Eleven Months Old

Eleven. Months. Old. Today.

 

 

As in...this time next month I will have 2 one-year olds.

How in the world did that happen??? Life is moving SO FAST! Things are crazy! They are crazy. I am crazy! Life is unbelievably crazy!

But it is SO MUCH FUN! It seems like they have COME ALIVE the last few weeks. They are SO much more mobile and verbal. Everyday they learn something new. Or do something new. It is amazing! I swear they are the smartest, most beautiful, most wonderful babies EVER! Not that I'm biased at all...ha!

So much has changed in just one short month!

We are FINALLY sleeping through the night...most of the time. Basically I have stopped going in their room and feeding them during the night. After Tucker's last ear infection and a particular hard night of biting and crying (he was biting...I was crying), I decided that I was done feeding them in the night. And done nursing (hence the biting and crying). So at the first of January, I stopped going in and switched to just pumping and doing bottles. It took us a few nights, but they FINALLY started sleeping all the way through. And really...it was just Tucker getting up. Adelyn has been sleeping through the night since October. But MAN!!! What a difference! I am ALMOST human again. 7-8 hours of sleep is HEAVEN!!! We have had a few rough nights...had to split their beds apart b/c of some late night parties and paci-swapping. And then a couple of fever/teething incidents. But other than that, we are consistenly getting sleep. So great!

Also...Tucker is WALKING! Well...he has walked before. He doesn't do it consistenly, and still crawls to get around, but he CAN WALK! He has taken 4, 6, 8, and 10 steps in a row. Just like my typical wild child, his walk is more of a RUN than a walk. He's SO BUSY!!! But I have a feeling it won't be long until he is walking everywhere! I am a tad bit worried about the change...but also a little happy that he will be able to walk more while I carry Adelyn. And for those who are wondering...Adelyn has ZERO interest in walking. Or standing on her own. She really just likes to look cute and be held. Or be carried. She WILL walk when you hold her hands, but otherwise, she's Betty Spaghetti. She's so stinkin cute. And funny. She's my funny funny girl!!!

What else is new??? Both babies are waving. So cute. They will wave when you say "bye-bye" or "hi". Adelyn kinda gives a one hand raise/salute. But Tucker will wave his hand. Tucker had to get a hair cut, which I did at home myself. His hair was growing ove his ears and I couldn't stand it any longer. Both babies LOVE to read. Adelyn will sit in your lap forever and let you read books. Tucker likes to turn the pages and pat the books, but he LOVES brown bear! Both babies now say "Ma-ma". Which melts my heart. Completely. They will also say "ba-ba". Tucker sounds like he says "ady" sometimes but who knows. Tucker is also biting Sissy which is not good. He got in trouble a few times for it so now he looks up at me anytime she cries like "I promise I didn't do anything." They also both are into holding hands, touching each other, and babble/talking. Life is FUN!

Before

During

After

We are gearing up for the first BIG birthday and can't believe how different our lives were a year ago. At this time last year, we were about to start bed-rest, anxiously waiting these sweet babies, and had no idea what we were getting into. I had no idea that in one short year, I wouldn't even recognize myself of the past. My heart has completely changed. I am SO FULL of joy now that these two are here, that I can't remember life without them. Our home is so happy, so full of laughter and babbling, toys and messes. We may be a little more weary, a little dishelved, and have a few more wrinkles. But we are SO COMPLETELY BLESSED! What an AWESOME GOD we serve!

Hope you all are well this cold day! 11 Months! How fun is that???
Heather

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Psalms 34:8

 

 

 

Nobody told me...

There are so many things that nobody told me about becoming a mom! I guess before you become a mother, there is no way to fully comprehend how completely your life will change in an instant. I can't even remember what things were like before. What I did, what I said, how I felt, what in the world I did with all of that free time! But I can definitely say that my life changed completely. I fell so deeply in love with these two in such a short amount of time and life as I know is will never be the same. So...for all of those mothers-to-be or those who are still in waiting, here are a few things that no one really tells you. (or maybe they do and you just don't understand!)

1. Pregnancy is the weirdest thing that will ever happen to your body. Your body will change in ways that you can't even imagine. And it will never "go back" to how it is. But after the babies, you really don't care anyways.

