Sitting with Santa

Our first Christmas with the boys! I am so excited. So many traditions, such a special time of year with family and friends, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This is my favorite time of year; all the decorations and lights (can we just do twinkle lights year round?), shopping and wrapping, service to others, the cold weather, Christmas Eve service, and extra time with family - love it all!

Of course we had to visit Santa as part of our Christmas tradition - at Northpark, where else? (You'd think they paid me for advertising, as often as NP comes up in this blog.)  I went a couple of weeks ago to get a ticket at 9:00 (when they start giving out tickets), but was running late, and OH my goodness what a line. Needless to say, I turned right around. The timing was important, because it had to be a day when Jonathan could go in to work a little late, and he usually has early morning overseas calls. So fast forward a week later (I was pretty upset and worried that we'd have to stand in line for a couple of hours by this point) and Jonathan went at 8:00 to stand in line for a ticket. He was #3! So I went in at 11:00, met Jenn & her girls, and was actually 2nd in line. Woo-hoo!

There was a tv crew filming that morning, and Santa was running about 20 minutes late. But no worries, because Ben & Jack are little troopers and just looked around at all the kids while we waited in line. I'm pretty sure they were filmed while they sat with Santa (because the camera guy was crowding me) but in the hustle & bustle I didn't have time to ask what station/time/etc. I wouldn't say it was a great experience, and because they were running behind I felt as if we were rushed. But we did get a couple of cute pictures of the boys in Santa's lap. Ben was chill, just checking out Santa's beard. Jack was less than enthused about the whole thing, and did start to cry after craning his head around to take in Santa. Luckily, it was quick and we got him back in the stroller asap.

 

Maddie & Chloe also took a great picture! I was so glad Jenn went with me - I was worried about the wait in line just in case the boys got upset - but all 4 did great. When we left NP, Maddie gave Ben & Jack kisses. Sweet Maddie looked up at me and told me that Jack was pushing her away (he was - I guess he wasn't feeling social after the Santa encounter), so she kissed his head instead. Ben happily accepted a kiss on the cheek and a pat. :) Kicking myself for not getting a picture of the four of them - I will soon! I did include a couple of the girls with the boys below, though.

Jack, Ben, & Chloe holding hands

Jenn, Mads, & Jack

To my boys...

My Dad used to tell me that the greatest thing he ever did for me was marry my mother. Boys, that's the exact way I feel about your Dad. He is the best gift I could ever give you :) I always knew that Jonathan would be a wonderful father, but it has been such a blessing to watch him with you and see how really involved he is. He has been hands-on from day one. Now, he would probably say that's because he had no choice, as there were two of you! But I have also heard him say "Thank goodness there's two so we don't argue over who gets to hold them at night." :)

Changing diapers, wiping up baby spit-up/vomit/etc, feeding you bottles and cereal, washing bottles, even giving your after-bath massage - your dad does it all. He also rocks you before bed, rocks you back to sleep if you wake up, and gives you lots of hugs and kisses. I have never seen him get frustrated, even when you wake up wanting to play at midnight and refuse to go right back to sleep. :)

The best part is seeing how in love he is with his babies - in his words, he is smitten. He can't wait to get home at night to see you and love on you. I think he is your favorite playmate, too, as I'm pretty sure you save your biggest smiles for him. I can't wait to see my boys grow up and become best friends with their dad.

Children are a heritage from the Lord, entrusted to us parents but belonging to God. Years ago, we participated in a nearly married bible study and studied Debinski's Excellent Marriage book, which touches on parenting. According to Debinski, there are seven biblical principles that guide us as parents:

