8 Wonderful Months

A Turner Tot Christmas

Finally the Turner family is on the mend! We've had a rough few weeks, but we are finally turning a corner.  Time to look forward to our 1st Christmas as a family of 5.

May you all have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your time with those you love.  We all have much to be thankful for. xo

2 out of 3 cried.  Merry Christmas anyways! 

7 month

6 Months

I can't believe the #Turnertots are 6 months old.  I can't remember life without them here.  I love their little developing personalities and how happy they both are.  :)

5 Months Came fast!

4 Months of Fun

..and way behind in posting.

Because You Won't Remember...

Our first night at the hospital, I counted the minutes until I got to meet you both.  The day was such a blur and I ached to finally hold you two in my arms.  I counted your toes and your fingers and every wrinkle you had on your forehead.  I soaked in all the little details of you both.  I promise I won't do that when you're a teenager (or at least tell you about it).

There's so much I want to say to you, so I do- when we're rocking, dozing off to sleep.  When you're showing me your big open blue eyes that sometimes cross when you stare at my nose. You won't remember any of those moments, so I wanted to write them down.  Maybe if I'm lucky you'll read this when I've taken your car or phone away because you're a wild teenager like your daddy once was (yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking with it).

First things first, you both toot a lot.  No really, you toot like one of those farting machines you buy at a special gift store.  Sometimes I think it's your dad,  but he swears it's you and blame it on my intake of asparagus.  It's hard to image such a tiny baby making such a loud noise.  But you both do.  And I love you.

Speaking of love, it's important you understand my love for you both.  It's the kind of love that burns up from my chest until it catches in my throat.  And I feel that way with each of my kids.  I remember wondering how I could love a child more than Kennedy?  How silly, I was actually wondering how my heart could make room for another child. And sure enough god blessed us with 2 babies and I tear up now just bursting at the seems with love for you all.  I was given the responsibility to be your mother and couldn't be more honored for the privilege.

I have this thing where I obsessively watch your breathing.  Parenting is just torture.  I mean, honestly- Showers are rare, I always have to pump, I binge snack instead of having time for meals, I finally get you both down to sleep and then I just sit there and watch you both breath.  This motherhood love is no joke.  It doesn't help that Beckett once enjoyed holding his breath for long periods or that Eloise likes to sleep with her hand pressed against her cheek like an angel.  I want to hold you and squeeze you both, but try to remind myself that it took me an hour and 3 attempts for you to finish your bottle to get you to finally fall asleep in the first place.

In those 2am, 3am, 4am feedings, I always count those moments and know they are short lived (I mean I hope they are and would like to see the light at the end of the tunnel soon).  Eloise you usually never even peek your eyes open during those hours, but drink your entire bottle.  Beckett you stare at me like "What took your so long?" across your face.  But I enjoy the close moments together and knowing my milk is making you both grow strong and big.

This past week, you both have really started to smile at me.  It makes me so giddy inside I can't stand it.  You love to smile at the moments where I am trying to be productive or helpful and can't help but sit down and take in the sweetness.  In that moment I experience pure joy and desperate dread.  It's like the ying and yang of parenthood. I hate that I will be missing those smiles during the day as I return to work next week.  But I know you will be brightening others days who will be watching you (especially Nana's).

Anyway, I don't want to freak you out, but there's more.  Our souls are bonded together forever.  You're stuck with me.  I'm stuck with all of you.  But you're all independent people placed here on earth with a job to do completely separate from me.  I don't like this very much.  It means there could be times we are estranged, if you need elbow room to make your own mistakes.  Maybe you'll move to LA and only call once a week between your acting career or waitressing job.  Or you marry someone with a tattoo around their neck and has a record for bank robbery... Geez, I'm getting myself worked up over here and hope that surely isn't the case.

I just want to protect all my babies and that will surely be my downfall.  From pains and owies.  Colds and illness.  Bullies. Social Media.  All the Internet period.  Heartbreak.  Disappintment.  Middle school.  I want to hide you from mean kids.  I want to protect you from obstacles, but I know you need them.

Before I wrap this up, let me share some bad news.  Kennedy you are projected to be 6'2 when you grow up... and probably big feet like me (and your grandma).  Eloise you and I have some chubby thighs.  Hopefully you will grow out of those, but I may be doomed.  Beckett, my sweet boy, you may have some red hair that people will envy and perhaps talk about.  Own it and know it came from your dad's side of the family. :)

I will miss you both next week and our days spent together, but know that it will only make me value the evenings, weekends and midnight feedings (did I really say that) that we share together.

Love your emotional (Thanks Grandma!) and crazy mother.

xo

The last few months...

