First Birthday, Staycation, and Much More!

June was a VERY busy month at the Hartig house, which I have a feeling will always be the case. Let's recap some of the highlights...

Of course, the month began with the girls' First Birthday (June 10)! We had a great time celebrating my little twin princesses. We had a small family get together on their birthday, and then a bigger party the next day at a local park. I was so relieved to have great weather, with lots of friends and family!

Birthday Girls!

 

Father's Day was the next weekend. The girls and I are very lucky to have Nate in our lives. He's really an amazing father and husband. I love seeing him in the floor playing with the girls, and he's been very involved from day 1. In fact, he changed the first diaper :-) We had a quiet morning at home, but went to my parent's house later in the day to celebrate...because nothing says Father's Day like a BBQ!! :-)

Father's Day

The next week marked Nate's last day at ATK. He turned in his resignation earlier in the month, because he got at great new job at BPU (local utility company). He decided to take a week off in between jobs. It was really nice to have him home all week, which I considered our staycation (of course, I REALLY want a real vacation next year!). We were able to take care of a lot of things around the house, and spend lots of time together. Nate started his new job this week, and I'm very happy to have him working closer to home!! Part of our staycation included dinner at Fritz's! We had never been there before, and the girls seemed to really like seeing the trains everywhere!

Me and the Girls

 Our staycation ended with the Fourth of July. The girls are still too young to understand the 4th, but we were able to go shopping and have fun at home.

Daddy and the Girls on the 4th of July! (love the hair clips!)

 And, now we're excited to see what else this summer has in store for our family!!

Lily and Madison are 1!!

One year ago, I was laying in a hospital bed. I was in pain and scared. I couldn't get comfortable and hadn't slept at all the night before. There were a million things racing through my head...Is it too early for the girls to be born? Will everything go smoothly? How will we take care of them? Will it hurt? Will I need a C-Section?  Will we be able to afford to pay for everything?

I went into the hospital the night before. The doctor decided to induce me, because I had started developing pre-eclampsia. The nurse gave me medicine that night to get my body ready for labor...which is a nice way of saying it caused horrible cramping. In the morning, they gave me medicine to start inducing my labor. The pain and discomfort was indescribable, so I won't even try. After a while, I got an epidural. I was as scared of this as I was anything else...Will they miss and hit my spine? Will I be paralyzed from this? Of course, it was fine. The relief was welcomed, but my discomfort soon came back.

My progress was slow, so at 4pm they decided to do a C-Section (after 9 hours of labor). The next few hours were really a blur...They wheeled me into the operating room and tested to make sure I was numb. Then, there was an intense pressure in my midsection. I could feel the babies being pulled out. First, Lily at 4:25pm then and then Madison at 4:26pm. We smiled and took a picture. They told me they were doing well, but needed to go to the NICU. Nate went with the babies and I went into recovery.

I was a blur of emotion...so happy that the girls were ok, but also in a lot of pain (my legs and arms were shaking uncontrollably, a reaction to the epidural and stress). I wasn't strong enough to get out of my bed to see the girls in the NICU. Luckily, Nate and the nurses brought the girls to me. I was able to hold them for the first time...it brings me to tears now, as I think about it. They are the greatest joy of my life, God's greatest gift!

It's hard to believe that it's been one year since the girls were born, it seems like it was just yesterday. On the other hand, it's hard for me to remember a time when the girls weren't here...they were meant to be in our family!!

Mommy and Daddy love you both very much! Happy Birthday, Madison and Lily!!

Family Portrait 6/10/10

Family Portrait -- 6/10/11

11 Months and Counting

It's hard to believe, but my little ladies are only 3 weeks away from their first birthday. I have mixed feelings about this upcoming birthday. On one hand, I'm so proud of how far my girls have come. They went from the NICU to walking in only 11 months, quite an accomplishment. They are growing and changing so much, it's really amazing to watch! They're just getting so big (a phrase I'm sure I will be saying for the next 20 years!). On the other hand, it makes me a little sad. Pretty soon they won't be babies anymore, but I guess time always marches on...

Here's my beauty queens:

Lily loves hanging out on the living room pillows

Big smile from Madison

Yawn!

Crazy hair!

Our living room is always a mess, but I wouldn't have it any other way

I've started planning the girls' birthday party...let's just say that the theme is "pretty in pink" :-) It will be a mix of handmade things and store bought decorations...I hope it all turns out well!

We took the girls' pictures for the party invites, and we got two of my all-time favorites:

They are just too beautiful for words!!

