Alright so technically their   4   m o n t h   b i r t h d a y  is not until Saturday BUT what the heck... I'm too excited not to talk about reaching this point.

EEE!  I've always said I wouldn't dress them to match, but who am I kidding?  It's totally adorbs...   

My man B- he is such a chunk, I could kiss those cheeks all day long.

Emmy, always makin faces

The babies have passed that "4th trimester" phase and I could not be happier!   Of course I miss how tiny they were but seeing how big they are getting and how fast they are developing is even more exciting.  As I type this I am sitting in their nursery watching them finally take a normal nap, in their cribs, unswaddled (Bennett) and during the day!  Up until now, naps have been sporadic and most of the time, in their swings.  Im transitioning them to the nursery for naps (at least 3 a day for now) and today just happens to be a great day.  I couldn't be more proud.  And really, I don't have to sit here but the calm and peaceful nature of he nursery right now is much needed.

My sweet, independent little girl.  She can lay WIDE awake in her crib and not make a peep, just gazing out the window... She'll be an explorer that one... 

*Just so proud*

S l e e p...
One of the questions I get ALL THE TIME is "how's the sleeping situation?  Are they sleeping at all?" and I sort-of love and hate this question.  I love it because I like telling people that it's not bad at all, but I hate it because for those mom's out there that are having a hard time, I feel like I'm bragging.  The routine follows:
Eat around 6:30-7 PM, stretch out on the floor downstairs (most of the time in only their diapers) to kick out all their energy and expel all that spit up, wind down and get jammies on, do a final diaper change and lay them in their cribs for the night.  Emmy almost always puts herself to sleep, unswaddled and binkie-less.  B is still swaddled but I sense that coming to an end pretty soon. However that binkie I think will stick around for awhile...  They don't wake up until the early hours of the morning (between 2:30 and 4:30) for a feeding and then back to sleep.
Not bad eh?  I thank God every day for these two and for how great they are.  ***Let me remind you, I'm typing this blog on a "good" day.  Not all days are peachy keen.

W o r k...
So I have been on this "new shift" for almost 4 weeks now and last night was my first call in.  Yes.  The first time I left the babies and my husband at home and to my luck, it was for 2 hours.  It also happened to be right in the middle of the huge storm we had this week, which was comical.  It was a short work night, not all of them will be, but it was great to get back in the OR and get my hands dirty.  I was lucky to have my father-in-law and grandmother-in-law watch them last week so I could go in for a day shift and practice up.  Scrubbing hearts is *kind-of* like riding a bike but it's nice to get the practice in when I can.

B l o g...
I have now been a "blogger" for almost 5 months now and I honestly didn't think I would go this long.  I thought that I would get too busy, or forget or just run out of ideas.  And frankly, I have felt like I'm running out of topics to write about... So if you have any questions or things your curious about.. please message me or leave a comment I will TOTALLY let my life spill onto the blog, if people are interested!  I've got some ideas for the next few weeks, but they may be more unconventional blog posts, so stay tuned...

Thanks for remaining interested in our crazy life!  See you next week...
Lauren, E & B

*Pics to start your weekend off right!*

Bennett in Emmy's hat... That smile... All the feels <3

That look... It'll kill ya. Ready for spring in her (newly found in her closet) romper!

Alex and I were lucky enough to have our first overnight away from the babies and just us courtesy of my mom!  It was strange being away from them for so long, we really missed them, but the time spent together was priceless and much needed. 

Spit. Up. For. Days.  But B's smile though? Insert lovey eyes here

Proof of Emmy doing her tummy time!  She doesn't always like it, but she sticks it out and puts up with me taking pictures...

Bennett LOVES his Noggin Stik we bought on Amazon... This may be one of the twins FAVORITE toys right now... we had to buy 2!  So worth the money...

These two LOVE their BUMBO chair... We only have one right now so we switch off but I couldn't love seeing them sit up more.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! 

16 Weeks!

{{I'll admit- this blog post snuck up on me this week so I will be upfront and apologize if it seems scattered and I apologize for the lateness- but nevertheless, here is the post}}

A p r i l   2 1 s t...
Today is my sister's birthday and we are all going out for dinner tonight to celebrate!  I can't believe she's 23.  It blows my mind that she is all grown up and "adulting" full on now... Crazy how fast life flies.  I've said this before, we owe Anna so much for what she has done for us.  I love how close my babies are to her.  They know her and are comfortable with her.  I couldn't imagine not having her here.

