i don't even know where to begin.

i really don't. i have so much to say, so many emotions, memories, so much excitement...and the exhaustion. oh, the exhaustion! i forgot how crazy it is. but the best kind of crazy there is!

i know i'm not ready to share the birth story. i need to remember it, write it down, and then share it. it was wonderful. it really was. a dream delivery...to these two precious babies!

i thought for today i'd just share some photos and words.

a quick primer on how to tell the chickies apart:

lucy is WAY bigger. she also has way more/darker hair.

cate's features are tiny. she is tiny. like a little wee elf!

they both have clefts in their chin and awesome dark hair.

cate on left, lucy claire on right:

 

 

 

cate and j on his couch. he was SO happy to say goodbye to that couch! although it was pretty swank compared to the chairs we have gotten in the past in military hospitals!

this photo cracks me up b/c they look so much alike!

we have been doing lots and lots of practicing of the "double football hold". i think i'm getting a hang of it, and it makes breast feeding SO SO much easier.

although obviously when i do it their heads go in, not out.

a bit about the bigs meeting the littles...the joy on their faces when they walked int the room made my heart hurt.

it was truly overwhelming. and a testament to God's love and blessings...pure joy is just so beautiful.

 

 

 

harper especially...it melted my heart. i am so proud of her. she is really, truly over the moon happy to be a big big sister. she takes the job very seriously.

 

 

 

and sadie...well, we're working on it. in THEORY she is VERY excited. in theory. she wants to touch them, and we are teaching her that "gently touch" is not the same as "poke your sister's eyes out".

she's only two. and at two the world revolves around YOU. she has been the baby her entire life. it's all she knows.

 

 

getting used to anything other than that is hard for her.

she's thrown some fits...

pouted a bit:

and then in a classic move (perfected in christmas of 2009)...

she tried to lick the baby.

 

because that's what sadie does. :)

i have no doubt she will survive. but i hate that it is so overwhelming to her right now. so i sneak moments with her...love on her, hold her, whisper her secrets...and wait for her to adjust.

 

we are all adjusting! and this house is so full of love, i just can't stop whispering that same old three word prayer over and over...

thank you Lord.

i hope you all had a beautiful, blessed thanksgiving!

xoxo

s

 

 

 

Comments

[Jody]

And now my heart hurts :*)
I so remember the moment my older girls met their little siiters for the 1st time, it's one of those memories your heart never lets you forget!
I am so happy for you, Steph!
Much love to all!

[andrea g.]

they are so adorable.

[Holly S]

You have no idea how much all of your blog readers are overjoyed and grateful for you and your family welcoming your littles. We are so blessed that you are sharing your lives with us. We adore you! XOXO

[Lina]

bless you and your beautiful family!!!!! i was due the 26th with my 3rd boy, so in case you ever wonder i have 3 gorgeous guys to choose from for your team of girls....lol
jake is 5, josh is 2 and logan was born on the 19th..... identical reactions in my house with baby logan jake totally loves the baby and josh wants to play batman with him and tackle him..... i am sure you will adjust fine... i've been a huge fan of your amazing journey and scrapbooking...love your blog specially from a mother to mother point of view. can't wait for u to post some pictures of the nursery, haven't seen any yet.......best of luck, i will be following your blog as well in the wee hrs of the morning since mine is cluster feeding so he thinks the milk cow is open 24-7.....i hope you get a bit of rest while you can....Lina ;-0

[Sarah W.]

Congrats! Thank you for sharing such precious memories and pictures!

[Jenn A. (cccjenn)]

Tears of joy for you, Stephanie. My thoughts are with you as you go through the first hectic and amazing week with your new family of 6!

[lisa truesdell]

loving the pics of the girlies meeting their new sisters - so sweet!

[jackee]

Your blessing abound! Thank you for sharing these beautiful moments. Watching your family brings me such joy, as if I've known you and the girls all these months through your blog. Your life is so full and sweet! Congratulations to all of you!

[Amy A.]

You are simply amazing!! Congrats to the entire family.

[Lora Oliver]

I am so happy for the Howell family. They are absolutely precious! These photos are amazing, thank you for sharing them.

[Es]

Beautiful pics. So extremely happy for you all. You are so truly blessed:) Wishing you the best:)

[Mariangeles_Spain]

Thanks for sharing your great pictures and your thoughts.
I'm glad you are all happy. You're going to have a very Merry Christmas :)

[Beth Ann]

Oh Stephanie...my heart is just bursting with happiness for all of you... I have tears now. God bless!!

[Mary Jo]

All your photos are precious! But I so love the second one where Cate is staring right at the camera. She looks so much like Harper there! :0)
Congrats again!

[Kathy Hoffman Floen]

Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful memories and family with us, Steph! :) Your story is touching! :) Your littles are just beautifully precious! :) I loved seeing the pics of the Bigs and the Littles together! :) You make my heart happy everytime I read and have read your blog. I will pray for Miss Sadie..you are an awesome mama and she will get through. ((HUGS))

[Iara]

congrats Stephanie! the little girls are so beautiful and precious. Sadie will ajust to her new role in the family, my boy was only 18 months when his little sister was born and he was also owehelmed at the begin but he found his way to be a wonderful and proud big brother. God bless you and your beautiful family!