1. Teach (Deuteronomy 6:7): Your dad will lead by example and teach you to become men. He is patient and wise, and will nurture your faith. He says he'll be the parent who will help you with your science homework, too ;)
2. Train (Proverbs 22:6): By example, your dad will show you how to treat others with kindness, and impart values and morals throughout your life. He is a good man, a wonderful spouse, and an amazing father.
3. Provide (2 Corinthians 12:14): Your dad is an excellent provider, and works hard to support his family. He will listen to you, be involved in your lives, encourage you, and ensure you have a solid support group to provide emotional and spiritual guidance.
4. Nurture (Ephesians 6:4): By following the scriptures, your dad will teach you right from wrong, and will maintain a loving, caring relationship with his boys.
5. Control (1 Timothy 3:4): Although discipline may not be one of his better strengths (!), I know your dad will be consistent and involved in your lives.
6. Love (Titus 2:4): Easy! He loves you so much, and that love just continues to grow. By showing kindness to one another, helping one another, spending time together, and filling the home with laughter, you will always know love.
7. Discipline (Proverbs 3:11-12): Your dad likes to joke that this is not his strong suit. But we know that loving parents correct their children and provide guidance. Your dad will show wisdom in his discipline (his last name is Solomon, after all!) and will help you to learn right from wrong.

You are two very lucky little boys to have your Dad, and I am especially lucky to have all three of you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It was our first Thanksgiving with the boys, and what an eventful day they had! We headed over to J's parents' house after our morning feeding and spent most of the day there. The boys got lots of QT in with the Solomon/Bass/Meredith family. They got 3 new books and 2 new plush balls from their great-grandparents and Aunt Andi - what fun!

Our family :)

Jack & Ben

Jack laughing it up with Tia Katie & Uncle Guy

Ben: Only the finest

I think this may be the family Christmas card pic - but I couldn't resist sharing! It's too good :)

I never feel like we get enough pictures. We should have taken more with the rest of the fam, especially since Leslie was in town! I wish we'd gotten a picture of Ben playing peek-a-boo with cousin Lauren - he loves her! Every time we get together he just smiles and wants to look at her. He also cuddled very sweetly with Aunt Andi when he got sleepy. I should add that Susie's spread was delicious - complete with yummy "school rolls." And the company, including family & Solomon family friends, the Landauers & Herschs, was great!

At any rate, those are some of the pictures from the day. You can see above that Ben was enjoying "drinking" water from the good crystal. ;)  My little Benny cut his first tooth this morning! It's a sharp little thing on the front lower gum, and we went crazy clapping for him this morning when we discovered it. He looked back and forth between us, grinning - so proud of himself! The rest of our "eventful" day was my poor little Jack being sick. He was congested and running a low fever all day, which turned into a 102+ fever this evening. He couldn't breathe, and had trouble eating, then fountain-vomited all over himself and me during dinner. We took a bath and went right to bed (late), but that sweet baby never fussed or complained and wanted to play with me while I was rocking him. It's so funny how different he and Ben can be! Ben just wanted to be held and cuddled when he was sick; if Jack weren't so congested and warm to the touch, you'd never know he was feeling bad. Sweet babies!!

So, on our first Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my baby boys, sweet blessings that they are! I am also thankful for my wonderful husband, our families, friends, and our health. How fortunate we are, and how good the Lord is - always!

8 months!

How is it my baby boys are already 8 months old? Where is the time going? I was just complaining that it seems too early to put up Christmas lights/decorations and then realized that Thanksgiving is this week! How is that even possible - it still feels like October to me. Is this a parent thing? Time going by so fast you don't even realize it? Is this whole post going to be in question format?

No, okay, sorry. The point is that I'm a little sad today that my little boys are already 2/3 of a year old. They are getting so big! The upside is that they are getting more and more fun, and their little personalities are really starting to shine. I just love them so much! I think K put it best, that I'm falling more and more in love with them every day. We took some pictures yesterday - Jack was all congested and so he wasn't really in the mood to pose and smile. :) J and I were talking last night about how even with a runny nose, Jack is still a pretty happy little guy! But then again, he doesn't have the fever that Ben fought for two weeks. I'm so glad my happy Benny is back! Now I'm just hoping that Jack doesn't get the Roseola virus that Ben had. Poor babies - I hate when they're sick!

Here's our 8 month picture collage.

Scrunch face & Leg up

Lately Ben has been scrunching his face all up - eyes, nose, and mouth - it's sooooo cute! He does it to smile at you or when he's had enough to eat, or when he's being silly. Jack just shakes his head back and forth, "no," when he's done eating but Ben thinks it's more fun to make faces. Here's a picture - it's actually hard to catch on film!

