Five on Friday- 3 Day Weekend and 2nd Week Back at Work

Happy Friday Lovies!

+ I'm already on my second week back at work! It's hard being away from them but they boys seem to be adjusting well. Me.. I'm getting there. It's been hard to stay focused on work. This week my team is in Orlando for a sales conference. I opted not to go because I'm not ready to leave the boys just yet. We are also moving offices in a week and half so I've been sitting in a sea of boxes. Kinda hard to get motivated when you feel in limbo. I'm super excited (even though I didn't figure it out until half way through the week) that it's a 3 day weekend for me! One extra day with my babies! YAY!!

+ Monday I found out that my hemoglobin A1C is 6.1. Apparently the prediabetic range is 5.7-6.4. NOT COOL! It through me for a loop. I mean I couldn't even think straight when I left. I didn't really even ask a lot of questions because I was so dumbfounded. I know I have to change my diet and follow up in 3 months. I've been googling diets and I'm having some issues. Anyone have any experience of advice?? My doctor says that BMI and weight are ok but it couldn't hurt to lose 3-5lbs. Everything I'm googling says weight loss. So confused!! Any advice would be appreciated!

+ I REALLY need to get organized this weekend. Last weekend I didn't really get much accomplished. I spent my time snuggling with the boys. I'm ok with that! They are only this size and age once. Time is going by soo fast! Please excuse the Iphone pictures.

+ The boys are growing so fast that they are in 6 months clothing!! 99% of what we have is 3 months for winter. I need to pick up a few things. My Hubs is NOT happy. I see everyone is having sales so hopefully that will help out. So I might have stripe obsession! I hope to find a few other pieces in the stores too!

Sweater one piece

How cute is this?

+ I totally already bought the boys Valentine's gifts already! These are just too cute! My Hubs thinks they are more for me than them. LOL.. I can't wait to see my little beach babes in these come summer. Can you tell I'm ready for summer?!

Hope everyone has a great 3 day weekend! 

December and 3 months

Hello Lovies!

December was a very busy month for us. Sadly I didn't document everything but here is just a quick glimpse of what we had going on. 

We attended a tacky sweater party at one of my besties house. 

The boys took some photos for Christmas with their cousin.

Bennett looks so adult here.

Cameron is intently staring at something.

Christmas Day was a whirlwind. My parents came for breakfast. My MIL, step FIL, SIL with her family, and step BIL all came for lunch. We were exhausted but it was a good day. The boys wasn't sure what was going on but good none the less. 

The day after Christmas we celebrated one of my husbands bestie's 40th birthday. It was a good time had by all!

New year's Eve was spent at the Carolina Beach relaxing. We were all asleep well before midnight. 

The boys turned 3 months on 12/30/15!

Weight/Height: We didn't have a doctors appointment this month but we are estimating between 13-14lbs. 

Medical Reports: Cameron- you started on Zantac and this has seriously been a miracle drug! You are soo much better! So happy we think we have figured it out. 

Bennett- You still have some constipation issues but hopefully apple juice in your bottle will continue to help you.

Sleep: You both have started to sleep from 8:30-3 ish. You eat and go right back to sleep until 6:30 or 7. Mommy is in heaven! 

Clothes and Diaper Size: Size 2 diapers. Clothes 3 months and 6 months items. 

Diet: We switched you to Target brand formula and you both seem to be fine with it. It's a bit cheaper so we are going to continue with it. 

Products We Love: Still loving our Twin Z pillow. Retired our beloved Rock 'n Plays this month. Still love your wubbanubs (Cameron has an elephant and Bennett has a monkey). 

Milestones: Cameron: You smile, coo, laugh, and are just the happiest baby (except when your mouth is hurting!). You hold your head up on your own and prefer to be sitting up. You are also trying to do sit ups on your twin Z pillow. 

Bennett: You are just now smiling more. You are pretty happy baby and are definitely a Mommy's boy. You hold your head up well but don't seem to be any in hurry to do anything else just yet. 

Likes: Wubbanubs, Car rides, Sitting upright, and being talked to. 

Dislikes: Stopping at stop lights and being held like babies.

Both were transitioned to your cribs and didn't seem to have any issues. We took away your swaddles because you both are wiggly and trying to roll over. Both of you are already showing all the signs of teething. I haven't seen a tooth pop up yet but I'm sure they will be coming soon. Mommy's maternity leave came to an end this month and January 4 she headed back to work. These were the fastest yet longest 3 months of my life. Mommy loves you both to the moon and back!

November and 2 Months

Hi Lovies! 

Here is our November in review. The boys took their very first trip to Carolina Beach! Bennett looks hungry while Cameron looks terrified. This was their very first long car trip and they were troopers! We can only hope that they are this good forever!

 This was just too sweet not to include. They were snuggling and fell fast alseep!

We were ventured to the beach for a good friends wedding. It was Mommy's first outing. Luckily Mimi and Pops were more than happy to be at the beach house too and kept you for us.

This was a candid shot getting ready for our Christmas cards- your very first!

