Da da da dum (snap snap)

It's that time of year...it's that day...it's that moment - where people dress up like furry animals, pave the way for our dentist to finally buy that condo on the beach he's been wanting, jump out from behind bushes and parade around places singing and laughing not caring that the place looks like a graveyard...but enough about the adults at Halloween time! Ha ha! Around here, we love the fall. Yes, football and the weather are great (well, wait....did someone say the weather was "great"?) but it's the holidays that are so much fun...and Halloween kicks it all off! We already revealed our family costume this year so as they say, the rest is in the details! There were tons of parties this year from school parties, to church parties, to festivals, to friends friends, to pumpkin patch trips and to our own little pumpkin carving night of fun! (And we also threw in a few family visits, friend visits and night outs - woo hoo!) This year Halloween fell on a Sunday night. And just like any other holiday or special event, I don't think that it matters when you celebrate, as long as you are with those that love you and you are having a good time! And we marked both of those things off our check list when Saturday night we participated in the Enterprise City Trick-or-Treat. Since we now actually live in Enterprise, and in a neighborhood to boot, Eric picked up bags and bags of candy to hand out. He couldn't wait to hand them out to the kiddos dressed up ! I headed out with the girls (and a couple of cooky crazy neighbors - ha!) out to a neighborhood pre-party and then to Trick-or-Treat back through the neighborhood. Abby had tons of fun at the party and got tons of candy in her pumpkin pail that night! Reagan and Blaire enjoyed all the love at the party and slept through most of the candy grabbing, ha! Abby's favorite houses were the ones that went all out - fog and creepy costumes, music playing, and especially the one where the Grouch answered the door - ha! When we got home, we were all exhausted, but enjoyed a great week and weekend full of fun! Happy Halloween 2010!!!!!!!!! Muuuuahahahahahaha!!!!!!

Wordlessly Wicked Wednesday

Don't put baby in a corner

Although born weighing half a pound more than her twin sister, Blaire is our youngest. She is the baby of the family. But don't tell her that she's supposed to only be acting like a 2 month old baby! Within mili-seconds of hearing a sound, she zeroes in on where it is coming from and recognizes when it stops. And when you talk to her, she will engage with you in several different ways from cooing, giggling, full out laughs and even "talking" back and forth with you in a conversation. She laughs at funny expressions and makes a few of her own as well to gauge your reaction. She has great eye coordination and will follow objects when tested. Our daily exercises are about to get a little more intense and she is going to begin working on rolling from tummy to back as well as sitting up on her own. It will be a while before either of those are mastered, but I have a feeling she won't take too much work in those departments. Another thing that is interesting about Blaire is that although the twins have that unique bond which they tend to copy cat each other, Blaire is very jealous. When in the room with someone that is paying attention to only Reagan, you can feel Blaire's eyes on you...and she won't release her stare until you give the attention she feels she deserves as well. Our baby girl is incredibly active, alert and outgoing...and as I say to all my girls every day, I "love love love" her!

Brought to you by the letters W, A, D and E

This year's "Wade Family Costume" was revealed at last night's Fall Festival at Providence Baptist Church...if you don't know by now, we love this time of year with all of the dressing up, acting like children, eating candy and going to parties. Before Abby was born, Eric and I were already doing couple costumes and we added her to the mix when she was old enough to tell us what she wanted to dress up like. I didn't know how we could outdo last year's Lil Mermaid theme until one day Abby said "You know what we should be for Halloween? I could be Abby Cadabby. Blaire could be Cookie Monster. Reagan could be Elmo. Mommy, you could be Big Bird. And you know Daddy's the Grouch." And with that conversation at the kitchen table, this year's costumes began to take place. Abby loved her body glitter, purple hair, pom pom pig tails, glitter shoes, wings and fairy wand. The twins were a bit harder to outfit since not a lot of Halloween costumes come in a "we don't know exactly what size they are" size, ha! Babies R Us helped us in that department when I happened to walk by and see 2 Sesame Street bibs - and talk about meant to be...it was Cookie Monster and Elmo! And then to dress the adults...which posed a rather large problem because (1) I was NOT going to wear feathers, big feet and a beak while trying to carry two babies as well as a hand out for a toddler and (2) There was no way I could get Eric to walk around with a garbage can around his waist. Ha ha! So with the help of one of my best gal friends (if you don't know who I'm talking about - talk to me about The Hope Chest - you won't be disappointed!), the "only a t-shirt and blue jeans" theory took hold, ha! So, here you have it - the 2010 Wade Family Halloween big reveal. We are 2 out of 6 parties down and so far the costumes are holding up pretty good...the same can not be said about the adults, ha!

