Those are not my babies

Rob and I trekked it down to Mo City last weekend to meet our newest family members. Here are some quick introductions for you:

Meet Liam:


And Samantha:


There is an official baby blog and photo explosion at
http://web.me.com/nathan_shipley/Babies/Welcome.html
Check it out for the full baby details.

My mom and I headed over Saturday morning after my very tired brother called to say that he was ready to pass out already. We made small talk with Kelly for a bit, but just as I had settled into a "I'm going to be a helpful relative" plan and started putting dishes away, the twins woke up and I was invited in for an official meeting. On a side note, if you guys are missing any dishes, I'm really sorry.
I got into the bedroom and headed to the crib prepared to ooh and ahh in the way I imagine aunts do. It was about that time that I was handed a baby and a bottle. As Kelly very correctly notes on her baby blog, I was kinda new to this experience. Many years separate me from my last babysitting gig, and I had never held a newborn before. After a brief tutorial, though, I was on the couch feeding Samantha.

That was pretty much the tone for the weekend. We were either feeding babies, watching babies eat, or talking about when we'd be back for the next feeding. It kind of reminded me of making special plans to arrive at the zoo in time to watch the sea lions fed. I've been on a bit of an odd visual kick with this whole thing actually. Every time I think about Kelly having a c-section, I'm reminded of that scene from ALIEN. Except not that scene. Really I'm thinking about the scene from Spaceballs where the alien not only pops out of the guy's belly, it then proceeds to dance and sing show tunes.

Perhaps I have an overactive imagination. That's a good thing, right?

Anyway, here are some more pictures from the weekend, including incriminating images of Rob and I holding babies. Don't get started. Anyone making comments about us looking great, or worse "natural", holding a baby is liable to get a punch in the face. You've been warned.






Finally, here come some ridiculously cute pictures of Nathan holding Liam:







Are you ready?






These are seriously cute...







Ok, here you go:

Something went awry

Trust my brother to hold up my progress. Nathan and Kelly welcomed Liam and Samantha into the world yesterday and effectively uprooted my weekend plans. Aunt Victoria and Uncle Rob are headed down to Houston to check out the new bundles of cute. You're just going to have to settle for baby pictures for now. I know, it's hard, but the kitchen will be finished eventually. Just hang in there.
On a side note, this Aunt gig is already pretty good. People were congratulating me left and right yesterday and I didn't even have to do anything.

Mommy-to-be

More kitchen pictures are coming, I promise. My parents are in town and we've been working extra hard. My mom, in particular, is knocking it out. Happy Mother's Day! What? I took her to brunch this morning before I put her back to work. 

Speaking of mom, it seemed like a good time to post pictures from our recent trip down to Houston for Nathan and Kelly's baby shower. The twins are expected to make their appearance next month, so it was time to throw a party. 

First, for the cast of instigators:

My mom, volunteerer of space, and supplier of beer (co-ed baby showers demand beer):

Lesley, party planner, chef, and balloon wrangler extraordinaire:

And Emily, party planner and maker of so many things adorable that you're going to want to hire her for your next party:

Need an example? What do you think of this?

Or maybe these?

Pre-party, Nathan and Peter were drafted into balloon decorating.

Lesley and my mom were laying out the snacks.

I was melting chocolate. But that story comes later. 

It was time to party! There was the normal party mingling, well wishes, and baby terror stories. On a side note, Kelly is about the cutest pregnant woman ever. She carries her weight in her belly the way every woman hopes they will before they inevitably spread out all over. Also keep this in mind: the two teeny twins on this date had a combined weight of a healthy baby ready to be born. She is definitely a champ.

As I was saying, there was much mingling and merry making. Then it was time to gather for some serious business: baby shower games.

These mostly consisted of trivia and sometimes garnered creative responses. 

We also learned a few things. For instance, I learned how many diapers a typical child goes through during the first two years of it's life. I've forgotten the specific number, but let's just say that my guess was off by several thousand. Terrifying.

Presents were gathered up while the group recovered from multiplying that diaper number by two. I think a few people may have shot looks of combined awe and concern at Nathan and Kelly. 

The almost parents got a good haul of baby stuff. Nathan was a huge fan of the collared onesies. I have a feeling the world is about to add some pop-collared kids to its ranks. However, it's hard to compete with the camouflage onesie complete with ruffles and a bow for their daughter that Kelly's parents gifted. This is Texas after all, and Kelly has some hunting trophies of her own.

Rob and I got them this little gem. I'd never heard of a wee block until it showed up on the baby registry, but once I saw it I knew we had to get it for them!

Think about baby boys and the control they must have over certain directional skills. Yep, that's precisely the problem this little gadget solves. 

Remember that chocolate I was melting earlier? Well I was disqualified from the last game of the day due to my insider look (pun fully intended) at the chocolate filled diaper guessing game! The basic gist of this game is simple - melty chocolate looks like poo. Have a glance in each diaper and write down what kind of chocolate you think is the filler. 

I wasn't sure how many people would be into this game. It is pretty gross after all, but it wound up drawing quite a crowd.

The competitive spirit also pulled people into a practical strategy, catch the scent!

Yes, this is my dad nose-deep in a diaper. Looks like grandpa is ready to babysit. 

Of course, there's always one person that takes it a touch too far.

Happy Mother's Day Kelly! I'm sure the twins will be a piece of cake after reeling in my baby brother these past years.