We had the Cupcake party of the century...

except we didn't even have cupcakes! Seriously Chris always says "go big or go home" and so I went big, he went bigger, and it was a blast. I think what inspired the bash was the fact that last year when the babies were born it was truly one of the saddest days in my life. I felt I had let them down, we were worried Rachel would die, and we felt bad that they were so fragile in this big world. In contrast when Harmon was born and was completely healthy it was probably one of the happiest days in my life.

So to mark what has been a year of miracles we went all out. We had tons of food, 4 cakes (each baby had a smash cake and than we had a real cake in honor of each baby), a huge waterslide, pinata, and 50+ guests made up of dear friends and our big families. Everyone had a blast (especially little Harmon who we had to drag off that slide kicking and screaming twice) but more importantly it was a celebration. When last year was filled with sadness and fear on this day; this year we rejoiced! We celebrated 2 wonderful babies who are our miracles and complete our family perfectly :)

Happy Birthday Callum!

Dear Callum,

When you were first born I called you my little fighter becuase you didn't want anything to do with those pesky nurses who were trying to stick tubes down you. You pulled out your intubation tube so you went on CPAP instead. Constantly you were tugging your IV's and your feeding tubes later on. We knew you didn't need oxagen anymore when you choose at 3 wks to pull out your nasal canula. You never gave anyone trouble though. You were not a crier, and you just loved looking at everyone and watching the latest. Ever since the start you were just sweeter than pie and nothing has changed!

Now I realize you really are not a fighter, you are something better. You hold your own against your pesky brother and sister BUT unless someone is stealing your toy or your food you just have the most pleasent of dispositions. You love to be held and you let everyone hold you. At night your Daddy always wants to chill with you and watch TV. When you were smaller and I had my surgery I would hold you in my arms and we would both nap. It was the best feeling in the world. I still love to cuddle and kiss you! I worry about the day when you are older and don't want so many cuddles and kisses b/c you are too cool. You will always be my baby boy! You will always be your Daddy and your brother Harmon's best friend. You truly do complete our family and we love you with all our heart :)

~Mom~

Happy Birthday Rachel

Dear Rachel,

I love you so much. One year ago today you were born and you scared the crumb I hope you know! You were the first to come out and you didn't make a sound. You were not breathing well and had to be immeadeatly intubated. I really feared we would lose you. You had only been in the earth for a few moments but I knew I never wanted to know a life without you. But of course you quickly proved that you are a fighter and after those first early scary moments you haven't stopped! The nurses loved you b/c you are so beautiful but they always worried you were trying to escape your incubator.

You love to explore, to learn, and to experience life at all times. We can't stop you! You have been moving, escaping and hiding since you came home from the hospital. You don't like being cuddled too much b/c you are too busy looking for the next best thing. Sometimes others get a little miffed BUT with that said you love it when I hold you (and I love it too). You are my only girl and I pray we will always be best friends. Your Daddy thinks you are Easter and Christmas all rolled into one, you make him that happy. You are your Daddy and I's sweet princess and a child of a Heavenly Father. We love you!

~Mom~

Counting Blessings!

I thought when the year anniversary of spending a 2 mos in the hospital and the cupcakes being in the NICU for 6 wks rolled around it would be a somber time. Instead their birthday is Saturday and I've just got so much to celebrate right now. I put together a year slideshow for them and it is so neat to watch it. We could have lost them but instead they are doing just fine and fabulous. It was hard but everything was so worth it. I really can't believe when everything looked so doomed that all of this could turn out so well.

Well it is done!

Well Cally's outfit is done and I'm proud to say I did both myself and for under 10 dollars total for both. With that said if we were on Project Runway Heidi would be telling me auf wiedersehen!

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Don't quit your day job!!!

Yes, I know the pic is upside down but that's my phone for ya :p. Okay so I'm good at a lot of things: I can make a cute ad, program basic things on a computer, manage a huge project, and of course being a good Mom. But mom crafts... Well obviously I shouldn't quit my day job and start an ETSY store!!!

I thought I would make a special outfits for my Cupcakes' first birthday. I started with Rachel's b/c a pillow case dress looked easy. I think we could fit 3 Rachels in here!!! The sad thing is I used to be able to sew decently but baby things are very hard b/c it is all so small. Cally's outfit is next and he is personally telling me to please go to Kohls or somewhere else. He said "my friends are going to think I'm a geek in your sewing".




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Teething x2, the 7th dimension of Hades!

When Harmon was teething in all honestly it really wasn't that bad! Okay it was bad but b/c we used the Highland Teething tablets, Motrin, Oragel, Tylenol, and even some Vicodin we made it through (the Vicodin part is a joke so no need for calling CPS). But this time our new pedi has convinced me that Tylenol is really the only safe one of these meds to use and of course it is the crummiest. Also the fact is when it was just Harmon well, we could take turns handling the screaming, feverish, diarhea monster.

Oh but not this time. Now we are truly out numbered and armed w/only some gel freezer toys and a bottle of Tylenol. We are getting our butts kicked! I was so tired today from all the teething drama that I fell asleep talking to the physical therapist. Rachel and Cally each are having fevers but she gets diarhea while he gets constipation. Rachel sleeps well at night but is a total nightmare during the day. She just WAILS! Cally is our consistent moaner and at night he wakes up the whole night wanting love. I spend the whole day practicing my infant massage techniques and night Chris is sticking paci's and doling out the Tylenol.

