always a prayer...

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a Mama. It was more of a wish and prayer.
 A blessing that I yearned and couldn't wait for. 

However, my plan wasn't Gods plan and so waiting and praying for them took longer than expected.  It was great to just do life with Michael and we will always cherish those years. But, man. We were ready to have littles! 

And after lots of prayers- they came along. 

       
Those faces, though! Precious, right?!?!

  

Back to wanting to be a momma. Can I just be real and honest for a second.  A GIRL Mom... A girl Momma was what I truly prayed and prayed for. I wanted ruffles, dresses, big bows, ballet class, momma's little shoppers, someone to go with me to get my nails done... gosh, the list could go on.
 It truly was always a hope and dream. 

God has a sense of humor. 

Three beautiful girls later and I LOVE it! 

Maybe. Just maybe God will bless us with another. Maybe we'll get our baseball player??  I can totally rock being a #boymom!

(or ballerinas who play in rocks and dirt!)

We'll take some time and just enjoy the heck out of these girls. 

Ally Ann (5/6 months) Hadley and Layton (almost 3!) 

I wanted to document this stage of our life. 

Because A. they're so darn cute. and B. it's exactly what I dreamed of. 

Gosh, there are no words that can show the thankfulness that we have for 

these three bow wearing, ballet dancing, doll playing girls! 

{Ally Ann: 4 months!}

God knew we needed you!  
Yep, he sure did!

I have the sweetest connection with this little girl. A connection that is so special. 

Ally Ann is the perfect baby to be called a little sister. She is toted around daily and does so well having two big sisters who are constantly on the GO! {to read about twins at 4 months click, here!}

{Ally Ann details} 

Weight: 12lbs 10oz

Height: 24 1/4 inches

Naps: 10am and 1pm (sometimes a cat nap around 5)

Night time: HELLO four month sleep regression. You, sweet little one, are waking up OFTEN. You don't take a pacifier or thumb to sleep, so self soothing is tricky, tricky!

 I will sleep one day... just not today. 

Play: You're rolling over everywhere! And love to sit in your bouncer for a few minutes each day.  

You are still nursing every 2/3 hours and we are excited to start trying rice cereal in a week or so!

All in all, you are growing and doing wonderful! 

We love you!

Potty Training Twins!

We're going on our second week of potty training over here at the Tennison Home!

I, like many I'm sure, was super anxious about potty training. With a new born and TWO to potty train the task just kept getting pushed further back on my to-do list. I was SO nervous to start. I must honestly say that this was one of my top hardest Motherhood items to conquer! Staying locked up inside for 3+ days just sounded miserable. All that know me, know that we like to venture out at least once a day. When I noticed that our weekends were quickly filling... we decided it was time!

I have been told by MANY Mommas about the Three Day Method for potty training. I did some research, purchased a few items and then we gave it a try! 

{target shopping list}

Here was my list... below is what I purchased (and truly needed/used)

4 large towels, lots of panties, special new water cups, gummies and m&m's for reinforcing great potty behavior, flushable wipes (for #2), step stools, portable potty, seat with handles for the potty, hand sanitizer, clorox wipes, juice & popsicles (which are special treats at our house!!) and a fun new Mini Mouse game for when we are losing our minds from being locked in doors for three days! 

{oh and maybe some wine for after the kidos went to bed.. :)}

My good friend, Meredith, shared with me some wonderful tips that helped tremendously! {head on over to her Twin Talk Blog to read lots of great ideas!!} This towel idea was one of them. We have been fortunate to not have any accidents on the furniture, thus far! 

Great tip: hang dresses and shirts in the laundry room- enough for 5 days! Easy to grab!

I also made my first day a half day. This is not what the books suggests... but, it worked for us! I spent the morning of the first day prepping them and the house. We practice pulling up and taking down our panties. We looked at our treats and got our new special water cups filled with water (ready to go!) They also helped set everything up in the bathroom. All of this got them excited to start after naps! 

Step stools, books for reading while going (#2), extra panties for when an accident happens, flushable wipes & a toilet seat with handles! 

 

I cleared out an area in our trunk for on the go stops! 

 

And on the go it went... on day four we ventured down the road to the neighborhood park. Potty in tow! No accidents! 

Ally Ann was a great cheerleader for the twins! 

We lived in t-shirts and panties for three days straight! After each potty success we danced, sang and cheered for one another. (me included!) 

 The picture below was after a potty success- they were excited to pick out their treat! Every 15 minutes I would remind the girls, "Let me know when it's time to go!" This puts them in charge and it also lets them take the credit for success. Even though I was guiding them to need to go try... it was still helpful! Over all, I would say that Day 2 was the most difficult- but, as the book says, "Don't give up!" Stay consistent! I would agree, completely! 

Treats only caught their attention for the first day! After that, treats were not a motivator for them. All children are different, right? I, personally, would have held onto the treats longer. 

