Christmas here and gone! Loved it!

Christmas as a wonderful time full of family, friends and food. Scott and I hosted everyone but the Twyford's this year (my mom's side) It was great! We cooked steaks and had a fabulous time with Scott's immediate family on Christmas Eve. Went to our church service with Scott's folks. Rylee and Jackson did great throughout the service and grandma and grandpa nickel loved holding Jackson. Christmas Day we celebrated at Mom's house with a great game of secret Santa and then a game called signs. We laughed a lot that day and it was really nice. I was tied up with tape by my nephew and 2nd cousin to see how many seconds it would take me to get out of it. Later we got tons of presents from Nana and Uncle Troy's family. We then ventured off to Scott's Aunt's where we really got bombarded with gifts, hugs, kisses, and lots of love. My brother's family stayed with us and it was wonderful. They got to spend quality time with Rylee and Jackson. Then off to Dad's house for a little more Christmas. Very sweet time with Dad making us all ribs and such a sweet celebration. Overall, it was awesome but we are very tired. pictures coming.

Christmas is almost here and the stockings are hung

Well, it's been so amazing to be a mom. Jackson is now consistently rolling around everywhere. Rylee just kicks her legs and smiles a lot. I do think I was given the best babies around.

Yesterday we took them to the nursery for the first time at Church. They did great and I survived giving my babies away to a few strangers. Luckily Tom and good friend of mines husband was working and it eased my worries quiet a bit. When we picked them up Jackson was cuddled in Tom's arms and Jackson looked very tired. It was very sweet.
Rylee came out smiling and we were told what a smiley baby we had. sigh...

We hung our stockings last night and it was so awesome to have everyone's stockings up on the fireplace. It made me almost tear up at the thought of this last year and all we have been through. This time last year we were thinking we were about to have three children. We thought we were going to adopt a little girl and then have twins 6 months later. So much has happened and now we are so thankful of how it all worked out. Two kids is enough to make my sleeping hours decrease, I can't imagine what three kids would have done.

Rylee is sleeping through the night and it's wonderful. Jackson, on the other hand, can only sleep about five hours tops before he wakes up again and needs fed. It's been good for the most part because they go down together around 6:30 7:00. I am praying now with more solid foods he will sleep longer. Not so far...;(.

Rylee has learned to scream and do a motor boat sound. She can also do a great 50 year old lady who has smoked most her life voice. Oh it's pretty. Jack learns something and then forgets but has recently remembered he can roll a lot, spit raspberries, scream really loud or cough to get mom's attention.

Things we hear a lot... "Oh Twins..." yeah boy and a girl..."Are they identical?" hmmmmmm. They are looking at them at the time. One is bald/blond the other has brown hair. One has blue sparkling eyes, the other handsome piercing brown eyes. OH yeah they are identical. ;0

Scott is a great dad and doing everything he can to help around the house. Most of the time we are on the same page but sometimes I am so tired, I can be a pill. I know, I know... you can't imagine me being hard to put up with but it's true sometimes. After four times a day pumping, 16 diaper changes, five bottle feedings a day, washing bottles, washing clothes,taking out the trash and no down time except when my children are playing on the floor at 6 am and I can type this... ;)

Naps are 30 minutes long for Jackson and I have to keep them on the same schedule or they really do kill me... it makes for a very long day. I am tired right now...Wish I could write more but I just want to lay down for the ten minutes I have left. ;(

Lots of Company hang out with the Nickel Twins

Your Favorites (33 photos), by Tina Nickel

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Happy Halloween!

Well, we have everything ready for our Halloween weekend. We are started celebrating with a tea party on Tuesday where the kids got to dress in their costumes. Very cute! We had a barn dance last friday night and it was a blast! I love dancing with my honey.
Halloween is going to consist of a bake potato party, OSU vs. K-State game in Manhattan and a costume party later... if we make it back for that. :) So pictures coming..
The kids are getting so big and I am praying they stay awake longer in the day instead of 45 minute naps.. They need the long ones.. and momma does too! :)
Hope you enjoy your Halloween!

Well, the class reunion was a lot of fun! I was so nervous before the nights got started but then a few familiar faces would appear and make me feel like home. It was so good to see a great friend. Jami Schafer, she was so much fun and so sweet. I loved her and saw her across the way and we gave each other a huge hug. Shannon, our class president was amazing. She talked with us for quite awhile and we had a lot in common. So the first night was really nice to see people. I was really surprised I saw so many Roosevelt Junior High class mates. They were so excited to see me and it was a little odd at first. But it was also very sweet to think how much I loved Roosevelt and East and it was so wonderful to be around people who were excited to see you after twenty years. So fun!!