We also celebrated your very first Thanksgiving. We opted to stay in (per the advice of our doctors) and have family come to us to celebrate. You were the two cutest little turkeys ever!

Daddy and I thought we'd dress in you some game day attire. Duke won that day. Bennett- State lost buddy. Mommy was sad and Daddy was happy!

We celebrated our 3 year anniversary! Dinner and drinks and the Angus Barn. 

You guys turned 2 months on 11/30/15!

Weight/Height: Cameron: 1' 11" height and 11lb 12oz in weight.

Bennett: 1' 10.5" height and 11lb 7.6oz in weight. 

Medical Reports: Cameron: We have started you on gas drops in hopes of this helping you. You still have gas and we are now wondering if it's acid reflex. We are weaning you off the gas drops to see if we can tell your symptoms. 

Bennett: We have now started you with some apple juice in your bottle. Poor thing is constipated and cries when you have to go. 

You both got your first round of shots this month and took them like champs! So proud. Although Mommy may or may not have shed a tear or two for you.

Sleep: Still wake up every 3 sometimes 4 hours. We got the ok to not wake you anymore but you already somewhat programmed. We are trying the Moms on Call schedule in hopes of getting some sleep.

Clothes and Diaper Size: Both are wearing size 1 diapers. Both are in 0-3 months clothes.

Diet: We switched you to Enfamil Gentle Ease formula. You both seem to be better on this. If it continues to go well we hope to put on you Target brand generic soon. Formula is expensive!

Products We Love: Still Loving the Rock N Plays and Aden + Anais Swaddle blankets. We also love fun playmats. You both love to stretch out on them.  Both still love your wubbanubs. We also love our Twin Z pillow. I can now put on the pillow without you sliding down. Mustela Physiobebe- seriously the best stuff ever! It's like baby windex! Baby Jogger City Select Stroller- we got the second seat. Right now we're using the adapter clips for our car seats. This is THE BEST stroller! I would never be able to leave the house without it. It turns amazingly and I'm able to fit through aisles and shop like a normal person. Blooming Bath Insert- my coworker let me borrow this. It has been amazing! I can easily wash you in the sink and keep you warm and comfy too. So grateful she let us borrow this.

Milestones: Both like to be propped up with your Twin Z pillow. Both officially started to smile! Love baby smiles!

Likes: Mommy and Daddy talking to you. The play mats with lights, sounds, and movement. Both of you like the TV. Mommy is working on correcting that. 

Dislikes: Being snot sucked. Both scream bloody murder!

Cameron- you are turning into a little ham and love when Mommy talks to you or takes your picture. I love it! 

Bennett- you still aren't excited about pictures. You follow Mommy around and don't like it when I leave the room. Melts my heart!

October Photo Dump and 1 month

 Hello Lovies!

I'm going to attempt to back track and photo dump in HIGH HOPES of keeping things more up to date around here. To say that these past 3.5 months flew by would be the best understand EVER! These precious boys wore me out, kept me on my toes but are sooo worth it! I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING!

These little pumpkin hat photos were taken on October 8th. My SIL brought them over and put them on the boys for a little photo session. I love how carefree Bennett looks in these. Cameron cracks me up because he doesn't look like he's sure about them.

On October 9th Cameron (right) found his thumb. On October 12th Bennett (left) seemed to have an almost identical picture! Yes- they are even wearing the same outfits in the picture!

They had their 1st Halloween! Our little pumpkins! Here are a few pictures in their snuggly little outfits.

Here they are at 1 month (10/30/15).

Weight/Height: Bennett: 1' 9.25" in height. You weighed 8 lb and 14.9oz. 

Cameron: 1' 9.5" in height. You weighed 9lb and 11.4oz. 

Medical Reports: Both of you seem to had some tummy issues arise after a couple of weeks of being on Similac regular formula. Daddy and I chose to switch to Similac for tummy issues. This seemed to help. Cameron- You would have what seemed like tummy pain and lots of gas. Bennett- you had lots of gas and constipation. Both were sad to see happening. We also switched your bottles to Dr. Browns. This seemed to help as well.

Sleep: Both of you sleep 2-3 hour stretches in your Rock 'n Plays. At night you sleep in them in your room. Since Mommy still can't get in her bed due to csection stitches and the height of the bed, I sleep in the recliner in your room with you. Most of the time we have to wake you to eat every 3 hours. Cameron you stretch and are ready to go. Bennett you stretch and poke your lips out. You eat on your time schedule.

Clothes and Diaper Size: Both of you are still in newborn diapers. Both are wearing newborn or 0-3 month clothes.

Diet: Both of you eat every 3 hours or on demand. You eat about 3 oz of formula. I gave you both colostrum that pumped for the first 2 weeks. You both loved it. I had hoped to give you breast milk as well and supplement as needed but Mommy's body didn't cooperate. My milk never came in. I was sad at first but you both seem happy and at the end of the day that is all that matters!

Products We Love: Rock 'n Play, Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets, Footed onesies with zippers, wubbabubs, and Dr. Browns Bottles

Milestones: Both of you are trying to lift your heads up. You both can follow voices and seem to notice when Mommy and Daddy are talking. Both of you found your thumb already! 

