Hump Day: Learning to Take Turns

King of the rocking chair!

Please, Nathaniel?

Help, mama!

Success!

Growing Up

My little nursling has weaned.My nursing days are over for now. With the trip to Grandma and Grandpas, and back-to-back illnesses I knew that there wasn't much left of a supply.
I also knew that our days were numbered when morning milk/snuggle sessions only lasted a few minutes.
The last time he nursed was a week ago when we were all sick with the flu. He nursed and then we napped, and then he apparently decided he was done... for good. That was the end of that chapter in our lives.
He has not requested anymore from me.

Nat lasted until 10 months when he decided he was through. I, being the "gotta keep it all equal with my twins" paranoid mom, pumped milk for Nat until they were established on whole milk.
Gabe nursed for almost 15 months.
I am proud of myself. Proud that I accomplished this goal.
I wanted to nurse my children until they were ready to be done. I just hoped that they would be done before they started school!
When the boys were wee little ones I wanted to give up so many times. It was so difficult, so emotionally and physically draining. Joel kept encouraging me to continue. I wanted so badly to quit, but he kept telling me not to give up. He knew that I would have regretted it down the road. I would have been disappointed in myself. I would have let my anxiety get the best of me. When there is a challenge set before me, I tend to run. I knew he was right. As much as I wanted to yell at him and tell him how hard it was, I knew he was telling me what I wanted to hear.

Somehow I made it. Armed with my trusty double electric pump, homemade hands-free pump bras, and a twin nursing pillow, we did it.
I hugged that breast pump before I packed it up and put it in the closet. No lie.

I'm giving extra cuddles these days to make up for our special time together.
I'm enjoying the surprise hugs from behind from both boys. We're giving lots of kisses, completed with big "Muuahh!" sound effects.
The new game is to point at every object in the room and ask "Uh Dah?"(Translation: What's that?)
We're enjoying life. Enjoying all that growing up brings with it.

On a side note.
We had a successful sleepover. Yes, he is grasping a book in his sleep. I can't tell you how many time I catch them sneaking off to the nursery to quietly look at books these days. They are going to be "readers" just like mama and daddy.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

These temps have me shivering even while inside layered in clothes, snuggling under blankets.
The end of January, February, and March are always so hard. The magic of winter is gone, yet Spring is still so far away. We are feeling very cooped up with the bitter cold temperature outdoors.
We ventured out to the store yesterday for some diapers, and coffee. (The most important things around here). My poor little guys were whimpering in the blustery wind while I fumbled with the stroller straps. I promised them that we would stay home until it warmed up a little.
Gabe and Nat's new word is "snow." We constantly look out the windows and talk about all the white snow on the ground. It's wonderful to see their eyes light up when the snow is falling from the sky.
We were able to venture out earlier this week for a playdate at our friend C's house. Auntie Ashley and Harper were there, as well C's twins cousins.
2 sets of sisters and 6 kids under 2.
It was fun chatting with another mom with twins. Especially since her twins are only 2 weeks older than Gabe and Nat.
The kids all seemed to love it.
I can tell you that I am really looking forward to ECFE classes starting up again in a few weeks. The walls in this house are really starting to close in around me.
Lucky for me, my husband asked me out on a date! Tomorrow night, my parents will be watching the children while we head out to dinner and a party with his coworkers.
Sadly, I think it's been 5 months since we had a proper date-night. We are long overdue


.