February is coming to an end....

Can you believe it!!! Next week the angels will be 5 months old!!! Where is the time going? I wanted to share a few of these pics. Some you have seen already .....I just worked on them to enhance a bit. The stripes are from yesterday.......an Old Navy special....$2.50 a pop. Hope you enjoy!!! Be safe in all this rain! Blessings!

Rock'n and Roll'n

I just had to share....here is Thomas rolling over. Though he does not like it...he will generally roll twice before getting frustrated and crying. Maddy on the other hand has nothing to do with rolling. She is ALL about trying to crawl. She rolled a few times back at New Year's and refuses to do it again. When on her belly she is doing the frog move and trying to crawl. She looks like Super Maddy if only she were in the air. I think in her mind she thinks she can walk and it is just that I am not letting her. Her personality is SOOOO much like mine it isn't even funny. I never dreamed Thomas would be so much like Shannon and Maddy so much like me...and to think I thought it was opposite before they were born. Hope you enjoy the roll over of Thomas....

P.S.....Thomas LOVES his feet! If only they would get to his mouth and little more easily!

Shoes

Like me.....Thomas and Maddy hate socks. So...I have been hesitant to put shoes on them. However, Nana has spent too much money and time finding them cute shoes so I am doing my best to put their shoes on. Mama may not always have her shoes on...but I will try to have theirs own....hope you enjoy the pics. They look so cute in their GAP attire!

Sittin' Up

Here is Maddy showing out! She had decided she is a big girl and no longer wants to sit like a baby. I believe if it were up to her she would be walking but her legs just don't do what she wants. She watches everything so intensely and just seems to want to GO! Thomas on the other hand is content with watching. He is the most relaxed and content little man. My hope is that he and Maddy will meet in the middle. Her intensity and his relaxed manners will keep them both on track so that I can keep up. Hope you enjoy the pictures!!!

Maddox Elise

This is the email sent out by Loni......please be in prayer for their family as the service is today. Just an FYI...Loni is the baby sister of my sister-n-law Lacy. The Lamon's Family is very special to us and our hearts go out to them as well as the Hodge family.

Our precious angel was born at 1:20 on February 19, 2009. She weighed 14oz and was 12 1/2 inches long. We were able to spend time with her and love on her sweet body. She had light brown/blondish color hair and a nose just like her daddy! She had beautiful big eyes and a sweet mouth. One of the sweetest characteristics of Maddox was that on her right hand her ring finger and middle finger were "webbed' together! I say that is special because My great grandfather Maddox and one of my male cousins on the Maddox side are the only two people who have carried that trait! So her name truly fit her to be Maddox. She was BEAUTIFUL and we know now that God has made her perfect and she is rejoicing with the angels in Heaven.
Justin and I want to thank each of you from the bottom of our hearts. We never would have made it through this time without the love and grace from our God and with the love and support from our family and friends like you. We will NEVER EVER be able to repay all of you for the time you've spent with us, the love your poured out on us, the calls, texts, emails, cards, beautiful flowers, and most of all the PRAYERS you have sent up on ours and Maddie's behalf. You all a truly been a blessing from God and we praise Him for you all!
Just to keep you updated on everything, we will be having a "celebration service" to celebrate that sweet life that God allowed to touch our lives!
Maddie's Celebration Service will be held tomorrow, Saturday February 21st at 1:00p.m. at Highland Memorial Gardens in Bessemer, AL 3115 18th Ave NBessemer, AL 35020. Phone: (205) 428-1201 (An interpreter will be provided)We are asking that in HONOR of Maddox Elise please wear PINK! We also ask in lieu of sending flowers, please consider making donations to the Alabama School for the Deaf - High School Department Indigent Children's Fund in memory of Maddox Elise Hodge.Coming from downtown Birmingham you will drive 20/59 towards Tuscaloosa take exit 113 and the cemetery will be on your right. I'm not sure where her "plot will be but I'm sure you will find us....IF you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call and please forward this email on to anyone who may be interested! Thank you again, you'll never know how much it means!
We LOVE you ALL!!!!!Justin and Loni Hodge

Sleep

So....we are still having a wonderful experience in terms of sleeping. Thomas and Maddy generally go to bed around 7:30 or 8pm and sleep until 7am. It is nice and I truly know how lucky we are...however, it does not come uninterrupted. Thomas wakes several times throughout the night....I don't have to pick him up...just comfort him and give him his passy. I am not getting much sleep but am managing. It is so hard as Thomas would rather sleep on his belly. He seems to jump if on his back and that ends up waking him. Maddy on the other hand sleeps just fine...I think she goes SO hard during the day that she just crashes. Often, she is still snoozing when Thomas tells everyone it is time to get up. I am struggling with guilt for putting him on his tummy when nothing else works.....as I know this is not the healthiest thing to do. I have received several comments from friends on their own experiences and I truly do appreciate it. We do have the positioners but my kids seem to jump them and not stay on them.....time will tell. For now...here is a cartoon that I can sometimes relate to!

Pooped....

