From Tropics to Tundra and Where Do We Go From Here

Between making big decisions, packing up our home, taking care of twin two year olds, saying goodbye to good friends, moving overseas, and settling into life in a new-ish city... I haven't had much desire to blog, as I'm sure you can understand! You, being any human on earth who can read what I just wrote. Yes, life has been full of life for the Adertons.

The decision to move home was one of much discussion, thought, and prayer. We love Brunei. The friends we made changed us for the better and we carry them in our hearts forever. We thought we would be in Brunei longer than a year and a half, but things don't always pan out the way you think they might and ABC'S The Bachelor doesn't always chose who you thought he would (C'mon Chris!). But just as Netflix brings new, good, and surprising shows like the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, God brings new, good, and surprising things.

Physically, the transition from tropics to frozen tundra was rough. Our first week and a half consisted of trying to adjust the worst jet lag we've ever had. Not only did I get a spat of food poisoning in Hong Kong, but we've had an array of stomach flu, sinus infection, and fever. Despite these things, we've just. been. good. 

We are happy to be back in the midwest, snow and all. We've spent some time with family and are beginning to catch up with friends around the region. Dan is getting set with school and work while the twins and I are figuring out our new normal.

For me, personally, I am enjoying being creative in ways that have been on the back burner for the last few years. There is so much in me that is waking up after a "twin marathon" hiatus and I'm excited to tap into those things and see where they lead. This means I've decided to officially put this blog on the back burner while some of those other ideas are boiling. No more thinking, "I haven't written a blog post in a while," so instead my mind can stew on something new. I'm fairly sure I will come back again, but for now, I'm going to turn down the heat and let it simmer quietly in the back.

I've so loved sharing what we've been doing with our friends and family and I greatly appreciate everyone's encouragement, support, and love. If you want to see what we're doing, the best way to do that, for now, is to follow my private Instagram account. Username: @aderanna  Otherwise, keep your notifications on and you may see a new blog post someday. Or not! Who knows! :)

Alone Together

The twins have a beautifully synched sleep schedule. This was a deliberate decision from the very beginning in order to in hopes of maintaining a smidgin of sanity in those majorly desperate sleep deprived days. Those babies went to sleep, I did whatever I needed to do (pump, shower, eat, wave to Dan from across the room), and then I had a good hour and a half to catch up on my shut eye. *shudder* *tears* *fist pump* Cue the Rocky Theme Song because I can obviously do anything after that. This is also what I tell myself during particularly difficult WODs. 

They are still on the same nap and bedtime schedule, which I mostly love. The only downside is that I rarely get alone time with either. But there are times, like this afternoon, when one will wake up and the other won't. One will be crying to be bailed out of pack n play prison and the other stays curled up in dream land. If I open the door to their room with the silence of a Milford Man, then I can retrieve said crying child and have some fun alone time with him/her!

Today Eleanor woke up at the best time possible. This weekend we went to a costume party to which I brought little dirt cakes with gummy snakes. Delish. I had a ton of leftover whip cream starter that I didn't want to go bad, so I was whipping that up and monstrously devouring taste testing it with baby girl. It was so nice to spend an hour (Eli slept forever) with Ella, without any interruptions.

How Do You Do It | Part 2

Sometimes putting Eli in his pack n' play, going to find Ella who is running away, and then going back into the room to put her down is an extra 60 seconds I don't want to use. That's when I pick them both up, give kisses, and put them both right back down to cuddle their teddy's (or stand there crying, per this video). It is almost totally unnecessary, but can be helpful when they're both especially crazy. Or I'm especially crazy, depending on which happens earliest that day *wink*

This video also gives a special, healthy dose of reality into what we look like every morning! Enjoy!

Here is a very blurry, but still super adorable, photo of the aftermath :)

As Of Late

We've been busy here! Getting the box ready to go (we're soooo close!), keeping these kiddos entertained/bathed/fed, and helping out friends that had serious medical issues with their son. But we are doing well now, minus a string of cold like symptoms floating about.

Here are a few pictures of the twinsies and some fun things we've done as of late!

I love matching outfits for the twins. I cannot stress that enough. I love them. These matching "I Heart Brunei" t-shirts were a perfect gift. Trying to get these two to sit still long enough to get a clear picture of them both smiling at the camera is now a near impossible feat. I was happy to get the majority of both their faces in the frame!

Our sweet friends had us over to their house for a swim! The twins really love playing in water. They were in there for close to 45 minutes and would've stay in longer if I hadn't taken them out. And all those little balls in the pool were like magic to them.

