Baxter Fun Days July 10-12th 2009

The celebration of Fun Days for Baxter is a huge event. Yes, small town fun and man do we really go all out!!! This year was the first time I could enter my babies into the baby contest, since Jadyn was too old by the time I moved here. And obviously in the years before, I didn't have anymore babies until now, so yeah for me!!!

I was so excited and of course went all out. Their category was Sun Bathing Beauties, so naturally I was going to put them in swimming suits. However, they also judge for any props you may use. So I brainstormed and was given the idea of using a wagon and decorating it like the beach. So Kip cut out some cardboard to make it look like waves, even painting them blue with white tips. :) We put brown towels down to make it look like sand, and had sand pails and beach balls in it too. I used Jadyn's old Barbie umbrella and taped to the handle so it hung over them to 'protect' them from the sun.

Unfortunately, as cute as they were, they didn't win. It was fun for me to get them all dressed up though and experience something I hadn't yet. There is always next year!!!!

On Saturday morning, they have the annual parade, which was another 'first' for the twins. I got them dressed and put in the stroller and off we went!!! The fire truck sirens were a little too loud, so when they passed we stood in our friends garage so it wasn't too rough on their ears. Braelynn slept through all of it and Brinkley just looked around and wondered where the heck she was at!!! After that was over, we went and watched Jadyn in the Baxter Idol contest. Her and her friend Brigette were dancing. They didn't win either, but was fun to watch them participate. It was then time for a nap, so we went home and took a nap, then Mommy got to go out that night!!!! It was fun that night, but now I know why I don't do that very often. I was a little tired the next day, but was good for me to get out.

At the parade................

My girls.....................

Summertime fun....

Wow!!! How time flies.....we can't be on our second month already!!!! They are pretty much on the same routine as far as eating and sleeping. Brinkley has been a little stinker lately and not wanting to finish her bottle. She will start eating just fine, then burp halfway through and then will NOT take the rest of the bottle. She acts as though we are poisoning her! Poor thing. :( And as a mother, you just wonder, what is wrong? I wish so much that they could just talk and say hey!! my stomach hurts or whatever. Braelynn has no problem finishing her bottle. Once you put the burp rag under her chin, her mouth is wide open looking for that bottle so she can start chowing! She wasn't that innocent though. She would randomly throw her fits after feedings, which took me about 15-20 mins to calm her down. Then it was off to sleep she went. I was still concerned on Brinkley not finishing her bottle so I called many of my friends who have had twins for advice and kept the Mercy nurse hotline number on speed dial. They suggested to let them finish the bottle completely, then burp. Well, to our suprise, it worked!! We also switched to the Enfamil Gentlease formula and they are totally different babies.

Playing with our floor gym.....................

Brinkley

Braelynn

They are now eating 3 1/2-4 oz and sleeping anywhere from 5-7 hrs a night. Never thought that would happen until about the 8th month, but I will not complain. The first night they slept that long, I had to adjust my eyes 2-3 times before I could believe it. We fed them at 9:30, so around 10:30 is when they finally fell asleep, after the burping and changing and about 20 times of putting the binky back in after it fell out. They didn't wake again until 4:30am!!!! I rushed over to the swings (because yes, they are still sleeping in their swings) and make sure they were still breathing. That was the best sleep I have had in a long time!! Ever since that night, they have been averaging 5-7 hrs, so far so good!!!!

Mommy just loves taking pictures :::))))

All three of my biggest blessings....................

Mommy playing on the floor with us

Loving sisters..........so far anyway, heehee

They celebrated the Fourth of July in style, thanks to Grandma Donna. She bought them matching red, white and blue outfits and wore them out that day. We went to John and Diana Stricklands for lots of food and fireworks. Since the weather didn't cooperate, they had to stay inside the whole time. I don't think their little ears could handle the sounds of the fireworks anyway, so it worked out good. They slept in their carseats on top of the bed. I got to see most of the fireworks, but towards the end and I was running in and out putting their binkies in everytime it fell out. Needless to say, I got my exercise that day.

Our first Fourth of July.................

First Month

Well, the first night at home was not too bad. Brinkley was a little fussy, probably new place, etc. Or was she thinking.......what kind of family did I get myself into???? :::))) She was fine after the first night. The only place they would both sleep were the famous swings!!

This is where we sleep................

Brinkley

Braelynn

We tried the pack and play in our room, the crib, you name it, but nothing compared to those swings. We got into the routine of them sleeping in the swings, which were set up in the living room, which meant I was sleeping on the couch because I just couldn't stand not being in the same room as them!!! Daddy slept in the bedroom and when it was feeding time, I would go wake him up...........KIP, FEEDING TIME!!! ::)) He loves it when I say that! Every 3 1/2-4 hours, one of them would wake up, so I would wake the other one and feed at the same time. I was told by many of my friends with twins, 'feed them at the same time, no matter what.' So that was one of my big things was to keep them on the same schedule. They would eat 2.5-3oz and off to sleep you go for another 3.5-4hrs. Not too bad for twins, eh?

Braelynn is eating about 3-3.5oz now and Brinkley is about 3oz. We had a checkup with the pediatrician, and Brinkley now weighs 7lb 9oz and Braelynn weighs 7lb 5oz. Growing perfectly and like weeds!!! We have been on the schedule of every 4hrs for feedings for the past month, making me wonder..........will you ever sleep longer than that????? Please?? :) Oh, and note to self, girls CAN pee straight up in the air!!! Braelynn is notorious for peeing in the middle of a diaper change, that little stinker!!!!

Just a few random pics................

They just love each other sooooo much.... :::))))

Mommy and Brinkley

Big sister Jadyn

Daddy and Brinkley

Welcome Brinkley Grace and Braelynn Shae!!

The Strickland twins are finally here!! Brinkley Grace was the first to make her voice known on May 12, 2009 at 11:21am, weighing 6lb 9oz, 19 3/4 in. Braelynn Shae was right behind her at 11:22am, weighing 6lb 2oz, 18.5 in. Both are healthy and absolutely beautiful!!!

Mommy, Brinkley and Braelynn

Daddy, Mommy, Brinkley and Braelynn

We had many visitors awaiting the arrival. Here are just a few of the visitors we had or at least who we got pics of. Big sister Jadyn was hesitant on holding both her sisters at the same time, so we didn't get a pic with them until we got home.

Grandma and Grandpa Holveck

Grandpa and Grandma Strickland

Brinkley Grace and Braelynn Shae

I had to be in the hospital for 3 days, until May 15th. Let me tell you, those were the longest days ever!! I just wanted to go home right then; there is only so much you can do in a hospital. Luckily, Kip came everyday and brought a movie, helped feed the twins, and keep me company or should I say help keep me sane! :) We always had them in the room with us during the day, then at night--off they went to the nursery. Momma needed her sleep before going home!! Plus it was impossible for me to take care of them at night, due to still being sore from my c-section. Finally, it was Friday May 15th, time to go home and reality to set in. Let the fun begin!!!!!!