a/n: Thanks for the reviews/feedback. They really do keep the fic going, so please keep them coming. Thanks :)
On work days Owen and Cristina found themselves in a rush. Each of them attempting to swiftly pack diaper bags, and all the extras their babies needed. More often than not, Owen drove and made it to the hospital early enough to have secure spots in daycare for Ethan and Evan while they went off to work. Operating and performing at work was much easier when their children were in daycare. Although it was difficult, Cristina admitted to Owen that he was right about that. Even though Ethan and Evan were in daycare, Owen and Cristina spent each available minute with them and stayed down to the last second. When Cristina would visit she would read from one of her many medical journals, or share stories from the OR, about her day, certain patients, and how much she missed and loved them. For Cristina it was like having the best of both worlds; getting to be an awesome surgeon and having your children right there with her. Owen's visits to the daycare were different. He would spend his time holding them in his arms, planting warm and gentle kisses on their foreheads while whispering how much he missed them. At times he would read them children's books, go over the A-B-Cs or teach try to teach them how to count using his fingers. Whether it was at home or the hospital, Owen was just happy to spend time with them regardless of where it was at.
On the mornings when Ethan and Evan were fussy or not cooperating is when they spent their day with their parents or hospital staff. It was always a challenge for a surgeon to carry around babies during their shifts, especially when emergencies abruptly arose and having to find someone to watch their children. Owen typically found a more than willing nurse to watch one of his sons'. Cristina generally asked a friend or one the cardiac residents, and if none were available she would swallow her pride and ask a nurse. Although they hardly ever did any favors for Cristina, they did it for Owen and of course the adorable little boys. While she was in the OR operating she always requested or asked the temporary sitter to be in the gallery so her sons could watch the surgery. She always asked them press the intercom button, so she could explain the surgery step by step to either Ethan or Evan. When Owen was in the OR and one of his sons' happen to be up in the gallery he always asked which ever sitter to shield their eyes from any gory parts of the surgery. He too requested them to press the intercom button, not to explain the surgery he was performing but to simply speak to his sons or sing them lullabies.
As months passed Ethan and Evan increased in length and size. Their mobility and alertness advanced, especially their attention-getting repertoire; slowly developing new ways, other than crying, of letting Cristina and Owen know what they need and want. Packing Ethan and Evan's diaper bags became a nightly routine. They learned it was easier to do it at night, rather than rush in the morning. The things they packed slightly changed too. With their sons increased weight they definitely made sure they were early enough to make sure daycare was available to them. On Owen and Cristina's day off they enjoyed the new milestones their sons' were accomplishing and the introduction of new foods.
It was a Saturday afternoon and Cristina was sitting on the floor of her living room introducing pureed carrots to 5 month old Ethan and Evan, who were sitting propped up in their bouncers. It was her and Owen's day off together and as usual their day offs was spent with their sons with no hospital interruptions.
"Okay open up," Cristina said to Evan as she slowly brought the spoon to his mouth. "Come on baby, go ahhh."
Cristina thought once the spoon neared his lips he would open and take the food. How wrong she was. Evan did not budge and Cristina kept trying, and eventually the carrots were everywhere but in his mouth. When she was finally ready to give up Owen returned home from retrieving baby supplies. He saw Cristina's efforts because carrots were all on Evans chin, bib and clothes.
"You know the food is supposed to go inside their mouth." Owen teased.
Cristina pursed her lips together. "Well let's see you try."
He dropped the boxes of diapers and wipes on the floor and plopped down in front of Ethan.
"Alright hand over the mashed carrots and spoon woman. I'll show you how it's done," Owen said winking at Cristina.
Before he scooped up any pureed carrots he dipped the tip of his finger in the jar and tasted them. "Cristina this is really cold. No wonder he doesn't want to eat them."
Cristina felt a little embarrassed. "Oh." Was all she said as she cleaned up Evan's mouth and went to warm the food.
When she returned with warm carrots Owen proceeded to feed Ethan's very first serving of carrots.