 Nursing her baby :) 

  

Outside play!

Traveling away from our home made me nervous- but, we have yet to have an accident! 

Way to go girls! 

Park play dates, ballet class (hugs with Casey) and backyard fun at Merediths! 

Potty accidents = 0! 

Twins for the win!

Swimming at the lake for the fourth of July!

 Yes, I brought swimsuits, but after dinner the girls decided they wanted to go swimming, again! 

So, they jumped in with their panties on. 

At the park! (with backwards shoes!)

Some may call me crazy potty training TWINS (solo- hubby was out of town) and then heading out of town for 4th of July fun. BUT, we did it! It took patience and practice. Layton caught on quickest with just 2 accidents and Hadley took an addition day to grasp the concept! They are in diapers for nap time and bed time. We will conquer that closer to age three! 

All in all, I am so proud of the twins! They did great! My two biggest takeaways with potty training are:

 1. patience and 2. praise

Next post... how potty training has made me a better Momma.

:links:

Three Day Training Method

The Potty Song (youtube)

Potty Seat  $9.99

http://www.twintalkblog.com/2015/06/potty-training-twins.html?spref=fb

Life with a 3 month old! {and twins!}

Ally Ann is 3 months! 

We have had the best time with this sweet little girl. She is a very easy, happy, chilled {knock on wood} baby. She is still waking around 2/3am to eat! This little one just isn't ready to drop that feeding just yet! It's okay, I'll sleep again one day! 

She loves to: giggle, talk (cooo and cooo), watch her sisters play, she rocks from side to side and rolled over last week! 

She will take a pacifier to help her fall asleep. We are tying to only give it to her at nap/bed time. So far, so good! She is still nursing and doing wonderful! I was nervous about the whole nursing thing with the twins running around, and just the pure fact of being on the GO all the time with the twins and nursing in public. But, we have all adapted and I have come to realize that it is what it is! She is thriving and we are making it! 

So, we'll continue on. :) 

Twin Talk at 32 months! 

{PS--I still say 2 1/2!} 

They have done fabulous adjusting to Ally Ann. Michael and I love watching them with her. Their favorite thing to do it kiss her toes and the tip top of her head. A few of their favorite phrases with her are:  "Good Morning, Ally Ann?? "Ally Ann, wake up!" "Ally Ann?? She go night-night, Mommy??" "Ally Ann, do you want milk?" 

 They haven't tried to hold her or play with her JUST yet! They always offer her their food and we have to remind them that she only drinks milk. It's sweet. They love her dearly! 

They are eating at the BIG table. :) Their sweet little table that Granddad made is now the craft table. We have booster seats that they sit in and love. They are also in BIG GIRL beds (toddler beds)! We are planning on moving them to twin beds at the end of Summer! {I am excited for this} They love to play in the back yard, love to color-chalk-and paint, they are starting to pair their friends with mommies friends. When I say, "do you want to go to Ms Meredith's house?" they respond, "YEAH, and see Jude and Sloane!" We are starting ballet class next week for the summer. I can' wait to watch them learn to dance! 

We are also starting to talk BIG girl potty! I wanted to get our adjustment with a newborn down before potty training, and I think we are ready! This should be fun... 

All in all- everyone is doing wonderful!! 

Here are a few pictures of the last few months! 

Hair cuts in the back yard!! (in jammies with a snack!) I love having friends who DO IT ALL! 

{roly poly search}

  

{first swim of the summer}

{I'll help you, sissy!}  MELT! 

Summer is here... and I'm excited! 

What's Mommy up to? I am still selling Rodan and Fields Dermatologists and LOVING it! 

Besides being a Momma- it's the best job ever. 

 I have started working out and have come to realize how much I missed it! I'm running with a girl friend Jordan, until she has her sweet baby boy, and taking classes at a gym by the house. It feels great to get back in shape. (especially after having a baby!) With the twins, I was back to my pre-pregnacy weight SUPER quick. With Ally Ann, it has taken an additional 6 weeks. But, I am there! :)

 I am still apart of the Moms of Multiples group here in McKinney! I stepped down from President and am loving just being a member. I LOVE having girl time with my girl friends of gosh... 6 years now! And fellow Momma's (it's nice to have ADULT time away from our children!) Doing life with other ladies in the same place and pace of life truly has been a blessing! 

A few of my twin mom friends and I have started a business together- @Multiplicitees (children/twin apparel) and are having a blast doing it! 

Besides playing with the girls and crying as they grow to fast... we are having a blast over here at the Tennison house hold! Be sure to follow us on Instagram @annmariet2 -this is where we share more of our daily life through pictures! 

I'm off to pack snacks for the beach club! We're all trying out the pool today.... wish me luck. 

I'm attempting to bring all three- with out the help of Daddy!