We had a nice little family outing to lunch and a park. It was 2 o'clock when we got on the playground, which is not an ideal time to play outside here. Even though it was short lived, the twins enjoyed walking/crawling on the grass and experiencing swings for the first time!

The twins discovered my tupperware drawer. It is a nice distraction for them while I make dinner or do the dishes. Ella is really into stacking and putting things into bowls, so she goes nutso for this.

We had these little cuties spend a couple days and a night with us while their parents were helping their little brother get healthy. It was over Easter, so they did a candy hunt, dyed eggs, and wore their Easter best. We enjoyed having them around and spending time with them!

The twins' birthday present from their Grandmas and Grandpas finally came in the mail! This fun teepee is all the rage right now in our apartment. They love to just walk/crawl in and out and in and out, bring toys inside, and play peekaboo from inside. I think it's just the cutest, which is why there are five pictures to follow!

Now we are getting ready for a visit home in less than a month and are bubbling over with excitement!

How Do You Do It | Part 1

A different set of skills come along with the logistics of twin life. How do you pick up two babies at once? How do you feed two babies at the same time? If both babies are screaming, how do you calm them? This happens to parents of more than one child all the time, but it is a different ball game when the children are the same age with similar skills when it comes to walking, standing, communicating, etc. Not to mention the intrigue of the situation rises as twins make up 1 of 80-200 pregnancies (that statistic varies depending on who you ask, the nation, the age of the mother...).

Because of this, I am asked the same question a lot.

"How do you do it?"

Usually I laugh, sigh, or say "very carefully". Rarely do I answer that question with a step by step description of how I gave them both a shower, dried them off, got them diapered, and clothed without dropping one or losing my mind.

I think that these processes are interesting, creative, and absolutely comical. So, here is the first video in a series called, "How Do You Do It". I hope you enjoy this glimpse into our everyday!

This video is of how I put the twins in the car. It can be especially tricky since we don't live on a ground floor!

                                         

And here is a picture of Daddy, doing his thing.

Forts

Sometimes that soccer ball has been rolled back and forth enough. Sometimes we've played horsey up and down the length of the apartment too many times to count and the piano keys have been hit and slapped so hard your ears could ring. 

That's when I take a breather, sit back, and relax in our fort while the twins crawl in and out and in and out and in and out. 

Something magical happens when a large piece of fabric is tossed over some chairs and the coffee table. You can retreat into your own cozy space, imagine, dream, forget, remember, seek. 

Today I'm thankful to watch and reflect as the twins crawl in and out of this space that makes their eyes grow wider and my heart grow wiser. 

Hometown Love

Typing the name of your hometown into Pinterest will not take away any homesickness, but it will give your heart a hug and your face a smile.

I love my beautiful, quirky, small hometown. 

Two Sick Babies - AKA The Double Cuddle

Well, I assumed this would happen at some point. They share spoons, put their hands in their own and each other's mouths, chew on the same toys, etc. It was bound to happen. They have had fevers among an array of other symptoms for the last week. Teething may also be to blame.

Often I'm home alone and both want to be cuddled. They let me know just how badly they want to be cuddled through their crying and the way they frantically climb over their brother/sister as if they were scaling a great mountain on a quest to save all the world with nothing but their rattle and diaper. It took a couple tries, and a few fails, but I've mastered the double cuddle.

A. Have both Twins within reaching distance. They are both crying and will be easy to locate.
B. Twin #1 assumes Double Cuddle position on the right side of your body and all is well.
C. Using all athleticism and coordination you have, scoop up Twin #2 with your strangely muscular left arm.
D. Use as much of your right hand as you can spare to help maneuver Twin #2 into Double Cuddle position, being careful to not squeeze Twin #1.
E. This particular move may take some practice as Twin #2 has probably toppled on top of Twin #1 and completely reversed any effects you were hoping for the Double Cuddle to have.
F. Twin #1 will most likely be crying pretty hard at this point as she/he thought their cuddle time was about to begin but instead it became a ruckus with brother/sister's tiny fingers poking them in the eye. Do your best to gently bounce both Twin #1 & #2 as they try to put your hair in their mouths.
G. You are likely panting like a dog in the sun, out of breath, with very little hair left in your cute top knot. Resign to this fact and take in every single precious second of the mind-blowing love explosion of the Double Cuddle. This will be much harder to do when they are in high school.

