ARE YOU LAUGHING YET?

Camden & Cayden

What can I say.....it's contagious laughter. I look at this picture and can't help but laugh. I feel so blessed to have these boys. Yes, they can be a handful, but they certainly bring us more joy than I could have ever imagined. It makes me wonder why I don't laugh like that. What prevents me from open-mouthed-squinty-eyes-giggle belly laughing? Nothing! So I am making a conscious effort to laugh more. A smile felt deep in my soul is great, but I have to display it on the outside. So....this is my challenge to you: laugh like you've never laughed before. Laugh loudly and make your belly shake. I know I am!

Boys love the Foster girls!

Lauren (front) feeding Cayden; Hannah feeding Camden

Camden smiling for the camera!

Cayden smiling for Stacey (do they miss us at all?!)

On Friday night, the boys went over to Josh & Stacey's for a few hours while Scott & I went to dinner and to listen to Steve Arterburn, author of Scott's favorite book "Every Man's Marriage". While we were away, the boys enjoyed the company of the Foster's precious daughters, Hannah & Lauren. When we went to pick them up, they were having so much fun with Josh and Stacey that they didn't even pay much attention to us. Go figure!!

Cayden's First Crawl

Cayden has followed suit by crawling today. What a big boy! He certainly doesn't want to be left behind. The races to the entertainment center are on and Mommy just can't keep up. Whoo! It is tiring chasing after two 8-month olds! Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way!! Way to go Cayden-- keep it up!

Our little musicians

Cayden & Camden beating their drum

Cayden smiling for the camera!

The boys are exploring new things daily and have found an interest in the musical instruments. Of course! Anything that makes noise, right?! They are growing up so fast! Also, Cayden has figured out that he has to "smile" for the camera, so every time I have it in my hands he smiles widely and almost fake-like. Life with twins is interesting!

Back to Labor & Delivery!

Most of you know that I was a labor & delivery nurse several years ago. I realized that working nights was absolutely not for me, even though this was the job of my dreams. Because there were no positions open for me on day shift, I resigned and began working in an orthopaedic hospital part-time. Well the opportunity is back!! I will be back into the swing of things and still work less than part-time so I can stay at home with my babies. I am so excited about this and I am glad I could share it with you.

Camden's First Crawl

What proud (an exhausted) parents we are! Camden crawled for the first time today. The boys are just a few days shy of being 8 months old. With Camden's new-found travel method, we have found ourselves exhausted. Why?? Because not only are we chasing him all over the place, but Cayden can keep up with his brother just by rolling! Whew! Congratulations Cam! Mommy & Daddy are so proud of you.

More pics from the Cookout

Scott, Cayden, Me & Camden
Me, Cayden, Camden; Grayson, Amy; Mari Carmen,

Madilyn; Mary Ellen & Jacob
Madilyn, Jacob, Camden, Cayden & GraysonI should have bigger biceps than what I have after toting these heavy boys around! So much fun to get all these silly kids together!

Sunday Cookout

Cayden, Dee & Karessa

Erin, Jacob, Christina, Mary Ellen, & Kristin

Camden & Grayson

Camden, Grayson & Madilyn

We went to a really fun cookout at the Pierce's home today. The boys hung out with a few of the kiddos that were all born within months of each other. The Pierces co-lead our Sunday school class-- they are wonderful people. Dee comes over every Monday to help out with the boys while I run errands. We all had a great time catching up with our old friends.

SITTING ON THEIR OWN !!!

Wow!! How fast we've reached a new and important milestone.... the boys are sitting up all on their own. It kind of just happened over night. One minute we're wondering why they aren't sitting yet and the next thing we know, their sitting up like big boys! Congratulations kiddos on your new view of the world.

Garage Sale Saturday

Cayden trying out a hiking baby pack

that the Fosters were selling

Stacey snuggling with Camden

Cayden & Camden in their new jogging stroller

The boys experienced their first garage sale today. It was quite the chilly morning! We have a tradition of having a garage sale with our friends, the Fosters. We actually bought this house from them! We have enjoyed the each other's friendship. Just today, they blessed us with an awesome gift-- their double stroller!! Their girls are much too big for it now, so they passed it on to us. What a great gift!!