Saturday Night we had the dinner and dance. It was neat to read what I wrote over twenty years ago about how successful I would be and married with two kids. I guess I knew something back then...lol. It was funny because a lot of people wrote things that really came true.

I sat with some friends I had know for a long time but not people I really hung out with during High School but it was so much fun! Donita and I played volleyball together and she was so funny. She served in the military for 9 years and married an amazing basketball coach. He was so sweet and kind. I loved our conversation. I think Scott had a good time too! Met up with friends who have a love for K-State as well. It was a great night and I will always remember how fun it was to dance with my old classmates even 20 years later. Go times!!!

Fall is Here!!

As I have gotten older, I just love Fall! It's so beautiful here! But then there is officiating and I can't run around too much with all these games in the evenings. So maybe some time outside will do!
This month is going to be crazy packed with volleyball games, paint balling, barn dancing, umpiring softball games, missions month at the church and halloweening!!! I am still looking for costumes for the kids. Maybe I will get crafty and make them but ah yeah!! You are talking me!
New developments! Rylee giggled for the first time for a long period of time with Grandma Nickel. She is holding her bottle and is just so cute!!! She smiles all the time for anyone. Jackson is spitting up a whole lot more and has eczema. So bathing twice a day and adding baby oil. They love the big bath tub and love to float on their backs. Jackson is still rolling over on one side sometimes... Rylee doesn't crawl during the night but somehow gets on the other side of the bed at night... Maybe she is Rylee the Great! I have no idea...
Well, As I type so fast human eye can not see me do this.. I must leave you with this.... Having babies makes you realize farting isn't so bad at a distance. When children fart and poop while on your lap....it's just funny (when it was never ever before)! Or all you can do is smile or laugh!

Babies Getting Bigger/ Momma getting Smaller

Well, sorry I haven't updated this bad boy in awhile!! LOL! Being a mom takes so much time. I am officiating in the evenings now too, so it's been crazy! Right now they fell asleep in their swings and I am waiting for my dinner to get done so I have a minute to write!
Last checked Jackson was 12.1 and Rylee was 11.4 lbs they have doubled their wait and I am very happy with this news. Jack has found his hands, his thumb to suck on and likes to jabber really loud... He says boo and goo. Rylee is still my soft spoken one she says Go!!! and sometimes boo but not much. Jackson likes to have his meal right away when waking up but has been better about not screaming to high heaven. I keep telling him, I am right here!!! Jack can roll over one way and gets frustrated pretty quick if it doesn't happen all the time. Rylee loves to watch Jackson! If she is anywhere in the same room she must be looking at him or touching him. She just adores her brother. Jackson on the other hand gets a little jealous of his sister if mom and dad play with sis too long.
Me?
I say boob and aughgh. Breastfeeding has become just in the mornings. I pump the rest of the time. They still don't empty me out completely and it hurts. Then its just too much on me with them eating every two hours. I don't have time to rebuild back up.. so I pump before or after depending on how full my breast are and that seems to work. They are healthy and I am not going too insane! I want more of my husband but who doesn't! We have gone on dates and still try to do our stuff but sometimes it does take effort to get motivated to do so.. He is a Rock! I love him so!!! He is still my everything and does an amazing job with the kids.. Our house is one big song rewritten for our kids! Every song... it doesn't matter. WE never sing the right words. Scott is getting really good at it! We might start making albums for you all! LOL
It's football season so life is good!

My new job besides full time mom is the new Head coach at Collegiate High School. I am very excited about this position and hope to make a difference in the lives of those HS girls and perhaps help my children have a good school to go to in their future. God is good ALL the time!

Growing

How Are you REALLY doing?

