There is STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.  I am loving our doubled-in-size family of four.
 
Things I wanted to make note of:
Started fruit on Sunday morning 7/18/10.  Apples first.
Made 6 mo checkup appt for tomorrow, July 28^th.
 
Funny things I can’t remember if I have mentioned before:
When Chloe passes gas she is startled or cries.  Carter smiles or grunts.
Chloe’s skin is softer.  Carter is louder.
Chloe has the sweetest “coo” in the world.
Carter has not “whoo’ed” in a while, but he is very vocal lately. 
They are in the beginning stages of starting to reach up for you to hold them.  They are throwing their arms to the side or lifting a hand when you get close to them.
They both enjoy the mobile in their cribs, but as soon as it stops, they are wanting to be picked up. 
They are both moving around the house in their walker – mostly in reverse.

Carter may, just may, have his first little tooth coming in on the bottom.  We can see and feel something little and white.  He was working his little toungue on the top of it on Sunday morning.  We will ask the pediatrician tomorrow.  I already have my list of questions for the doctor typed up.  I hope she is ready for me.  J  And, I will be asking for formula samples.  I am shameless. 
 
Chloe is especially smiley these days.  Carter, probably due to the first fresh tooth emerging, has been a little grumpier than normal … mostly at night. 

 
They certainly open their mouths when I am spoon feeding them.  Like cute little birds.  They really do it  when they see a bottle being shook up - they try to pull it near them.  Chloe cries in the middle of the bottle.  She doesn’t want to stop OR burp.
 
I LOVE EVERYTHING CUTESY CRAFTY UNIQUE. Being imaginative and creative is my weakness.  I am already starting to gather ideas for the 1^st birthday party.  I know that’s kinda cheesy … I enjoy the research and planning though.  And altough I will never likely be a “MOM-PRENUER” myself, I can live vicariously through others.  I love other peoples ideas, crafts, etc.  :)
 
DARE TO BE DOMESTICATED.  That’s my goal.  I’ve been letting the house go lately.  It bugs me.  But I also know that I must let go of perfectionism. I need a sticker on my computer that says, “progress not perfection”.  I have to daily decide what we can live with leaving undone and what we can’t (e.g. getting formula from the store when we are all out!) We have things that are non-negotiables and carving out the time for these is most important.  The other stuff can and will wait. 
 
For one thing, I probably shouldn’t put to many events on the to-do list.  I need room for flexibility in my schedule.  When it’s just the four of us at home on the weekends, my expectations are VERY low and then I’m hardly disappointed. I found in the beginning that I’d want to do my normal tasks and when nothing got done, I’d feel frustrated and that I was a failure. By lowering my expectations, I make it easier on myself.
 
Unfortunately, the internet is a huge time waster in my life.  I love to shop online at zulily, etsy, and others.  Not to mention facebook and checking email, Frugal Fairhope, Saving Sisters, I heart Publix, blah blah blah.  I need to learn balance in that area. 
 
Anyway, still LOVING our new church.  Feeling very refreshed and excited about the future.  Would love to catch a good worship or marriage conference in the area sometime.
 
Speaking of planning … hopefully Tommy is thinking of somewhere nice we can go for our 10 year anniversary!!  It’s in March.  Hint, Hint Tommy. 

Six months ago tonight was a wild time at Springhill Memorial Hospital!!  I was having an emergency c-section, my family had gathered close by, and we were blessed with 2 healthy babies!!  Today, at 6 months old, they are sweet as sugar and are more attached to my heart strings than I ever thought possible.  They are growing and developing like crazy.  We had lunch at Outback with Dad, Lil, and Doug and Chloe was picking up her pacifier and putting it near her mouth.  Not quite IN her mouth, but I was still impressed with the intense motor skills.  Carter kept picking the straw out of Dad's tea.  He wrapped his sweet little index finger around it and picked it right up - twice.  They both tried pears with their morning cereal - and liked it.  They are both fighting little colds.  As I type, Chloe is crying, and Tommy is suctioning out her nose.  She's throwing a fit and coughing.  Sweet as sugar, these babies are.  I hate it when they don't feel good.  Teething has been rough enough on them without the added congestion, runny nose, and cough.  :(

