Flashback Friday: Fun with Friends and Bath Time
First trip to GattiTown with Mandy, Jack, Danielle, and Riley (Brina & Karlie)
Today our Flashback Friday is in August 2005 when the girls were 6 months old. It is quite an adventure packing up and heading out to visit family, friends, or do errands, but we are getting better at it. The process of just getting out of the house, into the car, and on our way is usually several minutes long.
The girls have been enjoying going out and about more. I try to do at least one fun activity outside of the house each week with family or friends. They are usually exhausted by the time we get home, but we have fun. It is good for me to spend time with other Moms too.
Thankful for family and friends to hang out with. The girls are really good and for the most part do really well when we are out and about. They love watching everything. It is neat to watch them soak everything in during our adventures.
Mandy and Jack on the carousel
Danielle and Riley on the carousel
Brina very excited about driving Riley’s cool car! Vroom…vroom….look out people here I come!
Josh carrying Brina
Karlie hanging out with Kari
Christy holding Karlie
Aunt Vick hanging out with Brina as she bounces around
Cousins Jordan and Rachel feeding Karlie
Brina watching cousin Jack open his birthday gifts
Jack opening his birthday gifts.
Karlie starting to zone. She didn’t like the party hat at first, but soon forgot about it.
1st Bath together after being out with friends and having sunblock on them. It was too hard to safely bath two wet babies at the same time before now. They could sit up on their own and each had a place to safely sit in the tub now. At first they were not sure what to do? You mean we can play in here!?
Getting use to the bath time fun.
Flashback Friday: Sleepy Kids
Brina crashed in the middle of chewing in the ring
Today’s Flashback Friday goes back 10 years when the girls were 6 months old. They were exploring more and falling to sleep in random places. Sometimes in the middle of playing with a toy. I tried to move them a few times, but every time I did they would wake up so I just decided to leave them and let them rest. Usually the random naps were small power naps and they were back to playing within a few minutes anyway.
They are beginning to be more mobile and it took more energy to keep up with them. It is so precious watching them sleep peacefully even if it is in their high chair at a weird angle. Oh to be that flexible again.
At this time they are still sleeping in the same crib. As they grow and move around more in their sleep the crib it starting to get a little more chummy, but they look so sweet sleeping together I wasn’t ready to move them into separate cribs quite yet. Occasionally we would come to check on them in the morning and we would see that during the night they scooted down in the crib until their feet were hanging out. Not sure how it was comfortable, but they didn’t wake up or seem to mind it.
When we checked on this morning their were two sets of titty bitty toes sticking out from their crib. It was all I could do not to squeeze those cute little toes, but they were sleeping so peacefully.
Brina fast asleep in her hair chair. Such a rough life. Love how she folds her hands together sometimes when she sleeps.
Brina and Karlie – sleepy babies.
Taking a snooze during their play time with Mr. Octopus – Brina and Karlie
Playing is such hard work for the little ones – Karlie and Brina
Brina fell asleep while playing in her exersaucer!
She woke up with some sleepy “toy lines” on her face. Poor baby!
Playing in the exersaucers is exhausting. Both have crashed during their play time.
How can that be comfortable Karlie!? Not sure how she was still sleeping so soundly with her legs sticking out like that? I think my feet with get cold and go numb. Guess that’s the fun of being a baby.
Flashback Friday: First Trip to the Zoo
First trip to the Zoo
Today’s Flashback Friday was the girls first trip to the zoo with our Moms group back in August 2005. We went to the Greenville Zoo. The girls looked around, took a nap in the stroller, and hung out. They got some fresh air, vitamin D, and wore themselves out even though they did not get out of their stroller. Thankful for friends and a chance to hang out at the zoo for a few hours. We have had many trips to the zoo since this day!
Brina sleeping in the front. Karlie still looking around, but starting to suck her thumb so she’s not far behind Brina.
They were great on their first trip to the Greenville Zoo, however, the two critters I brought back home with me were very hungry and ready for lunch by the time we walked into the house. Once it was lunch time they were ready to eat and my happy babies were in tears if there happened to be a delay that day!
Flashback Friday: Celebrating Jake’s Birthday
Brina and Karlie were fascinated by the cool new toy on the floor.
Today we flashback to Jake’s birthday July 2005 when the girls were five months old. It was his first time celebrating a birthday with two little munchkins with us. They made the day quite entertaining. They enjoyed the new things to explore and see throughout the day from birthday banners to candles to rice krispie treats and more.
Jake with his two girls on his birthday. They were intrigued by the candles, but didn’t touch them. Pretty sure they didn’t help blow them out either.
This is cool new mat to lay around sucking our fingers on….
Brina sitting at the kitchen counter. So Mom…..I hear their might be some kind of special treat for Dad’s birthday, can I try it first, pretty please!?
Oh no….too much excitement for someone. Who did it this time!? Brina is feeling better now and Karlie is thankful it wasn’t her this time around.
Daddy’s giggling girls helping him celebrate his birthday.
Our little rolly pollies saying “Happy Birthday Daddy! We LOVE You!”
Flashback Friday: First & Second Time at the Pool
Brina a little unsure about this whole “pool” idea
Today’s flashback Friday goes back about 10 years when the girls first were introduced to a pool. The first trip to the pool with the Greenville Mother’s of Multiples Club family party. We didn’t even have swimming suits for them yet so we took them in onesies and swimmer diapers. They were not to thrilled about the pool the first time around. Both were a little surprised and not overly excited about it. You would never know that now though!
The second time we went to a pool was about a week later with our friend Mike and Ashley. We had gotten the girls swimsuits in the meantime and they did a little better the second time around. Still not thrilled about it, but they tolerated it better.
Brina was a little surprised by the pool water.
Brina slowly getting used to the water on her feet while sitting in Daddy’s lap.
Brina standing up in the pool, still not sure about this whole pool thing.
Brina thinking about sitting down, but still disturbed by the pool.
Brina was very curious by all the other kids swimming around her. Why do they look like they are having so much fun!?
Karlie’s first dip into the pool. She was not happy!
Karlie’s thinking that maybe this isn’t too bad. Daddy seems to think it’s okay…
Jake sprinkled a little water over her head. She wasn’t entirely sure if she liked that.
Karlie sitting on Daddy’s lap talking with another twin. He wanted to know why she didn’t like playing in the pool, ha!
Karlie getting used to the water and she sits there for a minute.
Karlie looking at Mommy for help and confirmation that this pool thing was okay.
Karlie – “Can someone turn off the bright light overhead!” She was not a fan of the bright sunny day and if she was directly in the sun would just close her eyes and whimper. Poor baby girl.
Survived their first “pool swim” or should we say little dip! They were much more content to be back in the bassinet together.
Swimming at the pool was EXHAUSTING! They were out for a nap within a few minutes of drying off and getting into the bassinet. (Brina and Karlie)
Brina and Karlie got their cool new swimming suits and ready to go again. They think it’s funny now as they are at home sitting in the chair together….
Brina with Aunt Ashley at the pool. She is still not convinced that this is a good idea!
Mommy taking Brina and Karlie out into the pool. They were very intent on watching the pool water, like its going to get them or something.
Mommy with Karlie and Brina. They tolerated the pool better this time around with only a few tears. Thankfully it was a small quiet pool.
Brina all snuggled up in her dry towel. She is now ready for her nap.
Look at those pruney little tootsie toes! So cute!
Karlie is getting sleepy. Swimming is hard work Dad!
Flashback Friday: Adding More Foods
Jake making the next days bottles!
Today’s flashback Friday is about 10 years ago when the girls were five months old. Every night right before Jake and I would go to bed we were make the girls bottles for the following day. At this point when I took the picture of Jake (above) we were down from making 16 bottles a day to 10 bottles a day. They no longer had to have any caffeine in their bottles and they were sleeping through the night consistently. Making the bottles the night before helped us be well prepared for the next day when the babies were hungry and ready to be fed.
It was this month after a routine Doctors check up with the girls that they suggested we start introducing them to rice cereal in place of a couple bottles a day. That was an adventure in itself. The girls were not too excited about it at first and would rub it all over their faces and heads as well as cry, but eventually they got used to it.
Brina packed up in her carseat and ready to go to the Dr and on errands this morning.
Karlie doesn’t care if we run errands or go to the Dr as long as she can sleep peacefully in her carseat.
Brina’s first time trying rice cereal. She was ready for her bottle and instead got rice cereal. She NOT happy with me and cried through the whole feeding.
Karlie’s first try with the rice cereal. She was very upset and cried the entire time I fed her too. This picture was taken right before she burst into tears. After a couple minutes she closed her eyes and cried as I fed her the last few bites. Guess, she preferred getting her bottle over the rice cereal. Such a disappointed baby.
Later Jake attempted the second rice cereal feeding instead of the bottle. Karlie was not happy with Daddy either about him giving her rice cereal instead of her bottle. Poor baby….growing up is hard!
After awhile she gave up and began to enjoy it. In this picture she is babbling away as she gives in and eats the rice cereal for Daddy. Glad to see her smile starting to come back.
What a mess Brina! Sometimes we would let them attempt to feed themselves or if we were feeding them they would smear the food all over their faces with their hands. It never failed during this stage there was always a mess to clean up at the end of meal time.
Brina enjoying her morning bottle with Mommy. Loved holding them and talking with them first thing in the morning as they took their bottle. They were always great snugglers and gave me many sweet smiles.
Karlie enjoying her morning bottle. When they first started taking the bottles it would take them over an hour to drink an ounce or two. At this point they were guzzling down several ounces in a just a few minutes. How much they have grown. Loved hearing them drink their morning bottles and sigh with contentment. It was a great way to get the day started.
Flashback Friday: Sweet Babies
Silly sisters 5 months old
Today’s flashback Friday goes to July 2005 when the girls were 5 months old. We loved seeing their smiles and hearing their giggles at this age. They were on the move and starting to get into more stuff. Thankful for these two blessings.
Their pinchable cheeks are so cute. They could make each other laugh or cry. It was an adventure exploring new toys. They discovered that they could pull themselves up in the crib and look over the edge at us and the room around them.
This month the girls were strong enough and growing well we got to take them off the heart & apnea monitors. It was a blessing having them, but it was sure nice to get rid of all the wires and monitors. We always had extra stuff to carry anywhere we went whether at home, errands, or anywhere else. Thankful that they are growing and starting to really take off.
Brina is unsure about what to do regarding Karlie’s crying!
They loved watching their mobile above their crib – Brina and Karlie
Brina and Karlie giggles
Brina relaxing on the couch
Happy Karlie
Brina talking with Daddy!
Grandpa Russell swinging Brina as Karlie swings in her swing.
Karlie all smiles!
Happy Babies
Karlie sucking her thumb and napping in the bassinet with her feet up
Their first bumper cars
Sweet girls
All dressed up in their silky Sunday dresses!
Laughing – Brina and Karlie
Brina laughing and playing with Mr. Octopus
Karlie having fun!
Karlie is ready to eat!
We came back in to check on the girls a little while after putting them to bed. Brina is still wanting to play, but Karlie has crashed.
Having too much fun at bed time.
Brina hanging out on the couch
Karlie laughing, talking, and giggling when she is suppose to be sleeping
The heart apnea monitors are officially going back today! WooHoo!!! They are almost 6 months old and no longer need them. Thankful for the opportunity to have these medical devices home with us for so long as they were growing and getting stronger. Glad the girls are doing so much better..
Karlie’s excited and talking away!
Shhh….Karlie has a secret to tell Brina!
Sit up straight solider B!
Flashback Friday: Naps with Tigger
Brina sleeping soundly on her boppy with Tigger!
Today’s Flashback Friday takes us back 10 years ago. The girls were only a couple months old. They were great nappers and would sleep pretty much anywhere (from their cribs, swings, boppies, pack-n-plays, and other random locations). We usually rotated them to different spots to take naps so they got used to sleeping anywhere in the house. At night we would always put them to bed in their cribs, but were more flexible with their napping locations. Looking back on it they were awesome travelers because of this too. They could sleep at anyone’s house or a hotel and it never bothered them the least bit. Probably their favorite place to sleep was their swings, they LOVED their swings!!!
There is something so peaceful about a little one that is sleeping. So thankful for these two little ones. It doesn’t seem like that long ago they were rolling around on the floor, taking naps throughout the day, and playing with the little Tigger toys. The years have went by quickly, but I am grateful for these precious moments.
Karlie on her boppy with Tigger on her tummy and her foot sticking out of her clothes. She had a way of wiggling her toes out of the closed-toed outfits!Flashback Friday: Exhausting Day
Must have been an exhausting day!
Our Flashback Friday goes back to April 2005 when the girls were almost 2 months old. Jake and the girls were playing while I was making dinner. When I came back to check on them this is what I discovered. Everyone was napping peacefully. Must have been a busy day for the crew. Maybe it is all those middle of the night feedings interrupting our sleep.
Thankful for my family and the blessings in my life. They look so peaceful when they are sleeping. Those first few months were especially tiring for Jake and I. I am not sure how he did everything. He got up every night to help me with feeding the girls and then go work a full day. There weren’t a lot of parties and late night fun activities other than taking care of babies during this season of our life.
Flashback Friday: Sharing, Sleeping, & Surgery
Brina and Karlie sharing a pacifier
Today our Flashback Friday hits when the girls were only between 1 – 2 months old after coming home from NICU. They shared everything and could sleep peacefully in the most unusual positions. It was much easier to get their pictures at this stage because they were not mobile yet. Thankful for these little blessings. It doesn’t seem like these days were that long ago.
They were preemies and came home on heart / apnea monitors for the first few months. You can see the wires coming out of their clothes in many of the early pictures. We never had to worry about them stopping breathing because the monitors would always alarm if they did. It wasn’t long before we got used to it.
During this time Karlie also had to go back into the hospital to have surgery. Her stomach wasn’t getting the milk she was drinking and she was throwing up after feeding. It was pretty scary taking our little one back in for surgery. Watching her being wheeled off to the operating room in the huge crib broke my heart. Thankful for Doctors and their help during this time.
Baby sleeping pile
Somehow Karlie managed to scoop herself until her bottom was against the wall and had her feet resting up on the wall while snoozing away.
Karlie resting after surgery with her huge IV bandage
Brina hanging out in the pillow. She thought it was pretty cool standing up at first, but decided after a few minutes she would rather be free.
