Good times with Great Friends!

OK, so August is gone-YIKES! :( I started this post last week but just wrapped it up today-=BUSY!

We have been making the most of our summer and these last few HOT(think the past few weeks), sticky days enjoying time spent with each other, family, and friends. A few Sunday's ago- Grandma Ne-Ne (Todd's mom-Anita), Paw-paw(my dad), John, and Justin came to play and have dinner with us. We all really enjoyed each others company and Todd loved fixing everyone ribs on his smoker! Give that man a reason to BBQ and he is ON IT!!! Seriously- I think he has smoked SOMETHING every weekend since it arrived in our house, unless we are out of town of course. Trust me, I am not complaining at all! I will gladly eat all of the yummy food he prepares!

Lucas LOVES any chance he gets to play with his big cousin Justin!

The following weekend we headed south to visit our good friends the Webb's. On the way we got to catch up with another good friend from college and her family. Carrie is having their second little one this Friday! Addie is going to be such a great big sister. She took good care of Lucas during our time with them ;) If you remember back from one of my posts in Feb. this is the sweet little girl who planted a big kiss on Lucas' pacifier during our mommy and toddler weekend. She is a doll..We are excited for their new little addition's arrival and hope to see them again soon!

We try to get together a few times during the year with the Webb's and catch up either at their place, ours, or in between. Lucas and Russell are so much fun to watch and we enjoy our time together no matter what we do! This time around we made the most of our time- while the dad's took the kids to the park, Wendy and I hit up a great yard sale for some great finds! Of course, I always leave spending more money then her- Todd says this is a common shopping pattern for us. She gets us on these shopping excursions and I am the one who shows up with all of the bags ;) I did great though! LOTS of fall clothes for Lucas, some DVD's, a new Boppy (we need two now!), bibs and a second potty chair for Lucas, and even a few little things for the girls :) Not too bad I would say! All for $83.00 :)

Next, we thought it would be a great idea to take the boys to the zoo...UMM....can someone tell me WHY we thought this? It was AFRICA hot out there that day as the tropical storm made it's way to the coast. But we went and rode the train, checked out a few of the animal exhibits, had BIG cups of lemonade, and called it a day :) It was a nice zoo and I think we would love it- in the FALL or SPRING...not a 95 degree AM with no wind whatsoever! ;) Even the poor animals could barely move around, they found shade wherever they could and laid around...not that I blame them at all. Even the elephants mud bath was looking pretty good to me! The company was great though and in the end, that was all that mattered!

We did get to see these new lion cubs up close, that was great! I think they were the only playful animals that morning....We vegged the rest of our time with the Webb's , which was perfect considering the yucky weather! We had a yummy supper from the grill and chatted for the evening. Russell tried to introduce Lucas to the wonderful world of cartoons, he watched some but still would rather play or read...We have noticed that he likes Thomas the Train and Bob the Builder...We'll go from there. Lucas got sick that weekend though so he stayed dopped up on Motrin to keep the fever at bay! Here are the little monkeys playing with the daddy's who I might add are big kids themselves!

Our weekend went by so fast but we loved every minute of it, even when we had two boys awake at 5 am because of our grumpy sick little man :) We can't wait to do it again!

The verdict is in...

PINK IT IS!!!!

It is official. Two sweet little girls will be joining our family. The ultrasound techs and docs have been speculating since week 11 but we were nervous to accept it and tell everyone so early. But technology is AMAZING and they can tell on just a little 5 oz. baby without a shadow of a doubt at this last appt. 15.5 weeks....WOW! They are growing perfectly with no signs of twin to twin transfusion (they watch identicals closely for this-one can start gettign the majority of the nutrients, oxygen, blood,etc. and they both suffer ill effects) and measuring right where they should be. Fluid looks good, babies look great, and momma is starting to feel better and the belly is in full effect! Love it :) So I continue on my bimonthly ultrasound schedule for the next few months.

SO girls...I must admit that I would have been happy either way. Looks like Lucas will be the solo big bro, and strangely enough I think this might be the best scenario. Time will tell! I am so excited to see how my amazing husband will completely melt over his little girls. Just thinking about it makes me smile... I know the special relationship Lucas and I have and I really think that is what lies ahead for Todd and the munchkins. I just think it tends to work that way for the most part- Momma's little boy, and Daddy's little girl, in our case- girlS ;)

No doubt Lucas will be such a good and protective big brother. Can you picture them all in school together? Who will rat on who? Will they have similar circles of friends or be polar opposites? I just think it is great that they will be close in age and get to experience life together.

