I've always debated what my favorite season is, because I like and dislike so many different things about each one. I love that I get to wear gorgeous sweaters, coats, boots and scarves in winter but I dislike being cold (or you walk into a warm room and you're already dressed for cold and don't have anything cooler to change into). I love summer's sweltering heat but dislike having to do any more than just sit in it, especially if there is no escape to an air conditioned home with a cool shower and ice water. I love fall's changing colors and the beginning of sweater weather and the cool after the summer heat, but I can't stand how cold it is in the morning and hot it is in the afternoon (is that just Fresno?). 

But Spring, I can find no fault in you.

The cool mornings, the warm but not too warm afternoons with a cool breeze floating through the open windows and doors, the sun coming back to spend more time with us.

I don't know if I ever would love spring as much as I do if it weren't for Jacob. 

After playing outside he smells like sunshine and warm dirt and grass. It's interesting how it's not a dirty smell, but an inviting and invigorating smell. 

His smile and laughing in the sunshine as he tries to run across the green grass is infinitely more adorable.

Blowing dandelions has never been more exciting. After showing him I watch him as he tries to copy me, but not getting it quite right. He holds the dandelion as far away from his mouth as his little arm will reach and tries to blow the fairies into the air to no avail. Amidst the laughing and the blowing sounds, which are on the list of my top favorite sounds that kids make besides laughing and babies sucking, he gets a little frustrated and starts waving it around and then throws it on the floor as he stomps away (trying to run) smiling and laughing on to the next one.

Indy is a spectacular runner, the fastest dog I've ever seen (keeping in mind I guess I haven't seen very many dogs running), and very well coordinated. It reminds me of a horse barrel racing, except that Jacob and I are the barrels and we're moving trying to catch her tail. 

Yelling at the cat trying to get her to come play, never gets old. And of course once she's down she becomes the obsession of the dog, which just adds to the fun.

Going down the slide, head first, feet first, on our bottom or on our stomach, slow or fast, slides are so much fun.

Finding the beauty in the rocks, dirt, pieces of grass he comes to put in my hand to show me. In the spring there are the blossoms on our tree as they fall all around us blanketing the grass. 

The bees and the birds that are in the tree add the most beautiful background sound, making the air positively hum.

It's so perfect in the warmth, the sun, and the breeze, what's better than a naked baby? Running around letting the sun kiss your skin. Standing there (or running after him) feeling the sun seep through my shirt, and kiss my arms neck and face. 

Spring, is absolute bliss. 

Definitely, by far, my favorite season.

The Twins Birth Announcement: Take Two

Just like with Jacob, I just could not work up the ability to take these pictures while they were "newborn". Between the baby acne, the lack of chunk, the eczema and lack of sleep, I just couldn't do it.

We finally went up to my mom's house for about 4 days while my husband, his dad, my dad, my brother, and God Bless my Uncle Ty (without whom we could not have done it, there is no way it would have turned out as amazing as it did) tiled our kitchen and dining room. I figured it wasn't a good idea to have Jacob in the house while there was wet stuff that needed to dry...I could just envision the tears and tantrums that would ensue because all he would want to do is be around the men and do what they were doing.

Since we were going to be spending so much time up there, I thought it would be a good time to take pictures! We waited for Jacob to be 3 months as well, and so I figured good timing.

Here are the results. Now if I could just make the time to get them printed out and sent to family and friends, we'd be really swell :)

We tried these ones first...she was ready as always to smile and be charming. Chase...not so much.

 And then they kept falling over...so we'll try that again when they're a little stronger.

And here is the best one, out of over 400. Just like Jacob's

Something about the blankets Nana made, just make me happy.

Here are my favorite outtakes.

 Those faces...

 It's like I said make a funny face, and they did.

 My favorite outtake of all. It says everything about them, up until now. He's not so grumpy now.

 Wide eyes, it's crazy how wide they get!

 Over there!

 On the second time we tried it, we got a smile out of him. Here it comes...

 wait for it...

wait for iiiiiiiiiiit...

 Tada! (Riley: Wha?)

