Differences

I have been sick lately which means that the Sterling is in charge of tending the boys. As I was dozing off to sleep the other day I heard the following dialog thanks to our monitor.

"Makaio, do you need your diaper changed?"

"Okay, let me give you the play by play on how to change a diaper."

1. "Remove pants. You can leave on the socks."

2. "Set pants aside."

3. "Unsnap the long sleeve onesie and the regular onesie."

4. "Put new diaper underneath the old diaper."

5. "Undo the velcro."

6. "Get wipe."

7. "Remove old diaper and set aside."

8. "Wipe tush."

9. "Breech all crevices."

10. "Set wipe inside of old diaper."

11. "Secure new diaper."

12. "Sanitize hands."

13. "Snap onesies."

14. "Put pants back on."

15. "That's how you change a diaper."

I was laughing so hard during the entire conversation. I found it funny that he decided to talk to Makaio about the diaper change and all of the steps that are required for a successful change.

It's funny how we talk to the boys about different things. I notice that when I am changing diapers my conversations are usually guided by the expressions on their faces. If they are smiling I ask them "What is so funny?" If they are crying, I usually tell them to tell me who did it so that I can take care of it. I think you get the idea. We're different and that's okay.

I love watching Sterling take care of the boys! He does such a great job that sometimes I wonder if I should be the one working while he stays at home and takes care of the babies.

Dear "Mother" Nature,

I'm not sure who gave you the title of mother, but it doesn't seem fitting. I do not see evidence of love, kindness or nurture in the gift that you gave to us yesterday! The picture was taken to show you what we woke up to this morning. I just have one question, how do you sleep at night?...evidently you don't.

Not Love,

Cylynn

Visitors Welcome

So far the boys have met my mother, father, brother and two of my sisters. Our most recent visit was from Auntie Josie and oh how the boys loved it. I wrote a poem for Josie from the boys.

Ode to Josie

by Makaio and Kekoa Sheffield

We love Josie a whole lot.

She holds us when mom does not.

If we cry or if we smile,

She holds us 'cause that's her style.

Josie was here for just three days,

And we were sad to see her go away.

Come again soon but if you can't,

We would welcome another aunt (or uncle).

It has been so fun to have visitors and to show off the boys. We love having visitors and we are always sad to see them leave but it gives us great joy to see more visitors come. This month the boys will be be happy to get acquainted with the first cousin to make the trip out here. Christmas is going to be wonderful with my mother and father and our sweet niece Michaelee.

So to Josie and all of our other visitors, THANK YOU for your love.

Getting the Hairs Cut

Makaio was the lucky recipient of a haircut this past weekend. Auntie Josie came to town and luckily we were able to squeeze in a haircut.

When he was born, he was blessed with a natural mohawk. He only grew hair in the middle of his head and it grew quickly. As time passed, the rest of his hair tried to catch up but with a three month head start, it wasn't going to be easy. So we decided to cut off the long curly/girlie locks and give everything a fresh start.

He wasn't really excited nor did he sit still, but in the end I think the two adults managed to come out on top.

Happy 1/2 Birthday

The boys are 6 months old today. I can't believe that the past six months have gone by so quickly. I try to think about what we did during the summer and of course it was spent in the NICU. I think about the fall and I can't actually remember what I did besides spend most of my time meeting different doctors that will be in charge of the boys' care while we are here for the next year. And here we are at the beginning of winter and it looks like we will be inside for the next 5 months.

It is already getting chilly here and I've heard that the worst is yet to come. I spent some time here three years ago (around this time of year) and I remember thinking that I would NEVER live here. Well, there you have it, all I have to do is say I would "never" do something and low and behold it happens.

The boys have been eating and sleeping a lot lately. I like to think that it is because they are growing but every now and again I suspect it is because I am just not entertaining enough to keep them awake. Makaio has finally taken over the heavy weight medal in the household and outweighs Kekoa by an ounce. I don't know how long he will retain the medal considering the fact that Kekoa has been eating every 2 1/2 - 3 hours for the past two days and he usually eats around 5 ounces each time.

I never would have imagined how much fun it is to be a mother even when your children do nothing more than eat and sleep. I love spending time with them, watching them sleep and seeing them smile each time I pick them up. I can't believe that I love two human beings as much as I love them after only being together for six months. They make each and every day worth living.

I love you boys so much!