Monday, December 31, 2012

2012!

We are ringing in the new years with two sick toddlers.  So happy they got sick while the hubby was off of work!  Time to reflect on 2012.

2012 was a pretty awesome year.  The past eight years have been amazing and it's all because of the man I have gotten to spend it with.  It just got better back in 2009 when we found out we were not welcoming just one human being into this world but TWO.  This year I have been blessed with so much.  I have gotten to watch friends become mothers, I have helped strangers who are having twins with tips on how I got through the first two years.  I have been blessed with being able to stay at home since the girls were born and raise them.  My husband and I were able to get away for the night during 2012 and act like adults but also act like we were dating and enjoy one on one time together.  We have had so many good memories this year.  Its crazy how fast these years have been going since bringing the girls into this world.  some of the harder times was our move away from family, no car for 3 months, apartment living and house hunting.  But in the end when I look back those moments seem so small and it was a fun adventure for the girls.  It also shows me how fortunate we have been.  I appreciate life so much more! 

2013 may be one of the hardest years that my husband and I will endure.  But we are both up for a challenge and in the end will overcome it.  The girls will be starting preschool this year, they are growing up way to fast.  I will be enjoying this year.  I will not let the small stuff interfere with this year.  I will continue to be positive and focus on what is important.  I will continue to decorate our house so we can call it "our home", I will also do this while using things we already own.  I am so lucky to have family and friends in my life who accept me for me, who don't judge me, and who truly would be there for me no matter what.  I hope to see these people more in 2013.  Even though 2013 may be a tough year, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make it one of the best years for my little family! 


I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year.  I hope you are all blessed, happy, and healthy this year.  I hope you all will make a change for the world this year, whether it be giving that person who is having a bad day a smile, or paying it forward.  Its time to make a change and make the world a better place for our children!  God Bless you all!


Monday, December 3, 2012

Mommy obsession

My mommy obsession is the Royals.  I am obsessed with Princess Kate and Prince William!  I have always been obsessed with them since they were dating.  I know I don't know him, but from the sounds of it and just watching him, Prince William seems like a genuine person.  Someone who is going to protect his wife and take very good care of her.  I love Princess Kate because she is sweet, and from the looks of it her parents raised an amazing person.  I love her because she recycles her wardrobe.  She has reworn outfits, she doesn't pay a fortune for some of her clothes.  What other celebrity has done that?  She has all the money in the world, yet she has reworn clothes and bought a 30 dollar dress.  Celebrities are big in this world and children look up to them.  This is one person I wouldn't mind my children looking up too.  (Yes, yes I know she has billions of dollars and had a very exprensive wedding, that could have been given to charities or a lot of people in need.)  Yes, my children and I watched the wedding!  They may have only been 11 months, and have had no idea what was happening but we had a royal party that day!

So, when my sister texted me and told me she was pregnant, the girls and I had a little dance party for them.  At nap time I decided to jump on the computer real fast, and read she was in the hospital with severe morning sickness.  It sent me back to when I was pregnant and on zofran for a while.  Maybe she is having twins?  How exciting would that be?  It would not be so exciting for the second twin though :(.

I stalk their website often, and wish Kate would start her own blog, I know this will never happen though!  Oh how I would love to meet both of them.  I would love to meet Prince Harry too, he seems like he gets along with everyone.  I am pretty sure he would never want to hang out with a mommy!

So there, I confessed to my obsession! 

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge website



Saturday, December 1, 2012

Thankfulness/Tis the season of giving

I am thankful for so many things, here are the three most!

My amazing husband who fought for me to go on a first date with him, who asked me to marry him, for a promise he made while putting the gorgeous ring that I will cherish forever on my finger.  The day we said our personal vows, the promises, and the love we have for each other.  The man who works for hard to provide for his family.  I am so thankful to have this wonderful, caring, patient man in my life.

