My babies that aren't really babies

My goal is to blog once a week and so far I have been lousy.  But it's only been a few weeks since I last blogged so at least I'm improving!

My boys are growing up so fast.  It's a love/hate relationship really.  Today they went to a birthday party where they played with like this play-doh sand stuff and then had snacks and cupcakes.  They looked so big playing and eating and yet they were the youngest of the group!

It was such a joy to be invited to a little party. All of the kids were from our ward but I can't tell you how much it meant to me to be invited even though I'm just a young mom.  We had a blast!  I never realize how much I need human interaction until I'm with other adults... until suddenly I realize I'm talking everyone's ear off and saying stupid things, haha!

 

 

We've also started a play group on Tuesday mornings with some of my local friends with kids.  We've only done it a few times but this last time we went to Smoot Park.  I love that park, it's so fun and shaded and I feel like the boys have mastered it so I'm not running around like crazy to keep the boys from falling.



They've even mastered the slide climbing trick! Smoot Park also has a long creek running through it, and one time when Brian was with us he took the boys in it..... you know what that means, because now that's all they want to do.  Which would be fine if it didn't have huge rocks, deep sides, and there were more than one mom.

 

And now it's time for....!!

TWIN SPOTLIGHT

 

Mr. Crew:

• Crew still loves his binkies.  I try to hide them but he always has at least 2 with him. Obsessed.
• Loves to be chased!  He will scream and laugh and would probably let you chase him until he passed out.
• Super cuddly, gives the best loves.
• Prefers women over men.
• Is 3/4 of an inch taller than Finn.
• Picky eater, loves his carbs, but is getting better with fruit!
• Loves shoes- he will bring me his shoes just to wear inside the house, and will sometimes bring mine or Brian's shoes and try to put them on our feet.
• Loves to look at himself in the mirror, he will just coo and laugh for forever!

Mr. Finn:

• Finn is my big eater who will eat just about anything, and in doing so, weighs more than Crew.
• Prefers men over women, especially daddy.
• Loves his blanket!  He has to go everywhere with it.  One day when we came back from the park I decided to give them a bath.  It had been kind of a rough morning so he was struggling and wanted his blanket... so much so that he would not let go of it when I put him in the bath tub.
•  Loves anything electronic.  Oh, and prefers the Ipad over Brian.  Brian is not pleased.
• Has ATTITUDE.  We are in the stages of tantrums all the time!
• Is a total goofball, loves playing and teasing and wrestling brother.
• Loves to dance!  Both Crew and Finn have the best dance moves.  We have way too many videos.
• Finn will scowl when bad guys come on the TV, it's hilarious.





 

They are the best of friends and they make me laugh every day.

I love you boys!

For Heaven's Sake it's September!

Geez Louise time flies.  I have been needing to blog for some time now but you ladies know how it is- there's always something that needs to be done.

Brian's 26th birthday is one week from now!  We're getting old... but I swear Brian just keeps getting more and more handsome.  It seems like men get better looking as they age and women not so much... especially with help from our lovely babies! So worth it.

 

 I am so excited to celebrate but it seems like Brian couldn't care less.  Are your men like this too? I suggest a few things but he doesn't really want to spend money.  Any ideas of things to do that are inexpensive or free around here?

Brian got promoted!!  He was promoted to manager down at the Fashion Place mall for AT&T.  It has been a long time coming and a welcome relief.  He has worked SO hard.  I could not be more proud of him.

My dear sister Camille is engaged and getting married on October 14th to Colton Richins.  They met in high school and over the obviously romantic musicals put on at Viewmont they fell in love.  We really love Colton and already feel like he's part of the family. 

No he did not propose on the doorstep.  This was the first step in a scavenger hunt and I caught the surprise on camera. She's too pretty for her own good, makes me sick actually. ;)

 

My other sister Courtney left on her mission a month ago to Paris, France!  She has two weeks left in the MTC and is honestly loving it.  It is so fun to get her emails.  It's weird to hear my little baby sister talk the way a missionary does- so grown up and sweet.

