Say Lucky

Mail Pilot

2012-02-10T15:37:00.000-08:00

I had to post about this, I know it's been a few months but Mail Pilot is an innovated new email platform that was created by a Virginia Tech student and Alum. It is an amazing new organization system for email and the creators are selling subscriptions. Go and check it out, it's really awesome and has gotten some great feed back from the New York Times and Wired.

Mommy Psychic Abilities

2011-11-16T05:38:00.001-08:00

Ok not really, or at least mine haven't been properly honed yet. I'm deep in the middle of NaNoWriMo and so close to finishing- less than 5,000 words to go! I'm projected to finish today, we shall see. I'm taking a little break to spend some words over here because something struck me hard yesterday.

Do you ever look at your kids and see the future? A neighbor and I were standing watching our kids play, and Lily had little jeans and tennis shoes and she looked so old. All we could think was taking the three of them to the bus stop in a few years.

This happens to me a lot, especially recently. Sophie was playing with some older kids at Gymboree and she desperately wanted them to accept her in their game but they were to busy to notice the baby. She wasn't really upset and tagged alone any way, but what about in future years when she gets left out or teased. The thought of it just breaks my heart.

We took Sophie to a speech therapist yesterday. The pronunciation issues we were worried she had seem as though they will be something that she will out grow. The therapist was worried that she could have a processing issue though so we are going to do another test.

This scared the heck out of me. I grew up with a learning disability that seems to be genetic and I am very afraid that I will pass it on to my children. The therapist said that if Sophie has these difficulties it could be another manifestation of what I have. I did just fine with my LD and taught myself how to do something that people do naturally. I worked hard though and I was often jealous of my sister who did so well in school, not that I didn't but she always did better than me.

I worried about Sophie's future. I don't want her to feel competitive with her twin sister, I don't want things to be hard for her. I worried about the work she will have to put in to adjust. I know that we would help her and do everything we can to help her overcome this, but I know how hard it is.

As a mom it is hard to know that you can't protect them from everything. Sure I can watch over them and hopefully protect them from the big things but they will be teased and they will feel sad and frustrated and I can't stop it. There are hard life experiences that they have to go through to become fully capable adults. Although experiencing those things are all part of life it is hard as a mom to let go and let be.

Raising Twins

2011-11-03T07:33:00.000-07:00

As a twin mama I get asked a lot of stupid questions. Typically conversations go as follows:

"You have your hands full. Are they twins?"
"Yes"
"They don't look much alike"
"No they are fraternal, and very different"
"Do twins run in your family?" or recently "Was it a surprise?" (usually meaning did you do IVF)
"No they don't" or "Yes it was a huge shock. We never expected to have twins, they were spontaneous"

I typically try to end the conversation there. I hate how having twins means that people can ask you crazy questions about your reproductive system. I always feel a little self concious at church too, which is totally my own doing. No one has ever said anything to me, but we are Catholic and reproductive help is not sanctioned by the church (which I think is stupid but I'll keep that to myself). So I feel like people just assume that is what we did, and everyone is judging me. Which is so stupid, I know they don't. Ok ramble done.

Any way we had a friend who is a fraternal twin in town, she said she and her sister learned how to say fraternal by the time they were three because they got so many questions. But our friends were so different from each other that you never really even thought of them as twins but they have always been very close, which is what I am hoping for my girls.

We treat them as two very separate individuals which based on the research I've done seems like it is the best thing to do since they are two very different people. They've started picking out their own clothes (with limitations or they would wear elmo slippers and cowboy boots everywhere). They choose very different things. I plan on potty training Soph first because Lily has no interest. Lily will use the potty when she is good and ready. I discipline them differently at times because different methods work better for each- Lily will do time out but if you yell at her it hurts her feelings and Soph responds much better to verbal correction.

They are different but oh how they love eachother. They try and sleep in the same bed at night, they act truly excited when they see each other after nap time. The other day they had the following conversation:
"Yeye, I miss you" Big hug
"Soapie, I miss you" big hug
and they kept doing this over and over.

They watch out for each other when they are around other kids. Sophie always makes sure Lily has a toy, and they both want to take turns with each other, forget all the other kids but they are happy to go Sophie then Lily then Sophie then Lily.

It's been an interesting ride so far, I'm a little excited to see how their relationship changes- if we survive the terrible twos...

Halloween Happenings

2011-11-01T20:28:00.001-07:00

My children had been anticipating Halloween for weeks. They knew what they were going to be: a monkey and a paingin, they knew they would get candy and they knew all about pumpkins and witches (thank you Dora and every Halloween book ever printed). They had practiced saying trick or treat (super cute).

We knew they were excited but didn't think they would pull it off. They managed to go two blocks and said their lines just right. We had a few scares, a scary pumpkin and a man in a mask, but they had a blast with their neighbor friend who is a month younger. It was so exciting we are still talking about it and carrying around the candy we haven't eaten yet. Can't wait for next year!

From the Mouths of Babes

2011-10-31T11:37:00.000-07:00

My ladies have quiet the attitude, they get it from me. A short summary on their little personalities:

Sophie: Busy, she wants to touch every thing, explore, see what it's about. She loves other kids but is timid in large groups of adults. She is a snuggler and loves to sit with you and give big hugs. She can be cautious.

Lily: The princess, she wants what she wants when she wants it. She is a girly girl and a ham. She likes figuring out how things work, and is very quick to catch on to things. She will love on you on her own terms, and is quick to have her feelings hurt.

So lately lots of funny little things have been coming out of their mouths.

Yesterday the four of us went to dinner with my parents. When we were waiting for the check Lily was getting impatient and kept telling us, "bye bye, go in car." So J said "ok here you drive" and handed her the keys. We get out the car and Nana starts putting Lily in her seat. She says "no, keys, drive, I go work, money." Boy was she ticked when we told her she had to sit in her car seat. She was already to drive us home. It was a glimpse into the future.

Sophie last night had her pjs on and was listening to Daddy read. Each girl had one of Dad's cell phone (work and personal). J says, "ok time for bed" and holds out his hand to take the phone back. Soph says "no, in pocket" and drops the phone down her footie pjs. J had to unzip her to get it back. I must confess that I wear a lot of clothes with no pockets and the iPhone often ends up tucked in my bra, opps.

Another from yesterday: We went to Target (seriously it is our Disney World). I had to get a perscription and the girls were being very good. I said they could have one thing each. Soph picked out a toy lion and Lily a zombie Mr. Potato Head. Then we found an alphabet Elmo and I said they could only have Elmo if they gave up their other toys. They agreed but then we found the baby dolls. I talked them out of that because we have at least 6 babies at home, including a Bitty Baby. Then we found what we really wanted in the clothes sections (yes they are really my children). Lily picked out a bright pink tulle skirt, a "pretty dress" and Sophie found Elmo slippers two sizes too big. We were quite satisfied with our choices.

Life with toddlers is never boring.

NaNoWriMo

2011-10-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

Ready for this one? Ok y'all already knew I was a little off my rocker but I've decided to participate in National Novel Writing Month again. Sounds awesome right? Yep totally is.

The gist:
You write a 50,000 word novel during the month of Novemeber with a bunch of other crazy people.

This year I've decided to tell the blogosphere about it so maybe I will actually finish. My first go was in 2008. Not sure why I didn't finish, I think being the yearbook adviser had something to do with that. I didn't participate in 2009 because I was really busy trying to keep 2 month old twins alive and you know barely had time to shower. Last year I tried again and wrote maybe 30,000 words. Not bad but hoping to finish this year.

I'm having my middle school Creative Writing students join me. They always have a blast. The goal for them is to hit 50,000 words as a class. One of my classes did last year.

Wish us luck and join in!

Things I Never Thought I'd Say

2011-08-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

I always knew I wanted to be a mom but I don't think the full reality of what that means really hits you until you are actually a mom. Being a mother of infants is exhausting. You get no sleep, people rely on you all the time, your body isn't your own and you walk around in a fog thinking you will never be you again. Then that changes, the regimented schedule changes and things are always different in Toddler Land. In toddler land I am a constant broken record and a playground. They use me as a trampoline and a slid and a diving board. But the broken record thing bothers me the most.

Here is my list of things I never thought I would say:

Don't lick that

Stop touching your sister

Get your hands out of your pants

Can't I just pee, please!

Don't touch your poop

Mommy can't hear herself think

The cats won't eat corn

At least they're cute ( most of the time)

Lily vs the Potty Seat

2011-07-15T19:25:00.000-07:00

So a funny thing happened at Babies R' Us. That's totally how all good mommy stories start right. Anyway I decided to go to BRU so I could buy the toddler bed attachment for our convertable cribs. I'm not ready to put the girls in toddler beds but our neighbors 21 month old son just started climbing out of his crib and it takes 10-12 weeks for the special order side rails to come in the mail. So I decided to order them early and be ready for when the girls start climbing out, since Sophie already climbs out of the pack and play.

Any way, we're at BRU and I'm shopping with the girls in the cart buying pacifiers and sippy cups. I stopped and picked up two potty chairs since I had a $3 coupon and you know be prepared even though we aren't ready to start potty training either. The girls are bickering in the cart and getting impatient. I head to the crib section and Lily is playing with the potty seat. As I pull up to the counter she is wearing the seat on her head like a hat and making Sophie giggle. I don't pay much attention because at least they are behaving. I start talking to the salesman and next thing I know Lily has the potty seat around her neck.

Lily begins to cry saying "I stuck." The sales guy watches as I try to squeeze her out and begin to realize nope she is really stuck. I am in Babies R Us with a screaming child with a potty seat stuck on her head. What am I going to do? The guy gets a manager and I calm Lily down. Any way the manager gets baby oil and we manage to squeeze her out. It was rather traumatizing for Lily and very funny and embarassing for mama. I mean really whose child does that? So thank you to the lovely employees at Babies R Us, and I did manage to order the toddler rails (and we bought the potty seat, hopefully she will use it one day).

Celebrate Freedom

2011-07-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

One of the blogs I read does this weekly, and this week's theme is Celebrate Freedom.

