Becoming a Boy

We've begun the path toward boyhood in our home. Farewell toddler...hello little boy.

If any of you know Jacob even the tiniest bit, you know what a treasured possession his "B" has been to him. "B" has carried Jacob through many events in his little life: separation anxiety, stitches, shots, doctor trips, car rides, airplane flights, overnights, boo boos, hurts, fears, the arrival of twins....the list could go on and on. "B" became an important part of life extremely early; somewhere around three months of age. Jacob named "B" within in weeks of starting to talk.

Today is a momentous day. Today we said good-bye old friend and tucked sweet "B" away in Jacob's memory box. We'll save it for Jacob's little boy to have one day.

Earlier today this seemed like a great idea to Jacob. Put "B" away and go a whole week without it and earn a "boyhood excursion" with Daddy next week (aka putt putt and ice cream). Now, as nap time is in full swing, and the babies are crying in the room next door, the tears are flowing.

As a parent I know that I must stick to the plan. Jacob is a little boy who is BRAVE and STRONG and he does not need his "B." As a mommy I want nothing more than to get the soft blankie out of his memory box and return it to its rightful owner. As a mommy I want to go into a room and shed a few tears too because as I put that "B" away in that box today, I put away an era of Jacob's life. He isn't a baby anymore. He's a little boy. And it's all going way too fast. Goodbye thumb sucking, pudgy cheeked, snuggles in mommy's lap. Hello big boy hugs and annoyed kisses.

Jacob, I am not sure who is going to hurt more throughout this process, you or me nor am I sure who will shed more tears. But I do know this. I LOVE you and I cannot wait to see the boy and MAN God has created you to be. Remember your verse sweet boy: "Yes! Be bold and strong for remember, the Lord your God is with you where ever you go." And yes, God will be with you, even as we say good-bye to "B."

Farewell "B." It is time for Jacob to become a B-O-Y!

We May Be Twins, But.....

I thought it would be fun to write a blog about the similarities and difference between Grace and Joshua. They may be twins, but they are most assuredly NOT the same children!

Gracie:
Sucks left thumb, but only once half asleep. Paci first, then thumb.
LOVES to be naked!
Thinks it is fun to play with her toys with her feet.
Is happy, but not all that talkative. She saves conversation for the "important" stuff.
Is the worlds SLOWEST eater.
She's a deep, deep sleeper...like her mommy. :-) She will sleep through anything once she is asleep.
Grace is a deep thinker. She sits back and takes it all in.
Can't handle being awake for long periods of time.
Gracie LOVES the toys on the play gym.
Coughs when she cries.
Really doesn't care for the car much.
LOVES to shop and will just ride in the cart and quietly look around watching.
Burps rather daintily.
Can do tummy time all day long and rolls over.

Joshua:
Wants the paci and nothing else! Hasn't really discovered even how to suck his thumb.
Is a kicker while he eats. Kick, kick, kick those feet!
Is a CHATTERBOX! He will coo and goo and babble at anyone who will listen.
A HUNGRY boy and eats FAST.
He's a light sleeper and more restless. He startles easily and wakes at noises.
When he goes to sleep he covers his face with his hands and LOVES to have his head rubbed.
Likes to stay awake longer than Gracie.
Joshua LOVES the toys on the bouncy seat.
Has a low, slow, deep groan when he starts to cry.
Loves to ride in the car, but it must be moving at all times! No stopping allowed!
Sleeps through every shopping trip.
Burps like a man. :-)
HATES tummy time, can barely get his head up, and is no where near rolling over.

Joshua and Gracie:
LOVE their big brother Jacob and could watch him play for hours.
Don't really like to be left alone anywhere...they always want at least one person around.
Have smiles that will light up a room.
They both get mad right before they pass out for a nap. Really mad....
Are morning babies...happiest first thing in the morning when Mommy comes in and says, "Good morning babies!"
Both have issues with the 9PM feeding. Tummy issues or something?

I know there are more, but they are more different than they are alike!

Life as Five

It has been three months as a family of five. We've gone through the ups and downs of postpartum life, sleepless nights, frustrations, diapers, formula, three year old issues, surgeries, appointments, photos, hugs, kisses..... It is hard to believe it has been three months yet at the same time it is hard to believe it has ONLY been three months.

A lot has changed in such a short time. Gracie can roll from front to back, suck her thumb, "talk," smile, play with toys, and sleep through the night. Joshua can talk, smile, play, and sleep through the night. Jacob is in a big boy bed and has memorized almost every song they play on K-Love. I am officially a stay at home mom and have discovered coupons, baking, crocheting, and that laundry is an endless task for a family of five.

I have gone from not being able to move off the couch without help to going to the grocery with all three kids alone weekly. We venture to the park, the grocery, the library, and have play dates. We have signed up for Bible study in the fall. Being home has allowed me to do more to serve Chris--getting his clothes ready each day, packing lunches, and occasionally getting up to cook a yummy breakfast. I work harder now than I ever did working 40+ hours a week. I am exhausted each day and sometimes wonder how it will all get done, but I love it. Do I get frustrated with my kids? You betcha. But I still wouldn't trade this job for any others. I am so thankful I have such a hard working husband who makes this all possible!

I can't wait to see how much life continues to change and grow for us as a family of five!

God is Good!

There is nothing better to me than the sight of my family, enjoying family worship before bed each night (well, I admit, I do find my husband holding all three of my babies incredibly attractive too!).

What a great looking bunch, those Burri!

Bath Time and Nap Time!

Joshua and Grace have discovered bath time is fun! FINALLY!

Gracie has also found her thumb during bedtime and nap time....

And Joshua has assumed the "I'm spent, so sleepy, can't take anymore" position here....

I have the best babies ever. :-)

Room Time!

Each day I have Jacob spend a little bit of time alone in his room so he can practice his skills of entertaining himself (plus it gives me time to do a little housework without the assistance of a three year old). Jacob is told to stay in his room and he can do whatever he wants to do, but he must play quietly (the babies are napping usually) and he has to do it on his own. Some days he is more enthusiastic about room time than others.

This is how I found him today:

I LOVE that my boy LOVES to read!

What We've Been Up To

Everyone asks me what life is like with twins. Well, it's......um......life with two babies and a three year old. It is wild! I don't sit down, I don't relax, I crash into bed each day, and to be honest....I kinda like it (except for the sleep deprivation, which is getting better each day). I will say one thing about two babies; it is more than just double the work. I'm not sure how that works, but it just is. It's more than double the laundry, diapers, bottles, formula, crying, snuggles, pictures, giggles, coos. It's WAY more than double.

Anyhow, I thought I'd give you a glimpse of what we're up to on a regular day with the Burri Five:

3:00AM-4:00AMish--Babies 1st bottle of the day. Whole process in the middle of the night with one person takes about 45 minutes (bottles, diapers, back to bed)

7:20AM-- Joshua has himself programmed to think he needs to be awake at this time. He's not supposed to be.

7:20-7:45AM--Plug Joshua's paci a million times and finally give up, loading him in the bouncy chair.

8:00AM--Mommy attempts to shower. Usually with at least one baby in the bouncy seat in the bathroom and the other cranked on the monitor or sleeping in our bed (so bad, but this is the ONLY time they get in our bed since I can see it from the shower).

8:00-8:30AM--Jacob wakes with a resounding "I'M READY MOMMY!" Sadly, family breakfast at the table has gone down the tube since Mommy's sleep deprivation marathon began. Give Jacob a bowl of dry cereal, park him on the couch for a video, and attempt to continue bathing process, while still plugging various pacis in various mouths.

9:00AM--Mommy is still likely in her bathrobe, but has at least washed herself and brushed her teeth. On a good day, make-up has been applied, but hair and clothes are yet to follow. Start dressing twins. Seriously, somehow this takes at least 30 minutes each day. I have tried to speed it up and I just can't!

9:30AM--Finally give twins first bottle that should have been given at 9:00.

10:30AM--Wrap up bottle, put Joshua and Grace down for naps, get Jacob dressed, teeth brushed, start loads of laundry. Mommy may attempt to eat breakfast now.....

11:00AM--FINALLY do hair and get dressed. If make-up was not applied earlier, it gets done now. Plug pacis throughout.

11:30-12:00PM--Housework (usually dinner prep for the night) and attempt to spend time with Jacob. Plug pacis throughout.

12:00PM--Lunch for Jacob, hopefully Mommy too.

1:00PM--Try to get Jacob down for nap in next 15-20 minutes while plugging pacis. Potty, nap time story, usually a battle of some sort over cleaning toys, etc.

1:15 or 1:30PM--Give twins bottle they should have had at 1:00.

2:30PM--Wrap up bottle, diaper changes, play time--start settling twins for afternoon nap.

3:00PM--Wash bottles (I have JUST enough to make it a full 24 hours so this is a MUST and non-negotiable item). Plug pacis throughout.

3:30-4:30PM--Mommy time! Housework, dinner prep, laundry, computer time, etc. Plug pacis throughout.

5:00PM--Bottle time--AGAIN! Daddy should get home somewhere in here. Jacob should get up from nap.

5:30PM--Dinner prep.

6:00PM--Dinner. Plug pacis a hundred times here. This is the worst nap time for babies.

7:00PM-8:00PM--Chaos. :-)

8:00PM--Bath for Jacob. Bedtime story. Tuck in.

8:30PM--PJ's for babies, baths if needed.

9:00PM--Bottles....AGAIN!

9:45PM--Babies in bed. Plug pacis till they pass out.

10:30PMish--Mommy tries to go to bed unless I left Daddy in charge of 9PM bottle, in which case I am dreaming by now.

Do it all again.................