So big!

Here's Gram and Gramps with all their grandkids! My brother, Brad has Hayley (pink dress) it was her birthday for this pic! Than my sister Stef has Adrian (green shirt) and Ashlynn (baby in green). Then Charlie and Anna, are my brother's girlfriend's kids that will be officially joining the family next summer! Then, of course, there's Harry and Ollie.

I've been thinking of some new blog posts, wondering if you would like to hear about cloth diapering twins? We're also going to be starting solids...soonish. I'm hoping to post recipes as I go. I'm also trying to build up the guts to post a before/after belly pic. I know I have a lot of soon to be MoM readers and I know I was really curious as to what my watermelon tummy would look like after the fact...
So what else is new? Well, I'm loving this stage with the boys- they smile, giggle and interact. I've been having an awesome time at work- feels so good to create again! It's such a fun place to be. I am also the new studio manager for my best friend Aubrey's studio. Aubrey and I have a blast together, and motivate one another really well. She's the kind of friend everyone should be so lucky to have.
I'm feeling fallish, getting the itch to pull out the boots, cozy sweaters, drink apple cider, light a nutmeg candle, pile pumpkins on the steps and bake yummies with caramel! ;)

The Present

{Oliver}
Our home is now crammed! With two adorable little bodies and all of their stuff!

{Brothers}

{Harrison}

Life is good and complete! We could not ask for anything more, except maybe a bigger home and a week-end away! Oooo and a maid!

Reflecting

Four years ago at this time we got engaged. We had been talking about it for awhile. I lured Bri down to Appleton to look at rings. I found one I loved that was in our price range. The man took us outside and let us examine the loose stones in the sunlight- it was magical!
The next day Bri asked what my ring size was- very sneaky! ;)
Then about a week later he said he had to run an errand to Appleton- he is so good at secrets- yeah right!
I told him, I knew what he was doing and would love to go along for the ride. So, off we went to pick up my ring. Then as we drove back, Bri asked if he should do something special. I made some sarcastic comment. Then he stopped at the park in De Pere and walked me to a bench. He told me he always knew that I would be his wife and that he wanted to my husband. He looked forward to the dreams we would support, the family we would create and all the laughs we would share. I don't even think I said yes- I probably called him a cheeseball and put my ring on!

Three years ago at this time we were planning our wedding. We couldn't wait to be married. We had always felt married but now it would be official! Bri was finishing up college and I had started a new job as a floral designer. Life was good. We were renting a friends home on the bay. We closed most days with massages in the hot tub as the sun set. We welcomed mornings will a little puppy whining to go outside- Mabelle had just joined our family! We talked about family and I told him I was pretty sure I wanted to abandon birth control once we were married. He was not too keen on the idea.

Two years ago, we were happily married. We didn't sit still! We had just bought our home in April and spent every moment working on it. When we moved in it was beige, with ivory! Now there is no beige in sight! We worked so well together- painting cupboards, installing lights, and ripping out carpet (my favorite!). Now we had this perfect little home.

One year ago, we were settled, too settled. Brian had just started a new job, a good one. I had started a club, The Crafty Bitches. The ladies would come over and do projects, drink, eat and gab. We were so happy and so fulfilled, yet something(s) was missing. I started talking to Brian about adoption. We had not found ourselves pregnant yet so I thought it might be a good idea to start saving. August 24th, I got my period again. I remember reaching for the tampon in my purse and wondering what it would be like to not get it. Then as the end of September approached, we were getting ready for a party. I realized I hadn't had my period. I grabbed a test and peed on it. It showed two lines immediately. I ran out of the bathroom and yelled down to Bri, "I'm f!@#(*% pregnant!!!!!" He yelled back, "No way." I then said, "Oh my God" about 1,000 times and called my mom and my friend, Laura.

We went to the party and I don't even remember it. I was 15 days pregnant and ecstatic!!!! My co-worker Sandy was there, and for the last week I was telling her how my boobs hurt like crazy and in her sweet southern accent she said, "You're pregnant, I just know it, you are."