Obviously I have to mention the two brightest spots in my life- my sweet Finn and Crew, but I have so much to say and so many pictures I'll do the next post on them.  Until then, here's a picture of my favorite twins in the whole world.

Oh my goodness boys, you're just way too cute.  It makes me want to wake you up and kiss your sweet faces!  But I wont.... because I'm not an idiot. :)

 

Thanks for reading!



My Boys

These past few months have been a whirlwind.....  The boys are almost 16 months old and are all over the place.

• They climb on EVERYTHING.
• Crew has two teeth, the top front ones.
• Finn has one tooth with the other peeking through.  Also, the top front teeth.
• They have equalized in height and weight, give or take an inch or ounce.
• The are in the 4th percentile for height and weight (small boys!)
• Finn just decided on Tuesday that he needs to walk everywhere he goes!  It is beyond darling
• Crew isn't far behind on the walking, but doesn't feel the same need to walk.
• They love love love climbing stairs and then bouncing up and down while holding the rails.  We play a game where I pretend to come after them and growl.  They scream and laugh and get super excited, I love it.
• They love milk.  If they're upset I'll grab their milk cups and it calms them right down.
• They are obsessed with books!  Crew's favorite thing is to grab "Are You My Mother?" bring it to me, and crawl in my laugh.  So cute.

In May, Brian and I had our first night away from the boys for our third wedding anniversary!  WE had to wait two weeks because the boys had been sick and we didn't want to leave them with our parents- they were not sleeping.  When it finally came time for us to go, they still hadn't been sleeping well but we were desperate.  They slept for 12 1/2 hours without a peep.... go figure. :)

A few pictures of the boys:

We love when Daddy gets home

Someone found my phone.... I found 4 videos and at least 15 other pictures :)

Picnic at the park!

Finn and Daddy selfie

Playing in Ruby's sandbox

Ty got the boys new bath toys! Such a great uncle

Brian's dad found a sweater that HE (Brett) use to wear when he was little!

It fit Crew and looked so darling!

Brian's dad also found a shirt Patsy made for Brian when he was little.

They're getting too big :(

Naked babies!!

 

Thanks for reading. XOXO

My Life

I was sitting on the couch after a long day and was looking around me.  This is what I saw: dirty dishes piling in the sink, shoes, toys, blankets, and an enormous amount of crumbs everywhere.  The counters are covered in stuff, doors and cupboards are open, the bed is not made. 

A pile of laundry sits next to the vacuum from the 4th round of throwing up I endured with Crew today.  (Finn had it on Monday.  They both had the flu just over a week ago.  Yes, the flu was kind enough to wait a week and a half before visiting us again.) 

I'm still in my clothes from the night before, I have not showered. I have a headache from the smell of puke after cleaning it out of sheets, toys, clothes and towels.  But then I look around again and see two other things: My sweet boys quietly playing and reading their books. 

And I thought to myself... I love my life.

1 year older and wiser too

Finn and Crew have been over a year old for several weeks now, and let me tell you, life has been great.  We went to the boys 12 month appointment where they are between 6th and 8th percentile for weight and height.  But, their head sizes are in the 89th percentile!  Small boys with big heads.... they couldn't be any cuter. 

The boys with "Kevin." 

(The Messer's big bear they like to place in random places and take pictures.  Super funny.)

 

Enjoying the nice weather at the park!

 

A little about Finn:

• Has been in a helmet for the past 6 months to reshape his head due to torticollis.  As of a week ago, the doctor said we could take it off!  Good job buddy!
• He is Daddy's boy.  As soon as he is in the door he is tugging on his pants to pick him up.  He follows him around everywhere.
• When he doesn't want something I'm feeding him, he will tuck his chin into his chest.  When he's done eating, he'll move his hand back and forth or bang the tray until every. piece. is on the floor.
• Total goofball!  He is always trying to stick his hands in Crew's mouth and laughing at every little thing.
• He is the leader between Crew and him these days.  Crew follows him most places.
• LOVES his teddy bear!  Every time I stick it in the crib he lets out a long, dramatic sigh, it's hilarious!
• Has a strange obsession with the tub.  If I leave the door open to the bathroom he books his chubby legs as fast as he can towards it.

