Sunday, August 7, 2011

Finally, an update and new photos!

Wow, I guess my last post was just too heavy. How I wish it didn't need to be written, didn't need to be said, how those emotions weren't there.

So this post is dedicated to all things happy and good.
  • The mister went back to work this week. OK, so that sucked royally, for him, for ME, for the babies, but the good news is, we survived! Taking care of them is exhausting, my back aches, my wrist hurts, I am still losing weight just from the never-sit-still nature of it all but I'm getting it all done. And keeping the house clean. And everyone is fed. And we play play and play some more. And during their naps I do sit still and enjoy Diet Coke that has been in the freezer for 25 minutes and is just a little bit icy and frozen. Delish.
  • Watching Mr. MTL with these babies is magical. Who else would play music for them, every single night, while he does bath duty? I'm serious--he plays songs for them on the ukele--Buddy Holly, some Mr. Leebot, and some stuff he makes up off the cuff. They adore it. He also turns giant red toy tubs into drums and gives them great beats to bounce to while they go nuts in their jumpers. And of course they've had many private Mr. LB concerts where they shake their little shakers to the beat! These kids may not end up liking music, or being musical, but no one will be able to say they weren't exposed to it.
  • Running. We go every morning, at 6:45 am and I push that damn Bob Revolution Double Jog Stroller up and down the hills of our little community. They are early risers and it's fine by me--it's hitting 105 and 106 every day lately so the only chance we have for outdoor time is super early. It is quite the workout, I'm slow as ever, and I only make 4 or maybe 5 miles but I get it done.
  • They love to play! And read! And help me bake! And play some more! And get in the baby pool! And pretty much everything (OK well the little guy doesn't so much like the carseat for very long) we've done they seem to like. We still keep it simple and mostly at home but now that we're in a routine we know when we can safely venture out. Target, watch out!
  • No one is sick anymore! Well, scratch that...there are still issues with our son that we will work with PT on but that should be manageable. But at least we're not running to the pediatrician every other day anymore.
  • They are eaters. Big eaters. Our daughter is up to 19.6 pounds, whoa. Our son is 18.5 pounds. They are doing great--solids three times a day and I love to feed them! Once I was given permission to use one spoon for the both of them (by some twin moms out there) it got a lot easier. I mean, they lick each others faces so why was I worried about them sharing a spoon? Maybe it's because I, personally, share spoons with no one (not even the mister) so I was projecting that onto them. I don't know.
  • They are showing the earliest earliest signs of attaching to us. They look for us, they cry for us, they call out for us. It's wonderful. We're not dumb and know that attachment takes months and years, but we are grateful for the smallest of signs.
  • Baby laughter. Never did I imagine the ridiculous things I would do to make a baby laugh. But we do, and we are rewarded handsomely.
  • They are delicious. In every way possible. You will see, in the photos (our first professional photo shoot--> and only one!)

44 comments:

  1. Aww those pics brought tears to my eyes! What a beautiful family. I'm so glad things are going well. I can only imagine how busy you are! Thanks for updating :)

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  2. these photos are gorgeous, you are all beautiful family together. I am glad you are falling in to a groove together, sounds hectic-ly fantastic.
    sending much love and luck to you

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  3. Way too cute!!! There is a lot of love in those pictures :)

    I also chuckled at "...I'm slow as ever, and I only make 4 or maybe 5 miles but I get it done." Girl, you are super woman in my eyes! Way to go!

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  4. Beautiful, beautiful babies & beautiful family!!

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  5. Absolutely adorables babies and photos.

    I was sad to read your comment that the last post was too heavy. I'm not sure what brought you to that feeling, but please know that even after the babies come home, it isn't all sunshine and roses - not even when we waited years or even decades to bring them home. I think that blogging is a great way to share those realities and you did it wonderfully. I wish I would have been more vocal and encouraging when you wrote it.

