Did You See That Mommy?

Pictures of July

With all the party hoopla I fell behind on my blogging. I've been looking through pictures and I found many that I wish I would have posted. So here is a photo update of July, all the things we've been doing besides celebrating birthday's.

A few weeks back we drove over to my aunt and uncle's house for the morning. They live in the country and essentially have their own animal farm. I'm not sure on numbers but I'd estimate over 10 alpacas, 20+ chickens of a variety of breeds, 15+ cats and kittens (one of which I stepped on and incurred many scratches from), several bunnies, 2 dogs and a horse. My cousin Lexi raises the alpacas and uses their fur? wool? to knit and crochet with. She shears them, washes the wool, dyes it, spins it on a spinning wheel and makes neat stuff out of it. Pretty impressive. Gage and Lexi also show animals at the 4-H fair. 

One Friday this month we went for a play date at the Drury's house. The kids had fun with the water table and slip 'n slide. They all played so well together and Brittany and I had a great chance for deeper conversation. It's not often a morning spent with 6 kids can be considered relaxing, but I'd say this one came pretty close. 

This might look like just some water, but that is my aunt (who is not happy I took her picture) swimming with Jack. We've done lots of swimming at my parents lake and despite the amount of work it takes to get everyone in and out of the water, it is one of my favorite things to do this summer.

I got this idea from Brittany, to have the kids do finger painting on canvases as sort of a special art project for their 1st birthday. I'm thankful I didn't put a whole lot of effort into this project because it sorta flopped. We did end up with finger painted art from each of the kids, but getting them to do it was extremely challenging. Jack kept asking for a paintbrush. I'm not sure where he get's this, but being messy really bothers him sometimes. I just encouraged him to get as messy as possible, this was finger painting and that was the point. He finally got into it and did a fine job of smearing all his colors together. Schaeffer and Logan really wanted nothing to do with the paint. They touched it once and then spent the rest of the time trying to crawl away. With a little help from Paul, Schaeffer made a fine mess and accomplished some smearing. Logan was crazy. His entire painting is a result of me putting paint in his hand and then holding the canvas right by him so he'd touch it as he moved to crawl away. He just kept pushing the canvas away and refused to touch it on his own accord. Still, everyone got messy and I got some funny/interesting artwork. We let them clean off in the water table and pool and they all enjoyed that a great deal more than the paint.

This is my proof. Logan can stand. He just doesn't realize it. This happened just this week during one of our many evenings spent outside getting wet. Water is really the only option if we're going to be outside in all the heat.

Thing 1 and Thing 2

We had a party. And we had it for you. We had a party for Thing 1 and Thing 2. 

We had a lot of cake. Saddest story of the day was when the hat fell over 15 minutes before party time. Surprisingly, I didn't shed a tear over the destruction of all my hard work from the night before. Had there not been so many people there telling me it didn't matter, I probably would have had a good long cry about it. Odds are they were lying just to avoid that situation, but I went with it. I'm still a little curious how it managed to hold up over 18 hours, only to collapse as the first guests arrived and as I piped the final letter of 'birthday' onto the platter. Of course there are no pictures of it in all it's 5 tiered glory. I held it up with my hand for a while, willing the cake to stop crumbling beneath the weight. Then we used a bowl to hold it up for a while. Eventually, it slid too much and we had to modify the cake to a three tiered hat. Thankfully, that really looked not too bad. 

The boys really wanted to dive into the big cake. Logan got a few licks in while we were trying to take pictures.

We had a lot of people. And that made it a lot of fun.

 

We had a lot of gifts which has made for a very fun week. Thanks for your generosity.

There was a lot of swimming and bouncing and swinging. I loved seeing all the kids having such a great time.

And of course there was more cake. 

Me and my babies.

The end. As you already know, it was a great party. I spent a lot of time preparing and planning. I spent hours making decorations, baking and decorating cakes and getting everything ready. And I wasn't the only one, we had lots of help (thank you!). But what made it such a wonderful party was the people. The family and friends who spent their evening celebrating with us. I couldn't have asked for a better 1st Birthday Party.

Monday Pictures-Week 52

I'm signing off. Monday Pictures are officially done. We made it a whole year and as you can see from these pictures, a lot has changed from their first Monday Picture to their last. In fact I'm sure this past year will go down in our family history as one of the most life changing. One thing has not changed though, I think I still feel shocked that we have twins. How long with that take to sink in? Perhaps that's because I don't often think of my boys as twins. I think of them as "the brothers", "the boys", and as Schaeffer and Logan. The fact that they're twins in nearly an afterthought. They are so unique and distinct from one another. The only thing that is a constant reminder that we have twins is the obvious-there are two children of the same age in my family. And I guess that's the hard part. I learned a lot this past year about what I am capable of. Mostly how many things I really can do with one or two babies in my arms. Just this past week I learned that I have an important skill of being able to buckle and unbuckle a baby in a car seat while holding another baby. The first time I needed to do that I had no idea if it was possible. But I taught myself and now it's the norm. Just like so many things I had wondered in the beginning. Could I rock two babies to sleep by myself? Could I nurse two babies at the same time? How do I comfort two sick babies or two crying babies? Can I spoon feed two kids at once? Can I leave the house? Can I go to the grocery store? Can I meet all the needs of three children?  Can I keep my cool when three children are screaming, all for different reasons? I learned that with the help of others and strength and grace from the Lord, that I could do all of these things and more. (I however, never did figure out how to bottle feed two babies at once!) Of course, this coming year holds many questions for me. Mostly I wonder if I can successfully discipline three children at the same time. Today that is my great concern, that and why they won't take their first steps. I'm told by everyone that it's OK, I just wish the irrational, emotional side of me would agree!

