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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Love Came Early...

A year ago today...at this very moment and one moment after, Grayson and Rogan entered this world nearly 11 weeks early.

Grayson Lear
April 13, 2010
8:33 a.m.
3 lbs 8 oz
15.5"

Rogan Emerson
April 13, 2010
8:34 a.m.
3 lbs 10 oz
16.5"

Their birth caught everyone off guard. If you'd like to read their birth story, click here. Everytime I think about that day, I feel guilty and tears well up in my eyes. They should've stayed safe inside me for much longer. Instead, they spent eight weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU.)

I actually don't regret the NICU experience. I learned so much. The doctors and nurses in the NICU at Women's Hospital are some of the best people I've ever met. When the boys came early, I knew there wasn't a better place they could've been.

They came home on June 8, 2010. That feels like their birthday to me.

The boys have come so far this past year! You can't even tell they were preemies. They don't have any health problems and are doing great!

This first year has been rough, though. Life with twins isn't easy! It's easier than it used to be. However, I still have days where their screaming drives me insane! They always want to be picked up at the same time. If you walk past them without picking them up, they scream like banshees! At least now they can sit up and crawl. They're able to entertain themselves...even if it means getting into mischief!

Rogan has always done everything first. Once Grayson does it, however, he perfects it. Rogan rolled from his back to his tummy a couple of months before Grayson did. Once Grayson finally rolled from his back to his tummy, he was rolling everywhere! Rogan still just laid there. Rogan cut his first tooth before Grayson did. Once Grayson did, he cut two teeth at once. (Rogan currently has 2.5 teeth, and Grayson has 4!) Rogan was able to sit unsupported for a few days before Grayson did. Once Grayson was able to, he had perfect posture. Rogan slouched and had bad posture. Rogan began crawling one day before Grayson. They both had no trouble perfecting that skill! Rogan has been pulling himself up for a couple of weeks now. Grayson hasn't done that yet...but I'm sure he will soon...and do it better. ;o)

This picture is so typical of their personalities. Grayson is screaming and scrunching his nose. Rogan is sitting contently.
Grayson Lear
April 8, 2011
16 lbs 14.5 oz
25.5"

Rogan Emerson
April 8, 2011
16 lbs 9.5 oz
25.5"

Happy Birthday, baby boys! Mommy, Daddy, and Big Sis love you so much!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Rubba Dub Dub...

Three Kiddos in the Tub!

Just before Arden joined the excitement...







They LOVE bath time!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

27 Years!

Happy Birthday Chris and Catie! Thanks for being such a great uncle and aunt to my little ones. They each love you so much...as do I!

And so the April birthdays begin. It's going to be a busy week!

To celebrate, a picture of the twins...holding the twins! :)

Meet Graygan!

A few weeks ago I entered a contest by Just Be Happy. Alessandra is so amazingly talented! She makes the cutest crocheted creations! The contest was to design your own monster hat. She would pick two winners. The winners would get their monster hat in whatever size they wanted and be able to name it. Well, the contest ended yesterday, and I'm proud to say I was one of the winners!

It took me awhile to come with a name, so I decided to combine the names of my boys (since they were my inspiration.)

Grayson + Rogan = Graygan!


The hat looks AMAZING! I can't wait to get it and put it on one of the boys. Of course, I'll have to order another one...;o)

Click here to read the winning post!

Monday, April 04, 2011

Bumper Jumpers!


I bought a great deal through Groupon.com: $8 for three bounce sessions at Bumper Jumpers! It's normally $8.50 per session for kids over 1 year old (parents are free.) We'd never taken Arden to a bounce house place before, but I was pretty sure she'd love it. She loves to jump!
Well, we've gone 2 out of the 3 sessions. The first time, she was a bit wary. We had to help her climb the ladders and then slide down with her on the slides. The second time...completely opposite! She climbed all the ladders and slid down all the slides with little help out all. She was born to play at this place!
Right now the boys are free, but they won't be once they turn 1. That is so ridiculous to me. I think it should be 18 months. I guess one of us will have to stay home with the boys while the other one takes Arden to Bumper Jumpers. I think we both want to take her, though...because it's pretty dang fun!
Grayson

Arden
Rogan

She loves this castle jumper. She kept hugging all the characters!

Big kid slide!


Climbing and sliding with daddy...no fear!

Sunday, April 03, 2011

Arden's "Big Girl" Bike


I scored this really cute Radio Flyer tricycle at a consignment sale. It was only $4! It was dirty, a little rusty, and definitely faded...but it drove like a dream. I cleaned it up a bit. Not exactly sure what to do about the rusty spots. Adam suggested covering them up with duct tape. Anywho, Arden wants to ride it whenever she sees it. She doesn't quite "get it" yet, but she's learning. I think I need to get her a helmet...

Friday, April 01, 2011

Country Park

I love it when Adam's night off of work coincides with a beautiful day. We took advantage of the beautiful weather on March 18th and took the kids to Country Park. We'd never taken them there before. Arden LOVED the geese and ducks! I, however, was not a huge fan of the huge crowds of children and lack of baby swings.

I think the kids had a pretty good time...until lunchtime rolled around. We attempted a picnic in a gazebo. Arden wasn't very cooperative. She'd rather be playing. The boys were screaming until we gave them each a cracker. Then the wind blew everything to the ground. We headed home shortly thereafter. :)


This was the boys' first time in the wagon. They did great! Oh, and Rogan's in blue, Grayson's in green.

Arden really wanted to join the geese and ducks in the pond.



Big Girl Swing!

Such a good daddy! :)