The babies are bucking out of their car seats, reaching for things, crying when they see you walk by and want to be picked up. I like that they want us  though.  It's cool now that they open their mouths when I kiss them.  Their way of kissing me back.  Chloe has gotten particularly fascinated with her daddy lately.  I am keeping my eye on that situation.  She's got to be a mommy's girl, and Carter has got to be a mommy's boy.  Period.  :)

I bought the babies some new things at the Savvy Mom sale this weekend but it was sad that I no longer had a need to shop the newborn, 0-3 months, and 3-6 month racks.  Life is zipping by.  I was intentional tonight in blogging.  Half a year has gone by.  That is a big deal.  What a six months it has been!  Joyful, Exciting, Full, Different, Fun, Tiring, and Memorable.  I still feel incredibly blessed!  I love life with them!!!  I am just trying to slow down ... enjoy it ... breathe it in ... look back on how God delivered.  He knew my desire to be a mom, He heard our prayers, He knew His plan for my life.  He blessed me double!!

The next 6 months will be fun, I truly believe that ---sitting up, crawling, walking, Fall Football Season, Trip to the Mountains, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  

But the last 6 months have been AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Being a MOM is even BETTER than I thought.  Truly Two-riffic!!

Ok, Shelley ... suck it up.  Quit crying.  The best is yet to come.  Life is meant for living.  :)

Happy Birthday Molly!  We enjoyed her party today at the Eastern Shore Center.  Good to see both sides of our family there.  MeMe had everything set up so cute and Molly was a beauty.  Cute little tutu on.  And she ate her cake from a purple bumbo seat.  She really dug into her cake.  It's hard to believe Molly is one.  I can't believe the babies will be 1/2 a year old in 2 more weeks.  A reminder to me today about how fast time goes by.  We took some pictures tonight after we got home and even some silly videos.  Trying to capture these great moments.

The babies will had carrots for the first time tonight.  Chloe thought they were the bomb diggity. Chloe was having a full blown baby conversation with Big Bird tonight.  And she has started blowing spit bubbles.  Its cute for now, but I hope it doesn't continue.   I must admit I was a big fan of her outfit today.  A pink smocked bubble with fish on it.  Classic and sweet. 

Carter has been somewhat of a pill today.  A little cranky and fighting sleep.  But he kicked booty during tummy time tonight.  Made a full circle one wiggle/scoot at a time.  His little smocked John John was cute too.  Had little turtles on it.   Shopping for the babies is much funner than shopping for myself these days.

I enjoyed this past Bible Study I am doing on Thursday nights.  I need to draw closer to God despite my busyness.  He wants my affection and my attention.  It is in Him that my strength is renewed.  Last night we stayed in Dauphin Island with the Harris's and the Wade's.  Didn't go to bed until after midnight.  Learned how to play Canasta though.  ;)  It is time for me to turn in.  I feel pretty exhausted!  B12 shot from Wednesday doesn't eliminate the need for SLEEP!

My babies are eating vegetables.  So far they have had green beans, squash, and green peas - all of which they ate and enjoyed.  Messily, of course.  Carter rejected the green beans a bit at first. He put me on lockdown, and I couldn’t get the spoon in after a few bites, but at supper the next night, he took them with no problem.  I try to save time by mixing the cereal and the veggie together.  So far so good.  Their little legs are getting so fat that its hard to pull them out of the bumbo seat.  I have to pull them out of the seat with my arms and then use whatever appendages I have left to pry those little chubby legs out of the seat.  :)
 
Carter and Chloe both play with the little toys on their car seats.  They grab and pull and tug at them.  Chloe’s butterfly has crinkle-y wings, so when we are going down the road, I can hear when she is playing with it.  Carter has the little pull-down monster that wiggles its way back up.  Joleen bought this toy for him and while driving down the road, I hear it zip down and vibrate back up.  Sweet to ‘hear’ them getting motor development. 
 
Tommy and I love Chloe’s fuzzy fresh hair.  It sticks up and is wispy and new.  He has started calling her little Kiwi instead of Henry since its so soft and fuzzy.  :) Kiwi sounds better.
 
