Totalled

I know that most of you have heard me utter the words, "life is never boring." Again, this week, I can add additional evidence to prove that statement is true for me. And while I love living an exciting and an interesting life, I would prefer a little boredom for a while. We've simply had too much excitement for our own good in the past year and a half. What made this week so exciting, was the car accident that the babies and I were involved in. We were hit by a large truck turning illegally. Multiple side airbags deployed, and my car was rendered undriveable- I couldn't open my door or the driver's side passenger door (where Asher was seated) either. The kids immediately began screaming- I climbed out the passenger side and into the back seat and called 911. We were taken by ambulance to the hospital and everyone checked out OK. Asher got a scrape across his head somehow, and I am still sore, particularly my neck and back. Overall, it was the fear and shock that was most traumatizing. We are extremely lucky that the three of us were not injured more significantly. Thanks be to God, in all his glory, for watching over us and protecting us during the collision. The entire experience was a big eye opener that I must be so very careful and alert while driving, especially when my precious cargo are in tow.

Here are a couple images of the car at the site of impact:






I am praying that the babies do not remember what happened on Wednesday, and are no worse for the wear. The evening of the accident, Addy woke up twice, screaming. She normally does not wake up until morning, yet she would not calm down until I picked her up and rocked her back to sleep. I wonder if maybe she was reliving the trauma. Asher has been very fussy and needing to be held/cuddled more than normal this week. However, he was behaving that way prior to the accident, so I am chalking it up to cutting his second tooth. Teething has been rough for him. I hope that it doesn't bother Adeline as much- she has yet to get her first chomper.

The car accident was, unfortunately, the focus of our week. We are now adjusting to having only one car, dealing with insurance issues, trying to obtain an accurate police report, and beginning to decide what to do about a replacement car. I was informed yesterday that my car is considered a total loss. I sure loved my RAV4, but we could use more cargo room in the next car. We've done some preliminary research and the Toyota Highlander might be a possibility. Any firsthand knowledge of the Highlander you want to share?

As a nice diversion from the traumatic week, Nick and I went to the Mariner's game last night. It was the only game I have attended in over a year, and I was looking forward to it for months. Unfortunately, the Mariners were on the losing end of the game, and Griffey didn't even play. However, the evening was beautiful, with a sunset of pink and orange, and the company impeccable. In spite of the 9-0 loss, we enjoyed ourselves.

I think all four of us are hoping for a less exciting, even boring week ahead. Boring wouldn't provide for an interesting blog post, but we could use a little monotony. With two 9 month old infants, I am sure life will be far from boring for a long time. But hopefully we can avoid scary excitement and experience fun excitement more often than not.

This week's photos were taken in the kiddo's new car seats. While in the emergency room, we were informed that when a car seat has been involved in an accident, it must be replaced. So, here are the new ones- they seem to like them, don't you think?

Additions

I can add another title to my resume this week; that of hair stylist... Secretly, I've been waiting for the day when I could style the babies' hair into mohawks, just for laughs. And while Addy's hair is naturally growing in like a landing strip down the middle of her head, I took the liberty this week to sculpt her strip into a mini mohawk. She doesn't have quite enough hair to do it properly, but I'd say she looked pretty cute. Pictures didn't do it justice...



I can add another height and weight entry into the baby books... At their nine months check-up this week, the pediatrician told us that, for the most part, the babies are ahead of many term nine month olds, aside from being small. She was impressed that they are crawling and pulling themselves up on furniture, and reported that they are completely caught up, if not ahead of where they should be, developmentally (with motor skills and such). We got the go ahead to give them more solid foods (real people food) and use sippy cups etc. The most interesting aspect of the visit to the doctor was finding out that Asher is, for the first time, more than one pound heavier than Addy. At every other appointment thus far, Asher and Adeline have had discrepancy of exactly one pound, to the ounce. This time, Asher weighed in at a whopping one and a half pounds heavier. He is definitely eating more solids than Addy is, which must be where the difference is coming from. Also, he is a boy, and a seemingly bigger, sturdier baby. As I have mentioned, his feet are much larger than Addy's and his body has always been "thicker." Total boy. The stats are as follows: Asher- fifteen pounds nine ounces, Addy- fourteen pounds one ounce.

I can add another two friends to our lives... This week I got the opportunity to meet two very important babies, who will be in our lives a lot, I hope. Two of my friends, Jess and Andra, each welcomed precious little boys into the world within the past two weeks. And within the past few days I got to meet them both. So far, they seem to be well adjusted, well behaved, darling little playmates for Asher (and Addy until she decides that boys have cooties). We can't wait for them to grow up so they can play with us.

Finally, I can add another reason my heart melts for my babies.... Asher has learned how to give kisses. You know, the open mouthed, slobbery ones we all love. If we ask him nicely, and he is feeling cooperative, he will plant a big, wet one on our cheek... or leg, arm, chin etc. Oh, how my heart melts.

Trying to take photos of the kiddos these days is difficult unless they are contained/constrained somehow. When I have them sit on the floor for a photo, they like to crawl towards me to grab the camera, or me, or anything else that appears interesting. So, this week's photo includes me, functioning as a "holding device."

