late Valentine's Day post

Somebody had a big Valentine's Day this year.

 She had a sock hop at school, and we inherited a poodle skirt from the neighbors just in knick of time

 She got to decorate her Valentine box when she got to school.  This kid loves a craft project.  Speaking of...

 Lila made these chocolate dipped marshmallows to use as her Valentines all by herself.  (I melted the chocolate, printed labels and showed her what to do).

They turned out really cute.

1 month old

My precious baby girls turned one month old last Saturday.  They are both doing great, and every time I look at my little miracles I am thankful that they are so healthy

They are both good babies.  In fact, I feel like my days home with them are really relaxing and easy, for the most part.  Both girls are rolling over, and generally only get up one time during the night.  I feel like the evenings get a little chaotic (trying to get dinner and get everyone ready for bed), but Shawn and I have a good "divide and conquer" system working, and already have the little girls in a definite nighttime routine and they have a definite bedtime.  We have been able to get all the kids in bed by 8:30pm, leaving us with a little downtime.

Audrey is the more laid-back of the two, at this point.  She has blue eyes and big cheeks, and she is a smiley girl.   She is so quiet that a lot of times I assume she is sleeping, and I look over and she is just laying there watching everything that is going on.   Audrey is my little cuddle bug; she likes to be warm and snuggly and likes to be swaddled up tight.

 Landry is a busy girl.  She is going through a phase right now ( I hope it is a phase) where she wants to be held all the time.   And, if she isn't being held, she cries and makes noise.  So, I am making the most of it and enjoying getting to hold her alot.  She is a go-getter, and her little body is in constant motion, and she likes to sleep with her arms raised in the air.  Right now her eyes are a brown/grey color, and she is slick bald.  She is also a smiley baby, and she is very expressive with her face.  I could sit and watch her different expressions for hours.

Last week, Lila's class put on a "circus" for the younger kids at her school, and parents.  Lila and her classmates dress as and acted like various circus acts.   Lila was a tightrope walker.  There were also acrobats, lions, elephants, clowns and strong men.  It was very cute and creative.

I was very proud of her and all of the kids for getting up and performing in front of all the people.  That is quite an accomplishment for these little kids, and they all did so well.

lions

elephants

clowns

strong men

Here are some more pictures of the little girls' big debut.

We got to the hospital at 5:00 am.  I was a bundle of nerves.  But, it was definitely time to have the babies.  I feel very fortunate that I never got completely miserable being pregnant, but I was starting to retain a lot of fluid...I had no shoes that fit, and the babies were growing fast by this point, and my knees were very affected by the weight.

 There was a lot of people in and out and activity so the time went by quickly

Soon, it was time to go to the OR.  When I was getting my spinal, I looked up and saw 2 little warmers ready for the babies...I still couldn't quite believe that 2 babies were about to come out of me, and how were we going to take care of them?

Audrey was born at 7:23 am.  I was able to see her right after she was born.  I wasn't able to see Lila right away when she was born, so I was very glad.  My initial reaction was that she was so big.

Landry came at 7:24 am

I immediately felt so much relief, both physically and emotionally.  I instantly knew that we would all be okay, and all my nerves were gone. 

Shawn's Mom, sister, and my parents were there.  Toby brought Lila and Aiden a little later.

Lila couldn't wait to hold her sisters.  

This time around, I actually felt like I got rest while we were in the hospital.  The whole staff was extremely supportive and helpful

Ready to go home

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We thank everyone for all their support, well wishes, and special prayers.

Introducing...

Audrey Lane Echols

 January 11, 2012

7:23 am

6 lbs, 2 oz  17.5 inches

and

Landry Cate Echols

January 11, 2012

7:24 am

6 lbs, 2 oz  17.5 inches

Happy Birthday to my Big Bug...

Wow, Lila Bug, how time flies.  You are already a "big" 4 year old.  You have grown up so much in the past year.  The thing I notice on a daily basis is your vocabulary.  In the past week, you have used the term "overly sensitive", and the words "awkward", and "literally".  You tell elaborate stories which take many strange turns, and have quite the imagination.  We play restaurant daily, and you pretend to be a dog very often.  You insist on picking out your own clothes, which causes some problems sometimes, mainly because you want to wear the same pair of "skinny jeans" everyday.  Also, you don't really watch a whole lot of TV, but you love commercials, which I find a little quirky.   You have become quite a little Longhorn fan, and love a good trip to the Co-op.  You are stubborn and sassy, but can be very gentle and I think it is so neat that every night you pray for people and you say why we are praying for them.  Still you are not a great eater or sleeper, and I have accepted that neither one of these may change.  We love you very much and are very proud of you.

The Big #4

Saturday was Lila's 4th Birthday.  This was the first birthday that she understood the meaning of, and she milked it for all it was worth.  When you are 4, it is a big deal to celebrate at school, and have treat bags.  So, Thursday we went to the party store and painstakingly picked out some candy and treats for the party bags.  When we came home, she made them all by herself

On Friday she wanted to take fruit and cheese to school for afternoon snack (and special birthday plates and napkins, of course!)

Apparently, when you are 4, it is not cool to have your Mom take pictures of you

passing out the all important treat bags

On Saturday, she woke up and immediately wanted to open gifts

We ran a couple errands on Saturday morning, and she happily told anyone that would listen "it's my birthday, I'm four"

We went to Phil's Ice House for lunch with the Eatons and Natalie

Saturday afternoon, Lila went to our neighbors' where she and Robin made cake pops

and Saturday evening Charli and Michelle came over to visit a while

Saturday night, Lila was exhausted.  She had a very big day, and felt very special.  Thank you to everyone for all the cards and text messages.  She loved opening all her mail, and has her cards proudly displayed in her room...

...and if that wasn't enough, on Sunday we met Gran and Toby at Pappasito's 

She wasn't a fan of the big sombrero or being sung to, but she has never been one to turn down cake.