Two weeks ago, at age 5 months, Tommy and I let the babies go into the nursery at church for the first time.  Since the babies have ‘found their voice’ and since Carter is both a ‘grunter’ and a ‘woo-er’ we decided that they were being a distraction to those around us. It was actually harder to ‘let go’ than I thought.  We stood in line to check them in at the kidstown area, and then we chickened out. We brought them into the service with us instead and once we got settled, noticed that the worship was particularly loud that morning.  So about 2 minutes into worship, we took them back out and checked them in.  Yes, we were indeed a distraction that morning. They had a great experience, from what I could tell.  Carter got fed a bottle and when I walked in, Kelly Raybon was holding Chloe.  I felt good about it.  I guess this Sunday will be easier. 
 
As I mentioned before, they are really talking these days. Not with words but with sweet coos and expressions.  My Chloe has beautiful eyes that light my world.  When they sparkle, my heart illuminates.  Carter T has a smile that makes me jump for joy on the inside.  He is such a joyful child.  I am so thankful that he will smile at anything.  Dad says that he would smile at a statue, and he is probably right.  :)
 
We went back to Destin for the Fourth of July.  Joleen and Jimmy were gracious enough to let us stay with them for the holiday weekend and we got to spend lots of quality time with the babies.  We snuggled on the balcony and even watched the fireworks display from there.  (the babies liked the colors).  We brought the babies to the beach, took pictures, and let them put their feet in sand for the first time.  They were smiling and enjoying it.  We even applied their first sunscreen.  Joleen put SPF 70 on their bodies and I slathered up their faces!  No signs of oil or tar balls on the beach where we were, but there were buckets of water with cleanser where you could clean your feet if need be.  We took the babies to the kiddie pool and kids area.  They were clueless, but we had fun taking pictures with them in their bathing suits near all the cool props – whales, turtles, boats.  Call me the momma-razzi … but I do love pictures!  The pool was much colder than they have been in before, but they didn’t seem to mind the refreshing dip.  They watched the babies one night for me & Tommy to take a bike ride. We had such a great time doing that!  Tommy and I love to bike and canoe together. And we hadn’t done either in a LONG while.  So, next on the list:  canoeing!!
 
For about a week before the Destin trip, Carter had been waking up nearly every hour.  Tommy and I were concerned that maybe he had an ear infection or something we didn’t know about, so Tommy took him to the pediatrician.  Dr. Little said that his ears were clear but he recommended that we let him try sleeping on his stomach.  That scared me to death but we tried it in Destin (since they were in the room with us) and it worked great.  He’s been sleeping much better ever since. 
 
Both babies are getting stronger.  They like to push off of you with their legs and they like to do  ‘crunches’ when you lay them on their backs.  Even in the bathtub they are trying to sit up.  Chloe almost came out of the carseat one day when I was at Grandmas, and so I have started buckling them into the car seat and swing so that they don’t buck their way out of it.  They also enjoy spending time in the walker.  They scoot/push it backwards until they find themselves pinned up against a wall. Aunt Gwen bought the babies lovey’s.  Chloe is particularly bonded with her lovey.  It’s a pink blankie with a bear on top.  She holds it, lifts it up, and eats it … regularly.  I’ve already washed it once. 
 
One day when I picked them up from ShuShu, she was playing a Disney movie of Christmas in Disney World.  I was tickled to see that.  I love both Mickey Mouse and Christmas Music!  A Disney Christmas in July – perfect!  Sherri is so good with them.  I have so much to be grateful for in terms of childcare, and people surrounding us who love us and care for us!  I think I say that in every blog.
 
I feel like we are into full force teething, but the pediatrician says it is still early.  One thing I do know, I can’t keep the fists, bibs, blankets, and toys out of their mouths.  Even after I give them a bite of food, they want to force the fist into their mouths.  I keep the tylenol nearby for when they are warm or unusally irritable. I also have, on rare occasion, used the teething tablets.  Apparently not much is known about those, and the pediatrician did not want me to rely on them, but I have known lots of mothers who have used them and believe in their effectiveness.  An experienced mom is a knowledge pool … so I trust them. 
 