I do not have a picture of the Double Cuddle, yet. But here is a picture of another skillful exercise in which I get both babies up on the couch and into bottle drinking position. This picture was taken about a month ago and I have since discovered that this positioning is flawed. It is better for the twins to be head to head as to avoid any kicks in the face!

Pool Day!

Our sweet friends have a pool in their complex and let us come take a dip! Every time Eli has been in water like this (James' kiddie pool, Opa's hot tub pool, Devil's Lake, the ocean...) he has cried and cried. It would take him a couple tries or it would just not work at all. This time he loved it! He just lounged in that floaty and relaxed the morning away. Eleanor loved splashing her hands in the water and Daddy even took her under once :) We were there from 9am-10am and even then it was HOT in the sun. Me and my Norwegian skin were thankful for the shady areas. 

Diaper explosion... oops!

Beautiful pool, lovely friends, sunny day!

Splashes and giggles!

In my hometown of Baraboo, WI the wind chill is currently about -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Stay safe, everyone. And watch for ways to help those who have less opportunity to stay out of the cold. 

Getting Some Sun

But not too much sun, which is very easily done. Believe it or not, I feel like I will come back to visit the states with less of a tan than I came to Borneo with. 

When by myself at home, getting outside takes more planning and thought. Here are a few reasons...

It is hot out.

Like, so hot. My hair has been a frizzy poof or in a bun off my neck and face almost every day since we've been here.  I was outside with the babies for 10-15 minutes and Eli got a little sun burn on his sweet nose and cheeks. When Dan gets home from work (CrossFit) I rarely give his drenched, sweaty self a hug.

We have twins.

Amazing, beautiful, adorable, lovely twins. Who take a lot of forethought when making the decision to go out of the apartment. Diaper bag, diaper bag contents, strollers, how I will actually get both babies down the stairs and into the car/stroller, nap schedules, eating schedules, etc. 

It is the rainy season.

It rains at least once a day now. So, even if I get the twins all ready to go, by the time they're ready it could be raining cats and dogs. And it rains HARD - thunder, lightning, the whole show. 

I've been better about getting them outside at least a little bit. Here are a few pictures of the babies during our walk around the apartment building and outside in the weird, empty, ceilingless room we have.

The Cutie Pie Culprits

I have heard countless parents tell me that as long as they can hear their kids playing, they know their little ones are not getting into trouble. It is the silence that makes our ears perk up and our alarms go off. I had my first, gentle experience with this today.

There I was, baking their broccoli in the kitchen when I suddenly noticed... nothing. There were no sounds coming from the next room. Usually there are squeals, screeches, something. I walked into the living room, checked around the couch, and peeking over were two faces covered in powdered formula. That's the last time I leave the diaper bag on the floor for their little hands to creep into.

They were pretty adorable, patted down with the creamy powder. So, before their baths I snapped a couple photos of the "Cutie Pie Culprits" (their calling card).

We Have Cars!

Between CrossFit and our kids... well let's just say that they are being put to good use.

So long as the car wasn't bottomed on the concrete we were good.

The chauffeur and her V.I.P.'s.

I Love This

Wow, I love having twins. It is a blessing like none other. 

I don't have much else to say.

I love these babies. I'm so thankful to be blessed with the gift of twins. 

Here is a picture of the twinsies taking a nap together. We haven't done this since they were itty bitty tiny babes, but we were going to a friend's home and didn't want to bring both pack n' plays! Lugging around all of their gear is almost as much work as a WOD at CrossFit. So, in together they went. Consolidation is key (I write that while there is a double stroller and a single stroller both in the trunk of my car...) They did a great job! This will, most likely, become a common occurrence.

In completely unrelated but mildly interesting news, there is a store here that carries all IKEA items! I can hardly believe it and I absolutely loved it. I purchased a few things that have really helped to make, what Dan once called the "cold dark tundra" of our fluorescent light, white walled home more... homey. A frame for our Minnesota poster, a pot for our orchid, a lamp to warm up the room, and some plastic bowls and plates for the babes. It was an incredibly fun time!

Thanksgiving and Loss

My plan for today was to sit down and write a post about our Thanksgiving at the U.S. Embassy Residence, about the food, people, and home we enjoyed. 

But now I put my fingers to these keys, not to record the events of that day, but to process through the event of this day. 

Today I give thanks for the life and mourn the loss of my Aunt Barbie. 