God's most gorgeous creations

Today's the first day the twins get to attend Sunday services at our church, Providence Baptist Church, in Clayhatchee, AL. We are so excited to share them with our church family! In fact, we're so excited, we've all been up and dressed early enough for pictures - woo hoo!!!!! Here's to a great day of worship and fellowship!

Painting the Town

The time has come....drum roll please.....the twins can leave the house!!!!!!! Yes, we've waited and waited and they've been given the green light to go out and about - albeit they are still restricted from several places like day cares and nurseries. After receiving, and tolerating, their first Synergist shot, the twins have begun to build up their weakened immune system and showed the perfect strength and gains to head on out. And so, we did. Today was their first official day/night out on the town and they handled it like pros...from visiting with church friends, family, and new boyfriends (yep, you heard me right - ha!) they enjoyed their day out almost as much as Mommy did, ha! We culminated the evening in a nice picnic under the stars....er, rather under the big huge fan! Abby and Daddy chose the Santa Fe restaurant for the girls first family dinner out. We all had an enjoyable time thanks to the restaurant, the great waitress, the good food and most of all God's hands of protection still around our family! We still wouldn't be able to take them out and about if He wasn't there sharing his protection every moment of every day around these blessings! It was awesome to see them sitting in a restaurant when only 5 months ago they were lying in incubators. Even Big Sister herself was on her best behavior (um, ok, we'll go with that because none of you were there to actually witness exactly what behavior she was on, ha!). A great new beginning topped off by a great night!

"Live the Life You've Dreamed"

In what was undoubtedly one of the nicest, if not the nicest, ceremonies we've ever witnessed, Robyn and John wed last weekend in Estes Park, Colorado. The weekend celebration began with two of us (Barbara and Abby) heading out to Denver International Airport where our welcome party from the Bride and Groom awaited. We had a special dinner with them that night and then headed into Estes Park for a weekend full of sightseeing, eating, partying, dancing, picture taking and hugging all over the happy couple. Thanks "Aunt Robyn" and "Uncle John" for letting us be a part of your special celebration! We love you both!




The only sad part of the entire weekend was that the rest of the Wade family (Eric, Reagan and Blaire) had to stay at home. The twins have not been given the green light to travel yet so they were home bound and missed the big celebration (but can't wait to watch the video!). But, it was a Father Knows Best kind of weekend and Eric was a pro. From feedings, to diaper changes to bath times and play times - they loved their one on one time with Daddy almost as much as Abby loved her one on on time with Mommy. It was hard to be 1,605 miles away - trust me - but it was a great weekend that was enjoyed by every member of the Wade family!

Wedding bells are ringing....

This is it...they're going to the chapel!!! Robyn (Barbara's sister) and John are getting married this weekend! We are looking forward to to enjoying in the weekend's festivities of meals, receptions, ceremonies, parties and last but not least hugs and kisses from our favorite Bride and Groom! Here's a toast to many wonderful years of wedded bliss you two! We love love love you both!



While we were getting ready to head out to Colorado for the weekend's celebration, it got me (Barbara) thinking about marriage. And if you know anything about me, you probably know I'm a sucker for a quote...the good, the bad and the ugly. I've filled two journals full of quotes since I started collecting in high school and I just keep seeing some that I find myself just having to jot down. So with that being said, in honor of Robyn and John's wedding, here are a few of my favorite quotes about marriage...enjoy!