Balance

I am now an acrobat. Somedays my performances are flawless, others deserve rotten tomatoes, but at the end of the day as long as we're clean and fed, I consider it a good day. I wake up everyday with the knowledge that I may not get one non baby related thing done but most days I do.
I am so lucky to have a very capable husband that knows his way around the laundry room, kitchen and dirty diapers. Frankly I wouldn't have married any man that didn't! Together our days go splendidly and when he's not here I miss him like crazy. He's also been great about getting me out of the house. I've been able to catch movies, get my hair done, go out to dinner, etc and never worry how they boys were.

Here are some of my twin mom survival tips: (Take 'em for what they're worth!)

Shower and get dressed everyday.
Make friends with your dishwasher.
Thank the lord for the inventor of the washing machine.
Playmats are awesome.
Go for walks.
When you need a boost- take the babies out of the house- people oooooing and aahhhing over your wee ones is an instant pick me up.
Buy jeans that fit and flatter your post baby body- you deserve it.
and above all LAUGH!

These last couple of days I've been dealing with a broken car, an unexpected vet visit, teething babies, a cold or allergies, aunt flo, and an equally exhausted husband. I actually caught myself just frowning. When I make an effort to smile and laugh things are so much more enjoyable!

Door County

Bri and I woke up this morning and decided it was the perfect day to go to Door County. Ever since we've moved to Green Bay we have gone to Door County a ton every summer. We hadn't gotten there yet this summer. It was mostly sunny and in the mid 70's..perfect!

We drove up and stopped at Fish Creek. I wore Harrison in a sling and Bri wore Oliver in the Bjorn so we were able to get in and out of the stores. They all have so many stairs so this worked best. Later we went back to the car, did diaper changes, put them in the stroller and went for a walk along the water. A nice young guy offered to take a picture of the whole gang- he loved the boys hats....

Then we got brave and went to Copper Corner to eat. Of course it was on the second story so we hauled the car seats up there. A lot of people stopped to see the boys and they were charmers! Our food came and they went to sleep- it was perfect... we were able to sit back and really enjoy our meals. The restaurant was beautiful it was all open, with a covered deck and a large fountain wall...really unique.

I also got some shopping in picked up some fudge, Mik Wright coasters and some new earrings from my favorite jewelry store.

Last year we went up to Door County with my parents and I kept trying to find fudge, well it never happened, so I picked up some chocolate covered cherries. Well on the ride home I saw a sign that said fudge. With my mouth full of half chewed chocolate covered cherries I exclaimed, "FUUUUUDDDDDGGGGEEEEE"

Not my finest moment. My parents and Brian laughed till they peed their pants and I discreetly wiped chocolate drool from my chin....

1/4 YEAR Birthday!?!?

I cannot believe the little men are a 1/4 of the way to their first birthday and 1/2 way to eating solids?!?!? Where did the time go? Didn't I just have them yesterday? As a woman that was not too sure I wanted children I am amazed that I ever thought our lives would be complete without. These little human beings can be the most frustrating things in the world one second and then they smile at you or reach for your hand and it's all over- you're mush! I've come to realize that although their babies, they need constant entertainment and excitement. Walks, tummy time, playing on the floor, reading, telling stories... it's a constant juggle, and to top it off neither boy is too crazy about swings or bouncy seats... I thought all babies loved these!

The million dollar question since their birth has been if they are identical or fraternal? In utero they had separate sacs and placentas....or so we thought. Later, it was suspected that it was one placenta or two that fused, yada, yada. We haven't paid for the DNA test but I do have a call into the clinic to see if the placenta was tested. The boys do have the same blood type. So we shall see!

3 Months Old!!!!

We had a little 3 month old photo shoot yesterday that went pretty well!

Brothers

Oliver

Harrison

I have a lot more to write on my thoughts of the boys being 1/4 of a year old already but we're in a rush to get to brunch and I really wanted to share these!