Walkers

In today's world, a "walker" is defined as...


zombies, made popular thanks to "The Walking Dead"

or in geriatric patients...

But in the Sink household, this is what we define as a walker..

Sassy Sydney!

 And we get to add another to that definition!

Ella Grace walking to her Daddy

That's right... it's official, Ella can really walk.  And I don't mean a few steps here or there (because that's been going on for a bit now), but a week ago, she walked across the Courington's living room floor with all the bunco ladies staring at her.  Since then, she will let go and walk to where she needs to go.  After spending Saturday evening in a dress not fit for crawling, she is doing a lot more walking.  The same thing happened with Sydney after spending Samantha's bridal shower in a dress.   She's still unstable and wobbly, but getting stronger each day :)  Let the crazy begin!

Sydney - started to REALLY walk the weekend of May 7th, 13 months old + 1 week
Ella - started to REALLY walk this past weekend, 1 week shy of 15 months old
{I'm so thankful for this blog... otherwise I would NEVER remember when things happened}

Stinky diapers are for daddies.

The day Ella & Sydney were born I cried.  A lot.  Not because I'm weak - but because there were 20 fingers, 20 toes, beautiful round heads, and were healthy.  Someone is looking out for us.

 

Kids are hard.  Harder than math and even harder than physics.  There are no manuals and nothing is more terrifying in life than the first night at home from the hospital.  Ask for help.

 

There is nothing better than giving your child the last bottle of the day while they fall asleep in your lap or on your shoulder. 

 

Stinky diapers are for daddies.

 

Speaking of daddies, teamwork is key.  Look out for each other.  Give each other breaks.  Always have each other's backs.  Always.

 

Buy a big car.  Bigger than you think you need.  Car seats, strollers, backpacks and toys take more room than you'll ever know.  Drive it like it's a sports car and make no apologies.  It's carrying the most precious cargo you'll ever have.

 

Plan all public outings like studying for final exams.  It's going to be hard, time consuming and you will be exhausted when completed.  But do it, as hard as it is, just get out there.

 

When the plastic phone rings - you answer it.

 

The small things are the big things.  Their first giggle, saying "da-da", the first steps, and snuggles.  Don't miss it.  Make sure you have your priorities straight.

 

Everyone has advice.  Everyone.  Filter out what works best for you.

 

Laugh with your babies and have epic dance parties.

 

When you get a chance to spend time along with your spouse, do it.  Remember who you were before babies.  And when you finally do get a break, you'll only care about seeing and talking to (and about) the babies.

 

 

 

It's you and your spouse's job to be an example for your children.  Teach them how to love and respect.  Show them they deserve the world.

 

No matter what happened at work that day, you'll forget all about it when you walk in and see the two biggest smiles.  Your children are genuinely thrilled to see you, and make no judgment.

 

You become an expert in books with very few words and big pictures.



If your babies are crying, they are breathing.

 

When you wonder if you're doing a good job and if your children are okay, of course they are.  This is life.  It doesn't get any better than this.

The Sydney Chronicles

These two.

 

We found out yesterday from daycare that they definitely have each other's back. Ella was fighting with her friend Savannah over a soccer ball. Sydney walked up, grabbed Savannah's hair with both of her hands and pulled her off the soccer ball so Ella could have it. Sydney then walked over to her teacher and gave her a high five.

 

Yep.

I caught a glimpse.

About a month ago, Daniel and I were driving home (separately) from watching Abby at gymnastics.  I was behind him in my sweet-ass minivan, and he was in his sleek Genesis.  He looked into the rearview mirror, grinned, and I melted.  He was looking at me.  Looking back at his wife, the person he chose to spend the rest of his life with.  He smiled that grin that I just love, and I caught a glimpse of his dimple and I smiled.  When life is hectic and we take out our unhappy feelings on the person we are most comfortable with, we have to remember how we started this whole thing.  He had just turned 18 (add a dozen years), was way too cocky (and still is), and he was cute (yep, still is).  He played tennis, and I watched.  I thought he had a sexy car, a white Toyota Celica, that he zipped into the tennis court parking lot.  He started looking at me like he wanted me - the girl managing his tennis team - nobody else.  That's what I caught a glimpse of driving home the other day - my husband that chose me and nobody else.  We are older and wiser, have added some extra pounds, but our hearts have multiplied in size.

This guy.  My whole world, the person that challenges me, keeps me on my toes, has given me two beautiful girls that he simply adores, and makes my soul happy.  I'm a lucky girl.

I had to snap a picture as soon as we got home to help me remember the butterflies that smile in the rearview gave me.  When we get tired and grumpy and annoyed, we need to get back to our roots, back to the spark that started it all. 

"The first time you fall in love, it changes your life forever, and no matter how hard you try, the feeling never goes away." {The Notebook}

Friends Bay Trip 2k16

Daniel and I have been going to the bay together for 11 years... and he's been going his entire life.  Last year, we took the #doublesinks to the bay for the first time.  This year, we wanted to invite some of our good friends + all the new babies!  I love that we are all in this awesome phase of life together... it's so much fun!  Last year, we loaded up the van and left as soon as we fed the girls, so then we could arrive at the bay just in time for another feed.  This year, the Sink clan went down late on Thursday, after work and right at bedtime so the girls would sleep the whole time.  They did awesome, and slept until 9:15 the next morning!  I'm telling you... the bay has magic dust that puts you in total relaxation mode.  Anyway, we had the day to ourselves until the Eckert's and Lehman's arrived in time for dinner.  We had such a great day.  After sleeping in and eating breakfast, we lathered on sunscreen and headed down to the dock for some water + sunshine.

 

Sydney is extra excited to be eating breakfast at the bay!

The most popular toy at the bay - this ride on car!  The girls loved it - they rode on it, fought over it, and pushed it all around. 


#1 reason to have twins: they push each other on toys like this so the momma and daddy can sit and supervise, ha!

"How's it going back there, my slave??" -E

After getting the girls ready, Daniel and I went inside to put on bathing suits and sunscreen.  When we came outside, our fun little ladies decided it would be fun to pull out every single tissue from a brand new box :)  It could be worse!

"Hey mom, look at what I did with this tissue box" - Love, Sydney (accomplice Ella isn't pictured)

Attempt at a family selfie

Behind the scenes: attempt at a family selfie

Momma and her bathing beauties

It was such a perfect-weather day.  We set up a blow-up pool, water table, and an umbrella.  After Sydney did some exploring, she was content to play instead of walk around.  They really did great, and I'm super proud of them.

Daddy is supervising this special treat: pouches in the pool!

every good supervisor does so with a beer in-hand

When it was finally time for lunch, we attempted a picnic on the dock, and it went 100x better than I thought.  E&S sat and ate their lunches like little champs!  I have to say, I'm proud that Daniel and I try our best to be flexible, put the girls in different types of situations so they're used to it, and that most of the time things work out.  *pat on the back*

lunch on the dock!

Sydney got a little chilly, so this little bear was getting warmed up

that belly though

Daddy and his girls

Momma's most perfect view: daddy and his daughters, beautiful blue skies, and the bay

Another most perfect view

Ella, Daddy, Sydney <3 <3 <3

Sydney got cold and was ready to get out of the water - so she snuggled up with Momma, never letting go of her clams

Ella was such a champ in the water

After lunch and a quick swim, it was finally nap time!  Daniel and I enjoyed a quiet lunch together, and I was able to read my book :)


no, we aren't eating lunch naked, just a terrible angle

look at this sweet diva, Sydney!

