A long time coming

I know we have taken an eight month hiatus but a lot has happened.

Steve is back in the Navy. Running the Foreign Language and Culture Program.

Leeana's book was released. Found Art. She blogs at Gypsy Ink.

The twins turned 1.

Just a couple of things.

Some Firsts and Some Favorites

a favorite . . . brother/sissy cheeks.

a first . . . in the bath together!

a favorite . . . fun faces.

a favorite . . . twins in the raw!

a favorite . . . precious luke.

a favorite . . . laney t.

a favorite . . . laney lips.

a first . . . bikini and dip with daddy on memorial day.

a first . . . matching lids and a dip with daddy.

a first . . . solid food looks good on you, girl.

a first . . . watching our DVD cuddled up together (we're becoming much more aware of each other!)

Tiny Tank Reality TV

Baby Dedication and Mother's Day...and more!!

we loved playing with great grandpa and rosie!!
thank you for hosting us at your marina, oma and opa! we had so much fun.

we love gran and grammie!

today is our special day . . . we are being dedicated at our church (and it's our mommy's first mother's day)!!

thanks for loving on us, grandpa and grammie.

"can someone get her off me!"

we love tummie time on the play mat. 

here we are just hanging out on the couch in our PJs, holding hands, and watching our "praise baby" DVD.

sweet luke.

pretty laney.

it's finally warm enough to wear our shorts.

we're both sportin' jean shorts, or "jorts," as daddy calls them.

our little Easter bunnies

Tiny Tanks go to Tahoe

We survived our first "vacation" with the babies. As a good friend of mine accurately told me before we left, it's more of a relocation than a vacation. Though we packed our car full of every creature comfort we could manage, going on the road with twins is certainly an undertaking.  Though we weren't able to ski or snow shoe (Steve did get some trout fishing in), we actually enjoyed being cabin bound with the babies and friends and family. We cooked good meals, worked on an impossible puzzle, went for walks in Squaw Village, and played by the fire Steve kept going. Oh, and of course, changed diapers!!!

The Tanks and Jungs in Tahoe City looking out on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.  Eric and Kara visited us while on vacation in Northern California.

Lane, Luke, and Annika Jung chillin' in their stripes!

Luke, Cousin Fynn, and Lane . . . Fynn is the only Tank cousin and he was wonderful with the babies, calling them "my cousin" and giving lots of hugs and kisses.

Another shot of Fynn with the babies. They loved cuddling with him.

9 Week photo shoot

Painful, isn't it?!  

"You're gonna get it if you mess with my sister again!!"
Now aren't we too cute.

Luke (left) and Lane (right) here's lookin' at you!

TWO Months of Love

Last night, the Four Tanks took dinner to the Three Jungs. We had a great time posing Luke and the Ladies for some pictures. What an incredible gift it is to raise babies together!

We are celebrating the two month mark with Luke and Lane. At their most recent doctor's appointment, Luke weighed in at 12lbs 5oz and Lane followed close behind at 10lbs 10oz. Luke's belly and thighs have become very impressive, and Lane continues to be all cheeks and lips. They are both a joy! In fact, last night everyone slept 8 hours!

Thank you to all who have helped us survive these first months with twins! We are eternally grateful for all the meals, visits, laundry, diaper changing, rocking, holding, soothing, errands, phone calls, emails, cards, gifts, coke zero, and general love. It takes a village! Thank you for buoying us with your support and prayers and practical generosity.

The latest photos...and comments.

$1 to "Kiss My Wipps!"


Luke - fat side down. (Comment in honor of his uncle Trey)


Lane and Annika playing at the Tanks.


Laney T. chillin' in the tub.

We are ALL about Self-Soothing!

So we officially passed the 6-Week mark.  We are now starting to help Luke and Lane learn about Self-Soothing.  As the photo attests Luke is digging on his pacifier.  Lane can only handle about 1/3 of a pacifier before she starts to gag, keep it going and she will throw up...bummer.  She does like some time in the swing and they both love to be held.  We are also allowing them some tummy time and napping on their stomachs.  We are not completely comfortable yet with having them sleep unobserved on their stomach's but that will happen soon enough. Please look at the photos we added to the Picasa website. We captured several important visitors. Also, visit www.karaanderic.blogspot.com to see the Tiny Tanks newest friend, Annika Jung, born on 28 January.

FOUR Weeks Today ! ! !

Can you believe it?!?  The babies are 28 days old and growing by the minute.  We cannot believe it until we look at the photos from the hospital.  It seems like forever ago.  We have enjoyed some very distinguished visitors the past two weekends.  First we welcomed Aunt Elyse and Uncle Trey from Hollywood (Florida).  Then we had Great Grandpa, from Arizona; Grandad and Grammie, from Northern California; Aunt Abbie and Uncle Mike, from New York in town this weekend and it was great.  New photos are uploaded to the Picasa site and you can view them by clicking on the photo to the left.

Both babies are over 9lbs as of last week and eating non-stop.  Sleep is getting a bit better at night with a solid 5 hour stretch last evening.