We spent the 4th at the lake house and the girls had a blast celebrating our freedom. The girls enjoyed swimming and playing outside in the big yard that we don't have at home.

Sophie and daddy enjoying a walk through the woods.

Lily eating cake, her favorite. It was blueberry cobbler.

Soph sliding.

Lily loves to swing. A few months ago, and sometimes still, she calls it wee. "Mama, wee"

My week via Instagram

2011-07-10T09:18:00.001-07:00

So Instagram is a nifty app that let's you share pictures. I love it and use it often. So this was our week:

(Lily loves ketchup. She eats it by itself dipping her fingers in and licking it off)

We're at the lake this weekend so I took a million pics.

Not sure we'll be invited back

2011-07-08T20:29:00.001-07:00

We spent the fourth with my in-laws at their lake house. By the time we left I think they needed a week long vacation. They love the Girlies and would do anything for them and are amazing with them. The girls love Grammy and Poppy but wow were the girls a handful.

Sophie had a sinus infection, fever and was cutting a molar, and well we love Lily but she is a bit dramatic and wasn't feeling well either. We were super cranky, like world war three toddler cranky. We've also been very attached to momma. So much so that there have been times I wanted to lock myself in the bathroom and not come out.

Luckily they are feeling better and now I have to fix the bad habits we created during the last week: you know too much tv watching and eating whatever I could get into them and messed up naps.

At least they're cute:

Lily throwing poppers

Sophie and J

First fireworks- fountains but the girls liked them. Yes they watched in their carseats and yes Lily asked to be buckled.

My Favorite New Obession

2011-07-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

I am addicted to many things- food, baby kisses, my iTouch (because I can't talk J into an iPhone...yet), email, and so on.

This is my new favorite though. After I tuck the girls in, we sit down and catch up on some favorite shows and I log into Pinterest, because I totally can't just sit and watch TV.

Can I tell you how much awesome stuff I have found? I've redecorated a wall in my house, made a wreath and started a rug. I've found awesome new blogs to follow, tried new food and become very addicted to fabric thanks to pinning.

Interested? Seriously you have to check it out. I personally think my boards rock, but I've found tons of good stuff everywhere. Be careful though it will make you want to spend lots of money but it is an awesome way to save all the stuff you find.

McFatty Monday

2011-07-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

So one of my favorite blogs is written by Blair. Am I allowed to say that I totally love her and I want her to be my bff. When she repins my stuff on Pinterest I totally get excited because she must totally think I'm cool. I have lots of bloggers that I worship from afar but Blair was on thebump with me and she has a son that is really close in age to my kids and we've been through alot of the same things and she would totally get me if she knew me. Any way enough worship. She does this McFatty Monday so I am joining in because I really need to lose some weight.

Long story umm long:
Since Middle School I've battled my weight. My family has this lovely ritual where all of us gain weight right before you transition into "womanhood" (lovely isn't it). So I did that and the teasing began.
I started playing soccer all day every day and was itty bitty.
My family moved and I refused to eat ever again because I was so depressed and miserable and I would punish the world by starving myself (oh to be 17 again). So I remained itty bitty.
Enter J. Happiness returns as does the weight- slowly.
College 15 or um 20.
Grandma died and all I wanted to do was eat, plus wedding planning, job hunting, college graduation=heaviest I had ever been.
Drop 40 using a messed up version of South Beach for my wedding= thinnest adult weight (155).
Happy marriage, surprise spontaneous twins and antidepressants= THE heaviest I have ever been and ever wish to be.

So I'm hoping to lose weight, a lot of it. So my first goal is 10lbs. Why because that is how much I've gained being on Weight Watchers. I totally love Weight Watchers and it is the only thing that has ever really worked for me. There is a reason that I've gained that weight that is long and all my fault. So I will now lose it.

What?

2011-07-01T09:27:00.001-07:00

You know those arguments you have with your significant other? The ones that go:
Don't forget we have to go to...
What? You never told me that.
I did, last Friday.
No you never told me.

And so on. Yeah j and I have lots of those. Usually I'm right, I totally did tell him and he just doesn't remember, but lately we started delving back into the past and rehashing the girls delivery. Dude they must have given me some good stuff or I was too worried about shaking out of my skin after the drugs they gave me to slow down my labor ( I made it to 8 cm in an hour people!) let me tell you terbetulin sucks.

So one conversation brought during a discussion with a friend, the placenta. Evidently I every enthusiastically donated it to science. I didn't/don't care what happened to it but I have no recollection of this happening. J says I gave a whole speech about giving back because I had gotten so much. What!

So now I can only think- crap what else did I forget about? Guess that is why there are two of us. So we can remember moments like this:

Girls Update

2011-06-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

So I think the last time I posted Lily was learning to walk. Well we have successfully achieved that! Both girls are amazing! They are sweet to each other (sometimes) and love to give hugs and kisses to each other and to mom and dad and anyone else who wants them.

Sophie (baby A):

Soph is the more dominant twin. She is very physical. She loves to climb and can already jump picking both feet up off the ground. She loves to dance. She is busy and can be quick to anger but is also easy to redirect and distract. She loves to sing and we love Dora. She likes to sing and will sing along with you. She is becoming more chatty and has quiet a few words. She loves to say "I stuck" because she is often. She has a wonderful belly laugh and thinks so much is funny. She loves to give cuddles and loves Daddy, PopPop and Pappy. She loves balls and is my little hoarder. She will grab all kinds of toys and try to take them all over with her. She is very social and enjoys trying to play with older kids.

Lily (baby B):

Lily is my little peanut. She is a few inches shorter then her sister and is still in a size 12 months (sometimes 18). She is very verbal. The child has a full vocabulary at 18 months. It is a little scary. She said to me yesterday "Mama Sophie wants bubbles too." She does not always use full sentences and does sometimes still fill in with jibber jabber, but she is amazing. She is a copy cat and Daddy got in trouble for saying damn it when Lil repeated it perfectly. Her favorite word is cute, everything is cute. She likes to tattle already. She will come up to you and say "mama Sophie..." and tell us something naughty Sophie did. She calls Sophie Soapy and Sophie calls her YeYe. She calls bushes butches, and so many other little cute things. She likes to sing too and she will repeat the last word you sing. She likes to say the end of her prayers. I say God Bless and she fills in the names of our family and then says amen. We love to categorize, naming everyone in the family and the neighbors' family and all her aunts and uncles and grandparents. She names people on shows. We know everyone in Dora and in Fresh Beat Band and Umi Zoomi. She counts to 12, on her own, and I caught her counting the stairs in Spanish today (not as accurately as her English).

Both girls love to sing Ittsy Bittsy spider, Old MacDonald (but only with a cow), row row, twinkle twinkle and Bingo. They are good at body parts and animal noises. We are working on colors.

They are so much fun but also insanely challenging. They love to fight over silly toys and to pick on each other. But they also love each other and still love to cuddle. They are smart and funny but LOVE to throw tantrums. I think this is my favorite age but I've said that about all the ages!

I am what I am

2011-06-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

This is a writing prompt that I do with my creative writing students. It always inspires them to write quiet a bit.

I am what I am. I am a mother of twins, a phrase that inspires awe in some or strange looks in others. I am strict and impatient at times, but fun loving and giggly at others. I am what I am. I am mother, microwave chef, chauffer, housekeeper, disciplinarian, nurse, teacher, police, judge, executioner. I am full of mistakes, redos, almosts. I am a well educated, overly educated, teacher of future generations. A writer, a knitter, a quilter, a painter, a reader, an eater. I am a pinterest addict, facebook lover, twitter tweeter, blog posting bitch. I have patience and am quick to like and to trust. I have been burned by others and changed but learned. I teach the future, I invest in my students but I call them my kids. I watch them grow. I am what I am. I am a survivor. I have over come the dark recesses of post partum depression. I let post partum obsessive compulsive disorder take over my life, but sought help on my own. I take meds but I am happy. I am what I am. I overcame my fears and I am a happy mother. A mother who will be there for her girls and celebrate their lives. I am a mother but also a teacher and wife and woman. I am what I am.

Nice to see everyone again. My goal this summer is to come back full force!

Walking!

2010-10-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it! L is walking. She was always very steady on her feet, and when she started standing she stood solid. She could go up and down and squat. Now she is off, and she loves it! She loves getting the yays and hugs. Where did my baby go?!

Happy Birthday!

2010-09-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

My sweet sweet girls,

I love you more than I could ever explain. You grew inside me and I knew the instant I saw the two little pink lines on that stick that you were mine and that you would be perfect. I remember feeling you wiggle inside of me and the little rythmic bumps against my pelvis when you got the hiccups.

I waited, holding my breath, begging God to hear your cries before Dr. S pulled you out. How proud your daddy was of you both. I've never seen him smile so much. We held you and cried. You both have been a challenge but I know your dad and I think you are the best thing that ever happened to us. Your little smiles and the laughs, the ones that start in your belly and make you wiggle and shriek in delight. They bring joy to my heart and make me feel like I am doing everything right. The silly Popeye faces you make and the little adventures that you find- climbing and opening drawers. I love being able to see life from your little eyes. I love that you miss me when I'm gone because I miss you so much too. I love singing songs at the top of our lungs in the car (which is mostly me but you both like to sing along too). I love hearing you wake up in the morning and talk to each other.

Always know that you have made my life better just by being here. I will always love you both, no matter what.
Happy Birthday sweet girls.

Love you,

Mama

Summer break

2010-09-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

Well I took a little break (it was supposed to be little). This was mostly just supposed to happen while we were at the beach. My aunt and uncle don't have much of an internet connection. Well then I was out of the habit so well you know what happened.

I'm back at work and teaching creative writing and yearbook. I am only part time, yay! It is weird to leave everyday at 11:30. I have lots of updates to share and I do a lot of writing with my students so hopefully I will be posting more.

Upcoming posts will hopefully include: a summer recap (with super cute beach pics), a one year photo session, birthday letters and pictures, pics of my freshly designed house!, plus some other things that have been on my mind lately! So to entice you to come back here is a sneak peak of the girls birthday pics.

portraits were taken at Portrait Innovations.

I pink puffy heart Target

2010-07-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

Ok I'm obsessed with Target, always have been (and no they do not pay me, but Target feel free to send me an email about that at any time). In one of our apartments we lived across the street from Target, no joke. It was like heaven. In our current house I could probably walk to Target if I really wanted to, but having twins makes you really tired.

So ever since we found out we were pregnant with the girls I've kind of been the queen of finding deals, well other than my mother in law. She's pretty good too. I cut coupons, I love outlets (I bought 3 outfits for me, my husband and the girls for under $200 at the Gap Outlet. I also love them. I put the wrong address on an internet order and they resent me all the clothes no cost to me. They rock. Again Gap feel free to email me about advertisements :-), I shop the sales racks and read the ads in the newspaper and get the emails about coupons.

Anyway, the point of all this: I've found some awesome deals lately I just had to share. Since most stores are currently shifting their inventory to fall stuff all the summer stuff is on sale. So I've been searching the sales racks, and look at what I found:

I got even more than this. Like I have two of the pink dresses and the pink elephant top with the brown shorts, I have two of those. Any way everything was under $4 (like the entire outfits were). Most of this came from Target, a few of the shorts are from Gymboree. All from the sales racks, and everything is for next year so hopefully the girls will be in 24 months by then. If not oh well, because the black shorts and two tank tops cost 75 cents, the two graphic t-shirts were $1, the dress was less then $3 (and a dress should fit). I love the black and white outfit! I think it is 2T though. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I love a good bargin :-)

The Crap You Need on Hand for Child Rearing

2010-07-29T11:37:00.000-07:00

I know a lot of people who are currently pregnant or brand new parents. So I have decided to put together a list of must haves for new parents.

1. A screw driver
Seriously everything the baby needs has to be put together. J and I got in more fights cusing over how to put together the crib then we did in our first year of marriage (which they say is the hardest which is total crap. The hardest year on a marriage is the first year of your first child's life. A if you were wondering our marriage has survived- at least so far, I don't think J is ready to move out yet :-) You need a freaking screw driver just to put new batteries in the swing, which sucks when the swing is the only thing that will get your child to take a nap and it dies and you have to leave the screaming baby to run downstairs and dig the screw driver out of your husband's tool box. Then you have to dig the batteries out of the drawer in the kitchen or maybe they are in the tool box too. All the while the baby is screaming.

2. Batteries
We had the worst snow storms ever this year and in Virginia when you are supposed to get a blizzard people freak the F out. They run and buy toilet paper and milk and eggs. I ran to the grocery store and stood in line for hours to get none of those (they were already out) not diapers or formula but batteries because god forbid that we ran out of batteries. You need them for everything. Every toy, the swing, the bouncy chair, everything. We took batteries out of remotes even, and if you knew J that is a big freaking deal.

3. Ear plugs
At around 5 every day the baby will most likely scream it's head off for no reason. It's a scientific fact. Mommy's even have a special name for it- the witching hour. These will also come in handy when your child is old enough to do cry it out, if you so choose- we did. It's the only way S would go to sleep, sue us. A tv and bad reality shows also work, just crank it up- in the basement, two floors below your screaming child (only if they are safely in their crib :-) although I do know a mom that took her not yet moving on their own child down to the basement and let him sleep on the floor on a blanket with no monitor because it was the only way he and everyone else in their house would sleep- I say do what you have to, so long as the child is safe. (promise it wasn't me)

4. baby jail, or a playpen
Because really sometimes mommy just has to pee.

5. card board box
When they are old enough this will provide limitless amounts of entertainment. We have every toy available for children under 12 months and some sort of card board container (including a 6 pack beer holder) is way more entertaining then the $20 music table.

I'm sure I will have more of these fantastic tidbits as my girls continue to educate me in all that is toddlerness.

10.5 months

2010-07-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Girlies,
I love you so much. It has been such a blast being able to stay home with you this last month. At the same time I am sad to think we only have a month until school starts again I am also a little glad because you two are exhausting. Now that you both crawl you are everywhere! You also love to fight! L you cry any time your sister comes near you and S you love to smack your sister and pull her hair. I think you are just trying to play but she doesn't like it! It is so much fun watching you learn and discover new things. You both love to crazy shake- which means waving your arms and laughing, you both do so big (S is better at it right now), you both wave but it is L's better trick. You also are figuring out how to high five and love to clap when we say Yay. You are too cute and I love smothering you in kisses. Your daddy said today that he couldn't believe you are almost a year. It has gove by so quickly.

Love you lots,
Mommy

L eating a french frie off Grandma's plate at Cheesecake Factory. They were really nice and brought out a plate of bread and bananas for the girls. We love eating out! L also likes a lot of the foods her daddy likes- Watermelon, french fries and pickles (she doesn't eat a lot of french fries I promise!)

S chillin in her stroller with her sun glasses and a stolen hanger from Gymboree (we returned the hanger). Grandma and I bought her the sun glasses after she pitched a fit when we tried to take them away from her. Both girls like shopping until we take too long in a store.

Tubes

2010-07-21T06:18:00.000-07:00

Monday the girls got their first set of tubes in their ears (well first and hopefully last!). They've had quite the string of ear infections, S- 7 since March (including the one she had when they put the tubes in) and L- 5 since March. J and I both had our adenoids removed and tubes, I also had my tonsils out and J had a total of 3 sets of tubes. So the girls are following in our footsteps, sorry girls.

They were fantastic about the whole process. Our day started at 2 am with their last bottle before surgery. J and I rolled them over in their cribs, they love sleeping on their bellies, and fed them a bottle. S woke a little and L not at all, I wish I could eat in my sleep- although I probably do enough eating awake! Then I tried to give them a bottle of apple juice and water at 4 am, but they weren't interested. At 6:20 we left for the surgical center and checked in at 6:40 (right on time for once!). After filling out paper work we went up to triage to get the girls vitals done and meet with the anesthesiologist. The girls were champs but L didn't like the oxygen check.

After that we went to play! That part was probably the longest. The girls had fun watching the other little girl. They are fascinated by older children. S went back with J to have her tubes placed. She was happy the whole time! She chatted with the nurses and checked everything out and didn't cry once. Then J came back and sat with L and I until it was her turn. L and I went back and she was fine until she had to leave me to be laid on the table. She wasn't as bad as I thought she would be. She whined a little but was very good.

Then J and I went to the adult waiting room and were there for all of 5 mins until S was ready for us to come back to recovery. We walked in and she was hanging out with the nurse wide awake and looking around. She was laid down with me in a chair and I got to snuggle her. She was a bit mad about being hungry and she downed about 5 oz of water and apple juice.

L came out next and she was mad! The nurse brought her in and she was flailing and screaming. J took her and couldn't calm her down. She does not like being out of control and new situations. Finally I switched babies with him and had to rock and sing to L. Then she calmed down and went to sleep and slept for a good 3 hours! S slept on the way home too.

Once both girls had a good nap they were fine! We have to do ear drops for 5 days twice a day. They are not fun! Neither girl wants to hold still long enough.

For Mama's Sanity

2010-07-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

My Darling Children,
For Mommy to maintain her sanity she needs the following:

1. To be able to pee in peace and not with children clinging to the gate two feet away screaming their heads.
2. For you to play nicely and not pull each others' hair, stand on each other, pull each other down, or smack each other.
3. For 10 seconds without someone climbing on me, I love you and I love to snuggle but sometimes mommy needs a little space.
4. For all my hair to remain on my head. I know you are learning to stand on your own but when you lose your balance could you grab my shirt or arm and not my hair that you pull out of my head in chunks.
5. For you to sleep past 5 am.

Poop

2010-07-09T06:28:00.000-07:00

So I have a list of post ideas that I started and every time I get a new idea I add it to my list. Here is my problem: half the time I never actually write about them. I have ideas from months ago that probably aren't relavant any more, such as: The girls starting to sit up! Now that they are crawling it is probably obvious that they are sitting.

I have one about pooping. It just says pooping. I don't really remember what I was going to actually write about- baby poop? cat poop? When the babies came home one of our cats, Motor, decided that to get back at us for bringing these stinky, crying attention hogs into his life he would begin pooping on the floor. Lots of fun. Evidently he was really just mad about the organic flushable litter we were buying him (which I love) and decided to save mom and dad some money. We switched to the cheap stuff you can pick up at Target and Motor decided he could poop in the litter box again. Of course his pooping outside of the box confused the other cat, Joey, who is really pretty but not very smart (sweet but dumb as a brick, and I love him for it). So Joey now pees on the floor. Luckily it is only one corner of the basement, but it gross. We did take him to the vet and there is nothing wrong with him, so we are open to suggestions on how to fix this situation.

Pooping could also be about the girls. I love you ladies but boy do you poop. We decided when L was little she really liked modeling all the outfits she owned in one day because she was really good at pooping all over her outfit.

Along this same line, I am the best diaper changer this side of the Mississippi. I changed S on two chairs put together at Starbucks in the time it took my mom to pick up our skinny vanilla iced lattes (yum). She was just wet, but I am good, lots of practice. I can't wait until we don't have to pay for diapers any more.

We are almost done paying for formula. A little twin math for you: We go through 6 containers (the big ones) in a month. Each container costs about $23. So in a month we spend about $138 on formula. I do use coupons usually. Only 2 more months!

I'm a SAHM

2010-07-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

So for those of you that don't know I'm currently a SAHM (stay-at-home mom). This, at least for me, explains the lack of posts. I am in awe of all the women who stay at home with their children. I thought that staying at home would be easier than being a working mom because you know I'd be down to one job from two. I knew that it would still be hard but thought it would at least be easier. Yeah not so much. Don't get me wrong, I love it! But you never get a break, except right now they are asleep. At least at work I got a lunch break and I had 8 mins. between every class period and the time at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day. Not now.