Justin can help teach Lucas how to be a great big bro to twin girls :)

God is so incredibly good and we are so incredibly thankful! Here are some recent pictures for your viewing pleasure. Can you beleive they are only 5 oz. and 4-4.5 inches in these? AMAZING!

Trip to PA

Two weeks ago Lucas and I headed off to West Middlesex, PA with my dad to visit family and go to the annual Bateman family reunion. Todd had already made plans months back to go to a concert with good friends so unfortunately we had to leave him behind. Both of my parents are from this quaint little town about an hour north of Pittsburgh. Growing up we travelled up there several times a year to visit and spend holidays with family from far and near. John and I used to spend a few weeks up there in the summertime when we got a older and really loved it! Well, we don't make it back up as often anymore do too our growing families, work, etc. So when we got the opportunity to go I was excited! Especially since our lives will be pretty hectic next year. Can you imagine travelling 7 + hours with THREE under THREE and then staying in a hotel....I can't....So we jumped on the trip this year!

We had a great time visiting with Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and even Great Aunts and Uncles! Lucas loved seeing everyone just as much as I did and was thoroughly enjoying his extra time with Pa-Pa (Grandpa), Ge-Ge (Uncle Gary), Jean(Aunt Jean), Yess-e ( Jessi), my seat (Aunt Wendy), and Ann-e (Danielle). The my seat name was actually really cute! Wendy played games with Lucas "stealing" a chair, after which he would quickly respond, "no, my seat!" and therefore I guess "my seat" was easier than Wendy.... They are too funny! ;)

As always we were sad to go and wish we could do this more often and for a longer time period. But we were ecstatic to get the time that we did :) We love you all!!!!

Lucas coloring with some of his distant cousins at the family reunion:Cousins - All those pictured here are my mom's first cousins- well except for her hubby(Dad in the middle) and her sisters- Wendy and Jean(they are on either side of my dad) ;) Don't you think the lady all the way to the right looks like mom with lighter hair? That is Jo....;)

This one adds in the previous generation- my Great Uncle John and Great Aunt Janet. They are my Grandmother's siblings.
We had an adventurous day at a zoo/petting zoo. It is a great place with TONS of animals nearby- Deerpark...
Here are some pics from that excursion:

A donkey/zebra blend, very strange but cool, none-the-less:

Feeding the mountain goats:

Lucas found a familiar friend, a sweet little kitten!

Aunt Jean feeding a silly goat, obviously it had figured out this was a great ploy for getting treats! Really sweet baby (twins I might add ;) ) goats. They were super soft too...

Feeding the deer (these are Asian deer)

Lucas pointing out the ducklings he wanted to see, he was willing to get close but wanted NO part in actually holding one!

Jess and I were brave enough to pick up and cuddle the ducklings, they were so cute! But, there was some serious hand washing afterwards...

These guys had some pretty crazy hair! They didn't mind at all if we touched it, it felt like really soft down...

A really pretty leopard:
Who is this scary creature ;)???? It is the paci lion!!!!We had a blast watching this guy swing all over his cage. That was great entertainment!

Jean and I made crafting part of our weekend adventure as well. We both made flower pieces for mom's grave. They turned out pretty good I think...I know she would love them!

Summertime fun with family and friends

Some of these pictures are "old" at this point but I figured what the heck! I have had nothing but good intentions to get them loaded on here but needless to say I have lacked in the spare time and energy department! ;) I cannot believe that it is already the end of July and Fall is just right around the corner. I had to go into Ben Franklin a few weeks ago and was shocked to see all of the fall/Halloween decorations out already. Not to mention the fantastic summer clearance sales on clothes and bathing suits everywhere you go!