2. Pregnancy is not always magical. It is ok if you don't enjoy it. In fact, the people that enjoy pregnancy may be a little strange.

3. No matter how much you prepare for childbirth or becoming a parent, when it comes down to it, you will have no idea what you are doing. Put down the pregnancy books and leave childbirth class early and just sleep instead. When the babies get there you will still be clueless. For a long time.

4. Even though you are clueless, you will somehow know exactly what to do. God created your body to do this. He equipped you with all the tools to become a mother. Your body will do things you never knew that you could. You will be able to function without sleep. You will be able to calm your baby when they are crying. You were made for this.

5. Even though things are "natural" that does not make them easy. Pregnancy is natural, but not at all easy. Breastfeeding may be natural, but it can be one of the harderst things ever. Natural does not equal easy.

6. You will probably feel the urge to strangle your husband at some point during the first week/month/year of your baby's life. It may be a daily occurence. Remember that you love him. Remember that he has different strengths than you. Remember that God made men and women different. And being a good mom is not the same as being a good dad. SO when they are snoring while you get up for the fifteenth time that night, resist the urge to smother!

7. The ceiling may not open and you may not hear angels singing the first time you hold your baby. Its ok. Hormones, drugs, labor, childbirth, and lack of sleep may be in force. This doesn't mean you are a terrible person. Learn to forgive yourself. Repeatedly. Your experiences do not equal others.

8. As soon as you feel like you have it together or are getting things down, life will completely change. They will sleep through the night for a week, and then not for another three months. They will like apples one day, and hate them the next. They will want to lay down to go to sleep, and then the next time want to be rocked. Anytime you feel like you have a grip on things, just brace yourself for things to change.

9. Motherhood = laundry and dishes. A lot of them. For a long time. You will be amazed that other mothers can cook, clean, and get laundry done while keeping the kids alive and well. I was 100% unprepared for how much laundry and dishes two little bodies would add to our lives.

10. Prepare to be puked on, peed on, pooped on, spit up on, bitten, slobbered on, slept on, climbed on, hair pulled, hair messed up, dirty, disheveled, and otherwise a mess pretty much every day. Most days you will be proud to make it through the day in one change of clothes. That is highly unlikely. When your husband starts saying that you are looking "HOT" in those sweatpants, you may consider actually getting dressed up from time to time.

11. The amount of love you will feel for these tiny little beings is BEYOND what you can ever imagine. Completely. You will be ECSTATIC when they learn to walk. You will cry when they hurt. They will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Every milestone will be the BEST thing you have ever seen. Your JOY will be so intense that you will never know how in the world you made it through life before this feeling. Your love for them is so FIERCE that you cannot describe it. Enjoy it. Delight in them. Breathe in the most amazing blessings that God has given you.

12. People aren't lying when they tell you it goes by way too quickly. The first year is a whirlwind. One minute they were just laying there and the next they are learning to walk. One minute they were trying food and the next they are climbing in the dishwasher. Life goes SO SUPER FAST that you blink and they change. Enjoy each moment. Treasure it. Write down the things they do so you can remember. Hold them a little longer when they let you because in an instant, they no longer need you. Slow down and enjoy.


Love to all you mamas and mamas-to-be!
Heather

Ten Months Old???

How in the world are my babies TEN months old??? I literally can't believe it! I LOVE this stage though and I am having SO much fun with them. It seems like they do new and cute things everyday! They are developing quite the personality...and are EXTREMELY mobile! Each day is full of chasing them, tickles, snuggles, reading, playing, napping, and fun! LOVE IT! We had an AMAZING Christmas break and loved every minute of our time together as a family!

