First Snow

The first snow of the season came the beginning of December and I got the twins all bundled up! Their gloves were still in the mail, so they only lasted about 5 minutes before cries began... "Hands! Cold!" Poor little dears. Hoping they warm up to it soon. They live in Utah, after all!

Thanksgiving 2016 with the Beans

We spent Thanksgiving with the Beans and kicked things off with pie day at grandma & grandpa's house! The girls loved making their own pies, especially Maddie...

 We love Aunt Elissa and cousin Alice!

We spent Thanksgiving Day at Robbie & Paul's with the entire Bean side and it was so fun to watch my extended family with my kiddos. Family is what it's all about, guys.

I have to document this blessed pie. I decided to make a couple pies to bring to a Simons FHE the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I had a peach pie in the freezer ready to go from when mom & I had made pies, and then decided to try a chocolate chip cookie pie that I hadn't ever tried before. Robbie makes fun of me all the time for making brand new recipes for other people before trying them out first. Guess I love living on the edge sometimes. Anywho, the pie was dang good, but looked daaaang bad. Robbie and I joked about it all night long: "true of false, this is a pie." Grateful for opportunities to share imperfection with others. It's good for me!

Fun with Grandparents

We totally owe our sanity and well being as parents of three kids under 2 to our parents. For weeks after Madelyn was born, they stepped in and did SO much for our family. Our hearts go out to them and we love them and so appreciate the myriad of ways they served us. From meals to cleaning to texts of support and love to even just letting us come over because had to get out of the house. Thank you for loving our babies!!!

Madelyn's Newborn Photos

We had some pictures taken of Madelyn about 4-5 weeks after she was born. I was pretty disappointed in that our photographer didn't get one single good photo of us as a family, but she did get some precious ones of Madelyn and I guess that's what matters the most!

Madelyn's First Smiles

Right around 6 weeks old, Madelyn gave us her first smiles! Love her ear to ear smiles that light up her entire face. Sweet and sassy, this one. Love her!!

Halloween 2016 - Star Wars

With Halloween so close to Madelyn's birth, we tried to make the costumes as simple as we could. No joke, we went on Amazon to find the cheapest costumes for the girls and, to Robbie's great happiness, Star Wars was the winner! I love our little Yoda and Princess Leia. And don't forget Miss Storm Pooper.

First Outing as the FIVE of Us!

Two weeks after Madelyn was born, we went on our first outing as a family of FIVE. I can't believe we're that big. We went to a cute pumpkin patch and it was perfect. It was complete chaos at our house the minutes leading up to us leaving and I told Robbie we should just stay home, but I'm glad he encouraged it and made it happen.

 ^^ I spy baby Maddie!

Tender Mercy

The first few weeks breastfeeding Madelyn were really tough. I cracked and bled and got mastitis and it was just a bit of a nightmare. I spent two hours with a lactation consultant and then later had one come do an in-person visit at our home. Thankfully, things are going really well now and I'm glad I stuck with it!

Bless her heart. I walked into her office and 5 minutes didn't pass before I started tearing up. I was completely exhausted and in so much pain. That day, she helped me in more ways than just breastfeeding (turns out engorgement + a fast milk flow means bad latch for baby and lots of pain). I went and saw her the next day to pick up a sample of an ointment she didn't have on hand the day before and as I was leaving she pointed to a small pharmacy in the office and said, "Ya know, you're a tired mama. Pick out a snack or a drink." She paid for it and sent me on my way.

She was an angel, I tell ya. Grateful to be reminded once again that God was, and always is, looking out for me!

First Few Weeks With Madelyn

Adjusting to life with three kids was hard and wonderful and terrifying. Thankfully, we had so much help from both sides of the family and many friends. People are so good and kind.

 ^^ So curious of this live baby doll. They love pointing out her body parts. Still trying to help Kate not poke her actual eyes...

I can't express enough love and gratitude for both sets of parents that stepped in to watch the girls and cook and clean and just give the support and encouragement we needed. I feel immensely blessed for these wonderful role models that love my babies so much!

 ^^ Enjoying any one-on-one time with the twins I can get! I love these little stinkers!

 ^^ The girls have had to learn to be really creative while I nurse Madelyn. This is them giving their babies rides.

 ^^ I can't tell you how many times Robbie said to me while I was pregnant, "I can't wait to just hold a snuggle a sleeping baby. Well, he's been doing plenty of that :)