My children who have been the biggest blessing in our lives.  I love them more than I will ever be able to communicate or put in words to them.  They keep us going everyday, and I look forward to waking up to see what the next day brings us, whether it is a good day or bad day!  I am so thankful for being blessed with twins and given the opportunity to shape them into amazing women.

Our family and friends for without them we wouldn't be the people we are today!  Thank you!

With all that, I knew what I was thankful for and I am thankful for so much more, but I didn't feel I needed to express all of this.  There are so many people who don't get to be thankful for a family, their health, education, etc... My heart breaks for these people. This leads me to "Tis the season of giving."

I have donated to St. Jude's for a long time.  I get so upset every time I hear about a child battling cancer. When I go back to work, I hope to get on a research study and find a cure for cancers.  No child should have to fight for their lives at such a young age or anyone for that matter.  Ian and I have decided to continue this tradition.  I am also going to donate to Metro Health.  Without Metro, I may not have these two girls in my life.  I am forever grateful to this hospital.

We have talked a lot and want our children to understand the true meaning of Christmas.  They will learn about Jesus.  They will learn that it is not all about presents.  They will learn what giving means.  Here are our goals for every year:
1.  Ian wants to get involved with a food bank or soup kitchen and have all of us help with serving or donating food to it. 
2.  We want to adopt a family in need and give them a Christmas they deserve. 
3.  Continue to donate to St. Jude's and Metro.
4.  When the girls understand (I will do it this year), we are going to have them go through their toys every year and give to children in need.

We will add to this list every year, and we will also get the girls involved and see what else they would like to do.  This is something that is very important to us and close to our hearts.  We may not have a lot to give and offer, but I do feel a little goes a long way.

Carrie Underwood- Change- great song!






Tuesday, November 27, 2012

halfway to 3!

Wow, where has the time gone.  From the time you both turned two until now, so much has changed.  I think back to when you girls were babies, and I have a hard time remembering things.  I will look at pictures and tear up just remembering those times!  It is amazing how much you two have changed, my precious babies are growing up so fast.  Daddy says you are little women. He is so right, you can have a conversation just like adults do.

I am understanding the "enjoy these moments because they will be all grown up before you know it"  It is so true, I feel like the days are going so fast and before I can blink your a day older, 6 months older, a year older.

Here are some things that have happened these past few months:

Tantrums are fewer and fewer, which is so nice.  It is nice because there is less throwing things, and kicking!  Yes, Zoey when you get mad, you have a little temper and throw things.  Harly you like to scream high pitched at the top of your lungs and kick.  You are understanding everything, you know right from wrong, and you are just a joy to be around even with those few tantrums.  Daddy thanks you often because you are finally out of the screaming, crying stage.  He loves this happy little grown up stage!

There are challenging days, you two are just so strong willed and definitely girly girls!  You are so smart that you challenge me everyday, you get bored and want to do harder things.  It is crazy how smart you two are!  You two like to be independent and get dressed by yourself.  Those days are great though because we all get to learn and grow as a family!  I love a challenge too, it makes me a better mommy! If you didn't challenge mommy and daddy then our lives would be dull, so keep doing it!

Its easier for mommy and daddy to ask one of you to calm down your sister.  When we can't get you guys to calm down or understand what is wrong through your tears, we just ask your sister and she can calm you in 2 seconds.  there are times where you are so upset you go into another room, your sister will come find you, hold you, rub your back, kiss and hug you, and bring you back to where we are.  It is the sweetest thing in the world.  I would be lying if I said I don't cry often! 

You two LOVE to help with everything.  From cooking, to baking, to folding the laundry and sweeping the floor.  You want to be a grown up, though you really do not like to pick up your toys!
The "why" questions have started and I love every minute of it! I never say because I said so.  I also refuse to say that because you should understand.  When I tell you not to do something and you ask why, I give you an explanation, same with when you just ask why questions.  I don't want to be that mom who says because I said so.  You two also talk up a storm and sometimes we can't get you to stop!  It is the cutest thing! 