So having twins comes with lots of joys and high points followed by some low points! Mostly it was like a whirlwind the first two weeks. Now it seems like things have slowed down and I am getting ready to show them the world and take them places/ teach them things outside of this house. We have taken them to Sunday school twice but last time they woke up and it was pretty distracting because they make all these baby noises. They didn't cry just fussed and squirmed. Jackson has pretty good gas issues so taken them to Church was quite fun when he tooted most of the sermon.
Feeding has been the challenge. No one told me it would be an hour and a half process to just feed the two of them. I breast feed, bottle supplement and pump. I guess I wouldn't care if it was 20 minutes of breastfeeding and done but it doesn't seem like that is going to be the case with us. I was hoping the Doctor would say that but he hasn't. So the hard part is feeding one on the breast while moving the other one on to supplement and then if one of them has to burp or spits up...ah it turns in to chaos very quickly. Picking up an eight pound baby not too bad but looking into the future gets me down a little because I don't see how it will all work. Without completely making the other one wait until I am done with one of them. Jackson is having a hard time staying on breast without causing my nipple to pierce up and bring extreme pain through my boob to the depths of my soul. I get frustrated with the whole process because I feel Jackson would much rather just take from the bottle then spend time on the boob. I think supplementing so early might have caused this reaction. But I want him to be satisfied. Rylee is great but she falls asleep at the breast and takes forever to eat on the breast because I have to wake her up and burp her every three minutes. Then she wants more supplement. Aghahgh...They are so cute and lovable. I wish I could hold them all day long I really do and maybe with one I would. But that's life.
That's how I am REALLY doing! :) But boy they are so cute, it makes it seem like such a small thing in such tiny time in their life. Oh how He loves you and me!!!

Becoming the Mommy God has for me to be.

Wow! This mommy stuff is amazing, confusing, fun, frustrating, exciting, tiring, enjoyable, humbling, and so much more. I love to watch them have personal time with me and daddy. It's been amazing to watch us grow as a family and learn each others patterns and difficulties. It's confusing when you think you have figured your baby out and then they switch. It's fun to see them make faces and enjoying my milk more and more. It's frustrating when we still have to formula feed because my milk hasn't come in totally yet. It's exciting to be parents. It's tiring when you just get done pumping and another round is ready to go again. Seriously? It's enjoyable to watch others just love on your children. It's humbling knowing God is allowing you to teach these kids life lessons and patients.
I am amazed by these two angels. I love them and wouldn't have it any other way. My sweet family is finally here. I love being a mom! WOW!

Miracle on Looman Street

June 19th 2010 will be forever remembered as the day Scott and Tina Nickel welcomed Jackson Thomas and Rylee Grace into this world. I can tell you it feels so good to know they are here, finally!! It's such a joy to see their little faces and know they look like they belong to us. Whether they have the Schremmer round face, the Nickel nose, Stall chin, and Twyford feet they are family! They are ours and we love them!!!
The miracle is they are ours with a lot of prayer, love, patients, seeking God, trusting, hoping, knowing he answers. We are still in awe of everything. After so many years of hoping they would come they are here to hold, kiss and laugh with.

Scott is great and has a natural loving spirit. He has been so fun to watch. I am hanging in there as a new mommy. Trying to breast feed, hormones, pain from the surgery; it's been a stretch for me. We are very tired and it makes for long nights when I am not producing much milk right now. We are praying we can supply them with what they need without having to do formula. Not that we are against it just want the very best for our children. So I am attached to a pump! Which, I swear is saying "get lost" as it makes noise in my ear! :)
We have had great help from mom and david plus scott's mom as well. So we are singing praises we have such great support. Our sunday school class and bible study groups are helping supply us with dinners hopefully through Sept. That's awesome in it's self.
Enough talk..... time to post pics.

The Time has come! Two more days and our new Titles will be "MOM and DAD"

It's Thursday Night, two days before our little angles are born. I went for my last swim of the summer and took my mom shopping to show her what we normally get at the store. I organized my maternity clothes and got rid of all the winter clothes a friend of mine gave me to give back to her. Scott has been cleaning for the past two days and working on three rooms a day. He cleaned all the Windows inside and out! He has been going full speed for about a week now. I hope he doesn't crash soon. But it's his way of getting ready for the babies. I love this man.

I have gained so much weight it's hard to even stand for very long. Praying the surgery and everything will bring some relief so I can care for the babies. Anxious is a word to describe my feelings. I know it's not about me and my worry for our children is so strong. I just want them to be healthy and have a good start in life.

We have everything ready. Tomorrow I learn about the breast pump in more detail. I am a little concerned because I haven't had a lot of advice about twins. I need to be calling one of my twins friends tomorrow just to touch base with her. I pray I can breast feed these babies. I pray they are good suckers and I am a good supplier. I love them soooo much! My friend Karen who has breast feed three babies is coming over to show me how it works and what all I need to do. PTL.

In two days, my babies will be taking their first breathes, seeing us, eating, letting us kiss them and sleeping. Maybe even crying a bit. I have been waiting for this day for so long and I am getting blessed with two babies. Amazing! God is so good to me. I just think about it His Grace and Mercies. How blessed I am to be taking these steps through life and getting to experience His love in a deeper way. They say no one can love you more or you love more then your own child. Having them in the womb and calling them by name is so amazing. To watch them move and communicate this way. I can't imagine how I am going to feel once they are here!!! WOW!