Telling Secrets

Cayden "whispering" in Camden's ear

Camden starts to giggle

Cayden watches as Camden starts snorting like a piggy

The boys smiling at Mommy!

They are loving the camera!!

"Look what I can do, everybody!!"

Our little angels

I can hardly stand it!! I couldn't help taking photos of the boys during this candid moment. I wonder what kind of secrets they are sharing? They are growing up so fast!

Brotherly Mischief

Cayden & Camden hanging out

Cayden & Camden showing off their "muscular" thighs

Camden learned to open & close the doors

Camden dragged his blankie as he rolled across the room!

Oh, what fun.....the brotherly mischief has begun! The boys are 7 1/2 months and are already being mischievous. They are so funny! They make different sounds like grunting or squealing to get the other's attention. Boy does it work!! Before you know it, they are having a full fledged conversation of grunts, snorts, squeals, babbles and laughter. Here are a few pics to show the evidence.

The Blonde Next Door

There's a new blondie on the block, and boy is she cute! She's thin, trim, sweet, gentle and fun. No wonder Branson is having a blast with her! We are doggie sitting our neighbor's white lab, Remi, for a few days. What more can I say.... Branson is ecstatic to have Remi around!

Branson & Remi after playing ball

While we were out.....

While Scott & I were at the hospital for Cayden's MRI, Camden spent the day with our friends The Glenneys. We knew he would be in excellent hands and as the picture shows...he was!! He had the full attention of his friend Kate (almost 2 years old). Kate loves dolls and was so excited that she had a real life "baby doll" all to herself for the day. She even got the chance to "feed" her baby doll his bottle! What fun!! I am so grateful for the friends we have here. Although Scott & I miss our family dearly, we are comforted by the Tyler family we have made. A big thanks to Kate for all the love she gave to her real baby doll.... and a bigger thanks to Shannon for taking such great care of our little boy!

Mr. Chicken

I just had to put this pic in here! This is my little brother, Randy. He was a chicken for a program at school and I thought it would be fun to show you all. Can't wait till I can show this pic when he grows up and starts dating! After all, isn't that what sisters are for?!

PRAISE!!

Thank God for amazing news! Cayden was such a trooper today! He went 14 hours without a meal. We checked in at 7:30 a.m. and didn't get his procedure done until after 10 a.m. While we waited, he took an hour nap! Sometime yesterday, he developed a deep cough, sneezing and the works, so he didn't have much of an appetite. First time either of the boys have ever been sick.

We received the news that the MRI was normal! Thank God!!! He has large lymph nodes, but definately nothing abnormal. Last step is to have his vision checked, though he seems to track objects very well. Good news all in all. Thank you all for your prayers, phone calls and emails. Oh, and soon, you'll see pictures of what brother Camden was doing while we were away....

Big Day Tomorrow

DaaDaadadada mamamama deee dooooo bbaaabaaah .... I love that sound.... can you hear it? It's the sound of baby babbles and giggles!! The secret language of twins continues. They babble away back and forth, then pause to chuckle and laugh. Scott & I join in with contagious laughter. They are 7 months, have two bottom teeth each and are such cuddle bunnies. Camden is our Rolly Polly! He rolls all over the living room floor, knocking over items and sliding the entertainment center doors open & closed. Cayden watches in amazement and laughs, but has no desire to travel or explore. I am amazed at how fast they are growing. Speaking of growth....

Cayden has an MRI scheduled for tomorrow. He has a lump on the back of his head/neck area on the left side. My sweet friend, Dee, noticed it when she was watching the boys 3 weeks ago. Two weeks later, she and I noticed that it was getting bigger. In the mean time, Cayden has been showing "head lag" to the right side (actually, ever since he could hold his head up). He looks around well, moves his head well and doesn't seem to be in pain, but after a short while of holding his head up, he starts to slowly drop it to his right side. Many people who are around him often have also noticed it. So.... here we go to have this procedure. He will have to be sedated for at least an hour and a half with no food or drink after midnight tonight. Camden will stay with our sweet friends, the Glenneys (check out the link to their blog!!). Pray for us.

"They cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses." Psalm 107:13