Our Fourth of July Sparklers

Beware

of baby buttness cuteness.

Happy Weekend!

Like I Would Forget

9 Month Pictures...

Update # 2 = Olivia

Ooooooooo-livia. When we moved into E’s parents’ house in the beginning of March, Olivia was a pudgy little girl that was barely sitting on her own and barely had any hair. I mean, look at this picture taken the week before E’s surgery.

Six months must have been the turn-around for Liv, because she started to develop her little personality. I firmly believe that Olivia has some sort of agenda in life. What it is, I haven’t figured out yet. It’s like she was born cynical. Where she got that from, is truly beyond me. ::insert sarcasm:: But for real, look at this face. You tell me she’s not up to something.

However, once she gets over her “Stranger Danger” phase with people, she really is filled with smiles and giggles.

Olivia is probably the funniest baby I know. I know you’re thinking I am a loon for calling a baby funny, but trust me. Her facial expressions are enough to turn anyone’s bad day around. The most recent funny story I have is from the other night. Ethan woke up in the middle of the night and took awhile to calm down. I heard some stirring coming from Olivia’s crib and thought to myself, “Oh crap.” (thinking she was going to wake up too). But no, I turn around and see her standing in the crib with a look on her face that said to me, “Do I need to be up for this? Are we eating? Shut up Buddy.”

Obviously, a “you-had-to be-there-moment”, but it truly describes Olivia’s mostly laid back personality. She has developed a face that she uses when she’s having a really good time. We lovingly call it, “The Bunny Face”… Enjoy…

So we moved out of E’s parents’ house when Olivia was still pudgy (and we love every ounce of it), but had since learned to crawl and grew more blond hair. Really? Blond hair?

Some quick stats for the most frequently asked Olivia questions.

• She started to crawl on May 18, 2010. Her dad tempted her with the remote and later with my cell phone. What is it about babies and electronics? And how do I get the smell of baby slobber out of my BlackBerry?

• 9 months old and still no teeth. I am starting to think she is going to need dentures. She has been gnawing on her hand since she was 4 months old and everyone says, “Teeth are coming,” Lies. ALL LIES.

• Yes, she seems to be the boss out of the two.

• She weighed 19 pounds 6 ounces at her check up last week. I have to say I am a bit shocked because I thought for sure she’d be over 20 pounds.

• Yes, she sleeps through the night. Does she go to bed when her brother does? Naw…. She has a habit of wanting to play for a bit longer after her bottle. It’s nice to have some one on one time with her though.

She's our little girl!  Some may call her a princess ;)   And she still hates the camera.

Update # 1 = Eric

Many of you have asked for an update with E. The best way I can describe him is to call him a Super Trooper! Eric went back to work on May 3rd and the next day, he started his first round of chemotherapy. Again, this chemotherapy is considered precautionary, as the surgeon was able to remove the entire tumor during E’s surgery. However, since there was a presence of three lymph nodes near the tumor, E’s team of doctors decided to be aggressive and try to keep it from spreading. I say, “Be Aggressive. B-E Aggressive.”

Luckily, E has had minimal side effects with his treatments. Fatigue and hiccups if you’re curious. Eric has also been able to remain working and still have an active part in the babies’ lives. Meaning, yes, I can still yell at him to change a diaper!!! He still has a great appetite so he is back to enjoying the foods that he loved (within reason).

I do have to say though, doctors and nurses that specialize in oncology are just extraordinary people to deal with this horrible illness day in and day out. I mean, truly, I don’t know how they go to work everyday.


We took the plunge and moved back into our home on May 23rd after staying at E’s parents’ house since his surgery. Whereas the help we received at their house was invaluable, it was time to get back home. It seems as though we have all adjusted well to being back and returning to daily routines is definitely helping us feel like “normal” again.

Speaking of normal, we finally had our family pictures taken a few weeks ago at Mentor Headlands. It just so happened to be a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky (perfect for squinty smiles) and it felt about 90 degrees by 9:00 AM. Olivia, of course, took awhile to warm up to the idea while Ethan hammed it up for the camera. Special thanks to friend and mentor, Corey,  for taking these for us and to our amazing friend and babysitter, Meghan, for helping us out that day! It was hard for me to get on the other end of the camera, but I am so happy with how they came out! Enjoy some of our favorites below……

(c) Corey Ann Photography

(c) Corey Ann Photography

(c) Corey Ann Photography

(c) Corey Ann Photography

(c) Corey Ann Photography

Again, both E and I would like to thank everyone for the tremendous support we have received over the past few months.  I really don't think I could write a thank you note long enough to describe the love we feel from our family and friends.  So just so all of you know, we love you too!

Leprechauns and Bunnies

In the midst of all the craziness that has been going on for the last 8 weeks, we still managed to celebrate some more of the kids’ first holidays. And by celebrate, I mean dress them up and try to get them smile for the camera.

St. Patrick’s Day. ‘Tis my favorite holiday, usually. Not only does it showcase my Irish roots, two days after my birthday but it also means the Spring is on its way! Also, I won’t lie…Beer. Well, no beer was had this year (or last year for that matter…cooking babes). E had been home from the hospital for a mere 3 days, everyone was exhausted; I received disturbing and devastating news on my life-long bestie… Needless to say, it wasn’t the best St. Pat’s and my kids’ faces in this photo sums it all up.

A few weeks later, Easter was upon us. E was feeling better and the kids had their fancy outfits all pressed and ready to go!
“Won’t they look so cute with Easter eggs around them?” I say to my trusty friend, babysitter and fellow photographer, Meghan.
“Totally! Let’s do it!” Meghan says.
Big mistake. Kids didn’t look up once during our little photo shoot. But hey, they are still cute.