We have been enjoying ourselves, taking it easy enjoying the "dog days" but finding time to catch up with close friends and family as well. Here are some pictures from "recent" (AKA June-now) get-togethers for your viewing pleasure!Blowing bubbles with Grandpa- AKA- "pa-pa" :)Celebrating Justin's 7th (right? can you believe that!!!) Birthday! It was his momma who put the candle on backwards, no I do NOT have dyslexia.... ;)playing with Ellie during a cookout at Brian and Johanna's. Lucas LOVED her slide/fort!Riding in the Jeep (courtesy of the broom handle, Todd, and Kevin) with Kaden. They loved this thing! It wore the daddy's out I think ;)Chowing down on some YUMMY chocolate peanut butter pie with best bud, Preston while Aubrey played with the blocks and hammed it up for the camera ;)Posing on Uncle John's motorcycle. Lucas is OBSESSED with motor vehicles, cars, TRUCKS, bikes, buses, planes, helicopters, motorcycles, boats....You name it, he LOVES it and wants to talk about them ALL OF THE TIME!!! So this was perfect for him to check out on a trip to Grandpa's house. Typical little boy I guess...Playing tee-ball with Uncle Gary and Daddy, Justin and mommy were playing the outfield :)

Trying to steal Uncle John's Pepsi

Gotta love those faces! ;) Having some cuddle time with Aunt Jean.

And Uncle Gary....;)

Visiting with Kristi, Barrett, Kellen, and Grandma Schleigh for a rainy cookout. Look how big Kellen is getting!

Playing with Madison and Kendal in the big bathtub during their overnight visit....

Watching Horton Hears a Who before bedtime... Too bad they are "cousins", aren't they super cute together?

So that in a nutshell is what we have been up to these last few months, lots of fun, family and friends!

Announcing.....

our family will be expanding at the end of the year! Lucas is proud to announce that he has not one but TWO little siblings on the way!!! OK....I will let you all digest that info. for a moment......

So apparently God has some really BIG plans for our little family. We found out at the end of May that we were expecting and were thrilled, things were so different this time around for us. It all happened very fast and we were still in shock I think. Well, things were great and we were keeping our little secret just that- a secret for a few more weeks until we could see that sweet bean and hear that little heart beat at the ultrasound appointment. So we continued with life for a few weeks- enjoying time with friends and family, and a fantastic vacation to Aruba :) But it did seem a little different to me, I was REALLY nauseous and felt very bloated so quickly BUT I know that all pregnancies are different and especially after your first... So June 22nd arrived and we happily set off to the Dr. for the first visit and ultrasound. They proceeded with measuring "the bean". The tech told us to give her a sec to get some measurements and then she would show us everything. OK, totally normal routine. What felt like forever went by and she announced with a turn of the monitor.

ultrasound tech (sweet Holly :): "OK things look great! Here is baby A.....and here is baby B....." SEROIUSLY, those were her exact words...

in my head, and Todd's of course: "HOLD ON HERE... WHAT!!!!!!" we both laughed out loud and I think she got the shock and awe looks we had plastered to out faces at that moment. "Twins, really?" "How?"

Holly: "Yep, and they both look perfect, measuring just as they should with perfect little heartbeats" Probably thinking we are crazy and ready to run out of the room at this point....

us: "But twins don't run in our families...." totally dumbfounded......OH MY GOD!!!!

(and yes this happened completely naturally, they even mentioned that they thought they were identical . That happens in about 1 out of every 285 births! Identicals do not run in families, those are fraternal twins, and are due to "chance, coincidence, or plain good luck" )

After a moment to digest, I flipped out a little, OK a lot.... but Todd was the best husband ever, as always, and calmed me down right away. I blame it on the hormones :) Really there were so many things running through my head- how are we gonna do this?, 3 under 2.5!, high risk pregnancy AGAIN, please God no more small babies- especially two!, pre-term birth, etc.

But we talked and we prayed and really this is such a blessing! God knows what he is doing and I have complete faith in that. He has grown our family how he sees fit and we will enjoy this beautiful-crazy at times I'm sure- ride. Yes, our lives will be different-very much so- but SO worth it and I can't wait. I am doing my part for the time being- taking the best care I can of me and the beans. Eating lots, drinking lots, no exercise(brief walks only), no stress, resting lots, and loving my little man and Todd of course lots too! ;) I know I am in great hands at VA Women's Center- back with Dr. Love and crew AGAIN :) Todd has been phenomenal as a husband and daddy through this all. So after this has all set in for us all....

I can't even think what it would feel like if it was just one :)

Without further ado...we are SO excited to share with you, our newest additions!

This was the day we found out:

And one month later:

Estimated to arrive around the first of the year :) (That is the 36 week mark)