We had a great time at Braelyns Birthday Party!  Pools, water slides, sprinklers… and most of all, all of the family – and all the new additions to the family – were there.  Including the one in Tiff’s tummy.  We are a blessed family.  And we aren’t ashamed of baby talk!

 
The babies are in a size 2 diapers, but at Carter’s last doctors visit (on Friday July 2^nd), he weighed 17 ½ pounds.  He’s no little boy.  So I have been putting size 3 diapers on him.  Chloe wears them too at night.  J 
 
They are wearing a 3-6 month clothes.  And they are adorable in all the wonderfully cute clothes that their Aunt Joleen and April buy for them!!
 
They are drinking about 5- 7oz bottles a day.  They have about 3 tablespoons of cereal in the morning, and 3 or 4 tablespoons of cereal in the evening with the vegetable.  As soon as the vegetables are done, I will start introducing fruit with the morning cereal.  I sure hope I am doing this right! If not, someone please email me.  gently.  :)
 
Chloe has been off the apnea monitor for a week and we turned it in.  That will be a monthly savings of $130!  I am glad to not have her attached to wires overnight anymore.  Especially now that they are wiggling all around at night now.  In fact Tommy just took the bumper pads out of the cribs.  He had ‘read’ that it should be removed.  I went with his convictions and was proud of him of doing research.  :)  He’s a very hands-on dad. 
 
Since our trip to Destin, I have been bringing them in the bed with us when they start stirring in the morning.  They like to snuggle and the pacifier will usually buy us a little more ‘snooze time.’  Those moments are like heaven to me.  So so so so sweet.  I will never get tired of  hearing  Chloe’s sweet sighs and songs.  I tell her all the time, in my funny baby voice “you are a beautiful girl.”  I pray that she turns out to be as much or more beautiful on the inside!  Proverbs 2:6 - Father, give us counsel and wisdom in bringing up our children!!
 
These are things I want for my children:
 
Isa 54:13 That they are taught of the Lord, and continue to be
 
Prov.13:1 the fruit of Godly instruction and correction.
 
Isa 54:13 Great is their peace and undisturbed composure
 
1 Peter 1:14 obedient, not conforming to the things of the flesh.
 
1 Peter 1:15 but holy in all conduct.
 
James 1:19 That they are swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath .
 
Heb. 13:5 Their conduct is without covetousness.
 
Heb. 13:5 and they are content with what they have.
 
Heb. 13:16 They do not forget to do what is right and to share.
 
2 Peter 3:18 I pray they grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.
 
1 Peter 5:5 That they submit to their elders and to one another.
 
1 Peter 5:5 that they are clothed with humility.
 
1 Peter 5:7 That they cast their cares upon the Father
 
Philemon 1:6 effectively share their faith
 
2 Tim.1:7 and not having a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
 
2 Tim.1:9 that the Father would save them and call them with a holy calling
 
2Tim. 2:22 They abide with others who call on the Lord with a pure heart
 
1 John 5:18 Because Jesus keeps them safe, the wicked one does not touch them
 
Ps.91:11 That God will give angels special charge to accompany, defend and preserve.
 
Ps. 4:8 and provide safety for them day and night
 
1 John 2:15 They do not love the world or the things in the world
 
3 John 1:11 and they do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.
 
1 John 1:7 They walk in the light as He is in the light
 
1 Tim.2:22 They follow after righteousnes, faith, love and peace..
 
Heb. 13:18 They have a good conscience and desire to live honorably.
 
Prov. 3:4 have favor and high esteem with God and man.

