Twice the Fun: The Miracle of Twins

Thursday, May 15, 2014

First Christmas

Our first Christmas as a family of 4 was very special. To kick off our holiday festivities, December 20th we took to the boys to Opryland Hotel to look at all the lights, decorations and Santa! Both boys enjoyed looking around at all the pretty lights, decorations and people. And both behaved very well meeting Santa for the first time.

The first family Christmas was on December 22nd at Brad's parents house. We enjoyed a delicious meal and time with family. Then, we all opened presents. The boys received several sweet gifts from family, including gift cards to Amazon, books, sleepers and jumperoos. We were so excited about the jumperoos that when we got home that night Brad immediately put them together so the boys could try them out.

What we picked out with our Amazon gift cards!

Books and sleepers from Pa & Nana

First time trying out our jumperoos

Carson says "This is fun!!"

Cole says "I love it!"

Christmas Eve was a busy day for us. Unfortunately, Brad had to work 9-5, so he missed out on some of the fun. The boys and I went with Grandpa, Nana, Uncle Josh, Aunt Erin and cousin Laney to Great-granny Herndon's house to celebrate Christmas with her. The boys enjoyed seeing everyone there. They received some toys from Great-granny and Great-aunt Betty. After a short visit there, we headed to church for the Christmas Eve service. The boys got to stay in the same preschool room as cousin Laney and Brad got to join us for the service.

The boys received these toys from Great-granny and Great-aunt Betty,

Christmas Eve night we started a tradition with the boys. We opened one present which was a pair of Christmas pajamas for each boy and a Christmas book to read. The boys enjoyed playing with the tissue paper from the gift box!

We got a bath, put on the Christmas pajamas and read our Christmas book. This was a special time we got to spend with the boys.

Opening up our present on Christmas Eve

We got a book and pj's!

Our first Christmas book of many!

Daddy reading it to us

Snuggle time with mom

Santas on our feetsies!

Carson

Cole

Santa came!!!!

Our first Christmas day we woke up and fed the boys breakfast then checked out all the fun presents Santa brought the boys. It was so much fun watching their faces as we opened up presents with them and showed them all their toys. Carson got a Buzz Lightyear in his stocking and Cole got a Woody in his:) Carson and Cole enjoyed holding them and playing with paper from their presents. Poor Cole was so worn out from opening presents he fell asleep! The boys also got an activity table, a workshop, a set of blocks, shape sorter and a Poppin' Dino. I'd say they did well this year! After opening presents and playing with all the new toys it was time for a nap before heading out for 2 other Christmas celebrations with family.

Having fun with the paper!

Woody!

Buzz!

I love Christmas!

Too much fun!

Checking out our toys

Fun with the blocks

Daddy stacked the blocks on Cole's head

Shape sorter

Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!

There's a snake in my boot!

Carson and Cole's goodies:)

After naptime, we got the boys ready and headed to Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Alsup's house for more Christmas celebrations with family. Here we ate a delicious breakfast, sang Christmas carols, spent time with family, and opened presents. The boys received more toys and cute outfits from family. It was a great time with family.

Two cute Santas!

Choo! Choo!

The boys' first cell phones

Roar!

Stylish boys!

Puppies on our PJ's

Our last Christmas celebration was on Christmas Day evening with Grandpa and Nana Herndon. Uncle Josh, Aunt Erin, and cousin Laney were there too. We enjoyed more family time, more food, and more opening up of presents! What a busy but fun day celebrating with all our family!

Carson

Cole

First Christmas as a family of 4!

Our best attempt at getting a picture of all three little ones:)

New PJs

More new PJs

Snazzy outfits for church

Tiny mittens for tiny hands!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

4-5 months

This past month has been an exciting time for us and the boys! The holidays were a fun-filled experience for Carson and Cole. Their first Thanksgiving was spent with lots of family. Thanksgiving day we spent time at my parent's house with my mom's family. This was the first time some of her family got to meet the boys. Of course Carson and Cole enjoyed all the attention! Friday after Thanksgiving we spent time with Brad's family. We ate even more good food and the boys got more love from family. We also went to a local Christmas tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree. This was exciting for us to introduce Carson and Cole to this special holiday tradition!

Styling in our Thanksgiving bibs!

Turkey talking!

Snuggle time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cousin Laney's first Thanksgiving, too!

Cason with daddy picking out the tree

Cole with mommy picking out the tree

Our first Christmas tree!!

The boys grew so much over the last month!! On December 12th, the boys moved up to size 3 diapers!! The boys started rolling over as well. On December 4th, Cole rolled over tummy to back and on December 12th, Carson followed by rolling over tummy to back. We were so proud of our boys! At the end of November, the boys began sleeping longer...making for a happy mom and dad :) November 26-27 they slept from 10:30-6. Since that night the boys consistently slept about 7-8hrs. This made a huge difference in how Brad and I felt and functioned each day!

These little monsters are in size 3 diapers!?!?

Carson and Cole enjoyed visiting with their Great-Granny Herndon on December 16th. They talked and talked with her that afternoon. Cousin Alexis came and helped me take care of the boys several days during her Christmas break from college at UT. She was so good with the boys and they very much enjoyed her being with us.

We loved playing with Cousin Alexis!

Carson talking with Great-granny.

Cole was all smiles!

We started foods with the boys during this month:) This was a fun experience for us and the boys. On December 6th, we tried rice cereal with Carson and Cole. It was a big learning experience for the boys to eat from a spoon but they did very well! Cole immediately took to opening his mouth wide for the spoon. It took Carson a few times of eating it to learn. They both love rice cereal in the morning.

Messy face Carson

Yum! says Cole

Carson is a big boy!

Cole loves to eat!

I spent a lot of time researching and preparing to make baby food for Carson and Cole. On December 22nd, at the 5 month mark, I made and fed the boys carrots! They both weren't too sure about them, I think because of the texture, but soon grew to love them. I am excited to make more foods for them to try!

Carrots for Carson

Orange faced Cole

Carson

At 5 months, Carson is rolling over tummy to back, eating 6 oz. of formula every 4hrs during the day, sleeping 7 hours a night, eating rice cereal and carrots, and trying to sit up in the bath and high chair.

Cole

At 5 months, Cole is rolling over tummy to back, eating 6 oz. of formula every 4 hrs during the day, sleeping 7-8 hours a night, eating rice cereal and carrots, and has found his feet.