April (the first part)

Well, once again, another month has passed and I am playing catch up with my blog. So here are the highlights from April (well, the first part, anyway)! Jonathan has become quite the little entertainer! During his meal time, he loves to take his bib off and put it on his head. He thinks he is so funny when he does it!

WARNING: If you are easily grossed out (or can't handle looking at baby barf), you may want to scroll past this picture really fast. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

William got really sick one night after eating baby food peas. He and Jonathan were both really tired, and they were crying uncontrollably (while I was trying to clean them up after their dinner). Jonathan had been crying longer, so I took him up to his bed first. (Face it, with twins, sometimes you have to choose one over the other. In instances like this, I choose the one that is more upset.) When I got back to get William, he was hysterical. As I picked him up, I noticed that his stomach was rock hard. I gave him his binky, which he spit out. So I tried to give it back to him, and then he puked. All down the front of my shirt, in my shirt, and all down my back. And on the carpet. And on my jeans. The dark spots on my shirt are where it is in my shirt and is seeping through. Only a mother could love a kid that does that to her...

Easter

This is our only picture from Easter that I am putting on here. Our family pictures from after church look pretty rough. Okay, they are horrible. But, here are Emma and Aaron dyeing Easter eggs. We found some things out after this.

A) Inside the house is probably not a good choice.

B) Wearing white shirts probably isn't a good idea either.

C) When blue easter egg dye spills down the front of cabinets, it will soak EVERYTHING that is in said cabinets.

D) No matter how fast desperate mother tries to clean up blue egg dye, it will seep into the cracks where the cabinet front meets the drawer, and it will stain the inside of the drawers.

E) I love my kid more than my cabinets. I love my kid more than my cabinets. I love my kid more than my cabinets.

F) And finally, I learned that no matter how upset I am, sometimes it is best not to show it.

BRAVES GAME!

I got to go to my first Braves game in April. Aaron was working one night, and no one was using the company tickets, so Aaron and one of his co-workers got the tickets.

Just a little FYI: This is a very, VERY unflattering picture of Aaron. But I look pretty good in it, which is why it is here. It's all about me! The tickets were for Row 8. Well, as you can see, the roof of the Home dugout takes up rows 1-5, so we were really the third row back from the field. It was sweet! Here is a picture of Chipper Jones at bat.

We also took a little trip to Florida, but that will be the next post.

The rest of March and the Boys' Birthday!

If you don't live in the South, then you may not understand much about Spring here. It is so unpredictable. It will be 80 degrees one day, and then 30 the next. And then back again. We had some really nice days in March and we spent our time playing out on the park and taking walks around the neighborhood. I thought it was funny that both boys were chewing on the straps to the stroller. Now, it doesn't seem that funny.

I can't believe that I boo-hooed like I did over the boys turning one, and then waited till just now to post pictures of their birthday! We went up to Tennessee to celebrate, since Craig and Jaime were in McMinnville, and my parents were there, too. We went out to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant, and the waiters really seemed to like the boys. They brought this mini-sombrero over to let them try it on. William seemed to like it pretty well.... Jonathan... not so much! My mom and I stayed up till 2:30 am making the boys cake. (Well, more like just decorating the cake.) I bought the cake already made and iced (the bottom layer) so that I didn't have to mess with that. Then, I bought more icing, had it tinted, and then finished decorating the cake myself. Emma and I saw a cake like this one someone else's blog, and Emma wanted baby brothers to have one like it. (If she didn't want them to have one like it so bad, I probably would have just had the bakery finish decorating it.) She wanted to be sure that I put plenty of "bull rushes" on it. Isn't she sweet? Here it is again in case you need a closer look. Feel free to tell me how cute it is. It is the first cake I have ever decorated. I made the boys each their own "smash" cake. William seemed to know what was coming and dug right in. He really liked it. Jonathan didn't seem to sure about the whole thing. (And I thought they would go nuts and demolish these cakes, which is why they are in the buff.) William again. I am sure he was thinking, "Mmmm, cake." Jonathan must have been thinking, "What is this? Why is everyone staring at me?" He never did do much with the cake. I think I actually let all the kids eat this one. Which was fine. Leave the good buttercream frosting for me!

It was a nice little birthday for the boys. We enjoyed the time that we got to spend with our family that came.

March

Ugh, I am so behind on my blogging. Things have been really crazy around here, and they are finally starting to calm down, so back to the blog!

Anyway, here is the rundown from March (or at least the pictures that I have downloaded to the computer). The first Sunday of March, we had a snowstorm. Wait, after living in Utah, this really only qualified as a light dusting. This was the only snow accumulation we had all winter. And I have to say, I am not very sad about that! The house and yard. On a side note, we got out of church an hour early this day. You know, because of the snow. Emma and Aaron built a "snowfriend" that Emma called, Fred. He was as tall as she was and lasted about three days. (Notice all the grassy spots in the yard from building him!) This was three weeks after our snow. I got the boys these little swings from a friend (who was going to sell them in a consignment sale) for $5. For both of them. The boys LOVE them!

