Saturday, February 28, 2009

Santa Fe, Days Four & Five

Day Four:
Aaron, Lindsay, and I got to spend the day skiing while Granna and Granddaddy took care of Owen and Mason. Mimi and Papi drove up from Lubbock to meet us here for the rest of our time in Santa Fe. The boys went to the park and played in the beautiful weather. No pictures from the park visit though. Unfortunately, right before Mimi and Papi pulled into the hotel, Owen fell on the sidewalk and did a face plant. His forehead, chin, and poor little nose got all banged up. He's fine but the rest of our pics show his battle wounds. Oh well!

Day Five:
We all went down to the plaza for lunch and then went to a local park to play. The boys got to chase pigeons in the plaza and get all dirty in the sand at the park. After a quick nap we headed back to the Railyard for a train ride. Boy were they excited! Although once we were actually on the train Owen thought we were on an airplane. The seats did kind of remind me of airplane seats so I guess I can't blame him. We got off at the next stop and waited for the next train to come back the other way. On the way back, Lindsay taught Mason how to act and sound like a train with his hands. He thought that was so cool! After the train ride we went into a nearby store and Papi found some baby sunglasses for the boys. They thought they were so cool that they actually said 'coooool' when they put them on. Then we headed to a great local Mexican restaurant complete with Mariachi entertainment! Authentic! In store for tomorrow: more sledding and snow play! Wheeeee!

Santa Fe Days 4 & 5

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Santa Fe, Days Two and Three

Day Two:
We went to the Santa Fe Railyard to check out the trains. Owen and Mason thought this was the coolest darn thing. Owen wanted to 'have' the train so badly that he was reaching for it and saying 'train, train!' Finally I let them climb in it just to satisfy their curiosity. They kept telling me 'choo choo' while pretending to pull the handle for the whistle. We are waiting for the rest of the crew to join us here in Santa Fe before we take an actual ride on the train. In the mean time, we watched the train pull out of the station from about 15 feet away. Wow!!

Day Three:
We headed up the mountain in search of a sled and some snow. We took a picnic lunch and found the perfect spot for both. Owen and Mason weren't too sure about the sledding thing despite my efforts to tell them it was just a slide. Mommy and Lindsay had fun though. Then we found a picnic table and broke out some lunch right there in the middle of all the snow. It wasn't too cold so we were able to enjoy the scenery. Owen and Mason were so fired up for bath time later that evening. They were flip flopping all over the tub and splashing water everywhere. Granna had to back up so she didn't get soaked! What nuts they are!

Daddy finally was able to join us here and we are so excited. He got in too late for the boys to see him so they will have a big surprise when they wake up in the morning! Day four: Skiing! Can't wait!

Santa Fe

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Video Family Portrait, take 2



Our family, from 1 to 89 years old. The song is R.E.M. - At My Most Beautiful. I loved this song with these pictures of our family, so I re-edited the video. I hope you all enjoy it as well.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Santa Fe Vacation, Day One

We finally made it here in Santa Fe! The boys were angels in the car on the ride up. We split up the drive to make it easier on them and it was definitely worth it, although it took us 4.5 hours on Friday (to San Antonio), 8 hours on Saturday (to Lubbock to see Mimi and Papi), and 6 hours on Sunday to our little hotel here. We got up this morning and went to the plaza to walk around and see the sights. Surprisingly it isn't that cold here right now so it was a great day to be outside! After we had our fill at the plaza we decided to take a scenic drive up to the Santa Fe ski area and scope out some sledding hills for another day. We had Lindsay's husky, Bella, with us for her first romp in the snow...and boy did she love it. She wanted to dig a hole and curl up in it. Owen and Mason got all bundled up for their first 'real' romp in the snow. They weren't too sure about all the gear at first and preferred to just stand still and look around. Mason fell, of course, and when his little hands hit the snow he screamed! I know, I know, gloves would have been nice. Trying to keep gloves on a 1 year old is next to impossible! After he fell he was more than happy to put on his gloves. It was a fun adventure and I think they thought it was pretty cool. Owen kept telling us that the snow was white. Hours later, after dinner and back at the hotel, I asked Mason what color the snow was. He is so used to me asking him what color this is or that is, that he just blurted out 'BL...' Then he stopped himself mid-word, thought for a second, and said 'white, white.' I was shocked that he had the smarts to hear my question, think about it, remember the color, and then answer me. I think that is the first time they have actually answered a real question. It was cool!

Here are the pics from our first day in Santa Fe!
Santa Fe Day 1

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Family Portrait

Our family, 1 to 89 years old.

Monday, February 16, 2009

30 things I've learned as a mom of twins...