A week before we moved I was blessed with the chance to spend the day with Aunt Barb. I am forever grateful. My mom, Barb, and I drove around Wisconsin together, spending much of our time in the car talking. I got to pray with her. I told her how much I appreciated her support in my life and how she has shaped who I am. I got to tell her about how my cousins, siblings, and I look up to her, about how we want to be like her and live with the attitude, faith, and servant heart that she lived with. 

She told me, "we've had some good times together, haven't we sister?" 

Barbie's light has covered people and this world with the beauty and peace of how she lived her life. And with that, though her physical presence is gone, her beautiful, peaceful light will always be here. 

So I am thankful. 

Thankful for the comfort and love she gave my teenage mom. 

Thankful for the week I spent in the same cabin as Aunt Barb at summer camp. 

Thankful for her smiles and hugs. 

Thankful for her demonstrations of faith.

Thankful for her gathering of us girl cousins to connect and instill our worth.

Thankful for the hospitality that Dan & I were shown when we stopped by for a visit with her and my Uncle Dan, only to be served snacks and lunch over our five hour stay.

Thankful for her cheering us onward. 

Thankful for the light she let shine, driving away darkness.

Thankful for the joy, wholeness of body, and awe she is experiencing.

I'm sad that I will not be home to attend the funeral, remember her with family, hold my mom's hand, give hugs to cousins... My heart is thousands of miles away. 

No Internet

Hi Friends! 

I haven't been posting much the last couple weeks. There is a good reason for that, I promise. Like, a really good one. 

We don't have internet.

Some things tend to take longer over here. Having internet installed is one of them. So, updates will be sparse. 

This week, while I was not on the internet, I made a video of our home! Enjoy :)

We've Arrived!

Friends and Family,

We're here! The packing, the travel, the 13 hour transition, is all over.

We went from Baraboo to Chicago to Los Angeles to Tokyo to Singapore to Brunei.

And the babies did so well.

I can hardly believe it.

We had very little sleep along the way, but we were sustained. There was one point when both babies slept at the same time for about two hours! Dan & I quickly took advantage and slept.

From Los Angeles to Tokyo to Singapore we had a whole middle row of four seats to ourselves! This was just amazing. We only payed for two seats and then had lap infants, so it was a huge blessing to have two extra seats for ALL OF OUR STUFF. Our stuff... you guys... it was just everywhere. We also had two bassinets that hooked onto the wall in front of us that the babies were able to sleep in - which meant there was no one sitting in front of us. I wish I had a picture of this, but we were focusing on other things ;)

Speaking of who was sitting around us - there were about fifteen traveling stewardesses. Talk about perfect timing. They were with us from Los Angeles to Singapore and helped us so much! They washed bottles, held a baby when a bathroom break was needed, constantly offered us snacks and drinks, oo'd and ahh'd over the twins, played with them, were understanding, and were incredibly gracious. I handed out these baggies to the people nearby, about 30 worth...

The stewardesses said, "We've been flying for 25 years and have never seen anyone do this. It is considerate and we really appreciate it!" Wow. So blessed. Others around were regular traveling folk - they were very understanding and loved the baggies and babies as well.

There were a few things about traveling with twins I had read about on blogs and was warned about that made me feel doomed to horrible travel. Things like how Dan and I wouldn't be able to sit together because of oxygen masks, how we wouldn't be able to have them in their carriers during take off, landing, and through security, etc... but none of those things ever applied to us. How? I'm not asking any questions. Just thankful.

I was not looking forward to going through security with the twins. Every blog I read basically said, "brace yourself and prepare for the worst". Security was as smooth as if I were by myself. People were helpful, understanding, and flexible. The babies were stellar. Going through immigration was the same story. Smooth as could be, easy and quick. 

I managed to watch one movie (The Great Gatsby) on our 11 hour leg.

We had one instance of an inconsolable baby during the last ten minutes of the last descent. I'll take it. 

We are in our second full day here and have almost already completely adjusted to the 13 hour time change. Miracle.

I am thankful for so so many things, including you.

Happy to be on our last leg of the trip.

My sweet sleepy boy.

Baby girl, hanging with the Paynes.

Hyper little girl!

I love matching outfits :)

And now we are staying with friends, loving the view out of our bedroom window...

March??

We've been a little busy here in the Aderton household.

Sometimes things go without being dusted for months until your sweet mother-in-law comes to visit.

Sometimes that lettuce in the back of the fridge goes bad.

Sometimes e-mails sit in my inbox waiting for a response.

On my wall hangs a reminder of when time suddenly stopped yet simultaneously seemed to fly by...

Maybe I'll switch it to July... if I get around to it.