Happy Birthday Parker! Happy Birthday Jack!
The little guys are 1. I can't actually believe that we have made it a whole year. That sounds stupid when I say it, but it really is the truth. I knew we would make it and not spontaneously combust, but somedays it was quite the struggle not to implode, breakdown and cry, or simply run away. Jen said it perfectly that we wouldn't have made it without God and/or grandparents. Thanks to everyone who helped us keep our sanity.
We had a number of challenges over the past year with the boys, but we consider ourselves lucky in comparison to the stories that we heard with other multiples. Most of those challenges were only hard because there were two babies to look after. They were born full term, spent little (and no) time in the NICU, have been extremely healthy, and we can't be more grateful for our two bundles of joy. Surviving the first year with twins has probably been one of the hardest and most rewarding things that Jen and I have had to do. This is only the beginning of the adventure, they haven't even started walking yet...
We are having a few people over on Sunday to celebrate the 1 year mark. Both the little dudes will have their own cake to eat/play with and they will each get their own birthday song. Jen and I realize that they have to be recognized individually, even if they share their birthdays. I was just reading an article in Twins magazine (yes, that actually exists) and they were referencing stories about twins that were born in different days, months, years, milleniums and even towns. I kinda wish they were born overnight with different birthdays, so they would each have their own special day to celebrate. This is just one of the many things that will come up with raising twins, they are a select few that have that distiction so they have to live with all that comes with the title. We got a little perspective for the situation when we heard the following statement from a twin - "I feel bad for everyone who isn't a twin, I always had my best friend wherever I went." I guess sharing a birthday isn't so bad after all.
Happy Birthday to my boys, P and J. I love you guys.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Mardi Gras Mambo
A bit delayed, here is our Mardi Gras adventure.
After a number of us were sick the week before, I finally decided that I needed to go to urgent care last Saturday morning because we would be in NOLA until Mardi Gras Day. I needed something to kick to gunk that I had so after 1:15 minues, I finally got a steroid shot and some antibiotics and I was feeling like a million bucks. Due to this lengthy wait, we missed the day parades on Saturday but were determined to make them on Sunday with the kiddos. We gathered all our gear (and kids) and headed to St. Charles to catch Mid City, and Toth. It wasn't the best planning on our part, so P and J stayed in the car this time due to the poor nap situations. It wasn't lengthy, but it was just enough for Owen to get excited about the parades. He did a great job of yelling "Throw me something...MIS-TER!!!" Not sure why he liked to pause halfway, but that is how he rolls...
After that short stint, and a long nap back at home, Jen and I decided to bring him back out for Bacchus. This was only possible due to leaving the ladder with Sissy and her friends and Pops dropping us off a block from St. Charles. Owen had a blast, the parade started and he was a little bit standoffish with all the people, lights, and noise, but he got accustomed pretty quickly. He liked the big gorilla that everyone throws beads at, the horses, and the bands. He was a dancing machine up on the ladder. We wanted to catch Drew Brees which we did and stayed for about 10 floats. Sissy's friends kept catching some good stuffed animals and throws and gave them to Owen. He loved it. It was getting late for the O-man, and we finally decided that it would be a good time to leave so we had Pops meet us for the pickup. Well, this didn't go as smoothly as planned. There were more people out there than I had ever seen for Bacchus. It was incredible. We had to walk a few blocks to meet him, me carrying the ladder and Jen carrying Owen, but we finally were rescued. All in all, it was worth it but it sure was interesting managing our way through those big crowds.
On Mardi Gras Day, we went out to catch Rex by the usual spot at Cannon's. This was much easier to manuever this time, with the ability to park the suburban on St. Charles while we unloaded the ladder, wagon, and all the dudes. It was a bit chilly when we first got out there, but it was a gorgeous day. There are some Holy Namers that we got to meet up with along with the Francioni's and their twins. Jen and I strapped up Park and Jack in the backpacks and went walking. Soon enough they were both out as we cruised up and down the street taking in all the sites. Owen hung back in the ladder again with GaGa and Pops. With that little nap, we made it through Rex, and part of the truck parades from 9:45 until 12:30. It was great to take everyone out, they love being outside and we like being out of the house!!
Figures that our camera battery was dead and GaGa just lost hers, so there are only a few phone pics that came out...
Jen and Owen on the new Dietz ladder
Owen and Pops catching beads
Owen and GaGa
Parker snoozin in the Snugli
Jack cruisin in the Snugli
GaGa and the boys enjoying some Cheerios
After a number of us were sick the week before, I finally decided that I needed to go to urgent care last Saturday morning because we would be in NOLA until Mardi Gras Day. I needed something to kick to gunk that I had so after 1:15 minues, I finally got a steroid shot and some antibiotics and I was feeling like a million bucks. Due to this lengthy wait, we missed the day parades on Saturday but were determined to make them on Sunday with the kiddos. We gathered all our gear (and kids) and headed to St. Charles to catch Mid City, and Toth. It wasn't the best planning on our part, so P and J stayed in the car this time due to the poor nap situations. It wasn't lengthy, but it was just enough for Owen to get excited about the parades. He did a great job of yelling "Throw me something...MIS-TER!!!" Not sure why he liked to pause halfway, but that is how he rolls...
