Sarah and I took the kids to see great grandpa George (my mom's dad) and his wife Gladys. We spent several hours there chatting. Grandpa told us stories about when we were little. He was so excited to spend time with the kids. Grandpa is going to be 83 this year. His health is getting weaker and he definitely only hears 10%of what you say. I felt like I was screaming when I was talking to him. Still, the time with him is so precious.

2 month doctor appointment

Well the girls are growing...

Brooklyn now weighs 8lbs. 3oz.!!  She is also no longer measuring on the preemie growth chart. Marley is still a little peanut.  She weighs 6lbs. 1oz.  She is still measuring on the preemie chart but is growing at a great pace.  Both girls are healthy and doing well.  What a relief!  Two months ago I was so worried about my tiny little ones.

In other news...we are trying to find a sitter for the girls when I go back to work.  So far it has not been a good experience.  We have had a few referrals from an agency.  I telephone screened them and most can only accept one baby at this time or can only accept both babies one or two days a week.  Today we went to the one ladies house who said she could accept both the girls.  It was filthy!  The house was in such disarray I couldn't even concentrate on anything else.  There was a plastic grocery bag in the toy bin!  Hello!  Suffocation!  The lady seemed nice but I just couldn't get past the disgusting house.  I cried when I got to the car out of frustration and just sadness.  I definitely want to work, but we have to be comfortable with where we leave the girls. Not sure exactly what we are going to do next......if anyone has suggestions, we are VERY open to them!  Starting to get desperate!

Tradition

Every year we go to the cemetery where my grandparents are buried and carry out several traditions.  For my dad's side of the family we go to Mac and Rose Mary's grave and eat Turtle candies.  They were Mac's favorite!  For my mom's side we go to my Grandma's grave and I read a poem that my Aunt Carol and I wrote the year after she passed and Sarah reads a note that Aunt Carol wrote to Grandma.  

The other tradition is to take a family picture by the grave and then for the grandkids to take a picture by the tree next to Grandma's grave.  This year we had to add great grandkids into the mix. I wish Grandma was here to meet the new little ones.  She would have been just as in love as the rest of us.  These extra special moments, like weddings and babies, really make me wish she was here to experience this all with us.  Instead, we have to be satisfied to know that she is watching over the babies and us and sending all the love and protection she can!

The grandkids and now great grandkids - Landen, Lucas, 

Brooklyn and Marley.

The fam - Landen is in the front standing by Valerie...BUT 

not only can this almost 9 month old stand...he can WALK!

Christmas!

Sorry it has taken forever to get holiday pictures posted! We had a very busy Christmas.

Christmas Eve was spent at the Germany's. We had a contest this year to see who could make the best stocking. You will see pictures of every one's in the web album below. Sarah and Marty cheated...that's all I am going to say about that. The girls got a couple toys and fun stuff in their stockings. They slept through most of the evening but I guess that is what 7 week olds do.

Christmas Day was spent at the Stuart's. The girls got diapers and wipes!!! Those are their favorite gifts. Mike and I got a lot of fun gifts too. We Skyped with Emily and Megan, the girls cousins, in Alaska and watched them open gifts. Emily and Megan were having a white Christmas with many inches of snow while we were enjoying a nearly 70 degree day! Maybe next year we will venture to Alaska so that we can have a white Christmas too! Later in the evening we had dinner with Uncle Bob and Aunt Diann, Lois, and Kim. We even spoke via speakerphone to Uncle Patrick and Aunt MK....they wish they could have been here to see the girls.

The best gifts we all received were the new additions to our families. The holidays were fun this year but I am sure each year will only get more and more exciting!
Click to enjoy web album below...

xmas web

Cookie Baking

This past Saturday the girls had their first baking experience. Me, my sister, my mom and my aunt all went to my sister's mother in law's house to bake with her, her daughter Heather and cousin Connie. We baked from 9am until 4pm! Many, many yummy items were made including Aunt Carol's very scary candy cane sugar cookies. She made sure one went home especially for Mike. We had such a great time I think it should become an annual tradition.















Brooklyn and Marley actually slept through most of the baking.















Aunt Carol making her abnormally large candy canes.