You both love to explain everything.  Whatever you do or whatever question I ask you, you will explain it and not give me a one word answer.  Daddy and I give each other credit for this because we don't like to give you one word answers either!  You both also express your feelings.  You tell me your happy, sad, mad, or scared.  It is so cute!

Nap time is awesome!  You both fall asleep the minute I say its nap time.  It is GREAT!  Bedtime is a million times better!  From the moment we switched you to big girls beds, it has been easier.  You are sleeping through the night 98% of the time too which is fabulous!

I love how excited you get the minute you hear the garage open and daddy lock his car!  You both run around the island, then to the door and open it.  You both say daddy I can't see you (because it is dark outside).  When you do spot him, "there you are daddy."  Then the giggles start, daddy gets in the house and you jump in his arms.  It is an amazing site, you love him so much.  You ask to go see him at work, and ask me 5 times a day when daddy will be home.  I love bedtime when you wrap your little arms around daddy as he lays on your floor and reads you a story.  When you look him in the eyes, take his face in your hands and kiss him.  Then you shout back to each other I love you for a couple minutes!  Daddy always tells me that he loves this stage!

You two love baby dolls, trains, Dora, and playing games.  I love our family game nights, they are the best!  You love to chase each other around the whole house.  Dance, and sing are two of your favorite things.  You both can do this all day long and be happy, as long as you have a tutu or dress on!  You like to dress up in mommy's clothes, so you can be a mommy and take care of your baby dolls.  Its the cutest thing ever!

The love you have for each other is indescribable!  You two may fight here and there, but the sweetness outweighs the fighting.  you are always helping each other out, calming each other down, dancing together, singing together, and watching you play baby and mommy role is my absolute favorite!  I can't get over how much you have changed.  Going from infants, to babies, to toddlers has been amazing.  It has truly been a blessing to watch you both grow up and watch you achieve each milestone.  I am lucky to be able to watch this, and will be so sad next year when you start preschool.  I can't even believe you will be going to school already and I will be losing two hours with you guys.  I think this is going to be harder on me than you two!

I love you more and more everyday.  I can't wait to continue this journey called parenting with you two.  You girls are the greatest gift I could have ever been given, besides your daddy!  Thank you for making me so happy, you two bring so much joy to your mommy and daddy!  I am so proud at the way you two have been growing up and turning into amazing little girls who will one day change the world.  You two are so unbelievably smart, caring, and just all around sweet!  I love you always and forever!




Tuesday, November 13, 2012

car seat safety

I got a chance to join a twitter party with Ali Landry, Britax, and hundreds of other mommies and daddies regarding car seat safety, and I would like to pass it along to all of you!

Keep kids rear facing until TWO.  Yes, I know it sucks, but it is for their safety.  Their neck muscles are not strong enough for an impact. Hopefully you will never be in a car accident, but you just don't know.  I thought I would have never been in one, but I was.  I was 25 weeks pregnant when I was in a car accident.  If I had the girls and they were forward facing before two, they probably would have been severly injured.  Something I don't want to think about.  We kept the girls rear facing til 2.  I know it stinks not being abe to see them or give them things but it is for their safety!

Latch system limits.  If you vehicle has the latch system use it.  Do not use this system and the seat belt together.  One thing I learned is vehicles have a latch limit, that you have to stop using the latch system once your child hits 40lbs.  The latch system is will not protect your child if you continue to use it after they hit 40lbs.  You NEED to switch to the seatbelt when this happens!

Installation- Take it to the fire/police department and have them check it.

Place children in the middle of the back row.  I have twins so I was not able to do this, they are each next to a window.  The safest place for a child is in the middle though.

Winter- do NOT put a heavy coats on them in the car seat.  Yes, its cold but that coat will not save their life in a car accident.  Those straps are loosened for the coat, not the child.  When the girls were little, I would just wrap them in a blanket to get in and out of somewhere.  Now that they are older I put them both in their seats, and take their coats off before I buckle.  Then when I unbuckle I put their coats back on.  Yes its a pain, but its my childrens safety, it takes 2-5 minutes out of your time, so what, you can spare 2-5 minutes!