 * Things to know about Luke and Lane *

Luke (aka Lukey, Deucie, Little Man, Heir to the Throne, Yoda): Wound a little bit tight, very alert and observant, loud eater, has three levels of crying, sometimes looks worried or forlorn, not afraid to destroy three diapers in less than 10 minutes.  Light hair, dark navy eyes, with fair skin.  

Lane (aka Laney T, Miss T, Laney Lou, Munch and Crunch): Chill - which makes mom and dad wonder if she has a pulse sometimes..., sleeps unless being changed or eating.  She has a very adorable cough / cry, birthmark on the inside of her left elbow.  Dark hair, lighter blue eyes than her brother, with olive skin.

Two Week Check Up and NEW PICS!!!

It's hard to believe the babes are already two weeks old! At their most recent appointment, Luke weighed in at a strapping 8lbs and Lane was close behind at 7lbs 10oz. The doctor was very happy that both babies have already surpassed their birth weight. Everyone is eating and sleeping well . . . thankfully!! 

Check out new pictures of the babies taken the day of the Chargers big win against Indy!!! Thanks so much to Shanah Wisley and Katie Eaton for the darling "Tiny Tank" onesies.  

Home at last

We are home now and enjoying a little bit more room than our hospital room where we had constant help and constant monitoring.

The past 2 days we have watched some football and enjoyed looking at the babies.

Our first pediatric follow up was today and it went very well.  Both babies weighed in at 7lbs 4oz.  The Dr. wants them back at their birth weight at their two week check up - this doesn't seem to be tough to do as they have packed on 5oz in the last 2 days.  They both grew a half inch (if you can accurately measure a squirming baby).

We are no longer on the jaundice watch.  They are both eating and excreting healthy amounts and are very active so that appears to be behind us.

Mommy and Daddy both had some quality time with Laney T. last night as she wanted to see the sunrise.  We stood vigil from 3am for a few hours and just when the sun was going to come up, little Lane went down for about 3 hours.  Mom and Dad were happy to follow suit.

Thanks for all of the support, prayers, and help.

We'll be posting more photos to the slide show in the coming days.

Quick message from our Dad...

Our latest billirubin test came back and we are clear to head home. We
should check out around 3pm.
Mom and dad did not get a lot of sleep last night because we had to
feed the babies every two hours. Translation-we were in a constant
state of motion. The increased feeding allowed more of the Billirubin
to pass out of the system. Evidence of this came when I took off
Lane's diaper to change her and, with an already loaded diaper, she
shot butt coffee over a foot and painted the isolet- oh how cute
(unless you're the one who narrowly missed getting shot!!)

The nurses are watching the twins right now so we can get some rest.
Our current nurse, Annie, rocks. I think Leeana is going to be on the
lookout for a boy for her. She also buttered us up by saying we have
good communication and are a good team. That was nice to hear because
we are feeling quite tired and a bit on edge

Latest and Greatest...

Hey guys, we have decided to hang out with our homies at Mary Birch one more night. Nothing to worry about, just gonna make sure we don't start changing colors anytime soon:) Keep praying for our mom and dad, for strength, energy and stamina...and maybe a good sleep tonight before we head to the island:)

We get to go home!!! (hopefully)

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We did. We got lots of hugs and kisses from our mommy and daddy and all our friends and family. We also got names: Luke Stephen and Lane Watkins! Our hearing tests went well, so we can listen to Daddy grunting when he lifts weights and hear our Mommy singing to us:) Our parents are just waiting to see if we passed our jaundice b tests, and if we pass them we get to go to our new home at 3....YIPPPPEEEE!!! If you want to help feed our parents so we can stay healthy and strong please email amiebement@diveintoflood.com.

Christmas Eve thoughts...

Merry Christmas Eve. Here you see us sleeping, something we are doing lots of, but our parents are not:) They got a two hour nap in this morning though, so they are rested and ready to open presents and watch some football with us! We are eating lots of yummy milk and going potty like big kids...Mom and Dad are doing good...just catching some zzzz's when they can!

weigh in...

Boy 7 lbs 7oz 19 1/4 in
Girl 7 lbs 9 oz 18 3/4 in


They are thinking about naming us Mary and Joseph but we'll keep you posted:)

If you need exact stats...my sister may be bigger than me, but I'm a whole minute older than her!!!! What up? (4:18pm, 4:19pm)

they r here

It's Time!!!

Mom and Dad went in for a regularly scheduled stress test this morning and because my baby brothers amniotic fluid is low, they have scheduled our entrance into the world for 5-7pm tonight!!!! Everyone is healthy and looking good...so no reason to panic!!! Pray for mom, she can't eat or drink anything until after we arrive!!!! We are so excited to meet all our friends and family...

It's a .......nother dr.'s appointment

Ha ha we tricked you! We are still on the "inside" hanging out and rooting for the Chargers!!! Mom is still 2 centimeters and unless my sister gets her head in gear and changes positions it looks like our Dr. will definitely deliver us c-section!!! Keep praying for my mom as we keep growing and growing, she needs lots of rest and relaxation. We can't wait for Christmas and the chance to play with our niece and nephew, so keep praying we stay healthy!