First off, thanks to all who willingly came here to read our update. Free time is a precious and rare treat. :)
All is well! Yesterday Rachel followed what she calls her "sleep bible" (Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Wiesbluth) and got the girls on a great routine. Last night they went to bed at 7pm and didn't wake up until 7am! They are also eating much more and Rachel has been working with them to help them hold their own bottles. Leila is still a slow eater but she can take as long as she needs here so we have a feeling she will grow quite fast very soon. There is about a 2 pound difference between the girls right now.
Leah and Leila both seem quite happy overall and they especially love their big brother! Andrew is adjusting quite well to having two little sisters. He's been a great help and likes to entertain the girls and make them laugh. He's still the only one who can get the girls to laugh!
Josh is well. He came home 1 week ago and won't have to travel again until after Easter. Last trip he went to Senegal and Mali. Rachel has asked him to post some of the beautiful things he's seen on these trips. He will soon. Between work and fathering 3 children, he's a wee bit busy! :)
He's been told that the list of assignments for the next tour will come out late this month and he'll be able to list his top 3 preferences but we have no idea when we'll know for sure and chances are it will change!!! :) He is scheduled to do a school in DC from August to December so we'll be in the DC area this fall.
Rachel is enjoying having the girls home. Her arm muscles and leg muscles are sore like she's been constantly working out. Maybe carrying about 15 pounds in each arm and going up and down the stairs constantly has something to do with it. She says if you are looking for a great weight loss program, twins in a 2 story house is the way to go. You rarely have time to eat too much and you get lots of exercise. She's still in grad school and is looking forward to spring break in a week.
We put some new pictures up a bit ago from when we picked them up as well as a few around the house. In case you don't know how to get to them, go to our website at www.rachelandjoshua.com and then click on pictures to get there.
We are quite thankful for all the prayers and well wishes with the girls. We are so glad they are home!!!
--Joshua, Rachel, Andrew, Leah and Leila
3 years ago
4 comments:
You all look so happy! What a great family! I just LOVE that the girsl hold hands a lot in the pictures. How sweet!
I have a "sleep bible" too. I use a different one but I think the important thing is to have a plan and stick to it. Life is sooooo much easier when you've got routines and everything is predictable.
CONGRATULATIONS on getting the girls home!! They are adorable!!! We use the same "sleep bible" and you're right--it's terrific!
Lisa
Dear Joshua,
I wrote you a beautiful note a while ago, but I couldn't publish it because I had forgotten my blog account name and password and how to do all of this stuff. It's probably because I'm working the night shift and I'm mentally fatigued or maybe it's early onset Alzheimer's or... Damn! I lost my train of thought! Anyway, in the note I talked about how proud I am of you for all the good things you've done and all that you will do. I just hope that your children make you as proud as you have made proud to be your father (or, at least, that's the story your mother tells). Regardless, I got the blame for you and your four siblings, of whom I am also very proud. If you did nothing else besides adopting the three children and making them your own, it would make my heart overflow.
Love,
Dad
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