Headed North

What a wonderful trip we had headed to Minnesota. Chris and I weren't sure what to expect on our adventure with the boys on the airplane for the first time...but it really went great!

Mom and Dad Hardesty drove up behind us in a separate car to the airport to make it easier on us, and allowed us to be dropped off instead of having to deal with parking, shuttles, etc. We loaded the boys in to their double stroller. We both had a back pack on our back, and in addition we had the two car seats and two suitcases. We were quite the site!

We got our suitcases checked and headed on to security. We had to pull out all of our baby supplies to be checked. The TSA guard announced "Babies coming through!" They were so great working with us. We had to take the boys out of their stroller so I held both of them. The car seats and stroller had to be wanded down. They then had me walk through the detector holding both boys. I had to go through sideways!

Once through security we loaded the boys in to the Ergo carriers that we had borrowed from a couple of friends. We put the back packs on our backs, the boys on our fronts, and Chris pushed the two car seats on the double stroller. What a sight we were!

It truly amazed me to see how much attention our sons get. It seems that nearly every person that passed us had something to say. It also seemed that the questions and comments were always the exact same ones.

"Are they twins?"

"Are they identical?"

"Do twins run in the family?"

"Ohh....Double Trouble!"

"Are they boys?"

"You've got your hands full!"

"Oh, I get tired just looking at you!"

It is wild! Chris said that it is a small glimpse of what life would be like for a celebrity. We can't just be discreet in public anymore. For the past 30 years of our lives Chris and I were able to go out and just fade in to the background, nobody ever noticed us (except for a trucker or two on the interstate. haha) - but now...it is constant! I have mixed feelings about it. I am proud of my boys, I love that I am their mother, I love that they are mine, I want to yell it from the rooftops...but at the same time I want to protect them. I don't want them for the rest of their lives to have to be gawked at. I don't want them always being asked the same questions, always being referred to as only "the twins", or "the boys." I just want to find ways to encourage and recognize their individuality. To make sure that they know that they are seen as separate individuals with unique personalities, traits, souls, hearts, and minds.

My, my...that was a bit off topic now wasn't it?

Okay, so off we went to find our gate. We found out when we tried to board the shuttle to the gate that the double stroller was too wide to fit through. Of course! Luckily the driver of the shuttle was there and offered to help Chris carry it on sideways. We grabbed hold of the rails and off we went to our gate. Once at our gate we found a little place to tuck ourselves away. We let the boys lay and play on a blanket to stretch before the flight. We heated bottles, changed diapers, and had a few conversations with people who had to come over and see the twins. One little boy came with his mother and even asked if he could hold them! Uh....sorry kid. Mama don't think so. :)

When they started loading passengers we made our way on to the plane. We huffed our way back to our seats and got our stuff situated (as best you can when you have zippo amount of space to work with). There was another lady sitting in our row, but the stewardess moved her to a spot further up in the plane to allow Chris and I to have three seats to ourselves. Perfect! As the plane began to ascend we fed the boys their bottles and some bananas. As soon as he was finished eating Grayson literally turned right around on his Daddy's shoulder and fell fast asleep. I don't think Chris minded that too much! Ethan and I read a couple of stories before he got dozy and fell asleep in my arms. Both boys slept for about an hour of the flight. Chris looked over at me at one point and gave me the thumbs up. It was a special moment to be sitting by my husband with our precious sleeping children in our arms. It is forever ingrained in my mind.

The boys woke up with about a half hour of the flight to go. Out came the toys! We played, we sang, we read...and when the boys had just about had enough the plane started to descend. It was a great flight! No ear problems, no crying, no whining. They made the first experience very memorable and enjoyable for all of us!

More to come. Much more to come!