Happy Easter!

Today was the boys' first Easter, and it was a beautiful, fun filled day. We started out our morning by going to church, and as I sat in the sanctuary I was reminded of this day only a year ago, when our lives were so different.

I was just beginning to imagine the tiny clusters of cells inside of me as little people, though we didn't know yet if they were boys or girls, and couldn't really wrap our minds around the idea that they were twins. I couldn't have known then how much my life would change, or how glorious (and challenging!) those changes would be. Jesus rising from the dead is the ultimate miracle, and at times, difficult to understand (as our pastor mentioned today, some people try to make it easier to grasp by saying he must have just "fainted" and then dusted himself off and woke up a few days later...)

Equally amazing to me, and right here in front of us to hug and kiss each day, are my two little boys, who have hopped right into our hearts, bringing bounties of joy and delight each day as we watch them grow and change.

Whoa! Are these for us?

Though we didn't do an easter egg hunt, the boys did squeal over their Easter baskets given to them by Grandma and Grandpa Connell, which contained such goodies as plastic keys (which Noah loved...we're really in trouble in 15 years...), MumMums, stuffed animals, and an adorable set of matching plaid overalls. We spent the day over at their home, enjoying Easter brunch, a nap, and some time outside. Mommy did hide some Easter eggs for daddy to find around the house, but since he hasn't found all of them, I think we have to assume Teddy got some Easter candy too!

All in all, it was a beautiful day, both for the time spent with family and the reminder of what the season is all about. Here are some pictures of us celebrating, as well as some professional easter photos taken earlier this week. Enjoy!

Keys! I want I want I want!

Holy Sweet Potatoes!

This week was exciting, as we really started solids with the boys! The first time we fed them, we did it with their clothes on. You can guess how that turned out (washing machine = 1, mom = 0).

We learned quickly, and decided to get them naked for subsequent feedings....leading to a new part of our evening routine: bathtime! I never understood why parents gave their little babies, who never get out in the dirt, baths everyday. Now I know why.

Given the amount of sweet potatoes and rice cereal that has ended up on the table, all over the floor the floor and in the dog's fur, I can also see why highchairs are one of those must-have baby items. Really, a baby learning to eat is kind of like a BP oil spill. You keep cleaning up the mess, and trying to plug the hole, but it just keeps expanding....and expanding... The right equipment is crucial. As are safety measures to make sure nothing goes awry (see pictures of us feeding the boys in their bumbos, flouting the company's directions to NEVER put your child in the bumbo on an elevated surface...yes, that is the table its sitting on. But we were right there!)

Anyway, after several wrong turns in the highchair department, we have finally ordered a Graco Contempo highchair with wipeable leatherette fabric, that actually blends with our dining room decor (who thought it would be a good idea to decorate a high chair in rainforest fabric with neon colors? Really, does anyone decorate their dining rooms like that?) and will do its job well of keeping the boys (and their substantial mess) contained while they eat.

Its been such fun, and we can't wait to keep encouraging them to try new foods. So far, their favorites are sweet potatoes and pears. They aren't overly enthused about rice cereal, but I have to admit, the stuff is kind of bland. We'll try bananas next, and from there, the world is our culinary oyster!

Here are some photos/videos of them yam'n (and rice'n...) it up:

Adventures with Grandad and Grand-Jamie

This weekend we had the pleasure of hosting my dad and stepmom (henceforth referred to as "grand-dad" and"grand-Jamie") as they visited the boys (and us!) for the weekend!

It was Jamie's birthday, and the boys hand-made special cards for her (literally!):

While they were here, we had many adventures, including feeding some of the boys' first meals:

 Listening to music:

Hiking on Table Mountain:

Bath Time:


And multiple walks and romps outdoors!

The weather was beautiful (which was great, since coming from San Diego, they have high standards for weather) and we really enjoyed the healthy, well rounded meals they cooked for us (since our dinners more often involve PB&J than actual vegetables or entrees...)

The boys love their grandparents, and since we can't wait to see them again, we are already planning our first trip with the twins to San Diego this summer. Now if we can only figure out how to fit our entire house, with all the baby gear we depend on for day to day sanity, inside a carry-on...