I sit here typing, little ones just down for their morning nap, and I reflect upon the last year.
I remember where I was last year at this time. Physically and emotionally.
I was sitting at home,alone while my husband was working. I was probably listening to newborn twins scream at me. I'm sure I was juggling them on my knees and over my shoulder- covered in spit-up, breastmilk, and tears. I was thinking of the New Year to come. How would I survive 2010?!
2010 was a hard year. A joyous year. A year of change. A year of truly becoming a mother.
I made numerous comments to my husband in the first months of the boys' life that I didn't enjoy motherhood. In fact, I hated it. He would hug me and remind me that our babies were so young, that it wouldn't always be like this. It was true. They grew so fast. Those months of crying babies and the endless cycle of nursing, supplementing and pumping were short lived. Those days when I felt like a failure, like I had no idea what I was doing have blossomed into more. I will continue to have days when I feel like I have lost my mind. When I feel like I have lost myself. Only now I understand that they are just bad days. They will end, and new days will begin. Days when I have a handle on things, when naps go well, when baby boys don't get hurt, when there isn't so much crying. I understand how to be a mother, and how to balance it with being Anna.
That was the biggest obstacle in 2010- finding myself again. Once the boys were born, I never thought about ME. It was all about them, my family. I felt like I had lost my identity, like as soon as my babies were born, that Anna was gone. I had spent years trying to become a mother, and somehow as soon as I became one, the person that previously was, had suddenly disappeared.
I thought that as soon as they were born, the book of my life that had been previously titled "Anna" would now be "Anna, subtitle Mama." Instead my book was titled "Mama...milk machine... sleep deprived maniac...crying mess...who in the heck is Anna?!" It took months and months for me to become ME again. I had to accept that the idea of what motherhood in my head looked like, was not necessarily what motherhood really was.
Motherhood is challenging. It's the hardest job there is. You could be a baby whisperer to every baby in the world. Able to soothe any child you come near, quick with an idea or solution to any problem a little one may have, but as soon as you have your own it changes. You become this mess of worry. You question every thing you do. Is it wrong? Is it right? Are you going to mess your kid up?
It took a long time for me to realize how I wanted to do things. What did I do? I closed the books, and stopped scouring the internet for answers. I looked into my heart and did what felt right.
The transformation was a slow process. I had to take it a day at a time. Four months was the "magic" age for twins. It was the age when most parents of multiples agree that it gets easier. It was true for us to. I made a conscious decision to get myself out of the rut. I got out of the house. Wandered stores and malls, whatever I could to feel human again.Slowly it worked. By the time the boys were 7 months I was a pro at popping them in and out of car seats and strollers with one in each arm. I read, I took time for myself without my children. I had to learn that they WERE a part of me, but that I was no less of a person without them near.
In this past year I have learned that I am more than just a mom. I may not work outside the home, but I work damn hard IN it. I give 100% to my kids during the day. But as soon as they are in their cribs for the night, it's ME time. A glass of red wine, an interesting book or movie, a chat with a good friend on the phone. Something to remind me of life outside of children.
This past year, this year 2010. It was hard year. Probably the hardest of my life so far. It changed me. Made me stronger. Made me more appreciative of my own mother.
How do I feel about motherhood these days? It's the best job in the world. I wouldn't change a thing. I adore my children. There are days that I wish I worked outside of the home. Days when I want to use my mind for things other than reading the same board book 30 times in a row. I'd love to be able to eat a meal without having to spoon mouthfuls of organic gluten-free mac and cheese into toddler mouths, in between my own bites. I wouldn't mind listening to an intelligent conversation instead of Raffi singing 5 Little Monkeys.
I always have to take a step back and reevaluate my situation. On days when my boys need their mama a little bit more, I can give it to them. I don't have to say "goodbye" and head to work. I can cuddle them with their blankies all morning, and snuggle them while they nap. It's a blessing.
These boys are constantly smothered in hugs and kisses. They hear their mama thank the Lord for them every single night when we say our prayers.