Likes: Both of you like to be held, sleeping, eating, wubbanubs, getting a bath (shockingly!) and car rides.

Dislikes: Both dislike being cold (aka getting out of the bath), stopping at stoplights, diaper changes, and tummy time.

Things I Don't Want to Forget: 

Bennett: You have the cutest little stretching face. You poke your butt and lips out. You have been a stretching machine since you've been born. Maybe since your brother was bigger you are happy to have room to stretch.

Cameron: You are my cuddlebug. You worry Mommy with your tummy and congestion issues. The doctors swear I'm over reacting but I hope they calm down soon. Otherwise you are most laid back baby. You have the cutest little chubby cheeks!

If you made it to the end- Bless You! I hope to be back with more updates soon. :)

Happy New Year and First Day Back at Work..

Hi Lovies!

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth. I swore I wouldn't be one of those bloggers that disappeared after kiddos.. wellll... I didn't disappear but I apologize sincerely for the radio silence. I really appreciate the sweet emails and comments and never realized I actually had followers. So you know how to make a girl feel special! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

Today for me is a working Mommy's worst nightmare.. my first day back at work! I had a few tears here and there but not as bad as I thought honestly. Last week.. well I was a hot MESS! I dropped the boys off for 3 half days with their sitter for a trial. Cameron is a trooper and smiled and cooed at drop off and pick up each day. Bennett.. lord that boy is going to be the death of me! He wouldn't look at me at first. Then screamed holy terror and wouldn't let anyone else hold him but. He didn't want to eat, cried every day on the way to the sitter, and just well broke my heart. This morning he seemed so so.. I kissed them each goodbye and got a slight glare from him. Let's hope pick up goes better today.

They wore these outfits this morning but this picture was taken at the beach over New Year's. Hence why Bennett is actually smiling. 

This was Cameron's face last night when I told him Mommy had to go back to work today.. My thoughts EXACTLY buddy!

Well I hope everyone has a good Monday! Here's to hoping I am better at blogging in the new year :)

They are here!!- Trying to Catch Up!

Hello Lovies!

I NEVER intended to stay away this long. I knew life would be busy but never imagined it would be this crazy! I have soo much to catch up on. So I'm going to probably overload everyone.. I apologize in advance.

Wednesday September 30th- I had my 37 week visit at the doctors office. We snapped this picture above and I had planned to come home and post my 37 week updates. Well... things changed very quickly. I went in for my appointment. My doctor immediately come in and told us I was being sent over to the hospital. I had protein in my urine. My blood pressure was slightly elevated but nothing too alarming but it was high for me.. 140/70. We walked over to the hospital where they took a urine sample and ran some blood work. We hung out watching tv and chatting until the results came back about an hour later.. protein.. positive! My doctor came in and asked the last time I had eaten.. 11:30. So they decided my csection would be done at 7:30 that night. We started texting and calling family. I was so excited! I wished for the boys to have a September birthday. I spent the next couple of hours relaxing and waiting on my husband. He left the hospital to go get our bags and come back. Just as they were getting ready to roll me back, I got bumped. There was an emergency with another birth so we got bumped from the ER. They then told me that they would come get us around 9pm. FINALLY at 9pm.. I was wheeled back for my csection. I was so nervous. I had no idea what to expect. I was fortunate that I didn't feel any pain. My spinal was perfect and everything moved very quickly. Bennett Griffin Parker was born at 9:27 weighing 5lbs 8oz 19 inches long. Cameron Nicholas Parker was born at 9:28 weighing 7lbs 6oz 20.5 inches long.

(Bennett left and Cameron on the right)

After hearing the babies cry and being taken to be checked out things started to get a little fuzzy for me. I started to feel nauseous. They told me they were going to give me some drugs to help. I don't really remember being wheeled to recovery but I remember a nurse telling me I was going to hang out with her for a few minutes. The next thing some nurses were whispering. I asked if everything was okay and they assured me it was and that they were going to get my doctor. I don't remember ANYTHING from here on out. Apparently I started to hemorrhage and my uterus filled with blood clots. My poor husband was there and witnessed nurses pounding on my stomach and my doctor retrieving clots. Sorry if this is TMI. Long story short.. I had to have 2 blood transfusions. I had some cath issues. Let's just say it wasn't the delivery I was hoping to have. 

My husband was amazing. He stepped in and took care of our boys. The only thing I remember until Saturday afternoon was attempting to breastfeed and pumping. Otherwise I slept or was pretty out of it. Sunday night they finally released me and we came home with our boys. Thank you Lord for my Mom.. she came home with us the first night. She stepped up and organized bottles, diapers, and a system. I'm so grateful. I was literally in a fog and couldn't even think. 

I didn't really take any pictures in the first week or so. Family took some of the boys at the hospital and us coming home. I still need to get with all of them to copies of these so sorry for the lack of photos. I promise I get better about pictures. My next post will have more, I promise. I just want to thank everyone for the emails and messages, it really means a lot!