#35. What the He$$ Happened to Our Living Room?!?

What you are about to view is only a harbinger of things to come.

Look at all that room!!

What was once the roomy living space for a couple of DINKS (dual income no kids) has quickly converted into a playground for two emerging play fiends.

Insert screeching horror soundbite...

Ok, I did it for us:
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Take a quick scan of the 'new' living area of our townhouse: (say 'Hi' to Trig, and enjoy one last political ad from the season).

Close up of the carnage

Yes, the twins have decided that time has come to stray from their rock n' play sleepers and find alternative forms of entertainment other than sleeping.

Did you say play time??  Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

First, we have the Boppy pillows.  (Be sure to turn up the volume and notice what Papa Chris is doing in the background of this video!!)

We can sit with Daddy and Papa on the couch in these!

Sister loves her owl covered Boppy

Brother likes his jungle Boppy

Boppys help make holding twins more comfortable for Daddy

Even Trig takes her turn with the Boppy!

Next, we have the Bumbo, which Luke demonstrates below.

He seems to sneeze every time he is in the thing!

The Bumbo is great for showing off big smiles...

Happy, but for how long?!?

and for watching Cardinals games!

The beginning of the end for the Cards this year

The play mat is also a big hit.

Twins who play together, stay together!  

Things are looking up for Luke!

We're starting to learn (this may have been forced!) to like each other!

Play pad and Bumbo combine forces

We also have swings...

This has proven to be a hit-or-miss play option

which, sadly, Luke has already outgrown (it won't swing when we place him in it!).  Thankfully, he has discovered a form of entertainment attached to his arm.

It's entertainment that's always there!

Surely all of this looks like it would keep two little people entertained for hours.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  In a matter of minutes, 'play' time can change into 'cry' time.

Thankfully, all play items can also be used to help us through those moments!

Luke surrenders thanks to the Boppy!

In other news, the twins paid visits to both of their dads workplaces.

Proud Papa introduces twins to cubicle life

Clare was fascinated by the fluorescent classroom lights overhead...

while Luke strained himself solving equations

They also met Papa Chris' longtime friend and mom from Wisconsin,

We love visitors!!

and Grandma Knapp paid another visit.

Who wore who out?

Finally, the twins survived (as in daddies get to play dress up) their first Halloween.  This year's theme...baby cartoon characters.

Stewie Griffin and Maggie Simpson weren't too happy at first!

They eventually forgave me!

We're looking forward to celebrating the upcoming holiday season as a family for the first time. Papa has (of course) already purchased Christmas trees for each of the twins!