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966

One should never know too precisely whom one has married. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

Spouse: someone who'll stand by you through all the trouble you wouldn't have had if you'd stayed single. ~Author Unknown

Marriage means commitment. Of course, so does insanity. ~Author Unknown

My wife says I never listen to her. At least I think that's what she said. ~Author Unknown

Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without. ~James C. Dobson

Pity all newlyweds. She cooks something nice for him, and he brings her flowers, and they kiss and think: How easy marriage is. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

A perfect marriage is one in which "I'm sorry" is said just often enough. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one's wife happy. First, let her think she's having her own way. And second, let her have it. ~Lyndon B. Johnson

The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret. ~Henny Youngman

Marriage is a mistake every man should make. ~George Jessel

My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God, and I didn't. ~Author Unknown

Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other never forgets them. ~Ogden Nash

We were happily married for eight months. Unfortunately, we were married for four and a half years. ~Nick Faldo

Men never know how tired they are till their wives sit them down for a nice long talk. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

"I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence? ~Author Unknown

The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once. ~H.V. Prochnow

Love is grand; divorce a hundred grand. ~Author Unknown

Webster says...

del·e·gate [del-i-geyt] - verb (used with object):

-to send or appoint (a person) as deputy or representative
-to commit (powers, functions, etc.) to another as agent or deputy
-what Mommy will do when she and Abby leave town for the weekend

Wordless Wednesday

Flipping Out

How a week went by without me being able to post is beyond me...not like we are busy or anything! Ha! Last week when we flipped the calendar over from September to October, we flipped from drive to super drive! This month is full of the most fun, interesting, exciting things and we are looking forward to every minute of every day! To start off with, last week our church had Revival...it was great! Four nights of wonderful fellowship, music and messages. On the last night of Revival, it was Youth Night and after a church scavenger hunt, dinner and a message to the congregation and "the green shirt people" (lol!), Revival was finally over and we were exhausted. Well, some of us that is! Abby had tons of energy - and we let her get it out one day with one of her best buds, Denesa, who came to our house for a fun play date. It was sooo cute watching those girls play together - for almost 9 hours...with no arguing! Awesome! Then the weekend came and we saw our favorite little white SUV from Mississippi pull into our driveway...Aunt Nancy and Uncle Roger came to visit! We love family visits and it was especially nice to enjoy time with these two! But that wasn't the only family we hugged and loved on over the weekend...it was the Fulford Family Reunion Luncheon as well! Since the babies still can't get out of the house, Barbara and Abby headed to the lunch while Eric stayed home with Reagan, Blaire, Uncle Roger and Aunt Nancy. It was so much fun at the "Fulford Farm" (which is really a barn but you can't tell that to Abby, ha!) spending time with lots of loved ones including Aunt Elizabeth/Uncle Kenneth, Aunt Katherine, Jason/Patricia/Durwood, Joe/Shannan/Avery, John/Vicki/Logan and lots more. I think Abby loved it most because Avery and Logan were there and the three muskateers were loving their time together! We headed back home to our company and opened up our doors for dinner that night to Uncle Roger's brother (Will - Eric's dad) and his sister (Gilda). We grilled out some hot dogs and hamburgers and had a great night!! Sunday was church....and maybe a little bit of golf - ha! And then Sunday night Barbara headed off to a Lock in at the church and Abby headed to Aunt Carol and Ra Ra's for a slumber party. When we all got back home on Monday morning, the guys headed out to the golf course and the girls stayed home and played...and slept...and talked - you can figure out yourselves who did what, ha! Monday night we had a family steak dinner (hats off to the chef - woo!) and enjoyed some great fellowship before Uncle Roger and Aunt Nancy headed out Tuesday mid morning.

What a week....what great times...what great memories! Now off to get some more sleep....ha!

These boots were made for walking...

