Dieselgate

Last Wednesday, on a windy and rainy afternoon, we left our forlorn little Jetta Sportwagen TDI in the parking lot of our local VW dealership.

We signed some papers, handed over the keys, and off we drove in a sedan borrowed from my parents, which actually formerly belonged to my grandparents. We'll have the loaner until we purchase a new vehicle. We definitely are getting a mini-van, probably the hybrid Chrysler Pacifica when it becomes available. 

I really enjoyed our little Sportwagen. We were forced into buying a new car when our beloved Toyota Tacoma was totaled. I didn't like the other vehicles we looked at, which included a few Mazda and Subaru models. The Sportwagen was extremely versatile and fun to drive. I definitely miss it already. But it would have been foolish not to take VW's buyback offer and take the opportunity to get into a larger vehicle, since about 5 months ago we unexpectedly ended up with twice the number of babies we were trying for. Their twin stroller alone took up most of the trunk space in the Sportwagen, and their rear-facing car seats caused us to have to move the front seats more forward than was comfortable in order to accommodate them. Since we have a lot of far-flung family and friends, we definitely want to be able to travel comfortably with all our gear.

The Sportwagen had some misadventures. It was backed into before even leaving the dealership by a careless fellow customer. And just last month, the sunroof exploded on our way back from a visit with family in Sacramento.

The explosion was likely due to a defect in the glass, as there were no overpasses on our route from which something could have been thrown, no damage to the mesh sunscreen underneath the glass, no signs of an object, and it's awfully suspicious that the glass broke up & out and basically in the very center.

Steve duct-taping the sunroof back together enough to get us home:

But the warranty on the car's glass was only a year, so we lost that battle. We ended up with no out-of-pocket cost since insurance covered it and our deductible ended up being covered by VW's "oops we totally lied about your vehicle meeting emissions standards and thus being legal to drive" dealer service credit of $500. How generous. 

The buyback was actually fair, though, so once the check clears, we're in a good position to get our new family-hauling vehicle. Hopefully we'll at least get that car off of the dealer's lot before someone runs into it.

5 Months Old

Now five months old, the boys have begun acquiring new skills at a somewhat alarming rate. Though far from crawling, they drag and scoot themselves around on their playmat pretty regularly. They have not quite achieved sitting up unaided, but they're getting closer every day.

We've started trying to get them on more of a schedule with mostly positive results. Times vary slightly, but they're taking three (short) naps a day and doing pretty well at night (usually up only once in about twelve hours for food). Putting twins down for a nap at the same time feels a bit reminiscent of that old "whack-a-mole" game. One loses their pacifier, one needs a little comfort pat, and so on, back and forth and back and forth...

I also believe they're learning to communicate with each other.

Comforting each other? (Jack left, Henry right)

Complaining about/conspiring against me and Steve? (Henry left, Jack right)

Enjoying Dad playing with their feet (Henry left, Jack right):

Hanging out with their stuffed animal pals (Jack with alien, Henry with Mingo):

Refusing to nap unless they're both on Mom (Jack in blue, Henry in green):

Typical stomach time, Henry complains bitterly and face-plants, Jack happily interacts with a toy:

Henry glares at us after we relent and turn him over:

Exhausted Steve lays on the floor with the boys, shielding Jack's head from Henry's flailing: 

Jack

Jack has started to get with the program more and not throw massive fits every time he goes down to sleep, so that's a huge improvement. His stomach problems persist and make him obviously uncomfortable, but hopefully we'll get through the worst of it in the next month or so. He's vomiting a lot (not simple spit-up, happens hours after eating and contains partially digested food and stomach acid, poor dude) but we know it'd be worse without the meds. At least he can sleep at night. He continues to be very strong, but somewhat lacking in flexibility and finesse in his movements.

Ah, mornings. Perhaps I should never brush my hair; I think it's a good look.

Jack, ready for action:

Jack studies Mingo's wing:

Jack is very keen on catching the little fish attached to his playmat. Staring it down:

Henry

Henry has been developing his motor skills at a startlingly rapid pace. 

Continuing his attempts to hold his own bottle:

He's learned to curl up in a manner than reminds me very much of a pill bug, allowing him to move himself around pretty effectively. He can now remove his socks and attempts to put his foot in his mouth.

Henry demonstrates sock removal technique: 

We're trying to teach him to put his own pacifier back in so we don't have to keep getting up to do it in the middle of the night. He can do it... sometimes. One of his successes:

He's highly interested in food and tries to grab for our meals (and cries when we don't share... no, baby, you may not have Mommy's meatball sub). Steve has started feeding him some rice cereal, which he seems to enjoy.

First feeding:

Second feeding, eagerly anticipating the next bite:

Henry has also become quite predatory...

... attacking bibs...

... and hands.

And, no, he's not teething yet. Just developing a taste for human flesh. I guess everyone needs a hobby.

Henry stuffed full of food and looking for his next target:

Relaxing with Mingo:

Helping Dad play the GameCube's Legend of Zelda Wind Waker (he also tries to grab the controller, and thinks watching Daddy's hands move on it as highly entertaining):

Big smiles:

Let's Cuttle!

Christmas Part Three: Pools

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my side of the family.

Family floor portraits (and for you playing along at home, ultimate twin quiz, which one is which?):

(Jack is next to me and Henry is next to Steve. And, yes, I'm sure.)

In their Christmas pj's and hats Mom made them wear (Henry left, Jack right):

The boys got to open their first Christmas gifts.

Jack with his first gift from Grandma Cindi and Grandpa Larry:

Henry with his:

The bows are the best part (Jack on left, Henry on right):

Jack with Aunt Brooke, official elf (deliverer of gifts in my family was the duty of the youngest person and Jack and Henry aren't quite ready yet to do the job):

Dad helps Henry open his first gift from Mom and Dad (later, Jack looks on with Grandma):

Ooo, a bath book!

Henry opens another gift:

Bath toys, yay!

Mom opens a gift with Jack:

Dad and Henry, Jack and Grandma play with new Christmas toys from Grandma and Grandpa:

Playing on the floor with Dad:

We stayed for four days after Christmas, during which the boys delighted my family with their singing (aka screaming) and night wakings.

Uncle Jim has a baby Henry unceremoniously dumped in his lap so I could run and grab some supplies:

He looks comfortable.

Jack, Henry and I are not appreciating this particular morning:

Playing in their dino suits (Jack in white, Henry in blue): 

With Grandma and Mom:

On the floor with Dad:

Jack with Grandma:

Grandma feeds Henry: 

Jack and Grandpa watch me sort clothes (so exciting) during stomach time:

My parents worked really hard to give us a beautiful Christmas and make our stay as comfortable as they could. They had pack-and-play beds all set up for the boys, a stocked changing area at the ready, and containers of formula waiting for us. They cooked for us, watched the boys so we could visit with friends, and stepped in to help feed and entertain the munchkins. It was difficult for the boys to be away from their familiar surroundings and routine, but my parents tried really hard to help things go as smoothly as possible.

That being said, traveling with the boys was exhausting and challenging. We'll see if/how things improve as they get older.