Single parent

Josh is in sales and so he travels on day trips in the area to customers. He does have some customer at greater distances though. So this first week of May he needed to do an overnight trip in Iowa. Luckily my mom could take Caleb and I had support on and off with Mollie and William. I was very tired after the first night on my own, but luckily the next morning my mother in law came and I could take a nap.

Single parenting twins cannot be easy. I know some women do it, but I would not wish it upon anyone. I am thankful I have a spouse and circles of support around us.

While Josh was gone I went to Target with Mollie and William to get a baby shower gift for a co-worker. I technically had more time before the next feeding, but they had had enough. Will made sure everyone knew I had babies at the checkout line. After school Josie came and babysat so I could go to the shower. It was nice to connect with my female co-workers. I also had divinity for the first time. YUM! Glad to find out that's a dairy free treat!

Josh came home a day early. Woohoo! So it was only two days and 1.5 nights alone. So glad to have him home and the family all together.

Then on Friday the 9th I got my spa day. Glorious!  A massage, facial, and pedicure. So wonderful!

Here are some pictures from the week:

They are getting big for me to hold two at once!

William has perfected the lower lip! Ack!

My student, Brielle, and her mom brought me a huge salad!

Really, Mom?!

William's all clean!

Mollie's all clean!

Caleb had a present arrive in the mail from Aunt Krista, Uncle Garrett, and Aunt Kayla! 

Let's snuggle!

This Annika! She and her sisters are big helpers when I need a little help with all 3 kids. 

Nice to meet you, Will. ;)

It's May!

May 2: My 30th Birthday! The day started well. Mollie and Will gave me a synchronized nap time so I got to shower in peace. My cousin, Andrea, stopped by on her way to her dad's to meet Mollie and William. I haven't seen her since last summer, so it was wonderful to catch up! Then my mom brought me lunch and her co-workers, Gina and Emily, came to snuggle babies. OF course after they left Mollie and William really didn't want to NOT be held, but we found a comfortable spot to snuggle.

Caleb did a great job of wishing me a happy birthday throughout the evening. He was very sweet! I grabbed a lot of snuggles from him.

Josh planned my birthday party on Saturday, May 3rd. He made and arranged all the food to be dairy free and delicious! He even made dairy free cupcakes! Family helped with a few items and some cleaning. My step-sisters both couldn't actually make the party, but stopped by in the morning to wish me a Happy Birthday. Josh asked people to gift me 30 items of something if possible. My inlaws gave me 30 Lindt chocolate balls. That will be a great celebratory treat when I stop breast feeding and have dairy again! My parents gave me 30 books from my childhood. I remembered them so well. One I remember loving that I got from a book order in elementary school called, "Gus the Bus." I'm such a nerd:) From Josh I will have a Liv Aveda Spa Day next Friday, May 9th. Can't wait!

By the way, have I mentioned Caleb is fully potty trained. A couple days ago, a switch flipped and he tells when he needs to go. He's suddenly so old and big without the diaper changes! Way to go, Caleb!

Caleb loved playing with his cousins and they used Caleb's new bubble machine from my cousin Andrea. It's a good one!

The first 30 years of my life have left me feeling completely, undeservedly blessed! By age of 30 I have been married 5 years, in my career for 8 years, a homeowner, a mother of three, and surrounded by family and friends. God has been faithful! Not every day or memory I have has been pleasant or easy, but it has led me here...a very beautiful time in my life. Currently I am exhausted, but for all the right reasons. It's worth it! I pray the next decade to be full of the right kind of busy that is meaningful and full of love. Can't wait!

A few snapshots of the week:

Pirate Baby!

Peek!

We're tired!

Climbing trees at daycare in the rain! 

A stretch and smiles

A flower baby?

Tummy time!

I do tummy time too!

Wrap up April with 2 month visit

Post Birthday and Easter weekend I was in recovery mode. The cakes, the cleaning, the prep, the loading and unloading the car, all of it...drained me. Luckily a dear friend, Betty T, came twice the following week to give me a nap! I am so grateful! She's a retired nurse, which part of her time was in the hospital nursery, so I knew the babies were in expert care.

