Things we like

Walks. Our team is very schedule and routine based.  It is kinda the name of the game with twins if you want a piece of sanity and ever a down moment to get something done.  So, every evening after our 5pm feeding, we go for a walk.  Not exercise, but the kind of walk where we go really slow and just check things out.  It is SO nice to finally be able to get these guys out into the awesome world they are part of.  They are so alert, LOVE touching the trees, listening to the streams created by run off, and gazing at the flowers that dare bloom this "early" (it's almost June but trust me, that is early for flowers around here).  

Aww- Kess.  Yeah.  We still have a dog.  She used to be the star of the blog. She requested a break so we had twins and figured they could take the stage for a while.  But Kess still joins us on most trips in the car, gets out on runs (both skiing and now on foot) with Chip, walks with the family, and seems pretty happy with the situation.  We thinks she see this whole thing as a promotion- her pack doubled in size, her territory to guard grew, and she has a sick lookout with a dog bed all set up by one of our front windows.  What more could she ask for.

Hand me downs.  I had no idea about the amount of trading, handing, sharing, etc. that goes on with kids.  It is an entire underground operation that I think will put Babies R Us out of business some day.  It makes so much sense and is just as fun to be on the receiving end of as on the giving end.  Here is a picture of Owen in a gift we gave and now have received back in the form of a hand me down.  Awesome.  Plus, this onesie makes it really easy for Owen to play the air guitar.

Hang out time with mom and dad.  Ruby loves to look in the mirror with mom.  She laughs and smiles at both mom and herself- really cute.  Owen loves to read books.  He especially loves Old Black Fly and when we get to "swat" the fly at the end.  

Magazines. Owen also loves to touch the pages when he reads.  He enjoys reading magazines with dad cause he can really get a good hold, actually turn the pages, and do some damage.

Dress up with daddy and mushrooms.  Chip loves to dress the kids up in his things.  he often is trying his ski hat or ball cap on them...just to see if they fit yet.  Daddy and Ruby were really gettin into the mushrooms the other day too.  She can't wait to sink her teeth...or gums anyway...into some of those.  That's right, Papa, watch out!  She might try to convert you!

Toys.  Ruby and Owen have become so dexterous with their hands.  They actually play with toys now when you put them in their lap or in front of them.  They mostly put them in their mouths, but they will slam them around and throw them on the floor too.  Here they are getting to know their new Sophies!  It was love at first sight.  Thanks, Dana!

Mother's Day

What a surreal day for me.  Thought it would never come.  It is as good as I thought it would be and better.   On this day, I am also reminded of all the trying it took to get here, how I thought I would never be able to enjoy these moments because of how unfair the process was and how unfair it is that it doesn't work for everyone.  My heart feels for all the people who are not mothers, but want to be.  As I laid in bed last night I thought about how Mother's Day can be like Valentine's Day- a bittersweet holiday.   I hope that my joy is not someone else's pain.   I hope that more than anything, it is a reminder to those who want to be a mom, or a mom to a second little person, that it is possible in some capacity if you are open to it.  And, that when you get there, all the waiting and consuming emotional turmoil can create a love that is so deep and indescribable that the rollercoaster is worth it.  So, without further ado, a few more photos of my joy on this glorious day of motherhood!

 Our favorite overalls.  And, our favorite puppy dog who does not get nearly as much blog space as she used to...but we still love her just as much. 

 More flowers.  We are addicted until our own pop up in the STILL snow covered yard.  The snow IS receding though- not long now.

 My Mother's Day gift.  One of my favorite flowers- a stunning variety that Ruby and Owen picked out (wink, wink- thanks, Chip!)

 Cuteness

Shout out to the Portland folks!  Here is one of our "little boxers".

This shirt reads, "Does this diaper make my butt look big?".  It makes me laugh.  Especially when Chip replies, "No, honey, God did that."

Ruby always seems to have her mouth open like this.  All the more opportunity to get something in it I suppose.  Both of them are putting everything they can get their hands on into their mouths these days.

 More cuteness

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new." ~Rajneesh