35 weeks gestation

Yes, I was huge. My, my, it doesn’t even look possible to carry that much! But, I did it!

The girls were born on October 13th (36 weeks) around 1:30 in the morning, via C-Section (after spontaneous labor). Claire was born at 5 lbs. and 12 oz. Leah was born at 5 lbs. and 5 oz. I can’t remember how long they were…3rd and 4th kids I guess!?

They stayed in the NICU for 8 days at the Hospital to gain weight and regulate their temperatures. The days surrounding my recovery in the Hospital are a big blur. I pumped milk a lot and tried my best to walk down to the NICU often to visit Claire and Leah in their room. The nurses lovingly took care of them both while we had to return home without our new babies! (So, hard)

Leah in Isolette

Claire in Isolette

We brought Claire and Leah home on Ryan’s 5th birthday, October 21st. Coming home was a huge relief! I was thrilled by the joy and ease of finally being close to my new babies.

Let the games begin! The realities of raising 4 kids, 5 years old and under, in a 1,000 sq. ft. home, are setting in! The sheer noise alone is unbelievable.  But, I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

See, aren’t they precious?

Leah at home

Claire at home

Proud Big Brother Ryan

Proud Big Sister Molly

I’ll be blogging about my home and family again soon. I don’t want to miss a moment of my crazy new life as the manager of a 6 person family!

Love,

Jess

]]> http://justablink.com/2009/11/the-babies-are-here/feed/ 1 http://justablink.com/2009/10/grateful-sunday/ http://justablink.com/2009/10/grateful-sunday/#comments Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:37:10 +0000 Jessica http://justablink.com/?p=2575 Finding growth possible

My inspiration for today is this image of a single daisy, growing in bramble and parched vines.

In San Francisco, CA, 7 1/2 years ago, I took the above photograph as Peter and I honeymooned. The flower’s simplicity stood out to me all those years ago. How could such a lovely flower could survive and grow in such odd conditions?

Little did I know, in 2002, that this photograph would bring gratitude and hope to me today.

What I am grateful for:

• The twins and I are very healthy. Only 4 more weeks until delivery, if not before!
• Friends and family, that pitched in to help around my house and with the kids, as I was on modified bed rest.
• Decaf cappuccino mix from the whole foods store.
• My new “office/ blogger home” we made over the summer. Goodbye playroom. Hello new computer room!

What I am hopeful about:

• Being able to find joy in the chaos that 4 kids, 5 years old and under, can bring into a home of 1, 000 square feet.
• Remembering to grow in Christ; my writing abilities; and my marriage, all while growing my big pregnant belly!
• Spending time with the kids full time, after being away part-time for the last  3 1/2 years. (Still have mixed feeling here.)

Just a Blink readers:

It’s good to be back, writing out of the bramble of writers block, chronic pain and general busy-ness.

I am starting to grow like a strong, lovely daisy in all surroundings and circumstances. I can thank God for that!

I am planning on touching in when I can.…I ‘ve been decorating, the rooms are switched, and I am sure my belly could be a blog post on its own!

Love,

Jess

]]> http://justablink.com/2009/10/grateful-sunday/feed/ 0 http://justablink.com/2009/08/living-in-the-moment/ http://justablink.com/2009/08/living-in-the-moment/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:39:38 +0000 Jessica http://justablink.com/?p=2567

Family Portrait Summer 2009

Lately

Summer has been so fun! Many fun “nesting” projects, swim outings and outdoor adventures have been happening around here.

The twins are healthy and growing (currently at 29 weeks). Only 9 weeks to go before baby girl A and baby girl B arrive.

I have posts and photos in mind, of our room changes, craft projects and belly growth. But for now I’m just popping in to say HI!

You see, it is summer…I’m out there, living in the moment.

It’s offical, I will have two more daughters come this fall!

Ryan, 4, is ready to be the only brother and he has already been planning to buy more kitchen toys and baby dolls to accommodate the “girl land”, as he puts it, that will ensue.

Neat Pete has an app on his iPhone to take panoramic pics.

We rescued the living room after a long day of disaster. It felt very good.

Don’t bears eat a lot, then go sleep for a good long while, say, all winter long? That is a bit of a reflection of my current lifestyle.

I try to grin despite all the sickness and the fatigue of this pregnancy but really I don’t hide it very well. I try not to be a bear with my attitude — my pregnancies have been been an emotional blessing — stable hormones I guess.

Hiding in a cave only lasts for so long, so through the muck, I still try to get out…

• The Macy’s Flower show was a nice way to get excited about Spring. My favorite part was eating soup and salad in a restaurant with a sky view of downtown.

• I gathered with my small group ladies to discuss the novel, The Shack (which I didn’t actually read because I have been under a rock for 9 weeks). Surprise, surprise my favorite part was the meal we shared…everything was lovingly prepared (by my friend) from the Barefoot Contessa.

• I finally checked out a little bakery with some MOPS friends. It was delightful. Good food, good talk. I am just a little cross about losing my French truffle due to a queasy tummy. But, this too shall pass!

Now I must log off to eat and sleep some more…then get up and do it all over again.

Where the Magic Happens

MTV Cribs is a TV show known for interviewing celebrity’s homes. Upon entering the bedroom, while giving a tour of their huge glamour-dom home, the owners often tout, “This is where the magic happens!”

At my house, we have plenty of magic happening…except, it is on the kitchen table.

WAIT! Before you run off wondering how Just a Blink just became so graphic…

I mean the kind of magic that delights in:

• birds pecking at the paper plate full of seeds on the patio of the kitchen
• a single rose that Ryan, 4, bought for his Mom because, “It is as beautiful as you are”
• two big packages of new maternity clothes shipped all the way from California by my loving family (Thanks Connie!)
• scribbles and wiggles scratched with pencil by Molly in Ryan’s workbook just to be more like him
• a jam packed silverware dishwasher basket used for a impromptu sorting lesson

Now that’s magic!

P.S. I hope go get going with better photos soon…the above image is curtisy of my iPhone. I did try to pick up my camera but both batteries were dead.

As my last post outlined, I’m pregnant! Kid number 3 is coming this Fall.

But, right now, I am living under a rock. Early bedtimes are stealing my blogging time!

My camera and my computer keyboard are collecting dust.

I will be back…closet reveals, darling kids, life ramblings, and spring decor are around the corner.

The kids made a special St. Patrick’s Day dance move for their grandparents. It has an extra special surprise in the middle!