Evan and Leah, meet your "cousin"

Evan and Leah met their "cousin", Wrangler, today. Greg's sister, Sarah, has had 8 week old Wrangler for a couple of weeks now. The twins have met their Uncle's dog, Maggie, at their Baptism celebration, but didn't really warm up to the dog (who is also just a pup). Maybe because Wrangler is a little smaller than Maggie? I don't know. So, while Sarah and Grandma Sandy did some errands, we said we would like to watch little Wrangler for awhile. I did pretty well with my allergies! BUT.....we still won't ever be able to get a dog! Sorry Greg! Greg had fun while it lasted and can't wait to play with his "nephew" again.

Greg's a proud Papa

I know this is late getting posted, but Greg had taken the camera with him on his business trip before I could download this pix.
Greg is definitely a pround papa. Here is a pix. we took before the kids went to sleep on Father's Day. Greg sure did miss them while he was away in Colorado for work. He is such an awesome dad and a wonderful husband. He has exceeded my expectations as a father to our two miracles.

Twins in Texas

Grandma Sandy and Great Aunt Sue

Great Aunt Sue and Great Uncle Jeff

Shop till we drop

Rau's ready for home

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Glover

Well, the kids took their first vacation this past weekend. We all headed down to Austin, Texas for my cousin Lauren's wedding. Greg flew directly from his business trip in Colorado and met us in Austin. So, I had to get the kids things packed and ready to go before we headed out of town. My parents, luckily, were going too and helped me at the airport. (this was also the first time the kids flew in a plane). What a task that was at the airport. Going through security with two strollers, two babyseats and bases, all of our carry-on items and two 20 pounders (kids). However, they were actually really good through the whole process. I think they should make a line just for families with little kids because, boy, do some people get really pissy having to wait a couple of extra minutes. The kids did great on the plane. They fussed a little to get comfortable, played with some toys and the tray tables and fell asleep. About half way through the flight I hear grunting from Evan and see my dad's nose scrunch up. Sure enough, a poopy diaper on the plane. The thing I dreaded happening the most on the trip. So, I picked him up from my dad, headed down the very narrow aisle on the three seater plane, and proceeded to the very tiny bathroom which smelled already. Well, as soon as I layed Evan on the changing table (which was shorter in length than he) he began screaming and clawing and grabbing onto my arm for dear life. What an ordeal!

As for our hotel stay, the kids did great. Evan woke up once one night and Leah woke up once another night. Thursday night, we all went out to dinner at Baby A's (great margarita's). Friday, we went to Greg's Aunt Sue's house. This was the first time she was able to meet the kids. (Greg's mom also went down earlier on Thursday and stayed with her sister, Sue.) We went to lunch and then headed back to the hotel for a nap. Friday night the kids and I went to my cousin's dinner rehearsal at The Oasis on Lake Travis. Awesome place!! There is just nothing to compare it to here in St. Louis. Greg did not attend the rehearsal dinner. He went out with his Uncle Jeff, and cousins, Josh and Nate to a AAA ballgame and had a great time. On Saturday, my Aunt Barb, cousin Kim, my mom, the kids and I went to an outlet mall. My Uncle Bob, Dad and Greg went out to lunch by themselves. I sure wish our outlet malls were like the outlet malls in Texas. They have the best stores. Evan didn't really care to go shopping with the girls. Probably because it was 100 degrees! (Texas has hit record highs for 15 days in May/June with 100 plus degree temps.) Even though we at the mall for 3-4 hours, we probably only went into 6 stores. Leah pooped after we were in the first store. Then about 25 minutes later, it was time for them to eat lunch, so we ate lunch; where I proceeded to spill my soda all over the table making a mess! Then, Evan's diaper needed changing, so back to the bathroom we went. (Our experiences in the bathrooms were not pleasurable....the hand dryer was like a jet engine, VERY LOUD!! Both kids SCREAMED as their diapers were changed because they were scared of the noise the dryer made). After lunch, Evan was still fussy, so my Aunt Barb thought he might want to ride in a little cart they had for kids. He had fun for the first 20 minutes and became restless again. Saturday night was the wedding at the Rough Hollow Yacht Club and Marina. It was BEAUTIFUL. The houses surrounding the facility started in the $700 range. They were breathtaking! I can't do the facility justice by describing it. It was probably 98 degrees at this time (6 pm) and everyone was dying of heat....outside wedding. (Thank you to Greg's mom, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Sue for taking the kids swimming that afternoon and keeping them overnight. They would have been really fussy!) My cousin, Lauren, was absolutely beautiful! We all had a great time at the reception. She had a photo booth with hats, boas, pipes, etc. to use as props for the photo booth. These pix. were to go in a scrapbook as her guest book. Neat idea. She also had a man that rolled cigars for guests, a 6 tiered cupcake stand, a live band and a bar with different candies that you could fill bags with. By Sunday, I think the kids were ready to head home. Greg's mom rode home with us on our flight and helped with the kids. Again, they did pretty well on the plane. They slept for the majority of the time. So, all in all, our first vacation with the twins went fairly well. Am I ready for another vacation with them?...not for awhile. Well, it's off to do another load of laundry from the trip!!

Greg's First Father's Day & the Kids' Baptism

Grandma Sandy and Evan
Kids dressed in their Baptism outfits & 3 generations of Rau's

Leah with Nana and Papa & Rau family at church

Sunday was a big day for the Rau family. It was Greg's first Father's Day and Evan and Leah were Baptized. For Father's Day, I made Greg a calendar with pictures of the kids. Many of you have seen the calendar through Shutterfly. I was pretty exhausted getting that gift together. I took over 200 pictures of the kids in a day and a half to put in this calendar and included other pix. we already had. I dressed the kids up in different outfits (thanks to Papa and Nana for supplying their costumes/accessories from their Lip-Sych collection). It was quite tiring changing the kids outfits then transferring one to the spot where I was going to take the pix. and then go back and get the other one and then trying to get both to look at me at the same time........augh! What a workout. Many wrote back that February was their favorite. So, I have added that pix. to the blog.

The calendar didn't arrive for Father's Day, so I had to show Greg on the computer. He had to leave at 6:50 this Monday morning to go to Colorado (Mon.-Thurs.), so I didn't want to make him wait until then to see it. He thought it was so cute and told me he was thinking of making one for me for my upcoming birthday. I also made him another gift. My mom and I took the kids' hands, dipped them in black paint and put their handprints on nice cardstock. I also included a poem about Dads in the middle and placed it all in a black frame. He loved that as well. We had my family and Greg's family over to celebrate Father's Day as well as the kids' Baptism. A lot of family went to church to watch this wonderful event. The kids received many wonderful gifts: an awesome wagon from Nana and Papa, beautiful keepsake boxes from Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Jim, engraved crosses with phrases and little pix. frames from Great Grandma and Papa Billington & Great Aunt Connie and Uncle Tom, books from Aunt Sarah, a First Bible and some little books from Aunt Mandy and Uncle Mike, pix. frames with little children praying from my Aunt Bonnie and family, as well as monetary gifts from Greg's grandmothers. Thank you to everyone for the gifts and for celebrating this day with us. The picture I took of Greg and the kids for Father's Day will be posted later. (Greg took the camera with him to Colorado before I could download that pix. He said he needs it to take pix. of the mountains and when he goes white water rafting. Sounds like "work" to me! What a rough job.)

Our Saturday

Again, the Rau family likes to pack as many activities as possible in one day/weekend. On Saturday, we had the kids' pictures done by a professional photographer at Saint Peters Rec. Center. She took great pix. of the twins by some daylilies, on some rocks by a waterfall, on a bridge, etc. We even had our first family photo taken. We don't get the proofs till this week sometime. We are anxiously awaiting to see how they turned out. From the looks of the photo shoot, I think we are going to go broke; because I am going to want A LOT of the pictures. Evan is such a ham and will smile anytime a camera is pointing in his direction. Leah was a little sleepy and I made a fool of myself trying to get her to look my way/smile. After the kdis got a nap in, we decided to take them swimming for the first time. What a challenge that was! Just getting their swimmy diapers, suits and sunscreen on was tiring. The very first toe that dipped in that freezing cold water was followed by a scream from both kids. Greg took each of them around in the raft and they kind of warmed up to the whole idea, but still weren't really thrilled. We spent about an hour there and then decided to head home. The kids took a great nap after that (note to self). Later that afternoon/early evening, my sister and her husband, Mike (who were in town this weekend) came over and we all headed out to the St. Peter's Old Time Picnic. Not much to do, but what a GREAT place to people watch! Lots of LOVELY people here in St. Peters! We didn't stay there too long due to the kids being exhausted and hot.
Mom and kids

Aunt Mandy and Leah

Uncle Mike, Aunt Mandy, Greg and kids

Leah tired after a long day

Sitting pretty for birthday pictures

Grabbing Leah's foot

Sucking on Leah's toe

"That didn't taste yummy!" "I know, Evan!"
Posing pretty Look at my belly!

Smiling Evan Mom, this is embarrassing!!!
I know I have said it before, but....MAN MY KIDS ARE GROWING UP FAST! Today was their 7th month birthday. Evan is such a ham for the camera. Leah starts to blink real fast due to the red light that focuses on our camera before the flash. A lot of her pictures usually are of her with her eyes closed/closing. They were both so funny while I took the pix. of them together. Evan decided he was going to pick up Leah's foot and suck on her toe. I had to let him do it for a second...too funny! Then he had enough and quickly went back to the pacifier. I had great footage on video, but the clip is too long to post for you. Evan was CRACKIN UP at Leah, whom was just sitting their staring back at him like he was crazy. After awhile, they did both start giggling at each other while tugging on one another's shirts.


It was also bath night tonight and I had to take some pictures of them in their oh-so-cute towels (thanks Lindsey...we love them!). I didn't want to get them dressed; I thought they looked so adoreable!!

Busy Weekend Again

Adam and Lindsey Leah and Papa B. Nana Billington and Evan

This weekend, Leah and Evan went to their first wedding. My (Alicia) cousin, Adam, got married to Lindsey on Saturday. We had a fun time at the wedding and enjoyed watching the kids' reactions to new scenery and various items on the tables. Who knew that after buying/receiving all these expensive toys; all I need is some plastic spoons, netting and napkin ring holders! Leah got ahold of ALL these items on our table.

Don't I look like a "Pretty, Pretty Princess?!"

Greg decided to make the napkin ring holders her earrings and Papa Billington decided to give her a veil with the netting. I would also like to say that our kid is a genius.....she used the plastic spoon and scraped the table like she was getting food and then she would put it in her mouth. It was funny. Evan did okay at the wedding. He was soooo tired and fell asleep before we left. The kids actually went straight to bed when we got home (10ish) and didn't wake up until 5:30 am. That was a great stretch of sleep for Greg and I! My mom told me today that my dad kept a couple of party favors (little glass slippers that were filled with candy) for his "Pretty Princess."

We're ready for Church
On Sunday, we decided to take the kids to church for the first time. They are getting Baptized on Father's Day and we wanted to see how they would behave at church. We decided to go ahead and try the nursery this time. This is the first time I have left them with strangers (really anyone besides my parents/Greg's parents). I was worried all throughout the service how things were going. Greg's dad actually ended up being an usher for the morning service and we got word that he just couldn't help peeking in the nursery to see how they were doing. Speaking of the nursery....the staff is very nice (two of the helpers were about 15ish and twins themselves, so they immediately took to Evan and Leah when we brought them in). HOWEVER....there was a little kink in our day because of the nursery and how attentive the staff was to our kids. (Side note....I packed the diaper bag with 4 things of formula, two bottles, a thing of vegetables and a thing of fruit because we were going over to my old neighbor's new house for a luncheon right after church). Well, as we picked up the kids, the nursery attendant said, "Your kids were GREAT. No problems at all. They had their diapers changed and both have full bellies!" Now, I thought to myself......full bellies? (We fed them before we left for church- around 7:30.) However, I didn't say anything. By the time we get out to the car, the lady was running out to us with one of our toys in hand and I had just finished telling Greg that I had a hunch they fed them a bottle. So, he asked. "Oh yeah, I think 4 or 6 ounces is what we fed them in the nursery. Another lady is really good with making bottles and I think she guessed 6 oz." Greg smiled and left it at that. OKAY.....SO THAT MEANS OUR BABIES GOT 13 OZ. IN THE LAST 2-2 1/2 HOURS! Thank goodness she didn't give them the fruit and veg. She said Evan didn't finish his bottle, but Leah did (go figure!) I can't believe they had that much to eat. Their schedule of eating for the rest of the day was a little off, but we got back on track.

Well, tomorrow is their 7 month birthday. I am sure I will have pictures to post from the day.