Multi-taskin' Mama

I remember being in the ultrasound room when we found out we were having twins. The second thing the ultrasound tech told me "you're going to need to be really organized." Ok, I'm sort of middle of the road on that. For some things I'm super organized, for others not so much. It's a matter of priority for me. For example, I think it's more important I hang out and play with my kids as opposed to having house that is insanely clean. I try to keep it sorta clean, but I'm just not a psycho about it. Who cares?! Plus, it makes me uncomfortable to be in a house that is super clean.

This is a common scene at our house. Sometimes a necessity, sometimes a timesaver. :)

Anyway, I've been trying to be more organized and efficient since we've all been home together. I try to get Blake's meds all measured out and ready to go at nite for the next morning. I try to get as much of Blake's dialysis stuff done before we go to the baseball game so it will be less chaotic when we get home. I try to make bathtime organized. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing 12 things at once, but later when things are ready to go it makes it all worth it.

So, if any of you multi-tasking/organized moms out there have any tips/tricks to share with me, please do! I would love to hear them.

Bubbles

The other nite the kids and I went outside to enjoy a beautiful Friday evening and they wanted to blow bubbles. Luckily we had two leftover bottles from last summer, so they blew a lot of bubbles!

I think blowing bubbles is so relaxing and fun! And, sort of calming to see all those bubbles just floating around in the air.

Jenna is quite the bubble-blower. Brody needs to work on his technique. He still does the thing where he blows entirely too hard and bursts the bubble.

Brode loved watching them float up to the sky.

The other thing about bubbles is...they make for pretty pictures. :)

Change of Heart

I may have to take back my words. Eat crow. Whatever. When I found out I was expecting twins one of my first thoughts was, "I'm not going to dress them exactly alike." If other people want to buy us matching outfits, that's great, but I'm not personally going to buy them matching stuff. I thought if I bought them "coordinating" outfits that would be just fine. You know like, same plaid outfit, but in different colors.

So, now I have twins. At home. Together. Friday night we went out for our first outing and I dressed them alike. And they were so CUTE all matchy-matchy! Now, all I want to do is dress them the same. Plus, on Sunday, we headed up town dressed completely different (no coordination whatsoever) and I had a couple of older ladies ask me if they were twins. It might eliminate that question if they are the same.

What do you think? Dress them identical or not?

So HAPPY together!

We made it home on Friday afternoon to find that Jenna and Brody had done some nice artwork with Grandma Linda to welcome Blake home.

Friday night State Center's annual Rose Festival took place. We are not really a family to stay at home, so even though Blake had just gotten home, we loaded up the kiddos and walked a couple blocks to see what was going on. It was craziness! We were stopped constantly by people wanting to see Blake and Bowen. I think the best sign for Blake is that everybody asked what baby was the one in the hospital, they couldn't even tell because Blakers looks just as good as Bowen!

Saturday we went to the parade in the morning, followed by two of Aaron's baseball games. The kids got entirely too much candy, but had a good time. Aaron's team won the first game, but lost in the championship game.

Bowen

Blake

I also captured pictures of the two boys smiling!! Everytime Bowen would see the camera he would quit smiling and Blake is just starting to smile more, so I felt lucky I captured this look. One thing we have noticed is that they look A LOT alike when they smile and sleep. You can see the evidence above. :)

Daddy hanging with his boys. Bowen is listening intently, but Blake doesn't really look interested.

The boys' new ride. And mommy's new ride too! I LOVE the new double stroller!

Bowen is on the left and Blake on the right. (Hope that helps you Grandma)

My boys! I love them!

Welcome to our "new chaotic life." Four kids is probably going to equal impossible when it comes to pictures. This picture makes me smile though, because even though it's crazy trying to get everybody on schedules and stuff, we are all together and that makes everything ok!

Discharge Day!

Friday, June 17th was a day I don't think Aaron and I will ever forget. After 10 very long weeks in Iowa City, Blake got to come home and join the rest of the family! Thursday was more of an emotional day for me because all of our favorite nurses stopped by to say good-bye. Even though we're thrilled to be home, it will be an adjustment not to see those familiar faces every day.

Blake has this look on his face like, what? Really? Are you sure I really get to go home today?

All of the stuff we had to take home!

Blake getting in the carseat for the first time. He wasn't so sure about it.

The three of us before we headed out the door!

The drive home was good and bad. For awhile, he slept. For awhile, he cried. For awhile, he screamed. The poor baby! I can't imagine being in a hospital for 10 weeks and then have to deal with all of the new feelings, sites and sounds that he did yesterday. Over-stimulation! I ended up sitting in back with him to calm him down and he did great the rest of the way.

Bands for the Brothers

The two worn out hospitals bands that you see above have been on Aaron's wrists for 71 days, since the night we went to Mercy to be induced. It seems like so long ago after everything we've been through. Anyway, Aaron made a decision when Blake was transported to Iowa City that those bands were not coming off until both of his twin boys were home from the hospital.

It was a gesture that definitely pulled on my heartstrings. Those bands were a constant reminder to Aaron of our brave little baby boy in Iowa City. They're faded and water-damaged, but today, we're cutting them off because Blakers is coming HOME!

The nice thing about boys...

...is that when you are driving to Iowa City and you get east of Tama and there is NOTHING and absolutely NOWHERE to stop to go to the bathroom...boys require no toilet!! That's especially helpful on days like last Saturday when Brody had to pee 3 times on the 1 hour and 45 minute drive. Note to self: No more red Gatorade!!