They make me a better person. They have transformed me and I am ever grateful to them for it.
2011 will be a wonderful year. Full of memory-making potential. Full of more firsts. Including their first "baby" cousin due to arrive this July.
I can't wait.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
My Favorites
Lately you have this way of melting my heart and making me giggle uncontrollably.
It's they way you both run/walk up to me for an unsolicited hug and slobbery kiss.
It's when I find you hugging one another while looking at pictures in a book.
It's when you constantly share your food with Jack. How you say his name and hold out a piece of delicious cheese, or toast, or avocado. He takes the food, yet lingers to lick the sticky off of your fingers. You giggle because it tickles.
It's the way you say "Uh-oh!!" BEFORE you purposely drop your sippy cup or spoon on the floor.
It's the way you attempt to imitate mama doing push-ups. How you, Nat, get into a downward dog positions and bob your head. And how you, Gabe, get on hands and knees and repeatedly bonk your head on the floor.
It's how you attempt to sit on my chest while I do crunches to try and get rid of this 14 month old post- pregnancy baby pooch.
It's how whenever Gabe says "Ni Ni's!" to indicate to mama that he would like to nurse, Nat hears "knees" and proudly slaps his hands on his little knee caps.
It's how whenever you even hear the word song you both instantaneously doing the actions for Twinkle Twinkle. (It's your current favorite)
It's how in the middle of the night, you still wake, and I still go to comfort you. I pick you up, and within seconds you melt in my arms and are back in dreamland. How could I let you both cry, when all you want is a snuggle from your mama?
It's when I wake up to babies giggling and kicking at 5 am in our bed. Because, yes, we are those parents- the ones that let our crying babies cuddle in our arms in our bed when they are sad during the night. You are only little for such a short amount of time. You won't always want your daddy or me in the night. I'll take it while I can get it.
These are the best things in my world right now.
It's they way you both run/walk up to me for an unsolicited hug and slobbery kiss.
It's when I find you hugging one another while looking at pictures in a book.
It's when you constantly share your food with Jack. How you say his name and hold out a piece of delicious cheese, or toast, or avocado. He takes the food, yet lingers to lick the sticky off of your fingers. You giggle because it tickles.
It's the way you say "Uh-oh!!" BEFORE you purposely drop your sippy cup or spoon on the floor.
It's the way you attempt to imitate mama doing push-ups. How you, Nat, get into a downward dog positions and bob your head. And how you, Gabe, get on hands and knees and repeatedly bonk your head on the floor.
It's how you attempt to sit on my chest while I do crunches to try and get rid of this 14 month old post- pregnancy baby pooch.
It's how whenever Gabe says "Ni Ni's!" to indicate to mama that he would like to nurse, Nat hears "knees" and proudly slaps his hands on his little knee caps.
It's how whenever you even hear the word song you both instantaneously doing the actions for Twinkle Twinkle. (It's your current favorite)
It's how in the middle of the night, you still wake, and I still go to comfort you. I pick you up, and within seconds you melt in my arms and are back in dreamland. How could I let you both cry, when all you want is a snuggle from your mama?
It's when I wake up to babies giggling and kicking at 5 am in our bed. Because, yes, we are those parents- the ones that let our crying babies cuddle in our arms in our bed when they are sad during the night. You are only little for such a short amount of time. You won't always want your daddy or me in the night. I'll take it while I can get it.
These are the best things in my world right now.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Today
This morning you both got to cuddle with mama and daddy in their bed. At first you snuggled into our chests. Then you realized that you were way too old for the snuggling thing and attempted to "dance" and walk all over the bed. You nearly fell off a dozen times.
I gave up on the last attempts at sleep and we hopped out of bed.
Gabe, you learned some new phrases today. "Uh-oh" and "no, no, no." It's the cutest thing.
Nat, at supper time you finally signed "more" when I asked you if you would like more cottage cheese. I was so proud. All those months of teaching you both finally paid off.
