I mean, if you can believe it, they've gotten cuter.

Sorry for the lack in updates on the babies! Everyone is HOME and healthy and happy at the Wood household. Riley and Tyson had their first ever photo shoot. Seriously, go check out the pictures here at Sweet Little Things Photography - they are the most beautiful babies I have ever seen (yeah, I'm a little biased, it's true!).
From top to bottom: Tyson & Riley at their photo shoot, Riley, Tyson, and my folks getting all gushy over them. Just wait till you meet them, guys. You'll see.
Want to see even MORE? Go see my Picassa album. Happy vibes to my fabulous sister who is at home with the babies this week on her own (Greg's back at work)! She's doing awesome.

Wombmates!

Yesterday was a GOOD day

We got a huge surprise when we showed up to the hospital yesterday afternoon: they told us we could hold the babies! Melissa had told us that the babies were getting off their iv's, and that she and Greg had gotten to hold them. But we had no idea that we would get to! It all happened so fast, and my heart was pounding as I walked from their room to the NICU. As soon as I walked into the room and saw them without their tiny little tubes and all wrapped up like a burrito, I burst into tears. I mean, blubbering. It was ridiculous. And a little hilarious (remember me at our wedding?? I'm such a wimp.). Everybody's doing amazing. They want to make sure Tyson and Riley can regulate their own temps, and check a few more things, but there is a slight possibility one or both of them can stay down in Melissa's room as soon as today. Amazing news. I am a gushy, gushy aunt. Who knew?? ;) Me.

Mimi and Poppy.... think they're in love?? Uh, yes.

This is when I first got ahold of Tyson. Notice the tears and the struggle to look normal. Hahahaha.

More cuteness

More info on the babies! Tyson's hair seemed a lot darker today. ;) He is always very alert, and he's always looking around. He will also most definitely let you know when he's not happy with you. He's very opinionated already.

... and then there's Riley's hair. Look at it! It was less matted today after her bath, but it's super thick and curly at the bottom. She's just as sweet as can be, and sleeps peacefully every time Uncle Jeremy and I go in there. She held on to my finger with a super-strength grip, though. She wouldn't let go. Ok, so I didn't try too hard- she talked me into just letting her hold on.

So the babies are in the NICU right now, just as a precaution. They're both on pretty much the lowest levels of oxygen possible, and it's just giving them a little boost. Melissa and Greg got to hold them today, which is awesome. Melissa should be able to go home Tuesday, they think, and the babies might stay just a little longer. They're just beautiful, and I can't tell you how happy we are for Melissa and Greg. It's going to be so much fun, and I can't wait to watch it all unfold...

When Aunt Beth met them for the first time...

.... I fell instantly in love. Gush! I swear.

More pics and info ;)

So here's the story: Melissa sent me a text message on Thursday that said, "Tomorrow is baby day. Call me when you can." Well, I called her immediately, of course, to find out what was going on. See, she wasn't scheduled until February 25th, and all signs were pointing to the fact that she was going to make it til then for sure (much to her dismay). She had been going to see her doctor two times a week for a while now, and when she went on Thursday, he quickly realized she was not going to make it that long. As in, he told her she was about to go into labor at any moment. So he went ahead and said that Friday, February 12th, would be baby day, unless she went into labor earlier. She was also instructed to get to the hospital in the event that it started snowing again (luckily it didn't).

(Note: Melissa, if I get any of this wrong, let me know!) So she goes to the doctor again at 9:00 on Friday (after waking up early to eat breakfast because she knew it would be her last time to eat!), and they tell her it's go time. She's been having some contractions, nothing too serious at this point. They tell her she can check into the hospital at eleven. So she went to the hospital at eleven, and she's having contractions about every half hour. By the time Jeremy and I get there (around 1), they're starting to pick up. From there, they get a lot more frequent. To make a long story short, she went into "hard labor" and she finally got into an operating room around 3:00 or 3:30. A few things didn't go quite as planned, but Melissa is AMAZING and totally rocked it. I mean, she did an awesome job.

Their "going home" outfits. ;)

While we waited...

.... we found some ways to amuse ourselves. ;)

They didn't have "aunt" or "uncle" buttons (what the??) so we had to compromise.

Meet Riley & Tyson

Riley Elizabeth (top) and Tyson Jack (bottom) arrived yesterday, February 12, 2010 around 4 p.m. They both weighed in around 6 pounds and were the exact same length, somewhere around 19 inches (I will get those exact numbers today!). Everybody's doing great! I have a million pictures and a million things to say, but I am about to go see their sweet faces again, and I'm too excited to sit still! Let me just say these three things:
1. My sister is a complete ROCKSTAR. She is amazingly strong and wonderful, and she is going to be the best mom ever.
2. Riley has a mass of dark hair. It was curly last night- we'll see how it looks today. ;)
3. Tyson has quite a pair of lungs on him. His doctor says he has a "temper." It's awesome.
4. Make it 4 things: I can't believe how much I love them already. I can't wait to see their little personalities emerge, and I am so happy to be an aunt.

More info to come, I promise. I'm on my way out the door though. Much love to everyone!

IT'S GO TIME.

I will keep you updated, and trust me- there will be many many pictures!!! EEEEEEEEEK! I'm so excited.

Good things.

Last Friday was officially dubbed NOOK MANNING DAY. This means that I got my Nook in the mail! Jeremy bought me this fantastic e-reader for my birthday (and Vday, St. Patty's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. He's out of luck once we get around to our anni next year, hee hee). Let me just tell you how much I love my new toy. It gets books from the air. It's the most amazing thing ever. I was a little worried about not having books anymore, but to tell you the truth, I love it so far. Reading off the screen is surprisingly easy to get used to. AND the Nook has a color touch screen, which is a nifty little bonus. Since we started book club (back in May), I've pretty much been buying a book a month, so this little gadget is going to be super handy. AND I can get periodicals. AND I can just put it in my purse and get it out and read when I'm waiting (which I do a lot... in between meetings at work and whatnot).
Listen, I've already talked about how I'm not an iPod/iPhone/iPad person. I do, however, believe I am definitely a Nook person. Officially.

