18 months

Somehow a whole year and a half has gone by since the twins were born.  I am now starting to understand why parents all over the globe say things like, "My kids grew up too fast..." and "Before I knew it, my baby was getting married."  Okay so maybe my kids are not getting married, and they haven't even started school yet, but I have a feeling that if I blink too much those things will take place before I know it and I will be saying those very words I just quoted.  But for now, I will sit back and enjoy these early years, even if they are super hectic...and baby #3 isn't even here yet...*gulp*

Speaking of Baby #3 - We had our 29 week check up yesterday; we had an ultrasound to check to see if the placenta had moved (I started out with placenta pervia..my placenta was close to my cervix).  After about 30 minutes and both of my OB Doctors ending up in the room to do the ultrasound, we finally got good news: the placenta has moved and everything else looked good.  Our little baby boy is doing good, he's a bit of a mover and a shaker.  He's going to fit in just fine.

Joshua has finally traded his crawling in for walking - Yay!  For about a month he walked only when we encouraged him to do so or he'd walk with his little hand in one of our hands.  Over the last week he has been walking on his own will.  Once he gathered enough confidence and balance, he just took off.   It won't be long before he is running right along Saray.  I have to say I am quite relieved to see him walking.  He looks so proud to be walking by myself. 

Saray has reached that point of complete confidence in her walking skills.  She zooms around the toy covered floor totally bypassing every obstacles (some days there are several blocks, toy tools and books scattered just in the living room alone).   She often runs through the house and just squeals with delight. She loves being chased by Joshua, Daddy or myself.  She delights in fun. Oh, she LOVES to dance, and she's rather good.  I'll have to try and capture her dancing on video.

Putting on her hat all by herself...

Doing a dance move

He loves "dolls" (balls)

 "What?  I wasn't eating the green crayon..."

1st time finger painting (well mostly finger paint tasting) At least I made the finger paint so it wasn't a big deal if they ate a little...

Yes, Saray was eating the finger paint too.

A favorite past time for the twins...turning the lights and fan on and off over and over again.

I love Saray's expression while she's trying to color

After a little coloring, Josh became much more interested in ripping the paper.

  

 Saray enjoys coloring

  Daddy and Joshua reading a book

 

My Pride and Joy

I am just a few short days away from entering my 3rd trimester - yippee!  I can hardly believe it.  This pregnancy is going by so very quickly.  Some days I feel as though I barely slow down enough to enjoy the movement made by this new little one, but I try.  I don't want to miss this special time I have with him.  This picture of Jer and I was taken at 26.5 weeks along.  

Joshua and Saray keep me smiling and also keeping me super busy.  They really are best friends; they have such a bond that I will never quite understand.  It amazes me.  Saray sure loves Joshua; she loves giving him hugs and kisses.  Joshua protests a little, but most of the time he is very patient with Saray and her ways of showing affection.  

There are moments in my day where I just sit back and watch the twins interact, they play so well together (most of the time); their latest interests are necklaces and book reading in boxes. They truly are blessed to have one another as a twin and a playmate.  I love these kids...they are my pride and joy.

Here are a few more pictures for you to enjoy...

First time having a sucker...let me just say that they are HUGE fans..

 

 
I love this picture of Saray and her Daddy.  Saray is such a Daddy's girl.

Joshua's favorite toy and favorite activity - pushing this toy all through the house.

 

 

Trips to the Library

Our latest adventures have been to the library.  We have a wonderful library where the kids can play (not always so quietly) and read books.  Josh and Saray's favorite part of the library is the reading loft in the kids area (which is a little 2 story open top fort with 5 stairs leading to the top); they go up and down the stairs over and over again, and laugh loudly with glee as they run off some energy.   I can't help but laugh (quietly) right along with them.  Saray also enjoys running through the library; she often stops to see if you are coming after her, and if you are, she runs even faster and further into the heart of the library.  Josh on the other hand is pretty content to stay in the kids area with the large books and the reading fort.    The library is becoming a favorite place of ours (all over again). 
Here are a few pictures of our last trip to the library, enjoy!

How Quickly We Forget...

Last night Jer and I were hanging out reminiscing about the days past.  We were in awe/shock of how much the twins have changed since they first arrived.  It's amazing how quickly we forgot what they used to look like, or how they used to act, etc. We get so caught up in the moment that we often fail to remember how it used to be. That is why its important, and okay, to remember...

Here are a few pictures of the early days...

 

17 months

I feel as though I am falling behind in the blogging world, as I haven't blogged in nearly a month.  Maybe it's due to the fact that I have two 17 month olds that keep me running.  So much is happening, but at the same time I can't even put into words what really is happening and changing.  It's just the day-to-day routine that happens and that is what makes my month go by so stinkin' fast.

 I can tell you something new and exciting, Joshua has started to walk!    He's still more comfortable with crawling but he is becoming more confident with each passing day.  Each day he walks a little more, pretty soon he'll be running like Saray.  I knew he would walk when he was good and ready.  With his personality I figured he wouldn't walk til 17 or 18 months, so I was right on.  That's my boy.... :)  I am happy to announce that Joshua is nearly done with teething (for now...) He has all four of his 1 year molars and his last eye tooth is coming in.  I am hoping that his 2 year molars come in AFTER he is two, instead of before.  He is such a delight; he's very quiet and a bit passive, but very easy to entertain.  He is my easy child. 