Tucker at 10 months:
-Still a mama's boy : )
-Has the cutest clap ever...holds one hand still and claps the other ontop of it
-Loves to yell and clench his fists...loves being loud!
-Wears 9-12 month clothes
-Wears size 3 diapers
-LOVES carbs...is much more picky than Adelyn (like his mama : )
-Pulls up on everything and walks around the furniture constantly
-Still army crawls but is pretty quick about it!
-Has said "ma-ma" once...but says "da-da" all the time! Also "ba-ba" and other babbles.
-Is SUPER ticklish on his love handles!
-Has had two ear infections...the last one was heart-breaking : (
-Has had a tough time with antibiotics...one didn't work, had a reaction to another, had to try a 3rd
-Is such a flirt with our doctor until she checks his ears! He HATES having his ears messed with!
-Is stingy with his love and kisses!
-Holds his bottle
-Has the SWEETEST smile and the best comb-over hair
-Is a sweet sweet boy! He LIGHTS up our world!
-Loves to pat on people...so sweet

Adelyn at 10 months:
-Is the happiest, most easy-going baby ever!
-Rarely ever fusses or cries unless she is hurt or hungry
-Has the best smile! Smiles often and laughs outloud a lot!
-Wears 6-9 month clothes
-Wears size 3 diapers
-LOVES food! All of it! Is the best little eater!!!
-Pulls up on everything and has learned to lower herself...so cute!
-Still army crawls but is pretty quick about it!
-Has started saying "OOOOO" at pictures and her baby
-Gives her baby-doll kisses...so sweet!
-LOVES kisses! Kisses everyone so freely!
-Holds her bottle...sometimes!
-Loves being held and adored
-Not super sure on her feet...has little desire to walk!
-Hears the word "no" but usually keeps doing what she was doing anyways
-LOVES to dance and clap
-Is working on tooth #6
-Is our sweet sweet sunshine girl! Makes our days brighter and happier!

They are both SO MUCH fun right now! Can't imagine life without them!

I'm hoping to keep up blogging...trying to make it a more often thing! We will see how things go now that school is back in session...but I am hoping to get Christmas on here before the end of the week. Leaving my babies was SUPER hard today...it is NO FUN after spending 16 straight days with them...even though I only have to leave them a short amount of time. Any time away from them is rough on this mama! Hope you all are well!

"Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." Psalms 37:5

Top Five Moments of 2013...

2013 was obviously the very BEST year we have had to date! We had so many amazing moments, experiences, changes, and witnessed God's amazing hand at work in so many areas of our lives. As this year comes to a close, I am thanking God for the amazing blessings we have had this past year!

#1 Tucker and Adelyn
Of course our #1 blessing this year was the SAFE and HEALTHY birth of the cutest and sweetest twins in the world. Tucker and Adelyn fulfilled our hearts' desires and have filled our lives with SO much JOY and LOVE. Since their arrival, we have not stopped thanking God for His perfect plan in our lives, for taking His time to make them so amazing, and for blessing us with parenthood. Everyday is filled with love, kisses, smiles, laughter, joy, prayers, more love, and God's grace. We can't imagine what our life was like before them and are so thankful that we have many years to come with these two!

#2 Master's Degree
A major accomplishment that I was able to experience in 2013 was the completion of my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I really started my master's on a whim after quitting coaching and finding myself at home alone a lot while Derek was traveling. Instead of being sad about not having babies, I decided to start my master's and figured I would complete it sometime while I was staying home with babies. Thankfully, in God's perfect timing, I was able to complete my last assignments while on bed rest with the twins. I am so glad that I was able to finish this degree, even if I won't use it for awhile, because I have absolutely no idea how I would do it now that I am chasing two crazies around!

#3 New Job for Derek (and me!)
A significant blessing in all of our lives is Derek's new job at Miles. We prayed and prayed for Derek's job situation for a long time. We felt that it was time for a change, but didn't want to be taken away from San Angelo or our home. After several failed applications, interviews, and pursuing other career paths, the job at Miles fell into place so quickly and effortlessly that it can only be attributed to God's hand in our life! Derek loves his new job and we have fallen in love with the Miles school district. We are thankful that they have accepted our family, that Derek is able to coach and teach at a smaller school, and that we hopefully have a great school for Tucker and Adelyn to attend in the future!

I am also SO BLESSED to have a husband that works so hard everyday so that I may stay home with my babies! After resigning from teaching, our family was blessed with an opportunity for me to teach part-time. While I wish that I was home full-time, I am so thankful for the extra income that it provides, the health insurance for me and the twins, and the blessing of my mom to watch our babies while I am at work. It may not be my ideal situation, but I truly believe that God has blessed us with this opportunity this year. This job has helped tremendously in completing moment #5 (see below!)...