The good news is that Miss Rachel sprouted her first tooth finally on Sunday and a new one is emerging today. Cally Jolly has yet to sprout a tooth but I can feel the two distinct bumps. Hopefully this teeth spurt will be done soon and I can get a little night sleep and a few quiet moments during the day.

I miss Mayberry!

When I was small and things got rough I would dream about running away. It normally involved me making a great escape on a horse or a powerwheels car out into the wild where I would build this magical treehouse and live like the "Home Alone" kid.

These days for the heck of it I dream of running away, with my family of course. I think how nice it would be in a new state with new adventures. Chris and I could each get a simple jobs and live simpler (maybe even cut the cable... but not the internet of course). We could get a small quaint little home w/a picket fence and the kids could grow a garden (something that living in the desert doesn't provide)... maybe we could even get a horse.

Than sometimes I think maybe we should go back to the big city. We miss Las Vegas so much these days. I imagine we could do New York, London, San Francisco, etc. The adventures could be endless. But that would make less sense b/c living in this town is stressful enough and trying to make a great living in a big city would definetly lead to more stress. Unless of course, we won the million on Deal or No Deal ;)

Ultimately it is all silly. Our life here is good, albeit stressful, and I need to just count my blessings for all the great things we have going on.

Yet still that simple life in Mayberry sure does sound nice... especially with a nice ice cold cherry coke!

Behold I be standing!

Today Cally stood for the first w/o us holding on to him! He is a few wks from his first birthday and I think he is determined to catch up :)


Rachel not to be left behind is also hitting milestones. This week she learned to wave and clap. She is eating mainly solid foods and taking a few first steps w/some help. We got her shoes to encourage her to walk flat footed. Once we get rid of her "high heels" I think she will be running us rabid... Maybe we should not be helping her ;)

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Evidence I am losing my mind!

Today I went to the store and bought everything I needed to make Enchiladas but forgot the tortillas.

So I tried to make BLTs but forgot to get bread.

For tomorrow I thought I would put on a pot of beans tonight but forgot that I didn't buy beans either!

Finally I created and printed out the twins birthday invitations only to forget to pick up envelopes.

So what did I go shopping for today?

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Hair bye bye!

Yesterday on the fly Chris and I thought: let's save some cash and cut Harmon's hair ourselves. Well I don't think I should quit my day job! When the grandmas see this I might be murdered b/c the curls are gone. Harm likes it. He keeps saying "hair go bye bye!"


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My Pretty Little Fishy

Friday our twins finished their Summer swim class at Gym Magic. Callum will probably start again soon for physical therapy. Both did great! We had a new instructor and when she saw Rachel and fell in love with her (she worked w/her for a good 20 mins of a 45 min class). She told us how special she was and started doing tricks with her. She is able to be under water for a few seconds, do basic kicking, and a little floating. It is exciting! I am so proud. I'm always used to being the Special Needs mom and today I was the mom of just a special child!

Sleeping like babies!

To be a little baby again! 10 hrs of sleeping plus 2-4 hours of napping :) It sounds so divine. I am so ready to sign up again. Neither Chris or I sleep very much. Chris has to be at work by 7 am and I have kids jumping on me around that same time. Last night Callum woke up 4x and Harmon 2x. He was sleep walking and looking for ice cream one of those times. It is so funny b/c sometimes we start to get melancholy about these being our last ones, especially w/the twins birthday upon us! But truth be told we are looking forward to the twins and Harmon FINALLY sleeping through the night :p and never EVER going through this stage again! All I can say is thank heavens for Rachel who sleeps like a rock her 10 hrs straight :)

Unexpected Vacation...

This was just one of those weeks in our home that everyone just was bracing themselves b/c each day held a new challenge: work, early intervention, home life, etc. You name it and Chris and I were getting our butts kicked. So Friday afternoon Chris informed me that we were going to spend the weekend in Ruidosa NM b/c thanks to a sweet turn of events we had Saturday night covered for us at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. I don't think you could have had two people pack bags fast enough enough for their little family of five. Come Saturday morning we were ready to kiss Las Cruces GOOD BYE!!!!

When we got there everything was perfect. It was even a pleasent ride up w/the Cupcakes sleeping and Harmon singing his songs. The room overlooked the lake and the weather was great. As were coming my inlaws were leaving and when Harmon saw his beloved MiMa, as always he was completely snookered. MiMa and PawPaw volunteered to take him so we could have a chance to spend a little one on one w/the twins (which we had never done). Needless to say we missed our Harmon, but it was nice that our twins got a chance to have an adventure like little Harmon has had with us.

So we spent the Saturday and Sunday having a little relaxation time. It was so nice to just re-energize in probably one of my favorite places (I grew up visiting Ruidosa w/my family). The twins strolled the village w/us and loved the pool at night. Today we even attended church w/a small group of Apache's in Mescalero. When Harm was a baby we took him everywhere but b/c the twins were so premature they scarcely left the house during RSV season (which only ended in May). This was their first adventure out of town and it was so much fun getting to know them on a new level. Next adventure though we need our Harmon! And seeing that we have the gypsy spirit I don't doubt it won't be long ;)