Ruston Pumpkin Patch and 1st smile

Melody had her first real smile at 5 weeks old!  That was way earlier than we expected but it was as real as it gets.  Around week 4 she smiled at the fan but I was not totally convinced until the next week when she looked me straight in the eyes and flashed a huge grin.  She has only done it a few times here and there but it is one precious smile.  I remember Addison's first smile was at the curtains in our bedroom.  I was so confused why she would find them that wonderful?  Now Melody goes and smiles at the fan!  I guess they just love decorations!  

Sisterly Love!

 Make sure you notice Addison in the background:)  This is how she dealt with not having her Pops FULL attention!

 While I was folding laundry, I decided to give Melody some tummy time beside me.  Addison decided to decorate her sister for fun.  She pulled out her stickers and went to town!  I'm sure this won't be the last time.

 Last week we went to the pumpkin patch at the Townsend House for some cute pics.  Addison was in a grumpy mood the whole time!  We thought she would snap out of it but never really did.  Her Honey got her this precious dress and I insisted we stay out there until we got enough pictures!

"I am sooo over this MOM"!

 Melody was along for the ride and wore her festive Halloween onesie.  She slept through it all and Addison kept checking on her from time to time and giving sweet kisses.

Am I blessed or what??!

Twins?

Is it possible to deliver twins that are 2 whole years apart??  I'm starting to think so!  It is so amazing to me how much my girls look alike.  I ran across this picture of Addison last night and was floored at the similarities.  So, I couldn't resist posting them side by side.  WOW.  Can you tell who is who?  The first picture is Addison at 10 weeks old.  The second picture is Melody at 6 weeks old. 

Addison at 10 weeks

 

Melody at 6 weeks

Deep in the heart of Texas!

Oh, it is no secret how much I love Dallas.  We truly adore it.  It was a huge decision for us when we decided to move back to Louisiana.  It was a hard one.  When we got married we had a ton of people tell us that we would want to come back to Louisiana within a year.  That never happened.  HA!  It was very much the opposite.  We loved everything about it.  I look at it this way.......you either love it or hate it.  There is no in between.  We have so many memories there and we talk about it all the time.  When I found out I was pregnant with Melody, we were close to making the decision on coming back.  It has been wonderful having Honey, Pop, Totsie and Papa close by.  Addison has LOVED the attention from her grandparents and we wouldn't have it any other way.  If we had stayed in Texas, our girls would have really missed out on some quality grandparent time.  I will also have to say that we adore our new neighborhood here.  We have never had such wonderful neighbors!  The whole neighborhood is made up of the nicest people and they have welcomed us with open arms!  Everyone is always outside with their kids playing in their yards and talking to the people next door.  So much fun!  

    This week will be 6 weeks postpartum for me and that means that I get to start exercising again!  Hallelujah!  I have been waiting so long for this week.  My doctor restricted me working out for the first trimester due to a subchorionic hematoma and then around 25 weeks due to possible growth restrictions that we were watching closely.  I missed it so much and could not wait to find an awesome gym over here.  WELL, I think I might have been a tad bit spoiled in Texas.  The gyms there are absolutely out of this world and they are on every corner.  Have your pick!  The dues are extremely competitive and very reasonable.  I started shopping around over here and I am so dissapointed.  Everything is so old and worn out.  I am so bummed and am trying to figure out what to do?  Should I just deal with it and pay crazy dues for a place I don't even enjoy going to?  So, I've thought alot about this and think I might find a fun yoga/pilates studio.  That should be fun right?  It would be something different for me.  The only problem with that is that yoga and pilates are a little too quiet for me.  Let's just say I've been known to blow the speakers on all of my headphones.  This is how Matt can tell the difference between ours!  Hopefully I can find a place I love over here.  Until then I will continue to dream about Dallas and all it had to offer:)

 One of my favorite parts of Dallas!  I love the buildings--they are so unique! 

My favorite building has always been this triangular one.  It is so cool up close!

 

Starbucks, Date Night and 1 Month Appointment

I just had to snap these pics and document Addison with "her" Starbucks coffee.  It's actually mine but she likes to think it's hers.  She LOVES coffee!  She always insists she take several sips of my drink.  I let her.  Don't judge.  I get decaf.  Anyway, now that we have Melody I can't really run a ton of errands.  The only things that are convenient are drive-through places....thank goodness Starbucks is one of them!  I try not to go a lot, but it is one of those wonderful perks that I give myself in the late afternoon when we get out.  We all load up after Addison wakes up from her nap--(usually in a grumpy mood).  Once I tell her where we are going she quickly perks up.  She has been saying "Starbucks" for a few months now and it is hilarious.  She's going to be ordering a tall, decaf, nonfat mocha before I know it!  When Totsie comes to visit, they make coffee together every morning.  This is one of her favorite things to do.  She even has her own coffee maker!  

