Pick and choose your battles...

First off, I need to apologize to a few very loyal followers... our summer's are very busy and I am sorry I haven't given you a good laugh for a very long time!


Here's today's adventures!


I was folding laundry tonight with toddlers, which is never a good idea. I took the boys to bed, and realized at some point when I was putting pajamas on the monsters my phone seemed to have been misplaced. Completely lost. After a friend called me to help find it, I see it had been placed in the only laundry basket that still had clothes in it. I'll give the little man whom did that one credit, because not only was it hid, he hid it between clothes.... boys -1 mom -0 well played little monster -- another battle I'm not willing to fight.


They really have become ornery little guys. I knew the day would come, I guess I hoped it wouldn't be so soon. I'm not prepared. We went on a little roadtrip excursion today for haircuts... and to make a stop that I promise was on the way. It was just the boys and I, and somehow we stumbled upon a discount boots store in the city. Darn, I hate when you drive by a place that is just to good to be true. So, as a good farm-wife-mom would do, I stopped. Out comes my double stroller, and into cowboy boots heaven we went. Just looking around, we found two pair of cowboy boots, size 7toddler, that were the same! It's like they were put there for me to buy. BUT, that was after the boys managed to slip out of the stroller, and clear the shelves of boots. Adults boots. Oops. Highlight was when Landon found a mirror and proceeded to see what he looked like in a "big man" boot. Bless the man that was working... he just sat Logan down and put on a pair of boots in his size. It was love at first sight, and honestly... I'm not sure we will ever have a need for "tennies" again. So, if you see my boys running around with shorts and boots, just know that's a battle I choose not to fight.


See with twins, that's really how it goes. I'm sure with kids in general.... you pick and choose your battles. Laundry and cowboy boots... those are two battles I just don't have the energy for... at least not today.

Education

It is amazing to me just how many people ask me questions already regarding the boys' education in the future. Lots of questions! Questions like: where will they go to school.... Will they be in the same room or will you seperate them... They aren't even 2 yet and I feel as though I should already be thinking about these questions in perticular. Part of me gets kind of upset--- at what point do we as parents need to step back and allow our kids to be kids? 3 year old preschools, full day option at the age of 4... Developmentally are they ready? Do they need the 2 years at preschool? That's an awful lot of pressure on parents, I can't imagine how my 3 year old will feel. I'm not saying there is a right and a wrong way-- but what happens if being the mother of twins I have one that needs the 2 years of preschool and one that is more than prepared for the challenges of kindergarten...

And why am I being pressured by so many to think of all this before the boys even turn 2... Here's why:

Education is important. I've worked in the school system, I've seen the result of "uninvolved" parents. I've seen the struggle of kids trying to keep their heads afloat... How can a child possibly be expected to succeed if they have never had a parent care enough to sit down and read a story with them? If a child can't read, everything else will be a struggle. That's a fact. But---Maybe I see things from a different perspective...

I've been told time and time again how important it is to read to your kids at a young age. The love of reading I hope to instill in my kids early. So, they have a lot of books-- I usually only make it through a few pages before they're off to something else... But, they love looking at books. Tonight at bedtime I read a book Landon chose and then one Logan chose. After Logan's was done I handed it back to him, he walked away then came back and said "read again" *clear as day!* I'm not a great reader, never have I been one--- but it just stands as a reminder that my boys don't care. They don't care! The important thing is that I take the time every night to sit down and read them a book. 

Education is sooo important. But, I've decided that for today, tomorrow, and forever: I will do my absolute best to do what I feel is best for them. Day by day. They grow fast enough without the pressures from everyone around us... When the day comes, we will do what's in the best interest of the boys. And guess what, the greatest part about it is: I'm not really sure there is a right or wrong answer. Small school, large school. Same class, different class... Time will tell, but for right now-- I'm gonna let my boys be little boys. We're gonna play in the dirt, we're gonna get in trouble, we're gonna spend time in timeout... But one thing is for sure, we will read books. 

