Bros

Tonight I watched my youngest look up at my oldest and I saw that spark between the two of them. Brothers. There was a proud twinkle in Logan's face, a look that said "I am here to take care of you", and in Parker was pure joy and excitement looking at the face of his biggest brother. For me? The mama? Wow. I watched my oldest and my youngest discovering brotherhood right before my eyes, and with my sweet Cooper asleep in the crook of my arm. My three sons all snuggled with me in one soft chair. A lifetime of sleepless nights, spitup stained shirts, unwashed hair, and dark-circled eyes have nothing on moments like these. These are the moments that ges me through the colic. These moments get me through the stress and the worry. These boys are why I wake up each day ready to embrace new smiles, brighter eyes, and sloppy kisses. Today I am drinking up the sweet voices of my boys. The imagination from the biggest one, to the coos of the littlest ones, my life is just so full.

Dear Logan,

Dear Logan,

Last night, after a good cuddle, Daddy and I listened to your sweet voice as you sang:

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make me happy, when skies are gray,

You'll never know dear, how much I love you,

So please don't take, my sunshine away.

Hearing your sweet voice sweetly wafting down the stairs made my heart melt. Your tiny voice is so full of love, and I when I sing that song to you, a sense of calm falls over your face and body and honey, listening to you sing did the same thing to me. You are my sweet Valentine and I love you so much.

Love, Mommy

Two Months

Dear Parker and Cooper,

You are two months old today. Two month ago right now my world was changed. I was still on a high from the most amazing birth experience I could have imagined for the three of us, and I can still remember vividly seeing both of you for the first time.

In the past two months you have shown us your personalities, you have grown and gotten stronger, and I have fallen more and more in love with you both with each passing moment.

Cooper, you are most content cuddled on my chest. No frills, or tricks, just snuggling with your mommy. You are so sweet. You are quiet, and love to be awake and looking around the room. You have shown the beginnings of smiles, but I think that is one thing you are going to make us work for.

Parker, today upon finishing nursing, you looked up at me with your big owl-eyes, and smiled. You have smiled many times before, but this time was different, this time, you were smiling at me. I locked eyes with yours and coo'd at my sweet boy and your smiles got bigger and your chubby cheeks looked round and smooshed under those giant eyes.

Our sweet boys are growing so well, and we could not be more amazed by their progress. Parker is now 8 lbs 15.5 oz, and Cooper is 9 lbs 4.5 oz. They both love to be held, love smooches on their heads from big brother, love to nurse, and love to snuggle next to each other. Parker still has colic in the evenings and loves to be on his tummy with his back patted. Cooper, again, is happy just being near mommy or daddy.

Our lives the past two months have been crazy. I have reached a new level of tiredness I was unaware existed, but somehow feel pretty functional during the day. I have gained a comfort level for leaving the house with all three boys, and have learned how to nurse both of them in public without anybody even realizing I am doing it. We don't have a daily routine, there is no schedule, and we basically just live for our children at this point. I have to say, that my favorite part of the days is when I have Parker and Cooper together in my arms, and Logan snuggled by my side reading to his brothers. This is what it is all about.

Got milk?

So the babies are crying and from the across the house Logan yells,

"MOM! I think my brothers want to eat your boobs!"

Logan-isms

Every morning for breakfast Logan and I share a smoothie. It's a yummy concoction of frozen berries, banana, yogurt and soymilk. Logan loves it and drinks it up in a second. But the best part? He calls it his "smoovie". Oh swoon...

A couple of weeks ago, after we had put Logan to bed, we heard the sweet sounds of him singing in the darkness of his bedroom. This happens often at night, and we will mute the TV to listen to his songs. Sometimes we hear the classics, like Twinkle, Twinkle, or ABC's, but more often it's a Logan original. This particular evening we heard "Stay at the house! Stay at the house! Stay at the house!" set to song. Over. And over. And over again. We had no idea what this song was about until we heard it again last night... only this time we heard the beginning of the song "Daddy! Stay at the house, stay at the house, Daddy, stay at the hoooouuuusssee!". I am pretty sure that was one of Brian's proudest moments.