    I also have read that it is common to go through a little depression of sort after bringing baby home (not saying that you did) because it is such a big transition - yet something that you worked so hard to get. I liken it to planning a trip to a far away place- you plan every detail for year and years - and then the trip comes, and it is over and there is a bit of a letdown. Because after all, so much was invested emotionally for so long in working to make that trip happen. How much more so to finally bring children home - and it is hard whether they come out of you, or you get them from afar and bring them home after they are already little people with their own personalities.

    Ahh, I've rambled. Please never apologize for sharing the real stuff though even if it isn't always happy- and if you don't feel like sharing it here, feel free to reach out to me or another adoptive mama. It does sometimes feel like everyone thinks after the babies come home it should be all sunshine and roses...and especially so if you adopt.

    Oh, and one last thing - isn't it amazing how those baby laughs and giggles are so awesome? It's my new addiction- I love that laugh, could listen to her giggle for hours. :-)

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  6. Wow, you are a busy mama! Congrats! The babies look beautiful and it sounds like you are settling into being a sweet little happy family! Those pics absolutely melted me!

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  7. Mrs. MTL - love this post!!! Looks like you guys are getting into a rhythm. I give you a lot of credit for running that early with the stroller! I long for the same thing...seeing my husband with the baby(ies). I know I will fall even more in love with him. I actually just wrote that in my autobiography.

    Those photos are so precious! The babies are beautiful!

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  8. O....M....G....they are just so soooo adorable!! I just loved reading this post. You're doing great momma!

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  9. Anyone following the MTLs since way back able to look at those photos without crying? Didn't think so. So beautiful.

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  10. What an absolutely wonderful post. The best yet. They are just beautiful.
    Sending lots of love
    Amy x

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  11. I have tears in my eyes too! What beautiful pictures! Seriously, you have some beautiful children. I'm so glad to hear things are going well!!! Hugs.

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  12. I love this entire post! Beautiful pictures, and it sounds like you are settling into parenthood very naturally. So happy for all of you!

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  13. Ah, such very lovely photos! Love the choice of the pumpkin orange for the background - those photos are going to look fabulous as prints!

    I am a little horrified about the 6.45 am running, and the fact that you said ONLY five miles. ONLY five miles? Um. I am in awe.

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  14. They are AMAZING!! Absolutely amazing! It sounds like you guys are finding your groove. I am so happy for you! Sorry I haven't commented in a while- I have been checking in and was happy when you popped up in my reader :) I can't believe you push those two chubbers in the jogger. Kudos to you! I have taken A a few times when necessary but me and the jogger aren't the best of friends. Plus I like uber early running and waking a baby at 430 am just doesn't sound like fun. Well waking him at all isn't fun!

    We plan to be in your neck of the woods next month so I will be in touch. Hopefully you guys will be free to hang out! Maybe a train ride in zp :)

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  15. Love those pics! I don't know how you do it with two. I'm having a hard enough time with one!

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  16. I was exhausted from reading that even before I found out you're running 4-5 miles in that heat with a double stroller. You're an animal! Love, love, love the photos - absolutely precious!

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  17. Lovely post and lovely pics. I don't know how you find the time. I am exhausted.

    T

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  18. Soooo sweet! I love those chubby babies! They are just blossoming! And wow - you are running several miles a day? You are a goddess!

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  19. Thanks for sharing your pictures of your lovely little ones!

    You should never apologize for your posts. All are welcome. Heavy, happy, whatever.

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  20. naturally i cried all through this post because i know what an amazing mother you are to those two little ones. and i know how lucky you all are to have one another. you give me hope for the future...
    xoxo
    lis

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  21. Love the pictures! They just keep getting cuter!

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  22. I know that so many people who have been following your journey, myself included, are thrilled for you and your husband and the babes. They are beautiful and are very lucky to be able to be raised by y'all. A question--would you email me the name of the photographer? I live in the same city as y'all and would love to have pics done of my twins (we also went to the same clinic in town as y'all but were extremely fortunate with our first donor egg ivf). If you don't mind sharing the name of the photog, my email is mommy040798 at gmail.com Best wishes!