4-wheeled problem

Ive said it before... I'll say it again...

What was I thinking?! I'm not sure what part of me thought buying two little boys 4-wheelers was a good idea--- I'm really beginning to question my intelligence... 

As you may have already guessed--- the saga of the 4-wheelers continue. They've done some naughty, crazy things with those little battery operated Kawasakis, but this latest stunt takes the cake! I'm still in shock about it. Complete and total shock. This recent "mishaps" involved my baby b--- "not afraid of nothin', I'll do anything once, stop me if you can Baby B." I was sitting in the living room when from the dining room comes Logan, riding side saddle on his "red power wheel". Not really paying any attention, he keeps driving across the living room... Next thing I know, he hits the side table, slides backwards down to the bottom of the 4-wheeler seat--- and pops a wheely! He proceeds to push the button to make the back tires continue to spin and next thing I see--- he managed to park that Kawasakis front tires on my glass top end table! How he did it---- I'm hoping was just pure luck. Next thing I see, that blonde headed little dare devil turns around and with the biggest grin on his face--- he laughs his little butt off!

If this is a sign of things to come-- I'd say it's a good thing we have insurance on the kid! *although we may need to look into a lower deductible* 

Raising boys. It's a tough job---

I find myself saying time and time again, "boys, how many times do I have to tell you-- don't use your 4-wheelers for bad things!"

What a stupid thing to say--- what exactly did I think toddlers would do with them?! Here he is, after he got bucked off... 

Teeth

It's been a long time since my last blog, but life as I expected just doesn't seem to be slowing down any. Spring has sprung, and we've been busy busy! I took the boys for an appointment yesterday in the city, and got a nice little pat on the back from a doctor. He was looking at the boys' throats and commented on how great their teeth look. "Someone must be brushing them"... ***Exact quote***

Why yes, I do brush their teeth! To be honest, the boys are seriously in love with brushing their teeth! I started doing it not to terribly long ago-- remember we didn't have any teeth until after 12 months. So every night before bedtime, I get out the tooth brushes... one blue, one green. (Green is Logan's because he has a "g" in his name) A small amount of deliciously flavored Thomas the train toothepaste goes on each. The rule is-- I brush them for a few and then they get free rein of the brush for a few minutes. Absolutely the happiest kids in the world this time of night. Recently I just bought new toothbrushes, and they light up! I do believe our once love has become an obsession! 

The reason I wrote this today is because someday when they don't want to brush their teeth-- I'm going to show them this. Also, when they get older and land their modeling contracts---(with their perfect teeth) let this blog be proof-- MOM made those pearly whites :)

Advice

Today I was rummaging through a few boxes and found some of the items from my baby shower. I wanted to share with everyone some advice I was given by some of the best moms I know. Each and every one of them are unbelievably strong, loving mothers-- that I truly look up to. Here goes:

--- breathe! There will be stressful times, but breathe and know "this too shall pass"! Enjoy & love them!

- Wow, if this one isn't so true! I don't know how many times I just stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. All those sleepless nights, seemed so long at the time, but looking back, they went fast!

--- relax!! 

- exactly! Nothing gets a baby more worked up than a worked up mom. As my husband always says, an animal can tell when you are nervous. I'd say the same is true for babies. Relax and everything goes so much smoother. 

--- always, always, always remember the love that created your precious gifts. Sing to your babies, hug them tightly, and never have a day go by when you don't tell them I love you.

- how true this is! I'm that crazy mom, and to be honest-- dad is the crazy dad-- that sings to our kids. My songs of course are a bit more appropriate lullabies, but none the less 100% off key and wonderful! My boys hug, they even give kisses--- to anyone with open arms! One thing's for sure, our kids know they are loved. They hear it more than enough that someday they will be annoyed by it, just how I want it!