Here is a little glimpse of life at the Turner house.  Sure, I can tell you we are tired and life is a little bit of a blur. But I am making sure to take photos because this time is short lived and memories are hard to remember.

I wanted to snap a picture of the 5 of us and how our living room always looks some days (truthfully, everyday).

9 weeks old- Nailed It!

When no one is looking, she is so sweet.

"Babbby Beckett!" in a very high pitch toddler voice that we love

Little two have grown up so fast.  I love all the sweet matching outfits we have, but rarely catch them in pictures.

Beckett- 9 weeks

Eloise- 9 weeks

Kennedy begged to finally get to bathe with Beckett & Eloise.  It was amazingly sweet.

Full arms, full heart. <3

2 Months Old

Eloise & Beckett- 2 Months

Sweet babies are growing up so fast.  They can focus their eyes and watch you from around the room. They are awake more and more during the day.  We still get up 1 or 2 times a night with them both.

Eloise is working so hard to get head support.  She "thinks" she has it down, but we disagree. :)  So soon she will.  She wakes up hungry and screams.  She knows how to make you hustle to get her milk. She has a beautiful full-set of hair.

Beckett has his little heart monitor for another month, but is off caffeine at least. He really has filled out and gained weight.  He loves to be cuddled and loved on.  Baby B likes to hold his breathe until he gets picked up- smart man.

1 Month Old

Eloise & Beckett- 1 Month

35 :)

How far along? 35 Weeks and 4 Days

Stretch marks? "Love Lines"

Sleep: Hit or miss.  Usually more miss than hit these days. 

Best moment this week: Seeing our babies and scheduling our C-section.  Hooray!

Miss Anything? Being able to keep up with life.  Being able to keep up with Kennedy and the family.

Movement: Still wiggling all around.  Their kicks are sure powerful.

Food cravings: Still hungry often! I'm guessing these babies are just trying to grow and are letting me know. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing.

Have you started to show yet: Just a tad.  Ha

Belly Button in or out? In- thankfully

Happy or Moody most of the time: A Happier week for sure. 

Looking forward to:  May 5th at 1pm, when our sweet babies will make their way into the world. I'm ready for life to begin again and for our routine to begin.  

Love.

It has been said:

Love and a cough- Cannot be concealed.

Even a small cough.

-Anne sexton

The Thirty-Four

How far along? 34 Weeks and 5 Days

Stretch marks? I don't even know if there are news ones or not.

Sleep: Sleep?  What's that?  I am so uncomfortable. 

Best moment this week: Surviving the week.  Making it to the double-breast feeding class and feeling just a little bit more prepared.   

Miss Anything? I miss everything.  I miss feeling well.  I miss seeing my feet.  I miss feeling like myself.  I miss wearing a real bra. :)

Movement: Less movement for sure, but they are still wiggling around.  They especially like my ribs and that's what is making it so hard to function. 

Food cravings: Not really.  That ship has sailed.  Just trying to avoid items that give me heartburn.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing.

Have you started to show yet: I. Am. Huge

Belly Button in or out? In- I think it's gonna stay that way.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody soul.  I'm just exhausted and never comfortable. 

Looking forward to:  Meeting Eloise and Beckett.  Kennedy is so sweet and always talks about them.  We have their car seats in the car ready to go.  She likes to point to each and tell us whose seat is who.  I'm excited for her to be a big sister and for life to begin as a family of 5!

Lucky 33

How far along? 33 Weeks and 5 Days

Stretch marks? Thankfully no new additions 

Sleep: Getting so hard! I realize that how you sleep can really play into how you feel the next day.

Best moment this week: Finding out the babies are doing well and growing nicely.  

Miss Anything? Being able to keep up with Kennedy!! She runs laps around me these days.

Movement: Moving all the time, but slowing down.  Maybe they are just running out of room!

Food cravings: Nope! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing.

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes.  No hiding this beauty.

Belly Button in or out? In

Happy or Moody most of the time: Well, a tad more moody these days.  Everything is just a challenge to do and I'm so uncomfortable!

Looking forward to:  Meeting the sweet babies.  Kennedy now even says "Beckett and Eloise" when she refers to the twins.  She is also getting really excited about their arrival.  Just a few weeks left to go, but these last ones surely wont be the easiest!! 

Joyous 32

How far along? 32 Weeks and 3 Days

Stretch marks? Still applying Burts mama butter daily

Sleep: Still sleeping, just have to roll side to side all night long.

Best moment this week: Knowing we have nothing big planned from here on out.  Spending time as a family of three. Planning our Thanksgiving trip to Vero. :)

Miss Anything? Feeling comfortable.  Bending!