Jack, little monkey that he is, can almost always be found sitting with a leg up in the air. Perfect strangers comment on it when we're out, as Jack will inevitably have one leg up in the stroller. It's hilarious - car seat, stroller, nap nanny, etc. - he loves to have his leg up! He is unusually dexterous with his feet, also, and can pick up toys with his toes, etc. I don't understand it but I love it!

Pumpkin Fail

I can't believe I forgot to include our attempt at a pumpkin picture with the last post. Actually, I can, seeing as how it was a little traumatic for all of us. I got this idea from another twin mom who pulled this off fantastically with her little guys last year. I remember oohing and awing over the pictures and telling J, "We're so doing this next year with our babies." Poor, poor Ben and Jack. Mommy's sorry. I kept thinking, "Oh, this is just different, they'll warm up to it in a second." Nope. The progression below is kind of funny - you can almost see Ben's thought process of "What? What's going on? Brother's crying...this feels weird...okay, I'm going to cry too." I promise, guys, to never do this to you again. This specific thing. I cannot promise to never dress you up and possibly embarrass you. But no more pumpkin pants!

Halloween, First Birthday Party, & a New Nephew!

It's been too long. I know this because Jonathan frequently asks me the projected date of a new blog post. Sorry. Last week really got away from me; it was our first experience with a cold. Poor Ben was congested and running a fever for the better part of the week. The boys didn't even get to dress up for Halloween! When the illness hit us I had Ben fussy with a fever just wanting to be cuddled, and Jack toying with a newfound separation anxiety. Fortunately, I think that has run its course; Ben is better and Jack has come through that phase with a whole new attitude. Little dude is happy as can be (praise God, because Ben has needed a lot of TLC the past week), content to play and explore on his own (and he does - he explores everything), and falls right to sleep for naps even if he looks like he could go another hour. He has really secured his "rascal" title, by being extra "rascally" the past few days. He's been fake coughing up a storm, doing a silly fake cough/laugh/growl combination that is hilarious, laughing at his brother over and over, pulling off glasses/stickers off shirts, hats, etc, and just generally being extra cute. Ben is also extra cute, but this week in a different, sweet/cuddly baby way.

So, we were late on Halloween, but I finally got around to taking a few pictures of the boys in their "costumes." When we weren't able to dress up Halloween night, I was even more glad that I hadn't spent money on a costume. We'll do a real costume next year, guys, when maybe you have some kind of understanding of what all is going on. Here are my sweet boys in their Bevo outfits - they were so cute! It's hard trying to pose them, get their attention, and take pictures all by myself, though, let me tell you.

"hey man, what's up?"

Jack: "Ben, don't move, there's something on your head."

Silly boys - and dress up was over

This weekend was the boys' first time to go to a birthday party! Twins Charlie & Vivienne turned 1, and Ben & Jack were there to celebrate in a big top way (it was a circus theme, and yes, I know that joke was lame). Their mom, Emily, helped me out with a lot of encouragement when the boys were in the thick of all the feeding issues. Jack and Ben were mad over the balloons - Jack had fun grasping the ribbon and Ben was rolling a balloon around. We took a family picture to commemorate their first party!

Last week, once Ben was feeling better, we went to lunch with Jenn & her girls on Thursday, and Ashley, one of my FISD friends, on Friday. Had so much fun catching up with both of them! Both days Jack thought Ben was hilarious! He would make eye contact with Ben, then giggle - precious! I got video and tried to edit a small part for the blog, but my computer won't let me, so the entire video for both is below. You can hear sweet Maddie in the background on the first one - she is so good with the babies :)







Finally, Ryan & Katie had Cooper on 11/4. He is so, so precious - little guy had both hands up holding his pacifier in his mouth. We took the boys to meet their newest cousin, but I totally forgot to get a picture of all the cousins together. Oh well, next time! Katie seemed to be doing great, and Connor was in high spirits :) Cooper weighed 7 lbs 2 oz - it's hard to think of the boys being that small just a few months ago. It goes too fast. 

Cooper Jake!

Jack craned his neck all the way back to gaze at Uncle Ryan

I'll sign off here with a couple of cute pics of the boys over the last couple of weeks. 

Jack :)

Jack having fun

My sweet Ben

Ben cuddling with Dad