Oh, the girl

Gosh I love this girl. Beatrice is growing up so fast. I took this picture of her the other day after I had painted her nails and she looked so big and grown-up to me in the photo. She's taken a big blow with the arrival of the twins. She's a typical three-year old, full of independence and neediness, and I wish I had more time to focus on just her. Oh well.

She loves to hug and kiss Simon & Oliver. She also loves to dance like a ballerina. She has a tu-tu which she quickly puts on anytime we have visitors. Here she is posing with Oliver.

She also moved into the preschool on campus, and so that's added another component of change to her life. Luckily she transitioned with her best friend and she also knows most of the kids in her classroom. Here she is sitting with her best friend on the merry-go-round. I laughed because I told them to hold on tight and they proceeded to hold onto each other as well. :)

This last photo is of her and my Uncle John (my father's brother) down at Canal Park when they visited in July. I just thought this was a cute photo of them talking and her holding onto his hand. The last time she saw him was two years ago, so to her it was like the first time.

Announcing......

Introducing our new arrivals on July 22, 2009:

Simon Francis
5 pounds, 3 ounces
18 inches
8:59 p.m.

&

Oliver Amos
7 pounds, 1 ounce
19.3 inches
9:10 p.m.

Now that I've had 7 hours of sleep since midnight, I have some energy to post.

The boys arrived on Wednesday July 22nd, 2009. From first contraction to Simon's delivery was 2 hours and 15 minutes. I don't recommend attempting such a quick labor alone! :) A more descriptive birth story will be coming soon.

All the stars aligned for having a natural twin deliver with minimal intervention (babies both head down, no epidural, no IV (until after deliver), no cesarean and my back-up doctor on call). St. Luke's Hospital delivers twins in the operating room, which tells you a little bit about the way most twin deliveries go.

Here are some photos:


Simon after he'd been cleaned up


Oliver after he'd been cleaned up


Proud mama with Oliver & Simon (all looking a little beat up)


Bea's first interaction with Oliver


Bea's first interaction with Simon


Proud Clay holding his two boys (Oliver & Simon)


Leaving the hospital on July 25, 2009


Simon nursing on Oliver's hand


Oliver & Simon nose to nose

The Belly & Bedrest

As you all probably know, we're expecting twin boys on August 21st.

I've been on bedrest for the past 11 days, and only 10 days left to go. Then I can increase my activity and let nature takes its course.

Lots of you have been asking for belly shots, and so here they are. Don't worry, I'm fully clothed. ;) Also, if you want to see what we've been up to this summer, go here.

17 weeks (Seattle, WA)


24 weeks, 5 days (Richmond, VA)


30 weeks, 4 days (Last picture before we sold our Honda Civic)


32 weeks, 5 days (Relaxing)


34 weeks, 2 days (just a belly shot)

At last.....

Summer is here! It's beach time.

We had a great evening at the beach with great friends. Our five little girls swam and rolled in the sand.


Bea assessing the lake. First order of business when we got there was for her to put on her suit. She'd been looking forward to our beach evening all day. We got there around 4:30, 70 degrees.




Bea & Sam getting ready to swim....actually they were rolling around in the sand just after this picture was taken.



Sam's sister Izzy loves to take care of the littler kids. Here is Bea in what she called a bear. Bea had a blast.



Bea didn't even know this ladybug was on her forehead.


Here's the bigger picture. The little ones play on the shore while the "big" girls play out in the water. See how far they can go and still be standing.

Thanks to Kara & Jill for helping me out with Bea!