3AM

Besides being a Matchbox 20 song, 3AM is also the time that the right hemisphere (the creative side) is at its peak. How do I know this? Well, the inspiration for my most clever-if I may say so myself-blog entries always came at this mind-numbling early hour. Usually, at 3AM I am straining to keep my eyes open, burping a baby, and watching Ace of Cakes on FoodNetwork. Then, out of nowhere, an idea for a blog entry will come to me, complete with witty text. It's like the funny Trudi comes alive at this time. Some of you are familiar with her-she's the Trudi usually accompanied by a glass of wine. She's good times.

For the last week, though, the babies have been sleeping through this feeding time. For almost a week, the skies have seemed bluer, the sun has shone brighter, the air has seemed purer and my husband more tolerable. Life is glorious all around-except for when it comes to posting a new entry here-I've got nothing. Nothing witty, at least. I am hoping that my brain will adjust and become creative at some other time during the day, but I can't promise anything. So until I think of something clever, or until I have enough time to sit down and have some wine, Ill entertain you with pictures.Above: Grady attempting to eat the little bit of hair Cole has left, next picture Cole is smiling because his brother has finally stopped messing with him.

Above: Big smile from the big G Baby.

Below: C Baby staring at Snarfus the red elephant hanging from their mobile. C & G Babies love Snarfus.


And finally, Dad entertaining the two boys:

MIA

I like to think I am fairly mellow about many things, particularly things related to keeping a clean home. My mantra is definitely NOT cleanliness is next to Godliness, mostly because I can think of better things to do than making sure the house is spick and span, and I usually find abandoned projects during my cleaning sprees that distract me, so things never get done. Our house usually passes as clean, but with a list of extra cleaning projects that need to be done "when I find the time." A perfect example is when Keith learned that Gran GG was visiting, his eyes lit up and he asked if she could iron pretty much everything in his closet. I did breathe a sigh of relief because ironing is mind numbingly boring and takes too long in my opinion. And Gran GG has a lot of energy that we need to help her burn off, so I was all for her ironing. And mopping, dusting, cleaning, etc. etc.

Having said all of that, there is one thing that drives me nutso, and it seems one of my darling sons is going to be particularly good at making this problem worse. What is the problem? Check it out for yourself.


Missing socks! That's right, you're familiar with this problem. You put the clothes in the washing machine, then transfer ALL the clothes into the dryer, but when you go to fold the clothes later, there are several pairs of socks with no partner! It's maddening! And Cole seems to be adept at losing one sock even before it goes into the washing machine. When asked about this, he said:

So I thought maybe his brother would be able to shed a little light on the location of Cole's socks, but here was Grady's response:


Keith and I are usually pretty good at working as a team to take care of household tasks, but when confronted with the problem, Keith said: "Seriously Trudi, you interrupted my movie watching for this? I am busy. And can you bring me a diet Coke since you're already up?"

Ah, life with three men.

Meet the GrandPeoples

Since the boys are 11 weeks old today, it's about time we introduce you to the other peoples in their lives. You've already met Karen and her gang, right? Now let's talk about the grandpeoples a bit.

First up is Ouma and Oupa. That's Grandma and Grandpa in Afrikaans, my family's first language. Sadly, when Karen had kids my mom (from here on out called Nana) decided Ouma is too old-sounding and she is now called Nana instead. Being the independent thinker I am, I going to teach Cole and Grady to call her Ouma. I know you cringed reading that, Mom! Hahahaha. I am pretty sure Grandpa Lourens will be OK being called whatever, so either Oupa or Old Man, as the rest of us call him. Anyways, Nana and Grandpa Lourens live pretty close to us, and have already been providing some babysitting (thank you!).


The other side of the family has Gran GG and Grampie/Grampy. I've not gotten any clarification if Grampie/y prefers the "ie" or the "y", so I am taking the liberty of deciding for him, it's "ie". Trivial, I know, but as someone whose name has many, many hundreds of times been given the incorrect ending (it's Trudi with an "i", people!), I tend to notice that. Gran GG and Grampie live near the beach, which will make for great vacations when the boys are a little older.

There are even Great-GrandPeoples to talk about, but that will have to wait until later, 'cause now it's tubby time.

More Eye Candy

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Flashback!

Today I spent a little time looking at the pictures of the boys that were taken two months ago, and I can hardly believe the changes! See for yourself:

Grady Then and Now:















Cole, Then and Now:


















But perhaps the most striking transformation has been mine. Here I am, all bright eyed and bushy tailed (and having a great hair day), then two months later. It's 5:30PM, and I am going outside for the first time, I haven't showered and I am pretty sure I wore that gray shirt the day before. Can't remember for sure, though.