"Alright buddy, open up." Owen said as he brought the spoon to Ethan lips and sure enough once he felt the spoon near his lips his mouth went agape and took the carrots. "See, I'm a pr-"Owen's teasing was cut off by pureed carrots sprayed on his shirt and face. Ethan sneezed out his carrots, which sent Cristina into a laughing attack.
"That's my boy," Cristina said as she wiped Ethan's mouth clean. "Maybe you should wear a bib too" Cristina said as she patted Owen's back. All he could do was laugh. After the laughter settled Cristina and Owen successfully introduced carrots to Ethan and Evan, and it weren't until later when they saw the effects of it, in their diapers anyway.
In the early evening, Ethan and Evan almost conquered a baby milestone. They were comfortably lying on their gym play mats, hitting and grabbing the toys that hovered above them while Owen and Cristina were folding laundry and packing their bags for tomorrow.
"I wish these socks weren't' so small, then I wouldn't lose them." Cristina complained as she sifted through the batch of baby clothes to find pairs.
Owen chuckled. "Cristina, your socks are twice and big you lose them all the time."
"Well, it still doesn't help that they're tiny."
As Owen was about to speak, his words got caught in his throat at the sight of Ethan and Evan trying to roll on their sides.
"Oh Cristina look at our boys."
"What's wrong?" Cristina asked, a little frightened as she turned her head. "Oh my gosh," She said in a little shock but more amazement. Ethan and Evan were trying with all their might to roll over on their bellies. They would make it to their side only to roll back over on their backs. It had their parents in a trance as they watched their sons continue to try.
When it registered that this was something sentimentally big for them as parents Cristina snapped out of her trance. "Owen go get the camcorder! Hurry!"
Not needing to be told twice he scurried off into the bedroom and returned to the living room with the camera already recording. Owen captured them for a half an hour before giving it a rest. The twins were now turning fussy, and went right to sleep once they were in the arms of their parents. All the efforts in trying to roll on their bellies tired them out.
At the end of the day Cristina and Owen hoped tomorrow's work day would fly by with swift wings. As Ethan and Evan were growing all the new little things were exciting to them as first time parents. They did not want to miss any of their sons' first things, even if it was something as little as turning over from their backs to their bellies.
- - - - - - - - - - -
To both of their dismay, Owen and Cristina had to operate through their lunch. Lately both of their departments kept them busy enough to keep them away from visits to the daycare, and today's overflow of patients in the ER did not help matters. Not being able to visit Ethan and Evan were days where they were not fully enthralled by medicine or being a surgeon.
At the end of theirs shifts Cristina and Owen quickly made their way to the hospital's daycare and greeted their sons with hugs and warm kisses. As they were leaving Owen thanked the care takers.
"Thank you ladies. Have a nice night." Owen said politely.
"Oh, it's our pleasure," One of nurses' said, as she batted her eye lashes, which made Cristina chuckle. "They sure have grown. I remember how tiny they were when they first started coming and now they're already rolling onto their bellies and sit up pretty well." Cristina and Owen stopped in their tracks.
"They sat up? Without a pillow supporting their back?" Owen asked.
"They rolled over on their bellies?" Cristina asked next.
"Yes. We sat them down and both of them stayed steady for quite some time. And we placed them on one of our play mats and as I turned to get some toys they were on their bellies when I turned back to them. How exciting is that? They grow so fast."
"Yeah they sure do," Owen said offering a weak smile. He was sad he missed it.
Cristina did the same, and walked out of the daycare center, and Owen followed.
Cristina sighed. "Man I can't believe we missed that stuff."
Owen squeezed her shoulder. "I know, me too."
They both walked silently to the car, and the drive home was no different. Sure they would be able to record them rolling over at home, but they wanted to see it for the first time. And when they did get home, Owen captured Ethan and Evan doing just what the care taker said they did. It was a rush to witness it and soothed their temporary sadness of missing it today. However, by the time they were both cuddling in bed, each of them wished they would no longer miss anymore small or big first their sons would do. At least they got to witness their first smiles, and giggles they thought.