Prayers for Labor

It's amazing to think that a year and a half ago all I wanted in the world was another beautiful baby. I don't know about you, but I seemed to have forgotten how incredibly awful growing and carrying a baby is. Seriously, it sucks! This kid is having a grand time flipping between head down and breech. Its driving me crazy and worse than that, it's making me fear another c-section...

I had a c-section with my girls 3 years ago. The surgery itself was not bad, but my total experience was. Although perfectly fine, they took them before I could see them (I saw a glimpse of Lilly) and pumped me with Morphine, which I do not tolerate well, and wheeled me back to recovery for 2 hours before they brought them to me, bathed and stomachs full of formula. NOT what I had wanted. And although I believe God has a purpose for everything, I know the reason I had a scheduled c-section at 37 weeks was because my doctor was going on vacation.
Sadly this happens too often. I was determined to have a different experience this time! I have been praying to my good Father, with all that I have, for a natural vaginal birth.

But this baby being breech for the last few weeks has turned me into someone completely ungrateful and, dare I say, physco. My poor husband has had to put up with my mood swings and near daily breakdowns over the situation. I have been constantly Google-ing positions, stretches and techniques to turn this baby. I have spent hours upside down. I have tried everything.

What was revealed to me was I was taking something inherently good (exercises and stretches) and turning them into something bad by obsessing over them. I was not relying on God and his grace and power to move inside my body, although my words would say otherwise. Because, if the baby flipped after I did an inversion would I not praise the move for turning my baby? And while I would praise the Lord as well, if anyone asked me how to turn a baby my first answer would be to do the inversion. Not ask the Lord.

One thing that is beautiful (although maddening) about God is his timing. His time table is different than ours. He wants to wait till there is no other way for healing to happen. That when it DOES happen, he and only he could be responsible.

Breakthrough is coming and it is not when our problems are resolved, but when we experience a heavenly reality. When we understand that God's timing is perfect, when we seek the one who breaks through instead of seeking the breakthrough.

Breakthrough was what I needed. I have had my hands clenched tight on what I want out of this pregnancy and labor. And the truth is, if my hands are closed how can I receive anything? So here we are... hands open... heart poured out to my Father who knows his plans for me, plans for good!

So I made the decision to stop everything except prayer; and guess what? The baby flipped! Without any of my own efforts... just those of The One who loves me most.

Here is a little something that I made to help me in labor, I hope it will help you too! It's best printed on card stock (and even laminated), and would make a GREAT gift for an expecting mother! Click here for the free printable!

Have fun pushing!

The Joys of Spring

Spring finally showed up. A month late but its finally here and that's all that matters. We were lucky enough to take advantage of some awesome sun before we were hit with the Spring storms. You just can never win living in Texas!

While hubby was busy (doing something I cant remember) I took the girls down to my sister to enjoy her very large resort style pool. This thing puts out rectangle, one depth pool to shame. It really is sad. I'm not quite to that "I will swim in the birdbath, its so hot" mentality. When that happens I will see my sad pool as a gift from God!

Warming up

This weekend the temperature finally hit the 70s! I have been counting down the days since November. The girls were starting to get super cooped up in the house! Not to mention my complexion was looking really sad. So out we went for some fun in the sun (and a tan for mommy)!

A Colorful First Birthday Party

 

 

 

I remember this day like it was yesterday (or last year... same thing). My sweet girls turning one. I was just so happy that we all made it to one. Not only was it their first birthday but ours as parents as well! So in honor of their upcoming second birthday this week, I am posting the pictures I should have posted a long time ago of their fun day. One day ill be on time for something...

 

 

First off, I went theme-free. I just cant abide the intricate themes that are all the rage. Ain't nobody got time for that!!! I decided to have a color party instead! The same went for their nursery; no theme just lots of fun colors! It was easier this way (read: cheaper) as all of it was DIY.

 

 

 

I was even dumb enough to think I could ice my own cupcakes. Wow that was a major fail! My attempt as pretty frosting turned into a blindingly yellow mess. Luckily I have a mother that excels at everything and was kind enough to lend a helping hand. We got it almost right (almost). We made baked mac n cheese and little pigs in a blanket. A smart idea I thought of was little PBJ triangle for the millions of kids that came! No seriously, I couldn't see the floor; they were everywhere!

I printed out their monthly pictures and matted them with colorful construction paper. They hung easily from some yellow yarn. It was nice to walk by and see how for they have come! My little girls aren't so little anymore.... sad day

 

12 months of Twins

The girls turn two this month! And in honor of that I will be posting pictures of them growing up. You know... the ones I should have posted but never ever did? Well no better time than now!


You might remember that I posted the pictures of the day they were born, on their first birthday. It seems that I am always a year behind. But that's how it goes I guess! You'll just have to give me grace as I know I often have to give myself.


I'll start with the adorable pictures I took of the girls every month of their first year. They grew so fast I didn't even notice!! I love to see these, but I'm also sad at the thought that my babies are no longer my babies but sassy, back-talking, feisty, physically abusive toddlers. But I'm sure a couple years from now ill miss that too (I hope).


Some are blurry because kids are always moving, but I feel it correctly captures life at the time. Some are dark because I was limited by the one window in our whole apartment (did I mention how I love my new house?), and sometimes the girls have frowny faces because apparently I'm not funny.

Easter Weekend

Of course this post is late, a week late. But Easter was awesome! After a lovely Christ-filled service at church we headed to my parents where we had a wonderful feast of ham, hash brown casserole, green bean casserole, rolls, salad, fruit salad, homemade sangria and yummy desserts! Here are the few pictures that I took. I cant believe I didn't take more of our 16 person feast! Oh but I did take a picture of the ingredients list for my dessert. That was Natalie's idea so I wouldn't end up at Wal-Mart completely lost. Does that look yummy?

