Friday, March 07, 2008

Friday Show and Tell - and Twin Update


Where has this week gone?? It's another Friday Show and Tell time. I want to share this special piece of furniture that we have had most of our married life (35 years). Well, maybe a bit less than 35 years, because it took DC well over 6 months to finish it.


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DC loves to have a project going on. He's not an expert woodworker, but he loves beautiful wood. I'll have to share some of his other projects as time goes by. But this clock - very special to us.

We hadn't been married long when DC decided he wanted to order this clock kit and build it for us. I was not enthusiastic - not because I didn't think it would be wonderful to have such a beautiful item, but because of the cost. Many times over our years together, I have been the party pooper when it came to something DC thought we really needed - and he has been right most of the time. (This is not to say that I have always agreed with his expensive hobby purchases!)

Anyway, he ordered the kit and began the process. We lived in a small two-bedroom duplex apartment. The spare bedroom became home to this incredibly intense project for, as I said, over 6 months.

One day DC made a major mistake - he sawed the piece of wood at the opposite angle it should have been. He was so distressed! He began to pray for one of our friends to help him out - and who showed up at our door but this incredibly skilled woodworker. He came into the house and helped salvage the project. You can only tell it's there if it is pointed out and you look VERY closely.

I have loved this clock all of these years. The chimes have been like a friend - right now they're not working and I miss them so much. We need to find a fine clock expert to clean it, most likely. We had one repairman who came over and worked on it a few times, and he was a unique kind of guy - one of a kind - really fun to have around and hear his stories. I hope he is still in town.

Today the teeny tiny twins are two months old! It has been quite a two months. They are really growing and thriving. Emma, who began at 2 lbs. 15 oz. now weighs 5 lbs. 8 oz. - the same weight Care Bear was when she was born - and she seemed so tiny! Kate started out at 3 lbs. 5 oz. and has grown to 6 lbs. 5 oz. They have each grown about 2 inches. They're still bitty, but mighty. They try to roll over, hold their heads up, make cute faces and noises. They still don't sleep much at night, and Kate wants to be held all.the.time! Kristen is horribly sleep deprived. That is why I had all 4 girls - I took the day off work so that she could get some sleep.
Here they are in one set of outfits from their shower - purple corduroy jumpers - adorable!
That's Emma on the left and Kate on the right.

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Care Bear loves to read to them. She's reading the two books they got at the shower.

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A grandma does what a grandma has to do - while the big girls were in the tub!

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For more Friday Show and Tell stories, stop by Kelli's blog, There Is No Place Like Home.

Have a great week-end!

37 comments:

nannykim said...

Wow--Your daughter must be tired. It is too bad she didn't have a live in nanny to help her for a while. I can't believe how hard it must be to have twins and preemies at that.

It is sometimes hard to find clock tuners these days. We had one work on our antique clock, but he took a month or two with it and said we should bring it to him every year so he could take it apart and clean it etc---I thought no way!! He would have it for several months out of the year.!! plus it was costly.

Rebecca said...

What a beautiful clock. And such adorable babies! You must be a proud grandma. Glad they're growing nice and healthy.

The Apron Queen said...

Oh Grandma, those twin girls are just darling! I also love your BA post!

I'm giving away a vintage apron. Come visit my show & tell at http://anapronaday.blogspot.com

Nadine said...

I love the story about the clock. It's a beautiful clock.

The twins are 2 mths already? Wow they are getting big and they couldn't look any sweeter in their new outfits.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

One is a handful, so I can't imagine taking care of 4 at the same time! Poor Kristen, I bet she thinks she's never going to have a full night's sleep again.

I want to pick up both of those little darlin's and smooch on them until their cheeks are chapped, LOL! ;o)

The clock is gorgeous, but to be honest the chimes would drive me crazy. I don't like a ticking or chiming clock but I know a lot of people do.

We're forecast to get anywhere from 3-12+ inches of snow tonight/tomorrow! Can you believe it? Now we get snow when Spring is only a few weeks away!

Love and hugs,

Diane

TJ said...

How sweet! I cannot imagine having 2 at once, my children still keep me plenty busy. In fact I hear one coughing instead of sleeping.

The clock is wonderful, especially since you have a story that goes with it.

Bunny Chic Boutique said...

Your Clock is Gorgeous and so are your Grandchildren. I can't imagine having twins now ~ even though that's what I wished for when I was pregnant.

Bunny Blessings ~

Jayne

Farrah said...

The clock is beautiful! I know how those hubby wood projects can drag out. Mine has done a few!

The twins are so cute, I just want to hold them!!

I'm having a blog giveaway! I hope you can stop by!

http://lightinthesphere.blogspot.com/

Karen H. said...

