Thursday, November 29, 2012

More Things to Never Speak Of...

Hold on! Wait!
 
Last time, no one called me CPS. Maybe, we just got lucky though. It is still imperative that this message self destruct after being read. Just like before, I really shouldn't show these things to the public, but I feel you should know about your childhood.
 
Your mother is an amazing woman. She is an incredible mother. It takes a special person to raise twins. In all the chaos, she will, on occasion, lose it. The following images may be disturbing, and I am not proud of the pictures.
 
The following 12 images are things that we should never speak of again. I'll try to get your mother to stop, but I cannot make any promises. If you want to relive the other things that we agreed to never speak of, you can go here:
 
Here we go...round #2 of things Mommy does.
 
Mommy will...
 
#1: Make you look like a hipster...
 
#2: Make you be a superhero that wears his pants on his head...
 
#3: Make you dress up like lil' turkeys for Thanksgiving...
 
#4: Make you perform daily as her own person Court Jester...
 
#5: Make you into a world-class synchronized swimmer by making you wear diapers on your head...
 
#6: Make you sport flaming dice tats on your chest...
 
#7: Dress you up and make you look like you are part of a 90's boy band... 
 
#8: Make you wear a BumbleBee mask, so she can pretend your stroller is a Transformer...
 
#9: Make you pause it with three seconds left in your game to eat some squash...
 
#10: Do This...
 

 Just like before...your mother is very creative in her daily activities. Being cooped up with you two has brought her so much joy but also made her a little bit more crazy.
 
Sorry CPS!
 
I love you!
 
Love,
Dad

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Playing with a Polar Bear...

Gents,
 
Sometimes, you just wanna play with a polar bear...
 
Lucky for you guys, we have are own polar bear residing right here in Nevada. His name is Cosmo and you guys think this gentle, fluffy monster is hilarious.
 
He loves to lick your toes and make you giggle. He likes to give you guys slobbery kisses and lets you ride on his back. He thinks you guys are pretty cool. He likes the way you taste too.
 
He kept you guys pretty entertained for quite some time. Braxton, you would giggle every single time he walked by. And, Boston, you would start kicking excitedly anytime he came close.
 
You guys love dogs, which is good, because your dad does too. Cosmo isn't the only dog you think is pretty funny. You liked Lacey too...
 
I love you guys!
 
Love,
Dad


Monday, November 19, 2012

Found Our Feets...

Dudes,
 
For as long as I can remember, I have found it extremely entertaining to sit and watch a new puppy try to run. It is quite humorous to watch them clumsily trip over their own paws while they attempt to figure out how to use their new body. Undoubtedly, there are trips and face plants a plenty while the feeling out process occurs. Every minute of watching this process brings a smile to my face. Few things have ever been able to top the smiles and laughs that come from those clumsy pups...until now!
 
As I have watch the two of you grow, it is incredible to see the changes in your bodies. You boys are growing so tall and strong. And, as you have grown, I have been able to watch closely as you guys have gained more and more control over your bodies. Initially, your bodies were weak. You boys couldn't control your arms or legs. They would flail around uncontrollably, and often times, you guys would hit yourselves in your faces which would undoubtedly end in a symphony of screams. It was heartbreaking but comical to watch. As you have gotten older, you have learned to control those movements that once seemed impossible. You guys use your hands and fingers to grasp objects. You guys control your arms to move your hands where you want. And, while you boys still are lacking in the depth perception department, it is improving.
 
Like the puppy, I have watched you guys struggle with your movements. I have watched you both as you clumsily flailed around. And, I have also watched as each of you has improved greatly with the control of your movements. And, a couple weeks ago...you guys found your feet. Now, you guys had been pretty aware of your feet for quite some time. As we would ride in the car, you guys could been seen looking down at your little toes as you kicked your legs. But, as you control improved, you guys began reaching for your feet...and, recently, you found them.
 
It has been a puppy watching experience all over for me again. It brings a smile to my face every single time your grab your feet.
 
You guys love to play with your feet. You guys love to grab your toes. One of my favorite things to do is to watch you guys as you lay on your backs on the living room floor and watch you guys try to grab your feet. Once you finally get hold of them, you can hold on for a while...but when you do...TIMBER! If you hold on too long, you entire body will roll to one side. Mommy and daddy will yell TIMBER or KNOCKED OVER as you guys begin to roll. You guys find it pretty funny. Boston, your face says it all...
 
You guys love your feet so much that you don't really like when they are covered. Braxton, your face says it all...
 
Now, that face might be just because your feet are in Dallas Cowboys slippers. I cry every time I put mine too. It is rough...but that is another post for another time.
 
 I love you guys very much! Hopefully, you love me as much as you love your feets! Because, ever since you found them, you have refused to let go.
 
Love,
Dad


Sunday, November 18, 2012

Hiking the Tunnels...

Boys,
 
A couple weeks ago, we went to the Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. It was a pretty amazing sight to behold. Living in Southern Nevada, we often forget about all the history, the beauty, and the amazing sites like the bridge, the dam, and the strip that our area has to offer. One of the sites in Southern Nevada is very special to me. I have spent a great deal of time around it and it always brings back fond memories.
 
The site is the Historic Railroad Tunnels in the Lake Mead National Recreational Area. The railroad tunnels were used in the 1930's to bring supplies to the workers at the Hoover Dam. It is pretty crazy to think that trains once used to travel those mountainsides.
 