I ran to the store and came back expecting to hear two, loud toddlers racing around and screaming with their daddy. Instead, I found Natty sprawled on his daddy's chest, and Gabe in child's pose with his little baby butt sticking up, both fast asleep.
Something containing gluten managed to make it into your mouth Nathaniel. Your baby butt is sore and red, and your tummy bothered you all day today. Mama feels so crummy when something sneaks by me and it causes you pain.
Gabe, we are amazed that even though you started walking 1 1/2 months after your brother, that somehow you have managed to progress so quickly that you can't even tell. You are practically beating him in races when you both attempt to run.
Tonight was one of those evenings when you weren't much interested in rock-a-bye with mama. You would rather snuggle with a blanket in your crib. Gabe, my lone nursling, only need a minute of mama-milk and cuddles.
I cherish the times that you need me to rock you, or when you want to cuddle and nurse for long stretches. Someday you won't be my little boys. Your bedtime routines will consist of a quick hug and "goodnight." You'll cringe at the thought of cuddling with me. You'll be embarrassed to be seen with me in public in front of your friends.
For now, I am your world. Your everything. These days are numbered.
I'll appreciate them while they are here.
I gave up on the last attempts at sleep and we hopped out of bed.
Gabe, you learned some new phrases today. "Uh-oh" and "no, no, no." It's the cutest thing.
Nat, at supper time you finally signed "more" when I asked you if you would like more cottage cheese. I was so proud. All those months of teaching you both finally paid off.
I ran to the store and came back expecting to hear two, loud toddlers racing around and screaming with their daddy. Instead, I found Natty sprawled on his daddy's chest, and Gabe in child's pose with his little baby butt sticking up, both fast asleep.
Something containing gluten managed to make it into your mouth Nathaniel. Your baby butt is sore and red, and your tummy bothered you all day today. Mama feels so crummy when something sneaks by me and it causes you pain.
Gabe, we are amazed that even though you started walking 1 1/2 months after your brother, that somehow you have managed to progress so quickly that you can't even tell. You are practically beating him in races when you both attempt to run.
Tonight was one of those evenings when you weren't much interested in rock-a-bye with mama. You would rather snuggle with a blanket in your crib. Gabe, my lone nursling, only need a minute of mama-milk and cuddles.
I cherish the times that you need me to rock you, or when you want to cuddle and nurse for long stretches. Someday you won't be my little boys. Your bedtime routines will consist of a quick hug and "goodnight." You'll cringe at the thought of cuddling with me. You'll be embarrassed to be seen with me in public in front of your friends.
For now, I am your world. Your everything. These days are numbered.
I'll appreciate them while they are here.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Time
Time seems to have slipped away from me.
It's been over 6 months that I wrote anything down in this blog.
This blog, the one I used to write in practically everyday when we were still trying to conceive. Still living the ivf whirlwind.
I'm not sure why I stopped.
I had ideas in my head of what I wanted this blog to be about.
About the boys' life.
My feelings.
My ineptness at being a mother sometimes
My strengths
The truth is that this is my second blog. I had one years ago.
It was my go-to during infertility. I wrote angry, sad, bitter, jealous things in there.
I wrote things that I could never say outloud to anyone.
When we resolved to try ivf, and move toward adoption if it didn't work, I deleted it.
It makes me feel like I should delete this blog too. Just start fresh. Yet I feel like I would be erasing such an important part of my babies. Their conception, and our desperation to become parents.
Their first six months.
An equal amount of time has gone by. They are a year now.
As I sit writing this and drinking my morning cup of coffee, they are playing behind me.
Drinking their sippy cups of milk. Looking out the window onto the snow covered lawn. Playing peek-a-boo with one another.
They still never fail to amaze me. I watch them while they sleep. Smooth their hair and tuck them in before I retreat to my bed at night.
I'll keep this blog. I'll just be better about maintaining it
It's been over 6 months that I wrote anything down in this blog.
This blog, the one I used to write in practically everyday when we were still trying to conceive. Still living the ivf whirlwind.
I'm not sure why I stopped.
I had ideas in my head of what I wanted this blog to be about.
