December brought major changes to our routine. Maternity leave ended and it was time to head back to work for me. I’m fortunate to have a job that is flexible with my schedule. I was able to work the first two weeks from home while getting the boys set up with our wonderful babysitters. That’s right. We have more than one. We, in fact, have THREE! One of the many perks of living near family is the babysitting. Aunt Laura babysits twice a week, Aunt Noelle babysits once a week and Leigh-Ann, our friend from church, babysits once a week. I work extended hours Monday-Thursday so I can be with the boys all day Friday without having to bring my work home. After the first couple weeks, everyone seemed comfortable with the boys, so I headed into the office. Scott started fall break shortly after that and had his time at home with Danny & Dean.
Here’s Dean & Danny hanging out on the floor during our staff Christmas lunch at the Capital Grille in Phoenix. They had fun being passed around and entertaining anyone who would pay attention! Danny could hardly stay still (notice the blurry nub at the end of his left arm!).
We made our first trip to California on December 18th for a joint baby dedication (yes, they were dedicated twice!) with cousin Gregory, Joanna ‘s & Vadim’s son. This was Gregory’s first trip to the good ol’ USA and we were all so anxious to see him in person. Even though we Skype weekly with the Golins, we couldn’t wait to get our mitts on Gregory’s chunky thighs! And let me tell you! Those chunky thighs did NOT disappoint! There was plenty to go around and we all loved on him as much as he’d let us. While in California for the dedication, my parents held a baby shower for us. We didn’t get to make it to California before they were born, so it was nice to show off the boys at the shower. Although, come to think of it, I’m pretty sure they napped with daddy through the entire shower. At least they were awake for the dedication!
Dean’s face cracks me up here. There were so many people standing over him talking and laughing loudly. His eyes stayed that way until we put them to bed that night. Both boys quickly adjusted to the noise and activity going on around them. I don’t have any pictures to show, but I had a couple helpers for nighttime feedings while we were there. It’s so nice to have family jump right in and help! Thanks Aunt Jenifer & Aunt Joanna! Next time we get together, there won’t be anytime night feedings. I’m torn between being happy and sad about that. I love my sleep but I love those times with my boys at night. …Aaaannnd, it passed. Okay. I’m good now.
Here are Dean & Daniel with their 2nd cousins, Joshua & Caleb (they’re also fraternal twins) at the dedication/shower. We took several photos, but this was the best one of the lot that I took, even though it’s not really in focus.
All the girl cousins surrounded the 3 baby boys and would’ve taken care of them the entire weekend if we’d let them, I’m sure of it! Danny & Dean loved the attention, but cousin Gregory was old enough to actually enjoy the attention. If he could talk, I’m sure the minute he asked for something, his girl cousins would jump up and get it for him. And who could blame them? I certainly couldn’t resist that drool-faced, smiley boy!
The Golins arrived in California a couple days before us. When we got there, Gregory had already gone to bed, but his momma couldn’t resist getting him up for him to meet Daniel & Dean. Gregory wasn’t extremely thrilled to be woken up just to meet two baby cousins who only laid there. We put Gregory on the floor next to Daniel and Dean and he clearly was NOT enjoying it.
Daniel & Dean are looking up at me wondering who this screaming kid was in between them. Poor Gregory! He just wanted to go back to sleep in his warm play pen.
A few days later, back in AZ, we had a photographer take pictures of the 3 boys together and they turned out so adorable. I wasn’t able to be at the shoot, but looking at all the pictures, I’m pretty sure they had a good time. I’m also pretty sure that by the time they finished, Gregory was done with D&D for a little bit! Here is one of the last in the session. You can tell they were all ready to stop! So funny!
Isn’t this a precious picture of Joanna holding Gregory? It’s my favorite from the day! He wore a handsome purple shirt with a black vest and black pants. He looked like a little boy instead of a baby!
After we returned to AZ, some family members joined us…Uncle Matthew, Aunt Crystal, cousins Madelaine and Ruthie, Uncle Luke, Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Andrew, Aunt Angela, cousins Tyler, Harry and Allison along with Grandma and Papa. It was a busy week! Uncle Matthew and Aunt Crystal stayed at our house so they could take turns getting up to feed Daniel and Dean at night. It gave Scott a nice break and I got to visit a couple times a night with my brother and sister-in-law. It was nice to have that time because I was working most of the week and unable to hang out with everyone.
Papa lovin’ on Dean during a trip to Target. Dean is content to suck on his fist and be held. So sweet!
Aunt Crystal and Uncle Matthew decided what our boys needed were mobiles for their cribs. They went out and bought what looks to be two of the funkiest mobiles ever! However, they are so cool! It seems like we could stare at them longer than the boys. They were mesmerized by those mobiles and after a month, it’s STILL not getting old. They just stare at the mobiles. They play different music/sounds, have the funniest looking animals hanging from them, and one even has a blue light that illuminates the top of the mobile. That blue light attracts these boys like flames attract moths! It really is incredible to see. Those mobiles have really helped Dean’s bedtime go much more smoothly. Instead of crying himself to sleep, he just talks to the mobile until he’s out! THANK YOU Aunt Crystal and Uncle Matthew for the WONDERFUL mobiles! I’ll get a picture this month of those mobiles to show them off.
All our company left right before Christmas Eve and we were happy sad to see them go. We love our family and love the noise and chaos that ensues when we all get together, but it is nice to get back to our routine!
Christmas Eve we went to church and Uncle Vadim, Aunt Joanna and cousin Gregory came, too. Somebody’s camera has pictures from that night, but not mine. After service, we headed over to Uncle Joey and Aunt Laura’s for dinner and present wrapping. I hadn’t wrapped a single gift at that point and as the night progressed, I didn’t get a whole lot done either! The next morning we went back over to open a few gifts and watch the kids open the gifts we got them.
Dean and cousin Gregory were more interested in each other than the presents. Such loving cousins!
We finished up and then headed over to Grandma Esther’s for the rest of Christmas. There were lots of cousins and plenty of Aunts to hold babies and give mom & dad a little break. I know we have a couple pictures with dad in them, but I don’t believe I was in a single picture. So, here’s one of the boys sleeping through much of the festivities.
By the time the weekend was over, we were tired and ready for our normal routine again…but then came New Year’s Eve! We went back over to Uncle Joey and Aunt Laura’s for the evening. Aunt Kate joined us and we all had a good time. We celebrated an East Coast New Year’s Eve…a.k.a. going to bed shortly after 10pm in AZ! Here are the boys in their party outfits.
Look at those boys! They’re getting so big! I loved those onesies, too. This is one of the rare pictures that we have with both boys looking at the camera, smiling, and not moving around. These don’t come around often!
Aunt Kate spent quality time snugglin’ up with Danny. It’s rough, but someone’s gotta do it!
Besides all that activity, we endured ear infections, Daniel’s first allergy and I’m sure many more firsts…I just can’t remember them all! Joanna keeps nagging me to be sure and write everything down so I won’t forget it all. Unfortunately, I forget to write it down! 
I’ll leave you with a few more pictures taken this month…
Our homeboy, Dean
Our li’l rappers
One smiling, one not.
Does Danny take after Uncle Stinky Lukey??
More eventful life with twins coming soon…stay tuned!
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