April 21 I took Mollie and William to their two month appointment, by myself! Oh baby! I kind of feel a certain amount of pride and sense of accomplishment. I have to fill out a questionaire for each child, each being a 4 page document. Yikes! Definitely something I fill out before I get to the appointment. One of the questions is "Describe your child's personality:" Hmm...you might think this is a silly question for a 2 month old, but I took it as a challenge to find the best description words, with a good spin. I have practice with this considering all the progress reports I write for my students:) So considering will is a needy and fussy child, with enough relief for it not be something I can't manage, I wrote: "Expressive." When I think of Mollie I think of her strong gaze and stares. So for her I wrote: "Contemplative." I hope the nurse smiles reading those words about my 2 month old babies.

I talked to Dr. Benson about taking eliminating dairy from my diet. He said to give it a try! He is again pleased with their growth and development. Mollie is 20.25" long (1%tile), 9lbs. (5%tile), and head measurement of 15" (46%tile). If we adjust her numbers and count her as 3 weeks instead of 8, based on when she would have been full term, her measurements put her in the 15th percentile for height, 45th percentile for weight, and 60%tile for head circumference. William is 21" long (1%tile), 10.2lbs (8%tile), and head measurement of 15.25" (39%tile). His adjusted measurements put him in the 45%tile for height, 70%tile for weight, and 75%tile for head circumference. They are doing great! This was their first appointment with shots, which made me a bit nervous to be alone, but I knew I could get help from the wonderful nurses. We love Dr. Benson's nurse Katie, and we could have asked our favorite receptionist, Lindsey, to come back too. Katie and another nurse came in to administer a drink vaccination and three shots to each child. The tray with all of that on it was a bit intimidating. Both tolerated it super well. Both were done crying within a minute. Whew. I was able to pack them up and meet Josh to go shopping for a piece of furniture on our way home.

                    Pre-appointment

                     Waiting for shots!

The 23rd was Josh's birthday and sadly the only thing I could get to our house for him was sour dough bread. He loves it, and I felt limited since I have gone dairy free. That night though a gift was that my friend Kayla came and watched babies so we could go to bed!

Happy birthday, Josh. I told you while I was still pregnant that I was grateful we are where we are in our marriage while adding twins to our family. We are in a 'good spot'. This good spot comes from us making an effort to communicate, having patience, and senses of humor:) I am so grateful you are my confidant, my best friend, and true love. I'm so glad you were born, and God designed our lives to prepare us for one another, and then join us so well together.

This weekend I took Caleb and his cousin Eli to the park with Mollie and Will. It was a little chilly so we didn't stay too long, but was nice to get out of the house. 

On April 28 was my school's annual big fundraiser. The weather was rainy and cold so we weren't sold on going but decided to pack us all up in the end. They have a DJ and Caleb had a valet dancing with me! I will cherish these years as they will not likely last! Caleb has got some moves too!!

http://youtu.be/KZD9-JZ5uCU 

May 19-23

It was a busy week! 

My mother in law was able to babysit the babies for me Tuesday morning so I could treat a friend to coffee at the new bakery in town. Heather has been an amazing and generous friend during my pregnancy, hospital stay, and the transition to home through visits and meals. The least I could do is thank her with a morning coffee date. It had also recently been her birthday. Tuesday was also exciting because my sister Krista has moved back to MN!! We're so glad to have Auntie Krista back in our lives more regularly! 

This afternoon my dear friend Eda also met the twins for the first time. Will especially loved sitting in her lap and looking at her! 

Mollie and William are 3 months old today, Tuesday, May 20. At times I can't believe we're already at 3 months, and other times it seems we've earned each day it took to get here. Both Mollie and William are smiling and cooing. They are great at gaining weight and growing. 

This month we added the stuffed giraffe and elephant from Aunt Britta and Uncle Ryan. 

Wednesday morning I took Mollie and William to church for Muffins and Moms. The last time I went was a weekend because I was a working mom but today I was there with stay at home moms, moms on maternity leave, and work from home/part time working moms. It was packed! The nursery coordinator, Michelle, helped feed and hold Mollie, and I also used the bouncy seat there to manage M & W. I met some great women and came home exhausted:) Luckily my niece Josie came after school to snuggle babies for a bit. Then for the evening my mom and Krista hung out. 

