Good Luck Singers! We will miss you!

Our very dear friends Keely and Spencer Singer are heading off on a new adventure this weekend when they move to Charlotte. They love the area and wanted a change from city living, so off the go. We are going to miss them so much, but we are truly excited for them as they start this new chapter in their lives.

Keely and I went to high school together, but became very close when we roomed together at IU for our first semester freshman year. Keely transferred to Belmont University, but little did we know we would meet up again when she moved to Chicago shortly after I did. Our friendship means the world to me and we have made the best memories together and with our whole group of friends here. Tons of laughs and good times. It will not be the same without them.

But, we know it's not goodbye. We have plenty of fun times ahead. We can't wait to visit them in their new home and have them show us around their new town. And, since we're both from Pittsburgh, I know we will see them in the 'burgh soon!

These pics are from a going away dinner hosted by our friends Jenny and John last night.

Keely and Spence, we love you! Good luck and best wishes.

Visitors

We have had lots of visitors since the babies were born and it's always fun when someone stops by to meet them. I don't have pics of everyone, but here are a few. The picture with all the babies on the couch was from yesterday. Several of our friends had babies this summer so we got them all together for the Bears/Steelers game and got this picture. It was surprisingly quiet with all those babies. We made it through the whole game without any babies having a major meltdown! On the couch from right to left is Jack Hood, Mia Tullis, Jade Ponce and Max and Tessa. Jairus Ponce was also there, but we didn't get a good picture with him on the couch.

The picture in the pack n play is of Max and Tessa and Jade Ponce born just a week after the babies. How about that hair!!!

Auntie Jorie also came for a visit with her mom. It was so nice to have them here for the afternoon. Max and Tessa miss you Auntie Jorie! We did get a picture of Kathryn and Wes holing the babies. Now we just need some pics of the rest of the Chicago group.

Outtakes

We tried to have our own little photo shoot to get a good picture of Max and Tessa for the baby announcement and we ended up with a lot of pretty funny and cute shots. Here are a few we won't be using on the announcement.

Thanks Mom!

My Mom was incredibly generous with her time and just left Chicago after a little more than three weeks of helping us with the babies. We could not have done it without her and I am so sad she is gone. The first couple weeks has been pretty overwhelming and she was there the whole time encouraging me and helping me through the tough moments. She was an amazing mother and I've learned so much from her. She is also the BEST Gramma Sassy our babies could ask for. They also got a special treat when Papa Mowrey came back to Chicago this past Thursday for a visit. Both Max and Tessa got to take naps with Papa and Gramma Sassy all weekend. We miss them already and can't wait to see them in Pittsburgh in October. Thanks Mom and Dad. I love you so much!!!

Max Alan and Tessa Louise Cranley

I'm posting this much later than I thought I would, but I finally have a second to introduce our beautiful babies on our blog. Max Alan and Tessa Louise Cranley were born on August 14th, 2009. Both were 6 lbs 14 ozs. Max was 20 inches and Tessa was 19 inches. It all happened pretty quickly. I started having contractions in the morning, we went to the hospital around 9am and they were in our arms by 1:30 pm.

The c-section delivery went very well. I did end up with an infection that was pretty hard to deal with for several days and I ended up in the hospital for a week. But, that's all over and I'm almost feeling back to normal. The babies are doing great. Tessa lost a bit too much weight in the hospital, so we're focused on plumping her up these first few weeks. She goes back into the doctor for her second weigh-in on Wednesday and we hope she will be back up to her birth weight by then. Max is our little piggy and just wants to eat all the time. His weight gain is just fine.

We have been trying to adjust to taking care of two babies. We've had really good days and some not so good days, but we are learning a ton and each day gets a little bit easier. Max and Tessa are just amazing and I could just stare at them all day!!

We have been so lucky to have so many cards, visitors, calls from friends and family. We have had a ton of support and it has meant the world to us. My BFF Jorie was there to lend a hand the day they were born. My mom is staying with us for a few weeks which has been a lifesaver. My Chicago girls have been a huge help by making us meals a few days a week and our friends Robin and Mike even made a trip to meet the babies from Michigan. We couldn't ask for a better support sytem as we navigate through this experience. THANK YOU to all of you who have helped us!!!!

I'll try to keep up with the blog to update you on the babies in between feedings and changings. Here is an album of the twins and there are a few pics above.

Twins - second album

Paper Boy & Baby Update

My mom was telling me that the other day our nephew Grayson all on his own picked up my dad's watch, glasses and the newspaper and sat down on the floor. He put the glasses on, the watch on and started acting like he was reading the paper. Here's the proof above. He loves his Grandpa!

Hopefully this will be the last baby update before Max and Tessa are born. We are officially scheduled for a c-section on the 19th. One week! That is the soonest the hosptial could fit us into the schedule. We were hoping it would be this week, but we know the 19th will be here before we know it. We can't wait to meet our babies!

Thanks to everyone who has been checking on us to see how we're doing and sending good luck wishes!!

Happy Birthday Duke!

Happy Birthday (yesterday) to my AMAZING husband Duke! I wish we were able to do something a little more exciting for his birthday, but waiting for these babies to arrive limits our options. I was actually hoping the twins would arrive yesterday...what a great bday present for Duke. But, they are not cooperating at all and still do not want to come out.

Happy birthday Honey. Thank you for being the absolute BEST husband to me especially throughout this pregnancy. I am so lucky to have you there to support me, make me laugh and most importantly in the last few weeks, put my shoes on for me! I can't wait to share the experience of being parents with you and I can't wait to meet our kids in a few short days! LOVE YOU even when you grow creepy mustaches to make yourself and others laugh!