The Twins... They Are A Changin

We recently got a new video camera complements of Great Grandma Lewis... Enjoy!

Notice how Jackson is ready for his bite plenty early. Haha!

The Pumpkin Patch Tour

Wow!  It’s crazy how much of a difference a month and a half can make!  I just read my last post and it seems like ages ago.  The boys’ diets have expanded to a wide variety of fruits and veggies prepared by chef mom.  In fact, just two days ago they did chicken for the first time.  It’s been a blast watching them try all the new foods.  Their faces say everything when it comes to likes and dislikes.  Apples and pears are by far the favorite.  Jackson doesn’t do so well with green veggies, but we’ve managed to trick him into eating them anyway.  I thought Brenden was gonna spit his chicken right back at mom and dad.  The boys have also gotten much better at understanding how a spoon works.  The first few weeks were a little rough because they kept wanting to treat it like a bottle.

Jackson being Batty and Brenden sucking on his two best friends

Trick or Treat

This new diet has produced two super energetic growing boys.  Jackson has learned to army crawl and Brenden is also doing the boot, scoot and boogie.  Anytime we put them down for tummy time, leaving the room must take place with extreme caution.  Both Brenden and Jackson think that any object found on the floor is eatable and therefore belongs in their mouth.  Mom and Dad had to act quickly in order to baby proof the house.

In the meantime, Brenden and Jackson continue to develop both physically and mentally.  I can’t believe how different they look and act.  Their personalities are really starting to show.  They are definitely not shy.  We’ve enjoyed all of the company and visitors!  We can’t wait to bring the family home to see everyone on Thanksgiving!

Mom's 30!!!

1... 2... 3... 4

The Honeymoon Period Is Over

Our schedule is booked and our lives are officially crazy.  The last few weeks have been pretty intense.  Between my school/coaching and Mom teaching voice and piano, we have managed to raise two growing boys.  So much has happened since the last post.  We found out the hard way that two weddings in one weekend is a little much.  Even one wedding is pretty stressful with twins.  It can make a 3-day weekend seem like it happened in the blink of an eye.  We've learned that grandparents are most definitely grand just as the name indicates.  Dad has learned that bachelor parties are really fun until you have to care for twins the next day.  Most importantly, we’ve learned to always keep a level head when you are dealing with two screening babies… Just ask the bumper on our SUV.  Tonight, we decided to put the boys to bed early because Mom was heading to choir rehearsal.  Therefore, I have a little over an hour to myself.  So, while I wait on this load of laundry, I thought I would take a few minutes to log some milestones.

Jackson rolled over only a few days after Brenden turned the corner.  In fact, it’s almost become an issue with the sleeping arrangements.  There have been numerous occasions where Jackson will roll over on Brenden in the middle of the night and cause an early awakening.  The boys also weighed in at their 4-month checkup just under 12 pounds.  Jackson is now only 2 ounces behind his older brother.  We also started cereal last month.  It was a little tough at first, but the boys are finally starting to understand that there is a difference between a bottle and a spoon.  In the meantime, our house has transformed into a workout center for babies.  We have Jumperoos and Exersausers and Play Gyms.  At this rate, we won’t be able to walk from the living room to the kitchen without climbing over baby stations.  I currently stub my toes on a daily basis.  Yes, our lives are officially crazy, but it’s funny how all the stress goes away when a screaming fit turns into two giant ear to ear grins and a couple of belly laughs.

What a Week

8/19/12

We didn’t really have much of a choice, so we both dove into the workweek headfirst.  Dad started school on Monday and Mom also had to work several part time hours this week.  Luckily, only a few of those hours overlapped so we kept the babysitting hours to a minimum.  Mom and Dad also experienced extended time alone with Brenden and Jackson.  There were definitely a fair share of moments that tested our patients, but all things considered, we survived to tell of it. 

Hey Mom.  See if you can find me.

