Our 1st Christmas

This years Christmas was the most special by far. You truly rediscover the World through your children's eyes and it is the best thing ever.

We started off the Christmas celebration the weekend before and Grammie M and Papa D-D's. The boys got to open their very first presents. They loved ripping open and of course chewing on the wrapping paper. We all got camp chairs from Cabelas, mommy and daddy got the kind that recline and the boys got little camo ones. They also got a few toys, sippy cups, their own plates, and new winter hats just to name a few. We are excited to use our camping gear this summer.

This year we had Christmas Day at our house and our families came to us. We shared Christmas Eve with Papa Mike Howland and had Christmas Eve Chili, relaxed and watched television, and drove around looking at Christmas lights and ended the night by decorating cookies for Santa. Great Grandma Betty, Great Grandpa George, Great Uncle Terry, and Fendi stopped by to see our Christmas Village display and wish the boys a Merry Christmas.

We woke up early the next morning and the boys got to open their first gift from Santa with Papa Mike. It was actually surprising how into they were. They are beginning to understand how to open gifts already and the squeals and giggles were especially fun.

Later that afternoon the rest of our families showed up. The boys got to open their stockings and the rest of their gifts. The boys received two very special gifts this year that they will cherish for years to come. Grammie B and Papa Mike McDonald handmade the boys their very own toy boxes with their names on them. They are absolutely beautiful (I don't have pictures loaded to our computer yet but I will post photos of the toy boxes). They also got rocking horses that make noises and move when you push the button on their ears, which they will spend hours on when they are a little older. Mommy and Daddy also got a canvas print of one of our favorite photos of the boys.

They got antique toys that are replicas of toys their Great-Grandpa George had, from Great-Grandma Betty and Great-Grandpa George. They also got bath toys and bath towels from G-G Cloann.

The boys were very spoiled by Santa and our families this year. I wish I could list every gift they opened but the list would go on and on. I guess they were extra good this year.

Bryan and I must have been extra good too because we received the best gift ever only ours came before Christmas, on March 1, 2010.

The boys' cookies for Santa, with a little help from Dad and Mom

Kaden getting into the presents

Braylon wearing his Christmas jammies

The boys with Papa Mike (Braylon showing off his new obsession, screaming! and Kaden doing the fist pump, take note of Braylon's bed-head too.)


Braylon getting into the presents, he just couldn't wait any longer

The boys in front of the tree (Braylon left, Kaden right)

The boys opening gift from Great-Grandpa McNall

The boys playing with their gifts from Santa

Braylon

Kaden

Better Late Than Never, Right!?!

Sorry for the late Thanksgiving post. I hit the wrong button so it did not actually post it just saved it.
Also, sorry for not posting as often. The boys have been extremely busy these days. They are crawling and into absolutely everything so we have to watch them constantly. Along with everything else life has thrown our way. I also have been picking up quite a few shift in the Emergency Room which has been great but exhausting too. The extra money is quite nice though.
I recently discovered that the lens to my really nice camera is broken and explains why a lot of the pictures I had been taking wouldn't turn out. I got out and charged my smaller camera that I carry in my purse and have been using it and getting pictures from Brenda too.
I will post a blog a pictures of our very special First Christmas with the boys very soon.

Two Thanksgivings

Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all of our family and friends. This year we were fortunate enough to get to celebrate Thanksgiving twice with our wonderful families.

We spent Thursday evening up in St Maries and enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by Grammy B. The boys got to have their own sweet potatoes which like every other kind of baby food they gagged on, but mommy and daddy sure enjoyed their food.

We left Wednesday evening after Bryan got off of work. I am just going to admit it. Since the boys have been born, well, even while I was pregnant, I have become the worst back-seat-driver in the world. I have taken the liberty of bossing everyone I am riding with if I think they are driving too fast, following too close, or if I feel they are not paying close enough attention to the road, etc. I keep telling everyone, eventually Bryan is going to leave me on the side of the road. (When he overheard me telling someone this he admitted it has crossed his mind).

All day Thursday it was snowing and then by the time we were ready to head home it was snowing big flakes.

I think Bryan had heard enough because he decided that I could drive home Thursday. I think we topped out at about 45 miles per hour that night and we sure didn't break any records for the amount of time it took to get home and Kaden let us know it.

Kaden decided to cry all the way from Moscow to Lewiston. Both boys are usually really good in the car so this was a little unusual. Bryan tried everything to get him to stop crying aside from taking him out of the car seat.

