Making a mess!

Rachel and Haley are pros at making messes!  They are getting into everything in our living room.  I have gates up to keep them in the living room.  Thank goodness they can't get into the kitchen then they would be getting into everything in there.  I have had to move things off shelves, bookcases and tables because they have been getting to them.  These girls sure are keeping me on my toes!  Despite the messes they make, I love them so very much!  They make me smile and laugh everyday. 

These pictures are just a small example of the messes they make.  This particular day they didn't make as much of a mess as usual.  It's a nightly routine for Thomas and I to pick up and clean their messes.

Rachel looking over my now almost empty shelves

Haley joined Rachel at the bookcase

The toy bin BEFORE the girls get to it

Rachel starting to pull the toys out of the bins.  She loves to do this!

Both Haley and Rachel enjoying their toys

Rachel crawling over Haley to get a toy

Haley and Rachel playing together

 

Another miracle on the way!!!

We have some wonderful news to announce - I'm Pregnant!!!  I'm currently 12 weeks and due January 1, 2012.  We were shocked to learn of this pregnancy back on April 29 when I took a home pregnancy test and it was positive.  We feel so blessed!  It is a miracle that I was able to get pregnant without the help of fertility treatments.  According to doctors, the chances were very low for me to get pregnant since I have endometriosis, a blocked fallopian tube and PCOS.  This pregnancy was meant to be and we are so excited.  And this time we are only expecting one baby!  The baby has a strong heartbeat and is growing well.  I'm so excited to get to experience a naturally occurring singleton pregnancy, but it hasn't been smooth sailing as I have been having headaches, feeling nauseous, tired, and experiencing most of the other pregnancy symptoms.  I'm surprised that I'm feeling so sick since I'm pregnant with only one baby this time.  I thought for sure it would be a piece of cake compared to being pregnant with sextuplets.  No matter how terrible I feel we are so happy, but I do look forward to finishing up the first trimester and moving on into the second trimester where I hopefully will feel better.  Today I had a cervical cerclage placed since I do have a history of an incompetent cervix.  I'm feeling ok, but just very tired since I had to be at the hospital at 5am!  The cerclage was placed without any problems and we hope this will help me to get this baby to full term.  I'm excited for Rachel and Haley to be big sisters.  I know they will love their sibling when he or she arrives.  

Pregnancy test on April 29

Ultrasound at 8 weeks, 4 days

Ultrasound at 11 weeks, 2 days

12 week belly shot.  I'm already showing!

  

The girls first time in the pool

We took the girls swimming for the first time today.  Rachel cried and didn't like it at first, but after awhile she was ok (not completely sure about it, but not crying anymore) with being in the pool.  Of course either me or Thomas held her the entire time.  Haley on the other hand loved being in the water.  She was kicking her legs and splashing the water with her hands.  I'm sure as Rachel gets to go swimming more, she will love it.  We had a good time and enjoyed the girls first experience with being in a pool.  

All together in the pool

Rachel scared to be in the water

 

Happy Father's Day

Daddy and his girls

 Happy Father's Day to my husband and to my father.  This is a special day!  What a blessing it is to have these two important men in my life.  Rachel and Haley are also so blessed to have a wonderful, loving father in their lives.  The influence of a father in their lives is so very important and I'm so grateful for the bond the girls have with their daddy.  Daddy loves to play with his girls and make them laugh.  I love to see the girls laugh and smile.  It makes my day.  They have the cutest smile and laughter.  We had a great weekend.  My dad and mom visited us this weekend and we enjoyed the time together.  The girls love their grandparents!  I wish all father's a Happy Father's Day!
 

Daddy and his girls

Grandma and Grandpa Stansel

This past weekend Grandma and Grandpa Stansel (Thomas's parents) came over to visit. Grandpa Stansel is retired but occasionally will do some chemical engineering consulting work for oil companies. That is what brought them down this past weekend, plus of course to see their children and grandchildren. We enjoyed the time together as a family.  The girls love their Grandma and Grandpa Stansel.

Grandma and Grandpa Stansel with the girls

22 Months!

Haley and Rachel - 22 months old

 Rachel and Haley are 22 months.  I can't believe it!  In just 2 short months the girls will be 2 years old.  Where did the time go?  Along with time going by fast, the girls are making progress fast.  Haley is standing for a longer amount of time without holding on to something.  She is also taking a couple of steps on her own.  Haley is getting so close to walking on her own.  I know she will be walking before her 2nd birthday.  Rachel is also making progress.  She is pulling up on furniture and everything else so well.  She is taking steps while holding on to the furniture.  She is getting more confident with standing and taking steps. We are so grateful to all the different therapist that give of themselves to help our precious girls develop and progress. Most importantly Thomas and I are eternally grateful to a loving and kind Heavenly Father who has seen us through. He has been there for us and more importantly he has been there for our beautiful Rachel and Haley. It is because of him they are still with us and doing as well as they are. There isn't a day that goes by that we do not thank our Heavenly Father for allowing us the privilege of having our sweet miracles with us.

Haley and Rachel