Breathtaking.  Ella (l) & Sydney (r)

those two were so happy with their clams!  we said "don't eat the clam" about 100x

sharing a toy together

Sydney was slightly obsessed with drinking bay water

babies in brew thru shirts

And finally, our friends (baby friends + adult friends) arrived!  The babies played for a while, we put the girls down for bed, and the boys grilled hamburgers for dinner.  It wasn't the picture perfect meal of all 6 of us sitting down for dinner, drinking adult beverages and laughing.  It was different parents tending to crying babies, taking turns eating.  Funny how this is our crazy, awesome lives now :)  We couldn't wait for 10pm instead of being buzzed and happy by 10pm.

We woke up to a beautiful day, although it was a little bit too breezy for an umbrella or canopy tent.  After babies were fed, changed, lathered up, and happy - we made our way to the dock.

four baby besties - Ella, Evelyn, Emmett, and Sydney

aerial view of the baby pool

momma friends - Katie, Kim, and Kristen

We used the hashtag #downbythebay for our weekend.  I know that I'm just so clever (not), and I had to add #wherethewatermelonsgrow to go with our cute, new watermelon suits!

E&S sat on the side of the baby pool and bounced up and down and up and down and thought it was HYSTERICAL.  Aren't they adorable??  #downbythebay #wherethewatermelonsgrow #doublesinks #toomanyhashtags #thisisonlyablog

A dad, his beer, and his watermelon babies

The beautiful Eckert fam

Emmett and Evelyn snoozing on the dock of the bay

haha, cuties

The Sink Family, #downbythebay

Darryl, Bobby, and Daniel - such awesome dads!

Attempting a watermelon picture with the three lady-babes.  Sydney did NOT want Evelyn to be squeezed in next to her.  See Exhibit A:  Sydney PUSHING Evelyn off her.  Real life.


Exhibit A

Then we got it!  Jut had to get the right props in place behind them

Three watermelons!

After everyone had plenty of sunshine, we headed back to the house for the evening.  Lots of fun - babies eating, sleeping, playing in the water.  So much different than pre-babies, but so good <3

Mommas on the golf cart, an adult beverage in-hand, and a tour of the bay!

love my lap :)

E&S enjoying a gourmet quesadilla dinner

must wear crab outfits at the bay!  Buddy would be so happy <3

Sydney's hair was past crazy, and so hilarious

Really, it was hilarious

We couldn't quit documenting the unruly blonde locks

Cheers! with Daddy

We were able to put the girls to sleep, eat dinner, and walk down to the dock just in time to watch the most beautiful sunset.  Bull's Bay always seems to have the most peaceful and gorgeous sunsets <3

And a shout out to Katie for snapping a few pictures of just the two of us <3  This is where it all started, literally.  We've done so much here together, but mainly unplugged and spent time falling in love.  I never imagined 11 years ago this is what our life would look like in the future.  I never thought we could be so happy and have beautiful twin girls together.  We are so lucky, and try not to take life for granted.   Daniel is the most wonderful dad, he's a kind husband, and he is always trying to make our lives brighter.  Oh, and he's such a stud.  How did I get so lucky?

After all four babies were snoozing, we played games and laughed and talked.  We have such great friends.  Everyone is such a great team - dads that are involved and get shit done, mommas that love their babies to pieces.

early morning golf cart ride with Darryl & Evelyn

Of course, we had to recreate the E + E + E + S picture, and they stayed put better than we anticipated

And we also had to take tons of family and group shots down on the dock, one last time before cleaning up and heading out!

three Sink ladies

Mommas and their babies.. look at Syd & Evelyn chatting

such awesome dads and their babies... we have such lucky little ones!

so much happy

As we were cleaning up and packing things up, the girls discovered the island in the kitchen, and it was the cutest thing!

"Hey, Syd, I'll help you up"



their onesies have a crab on them and say 'best friends' - so perfect for the bay.  and I love Ella's hand holding onto Sydney's shoulder



That's all folks!  What an awesome, relaxing, and memorable weekend.  Definitely one for the books!