---Laugh! When the babies are crying and you're tired and stressed find something to laugh about. Parenting is hard and you have to remember it's fun.
- So many times during this "ride" of being parents of twins all we could do was laugh. Some of the things that happen to us are completely out of this world. The explosive diaper at the doctors office, totally embarrassing -- but a complete comic event! (just like when we found out we were having two -- all we could do was laugh)


---Take time for your family, and don't worry about cleaning. They grow too fast.
- The first few months especially, my house was clean thanks to my husband, my mother in law & mother. I had nothing to do with it! I was busy with my babies, and to this day -- if the dishes are in the sink, and its a nice day out... the dishes don't get done. It's our house and we have priorities, our family.


And finally, the best advice I think... comes from my own mom...
--- Patience... not only for the boys, but for yourself. Remember to always love & cherish the family you have.
- Patience has kept me alive these past 20 months. Although, being patient to myself has been a tough one. Without our family I'm not sure how we would have made it. My sisters always a phone call away for advice, and to be reminded to breath... my mom and mother in law stepping up to help in any and everyway they could... my sister in law for doing some VERY long nights with Dad while I was sick... and especially my husband, for being the rock of our family.


I heard lots of advice throughout my pregnancy, but really -- it was trial and error with twins. I had to do what worked for us. Must be doing something right, we've all managed to survive 20 months and counting!

Springtime! Routine Change.

It's officially Springtime! The planter is in the field which means our schedule gets rocked a little bit.

The boys and I usually take lunch to the field every day to feed their dad. I've got it down to a science really--- I've done this since they were itty bitty babies! During harvest and planting lunch gets started at 10:45--- so that by 11:15 the boys are eating, while I pack up Dad's portions to take to the field. By the time I'm done with that, I clean up the boys and we head to the car! We arrive at the field usually around 12:00 sharp! (however, I do have a 10 minute leeway--- I tell myself that's 5 minutes per kid) 

Depending on the day, dad will either stop and sit in the car to have lunch with us or he'll grab it and keep on keeping on! By the time we are back from the field, it's diaper changes and nap time! 

It's all about a system. Some people think I'm crazy--- but, it works for us and I know that dad gets a good meal, just in case he doesn't make it in early for supper. The boys still see dad everyday. I make breakfast every morning! Scrambled eggs and ham, that's dad and the boys time!

So, tonight here I sit. Outside on my deck, in my big comfy chair he got me last week. (Spoiled-- I know! But, it reminds me that I'm appreciated) I got the boys in bed, my workout in, and now for the first time all day: some quiet time. Just me, my chair, and the sound of the planter just down the road. Nothing beats this time of year, and nothing like living on the farm! 

Just hold a baby!

In just a few weeks some friends will be welcoming a set of twins into their lives, and I have been asked lots of questions! 

Sometimes the simplest tasks are the hardest when you have twins in the home. I honestly don't remember showering those first few months--- I know I had to of, but not sure when or how I fit that in! The most important thing I tell families expecting twins is take the help! When someone offers to come help with the babies, take them up on it! 

I'll never forget one perticular Saturday morning shortly after the boys were born. The boys and I were on our own that morning after dad left to do chores, and grandma hadn't arrived yet...It was a tough morning--- both boys wanted held, and on that day, neither boy wanted to be held with each other. My emotions were sky high (just imagine all those hormones I had for 38 weeks and then boom, I had nothing) I was on the verge of tears when I heard a voice yell from downstairs. Our neighbor stopped by to see the boys, and I heard the greatest words I could have heard at that moment--- "can I help hold a baby". YES! Yes! Yes! As a mother of two the best thing anyone could do for me was to just hold one. She to this day probably doesn't realize how much I needed her that morning, and how just "holding a baby" helped ease my worries.  

So, my plea to everyone who knows someone expecting multiples is this -- please, if you say during the pregnancy you will come help, follow through. It's so very important to have a strong support team during those first few months. Pick up the phone and call to see if you can come hold a baby for them. In my case some adult conversation is all I needed. 

You never know when you'll show up right when you're needed--- and to my neighbor, thanks for coming to "just hold a baby"!