Together - Twin Style

I have collected a few pictures here that show something that I love in watching the twins.  They touch constantly.  It soothes them, and does not upset them.  Anyone else can wake either baby by touching them but the twin can kick them in the head and it does nothing.  I am learning to put them in the bed together awake or asleep.  If they are together they will pacify each other and either sit quietly or fall asleep.  When one cries it doesn't wake the other one.  They are in sink with each other.  I am loving that part of being a mom to twins.

Beautiful - Adorable

Beautiful - Adorable

Fr Tom says, "The twins have the star power of one baby times ten on the cuteness factor."  J says, "Going out with the twins is like being around a rock star."  People love twins, especially other twins or moms of twins.  It is a beautiful friendly twin world that we now know about.  Often twin stories are shared:  "I am a twin, we are best friends to this day." "I miss my twin, he is gone now but I think of him every day." "My son married a twin he loves that he shares her with her twin.  They talk several times a day."  I love it.

Beautiful - Adorable

Adorable - Beautiful

Adorable - Beautiful

Adorable - Beautiful

We don't put them in the crib touching each other but they scoot to each other until they are within reach.  They both do it.  They never pull away from the other either.   It must be a twin thing.  I feel so lucky to get to be a part of their world in this small way.

Adorable - Beautiful

Adorable - Beautiful

Adorable - Beautiful

I know that I had a hard time with being pregnant with twins.  I was upset with God for some of that time because I was sick and my life was going back into the baby world again.  These past three months have been magical.  It is different and I still catch myself saying, "I can't believe we got two of them."  I pray that the family will continue to enjoy this new form of togetherness.  We are so enjoying the sibling life - twin style.

Adorable

 Then I come to how we have slept the first 3 months.  I have kept them close and have spent most of my nights sitting in the easy chair.  I have had Adorable on my left and Beautiful on my right.

Beautiful

We will not be sleeping like this as time goes on.  They are finally sleeping a little longer.  So no more all night nursing (thank you God).  I don't want to forget that time though, it has been wonderful.  I might be tired but it is such a unique memory of the twins only to the nursing mom.  We won't fit in the chair any longer.  The girls are starting to squirm so it isn't as safe.  I just wanted to add it to this post so that I can remember how much I have loved waking up looking down at two babies resting against me.  I have been so blessed to have two healthy little ones to share my nights with.

Adorable - Beautiful
8-15-2012

I love you ladies!

New Library Patron

Our family tradition is that you are old enough for a library card when you turn 5. We decided to have a soft start to our 2012-2013 school year this week.   We would be just doing review with the three little ones (not the twins).  We will begin each week with a visit to the library.  

Our first official school act for this year was to get Jumba his library card.

~Funny Big Family story:  While getting Jumba's card I asked Sugar to take some pictures.  To us this is a rite of passage, it is a big deal.  We wanted pictures.  (I wanted to blog about it.)  The lady that is blocked by the computer screen in the above picture sees the camera and starts correcting Sugar, I got mad and in the end I think we will visit other library locations.  This woman is not pro-big family at all.
Librarian:  "UM what is she doing?"
Neen:  "Taking pictures."
Librarian:  "She isn't allowed to do that."
Neen:  "She isn't allowed to take pictures of me?, Why not, I asked her to?"
Librarian:  "You can't just take pictures of people at the library.  We have to protect our patrons and their identities."
(What, this is a public space.  It is not one that guarantees privacy.  What are they doing at this library that people don't want to be seen?  I think she just didn't want her picture taken.)
Neen:  "Oh don't worry she isn't getting a picture of you, we are just getting one of this little guy here.  We always make a big deal out of getting the library card.  I think it helps re-enforce the responsibility that goes with the card."
Librarian: "I am worried about all the other children she is taking pictures of."
Neen:  "What children?"
Librarian:  "These right here!"
Neen:  "It is OK they are all my children, I give permission to have their pictures taken."
Librarian:  "Oh, they are all WITH you.  As long as you are sure that their parents are ok with it then I guess you can take the pictures."
Neen:  "Oh I AM their parent and I give permission."
Librarian:  "No I mean the other children with you."
Neen:  "What other children, THEY ARE ALL MINE!  I HAVE 11 CHILDREN!!   YOU ARE ONLY SEEING 8 OF THEM.  The one taking the picture is my daughter that I asked to take pictures of her younger brother getting his library card.  The rest of these children are his sibling.  Do I need to see this "new picture taking policy" in writing or sign a permission to take pictures of my OWN children in a public library?"
Librarian:  "OH just be careful not to take my picture."
Neen:  "Wouldn't dream of it."

