Twins- 10 Months

We have almost survived the first year of raising twins.  OK, now we REALLY need to start planning your party.  Picking a theme for a boy/girl twin party is more challenging than people may realize...

As good as it gets with two very mobile 10 month olds!

Lauren:  At the doctor's appointment two weeks ago, you weighed nearly 18 pounds!  You weigh less than what your older sister weighed at this point, but you also started off smaller.  You are still our little peanut, but your new nickname is DQ (Drama Queen).   When you're not happy about something, you make sure we know it.  If you're not in the best of moods and Caleb so much as looks at you, you start crying.  We've stopped responding to every little whimper because you two need to start getting along!  There are times when you do play together, or follow each other into another room, so I know there is hope.  You are very chatty and have a lot to say.  Papa will tell the story about how you brought him to tears laughing while he and Grandma were watching you while I was in Portland.  Apparently, you were playing with a spoon and had a lot to say to that spoon. He will say you were swearing and telling off that spoon!  You are starting to like less pureed foods and are enjoying trying new things.  Veggies are still your favorite, but lately you have like pulled pork and turkey too.  Yogurt and cheese are also a big hit with you.  You love to stand up and you put a big smile on your face when you pull yourself up to standing.  You know you are such a big girl when you do this!  You figured out how to wave, which is so cute.  We are still waiting on some teeth.  You've been a good sleeper and like sleeping with your bunny's ears in your mouth. 

Caleb:  You weighed close to 23 pounds at your last appointment!  You don't look that big though, but you are also two inches longer than your sister.  You definitely have the Schaack genes and daddy thinks you are pretty quick for your size too (so maybe you'll be a lineman?).  You like to crawl away from us when we are trying to change your diaper.  You think it's pretty funny and want us to chase you.  Speaking of changing diapers; it is like an Olympic sport with you!  You have to be fast-not even mommy's singing or silly faces can keep you still long enough anymore.  I wouldn't say you eat a lot more than your sister, but you are more willing to try new things than she is.  You sometimes say  "ummm" when you're eating which is pretty cute.  There really isn't anything you don't like, but I'm not sure yogurt is at the top of your favorite food list.  Finally, you have figured out how to feed yourself!  I thought the day would never come :).  You are very methodical about it, so it's cute to watch.   You have one tooth-your top right tooth, and I'm waiting for the second top tooth to pop through.  You didn't act any different while that tooth was coming through so I'd say you're pretty tough!  You are a good sleeper too and like to sleep on your tummy with your butt way up in the air.

Although our days are still very busy, and Justin and I are lucky if we're able to spend 30 minutes together in the evening before we go to bed, it has been a fun 10 months.   I'd like the next two months to slow down a little bit though...

A few random pics:

Portland

Portland, OR was beautiful! I spent a few days there for a conference specific for NPs and PAs in nephrology.  It was my first trip away from the twins, but honestly I was looking forward to a little me time, and being able to actually sit down and eat dinner.  I'm not sure that has happened since I've had the babies.  Alena spent part of the time with Bill and Ladonna and my parents watched the twins while I was gone.

The hotel I was staying in was right downtown and in a decent area of the city.  After getting to my hotel I walked around outside just looking for something quick to eat.  I was immediately surprised by the number of homeless people on the streets.  These people were my age and would spread out their blanket on the sidewalk, making a little home for themselves. It was very eye opening. A few of the locals mentioned that it was easy to collect unemployment and that drugs were a big problem in Oregon, hence the number of homeless people (medical marijuana is legal in the state).  After a homeless man asked me why I was wearing a watermelon colored shirt, (because he "hates watermelon"), I decided to head back to my hotel hungry.  I'd just have a big breakfast in the morning...

After my conference the next day, I decided to use public transportation to do a little sight seeing. I took the Max Rail (like an above ground subway/train), and the bus, to the International Rose Garden.  It was beautiful and there was probably every different type of rose there.  Unfortunately that was the last bus of the night so I had to walk about a mile to catch the Rail again.  The weather was perfect, 75 degrees, and there were so many people out walking on paths, having picnics, riding bikes (it is the bicycle capital of the nation).  I had to ask a few people how to make it to the Rail Station, but everyone was so friendly.  Ironically, I even met someone who went to Loras College.

