Couples' Shower in Atlanta

Abel, Belle and I went to Atlanta this past weekend for my sister, Grace, and her fiance's couples' shower. Aaron wasn't able to go because he was in Greensboro, NC working a LifeWay conference. The shower theme was a fiesta as the pictures below show...and the twins had a GREAT time! They ate Moe's Southwest grill food, cake, and played on the playground.

 

Eating cake with Mimi :)

Easter 2013

We wish you a joyous Resurrection Day! - Aaron, Jennifer, Abel & Belle

Crayon Pictures: Abel's Song

A while back, I posted a song that I had written for Belle.  It's been a while in coming, but here is Abel's song, called Crayon Pictures.  On the afternoon of June 4th 2011, hunched over his little bed in the NICU, I got to tell Abel my first words to him.  They were, "Son, I love you and I'm proud of you.  I hope that you love Jesus."  I want him to always know that he has my love and can never lose it, just like I have the love of my Father not because of anything I do or don't do, but because Jesus made me His son.  Enjoy the song, but I warn you, my novice guitar playing is a 1 out of 10.  If it sounds horrible, you can just enjoy the pictures and how cute my son is!   -Aaron

RSV, Pneumonia, Stomach Bug, and a Bridal Shower!

So much has been going on in our home the past few of weeks... Abel and Belle both got RSV. Belle got better, but Abel's RSV turned into Pneumonia. He was admitted into the hospital on Valentine's Day (also my birthday) and was discharged the following Sunday morning. While he was in the hospital, I caught a stomach bug. So, Belle had to go stay with my mom at her house. I was at home very sick and Aaron was in the hospital with Abel. I was so sick that I ended up in the ER dehydrated and had to have two doses of IV fluids. I did drink, but I couldn't keep any liquids down.  Abel had his follow-up post discharge appointment with the pediatrician last Friday morning and he is doing great now - Praise God!  Right after his appointment, I had to drive to Atlanta for my sister's bridal shower. I, her matron of honor, and her maid of honor were throwing the shower so I couldn't miss it. It was a relief to know that Abel was doing so well when I left. My MIL came to help with the twins so Aaron could work over the weekend. However, he came down with the stomach bug and couldn't work on Saturday, so my MIL had to take care of all 3 of them! Bless her heart. We are on the mend now and just praying that the twins don't get the stomach bug next. Below are some pictures over the past few weeks.

Having fun with Daddy!

Abel riding the Ice Cream truck at the mall

In the hospital watching cartoons and eating a chocolate chip cookie.

Belle with her heart shaped pillow at Target. Mimi had to buy it for her of course!

My sister, the beautiful bride to be!

Me, my sister and mom

 

Why our God Isn't a God of Second Chances...and that is Good News!

Here is a post that Aaron recently wrote for our local church's blog. There is lots of truth in his post and a lot of reason to celebrate that God isn't a God of second chances!

19 Months Update

Sorry it has taken so long to update on Abel and Belle, but here is a quick post as to what they are up to and how they are growing these days...

In December, their 18 month old check-up was changed into a sick visit and were prescribed medicines. So, our pediatrician had us reschedule their well visit for January at 19 months. Abel also had to get tubes in his ears the week before Christmas because he had 4 ear infections since August and his hearing was slightly below normal when he was tested. Thankfully, after the tubes were inserted and the fluid was drained, he had a follow up hearing test the week after surgery and his hearing was at 100%! They both weigh around 24 lbs and are a little shorter on the charts for their age. Their head circumference is good. (Due to my having to keep two toddlers from going crazy in the doctor's office, I can never remember both of their stats and percentiles to the exact numbers). Their pediatrician didn't want to do an autism screening on them until their next well visit, because by their adjusted age, they were still only 17 months. However, he said that just by looking at and interacting with them, he saw no signs of autism. They both say around  20 words, which is less than many toddlers their age are saying, but the doctor said that they are still within the "normal" range seeing as there is a wide range of "normal."

About Belle:
She is a feisty and an opinionated girl. Aaron and I know that we have to begin training her early to have a "gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in the sight of God" (1 Pet 3:4). Try as I may, I haven't gotten her to really enjoy her baby dolls yet. I just loved baby dolls when I was a little girl so I would really like to see her enjoy them too. But, Belle is not me and she may enjoy other toys better and that is okay too. Her favorite toy right now seems to be her "Abby Cadabby" tea set that we bought her for Christmas. She loves to pretend to pour her tea into the cups and give everyone a drink. She carries more than one tea cup around the house at one time.

About Abel:
He screams. A lot. Whenever he wants something or something doesn't go "his way," he screams. Aaron and I are working diligently to firmly tell him "No! Abel, use words to tell us what you want. You cannot scream." He loves our dog, Toby, and is constantly kissing him. It is kind of funny because I kiss our dog a lot and I think Abel has seen me do it so often, that in his little mind, this is just what you are supposed to do with a dog. Haha! The boy LOVES balls!!! I mean loves balls. He wants to hold a ball almost all of the time. He has a small soccer ball that he loves and two tiny basket balls too. He is always asking (screaming) for a ball.

Aaron and I love these two kiddos so very much and are so thankful that God chose us to be their parents.

P.S. Read Tracey's latest blog post about what is going on with their genetic siblings! :)

Tracey's Post (after her FET)

Read here for the latest update on Abel and Belle's genetic siblings! :)