes out of the dryer (unfortunately it is at the same time as I am trying to load it) and they go crazy trying to vacuum and mop the floors.
What we didn't do this summer.....go shopping...they are complete disasters in a store or a restaurant for that matter. These boys HATE to be strapped into a shopping cart or their stroller. HATE IT. They scream like they are being beaten or they just pull a "Houdini" and escape! I'm serious, they can get themselves out of everything but their car seat. High chairs are a joke...we don't even use the straps anymore.
All in all....we had a great summer, even if I was selfish and kept them to myself for the majority of the time. I just don't want to share them....is that wrong? Probably, but I only get one chance to have this time with them!
As the school year wrapped up in May, I was really looking forward to spending time with my boys. During the school year I leave the house by 7 and don't pick them up from my mom's until 6pm. My time with my guys is usually at their worst....they are typically crabby from 6-8pm and then they relax and go to bed. I basically get 2, maybe 3, good hours a day with them and it breaks my heart. I love my job and I need my job both financially and for mental well-being, but I hate being away from these two little boys.
So, vacation begins....which really meant that the hard work was just beginning. I had the task of trying to get these boys to sleep in their own beds, all night AND I had to wean them from breast feeding. Yes, I was still nursing them at 14 months. Quite frankly it was just too easy to keep nursing them, so I did. I kept delaying the weaning process because I was terrified of how TJ would react. Matthew is pretty "go with the flow" but TJ can be quite opinionated and temperamental. As it turns out, it was HARD to wean them...It took almost the entire month of June. It was harder for me than it was for them. I felt like I was letting go of the last thing that connected them to me...just me. Nursing them was something only I could do and it soothed them better than anything else. These two guys are not attached to anything..no pacifiers, no blankets, no toy...Just Mommy! By the end of June they were fine, TJ will still occasionally make a move to try to nurse but I push him away. He is so stubborn.
During the summer I spent all but 2 days with my boys, when I let their grandmother take them for the day so I could get some things done around the house.
So, what did we do all summer...
Well, they mastered climbing. These guys must be part Monkey. They climb on anything and everything. They have no fear. I had to remove the patio furniture from my deck so they wouldn't jump off the deck. They went swimming in Nana's pool a bunch, they fly to NY to visit my family, we went to Cagle's Dairy Farm twice and had a blast. I dragged these two to the farmers market and to garage sales all over the county. We have played at the Bounce House, had play dates with friends, been to a birthday party, climbed and jumped some more, and we wrapped up the summer with a trip to Zoo Atlanta. I also discovered that these two, while messy little boys, love to clean up. They help load the dishwasher, take clothes out of the dryer (unfortunately it is at the same time as I am trying to load it) and they go crazy trying to vacuum and mop the floors.
What we didn't do this summer.....go shopping...they are complete disasters in a store or a restaurant for that matter. These boys HATE to be strapped into a shopping cart or their stroller. HATE IT. They scream like they are being beaten or they just pull a "Houdini" and escape! I'm serious, they can get themselves out of everything but their car seat. High chairs are a joke...we don't even use the straps anymore.
 |
| Garage Sale find #1 - IKEA kid table |
 |
| Father's Day with Nana and Pop |
 |
| Getting ready to jump at Cagle's Dairy |
 |
| NYC - pool time at Aunt Marie's |
 |
| With all of their NY cousins |
 |
| TJ and Matthew with their very best buddy - John |
 |
| Yankee Boys |
 |
| Play date with some friend |
 |
| Happy Matty at the Bounce House |
 |
| TJ loving the bounce toys |
 |
| 1st Haircut |
 |
| Post Hair cut bliss |
 |
| Loving some Onion Goggles |
 |
| Onion goggles take 2 |
 |
| Matthew loves some glasses |
 |
| Playing with bubbles at Nana's |
 |
| Typical family photo....I have a feeling this is how it's going to be for a few years |
 |
| Enjoying the Zoo |
 |
| Loving the petting zoo |
Go Dawgs
 |
| Touchdown Matty |
On Saturday the boys watched their first Georgia game of the season. While they were exposed to football last season, this year they actually "watched" the game. TJ did focus on the game at times and really loves watching "Bootball" on tv. They both know the sign for "touch down" too! We had a great day watching the Dawgs win! And, we discovered that the boys are big fans of guacamole.
 |
| Daddy's Birthday - representing the Dawgs! |
 |
| Sweet guy..... |
 |
| Tough guy... |
 |
| TJ focused on the game. |
 |
| Celebrating Daddy's birthday with the best cake ever. |
 |
| Touchdown TJ |
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
1st Hair Cuts....
