Happy Thanksgiving!

since early October, we haven't been scheduling help for feedings anymore. the girls have moved beyond the need for feedings every 3 hours (Praise the Lord!). they are now feeding about every 4 hours from whenever they wake up in the morning, which is typically 6am or later (for Keegan it has been around 9am since the monitor has been off ~ what a wonderful thing). in fact because of the feedings changing to every 4 hours, i have actually been able to handle things by myself and send my mom home. she still comes every week for a couple days to help out because i cannot keep up on the laundry (a load a day just of the girls' things), cooking, and cleaning. her help is greatly appreciated, but i have to say it has been really great being able to do it on my own and feel somewhat like a normal mom. it has been fun having days just with me and the girls.

our needs are different than before when we did need feeders to help us with the 24 feedings a day. the girls have become more finicky eaters so it is pretty difficult now to have outsiders come help with feedings. rather than put our friends and family through a fussy feeding, it has become much easier just to feed them ourselves. we really appreciate those who have offered to continue to bring us meals. (you can email Thad directly now for visits and if you want to drop off a meal rather than through my sis).

and in honor of today being thanksgiving and all, i wanted to list some things that I am especially thankful for this year:

• Dr. VandenBosch and staff for taking great care of me during the pregnancy/delivery

• the NICU physicians and nurses for the safe delivery of the girls and taking wonderful care of the girls while in the hospital

• the helpers that came at all hours of the day and night to help us feed the babies ~ you were wonderful and didn't judge us for things like our house being a mess or me not having showered for awhile

• i am thankful the helpers aren't needed anymore and that i can actually handle the girls on my own ~ i never thought i would see the day!!!

• Lynnette for scheduling helpers and meal drop offs when we were already overwhelmed and didn't need one more thing to worry about

• all of the wonderful meals that were made for us and continue to be made for us

• Gilmore Girls Season 7 coming out on dvd (we are in the process of watching the last season and it better end with Lorelai and Luke getting together otherwise this will have to come off my thankful list!)

• babysitters

• all the diapers that were collected for the girls AND all of the baby equipment that friends and family have loaned us or given to us (car seats, strollers, swings, clothes, cribs, and bouncy seats) ~ you have shown us such Christlike love in your generosity!

• those of you who are praying for us ~ we feel your prayers and support

• healthy babies

• Moby ~ he's adjusted really well to the new changes in our family

• our friend John from church who donated lawn care services from his business and took such great care of our lawn this year. he even spent time throwing the stick for Moby ~ it may seem like a simple thing but we appreciated him taking the time with Moby who desperately needed some attention

• a warm home

• Thad's job (in fact, this week he got a promotion ~ i am so proud of him)

here are some pictures from our thanksgiving day together: