DINNER WITH THE RAATZ FAMILY

Uncle Dallas & Jack

Logan, Auntie Roxanne & Nanny

Logan, Mommy, Great Aunt Kathy & Jack

Isaiah & Logan

GREAT UNCLE JOEL

Mommy & Jack

Grandma Pansy's brother Joel & my brother Dallas

Krista (Joel's granddaughter) & Logan

THIS YEAR I'M THANKFUL...

...that I'm a mom


...for the kind of father Josh is


...that both my babies came home from the hospital with me

... for my squishy boys

...that I'm no longer pregnant


...for my grandparents

... for my marriage

... and for laughter

~

TWIN SOULS

A look back...

The boys were seven days old when we took these pictures.
They have come so far. I am feeling incredibly blessed.
They are so healthy, eating, growing & being happy.
Smiley, chubby cheeked little cherubs.

Their once tiny feet now kick, splash & wriggle.
Their once tiny hands now grab, squeeze & explore.
Their once tiny mouths now scream, laugh & squeal in delight.

They are brothers.
The other day Jack was crying and Logan reached his hand out
and touched his brother on the cheek.
Repeatedly rubbing his hand down Jack's cheek, he was able to calm his brother.
It is so magical to see them comfort and recognize each other.

Logan was my wise old man.
He was born with a knowing soul.
A learning soul who studied everyone he came across.

His daddy loved & cared for him so well.
Despite his tiny size, Josh was never scared.
His theory: "If not me, who?"

He was my tiny twin.
I was so relieved to have him out in the world
where I could feed him, care for him & be assured of his safety.

Jack was a born snuggler.
He came into the world to hug & be hugged.
He is truly his daddy's son. A near-exact replica.

My most precious early memories of being a mommy
(that first day back in June) are of holding Jack against my skin,
feeling his tiny whisps of breath against my chest.

Seeing Josh as their dad has brought a new level to us.
He's an amazing dad- so involved at every point.
So capable.
So sure.

God has been preparing me for twins since I was two.
My best friends growing up were twins:
Amy & Ann
I also was close to:
Kari & Kori
And am a godmother to:
Dagan & Ilya
I was meant to be their mother & they were meant to be together.
There is something so tender in knowing that at one point they were
one cell, together. One soul. And then they became
Twin Souls.
~
It's beautiful.

HAPPYTO BE HOME

I had so much fun with Josh this weekend, but it still felt really good to get my hands on my little guys. Love, love, love them!

GETAWAY TO ROCKAWAY...

Love him

Rockaway Beach

Hug Point

Husband

& wife

Together

Garibaldi Bay

Unreal

The harbor

SHOUT OUT!

Josh & I went to the beach this weekend to celebrate my 26th birthday. We had an incredible time. I was nervous about leaving the boys, but am so glad we were able to get away. I love him so much & this weekend was the perfect chance to spend some time together in our favorite place- Rockaway Beach.
The boys were in the good hands of Auntie Roxanne (my sister), Nanny (my mom), Grandma (Josh's mom), Aunt Andrea (Josh's sister), and Auntie Laura (Josh's sister). We are so incredibly blessed to have family around who is willing to help out. Every time we thank any of them for all that they do for us, they say, "It's our pleasure." And I know they mean it. They love our boys so much.
You girls rock!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

I love these pics of the boys in their gingerbread jammies. They make me think of the holidays. Days off, sleeping in, reading stories... all the good stuff.
I am looking forward to the boys' many firsts this holiday season. So much to enjoy.

UPDATE

A recent photo of Logan & Jack

I am just finishing up week 3 of being back at work & am relieved to report that I really like the kids I am working with and it seems to have gotten easier to leave the boys. Especially since I know they are in good hands.
I turned 26 this week. Josh shocked my socks off by getting us a weekend stay in Rockaway Beach & signing my sister and his mom up to watch the boys while we are away. While I am nervous to leave the boys for the first time, I also know that it will be really good for us to get away. Mostly I can't wait to sleep 8 hours in a row!!!

EATING YUMMIES

Logan

Jack

This week we tried sweet potatoes, just for the fun of it. The boys seemed to enjoy experimenting... mostly it was just a big mess!

SOAPY BOY

Logan loves his bath time & I can't get enough pictures of him. I love when his eyelashes get wet because then they look so exaggerated. I know I am bias, but isn't he so cute???

Steamy!

CAN WE GET A MOP???

Both of the boys, but particularly Jack, have been drooling so much! Jack can't go five minutes without completely soaking his shirt. You should see me wrestle him to get his fingers out of his mouth to get the bottle in! I think that teething has perhaps set in!

LOVIN' LOGAN

My sister recently moved home & her husband Blake was able to fly home this weekend to see her. They spent some time loving on their nephews. It's so nice to have family around!

BABY'S FIRST PARADE

Vancouver's Veteran's Day Parade

Logan

Jack

Mommy & Jack

Logan in Nanny's lap

My parent's German Shepherd, Kramer

A horse drawn carriage, of course!

The boys would coo at anything that beeped, had lights, or was red. So this train engine was a real hit!
It poured down on us the whole time we were there, but these boys are true Northwesterners and were not bothered in the least by our "liquid sunshine".