Hey, no one said the parenting of twins was pretty.

2 Months

That's right, that's how old the boys are today. Can you believe it? We had our 2 month checkups today, and the boys are doing great! Both are a good size, Cole weighing in at 10lbs, 4.8 ounces and Grady at 12 lbs, 1.8 ounces. Clearly, Cole's got some catching up to do, but he's working on it! Both are withing the normal range percentile-wise, but as our doctor pointed out, if we adjust their age to reflect their 4.5 week early arrival, their weight and size would be off the charts. BIG babies for being early. What can I say, we like to grow 'em big.

Here they are, preparing to go to the doctor. And to spit up all over the cute outfits.

Link to Pictures

If I missed you in my email with a link to new pictures, so sorry! Here is a link
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZMWjlwzcOGcj

Hanging out in the Crib

Here the boys are, talking amongst themselves. I imagine they are discussing how cute they are and how much their parents rock.

And someone recently asked if the boys are still throwing their gang signs...here is your answer. West side (of the crib)!

EDITOR'S UPDATE: It's been pointed out to me that Cole is indeed making an "E" with his hands, not a "W", showing his allegiance to the East Side of the crib, not the West. Guess this is the start of my not-being-with-itness, huh? It was bound to happen, I just thought Keith would be first.

My three Handsomes.

All together now...Awwwww.......Dad and Grady.


And here is a close-up of Cole taken today.


And here is Grady!

Calendar Boys

Gran GG gave each of the boys a little calendar that documents all the important milestones the boys will hit during their first year. You’re probably familiar with most of these-first smile, first bath, first time baby rolls over, etc. All of these are moments that induce warm fuzzies and makes a parent feel like his/her baby is the smartest and cutest baby in the world. (and lucky for us, we have two equally smart and adorables!). The calendar provides cute little stickers for you to put on the specific day the baby accomplishes his/her feat. I’m vigilantly documenting the boys’ development (with about 85% accuracy, it’s hard to remember things when you only get a little bit of sleep, and it’s not like the kids will know any better). By now, if you’ve read this blog much, you know that I am not necessarily an overly gushy sentimental person, and I started thinking about all the “firsts” that are not included in the sticker sheet. I came up with a few. When you read these, imagine them on little stickers with stars and smiley faces.

- First time poop exploded out of your diaper. WHOA Grady, you surprised me with that one. Mommy almost threw up a little in the back of her throat, but managed to keep it under control. If you could not stomp your heels in it next time, though, that will be great.

- First time you nailed dad with your projectile spit-up. Good job on that Grady, by the way. Though next time Mommy would like advance warning so I can get the camera.

- First time mommy enjoyed having you around. Just kidding, making sure you’re not just skimming for pictures. You’re reading it all? Good, let’s continue.

- Day mommy and daddy got over needing to buy the expensive diapers. Happened very early. We apparently joined the Hispanic ranks in buying the Walmart diapers since the packaging is almost exclusively Spanish. Yo tengo dos hijos y ellos poopo mucho.

- First time you finished your bottle before your brother. Go Cole! No, it’s not a race, but mommy can’t take a sip of her wine until you’re done with your bottle. So gulp, gulp, little man, Pinot Grigio isn’t that great when it’s warm.

-First time you took a nap in an outfit with spit-up on it ‘cause mommy was tired of doing your laundry. When are they old enough to do their own laundry?

- First time mommy and daddy unloaded you let the grandparents babysit. Right away, I hear it’s good to keep the old folks busy. Keeps the mind from going soft.

- First time random strangers said “oooh, are they twins?” What else would they be? They’re close in size, and they’re definitely not a year apart, so figure it out, people.

- First time someone mistook for you for the opposite sex. (applicable only to Cole) In his defense, he is so pretty.

-First time strangers said “OH, he’s a good size for only being X-weeks old.” (applicable only to Grady). That little man can put down a bottle!

I bet Aunt Karen -and other moms- could add a few firsts! Feel free to add some here, let me know what to look forward to.

A whole new Trudi!

Thanks to Nana Estelle I got a whole night's sleep and feel like a new woman! The last week or so has been a blur, and the boys are changing so quickly. Lots of (trying to) lift their heads, some coo-ing, eye contact and smiles. Here they are, taken earlier today:

Cole in blue, Grady in mostly white.