About the boys' life.
My feelings.
My ineptness at being a mother sometimes
My strengths
The truth is that this is my second blog. I had one years ago.
It was my go-to during infertility. I wrote angry, sad, bitter, jealous things in there.
I wrote things that I could never say outloud to anyone.
When we resolved to try ivf, and move toward adoption if it didn't work, I deleted it.
It makes me feel like I should delete this blog too. Just start fresh. Yet I feel like I would be erasing such an important part of my babies. Their conception, and our desperation to become parents.
Their first six months.
An equal amount of time has gone by. They are a year now.
As I sit writing this and drinking my morning cup of coffee, they are playing behind me.
Drinking their sippy cups of milk. Looking out the window onto the snow covered lawn. Playing peek-a-boo with one another.
They still never fail to amaze me. I watch them while they sleep. Smooth their hair and tuck them in before I retreat to my bed at night.
I'll keep this blog. I'll just be better about maintaining it
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Spring has sprung
The weather outdoors is beautiful. We have been having so much fun with the warmth and the sun. The boys and I try to get out on walks whenever we get a chance on the nice days. Joel and I sprung for a BOB stroller. We decided that since we had been very frugal and bought used, or borrowed almost everything that we have needed for the boys, that we could afford to purchase a REALLY nice double jogging stroller. After pushing a tandem stroller around all winter, this thing works like a breeze!
Gabe has his cranio cap and has been doing wonderfully with it. It doesn't bother him in the slightest. In fact, I think he is more used to wearing it than not. He starts to rub at his head around the 25 minute mark of not having it no. It is usually my signal that the 30 minutes of break time are almost up. We have already started to notice a difference in his head shape on only the 3 or so weeks that he has had it on. Gabe is turning out to be mama's little cuddly babe. I love it! He has the sweetest little personality. He is almost always calm and content, and loves to wrap his little arms around my neck and snuggle his head under my chin. What mother doesn't adore that?!
Nat is continuing to be Mr. Personality. He is so active and spunky. When he is happy he will let you know by laughing hysterically. If he is mad he will let you know by shrieking his head off. There is rarely an in-between with him. He is an active little man and he is always making his daddy and me chuckle. He gets easily bored and is ready for a new activity every few minutes. I wouldn't doubt it if he is crawling and walking months before what is considered "normal." His daddy even taught him to take some steps while having his hands held. I poo-pooed that activity and told Joel that if he was going to teach his twins to walk at 6 months of age then I would be the income earner and he would be the stay at home daddy. Give a mom a little time with non-mobile babies!!
The boys have started on solids and seem to be doing well. Nat was a natural and was trying to spoon feed himself the first day. Gabe took a little longer to figure the whole food thing out. As it turns out he just didn't care too much for rice cereal and was looking for a little more flavor. Carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, apples, and bananas are on the current menu. They have loved them all and eaten them with gusto. We'll be trying some peas in the next few days. I'm interested to see how that will go.
Tomorrow the boys will be 6 months old. The time has gone so fast. I am constantly looking at them and trying to "take it all in." I try to capture the little moments, the sweet smiles and imprint it them on my mind. There will come a time when I won't be the center of their universe. When a cuddle and kiss won't make their pain go away. Right now, I cherish every moment with them. I thank the Lord for giving them to me, for making me their mommy, for making me A mommy.
I think back to the years of pain, both physical and emotional, that it took to get here. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. 1000 times over again.
This is life.
My life.
Our family.
It's more than I could have ever dreamed of.
The countless sleepless nights. Constant crying.
Loss of "me" time, of "us" time.
It's worth it.
So VERY worth it.
Gabe has his cranio cap and has been doing wonderfully with it. It doesn't bother him in the slightest. In fact, I think he is more used to wearing it than not. He starts to rub at his head around the 25 minute mark of not having it no. It is usually my signal that the 30 minutes of break time are almost up. We have already started to notice a difference in his head shape on only the 3 or so weeks that he has had it on. Gabe is turning out to be mama's little cuddly babe. I love it! He has the sweetest little personality. He is almost always calm and content, and loves to wrap his little arms around my neck and snuggle his head under my chin. What mother doesn't adore that?!