So what adds to this is that the girls are crawling! S started first with army crawling around Memorial day and about a week later she moved on to real crawling. L started on June 29. Being my L she went right to full blown crawling. If she isn't going to do it right she isn't going to do it. So no more easy changing diapers, because we always want to move, no more putting kids down and coming back to find them in the same spot. We have baby proofed everything, and Mommy's new favorite word is no. No don't chew on the cord, no don't pull all my magizines down, no you can't sit on your sister's head, no don't pull the cat's tail, no don't climb up on the coffee table, and so on.

One thing I never thought about is that 9 month old twins fight. Who would have thought! S steals a toy and L cries. Then L steals it back and S cries. L's favorite thing to do is everytime S comes near her she screams or cries. S most likely has barely touched her but still she screams. It's a blast.

Don't get me wrong, they are amazing and it is so much fun watching them discover new things and learn how to coordinate themselves. I love them and L has learned how to say mama. She doesn't know that is me yet but it makes my heart swell to hear it.

So hopefully I've gotten the SAHM thing down a little better now after two weeks and I will update more!

My Grandma Called Us Fish

2010-06-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

My family has the swimming gene. My dad comes from fishermen, my mom was a lifegaurd and swim coach, my sisters and I are divers and grew up on summer swim leagues.
And guess who inherited the gene:

My bee loves to splash and swim. A few days ago we even dunked her under (you blow in their face and they breath and you both go under, my mom's trick) and she loved it- so don't call CPS!

The bug on the other hand is not a fan of feeling. We went to the beach she cried just going close to the water. S was all about it, she hated to get out. She wanted to play with the big kids, it broke my heart how she would watch them and eek at them, saying "look at me, play with me!"

L warmed up to the water as the summer went on. She just needs some time to get used to it. She is my cautious girl. I'm sure by next summer she will be a little fish too.

(I wrote this post forever ago but forgot to finish it! So here it is now)

9 Months

2010-06-16T10:50:00.000-07:00

Miss S,
Oh my goodness how I love you. You have grown so much over the last few months, I can hardly believe that you were once the tiny baby I brought home from the hospital. You used to fit in one of my arms and we would carry you around like a little football. Now your long legs dangle off my lap when I read you bed time stories. Although you are never on my lap for long. You love to come in for a quick snuggle and then you are off again. I love our snuggles though.

You are into everything now and have just learned how to crawl on your knees. You figured it out so quickly. You started with rolling every where, then you army crawled and now full blown crawling. You also love to pull yourself up and like to test the waters with trying to stand on your own. Yesterday Daddy and I were playing on the floor with you and your sister and you were crawling all over Daddy. You would pull yourself up on him and then you would let go and fall right on your backside. Then you would look up at me and just laugh.

I think I say "S no!" more than I say anything else but it doesn't bother you. You like to turn and look at me when I say no and smile at me. Then you go right back to what you were doing. When I come and get you you cry, and really let me know what kind of trouble I'm in. No matter how much you keep Daddy and I on our toes your little laugh is just infectious and you love sharing it with everyone.

I am very proud to say that you are me inside and out, I hope you will be proud of that fact one day.

I love you!
Momma

(please ignore my leg!)

My little L,

You are my little snuggle bug and such a momma's girl and I love it! No matter what kind of day I am having when I pick you up at daycare and you clap your hands and wiggle and grin from ear to ear because I am there it melts my heart. When you fall and bump your head and you reach for me to make it better it makes me feel like super mom.

You are sweet as sugar but you can be quite the diva, and you make Daddy and I laugh. You want things the way you want them. Heaven forbid I try and get you dressed when you don't want to or put you in your carseat. You will clench up your little fists and wave them and yell. So you usually get what you want! I guess Daddy and I will need to stop that soon.

You have gotten so big in the last months. You have always been my little peanut but you are catching up to your sister, and you stand your own against her now. You even steal your toys back! You are my little examiner. You love to take things in your hand and turn them over and over to figure out how they work. You imitate very well and figured out how to clap first. You LOVE to dance. You wiggle your little shoulders and it is so cute to watch you.

I love you so much and can't wait to watch you grow into the amazing person you are going to become.

Love you,

Momma

Not What I Thought

2010-06-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Having twins changes your ideas about being a parent. From the moment I saw those two little dots on the ultrasound every preconceived notion I had about being a first time parent went out the window.

The day we found out was the first time my whole pregnancy that I had morning sickness. I literally felt sick to my stomach after finding out. Mostly because how the heck were we supposed to pay for these two little people. We weren't sure we could afford one baby. I had planned on continuing working and paying for day care. Which is what I have done, but instead of bringing home $1,000 or so a month I bring home about $200 (day care is expensive!).

I have mourned missing out on some other things too. Being able to breast feed and not worry about supplementing, pouring all of your attention one baby, being able to take swimming lessons, the ease of taking one child out, and so on.

J and I used to look at parents with one baby and think you don't know how easy you have it. Especially when we were in the midst of sleepness nights. It was hard not to think of how much easier my pregnancy would have been and to not regret that we would never know what it was like to have just one child.

At the same time I can't imagine what it would be like to not have my two girls. I know how lucky I am to have these two healthy babies. I love them so much. I have to remember too that as a mom of twins I get to experience so many more things then singleton moms do. I get to see how they interact with each other. It is really so neat to see them play together and love on each other. It is even fun (at least right now) to see them fight! Their relationship is amazing. It is neat to watch each develope her own personality. Plus I get twice the love. Although I wish I hadn't missed out on some things I know that I wouldn't want to miss out on all the things we have experienced.

The Break

2010-06-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the break. I didn't mean to take one, it just kind of happened. This time of year gets crazy at school. We are taking our standardized tests and deliver the yearbooks next week so we have been busy. By the time I get home I am ready to go right to bed. The girls have been teething and it's been exhausting! We've stayed very busy!

8 months

2010-06-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

Well the girls will be 9 months next week so this is really late. I'm not going to post letters for them because I figured I would just do their 9 month ones next week. But here are pictures of the girls at 8 months.

Little Bug,

You are my girlie.

My Busy Bee,

You keep me on my toes, and I love it.

Hey I Know You!

2010-05-20T09:33:00.001-07:00

All of a sudden the girls are playing together. It is a blast to watch them interact with each other more and more. They have always held hands and kind of talked back and forth but now they play and steal toys back and forth. They love to suck on each other, we call it giving kisses. They laugh hystarically when you kiss one of their baby bellies. If I kiss S then both she and L crack up and vice versa. It is so fun to watch them together. I love that they love each other.

Here are pictures from our baby wrestling match yesterday.

You can see S cracking up about L giving her kisses. L sits in the middle of the floor while S rolls all over. S would roll away and then roll back. It was a great game.

More kisses!

This is my favorite. S rolled on top of L and was trying to bite her backside.

MoMs and Post Partum Depression

2010-05-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

I was going through my Google reader the other day and I stumbled across Postpartum Progress. I found this post about a study that found mothers of multiples are more likely to have PPD then regular moms. I discovered this when I found out I was pregnant with the girls because like all other pregnant women I most have been given the list of increased risk factors 10 times. The study said they could not determine why this was true but it was.

I can tell you why:
A singleton mom doesn't have to do triage when her infant cries. Which baby needs me more, which baby is more likely to escalate their crying quickly, which will be ok to leave for a minute, which baby is hungrier, which baby pooped more, which baby can I get to calm down faster.

A singleton mom has never had to figure out how to feed two infants at once. If I can roll this one over and prop the bottle here then I can balance this bottle and wipe the formula from her chin at the same time, This baby is done and crying because they need to burp but the other will scream and not take the bottle back if I put the bottle down for a second maybe I can roll her with this hand and lift her by pushing her against me, "Hush honey mommy can't do anything for you until your sister is done eating," "Hold on I'll finish giving you your bottle as soon as I can get your sister to stop crying"

A singleton mom has never had to break up baby fights during tummy time. "No baby you can't suck on your sister's ear," "Stop, when you grab her it scratches her," "Stop kicking your sister," "You can't roll over her"

A singleton mom has never had to figure out how to get two babies and her groceries into a grocery cart. Do I get two carts and put one in each seat and then drag one and push one, do I get a cart and bring a stroller, do I put one in the seat and one in the carrier in the basket

A singleton mom has never been ridiculed by her peers for simply giving birth. "Are they natural," "Are you going to be the next octomom," "I'm glad I'm not you," "You have your hands full," "I don't know how you do it," "Wow TWO"

I'm not saying that singleton mothers don't have a hard time and I'm sure they have experienced some of the things I described. Being a first time mom (or even a second, third, fourth time mom) is hard and comes with it's own challenages. I know that any mother with two or more children experiences a lot of these things, but when it's two infants it seems to amplify the pain. It pierces your soul and breaks your heart when you have to choose between the cries of your two 3 month olds. I can certainly see why so many more MoMs would have PPD.

The fears that come with two seems to be doubled. I worried how we would pay for two. My twins were a surprise. We never expected to have more than one and didn't have a plan in place for paying for twins. We worried about our living space (a one bedroom apartment wouldn't work for four people), day care costs, the cost of diapers and baby food, the cost of clothes and cribs and toys. I still worry about those things.

We worried about the pregnancy. I was in fear my whole pregnancy that they would come early or something would go wrong. I know this is common for pregnant woman but the risks that come with twins seems to be double- worrying about two babies.

I worried when we came home from the hospital that I wouldn't be able to tell my babies apart. It only took a day or two and I knew who was who, but that initial fear was so real and so scary. What if L was really S? What if I didn't know my own babies?

I worried that I would love one more than the other. The nursing books and mothering pamphlets talked about bonding with your baby and I had fears that I wouldn't be able to bond with both.

I worried that I wouldn't be able to handle both of the babies by myself. The thought of both of them screaming scared the hell out of me. I didn't think I could handle letting one cry, or trying to feed both of them. J stayed home with me for 6 weeks and I dreaded and feared the day he went back to work. He was much more confident about caring for the girls then I was. I learned that I could do it. I could handle both of them. I could feed them and take them places but it was scary to be out numbered.

The worst part about being a MoM is having to choose one baby over the other when they are both crying. I can pick up both at once and I have soothed that way but sometimes you have to let one cry and that is the worst feeling in the world. The feeling that there is nothing you can do for your baby.

I completely understand why being a MoM increases your PPD risk.

First Mother's Day

2010-05-09T18:42:00.001-07:00

Today was wonderful. J made sure I had an extra special mother's day and took over all of the morning feedings so I could sleep in, for the first time in a year! The girls gave me a table and chair set for the deck which I am very excited about. Now that the weather is so nice we will use it often.

Better then all the presents and sleep was the fact that today I got to celebrate being a mom. I have to beautiful girls who are healthy (minus an ear infection) and growing and happy. While everyday I hope that I show them how much I love them and that I help guide them and help them to grow like my mother did for me, today I also celebrate all that they have given me.

They have shown me that I can love more then I ever thought I could. They give me snuggles while eating or rocking at night. S's giggles and her little bottom up in the air when she sleeps. L's clappy feet and her little happy dance. The bouncy, chatty, wiggly fun we have when we play. The pure delight at discovering something new or when I pick them up from daycare or wake them in the morning. The slobbery kisses and inquisitive eyes. Learning with them and watching them grow. They are so perfect and I am lucky to be their mama.

So happy mother's day to my mom and to all of you.

Church: Then vs. Now

2010-05-02T18:23:00.000-07:00

The girls and I go to church every Sunday. J usually stays at home, because a) we are not the same religion, b) he takes the 2 hours of quiet to clean and get things done around the house that we don't typically have time to do (laundry, yard work, vacuuming, moping, cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, etc.). So the girls and I go to church with my family and then to Target to run errands afterward.

It is amazing how different going to church is now compared to a few months ago.

In Nov./Dec.: The girls would sleep through the entire mass. We carried them in in their carseats and they would sleep in the carseat until we got home. Occasionally they would wake up and we would give them a bottle. Or we would go right back to my parents' house and feed them.

Now: The girls usually fall asleep in the car on the way to church (it takes about 30 mins to get there). They typically wake up on the walk from the car into the building. Then we take them out and play "pass the baby." L is typically pretty happy to sit on someone's lap and just hang out. She loves playing with my mom and sister's necklaces (so does S). Yesterday during mass L was sitting on my sister's lap and dancing with the music. She did this little sway wiggle. It was really cute! She has figured out that if she talks/yells during the service we take her to the lobby where all the other kids who are noisy go. She loves to watch the other kids.

S is a different story. She is of course my wiggle worm. Holding her during mass is like running a marathon. So she gets passed around a lot. We even sat her in a chair between my mom and me with some toys and blocked her off so she couldn't fall. She loves to watch all the people but only pays attention to one thing for a few seconds before she needs to be entertained with something else.

They both love the bells that are rung during mass. When they ring the bells both stop and look around like "where did that come from?" They are super cute!

After mass we go to Target so I can grocery shop, but diapers and formula. The girls love getting out of their carseats and sitting in the carts. I push one then my mom or sister push the other. Lots of fun!

S eating Puffs after church. I was baking so they hung out in their high chairs and "helped"

Baking and puffs are fun!

S playing before church

L before church. The girls play and hang out with Daddy while I get ready.

Karma or Intuition

2010-04-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up and went about my morning routine. I always hate getting dressed, especially since my body has changed so much from carrying around 2 big old babies. So it always takes me a few tries to find the right outfit. I pulled out a pair of blue pants and then went hunting for a shirt. I found a purple shirt I liked and had "lost" for a few weeks (crumpled up in a ball in the back of my drawer). The blue pants and purple shirt didn't work so well together but thanks to a few pooped through outfits at daycare I had washed a pair of khakis last night that were still in the dryer.

I left on the blue pants and went downstairs to make breakfast and morning bottles. I debated running down to get my pants. I thought for a moment "I can just leave these on until I finish feeding the girls in case someone pukes all over me." I decided to run down and change now before the girls woke up. Bad decision.

I feed the girls on a twin nursing pillow since I still breast feed them in the morning and then I give them about 2 or 3 oz in a bottle. It is easier to just leave them on the nursing pillow. I finished feeding the girls and guess what happened. L puked all over herself and me. There was a puddle in my lap. I mop her up with a cotton breast pad (the only thing within reach) and don't even bother with my pants. Luckily she didn't get my shirt.

So I either have really great mother's intuition or karma heard my thoughts and the universe is out to get me today. In either case maybe I should have gone back to bed!

Is it Over?

2010-04-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Over the last week or so my milk supply has been decreasing, much to my dismay. There has never been enough to go around but now it seems like each of the girls only gets a few ounces. The last few nights L has straight out refused to nurse. I don't know if maybe she has decided that it just isn't worth the effort any more or her teeth are bothering her, but she freaks out when I try and get her to latch. She is taking the bottle just fine though. I guess she has decided to be done nursing. S is still ok with it. She gets distracted easily so we have to relatch often. So I've decided to stop pumping at work. Then we will see how L keeps doing with the evening feed and I may have to drop that one too. Hopefully we will be able to do mornings for a bit longer.

I'm glad that nature/the girls have decided on their own to wrap up breast feeding because it would have been hard to make that decision myself. I love being able to feed them but it will be nice to be able to diet and exercise and have my body back. It is still upsetting to think about not being able to snuggle them any more and they are so cute when they eat and hold hands. I will miss it so much! They are growing up so quickly!

When Did I Become a Mommy?

2010-04-19T19:01:00.000-07:00

Ok so I know technically this happened last year or 7 months ago, depending on who you are. When it technically happens does really sink in. I've been a mommy and enjoyed being a mommy. I love my babies so much, but every once in a while I have "holy cow I'm a mom" moments.

So what made me really feel like a mommy?
Not changing diapers
giving medicine
doing laundry
washing bottles
wiping snot with my bare hand and wiping it on my jeans (my children how snot issues, I love them anyway)
Not the hugs, kisses, snuggles, rocking
not the breaking up fights
the "chatting"
laughing or watching them learn

Nope none of that. Although I have enjoyed all of that.

Today I was standing at the sink while the girls were playing in their swing and exersaucer. As I stood their washing the vomit out of a baby doll I had that "I'm a mom" moment. I realized I will spend the next 20 years (or my mom claims at least 26) taking care of these people. It wasn't a this sucks moment, but more of a realization or perhaps an acceptance. It might be hard, this mommy business, but it sure is a blast. Certainly an always changing, never ending, exciting challenge.

3 years

2010-04-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

April 14, 2007: Our Wedding Day

Ok first things first- I wish I was still that thin!

My husband and I have been married for 3 years. What an amazing journey it has been so far, I look forward to the next 63 more years.

Things I will never forget about that day:

- I was so nervous before and as soon as I saw J and started walking down the aisle all of that lifted.

- I loved the father daughter dance and my dad telling me how proud he was of us. Making my dad proud means the world to me.

- When we went to the hotel room J signed in and I was standing in the lobby. Two tourists wanted their pictures taken with me in my wedding dress!

- The Ritz has the best room service (it was all we had eaten all day!)

- Disney World for our honeymoon was the best trip ever!

I love you J and I don't know how I could have survived the last 7 months without you. Thank you for taking care of me and the girls. Thank you for my darling pumpkins. I love you!

7 months

2010-04-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

Miss S

My little wiggle worm,
You have become one busy little girl. You love to wiggle and move and are so interested in everything around you. You are quick to smile and giggle and you love to hear yourself yell. It drives daddy crazy but he can't help but laugh with you when you shout and then giggle. You have started to become a little fearsome of strangers but the people you know you greet with big smiles.

You love to roll and you roll all over the living room floor. We've had a few close calls where we had to catch you before you tried to roll off the couch. It is very hard to get you dressed now too, but it is so much fun watching you learn new things. You sit up all on your own and you love playing with toys and chewing on everything. You also love to eat your solid foods. You like carrots, bananas, apples and sweet potatoes.

You are such a cheerful happy baby and we love you so much my little S.
Love,
Mommy

Little Bug,
You are such a sweet and easy going little girl. You are such a happy girl but unlike your sister you are very careful with your laughs. Only certain very special things get you laughing and when Daddy or I get you to giggle it is like winning a prize. You love to snuggle and your favorite game to play is grab mommy's necklace. When I hold you you concentrate very hard on my necklace and grab it to put in your mouth.

You love to eat! You think solids are the best. You love the chicken we tried the other day. You couldn't get it fast enough and you would yell at mommy when I tried to feed your sister. It was very cute. You are fascinated with the show Yo Gabba Gabba and we watch one episode every few days. You love the songs.

You love to watch everything around you and you observe things to see how they work. You love playing with the shape sorter and these little balls Nana found with things in them that spin. You always want to hold the book when I read to you too. You have learned how to sit so well and like to sit and play.

We love you!
Mommy

A Few Pictures and an Update

2010-04-03T18:24:00.000-07:00

Long time no post. It's been crazy at work and then we had spring break this week. It was nice to have a week off and enjoy the girls. I do have to say that all of a sound they have become exhausting! They are wiggle worms who are very attatched to their mama. You have to hold S to try and change her diaper and heaven forbid I try to put either of them down on their playmat so I can use the bathroom!

So here is what our week looked like:
Monday- Doctors appointments (I got all of them out of the way, 3 for me and 1 for S)
Tuesday- Shopping with Nana
Wednesday- Outlet shopping with Nana
Thursday- My Gym playdate with my MoMs club with Grandma
Friday- Mall and Easter Bunny pictures with Grandma

We had lots of fun and I am not looking forward to going back to school!

Pictures from our adventures:

The girls really liked the Easter Bunny. S thought his whiskers were really cool!

We took the girls to the park for the first time and they liked swinging. Well S did more than L.

S and Dad

Little Bug chilling

Both girls have learned how to sit in the last few weeks. L is a bit more stable then S, but both are pretty good.

L showing off her skills.

S enjoying mama's straw

My Gym play date. The girls loved watching all the bigger kids run around and play. They enjoyed the ball pit and some of the other activities but mostly they just watched everyone else.

S checking her email. Ok no really, both girls love the laptop and want to hit all the buttons.

We've started putting the girls in the cart when we go shopping. They really like checking out everything. Right now it works well because they both fit in the front and I have run to put all my stuff in the back!

St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Just wanted to share cute pictures!

Thanks for the outfits Nana!

What No One Told Me

2010-03-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite blogs (A Few of My Favorite Things) did this a while back. I thought I would do one too.

Things No One Told Me About Having Children:

- Worrying: I never realized I would worry all the time. Whoever said that when you have children it is like your heart goes wandering about outside of your body totally got it right. I worried when I was pregnant but I thought it would get better when the girls were born since then I could see them and I would know if there was something wrong. That's a joke. The worry only got worse.

- Going back to work: This was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I have a hard time still, every day, leaving them at day care and going off to work. I think I knew it would be hard but I just couldn't even imagine how difficult it would be. It breaks my heart.

- Their smiles: Those little smiles and baby laughs light up my world. Of course every baby laugh is adorable but when it is your own child, oh my gosh melt your heart. There is nothing better then when my children are happy.

-Time speeds up: They grom up way too fast!

And just for fun, here is S playing on the computer with me (please ignore the double chin). We were watching Sesame Street on YouTube.

Rocking

2010-03-14T19:13:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've been busy at work trying to finish the yearbook and the girls have been sick (they both have double ear infections, a first). All that means I've been exhausted.

I sat in the girls dark room this evening rocking S and thinking. She has a difficult time falling asleep because she loves to be involved in everything. As I rocked her back and forth I thought about how different this was. I've rocked many babies to sleep. I was the go to babysitter on my street growing up and I loved the job. I've baby sat for little babies and older kids, some of them are very much like my own siblings. But as I rocked my own baby it was different.

I held her in the crook of my arm and she snuggled her face against my chest. I rocked back and forth and held her tiny hand wrapped around my finger. I listened to her sister breathing in the crib near us. And I enjoyed it. Soaking up every second of holding her. Breathing her in and kissing her head. Singing to her and thinking about the person she will grow up to be. Savoring it all because soon I will not be able to rock her to sleep. But that short period of time that she snuggled into me and I held her while she slept, that moment will be mine always.

Vote for me!

2010-03-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

If you don't mind could you please vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs:

Top Mommy Blogs - Mom Blog Directory

One and the Same Winner!

2010-03-05T06:20:00.000-08:00

Send me an email at sayluckyblog@gmail.com by Monday March 8 with your name and address. If you don't respond by then I will draw another winner.

Thanks everyone for entering!! And thank you Abigail for offering the prize :-)

Personalities

2010-03-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

A lot of my friends ask if the girls have their own personalities yet. I always laugh at this question because of course they do. They are two different people. I guess I shouldn't though because it does surprise me how different they both are. It's pretty amazing that for two people who can't talk or really move yet they have found ways to express who they are so clearly. They have different voices and cries. They like different toys and food. It is pretty amazing.

Here are some of the things that already stand out about them:
L- She is my thinker. She loves to watch and examine things. She is going to be my little engineer. She likes to see how things work. She doesn't just play with her toys but looks at them and figures them out. She likes to examine her hands. She takes a bit longer to hit her milestones but I think this is because she wants to get it just right. When she figured out tummy time she held her head up perfectly, same with holding herself up. She never wobbles like her sister does. She took longer to laugh and smile but she does both so well now. I think L is also more musical then her sister. She loves when we sing to her. When she fusses in the car as soon as we turn on the radio she is happy. She also has a lyrical quality to her babbling. Her personality is more like her Dad's.

S-
S is my mother's revenge. She has my personality. She loves to socialize. She will flirt and laugh and talk with people. She likes to be a part of the party. She hates to nap because she just knows she will miss something. She likes to hit the ground running and is probably a bit more daring then her sister. She rolls already and loves to stand while you hold her hands. She likes to chat and laugh. She watches people and loves to imitate. She hates to eat because she would rather play. She already steals her sister's toys. She loves to have her hands busy- holding toys, or her feet. She is my wiggle worm and is already a busy girl.

I finally have some pictures to post. Thank you Carrie for suggesting Picasa!

Miss L hanging out with Mommy at Aunt J's bday.

Miss S with Nana at Aunt J's bday.

Featured on Multiples and More!

2010-03-02T04:45:00.000-08:00

We are the featured blog today on Multiples and More. Check out my interview here.

Lack of Pictures

2010-02-28T18:06:00.001-08:00

Sorry I haven't had a ton of photos lately. I got a new computer for Valentine's Day and I haven't switched everything over yet. I also went from a Mac to a PC and I'm very sad about it. I lost Photoshop so I need to figure out what editing software to start using. If anyone has any suggestions I would love some input!

So I'll have more pictures soon!

Multiples and More: QOTW

2010-02-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

This week's question involves writing a letter to your pregnant self (the pregnant you that just found out you are having two babies- at once)

Dear me,
Being pregnant with twins sucks. Don't think that you got lucky and didn't have morning sickness because you will have a thrid tri vomit fest that includes heartburn, swollen ankles (I mean serious cankles), zofran, and a slew of other symptoms that shouldn't be mentioned in polite company. There will be cravings and tears. J will laugh at you because of your sobbing switch to hysterical laughter. You will be uncomfortable and you will get so large you can not fit in a booth at restaurants or the desks in class. People will look at you like you are crazy when you tell them you are only 6/7/8 months. You will think there is no way you can get any larger and then you will. You will have stretch marks that make a checker board pattern across your belly and you will think there is no way they make a bra that large.

You will go from this:

to this:

and

It gets better:

Finally:

But you know what it is worth all the pain and fear and worry. These two little tiny people are worth the cost and the heart ache. They are worth changing every aspect of your life. The money and the car and the house and all the things you will worry about work out in the end.

And you get this:

and this:

Totally worth it!

One and the Same Giveaway

2010-02-26T17:26:00.000-08:00

As a working mom who is also attending grad school I don't get a lot of time to do anything. One thing I do try to squeeze in is reading although it is usually a book for class and I can only read in about 10 min. intervals while breastfeeding babies. When I get to pick up a book for myself I want to know that it is worth getting invested in.

I was recently contacted by Abigail Pogrebin about doing a giveaway of her book One and the Same. I was thrilled because I have heard from quite a few people that her book is wonderful.

Abigail has an identical twin sister Robin.

In her book she shares her experiences growing up as a twin and learning how to be an individual. I think her book is a must read for all MoMs. Abigail's insight on the relationship between twins is valuable for parents who are in the midst of raising twins. I have not finished One and the Same yet (I'm working on it, you know the whole full time job two babies thing) but I have enjoyed what I have read and can barely put it down. I hope my girls can have the close relationship that Abigail and Robin have. I have also taken to heart her advice on spending separate time with each child and have so far enjoyed a day with L.

The Giveaway!

Abigail is offering a signed copy of her book to one lucky winner. To enter:

•Subscribe to Say Lucky or let us know you are a subscriber
•Follow Say Lucky on Twitter (@SayLucky) and tweet this giveaway: Enter to win a signed copy of One and the Same at Say Lucky @SayLucky - http://tinyurl.com/yen3mew
•Top Mommy Blogs - Mom Blog Directory and post a comment here that you did - You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
•Blog about Say Lucky or this giveaway (worth 2 entries) and post a link to the post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends March 4th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on Say Lucky on March 5th. If the winner doesn't contact Say Lucky within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

My Favorite Thing

2010-02-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

Last week I got the whole week off from work because of our recent blizzard. I strongly believe snow is not to be taken lightly because I grew up in Texas. I have never seen so much snow in my entire life!

But with the whole week off I got to spend lots of time with my girls. We had a blast! Except for the fact that they were sick the whole time with RSV. S had an awful runny nose and cough so we took her to the dr. on Feb. 3. I'm so glad we did because I would have spent the next week snowed in freaking out. S held on to the cough and congestion until Feb. 13 and L got sick around Feb. 6. She required a call to the dr. before our second wave of snow hit. L would get these coughing fits that would upset her. She would cry and cough and then couldn't coordinate her breathing which meant she stopped breathing until I could calm her down and pat her on the back to get her settled. Not breathing = terrifying for mom and dad. The dr. on the other hand said it was totally normal. Umm not breathing isn't really normal for me, but the dr. talked me down from the edge and we did not end up in the ER during a blizzard. Which was a big win for us because I really don't want to know what an ER is like in a blizzard.

So back to my favorite thing. Since we were on "vacation" last week we all got to sleep in...until 7am! Usually one of the girls would wake up first so I would bring her into bed and snuggle with her and then we would get up and make coffee and play for a little while until I went in and woke the other girl. It was so nice to be able to spend time with each of the girls alone. I love doing this. I think they do too, but I know they will as they get older. It was fun to play and talk and read to just one baby and focus only on them. I love both my girls and can't imagine life without two of them but it is special to share time with each alone.

So we survived the blizzards of 2010 and enjoyed some time as a family. It was nice to slow things down and spend the day in our PJs!

5 months

2010-02-13T19:03:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my babies are 5 months. It has been a year and 15 days since we found out there were two of them and I still look at my two little girls and think how did I get so lucky? How did I get two perfect little girls? I love them so much and it has been amazing to watch them get so big. 380 days ago J and I were sitting at Glory Days celebrating/freaking out trying to figure out how we would be able to afford two babies. I have always believed God doesn't give us more then we can handle and I think he has taken care of us and these two girls so far (him and our parents!)

S-
You have gotten so tall and are such a little lady already. You are my wiggle worm. You hate to sit still and want to stand and sit up. You want to play with all the toys and will even take the good toys from your sister. Your daddy cracks you up. He sings funny songs to you or makes silly faces and dances and you laugh. You could be crying one minute and laughing hysterically the next. You love to play and hate to take naps. I have to almost hold you down to get you to sleep, even when you are so upset and can barely keep your eyes open. You are quick with your big crocodile tears when Mama or Daddy puts you down but you are also very quick with a smile and your big laughing eyes. You are starting to grow lots of hair and you are very good at holding onto things. You will carry around toys and burp clothes. Daddy even had you bring down a bottle of nose spray. You love to grab onto toys and shake them and eat them. It won't be long until you are all over the place.

Love you,
Mommy

L-
My little bug. You are my snuggle bug and your mama's girl. You love to snuggle and the way you press your little face into the curve of my neck melts my heart every time. You are our serious baby. You are sweet and patient. You happily let your sister steal your toys and you wait your turn. You watch the world with wide open eyes and love to observe what is going on around you. I can just tell from the look in your eyes that you catch everything that happens and you are taking everything in, learning it all. You are my little perfectionist who loves to get everything just right. You are an excellent sitter and you have started to grab at your toys and hold on to them. You roll from you front to your back. You are our perfect little bug. I can't wait to watch you get big and I hope that you will always want to give me your precious smile that lights up your face and that you will always want to snuggle.

I love you,
Mommy

Snowed in again

2010-02-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

Well we are snowed in again. Which isn't so bad. I missed school yesterday which was nice. The only problem is I have two sick babies (RSV) and a sick husband. Poor S is all snotty and yucky and L has a cough but luckily no congestion yet. I'm glad we didn't have school because I probably would have had to have taken off work to stay home with the girls. I have my fingers crossed we will be out at least Monday too. Some of the other nearby districts have already closed for Monday and Tuesday. We are supposed to get another storm on Tuesday, so here is hoping!

I'll try and post some pictures later. It's hard when you have fussy unhappy babies!

Some photos

2010-02-02T18:28:00.000-08:00

I thought I would add some pictures since it has been a while.

S not enjoying her bananas.

L loves food!

Fingers are yummy too

This is how they end up at night. They start on opposite ends and wiggle down and together.

L and dad fast asleep during the football game.

S joined them

S and her dad

Day Care= Sad Mommy

2010-02-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

Taking my kids to day care sucks. Today was the first real full day that they were there. It was awful. J dropped them off since I was running late. I'm always running late. I'm not sure why. I think I try to get too much done before I make it out the door. "There's time to put these in the dish washer." "I can start another load of laundry." I think I have a problem.

Any way, it sucked watching them pull away with their dad and not kissing them 1 (or 5) more times before I left. I guess there is just something about leaving your children with strangers that is very upsetting, go figure. I'm hoping that I will be ok after a few weeks, even though I know I won't be. Hope springs eternal.

Don't get me wrong I like the day care place. The ladies are very nice, it is clean, they have been fed and changed and played with. The ladies like my girls, I mean really who wouldn't. They are freaking adorable. I just miss my babies when they aren't with me. I miss them so much I hurt. I also worry constantly. Are they still breathing (umm mostly likely or I would get a call)? Do they miss me (probably not)? Did they eat (the ladies are going to let them starve, L wouldn't allow that)? and so on and so forth. We will all survive, just with a few emotional scares for mama.

bananas

2010-01-29T08:05:00.000-08:00

We have been feeding the girls rice cereal for the last few weeks. Last week we decided it was time for the girls to try something new and we though bananas would be a good low allergy next step.

They enjoyed the banana that I pureed at home for them. So the next day I fed them some Gerber's bananas.

And this happened:

S got a contact rash from something in the bananas. We think perhaps the citric acid.

I went back to rice cereal for a few more days, and yesterday they got more bananas that I pureed for them. S was fine, although she does not like them. I think I will try again today and if S still doesn't like it I will give her rice cereal again on Sat. and then move on to sweet potatoes. I think I'll make their food for a while more.

Day Care

2010-01-29T07:49:00.000-08:00

I wrote up a whole post about this yesterday and for some reason Blogger decided it didn't want me to talk about day care and it deleted the whole thing. I'm trying again today.

Ok so I'm a working mom and I have working mommy guilt. I don't like being a working mom and I am in aww of all women that have managed to live this life for years. It is a hard job. I wake up at 5 am to get myself ready. Wake the girls at 6 to feed them and get them ready. Then a family member had been coming over to take care of the girls. I go to work at 7 and get home at 3 and start my mommy job. I play with the girls, make dinner, clean up and get everything ready for the next day. It is all nonstop and I feel like I don't get enough time with the girls.

Well today my babies started day care. My school district is letting us work from home, and luckily I finished all my work so I am at home alone. It is a very weird feeling to be here by myself. That hasn't happened in what 20 weeks. I don't think I like it. Although I have caught up on tv shows.

J and I dropped the girls off this morning for a short day at day care, so that we could figure out this new routine and let the girls meet their new teachers, etc. I get to pick them up at noon and I am counting down the minutes. The school is very nice and the teachers are wonderful, but I miss my babies and I worry about them when they are away from me. I guess I will get used to leaving them, but today I cried all the way home.

Only one more hour.

Here is our picture of the day. My little girls after eating.

Joined Top Mommy Blogs

2010-01-29T07:47:00.000-08:00

I just joined Top Mommy Blogs. I figured maybe I could generate a little more interest in my blog.

Here is the site: http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=saylucky

One Year Ago

2010-01-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

A year ago, as of Jan. 17, J and I found out we were expecting a baby (little did we know there was also a tiny surprise baby B hiding in there). I only know the day because we found out the Sat. before Obama's inaguration.

I woke up early that Sat. and tested. I remember "taking" the test and looking at it right after thinking "damn there is no way I am" because the one pink line started to show really clearly. So I set it down and went, disappointed to make my breakfast. I went back in to look at the test and there they were two little pink lines. I had to do a double take. I was so excited, but I set it down and went to watch the news and eat. I didn't want to wake J, I have no idea why. I thought about coming up with a neat way to tell him, but I stink at keeping secrets.

I waited about an hour and then when I thought I would explode I went in and woke J up. Before he was even awake I blurted out "We're having a baby!" He was like what (he has a very hard time waking up). He teased me later that I should have let him wake up a little more before I told him. We were both excited!

Again neither J or I can keep a secret so we told our parents on Monday. We bought congratulations cards and gave the cards to the grandmas. Everyone was shocked and thrilled because we hadn't told anyone that we were trying. It was so much, almost as much fun as telling everyone we were having two babies!

More POTD catch up

2010-01-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

I've been taking pictures (for the most part) but I really stink at posting them every day. So I might start doing my POTD for this week all in one post. Any way here are a bunch to kind of catch me up. I didn't upload my pics from yesterday and haven't taken one today.

Jan. 13

This is the girls' 4 month "birthday" pic. I can't believe how big they have gotten. They are such people now. They always have been but now they really interact with you and smile and laugh. It's been fun watching them grow.

Jan. 14

I put one of the girls' high chairs together all by myself, hence the picture of my accomplishment! I had to use real screws and stuff, it was hardcore. All in preperation of starting solids the next day!

Jan. 15

S thinks rice cereal isn't worth the trouble. No thanks Dad.

Jan. 16

L thinks solids are the best thing ever! She yells at me when I stop feeding her to feed her sister. She has also discovered that she can blow raspberries and spray food all over her, her sister and me.

Jan. 17

S getting a little better at eating but not so much at sitting up in her chair.

Jan. 18

This is L's new favorite face. She loves sucking on her bottom lip.

4 months

2010-01-19T18:54:00.000-08:00

It's been a long long weekend full of J and I trying to catch up on things around the house. This includes fixing all kinds of plumbing problems in a 30 year old house, cleaning carpets that our stressed out cats have decided to use as a litter box, and trying to comfort two sick girls.

The girls have very runny noses but the doctor said that it seems to be only that- runny noses. They went for their 4 month well visit on the 14th and are both growing so much! They are in the mid range for percentiles (S is on the tall side). L did much better with her shots and we got to start solids. I have lots of Photo of the days to post and a few food videos/photos.

I start my next graduate course tomorrow so I'm not sure when I will actually get things up though. Hopefully soon!

Photo of the Day catch up

2010-01-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Things have been a bit crazy at work which means I'm exhausted when I get home and don't post anything. So here are my Photos of the Day for the last few days.

Jan. 8

S and her lovie, Billy.

Jan. 9

This is how the girls sleep now (except L has her eyes closed, she caught me taking the picture). They snuggle up together with their heads touching. The only problem is they usually end up waking each other because they bonk heads. It is cute though!

Jan. 10

L snuggles with Dad while he plays Madden.

Jan. 11

The girls have gotten really good at holding hands.

Jan. 12

Gotta love the baldy spots!

Breastfeeding

2010-01-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Ok I titled this one straight up so if you don't care to know stop reading!

Evidently breastfeeding isn't as simple as sticking a baby on your boob. I learned the hard way that it is a fine art of negotiation and teaching. I've also learned that breastfeeding is something that becomes all consuming. I've experienced enough about breastfeeding that I feel like the expert. We've done it all with our girls.

According to the nurses at the hospital when I delivered I had a moderately traumatizing c-section experience that almost lead to a blood transfusion. This trauma can cause problems with milk supply. So between that and some anatomy issues and sleepy stubborn girls the breastfeeding didn't go so well for us.

I spent a whole day clumsily trying to get it to work alone, the next day with two lactation consultants (one for each girl) who came every time the girls ate. Nothing worked and I felt like a big failure whose children would starve to death because I couldn't feed them. So we gave them formula and the lactation consultant brought in the pump. Oh what cruel torture we go through for our children.

There is nothing like sticking funnels on and having your nipples squeezed. But I pumped away for three weeks until we could see a lactation consultant. Seriously in my next life this will be my profession. These women are freaking awesome. They are the reason that I continue to breast feed my children.

Any way at 3 weeks we went to the lactation consultant. By this point I had worn myself out pumping every 3 hours and then feeding the girls. I was tired of cleaning bottles. So our LC taught me how to breastfeed. By 3 weeks the girls were more awake and a bit more coordinated and the pump had helped me fix some of my issues. The natural part of breastfeeding started to kick in for us.

Did breastfeeding make our routine any easier: no. It is something I enjoy sharing with my girls. I love watching them and having them close to me. It is also funny what I have learned about their personalities from breastfeeding. L likes to be wide awake and she focuses on eating. She is my perfectionist. S takes her time and closes her eyes. She is my laid back baby.

In case you were wondering how breastfeeding works with twins:
We weigh the girls before and after they eat. L wasn't eating enough at first and J and I worry so we weigh them to make sure they eat enough. Yes we are OCD. After we weight them I get my EZ nurse twin pillow and both girls eat together in the football hold. I do tandem feed them or we would never get anything done. The girls are then supplemented with formula or whatever I pump while at work or in the morning and at night (the two times I pump after I feed them).

Life with twins is a circus!

Photo of the Day

2010-01-07T18:23:00.000-08:00

Jan. 7

Joey looking for attention.

Pic of the day

2010-01-06T19:02:00.000-08:00

Jan. 6

Miss L in her exersaucer. She was a bit startled by the flash.

Photo of the Day

2010-01-05T18:35:00.000-08:00

A bunch of multiple moms are doing photos of the day and I decided to participate. Here are my first few (Jan. 2-5, since I don't have one for Jan. 1)

Jan. 2

S and I having a PJ day in bed.

Jan. 3

Some of our friends from college came to visit and enjoyed some play mat time with S.

Jan. 4

My first day back at work and I forgot the plug to my pump and the battery on my computer has died so I can only use it plugged in. I was feeling a bit tied down to electrical outlets today.

Jan. 5

L doing what I would like to. S has a cold and has kept both of us up the last few nights.

The Insanity of Multiples

2010-01-02T12:46:00.001-08:00

With the holidays and family visiting the blog has been a bit neglected. I do have a year in review post that I started and I'm hoping I'll be able to finish while it is still relevant.

Christmas Eve we spent with my in laws. It is nice having both families so close because we can see everybody over the holidays. There was lots to eat and lots of presents to open. The girls slept through their first round of opening presents, all that adoration is exhausting!

Christmas was spent with my family. We ate more food and opened more presents. L slept through the festivities but S hates to miss out on anything and spent time circulating the room helping everyone open their presents.

making growl faces with Aunt E

The girls were spoiled and got lots of fun new toys and outfits. Their big present from Santa was an exersaucer. S is already having a good time with it since she is better at sitting up relatively unassisted. She doesn't spend a lot of time in it, mostly a few minutes here and there when I think it would be fun. They got a stroller (it was my present too!) from Grandma and Grandpa, and high chairs, a bunch of small toys and outfits in 6m from Nana and PopPop. They got outfits from their uncle and aunt and toys from their other aunt. It was all very exciting and exhausting.

On the 27th the girls were baptized. My husband's whole family came, even 2 relatives from California, plus one of my aunts and her family and my grandmother. It was quiet the circus but lots of fun to see everyone. We were glad so many people could make it to see the girls. It was a big production getting two babies dressed in their gowns and undressed and baptized and then hauling all their "stuff" from location to location. I guess that is all part of the joy of having two infants.

our family

L being baptized

S being baptized (she cried through the whole ceremony)

L in the lace dress my aunt hand knit (they were beautiful)

S in dress

Christmas cookies

2009-12-20T15:54:00.000-08:00

For as long as I can remember every Christmas my Mom and sisters and I would make Christmas cookies. My Mom would go to her clear plastic cookbook holder and pull out a yellow piece of legal paper that had been refolded to many times, spilled on and the pencil smudged and wearing off in places. On this paper in her hand writing were the recipes for all the cookies she made every year, and that my Grandmother had made before her.

I have no idea where they really came from but this recipe (we call German Spritz cookies) is my favorite.

Cream Cheese Cookies (Spritz)

1C of shortening

3oz cream cheese

1C of sugar

1 egg

1/2t vanilla

3C of flour

Make 2 batches (do not double)

Heat oven to 375

Cream shortening- work in cream cheese and sugar

Beat in egg, vanilla and flour

Chill before putting in cookie press

I can't wait to share our cookie making tradition with my girls. I'm hoping we can all go over to Mom's tomorrow (if the roads look clear after all the snow) to help my sisters finish.

Christmas Pictures

2009-12-19T14:06:00.000-08:00

I finally got around to taking photos of the girls for our Christmas card, ok it will probably end up being a New Year's card since we are less then a week out from Christmas. Here are some shots (good and bad!)

S didn't want to turn her head

S making faces

S

L with her hands in her mouth, she wouldn't move them

L with her paci

L

Let it Snow!

2009-12-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

So I'm a Texas girl and I have never seen snow like this before in my life. We did spend Christmas in New York frequently and I have lived in NJ. Still nothing like this. We have 15+ inches already. I kind of wish the girls were old enough to play in it!

Snow piled up outside our door

View out the door

Back yard

How Quickly We Forget

2009-12-18T07:40:00.000-08:00

So we are really lucky. Our girls started sleeping through the night at around 8 weeks old (they would go about 6 hours between feeding them.) They are now almost 14 weeks and they sleep 10-11 hours at night. I give all credit for this to a book called Baby Wise. Every new mom should read it.

I was going through my email trying to find pictures so I searched for my mom because she and I have sent lots of pictures back and forth. I found all these emails that I sent to her when the girls were newborns. Every morning for the first month or so I sent her updates on how our night went.

How quickly I forgot how bad those first nights were!
"Things were better last night. We had some trouble getting L down but finally did around midnight. S slept like a champ. L was a bit more fussy. We slept from midnight to 3 and then had trouble with L but then got more sleep around 5. It wasn't bad." (10 days old)

"we had a very long night last night. Neither girl was very interested in going right to bed after eating and both were very fussy. We played the pacifier game, the sit there and stare at you game, the scream at the top of your lungs for no reason game (personal favorite). I didn't sleep until 2:30 then slept through the 3:30 feeding, which J took. I then did the 5:30 and went to bed again at 7. I'm currently looking at Miss S's bright eyes from her bouncy chair. I hope tonight is better." (13 days old)

"we need to figure out how to convince S to sleep at night. S was up until 2 again. This is becoming a habit evidently.Then L had gas and I was up with her until 5. Thank god J took the 7 feeding. I think I finally got 3 hours from 5-8 and only about an hour before that, but broken up.
I love them but the twins thing and sleep sucks." (15 days old)

"someone forgot to tell S it was Mommy's birthday. Or she decided to celebrate by having a party all night. We were up from 12-5 with her. She was not interested in sleeping. L was fine although now she is a little fussy but I think she is gassy." (23 days old)

I thought last night was bad because I had to get up and put pacifiers back in 3 times. It's nice to have a reality check sometimes!

S and L as newborns

How it Happened

2009-12-17T10:27:00.001-08:00

My husband and I found out we were expecting January 17, 2009 (three days before Obama was inaugurated- it was a big deal in DC). We told our families on January 19 because we were too excited to keep it a secret. I saw my doctor at the very end of January and found out I was having twins at the beginning of Feb., 6 weeks into the pregnancy.

The day started off like any other. We went to work, I felt queasy and had some pain on the right side of my stomach. I called the doctor after I freaked myself out googling pregnancy and stomach pain. The doctor called me back immediately and had me come in right away, so I begged people to cover my class and left school in the middle of the day. The doctor examined me and said things looked ok but she wanted me to get and ultrasound to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.

I was thrilled. I would get to see my baby! It didn't really cross my mind that something would be wrong even though I had worried about it all morning. As I sat in the waiting room (because I had to down three glasses of water) I let my mind wander. I remember thinking "wouldn't it be funny if it was twins?" Then I thought "there is no way it could be twins."

I am finally called back and they begin the ultrasound. The tech is really quiet but I can see the picture on a TV screen. She looks at a few of my parts and then focuses on these two little D shaped black spots with little white dots in them. While she is doing this I'm thinking what is she looking at. She flips the screen to my medical information and where it says "fetus(es)" she changes 1 to 2. I'm thinking what the hell is going on, there is no way I'm having two. That can't mean what I think it does.

When she flipped back to the ultrasound she started labeling the little Ds "A" and "B". And I'm thinking No freaking way. She still has not said anything to me. I finally get up the nerve and ask "why is there an A and a B." She hesitates and says "well I'm seeing two fetuses." Then she asks me to hold my breath so she can try and get a heart beat as I am hyperventilating. I don't remember much of the exam after that.

She let me leave but made me wait because she wanted the doctor to take a look before I left. I go out into the waiting room and call my husband. I don't remember exactly how the conversation went but something like this (he knew I went to the doctor and was having an ultrasound):
Me-well everything looks good but umm we're having twins.
Him-Are you serious?
Me-Yes, what are we going to do? we can't afford twins (freaking out continues).
Him- Now I have a quarterback and a linebacker
Me- What?
Him- (he laughs) I can't believe it's two. Don't worry it will be ok.

Alright I was so worried about telling him because I thought he would freak out and he was fine. Although he did tell me later that when I told him he stopped in the middle of the street in downtown DC and was almost hit by a car.

When the doctor release me I called my OB and then went across the street to my mother's school. I showed up in her door way and told her as she was teaching class. She looked at me for a minute and then said "that's not funny Doris" (my grandmother who passed away 3 years ago). After school she took me to Barnes and Noble and we bought every book there was about twins. I continued to freak out about affording them and keeping them safe.

It was certainly one of the most monumental days of my life.

37+ weeks

A Change in Priorities

2009-12-17T10:22:00.000-08:00

So all I want for Christmas is the Medela Freestyle pump. I have the Pump in Style and it works just fine but I really want the Freestyle. Why? Because it is tiny and is hands free and it's pretty and fancy.

Last Christmas I wanted a baby and a house (I got both plus an extra baby).

The Christmas before that a Wii and a new iPod.

It's funny how things change. Next Christmas I have a feeling all I'll want is a nap, a bottle of Captain Morgan and to pee in peace.

This is Us

2009-12-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

I guess all blogs have to start with a who I am kind of post.
So:
I'm 26, I have two kids and I married my high school sweet heart. All of this makes me sound like someone completely not me.

I happened to meet the man I married at the Homecoming football game my junior year of high school. I consider myself insanely lucky, why I didn't have to look everywhere for my best friend and husband, I found him right away.

I'm also lucky because after being married for two years we got the surprise of our life when our twin girls came along.

So me in a nutshell- wife, mommy, teacher. Enough about me.