#4 Reading through the Bible
Ok this one may sound weird to some of you, but I truly feel like this is a big accomplishment. As part of my mom's bible study, I have been reading the chronological bible on a daily basis. While sometimes I have to read several days at once, I have kept up! Which means tonight I will finish reading the entire bible! I have NEVER done this before and I am very proud to know that I have read the entire bible all the way through! I highly recommend this task to others and especially like the chronological lay-out. It makes the bible come to life in a whole new way! I am super thankful for the Mom's bible study group for accepting and supporting me as I struggle to figure this whole new mom thing out!

#5 DEBT-FREE
This one is SO EXCITING!!! As of a couple of weeks ago, Derek and I are officially DEBT-FREE!!! About 4 years ago, we attended Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and put his principals and ideas into practice in our lives. Our main goal was to be able to get out of debt, pay for in-vitro, and allow me to stay home with our future children. After four hard years of work, I am so proud of being able to say that we are debt free. Since FPU, we paid off Derek's truck, went to Jamaica, paid for in-vitro, and paid off the very last of Derek's student loans to ACU. God has been so faithful and provided so much during this process, especially during the in-vitro process. We are thankful to be able to enter 2014 with NO DEBT and are looking forward to saving for the twins' college now that Derek's is paid for. Praise God!

So what is in store for the Schoen family in 2014???

I pray that God continues to work daily in our lives in this year to come. 2014 looks to be another exciting year for our sweet little family. We are looking forward to celebrating the twin's FIRST birthday and my (gasp) 30th birthday! Derek's basketball season is continuing and we are hoping for a great one. Derek will have surgery sometime this year on his ears and we are looking forward to implanting our precious frozen embryos sometime in the near future! Who knows...we could be celebrating another pregnancy at this time next year!

One thing we have learned for sure is that we will set all of our plans aside and are praying to allow God to work freely in our lives. God's plans always far exceed our own and we pray that our family may glorify Him in the year to come.

May God bless you and yours in 2014!

"May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace." 2 Timothy 1:2

Enjoy the pictures that the WONDERFUL Jessica Boling took of our families this December!

Nine months old!

The twins are NINE months old today. NINE MONTHS OLD!!! How is that even possible??? They have been outside my body as long as they were inside! It's CRAZY! Everyone said it would fly by but I wish it would slow down just a teensy bit! I love this stage that they are in but they are EVERYWHERE!!! This mama is on the move ALL the time! I am thanking God for this wonderful snow/ice day so that we can slow down a little bit. It is so nice to have Derek home, a fire in the fireplace, and two babies snuggled up warm in their bed. I love these times!

Lately, our lives have been in OVER-DRIVE with basketball, holidays, traveling, and trips to the doctor! We had a great Thanksgiving break and really are cherishing each moment that Derek is home with us. Basketball season is always busy…but it is different now that the twins are here. We miss Derek so much while he is gone for games, practices, and tournaments. We have been traveling to as many games as we can and love supporting our favorite coach. Traveling with twins and sitting through basketball games is a whole new experience for this mama, but we are making it work! We are so proud of the job he is doing with his Lady Bulldogs and excited to see him start district next week.

We have also had to make a couple of doctor visits as well! Poor Tucker got his first ear infection two weeks ago and was waking up 3-4 times a night screaming. We got an antibiotic and seemed to be on the mend when apparently he picked up a cold. They switched our antibiotics to see if it would help and poor thing had an allergic reaction to the new medicine! Thankfully, his ears are clear and we are off all medicine. Hopefully, his cold will clear off soon and we will be back to 100%!

Both babies have been changing so much and learning SO many new things! Both Tucker and Adelyn are pulling up, crawling, sitting, clapping, babbling, and starting to eat more solid foods. Both babies CAN sleep through the night, but rarely do on the same night. On good nights, I am up one time. On rough nights, it may be 3-4 times. Its definitely more challenging with two because the can tag-team and alternate being up every 2-3 hours! However, I still and praising God and am thankful for two little blessings that wake me up at night! The HARDEST days or nights with these two are still SO MUCH BETTER than the best days before them. I thank God constantly for them, even when times are tough. I also thank God endlessly for HIS plan for me, because I think I am SO blessed by having to wait so long for these two. They are my joy. They are my blessings. My cup runneth over again and again.

