A sight to be seen

Now that Jake and I are becoming "masters" of having 2 little ones, we are also realizing just the sight we are giving others around us. It must be hilarious to watch really. We have always been somewhat annoyed by how many people just seem to stare at us. Yes we have 2 little ones that look almost close enough to be twins. They must surely be twins because nobody in their right mind would have 2 so close together right? We thought that was what everybody thought. Now we know we are just entertaining to watch is all.

On our anniversary we brought the kids with us. We don't have family in Hawaii and Aleigh still has some stranger anxiety even around friends. We went on a movie tour at a ranch where they have filmed some big name movies. Right from the get go people start watching. We have to change their diapers. We have a tool bag in the back of the car with everything needed, diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, rash cream, snacks etc. just in case we forget it in the diaper bag. I change one then we switch kids and I change the other. The whole tour Aleigh wanted to walk as much as possible. Jake had to chase her around while I wore Amelia in the baby carrier. Amelia was squealing the whole tour while Aleigh was screaming every time we saw a cow, horse or bird, which was often. No wonder how many stares we received from the bus full of people.

We decided to attempt to eat at Outback steakhouse. From the get go we receive more staring. From Aleigh who waves at everybody and is demanding to walk on her own in a restaurant where she has no idea where she is walking and keeps walking in front of people even when we are guiding her and holding her hand. Then to the high chair dilemma. Do we have 2 high chairs, or 1 chair and hold Amelia, or 1 chair and let Aleigh sit in a booster seat? We decide on one high chair and a booster seat. Well we decided to put Aleigh in the high chair first and hold Amelia. Aleigh was taking her kids menu, crayons, napkins, coasters and swishing them around the table and throwing them on the floor. We gave Amelia some toys too. She constantly kept throwing them on the floor. We recieved I don't know how many "you have a toy/item under you" by I don't know how many people.

We then receive our meals and guess who else wants to eat with us? Amelia, so Jake gives her a bottle while trying to eat his salad with his other hand while Amelia is trying to grab at his fork. Meanwhile Aleigh has a plate of some of our salad and bread. She of course doesn't want the salad. Instead she thinks the plate is a drum set. When Amelia was finished with her bottle we get a 2nd high chair and put Amelia in if. Well, Aleigh was then making a huge mess so we decided to move her to the booster seat. Our main meals come out and Aleigh was then sliding out of the booster seat and almost falling under the table almost the same time as Amelia is sliding down in the high chair and crying because she couldn't lean back without sliding down. All high chairs do not fit 7 month old babies apparently. So then Jake holds Amelia again while we try to get Aleigh just to sit in the booth. Every couple minutes she starts to stand again so we have to remind her to sit again. There was a baby in the booth behind us, so she gradually would make her way to a stand so she could wave and stare at the family behind us. Do you ever feel like you are being watched? Well you probably are. At one point Aleigh gets into my diaper bag. I didnt even realize it was next to her. Next thing I see is Amelia's little baby shoe is slammed down on top of Aleigh's plate of food. Lovely. Thankfully since Amelia isnt walking a baby shoe really isnt dirty but still clean feet even dont belong on a table especially not a plate of food. Apparently Aleigh got Amelia's shoes out of my bag. Nice, that will make for some rubbery tasting food.

After lots of giggles, screams, random crying for no reason, squeals and food being dropped because Aleigh doesn't want it, 2 empty high chairs along with 1 empty booster seat, and dirty fingers smeared all over the table we finally finish our meal, pay, and then leave again with our 1 yr. old walking in front of waitresses and waving at them as she passes. We are quite the sight to be seen. It is a little stressful at times. Sometimes we wonder how we even get food in our mouths. Sometimes we are so stressed that it is hilarious and we both just crack up laughing at the scenario. It is a lot of fun though. We love our kids, we love our life. We wouldn't have it any other way. We are the "crazy" people who have 2 kids just under a year apart, our Irish twins.