If I cry for joy for days please forgive me but it just makes me so happy to be given this opportunity to bring them in this world. I love you sweet babies. I will love you forever!

Any day now but very soon!

36 weeks today and it seems like time flew by right before our eyes. Even though there are days that drag on and on. Mostly, I just want it not to feel like ground hog day. Things I look forward to; is going up and down stair without holding on to the railings, walking to the mail box is not my daily exercise, drinking water and peeing every hour won't be a constant, putting baby powder away and not having to keep my self from sweating to death, wearing my shoes again, being able to open bottles and containers again without help, looking down at my feet and seeing those beauties not swollen and being able to touch them, sleeping with my hubby again, having energy to do things and not getting out of breath.

The other things I am so looking forward to is feeding my babies, cleaning them, kissing, hugging, holding, rocking, laughing, crying, worrying and smiling. What a wonderful feeling of knowing they are finally here.

I have felt bad about posting so much about the pregnancy with so many of our friends still waiting for this moment. But I realize I can't disregard the joy of letting my kiddos know how much we are so excited about them coming. I am 37 years old and have waiting children for ten years. I my first marriage after a year he said he never wanted children. I couldn't believe it. I had waiting to get married until I was 28 the first time. I thought I was old at 28 to be having children. Now at 37 I know I am old.... :) But I also know how God hears our prayers. I got remarried to a man who loves children and wants to have them with me. Who is going to be an amazing father. We were not only blessed with one but two. We were not only blessed with a boy but a girl as well.

When I was talking with a friend the other day feeling sorry for my pregnant self she said "Well you do have an amazing story." What? Had I forgotten all God had done. Was I more concerned with my feet and weight and all the terrible misery that comes with pregnancy that I forgot what an amazing God I have? Did I become a Thomas and doubt what the Lord said he would do. He keeps his promises and he knows our hearts. He knows some of us need more time or proof of his miracles. I guess I am one of those people who needs reminded it's okay to be joyful and hopeful for others. I want my kids to have this record of my love for them. I want them to know I have been waiting and learning. Hoping and trusting!!! Now, they are finally on their last days in the womb. Coming to live with Scott and I. What an amazing victory and song! I am so excited for them to get here...

We are so blessed even after two years of marriage hoping and waiting. You both are soon to be here. I feel your touch, I know your movements! I will never be as close to you both as I am now. But I will know you better once you are out! The love story began when I married Scott and it's just growing with time. I love you sweet girl and boy!

JUNE!!! We made it to June!

PTL PTL.... Well the last four days have been a little tricky and frustrating. But I think we might have had a solution. I went to Labor and Delivery on Monday Night because I had four days of electrifying headaches. Most lasted just a few seconds but some lasted a minute to a minute and a half. It was so painful and in the same area it caused me major concern. Even though my BP was fine, it was like the scare of these headaches just made it worse. The Doctor at the L and D said my heart rate was alittle high so they gave me a liter of fluid and told me to take all these different drugs when I got home. So we did everything he said after three hours in the L and D. The next morning I had five episodes before 1:20. I was worried and called my OB.. They finally called back and told me to go back to the L and D. GREAT!!!! :( I called a friend and she came and got me with her three kiddos.. I felt so bad but she is so great! She was like a true advocate for what I was going through and asked great questions. This time my Doctor at the L and D was great! She had a student with her and that was a little odd when she asked questions but everybody needs to learn. Dr. checked my blood, urine and every thing came out great. Babies looked great and had perfect little heart rates. They gave me some oxygen and was hoping it would help. It made me feel fine but after being there three hours without my afternoon nap, I was tired.
Scott finally got off work and came up to the hospital. He had to work a double shift yesterday. Poor guy. He was great and I so appreciate him. He made me laugh too much and the babies moved off the monitors. He got in trouble... it was kinda funny. They sent us home with a prescription of Fiociet. It's got Tylenol and Caffine and something else in it. I took it last night because I was having episodes. Needless to say with caffine as part of the ingredient I was wide awake at 12:30-3:30 decided not to take the every four hours, had another episode and so I took some at 3:45. Slept from 4:00 to 7 a.m. got hungry and now I feel like a nap at 10:00. LOL.
The babies were very active last night too, moving and rolling. It was a little insane. I couldn't breathe in any position. Even got on all fours to try to breath with ease.
But we made it through the night and I think I can make it to the end. That is the goal now.. I mean if we made it this far, why not go for it! What's two and a half more weeks, right?