 I'm so happy! I'm not a grumpy baby! (Riley: Really?)

 I think that was a pretty awesome smile mom

What do you think? Riley didn't smile at all...huh? Huh?

Huh?

Yeah.

yeah......

Hey mom! What's over there? Let's stop taking pictures now. We get it...we're cute. We're done.

Love them

Two Newborns and an 18 Month Old

Life has been pretty amazing, even though I'm seeing it through a sleepy haze most days.

Here are some pictures and words to help explain the last few months.

 Cuteness, and oh so new

 Nana, Mom, the best help ever

 Love, hugs and dogs

 Or horsies...

 First hair cuts...too short, but oh well. Hair grows thank goodness

 Baths. We take lots and lots and lots of baths with three babies.

 Climbing and finding our way into the craziest of places

 We've gone on a few walks...

 Our first sleepover at Nana's

 Emphasis on the sleep

 Our first Sunday back to church! And our last. Dr Jones said don't take those babies out for another two weeks so they don't get sick. 

 Poop and poop faces. Sometimes my life is just poop.

 Some of us sleep, and some of us don't

 We eat lots of cookies (lots is probably an exaggeration...I think)

 Stronger! Look at how strong we are holding our heads up all by ourselves

 Indy has to relearn not to lick babies...she's gotten used to cleaning Jacob's face

Time with daddy is the best

 I couldn't help myself, he went to sniff the cool whip so I tipped it up into his face.

 Edible foam! IE cool whip. So much fun

 And delicious

 We copy daddy at every turn. After the tile was in, a few days later he got his hands on a sponge and I wondered what he'd do with it. He went to the tile and started to scrub it, just like daddy. He also tries to pick up Indy's feet and dance with her, like he saw me do ONCE. 

 Don't we look cute. 

 A special day

 Pj, naked, cute clothes, mis matched clothes....

 Sleep and babies, precious

 An example of cute outfits. 

 Play dates happen at any and all times, including right before bed.

 Smiles, even sleepy smiles, bring joy

 Riley looks like a Veater

 Milk comaaaaaaaa

 Holding babies

 Dirt. Lots of dirt. Hence the baths.

 And of course, don't forget the other things in life besides children, like our home.

 My Christmas present from my dad, tile!

The start of my gray, yellow and white kitchen.

There are also lots and lots of kisses, and hugs, and running, and cuddling, and eating, and dancing, and singing...and cleaning...

Jacob loves to take off one sock, just one, and continue the rest of the day without it.

Jacob wipes his nose, on everything. And I mean everything. I think it's cute, and tell him "thank you! What a good boy wiping your nose." I figure I'll wait until he can talk to me to teach him only to wipe his nose in tissues and handkerchiefs, not on EVERYTHING ELSE.

Every once in awhile I'll see him driving a car around going vroom vroom. It makes my heart smile.

Jacob's facial expressions are becoming the most hilarious things ever! He is becoming so expressive.

He still loves the dog. They are the best of friends, I can't even tell you. It's just something you have to see.

He shoves food in his mouth, and tries to drink at the same time. It's the cutest thing watching him figure out ways to put more food in his mouth. He's a beast. 

Sometimes it's hard having an 18 month old and two newborns. Jacob doesn't understand gentle very well and want's to play with them like he plays with us and the dog...we've had a few scares and a few "Don't step on them" or "Don't hit them". But as they get less fragile and more strong we're all able to play together a bit more. At first it was difficult feeding the twins with Jacob because he wanted so badly to be climbing all over me while I did it, and with two hands occupied, what was I supposed to do with him? For awhile we strapped him down in his stroller and watched sesame street, at least until he got used to the inevitability that I would not be able to play with him or pay attention to him for half an hour while I took care of them. And now he's great! Although we do still have relapses occasionally. He loves kissing them, taking their hands while I hold them under their arms and dance with them, doing baby exercises together. 

We've even gotten quite a few all nighters of sleep. And only one more month until we can start introducing a little food! Which will only help everyone sleep even more. 

Bring on the spring and summer, and growing children.