Back to work…for all of us

13-1/2 weeks

Kohlden – 12lbs-7oz
Madelyn – 11lbs–6oz

It was a full week and a full house with Deeda, Nana, and Uncle Jay here. With the help of Deeda, the twins are being more active in smiling, cooing, and being more content during the day.

. Friday night we joined the Mahavirs x 3 and the Ottatis for a nice BBQ dinner. We enjoyed everyone’s company. Devi got a chance to see if she could calm two babies at once....not so easy is it. :)

This weekend we took the kids to a family festival at Loch Haven Park. We had attended it last year and had lots of fun, so we made sure to go again this year. It was very hot, but Braelyn enjoyed making the crafts while the twins enjoyed a little outdoor air. It was also our very first outing as a family in our new van, so I guess we’re officially a minivan family now. Afterwards we were treated to lunch at some family friends, the Becker’s, who knew the Campbell/Loomis family from when they lived in Denver. In the evening, Lolo and Lala came up to swap cars with us. They had our Infiniti for a couple weeks while we were playing car swap with them and Uncle Mike while he was staying with us. Auntie Esther also brought along a cache of formula, for the nighttime feedings. Thank you!

Sunday we, excluding Allen, took the van and ventured to New Smyrna beach. Boy was it crowded. We eventually found a place to park. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to the beach, so my list in my head of things to bring was a little foggy. Next time we need a lot more towels and some chairs. Luckily we did have our umbrella, although with an expanded family, one is not enough anymore. I was so concerned that the kids were covered up from the sun that I didn’t get sunscreen all over me….and have been suffering all week after trying to build a sand castle with Braelyn having my back towards the sun.

Monday we had to say goodbye to Uncle Jay. But also we said hello to swimming lessons for Braelyn. 10 minutes a day for 4 weeks. She was excited before she got in the pool the first day, but as soon as the teacher had her put her head under water, she was crying for mommy. The teacher took her to a different wall where she couldn’t see us and told her she could go back to the other wall to see mommy if she stopped crying. After that, smooth sailing. She was very excited about the lollypop at the end. Since the first day, she has not cried, and is enjoying herself a lot! She can swim with her head underwater for about 4+ feet, can float on her back for approx 7 seconds, and is progressing. Today, while waiting for her lesson, Allen was making small talk with her and mentioned that her little sister Maddy said hi, to which Brae responded without missing a beat, “she can talk now?”

Allen starting Sunday and starting Monday for Tangie, we went back to work as did Deeda and Nana taking care of the twins and then taking Brae to her swimming lessons. I think all the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It’s been hard to try to get to work in the mornings with little sleep the night before. Madelyn, poor thing, also had a fever one night which made us get even less sleep. She’s doing better now but both of them were a little congested. We are not looking forward to those sick days.

They are both responding to smiles and facial expressions now. We are starting to remember this stage when Braelyn was their age. Just the eye contact and recognition makes up for any communication we were missing the past 13 weeks. Allen was finally able to make both of them smile at the same time!

Weeks are flying by. FLYING. Thank goodness they finally got a cap on the leaky oil well. And we’re only to the “B’s” in this year’s named storms?!?! We’re grateful for the rain to accompany Tropical Storm Bonnie.

3 months down. Have a great weekend everyone!