4 Months with Kristen & Adelyn

All About Adelyn:

• she LOVES to laugh! She has the cutest laugh and will laugh at the most random things. Someone can say "HI Adelyn" and she will laugh. This morning, she laughed the whole time the Dr was checking her lungs with the stethoscope - it was funny to her! and so sweet to hear!
• she is a Daddy's girl! most definitely! She will watch him wherever he goes!
• she now loves bath time! (she was squeamish around water, but not anymore - just lots of splish-splashes now! Praise God!)
• she LOVES her sister! She will make eye contact, smile and talk to Kristen. She just watches her - and beams with joy when Kristen smiles and talks back. She loves to hold Kristen's hand (or hair, arm, or any part that she can grab on to!).
• she is a grabber - she will grab and hold on to anything! She mainly holds on to her hair while she eats, later revealing the hair she has pulled out and collected in her sweaty palm.
• she can grab on to toys with both hands, shake rattles and reach for objects.
• her head is getting stronger! she is sitting up in her Bumbo chair and holding her head steady. and can raise her head up while lying on her tummy.
• she is the last to go to sleep and the first to wake up! (just like her Daddy)
• at her check-up, she weighed 13lbs, 5oz and 23 inches long! a perfectly healthy and growing girl!

All About Kristen:

• she is a chatterbox! talking all the time! Most times while she eats, she will periodically stop to tell me something that's on her mind. I like to believe that she will be the one I will go eat breakfast with and talk about life. my little social eater! :)
• we have given her the nickname "Ree" (short for Marie), after a story my grandmother shared with us about how her Dad called her that as a child and for which I was given my middle name and now Kristen's middle name
• she has the cutest facial expressions and mannerisms!
• and the cutest laugh too! She will just give a look of just pure joy.
• her head is getting stronger! She is sitting up in her Bumbo chair and holding her head steady. and can raise her head up while lying on her tummy.
• she can grab on to toys with both hands, shake rattles and reach for objects.
• she is a wiggle worm in her crib! She will wake up in the morning in the funniest positions.
• at her check-up, she weighed 12lbs, 11oz and 22 1/2 inches long! a perfectly healthy and growing girl!

Adelyn & Kristen

They love their hands in their mouths!

**Working on the blog was completed in between several nap times. I just put the girls down for their afternoon nap and happened to catch a special sister moment - they do this often but I have not had my camera close by. They were holding hands, but by the time I got my camera from the other room, they let go. But you can see that they are still intently looking at each other! ohh sweet sisters!!

A Lesson to Learn

This afternoon, I gave Adelyn a stuffed dragonfly toy to play with. This toy is fun - it has bright colors, a mirror, it squeaks, it rattles.... no wonder why both girls like it. Adelyn was content and happily playing with her toy. Kristen, however, was just watching that toy and its every move. I gave Kristen a toy to play with, too. I even tried to reintroduce this toy to her along with a few other toys that normally grab her attention. but no. Kristen wanted that dragonfly.

As Adelyn continued to play with it, Kristen started to realize the dragonfly toy was coming closer to her. Kristen's hand reached out and grabbed it. Both girls had their hands on this toy. The look in Kristen's eyes was like she was saying "I really want to play with the dragonfly."

The more Kristen tugged on it, the further it got from Adelyn. Sweet Adelyn. I think in her mind she would have shared with Kristen. but I don't think that's what Kristen wanted. She wanted it all to herself.

After some tugging back and forth, the toy eventually ended up in Kristen's possession. Actually, the ring of the toy was up around Kristen's arm - as though she was saying "It's mine. You cant take it from me now." Tired and worn out, they both fell asleep on the play mat.

Adelyn, 0 : Kristen, 1

Lord, help our girls learn how to share and love one another. Amen.

Silly Daddy

Earlier today, I held Adelyn up next to my face and asked James in all seriousness "does she look like me?"

He replies "No.... she doesn't have your teeth."