The next evening I wanted to try VooDoo Doughnuts.  It was a doughnut place not far from my hotel that was open 24/7 and always had a line so I knew it had to be popular.  I got a Captain My Captain doughnut, which was amazing and definitely worth the 20 minutes I spent in line for it.  I then walked around downtown for a while before getting dinner.  I must have looked like a tourist because I got a few stares and comments and one gentlemen told me I could park behind him-which would have been nice if I was driving a car...

 

VooDoo Doughnuts

I met two twin moms I had met online for dinner. They both live in the Portland area and we all have twins around the same age. Even though we had never met online, we had a great time together.

It was a nice trip, but as always a little too short. It was nice to get home and see my little ones, but I was definitely not ready to go back to work. 

Okoboji-July 4th

Well, since this was our only "family vacation" this year, we wanted to make sure we all had a great time.  We went up to the lake after work on the 3rd so we could spend as much time as possible up there.  We are always so gracious to Aunt Mary and Uncle Fred for letting us stay at their house.  And did they have a housefull-Mary, Fred, Amy, Matt, Kim, Lily, Ben, Christina, David, Tessa, Mom, Dad, and the five of us; (luckily the three dogs were excluded this time)!  As always, we made it work and had a lot of fun.

The best picture I could get off all the kids

Alena and Lily

Alena and Lily got to play together for a couple days, including jumping into the lake together, going to the beach, taking walks on the Ezy Roller, and spending part of a day at Arnold's Park. 

The Grandparents and the kids took turns spending time on the boat, which meant we actually got a kid-free afternoon on the lake which was nice.  For the first time ever, we did not make it to the Barefoot Bar! Guess that means two trips next time we are up there.  We enjoyed some yummy meals and even spent an evening watching old Minnesota videos.  Those never get old, and they always make us cry because we are laughing so hard.

 Caleb enjoying the nice weather

 

Lily and Alena joined us on the boat to watch the fireworks, which were beautiful as always. There is no better way to watch the fireworks!  Unfortunately, when we all tried to go to bed afterwards, some people thought they should continue the celebration until after midnight! 

The last day we were there, we took the babies out on their first boatride and Baptism in Okoboji Lake.  I can still remember Alena screaming during her Baptism so I wasn't really looking forward to this, but the tradition must continue.  Caleb fell asleep during the boatride so Lauren got to go first.  Instead of just dunking her in the water, I dipped her feet first, then lowered her in a little at a time.  She didn't make a peep! In fact, she was kicking her legs underwater and splashing her hands around.  Serously?!  Between the two of them, I thought for sure she would scream bloody murder, as she is our Drama Queen :).  Later on, I put her in a raft and pushed her around. She couldn't get enough, (and I thought the water was cold!).  After Caleb woke up, he got his chance to go into the lake.  He didn't like it so much and pretty much started crying the second his feet hit the water.  That same day we went to the beach and Lauren loved "walking" on the sand and having the water rush over her feet.  Once again, Caleb was not a fan...

Alena and Tessa

 



Overall it was a fun, long weekend. I wouldn't say it was relaxing, but it never is going to be with three kids, but we are so glad the grandparents were there to give us a break when we needed it.  It was definitely a toned down trip, due to twp 9 month olds and Christina being pregnant. I predict next year will be pretty tame also, but by 2015, we better get out game on and not skip out on going to the Barefoot Bar because we're tired!

Twins - 9 Months

Whew, mom and dad better start planning your First Birthday Party because it is right around the corner!

What a fun summer we are having!  You two LOVE to be outside-whether it is on a stoller ride of just sitting on the blanket watching your big sister blow bubbles of daddy mow.  Luckily we've had quite a few nice days/evenings that have allowed us to be outside. 