Good Moring Dawn,
You did miss out about us moving. I think I posted about it on my Sunday post. I love your Clock that DC made. He did a wonderful job on it. I have always wanted to have one of those "Grandfather Clocks" as I call them. Maybe someday I will get one. "THANK YOU" for sharing it with us. By the way, I love your lamp on the table by the clock also. I'm looking forward to more of DC's work that you will share. The Camera I got is a Fuji. I have a picture of it on one of my previous post's also. It only costed me $9.45 to buy it plus the cost of postage. My DH had some coupons to the online store for Flying J's Truck Stop and that is how I got it. It was the 2nd top of the line camera they had. The retail price on it was $299.99. The twins are adorable and they look so cute in the little jumpers they have on. Oh I remember some very sleepless nights when our youngest daughter was born. She had the Colic. Oh yeah, that was a nightmare. My DH was working 2nd shift at the time and she would start in around 10:30p.m. each night and go till about 6:00a.m. the next morning. I'm sure the twins will start sleeping thru the night before too long tho. I remember when our oldest daughter was a baby and slept thru the night for the very first time. When I woke up I thought something had happened to her because she didn't wake up thru the night. Care Bear looks so adorable reading to the twins and I know Care Bear and Fiesty are big helps to Kristen. I can't imagine you keeping all 4 of them. But like you said, a Grandma does what a Grandma has to do. As I'm typing this we have no Snow. I have been looking at the radar and it appears to have broken up and gone around us once again. I was hoping for a measureable Snow so the girls could make a Snowman. They are going to be disappointed when they wake up this morning. Take care my friend and have a great day/weekend. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Mimi said...

Love your beautiful grandfather clock...I love to hear them chime...it seems very comforting to me during the night...
and our babies are growing like weeds...it's hard to believe that they are two months old already...
of course for those of you who are missing sleep..it probably seems much longer :0)
Care Bear is such a good big sister!!
Love,
Mimi

Anonymous said...

Your clock is beautiful, as well as those adorable little girls.

Hootin Anni said...

He made that clock?!! Wow, I am totally impressed with his workmanship. Outstanding. And the twin's outfits? Simply adorable.

Mine's posted, tho quite eclectic today. Hope you can find time to stop by if you haven't already.

Happy weekend.

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely clock! I can almost hear it. :)

Your grandbabies are beautiful! I have twin daughters as well. They are 25 now but I remember so well when they were little.

Blessings,

Gina

I'm sorry to put my url here but it doesn't work in the name/url box

http://www.simplyheartandhome.com/

Constance said...

What sweet baby girlies! Our best friend's daughter Katie now 25, was a preemie. Loved the clock! My Hub is the first to admit he's no handy man but when he sets his mind to it, he does really great work. It just takes him longer b/c he doesn't have the tools or the workspace. Thanks for sharing,
Connie

Char said...

What a beautiful clock. And beautiful babies too. Have a great day.

Needled Mom said...

I love the clock, Dawn. There is nothing like the chimes of a big clock like that. I, too, am in need of a good clock tuner as I have two that need work on them. :(

The girls are just darling and getting so big. They are such fun to follow and I can only imagine how tired Mommy must be. YIKES! Good thing she is still young. We'd be dead on our feet.

Susan said...

Love the clock. How extra special that your hubby made it!!! The "girls" look so precious all dolled up.
Susan

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful clock. I love the way the Lord sent just the right person over when needed! The twins are just adorable!

JEWELGIRL said...

What a beautiful clock.
The babies are so cute in
those little jumpers.
Ah the sweet days of little
clothes, little feet and no
sleep.

Andrea said...

Those babies are unbelievably ADORABLE!! And they seem to be gaining so nicely.

You are a fabulous grandma (and a wonderful mom) to help your daughter out so much like this.

j said...

They are so small and so sweet. The clock is GORGEOUS Dawn. I know you are proud of it! Jen

Unknown said...

I love their fuzzy little heads!

Kristen needs a Moby Wrap for Kate. Hands free snuggling. Google it.

Carole Burant said...

I can see why this clock is so precious to you...it's beautiful and to think that your hubby made it makes it even more special!! I've always wanted a grandfather clock and in fact, have been looking for one but just haven't found the right one yet:-)

The twins are so adorable in their little matching outfits...gosh, hard to believe they're 2 months old already. I do feel bad for Kristen though, it's gotta be rough having to take care of 4 little ones and not getting much sleep. You're a terrific grandma to have taken the day off to care for the kids:-) xox

Sharon Lynne said...

They look so adorable. I remember being so tired--when my son(s) were babies that it seemed like a major job just to dress them. My oldest was born in August...so we just went with a t-shirt and plastic pants.

Now it's just T-shirts and jeans. Boys are simple.

