Baby Swap

This past weekend (yes, I do realize it is already Thursday) was a bit of a change for us.  I had a good friend's baby's 1st birthday party to attend.  There was stuff to get done around the house, so Paul was going to stay in town (the party was out of town).  Since it was a 1st birthday party, I decided to take the twins with me instead of my usual partner in crime, Ella.  I was going to my parent's house for the night after the party, so H&H would get a lot of one on one time with my mom and I which does not happen...ever.

Paul and Ella had LOTS planned here in town too!  Friday evening Paul took her to get her nails done.  Yep, you heard it...he really is the best dad ever ;)  Then they went to Ella's friend's house and hung out with her and her daddy (and little brother) for the evening.  Then on Saturday Paul and Ella met up with some more friends that we hadn't seen in a long time.  They had such a great time together!  I was SO happy that Ella never cried for me and barely even asked for me!  She has been a daddy's girl ever since!  Although their daddy/daughter weekend was much needed, it does make me somewhat sad that she is clearly favoring her daddy ever since the weekend!

Hailee, Hannah, and I had a great time away!  The birthday party was so much fun!  I saw great friends that I don't see often and H&H were on their best behavior (which is rare).  Then we went back to my parents house and my mom and I went to a late showing of Safe Haven.  The movie was great, as was the time spent with my mom.  Then on Saturday morning we went to the outlets and got a good start (and maybe finish) on all of the girl's summer wardrobes!

Sunday, all together again, we spent the day as a family at church and then at the park and out for ice cream.  What a perfect day!  Enjoy these photos from our weekend adventures!

This is the sweet and smiley face I left on Friday afternoon.  I knew I would miss my girl and I was right!

Some friends of 10+ years!  Love getting together with these ladies!

Hailee, Hannah, and grandpa on Saturday morning.  We all spent extra time snuggling these sweeties!

Beautiful day for shopping, and snacking, at the outlets!  My dad pushed the girls around all morning for me so I could shop with my mom and sister.  How nice!  He couldn't believe how many "twin comments" these girls got from people.  Yep, that's definitely the norm!

Ella and her friend Morgan at Ella's favorite restaurant...Chick-Fil-A!  These two have been friends since they were about 2 months old, when I started babysitting Morgan every day during the week.  I watched Morgan until the day I went on bed rest with H&H.  These two definitely have a special bond!

The photo I woke up to on Saturday morning from Paul.  Coloring while she was eating breakfast..she sure got spoiled by daddy!  No wonder she had such a great time!

Hailee at the park on Sunday!

Ella!

Hannah and Ella!  The girls were SO much fun at the park on Sunday.  We really did have the best time with them.  I am so excited for this summer and all the fun things we have planned!

Hailee

Hannah.  Hannah is our little dare devil.  She was going down the big, swirly slides as Hailee and Ella stayed on the little tiny ones.  Hannah really has no fear.  She was so funny and cute all afternoon.

This was just yesterday.  They were on their way to dad's night at Ella's preschool.

Daddy and Ella had such a great time!  They had pizza and dessert and Ella's class sang songs for all of the dads.  She brought home these activities that they did while there.  Notice her name at the top of the sun paper...she is getting so good at writing it!  I love the things she said about Paul on the blue paper too!

March for Babies!

It's that time of year again....the March of Dimes March for Babies!  Our family (Paul, me, and all three kids) will be walking this walk April 28th.  I loved doing this last year.  Going to and participating in this event sure was a reminder for how lucky we are to have two healthy girls.

As a recap, our identical twin girls were born at 30 weeks gestation, after me being on bedrest for 6 weeks (3 at home and 3 in the hospital).  They had TTTS (twin to twin transfusion syndrome) and we really had no idea what their outcome would be.  Hailee spent 6 weeks in the hospital and Hannah spent 8 before they were ready to come home.  As we realize how blessed we are today, we still constantly pray for their growth and development as they get older. I can only hope that our girls and their story will be an encouragement to other moms with preemies!

I have attached a couple photos of the girls from two years ago and today.  I have also attached the link to our personal page if you would like to help support the research and development for other families with premature babies. 

http://www.marchforbabies.org/HHClark

Hailee, at about 3 days old.

Hannah, at about 3 days old.

Hannah, a little over a week old.  Take a look at her diaper.  This was a preemie size (smaller than newborn) and was still huge on her!

Hailee, a little over a week old.

Hannah, about 4 weeks old.

Hailee, about 3 weeks old (right around Valentine's Day).

Finally home together!  Hailee had already been home for 2 weeks while Hannah was still in the hospital.  This was the first day they were home together.

Finally snuggling together again!

Hailee and Hannah today!  Two years old!  Babies, you have come a long way and continue to amaze me every day!

Snow Day!

Today is a snow day!  Ella's preschool was cancelled, for the first time all year (first time it was closed on a day that she was supposed to go).  Our poor girl cried and cried when she went to get dressed for school and I told her it was cancelled.  I will someday remind her of this when she is praying for a snow day in high school.  She had a daddy/daughter pizza dinner at school tonight and that was also cancelled.  Poor girl.  I hope they reschedule it soon!

I made the best of the day with the kids all cooped up inside.  We are still in our jammies (me, Hannah, and Hailee), we made cookies (and ate them), colored pictures, and watched some TV.  I NEVER make homemade cookies, like never.  I generally just buy the ones you break apart and pop in the oven.  It was nice to make them from scratch.  I am really hoping this is our last snow if the year.  I am SO ready for some nice weather!

Many of you may not even know we have a dog.  Yes, this is the often times forgotten about member of our family, Chloe.  She is cute, but I sure do hate when she gets snow all over the house when coming in after a big snow fall!

My little cookie baking helper!

Cookie approved by Miss Hailee!  Although, I don't know what cookie would not be approved by this girl.

Ella and Hannah coloring together

Some cookie packages for a couple neighbors.  I wonder when today I will get out to deliver these...

This photo is from last night.  Ella now likes me to read to her from her Bible at prayer time before bed.  Love, love, LOVE that this 3 year old has so much love and interest in Jesus.  I like to think we must be doing something right ;)