The Calm Before the Rainbow

Last night, Ken, Tootsie, and I sat in the nursery and discussed our hopes and dreams for the future.

Well, we did mostly. Tootsie was counting down her days as the only baby in the house and made sure her head was in my lap.

We sat until the sun went down and the night lights came on.

I love talks like that.

Ken smiled and said, "It is the calm before the storm."

I couldn't help but laugh, because it is true.

At 37 1/2 weeks pregnant with twins, we are anticipating their sweet arrival at any moment.

I have so enjoyed watching my bellying doing the "wave," trying to figure out all the bumps that suddenly appear, and feeling them go crazy anytime I type.

Apparently, typing is their jam.

Friday was my last day at work for this school year.

No one could say the word, "bye."

I will be back in July even if all four of us are at daycare, crying.

I am thankful that I work in a school and community where everyone supports and helps everyone else.

Our babies are so loved, and they don't even know the half of it.

We are cherishing every moment before they arrive, because we know things will be different once they are here and bags under eyes will be highly attracted.

We so look forward to the coos, grunts, cries, smiles, and screams.

Ken looks forward to dirty diapers for the first time ever in his life.

(Which reminds me, I need to go and get some vapor rub for him.)

Snuggles and story time and laughter and first experiences are in our very near future.

We know that we will not get everything just right the first time, but memories will be made.

We can't wait to share these precious blessings from God with you all!

It will not be long before some rainbows appear!

Pregnancy So Far ...

I cannot even begin to explain how much I have enjoyed being pregnant!

I still have "pinch me" moments.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't praise GOD for HIS wonderful blessings, because we have been praying for this day for so long.

Except, we only prayed to have one baby.

HE gave us two - a sweet boy and a girl

My pregnancy has been mainly good, and I don't take that for granted.

I know that many of you have been sick throughout your pregnancy or are waiting for the day to be in our shoes.