William

Jonathan

March for Babies

You may have just noticed that I added a March for Babies sponsor thing to my blog. Aaron and I are walking the March of Dimes on April 25. This is walk that I wanted to do last year, after the boys were born, but it is a 5 mile walk and I couldn't exactly do it only a month after having them. So, we are going to walk this year! If you find that you can, or would like to help us in our goal, you can donate by clicking on the link on my page.

If times are a little tough for your family, and you don't have extra money to spare, consider this: My local grocery store chain (Publix) is also taking donations for the March of Dimes. If your local store is also taking donations, and you can spare an extra dollar on your next shopping trip, consider giving to the March of Dimes. If you need a reason to give, just think of us.

Like I said, I know that things are financially hard for a lot of people right now. I just wanted to put our cause out there.

Love, Haley, William and Jonathan

One year ago, today

One year ago, to the day, we brought the boys home from the hospital, after an 8 day stay in the NICU. They were both less than 5 pounds when they came home. It was a rainy, spring day here in Georgia. Aaron got off work and came to the hospital to meet me and get the boys. Driving home, in the rain and heavy Friday traffic was the longest car ride of my life! I panicked with every single little noise they made (or didn't make) on the way home.They were so tiny in their little carseats. I had to buy one new one (since we only had 1 to begin with) but when they did their "car seat test" to make sure they could stand a ride home, the nurses informed me that the car seat we used with Emma wouldn't cut it. The straps didn't tighten down enough. (On a side note, the boys no longer use the head support, and their straps are in the top strap slot now.) I remember when Aaron and I got the boys out and laid them on this blanket. I was so nervous! I felt so overwhelmed. I remember Aaron and I looking at each other and feeling happy to have them home, but terrified wondering if I could take care of them!

I still can't believe how tiny they were.....

You may see another post or two like this in the coming weeks. This is really a tender time for me, and I have a lot of feelings that are resurfacing. I just kind of need to get them out.

Happy First Birthday Baby Brothers!

February 2009

Today is William and Jonathan's first birthday! We are so happy to have "baby brothers" in our family.

December 2008

I remember being shocked when we got the news that we were having twins. I even struggled with it a little. But now...I know that life would not be as sweet if I didn't have them both. I love my little guys so much. I have just loved that last year. It has been a lot of hard work, but it has really been great! Happy birthday, baby brothers! We love you so much!

March 2009

*Knowing that this day would be pretty emotional for me, I wrote this a month ago, in anticipation of today. I am glad I did it then!*

It is actually February 25. I know that the boys' first birthday is fast approaching, and I want some time to gather my thoughts, to say exactly what is in my heart. This birthday is bitter sweet. I can't believe a year has passed me by so quickly.

July 2008

The details surrounding their birth are still a bit fuzzy although as I have replayed that time in my head, I feel that Heavenly Father was truly watching over my little family. I recognize that He knew and He had a plan, even though I had no idea. Maybe I will blog that one some other time, but not now. It is too much.

Blessing Gowns

October 2008

Anyway, the details surrounding the birth are still pieced together in my mind. I remember going to the hospital. Being told something about a high liver count, low white blood cell count, babies now, put you to sleep, your husband cannot be with you. I remember being wheeled down the hall, into an operating room, sweet, sweet nurses in blue scrubs, blue face masks, and blue hair "nets." Counting backward. Blackness. Waking up, feeling groggy. Aaron at my side. Aaron by my side, asking if the babies were okay, if I was okay. Oxygen masks. Wheelchair. NICU. Not getting to hold William. Falling asleep while holding Jonathan. Leaving the hospital. Leaving my babies there. Coming home, empty house. Daily trips to the hospital to see the babies. Pumping, endlessly.

March 2008

Babies coming home. Washing bottles. 11, 2, 5, 8, am and pm. Wake the baby, change the baby, feed the baby, put him back to sleep. Wake the other baby, change the other baby, feed the other baby, put him back to sleep.

I don't think I can do this. It is still too hard. Words seem to make it cheap. It is not. The most bitter part of all this is the time. I don't remember it all. I feel like I missed it. So much of it. I wonder where I was, but I was right here for it all. I feel like I missed them as babies. But I know I didn't-I had six more weeks of baby that most people get.

April 2008

I wish that I had held them more. I wish that I had snuggled them more. I wish that I hadn't been so sleep deprived. That there weren't so many bottles to wash. That there had been more time for rocking and holding. Those are the most bitter parts.