Movement: Sweet babies are still able to move and groove in there.

Food cravings: Harris Teeter Chocolate Chip cookies.  Yeah, I said it.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing.

Have you started to show yet: Stretching things to the max!

Belly Button in or out? In

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! 

Looking forward to:  Easter egg dying this weekend with Kennedy.  Getting to see the excitement of her experiencing the fun.  

Week 31

How far along? 31 Weeks and 6 Days

Stretch marks? No need additions, thankfully.

Sleep: Tossing and turning, but still sleeping which is most important. 

Best moment this week: Such a great week! Getting to see the babies at the doctors appointment! Learning that everything is going wonderfully with their development and things good good. :)  Baby Eloise 3.15 lbs and Beckett 3.11 lbs.  

Also, dear Leah coming to spend the weekend with us and all her help getting ready for the twins arrival.  We're lucky for friends like this in our lives. xo

Miss Anything? My wedding ring.  My fingers and feet are now swollen.  The doctor said it's common in the last weeks of your pregnancy and the warm weather doesn't help anything.

Movement: All the time.  I love feeling those little babies moving around.

Food cravings: Watermelon! :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing.

Have you started to show yet: Clothes aren't fitting well at all.

Belly Button in or out? It may stay in for the long haul. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! 

Looking forward to:  Preparing for Beckett and Eloise.  Spending the last few weeks with Kennedy and that special time while she is an only child.  Living in the moment and enjoying this time as a family of 3... for now. :)

The Final Stretch- Week 30

How far along? 30 Weeks and 5 Days

Stretch marks? Lines of Love, but thankfully no new additions. 

Sleep: 4 pillows needed, which makes turning over rather fun.

Best moment this week: A sweet party for the twins.  A wonderful celebration and another step closer to seeing Beckett & Eloise. Getting to spend time with friends and family I don't see often.

Miss Anything? Comfort.  

Movement: Strong little babies.  

Food cravings: Fruit :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! Thankfully

Have you started to show yet: Week to week, ever growing

Belly Button in or out? So close.

Happy or Moody most of the time: :)

Looking forward to:  Seeing the babies on Tuesday! Getting to see their progress and how they are coming along. 

Kennedy didn't want to play this photo shoot!

How far along? 29 Weeks and 4 Days

Stretch marks?Trying my best to prevent! 

Sleep: Toss & turn and get up at least 4 times a night to pee.  

Best moment this week: Well, this weekend in Asheville.  I can't wait!! 

Miss Anything? Being comfortable.   I had to adjust the car seat because it's no longer comfortable how I was sitting.

Movement: Sweet babies are always dancing around in there. This is always my favorite part of pregnancy. 

Food cravings: Breakfast everything! Pancakes, hash browns, sausage, muffins, grits, eggs! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, just whoa heartburn still. 

Have you started to show yet: Growing each and every single week!

Belly Button in or out? In still. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: :)

Looking forward to:  See Ashley this weekend and next weekend showering Beckett and Eloise.

Week 28

How far along? 28 Weeks and 6 Days

Stretch marks? Lines of Love.

Sleep: Towards the end of the week, finally a little bit better.  It's been rough.  Benadryl has given up on me. 

Best moment this week: Finding sweet wall art for the nursery.  It's finally coming together! Promise to post photos soon. Ohh and my prenatal massage on Saturday.

Miss Anything? Being able to reach my toes.  I was trying to explain to Ryan how this feels. "Like a huge basketball is stuffed under your shirt."

Movement: They are getting so strong!! Their kicks and hit can take my breath away these days.  And I know it's just going to get harder.

Food cravings: Raisin Bran- stolen from Ryan :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Red sauces- pizza or spaghetti.  I think it has more to do with the heartburn than just queasiness. 

Have you started to show yet: #BigGirl

Belly Button in or out? So close.

Happy or Moody most of the time: :)

Looking forward to:  Asheville this weekend and seeing old favorites! 

Week 27

How far along? 26 Weeks and 6 Days

Stretch marks? No new friends joining the party

Sleep: Terrible.  Sleep is for the birds

Best moment this week: A sweet date night with my love.

Miss Anything? Sleeping well, but that is to be expected

Movement: Yes! Ryan feels them all the time too.  #Finally

Food cravings: Thai Taste deliciousness 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not eating with make a girl queasy! 

Have you started to show yet: Oh my, yes.  Certain clothing really draws attention to all the fun.

Belly Button in or out? In! But getting closer.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.  

Looking forward to:  Approaching my 3rd trimester and keep these babies in as long as I can.  We finally ordered baby books and now starting on those for the sweet twins.