Register you seats!

Read your manual, and don't let the car seat move more than an inch

Checking harness-  harness is tight enough when you can't pinch the webbing or staps at the collarbone.  Clip should be at armpit level.


There is a ton of info on the government websites also.  Please keep your children safe!





Tuesday, October 23, 2012

play groups, twins club, meeting new people!

Since the girls have been born, I have stepped out of my shell.  Litttle history- I am a very shy and quiet person, before kids I would have not made an effort to meet new people, I have a hard time striking up a conversation.  That all changed when I had children. 

The girls were about 10 weeks when I decided to look for a play group to join.  I was thankful to know someone in a play group so that helped a lot.  I remember Ian's face and reaction when I told him I had joined a play group and already went to a meetup.  He was very shocked, but so happy and proud of me.  I loved that play group and miss them all dearly!  We are sad because we have not found one out here that compares to the one back home.  There was also a twins club back home that I really wanted to join.  It was not possible with all of Ian's traveling he did every week and it always landed on the day the meeting was.  I was determined to join one where we live now.

When we moved, Ian's new position did not require him to travel.  I decided this would be a great opportunity to join the twins club out here.  Well what I didn't know was that this club was recognized at state level and national level (NOMOTC).  I was able to go to the meeting, meet other twin mommies, and really enjoy myself.  I have mom's I can talk to who know what I am going through and who have been through it.  It was a lot of fun and I am looking forward to play dates with this group and the meetings.  Also our club is hosting the state convention this year, so that is exciting! 

We also have some pretty awesome neighbors who the girls love to play with.  The girls and I are starting to be little social butterflies.  My husband loves it too, and loves to see me come out of my shell!  It also feels good, I hold my own now and have really enjoyed this experience.  I also wanted to show the girls that they can do it too.  What I once thought was an uncomfortable situation, is now a joy!  I am trying to be better in areas that I was not for my children!

Apple picking with friends!



First bonfire at OUR new house with a some of the neighbors!


Had to put one of my baby girls and me in here!




Wednesday, October 17, 2012

potty training tips and tricks!

Well...Harly is potty trained!  She did it in two days!  It was easier than I expected, so here are some tips and tricks.  Hopefully they help you, and potty training was not as bad as I had first thought!


1.  Stay calm-  I know how stressful and frustrating it can be when children pee on the floor.  It stinks, but you can't show them your frustration.  They will not want to do it if they see you getting frustrated.  I learned that telling them, "its OK  pee goes in the potty."  They would walk around and say, "no pee in underwear, pee in potty."  Just remember it takes time, stay calm, and they will get it.

2.  Don't expect them to get it the first time they pee in potty.  They will get very excited, but that doesn't mean they will do it again.  That is a huge step though.

3.  Don't have too many distractions.  I tried to stick to one thing during potty training.  We colored a lot, played with playdoh, and made castles with mega blocks.

4.  Twins may not be ready at the same time.  Remember, even though they are twins, they are individuals and still may not be on the same track as the other.  I never compared them to each other, I know they are their own person. My girls potty trained a week apart.  We do a lot of things together, but when it comes to leaning and experiences, we try our best to keep it separate in case one is not quite ready.

5.  YOU have to be ready.  Not only does your child have to be ready, the parent has to be ready for it too.

6.  If one learned something before the other, I let them help teach the one that has not mastered it yet.  Zoey did a great job on getting her sister to potty train.  I did not push.  They definitely helped each other, that is a great thing about having twins!

7. I recommend two potty chairs if you have twins.  They always have to go at the same time, so its great to put them on their own and watch them cheer for each other.  "Yay, sissy you peed, I so proud of you."  Those are normally their lines to each other!

8.  There have been a lot of recommendations of a potty schedule with twins.  So they both go at the same time, instead of one goes and then a half hour later another one goes.  But, I have not had to do this.  They are pretty much on the same schedule and go at the same time.  If your little ones do not, than I highly recommend a potty schedule.

