Look how we've changed!

Richard Simmons step aside!
Sadie and Trista are getting their own personality and we are enjoying watching them grow and change. The past two weeks they have recognized themselves in the mirror and are smiling and laughing. Trista is over 8 lbs and Sadie is not far behind. They have one feeding in the middle of night giving me about 6.5 hours sleep in between 7pm when they go bed till 7AM when we wake them up.(the sacrifices we make for breastfed babies- but it is SO worth it). Sounds good huh? well it would be if I actually went to bed when they do but much is to be done after they are down but I wont go thru my list. We just didn't think we could love something so much other than each other. Chris and I have grown closer as a couple especially since having the twins--it requires team work. I am so thankful for his help with feeding, changing, burping and swaddling-he's the king of swaddling. As most of you know I have the best photographer at my fingertips. Look at these cuties-if I must say so myself. Benjamin get ready cause these girls are gonna give you a run for you money:)
Granddad Thurmond really enjoyed them smiling at him last weekend when we went to visit too.

Smothered in Snuggles and Neck Kisses

They are not lacking for love in this family. Their Auntie Larce and Uncle Steve smother them with tons of love, butt pats and neck kisses.
Auntie Larce spent two weeks with us to help out. I must say it was therapy for me-as most sisters are when they get together-we laughed for 14 days straight! I would stumble to the nursery half asleep only to find Lara already changing and soothing the one crying. And yes many mornings I would feed and then we'd just fall back asleep with them in bed with us. Oh, I know what you're thinking. All I can say is you have NO idea until you have two at the same time.
Our two weeks consisted of lots of laughs, trip to Trader Joes where I fed in the parking lot, a walk around Green Hills mall where we were stopped by every passerby,walks at the park. Even jogged a little the other day while pushing them(that's going to take some time)tons of rocking, snuggling and love. Trista even took her first tumble off the couch-Auntie Larce felt real bad but decided after she was fine and didn't even cry that she would pass on calling me while Chris and I were out to dinner! Thanks Lara for all your help and my wonderful Indian Dinner for my birthday, it was the BEST!- I had so much fun. I even think the girls know you are missing today. WE LOVE YOU!

Slide Show

Granddad Thurmond Meets his Granddaughters for the first time...

Been awhile since I've posted an update on Dad. This past weekend, Amber, Chris, the twins (Sadie n' Trista), and I made the trip over to Dyersburg to surprise him. Amber's babies were born 6 weeks ago, and she hasn't been ready to take them on a road trip till now...so, Dad had not seen them yet. We were anxious to get there and show him what beautiful Grand-babies he has.

Presently, Dad is in a nursing home in Ridgely...about 15 minutes from Dyersburg in West, TN. We hate having him there, but Mom had to go back to work and Dad requires full time care right now. Also, in order for Medicare to cover his rehabilitation, he must actually stay in the facility at night...as much as we all hate him being there. We're pretty sure he hates it too. Being stuck in a nursing home was his worst nightmare.

So, Saturday morning, Mom left the house early to go pick up Dad and take him to church. We showed up and he was already sitting in the pew. We snuck in with the babies. Amber had Sadie and I had Trista. I walked in with her and sat right next to Dad. At first he was ecstatic, as he usually is when family comes around, but when he saw Trista...he lost it. He started boo-hooing pretty heavy and couldn't take his eyes off her. I'm pretty sure he was just overwhelmed and they were tears of joy. He finally calmed down so they could continue with the service. I held Trista throughout and she just slept calmly in my arms. Dad was staring down at her throughout the sermon.

After the sermon, I put Trista in his good [left] arm and let him dote over her for a bit...then switched her out for Sadie. He was ecstatic and clearly proud to be a Grand-Dad to such beautiful twin girls. He gets tired and distracted quickly, so after awhile, he was ready to hit potluck.

We spent the rest of the day together with Dad at home. He's getting around better on his feet, but moves very slowly. He doesn't have much control over his right leg, so he has to be very careful not to catch his foot and stumble when walking. He pretty much needs someone's arm or a walker to hold onto when on his feet...but, at least he can walk, so for that we are thankful.

He's very aware. In fact, Mom thinks his OCD has gotten worse...hehe. He's quite coherent and still taking initiative to keep himself groomed, tidy, and neat. He get's easily confused, however. For instance...I spent about an hour with him, giving him a shave, helping him comb his hair, and brushing his teeth. I put some toothpaste on the brush and handed it to him...he started to comb his hair with it. After I brushed his teeth, I was trying to get him to rinse and spit in the sink. I kept pointing at the sink and saying "spit"...so, he swallowed the toothpaste in his mouth, then bent over and started trying to talk to the faucet. You can't help but laugh...but I'm sure it's very frustrating for him. It's as if everything is delayed and very confusing, so you have to be really patient with him when communicating or getting him to complete a task.

He still cannot speak as of now...but, is learning a few words here n' there. This past week he learned "I LOVE YOU", so that's his new phrase...for everything. We're pretty sure he knows exactly what he wants to say, but just can't form the words. So, the only thing that comes out are mumbles and groans, or what he knows, which right now is "I LOVE YOU." Not a bad phrase to learn and certainly something we should all say more often.

Lara should be en route to Tennessee as you read this. She's decided to move up here from Corpus Christi to help Mom with Dad. This will allow Mom to keep working and Lara will be able to help Dad at home for a bit. She has a lot of ideas for therapy and helping him become more independent, so it'll be great having her there with Mom. We're remaining hopeful that he continues to improve...but at this point it doesn't look like we'll be able to leave him alone for any length of time. If he falls and breaks something...it could - and most likely would - be devastating for him. Only time will tell.

We're happy Dad's doing as well as he is. Considering the magnitude of the stroke...he's lucky to be alive. We're especially thankful that he was able to live to be a Grand-Dad. Again...thanks to everyone for your continued inquiry, thoughts, and well wishes. We tell Dad about everyone that asks about him...he smiles in appreciation. Till next time, Dad has a quick message below for all of you...just click PLAY on the clip below.

First trip away from home to see Grandad Thurmond and JuJu

The girls finally got to meet their Grandad Thurmond for the first time and some of their cousins in Dyersburg. Amber also was finally able to see him for the first time since the stroke. It has been 90 days since the stroke and Dad is doing much better. His motor skills are much better, though not completely stable, he can walk fairly well, feed himself just fine, and responds to everything you say as if he knows exactly what you are saying with facial expressions, snapping his fingers to let you know he agrees, he just cant quite get his speech down yet. He can get out very clearly, "I love you", and that is what he says for everything he wants to say. It is almost as if in his mind he is talking to you normally, but his mouth speeks " I love you ". We took the girls to their fist church experience and this is where Dad got to meet them for the first time after anticipating their arrival for a long time. He was overcome with emotion and wept out loud during the service when he saw them. It was a very touching moment. He knew exactly who they were, and when he only saw one, he motioned as if to say "where is the other one". So his mind is very sharp, just needs to get the speech down. It was good to see him, he was able to stay with us and the girls all day Saturday, and went back to the rehab facility about 8PM. We headed back Sunday afternoon, and the girls did great on their first trip to and from Dyersburg, slept for 3 hours each way!