The Grades Are In...

Our weekend was an A+. It all started on Friday when I got a call from Fred Hebert, the Dean of HESA at UWSP. He was working on writing the position description for the new softball coach when he got an idea. He called to ask if I would want to forgo my duties as asst. sports information director and start teaching some courses within HESA. I jumped at the opportunity. I am so excited I just can't believe it.

On Saturday morning (2 months...YEA!)the boys and I went garage saling. We bought a double bike trailer so I'm really excited to take the boys biking sometime soon. A little later Grandma Kathy and Great-Aunt Sharon came up to watch the boys for us. It was so nice of them...especially when Aidan was fussy. I really needed a break. They took care of the boys all day so I could go get my graduation gift to myself, go golfing with Jess and Adam and out to dinner. We had a blast. I missed the boys, but it was so nice to get some time away and interact with adults.

Their 2 month picture with Tigger (thanks for the idea Tara C.)


My boys...had to capture Aidan's true colors


My Graduation Gift (on the inside of my right heel)


The Babysitters (thank you so much guys!!!!)






Sunday was graduation day. I'm so glad to finally have my masters degree completed. The ceremony was okay, but we got rained on a little bit, so as soon as I got my diploma I met Josh, the boys and my parents and we headed back to the house for a cookout. A few peeps stopped by, but it was pretty low key and that's okay because I was so wiped out from the great weekend. I am definitely glad that I'm done with homework...it was so hard to keep up on with the boys. Now maybe I can start working on Thank Yous. For all of you who have sent or given wonderful gifts...they're coming...I PROMISE, just a little later than I had hoped. Sorry!

Mom and her boys (with their cute Pooh outfits from Grandma Kathy)






Our Family


My Parents


Other than that things here are okay. My supply ended up taking a huge dip and the boys have been really challenging lately. I decided it was best for us that I stop pumping. It was such a hard decision, but I already have much more time with my boys, which is a good thing because they've been demanding lately. Drying up was one of the most painful things I've ever gone through...ouch!!! They still are rock hard, so hopefully in a few days things will start to go back to normal a little bit.

Not sure why the boys are going through a fussy spell. I wish I did. I'll seriously get one calmed down and the other will start wailing, but if I pick him up then the other will start...its really a terrible cycle that's starting wear on me...my nerves are shot. Hopefully it will be short lived and we can start having better days around here because I know that mommy really needs a stretch of a few good ones. I'll update the blog again soon as the boys go in for their 2 month appointment tomorrow...not looking forward to the shots.

A picture of one of my three shelves of my stash...I'm so proud


My boys all napping together


A great pic of Aidan relaxing on the couch

Before & After

I got my hair done today and feel great. Here are the before and after shots...what do you think?

Before (I must be tired...my eyes are really closed)


After

Mother's Day, A Birthday, Oh My!

Well, we have all had a good week so far. My first Mother's Day was nice. We didn't really do much, but that's okay. I was hoping to go out for brunch, but that kind of feel through, so I just spent some time with my boys and my awesome husband. As for my gift...well, there's a funny story behind that. With my coaching responsibilities we knew that we had to have our baby in the spring, so it was planned that way...then I said we'll have all of our babies in April so my Mother's ring is all diamonds...smart thinking, huh? Well, when we found out that I was actually due with twins on April 16th I thought that was a perfect excuse for the diamond earrings that I've been begging Josh for (one for each ear). The boys had different ideas in mind and showed up a month early, so its Aquamarine for me. Well, on Saturday Josh said that the boys had something for me and I saw two small boxes wrapped on thier carseats. He quickly switched them and said "Aidan really wants to give you this one." Funny sweetie!! I opened the first box and found one auquamarine and diamond earring and obviously the second box had the next one. Josh says they're my diamond earrings with a little aquamarine, but its really the other way around...and VERY beautiful!

Josh's birthday was on Tuesday...the big 2-8. His day was nice, but the boys decided to be extra fussy that night. We didn't even get to enjoy the yummy steaks he grilled up. Levi and Adam came over for a beer later, which was nice and relaxing and once we put a little Sunset Wheat in the boy's bottles they went right to sleep...only kidding.