May 2008

But then there are the sweet parts. Like Jonathan's smile. Like going to get William from his nap and seeing him bounce up and down in the crib, holding on to the edge. Hearing them laugh. William laying his little head on my shoulder.

August 2008

Seeing how happy they are when Emma walks into the room.

July 2008

Watching their reaction when they hear Aaron's voice. Feeding them Cheerios. Sneaking in to watch them sleep, noticing that they are both sleeping in the same position. Dressing them alike so that I am the only one who can tell them apart. Carrying two babies at once.

September 2008

Watching them crawl all over the living room. Seeing William pet Jonathan's head when he is supposed to be asleep. Laying in the floor and being attacked by two smiling, slobbery babies. Jonathan playing with my hair.

November 2008

Watching them try to share their Cheerios. Seeing that there really is a bond between twins. Knowing that it must be fun to share life with your best friend. Wondering if they were such good friends in the pre-Earth life that they couldn't bear to be separated while on earth.

June 2008

I feel so lucky, so blessed, so happy, so pleased. Excited to watch them grow. Excited for what lies ahead. But there is also apprehension. Apprehension in knowing they will continue to grow up. Knowing they will go to school. That one day someone might be mean to them. Missions. Having two sons gone for two years...at the same time. Knowing that boys like to be daring. And brave. And silly.

October 2008

Knowing that my boys are "Hale" boys. (Don't understand that? Do you know many Hale boys?)

January 2009

One day, Aaron and I were talking and he said, "Can you imagine life without both of these little guys?" And my answer is, "No way!"

November 2008

Although it has been hard at times, some of the sweetest moments of my life have been as the mother of these little guys. Nothing could ever prepare me for the love that I feel for them. I once wondered if it was possible to share the love I had for Emma with two more kids. I was told that it was possible. That it was definite. I am here to say, you were right. I think a mother's heart only grows. It only produces more and more love.

I love you so much baby boys.

This Friday

The boys turn one this Friday. I am a mess, emotionally. No, I take it back. I am a complete WRECK emotionally. It is different than it was with Emma. Something about twins.

There. It's out. I said it. Now, I am going to go somewhere and cry.

February

We enjoyed a few warmer days in February-warm enough to go play outside for a little while one evening. This is Jonathan (on the left) and William in their little wagon (the one we got at a yard sale for $2-did I blog about that yard sale?). I love the little outfits they are wearing in this picture. I bought one for William to wear back in December when he was going to have his surgery so he would have something soft and comfy to wear. I couldn't resist one for Jonathan, too. I think this is one of my favorite pictures of these guys. I can tell who is who by looking at the side of their heads. Can you tell? No? I will tell you then. William is on the left and Jonathan is on the right. Just another picture in the wagon (Jonathan on the left, William on the right). And I can't leave out Emma, terrorizing the yard in her Barbie "Jeek." Here are the boys, in Tennessee, at Nannie and Papa's house. They loved the glass door. Aaron kept hiding around the corner and at the end of the porch so I could get this picture. It was cuter in person!

Daddy Daughter Date Night

In February, we went up to Tennessee for the annual Daddy Daughter Date Night in the town I am from. My dad has taken my younger sister the past several years, and this was the first time that Emma and I went. My dad took my sister, Katherine and I, and Aaron took Emma. I think it was fun for everyone! Earlier that day, my mom took Kat, Emma and I all shopping for something to wear (well, something for Kat and me, Emma wore something she already had-but my mom bought that a while back, anyway!). This is Emma and me, posing before leaving for our big night! (I have double chin in all the "nice" pictures of us together, and so you get the crazy one since I look the best in that one.)(Also, I know my shoes don't really look that great with this dress. Believe me, I looked all day for something, ANYTHING, but it just wasn't meant to be. Oh, and I guess we should have moved the mop before taking pictures!) Emma, being her usual self. The Daddy Daughter date night theme was....CINDERELLA. They had a girl there in a blue poofy formal, wearing white gloves and a crown. There was a giant cardboard castle. The centerpieces to the tables were glass slippers or a glass horse and pumpkin carriage. Emma got to keep the centerpiece (we had the horse and carriage). I tell you, there could not have been a happier girl on the face of the earth than Emma that night. See what I have to work with?!?! (And do you notice a theme to Emma's pictures? Nice tongue, Emma!) My dad taught me some of his best swing moves when I was little. We would swing dance together when I was in the youth program at church. He taught Kat some moves, and is now teaching Emma. I love that this is something he has always done with us girls, and that he is continuing the tradition with Emma! Yes, they are doing "that" dance. (I don't know what it is called, but you know which one it is. I will call it...the knee jive.) Emma and Aaron, after a long night of dancing, eating, door prize winning and fun!