Happiest place on earth

Randy's 29th b-day was Friday and what better way to celebrate than go to the happiest place on earth? :)
Randy and I have been pass holders at Disneyland for about 7 years, we got them together when we were dating. They expired last May and it was the first time we didn't renew them. We decided to wait until the babies got a little older and also because you get in free for your birthday so we decided to wait until now.

We had been waiting for so long to take the babies there. It is specifically something my thoughts wandered to when I was on bed rest in the hospital. Day dreaming about how fun it would be to take them in December, becuase it looks so beautiful and cheery all decorated for Christmas! We almost took them last December but since they had only been home for less than 2 months, I was bf-ing every 3 hours AND it is always yucky flu season right about now, we decided to wait a year. And I am so glad we did! They are at such a fun age and really loved all the sights and sounds.
We had plans for months to take them this week and then early on in the week we learned it was suppsossed to rain that day and all weekend! So we decided to have my dad watch them while we just drove up and got the passes (you get in free for your b-day but you have to go ON your b-day). But I was so bummed that we wouldn't get to take the babies. So, we decided to take some big umbrellas and just chance it. Good thing too because it didn't rain until we were on our way home!
It was one of the funnest days so far as a little family mostly because we had dreamed of taking them there! To see their faces as they looked at things with innocence and wonder, I mean, that is what Disneyland is all about! It was just SO SPECIAL! I can't wait for all the times we will take them back in this next year!!!



As soon as we go there we saw Mickey! I'm sure they recognized him, we watch him everyday! How special to see him on their first time!
!We took them on Small World which they loved



When the carousel started moving, he got a little nervous :)

time flies

Then...

Now...

So bitter sweet

Last week I weaned the twins...it has been very bittersweet. For the 2 weeks before I weaned them I could tell they were ready, or, that they would be OK with the decision. That is pretty much the only reason I chose to do it now, not because I was in any rush.

I knew this day would come and since I'm not very good w/ adjusting to change, I was sort of dreading it. But, I have done surprisingly well with the change :)

I just can't believe that precious time is already up. Where did 14 months go??? Speaking of 14 months, I so blessed that I was able to nurse them for that long. My goal I set when I first started was 12 months so I am thrilled that I surpassed that personal goal. Anyone who knows my story knows what I went through to get to the point where I could, just like most normal moms, nurse my babies exclusively. The first 3 months I was pumping 6-8 times a day along with nursing. It was EXHAUSTING to say the least! But I was determined and there was no other choice for me. I had a lot of people doubt that I would be able to nurse twins without supplementing, even my Dr.
Wrong! :)

So proud of my little babies for doing so well, too. Being 2 months premature and spending 5 1/2 weeks in the NICU is what made getting the hang of it so hard. I only got to try nursing them twice in the 5+ weeks they were in the hospital. When they got home I tried all day, everyday. So, as exhausting as it was for me, it was for them too. They were fragile little preemies who tired quickly. Being born before the sucking reflex was developed and having to learn from bottles in the NICU made it so confusing for them on how to latch on. After trying for 3 months straight, every 3 hours, they turned 4 months and finally got it! It was perfection from then on!

It is possibly one of the sweetest bonds in life, one that I again, feel blessed to be able to have experienced. I will miss the one on one bonding time with each of them everyday. It has been sad for me a couple of nights, just putting them to bed and not nursing.
The babies handled it perfectly, went to bed perfectly fine from the 1st night I stopped. So, that also confirmed that they were ready too. They didn't mind at all, either way.
I am (and my husband is too) excited for the new freedom this will bring :) We will finally to be able to go on a date and not worry about having to be home at a certain time and in the near future, go on an overnight and maybe even a small trip...alone! It's been about a year and a half since we have done so!

No picture for this post, I'm afraid a pic of me tandem nursing is a little to personal :)

I realize this post may be TMI but this blog is my journal so, oh well! :) Plus, I'm pretty sure most of my readers and women and mom's :)

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

I love this picture for so many reasons! The first one being, their expressions!
Kaleiah is obviously not thrilled about Kaden being in the picture with her and especially sitting so close to her. She is such a little diva :)
Kaden on the other hand is so happy-go-lucky that he doesn't care that she is trying to push him away :) He loves her!

The other reason I love this is because my husband pointed out something and I laughed for 5 minutes straight. They look like an old couple! Seriously, they so do! I could not stop laughing once I realized this! I LOVE IT!!

Santa train

Every year Santa comes on the train and stops at the train station near our house, the train is totally decked out in light, there's dancing snowmen and reindeer and they put on a little show!
This year was out first time going and it was something fun to do as a family! We bundled the babies up and met some friends of ours down there. It was a fun Christmas event to take the babies to :)

K&K and Santa!

Today was another first for Kaden and Kaleiah, we took them to sit on Santa's lap!
Last year they were WAY too new and I was so paranoid about my little preemies getting sick that there was no way I was taking them to the mall during flu season!
So, this year I could hardly wait for this! We dressed them up and boy, were they a sight!! We got stopped by about every other person in the mall! The best was when we were just getting them all packed up out of the car into their strollers, a lady in her car drove by and was staring and you could read her mouth say "oh my gosh!" Then all of a sudden she backs up and rolls down her window and says "you guys are the most beautiful family. Absolutely amazing, they are SO CUTE!" How sweet was she?! I love that my children can bring a smile to a strangers face. Pretty darn cool.
Anyways, we waited in like for about 45 min and just kept them occupied with the Christmas lights and some graham crackers :) Finally it was our turn and there was a little part of me that got nervous as we handed them over to, what was to them, a strange man! I was ready for them to cry but nope! The tilted their heads back and just STARED at him!! We were calling their name and the people taking the pic had all sorts of noise making things but they wouldn't take their eyes off Santa! Must have been the beard and the glasses :) Finally, they both looked but didn't crack a smile. I on the other hand was cracking up bc I have NEVER seen my daughter so stone faced! It was hilarious!
It was once again, such a fun memory making experience! I LOVE FIRSTS!

Below, feast your eyes on the cuteness of these babies...I can barely handle it!
I so don't deserve these amazing children. They are sweeter than all the Holiday treats!


This is our pic that Randy took, I'm going to scan the original :)

I love my twins

They get cuter and more amazing everyday. I can't believe they're mine forever!!!
Thank you, Lord for entrusting me with these two gifts: