Happy Father's Day!

They say everything changes when you become a parent. I think as mothers we grow up with some of those nurturing characteristics. For men though, often times, a transformation happens the day their wife looks them in the eye and says “I’m pregnant”. For us, that day was the day after Brian’s 34th birthday. I will never forget that evening when it was confirmed – Brian had tears in his eyes and we knew, at that moment everything changed.

Falling in love with Brian I knew that he was a sensitive, caring soul. Now, watching him love Jack and Braden from the depths of that soul is enough to make my heart burst.

Brian, you are everything to Jack and Braden. They cherish you. I am in awe sometimes of the patience and love you have for our two little monkeys. You are an amazing father. We were tested early – Those first few months of their lives were some of the hardest of mine, but you did it – you charged on, always positive. And in those days when I just couldn’t be positive, you quietly led me where I needed to be. We all got through that time because of you.


Happy Father’s Day!


And to my own dad… our Papa… thank you for everything you have been. And, thank you for everything you are to my own children. I love you so very much.

New Camera!

We are back up and running with a new camera thanks to some diligent saving and an extra special gift from the (soon-to-be) Taylors.

Braden is reading well beyond his years these days. He has traded Dr. Suess for the Nikon D5000 manual. We are so proud.



Tubbie time seemed like the perfect opportunity to test out the new camera. Jack will never miss an opportunity to give his brother a kiss...



or a hug.


When I brought the boys for their 18 month check up last week I was telling Dr. O'Connor that sometimes I wonder if I am going to find Jack going up to complete strangers and hugging and kissing them. Now, don't get me wrong, Braden is just as sweet. If you ask him for a hug or a kiss he will drop what he is doing and run clear across the room and give it to you. With Jack though, he will just climb up on your lap and pucker his lips and get right in your face and make the "mmmmm" noise, that means he would like a kiss. Often times followed by a swift head on your shoulder - his version of a "hug".

Tubbie time ended with daddy giving Braden a mohawk.


I bought the boys hats this week and to my surprise, they loved them.


Because we are in a mixed marriage there was equal representation from the Yankees and the Red Sox. These hats will come in handy when we go walking with their friend Colin.


Brian and I are so happy with our investment in the camera. Photography has always been a passion of Brian's and I am so sentimental - I never want to miss an opportunity to capture a moment. In honor of our recent wedding anniversary Brian and I looked through all of our wedding photos, to remember that moment. It is amazing that a single photo can bring you back - 3 years ago to a beautiful day when two people said "i do" or someday to a time when we won't believe the boys didn't have much of a vocabulary and shared hugs!

And so, while I should have been spending some time with this,


I was instead spending time with this...


and this.

Scrub-a-dub dub

Further proof (not that we need it) that Jack loves his brother so much!

Sleepover!

When we first separated the boys into their own cribs I promised they could have sleepovers every now and then. Brian didn't like the idea, but you know what? Brian is out tonight. So, I followed through on my promise!

This is what I found when I just went to check on them:


Also, thanks for sending the beach pictures Auntie.

So, it's been a while...

Easter weekend kicked off the month of April. I had so much planned. There was going to be and Easter Egg hunt in the living room. I purchased all these plastic eggs and some goodies to go inside. I had the camera charged. I was all ready to wake up Sunday morning to the pitter patter of the boys feet running around looking for the next egg. Then, the night before, just after enjoying a wonderful dinner party with friends it became clear things weren't going to go exactly as planned. Jack was up all night, screaming. It wasn't until much later we realized that he had his first ear infection. He recovered wonderfully and things have gone up hill from there.

We just got back from a great weekend at the Cape. We went down for a Derby Day bridal shower. It was beautiful and the bride-to-be was glowing. Before the festivities began we took a quick trip to the beach. It was the first time Jack and Braden had stepped in the sand. I'm not sure how, but I forgot the camera. Luckily, Auntie had hers. I haven't gotten the pictures from her yet, so these will have to do for now. (Take with Brian's cell phone)

Jack






Everyday, it seems, the boys are learning something new. Just tonight when I was taking Braden's picture he looked at me with this silly grin and said "Cheeese". He is also saying Daddy, Hieeeee, Byeeeee, Shoeeeee, and knows a lot of animal noises. Jack runs around waving his pointer finger at Braden and says "no, no, no". It is probably one of the funniest things ever. Jack looks out for his brother, cheers and claps when he does something great and grabs him by the collar when he is getting into trouble. He is very sweet. But, the sweetest part is Braden listens to him.

Tonight, we kicked off a week of great weather by going out for some ice cream with Grandma.









CHEEEEEESE!

Happy Easter

The boys went to their first Easter egg hunt this weekend. They had such a great time - thanks Scott and Holly!
We are experiencing some technical difficulties with our camera so had to take these pictures from our cell phones.













The liked it so much in fact, that we are going to do it all over again on Easter morning!

Just a little off the top...

Well, we did it. We got their hair cut. I'm not sure why, for me, this was the moment they went from babies to big boys, but it was. I cried. But, I was not the only one.
Jack went first and did a great job. He was distracted by some animal crackers. I'm not even sure he realized what was happening until the woman broke out the clippers. He got a little squirmy and started to get upset, but she was finished before he had the chance.








Next up is Braden. He started out ok, but then at some point realized that he was buckled in and just wasn't having it. He screamed. Everyone stared. Not one of our finer moments.




In other news, we have been trying to break the boys of their morning nap. Our first attempt on Saturday resulted in an interesting lunch hour. (and yes, they are still in their pajamas for lunch, so what?)


Later Saturday afternoon, I experienced first hand this double trouble phenomenon that everyone has warned me about since we announced we were having twins. Perhaps the funniest part about this is that I was in the bathroom when this happened. I must have been daydreaming, because when I looked down I was all wrapped in toilet paper and there were giggles coming from the hallway.





And finally, we got a new stroller. A side-by-side, so that both boys get a great view!