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  23. I love the photos! So happy to think of your story and your happy ending, this is amazing!

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  24. Love the beautiful photos. You got some gorgeous babies!!!

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  25. This post is love ... you have the look of love and it's captured in those photos.

    I feel so lucky to peek into your world, its made my evening reading this post.

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  26. So sweet! These pictures just tell a thousand words about how happy you, MTL and these babies are. How adorable that the MR gives them musical entertainment every night. My babies love the Mr Leebot CD and it is also part of our pre-bathtime routine! Sorry to hear he had to go back to work... it sucks and I know the feeling of not being able to wait for him to come home at the end of the day just to give you a hand but it does get easier! On the wrist ache thing, just a tip, if it persists go to the Ortho for a steroid shot for the tendernitis. It is so worth it, that darn double stroller will do that to you but the shot works within 48 hours and gives relief for months. That is amazing to me that you get up and run every morning...superwoman! Keep doing what you're doing. The babies look so happy and the attachment is happening all day, everyday. So great to see you so happy and relaxed.
    PS: I hate mealtimes... my twins are bad eaters and it is always a stressful time for me. You'll have to tell me what you feed them :)!
    xoxo
    Lynn

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  27. glad to see/read that the babies are doing awesomely!

    shel xx

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  28. My favorite part about this post is "our daughter...our son...our kids." Gorgeous photos, too!

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  29. Those are two very lucky babies ... having you guys for parents..... :)

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  30. The last picture made my cry. Happy tears for you. At last.

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  31. What a great update! And the pictures are gorgeous! You have such an amazingly beautiful family...

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  32. Grinning ear to ear for you. This is beautiful.

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  33. Also grinning and crying with joy for you. I'm sure the gorgeous pics only show a fraction of the happiness that you feel.

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  34. Your babies look so content. There is such a big difference in them since those first photos of them when they looked 'not quite sure'. Now their eyes tell a such a different story. They look so happy and secure. 'More power to you both'. Their Dad's musical approach to parenting sounds great :) They are such lucky kids.

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  35. Look at those sweeties!!!! They are so so happy :) I think attachment for young ones comes so much sooner. They know the found a GREAT thing ;)

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  36. Beautiful photos of beautiful babies (and mama)! And if you're running, you're doing better than you think. I still haven't been back to the gym.

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  37. Ahhhhh! They seriously could not be any more beautiful! Love it! Sounds like you are adjusting to life and are doing fabulously! I am so, so happy for you. Your joy echoes all over this post. : )

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  38. Gorgeous photos. I'm glad things are going well for you. The babies are blessed to have you, and you are blessed to have them. Thank you for the update.

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  39. They are absolutely gorgeous!! I can't believe how much you're doing with them already (especially the jogging), I'm such a slacker! :)

    Isn't baby laughter about the best sound on earth.... I'm still so thrilled that you're finally getting to experience it!!

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  40. OMG. Your babies are so cute! Love the shot of the two of you holding up the two babies!

    I'm exhausted taking care of one baby, I'm so impressed with how you're holding it together. You are doing a great job!

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  41. Those photos are perfect, and I mean that as a photo snob, not just a fan of cute babies. Love the orange with their beautiful skin, love the profiles against the out-of-focus trees (live oaks? am assuming...), love the way they look right into the camera with their sparkling eyes. Love!

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  42. the photos are amazing. you guys look so happy and i'm glad you're doing so well (struggles and all). damn...4-5 miles with the double BOB. I can only do 1-2 with that thing.

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  43. I'm so sorry I'm so far behind on your blog, well on everyone's blog including mine! Just wanted to say that I LOVE the pics on this post, just precious!!!!

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  44. A very belated congratulations! The pictures are wonderful.

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