We made it!!!!!

It is supposed to be partly sunny (really partly cloudy but sunny sounds better and it is all in the way you look at it...) and 74 today! The road trip was a success....we stopped half way to let the babies stretch and play on the floor of the van. Did I say van? Yes....I am sold! We took them into a restaurant, ordered, fed them, ate, and got back on the road. People are hilarious about twins. They look at us like we are the Duggars or Gosselins. They point, talk, whisper, move seats to see....it is really something. One lady even followed me into the bathroom to tell me that they enjoyed their dinner "entertainment" and by entertainment I am not sure if she meant the babies or us trying to feed the babies while sanitizing the environment and ourselves...

The babies slept the whole way! So we played for about 2 hours when we got here and then put them down around midnight. They did a stellar job in a new room, new pack and plays, and just having slept for 6 hours. We are off to the beach...pics to come later!

John looking at the ocean....moving his hands and eyes getting big. Get ready buddy!

Thank goodness we got here in time to stretch out before bed!

Mid-trip break in the van....

Hokies or Heels? For football, the Hokies get it. For basketball, my family would frown upon me if it was not the Heels! So he got a Hokie outfit and Carolina Blue bib. Good enough since we have no UNC gear anyway!

Sad over the big game!

Whew....

After an entire summer of bed rest and babies, I am finally headed to the beach for a long weekend. Good thing we got that van just in time. I will be taking the computer but if the weather does what it says it is going to....this girl will be in a suit out on the beach and not logging much blog time.

My little monkeys! Hopefully John will feel better once we get there!

What happened?

Dear 2002 Honda Accord,
You were my very first car and I loved you so much....well after I got over my initial anxiety about owning a new car. I feel like I am cheating on you a bit today but the thought of you going to a new, welcoming home is making me get by. I wish you well on your adventures from here on out.
Love,
A new minivan owner

P.S. At least we are keeping it in the family.
P.S.S. Thank you Palmer, Lantzy, and Lindvall families for feeding us in this crazy time.

This is initially what started the search....this is what a 6'3 man looks like with two car seats behind him.

When we were shopping...John took a little stretch time in the front of my car.

And this is what it looks like to feed two babies in a car. A stopped car.

Waiting for the new ride.....

We can all comfortably fit!

A proud Dad....with a new minivan. Hilarious.

Update

Well Regis and Kelly obviously did not think that our picture was cruise worthy. Shame. And it was like when we play the lottery........I really think I am going to win. I mean really. I already had it all planned out in my mind. I sent it to Ellen too....so maybe she will think it is fun. Ellen does have a better sense of humor than Regis and Kelly, right? Maybe it is just funnier to me while thinking back to when these babies were born....I would have never thought they would have been big enough or strong enough to get in a pumpkin.

Halloween Bash

The neighborhood had a Halloween parade and party on Sunday. The babies were really too young to enjoy any of it and it was a touch boring for us....but a great excuse to put on the costumes and try out a new stroller!

Prepping for the party!

So excited!

This is a look of trouble...like you have no idea what we can do....

And then...we got tired....right as we got there.

My little frog and giraffe...all tuckered out from the excitement.

Sophie "The Dragon"...and Brian joined us. She had a bit more fun than the babies.

We're Famous

And no...I am not talking about Regis and Kelly. No word from them yet. Joe says I will be 100% devastated if we are not finalists.

Our friend, Laura, was helping to put together a NICU fundraiser in Pennsylvania. She contacted me and asked if she could use one of our NICU photographs for their program. Of course I said sure! She sent me some pictures this week of the event...see anyone you recognize?

Little Baby John graced their cover!!

Joe's first comment..."New profession....hand model."

Look how big he is now. Is it just us or does he look like he has been working out?

Look at the thighs on him!!!

On another note, we started afternoon napping in our room last week. It worked great!!

Clearly...she was in.

More Videos and Pics

We loved having the Robins family over for dinner!

Easy way to get the pacifiers to stay in their mouths.

Hysterical.

Clearly we don't feed this kid.

The Great Pumpkin Incident

Joe will always remember this night as that. As my new found love of daytime tv has progressed, I have been watching a lot of Regis and Kelly. Yesterday they were announcing a Halloween costume contest...so I decided we needed to participate.

I guess I should have just taken one of the pics with the babies in the cotton pumpkin costumes...but I decided this might look better. And they have actual costumes for Halloween but they would just not do. It was a hilarious disaster. They had pumpkin ALL over them and went straight up to the bath. There will be pumpkin in the bathroom forever. I submitted it this morning and am hoping for the best. The winner gets a 7 day cruise...we would have no problem leaving the babies in good hands for that!! On a sad note, I watched this morning and a finalist is already two twins dressed as lobsters in a pot. Bummer...but they are smiling...what fun is that?

P.S. Joe would like everyone to know that he was very much against this idea.

Some of the other winners...

Video Overload

Whoa....it had been awhile since I downloaded our videos. Yikes!

She was working so hard...

This was on the first road trip. Hilarious.

Sweet girl

She cries. He cries. She cries. He cries.

Little Pumpkins

For the record, I made it a rule when I found out that we were having twins that we would not dress them alike. Only on holidays. And I am sticking to it. I was extra relieved when we found out we were having a boy and a girl...I felt there was less pressure there. However, I do like to coordinate them.....

Slim pickins on pics to choose....this did not go that well.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy 2nd Annual 30th Birthday Daddy! We love you!

P.S. For you math challenged readers....2nd annual means he is 31, not 30.

Salem Born and Salem Bred

What a trip! It was quick, easy, and FUN! Granny B and Paps were thrilled to have us home. The babies did well and were not horrible sleepers. Although last night they treated us to a dose of reality. Maybe my expectations are too high for sleeping at night...so last night they chose to not sleep AT ALL just to remind me of how good we have it normally. I get it.

2 nights = several bags

The babies slept in my old crib in my old room!

Swaddled and ready to go!

We tried to watch Baby Einstein. John was feeling it. Clearly Virginia was not.

Beth's parents...Chum and Tootie made a visit...with treats!!!

Carol got to stop by as well! Sorry we missed you Little Rick. :(

Paps with John in one of his favorite chairs.

Bundle up...it was cold out there!

John was serious about baby Caroline Huff. He put his arm out and ready...

so we put her in there.

New friends for life!!!!

Joe and Chris with our babies...I am sure I had that sweet little Caroline.

Buddies already...especially after we realized we could dress them alike. There is a future here.

Granny B loves having these babies at her house! We love it too...somehow bottles get cleaned, babies get fed....