I hope you enjoyed our Monday Pictures. I might not pick the camera up next Monday, but I won't stop putting their pictures up. Now I have to turn this all into a Shutterfly book for each of them! That should keep me busy for a while.

We Had a Party.

It was no big deal. Just a small little gathering to celebrate Schaeffer and Logan's 1st birthday. Kids that age don't really care anyway, right?

 

Ok, so actually we had a major blowout of a party, as you can see from these pictures. And these were even taken before the final decorating was done and before all the guests arrived. I have very few pictures on my camera so while I wait for people to share pictures with me, this is what I have to show you of our very fun, over the top birthday party. Paul has already made me promise that future celebrations will be much smaller and less overboard. But don't let him fool you, I think he enjoyed it all. We had over 40 people (18 of the under 5 years old!), my favorite doctor came (she expertly delivered the twins), several families drove over an hour to be here, two sets of twins...it was a wonderful time. All the kids had a blast playing in the pool, jumping in the bouncer, and running around all evening. We ate delicious food, had yummy homemade ice cream (thank you Dad!), shed a few tears while we watched the video Paul made of the twins first year and enjoyed being with so many of our friends and family. I had an idea in my head of how the party would go and it totally lived up to my expectations. I hope everyone else enjoyed themselves.

I sorta always thought people who had giant birthday parties for kids who didn't care were a little crazy. And this party is surely proof that I am crazy, but for me their birthday is a big milestone in our lives. I remember so clearly the fear I felt the day we first heard we were having twins. I remember the tears I shed because I was scared and unsure how I would manage a potentially difficult pregnancy and the challenges of two newborns, two babies, two crawlers (plus their older brother!). I also remember the tears that were shed because I felt guilty for crying about having twins. But here we are over a year and a half later, on the other side of all that unknown. The future is sure to be crazy and full of challenges, but now I know that we can do it. Because the Lord is with us, giving us the tools we need and because he has filled our lives with people who love us and who help us in so many ways. I thank that Lord so often for the gift of an "easy" pregnancy and healthy babies as I know many who have to travel a more difficult road than I. I also thank the Lord often for the many people that helped us. From watching Jack so I could clean, rest, take babies to the doctor, or go to the grocery store, to going to the grocery store for me. For all the people who prayed for us and all the people who gave us gifts so we could have two of everything. For the people who brought us meals, cleaned my house, packed my things, unpacked my things, helped me prepare a nursery. For the people who opened their homes to us when we needed a place to stay for a night, or for months. For the people who helped us get our house sold and settle into a new one. For everyone who helps me maintain my sanity! And for the people who spent hours helping us transform our yard into a party land. We have been richly blessed and that's why I wanted a big party for these two little boys who wouldn't know the difference. Because I felt like their first birthday would be a good time to celebrate all those who have made such a difference in our lives and to celebrate these two little boys who changed our lives forever. I never would have chosen twins, but now I can't imagine anything else. 

Monday Pictures-Week 51

In their Monday pictures this week you  might notice the Cheerio feast they are enjoying on the floor. I was talking with Brittany last week and she mentioned how a blogger she follows confessed that she just dumps food on the floor for her children to eat when she really needs a minute. This is my confession. I have been doing this for 4 or 5 months. It's so much easier than getting everyone into high chairs and waiting for them to throw their Cheerios on the floor so they can eat them later. It really works wonders when everyone is fussy and you just need a minute for something, or you just need everyone to be quiet. Monday morning tossing food on the floor was just the thing they needed. Shortly after their snack Logan made his way over to the current favorite cupboard and crawled right in. They are increasingly curious and quite good at making a mess wherever they go. They've been pushing walk toys around a lot lately, I hope that means they are thinking about taking their first steps. They've also started signing "all done" (Schaeffer especially), though it's clear he's still learning what it means. Example: Schaeffer at meal time will sign all done if asked and then immediately shove another bite in his mouth. Perhaps I need to teach him the sign for "more".  The boys are ever closer to their birthday and I only have one Monday Pictures post left. 

Potty Training Vent

This'll be quick.