Monday began what is now dubbed BLIZZARD 2010 (er, for LR, I mean). I have not been to work in FIVE DAYS. Count 'em. Five. And I have loved every lazy minute of it. The snow was very unexpected, and apparently Conway got way more than we did here even, so school has been cancelled all week. I just got the dreaded tweet that we'll be back in session tomorrow though. Sadness. Ehhh, who am I to complain? That was stinkin' awesome.
How cute it this picture of Pooty? She's watching her fish friends: Cheetarah, Jose, and Orange Blossom.
Here come the snow pictures...! One guy got stuck sideways on our street. Monday afternoon was spent by me watching people try to get up our hill and sliiiiiiiide all the way down. It would have been funnier, I suppose, if I wasn't a little worried they might hit our house. Eeek. No one did, thankfully. I have a bunch of pics of the dogs running in the snow, but they're all on my phone, and I don't know how to transfer those. Like I said, not an iPhone user. ;) So anyway, wish me luck as I make the voyage back to work tomorrow (cue sad music). I have gotten spoiled, so it shall be rough I'm sure. Ehhh, it's good for me, right?

Thank God that's over. Mostly.

Hey kids. I have officially (er, mostly) survived one of the worst illnesses of my adult life. I recall being this sick as a kid, but not in a long long time. It started on Thursday at work. I won't get all gross with the details, but let's just say it was the type of illness you don't want at work. Right? Towards the end of the day though, my face started getting real flushed, and I couldn't concentrate (on the very important conference where I was meeting a parent to let her know her child had a disability. Wowza.). So I went straight home and got straight into bed. Where I shook and shook uncontrollably. And slept. For the next 16 hrs. off and on. I swear to you- I woke up long enough to watch an American Idol episode, and afterwards I immediately passed out.
Glad that it was a snow day and all, but this girl was too sick to move anyway on Friday. I slept off and on and moaned a LOT (my body hurt. my head hurt. i was a terribly moany and annoying wife, I am sure of it). Long story short, I had a fever until yesterday morning. Ew. And I hardly ate at all.
But I am ALIVE (probably a couple pounds lighter too, right?), and at work today. Feeling ever-so-slightly-more human. And I'm so glad my husband still loves me after all that. Hee hee. Grody. That's marriage right?

Cakes with bows! Whoot.

Hey kids. Birthday weekend= amazing. Me= sad it's over. Friday night the Spanns went to the Ross household and had fantabulous homemade pizza (ours: feta, mozzarella, green olives, black olives, kalamata olives, spinach, seasonings!) and delish cake from Blue Cake Co. It was seriously tasty. We also enjoyed ohhhhhh, about 20 rounds of Catch Phrase (girls vs. boys- who do you think won??).
Saturday was spent attending a beautiful baby shower for Melissa (I mean, for Tyson and Riley, right?) thrown by some of her lady friends. Bow Cake #2 is pictured below. We had a good time, and Melissa scored some pretty sweet gear. Counting down the days until the babies come! She's got less than a month left!! If you ask her, she'll say it's Feb. 10th (2/10/2010), but we'll see if the dr. allows that. I shall keep you posted!
Saturday night, Jeremy took me on a birthday date to Cantina Laredo (que delicioso!) then we met many friends at the Pizza D'Action for a little celebration time. Thank you guys for helping me bring in the big 2-9 in err... style. At Pizza D's. ;) I had a great time. PS, we sang "Don't Stop Believing" at the top of our lungs. I think sometimes we get a little attention when we all get together. Ooopsies. Had a blast. Loves to you all.

Hey, friends

Sorry I have been so quiet on the bloggity lately! I have been a busy, busy girl! I started my new phase of my internship, and I am rarely in the office (err... not that I EVER blogged from work!), and my evenings have been spent getting ready for all the fun stuff that's been going on. Kat already mentioned this stuff, but we had book club at my house on Tuesday, and last night we had a onesie shower for Melissa and the babies that are WELL on their way! A million thanks to the girlies that came last night and helped decorate. I had such a blast. And, may I add, you ladies did a FABULOUS job. I think the evening was a huge success (as evidenced by the cute-itude of the onesies...!). I can't wait to meet Tyson and Riley and dress them up in their new clothes. Hee hee. They're gonna be the coolest kids on the block. Not that they weren't going to be already.
On a note, well- more about me: I started my supervision for my LPE (licensed psychological examiner) status last week. This means (when I'm done, which will be a looooong time) that I can expand my psych skills to other places beyond the schools: I can work in hospitals, clinics, etc. and do more "psychologist" things instead of ONLY working in the schools. It's going to be a LOT of work, but in the end, it will give me flexibility if I ever want to change my mind about what I do. I will be able to provide more typical "therapy" and can have the opportunity to contract myself out. It's going to be a while, but I think it's a great move. I will keep you posted. Much love to you all. I'm so glad I've gotten to spend some quality time with my ladies lately!

Christmas with the Woods and Rosses!

Christmas started out for us with Christmas Eve at Melissa and Greg's house with Melissa's in-laws, our folks, and the kids. We had a TON of food (of course, right?), and we had a blast. Check out the stockings for the babies... Their names are official!! Click on the collage above to see the pictures a little bigger...

My dad and I had to try out Carleigh's new lip gloss. Shiny.

Scroll on for many more Christmas pictures!