Braxton turns 2

November 2, 2009

Braxton celebrated his second birthday and his last as our only child. We were in Austin awaiting the arrival of his twin sisters the following day. We were also enjoying our time with our little man. He had lots of family there and received TOO many gifts. We went to the park to play, out to dinner and back to the hotel for cake. Thanks to all of you for making this day about Braxton!

My sweet, beautiful, loving, kind, playful, intelligent and funny baby has now become a little boy. He is still precious as ever and is maturing and growing by leaps and bounds. He continues to amaze me and not a day goes by that I don't thank God for his priceless soul. Wow, God entrusts his life with me! That in itself is awesome. I pray (all the time) for the Lord's strength, patience, wisdom and plan.

Braxton, you are one of a kind. I am excited about what the future holds...I know you will be a gentleman, a good student, an athlete, a wonderful husband and a super dad. But, for now, I will cherish each minute with my 'baby' and each hug and kiss you allow. I love you more than words.

Happy Birthday

Ayla Morgan and Evie Alois made their big debut on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 4:56 and 4:57am.

God's timing is perfect - as always. This was our scheduled c-section date, but the girls began showing signs of their arrival around 9pm on the 2nd...around 1am contractions were steady, at 2am mucous plug was lost, at 3am we made Dad get up and take us to the hospital.

We made it to St. David's North Austin around 3:30am, were admitted and quickly filled out paperwork, received iv for fluids and meds, was wheeled to the OR, received spinal block and surgery began!

Ayla was 5lbs 7oz, 18.5 inches and Evie was 4lbs 13 oz, 18.5 inches. Both ladies were born with a full head of sandy blonde hair, but in order to distinguish between them early on, their heads were adorned with new monogrammed hospital caps. The placenta was sent off for DNA testing to determine the type of twins (fraternal or identical) God so chose for our family. I had some postpartum hemorrhaging and clotting that gave everyone a scare for a bit, but God allowed many excellent nurses to care for me and quickly resolve the issues without additional surgery. Thank you for your prayers and support!!! All Chaplins are doing well.

Updates

Today the twins have made it 38 weeks!!! I am so thankful for the many prayers that surround not only them, but my entire family. We have 2 days left until we deliver. We are currently in Austin preparing for their arrival. I will update here or facebook (both if I can) when they make their big appearance :)

We were able to do a walk-through on our house before we left town, and we are planning to close on Nov. 10th! We are so thrilled to be able to tell of all God's blessings at one time in our lives. Again, thank you for lifting us up throughout all of this.

Lastly, here are a few pictures from last night. The cutest skeleton I've ever seen :) Oh, and I have a couple belly shots in there for kicks.

House

We are pushing the envelope here! We are about one week out on the interior completion and maybe two exterior...if it will stop raining!

Talked to them today and they are pushing for ONE WEEK!!!! Keep praying!!

The concrete is being poured today, which is a huge green light to finish the interior quickly! Appliances, front door, carpet and a good cleaning are needed on the inside.

Outside we need sprinkler system, drains, fence, leveling, sod and landscaping.

Here are a few shots of the recent work.

There is blue tape over the bronze decorative tiles ... they were grouting when we got there.

Belly - 35 1/2 weeks

Ok, here it is! By the way - I just got stretch marks last week. I almost made it through 2 pregnancies (one twin) without any. Oh well...I am proud that they are still growing, gaining and developing each day. Praise God!!!

new obsession

Thomas the Tank Engine & His Friends

playing with trains

looking at train and barney costumes watching trains

watching more trains

Goodbye, Nicki

a sweet, lovable, protective puppy David got Nicki about ten years ago. When I met him and he told me all about his 'puppy', that's what I expected to see...especially since I have only owned small to mid-sized dogs. The day I met her I was shocked to be greeted by a horse!!!! She was definitely a part of our family and yes, she still had the nature of a puppy until recently. Unfortunately we were informed that she had developed cancer and it was causing some of her joint pain. It was too wide spread to be treated. David and his mother went to put her to sleep a few weeks ago. We love you, Nick-dog!

I love to read...