Gigi and Brooklyn




















Look! Brooklyn is digging into her "Brooklyn Bars"

Christmas shopping = Impossible

I have been trying to get my shopping done and I am discovering with twin girls it is near impossible.  Everything takes 5 times as long to do and with every three hour feedings, I get pretty much nothing accomplished.  My sister and I go out together and that is helpful, some times my mom is there too.  Exrta sets of hands are always welcome.  

It is December 18 and I am going out this afternoon to continue to shop.  I just want to warn those who will receive gifts shipped to them from us....they will be late!

Full Night of Sleep

Last Friday, Mike and I ventured out on our own to my company year end event. It was so fun! We left the girls with my mom and dad - overnight! The goal was to enjoy ourselves and get a full night of rest...we accomplished both. The party was fabulous and the sleep was even better!

A pic of me, Mike, Bill and Amber..it was fun having my brother at my company party...not many people knew that Amber, who works for LPK also, was dating my brother.

My wonderful HR Team....missing a couple of course....this must be the party crew! I miss them all terribly!

Koepke Visit

A few days before Thanksgiving the Koepke side of our family came to visit. It was an overwhelming time for us because Marley just came home and we didn't have pictures to share until Aunt Keri sent them last week.

My father and his wife Cathy came from Germantown, Ohio - they also had my Grandma in tow! My Aunt Keri and her fiance Charlie came all the way from Alabama! We don't see them often so it was a nice visit. Grandma is getting up there in years and entertained us all with her made up stories. She just adored her great grandbabies!

No Sleep Till Brooklyn (and Marley stop screaming)

The omnipotent Beastie Boys predicted our lives with their hit song released in 1987.  The girls have their schedules reversed currently which has equated to about four hours of sleep collectively the past few nights.  Is Ambien safe for babies?

Marley went to the eye doctor on Monday for a check up.  After dilating her pupils and using paperclip-like objects to keep her eyelids open, she passed with flying colors.  No need for any follow up appointments outside of standard check ups.

One Month Check Up

Brooklyn and Marley went to the doctor today for their one month check up.  This involves weight, height, and circumference checks, a full body exam and the 2nd Hep B shot.  Marley weighed in at 5lbs even and was 18 inches long.  Brooklyn is now 6lbs 5oz and 19 and 3\8 inches long.  They are both healthy and doing very well.  It broke my heart when they got their shot but once I picked them up they stopped crying instantly.

The bad news...we still have to keep feeding them every 3 hours.  :)  It is totally fine except we still only get two hours of sleep at a time at night.  And that is if we are lucky.  Usually one of the girls wants to stay up and party or hang out.  The doctor said we can talk about going to every four hours at two months and once they are both eating closer to 4oz. at each feeding.  We are almost there!  Mike and I just need a little more patience and a lot more sleep.

Due date!

Just thought it would be fun to let everyone know that today is my official due date.  The girls would have been in the womb 40 weeks as of today.  I was scheduled for a c-section at 38 weeks - I guess they don't torture women pregnant with multiples longer than that.  Brooklyn and Marley making it 35 and a half weeks was a miracle in my mind, knowing how I was feeling.  We are just thankful they came when they did, healthy and growing...

Cousin Luke's Dedication

Little news to report on the girls as of today.  They did get to see snow for the first time this weekend.  Not much of a reaction as expected.  Also, they made it out for their cousin Lucas' dedication at church.  Below are pictures...

Lucas' Dedication

Girls First Santa Experience is Underwhelming

The girls, less than a month old, have already made it to see Santa.  The experience did not blow them away as they slept through it.  I suppose this is better than being completely freaked out and screaming their heads off.

Even creepy mall Santa couldn't wake them up.

Luke was really impressed by the Christmas lights, not the bearded hobo.

Packing on the (half) Pounds

Marley went to the pediatrician today for a weigh-in. In the last week she has gained 9oz putting her current weight at 4lb 8oz. Brooklyn didn't get a turn on the scale today but judging from the baby curls I've been doing, she has gained weight also. Both eat well and sleep well (most of the time). Still looking forward to sleep in increments greater than 2 hours.