Sunday, December 28, 2014

Santa Babies

We've spent this holiday season RELAXING!  Though, we've had our fair share of celebrations - birthdays, tacky sweater parties, engagement anniversary dinner, and lots of good family time.  This Christmastime wasn't as chaotic as year's past, and I really enjoyed lots of "silent nights".

My sister had an awesome announcement:

"You're not the only one who is... Prego"
That's right - lots of cousins and laughter and fun to come!  She's due July 7th, and just had her 12 week ultrasound, where everything looked perfect (including a big round head!).  We are so excited that the girls will have a cousin so close in age.

Abby & I snuggled during the VT vs UVA game.
 
 
 
We attended the second annual Tacky Eckert's party.  I didn't last very long, and went home to rest my achy back, but Daniel stayed up entirely too late and spent Sunday very hungover.  One of his last hoorah's for a while :)  Fun was had by all - the Eckert's really know how to have fun.  It's a fun get together we look forward to every year

all tackied up!

walmart treasure personalized for two of santa's cuties

twinning!  in more ways than one...

with my love

before I went home for the night, we hung out under the mistletoe.  daniel didn't miss giving the girls a kiss!
 
We went on a tacky light tour with Kelly, Derek, and some of their neighbors.  It was fancy and tacky and a really fun night!
 

in front of our fancy ride

absolutely breathtaking - this is the back of someone's house and the lights are reflecting on a lake

a mother and son live next door to each other, and both go all out

best lights of the night - a tacky house's next door neighbor :)

<3
We spent most of Christmas Eve in our PJs.  We watched some tv, made some holiday goodies, and relaxed.  We went to church with Daniel's family, and joined my family for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner at my parents.  Abby was beyond cute, and we loved watching her excitement for Christmas.  It's hard to believe we are going from one grandchild this Christmas to FOUR next Christmas - we can't wait.

hanging out with Guncle

it doesn't get much cuter than that

hanging out with Nana

acting crazy again

Nana, Papa, and Abby

there are four people in that picture :)
 
After the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, we settled our brains for a long winter's nap.  We woke up and exchanged gifts.  Here are some of the awesome ones (note: all twin girl related!)

the front

the back - perfect ornament for my star wars nerd

the girls gave their dad matching polo outfits

perfect ornament from Daniel :)

putting together my new glider... it's so cute

relaxing.. can't wait to rock two sweet babies
After we opened presents and got ready, we headed over to Daniel's dads.  This was the first year we didn't celebrate Christmas with the Staley's on Christmas.  It was very strange, but also nice to not keep checking the clock.  Then we headed over to my moms for more Abby fun.  She really was the essence of Christmas joy, and we loved it.

princess Elsa playing princesses with Guncle

hanging out watching her new Monsters movie

neither one of us can pass up a good chip break

love my new wrapping organizer... much needed since we are losing a closet to two girls and their clothes!
We hope all of you enjoyed the best holiday season yet.  We most certainly did.  As for our house, Christmas is all packed away, and we are gearing up to finish the nursery, get the bathroom painted and decorated, and paint and add lots of fun to the playroom! Stay tuned for all the fun upcoming projects we need to get cracking on :)
 
 

Another four weeks have flown by

It's so hard to believe another four weeks have, quite literally, flown by.  I feel like we JUST celebrated our halfway mark.  Before we know it, we will be getting car seats ready, packing the hospital bag, and anxiously awaiting for our sweet girls to come.

The girls are growing like weeds.  Not only is my belly growing, but my back is starting to really ache.  It's been really tough the past month as I gain weight (all in the front it seems), that my back is having a hard time handling it.  And guess what's worse?  We have such a long ways to go... some days I wonder how I will make it to the end.  But, it's for a good cause, and the best medicine is to sit down and kick my feet up, and let all of the mess around the house deal with itself :)

20 weeks

21 weeks (and a happy birthday to me!)

22 weeks

23 weeks
On top of growing, they have been moving around like crazy.  Thankfully, it doesn't feel quite so creepy anymore.  Daniel has felt them a few times.. and it's pretty hard for him unless you press down super hard.  One night a few weeks ago, they were moving and I put Daniel's hand on my belly and he got a HUGE kick (or fist pump, or head bump, or elbow).  It was the biggest one either one of us had felt, and it was so cool.  Since then, we have gotten lots of big kicks and high fives, and just today I was able to see one of them moving from the outside.  It's pretty amazing.

At our 20 week ultrasound, they were both measuring the same, and right on track! They were both 12 ounces (just one can of coke a piece!), and their tiny little legs seemed to have grown. We love the dates we have with them, when we get to see them having dance parties and waving :)  We have another date this Friday - can't wait.

Last weekend Daniel painted their nursery.  The color is gorgeous!  It's bright & beautiful, and I can't wait to get furniture in there and decorate it with lots of cute pink stuff.  Here's a sneak peek:

we picked surf city :)  aqua is unusual for girls, but we love it!

the girls and I helped by taping

Daniel hard at work... love, love!
I celebrated my 28th birthday a few weeks ago, and it was awesome.  I received some pretty awesome gifts that I LOVE!

itty bitty preemie onesies with their names embroidered!  courtesey of aunt jackie

the most beautiful two peas in a pod necklace, complete with initial leaves.  their daddy is awesome, and I'll cherish this necklace every day <3
A lot has changed in a year.  On December 13th, we remembered Baby Sink.  We remembered the days prior - how our lives went from pure bliss to the worst nightmare.  The doctors appointments, the questions, the horrible answer, and saying goodbye.  We've grieved, and some days still grieve.  Our marriage is stronger.  We tried again.  We were elated when we found out we were going to have another baby, and vowed to be grateful for whatever we were given.  We were overjoyed when the one healthy baby we wanted to s bad turned into TWO healthy baby girls.  And we've never forgotten the pain and heartache that got us to this blissful point, that we appreciate each and every day.  This Christmas season - one year later - our Baby Sink tree twinkled each and every night.  It was so beautiful, and I look forward to decorating it each year and watching it grow and flourish, even if our baby couldn't.



We spent this year's holiday season enjoying a relaxing and quiet home, and anticipating next year full of chaos, fun, and magic.  We can't wait to take Sydney and Ella to visit Santa, watch their eyes light up when we decorate our tree, teach them that giving is better than receiving, and to fill our homes with the magic of Christmas that only kids can bring.  It only gets better from here, and we absolutely cannot wait.

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas!