Over the years Owen and Cristina had become accustomed to being sleep deprived. They were used to the sudden buzzing or beeping of their pagers detaching them from their sleep. How ever tired, they efficiently worked through their shifts, assessed patients accurately, and executed surgery flawlessly. They mastered their crafts, experts of surgery and medicine. However, when they attained their newly titles of Mommy and Daddy their experience in the field were that of an intern. Their only familiarity with newborns consisted of observing other mothers and fathers.
Although Cristina was godmother to Meredith's two boys she has yet to baby sit. Of course she held them briefly as infants, but not once did she offer to change or feed them. When they began walking and talking, able to comprehend what people were saying is when a true bond was formed. Now time spent with her godsons consist of competitive hours of monopoly or poker. Owen was no different. He had two nephews but the bond formed with them was done as toddlers. Due to his tours in Iraq he missed their birth or any chance to baby sit them as infants. As toddlers he was accustomed to giving piggy-back rides, teaching how to throw football, or playing baseball and now as teenagers how to be gentlemen. Ethan and Evan were going to show them exactly what they were missing out on.
Their first night home as a family was quite the adventure. Rather than the abrupt sounds of pagers, it was Ethan and Evan who woke Cristina and Owen. In fact, multiple times with their soft whimpers. Interpreting their cries turned out to be quite the challenge. At the hospital, the majority of their patients was conscious and was able to tell them what was wrong and what hurt. If they were not, their visible injuries typically led them in the right direction of what to do. Most toddlers they encountered were able to talk and tell them when they are hungry or if they felt sick. They fell into the comfort of that, but Ethan and Evan did none of those things. It would take time to comprehend each different cry. Cristina and Owen played the guessing game the first night.
At times Ethan and Evan cried in unison, or one would start prompting the other to join. Either way both Cristina and Owen got up together. Depending on the time they deciphered whether it was time for a bottle. If not, then they would immediately check to see if a diaper change was needed. When both of those options were ruled out, they simply comforted their sons.
Throughout the night, tiredness did creep up on them. These latest tasks brought new meaning to the word sleepy. During a diaper change Owen found himself slightly disoriented. With Ethan he found himself placing the same wet diaper right back on. With Evan he mixed up the steps in diaper changing. Instead of wiping first and then placing baby powder, he did the exact opposite. He sprinkled powder only to wipe it right off and scattered some more.
Cristina made her share of tired mistakes too. While making their bottles she caught herself attempting to place odd lids on them or almost take a swig of the bottle thinking it was for her. When Evan spit up milk on his pajama top she changed him and placed it on backwards. And when Ethan wet his pajama bottoms she placed both legs in one pant leg. The second try she put them on backwards, but finally got it right on the third try.
Ethan and Evan woke up six times throughout the night; to be changed, to be fed, but mostly just to be held. The sun was rising when they finally took a lengthy nap, and Cristina and Owen did not waste any time falling fast asleep with them.
- - - - - -
It was noon when Meredith and Derek dropped by. They greeted Cristina and Owen with gifts for their second unexpected baby – another crib, bouncer, and activity gym.
"You two look like you had a fun last night," Meredith said as she saw Owen and Cristina's tired filled eyes.
"Oh yeah, we did," Owen said as he handed over Ethan to Derek, "these two are a handful. It's a good thing I took two weeks off from work."
"Wow," Derek said in amazement, "they look exactly like you Owen."
"Yeah, lucky kids they are," he said proudly.
"Lucky? You mean poor kids," Derek said jokingly.
"Hey Derek, you got time to help me put together all these things?"
"Oh yeah, of course," he said as he handed Ethan to Meredith. He discarded his coat and rolled up his sleeves.
Meredith joined Cristina on the couch who was burping Evan.
"You might want to burp him or you'll have horrid smelling milk thrown up on your sweater." Cristina said.
Meredith chuckled, "Aww you're catching on."
"Yeah, after being thrown up on several times last night."
As Owen and Derek began removing several parts from the crib box, Meredith lightly nudged Cristina.
"Oh this is gonna be good," she said with a smile, "I've never seen Derek build anything. He had the department stores assemble our kids things." Cristina was not surprised.
They both straightened up watching both of their husbands intently.
When all the pieces and were laid out on the floor Owen went to retrieve a small tool box while Derek looked over the detailed instructions.
"Okay, let's start." Derek stated.
It began with the crib. Although Derek read the instructions and overlooked the detailed pictures he was still clueless. The army taught Owen to be innovative but it meant just slapping things together in a hurry, no matter what he used as long as it got the job done and or if it was sturdy. In this project he had to use proper screws and follow the instructions to the tee.
As they attempted to assemble the crib Meredith and Cristina watched and shared several laughs. They watched as Derek aligned parts together but one of them being upside down. He tried to use a Phillips screw driver for an allen bolt that required an Allen wrench.
The only trouble Owen encountered was difficulty following instructions. He wanted to use any his own method to assemble a sturdy crib. He wanted an excuse to use his electric drill, but refrained and did his best to use the simple tools required for the project.
It took them four hours to build both cribs properly. Not too bad for beginners. By then Ethan and Evan were fast asleep in their bassinets.
Meredith and Derek had to get going, George, the ultimate baby sitter needed to be back at the hospital by five.
When they were gone Owen collapsed on top of Cristina.
"I'm exhausted." He said as he nuzzled in Cristina's neck. She ran her hands gently through his hair until he fell asleep.
Later that evening Cristina was off in their bedroom telling tall medical tales to Ethan and Evan. Owen was in the kitchen, as usual making dinner, when their house phone rang. Cristina almost answered but Owen beat her to it. The voice on the other end was a familiar one. Cristina figured it was one of his relatives and continued with her stories.
A few moments later Owen walked into their bedroom.
"Brace yourself," he interrupted, "That was your mother. She's coming this weekend, to meet the twins."
"Oh god. You should have told her we weren't going to be here."
"Cristina, don't be so mean. She deserves to be apart of their lives."
Cristina made a face, "Why? She'll just teach them how to be frivolous or worse how to upholster things."
Owen chuckled and kissed Cristina gently on her forehead, "It'll be fine. Just be that nice person I know is in there somewhere."