Friendship...

Summer 2011

Summer 2012

On Tuesday, we went to our weekly playdate.  As I have mentioned before ... these kids are growing up so fast... up until this point the ECFE moms have been my friends who happen to have kids that are Nathan and Benjamin's age.  In recent weeks/months these little toddlers have become these amazing people who are able to verbalize and understand what "going to school" means and they recognize their friends cars "Norah's Car!" This week at the park it was crystal clear to all the moms that these little toddlers now have FRIENDS.... they held each others hands, herded each other when they got to far ahead or behind the group and they communicate and organize themselves like I have never seen before. I happened to capture some really cute photos of the munchkins... looking at this photo I found myself looking to the future... someday they will be standing in a line, with caps and gowns on and I'm afraid this will happen all to soon.  STOP ... enjoy the moment I kept telling myself!  So cute, so innocent and so full of hope and potential.  Little people being molded into future engineers, doctors, lawyers, business professionals, friends, parents, spouses.  It got me thinking about the people who have impacted my life... most importantly Brent and my family!  But there are also a group of so many fabulous women who have been with me through soooo much.  The list is long and to all of you who have touched my life.... THANK YOU!   Your friendship means the world to me!

Casie and Kelly went to Africa and back with me... literally!  We have been through 3 weddings, 5 houses, 4 pregnancies....3 of which were anything but predictable.  We always laugh!

These two ladies have been in the trenches with me... other then my mom... they have seen me at my worst, they love my children as their own and they are ALWAYS helpful and loving! 

These 3 ladies have made the madness of grad school bearable.  They are three AMAZING, intelligent, spunky, confident, supportive friends.... and will be amazing NNPs!

These ladies are the college buds.  We have been through alot, weddings, vacations, pregnancies, the good, the bad and the hilarious.  

College roommates... we met the first day of college and have loved each other ever since. The story is complicated and encompasses so many journeys.  They always hold a special place in my heart. 

I've known the Odeens my WHOLE life.  There is alot of history... 

Heidi and I have been friends since 2nd grade... Carolyn and I since 4th grade.  Life has thrown us all some curve balls.  We have grown up together... in more ways then one!  These are some of the loveliest women I know!  

And these are the mommies of all those adorable little munchkins at the top!  These women challenge me, support me and have been a huge surprise addition to my life.  

***

I'm so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful women.  The list above is by no means complete... to be honest I have more photos of my kids then my friends now, so for those of you not photoed... sorry it had a lot to do with the availability of photos!

Everyone take a moment to appreciate your friends, take the extra moment to check in. Every now and then give those special friends in your life a little shout out! They keep you sane on the crazy days and if nothing else.... they drink wine with you:)

Love always,

Mama Utech!

The Zoo and a special Nathan Day!

Last year around this time we made a journey down to TN to visit my friend Kelly and her two little girls Ainsley and Nora.  It was the boys 1st flight, we went with Auntie Hannah and we had 3 adults and 4 kids (3 years and younger).  Fast forward to this year and a trip to the MN zoo!  Kelly and the girls met up with Casie and I and all the kids.  This year we had 5 kids 4 years and younger.... we added Stella to the mix:)  It was a chaotic but fun time.... always fun to see the Dewain Family!

B & N checking out the OTTERS

Tunnels... their favorite!

Coyote!

Casie, Me and Kelly

Stella (1), Ben(2), Nathan(2), Nora (2.5) and Ainsley (4)

Petting/feeding the goats

This photo is classic!

More tunnels...

Nora showing the boys the bees

Checking out the flamingos

My 2 favorite monkeys

After the zoo we headed to MOA.... Zoo + No Nap+lots of snacks+ shopping= these two toddlers running through clothes racks.... yup we were those people:)

Kelly and I with our matching mini vans.... 

we have come a long way from the beaches of South Africa!