There goes Daddy, making us laugh.
Nonetheless, we both agree Adelyn is beautiful!
(AND Kristen, too!)

Well-Loved and Discipled

Mama Connie recently came to visit us! We love it when she comes - our family is well-loved by her. The girls got lots of hugs and kisses. They smiled, told her happy stories, and showed her how they can stand and sit up like big girls. James and I even got a date day in Austin to shop and eat dinner. It is always refreshing to have her here.
Mama Connie is a prayer warrior! She has found it is her joy to pray. She has such a sweet and sensitive spirit - always going to our God in prayer on behalf of others. She continually bathes our family in prayer. The prayer of a righteous woman is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) Our family has seen the fruit of Mama Connie's prayers.

Thank you, Mom, for living a life in Christ and for teaching me how to pray for my family.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Mama Connie's influence is reaching a new generation now. Just two days after she left, James grabbed my attention toward the girls - "Look here. Our girls are praying." Sure enough, both girls were praying at the same exact moment. Kristen, who was lying on the floor, had her hands folded together in prayer. and Adelyn, who was lying in James' lap, had her hands folded together as well.

And all your [spiritual] children shall be disciples [taught by the Lord and obedient to His will], and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children.

Isaiah 54:13.

Amen.

Adelyn Laughs Too

Adelyn laughed today! I was kissing her feet -- who would have thought that was funny!

A Secret Language

Adelyn and Kristen had their first conversation on Monday. Eye contact. Smiles. and cooing that was beyond comprehension for James and me. It went on and on and on. and even after Adelyn was distracted and was done talking, Kristen continued to talk to her sister... on and on and on.



They have always been aware of the other sister. Knocking her in the face. Poking her in the eye. Grabbing her hand, or her pacifier, or whatever is in arm's reach. But this time it was special. It was a bond that is indescribable. the awe of a best friend relationship at 3 months of age. the fruit of a mother's prayer for her daughters to love and serve one another continually. special.

3 Months with Kristen and Adelyn

Kristen & Adelyn


Kristen

Adelyn

Our 1st Chair!

By the look on their faces, Adelyn and Kristen didn't know what to think. They both look confused. James and I encouraged them that they were OK and that sitting up in their Bumbo chairs was fun! After a few minutes more of convincing, this is what we got --

Adelyn's face is exactly the same. still straight faced and confused...
and I think we just may have actually convinced Kristen.

Their heads are still a bit wobbly. We have since been trying to give them more time in the Bumbo chairs to help strengthen their necks. as well as tummy time. but tummy time isn't liked very much. It normally ends with big alligator tears. but they will get there - getting stronger every day.

A Little Conversationalist

Well, Adelyn has discovered that she LOVES to talk too! Friday evening, Adelyn and I had a very long conversation where she talked and smiled and told me a really happy story. Lots of coos... big smile... more coos... big smile. On and on and on...

Saturday morning, Adelyn decided she needed to tell me another happy story. So we talked and she smiled - another long and very sweet conversation with my daughter.

This morning during church, Adelyn woke up during the sermon. She was making a few fussy sounds - so to quiet her, I decided to hold her and give her the pacifier. But really, I discovered she just wanted to talk. and smile. and talk. OH NO, I thought "put the pacifier in more... this is not the time to talk!" It wasn't going to stop. As James realized what was happening, he offered to take her. A few minutes later, Adelyn was back asleep... resting in her Daddy's arms.

Watch out world - our little girls are happy talkers! :)

Two Months with Kristen and Adelyn

It's hard to believe that yesterday we celebrated 2 months of the girls' lives! It has been full of fun memories, lots of changes and growing! and the time has flown by fast. too fast! It has been such a special time with the girls. This past month, we have been able to discover even more of who our girls are. Identical faces, yet such different little people...