When we got home and I opened Kaden's door to get him out I got a smell of what he had been crying about. I quickly took him to their room to change his diaper to discover that he was trying to tell us, "Hey you idiots, I'm trying to tell you I got poop running down my leg, not that I lost my binkie!!!" Bedtime quickly turned to bath time for Mr. Kaden.

The next morning it was time to get up and get ready for our trip to Orofino. I had an appointment to get my hair done, FINALLY! It was about time. The last time I had anything done with it was Father's Day weekend in June. I feel like a new woman. My brother and Paige were in Lewiston so the boys and I hitched a ride with them so when Bryan came up Saturday we would only have one vehicle to drive home. My brother did not escape from my orders from the back seat. I could tell he really wanted to say something, but I think he had been forewarned by my mom about my new little problem.

Now my anxiety doesn't come without reason. My fear of wrecking stems from having been in two accidents. One with Bryan on our first Christmas together and one with my dad while I was pregnant with the boys. Nobody was hurt in either accident but both vehicles were totalled, so it was enough to scare me.

We arrived in Orofino safe and happy and I got to enjoy a little pampering while my mom entertained the boys.

Saturday we enjoyed another fabulous Thanksgiving dinner prepared by my mom and the boys tried their sweet potato again and mashed potato with no luck. Everyone enjoyed watching the faces they made though.

Saturday night my parents took the night shift with the boys so Bryan and I could get some sleep. It was the first time I slept over 4-6 hours straight in over 9 months. It was AMAZING! By the time 7am hit I was ready to feed the boys though. They were ready to get up and play so after they ate they played in their walkers. In the meantime all the rich Thanksgiving food I had eaten must have finally hit Braylon because when I went to pull up his jammies to change his diaper I discovered that he had poop from his butt to his neck. Thick, nasty, sticky poop, just like glue.

I attempted to clean him up but this job was too big for baby wipes so I had to put him in the utility sink in the laundry room and give him a bath. He thought it was great and squirmed all around smearing poop all over the side of the sink. I have never seen a more stubborn poop. This stuff was even water repellent. I let the water run over Braylon's back and it didn't even touch the mess. The only way I could get him clean was to scrub over and over with wash clothes. It was unreal. Someone said I should notify NASA because we might be able to make some money off Braylon's Poo Glue.

Kaden

Braylon

Kaden

Braylon

Kaden

Braylon

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!!!!

During our trip to Orofino, so Bryan could go hunting with my dad and brother, the boys had a couple of unexpected surprises.
The first surprise was their first snow. Although, they didn't realize it was snowing last night. They noticed the white flakes falling from the sky this morning. While we were sitting in a chair by one of the big windows Kaden became mesmerized by the falling snow. He enjoyed it so much I took the boys into my parents room and propped them up on a pillow so they could watch out the bedroom window. It was like they were in a trance.
The second surprise was an early visit from Santa. Santa thought the boys would like their gifts a little early so they could enjoy them over Thanksgiving.
Santa conveniently dropped off two large boxes right about the time the big boys returned from their excursion (Santa is very clever). The boxes contained two walkers. Uncie had the pleasure of assembling the boys new set of wheels. They were so excited they had to take them for a spin. I think you could probably hear the squeals and laughs all through Orofino that night. The boys LOVED them. They aren't quite long enough to move around real well but they can reach with their tip-toes which is enough to get a little movement. It won't be long before they will be cruising around on the hard wood floors at Grammy and Papa's house. The walkers also have toys attached to them that make sounds and music and Braylon and Kaden loved to pound on the little key board. At one point my dad asked, "What song is it playing?" And the only response I could come up with was "Chaos". Thankfully the walkers will be staying up at Grammy and Papa's house because I have a feeling it could get pretty wild when the boys get more mobile.
Speaking of mobile. The boys are now beginning to crawl. We have had to bust out the Super Yard. Which is like a bunch of baby gates hooked together to make a pin, just to keep them safely in one area. Braylon is starting to get up on all fours and Kaden doing the army crawl.
They have also reached another milestone. They are starting to say their first word. Braylon now says "momma" very clearly and has figured out that I have a hard time resisting picking him up when he says "momma, momma, momma". Kaden is beginning to say "momma" too. He isn't as consistent and not always as clear but he is catching on. It just melts my heart.
Sorry there aren't any pictures. The batteries on both of my cameras died but I will be sure to get some of the boys first Thanksgivings. They will be spending Thursday up in St. Maries and Saturday we will celebrate again in Orofino.

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!!