Potty training sucks. We're not even having a bad day in that regard. It's just that when I hear the success that others are having it makes frustrated that after 6 months we are still working on it. 6 freakin' months. I had no idea potty training would take this long and I'm not even attempting nap or nighttime potty training. So to those of you whose children have found success in this department I'm glad. I'm not trying to be sarcastic, I really am glad. But I'm also just so frustrated. How much poop am I going to have to clean up before my kid finally understands how to recognize that he has to poop before it's actually happening?

Rocket Launch

Jack and Kyle

Monday Pictures-Week 50

2 weeks. That's all we have left before we officially have two one year olds in our house. 2 weeks is going to fly by, especially with all the preparation I have to do for their party. It's strange to me how in some ways they seem much younger than Jack did at one and in other ways they seem much older than Jack did at one. These two have just been cruising along lately. They are getting ever more playful and interactive as they begin to understand more and more. I still don't believe either has said his first word (outside of momma and I have no idea when that started or if they think it means anything yet) and they still show little interest in learning how to walk. They are surely teaching me a lesson in patience and also that each of my children is different and will do things in his own time. I think as their personalities continue to emerge we will realize more and more the unique differences of each child. I already love the little personalities they have become. 

With the 4th of July yesterday I totally forgot it was actually a Monday so I forgot to take pictures. Thankfully, I had taken some Sunday evening and one random one Monday morning. I let the boys try watermelon slices and they had a blast.

I'm uncroppable in this picture, so for this week I will be part of Monday pictures. I had Paul take this picture after I had finished nursing the boys yesterday. My nursing days are nearly over and while I'm looking forward to closing that book, I will miss it too. I will miss my giant green monster of a pillow and I will miss the giggles and grins and laughter that have been a part of most nursing sessions these last few months. Often after they are done eating they will sit on the pillow and hang out with me for a moment. They get kisses and hugs and smiles and then they crawl off looking for their next adventure.

These Summer Days

 There are certain activities that to me help create an idyllic summer. And it seems this weekend we've managed to do many of them. God answered my morning plea for help yesterday by sending Nicole our way for a day of shopping, companionship and sanity. Somehow even with a screaming toddler having her around helped my mental state immensely yesterday. After all the children finally settled down for their afternoon naps we enjoyed a quiet hour or two lounging on the couch and when I heard the door open at 3:30 I jumped in surprise but was delighted to see Paul walking in the door, home early from work. Yay! That's possibly one of my favorite surprises. A slight misunderstanding resulted in a spontaneous family trip to the pool. I love it when Paul get's a chance to do things like this with us and I think he enjoys seeing the kids doing things he often misses out on. Jack was thrilled and we got to spend some time in the big pool and some time in the toddler area. Perhaps the highlight of the pool though was Jack's slow slow decent down the big yellow slide. He was asking and asking to go down the slide but he was clearly too short so we kept telling him he couldn't go, he needed to be taller. To put the matter to rest once and for all I told him we could go up the stairs and ask the lifeguard on duty. He promised that he would not cry when if he was told no. When we got to the top I made him go up to the lifeguard and ask if he could please go down a slide. To my surprise the lifeguard thought for a minute and said Jack could go one time. While we waited for his turn I just kept telling him that he would have to go by himself and that he would go under water. He didn't care, he was determined to go down that slide. When it was his turn he climbed in and sat down then after a slight hesitation he pushed himself forward. The first curve caused him to flip onto his belly with this face in the water. Paul said it took forever for him to wind his way down to the bottom and when they finally saw him it looked like he was drowning with his face in the water like that. I knew from watching him from above that he had held his head up almost the whole way down. Another lifeguard caught him at the bottom and when she brought him up from the water he with a bit of a smile, "That was scary." He didn't cry, he didn't cough and sputter, he didn't look scared or upset. He just said it was fun and it was scary. I have no idea if he would do it again if he got the chance.

A great night at the pool was topped off by a visit from the ice cream truck. I may or may not have run out into the yard and waved my hands wildly while jumping to flag him down before he turned out of our neighborhood. I'm cool like that. For some reason I get really excited about the ice cream truck. Our fun evening was topped off with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Friend. Our evening couldn't have been more pleasant.

Friday night-pool and ice cream. Saturday-lake swimming and tractors. We went to my parents for the day to help them clean the shed. But it was a very hot day so after lunch we took a break and jumped in the lake for a family swim. The kids all loved it. I hope this is just the beginning of years of summer lake swimming by my family. Schaeffer did get stuck with the pink floaty, but only for a bit. Mom finally tracked down the sports themed (much more stable) floaty and we switched him out. He easily could have climbed out of that pink one. Our day today was topped off with a 3rd birthday party for our good friend Silas. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures, but we had a great time being with friends. It's always fun to get whole families together (i.e. the dads) because usually it's just us moms and the kids. So for everyone to get to hang out and witness the craziness is fun. Paul was a big hit with the kids since he let them chase him down with an army of water guns. 

And just think, the weekend isn't even over!