All About Kristen:

• she loves to talk! talk! and talk! One day, I was telling her she is a social butterfly and of the fun girlie social events to come as she grows older. As I was telling her of tea parties and sleepovers, she squealed with excitement! She loves to tell stories. happy stories. smiling all the while she talks.
• she loves to smile. :)
• she is laid back - changes don't seem to bother her.
• she LOVES bath time. kicking and splashing! this girl is going to be a fish in the water!
• she has wild crazy hair! it's actually the main distinguishing factor between the 2 girls.
• at her check-up, she weighed 9lbs, 11oz and 21 1/2 inches long! a perfectly healthy and growing girl!

All About Adelyn:

• she loves to smile! she will smile all the time - a very happy girl! :)
• she is very alert! she loves to stand up, hold her head up and look around. I don't think she misses a thing - she wants to see everything!
• and therefore, she's not so laid back. it takes time for her to adjust to changes.
• she does not like bath time. hopefully that will change soon - we had our first non-fussy bath time just the other night...
• she enjoys"reading" books - she will listen and study the pictures when read to.
• at her check-up, she weighed 9lbs, 15oz and 22 inches long! a perfectly healthy and growing girl!
  

Our Sweet Adelyn Grace

*I have to give credit where credit is due - this idea of taking monthly photos next to a brown bear to show over the year how Adelyn is growing is from a very creative blogger and friend. Kristy, I love watching your beautiful girls grow!*

One Month with Kristen and Adelyn

One month has flown by - I cant even believe how quickly it has gone! James and I often comment to one another how amazed we are that our family doubled in an instant - to go from zero to 2 babies like that has been a beautiful blessing.... but also has brought the realization of how drastically our lives quickly changed.

It definitely has been a busy month and at this point, all "oohhs and aahhs" are quickly becoming a fading memory due to the jumbled mess of my thoughts mixed with exhaustion. so, to help me record all their cuteness and firsts - this is what I love about my girls:

• I LOVE discovering who God has created them to be. Kristen is an energetic fire ball. When she is awake, she is wide-eyed and alert. She loves to sit up and look at everything around her. Adelyn is kind, compassionate and loves people. She loves her sister - she will reach for Kristen, loves to be close to her, and will watch her with a look of concern when Kristen is upset and crying. Adelyn loves to fall asleep while being held (while Kristen is too wide-eyed to fall asleep!)
  
  
• I also love their tinyness , their facial expressions, the way they discover each other and love each other, and watching them grow!


• They love their Daddy! and Daddy sure does LOVE them. His heart is full of love for his beautiful girls!
  
• They both love music - IPod or Mommy's singing or the lullaby bunny. They calm down to the sound of music. It brings me joy to be able to sing over them.


• We all enjoy going on walks. It is actually my daily outing - and it's the only thing I can do at this point on my own with the girls outside of the house. It's refreshing and fun for all of us!
  

We had our 1 month weight check - I am pleased to say that the girls are growing and gaining weight! Kristen weighs 7 lbs, 7 oz and Adelyn weighs 7 lbs, 11 oz. Today, we even changed out our wardrobe - we are now too big for our newborn outfits and on to big girl clothes (0-3 months). Mommy was quite sad pulling out the preemie and NB clothes and packing them away - it all seems too soon to be needing bigger clothes for our girls. It makes me realize even more how quickly they are growing!

Kristen Marie & Adelyn Grace

Uncle Robert was excited to meet and hold his nieces!

Our new family of 4!

Adelyn Grace

Kristen Marie

Kristen & Adelyn - 3 days old

the Hughes girls are born!

We are excited to announce the arrival of Kristen Marie Hughes & Adelyn Grace Hughes on Friday, March 26, 2010!

Kristen was born at 2:42am. She weighed 6 lbs 2 oz and was 19 inches long.
Adelyn was born at 3:01am. She weighed 6 lbs 12 oz and was 20 inches long.


We are loving our time together as a new family of 4! and all is well!
Thanks for sharing in our excitement!