1. The same exact toy is WAY better if the other brother has it.

2. The toothbrush is not a toy. Even if both kids think they are the best toy ever. Even if they love to brush their own teeth. Unless you want two screaming toddlers, never relinquish control of the toothbrush(es) until they are old enough to understand that it is gross to suck on a toothbrush and then grind it into the carpet when they done playing with it. Teeth get brushed and no one screams if the parent remains in control of the toothbrush. Period.

3. All diaper pails stink, especially when filled twice as fast. I don't care what they proclaim on the box.

4. Monkey see, monkey do. Always. No matter what.

5. Throwing things is a fun game. Twice the number of kids throwing cups overboard, twice the number of times Mom has to pick it up. Therefore, 'No Throw' straps are a must for the stroller, restaurant high chair, car seat.

6. Plexi-Glass between the car seats is not a bad idea on some days.

7. Hearing one little guy learn to say his brother's name and then call for him repeatedly melts your heart.

8. There is no use in trying to keep the other guy from getting sick. He's gonna get it, no matter how vigilant you are. If you are wise, you will choose a pediatrician who knows this and prescribes medicine in double amounts so you have enough for the second kid. Unfortunately not all medicines can be doubled because the insurance companies are on to us twin parents.

9. One bowl and one spoon is perfectly acceptable when feeding two kids something they can not yet feed themselves.

10. If it is an extra poopy day for one kid, it is an extra poopy day for the other. It will never be, nor has it ever been, just one kid who needs lots of diaper changes.

11. Twins learn at a very early age how to push each others buttons.

12. They are born with the instinct to gang up on mom and dad and they use this instinct from day one (see #10 for one example).

13. It is next to impossible to get a good picture of both kids together.

14. They have their own language and they blabber to each other all day long. Little mini conversations and then resulting actions are hilarious to witness.

15. There are twice as many good night kisses to go around.

16. As soon as you think you have pegged their personalities, they flip flop. They do this to make sure they are never labeled as the 'bad' one, the 'loud' one, the 'hard' one.

17. Accept that you are on parade when out in public. There will never be a day when you are not stopped and asked about your twins. Take this as a compliment, even if they are rude. Newsflash: there is no such thing as MAternal twins.

18. When in public, get used to hearing 'double trouble' accompanied by a quick point, a head nod, and a wink. You will learn to hate this saying but you will laugh when you think about the person who just said it. The look on their face lets you know that they are impressed with themselves for coming up with such a unique saying.

19. No errand is a quick errand. The stroller must be used at all times, until twins are old enough to walk in the same general direction. With the right method, getting everyone and the stroller in the car or out of the car can be done in 7 minutes.

20. There is no perfect double stroller in existence. They are either too wide, too heavy, too long, no cup holder, no basket, one reclining seat, one sunshade that only shades the back seat. I really should invent one.

21. Getting a double stroller, be it a front-back or a side-by-side, through a door, is an art. And it is most impressive to onlookers when you don't hit a single door jamb. TIP: a side-by-side stroller glides perfectly through a door if tipped onto back wheels. Front wheels are airborne and therefore free to spin when door jambs get too close. If not airborne, rotating front wheels inevitably become lodged against door jamb perpendicular to the direction of travel. This usually results in a 16 point turn to dislodge the wheels and make it through the doorway.

22. You quickly learn which stores have automatic doors or handicap buttons. You like these stores.

23. A diaper bag is always necessary. Even if you think it is just a quick errand. And, said diaper bag is always stuffed full because of twice as many supplies.

24. Enjoy your shower. You never know when your next one might be!

25. Dressing twins the same is acceptable if the outfit is super cute. Dressing twins 'the same but different' is also acceptable. Dressing twins in completely different types of clothing is not acceptable. At least not yet. One can not have shorts and a t-shirt while the other has pants and a collared shirt.

26. Choose a sippy cup based on one thing: how easy it can be cleaned (which is directly related to number of parts and number of places old milk can get stuck. You will clean at least a half dozen each night.

27. Monogramming things is perfectly acceptable, even if your husband makes fun of you.

28. A live-in playmate is so awesome! Especially when Mom has to do some chores or take a shower.

29. Twins are a blessing. God chooses special people to be their parents.

30. There are certain things that parents of singletons will never witness. One brother bringing the other brother his blankie when he's crying. Knowing to trade toys, pacifiers, or whatever it may be with just a 'look.' Two itty bitty guys walking down the sidewalk holding hands. Double the slobbery kisses, a kiss from one prompts the other to give kisses. Seeing thoughtfulness happening at such a young age - picking out an extra sticker (even though mom thinks it is because he wants two) and finding brother to give it to him. Hearing laughing through the monitor as they entertain eachother while waiting to get out of bed. Wondering what you did to get so lucky to get TWO precious angels.