Right now I am blogging from Birmingham. We left Mobile yesterday and we drove here. Carter was a little grumpy on this road trip but I think it was a bad combination of gas and itchy gums. The babies are drool factories lately and Carter tries to fit both fists in his mouth. Chloe 'fists' it too sometimes but she has also started to grind her gums together side to side. We had dinner with Jonathan Jenkins and Gabriel and Perry Wright. We ate at California Pizza Kitchen - Yummy. It was good to catch up with those friends. They hold special places in our hearts. Great ministry memories with them. We got to laugh with Perry about how Tommy calls Chloe 'Henry' when she's not wearing a bow. ;) Jonathan came back to the hotel with us to chat and he and Tommy went skating after the babies were asleep. We shared with Jonathan the origin of Chloe's nickname 'B'. :) After dinner, Jonathan introduced us to the phenomenon which is 'Yogurt Mountain'. A-stinking-mazing. If I had a mere second more free time, I would open one of these in Mobile. It would be a total hit. Who knows how much profit could be made but I certainly talked to Tommy about the possibility. Until you get a chance to try it for yourself, simply take my word for it. Best yogurt with every - I mean every topping imaginable. It's a cool place. This was the first hotel the babies have stayed in. It's obvious that we aren't afraid to travel with them. Destin, Atlanta, Birmingham. We are having fun and we aren't slowing down a bit. It's a little harder to travel with them in tow. And much more to pack. But just as much fun. (side note: You know I don't have time for proper grammar and punctuation, right? I barely have time to blog!) We are here in Birmingham so that Tommy can go to a concert with Jonathan. His idea of a great Fathers Day weekend. I'm hanging in the hotel with the babies and I loved the snuggle time! They have been bathed (bathroom sink) and fed. They have settled down for the night in their pack n' plays. Funny (& typical) story ... As soon as I bathed Carter (who barely fits in the sink anymore) and after he had splashed water all over the counter and floor, I let the water drain out. Know what's next? He pees all over his body. Face included. So we start over. :)

Chloe is starting to hold her own bottle. It's awesome. She needs guidance of course, but shes definitely getting the hang of it. I have been told that when they hold their own bottle that it's harder to take it away from them when they are older but right now it seems like relief. Carter currently has no interest and in fact has been getting harder to feed. He wants to play with the bottle. And chew the nipple. And bat at the bottle. Mommy doesn't love this. Hopefully it's just a phase!

They are really really noticing each other now. Chloe has started talking more and her cooing is precious! They watch each other intently and they jabber and smile at each other. They continue to watch us too. When we go in and out of the room their heads spin around. It catches our eye and we enjoy being 'watched'. I'm waiting for the right time to start baby food. I am thinking we may start next week. They will be 5 months in 5 days. Unbelievable! They are taking rice cereal so well - Twice a day. So I think it's almost time to introduce a little more.

We had head scans done on Carters head (we saw a neurologist) because his head is slanted on one side. Carter favors one side more than the other and so it was causing some slight 'slanting' problems. Pediatrician recommended a helmet but the child neurologist said that the brain scans were normal, that his sutures were not grown together yet, and so we still have time to prop and work with him on rounding it back out. He is doing much more tummy time, walker. Bumbo, etc and so he is spending less time laying anyway. The neurologist said that helmets only provide a small gain (and sometimes none) for a lot of hassle! Whew.

We are excited to hear that Josh and Tiff are having a baby boy! Another playmate/cousin for the twins and this baby boy will even out the family girl/boy ratio. Yay! Congrats!

I've been having a lot of back pain, neck tension, and headaches. Please pray about this with me. Not sure if it's hormonal, from stress, or just handling two heavier babies and even heavier car carriers. It am in pretty intense pain tonight. Considering a chiropractor, requesting a muscle relaxer, a massage, or all three!!

Uncle Tim bought a new car today! Excited about that. He's growing up. I feel like Tim is part my child and other part brother -as weird as that sounds, and I love him very much.

I am celebrating my dad today. He truly is a great one. And I am also honoring Tommy. He is the only love of my life. It's a love that is so strong and so committed. It comes from deep down. He has proven to be a great great dad to our babies. Sure we are learning. And truthfully I feel pretty certain that everything we think we know now in terms of parenting, we don't exactly know ... Anything ... About. We will change our thoughts, methods, and approach about parenting. But we are definitely in it together. And I am so glad! It's my mission to keep our relationship a priority. We were here before them. Our love brought this together.

Tommy and I have started attending Bay Community Church. We have been at Moffett Road Assembly for the last 9 years (I think). Time flies! But we are stepping into a new season in our lives. And we are excited about it. So glad to have made so many wonderful friends there. And we trust that we will continue to cultivate those friendships! Well it's definitely time for me to rest now. Nite Nite! I'm going to kiss my babies ...