3 Weeks In...

I'm not sure how many of you we told or didn't tell, but this is an easy way to update you, even if you didn't already know. Lucas failed his hearing test on his right ear twice in the hospital. We were set up with an appointment to have it re-screened today with the audiology department at Spectrum. I am thankful to let you know that he passed both ears with flying colors today and we don't need to have any more follow up. Thank you again, Lord! Another answer to prayer!
As of last Thursday, both kiddos are past their birth weight and doing well. Lauren was 1 oz. heavier than Lucas, we'll see how long that lasts. :)
The prayer request I send you now is simply this....sleep. Sleep for Mason: he has been waking 2-3 times a night with what we think are bad dreams. Sleep for the babies: that they will learn to fall back asleep after a feeding without being rocked/coddled/held. Sleep for Tony & I: we are both functioning during the day on less than adequate amounts of shut eye. As you can imagine, that just adds stress to an already crazy situation.
Thanks for your love and prayers!

Grace for the Moment

The last 24 hours have been a bit of a blur as I am tending to the needs of the three kiddos on less than an ideal amount of sleep. Crying, changing, feeding, burping, playing, sleeping, cooing, smiling, rocking and do it all over again. Tonight Tony went to play basketball for a little bit and I had the three munchkins on my own. After periods of crying from all 3 of them, I found myself with a contented sleeping baby in a swing at my feet, a hand tied up with a sleeping baby in my arms, and a hand on my feverish sleeping toddler. It was quiet and they were all three sleeping and my hands were full. In that moment, I looked at what was before me and said, "Thank you, Lord, for giving me grace for this moment." He and his strength is what is sustaining me moment by moment. A friend of mine sent me a message just a little bit ago and said, "I prayed for you many times today." This statement humbles me and brings me to my knees, again thankful to have made it through today.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father. Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Welcome to the World!

The long-awaited day has finally come and we are very excited to introduce to you our newest family members! God is good and we are thankful for his hand on us in the last couple of days. Lucas and Lauren arrived Wednesday, March 30 around 4:40 p.m. They both weighed in at 5 lb. 11 oz. and are 18" long. They are doing very well and have made a fairly smooth transition to home life. Enjoy the pictures, I'll try to label what is going on and who is in which photo. :)
Laying around waiting for things to happen....it seemed like a LONG morning when you have to arrive at 5 a.m. for inductions.

Tony watches as Lucas is attended to right after he is born.
Bonding with skin-to-skin a few minutes after they were both born. I think Lucas is on the left and Lauren is on the right.
Under the warmers waiting to be weighed, measured and cleaned up.
Lauren weighed a 1/2 an ounce more than Lucas.
Hanging out under the same warmer. I'll try to post the video we got of this too. It's pretty cute.

Big brother was pretty interested from the start. "Can I hold it, Dad?" was the first thing he said. :)
Tony enjoys a few minutes with Mason getting to know Lauren.
The first bath. Ahhh, it feels SO good!

Nana with her 2nd set of twin grandbabies. Who would have thought?!?

One of our first photos as a family of 5. This is our new normal. :)

Mason with both Lucas and Lauren. He keeps saying, "2 babies, Mom!"
Ready to go home, all dressed and ready to go!
They really look funny in their car seats.
These balloons and a banner on our garage greeted us when we pulled in the driveway. We have such sweet neighbors!

37 Weeks - Almost There!

Who'd have thought we'd make it this far?! Feeling more and more ready with each passing day...hopefully soon we'll get to meet these little ones. Excited to share our news with you!

Friday, March 25

Friends and Family,

After my visit with the doctor today, everything looks good and we are ready to go! We have an induction date set, but at the request of my husband, I cannot tell you when. We'll see if we make it to that date or if these two little ones decide to make their appearance on their own. No fair calling my house every morning to see if I'm home, either. We might have to stop answering our phone! :) As I anticipate what is going to unfold in my world in the next 10-12 days, I don't even know what to think. God knows the path that lies ahead and my comfort is in that he will walk with us each step of the way. Please pray for safe labor & delivery and a fairly smooth adjustment/transition back home. It's as if we're about to board a crazy fun roller coaster with blindfolds on. The anticipation is killer, the ride is terrifying, but we won't be thrown from the ride and when we come out on the other side, we'll have smiles on our faces from ear to ear. :) Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers....can't wait for you all to meet our kiddos (and tell you what they are, finally!). ~Sarah

Toddler Trouble

We had a shower Friday night, so Mason got to spend the evening with a babysitter. We got home that night and she shared with us that Mason had a little accident. He decided it would be a good idea to wear his potty seat as a necklace. Unfortunately, it wouldn't come off his head. Long story short, after some phone calls, our neighbor friend came over to help our babysitter out and remove the potty seat from Mason's head. Here is what we woke up to Saturday morning...

...a happy little boy who didn't know what the big deal was about his purple ears!

Hopefully he has learned his lesson and won't be putting a potty training seat on his head anytime soon. :)

Diaper Dandy Shower

Friday night we were blessed again by a group of friends that threw us a "Diaper Dandy Co-Ed Celebration." We had a great time and made some good memories. Enjoy the pictures!

Tony tries his hand at Baby Pictionary...not too shabby!

Opening the many generous gifts

Our babies are well loved!

Most creative presentation went to this tiered gift of dipes and formula and the one below with melted chocolate inside the diaper. Such fun friends! :)