Lauren:  Your 9 month appointment isn't for another few weeks, but if I had to guess, I would guess you weigh close to 18 pounds now (although you are still a little peanut!).  Your hair keeps getting longer and lighter (and sticks up like Alfalfa!)  It looks exactly like Alena's did at your age.  You still have the best whole body, squinting eyes smile I've ever seen.  Your dimples are still very prominent.  You fit in most of your 9 month clothes now, although some things are still too big for you.  You are a good sleeper, but are sometimes harder to get down for naps than your brother.  We've seen you fall asleep sitting up a few times (hunched over in your bed).  You are not crawling yet, nor are you rocking on all fours.  You do, however, scoot forward on your butt and you have the longest reach to get those toys you want.  You do not like people, (especially your brother), in your space and cry if he gets too close.  I've called you a little overdramatic a couple times :).  Your teacher, Pinky, told us a story from a couple weeks ago where Caleb came over to you and put his hand on your back. You took him by the collar and drug him down to the ground!  I guess he looked at you with his puppy dog eyes, wondering why his sister had just done that to him...I hope someday you guys will play together.  You are drinking your bottles better, but are somewhat picky about table food.  You like most vegetables, but are kind of picky about some fruits. You do like oatmeal and yogurt.  Both you and your brother can pick up food in your hand, but for some reason you haven't figured out how to feed yourself yet!  When you want to be, you are quite the chatterbox, but your voice is quiet.  You like to hold toys up and inspect them, turning them around and around.  Daddy thinks it looks like you are preaching and giving a sermon.  A couple times you've fallen over backwards while doing this.

Caleb:  I think you are close to 22 pounds now.  You are just "big boned."  You have some chunk, but nothing out of the ordinary.  You are my gentle giant and love to cuddle. You now give these big slobbery kisses, (although it appears as if you are trying to bite but have no teeth-either way, it's pretty cute!).  You don't talk as much as your sister, but lately you have started saying mama and dada (although not directed towards either of us).  You do a lot of dinosaur sounds and are quite loud when you want to be.  You crawled for the first time at 8.5 months on June 2nd!  Now, you get around like a champ. I love when I'm in the kitchen and I hear you crawling towards me.  You love to come right up to my legs and look up at me so I will pick you up.  Sometimes you'll crawl off into the other room to find your own toys to play with.  You also crawl over your sister sometimes and steal toys from her.  You want to play with her so bad and often laugh when you're near her-some day she will play with you buddy!  Your favorite thing now is to crawl after Milo-poor kitty!
You are  a good sleeper too.  You still sleep with your little lion that you chew on before you fall asleep.  It is always in need of  a good washing after a few days!  You have liked most food that we have given you, although I'm not sure you were a fan of cottage cheese.  I am dressing you in mostly 12 month clothes-you are long, and I can't wait to take you in for your appointment next month to see what your stats are.  We did buy your next car seat because you have outgrown your infant one by weight and nearly by length. 

We just love the stage you two are in right now!  You are changing so much each week.  Although you are likely our last children, it is hard knowing we won't get to see another child go through these stages.  We are definitely trying to slow down and enjoy every moment of it! 

It is getting harder to get my monthly pics on the big chair-here are a few out takes:

Father's Day

It's become a tradition that we get together with both sides of the family on Father's Day.  Lately, we've been meeting up with Justin's side of the family on Saturday at a nearby campground.  Alena enjoyed playing at the playground, riding her Ezy Roller, and playing with Cousin Rylee.  She even took a good nap in Jerod and Vera's new camper.  The twins enjoyed a couple stroller rides, but mainly played on a blanket on the grass in the shade.  Caleb even fell asleep outside on the blanket for a while! 

Alena was sad when we had to leave, but I tried to explain to her that everyone was leaving.  "But Uncle Jerod is staying here and Grandma is staying here," she said between sobs.  Then after I buckled her in the van she looked over and was upset that "Caleb doesn't have a shirt on!"  I tried not to laugh, but it was pretty funny.  All three kids were crying when we left the campground from being overtired but overall it was a successful outing.

 What Alena made for Father's Day

 

What all the kids made for Father's Day/Art Show

 



The next day, we headed to Ames and decided to go the the Nevada swimming pool with my parents because it was a humid day.  It was the first time the twins had been swimming. Lauren had woke up with a fever that morning so she wasn't feeling all that well, and thus didn't enjoy the water as much as Caleb.  He loved splashing around in it and crawling it. He kept getting deeper, and deeper and deeper...He probably would have played in that pool all day (I thought the water was COLD!).  Alena enjoyed jumping off the side of the pool to Justin. Instead of braving it and going out to eat, we ordered Texas Roadhouse to go, which was delicious!