This past year we were fortunate to have help from the Jackson Pay It Forward Foundation. We are so blessed to have this foundation in our community. They have been nominated for a national Pay It Forward contest through Charity Net USA and they have made it to the top 15 finalists. Lets all pay it forward and VOTE for this foundation!!!

Here is the link below.

http://www.charitynetusa.com/pif-contestfinalist.php

Howlandween

I know Halloween was over a week ago but it has been hard to find time to update the blog these days.
We spent the boys first Halloween at the house passing out candy to over 500 kids!!!!! The boys wore their costumes and took turns helping pass out candy. They both really enjoyed seeing all of the little kids and some not so little kids all dressed up. Yes, there were even adults, without children, out trick-or-treating and one lady who I think may have been dressed as a prostitute almost busted her tushy on our stairs. Anyways, yes, we had a very fun first Halloween.
Grammy M, Papa DD, Uncie, Paige, Uncle Angus, Uncle Izzy, G-G, and Charlie came down and we all enjoyed pizza, sugar cookies, and of course Halloween candy.
After all the candy had been passed out Bryan, Cody, Paige, and I went up to the corn maze. It was haunted this time. I hate it when things jump out at me and so I wasn't too thrilled about this but Bryan said, "Come on! Live a little!". It was sooo cold and sooo muddy since it had rained, no poured, the whole day before. I have to admit it was fun but I was so afraid something was going to jump out at me and I was going to slip in the mud and land right on my behind.
Here are some pictures of the boys in their costumes.

Kadensaurus

Braylonsaurus

Sleepysauruses

Kaden
Braylon
Braylon and Kaden

We won't eat carrots, applesauce, or bananas but we will eat pumpkin guts

As most twin parents quickly learn, everything must now be done in stages and here is the perfect example why.

Exhibit A:

Kaden having a complete and utter meltdown

while Braylon enjoys watching Mommy

A close up in case the picture above isn't enough

This all occurred while Bryan and I were trying to carve pumpkins with the boys the other night. After lots of playing and rough housing on their play mat we thought the boys would enjoy watching us gut and carve their pumpkins. Man were we wrong. He waited until the perfect time. When Mom's hands were covered in pumpkin guts and slim and he let it rip. The screaming tantrum began. Thankfully Bryan hadn't dug in yet so he was able to console our little monster while I finished gutting the pumpkins.

We thought the boys might enjoy playing in the pumpkin guts so we let them stick their hands in the bowl. They loved it and the crying ceased for the moment. And like most everything that touches the boys hands the pumpkin guts went straight to their mouths. I thought they would gag and spit it out like they do their baby food but nope, they would have kept shoveling it in if we wouldn't have stopped them.

Here are some pictures of our half done pumpkins. We are hoping to finish carving them by Halloween, tomorrow if we are lucky.

Mommy gutting pumpkins

Kaden digging in

Kaden taking a little taste

Braylon enjoying squishing the pumking guts

Yummy!

I think I would like some more

Busy Bees

Wow! Have we been busy lately. The boys are so busy trying to crawl that it's difficult to get anything done around the house or get on the computer. Although they are not actually crawling they are able to move from point A to point B by either rolling or scooting on their bellies. It doesn't take long before they are frustrated and start crying or someone rolls into someone else or kicks the other in the head, etc. They almost need constant supervision. I have to put them in their play pin or swings so I can take a shower which is usually to the soundtrack of crying babies because they don't like being confined to one place.

Braylon has decided that he is going to be a wrestler. No matter how far I try and separate him from Kaden he will manage to get over to Kaden, roll on top of him, and pin him to the ground so he can suck on the side of his head or face. Kaden gets sooooo upset.

The boys have also taken up binky stealing. They look at one another's binky and pull it right out of their mouth and then slip it into theirs. I can hear it already "Mom....I had it first!"

We are still working on introducing solids but it has been hit and miss. One day they like baby food and do really well and the next day they don't.

On top of the boys being little busy bodies we have been keeping a pretty busy schedule too. We have tried to make the most of what was left of the nice weather and take in some of the fall traditions.

I have also decided to go back to work a little bit (as a nurse you are required to work a certain amount of hours to keep your license current). I fill in at St. Joes when they need extra help. I have worked a total of 12 hours over the past week so far and it has been great. It also works out nicely because I can work on days there is someone to watch the boys rather than try and find child care on the days I have to work. It has been nice to get back out into the real world some and the extra money doesn't hurt either.

Here are some pictures from our busy past couple of weeks. By the way, Braylon is sitting on my lap at this very moment.