9.  Cloth diapers-  I think this has definitely helped with potty training the girls.  With cloth diapers, you know when you are wet.  They would run up to me from the time they were 18 months old, telling me to change their diaper.  Disposable diapers have so much absorbency in them that it pulls away and they don't know when they are wet.

10.  The earlier you start the better.  We put the girls on the potty starting at 18 months.  We put them on in the morning, at nap, and at bedtime.  They never peed in it, but it got them comfortable with the potty.  They also watched me use the potty.  They would never let me go alone, they were scared the minute I left them alone to just pee.  So from the time they could move til now, they have watched me every time I used the bathroom.  I think that helped a lot too.

11.  We did do a sticker chart and M&Ms.  Some people don't do this, but it helped me.  They also didn't get an M&M every time they went.

12.  We use pull ups at nap time and bedtime.  From the time they both used the potty (about two weeks ago for Zoey, one week for Harly) they have kept their pull ups dry at nap.  I have been leaving them in their underwear at nap and they have not had one accident.  This doesn't go for every child, this is the last step and it takes time.  The girls just hate that wet feeling.  They have started keeping their pull ups dry at night (the past two nights), but I am going to wait a little longer before I stop using them at night.

13.  Traveling potty sit.  I was against this when I heard people putting potties in their car, but I am one of those moms now.  We have only taken one on our long trip to see Ian's family.  I don't put one in the car when we run errands.  I have them pee before we leave the house. They don't really ask me to use the restroom while we are out.  There have only been two or three times they have, and have done a great job holding it til I located the restrooms.

13.  Stick with it- Once you start, don't look back.  Even if it takes a couple weeks, keep up with it.  The minute you step back, they win.  Then it will turn into a power struggle.

14.  Every child is different!  Don't force it!  GOOD LUCK!!!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Potty Training 101: potty train in a day!

We have been putting the girls on the potty since they were 18 months.  They never peed or pooped on it, but they sat on it three times a day.  On their 2nd birthday, we got them potties.  With the relocation, living in temporary housing, moving into the new house, traveling, etc. we knew that we wouldn't start potty training til after summer was over.  This was the only thing out of parenting that I was dreading (and the teenage years!).  I had a lot of built up anxiety about potty training.  But it went better than I had expected.

The girls were ready, they would tell us when they were going potty in their diaper, and they would take their diapers off after they pooped.  I decided to start talking to them about the potty in September.  They would wear underwear some days, but pee in them.  My goal was just to get them used to underwear, the potty, and how it feels when you pee in your underwear.

We have a lot going on this month with every weekend booked, whether its parties or traveling, so I wasn't going to push potty training til at least November.  That all changed when Zoey asked me for underwear on Monday.  I was not about to say no and discourage it just because we were leaving Saturday.

I put them both in underwear.  Here is how it has been going:

Day 1: Monday
Harly: Every time she had to pee, she would pee in her underwear.  She would sit on the potty but never pee in it.
Zoey: No accidents!  Pee'd on the potty three times today! Sticker chart pulled out, and M&Ms to reward!

Day 2: Tuesday
Harly:  Accidents still, not peeing on the potty.  She is starting to become scared of the potty.
Zoey:  No pee accidents again!  Did have a poop accident in her underwear. Got M&Ms for going on the potty.

Day 3: Wednesday
Harly:  Crying every time she had to pee, begging for a diaper to be put on.  I have decided to not push her until she is more comfortable with the potty.  But so proud of her for trying!
Zoey:  No accidents!  Stickers, and M&Ms for reward

Day 4: Thursday
Zoey had three accidents today.  I knew we would end up regressing when she saw Harly in a diaper.  These accidents are partly my fault too.  Reason being- in the morning, Zoey was playing with her toys and she got up, ran, and stripped.  She sat on the potty and pee'd, never once telling me she had to pee.  So I got lenient and wasn't asking her throughout the day if she had to pee, which resulted in accidents.