Mom signed up to sing at church on Wednesday.  So, I had the boys all to myself in back.  We have done this a few times before, but not after a long day at work.  It was exhausting, but all worth it in the end.  I came as close as I have ever come to experiencing a moment of Zen.  I was trying my best to keep the boys calm so I could hear Toni sing the Ave Maria.  It happened to work out so that I was heading up to receive communion with Brenden and Jackson in my arms, right when she started.  It was perfect!

Aside from my moment, this week has been such a blur.  Feed, work, babies, make dinner, laundry, feed, repeat… We literally don’t have a minute of free time with our new schedule.  I think this is why the weekend has been so great!  Adam and Corrie came out for dinner on Friday.  We made pizzas on the grill and caught up on some DVR.  Saturday, I walked up to Pazza Di Pizza with the boys and met Toni and her friend Katelyn for a little lunch on the patio.  That afternoon, the Cardinals were on Fox so I was able to catch a win before we headed to church.  That evening, we fired up the grill again and spent some more time outside. 

It’s a beautiful day and Toni is attending a wedding shower downtown.  I guess the boys and I will have to head out and enjoy this weather on our own!  I’m looking forward to another day of sunny skies to cap off a perfect weekend!

Roll Over Brenthoven!

8/12/12

So… While Dad was away at the gym check out what Mom caught on camera!

Lions and Tigers and Chicago Bears... Oh My!

That's a good lookin fami

Soooooo excited for the zoo!!! 

8/10/12

Lions and Tigers and Chicago Bears… Oh My!

Where did the summer go?  Somehow I’m down to my last weekend of freedom.  School starts on Monday with a teachers institute and Tuesday is our first day with students.  In an effort to distract me from this harsh reality, we decided to take the boys to the Brookfield Zoo.  It was the coolest morning in a couple months, so Brenden and Jackson got a chance to show off some new threads. (Tiger shirt at the zoo… too much)  They absolutely loved it!  Anything that involves spending the majority of the day outside is a great day in their minds.  We started with a few outdoor exhibits and got a little braver about removing them from the stroller as the day progressed.  We used the baby carriers for the indoor stuff.  Brenden and Jackson are finally big enough to face out which is one of their favorite positions now.  They love to be able to check out the world.  They are really starting to follow things with their eyes.  After we had our fill, it was time to load up and head home.  Of course, no trip is complete without a Brenden blowout.  There’s just nowhere for it all to go when he’s in his car seat.

A few minor meltdowns later, it was time for Brenden and Jackson’s first trip to Portillo’s.  They did really well so we decided to push our luck with a trip to the mall… bad idea.  Our hunt for Grandma’s birthday present was cut short by two screaming babies.  Mom was finally able to get them calmed down while I went in to make a quick purchase.  We managed to come back with our stomachs full and a gift in hand so I guess we’ll have to chalk it up as a successful trip, but our nerves were definitely tested.

8/11/12

Grandma’s Birthday

Grandma and Grandpa came up to see the boys and celebrate a birthday today.  Grandma was very happy to receive her cupcake accessories from all the kids, but I think we all know what the real gift was. Haha!  They were sooooooo excited to see Brenden and Jackson.  The boys didn’t spend a single second of the day in their rock’n plays.  Between the arms of Grandma and Grandpa and the stroller, that pretty much covered it.  Mom had to work in the morning so Grandma and Grandpa took the boys for a walk while dad got in a run.  Once Mom got back, we walked downtown to Salseria for lunch and again for ice cream that afternoon.  We put some serious miles on the stroller being such a nice day.  It was really nice to be able to take advantage of a beautiful day with family!

The Big Move

Oooooooo...

8/1/12

We decided to make the transition from rock ’n play to crib last night.  We were a little nervous about the move, but Brenden and Jackson did really well thanks to the mobiles Mom made.  She hung them above the boys’ crib before they were born, but they’re finally starting to take notice.  I swaddled them, laid them down, and their eyes were fixed on the colorful display.  After about 20 minutes of leg kicks, they finally gave in and called it a night.  The boys slept 5 hours followed by another 3 ½ hours.  School is starting in only 2 weeks and we have successfully reclaimed the bedroom.  What a relief!