 |
| Squiggy |
These boys are growing up too fast. A few weeks ago we decided to take them to get their hair cut. TJ looked like a hippie and Matthew had some sort of reverse mullet. His hair won't grow on the sides or the back, but it is nice and thick on top....My brother said he looks like Squiggy from "Laverne and Shirley"...can't say that I disagree.
 |
| Little Hippie |
 |
| Before |
 |
| Before |
 |
| During |
 |
| After |
 |
| During |
 |
| After |
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Giving Thanks ..Thanksgiving 2011..a little delayed
"Give thanks for the blessings already on their way"... Is a quote on my kitchen wall. I bought this when we first moved into our house. For the several years I would stare at that sign and think "When are my blessings going to come?" All I wanted was children. Obviously there is a plan and only God can dtermine what it is. At this time in my life I am so thankful for the struggles we went through because we would likely not have had twins. Most people offer some type of condolence when they see my trucking through Target with the double stroller. "Better you than me" is the most typical thought that comes out of people's mouths. My response...."Yep".
Here is my list of thanks....not all...too many blessings to count:
1. My sons. There are no words eloquent enough to express how much my life has changed beacuse of them. Every day is a gift and every night I get sad that they are growing up too fast. I love them as babies. They make me want to be a better person every day.
2. My husband. He loves me and loves his sons...what more could a girl ask for? He gets up every night and helps with the boys...not a lot of men can say that.
3. My parents. #1 would not be possible if it was not for you. Your love and support and assistance in the entire process was amazing and selfless. My children are a gift from God, via Mom and Dad. You are my role models and inspiration in parenting.
4. Coastal Carolina University. Hmm??? Why? Well, they gave Paul a job which brought him back to the east coast and closer to us. Since they moved back in March we have seen them so much, but still not enough. They have road tripped here, and we have traveled out there. It is so nice to be able to watch my handsome nephew grow and to get closer with my sister in law. I am so excited for the arrival of their little boy...just wish I knew his name. There have been no less than 7 road trips between us, which means they boys have all spent TONS of quality time together.
5. Church. While the Catholic Church gets a bad rap in the south, I am so thankful to be a member of St. Michael's. Mass on Sunday is great, the boys enjoy it (for now) and I feel good every time I go. I think the routine of going and the lessons learned will help my boys grow to be great men. Additionally, after I had the boys, the meals ministry at my church provided us with a month's worth of dinners. Total strangers from the church coordinated the meal calendar, delivered them to our house (which is 25 minutes from the church) and gave us delicious and complete meals....salads, bread, entree, desserts, wine, and many baby gifts. It was such a blessing to have so many meals cooked. Mom was already back to her house and had her own dinners to cook...this really helped out since there was no way I was able to cook for me and Scott at that point. I could barely get out to get the mail on a good day so cooking...no way.
6. Family....while my NY family wasn't able to be here on a daily basis, many of them came down for the Christening and the calls/emails/texts of support are always encouraging.
7. Friends. Laura Hurter.....came by many times this summer, with lunch for me, allowed me to get some rest while she hung out with the boys, changed diapers, spent the night to help with night duty so Scott could rest.
Here is my list of thanks....not all...too many blessings to count:
1. My sons. There are no words eloquent enough to express how much my life has changed beacuse of them. Every day is a gift and every night I get sad that they are growing up too fast. I love them as babies. They make me want to be a better person every day.
2. My husband. He loves me and loves his sons...what more could a girl ask for? He gets up every night and helps with the boys...not a lot of men can say that.
3. My parents. #1 would not be possible if it was not for you. Your love and support and assistance in the entire process was amazing and selfless. My children are a gift from God, via Mom and Dad. You are my role models and inspiration in parenting.
4. Coastal Carolina University. Hmm??? Why? Well, they gave Paul a job which brought him back to the east coast and closer to us. Since they moved back in March we have seen them so much, but still not enough. They have road tripped here, and we have traveled out there. It is so nice to be able to watch my handsome nephew grow and to get closer with my sister in law. I am so excited for the arrival of their little boy...just wish I knew his name. There have been no less than 7 road trips between us, which means they boys have all spent TONS of quality time together.
5. Church. While the Catholic Church gets a bad rap in the south, I am so thankful to be a member of St. Michael's. Mass on Sunday is great, the boys enjoy it (for now) and I feel good every time I go. I think the routine of going and the lessons learned will help my boys grow to be great men. Additionally, after I had the boys, the meals ministry at my church provided us with a month's worth of dinners. Total strangers from the church coordinated the meal calendar, delivered them to our house (which is 25 minutes from the church) and gave us delicious and complete meals....salads, bread, entree, desserts, wine, and many baby gifts. It was such a blessing to have so many meals cooked. Mom was already back to her house and had her own dinners to cook...this really helped out since there was no way I was able to cook for me and Scott at that point. I could barely get out to get the mail on a good day so cooking...no way.
