Why We Don't Go to Restaurants Anymore

A couple of weeks ago Jeff booked a big wedding package. We were both feeling excited and decided to go out to dinner to celebrate. The last time we took the boys to a restaurant was about two months ago and it wasn't really enjoyable for anyone, including the wait staff and the other diners. So what were we really thinking when we decided to try it again??? I guess we both wanted to try to live our old "normal life" again, even for just one night.


So we packed up the boys, brought lots of snacks/ toys and went to Johnny Rockets. We carefully timed the outing to coincide with their dinner time.


Well folks, disaster struck again and I really don't foresee us going to another restaurant with the boys for a while. The first problem was that the restaurant only had two baby high chairs, one of which was being used by another child. So we put Blakey in the one high chair and I attempted to hold and contain Nicolas. That lasted all of about 15 minutes. Before you knew it, goldfish and baby spoons were flying everywhere, Blakey was trying to climb out of his high chair, Nicolas was trying to climb out of the booth. Jeff and I had to set our plates on the other side of the table so the boys couldn't eat our food. Jeff managed to scarf down his burger and I got about halfway through my tuna melt before we unanimously decided it was time to hit the road.



And, I forgot the part where EVERYONE in the restaurant was staring at us!!!
So, for now, we will only go to restaurants babyless.....which happens about every 3 months.
But, on the positive side, we did manage to get a couple of cute pictures!!

These balloons provided a bit of entertainment for Blakey.

The boys did enjoy the fountain outside for a bit when we were done eating.

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, Our Boys Turned One and We Have Proof to Show You

We know this isn't the boys first Valentine's Day, but last year we had to visit them in the hospital and they weren't giving us slobbery kisses like they did this year! I guess it wasn't the most "romantic" day since we decided to do their one year shoot and with scheduling and all, the best day happened to fall on the 14th. But we got some fun pictures and we enjoyed a romantic dinner once the boys went to bed. Check them out:

http://www.fassettphoto.com/portraits/Boys_First_Birthday/Portraits/

The boys are really becoming big boys these days. Blakey is taking a couple steps at a time and stands unsupported for quite a while. Jeff swears he heard him say "hi daddy" the other morning and he is very good at saying "mas" when he wants more goldfish! Nicolas is using his big boy sippy cup for more than entertainment and when I was washing his hands the other day he said "agua". They both have figured out how to use a straw and I try to get them to drink some water every day.

We have pretty much baby-proofed the entire downstairs of the house and boy are they enjoying all the new places to explore! The "cage" was great for a while, but I think they were getting a little bored!

As Jeff and I were enjoying our delicious dinner yesterday (thank you Honey), we were talking about how its hard to believe that the boys are getting so big. They are starting to talk and walk and part of me is really sad that they are growing up. With multiples, life is such a blur that first year that you look back and feel bad that you didn't/ couldn't spend more time enjoying all that comes with the baby phase. We made a joint decision to really try and enjoy them in every phase, no matter how exhausted or stressed we might be. Before we know it, we will be waving them off to kindergarten and we'll REALLY feel like life has passed us by!

So, for now, I will enjoy Nicolas' huge smiles and giggle each time as he scrunches up his nose and tackles me with a hug. I will take in all of the open-mouthed, slobbery "besos" and high fives that Blakey gives me on command. I will treasure all these special moments because one day I'll look back and wish I had them again.

Here are some other pictures (my amateur ones of course) for you to enjoy!

Jeff discovered that there are metal railings right at the boys' eye level under our kitchen table so my oh-so-crafty- husband got out the bubble wrap and baby-proofed that table right up! As you can see, the boys were quite interested in what daddy was doing.

The boys, Blakey in particular, are quite intrigued by the fridge. Each time I open it, Blakey is right there wanting to investigate the contents!

"A stool, how fun!" says Blakey.

Nico checking out daddy's records.

We took the boys to our neighborhood park to enjoy some fresh air. They love spinning the wheels on their Tonka truck.

Blakey was quite entertained by the guys playing basketball next to the grass. He tried several times to join them on the court!

"mmmm..yummy grass!"


Valentine Hugs and Kisses,

Rebeca

It's Fun to Be One!

The boys turned one on Friday! We had a little celebration with family at the house yesterday. Today we are recuperating...and finding some time to reflect on this achievement. It really is an achievement, not just of the boys but also of us, our families, our friends. Thinking back to where we were a year ago, it really is amazing.

Let's recap. A year ago today, the boys were being fed intravenously; yesterday they scarfed birthday cake. A year ago today, the boys were just barely opening their eyes; today the boys are just barely starting to walk. A year ago, I was taking lots of pictures of the boys; yesterday I was taking lots of pictures of the boys. Well, some things never change I guess.

But some things do change. In the NICU, all the nurses would say how quiet the boys were. They would say how well they slept. How well they ate. Not sure what happened. Today the boys are babbling away, mostly nonsensical gibberish, but sprinkled with the occasional dadda and momma or, if we're lucky, a flat out scream. Their sleep habits are curious, improving at night but at the expense of naps during the day. Mealtime is always an adventure, as we try to find the "food of the day" that they will actually eat and not wear or throw overboard to the dogs.

So speaking of eating, the boys passed the First Birthday Right of Passage, which is to lay into the birthday cake and make a real mess of things. They didn't disappoint, going for it in impressive fashion. As the record will show, they went at with both hands, without fear of a spike in their blood sugar levels. No piece of cake was too big to shove in the mouth. They thrived under the pressure of the paparazzi. Occasionally one would check on the other, just to make sure they were doing it right. Frosting all over the face, in the hair, up the nose...yep, me too!

And then in the end, just to get a piece of the action and assure the boys that this is really what big boys and big girls look like, Rebeca and I exchanged cake in the face. Uncle Scott took the last couple shots.

So a big thank you to everyone who has helped us make it through the first year, and who have been so generous to us, and supportive to us as we tried to figure out how to make it to the next day. 365 next days later and here we are with these beautiful (and messy) boys!

Finally, here's to Rebeca, who has had to put up with me in addition to the boys. Somehow she's been able to maintain her sense of humor and her constant dedication to whatever is best for the boys. They are truly lucky to have her as a mother as I am lucky to have her as my wife.

Jeff

Here is Blakey's cake. Game on.

And Nicolas' cake before the onslaught.

Blakey asks Dad if this is really OK.

Nicolas realizes that no one is going to stop him! WooHoo!!!

Oh no, what have I done?

The boys are hitting their stride now.

Double fisted is the only way to go for Nicolas.

Blakey in the early stages of his makeup for Avatar.

Nicolas can't believe his good fortune.

Blakey is saying how big he wants next year's cake to be.

Nicolas has had enough: "Where's my milk???"

Not satisfied anymore with the small bites, Blakey picks up the whole cake.

Nicolas thinks it's funny, but Blakey isn't amused.

Just like at our wedding! (no, not really)