Ahhhhhhhh...

Tummy Time Flies When Your Having Fun

Go Cardinals!

7/21/12

Must have been a good one

Today we were invited over to our friend Yago’s place for a cookout and a little Cards vs. Cubs baseball.  This was the first party I’ve been to in a while where the adults nearly outnumbered the kids.  It was 6 on 6!  They definitely kept us entertained.  Yago has a daughter that’s a year and a half and a son that’s 5 months and the other couple had a 2 and 5 year old.  Between all of the baby items and Yago’s Halloween masks, it was a sight to see.  Yago designs Halloween masks and I got the opportunity to see what was left of his collection… pretty cool stuff.  We weren’t able to watch much of the game, but the Cards scored 12 runs in one inning and that’s the way it ended, 12 – 0.  It was nice to get out of the house for an evening!  Can’t wait to do it again soon.

7/22/12

Corrie and Adam stopped by with Brian Enders today.  He got to meet the babies for the first time and we all hung out for a couple hours.  Uncle Adam and Aunt Coco stuck around for dinner on the grill and we watched our favorite show Breaking Bad.  My guess is this is going to be a regular occurrence on Sunday evenings and that’s fine by me.  Aunt Coco is absolutely beside herself ever time she comes over to see the babies and Adam has really warmed up as well.

Checkin out his biggest (ceiling) fan

Sock monkey

7/25/12 – 7/29/12

It was another successful trip home this week.  Toni was asked to sing at a wedding on Saturday and somehow I ended up playing the guitar.  It will probably be our last trip south until our wedding run begins in September. (we have 5)  We spent 2 ½ days in Newton and 2 ½ days in Teutopolis. As always grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles were all so excited to see the twins.  Everyone thought Brenden and Jackson have grown so much.  I guess we haven’t really noticed, being around them every second of every day.  I did the scale trick at Grandma and Grandpas this weekend.  Brenden checked in at 9.6 and Jackson at 8.8.  I think we’re going to need to go through some of our clothes this week because newborn is starting to look a little tight.  They grow up so fast.

Story time with Mommy

Rockin out with Daddy

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

7/18/12

Mom and Dad have been looking forward to this one all week.  Today was the day we took Brenden and Jackson to their first baseball game!!!  With Milwaukee only about an hour and a half away and the Cardinals in town, this made for a perfect afternoon.  A special thanks goes out to Adam for letting Baxter out while we were away.

We made the decision to get tickets earlier this week, so Dad decided to call cousin Paul and his family for lunch.  His wife Alicia brought all their little ones over to meet at La Perla in Milwaukee.  Luella and Monroe are getting so old and even Elsie looked big next to Brenden and Jackson.  We definitely ran the restaurant out of high chairs between all of our additions.  It was nice to spend some time catching up before the game!

That peppers got nothing on Monroe's fire!

Lue and the Boys! She's a Fearday.

La Perla was only a couple of miles from the stadium so it didn’t take long to arrive.  We packed the baby carriers so we wouldn’t have to worry about car seats or the stroller.  I was a little nervous about how Brenden and Jackson would do, but they more than exceeded expectations.  These two kids absolutely LOVE being outside.  They didn’t make a peep on the long walk to the stadium and were all smiles the majority of the game.  We found a nice spot in the shade and there was a breeze in the upper level.

 

Kathy, Dave, Holly and Alex Wall happened to be going to the same game.  Their seats were right in the sun so they decided to come join us in the upper deck.  I’m sure it also didn’t hurt that we had Brenden and Jackson with us.

The Brewers scored 4 runs in the first off of a couple errors, and that is all it would take.  Solo shots by Freeze and Craig put us on the board and that’s the way it ended, 2 - 4.  We had the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, but like the Cardinals have done lately, we couldn’t drive them in.  Ugh!  It was a real bummer that the Cards couldn’t get a win, but all things considered it was a really fun trip!

Mom and the boys

Taking it all in...

Thanks for the hat, Grandma!