[Amy E]

Congrats, Stephanie. Your girls (all 4) are beautiful.

[Leah Martin]

They are beautiful! Congratulations on your happy, healthy family! :]

[reyanna]

Thank you so much for this post! My heart is melting. You have such a beautiful family! I am just in love with all of you. :-)

[Barb]

Oh, Stephanie! They are beautiful - every single last one of them.

[Kirsten J]

congrats!!! what a precious little family - thanks for such happy news :)

[veronica]

I am over the moon happy for you Steph. Congrats on a smooth delivery to some beautiful girls. So glad the other babies are adjusting. :)

[Erin]

Oh I have tears in my eyes right now!!! I'm just so so happy for you and your darling family. Your new babies couldn't be more beautiful and to have them at Thanksgiving -- God's love is amazing. My Addison (baby until baby #3 came along) had a hard adjustment too. I tell her all the time how lucky she is because she gets to be a big sister AND a little sister and that has helped a lot. It will only be hard for Sadie for a short while. Congrats again Stephanie. And hang in there during the newborn stage. Things will get easier but you're right - the best kind of crazy there is! :)

[celeste]

Thank you for sharing! To God be the glory!

[Kaila]

OMG that HAIR!!! I love it!! Four beautiful girls!! Thank you for sharing your amazing family with us - your posts always make me laugh and cry! You make others realize what is important in life. Best wishes to you all!

[Linda Vandenberg]

Oh my I am so happy for you. What a beautiful family you have and so thankful to God you were graced with such healthy and beautiful girls. The days will be overwhelming and crazy but just savor the moments as you know all to well they grow up fast. I hope you have help at home too! Blessings on your day!

[kim smart]

thank you for sharing these precious pictures with us! i soooo enjoyed the pics of sadie and harper meeting their sisters! priceless!! i know how happy you all must be, take care of yourself and God bless y'all :)

[JoLynn]

Absolutely gorgeous photos! Congrats! Good luck with the sibling thing. Your baby just went from Cindy to Jan and that takes some adjustment for sure. Just the fact that you are conscious of it is awesome.

[Heather Garl]

Congratulations! They are beautiful!

[Susie]

They are all absolutely precious! Congratulations, Stephanie and family! God certainly has blessed you this Thanksgiving!

[gretchen]

CONGRATS Stephanie!! i love the pics!

[Donna]

Steph - you don't me, or I you but you had me laughing and crying over your post. A fellow mother, across the miles with a heart that dances with joy for you right now. You are a wonderful, nurturing, joyful, positive and genuine person. I'd love to meet you one day - but until then I'll just enjoy the light that you shine! You go girl - you will be an awesome mumma to four!
x Donna

[shelby]

oh congrats! they are so beautiful and having four girls must be so wonderful!

[Amber Lee]

So happy things are going so well! What a crazy happy time for you all!

[Heather P.]

Soooooooo totally precious!! Congratulations on your newest little ones!!! You have such a beautiful family... :)

[sue frazier]

they are so beautiful! they brought a tear to my eye when I saw them...so sweet! congratulations to you and your family...you are so so blessed!

[Andrea Dick]

Congrats! The babies are beautiful. You know I like following your blog so must because Harper and Sadie look alot like my girls, especially Sadie. My younger daughter, like Sadie, had a hard time when the "new" babies came home. I think there were many days when she wished we could return them. She did get over it. Some days we tease her about bringing another one home and she gives us evil looks (she is now 15). Where as her sister loved the whole big sister thing, and would welcome any additions to the family. What helped me was to set aside an 1/2 hour to an hour to each child each week, I had to do what that child wanted to do, we called it their special time with just me and them. We still try to do this and it is just a really nice time

[Bonnie]

What a beautiful family! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! So very happy for all of you! Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful pictures.

[Mary Rogers]

I can't believe how much cate already looks like her big sister harper!!

love you guys!! Enjoy what is precious.

[Michelle Whitlow]

Wow, what a beautiful family you have! Congratulations!!!

[jung a]

congrats doll! they are so precious, and i think cate looks like harper!

[Renee]

Congratulations!!!!!
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful moment with us through your photos!!

[kara s.]

gorgeous girlies!! we are teaching out 23 m/o gentle with our new 4 week old. she feels the need to show us where betsy's nose, eyes, etc are. HARD.
gentle isn't in a 2 y/o's vocab i am pretty sure! ;)

enjoy your sweet baby girls! they're lovely!

[Suezi Gurzi]

no blog has ever made me cry so many times! Just precious are the pictures of the bigs meeting the littles. Sadie will come around they all do. Praying for you and your beautiful little family. thanks again for sharing your precious moments with all of us.
xoxo

[jenny]

Hi. I found you through Elizabeth Foss's blog. I just wanted to say congratulations--I've also got 4 girls, but my set of twins came first! They were 18 months old when their baby sister was born, and then she was 21 months old when the new baby sister was born--and she'll be ONE in three weeks!