The boys with their pumpkins and their special trick-or-treat bags

Bundled up for an afternoon stroll

Bundled up for another stroll

We Found Our Way Home!!!

Yesterday was absolutely beautiful and perfect weather for a stroll. We decided to take a little trip up to Sunset Park just above our house. The boys enjoyed looking around at the trees and the sky and took a little nap in their stroller while I read a few pages of my book. Kaden the "Cat Napper" woke up after a quick recharge so I got him out and let him play in the grass a little. He loved to run his hands through it until he got a fistful in his mouth. I had to pick as much of it out as I could but I am pretty sure he swallowed a few pieces.

We met my brother and Paige up at the play area and the boys had fun sitting on our laps and swinging. Braylon squealed with delight. Cody and Paige had gotten pumpkin milkshakes from Sharps and Braylon was obsessed with Paige's cup and straw. I think he wanted to try a taste. We have been letting him and Kaden have little sips when we go out to eat and they think it is fun. He was able to try the milkshake though since babies are not suppose to try cows milk/dairy products until they are a year old.

I thought that since Braylon enjoyed the swings so much he might like the slide. I am sure I looked ridiculous but with Braylon on my lap we went down one of the the slides. He didn't even care.

After we were finished with our fun at the park we walked back down the hill and headed for home where we met Daddy to go to the Clearwater Corn Maze. It is only open Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10 so you have to do it in the dark. I told Bryan I would go only if it weren't a haunted corn maze.

It was really cold but we enjoyed finding our way through the maze. We were even brave enough to go map-less.

Here are some pictures from the park and the corn maze.

Cody and Braylon

Paige and Kaden

Mommy and her boys

Perfect playmates

Dad and Braylon at the Corn Maze

Mom and sleeping Kaden after walking through the corn maze

Picky Eaters

I think we may have some picky eaters on our hands. I don't know where they got this from because Bryan and I are not picky eaters but these boys do not care for "real" food. The doctor told me to "broaden their horizons" by introducing new foods and it has been a bit of a challenge.

Braylon gags on absolutely everything and Kaden swishes it around a bit and then manages to spit it back out. I don't know if some of this has to do with the tubes they had in their mouths while in the NICU but even the nurse at Dr. Ambroson's office was surprised at how gaggy Braylon was considering he had no trouble taking his Prevacid in the past.

The boys absolutely hate cereal. Rice, oatmeal, they want nothing to do with it. I think it is because it has such a strong iron taste from being fortified. I even tried hiding it in their baby food and I swear they can sniff it out.

The very first food besides the cereals they have tried was smashed bananas but after trying to sneak cereal in there they have decided they don't care for bananas anymore. I waited a week to see if they would forget and tried some green beans, nope! Waited another week and tried applesauce, nope! So I waited another week and tried carrots. Surprisingly they have tolerated the carrots without a whole lot of fuss but what a mess.

Instead of doing the usual routine of placing them in their booster chairs and putting bibs on them I decided to put them in their bumbos and go without bibs (since they needed a bath and I was doing laundry anyways) hoping they wouldn't remember our failed attempts from before. It actually kind of worked and I think they enjoyed it a little, or at least for a little while.

Here are some pictures of our picky eaters.

Kaden wearing his carrots

Braylon's carrot beard

Braylon letting me know he has had ENOUGH!

Kaden kept looking at Braylon like he didn't know what all the fuss was about.

A Trip to Elk River

The weather has been absolutely beautiful and we have been trying to take advantage of it and spend as much time outside before the bad weather hits.

Monday we took a day trip to Elk River to hike into the falls. Before visiting the falls we decided to take the boys to see the largest cedar tree in the Rocky Mountains, 18 feet in diameter. It is approximately 3000 years old.

After visiting the Giant Cedar we headed for the falls. First we hiked to to the lower falls 1/4 of a mile down hill and then 1/4 mile back up with babies in tote. They rode in their front packs and loved it. Bryan took Braylon since he is about 2lbs heavier than Kaden. After hiking back up from the lower falls we continued up the trail to the middle falls and back and then to the upper falls and back. We figure by the time we got down hiking around and back to the pickup we hiked about 5 miles and the majority of it up hill.

Although our legs were tired it was a great hike. The falls were beautiful. I have lived in Idaho my whole life and had never seen the Elk River Falls. Well worth the work.

Mommy, Braylon, and Kaden in front of the Giant Cedar

Daddy and Braylon in front of the Giant Cedar

Howlands at the lower falls

Lower Falls

Daddy and Braylon at the upper falls

Mommy and Kaden at the upper falls

A photo Mommy took for her photography class