Dear Paxton and Kellen,

Well, my loves, tomorrow we hit another milestone, 18 months. This is my message to you on this milestone...I will always provide a safe place for you to fall, a laugh at your joke, a shoulder when your heart breaks, a vision for all that your future can be, a loving relationship with your father, discipline when you falter, and most importantly when you walk into a room my eyes will always light up. For you, my angels, are wanted, valued, treasured and never to be taken for granted.

Kellen: You are loving, sweet, and sensitive beyond measure. When you are happy you laugh so hard you shake, when you are mad you scream so loud you shake. And everything in the middle is pure joy. You love your brother, hugging and patting him, but you will take anything in his hands! You have the cutest run I have ever seen, will run 100mph when you see a binky, and love nothing more than to be in water. You are so smart, you imitate everything mommy and daddy do...especially your daddy's dancing! Kel-bug, getting to know you over the last 18 months has been nothing but divinity. Your smile, your eyes, and sweet cheeks make my heart swell with love.

Paxton: My sweet, sweet Paxton...you are a riot. Mommy and daddy call you a cool cucumber, nothing really seems to bother you. You are so laid back, you just roll with the punches. You almost never cry unless you are exhausted or bump your head too hard. Your smile is contagious, and you have never met a stranger. While you are laid back, you are totally full of spunk and personality. But not enough spunk that you wont still cuddle. You will climb into my lap, lay on your stomach while resting your head on my chest. These moments mean the world to me. Pac-man, learning who you are over the last 18 months has been nothing but heaven. Your smile, your eyes, and fat cheeks make my heart swell with love.

We love you so much! Happy 18 month birthday!!!

My Snoozing Sweathearts

There's two to wash, there's two to dry,
There's two who argue, there's two who cry. One's in the mud having a ball,
The other holds a crayon, marking the wall. Some days seem endless, my patience grows thin.
Why was I chosen to be a mother of twins?
The answer comes clear at the end of each day, As I tuck them in bed and to myself say, There's two to kiss, there's two to hug, And best of all, there's two to love! -Author Unknown

You are Cute, Kid!

It is about time...

for a new blog post! We have been so busy, and have topped off the past two weeks with colds. Which led to me having no voice over the last several days, but I am back!!! We are loving the summer, just trying to stay cool from 100 degree weather. I will post about specific events later, but here are some pictures to hold everyone over...kinda a potluck of pics over the last several weeks. For now I have gotta go bake my hubby's bday cake!!

HUGS

Watch for the patting when Kellen hugs Paxton...melts my heart!

Turn it UP...DOG!!!

Kellen is a cool kid...

...even when he's asleep!

And no, my flash did not even wake him!

Update on Pax

Thanks everyone for the comments and emails, I really do appreciate any suggestions or advice. Pax is doing much better today. The swelling as of this morning has completely gone down. The redness, which looked like Tabasco had been poured all over his body, is gone. We are now left with a nasty rash, head to toe, but we have seen this rash once before with a prescription he was given for eczema. So we know this rash will probably take a few weeks to heal, but at least he is back to himself. Now on with the long, arduous task of keeping anything peanut related away from a toddler.

Memorial Day and My Family

I was watching CNN, the John King, U.S.A. special, he interviewed a set of parents that had lost their son in Afghanistan in 2008. John King asked them what they would like people to know about Memorial Day. Their answer, "Memorial Day is not just about beer and barbeque. It is about the men and women that serve and often give their lives for this nation. So take a moment, big or small, to pay tribute to that heroic deed on this day." My eyes welled up at their story and loss, which I take even harder now that I am a parent.

Today our family will pay tribute to the men and women that serve and to the precious souls that leave this earth too soon so that my sons can thrive in this democratic country. And I will also pay tribute to the military in my own family. Thanks to my Uncle Jimmy's hard work we have information dating back to the Civil War.

To P&K: This list reflects their relationship to you.
Great Uncle- Lt. James W. Tucker-Army
Great Uncle- Major Carlos Larry Tucker – Army -Veteran of Vietnam War
Great Uncle- Tim Hardin- US Marines
Cousin- Jeff Ellis US Coast Guard
Your Great-Grandfather’s side of the family

Great Great Uncle Eulice “Buster” Tucker served in the Merchant Marines - Veteran of WWII

Civil War Veterans’
Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather Charles W C Tucker – Private with “Pirkles Rangers” 4th Regiment, Georgia Calvary, State Guard

Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather James Madison Maise- Sergeant with the 48th Alabama Infantry. Died from wounds from the Battle of Bull Run near Mannases, Va. Sept 3, 1862

Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather Isham H. Sitz-Private 48th Alabama Infantry. Fought in Petersburg, Second Mannases, Battle of the Wilderness, Gettysburg and ended the war at Appomattox.

Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather –Born in Germany was sold by the Hessian Count Frederick II to Great Britain to fight in the American War of Independence. He deserted the British and fought for the Americans. He made his home Lincoln County, North Carolina

Your Great-Grandmother’s side of the family

Great Great Uncle Marion Norton Cothran Army- Veteran of WWII

Great Great Uncle Roy Linley Cothran – Veteran of WWII, Korean and Viet Nam

Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather - Wylie J. Cothran—Sergeant in the Confederate States Army 19th Regiment, Alabama Infantry

Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather Julius R. Bates-Major General – Army-7th Division of Georgia Militia--Resigned in 1852, before Civil War. Resigned because he was against the way the American Indians were treated!

Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather John W. Cothran-Major- Army

Pics of Pax with Peanut Allergy

Here are some pictures, all but the last one is from yesterday. The rash that you can see on his face, chin, and neck is now covering his whole body. Just breaks my heart.

A picture from this morning, after a dose of Benadryl. His right eye is still swollen, but looks much better than it did when I found him in his crib this morning. I think that side of his face is worse because some of the peanut butter had gotten onto his finger and he wiped it on that side of his face. Apparently kiddos can be allergic with just skin contact.

Peanut Allergy & Pirate Ship

Ok, moms...who knows anything about peanut allergies? Our sweet Paxton had an awful reaction to peanut butter yesterday, the second time ever eating it. We did Benadryl last night (and now every 6 hours), per doctors instructions, woke up this morning with eyes almost swollen shut, mouth swollen open, entire body covered with fire red skin and a bumpy rash. We were off to the peditrician this morning, and are now owners of 2 epi pens. SO stinkin' SCARY. Any tips? Anything I need to avoid? Trying to do research on allergies to peanuts or peanut oil. I have pics that I havent uploaded yet, will do later. Just hugging on my guy today. BTW, Kellen ate the peanut butter on wheat bread with no problems. Pax only had one bite.

Pre-peanut allergic reaction our afternoons were filled with this new toy in the backyard...a water table pirate ship. The boys will literally pound on the door in our sun room to go outside, becoming soaked in a matter of minutes. Clean-up...well, that takes much longer!!!

Kellen's little wet feet!

Paxton's little wet feet!

Lovin' on some sugar-free popsicles!

I'm Just Sayin...

Paxton after eating blackberries for breakfast. Kellen after eating blackberries for breakfast. I'm Just Sayin...these kids are definitely different!!!

Brotherly Love:

Playin' with Papaw

Papaw (my dad) came to visit from Tampa this weekend and we all had a blast! The boys were so worn out by Sunday they took a 3.5 hour nap! We had not seem him since December, but the boys seemed to remember who their Papaw is...even shy baby Kellen went right to him! My dad and the boys look so much alike, it is crazy!!! They both fought over sitting with him the whole weekend. We cant wait to come visit in Tampa!!

Kellen always wants the camera...instead of smiling for it!!! It was cute after I took the pic, Kellen kept leaning his head into dad...how dad had leaned into him for the pic. That Kel is a cutie!! Sweet Kel at the playground in our subdivision. The playground is literally a couple of houses away from ours and we take advantage every day!! Paxton cracking up, always cracking up!! Boys on the move!

See you soon, Papaw. We love you!

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Is there anything cuter than babies just after they wake up from a nap? Not in my book!!!

And can I just re-confirm how much I love their very different eye color. I would be lost without my doe eyes and baby blues.

Question for Twin Moms via IVF

***Update***
Thanks for all the comments, I really appreciate all of the different viewpoints. We all know there is nothing about IVF and the outcome that is a sure thing, quite the opposite. During our IVF cycle I only had 5 eggs, 2 made it to transfer, and 2 became Paxton and Kellen. If I only had 2 embryos, I would probably transfer the 2. And I say "I" because the hubby may have a very different feeling on the subject!! However, I would need to take a big deep breath before that transfer!!! And if God thought we could handle twins again then we would get ready for the circus!!! My heart aches to try one more time, but I am not sure if IVF is in the cards. But I will keep you posted!!!!!

*************

On Mother's Day we went to brunch at Bosco's and as we turning into the parking lot I saw this cute mom with one carseat on each side of her. I just had to talk to her! So as we were walking into Bosco's I went up to her and googled over her precious baby twin girls. The dad was standing beside me and said, "well, these twins are 8 months but those twins (pointing at two toddlers running in the grass) are 4.5 years old." I lost words, but uttered something like oh my gosh your hands are full. The mom said, "it's easier the second time." And the dad quickly followed with, "no it's not!"

So this brings me to my question. Moms with twins conceived through IVF, are you gonna try again? And would you still transfer two embryos? Do you want another set of twins, maybe triplets? Or are you going to wait on a miracle and be done with fertility treatments? Okay, so that was way more than one question but feel free to answer any or none!

I think having the diagnosis of diminshed ovarian reserve coupled with turning 31 yesterday has led me to writing this post. These questions are discussed every so often in our home, how about yours??

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope all the mommys out there have a wonderful, pampered day! Mine was great, and the celebration continues with my 31st birthday tomorrow. And my day was topped off by a pretty decent pic with my babes!!! Every twin mom out there knows that is no easy task!!

I could...

stare at

these baby blues all day!
Lucky me, I get to!!

Kellen and His Best Friend

His Daddy.

How About Some Pics?!

Sorry, I havent been posting many pictures lately. I have fallen so behind because nap times have been consumed with working on the new house. But here are some! The boys are now 16 months, time flies when you are having fun!

Nashville Flood

Count your blessing blog readers. The greater part of Nashville is totally under water. It is a terrible, terrible sight. I can not believe this is hapenning in our city. We received 18 inches of water in a day and half. 11 confirmed deaths, 2 college age boys are still missing after deciding to intertube a flooded creek. We have friends that have lost everything from cars to their entire homes. And the majority of Nashvillians do not have flood insurance because they were not in a flood zone. So they have literally lost everything. Say prayers for the families whose immediate future is in question. We are very fortunate our subdivision is new and provisions for flooding were in place. The home we just moved from I am being told had water up to the front door, all of the homes across the street were flooded chest high. Be thankful for life and family...because 'things' can we washed away in minutes.