Leaps and bounds

In the past month, and especially the past couple weeks, Asher has been advancing his motor skills by leaps and bounds, literally. He has gone from a timid belly scooter to a full fledged, no holds bared, crawler who can pull himself up on furniture in what seems like a flash. And, he is using his new abilities every chance he can get- Mommy and Daddy must be on alert at all times. Addy, who has the ability to crawl, but not to pull herself up yet, is mostly happy to simply sit and play with her toys. She will crawl, however, when presented with good incentive. So, with two infants on the move, watching after the babies as they play, no longer involves sitting nearby with them, but rather being on the ready at any moment to jump up and follow the little ones wherever they go.

As the babies are becoming more mobile, our house as we know it, has become somewhat of a padded baby pen. We have done our best to baby proof, and have acquired two more area rugs for our upstairs family area. We're not going to win any Better Homes and Gardens home beauty contests, but we're trying to prevent concussions, goose-eggs, and bruises. It has been an exciting couple of weeks, and made even more exciting with the addition of Asher's first tooth.



Our family just got home this afternoon from a family reunion up at our cabin on Lake Whatcom, with my Dad's side of the family. We would normally have ventured down to Black Butte Ranch for the reunion, but this year we convened up north. And while not all of the usual suspects were in attendance, for those that were, it was fantastic! The weather was perfect, the company impeccable, and a good time was had by all. While up at the cabin this week, the babies celebrated their nine month birthday. Mommy was prepared, and brought a sign with her in order to record the milestone in correct fashion.

We took advantage of the scenery:


And another, inside playing:


Cousin Molly:


This upcoming week, we will be back to our normal routine, as much as you can call it that. We'll be enjoying Wednesday night BBQ again, going for our nine months doctor's appointment, and spending as much time outside as we can. One thing we have learned from being out in the sun this summer, is that the kiddos really love being outdoors, particularly Asher. And while he does not like the sun to shine directly in his eyes, it calms him to be outside. Nick and I are thrilled, because we also love to be outdoors. I foresee many hikes, camping trips, and days spent at the park, the beach, etc. in our future.

Realizing their nine month birthday, again causes me to pause and acknowledge that time really does fly by in the blink of an eye. I truly am in awe that the little ones have been outside of my belly for nine months. At times it seems like just yesterday they were born, and at other times (usually when I am dead tired and up to my armpits in dirty diapers and laundry) it seems like they've been a part of our lives forever. And while I love the fact that they are growing so well and meeting their milestones, I am a little sad that they aren't going to be babies forever. I am sure that other parents will agree that watching children grow up is bitter sweet. I guess we'll just have to make more.... right?! :)

My two cents

While I could certainly give my opinion regarding a myriad of topics related to motherhood, I am by no means an expert in this field yet. However, in my first (nearly nine months as a mom) I do have one piece of advice for soon-to-be parents. I guess I will call it, "what I wouldn't do again." This modicum of "what I wouldn't do again" regards strollers. As a parent with more than one child, I am constantly looking for ways to transport them around easily and with the least amount of hassle to make shopping and errands less of a struggle. I came across this piece of advice/realization a few weeks ago after reviewing the stroller situation in our household, and after talking with my best friend, Kendall. And by the way, she seconds this opinion I am about to disclose.... Ready? Don't buy a traditional stroller. Let me preface my opinion with the statement that we recently had seven (yes, seven) strollers in our possession; either bought or borrowed. Yes, it is ridiculous. We had two jogging strollers, two snap 'n go's, one traditional stroller, and recently bought two umbrella strollers. One jogging stroller has been bequeathed to my sissy and brother-in-law for when their second baby comes (alert- they are NOT pregnant yet). One snap 'n go is a single (Sissy's). That leaves us with five strollers at our disposal.

So, you may be thinking that it is ridiculous to have so many strollers, and I agree with you to a certain extent. However, each one has served a purpose for us so far. As a mother of twins, I try to find the easiest possible way to go shopping with them, and still have enough maneuverability to acquire groceries etc. This means that both babies need to be in one vehicle, or one can be strapped to my body while the other one is in a stroller or cart. The double snap 'n go is a stroller frame in which their infant seats fit, and it is super easy to take in and out of the car. It is difficult to steer the double size model, yet I would definitely suggest it for any new parent. However, when the kids outgrow their infant seats, it will be obsolete. The BOB jogging stroller is awesome and easy to maneuver, however it is not easy to take in and out of the car. Plus, they sit in it side by side, which makes it difficult to get through narrow doors. It is mostly used around the neighborhood or running down at Green Lake. The two umbrella strollers are great in the sense that they are lightweight and easy to take in and out of the car. And, each parent can control one easily in large crowds. Plus, they can accommodate the babies after they are out of their infant seats. We plan to take them with us on trips when we travel in the airport. They are not connected however, so for one parent to control both at the same time while shopping may be difficult. The only stroller we haven't used too much is the big traditional, front to back stroller; part of the "travel system" they get you to buy. It accommodates their infant seats, which is very handy, and then will also be able to be used when they are out of those seats. It is a good stroller, but certainly not as easy to roll as the jogger. It doesn't fold down easily either, so we use it only around the neighborhood. But now that we have the BOB, we'd just assume use it around the neighborhood. So, there you go... the traditional stroller is the odd man out. For us, we wouldn't buy it again. That's my two cents for this week, followed by a couple photos.

Oh, and Happy Fourth of July! We celebrated with the annual BBQ at my Mom's house. Of course with kiddos who go to sleep before the sun goes down, we did not make any fireworks displays this year. The coverage of the fireworks over Lake Union on television was good enough for us!


Sitting in the nursery:


In the BOB for a 4th of July stroll: