Thriving as a family of FIVE

Piper is at such a fun and challenging age. She continues to make us laugh with some of the things she says - like the other day she asked David, "Daddy...would you cry if you pooped in your pantalettes?" Or yesterday Piper was in her playroom rocking on her rocking horse and I could hear her saying in this sad voice, "I'm all alone, I'm all alone, I'm all alone." Then this morning one of the babies woke up and I was going to go into the closet (where they are sleeping in a pack-n-play these days) and Piper said so sweetly, "I will come with you Mommy, so you wont be alone." Being two years old she is also continually testing limits. Messing with the babies when they are sleeping seems to be a favorite line to cross. But for the most part she is super interested in the twins and loves to kiss them and sing to them. When she wakes up in the morning she likes to ask, "Do the babies want to see me?" Here are a few fun pictures of Piper while we were out for an evening walk at Shevlin Park. I love this frumpy face in this 2nd picture... Calvin and Jett have seemed to "wake up" this last week. They are getting so much more alert and really starting to smile and bat and play with their hanging toys. It is fun to see their little differences already. Jett seems to be more physically active, always moving his arms and legs in non-stop motion. Calvin does move around too, but also can be seen just chilling totally still and relaxed, yet wide awake. For two months we have David's mom Alice in town. She has been a huge help with the kids and here to give us a break from our all of a sudden large family! Alice is house sitting at our good friends Michelle and Eric's house while they are away in Argentina spending quality family time with their new little one, Mae. Piper is a big fan of having Grandma around to play with and do projects with and EAT ICE CREAM with! And the twins love the attention of singing songs and cuddling. David and I have really appreciated the time away to go x country skiing, out to a leisurely breakfast, or even just to shut the office door and get some work done. Thank you Alice for all your help and support. Lately we have also had fun making use of our double chariot stroller! We bought this off craigslist this summer in anticipation of having 3 kids and wanting to make sure we keep getting out to enjoy all the fun outdoor things that we love to do here in Bend. This stroller is great because it has attachments for a bike trailer, x-country skiing, jogging and just strolling through town. These adorable bear suits are so so cute, thank you Ron and Jess Alford for all the wonderful hand-me-downs. It has been pretty cold here, so these warm fuzzies have been put to good use! And here is a few more pics of our sweet sweet boys...

A few weeks ago, before my mom went back to Seattle, we had a visit from my dad, sister and nephew Garret. They came down for the weekend to meet the new babies and pick up my mom to bring her back home. It was so fun to watch Piper and Garret play together. We packed in a busy weekend full of fun - bouncy house, museum, playing toys and even squeezed in a "movie night" watching a 20 min Dora show - complete with popcorn! Fun family time. Then it was time for us to see what a family life of FIVE was all about. I wasn't sure how we were going to manage without the help of my mom, especially with getting up with Piper in the morning, staying on top of the daily laundry that piles up so fast, meals, dishes, changing diapers...and all the little things that she helped with every day. But I have to say, the transition went smoothly, and we are feeling more and more confident every day. I have learned to nurse, burp and change both babies by myself, sometimes even in about 30 minutes. We are getting out and about by ourselves, one on one dates with Piper, and as a whole family. My body is recovering nicely, I even was able to hike a 3 mile loop with Mango after dropping Piper off at school. It felt great to be outside! Last weekend we took Piper sledding and this weekend we went snowshoeing, I am very proud of ourselves for getting out and enjoying the winter. The babies are troopers all snuggled in the front carrier cozy inside Davids down jacket. Here are a few photos for you to enjoy... Calvin and Jett are proving to be sweet and mellow little guys. They have their moments, but for the most part they are happy and chill most of the time. They are still sleeping a lot, which is nice because it gives us plenty of time to play with Piper or get some work done. Piper's favorite thing to do these days is play with her dollhouse. I am so happy the twins decided to bring this present home from the hospital for Piper. She LOVES it!

Just so you know, in both the pictures above, Calvin is on the left and Jett is on the right.

This picture is from last night, after the last feeding before bedtime. As you can see I am just as passed out as these little guys and I really did go to bed just before 8 o'clock in the evening. It might have also had something to do with the first margarita I had since not being pregnant anymore! Ye haw...party animal!!!