"Just a few more sips Mom"

 Melody had her 1 Month checkup yesterday.  Remember how I said she has been a GREAT eater?  Well, it showed at the appointment.  She was 8 pounds!  That means in 2 weeks she gained 2 whole pounds!  WOW!  The doctor was impressed and actually asked me why I think she might be gaining so much weight.  WHAT??  Who knows and who cares!  We were thrilled and we will take it!  Addison was a slow gainer so this is a different scenario for us.  She said she is in the 25% right now.  It is crazy to me that I am already packing away some of her clothes. 

 Mom came in yesterday to watch Addison while we took Melody to the appointment.  Since she was here we decided to take advantage and go to dinner and a movie with Melody.  It was great.  She is still in that sleepy stage so we were confident we could pull it off.  We saw Life as we know it.  It was really good and Melody slept the whole time.  She started stirring midway and I just pulled the boob out and all was well.  Not many people go to a movie at 5 o'clock on a Monday.  Therefore, it was easy!  We attempted to take Addison when she was almost 5 months old and that was too late.  She was too old and kept waking up and crying.  We learned our lesson!  We might be able to fit in one more movie before it is too late.   Then we went to Chili's and had a great meal.  Topped it off with Buttercup Cupcakes.  They aren't quite Sprinkles cupcakes but they are close.  We use to get Sprinkles in Dallas all the time.  Oh My Goodness.  We miss those!  It was a fun night and we look forward to doing it again!

Happy 1 Month Melody!

Happy 1 Month Melody!  Seriously, has it really been one month since you came into this world??  It feels like we were just checking into the hospital to have you.  We couldn't wait to meet you for the first time.  You have been growing right before our eyes!  I have no idea how much you weigh (because your appointment is on Monday) but, you certainly feel heavier.  You are such a little cuddle bug and you always have a perfectly pleasant look on your face. 

 If you look closely at Addison's drawings, you will notice a trend.  She LOVES the color purple!  She uses a variety of colors and makes some of the most colorful pictures EVER, but she is very loyal to purple.  Always asks for it and prefers it over and over.  I love this cause it was my favorite as a kid. 

 Matt was trying his hardest to watch all the good football today but Addison just wasn't having it!  She wanted to be right next to Melody who happened to be in his lap.  So they all just hung out in the recliner during the games.  Daddy sure does love his girls!

 We went to the pumpkin patch today to pick out our pumpkins.  Addison had a blast for the short time that we were there.  It was just sooo hot!  She pointed to every pumpkin out there and loved picking them up.  I believe she is as indecisive as I am with her picking method.   Melody slept through the whole thing.  From the time Matt and I started dating, we always had a huge tradition of picking out our pumpkins together and carving them.  Very big deal.  It was so fun to be able to bring the girls and see Addison get so excited over all the pretty pumpkins. 

"Which one do I want"?

"This one looks good".

"Or maybe this one"

LSU Ballerinas

Our good friends Damon and Rachel sent us these adorable LSU tutus.  Actually Rachel made them!  I was so excited because this was our first attempt at photographing the girls in matching outfits.  Not the easiest thing to do but we tried.  Addison was not sure about the skirts at first.  Then she got really use to hers and started working it!  She wore that thing all night and then wanted it this morning.  She also brings Melody hers and insists she wear hers at the same time.  So funny!  They will be sporting these on game days from now on!

 Addison is now starting to say "Go Tigers", "LSU LSU" and "Touchdown"!  She caught on immediately and even says these things when she sees purple and gold when we go shopping!  That's right, the brainwashing has paid off:)

 Melody has been sleeping pretty good.  Some nights are good, some are pretty bad.  The bad ones are few and far between thank goodness!  She is still a wonderful eater and is filling out so much!  We are already alternating between newborn and size 1 diapers!  That seems crazy to me.

 Addison loves to "hold" Melody.  She sure is crazy about her!  She loves to say her whole name.  She will point to her and say, "Medy Roooose."  It sounds so adorable!  When we are out and about and pass the hospital I delivered at, she will point and say,"Medy Roooose."  This child has the BEST memory ever!  That is just one small example.  You tell her something one time and she will store it away and remember it forever. 

Loves to point out her parts!

 Addison hasn't had much jealousy since Melody arrived.  She just has the lovely temper tantrums when she realizes she has to play by herself.  This goes for when I am nursing Melody or fixing lunch or taking dogs out or whatever.  She just loves having someone play with her constantly.  She's not much for doing things by herself.  Thankfully she doesn't take all this out on Melody.  Anytime she sees her she smiles from ear to ear and kisses her and tries to pick her up.  She loves to check on her and be right beside her at all times.  She loves to hand me diapers while I change Melody.  It's never just one diaper either.  She will continuously hand me one after another out of the package and I have to acknowledge this or ELSE.  So, I end up with about 20 newborn diapers all over the changing table after each diaper change.  Whatever keeps her happy!