After that short stint, and a long nap back at home, Jen and I decided to bring him back out for Bacchus. This was only possible due to leaving the ladder with Sissy and her friends and Pops dropping us off a block from St. Charles. Owen had a blast, the parade started and he was a little bit standoffish with all the people, lights, and noise, but he got accustomed pretty quickly. He liked the big gorilla that everyone throws beads at, the horses, and the bands. He was a dancing machine up on the ladder. We wanted to catch Drew Brees which we did and stayed for about 10 floats. Sissy's friends kept catching some good stuffed animals and throws and gave them to Owen. He loved it. It was getting late for the O-man, and we finally decided that it would be a good time to leave so we had Pops meet us for the pickup. Well, this didn't go as smoothly as planned. There were more people out there than I had ever seen for Bacchus. It was incredible. We had to walk a few blocks to meet him, me carrying the ladder and Jen carrying Owen, but we finally were rescued. All in all, it was worth it but it sure was interesting managing our way through those big crowds.
On Mardi Gras Day, we went out to catch Rex by the usual spot at Cannon's. This was much easier to manuever this time, with the ability to park the suburban on St. Charles while we unloaded the ladder, wagon, and all the dudes. It was a bit chilly when we first got out there, but it was a gorgeous day. There are some Holy Namers that we got to meet up with along with the Francioni's and their twins. Jen and I strapped up Park and Jack in the backpacks and went walking. Soon enough they were both out as we cruised up and down the street taking in all the sites. Owen hung back in the ladder again with GaGa and Pops. With that little nap, we made it through Rex, and part of the truck parades from 9:45 until 12:30. It was great to take everyone out, they love being outside and we like being out of the house!!
Figures that our camera battery was dead and GaGa just lost hers, so there are only a few phone pics that came out...
Jen and Owen on the new Dietz ladder
Owen and Pops catching beadsOwen and GaGa
Parker snoozin in the Snugli
Jack cruisin in the SnugliGaGa and the boys enjoying some Cheerios
Friday, February 19, 2010
Froot Woops
Dad likes sugary cereals. I'm not really sure why...ok, yes I do, they are delicious.
Background on my love for cereal:
I love cereal in general, and just about every kind. I grew up on cereal, and ate it all the time. We used to have special weekend breakfasts of eggs or pancakes but M-F was usually devoted to some form of cereal. When we were much younger, we weren't allowed to have all the bad sugar cereals in our house, so I had to rely on friends who ate those when I would sleepover at their houses. When we got a bit older and were allowed to eat the "good cereals," I can remember fighting with Kelly over the last bowl of Golden Grahams or Lucky Charms.
Back to the real story:
A few months, we didn't have any Cheerios or Kix in our house. These are usually staples with twinfants and a toddler. They make excellent snacks and are used pre-meal to occupy the little guys time while we fix breakfast/lunch/dinner. In addition, part of Owen's routines is to eat some cereal as a snack before bedtime (though I think it is more of a time waster than him actually being hungry). When I went to get the Cheerios, and didn't see any, I had to resort to Fruit Loops. This was mistake #1. HE LOVED THEM. All he could say was Froot Woops this and Froot Woops that. It became an obsession. At every mention of cereal, he would ask for them by name. This was getting to be a problem. Finally, we "ran out of Fruit Loops and needed to get more at the store." By this time the damage was done. Sure, he would eat Kix or Cheerios, but just didn't love them the same way as before. It was like when Dorothy crossed over into the colorful world of Oz, you just can't go back to black and white.
Recently, on a trip to Wally World, Jen had Owen in the buggy while cruising the cereal isle when he caught a glimpse at that glorious red box with the crazy bird on it. He shouted FROOT WOOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as if he had won the lottery. Slightly embarrassed that our 2.5 year old knew what they were, Jen of course had to get them and calm the inner demon that was yelling in the store. Although embarrassed, we were also impressed that Owen had the ability to remember eating them a few months ago. Needless to say, it was a bit harder to say we didn't have anymore when he knew we just picked them up at the store.
Now Owen has come to realize that Fruit Loops are a special treat for him and we have promptly started to bribe him with them when we need him to be a good boy. Hey, no one said we were perfect.
