{happy day}

So many reasons why today is a happy day...

The boys are a month old today!

They slept in their crib for the first time last night...and we slept in our bed!

I'm wearing a pair of my regular jeans...its a miracle!

We took the boys with us out to eat AND to the mall tonight and there were no catastrophes!

Dan's brother is coming to visit with our niece and nephew on Friday...we haven't seen him in over 2 years so we are so excited.

The weather was gorgeous today...cool and sunny.

Life is good. :)

{me time}

Look at my new mommy hairdo! :) I love it...and it was sooo needed. Nothing like a fresh haircut to make a girl feel like a new person!

Dan and I got out of town yesterday and had a great time. His mom watched the boys and we went to West Chester to go to IKEA. We got a chair for upstairs so we can feed the boys at night...much needed. It was only $50 and sooo comfortable.

We also went to a huge grocery store called Jungle Jim's nearby so Dan could stock up on new beers to try...they have a HUGE selection. Finally we went to Target...oh, and we had lunch at Sonic. Mmmmmm :) It was great to get away, but so strange to be without the boys for that long. Parenthood definitely changes your perspective on everything.

The boys will be one month old tomorrow! It is amazing how much they are changing every day. They are a lot more alert and we are trying out new things like their activity mat and the bouncer. They still don't enjoy the bouncer a whole lot, but I'm sure soon they will get into it (hopefully). :)

{funny faces}

No matter how tired I am, these faces make me laugh hysterically and make it all worth it. :)

{big victories}

The past few days have included some big milestones for the boys...their first trip to the park and their first trip to a store! I never knew such small things would amount to so much pride and feeling of accomplishment! LOL :) We took them to the park on Sunday and took a walk around the pond in their stroller. And yesterday we got up the nerve to go into Kohl's with them and thank God they were perfect little angels. Landon had a major puke fest in the car on the way home, but thankfully he saved that for the car and didn't do it in the store. :) These trips have done Dan and I a lot of good mentally...we were both starting to feel very trapped in the house all day. We're going to attempt another trip today...maybe to Walmart!

{settling in}

This is the face of a new mom that is finally figuring things out. I picked up the boys today and for the first time I felt the love that I have been praying for these past two weeks. And what a feeling that is. Sure, my hair didn't get washed today, but I do have a cute headband on, and I really don't care because the boys are so worth it.

We took them out Sundayon their first outing, other than doctor's appointments. Dan's great aunt had us over for lunch and the boys did great. We even got to take a nice 2 hour nap while all of the ladies watched the boys. :)

I feel like Dan and I are finally getting this parent thing, and that's a great feeling. I know there are still many hard days ahead, but I'm optimistic that the good times will far outweigh those.

This is my new favorite picture of the boys...their Aunt Faith posed them like this. :)

{melts my heart}

Dan with his boys...he is such a wonderful dad already.

{prayers}

If you have a spare minute today, please say a prayer for me. Babies are doing great, but momma isn't doing so well. I knew the baby blues were common, but boy when they hit you it comes out of nowhere. I am blessed with two beautiful babies and I'm hoping it won't take too long for me to fully understand that blessing. I'm sure all of you mommas out there can understand how I'm feeling.

{bathtime}

We've made it through the first few days and although it has been rough it has been amazing and wonderful, and like every other parent says, totally worth it. We've been so blessed with family helping us...both of our moms and Dan's sister have stayed over and Dan's Grandma brought us a yummy dinner tonight with an extra casserole to put in the freezer. The boys are so perfect and I'm in awe of how God creates these little miracles.

We had a fun first last night...gave them their first baths. Dan's sister was photographer while we did the dirty work. Landon had to christen the bathtub (and the kitchen wall) with a nice stream of pee near the end, which was hilarious. Dan made it fun by sporting one of their bath towels...I can always count on him to keep us laughing. The boys didn't really enjoy the experience but it was really fun for us. LOL :)

They will be a week old tomorrow and I can't believe it. I can already tell that they are going to grow up way too fast.

{pictures!}

Ready to go home! (these are in no particular order :)

Landon in his first Ben Haper shirt

Watching baseball with Daddy - I think this is Landon

Ben ready to go home with Daddy

Holding both my boys for the first time...what a feeling!

Our first family picture :)

Ben Burkhardt

Landon Harper - big boy!

We like to sleep together :)

I'll try to post more later!

{introducing...}

Landon Harper Ford and Ben Burkhardt Ford!

Landon was 7 pounds 2 ounces and Ben was 6 pounds 4 ounces. I had a very easy vaginal delivery which was a pleasant surprise (thank God for the epidural!) We're home and slowly adjusting...very blessed to have the help of family these first few days and weeks.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers...they definitely worked!! :)

Pictures to come!