Life As We Know It: May 2009

It's hard to believe our baby girl is two years old today! Brooke, you are our little piece of sunshine. God has blessed us more than we ever could have imagined with the wonderful little person he has created in you. I love everything about you, even the fact that you entered your terrible-I mean teachable-two's a little early. You are our precious angel and we have enjoyed every minute with you, and we savor the opportunity to watch you grow from a baby into a lovely little girl.

Here's a quick look back in time.

Two days old- 2007

First Birthday 2008

Look who's TWO! 2009

On your second birthday, you played for a long time with Ginny, Grammy Co, and Aunt Darla. You tried to catch bubbles from the bubble machine in a bucket. You sat on a soccer ball and played with flowers. You colored and played with your sticker book. You dressed in your pink princess dress and the butterfly wings Daddy made out of your birthday pinata. You twirled around saying, "I'm flying. I'm a bootiful pincess!" You were so excited to eat your ladybug cake and to take your third bubble bath since yesterday. You were so proud to wear your ladybug towel, saying, "I'm a wickybug! Beeee!" You hugged your Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto and watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. You took them all to your crib and quietly drifted to sleep with your special pillow and pink blanket. It was a wonderful day.

Teamwork

It's been busy around the Bagley house. We've had several sweet visitors since being home. The twins were pleased to meet their Aunt Summer, cousins Kendra & Carter, Aunt Beth, Aunt Diana, cousins Jerid, Amanda, KayeLeigh, Cody, and Aunt Michelle, friends Shelley and Scott.

The highlight of our week has been the 'round the clock help from Mom and Aunt Darla. Darla came all the way from California to join Mom in spending the week doing my laundry, cleaning my house, and taking care of the babies. What a relief! They were also great entertainment for Austin, Ginny, and Brooke. I was sad to see Darla leave today, but I am so thankful that she was able to spend this week with us. Mom will stay for a few more days. I am thinking about hiding her car keys though.

Two lovely pairs

Swinging...

swinging...

and more swinging!

well fed and happy little girls

and they still look amazing after a week at my house!

We're Home!

We came home Friday, May 15th. I couldn't believe they were letting us take home such tiny babies! I was so thankful they did. We were really happy to be home.

Soo tiny!

Welcome home! Our friends the Tiptons surprised us with this stork sign in our yard!

You can rent the stork from them too! 214-729-1004

Austin cuddling with Claire

Ginny & Keely

Brooke giving kisses

We're home! Yay!

Visitors

While we were in the hospital, we had several sweet visitors stop by.

Mom, Dad, and Kelly were here for Brooke's party the Saturday before the twins were born. They wanted to stay an extra day through Monday's appointment so they would be sure not to miss the big event. Thanks so much for staying! I know you had a late and long drive home, but it meant so much to us that you were there!

Dad and Kelly

David's mom Jeanett stayed the entire week at our house taking care of Austin, Ginny and Brooke. I don't know what we would have done without her help! She is amazing! When I came home the house was so clean and the kids were minding their manners! What a great Grandma!

Mom and Jeanett

This is my WONDERFUL doctor, Dr. Mos. She also delivered Brooke. For some reason we never took her picture with Brooke in the hospital, so we thought we'd get all three this time around.

A fellow twin mommy, Allison stopped by with some preemie outfits for the twins. Thanks Allison! We are getting lots of use out of them!

Our dear friends Jonathan, Mica, and Ava. We have some new friends for you Ava!

My friend Anne came by with candy and good reading material. Thanks Anne!

A buddy from my teaching days, Cheryl. Who's the extra baby you ask? Cheryl had her little boy Luke the day after the twins were born at the same hospital! We actually ran into each other Monday before our appointments.

Here are our good friends Ashley and baby Julianna. So sweet of you guys to come by!

Amy visited the twins the day before we went home. She works at the hospital and she also visited us when Brooke was born. So sweet!

I tried to take a picture of everyone, but I'm sorry I left out Aaron, Danielle, and Andrea, three Aldridge buddies that escaped the picture trap!

Whoa, Back Up!

So how did all this happen a week early? Friday (May 8) at my appointment I was progressing a little further than the doctor would have liked, so she said I should come in Monday and if there was any change, that we would have the babies Monday.

So we went on with our weekend plans: Brooke's birthday party Saturday and coordinating the church nursery Sunday.

Saturday morning I began to have contractions. I was pretty uncomfortable, but determined to wait to call the doctor until after the party. I just had to get through Brooke's birthday party! I started feeling a lot better when my parents and Kelly arrived at my house.

The party went really well despite changing locations at the last minute. Brooke is one loved little girl! She really enjoyed having a special celebration just for her. I can't believe my baby is turning TWO on Friday!!!

Thankfully the signs of labor pretty much disappeared Saturday evening, so we were able to go to church the next morning, but by the time I had my doctor's appointment Monday, it was certainly time for the babies to be born!

Sleep, Eat, Diapers ... Sleep, Eat, Diapers ...

David here.

Well, I guess you can tell by the title what we have been up to. Claire and Keely are both eating well and Kim finally got to eat. Austin, Ginny, and Brooke are doing really well too without Kim around (Thanks Grandma). Austin looks forward to seeing the twins everyday. He goes from school straight to the hospital so he can see them for a little bit. Ginny and Brooke come up in the morning to give the twins some big sister lovin. They are mesmerized watching a diaper change.

One quick story before I get to pictures. This evening, we decided to put the girls in another new outfit (it's just too much fun to dress them up). I changed Keely's diaper and outfit, no problem. I went to change Claire. I took her clothes off and changed her diaper. I put her new PJ's on. I had a little trouble buttoning them, but really no problem. Just as I finished the last button, I hear a sound coming from Claire's backside. I check . . . and yep she pooped. I think she was just waiting for me to get that last button. What a little stinker. Anyway, I changed her again, no complaints just thought it was funny.