Hey! We are 5 Months Old!

I might add, I actually took these ON TIME, actually a day early.  Life just got in the way of blogging about it.  Pesky life.  Obviously, Ethan was a bit more into taking pictures, yet again.

And finally, a picture I have been dying to get for months now.  Proof that the kids actually like each other.  Don't mind their daggar claws.

Oh yeah... 3 Months Old...

In the excitement of getting wonderful Christmas Card Pictures , I forgot to blog on their 3 month birthday. Enjoy my kids...





The kids also celebrated their very first Thanksgiving at their Great Aunt Margaret's house. On a side note, Olivia did have on a dress, but you know.... She had other plans. This is also our first family photo without me being on an operating table.



People have been asking if I think Olivia and Ethan are similar. What do you think?



We've been researching new entertainment endeavours.



And practicing our Ho, Ho, Ho's for Santa!

Christmas Card Picture Fail

What We've Been Up To

Hello to all our new visitors, glad you could join us!

Lately, we've been discovering new things...



Working on our love of tubby time...



Working out...



Chilling out...



Meeting our new babysitter...

Who Has 4 Thumbs...

and are ONE month old today?

These guys!
























I know I have behind on blogging, but hellllloooooo... I have 2 babies. Two very wonderful babies. The past month has been a blur. A blur of feedings, diaper changes, tears, binkies...And that's just between E and I. People were not kidding when they said, "your whole world is about to change."

A change for the better I would say.

Week 3 and the Lessons We have Learned

1. Being militant with the twins’ schedule is key. If it means kicking out grandparents, missing the end of the game or pushing through it when you’re dead tired- you have to do it. Otherwise, you will kick yourself the next day when the babies are more delusional than the parents.

2. Tubby time IS the end of the world. Really.



3. Showers for the parents every other day is probably considered a plus at this point. Who cares if you’re in there at 5:00 AM for 45 minutes?

4. Your laundry no longer matters. In the 23 days my kids have been alive, I have done 15 loads of their laundry and 2 of ours.



5. I am pretty sure the Sound Machine that plays at bedtime helps put not only the twins to sleep, but soothes us over the monitor as well.

6. Just because E and I are photographers, doesn’t mean we have a ton of pictures of our kids. 2 of them and 2 of us. Unless we train Kori on the Nikon or learn to shoot with our toes, pictures are surprisingly hard to come by. Or, when I do attempt it Night and Day (aka Olivia and Ethan) have a plan of their own.



7. Caffeine. Keep it coming.

8. Ethan looks at me like my father when he’s angry.



9. Olivia is officially OFF the market!



10. Finally, E and I got out, for a whole afternoon! Best remedy for 2 new parents? Football, sun and beer.

Hello World

I keep trying to tell my kids to give me a minute so I can blog. To my surprise, they just do not care. ::sigh:: In fact, I started to work on this little entry about four, five, six, seven days ago.

I would like to give a very special thanks to Tiff, who was in charge of the updating the blog during the delivery for everyone. If we had planned it better, I would not have gone into labor at 5:15 in the morning on a SATURDAY, but, planning is now something I laugh at.

First off, three cheers for no longer being pregnant! Hip, hip, HOORAY! All the old wives tales of getting yourself into labor failed. What did work? California Pizza Kitchen, shopping for ‘spensive baby clothes and a bribe of s’mores from the aforementioned Tiff. Or, it could have been my 2:00 AM viewing of Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion since I couldn’t sleep. Who knows. Babies wanted out and I didn’t fight it.

What seemed like about thirty seconds later, we were a family of four. I absolutely love this picture because you can see that E is smiling even though he has a mask on, Olivia is being her calm self, Ethan thinks the world is ending and I look happily doped up and am rocking a drunken pirate eye. Alas, we are the Reeds.



We've been home for thirteen days. In those thirteen days, we have learned the following:

* Everything is trial and error. Apparently, those user manuals for babies do not come out after the placenta.
* Boys need their little peeps tucked under when diaper changing. We have been through three brands of diapers for Ethan alone. Recently, we are back to brand # 1
* Never turn down free help; we certainly do not. The love and support we have received from family and friends have been amazing. Whether it's a warm meal or the chance for us to take a nap, we have taken everyone's offer.
* We love to watch their little personalities evolve. While pregnant, E and I would often sit and wonder what the babies would be like. Well, take all of our predictions and reverse them.
* We have proven that we make an excellent team. Since the day I gave birth, E and I have been there not only for our babies, but for each other. You really do need to work together and be each other's biggest cheerleader or else it will all crumble.
* Normalcy? Out the window.

Hope to be back blogging at a better pace, now that we are starting to establish routines. We will have many more photos, as we are getting a lot quicker these days.

A Picture Post

Notice a theme, if you will.

August 11, 2006. In the middle of the ocean in Maine while whale watching and eating lobster rolls. I was quite excited to cheer, "One year until we're married!"



August 11, 2007. 700 days from engagement to wedding day; we had made it. Hands down THE best day of my life.



August 11, 2008. Celebrating our one year anniversary cupcake style!



August 11, 2009. ::Insert a nice family photo of me, E and the babies.:: Probably not going to happen, but I believe it is time for some outside partying... Dontchathink?

Happy 2nd Anniversary to E. It just keeps getting better. Also, Happy Anniversary to my life-long date twins (hahaha..twins. Another sign?) Tiff and Laura!