For those of you still waiting on GOD's blessings, you are in our daily prayers and it is our hope that it will happen for you very soon!

~~~~

I have not always enjoyed the pregnancy symptoms, but I have loved being pregnant.

Even the heartburn which has made me have to give up my love of spicy food.

Even the nausea and the food aversions in the first trimester.

Even the natural heat that exudes from my body and turning my husband into George Banks.

Even the need to head to the nearest bathroom all day long.

For all this means that I am expecting.

Early on, when I would talk to Ken about my symptoms, he would just laugh and say, "How awesome!"

I have enjoyed watching this belly grow, even though I haven't done a great job documenting it through pictures. 

I love the many faces my belly button gives me throughout the day. It cracks me up.

I love watching my belly make waves from these little movers and shakers. This is most fun during church. People just think we are doing a lot of praying with smiles on our faces.

I love the early morning dance parties, even it means no sleep for mama.

 I love watching Ken's face light up at feeling all that movement, especially when they kick him in the back at night. He even listened to Selah's hiccups the other day, and can testify that Wesley is going to be a strong little boy. 

I am amazed at the amount of pillows that I have in order to try to have a good night's sleep despite having a child on either side of my ribs, punching or kicking me when I try to lay on my side. 

During the December heat wave, I was taking a walk with the rest of the family. I had on the husband's t-shirt, my yoga pants were flooding, and I was carrying a bag of oranges to deliver to a neighbor. 

Oh what a sight!

And then there is the occasional flair up of crazy.  

Gracious.

I appreciate my husband giving me the look that affirms that I may be crazy, but he is not going to go there.

I also appreciate all the meals that he has made, the house cleanings that he has done, and the encouragement that he gives.

I am trying to soak in every minute and praise GOD for all that HE has blessed us with.

31 weeks down and just a few to go.

Until then, I will be washing, folding, and smiling as we get prepared for the sweet arrival of our babies. 

The Nursery

Finally, I feel that our nursery is picture worthy.

We have only worked on it since I began panicking in December.

Ken recognizes crazy and just rolls with it.

Bless him.

The nursery has definitely been a group effort. I could not have done it without my sweet husband who has hung items throughout the room, moved furniture until it was just right, and put together whatever needed putting together as well as made the nicest closet in our home.

I may be a little jealous of the closet. These babies have no idea.

Mama helped me sew trim on the curtains and make the mobiles.

I am so thankful for her mad sewing skills. I would still be working on those birds and would not be offering showers of praise words.

Mama and Daddy found the extra crib along with other numerous items.

Middle provided the giraffes and window picture from her mission work in Africa. She bought one giraffe a few years ago, and then had to order another one when we found out there were two babies. Apparently, the precious man felt rushed, because one giraffe looks a little crunk while the other is all sweet and peace.

Predicting personalities of our babies, perhaps?

I love that there are people in Africa praying over our children.

Baby sister and Mama have contributed to a lot of the clothes in the closet and drawers.

One of my lovely teacher/neighbor friends made the bedding. It is exactly as I imagined. She, Ken, and I just giggled putting all that bedding on.

Oh happy day!

As you can tell, this nursery was planned with a lot of love.

All in all, the nursery is ready for the babies to come, but we want them to come when they are healthy and ready. 

It cracks me up that we did all this work, and those babies could care less. 

All they need is love, some food, and a place to catch their zzz's.

Thank you, friends, for celebrating this day with me!

We are so blessed and God is so good!

This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
~ Psalm 118:23

Resource list:

Paint Color: Valspar Ante Meridian

Curtains and Trim: Ikea Vivan curtains and trim from emmyandsoph on Etsy. 

Fabric: Yellow and white polka dots - Hobby Lobby

Aqua and cream duck cloth - Hobby Lobby

Owl Fabric - Buy Fabric

Breathable Mesh Bumper, changing pad: Amazon

Baby Beds: ReStore and Target

Mobiles: made by my mother and me using this pattern for the birds. The rest of the material was a quilting hoop wrapped with fabric, thin white fabric that was feathered, and white cord string.

Names over the bed - made by Middle

"Hallelujah" sign, picture holders, hanging lampshade, and "Mama Rock, Daddy Rock" sign (based on a song that Loretta Lynn sang) - made by Ken and me

Giraffe and Window picture - given by Middle from her mission work in Africa
Shoes on chest of drawers - my child hood shoes
Basket on changing table - bought from the Miss Mustard Seed, whom I met in October, but never blogged about. 

The rest were thrifted here and there

Maternity Pictures

I am very thankful to have a wonderful and talented photographer in the family.

Middle sister is always so generous with her camera, and our maternity pictures were perfect!

The sunlight was amazing, as was her expertise as she directed us to enjoy the moment.

We love the pictures, and the lovely lady behind the camera.

These haven't even been retouched. Middle is going to kill me!

Family and Friends Shower

Our shower! Our shower!

Lace, burlap, and hints of blue and pink draped over anything that would stay still!



Pretty glass, Mississippi pottery, and fine silver were used to display the delicious food prepared by fabulous Southern Women.















(It was so nice to have this sweet lady's spirit present, for she would have loved the vintage flair of the shower!)

Snack plates were even used for guest to same the delicious delicacies.






The fabulously, delicious cake and cupcakes were displayed on a handmade cupcake stand made by my sister and daddy from my aunt's old barn wood. 

The beautiful wildflower seed favors where displayed on top of lace on a handmade wheelbarrow that first made it's appearance at a friend's wedding.



The shower would not be complete without a gorgeous chalkboard with lovely art work celebrating the reason of the day.



The flowers were just perfect as was the setting at the exquisite Montrose in Holly Springs, MS.





We even used the Make Way for Ducklings book from the gender reveal for the sign in book here as well.



Even though it was a little cold, the sun was shining through the antique windows.



There was even an old toy box to store the gifts from the 70ish guests that came to celebrate the day with us. How blessed we are!

It was absolutely perfect, and I have the best family and friends a girl could ask for.

We received nice, useful gifts and a many sentimental gifts.

My sweet mother-in-law, in addition to a car seat, gave us Ken's coming home outfit and a quilt his great grandmother made him when he was born.



My friends gave us a "favorites basket" full of their favorite baby things including some handmade items.





Now this quilt was special.



It was made by my precious grandmother



Apparently, 59 years ago, she embroidered squares for her first child, and then her mother pieced it together by the time she had her third child, my mother.



My grandmother and mother have been working on a quilts for both babies. This is Wesley's and Selah's will be here soon.

These babies have no idea how loved they are!

Mama is an exceptional seamstress and smocked many of our outfits over the years. So the babies were no exception.

She made Selah a dress and a bonnet






She also made Wesley a little outfit, but I will have to post that one later.

We were so blessed with lovely gifts. Many of which were monogrammed. My children will know how to spell their name before they walk. Baby Sister alone has several onesies monogrammed with matching bibs.








Our hostesses were superb and everything was so beautiful and elegant. I cannot thank them enough.



Future "LeLe" and aunts



Future "DeDe"



It was so good to see and visit with people who have had such an impact on my life. How wonderful it is to have family and friends that love and support you in good times and in bad. Thank goodness for the good times.

We appreciate your kindness and generosity during the special time in our life!