May 21, 1957 Oma was born!! It is her golden year! We celebrated tonight! We had Papa Murphy's and DQ cake. Lauen came for supper too.

During dinner I asked everyone to share a favorite Mom/Oma moment or memory. Krista talked about how every single one of her friends loves M. If she tells her friends she's doing something with Mom, they all say they are jealous and to say hi from them. Josh talked about going to the MN Twins game 3.5 years ago with my mom. It was at the Target Field. We treated her to seats behind home plate and Mom, a huge Twins fan, was in awe of the seats. She had never been that close before. It really touched Josh's heart to share that with her.

I said I remember the late 90s to early 2000s being a time when you could drive a vehicle after Mom had and yours have to turn the CD way down! She loved to blast Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael w Smith, DC Talk, and a bunch of Christian artists. 

I asked Caleb then what he liked to do with Oma. He said, "Play trains!" I repeated, "You like to play trains with Oma at Oma's house." He then whined, "Oma's house!" He wanted to go right then. Totally melted my heart. I'm glad he has an Oma he loves to play with! 

Thursday

Today Auntie Krista hung out with us for parts of the day. One part in the morning meant we went to Sam's Club. In the afternoon she was with us again and we picked up pictures from Elite Portrait Design. This way she could stay with the babies and I could pick out pictures. 

I'm so grateful for a generous and servant hearted sister. She is so willing to help others and doesn't wait until she is asked, but rather shows up and offers. Thank you Krista!

Then we came home, did a little cleaning, and had a visitor. Lisa, our favorite nurse came to visit! We went for a walk and caught up. It was wonderful to see her! Time flew by and soon Caleb and Josh were home, babies needed fed, and we needed to think about dinner. So Lisa left, but hopefully we'll see her again soon.

Friday 

This afternoon was Bridges All School Musical. The babies and I went to see my class and my nephew Eli. Luckily Aunt Boogie (Jess) a and Nana were there to help hold a baby. 

At 4:00 there was a Staff party at Peggy's, my partner teacher, in honor of all those who will not be returning to Bridges in the fall. I brought Mollie and William and they were passed around and tolerated it well. 

At 5:30 we left for Oma and Grandpa Gene's to celebrate Oma's golden year birthday. We had brats on the grill! Summer is here! Caleb got to play trains with Auntie Krista before supper and get a 4 wheeler ride with Grandpa after supper! Then it was time for a bonfire, the first of the summer.

Then it was a bath and a drive home.

Easter celebrations - 2 months!

Easter is such a special holiday. As Christians we celebrate it year round. because Jesus is risen, we can live saved life. A life without fear of death.

Unfortunately that seems to be abstract for Caleb yet. He isn't candy crazy, but he loves 'the hunt' for eggs. He says his prayers and loves to sing 'Jesus Loves Me' with his daddy. 

Easter Saturday: 

My Grandpa and Oma, Caleb's Great Grandpa and Uroma, host Easter each year at their home in Green Isle. My cousin Heather and her husband Christian were there from New York. My Great Aunt Bitti, Great Aunt Holly, and Great Uncle Roger got to meet the babies for the first time too. The Harjes side was also gracious enough to celebrate Caleb's birthday with us again. We had dirt cake for everyone and Caleb opened presents.

Easter Sunday:

We did it! We got to church, before the opening song even, for the early service! Nursing and pumping conflicted with some of my morning routine to get ready, but make up is overrated!
We all sat in the church for the whole service. I don't know that I caught the entire message, but the Spirit filled me! We were at the service with Josh's older brother, Jason and his family.  After the service we took our first nice family picture.

2 months old!

I can't believe Mollie and William are 2 months old! After church we sat them on the couch for their 2 month picture in their Easter outfits. They are now able to sit with little propping. We're still eating every three hours and at times clustering, but we're doing well. I do think that William has a dairy sensitivity. Apparently it is common for babies to have difficulty breaking down the protein in dairy. This causes gastrointestinal discomfort. The only way to help William is by my diet changing. Therefore, I will be going dairy-free. It has nothing to do with lactose, so looking for labels that say lactose-free doesn't help. And actually dairy is hidden in many products so there will be a lot of label reading and education for Josh and me.