Braxton loves his books. Although a tiring and redundant clean up for mom, he pulls nearly all his books off the shelf each day to flip through (read) and talk about what is going on in each. It's amazing how much he knows about them all. Of course now his g-moms have spoiled him with Thomas books, and those are usually first! He will also bring books to you to be read to him if you are in another room. I love that he is such an independent, self directed learner! You should see him with his puzzles and transformers. :)

Nursery

Ok, here are a few more photos of the nursery projects. Remember, we are painting one crib lime green and the other turquoise!!

Bedding

It's hard to imagine, but you are looking at the bed skirt on the left, blanket on the right and bumper on top.

Scriptures

These will hang over their cribs. This one will hang over the green crib, Evie's.

This will be over Ayla's crib.

Initials

These will be hung over the changing table or on the wall as you enter their room.

Our House

Our house in Forney is really coming along. It's been four weeks and as you can see, much progress has been made. The completion time is supposed to be 3 months...end of October, but we are hoping and praying it will be before then. Enjoy some pics :)

Ayla and Evie

Since they have been named, we were trying to decide how we would choose who is Ayla and who is Evie. I guess logically to us and most others, Baby 'A' would be Ayla and 'B' would be Evie. So, that is where we stand for now.

We went to the doctor this past Thursday and found out that Ayla is 2lbs 5oz, heart rate 145bpm and Evie is 2lbs 7oz, heart rate 142bpm. Dr. Cowan says they look great, are showing early signs of breathing (lung maturity), have plenty of fluid and are growing concordantly. They have turned again and are both in vertex position (head down)...not that presentation really matters with a c-section, but it does affect the way in which I am carrying them. Everything has still been smooth sailing besides the weight gain, but if that's all I have to deal with, I am one very blessed and happy woman.

Our daily prayer is that God will allow them to go full term and without any complications...please continue to pray with us!!!! They are scheduled to be delivered at St. David's North Austin (Women's Center) 9 weeks from tomorrow :)

Names

We strayed a little from the current list and went back to two names that were on our list when we got pregnant with Braxton.

Ayla Morgan

Evie Alois

Belly comparison

Almost everyone that sees me says, you're not showing very much for twins! I think I am showing as much now at 26 weeks as when I was 31 weeks pregnant with Braxton - at least. What do you think? The first photo was 2007 in Vegas and the next was taken yesterday!

Working on the nursery

Mom and I painted a piece of furniture that David's Papaw made so that we can use it in the twins room. We think it turned out great! Also, the fabric on the side (dots) will be used as accent pillows and the other fabric is going to be bumpers and blankets :) I will post more pictures as I complete the work...

Car Seats!

David and I are beyond blessed with wonderful family and friends! Renee and her husband, Ryan, bought this double snap and go stroller for us - it's a must! And today, my mom surprised us with the car seats I "REALLY" wanted but wasn't going to get!!!! We are overwhelmed with excitement...as is Braxton.

Best Buds

Before the Throne

Just wanted to share another amazing hymn that truly touches my heart. It has been redone and a chorus added by Shane & Shane. I went to high school with Shane B., and it's awesome to see and hear his wonderful love for God.

I hope it moves you, too. God bless.

Updates

I know I am very behind on my blogging, but we have just had a FEW things going on in the past few weeks!!! We sold my car and bought a mini-van! It's amazing, and I don't care how "dorky" I look. I can't wait to fit all three car seats in and prepare for the twins arrival. Braxton loves the DVD player and is just precious wearing the headphones. I will have to upload a pic soon. We sold our house in Austin!!! Praise God. Thank you all for your continual prayers for this. We closed last Friday, and we are now awaiting the build of our new home in Forney. Yes, we are building and it is 'supposed' to be finished right about the same time I deliver! (I mentioned we were a little busy...and will be). The girls are doing amazing, still. They are measuring 1 pound 5oz and 1 pound 6oz. They have a discordance percentage of 4, and the doctor says we want that under 25...so looking good! They have plenty of fluid around them and their heartbeats are both right at 150bpm. Doctor's guess is that they are identical, but there is no definite way to know until delivery! Please pray that as God continues to orchestrate this whole miracle that He allows them to make it full term. We have a scheduled c-section at 7am on November 3. (The day after Braxton's 2nd birthday!) So in the meanwhile, I will be painting furniture, making bedding, trying to decide on names, and checking on the progress of our house. Please vote on my name poll - much love to you all!

Vote Now!

Car, bike, anything on wheels