Family

So this photo will definitely *not* be on our Christmas card, judging from how disheveled we all look. But it's so comical for that reason that I decided to post it. If nothing else, we can all get a good laugh!

Figuring it Out

Thankfully Little C is getting used to our new normal, and finding things to do while we are busy feeding Ellen and Sophie. Of course it helps that there are many people around to pitch in and help entertain and occupy her time. For that we are so thankful! It has made the transition so much more manageable for me since I am still limited in what I can do physically until I fully recover. Corinne has been busier and more spoiled these last two weeks than ever before in her young life! She's also never been more tired. But she still loves to hold Ellen and Sophie--she tells them she loves them and tells us that she "likes them a lot" or "loves them very much". I also heard her call one of them "sweetheart" yesterday! We'll see how long it takes her to figure out that it's those very same sisters who have taken mommy and daddy's laps, time and energy:) Right now I don't think she is correlating the two. Regardless, it is fun to watch how things evolve each day in our house. Never a dull moment!Our artist, Corinne, chose to wear her blue winter hat while she painted...for inspiration? But actually, she's not usually all that into artsy craftsy things. She would much rather run, jump, climb and play using her imagination.

Here's Princess Corinne helping with a feeding

She sits and plays for long periods of time with her people, cars, and animals. Thankfully she has a long attention span! And getting new polish on her toes with Brett's mom...a favorite way to pass the time!

Girls

I'm still in disbelief that we have 3 girls under age 3...make that under age 2 1/2! The reality of that means many things these days. Loads of laundry every day, bottles to clean every few hours, diapers to constantly change, toys to pick up everywhere, visitors galore, house cleaning that goes by the wayside, someone needing a lap or hands around the clock, less sleep and no downtime. However, it also means 3 beautiful girls! And one day it will mean 3 beautiful girls who play together, laugh together, and learn from one another. I can't wait to see how our family evolves and how each set of relationships develop and grow. We are taking one day at a time right now, remembering to keep our sense of humor, and doing the best we can to give everyone what they need to feel secure, loved, and cared for...including in our marriage. And we can trust that by God's grace, we will all come out ahead! Brett's motto right now is "Thrive, not just survive!" So we are working toward that goal.

Home

The first thing Corinne wants to do in the morning is peek in on her baby sisters in their crib, and it's the last thing she wants to do at night! The top picture was taken the first morning she woke up with them in the house, and you can see she is reaching out for Ellen and Sophie. Corinne is sweet with them--she speaks softly when she holds them and gently pats their heads (while we support them)! I believe that she truly loves them, although it hasn't been all smooth sailing. She has had a meltdown here or there--mostly while we're busy doing a feeding--and is getting used to sharing her mommy and daddy. But all in all, she has handled the transition well and I'm sure these bumps along the way are completely normal. It hasn't changed Corinne's kind spirit or gentle disposition, and for that we are thankful. We have a new normal now and it's wonderful, tiring, challenging, rewarding, and amazing all at the same time.

Twins? What?!

Funny story...So my sister, Marcey, is in town for two weeks. Last night Brett, Marcey, our THREE kids, and I went out for ice cream and when we walked up to the ice cream counter to order Marce and I were standing next to each other. The girl helping us immediately asked, "Are you two twins?" To which we answered no, but found it incredibly ironic since I just had twins myself! Not to mention, Marcey and I are 5 years apart! But we seem to draw comments on our family resemblence often these days...though I have to say this is the first time 'twins' has been brought up! This picture was taken today because I needed to get some opinions from our blog followers. Do we really look that alike? We need Laura to be here with us because then it might be a question like, "Are you triplets?"

Proud Big Sis

Corinne has been an absolute trooper at welcoming her baby sisters into the world! What an answer to prayer that she loves them so! She visited us every day at the hospital and the novelty never did wear off--each time she waved, kissed, and asked to hold her precious sisters...it makes my heart glad beyond words. Brett and I continue to see examples like this of God's faithfulness in every step, situation, and circumstance of having our twin girls--even in the seemingly "little" things like worrying about how Corinne will handle having baby sisters. Praise the Lord that we serve a God who wants to walk with us through each and every experience, working out a wonderful plan for our lives! We are anxious to get home in just a few hours, to be with Corinne, and to start this new adventure as a family. Our super happy girl, ready to visit her sisters

Corinne reached out to hold her baby sister..."by herself" she said!

Corinne and daddy sharing some time together with little sis, pointing out eyes, nose, and mouth.