Day 5: Friday
Zoey had no accidents.  She is starting to get sick of M&Ms as her reward, so we are going to go to the store and get new candy to keep her on a roll! Again she went on the potty without being told or asked too!  Daddy got to witness this too!  So proud of her!

I will start with Harly again, the issue is that these girls are outsmarting me with EVERYTHING (and I mean everything, they are way too smart)!  Harly knew that if she held her pee til naptime (which she did one day) that she would be getting a pull up on.  The minute I put it on her, she said, "I peeing."  With her it is going to come down to a power struggle.  Part of me feels guilty for not starting sooner, but there was just way to much chaos in our lives.  I also thought it would be the complete opposite because Zoey is very stubborn and strong willed.  We will get there though, and I am not worried.  I have all winter!

How I potty trained in one day:  I waited til they said they were ready.  We continued our normal routine.  They have been sitting on the potty for almost a year.  We have had a lot of talks about the potty too. I will let you know how potty training with Harly goes.  The hard part will be these next couple days with Zoey, due to I am sure the place we are going to won't have a potty 5 feet away from us.  I will be that annoying mom asking her child every 5 minutes if she has to go to the bathroom (sorry to everyone ahead of time!)  I know there will be a lot more accidents til she gets used to having to hold her pee til we find a potty, but I refuse to back down.  I don't want her to be discouraged and go back in diapers.  I will survive this, and I will have a ton of extra clothes on hand!  Plus daddy will be there to help, thank goodness!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Start of family nights: Family, Finding Nemo, snuggle time

I am so excited to do family nights!  The girls aren't old enough for board games yet, but I can't wait to have a family game night.  Two weekends ago, we decided to have a family movie night.  We don't let the girls watch a lot of T.V.  They watch about a 1/2 hour, but when they have bad days, we throw it on for a little longer just to get things done.

We didn't know if they would sit through a two hour movie.  The longest movie they watched was an hour movie on the car ride to vacation.  We wanted to give it a shot though and knew we could just turn it off and play.

I took the girls to the library and gave them some options.  In the end, they picked Finding Nemo.  There were a lot more scary parts than I realized and just had to reassure them that Nemo, Nemo: (aka Marlin), and Dory were OK.  They sat through the whole movie and loved it.  They continue to ask to watch it every day now.

They then found all the board games.  They were still wrapped and never opened.  We played candy land with the girls and they had fun picking out the cards for daddy and me!

It was a great family night, we all snuggled together and it was just perfect!  I look forward to many more family nights!

Friday, September 14, 2012

big girl beds: Naptime help

So the big girls beds have been a success at bedtime the past two weeks!  Zoey is sleeping through the night and only waking at 5am some nights!  Harly who was our great sleeper, is having some issues and waking up more.  But, she is starting to get used to it now and doing a little better!

Nap time is a whole other issue and advice from other mommies is more than welcome.

The girls have to have a nap.  If you know my kids, you know they can't function without a nap.  They have always slept 2 1/2- 3 hours.  The big girl beds are ruining this.  They share a room and now roam around it.

I put them up at 12:30 and they play with each other.  By 1:15 I go back up and tell them they have to stay in their beds.  Some days they don't fall asleep and some days they fall asleep around 2-2:30, but then I have to wake them at 3 so they go to bed by 8:30.

Last week they did pretty well after I gave them a firm warning.  This week, not so much.  All week they have not taken a nap.  I have done everything, putting them in at 12:30.  Not working.  Putting them in at 1.  Not working.  I have gone up there and and told them it is time to stay in their beds.  One will sneak out and I have to go up again.  After going up there multiple times, it is time for them to wake up.  

My children are miserable when they don't have a nap!  I also feel really bad leaving them up there for that long!

I am going to try and just give them a firm warning to stay in their beds.  Then every time they get out of their beds, just put them back in and leave the room.  Kind of like the ferber method but instead of timing it, going in every time they get out of their beds.  It is only one and they switch every day.