Before the babies were born!  

My best friend! And the best auntie to my babies :)

U p d a t e   O n   B a b i e s...
The babies are doing just absolutely great.  We have already moved on to size 2 diapers and still have been using the diapers we were gifted from Alex's football team.  If you know anyone who is having twins or had twins, my advice to you is: gift them diapers.  Lots of them.  We still go through more diapers in a day than I ever thought possible.

I can't believe the twins will be 4 months old next Saturday.  The next doctor's "well" visit is early May and we will get updates on weights, and also when it's appropriate to start rice cereal.  What are other people experiences?  I've heard it's when they can hold their heads up fully by themselves.  They are close to that but still unstable.  

We just got a Bumbo (spelling?) chair and the babes have loved practicing sitting up in that.  B's head is still just very heavy for him.  We have still been doing tummy time but I feel like they don't like it- I'm just feeling unsure about them and where they're at developmentally.  I know most new moms probably always question if they're kids are "right on track" so I think I'm some what normal?  For now we will just keep working on it.  They haven't really rolled over again since they did it last week... so we will be working on that too.

Emmy practicing sitting up in her bumbo chair...

Bennett with his new bear toy.... wearing it like a bracelet... you go B.

We are still feeding them every 4 hours during the day and giving them tylenol as needed for their teething pains.  The days sometimes blend together for me, what with feedings, diaper changes, teething fussiness, naps, etc... I try to always find something different to split my days up and to make them a bit different.  It's easy to fall into a routine and feel alone doing it.  For now, it's the warmer weather and our daily walks that get us out of the house or going to Target and getting lost in the aisles... I'm sure a few of you can relate.

O n e  Y e a r..
So one year ago today, Alex and I were in the pool at our resort drinking coronas!  I looked back at some pictures and what a trip that was.  I had never been anywhere tropical or beachy like that- it was a magical trip.  We stayed at Excellence in Cancun and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone wanting a fun trip.

Monday, Alex surprised me with dinner at Lidia's, downtown KC.  I had never been there and the food was phenomenal.  The company was even better.  We went early and had a long dinner before heading to the Mumford & Sons concert.  One of the best concerts I've been to in a long time.  Alex got me tickets for Christmas and it made for the perfect anniversary.  We came home and sliced out anniversary cake, which was delish.  We even had one bottle of our homemade wedding wine left to sip on throughout the week.  All in all, it was a beautiful first anniversary.  Thank you to everyone who wished us love and happiness.

 

***Our cake was made by a very talented lady named Anita and she can be reached at the Price Chopper on 87th street and Antioch.... below is a picture of the day of.  She made us a special cake for our anniversary separate from the original.  It tasted heavenly.  I would highly recommend her for any cakes you may need.  She is very sweet and helpful!

Hard to believe that a year ago we didn't even know the twins were going to be blessing our lives.  It's hard to remember what life was like before them.  It's a new life, but an exciting one with them in our lives... I can't wait to see what happens this next year.

Again, sorry for the shortness of this post... this week flew past me.

Until next time,
Lauren, E & B

Oh What a Year It's Been!

W E E K   1 5 !  And it's been a HUGE week in the Keith household!  Plenty of growing up going on this week!  TIME please slow down.

The babies have both rolled over, recognized and acknowledged each other, and really started grasping things.  It all happens so quickly.  In a matter of a week, I feel like they are already little kids!

These 2 hams... all clad in their spring gear! 

Auntie Anna got B some authentic converse and now they FIT!  Super stylish in his PJs too! 

She LOVES floor time.  She would rather lay out flat on her back than anything.  Also, she prefers no clothes and just her diaper, which makes her dad and I a little nervous.

Bennett rolled over first, last Friday!  I can't believe I doubted him going first in my last post!  He's her older brother and he's ready to pave the way for Emmy Lou. We thought maybe it was a fluke because he was shocked and didn't do it again all weekend.  Then, this week, he did it twice and we knew it was for real and intentional!  Followed right by Emmy.  That same day!  It was totally awesome and Alex and I both saw them do it, which was incredible.  We even got B on film, which can be seen on my Instagram account: lpatriciawk, if interested!