 

Saray is very busy.  She runs whenever she can (especially during diaper changes) and walking is now a breeze for her.  She is a little jabber box, although, I still have no idea what she is saying.  Saray is a bit more of a handful than Joshua; she can throw quite the fit when things are not going her way.   We're trying to figure out the best way to handle those fits.  She too is a delight.  She is full smiles and hugs for everyone, including Joshua.  Oh, and she is no longer taking a pacifier at ALL!  Before she was using it at nap times and bed time.  After awhile, she started hunting for lost pacifiers under her crib, so I knew it was time to cut her off from pacifiers all together.  We just went cold turkey and within 3 days she was no longer hunting and throwing fits when I said no to a pacifier.  And within 5 days she was no longer missing them at nap or bedtime.  I am so glad we're done with that stage.  Pacifiers are nice when they are real little, but with age comes attachment, and that was one area I didn't want a real attachment.  On the other hand, I do not mind blankets or bears. 

 Baby #3 is growing and his movement is becoming more and more noticeable to the outside world.   Yesterday was the first day that Daddy felt continual movement from Baby #3, it went on for nearly 15 minutes.  I find that this little one's movement is different compared to the movement I felt with the twins.  Maybe it's due to the fact that this little one has a bit more room still at 24 weeks then Joshua and Saray did.  Oh for those of you who have not heard, Jer and I have decided on a name for Baby #3.  Since we know it's a boy we have decided to go with Grayson Carl.  The name Grayson just popped into Jer's head and it wouldn't leave no matter what other name we'd discuss.  After a few days of thinking on the name, I agreed.  The name Carl is after my late Grandpa Culver.  So there you have it, he shall be called Grayson Carl Chapeau.
Sorry I don't have a new belly bump photo; I feel as though I haven't even had time to think about taking a belly bump picture let alone taking some.  But soon there will be a photo...

Here are a few more pictures of Joshua and Saray.  Enjoy!

Saray had smeared her pudding all over, proceeded to even put her face into it.  After she was done having fun making a big mess, she signed "bath".  What a girl...

Baby #3 at 20 weeks

We had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday afternoon; our little one was moving so much that it was quite difficult for the Tech to get very many pictures of the little one (No 3Ds this time).  We really wanted to find out what the sex of this baby is, mostly for planning and organizing purposes and so we can actually start making a list of names.  This little one wasn't going to show us, but after a little poke from the Tech, it moved just right - it's a boy!!  So now the boys will out number the girls in this house, but I think Saray and I can hold our own - ha, ha!  As far as names go, we don't have any yet, although lots of people have given us input in that department.  Just to name a few that people have suggested: Shadrack, Ricco, Gerald...umm yeah, thank you, but I think we'll have to decide on a name by ourselves - no offense to those that have offered names.

The only concern regarding this pregnancy is that my placenta is either over or near my cervix (placenta pervia).  We're praying that it will move (this is very possible) as the baby grows and that it will not be an issue.  We'd appreciate your prayers regarding this.   But over all, the baby is doing great, he's right on schedule with his growth (his growth even lined up the due date of May 19th).

At one point, he had his foot up near his face.

Yep, it's for sure, it's a boy!

 













20 weeks along

Christmas 2009

All of a sudden, Christmas is over.  All the planning, wrapping and baking has come to an end and the Christmas tree and decorations are put away; it's all a little bitter-sweet.  But I do enjoy having my house back to normal, with the toys in the playroom instead of in the living room.   I can hardly wait to start planning for next Christmas.  This year I had everything bought and wrapped by Dec 5th, but next Christmas I want to have everything done by the first and just do last minute wrapping and baking.  I should shop all year for Christmas like my Mom does, instead of starting in November. I want the cost to be spread out a bit next year.  Although, I did get most of the kids' clothes and a few toys for Christmas at garage sales, which I will do again for sure.

We had a very busy Christmas Eve and Day.  Christmas Eve we attended a Christmas Eve service at our church here in town, although I spent most of the time out in the foyer with Saray as she wouldn't sit still (which doesn't surprise me).  Then we headed out to my parents for dinner and a visit from Santa.  Joshua was more interested in Santa's beard then the present Santa was trying to give him.  Saray, on the other hand, wasn't so sure about the man in the red suit; from a distance she was a fine, but when it was her turn to receive a gift, she cried and screamed.  However, she does know what Santa says, and proudly shares her knowledge.  Christmas Day we had a small Christmas here at our place, then we headed out to my parents house for the day.  Saray and Joshua would have been happy with just one gift, as it seemed that the whole "many presents at once" just overwhelmed them.    We cut our day short as the snow was coming down and blowing around quite wildly.  We really didn't want to get snowed in at my parents (would have been fun for awhile, but home is better, especially with little kids). By the end of the blizzard, we ended up with over 2 feet of snow here in Spearfish, and drifts were much higher (5 to 8 ft) in some areas.

Hope you all had a great Christmas!  Happy New Year!