[lou0728]

I am so happy to have my Essie Kate home, but boy do my girlies keep me hopping...... It's not all roses having almost 16 and 23 month olds! They are precious but oh so exhausting. My friend asked me today how I did it..... I don't know HOW I do it.... I just DO. Essie Kate is doing better and better everyday. She was having bad times at night. She would go right down to sleep in the pack and play, but she would wake up an hour or so later totally hysterical and would be in our bed the rest of the night. I just loved her through it. Last night we put her full sized crib next to my side of the bed with her side off...... She had full access to me, but she was in her own space..... NO hysterics at ALL last night. I finally got some sleep. She was glued to my side by 3 am, but I love to cuddle with her.....It was nice being able to snuggle with dh too... We are gradually weaning her off the Nido to an American follow up formula.... She's doing pretty well. I don't know how long we'll stay on the formula. It's so easy I sure don't mind. My house is a WRECK. I don't think it's ever been this messy...... That's hard for me to cope with. Hopefully this weekend I can find a few minutes to tackle that. I have gotten out with the girls a couple of times. I LOVE the double stroller! It saves my life. People think they're twins, which is hilarious to me since AP far outweighs Essie Kate......I am getting used to my new life and am so thankful to be home. I pray for all of you still waiting all the time..... Love to you all,

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[Niclayson]

Those first few weeks and for some months are joyous and yet exhausting. Just keep loving your kids and let that house go...in the long run the house won't matter. That was hard for me too...I'm a bit OCD.

Your kids are all gorgeous! Hang in there and get as much sleep as you can! Hugs!

[Aveasmom]

OH MY GOSH LOU!! I don't know where to start first. The girls are absolutely beautiful. I don't know how you can stand it. They are so freakin' cute. They are like two little twins.

And then those boys. How handsome are they. Looks like they like their sisters. (they are your boys right?) I thought I remembered that you had boys from the blog. But anyways it looks like they are the perfect age to take care of their sisters. Clean their rooms. The toilets and anything else their mom wants them to do. HA HA!!

Well I am sure the messy house will find some order some day. Just love that beautiful family for now. And maybe the dust bunnies will find their own home!!

Take care Denise

[newnan]

It's funny Lou, my girls will be just 10 months apart, so it gives me a glimpse of my life in about a month...I better get some rest now!!!LOL

[DeeVee]

Lou, they are soooo adorable! And your boys are so handsome. What a beautiful family.

I hear ya about tired. I'm afraid I'm not coping as well as you are though. Sounds like you are doing great.

[Angel99]

SO glad to hear you're home with your newest little one! I know what you mean about being tired - but it's the best kind of tired, isn't it?!?!?!?! Don't worry about your house being clean either- more important things to do now!!! Enjoy those beautiful girls of yours!!!

[LadyTink]

What beautiful pics!! Hope you can get some rest!!

[matthewsmom0505]

Thanks for the update! It sounds like all is how it should be--tired and wild!

[Ms.Judi]

What a beautiful family you have Lou!!!! Housework can wait-just keep loving your sweet girlies!!!!

[greytpaws]

THEY ARE SOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!! I bet it's the happiest exhaustion you've ever experienced! LOL I'm worn out chasing one--I can't imagine 2 (or more!) Don't worry about the house...just enjoy those girlies!!!

[angel_bayou]

I know the tired but happy feeling all too well!! My girls are a little less than nine months apart and they can wear me out sometimes!! It's such a joy to have them thogh!!
Glad Essie is doing well!

[AngelQT]

Hey Lou

They are so cute and sweet~

Love the smiles...

I will tell you a little secret... I am still waiting for it to better with A & A... I am right there with you... I find I get them most done at 4 am in the morning! They both are asleep~ Then about 9pm when they both are asleep again~ Other than that... The Heck with the house...

As Dory says.... "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming"

Dory from Nemo...

Hugs

[karen nickols]

Your family looks great together. Oh and did I tell you the kids and I are coming to visit next week. HA just kidding. Best to you all.!

[JosieWales]

Your kids are gorgeous!!! I know it's tough--right now I have Owen who is 22mo and our little newborn Ian, who is one month, and I was WORN OUT! So I hear ya...hang in there! We are Supermommies! (aren't we?)

[lyssie]

Hey, I am glad to hear you are enjoying those littel ones...the messy house is just a validation that your priorities are where they should be...I think it takes about a YEAR to get things balanced out once a new person joins your family. I used to think it was just a new baby joining the family until this past year -- now after taking a full year to adjust to life with our 4 year old daughter I know it is anyone new no matter the age.

I haven't had any so close in age as your beautiful little girls but, We did have our 1st 2 children 15 months apart, then our 3rd was born and we had 3 children 3 yrs. old and under. Then we slowed the pace, had 2 more children by the time our oldest was 8 yrs. Now with our 2 dds from guatemala we have 4 children under 4 again. We have 2 that are 10 months apart. So they are the same age for a couple of months each year.(that is 7 total). Anyway, it seems to get easier as they get older and you get to know them better. But, boy is it intense parenting. Really fun and rewarding but, by the end of every day you are glad it's over. When people ask the "how..." question I always answer "ONE day at a time"---

A few things we did to help us through this past year(our 4-yr old dd came home with some "issues" to say the least that just about blew us out of the water--yes it WAS THAT bad!)
were to take small break from the kids (((ALONE))) and togther as husband and wife. Make sure our new daughters were in bed early(they seem to wear out much faster than our other 5. (I think they are adjusting as well and just get more tired!) Use that time for some valuable play time with the other kids ...and last but not least hired in some help with the house. I used their help just for the year (i'm done now)and the cleanliness without the pressure of getting it done made a huge difference for everyone in the family even the littlest ones would be thrilled after the cleaners came. If you can squeeze anything out of the budget I highly reccommend this, unless you have some really good family, friends or neighbors who are willing to pitch in around there with you for the next while. Enjoy getting to know those babies and letting them get to know you!!!! You will be surprised and relieved when you look back in a year and see how far you have come! They grow up SO fast and before you know it they will be in school.