As his shirt says, he is seriously adorable.  Bennett has soooo much to say!  The kid will be talking before I know it.  He also can fart more than most human beings.  Well, maybe not his dad but the kid passes gas like a beast.  Which is better than him holding it in!

Poor E is still teething like crazy.  The girl is a drooling fool but she hangs in there most of the day.  Infant tylenol helps TREMENDOUSLY.  Any other suggestions people have, we are all ears.  We are loving our Munch Mitt- thanks to Sarah Dooley for the recommendation.

Then, Tuesday of this week, they recognized each other.  It was enough to bring tears to our eyes.  Emmy looked right at Bennett, smiled, laughed and kept staring. He looked right back at her, and smiled.  We knew they were "seeing" each other for the first time.  Nothing can descibe the pure joy that we saw in both of their faces.  It doesn't happen a lot throughout the day but when Alex gets home, we always hold them up to each other and let them interact face to face.

Developmentally this week they have been working on holding and grasping things as well as batting at the animals on their activity mat.  I saw Emmy grab onto a toy for the first time this week.  It's very short intervals but its happening and we couldn't be more proud.

Emmy loving the camera.  She has THE cutest open mouth smile I've ever seen but I guess I am biased.

We've been calling Bennett "Buddy" a lot... I sense a nickname in his future.

///

A p r i l   1 8 t h ...
Monday is our first anniversary, and yes I said FIRST.  Sooooo much has happened this first year married and I wouldn't change a thing.  I can't believe I'm typing this!  It has absolutely flown.  I always had a feeling I wouldn't be married long before having kids and when I found out Alex felt the same way, I knew we would be welcoming little Keith's into the world quickly after getting hitched.  Little did I know it would be 9 months and 4 days after the honeymoon ;)

Being married has been the most wonderful, amazing, beautiful challenge and I have to be honest, Alex and I are not perfect.  We have had ups AND downs this first year.  We quickly had to move out of "newlywed mode" and into "preparing parent mode" and then thrown into "parent mode".  They say the most stressful 3 things in your life are getting married, buying a house and having a baby and folks, we did all those things in one calendar year (the house was in 2014 but you get my drift).  I wouldn't change a thing.

That being said, I wouldn't have been able to do all this without my best friend.  Having Alex by my side made these huge life changing events so pleasurable and unforgettable.  I'd say we don't do anything without doing it big, from our past experiences.  Alex is the greatest husband and father (I know I've said this so many times before) continually giving more of himself than I ever thought he could.  The sacrifices he has made and the upbeat, positive attitude he has, leave me always wanting to be better, for him and our babies.  Sorry for the mushy mush... it's our one year anniversary talking :)

Monday night we are celebrating and I'll leave it at that.  Tune in next week for the deets about our super awesome date night!

O u r   N e w   R e a l i t y...
It's been 2 weeks since my new shift at work started and it's been different.  Great, but different.  I have yet to be called into work and so my reality of waiting becomes real.  I love this shift.  It's great for my family and I can now say I stay at home with my kids, something I never thought I would be able to say.  But that being said, life can get a little lonely with 2 little guys that don't talk back to you.  Nothing crazy, just a new life that I'm still adjusting to.  Right now it's starting to get better as the babies are learning to interact with me but it's still feed, change, nap, repeat for the most part.  It's a beautiful thing to be around to see all of their changes and their growth.  That, I am soooo grateful for.  But I went from working 40 hours a week with my KU Med family, to barely seeing them, and that is hard.  But I know worth it.

Ah life... so much can change in one year!  It keeps reminding me to tell people how you feel and live each day to the fullest (cheesy I know).  Every time I think about these cliche sayings, I now feel I can relate to them and I take them more seriously.  I took E & B to our favorite park yesterday and saw an elderly couple walking around the trail.  We quickly passed them (I try and make walking my new cardio) and I paused to think about how quickly life can pass.  That will be Alex and I in the far away future.  Before I know it, I'll be dropping E & B off at school and I'll look back at these days and miss them...  Taking a deep breath right now and enjoying it.

Lots of Accessories for these two.  They still remind me of a little old couple in their chairs.

Anyways... 

I am always grateful for those who read the blog.  Thanks for being here, reading about my life and remaining interested.  Seeing response and hearing from people makes my heart so full.  I love the community I'm a part of and everyone that reads, is to thank for that.  

See you guys next Thursday! 

Much love,

Lauren, E&B