Loving Them Love Each Other

It has been over a month since we've all been sick. We just keep passing it back and forth. Once I think we are well, someone starts feeling bad again. Last weekend Ella started running a fever, this week she got up to 106 degrees. Poor baby has an ear infection but she's on the mend, dreaming of smiles and motorcyle rides. Maxwell has been amazing, patiently sharing my attention and playing on his own. He is such a good natured boy.

We ran to Target today and when I stopped the car and turned around in my seat, this is what I saw. Sister not feeling great and brother holding her hand.
Totally teared up and remembered that having twins is the best thing ever. It's been hard this month taking care of sick babies. Dividing my attention and feeling a wee bit overwhelmed with arms constantly clinging to me isn't the glamourous picture I usually post. But it's real life. Having two babies isn't just 'cute.' It's also double the diapers, food on the floor, crying, etc. But when I see the two of them together, loving each other, it really is as great as I make it sound. Actually, better. I love them loving each other.

Wild Things

Maxwell and Ella got these awesome motorcycles from Nana and Papa for Christmas. With a little help, Max has been able to ride around the driveway. Ella took a dive off hers so she hasn't been too keen on it. Until I got out of the shower this morning and found Mike and the kids doing this...

Mommy Guilt

I had heard about mommy guilt before I had kids, but I didn't get it. It literally starts at conception. At first its' Oh no I haven't gained enough weight!' Then it's 'Oh shit I've gained too much weight!' Always questioning, always harboring this...great responsibility. I think the babies are too cold, I need to bundle them up at night. Wait! Their room is baking, they are too hot. I need to be careful about introducing new foods to them. But that Mom over there is feeding her baby Chinese takeout and he looks so happy! Ohmygosh I am depriving mine! Every phase it's something.

I have girlfriends who decided for various reasons to stop breastfeeding earlier than they planned on. Talk about the mother load of mommy guilt. So many emotions and circumstances are attached to this personal decision. And yet everyone thinks it's their business to ask about it. I remember dreading nursing at the beginning. With two babies I literally felt like my boobs were out all the time as I was feeding all day and all night long. I didn't like it. And that made me feel guilty. I kept telling myself 'One more week. I'll see if i can do it for one more week.' Weeks turned into months and I finally mastered feeding two at once. For me, nursing became quick and easy. So easy in fact, that at eleven months I still nurse the babies in the morning and at night. And guess what? I feel guilty about that! Now I'm embarrassed to admit that my babies who look so big still nurse. Why do we do this to ourselves as Moms?

I guess it's caring too much about what others think. As far as questioning myself about whether or not I'm doing it perfectly, I've just resolved to accept that I'm not. I guess that's part of parenting. Sure I'm bound to feel bad when I get something wrong, but I know that my heart is right. And the thing about kids...they'll be just fine.

(Ella finally has enough hair for a bow to dangle from. Until she or her brother pulls it out.)

Valentine Love

Feeling Yucky...And Still Into Everything

Whatever sickness I had finally passed on to Maxwell and Ella. They have colds and their little lungs are wheezy. But as you can see, it has not slowed them down much. I think we are all just tired of being housebound.

Trying to start the DVD player

Pulling down all the clothes in their closet. I don't know how I didn't see that coming.

Peekaboo!

Maxwell telling Ella all about cows

Bath time! I could tell they were feeling yucky this morning so I finally gave in and let them take a bath together. I don't usually like to do this because they get crazy and usually go face down. For me, it's kind of scary with two in the water. BUT I think they get it now. They almost had as much fun waiting for the water to fill up as they did during their actual bath time.

They are too much fun.

11 Months

You peekaboo playing, motorcycle riding, play chase with me babies...how we love you. One more month, say it ain't so.

Hi From the Crib

Remember the days when your Mom told you that you had to stay in bed and sleep if you stayed home from school? If I only would have realized how amazing that sleep really was...
I haven't been feeling great but so far the babies seem to be OK :)