"Bampa's" Girls

Jaya calls him Bampa....

Elynn Elizabeth 7 Weeks Old....

I just stared at her today. Her sweet spirit sparkles in her eyes. She is quiet, soft, and peaceful. We love her so much...

Ski Trip to Fernie

Western Feedlots had it's second annual ski trip to Fernie, BC yesterday. Travis brought us along. (none of his coworkers took their kids) He didn't have to but he did anyway. He's a good man.... It was a nice change of scenery. Jaya played with new magnetic blocks, Elynn spit up on an entirely different couch, Travis got some needed exercise and I got out of the house for the day (and two stops at Tim Hortons)! It was healthy for all of us...

My New Wheels

If you would have asked me two years ago about the new wheels I fantasized about, I would have told you all about a new black Dodge extended cab truck with onstar, leather seats, and any other unnecessary extras. Today I would like to introduce my new wheels. It has all the bells and whistles...It might not be a Dodge truck but you would not believe the amount of times people stared at it... I can't imagine why?

Sisters

I am sure they will argue over clothes, boys, and bedroom space, but my prayer is that they are best friends...

A Good Reminder

I read this poem today...my house is dirty...but my kids are held A LOT!

"The cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow; but children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs; dust, go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby, babies don't keep!"

Travis's grandmother Shelia said to me, "Rimini, the dirt in your house will always be there, but your kids won't."

I try to remember this...it's hard...but I try!

Second Cousins

Below is Cali (Jaya's second cousin) helping Jaya open a Christmas present.

Sick Day

Elynn has a head cold...Jaya has a head cold...And now I have a head cold. I would like to take a sick day. It's not going to happen but it's a nice thought.

My little helper :-)

I told Jaya we were going to have a cleaning day today. This was her contribution. Thank you Jaya...


Some children get their hands caught in the cookie jar. Jaya took the WHOLE bag out of the trash can to search for a cookie. We feed her well... We really do...

"Puke"

Jaya has recently added several new words to her vocabulary. She now points to Elynn's spit-up and says "puke." It's a common occurrence at our house. It's a bit sad our 16 month old already knows what puke is.... :-(

Exhibit A



Exhibit B

Where for art thou sleep?

At three this morning I sat up and wondered (while feeding Elynn) if either girl would remember me getting up at all hours of the night to feed and console them. I came to the conclusion they wouldn't. My only saving grace would be when they have their own children thirty years from now, and they are up at all hours of the night. So this note goes out to Oma Ross and Grannie Peggy. "Thank you for caring for Travis and I at all hours of the night. I am sorry that this thank you note is 31 years to late. God has a funny way of teaching me gratitude." I've learned Lord...I've learned!

Can You Name The Right Hickey Girl?

Twins??? The picture of Jaya is taken at two weeks old. The picture of Elynn is taken at 5 weeks old. Can you name which Hickey girl is which?

Livin The Dream..Just Livin the Dream

We took a family trip to Walmart yesterday afternoon following church and lunch. $200 dollars later we walked out with 250 diapers, baby wipes, filing cabinet, and colic medicine. I couldn't help but just start laughing... Travis wanted to know what was so funny. I said, "Did we have fun?" He responded, "$200 on diapers!" I said, "Well hun, we are livin the dream, livin the dream!" After a few seconds he said, "I love my life, I wouldn't change it for anything!" He's right...I love my life too! That has to be the most fun I have ever had with $200 :-)

Working With Dad

There are some privileges that go with being an older sister. Feeding cows with Dad is one of them! The past three weekends, Jaya has been out at the ranch with Travis. He packs a diaper bag, makes their lunch, and bundles her up in a snow suit. They spend the whole day together! She loves her time with her daddy. I love this man. He not only is the World's Greatest Husband, but he is the World's Greatest Dad too! Most men would be inconvenienced by a toddler but not Travis. He is looking forward to teaching the girls all he knows about agriculture. I thank God for him every day...

Elynn's Baby Shower

These are most of the moms from the Okotoks Mommy and me group. They threw Elynn a
beautiful baby shower. They all pitched in and bought us a double stroller. All of these women have a child Jaya's age. They are all considering a 2nd!

Elynn is One Month Old Yesterday!

She is so precious. We all love her to pieces.
She sleeps, eats, spits-up, grunts, and stares peacefully.
Can't believe she is already a month old. With two I feel like
I am in a whirlwind and if it doesn't slow down I will miss their
entire childhoods.

Cute

Elynn was hungry and crying this morning...

So Jaya ran down the hall with her ears covered...

It was cute...

Sometimes I feel like doing that too!

But for some reason I have to be a good example :-)

Running Errands

I have so much more of an appreciation for mothers with several children. I have the hardest time just getting two kids in car seats. One hand is to carry the diaper bag and Elynn's car seat and the other is to carry Jaya. Not to forget there is a foot of snow outside so we are all bundled to the brim with coats, blankets, and hats. Every errand is a huge ordeal. One errand averages me 1 to 1 and half hours. By the time I have them all ready to go, one of them needs a new diaper. If the errands take to long Jaya needs a snack. Jaya has made a game out of "I want to go the opposite direction of Mom and that new kid she brought home!" So I chase her, I don't really think this game is that much fun... Errands are typically run in the morning, because afternoons are reserved for naps, cleaning, and cooking. We are surviving...barely...but surviving...

Elynn's Check Up

Elynn rarely cries, but has become quite the grunter during the night. She spits up 80% of everything she eats, so we have been concerned she hasn't gained the right amount of weight....Boy, were we wrong!!!

As of today she now weighs 7 pounds 6 ounces. Which means she has gained an average of over 1 ounce per day. The nurse said that was incredible. I am full of relief. She is the sweetest baby. Words can't describe how much love I have for her. Travis feels the same. She just goes with the flow. I would love it if she slept more during the night than grunt, but I do appreciate it that she doesn't cry. We are so blessed to have 2 beautiful little girls!

Elynn