Yes, the double-football hold. I remember that! (And I'm sure you'll sympathize--nursing only "singletons" after those twins... easy as pie!)

I'll also tell you that one of my twins is also a Cate (spelled the same, too!).

Sweet, sweet babies. Enjoy!

Love,
Jenny

[Michelle Magana]

Oh, huge congrats to you and J and of course the girls. So happy everything went well and seeing the girls healthy. Congrats again!

[Andrea]

I will join in on the huge congratulations! I love easy deliveries and I am so glad you had one too! Those two peas are sooo precious and your older girls are going to be great big sisters. God Bless you all!

[Jan]

Amazing and wonderful. Thank You Lord for this family. Amazing and crazy and wonderful.

[Kelly Massman]

Congratulations! I can just feel the girls' excitement! Best of luck! Make time to rest if you can! :-)

[Jessica Hess]

Congratulaions! They are beautiful. What a blessing. I had my twins at Thanksgiving too. (8 years ago) Enjoy every precious moment.

[Cass]

Beautiful. Simply beautiful. Enjoy this wonderful time.

[Cass]

Beautiful. Simply beautiful. Enjoy this wonderful time.

[Staci Taylor]

Congrats, steph, these photos put a huge smile on my face - so so sweet! the bigs and the littles are all so beautiful! my third baby is now 3 months old, and I can SO relate to having a hard time teaching the youngest to be gentle - my three year old is still learning that she can't lean on the baby, squeeze the baby, etc. but my 5 year old perfected gentle much quicker ;-) Hope you are getting some rest in between all the excitement!

[Leslie]

I didn't get to check your blog last week but I just knew when I finally got at chance to check (on my phone yesterday) that you'd had your babies! And I was right. :)How completely happy I am for you and your family! Congratulations times two!! Lovely babies and such wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing!

[MelanieJ]

Congratulations! It was so fun to come home from the Thanksgiving holiday and read about your new babies :) They are beautiful! And your big girls--so sweet! Don't they seem so big now? It is cute to see the little flower clips in their hair--my girls have clips like that in their hair in the pictures from the hospital when their brother was born.

Best to you all--get lots of sleep! And keep spending those sweet little moments with the big girls--they will remember and treasure them.

[Jen B.]

I am so, so thrilled for you and your family. Lucy and Cate are just beautiful! Happy to hear that you had the blessing of an easy delivery and that both girls are big and strong. What a happy Thanksgiving!

[Adriana P.]

Congratulations! I have been thinking about you as you grew closer to your time, praying for a wonderful delivery. You are so blessed to have these two precious bundles (in addition to your other two very precious ones). Welcome to the Mom of 4 club!

[Jena]

Beautiful! Congrats!

[Jena]

Beautiful! Congrats!

[Karen]

All I felt was peace and joy as I read this post. From birth to death life can be so full of love and also heartache. But every part enriches our lives. Makes us stronger and helps us love more. Congratulations!

[Angela]

Congratulations on your gorgeous gals. All the four of them are so yummy (I mean it in the nicest sense. I have never commented on your blog before, but the pics of the wee ones just made my heart fill with emotion...the good kind. Love the pics. Enjoy!

[Lisa Brown]

Precious, precious! Beautiful family!

[judy1223]

What a lovely testament to God's love for life! May He bless you all as your beautiful family grows!

[Cindy Strickland]

Lovely little girls - all 4 of them. Congratulations to you all.

[Donna]

I followed a link from Jennifer McGuire's blog. Your pictures are beautiful...your children are beautiful. God bless you all...have wonderful holidays!

[Jessica]

What sweet blessings you've been given. I think your girls will be awesome sisters because you'll give them all time to adjust to the newness of it all.
I love your pix they are wonderful...even the pouting. Enjoy yourself now, savour this time. Because, before you know it they'll be walking across the stage at graduation! Thanks so much for sharing this time.

[LeanneO]

Oh my, oh my sis in law just passed this on to me.... I'm wishing I could go back 2 years! My twins are now just 2 years old. My baby at that time was 15 months and it was a crazy busy time. I have 5 in all and when the twins were born the oldest was 1 1/2 months away from turning 5. I only tell you this to encourage you on those busy days, the days when the only way you keep yourself going is by wispering the phrase, "this too shall pass". Believe me, I've been there. But it does get easier and while all my singletons are unique and precious to me, there is something marvelous and miraculous in raising twins.
And the breastfeeding???? Just thinking about it makes me want to have twins and do it all again. So indescribably special.

Congratulations, your daughters are beautiful!
God is good!

[jane]

Picked up the link to your post on Jennifer McGuire's blog...you have an absolutely beautiful family. Do focus on enjoying all the little things...I too have 4 and I can honestly say that the more you have, the faster the time goes...I guess it has to do with being so outnumbered, but my oldest will be 17 in April and a senior in the fall; It doesn't seem possible that she will be headed off to college in just over a year! I hope I will be ready because it is like losing my right arm!