 In high school, I spent a lot of time on this trails. When I ran cross country, we often practiced on these trails and through these tunnels. I ran on Saturday mornings with Papi here too. So, it is a special place for me. It brings back a lot of memories every time I make a visit. I cannot wait to visit these tunnels with you guys often as you get bigger.
 
This was the first of many visits for our family to this location. We will hike these trails often and maybe one day, we will go for a jog around these old trails. Maybe, one day, we will even run the Turkey Trot together on a Thanksgiving morning. 

In high school, we used to have to run up this big hill to the Hacienda Hotel and Casino and overlook Lake Mead. One day, maybe, we can do that too. One day, we will be able to create all of our own special memories. Hopefully, they will be ones that you remember and cherish for a long time.

This was the first time we went to hike the trail. We started late, and it started to get cold. We had to turn around early, so we didn't even make it all the way to the first tunnel. But, in the near future, we will make it all the way to the end...together!
 
 
I love you guys!
 
Love,
Dad
 


Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Messy Faces...

Dear Messy Faces,
 
Time is flying by!
 
You guys are over five months old. The time has gone by so fast. You guys are getting so big. It is unbelievable. Boston, you weigh over 19 pounds. And, Braxton, you weigh over 20 pounds. It is a far cry from the 5 and 7 pound weights that you guys were when we brought you home.
 
Formula alone will no longer do. The time has come for you guys to eat! That's right. It is time to have spoonfuls of veggies flown at your mouth like airplanes. It is time to strap on a bib and have some messy faces! It is time to have stinkier poops. It is time to take yet another step in your young lives!
 
And, you guys are pretty excited...

Usually, you guys will only eat for mommy. Braxton, you love to eat rice cereal and baby food for mommy, but you rarely will eat for me. But, you will always take a bottle from me, and you usually end up with a messy face...
  
Boston, you however, decided this weekend that you wanted to eat for me.
 
And, you ended up with a messy face that I just love.
 
A few days later, you both tried some mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. Your faces say it all...
 
I cannot wait to enjoy the many more meals to come. The complaints are sure come with some of the meals, but it will be fun all the same.
 
I love you guys!
 
Love,
Dad


Saturday, November 03, 2012

Bridging State Lines...

Dear boys,

As each day passes, I get a more and more excited. It is hard to believe how big the two of you are getting. It has almost been five months since the two of you were born. It is incredible. It gets more fun everyday, and everyday I love you more than I did the day before. Just when I think I couldn't love you guys any more...I do

Today was an awesome day. I love the weekends because I am able to spend a lot more time with mommy and you guys. Today, we decided to take a special trip. So, we all loaded up into the Journey with a Baby Einstein DVD and took off...

For the first time, we took the two of you across the state lines. You can check Arizona off your list. And, hopefully, before too long, we will be able to add Utah to that list too. Unfortunately, when we got to the Nevada sign, you were both asleep. And, the Arizona sign is on the bridge, so we couldn't stop and take a picture. 

After driving quickly across the bridge and into Arizona, we decided to turn around and go back into Nevada, so that we could walk across the massive bridge. It is a sight to behold. A true marvel overlooking another marvel...both of them are right in our backyard.

The bridge was recently completed after years of work. It was built to divert traffic from crossing the Hoover Dam after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The amazing structure overlooks the Hoover Dam and crosses over the Colorado River. The bridge is named the Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.

The bridge is named after Mike O'Callaghan, who was a famous Las Vegas and Nevada politician. It is also named after Pat Tillman. Pat Tillman was an amazing individual. He played professional football in the NFL, but after September 11th, Pat left the game he loved and joined the Army Rangers. He served several tours in the Middle East before being killed by friendly fire in the mountains of Afghanistan. This amazing bridge is a tribute...in memory of his ultimate sacrifice.

As we walked up the switchback trail towards the bridge, I couldn't help but be grateful for all those, who like Pat Tillman, sacrificed for my freedom. The freedom that I enjoy every single day of my life. The freedom that allows me to get up on a Sunday morning and take my family to see two of man's modern marvels. It is a glorious thought. We stood on one marvel and overlooked the other marvel. It is pretty cool to do. 

It is crazy to think how high up you are and even more crazy to think about how long ago the Hoover Dam was built. It is truly one of man's greatest achievements. Unfortunately, both of you wanted to sleep when we were looking at the dam. Boston wasn't too happy when mommy uncovered his head, so we didn't even test it with Braxton. So only mommy and daddy were able to enjoy the view from high above.

We also took a picture by the dedication emblem which was pretty cool. Later on, it will be fun to come back here each year and take pictures with you guys. Maybe, you will be awake next time!

After walking the entire bridge and enjoying the view of the Hoover Dam and Colorado River from high above, we decided it was probably time to head home. As we got to the bottom of the switchbacks to the parking lot, Braxton, you started to wake up and wanted to join the party.

But, in the end, a good snuggle was really what you wanted. And, it definitely made my day! 

Boston, you slept the entire time. Even as mommy put you in the car, you slept. After everyone got loaded up, we took a drive down and across the dam. We drove across where we had just looked down just minutes earlier. It was a great day.

I love you guys and I cannot wait to go back with you!

Love,
Dad