Have you ever had one of those moments where something catches your eye and you have a moment? Or maybe an epiphany? Whatever it is, whatever you call it, it happened to me last night. I was sitting in the living room feeding the twins waiting for Eric to come home from Revival church services. Abby was there with me and we were watching The Muppet's Take Manhattan. A normal Sunday night around our house...but then I saw them. A pair of shoes. They only cost about $7 but, oh, the stories they tell. They are Abby's tennis shoes. Now, you may be thinking "So what? A pair of shoes? What's the big deal?" If those are your thoughts, I can bet money you aren't a mother. When I looked at those shoes, a wave of emotions came over me...what big girl shoes for my little girl! I started having flashbacks of memories of the last 3 1/2 years that literally almost brought tears to my eyes: bringing her home from the hospital when her little feet weren't even big enough to wear socks much less shoes, laughing when she found her feet and realized she could suck on her toes, watching her take her first steps, loving it when she pretended her dressy black shoes were tap shoes, remembering how we had to con her and trick her into wearing her 1st pair of flip flops because she hated them, never being able to convince her to wear slippers, etc. Our baby girl is a big girl...now putting on her tennis shoes and running out to play, or to school, or to jump on her bike and go through the neighborhood. Part of me wants to stop the clock right now and keep her this age, but the rest of me is so happy for what a wonderful girl she has become that I can't wait to see what is in store for her future. This morning, she put on those same two tennis shoes and headed out the door with her Daddy for a McDonald's breakfast date before school. Before walking out the door she turned and said "Wait, Mommy, I want one more kiss and one more hug." My heart smiled...and after giving my little baby exactly what she wanted, I watched those tennis shoes leave the house and run down the driveway.

Will you be my neighbor?

One of the best things about our neighborhood is exactly that - it is a neighborhood full of lots of friends we have met and enjoy fellowship with! We've already had neighbors bring us dessert, come join us in neighborhood walks, come play with Abby and even pop over for a quick yard sale preview for twin baby girl clothes! Today our subdivision, Tartan Pines, held a community wide yard sale. Although we didn't participate in it, we definitely walked around and checked out the deals...Abby's favorite part of the walk was something that pops up in Mr. Mark and Ms. Deborah's front yard almost every Saturday during the fall - BIG AL! She loves this blow up and of course we couldn't go on today's walk without stopping by to pose with the big guy himself!

ROLL TIDE!!!!!

Sleeping Beauties

For the past few months, we've had to answer the following question about a hundred times: Are they sleeping though the night yet? We keep reminding people that although Reagan and Blaire are only a few days away from being 5 months old, we still have to use their "corrected age" for their developmental, physical and cognitive progress. So, in theory, the girls are only a few days away from being 2 months old. When the girls went to their pediatrician about a week ago for their check up and shots, they came home and for the first time, slept through the night. We thought it might have been a side effect from the medicine and shots they received. So we waited the three days (for the medicine to be out of their body), and realized they were still sleeping through the night. Then they went a whole week of doing it and it dawned on us - it isn't a fluke! The girls go to bed about 8 PM (just like Abby's bed time) and they sleep for about 12 hours if not more each night...we love our sleeping beauties!

Editor's note: Both girls were sound asleep when I walked over to take these pictures to add to the blog. Sure enough, as soon as I took the picture of Reagan (on the right), Blaire heard the camera and woke up. Thankfully she woke up all smiles! I debated the title "Sleeping Beauties" or "Pumpkin Pies"!

So long summer...

Summer's over...or is it? Just when you look at the calendar and flip the month of September over to the month of October....just when you start to put away your capris and pull out your cardigans...just when you look at falling leaves instead of flying ladybugs you would think summer was over and fall had arrived. But you'd be wrong. At least not at our house. Because really, what other way could we describe the fact that today, October 1, 2010, we were swimming at the pool in 90 degree weather?

All kidding aside, it's still warm outside here in south Alabama. Granted, it isn't as warm as it was in mid-July, but it was still the perfect weather to enjoy a nice swim before lunch and nap time. And the weather continued to cooperate for the rest of the day...for a big event in the Wade family. We took our first family portraits together - as a family of five that is! Through one of our best friends, Ms. Veda, we found a great photographer to come to our house. The combo team of husband and wife from Mattox Photography came out to our house and spent about 2 hours with us taking tons of pictures...inside, outside, family, kiddos, babies, individuals, etc. You name it, they shot it! All in all it was a picture perfect kind of day to end the summer and welcome fall into our year!