Davis Michael & Jackson Lewis born on March 16, 2010

The boys are finally here! We are so thankful to God for a safe, quick and painless delivery and that we have two healthy boys! We went to the hospital at 4:30pm, got checked in and got all prepped with IV and all by 5:30pm. Earlier that morning at the Dr.’s office I was already dilated 4cm so we had a little bit of a head start for inducing. They started the pitocin shortly after we arrived and at 9pm they gave me my epidural. Once that set in they broke Baby A’s water and things really moved quickly after that. I went from 5cm to 8cm in 4o minutes and then 8cm to 10cm in the next 30 minutes. I pushed for about 5 minutes and Davis was born at 11:17pm. Then they broke Baby B’s water and I pushed another 5 minutes and 10 minutes later at 11:27pm Jackson was born. Dustin was such a help throughout the whole delivery and was able to cut both of their cords.

We decided that Baby A was going to be Davis Michael because he came out with a full head of red, curly hair just like my Dad. He was 6lb. 8oz. and 19” long. Jackson Lewis was 5lb. 14.5oz. and 19” long. Both were very healthy and passed all their tests and we were all cleared to leave on Thursday around 1pm. The nurses at the hospital were great with stuffing our stroller with diapers and formula galore – it looked like Dustin was a bell hop pushing a bell cart out of a hotel when we left. My recovery has been fairly easy and I’m feeling more normal everyday.

Abby has been very good throughout this new change and is such a helper girl. Things are starting to settle down now…all we lack is SLEEP! :)

Davis Michael Jackson Lewis

Jackson & Davis’ Room

I know I said a long time ago I would post pictures of the boy’s room but we just finished up a few things. After Christmas Abby helped me pull her stuff out of the closet and move it to her new room. She also helped with cleaning the baseboards and was actually a big help.

I’ve come to realize in the past few years that interior decorating is not my gift and it frustrates me to no end when I try to do it – so thank you to the few of you who helped and gave ideas of what to do. It’s also difficult when you are trying to fit 2 cribs in a small space along with a changing table, rocking chair and dresser…but we managed to fit it all. I now know who my decorating resources are if/when we ever buy a larger house. Dustin did all the painting with no help from me. This was a good thing being that I have a bad track record with spilling, splattering, smearing and spraying paint in my own face…again I know this is my weakness and have left this job up to him. I think he did a great job and I’m really liking that I get to pick out the colors and he does all the work haha. Well actually he helped choose the color and has taken more of an active role in the decorating decision-making since it’s the boys room. It must be a man thing since he let me do whatever I wanted when it came to Abby’s room and never cared before.

When I found out I was pregnant with Abby we bought her a piggy bank and started her a savings account with our loose change. Let’s just say the kid is a saver because she has accumulated a good chunk in the last year and a half (thanks mostly to Auntie Chris who sends her $1 every time she sends a letter or package in the mail). So we decided to get banks for the boys to teach all 3 kids how important saving is. Our good friend Andrea painted the boy’s names on the dog banks and did an amazing job – all I did was print out the font I wanted and she replicated them exactly. They turned out so cute!!!

36 1/2 weeks...I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!

We went to the Dr. yesterday for my last soniogram. Dustin got to go with me since he flew out in the late afternoon to Atlanta and had most of the day off. Here's the real shocker - Baby A is 6lb. 9oz. and Baby B is 5lb. 15oz.!!!!! Can you believe that they've gained 2 1/2 and 2 lbs. in the last 4 weeks and that I'm carrying 12 1/2 lbs. of BABY?!?!?! AAHHH! Geez...by the time they deliver they could each easily be 7 - 8lb. - that's more than Abby was! They are both head down which is a blessing because I'm still praying that I don't have to have a c-section. I'm still only dilated 1cm and Dr. Jacob's is going to induce on the 16th if they don't come before that. I am so ready to not be pregnant but it's still not sinking in that we will have 2 more babies in 12 days or less. Dustin comes home tomorrow night and Mom flies back in on Monday so as long as I make it until then I'll be happy. I am so thankful that they are getting big though - that way we have some room in case they drop a bit from their birth weight. That was my biggest concern not being able to bring them home when we came home. I am continuing to pray (and ask for your prayers as well) for good health for all of us and a safe (painless & speedy - hey I can always pray) labor/delivery. My next appt. is this next Tuesday and then no more after that - can't believe the time is already here.

Allison’s Baby Shower

My friend Allison who I used to work with at the Sheraton Greensboro is expecting a little boy on March 23rd. We are five days apart and have been so excited to be pregnant at the same time. Her baby shower was this past Saturday and was so nice...the food was great too! We also got to see the nursery that Jason (her husband) has been sweating over for the past 8 months…he did a wonderful job! We’re so excited to help them in welcoming Baby Locke when he arrives and are ever so curious to see who goes first. Either way we know our boys will all grow up together being friends and we’ll be needing 4 high chairs when we meet up for dinner instead of just 1 for Abby…uhm maybe we’ll leave the kids at home with Grandma and Gigi (her Mom’s name for Grandma) – I think so!

Our new nephew, Zachary Allen Cates

Our new nephew, Zachary Allen Cates arrived today at 12:46pm CST in San Antonio, Texas. He weighed 8 lb., 3oz. and Michelle (my sister) and baby are doing well! We are so excited for his arrival! One baby delivered and 2 to go in the next couple of weeks! Our family is going to be over-flowing with cute little baby boys!

Dress-up at 17 months…you’ve got to be kidding me!

Our little girl is growing up…tear!!! I think this would be a lot harder for me to swallow if the boys weren’t going to be here soon. It just amazes me what new things and words she learns everyday. Recently she’s been into trying on clothes, shoes, jewelry and bugging mama to put pretend make-up on her. The funny thing is that she has come up with this all on her own without encouragement from us. She has always had an obsession with watching me put make-up on since she was very small. I usually had her in the bathroom with me so I could keep an eye on her while getting ready. I can't help it...she's just too cute!