Mixed Emotions

It is hard to believe that this part of our journey is soon coming to an end. The babies and I are going back to Austin in a few days. I am really going to miss my Aunt Jeanie, Uncle Rick, and my cousins Ashlyn and BrieAnne whom I have been living with for the past five months. They have been amazing to put up with me, my family, my parents, the babies, all our stuff, and all the people that have been coming over to help with the babies. I am sure things will be much quieter around here when we are gone! I will also miss all the wonderful people I have met and grown to love while I have been here and the other family members living nearby who have done so much to help me.

While I am sad to leave everyone here in Arizona, I am also excited to return to Austin. I have been gone for nearly five months and I am looking forward to seeing all our friends in Austin again. I am also looking forward to having my family back together in our own house. It was hard to be separated so much from my husband and older two kids these past months. I have so much empathy for people like my sister-in-law, Tobi, whose husband has been serving in Iraq for the past year and who won't be back until Christmastime.

The babies are doing great! I can't believe how much they have grown! Rustin and Kassidy are both over six pounds now and even Kaydence, who was the smallest at birth, is about 4 1/2 pounds. Each baby is really starting to show their personality. Kaydence is the little fiesty one---I think that she is going to be the "leader of the pack" someday. Ryder is a little thinker. He also makes the best faces of any of them. Kyndall is very sweet--she is going to be the little princess. Rustin and Kassidy are both really laid back and don't get easily flustered. Now that they are all older (four weeks yesterday!!) they are starting to act more like "real" babies. They sleep less than they used to and get a little fussy in the evening. They are all adorable (in my totally unbiased opinion) and I still look at them everyday and think what a miracle they are! I am so grateful for these beautiful little blessings!!

Here are some recent pictures.

A rare moment when all five babies are asleep at the same time!!

(Jeanie, Rachelle, Kassidy, Rustin, Kyndall, Ryder and Kaydence)

Three peas in a pod--Kyndall, Rustin and Kaydence.

A one-day supply of bottles.

The babies get ready for their first big outing together! (We went down the street to take some pictures at a friend's house.)

(Ryder, Rustin, Kaydence, Kassidy, Kyndall)

Mixed Emotions