A little about Crew:

• Mommy's boy.  I probably shouldn't be happy about this... but oh I love it.  As long as he's not this way forever :)
• LOVES binkies.  He will go wherever one is, even if it's in brother's mouth.  He likes to hold two or three at a time and then switch them out every 30 seconds.  It's so great.
• When he gets excited he'll just go berserk; laugh, squirm, scrunch up his nose then.... head butt you.
• Loves to eat crackers.  I wish it was something healthier, but what can you do?
• Is skinnier than Finn, but is also taller!
• Major cuddler.  He will sit with you for a good 10 minutes (12 hours in baby time) and not move a muscle.
• Loves to watch the beginning of the animated version of Robin Hood with the whistling and singing.  He stands right by the TV at this part and watches the whole thing.  (If I want to get anything done, I have about 3 minutes to do so, during that part)





 

Love you my sweet boys.  So blessed to have you.

Ride 'em Cowboy!!

The boys turned 1 last Saturday!!!! I wasn't going to make it that big of a deal, but then I decided that they only turn 1 once and that is a huge milestone.  Plus, as of right now we are close to family, and that may not be the case in the near future.  Okay, I just wanted to spoil them.

Brian decided that he wanted them to have a cowboy party! Brian is a cowboy at heart and loves anything to do with that genre.  Luckily their birthday was on a Saturday so it worked out perfectly for the party. 

I found these adorable invitations on Mixbook.

Finn the Cowboy.  In his blue jeans and cowboy onesie.

Table with lasso picture collage, old fashioned root beer, sheriff stars, and bandannas.

Cupcake tier made by the amazing Patsy Messer. 

 (Brian wasn't thrilled that I stole his cowboy boots but he was a good sport :)

We had sandwiches, chips, fruit and a veggie tray.

The boys got the best presents!



The boys eating their birthday cupcakes!

This took a lot longer than it should have... I messed up a lot. 

 Thanks for your help Camille and Brian!

Thanks to the artistic talents of my brother Tyler, we had a storefront from the Wild West!

I loved helping to paint these, it was so much fun.

 

My family, Brian's family and Brian were a huge help, and I was worried it wouldn't all come together in time but it turned out amazing.  Megan and the boys came up and all the kids loved playing with the storefront, toys, and balloons.  We also had a Finn & Crew birthday quiz, and the winner got a gift card to Dairy Queen.  My mom was the winner :)  She had a home court advantage but she's a pretty smart lady.  I wanted to do a "Pin the hat on the cowboy," but we ran out of time.

 

I love my boys.  It was such a fabulous party and I love all my family for their help and enthusiasm.  Here's to hoping this next year is as good as this year was, but I wouldn't mind if it went very slowly.

11 months

Our sweet boys are now 11 months old.  In a few short weeks we will have two 1 year olds around this place.  How did we get so lucky?

We're still working on the sleeping through the night... it seems like as soon as we get the hang of it, someone will get sick or thrown off somehow.  I'm hoping we can cement it down before they turn 1.  Wish us luck!

We did a lot of fun things this past few weeks! Some of which are:

Trying mac and cheese for the first time! Crew was shoveling handfuls into his mouth so fast that most of it fell on the floor.

Going bowling with family!  We all had to switch off bowling then holding babies, it was wonderful:)  Brian and I played two games, and when I saw that he wasn't doing too great on the first game I decided that we should make a bet.... The bet was that the loser of the next game had to do the dishes at home.  Well, wouldn't you know, guess who stepped up their game and got 7 strikes that round? Little stinker.

 Someone found Aunt Camille's Pringles can.... sniff in the goodness my dear.

This occurred when my sisters, Brian and I watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy (the extended version) It took a very long time and poor Brian kept having to explain everything to us, but we had a great time all the same.

This happens every day, and I'm sure it would be an all day event if I let them.  I limit the number to 5 a day :)

Last picture for this post, this is my sweet Crew in his new Sunday outfit.  Every time we dress them in these outfits, Brian says, "I want one..." Who doesn't?!  He would look mighty handsome.

 

Thanks for reading!