The Birth Announcement of the Twins

Our First Christmas

Three Months

The Doctor’s Office:
Rianna: 9 lbs with 20 inches
Justin: 11 lbs and 8 ounce with 22 inches

Rianna and Justin

Godfather: Dan G. for Justin (Godmother: Kris W.)

Godparents: Ben S. and Sharon R. for Rianna

You both were baptism on December 17th just before your 12 week old. You both look so beautiful! Justin cried at the beginning of the Christmas Mass along with being Baptism. Surprisely that Rianna slept throughout the whole time time on such a good behavior.

A Telephone Call from Aunt Jo

I got a telephone call from Aunt Jo on December 12, 2006that my Dad died. He died peacefully in his own home with loving girlfriend, Mary Lynn, Aunt Jo, and David. There was not enough time for them to call me sooner.

How I wished we had visit my Dad one last time but unfortunately we were all sick. We could not be around him especially him. I did not expect my Dad to died so soon but we all knew it was a matter of time but thought maybe he'll live another month to see the twins. But he died 1 month exactly after I turned "40" (my birthday is November 11th).

I went straight to the funeral home to meet with Mary Lynn and Aunt Jo. It was surreal that I can't believe my parents are both GONE.

I am so happy that I have a wonderful loving husband that know what it is like since his Mom died a few years before my mother. It is painful for both of us but we held on together as a beautiful couple.

Activity Gym Day!

Both of you just started “thumb” sucking your fingers from time to time. Justin you have gotten stronger with holding your head up and exploring objects. And Rianna has become more alert during the day with smiling more and can be very focus at an object too. You both love to gurgles and coos as Mommy called “baby talk”.

Justin:

Justin finally started to learn how to soothe himself as he “thumb” sucking his fingers. However, we were concerned on the way you were taking your bottle. There are times when you did not want to be fed but it would be later in the day. You are stretching your feeding schedule and staying alert for most of the day. Daddy tells me that you sleep so well on your own without being fussy in your crib. You had toys against the crib so you can play until you fall asleep. At 14 weeks, Justin, you started to cling onto your Ty “Curious George” stuff animal. You were putting them in your mouth as you are “teething”. Justin, you have always been the happiest baby with a beautiful smile on your face!


Rianna:


Rianna has become more alert during the day with smiling more and can be very focus at an object too. Also, you have discovered that you have a brother and stared at him in your activity gym mat.

Two Months Old

The Doctor’s Office:
Rianna: 10 lbs with 6 inches with 20 inches
Justin: 11 lbs and 13 ounce with 22-1/2 inches

It’s exciting to see the new things that you both do every day and to watch little sign each of your personality come through. We knew Rianna was a big on crier as we call her the “Drama Queen”.

Justin cries very soft but he had the cutest facial expression when he cries. We also noticed the vision and sounds as you coordinated with your eyes and movement when watching light or an object.

The morning is your most active time of the day and you both really enjoyed playing on your gym activity mat. Both of you would be laying there for an hour to focusing on the little animals that hang down over you. And how you both fight over and banging them together.

During the rest of the day your schedule would be taking naps in your bouncer. Justin loves to be held upright and facing forward to see what’s going on. Justin loves to try to walk with his twinkle toe. Rianna was still behind Justin because she still tiny like a doll. Rianna has learned to started smiling more each day while Justin is BIG on smiling/laughing all the time and make a lot of baby talk noise.

Both of you had your 4 immunization shots. I could not be in the same room as they were giving you the shot. Your Daddy says he could have been there for support but he had to go to work. We noticed right away that Justin get a low-grade fever and that is normal when doing the shots. Rianna was the strong one with not a problem at all. Whew!

First Month Milestones

Few Week Old:

Your Mommy was breastfeeding from the time you were both born. You eat 8 to 10 times a day with plenty of sleep. We were also nervous as a first time parents with no experience. We were recommended with a book called “411 Baby”. It was fantastic and made us relax a bit often. We are to be proud that we did a wonderful and it was the easiest job during the first several weeks.

I swear!!!!!!!

One Month Old:
The breastfeeding was difficult because you both often wanted to be fed at the same time.

The Doctor’s Office:
Rianna: 6 lbs and 5 ounce with 19 inches
Justin: 8 lbs with 20 inches

October 2006 Visiting Grandpa

God has given Grandpa his wish to see the twins before his passing day 2 months after the twins were born. Grandpa died on December 11th. Here is HIS loving and tender moment with his grandchildren.

Aunt Gloria and Uncle John Visit

Rianna with Aunt Gloria and Uncle John

Aunt Gloria says she's so TINY!

Justin taking a peek at Uncle John

Mommy is trying to recoup from her c-section

The 10 hands and feets!

Daddy and Mommy couldn't not believe they came home with 10 little hands and feets. We feed them every 2.5 to 3 hours. The minute they see their bottle especially Justin he has no patience and would take it out my hands at times.

Here a picture of them during their feeding time.

The Family Tree

Rianna Jean and Justin Lawrence

The Parents:

Diana Lynn and John Patrick

Grandparents:

Brenda Ann /Wally Lawrence

Sandra Jean Reynolds/John Lawrence

Great-Grandparents:

Margaret and Stanley

The Day has arrived on September 30, 2006

Justin and Rianna

Rianna

Justin

The "Accident" Opps!

Your actual due date was for October 25th at 40 week but with carrying twins. The doctor did not specific the due date but recommend to deliver between 36 to 37 week for twins.

I was having many “accidents” the last week prior to being in Labor. One night I woke up thought I would not be able to make it to the bathroom. Sure enough, I had accident once again all over the floor and sat in the toilet waiting for it to be over. The funny thing I was not feeling any major pain yet.

I had to wake up your Daddy for help. It took about 10 minutes to get him UP! First I tried to switch the light on and off and that did not work. I barely got to end of the bedpost trying to wake him up at end of his feet….nothing. I tried pulling the comforter off and of course he was still sleeping. Lastly, I pulled the whole sheet off and he finally woke up. First thing he said, what’s wrong? I said I had an accident and need you to clean the floor. As I jump into the shower. It never registered me that my water broke. Daddy came back and asked, Are you sure your water did not break? As I stand up, I realized that I was bleeding lightly and kept “going”. With the pain was finally coming….

As your Daddy was driving to the hospital I was having contraction every 2 minutes. When we arrived to the hospital I was already dilated at 4 cm!

On a lighter note, I was told that I would have a natural delivery until the last minute I had to do a c-section due to being hypertension and preeclampia. I am very lucky to be alive and knowing how dangerous I could have been much worse. God has a special plan for me to watch both of you to grow up.

Mommy and Daddy's Co-Baby Shower!

We had another baby shower on August 5th hosted by your Papa and Grandpa. At that time, I was 28 week pregnant. We decided to have the party in our backyard where everyone can relax and be part of our special day.

My girlfriends

Dad and Papa

The gifts

Mommy and Daddy

The Baby Shower came along...

Here some of the fabulous pictures to share




On July 16, 2006, Mommy had her first baby shower hosted by Aunt Jo Beth, Debbie, and Sherri at Hotel Baker in Geneva. Your Great-Aunt went overboard with the most beautiful baby shower I ever had! If your Grandma was alive she would have "Thank" Aunt Jo for supporting her beautiful niece. For our luncheon we had chicken salad which was fantastic! I have received so many beautiful gifts and will always remembered the wonderful time.

How you got your name!

For Rianna:

Your originally name was going to be 'Linnea Nicole' with a change of heart to look for an Irish name to Kerianna Jean. But Mommy didn’t want you to have a nick name “Keri”. During the last part of the 3rd trimester. I was looking at your Grandma’s bible and found list of names for me to have if I was to have a girl. Your grandma came up with the name “Orianna”. John and I took off the “O” and used “Rianna”. We both learned that is an Irish name and that how you got your name!

For Justin:

Your Daddy decided not to carry the traditional name in the family with “John”. He wanted to keep the letter “J” to continued to be part of the family name. It was an easy decision for both of us with a boy name.

The sex of our babies

Mommy and Daddy had gone through so much that we wanted to bring the "excitment" back in our life. We decided to find out the sex of the twins at 20 weeks. Of course, we saw the "turtle" means Justin. And then sweating our hands together to find out what the 2nd sex was going to be either a girl or boy. To our joy we saw the "hamburger" means Rianna. We were thrilled to have one of each with girl and boy.

Beginning of Summer 2006

We took “Marvelous Multiples” class at Edward Hospital for twins! We attended class for a month on Tuesday and Thursday. We had fun meeting other couples who were also expecting twins and one of them was having a triple. We stay friends with one of the couple that had triple girls, Holly and Troy.

Your Mommy did get morning sickness in week of 13, 14 and 15. I did crave various at times. The most I usually have every night is popsicles. I also craved 3 of the candies because mommy is a sweet tooth eater! (Butterfingers, Mr. Goodbar dip in peanut butter, and Reese Cups.)

When you were growing in my tummy. I talk to you every day and how we were looking forward having both of you after many difficult pregnancies.

Pre-Pregnancy Day!

I love my pre-pregnancy days! But as soon as I found out that I was pregnant with twins. The growing belly was showing up. I am lucky that I only gained about 35 lbs.

Here a picture of before and after....

The ultrasound pictures