Corinne is going to be great at giving her sisters the pacifier, which she was dying to do here (even though Sophie was sleeping:)

Corinne up close and personal with Ellen.

Looking for that belly button...but a little weirded out by the cord!

Ellen & Sophie: Side by side

Here's the first close-up of Sophie (on the right) and Ellen (on the left). The reports I've been hearing from the proud grandparents are true -- they are so adorable!

I need to check some family baby photos, but I think Sophie looks like Betsy as a newborn. Can someone back me up on that? And Ellen looks like Corinne as a newborn. In fact, I see that Ellen has her arm raised. Anyone remember this photo?

OK, enough commentary. My instructions were just to upload the photo ...

Corinne meets her little sisters Ellen and Sophie

Corinne was able to visit Mommy and Daddy in the hospital this afternoon and meet her little sisters, Ellen and Sophie, for the first time. Betsy said that Corinne was very excited and really loved seeing the little girls -- you can see her big smiles in the photos below. She even told Betsy that she wanted to hold them! And so she did. I'm sure that Corinne is already looking forward to visiting again tomorrow. And Ellen and Sophie gave Corinne a present -- a cute polka-dotted piggy bank! Wasn't that nice of them?

Everyone is doing well. So far, Ellen and Sophie have done a very good job of sleeping between feedings (and they are feeding very well). Betsy is feeling good right now, but tired, and the really powerful drugs will probably wear off sometime tonight or tomorrow.

I can confirm a few more details: Ellen was born first and was Baby A. They both have full heads of golden brown hair (one a bit lighter than the other), though not quite as much as Corinne had when she was born. And Betsy said that of the twins, Ellen most closely resembles Corinne.

Many thanks from Betsy and Brett for all the messages and good wishes.

Ellen and Sophie Schatz

The Schatz Twins have arrived! Ellen Elizabeth and Sophie Kathleen were born this morning shortly after 7:45am, with a little help from the doctor, who delivered them at 39 weeks by c-section because our girls seemed in no hurry to make their appearance on their own! Ellen Elizabeth weighed -- wait for it -- 7 lbs. and 6 oz.! Yes, she weighed in a full ounce bigger than Corinne did. Sophie weighed in at 5 lbs. and 14 oz. Daddy reports that Ellen and Sophie are healthy, which is of course the best news of all.

Based on these weights, I am going to venture a guess that Ellen was formerly known to us all as Baby A, our quiet little girl who kept her head down pretty much the whole time. And that Sophie was known as Baby B, the littler girl and our little stinker who liked to move around -- head up, sideways and every which way but head down!

The reports from Grandpa Don (aka Pop Pop) and Grandma Jeanne (aka Mimi) are that Betsy, Ellen, Sophie -- and don't forget Brett! -- are doing great. Mimi heard the girls crying in the background when Brett called her, so he quickly jumped off the phone to help out. That must have been a great sound to hear! Watch this space for photos, which we'll post just as soon as they are available. Additional details will be added later, such as: Who was born first? And are they identical? Inquiring minds want to know ...

Betsy is getting some much needed and well deserved rest and Brett is with her at the hospital. My mom is staying with big sister Corinne, who will be going to the hospital tonight to visit Mommy and Daddy and meet her little sisters. She will get to visit every day. (I have heard from a reliable source that Corinne has some surprises to take with her for Mommy, Daddy and and the girls.) For now, Betsy and Brett are getting to know their new little daughters.

On behalf of Betsy, Brett and their daughters, "Thank you!" for all your love, support and prayers during the pregnancy. Praise God for so many answered prayers along the way -- including not a single day of bedrest and a full-term pregnancy -- but most of all for two healthy baby girls and a safe delivery for Betsy! Your continued prayers will be very much appreciated as Betsy recovers, Ellen and Sophie adjust to life on the outside and grow healthy and strong, and the Schatzes get used to life with two new babies -- as a family of five! And especially for Corinne, as she adjusts to having sisters and all the strange new activity in the house. I think she'll be a wonderful big sister to Ellen and Sophie and cannot wait to see her in action.

Finish Line

It looks like we'll make it to week 39 tomorrow, and the scheduled c-section! I wasn't too sure if we would, but the girls seem to be cooperating so far. We're feeling excited and anxious all at once--and so many other emotions, too. We can't wait to post names, pictures, and thoughts about the birth of our twin girls over the next few days! So stay tuned...