Maybe the Best Day Ever

Today was A-MAZE-ING! After our afternoon nap we went over to my parents place to play. Its nice to have a change of scenery and I only have the car Monday and Friday so we were excited to finally get out of the house! I bought a water table recently but I have yet to find an outdoor rug so the girls don't have to stand on the dirty (and HOT) concrete that is my apartment patio. But Grandma has a baby pool. Actually it's a dog pool that I got for $1 at a garage sale, but who cares. It fits two plump (naked) babies perfectly!

It was really hot today. I think around 90 degrees which is crazy considering we had a freeze on Monday. The girls happily played for an hour in the sun, splashing and trying to fit the whole ball in their mouth with no avail. Half way through we decided it would be much more fun to skinny dip, and I love to see little naked bottoms! They played until I realized that we had completely missed naptime because Lilly was no longer having fun. Basically all of a sudden she was having the worst day ever. So out we went!

Once inside the girls played on the floor for about another hour when all of a sudden... Lilly took steps! I mean, this morning she only used her right foot and went in a circle but at Grandma's she took like five steps! We were so excited, our cries of joy scared the pants off of Sophia! I couldn't wait to show Daddy when we got home.

After an amazing dinner of tacos and ham and cheese grilled cheese sandwiches they took a bath where they obviously weren't tired of being in water again! Then... she walked to him. All 7 steps without faltering! Well, don't get me wrong... there was a lot of faltering; and every time she fell she would laugh so loud! Sophia caught on and started throwing herself down on purpose to join in on the fun! I have to be honest, I was worried they were behind. They are almost 15 months and they weren't walking. But everybody learns at their own pace. I'm sure Sophia wont be too far behind.

Its amazing how parents jump for joy when their child takes their first steps, like they are the first person ever to walk. We all learn to walk but its always an achievement. I mean, hey, she will never crawl again! That is, until she has her own children. All of a sudden I'm filled with a little sadness at the thought of my daughter growing up....

Thursday Adventures

Yesturday was AMAZING! The whole day was filled with awesomeness. The girls got up a 9:30am which, thanks to daylight savings, is wonderful. As we are eating breakfast I remember my friends and their little ones are having a playdate at the park a mile away at 10:30. Whats a girl with no car to do? WALK! That's right I loaded the girls up and walked that mile; filled with up-hill streets, the wind against us, no sidewalks, and crossing busy streets (which if you remember my accident) is a HUGE deal. But that's not all, halfway there we lost a stroller wheel! You know, the ones that have a million different parts? I heard it falter as we went over yet another curb to find a sidewalk and next thing you know we left it behind us. I had to take a 5 minute break to figure how to fix it and luckily I have two front tires, so I had an example to look at.

Phew! We got there and it only took us 30 min. The girls had fun playing at the new park. It wasn't filled with those tiny rocks or pieces of wood, it was very realistic astro-turf! So no choking! It WAS filled with lots of kids and dressed up Mommies. That last part I never get, I must be the only one who has too much to do to dress up for other moms. Anyways... After an hour there we decided we would make the long trip home. As my friends loaded up their kiddos in air conditioned cars, we made our way back in 86 degree weather and the hot Texas sun. Home was much easier and we got there in under 20 min. And the best part is, I discovered a shortcut where I don't have to worry about not having a sidewalk...

Id like to take this moment to say that Texas is so weird. Here I am thinking that it is law that there has to be sidewalks and then it ends and picks up 100 feet down and across the street. Ughhh.

... So nap time was in order when we got back and the girls slept 4.5 hours! I was overjoyed! But that joy didn't last long when at 5 o'clock I went in to see them. Lilly was waving a diaper in the air; it wasn't her diaper. Sophia had somehow managed to get her (poopy) diaper off and hand it to Lilly! Poop and the diaper was in Lilly's crib while Sophia was naked with poop in her own crib. Lovely! It actually made me laugh out loud. It was definitely a first (and not the last) for us!

After a 5 o'clock snack Daddy came home and played with the girls till he was wiped out on the floor with little ones climbing him like a rock. Some family fun time ensued! Dinner was this AMAZING egg casserole that is my Mom's recipe (which the girls wouldn't touch) and finally bed at 8pm. 1.5 hours later than normal! All of us were in bed at 8pm and it was wonderful!

Splish-Splash

my little Flower

 just look at that cute face (Sophia)

 messy ladies

 splish-splash

chillin with Aunt Kelly

I would love to tell you these are recent photos (and look like a responsible blogger) but unfortunately these were taken Sunday before last. I would have posted earlier but I had the WORST weekend ever. It was filled with cleaning up vomit, running to the bathroom, taking care of sick people, and a visit to the ER. Lets just say that I barely survived...

Ok, ok. Back to last weekend. After church we went over to my parents and had a lovely brunch in the backyard! My Mom makes the best tuna salad. The girls were starting to get antsy (and definitely tired) but since I'm a stingy mommy and like family time we "stretched" them a bit (don't worry, they are the most flexible babies ever). What better way than to have some fun? Bring on the water!

We layed out a tarp and filled some containers with water for the girls to play in. With floating balls and kitchen utensils, it was a really great sensory activity! They played for what felt like hours and had all of us cracking up with their little language and interactions. I will definitely do this again. Its nice to keep them cool without the pain of filling a pool or the worry of safety.

Here's to hoping this weekend will be easier!

New Friends at the Zoo