Nat is continuing to be Mr. Personality. He is so active and spunky. When he is happy he will let you know by laughing hysterically. If he is mad he will let you know by shrieking his head off. There is rarely an in-between with him. He is an active little man and he is always making his daddy and me chuckle. He gets easily bored and is ready for a new activity every few minutes. I wouldn't doubt it if he is crawling and walking months before what is considered "normal." His daddy even taught him to take some steps while having his hands held. I poo-pooed that activity and told Joel that if he was going to teach his twins to walk at 6 months of age then I would be the income earner and he would be the stay at home daddy. Give a mom a little time with non-mobile babies!!
The boys have started on solids and seem to be doing well. Nat was a natural and was trying to spoon feed himself the first day. Gabe took a little longer to figure the whole food thing out. As it turns out he just didn't care too much for rice cereal and was looking for a little more flavor. Carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, apples, and bananas are on the current menu. They have loved them all and eaten them with gusto. We'll be trying some peas in the next few days. I'm interested to see how that will go.
Tomorrow the boys will be 6 months old. The time has gone so fast. I am constantly looking at them and trying to "take it all in." I try to capture the little moments, the sweet smiles and imprint it them on my mind. There will come a time when I won't be the center of their universe. When a cuddle and kiss won't make their pain go away. Right now, I cherish every moment with them. I thank the Lord for giving them to me, for making me their mommy, for making me A mommy.
I think back to the years of pain, both physical and emotional, that it took to get here. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. 1000 times over again.
This is life.
My life.
Our family.
It's more than I could have ever dreamed of.
The countless sleepless nights. Constant crying.
Loss of "me" time, of "us" time.
It's worth it.
So VERY worth it.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
4 months
Our baby boys are growing so big these days. I cannot believe that 1/3 of their first year has already passed. It feels like we brought them home from the hospital yesterday.
They are so much fun. I just love waking up to their smiles and giggles. It makes me feel so blessed to be their mommy.
The boys have started to pay attention to one another more. They like to grab each others hands now that they can hold onto things. They smile at one another almost as much as they smile at me and Joel.
Nat is starting to push up onto his arms while doing tummy time. He will also "stand" all day long if you give him the support. He is extremely active. He loves to flirt with himself in the mirror. He giggles and coos, smiles, and waves his hands in the air. Once while I was holding him in front of the bathroom mirror, he spit up. It gave him quite the scare to see the cute baby with stuff dripping out of his mouth.
Gabe is as sweet as ever. He is still so easy going, and a very happy baby. He tends to have a very sensitive tummy like his mommy, so a tummy ache is one of the very few things that will make him upset. He has been in Physical Therapy for his torticollis, and will be getting a cranial cap in the next few months for his plagiocephaly. In essence, he has a twisted neck and irregular shaped head due to the position while I was pregnant.Poor Gabe was squashed into my pelvis unable to move his little head and neck around. His physical therapist thinks he has been doing extremely well. We have seen dramatic improvements in his range of motion.
I am looking very forward to Spring. We have managed to get out on a few walks on a couple of warmer days that we have had. The boys really seem to enjoy looking around at the world around them. I was getting stir crazy today so I headed out the Mall of America. I forget what a sight twins can be. We were stopped at least 10 times to talk about "twins" in the few hours we were there. I don't usually mind, but sometimes a girl just wants to shop!
Nat practicing his sitting skills
Gabe and Daddy
Cuddling brothers
They are so much fun. I just love waking up to their smiles and giggles. It makes me feel so blessed to be their mommy.
The boys have started to pay attention to one another more. They like to grab each others hands now that they can hold onto things. They smile at one another almost as much as they smile at me and Joel.
Nat is starting to push up onto his arms while doing tummy time. He will also "stand" all day long if you give him the support. He is extremely active. He loves to flirt with himself in the mirror. He giggles and coos, smiles, and waves his hands in the air. Once while I was holding him in front of the bathroom mirror, he spit up. It gave him quite the scare to see the cute baby with stuff dripping out of his mouth.
Gabe is as sweet as ever. He is still so easy going, and a very happy baby. He tends to have a very sensitive tummy like his mommy, so a tummy ache is one of the very few things that will make him upset. He has been in Physical Therapy for his torticollis, and will be getting a cranial cap in the next few months for his plagiocephaly. In essence, he has a twisted neck and irregular shaped head due to the position while I was pregnant.Poor Gabe was squashed into my pelvis unable to move his little head and neck around. His physical therapist thinks he has been doing extremely well. We have seen dramatic improvements in his range of motion.
I am looking very forward to Spring. We have managed to get out on a few walks on a couple of warmer days that we have had. The boys really seem to enjoy looking around at the world around them. I was getting stir crazy today so I headed out the Mall of America. I forget what a sight twins can be. We were stopped at least 10 times to talk about "twins" in the few hours we were there. I don't usually mind, but sometimes a girl just wants to shop!
Nat practicing his sitting skills
Gabe and Daddy
Cuddling brothers
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Growing so fast
Gabe and Nat are almost three months old! The time has been passing by so quickly. They are getting bigger everyday. Both of the boys are smiling and they are so much more alert and interested in their surroundings.
They are starting to get so fun. The cuddles and snuggles were wonderful, but I am really looking forward to the laughs.
They are starting to get so fun. The cuddles and snuggles were wonderful, but I am really looking forward to the laughs.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
An extremely overdue update
Wow, I cannot believe that these boys are already 2 months old!!
Time flies.
Our baby boys are doing fabulous, and mommy and daddy are hanging in on little sleep and very little time for themselves.
I could go on and on about how great the boys are. They are developing their own little personalities.
Gabe is our little Bug He makes to most hysterical facial expressions. He is just a sweetheart and a happy-go-lucky little man.
Nathanial is our Peanut. He loves to play in his jungle activity center and he really loves to gaze at people. He has the sweetest little face. He is a real cuddle bug.
Both of the boys have grown a ton. They are up over 11 lbs now and are almost out of their 0-3 month outfits (even though they just fit into them 2 weeks ago!)
Being the mother to twins can be quite a challenge. I have had to get used to listening to one cry while I try to soothe the other. Feeding the two at the same time when they are both starving is quite a task, and a sight!!
We all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas. We were able to spend time with our families. All the grandparents just can't seem to get enough of these guys, and I don't blame them. Even Auntie Amanda made it from Portland to meet the little guys- I believe she was quite smitten.
I hope to update the blog more often. While I don't have too much time on my hands these days, I do know that people want photo updates, so I will try my best.
Love to everyone, and Happy New Year. What an amazing and blessed one we have had.
Time flies.
Our baby boys are doing fabulous, and mommy and daddy are hanging in on little sleep and very little time for themselves.
I could go on and on about how great the boys are. They are developing their own little personalities.
Gabe is our little Bug He makes to most hysterical facial expressions. He is just a sweetheart and a happy-go-lucky little man.
Nathanial is our Peanut. He loves to play in his jungle activity center and he really loves to gaze at people. He has the sweetest little face. He is a real cuddle bug.
Both of the boys have grown a ton. They are up over 11 lbs now and are almost out of their 0-3 month outfits (even though they just fit into them 2 weeks ago!)
Being the mother to twins can be quite a challenge. I have had to get used to listening to one cry while I try to soothe the other. Feeding the two at the same time when they are both starving is quite a task, and a sight!!
We all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas. We were able to spend time with our families. All the grandparents just can't seem to get enough of these guys, and I don't blame them. Even Auntie Amanda made it from Portland to meet the little guys- I believe she was quite smitten.
I hope to update the blog more often. While I don't have too much time on my hands these days, I do know that people want photo updates, so I will try my best.
Love to everyone, and Happy New Year. What an amazing and blessed one we have had.
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