Other than that not too much to report. Tara and Kurt came up last Friday which I mentioned in a previous post. Today is my big makeover day...stay tuned for pictures. Saturday Grandma Kathy and Great Aunt Sharon are coming up to watch the boys and Josh and I are going to enjoy some much needed alone time...I think we're going to go golfing. That should be interesting since I haven't golfed in a couple years. On Sunday I graduate...I can't believe its almost here. I better finish up that last project...talk about a procrastinator. If anyone is looking for something to do, I'm throwing myself (with the help of my mom and dad) a party that afternoon. ;o)

Oh and an update on the pumping. I've gone down to 3-4 pumps a day, but currently am still getting 55 oz. a day which is enough to keep up with the boys' needs and put 10 oz. in the freezer. We'll see how long that lasts, but the 3-4 a day is definitely manageable for me with the boys schedules, so I might stick it out until the end of June if my supply stays up.

Here's a few pics from recently. Enjoy and happy Thursday!!

Tara and Kurt with the boys


Tara calming Aidan down


Our original "Baby"...can't forget about Atlas. He loves that its SPRING!!


Brody working on tummy time...look at those eyes!


Aidan lounging in his "recliner"...he's just cashed!


Daddy was "babysitting" while I was working on homework...looks like a nap to me!

Let the Judging Begin!

Well, it looks as though I am going to slowly start to wean off of pumping. It may take me over a month to do so because I don't want it to be a painful process but I think this might be best for our family. This is the hardest decision I've ever made as a mom and to be honest I still may change my mind. I just feel like I don't get to spend good quality time with the kids because I am pumping 4+ hours a day. I don't know why, but I really worry about what other people will think. I know that there are MOMs (mothers of multiples) out there that have been successful much longer than me and I wonder why I can't do better. I know that its a difficult task with one child, let alone two but I really expected more from myself. I'm thankful that I have a month's supply of breast milk in the freezer so they'll make it through three months without formula. I'm sure I will be judged, but I am doing the best I can as a mother of twin babies and that's all my children and husband can ask for. Thanks for letting me vent.

Can the Cow Survive?

Well, it's almost been eight weeks (next Monday) since the boys have been born and I have been BFing (first three weeks) and exclusively pumping for them. I'm producing plenty of milk for them both each day and enough to keep adding to our freezer stash, but...I'm starting to wear thin. If I make it to two months and I have twins does that count as four? We figued today that if formula would cost us $125 a month and I pump on average 124 hours a month, I'm only getting paid $1/hour. That's definitely a farmer's wage if I've ever heard one. It wouldn't be so bad, but its started to take me forever to empty...the pump usually shuts off on me. If I could cut out pumping at night I think that would help too, but where in the world will I find extra time in the day taking care of these two cuties? Not to mention it seems whenever I get all hooked up and ready to go one of them will start crying. Okay, rant over. I'm taking it day by day, and I guess I'll just have to accept what happens and try to swallow the idea that I am not a failure if I can't keep up with trying to take care of my beautiful boys and myself.

On a brighter note, Tara and Kurt came to visit tonight. It was nice. Tara even helped me give Aidan a bath. I'm not sure when I'll post next, we're off to home for the weekend and my first Mother's Day!

Professional Pictures

We had the boys' pictures taken last week by Heather Kessler from here in Stevens Point. She did a fantastic job (I think) and if you want her contact information let me know. Check them out.
http://hhalverson.photobiz.com/cart/
The password is: atlas

ENJOY!!

I NEED A MAKEOVER!

I definitely need a makeover and since it doesn't look like my body will be returning anytime soon, help me pick a new hairstyle.

Look #1


Look #2


Look #3


Look #4


Look #5


Look #6

More Pics of the Boys

First Big Weekend Away

First Big Weekend Trip

Their first big weekend away was a success. The boys got to spend the night at each grandparents' house and had a great time. On Friday night we spent the night at mom & dad's and the boys got to meet Erika for the first time. They really like her...especially Brody. On Saturday morning we got up and headed over to the Wilson's for the baby shower. On the way we stopped for coffee and gas at Kwik Trip in Dodgeville. I bought a few scratch-offs for some fun on the way over. Little did I know that we would win $102. I knew it was going to be a great day. The shower was really nice and everyone was super gernerous. On Sunday, we headed back to the Hodgson's so Aidan & Brody could meet some great family and friends. Thanks to everyone who came to visit. It was great to see everyone. Above are some pictures from the weekend.