The Latest Photo Shoot

Last week, Bambi and Dad and I decided to try another photo shoot in the back yard. Here are the cute ones:

"I can't hold both of these brothers!!"

Mommy and the boys!!

This is fun!

and... we're done.

Seth's 3rd Birthday

A few weeks ago, we had Seth's 3rd Birthday Party a little early so that both of Scott's parents could be here.  We had a train theme as he loves trains these days!  Gwen and Mike made a darling train cake for him and my dad was volunteered to grill hot dogs and hamburgers. Several of Seth's friends and their parents made it over to celebrate! It was a perfect afternoon and so much fun! 

Birth Announcement

I finally got my butt in gear and ordered the birth announcements. They're not here yet, but here's what they'll look like.  I ordered them from www.uprintinvitations.com and am having them printed at Costco. So easy and inexpensive!  Highly recommend it.

Our Boys

So, it's been a long time since I've blogged.  We've had our hands full for sure. 

I decided to start with some introductions to the Madsen boys:

Seth Stephen Madsen

Seth is going to be 3 years old this Friday. I can't believe how fast time flies! Seth loves trains, planes and automobiles! He is a happy and healthy little boy who likes to wrestle just as much as he likes to snuggle. He loves to read and play with his tracks all day long. He just started preschool in August and loves his teachers and friends. His nicknames include Wiggles McGoo, Bubba, and Sethers.

Seth is a great big brother and loves to help out. He is looking forward to the day when his baby brothers can really play with him. But, until then, he likes to play peek-a-boo and This Little Piggy with them.

Parker Martin Madsen

Parker is 10 weeks old. Parker is a sweet and loving baby. He loves to be held and is eager to smile and coo when he's happy. His nicknames include Parkerpoo or Parky. Parker is up to 11 lbs. 8 oz. and 21.5 inches. He has more hair than Ben and has an hourglass shape to his temples. He loves to look at people's faces and "talk" to his birdies in his swing.

Benjamin Powell Madsen

Benjamin is 10 weeks old. He is a happy and calm baby. He loves to look around and take in the whole world. He is relaxed and laid-back unless he's hungry (which he is quite often). Baby B stands for Benjamin, big, baldy and blue. Ben is up to 12 lbs. even and 21.5 inches. He has hardly any hair on top of his head. Unless the boys are wearing identical outfits, we keep Ben in blue to keep everyone aware of who is who at a moments notice. It also helps in photos for us to keep track.

8 weeks later...

Isn't that the title of a movie?

Anyhoo, here we are 8 and a half weeks later and I am finally updating my blog.  It is a beautiful morning here in the Old Pueblo.  It is probably 70 degrees outside and Seth and I are enjoying the back patio while the twins and Gommie (Scott's mom Nancy) nap inside.  I actually have a moment to breathe and reflect on our crazy life since the twins arrived.

Parker and Benjamin are doing great!  They are wonderful babies and are even learning to sleep for a 5 hour chunk at night.  It has taken us awhile to get there, but we are actually catching up on our own sleep as well. We have been so blessed by an amazing crew of helpers that allow us to take breaks and make it through a day without pulling our hair out.

My step-mom Bambi came to help for the entire first month (now that's devotion!) after the babies were born. Then, Shannon, Scott's sister, was here for two weeks.  Now, Nancy is here for 2 weeks with Steve, Scott's dad, overlapping for a week and then staying for another week after Nancy leaves.  I don't know how I would've done any of this without these amazing people, especially because Scott is working extra hard right now due to Nightfall starting at Old Tucson.  Everyone has just jumped in and gotten straight to work and done an outstanding job.

Besides our live-in helpers, we have had many friends volunteer to come over and hold/feed/change babies for a few hours here and there to help.  Many thanks to Gwen and Mike, Tom and Mat, Paul, Jeff, Karen and Tony, Aimee, Jan, Jerry, Alice and Chris for all your respite care.

Another amazing thing that has helped us immensely is everyone who has brought us meals. My great friend Karen and Samantha from our church both jumped right in and coordinated a series of meals for pretty much the first 6 weeks.  We had the best food and were very spoiled. Now we've gone back to making our own meals which aren't nearly as good and definitely not as well rounded.

A huge thanks to everyone who has made this whole situation manageable. As I said, they are really good babies... but... THERE ARE TWO OF THEM!

My next post will be full of pictures as I know that's why you're really reading this. ;)