Oh snap it’s already been two months since the nuggets got here and who knows where the time has gone? Maternity leave came and went, the boys have doubled in size and I got absolutely nothing done that I had planned but we survived and that’s all that really matters.

While I was pregnant a lot of people gave me the advice to take tons of pictures because they change so quickly. I made a mental note to schedule a newborn shoot but didn’t get around to it until they were two months old, however, I justify this because their adjusted age at the time of the shoot was really 3 weeks old so I’m technically on top of it! We found our photographer through some friends and were excited to use her as she has twin boys of her own. The morning of the shoot Luke and I realized we were down to our last 4 bottles worth of formula and decided we would run to Costco after the shoot to restock. Of course, the boys went on a feeding spree that day and by the time the photographer arrived we were rationing off ounces of formula to get them through the shoot somewhat peacefully. The goal of the shoot was to get pictures of the boys separately, together, and of all four of us as a big happy family. Two hours into our two hour session we had barely gotten any pictures of the boys separately.

Owen, our laid back dude, of course slept peacefully through his individual shoot and the photographer was able to toss him around and get all of his shots in a few minutes

Liam, our alert inquisitive little colonel in the making, didn’t sleep a wink the entire time. He was very concerned about what was going on and fascinated by the camera. We didn’t get a single shot of Liam sleeping peacefully but the pictures we did get perfectly captured his essence

Then we attempted the impossible: a photo of the two of them together sleeping like babies, but what actually transpired was Liam trying to eat Owen’s face and Owen locking in on the camera lens and refusing to look away

At this point we were three hours in, the boys hadn’t slept a wink, we still hadn’t attempted a family shot and the boys were getting hungry. Cue baby strait jackets (swaddles) and we all hopped into our bed to attempt a family photo.

As the photographer left I felt really disappointed in the experience. Not because of her and her abilities (she’s the best) but because I imagined pinterest perfect shots and could not fathom one decent picture coming out of our session since the boys seemed so uncooperative. I felt bad for my bank account and bad for the photographer who was going to have to make a miracle from a cow pie. The pictures we received a week later were PERFECT.  Nobody is going to sign the boys on as gerber babies based on this performance but Nicole perfectly captured our family in its current state of chaos and I can’t help but smile every time I look at the pictures.

At two months old the boys are starting to develop personalities and are evolving from blobs to happy little babies. Since they’re twins it seems everyone wants to talk about how similar they are (duh), but Luke and I are amazed about how different they actually are. Owen is a pretty laid back go with the flow little dude. He doesn’t miss a meal and is only unhappy when he thinks he might get surpassed on his next feeding. He sleeps, he eats and he goes back to sleep. He’s generally content and will give smiles to anyone that might give him a bottle. He’s our little tugboat. Then there’s Liam, who is a little more uptight and very aware. He’s concerned with every aspect of his day and makes you work for every smile but every smile is definitely worth it. He’s also discovered his reflection and is pretty impressed with the results. Liam discovered the power of his cry. He figured out that crying is a call to action and he uses it wisely. He knows we will eventually rock him to sleep if he cries long enough and if he pitches a real fit there’s a 100% he will get out of tummy time. He’s my little LiLi Bug and is definitely not going to love that nickname when he’s 15!

Luke and I are surviving as well. Actually I would say Luke is thriving and I am surviving. Seeing Luke with the boys and the love and patience he has for them definitely makes me forgive him for putting twins in me in the first place. During my pregnancy I kept reading about this overwhelming sense of love all these moms seemed to experience from the minute their babies were placed in their arms. The only overwhelming feelings I had in the beginning were the need to fall asleep for a week straight and then wake up and revaluate my life decisions. I felt guilty for feeling this way, was stressed out about being a bad mom and thought my boys deserved better. But as time has gone on, I’ve started to get more rest and confidence in my mothering abilities and I am happy to report that the overwhelming feelings of love have crept in and are not going anywhere.  I love being parents with Luke to these boys….but don’t quote me on that I may change my mind a year from now when they’re walking around destroying my house.

p.s. If you live in the Phoenix area and are looking for a photographer check out Nicole with Barndoor photography and let her know we sent you her way!