Time outs work when they don't have their listening ears on, so do I put them in time-out?  When we do have to give them a firm talking to, they get embarrassed and cry.  That is not something I want to do.  I don't want them to be afraid of their room or upset with their big girl beds.

Any advice from moms who have gone through this would be appreciated.  I can't separate them because if one wakes up before the other, we pull her out.  When the second one wakes up they panic and scream looking for their sister; plus we don't want to separate them until the day they tell us they are ready for their own rooms.  

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Big girl beds: My love, hate relationship

Ian and I had talked and said we would wait til the girls were 3 to change them into big girl beds.  They have only tried to climb out of their cribs once and we put an end to that real fast.  Zoey has always been a horrible sleeper.  Up until we changed her to a big girl bed, she hadn't slept through the night.  We tried everything from the ferber method, to sitting in their room and moving away every night til we were out the door.  She either was sick, teething, having night terrors, losing her duck (aka: pacifer), or separation anxiety.  Harly on the other hand is a great sleeper, we have never had an issue with her and she usually sleeps through Zoey's crying screaming.  It has come down to me just sleeping on the floor in their room almost every night, which usually ends in me falling asleep in there because I am so exhausted, or forcing myself to stay awake to sneak out when she falls asleep.  If you read this post, then you would understand why I am so exhausted...I don't know how to turn my mind off, plus add in chasing two toddlers all day.

When the girls turned 2, they wanted to wear underwear and sit on the potty more.  I am not pushing the potty, but I am also not discouraging it.  I would rather potty train the winter than summer and fall.  We decided because of the potty and because Zoey still wasn't sleeping through the night that maybe we should put them in big girl beds.

So that is what we did on Monday of Labor Day weekend!

We put a gate up at their door, removed any dangerous things, and pulled their dresser out until we get the straps to attach it to the wall.

Night one= unsuccessful.  We had talked all day about being big girls, they watched me break down their cribs and change them to toddler beds.  They played in it all day.  Then night time came and they screamed.  They were asking for their cribs back.  The only way they would sleep is if I layed in their room all night.  Zoey slept in her bed and Harly slept on the floor.

Day 2, Nap time=  partial success.  We put them up at 12:45. At 1:30, they were still awake and playing.  We went up there and said it was time to stay in their beds, no more getting out.  By 2, they finally fell asleep.  We let them sleep til 4, but their naps are usually 1-3:30.

Day 2, Bedtime= Successful.  Because their nap was late they didn't go to bed til 8:30.  We continued to do our same routine that we have done since they were born.  They went in the beds, and played til I went up there at 9:15.  I told them just like naptime that they had to stay in their beds now.  They finally fell asleep at 10.  AND...They slept all night long!  Yes, all night!!

Bedtimes have been awesome, finally!!!  But, naptimes not so much!  Thus my love, hate relationship with big girl beds!
this is what happens now that they can get out of their beds!

have to have a shoe!

and so does this one!
**Next post coming up is asking for help regarding naps in big girl beds....stay tuned!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

It's an Elmo birthday!

Better late than never right?!?  We celebrated the girls 2nd birthday at the end of June.  It was during our crazy transition from new area, temporary housing, no car (not a good two months!).  We wanted some familiarity back in the girls lives, what better way than an Elmo party, family, and friends!  Here are some pictures from that day!


pool party, this was their true bday week

Their sign for the party that the girls helped me make!
decorations


more decorations
desert table!

The birthday girls!

friends!

More friends

ready for their elmo cupcake

Loving it!


Their invitation!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Five for Friday: Toddlers say the darnest things!

Here are some sentences the girls are saying:

1.  Mommy: singing while driving.
     Harly:  mommy, no sing song in car!

2.  Harly: where's my lovie (in a whiny voice)
     Zoey: (annoyed) Sissy, its right here, on chair

3. "Try it, you'll like it."  Their favorite line they say every time they have something new on their plate (thank you Yo Gabba Gabba).  If they don't like it, they say "try it, don't like it!"

