Imagination and Innovation

Ava has found a new place to play and find solace, hidden from view of her ever watchful parents and her siblings that never stop eating, burping, and pooping.

She has her grocery cart, baby doll, cell phones (yes she had three under there), play food, car keys, and most of all a place of her own imagination.

Big Sister with Twins

Snowman Fun with Ava

George and I having been trying to do special things with Ava since the twins arrived as she is having a difficult transition. Spent some time outside basking in one of the few sunny days we have in a Indiana winter.

Family Photos

Valentines Day!! Going Home from Hospital

Glad to be going home all together and to see Ava again. What a great Valentine's Day!!

Proud Daddy with Jovi and Finn @ 2:30am

Sweet Surprise!!

On Feb 11th, I went to my scheduled Dr's appointment and to the Doctor's surprise, both babies had turned and were now head down!! Additionally, Jovi had grown so much more than Finn in the last several weeks so it was time for them to greet the world. After several hospital mishaps with resident doctors, I finally was induced on Feb. 12th and Jovi Hope arrived at 12:09am on Feb 13th and Finn Alexander arrived at 12:16am. Jovi weighed 5lbs. 15oz. and Finn weighed 4lbs. 2oz. I was able to give birth vaginally and without any stitches. Both were healthy and positively beautiful to behold. What a blessing that everything went so well!!

Date night with George

This last weekend, George and I joined some dear friends for dinner at Bella Italia and will probably be our last date night for at least a couple months. We are two weeks away from the arrival of our twins and life will be Topsy-turvey for awhile. We are both very excited and nervous at the same time. I actually found something cute to wear other than "sweats" and it was nice to get out and enjoy friends and adult conversation. Capturing the memory in the above photo!

Joyfully Miserable at 36 weeks pregnant

February 10th marks my 36th week of pregnancy and I can honestly say I am amazed that I have made it thus far without complications, bed rest, or pre-term labor. The twins are healthy and very ACTIVE (especially at night) and George and I feel blessed to get to this point. However, I personally will say that although I am joyful about this blessing, I am completely and utterly uncomfortable ALL the time. LOOK AT MY BELLY!! My waistline as of Superbowl Sunday is 46 1/2" and my scheduled C-section is two weeks away. The great thing about going this far in a twin pregnancy is that it is very likely that we will be bringing our babies home with us, and not stay in the hospital like Ava. We thank our friends for their encouragement and prayers and we thank God daily for such a wonderful blessing.

Fun in the snow

At 35 weeks pregnant, I decided to put some of George's outerwear on and take Ava out in the snow. She loves to be outside even in the cold weather and that makes me happy to know that she might like to learn to ski and ice skate when she gets older. Above are some shots in the snow with her sled and of course her Mommy and Daddy.

Ava's first day in Gymnastics

This winter I feel like we have been "homebound" more days than usual due to my twin pregnancy, so I decided about 4 weeks ago to get Ava involved in some outside activities and get me out of the house also. Tuesday mornings we try to plan a play date with someone, Thursday mornings is a reading group at Barnes and Nobles where they sing songs, have a story read out loud, and then a small craft time. Saturday mornings have been dedicated to gymnastics at a place close by called Leaps and Bounds. Ava loves the trampoline, balance beam, and the slides. She does not like the uneven bars or the songs and stretching exercises they begin with. My daughter Ashley comes along to help since it would be difficult for me to lift and jump with Ava (unless I want to start my labor). We are going to try and keep this schedule up after the twins are born so that Ava has some special time that is devoted just for her and hopefully ease the transition for her by two little ones joining the family.