The rest of the week, I get to watch softball. It's the College World Series and I am so on it!!! It will help the time pas by for sure. I usually go down to Oklahoma and watch but this year I am going to have to watch it on TV. I kinda like Hawaii because they have set HR record of 152 home runs this season. Pretty amazing if they aren't cheating. Some of their swings look a little suspicion but most look legit.

34 weeks 5 days and I have a photo shoot for a chiropractic practice. They want to show how they can help pregnant woman too! John Wheeler is a great friend of ours and has helped us in so many ways. So I get to go up there today and show off my twin belly and be on the brochure. I guess I need to have fun with the fact I am so large at this point. Who knew I would be a model for Plus Sizes someday! Good times.

May was Waiting and Praying

May was filled with Showers for the babies, watching softball games, going fishing, visits to the OBGYN and praying we make it to June. I am 33 weeks right now and in pain most of the time. I have gained 54 lbs. and I still might have a month to go!!! :)

The showers were great!! Amy, Wendy and Steph threw a shower for me and around 50 people came bearing gifts. It was a great day of opening gifts and being shocked by everyone's loving touches with their gifts. Scott's mom (since she is a home eck teacher) made two adorable outfits for our little boy and girl. We got so many cute clothes and onsies.
Our family shower was awesome too! Mom threw it at her house and most of Scott's family came to the shower. My grandma, aunt and uncle tywford and my cousin Wendy/Emily came too! It was so great to have so many there. Huck even sent a card for my special day. We were very blessed with diapers, car seats, high chairs, jeep stroller and tons of cute clothes.

Since I had to quit coaching didn't mean I couldn't go to most of the home games. I watched most of Collegiates games and also got to go to a couple of Heights games too!! I was very proud of both teams they both made it past the first game of regionals but neither made it to State. Maybe next year! Shockwave will get started without me this summer. We got a new coach to come in and take over. I am praying it's a good transition.

Two times this May we have gone out fishing. I was beginning to think I was not good at fishing while pregnant but I think it was the time of day we were going. We started going after dinner and that made all the difference. Those two times I have caught about 24 fish... mostly cat fish. It's been a fun relaxing way for me to do something outside the house were I don't have to move much. Scott's Farm has a creek which dammed up so we have a really great fishing hole this summer. Funny story time, So I got my hook caught on a root. Scott and Phil our hero's were holding each other for Scott to try and save the hook and lure. Phil was screaming at Scott because Phil was trying to hold on to him and his girlfriend Janel was very nervous. Me, finding all of it very humorous if Scott fell in the water with Phil. I grabbed my camera. I had a little stool I was sitting on. While I went back to my stool sitting down to take the picture and video tape the event. The leg of the stool drove deep into the ground because it was quite muddy and I am huge at this point. I slowly descend towards the ground screaming and laughing. There I was laying on the ground, in the mud, laughing. Janel couldn't help me because she was worried about the boys and I was about to pee my pants laughing. Needless to say, no one fell except me. I guess the joke was on me. Oh what fun it is to be pregnant.

At our last visit to the doctor everything seems to be going really well. There are no concerns and the babies are growing, plus so am I. I am measuring 40 weeks at 33. So, now I am getting people saying "When are you due?" " Oh you poor thing, look at those ankles" "Adorable, you are just adorable" Are you hanging in there?" The babies are moving all the time. There really isn't much down time of movement. Which, when they are moving its a bit painful and then there are B. Hicks contractions. I really don't know what I am looking for as to when I am contracting and when I am not. But any day now. We are scheduled to do a C-Section and I am worried about recovery but I know God is with us. We have lots of help and I pray we can do this.

We are getting lots of advice now but the best thing for me right now has been the Having Twins and more Books. It is finally answering the big questions that singleton mom's don't have a clue about. So I am doing my best to figure out the way to raise these amazing blessings. God is so good to us. I am so happy to share this time with Scott and watch how much love can pour out of my husband and I for these two children of ours. Even though it's going to be hard and I am not going to perfect at it. They will be blessed to have a Mom and a Dad who love them soooo much. We are both so excited for this moment. We are praying for many things specifically. You can pray with us.

Pray for Scott to be there for delivery.
The Babies come out healthy and well developed. Not have to spend time in NICU.
Pray for Tina's recovery and health during and after delivery.
Pray the weeks we have them to ourselves we can bond closely.
Pray Tina can breast feed her children and help them develop for many months.
Pray for our safety and witness to others.

Thanks.. Much Love!! I might be a mom next time I get on here!!!! :))))))