6. Family....while my NY family wasn't able to be here on a daily basis, many of them came down for the Christening and the calls/emails/texts of support are always encouraging.
7. Friends. Laura Hurter.....came by many times this summer, with lunch for me, allowed me to get some rest while she hung out with the boys, changed diapers, spent the night to help with night duty so Scott could rest.
Not even sure where to start....began this one on November 15th, 2011....yikes!
Despite by best intentions, I have not been able to post on here in a LOOOONG time. My life is so busy these days and there doesn't ever seem to be any down time. Up at 4:30 or 5:00, shower, dress, get ready for work, nurse the boys, hang out with them, and out of the house at 7. Work until 5, pick them up from mom's, home at 6:15. Feed them dinner, eat dinner ourselves, entertain the boys, bath at 7:30, nurse them by 8, in bed by 9. That is my typical Monday - Friday routine. Saturday and Sunday's are a little different, but still up by 5, shower and dress, hang with the boys, Scott off to the gym, feed the boys, laundry, clean the house, grocery store, errands, lunch, naps, get dinner ready, college football, play with the boys, dinner, bath, nurse, bed, and bed by 10. Up at 5, get ready for church, 9am mass, home by 10:30 or 11, begin making baby food, finish laundry and cleaning, naps, lunch, playtime, naps, dinner, play, bath, nurse.
So, using the computer isn't really in my schedule. When I do sit down to use the computer, TJ is clawing at it, trying to use it for himself.
What are the boys up to???
September...beach trip with Nana and Pop Hogan to visit Uncle Paul, Aunt Alli, Decky, and No Name Hogan. The boys did great on the ride, loved the water, loved their cousin...great trip. I am so thankful that Paul got a job that brought him close to home. I love the 6 hour drive and the ability to see them more regularly.
October....first flight...trip to NY to visit the Heckelman's, Hogan's, and Crescenzo's. It was a great time. The boys did GREAT on the flight, just a little meltdown due to being wayyyy over tired. We had so much fun...Aunt Margaret's 30th birthday party, hanging with all of their cousins, and seeing all of my family. I haven't been to NY in 3 years, so it was long overdue.
Halloween....too cute. TJ was dressed as a monkey because he is crazy like a monkey and Matthew we dressed as a cow because his nickname is "Matty Moo". They were adorable and we had a great time with Nana and Pop.
November - November first, Matthew's 1st tooth appeared and TJ followed 2 days later with his. Less than a week later each of them had the other bottom tooth in as well. It was a rough couple of weeks though. Two teething babies coupled with Daylight Savigings....yikes...they were up at 4:30 daily ready to party. For two weeks Scott and I averaged about 2 hours of sleep per night. It was so pitiful watching these two. They were in such pain, and there was nothing I could do about it. Tylenol helped, but not enough. They are now through the worst of it....until the next bunch start coming in.
For my birthday the boys came to school to have lunch with me, which was awesome and then we went out to dinner that night. The boys were great in the restaurant..they love flirting with the ladies and smiling at everyone they meet.
So, using the computer isn't really in my schedule. When I do sit down to use the computer, TJ is clawing at it, trying to use it for himself.
What are the boys up to???
September...beach trip with Nana and Pop Hogan to visit Uncle Paul, Aunt Alli, Decky, and No Name Hogan. The boys did great on the ride, loved the water, loved their cousin...great trip. I am so thankful that Paul got a job that brought him close to home. I love the 6 hour drive and the ability to see them more regularly.
October....first flight...trip to NY to visit the Heckelman's, Hogan's, and Crescenzo's. It was a great time. The boys did GREAT on the flight, just a little meltdown due to being wayyyy over tired. We had so much fun...Aunt Margaret's 30th birthday party, hanging with all of their cousins, and seeing all of my family. I haven't been to NY in 3 years, so it was long overdue.
Halloween....too cute. TJ was dressed as a monkey because he is crazy like a monkey and Matthew we dressed as a cow because his nickname is "Matty Moo". They were adorable and we had a great time with Nana and Pop.
November - November first, Matthew's 1st tooth appeared and TJ followed 2 days later with his. Less than a week later each of them had the other bottom tooth in as well. It was a rough couple of weeks though. Two teething babies coupled with Daylight Savigings....yikes...they were up at 4:30 daily ready to party. For two weeks Scott and I averaged about 2 hours of sleep per night. It was so pitiful watching these two. They were in such pain, and there was nothing I could do about it. Tylenol helped, but not enough. They are now through the worst of it....until the next bunch start coming in.
 |
| Matthew 7 Months |
 |
| TJ 7 months |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)