This time of year was always SUCH a struggle the past six years. I wanted to enjoy the holidays and time with my family, but I always focused on what was missing in my life instead of how blessed I truly was. I have been overcome with emotion several times this season simply by God's good and faithful plan. He loved me SO MUCH that He had these precious two babies in waiting for me to reveal in His perfect timing. I find it hard to convey to others who are still struggling to hang on to the hope and promise that He gives. Mostly because I remember the bitter feelings I felt and how hard it was to have hope when it felt that other people kept receiving the blessings that I desired so very much. All I know is that God had a VERY specific plan for my life. I didn't understand it while I was going through it. I don't always understand it fully now. But I know that God was faithful and true. EVERY story of infertility in the bible ends up with God granting the woman a baby. The desire of her heart. EVERY ONE! I believe that this is a promise from God that He WANTS to make barren women happy mothers in their home. In HIS timing. In HIS way. With HIS plan.

The other thing I hold onto is the idea of WAITING. Waiting was never (and still isn't) my strong suit. But the bible speaks over and over on the discipline of waiting. Wait for the Lord. With all your soul. Strength will rise as you WAIT on the Lord. How true these words are! In my waiting, God was strengthening my heart, my desires, my ability to love, and my endurance, all of these things to prepare me for the task of motherhood. I believe my heart is BURSTING with love and joy from these two. Would it have felt the same if I hadn't had to wait? I'm not sure. I will never know. But I believe that the waiting strengthened me in ways that I needed desperately. I am THANKFUL beyond measure for the waiting the Lord made me do. Every time I look at one of their sweet faces, I am overcome with God's goodness. And His love for me. What a good and mighty God we serve!

We have not had our nine month check-up yet, so I am not sure on heights, weights, percentiles, etc. I do know that they are growing and changing like crazy! We are thankful for their continued health and pray that God keeps all sickness from our house during this cold season! Enjoy the pics of our little Christmas loves! Hope that you all stay warm and safe during this crazy weather! LOVE!

To wait on God means to pause and soberly consider our own inadequacy and the Lord’s all-sufficiency, and to seek counsel and help from the Lord, and to hope in Him (Psm. 33:20-22; Isa. 8:17)… The folly of not waiting for God is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us. The evil of not waiting on God is that we oppose God’s will to exalt Himself in mercy. - John Piper

Giving thanks...

I spent many a Thanksgiving feeling sorry for myself and CHOOSING not to be thankful for the blessings in my life. This journey has shown me, not only has God blessed me abundantly more than I could ever imagine, but that I need to give thanks in ALL circumstances and for all things. This year, more than ever, I am working on having a thankful heart, being mindful of my blessings, and praying for those who are still waiting on theirs. While I'm sure there are many things I could include in this list, here are a few of my FAVORITE things to be thankful for!

Rocking Adelyn to sleep for her naps

Tucker's smile when I come home from school

A warm house to wake up to each morning

A husband that works so that I can (mostly) stay home

Tucker's kisses

Adelyn's silly grin

Watching my babies be loved on by so many people

Four stockings hung by the fire

Derek's new job at Miles and the warm welcome we have received

Parents who love me and Derek unconditionally

Two awesome sets of grandparents for the twins

Jaxson's silly personality

Jordan's sweet spirit

Tucker's baby thighs

The friends that are closer than family who love us and our babies

My sunshine girl Adelyn

Our huddle kids

My husband's patience

A church FAMILY

Incredible aunts and uncles for our kids

A job that allows me to spend time with my babies each morning

Parents that raised me to love and know Jesus

A God who had such a better plan for my life than I could ever ask or imagine

Tucker and Adelyn's joy each morning when they wake

Going to sleep each night with my sweetheart by my side

The incredible staff at FCSA and my angel nurse, Katy

Nursing my babies to sleep each night

Hugs and cuddles

A house full of laughter and chatter

Tucker and Adelyn's love for each other

My savior and redeemer, Jesus Christ

Thank you God for all of these things. Help us to be ever mindful of the abundant blessings you provide. Thank you for granting us our desires, and making this barren woman a happy mother in her home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Eight Months Old!