On Sunday, Brent and I decided that we needed to start spending some quality time with each boy ALONE!  The only time that Nathan has ever had both Brent and I to himself was when Ben was still in the hospital at Special Care so we gave him a special day all to himself. Nathan got to go shopping with us, make a trip to the landscape shop and out to lunch.  He got his own food, his own milk and a whole lot of solo attention.  He was soaking it up... once he stopped crying because Ben got to go to Grumpy's house!   Now don't feel bad for Ben... he went to Gramma and Grumpy's house and had a special day too!  We just decided that if they were singletons they would get this one on one attention and that they deserve that too!  Being a twin has many advantages and many special things but we want to make memories with each child and take a little time to learn about these special little guys not just as a pair but as seperate, special and unique individuals.  Brent and I have so little time together and we often want to keep the family together on these special moments however we owe it to them and to ourselves to embrace this individual time!  Ben will get a special day soon too!  Oh parenthood... you continue to challenge us!   

Love Always,

The Utechs

We've come a long way baby....A little trip down memory lane!

N & B 8 months at Big Truck Day!

Nathan 2 years with his fire man Sam hat

Nathan always sticks his tongue out... just like daddy

First time Ben ate Cheerios....

Benjamin at 2 eating "bahsgetti"

Oh the pacifier.... In the NICU after his breathing tube was taken out... Day4  of life!

Benjamin Almost 2.... the pacifiers FINALLY got taken away about a month ago...we are doing well.  It was more of a challenge for Nathan then Ben which shocks me a little since Nathan didn't even use a pacie until 15 or 16 months old.  

Snuggling with hunkle Adam... right after he graduated off his oxygen.

Dying Easter eggs-Age 2

The night auntie christine found out she got into Vet school!

Easter 2012

Berkeley protecting his new little bud!

Benjamin cuddling with Berkeley

B & N 4 months old

My friend Shelley from work had borrowed my bumbo chair and just returned it the other day.... Nathan and Benjamin LOVED sitting in it again!

Last Summer Benjamin loved to hit the ball... the tee was almost as tall as him

This spring he continues to love to play ball.... look at those eyes on the ball!

Father's Day 2010 in their twins gear!

Sports Day at ECFE.... again sporting their Twins gear!

They are still the best of buds and have a kind of connection that can't be broken.  They are each others biggest commetition and best friend, they are the first to hit or bit each other and the first to make sure that if "Den" got one... that "NeyNey" gets one too!  I hope that they continue to protect and guide each other and that their bond continues!  I love my brothers.. they are the best however I have a feeling that this "Twin thing" adds a new dimension to the word "sibling."  

Brent and I continue to be amazed and challenged with these boys everyday.  They have come so far and as old as they sometimes seem and as much as we want them to continue to grow and develop and mature... they are 2!  And 2 year olds can only be expected to do so much!  The time goes so incredibly fast so for now we continue to read "1 more story" and sing "1 more song" and sometimes the tantrum just means that a few more hugs and snuggles need to be given!

Love always,

The Utech

The monthly update....27months

We have many things to be thankful for... we are just reminded of them everyday, with every new skill and every new experience. We aren't perfect... we never will be.  Some how the world still moves forward, work still gets done and little babes still grow into these amazing little people who amaze me ALWAYS.
Updates from the month
* our favorite songs to sing, Mr. Sun, The Wheels on the Bus, Rainbow song
* The pacifiers were taken away... it was a little rocky at the beginning but the transition is coming right along:)  Funny story... Nathan was crying the first night as we rocked "Paci, Paci, Paci" and finally sick of listening to it, Ben stuck his head up and said "Pacies to the babies" and then laid back down.  It took everything in me not to burst out laughing.
* Peddeling their bikes
* lots of new words, phrases and lots of new concepts and discriptions.
* Baseball and Soccer and hockey
* They LOVE Fireman Sam!
*  They love their babies but refuse to put clothes on them!
* Continue to practice on the potty chair before naps and bedtime.  They aren't ready but really I'm not ready with all that is going on in out lives.
* They now give us kisses and wave goodbye when we leave.  No more tears.... I'm not sure if that makes me happy or sad.
* After berkeley came home from the Vet, the boys were very worried about her and gave her lots of kisses on her paws where her IVs had been.
*Today the boys had the opportunity to visit mommy at clinicals and also so see all their old primary nurses from Special Care.... Ben walked around all evening stating that he went to the "hosbital" and saw "colleen" (one of his primaries).  So cute..... if I could just tell the Emily and Brent of 27 months ago what life would look like now.

Keeping his eye on the ball!

Fireman Nathan

Daddy and Ben

Bubbles!

AIRPLANE!