Adorable

In spite of all that, our crazy pictures, Jumba got his library card.  He was so proud.  Now off to find the books.

They all enjoy this.  I really need to be better at going each week.  It is good for several reasons.  When you have several children it becomes easier to stay at home and go get the books for them.  Then they don't learn how to behave in public.  This is a simple, safe environment in which to teach and learn these basic social skills.

The kids also learn to be responsible, they must keep track of the books they pick.  They learn to prioritize their picks, each person only gets 5 books each week.

I love that Sugar wanted to enjoy that time as well.  They learn to help each other.

So our first adventure for this school year was a success.  Congrats to Jumba on his new card.

Changing Babies - 13 Weeks Old

 They are growing up too fast!

Twin Adorable

Twin Beautiful

They are changing.  It is good news.  Today I was congratulated three times at Mass.  People thought the babies were newborns.  I know they are still small (well for a T family baby) but they look nothing like a newborn.  They are holding their heads up now.  They are laughing.  They cry real tears.  They follow us around the room with their eyes.  They also can no longer fit into newborn size diapers.  

Adorable up close making a silly face.

Beautiful and her big eyes watching us watch her.  

These babies are so much fun.  We are loving that they now respond to us.

Beautiful - Adorable

So that is the update for week 13 with these precious babies.

Jumba is 5

Jumba continues to be such a delight to this family.  We were so surprised when we learned he was on the way, but he has turned out to be the most precious of gifts for our family.  He has a bright smile and and kind attitude to all.  He is our honey. 

Part of me wishes he would pick a nicer restaurant for his birthday meal but Dad had fun climbing in the tubes at McDonalds.  I guess it was the perfect choice Jumba.  

Pooker with Beautiful

Goobers with Adorable

Beautiful - Adorable

Everyone became a ninja before we cute the cake.

Goobers is holding Adorable and Pooker has Beautiful

Jumba is a wonderful young man.  We all adore this guy.  Happy birthday Jumba!

The Rough Night Myth

"It was a rough night last night", or so I said to my hubby this morning.  

Then I really thought about that statement and how often we as new parents make it.  What do I mean when I said it was a rough night?  OK well let me think, my babies wanted to be held most of the night.  Adorable needed a diaper change in the middle of the night, it was a nasty poopy diaper.  After that she felt better.  Beautiful wanted to eat every two hours.  So I would have to wake up get her all set and then fall back to sleep. It was a very hot night with two babies hanging on me.  My arms were aching from holding both of them all night long. 

.  .  . Whoa wait a minute Neen, are you complaining about the honor of getting to hold two very healthy babies?  Or getting to feed two little ones that are needing to grow?  Are you really complaining that God allowed you to heal so much that your babies want you to hold them all night long and that they are healthy enough to ask?  

I am sorry!  I am most thankful for a night without much sleep because it means I wake up with sore arms that are filled with the most wonderful of gifts.   

Beautiful

Beautiful - Mom- Adorable

Beautiful at the top and Adorable at bottom.  They are in mom's very tired arms.  

Adorable

Adorable - Beautiful

Adorable - Beautiful with their arms intertwined while looking up at us making faces at them.  

Mom and Jumba trying to to get the twins to smile.

Adorable - Beautiful

OK so let me be honest, last night was another wonderful night that I got to spend with two special people.  I didn't get lots of sleep but I wouldn't trade the night for all the money in the world!