My First Mother's Day

This past weekend, I celebrated my first Mother's Day! Last year, Mother's Day was very rough for me. It was the day after my baby shower (and I was still very swollen from being on my feet during the party), I was almost 32 weeks pregnant, and I was miserable! Of course, it was well worth it!

Our holiday weekend actually started on Friday, with my Dad's birthday (May 6th). He came over in the afternoon to play with the girls. While he was over, each baby took her FIRST STEPS (they went from my dad to me)!!!! I think it's pretty amazing that two babies who spent 12 days (Lily) and 17 days (Madi) in the NICU are doing so great! They really amaze me everyday. Madison is now walking all over the place. Lily will stand alone (without touching anything), and will walk alone occasionally. Both girls love to walk while pushing their Dora push car. I know that once Madison really starts to take off, Lily will be right behind her (it was like that with rolling over, crawling, pulling up, etc.). I think I'm in big trouble!!

On Mother's Day, I woke up to my husband bringing in both my babies to me. What a lovely sight in the morning! When we walked into the living room, I saw my presents from "the girls" (really, my adorable hubby). There was flowers, a card, and a necklace. I love the necklace! It has both the girls' initials and their birthstone (pearl). Lovely :-)

The best part, though, was spending the whole day with my girls! They have changed SO much in the last 11 months that I can't hardly believe it!! It's already time to start planning the big birthday party (yikes!). Let's just say that I have mixed emotions about that one! (tear...)

The day before Mother's Day 2010

Mother's Day 2011

Easter and April 2011

It's been another fun, first holiday at house, with Easter 2011! At the beginning of April, we took the girls to see the Easter Bunny...Madi liked it, but I think Lily was just ready to get away from that crazy rabbit! ;-)

Madi smiling and Lily waving!

April was also the month of our first trip to the park...I wanted to find a park with TWO baby swings, and that is harder than you think. There weren't any by our house, but there was one near my parents (the park I went to in my childhood!). The girls really enjoyed flying through the air!

  

Of course, we can't forget the big day...Easter! We had both of our families over after church for an Easter BBQ (a little non-traditional, but I'm not a bit fan of a ham dinner). We had a great time! The girls got lovely Easter presents, and of course, bunny ears from us! ;-)

 

I can't believe that these little ladies are going to be 1 in June...my babies are getting so big!!

We all had a lovely Easter, and are looking forward to a lovely Friday! :-)

Yummy Cupcakes!

As pathetic as it may sound, before yesterday, I had never baked cupcakes before. Full disclosure, I have only made brownies (and that was only twice). I have decided to try to be more crafty/mom-like (due to my new ETSY obsession!), though....so into the kitchen I went. Also, I better practice now, the girls' 1st Birthday is coming up, and momma has a lot of cupcakes to make!!


Take a look....

Batter ready to pour into the cupcake pan!

Baking away...

Fresh out of the oven!

With icing :-)

Ready to go! (P.S. See a picture of my ladies in the background)

I sampled one of these and they are...delicious! First try at cupcakes was a success :-)

Spring has Sprung @ the Hartig House!

I'm back!! Let's make a long story short, after much work we moved back to KS on 2/26! It was a cold, snowy day, but we made it. We've been working on unpacking since the move...it's been a slow process! Moving with two kids is a lot different than our previous moves.

I have been home for about 4 months, and I am very glad I made that decision. I don't know how long it will last, but I am enjoying every minute of it. Before, I felt like I was missing everything. Their babysitter got to see their first laugh, and I hated it. I know the girls won't remember that I was home with them, but I will (and I will always cherish it!).

Here's a look at two very cute 9 month old babies!!

I also got a picture of me and the little ladies (after my spray tan, I might add)...I know mom's know how it is, we're always the ones taking the pictures, so it was nice to be in one!

Like the title of my post, spring has sprung...sort of. We enjoyed the nice weather, but now it's cold and snowing! Here's a look at the ladies enjoying the nice weather!

 

 

We also went to lunch last weekend, and the girls sat in restaurant highchairs for the first time. Despite what the pictures might say, they really liked the new view!

Ready to go home ;-)

Tired of pics ;-)

I'm also starting to plan the girls' first birthday party....let's just say that it will look like "it's been hosed down with Pepto-Bismol!" (Can you name that movie?) If you have any suggestions, let me know :-)

P.S. I need help with my Blog! How do I get an awesome background, where my gadgets don't look weird??

Enjoy your Monday!