My father built a clock from a kit that looks very similar! I'll have to take a picture of it next time I'm there...so we can see if they are the same!

Unknown said...

Here I am on your blog this morning, catching up, and a blurb appeared to tell me you have left a message on mine -- what a coincidence, eh??

Your grandbabies are so beautiful and look so very good. They are thriving and growing. I love that. Such a rocky start. Good for them, and for the family who loves them. And praise God!

Have a great weekend.

Mary said...

A very beautiful clock. I know how you must miss the chimes. I had a gingerbread clock at one time and loved hearing the chimes. I have looked for years to find one similar with no luck.

The girlies are beautiful in their adorable outfits. Thank you for sharing. I love watching them grow.

Blessings,
Mary

Midlife Mom said...

What a crafty hubby you have! No wonder it took six months to make, that's a huge undertaking!!

The girls look so adorable in their matching jumpers! I just can't believe that they are two months old already. Poor Kristen, how does she manage on so little sleep? I would be dead on my feet after only a few nights of not sleeping well. Nice to be young but it's still hard.

You are so right on your comment on my post about my prayer warrior friend! What scares me too is who is going to pick up where she left off????

Ms. Kathleen said...

Grandma's work is never done. I was so tired from having Alexys for 4 nights while she and her mommy were sick! I can't imagine how hard it would be having twins.

Take good care of yourself as well. The babies are adorable!!

Hugs!

Deb said...

I love those matching jumpers - so cute! You really get a sense of their size difference in that first picture though - the jumper looks so much smaller on Kate than it does on Emma.

I hope that Kristen can get some sleep - I remember well how hard it was with a baby and 2 older kids and can't even imagine how much more difficult it is with teeny twins.

The clock is lovely! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, how blessed you are!
Cookie

GAB said...

Ok the babies first.....They are so cute! Im so glad they are doing so well.
Now the clock...Oh how you made me cry...in a good way. My dad built me a grandfather clock(although he called it a grandmothers clock) for Mr Gab's and my 10th wedding anniversary. Only thing he used from a kit was the face and works half. All the rest he designed himself. Now why did I cry? My clock is still stittting over in our home in SD! Im here in MN. While I know its safe as the police are caring for my home I am so homesick (we've lived here 30 years but it never felt like home and we both grew up in MN)I really want to go home and see my beautiful clock. And my dad? Well he is failing fast. This is the reason I'm back in MN to care for dad. He had a heart attack in 04 and Ive been here since, as I do not wish to drive 350 miles one way in an emergency! Thanks for sharing the beautiful clock.

Baba said...

Good morning Dawn, I love your grandfather clock..My uncle used to make them; I wish he had made one for me before he died....

The twins are so cute and are growing so fast..my granddaughter is 5 weeks old and I know how little sleep the moms are getting..I stayed with my daughter for 4 weeks helping her with the family..

Thanks for sharing ...I love pictures of babies..
Have a good day. Hugs, Baba

sparrow's song said...

I would love to have a beautiful clock like this one. There are several in our home but they hang on the wall.

Aw, sweet babies!! God does perfect work.

A pleasure to meet you.

Barb said...

What a beautiful clock, Dawn. It's such a lovely thing to pass down someday, but I wonder which of your kids will end up with it.

My father makes stained glass clocks. He made each of his six children a clock, but I told him I was going to have a real problem someday, deciding which of my daughters would inherit mine, so he made Krissy one and mine will go to Mandy.

It's hard to believe how tiny the babies were two months ago. They look like they're thriving now. I feel sorry for Kristen though. Absolutely everything seems harder when you're not getting enough rest. Bless you for relieving her as much as you can.

Chrissie said...

What a wonderful story! and that God answered your prayer and brought someone! That is the best part! I'd love to see my Dad get to do a project like that - it would really be a blessing!
The twins are so precious and getting so big! What a treat to be with them!
I was encouraged with the passage from Matt.14,today - I pray it will for you, too!
God bless you, Grandma!
Chrissie

Unknown said...

That is a beautiful clock! I'm glad DC's mistake didn't discourage him from finishing it. I hope you are able to get it fixed so you can hear the chimes again.

I'm glad the twins are growing and doing well. I can only imagine what Kristen is going through taking care of two babies, plus 3 older siblings. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. You are such a big help to her!
I always love seeing pictures of the kids. :-)

P.S. To answer your question, we store the rowing machine in the living room. One part is between Eleanor & Emily's chairs and the other part is between my chair and the bookcase. I'd rather not be able to see the parts, but at least I'm not tripping over them.

Chris said...

Love the clock, What cute pictures of the babies. They look so alert and lively.
I am catching up on reading blogs, I haven't blogged all week.