It's so hard to believe that these two are actually EIGHT months old!!! Craziness! I can't remember what in the world life was like before them. Life right now is SO MUCH FUN! They have brought us SO MUCH joy and hapiness and make each and every day an ADVENTURE! They are learning and doing so many new things right now and their personalities are really starting to show through. They are both EXTREMELY mobile and I am constantly chasing babies throughout the house. I am pretty sure Tucker Boy will be walking in the next month or so because he is ready to go! Sissy may take a little while, but won't be far behind.

Here's an update on my two loves:

Tucker Rope

Weight: around 18 and a half pounds (on our scale)

Diaper Size: 3

Shoe Size: 3-4

Clothing Size: 9-12 months

Teeth: 6 total! 2 on bottom and 4 on top!

Hair: brownish red

Favorite Food: milk, oatmeal with apple and cinnamon, sweet potatoes, puffs

Favorite Activities: Getting into things he shouldn't (haha), dumping out the basket of toys, walking in the walker

Favorite Toys: mommy's shoes, mommy's feet, mommy's hair, the walker

Looks Like: Mostly mommy...definitely has the Freeman gene!

Acts Like: probably mommy too

Loves: walking, standing, giving kisses, talking, playing with sissy

Dislikes: eating veggies, rocking, getting hit by sissy, teething

Personality: Tucker continues to be our sensitive one. He gets his feelings hurt easily and lets you know it! He is in to EVERYTHING! We have to constantly watch him because he is always on the go! He loves Mommy and Grammy and does not like his routine to be changed. He is also sensitive if someone new comes in. He talks constantly, moves constantly, and eats constantly! He is our CHUNK! He is so fun when he wakes up in the morning and is excited for the day. He is NOT a fan of teething and it usually wakes him up several times during the night if new teeth are coming in.

Adelyn Marie



Weight: around 16 and a half pounds (on our scale)

Diaper Size: 2

Shoe Size: 2-3

Clothing Size: 6-9 months

Teeth: 2 on bottom

Hair: red

Favorite Food: everything! She is definitely her daddy's girl! She loves her some green bean!

Favorite Activities: Being cute, playing with toys, playing in the saucer, dancing

Favorite Toys: saucer, duckie, the house, blocks

Looks Like: Mostly daddy...she is our schoen baby!

Acts Like: daddy too...super easy going and happy most of the time

Loves: being held and cuddled, rocking, playing, watching Praise baby, eating food

Dislikes: teething, being hungry

Personality: Adelyn is still our clown! She is our joy and our sunshine. She can brighten every day by her super sweet smile and grin! She loves to dance and laugh and is rarely in a bad mood. She mainly only fusses when hungry. Sissy loves bubba and is sometimes too rough for him. She takes his hitting and poking in stride and tries to keep up with everything he does. She got sick for the first time this week and it literally broke my heart! Adelyn is our sweet sweet sissy girl!

Baskteball Season

One of the biggest challenges we are about to face is BASKETBALL season! It is hard to believe that it is already that time of year, but we had our first scrimmage this past week. Basketball is Derek's BIG season, which means he will be gone quite a bit. This will be a big change for this family because I have never gone through a basketball season as a MOM! Coordinating schedules, making it to games, doing baths and bedtime on my own, and missing daddy are going to be quite a challenge! I am SO thankful for the time we have had so far with him at home and so excited to watch him begin his first season at Miles! We are excited to cheer for the RED and WHITE but are going to be missing having our daddy at home! 

Blessed beyond Measure
With it being November, several people are posting daily thanksgivings for the blessings in our lives. I feel like this year especially has been Thanksgiving every day! We cannot stop thanking our God for the blessing of these two precious babies! We are so thankful for the time we spent together, for the time of waiting that God used to prepare our hearts, and for his faithfulness in fulfilling our hearts' desires. We serve a MIGHTY God who know our needs so much more than we know our own. We have thankful hearts each morning when we wake up and thankful hearts as we go to bed each night. Some days are harder than others, but are lives are overflowing with joy from God's goodness. Our prayer is that we never stop thanking Him, never stop praising Him, and give all glory to Him for these precious miracles. God is SO SO good!

"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 4:15