I just had to share these pictures. Thomas and Maddy have both gone so hard today with short naps. Whenever we have outings it seems that they don't ever get their true nap in.....so as I was finishing up Maddy's bath...this is how I found Thomas. I didn't think anything of his being so quiet as sometimes he just rests his head...but this time he found true slumber. Toooo precious! We enjoyed our Zaxby's lunch with Grandmother Smith and Jackie.
As for this week, we are currently in Valley. Shannon and I had a truly wonderful Valentine's Day. We enjoyed dinner at my fav....Outback. Jackie, Cindy, and Stacey babysat so Shannon and I could enjoy a couple of hours together out. It was truly nice. We also got to go out to dinner last night with a great friend thanks to Jackie and Stacey. It is hard to get used to some time away from Tand M but it is much needed.....even though I try to do all and be all....it is nice to get out. Shannon returns to Augusta tomorrow for work and I am going to spend some much needed time with my mom and dad and baby brother. Thomas and Maddy are excited to see Nana and Poppy.
We also got in some shopping this week. Jackie, "Nonnie", bought the angels some new PJ's....as they are really outgrowing their current ones. It is so nice to have such wonderful grandparents. Shannon and I truly appreciate all the love and support our family gives us. Diapers, clothes, time, and advice, and on and on .....they are all priceless gifts that we truly do recognize and appreciate! It is also quite spoiling as I have grown accustomed to doing it all in Augusta....well, with the great friendship and support of my pal Megan. What a blessed life we do have!!! God is so very good! I wish you all a wonderful evening.
I would also like to ask that you lift up several babies in your prayers. We have friends and loved ones that are going through pregnancies both healthy and some not so healthy. Just pray for the unborn and newborn angels....God knows their names. Thank you!

Happy Valentine's Day

Cereal

So...with the go ahead from the pediatrician, today we tried cereal. We got a few bites down before heading for a bath. It was a great first attempt I do believe. I think next time I'll make it a little thicker. I have been demonstrating my eating oatmeal to them each morning for the past week. They would watch so intently. Yesterday, I bought rice cereal to begin with and First Foods squash and carrots to try down the road. I had a blast reading labels, finding bowls and spoons, and reading up on all the strategies to make it a successful feeding. I guess I am like most moms and want to do it all right to instill good eating habits and healthy choices in Thomas and Maddy. It is looking like we are going to have to round up another set of high chairs for the Valley house. I also need to invest in the bibs that are wipeable and have the pocket at the bottom. Thanks to one of my showers we have one highchair set already in Augusta. For now though, the bumbos will work. What a fun road ahead of us....messy but fun!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day Weekend!!! Lots of love!

Plane Crash

I wanted to make a note about today's plane crash. Thomas and Maddy and I lifted the families of these victims up in our prayers after our devotion. My heart goes out to them......on the news they showed one guy waiting at the airport for his sister only to hear the flight had crashed. What heartache!!! May God's hand of peace and comfort cover them.

Friday Update

I just wanted to share a couple of pictures with you. Thomas is doing better....I think. He is still not himself....a bit fussy but does not seem to be hurting from the shots. Maddy has really not had a reaction to the shots but poor Thomas has had a tough time. You can see in one of the pictures where Maddy is holding his ear....trying to comfort him. After our appt. we came home and I put them in their soft blue and pink pajamas.....
We are currently in Valley. You can see the picture of them in the jumparoo and walker we've been blessed to borrow. Have a wonderful day and Valentine's Weekend!

Shots

We are a bit fussy after our shots......it is killing mommy's heart....Thomas is a lot more fussy than Maddy. He will just cry for no reason....just all of a sudden. I changed them out of their clothes and into pj's hopeing the softer material would help. Maddy is just starting to fuss....but poor Thomas is really having a hard time. I have pumped them full of Tylenol....if only it would help more. This breaks my heart! Their little thighs are just so tender......poor babies....

More Pictures

Maddy Close-Up

Close-Up of Thomas

Maddy at her best....jumping in the jumparoo

Yesterday...Thomas in the exersaucer

Maddy asleep after her breakfast bottle...just before we left for our appointment.

4 Month Appointment

First....let me say that Thomas and Madelynn are the best babies in the world! They did so good at their appointment today. It was warm in the office and we were a bit fussy...but all in all it was great. Dr. Jester was extremely pleased with their health and specs. They are opposite in terms of what the gender norm is for developement. Maddy is a lot more physical and Thomas is a lot more verbal. We are to work with Thomas more on his leg and neck strength and Maddy more with her verbal skills. That said, Dr. Jester said they were both right on track. She even thinks Maddy will be sitting independently by the next appt. Well....here are the specifics:

Thomas- 13 lbs even. 25th percentile and 23 3/4 inches 25th percentile

Maddy- 12 lbs 9 ounces 25th percentile and 23 1/4 inches 25th percentile

We also got the go ahead to start trying cereal. I think we will play with it this weekend. They have really shown no sign of needing more food....however they do watch us closely as we eat and do seem interested. I look forward to the pictures that come from that! Next appt is the 6 month well baby check up and shots.....April 15th.

Today is our 4 month well baby checkup and immunizations appointment. I can hardly wait to hear the weights on Thomas and Maddy. Knocking on wood....I am amazed that we have not had any illness that required us to see the doctor before now. We did have a small cold or sinus but no fever or infection. God is good.....and Thomas and Maddy are blessings to us! I want to again say thank you to our friends that sent toys and offered support to us. We are excited that we will be spending more weekends in Valley and near our friends and family. We are blessed with wonderful friends both here and there. We are working to get our travels down to 1 car. It is difficult with the stroller and Tucker but we hope to just travel in the truck this week. There is a minivan with my name on it I am sure....the timing just has to be right. Thomas and Maddy travel so well....but it will be nice to all be in one car instead of me and the babies behind Shannon from here to Valley......that just gets old and a bit dangerous at times. Well...I hope you all have a great day!!! Oh..one more thing. Shannon swears Thomas said Mama yesterday morning as he was waking up.....I am sure it was a fluke of sound but it made my day nonetheless!

Many Faces of Thomas

I tried to capture some faces of Thomas....however he usually keeps the same face.....unlike his "persnickety" sister. Hope you enjoy! Oh...the red dots on his nose are where he scratched his face on the way home yesterday....I put Vaseline on them.