This past week I resorted to bribery. I prefer to think of it as successful bargaining, but let's call it like it is. Logan is pretty self-sufficient, but one area that has taken him some time is getting himself dressed and undressed. Now that the babies are here, and recently, suctioned to me at all times, I need Logan to pick up the slack in the pants removal and replacement department. In other words, he needs to pull down his own stuff to pee. When I am confined to the chair with two babies stuck to my chest, I can't run to his rescue to pull down his Diego underpants. When I first broke the news to him, he REFUSED to do it. We are talking freak-out, screaming, crying, and refusal. This went on for a few days, and almost a few wet pants, before it hit me. I told him that if he could show me how he can pull his pants down himself, and back up again, then he could go to Target and pick out a new train. See? Bargaining. He stopped. Stood there quietly, pulled down his pants with ease and waddled to the bathroom with Diego around his ankles. Oh for the love... Boy, this kid had me fooled! In the end, we both got what we wanted. I don't have to worry about apocalyptic bathroom experiences, and Logan got to go to Target, which is like Disney Land to him. Win-win.

My Favorite Things...

This post was meant for the holiday season, but we found ourselves little bit... um... busy. You know... two babies and stuff.

So here we are, my Holiday Favorite Things post in February. I figured I could be extra productive today. After all, I was actually able to brush my teeth... BEFORE NOON!

This has got to be the best baby gear invention, EVER! It's totally weird though. I mean, you stick something up your baby's nose, you put the other end in your MOUTH and suck out the snot. How weird is that? But, I have to say, it puts those silly green bulb syringes to total shame in the effectiveness department, and there is a stellar filter so you will never get the goopy snots to reach anywhere near your mouth. Scouts honor.

http://www.diapers.com/product/productdetail.aspx?productid=70269

My friend Kelly sells Pampered Chef and got me this kick ass can opener as a Baby Shower gift. It is, by far, the best can opener out there. Now I don't get carpal tunnel when I make Chili! http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=31046&words=can%20opener Send Kelly Bartlett from Racine, WI a message to order!

These are most definitely the most widely used item in our home right now. Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddle Wraps. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are huge, lightweight and versatile. We use them as burp rags, blankets, changing pads, towels, snuggle wraps, car seat covers, and on and on. The best thing? The more you wash them, the softer they get. They are the PERFECT blanket for babies born in the summer months. The muslin is super breathable and just the most cozy blankets ever.

Aden + Anais make a variety of products including burps, large blankets, and sleeping bags.

http://www.diapers.com/product/productdetail.aspx?productid=18481
This is probably the single most expensive baby gear item I have purchased thus far, but definitely one of the best. Money well spent. This stroller is easy to use, extremely durable, great for two kids, or one kid and a bunch of shopping bags, and paired with the attachable cup holder which conveniently holds a large skim milk, half-caff, sugar-free vanilla latte, can be taken anywhere. Fits easily through all doors, can be pushed with one hand, and can even fit in between those cozy racks at Gymboree. Love it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001D62PYE/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000O5N922&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0EDXFV8X2M4HER4TA1PY

I love a good cup. I was thrilled to find these durable, easy to use, LARGE, and fun cups on Amazon. Plus they are cheap, dishwasher safe, and fit in all cups, including my stroller cup holder. As a mom breastfeeding twins, I need to not only have a LARGE glass of water at arms reach at all times, but let's face it, mama isn't sleeping, so mama needs a cup 'o joe.

The only complaint I have about the water cup is that my three-year-old can't keep his little paws off it. He keeps asking me to get on my computer and order one for him.

http://www.amazon.com/Copco-Sierra-24-Ounce-Tumbler-Purple/dp/B003H9NIUU/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_b

http://www.amazon.com/Copco-2510-9963-Reusable-16-Ounce-Capacity/dp/B0032Z7UJE/ref=pd_sim_k_4