Background on my love for cereal:
I love cereal in general, and just about every kind. I grew up on cereal, and ate it all the time. We used to have special weekend breakfasts of eggs or pancakes but M-F was usually devoted to some form of cereal. When we were much younger, we weren't allowed to have all the bad sugar cereals in our house, so I had to rely on friends who ate those when I would sleepover at their houses. When we got a bit older and were allowed to eat the "good cereals," I can remember fighting with Kelly over the last bowl of Golden Grahams or Lucky Charms.
Back to the real story:
A few months, we didn't have any Cheerios or Kix in our house. These are usually staples with twinfants and a toddler. They make excellent snacks and are used pre-meal to occupy the little guys time while we fix breakfast/lunch/dinner. In addition, part of Owen's routines is to eat some cereal as a snack before bedtime (though I think it is more of a time waster than him actually being hungry). When I went to get the Cheerios, and didn't see any, I had to resort to Fruit Loops. This was mistake #1. HE LOVED THEM. All he could say was Froot Woops this and Froot Woops that. It became an obsession. At every mention of cereal, he would ask for them by name. This was getting to be a problem. Finally, we "ran out of Fruit Loops and needed to get more at the store." By this time the damage was done. Sure, he would eat Kix or Cheerios, but just didn't love them the same way as before. It was like when Dorothy crossed over into the colorful world of Oz, you just can't go back to black and white.
Recently, on a trip to Wally World, Jen had Owen in the buggy while cruising the cereal isle when he caught a glimpse at that glorious red box with the crazy bird on it. He shouted FROOT WOOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as if he had won the lottery. Slightly embarrassed that our 2.5 year old knew what they were, Jen of course had to get them and calm the inner demon that was yelling in the store. Although embarrassed, we were also impressed that Owen had the ability to remember eating them a few months ago. Needless to say, it was a bit harder to say we didn't have anymore when he knew we just picked them up at the store.
Now Owen has come to realize that Fruit Loops are a special treat for him and we have promptly started to bribe him with them when we need him to be a good boy. Hey, no one said we were perfect.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Bless You Boys!
As if we didn't love the guy already, this is just priceless.So the New Orleans Saints did it...Super Bowl Champions!!!!
Jen and I have never been diehard fans, but we are supporters of the team. We watch the games and of course cheer for them, but we don't live and die with the Saints like other fans. We have always been bigger fans of the city of New Orleans and all that the city represents. It is Jen's hometown, and if you know anything about a New Orleans girl, that is something that never goes away. I know she will never be far from "home." We have discussed, debated, and pondered a move to NOLA many times, but it just isn't the right time now.
Now with Drew Brees and a Super Bowl win for the Saints, Jen has starting pitching the idea again..."If we move home to New Orleans, Parker and Jack will be in the same grade as Drew Brees's son. They can all play football together and we can all be friends with the Brees family." She actually thought this out in her head and it made 100% sense. This is one of the reasons that I love her, she's Crazy with a capital C.
Come to think of it, I should probably start looking for a house along a parade route...
Monday, February 1, 2010
Sharing
Since his little brothers came along almost one year ago, Jen and I have been trying to teach Owen about sharing. We talk about sharing, we share things with him, we show him how to share things with P and J. It is a slow learning process, but we know that he is starting to get it and he is learning that not everything is his. It is a tough lesson to learn for a 2.5 year old, especially since almost all of the toys in our house started out as "his." Thankfully, we have some family and friends that love monogrammed clothing, so P/J have some of their own clothing that was never Owen's. Sidenote: Wouldn't it be awesome if we knew someone who had a monogramming machine? Just saying...
Lately, I have noticed that the little boys might be in line to start learning this lesson as well. The other day, they were playing nicely on the floor when Parker crawled over and took whatever toy Jack was playing with. Jack did not like this one bit and instinctively grunted and smacked Park on the hand. My first reaction was to scold him and tell him not to hit, then Jen and I proceeded to instigate Jack to take his toy back (insert awesome parent comment here). It is kind of funny to see them take toys from each other but they will soon learn that they need to stand up for themselves...especially in their own house!!!
I'm sure that this is going to be only one of the many scuffles that is likely to take place in the Connison household. Aside from buying two (or more) of everything, any thoughts on teaching 1 year old twins how to share???
Lately, I have noticed that the little boys might be in line to start learning this lesson as well. The other day, they were playing nicely on the floor when Parker crawled over and took whatever toy Jack was playing with. Jack did not like this one bit and instinctively grunted and smacked Park on the hand. My first reaction was to scold him and tell him not to hit, then Jen and I proceeded to instigate Jack to take his toy back (insert awesome parent comment here). It is kind of funny to see them take toys from each other but they will soon learn that they need to stand up for themselves...especially in their own house!!!
I'm sure that this is going to be only one of the many scuffles that is likely to take place in the Connison household. Aside from buying two (or more) of everything, any thoughts on teaching 1 year old twins how to share???
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