Strange Question

While I was out with the boys today I was approached by many people complimenting me on my cute, well behaved boys.  We were walking in the mall and the boys were helping me push their stroller.  I was so impressed and happy with them because they stayed right by my side and never drifted off once.  They knew that it meant immediate return in the stroller and they really wanted to walk.  So, I let them... they were good and we were all happy.

One lady that approached me and started chatting with me asked if she could be blunt enough to ask if the boys were natural twins or fertility drug induced.  That was not quite how she worded it, but that was what she was asking.  As strange of a question as that is, I understand people's curiosity in the matter.  Twins were once such a rare occurence and now, due to modern medicine, they are no longer.  It may be a bit too personal of a question to be asked by a stranger but I am happy to answer.  The gift of my little boys came from my maternal grandmother.  She had two sets of twins in her 7 pregnancies, the first of which was a set of fraternal twin boys... my Uncle Ralph and Uncle Robert.  It was the greatest gift she could have ever given me and I wish that she were here now to talk to and compare stories with.  I would have loved to know what it was like for her to have twins back then...

I think those who have a problem answering that question are ones that do not have an answer that they feel comfortable with.  I love talking about the great gift my grandmother gave me and what a remarkable women she was handling so many children, let alone two sets of twins!  I am a proud mommy of twins and have no issues discussing my boys in any capacity...

First Snow Storm...

We are officially having our very first snow storm of the year.  It has been snowing since early this morning and has not let up.  We are expected to get around 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) today.  It's not very cold out but the wind is quite strong.  Thankfull, I knew the storm was coming and I ran all my errands earlier this week to make sure I didn't have to leave the house today.

By 10:15 this morning the boys were getting restless so I decided to venture outside with them.  It was quite daunting to get both of them in the whole winter gear but we managed.  They are never very happy with putting on new things (like wonter boots, jackets, and now snow pants) but the good thing is that it's been progressive.  We have been wearing the jacket, hats, mitts and boots a few times now and only the snow pants were new.  The next time, there should be no problems...

I snapped a few pictures of them "playing" outside this morning.  We took a run down the street in the sleds (with me pulling them) and they loved it!  Coming back wasn't as good since they had the wind and snow in their faces.  Hopefully the next time we play outside it won't be so windy.  They took a few spills trying to walk around in the heavy snow but all in all, they did great!

Walking in the snow:

Taking a ride in the sleds:

Zachary all suited up:

Nicolas all suited up:

Nicolas' teeth...

I was just filling in Nicolas' baby book with the dates his teeth have come in (I have been marking it on the calendar rather than pulling out the baby book each time).  I realized that he only has 5 more teeth to come in before he has his full mouth of teeth!  He has 15 teeth as we speak!  The last tooth to come in (other than his back 4 molars) should be in by the end of the week... maybe even sooner since it's almost broken through the gum already!  Nicolas got 5 new teeth in the last week or so.  It's been pretty rough on him but the good thing is that instead of spreading it out, we got it over with quickly.

Zachary is a little behind in the teeth department but he's been catching up quickly.  He has 9 teeth at the moment and always seemed to be about a month or two behind Nicolas in the teething department.  So, my guess is by the beginning of 2010, he should be all caught up.

I guess this milestone is almost over.  The next time I will be talking about teeth (once all the rest come in), it should be because they are starting to fall out!

Testing boundaries

The boys have really been testing boundaries and finding out what they can and cannot get away with lately.  I know it's all part of the growing up process but it's driving me a little crazy.  It seems that if I stop Zachary from doing something he knows he isn't allowed to do, Nicolas stops whatever he's doing to see if he can get away with it.  And vice versa.  So, my disciplining is doubled at the moment.  But, I refuse to back down and they will not win!  I am trying to be as consistent as possible and I have found that the best way to get my point across is to take away a toy and put it in "time out".  I have also put them in "time out" a few times but they don't seem to fully comprehend the concept yet.  But I am sure that will come with time...

It seems that both of our boys got mine and Steve's stubborness so it looks like we are in for a battle of wills.  Our future should be very interesting...

Sleep....

The boys have been waking up before 6:00am every morning for the last week.  I am not sure why this is, but if I had to guess it was teething and napping too much related.  I have been trying to keep them as active as possible and making sure they don't sleep too much during the day, but it's been hard.  Since we've been waking up so early, I am really tired by the time they go down for their nap and I need a break.  It's been hard to bring myslef to waking them up.  But I have been in the hopes that they will return to their normal sleeping pattern.

Thankfully they did this morning.  They slept in until 7:45!  I was so happy!  I finally got a really good night's sleep... and more importantly, so did they!  The only noise I heard coming out of their room was around midnight when Zachary went looking for his doggie.  He called out for him a few times and then finally I heard the excited "doggie!" and he was back to sleep seconds after that.  I am guessing he finally found him in his crib and could go back to sleep.

We are gearing up for the holidays and I am deciding when to get a tree.  I am thinking about doing so only in another week or so...

Big Shoes to Fill

Zachary and Nicolas have big shoes to fill.  They decided they wanted to try on their Daddy's shoes today and it was hilarious!  They looked so adorable in his oversized shoes.  It made me realize just how little they are and how big they are all at the same time...  I know that they are only going to get bigger until one day they fill his shoes..  My only wish is that they both turn out to be half as great as their father (sappy, I know but it's the truth)!

Zachary:

Nicolas:

Double Trouble...

I totally get the double trouble analogy when referring to twins.  I must say that when it comes to my boys, more often than not, it does not really apply.  And then they give me looks like this...

And when I see it coming from both of them.  I just know I'm in trouble!