4.  Zoey: More muffins mommy
     Me: Sorry sweetie, they are all gone.
     Zoey: How 'bout cookies mommy?

5. Me: Harly, do you want to play with the rice table?
   Harly: No mommy, I'm good!

What I miss the most is their jibberish language when they were little.  They had their own little language that only they both understood.  They still use it, but not as much.  It's amazing how in a blink in the eye they are talking in full sentences.

If one of them is doing something they are not suppose too, the other one will say no sissy, no no.  Then they say here sissy and shows her what is the right way.  Love it!


"Z"

"H"

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What life would be like

What would life be like without Facebook, pinterest, or google. What would it be like if you could go back to when you were a little kid, where you had to go to the library to look up information not like today where you just pull out your phone. What would it be like if instead of communicating through Facebook you actually called that person or saw them in person.  Why does everyone care about what people are posting, most of it is negative statuses anyway.  I need to delete my account, but this is where I put info about my blog on here.  But I don't care about facebook or other people's problems except the updates on the important people in my life.  All you geniuses and inventors out there- Please stop making everything about technology.  I want my children to have a childhood like I did.  Can you start making people get off their butts instead of them sitting and doing everything on the computer or their phones.  Please take us back in time to when we had to actually move, thank you!  Sincerely a mommy who will devote herself to making sure her children don't sit in front of the t.v., computer, or play video games 24/7!

What would life be like if you could say your own opinion and not have someone completely tear it apart. What if I write a opinionated blog post? Would I lose my readers, would they just view it as my opinion, would they tear me apart? 10 other people just wrote about a topic I was going to write about. Do I still write it? Will they think I am copying? Do they even read my blog? Why do I care so much about every little thing and what other people think about me?

What would life be like if we could just go back to when I was a little girl, where I was able to ride my bike in our development and not have a care in the world. Where kids could have a little freedom.  I won't let my girls out of my sight til they move out of our house.  Which leads me too all my worrying.

How do people with children have so much time on their hands? I wake up, shower, get the girls up, make breakfast. Get kids fed, play or run errands with them.  Nap time=clean the house, edit pictures, or shower if I didn't get one before the girls woke up. Kids wake up play some more, make dinner, eat, clean up dinner... wait who am I kidding, the girls won't let me clean, they want my full undivided attention.  Ok have them help me clean.  Give them dishes to load in the dishwasher...they are making a bigger mess (I should have waited til they went to bed). Bath time, story time with daddy, bedtime. Downstairs pick up all the toys, sit down, spend some time with Ian if he hasn't fallen asleep, blog, Facebook, and pinterest.  Oh no it's midnight, one of the girls will probably be up at any moment (yes, they are two, yes Zoey still gets up at night..save this for another post to explain).  Try to sleep can't.  What was that noise, is some one breaking in, get up and check on the girls with what feels like the millionth time.  Reminds me, Ian we need to get a dog so I can sleep at night.  Wait, I hate dogs.  The slobber, the barking, the shedding, licking my girls. Gross.  But I would feel better, especially living in this big house.  I would love to start a etsy shop. I have a million bows and fabric, but with what time?

At the end of the day these issues seem so small.  I have bigger issues to worry about like: what preschool to send the girls too, sign them up for dance and gymnastics, paint and decorate the house, fix my resume for when the girls start pre-preschool next year I can go back to work the days they are in school( best thing about being a nurse, making your own hours and picking up when YOU are able too).

I am always afraid of what others may think of me.  Maybe that is why I am so quiet and shy.  I don't know. I am going to be myself, best thing is I can be myself on here because some of you don't know me!  I want to show the girls that they need to be themselves and to not worry about what other people may think of them.  Just be you!  I will treat them like individuals.  Just because they are twins, and they will grow up together; I will never treat them as one unit.  They are each their own person.  To you mommy of twins out there, please remember that!

This is off topic but: people need to watch what they say.  We were at the grocery store today, and some lady came up to me and said how do you tell them apart.  One looks like she has fat cheeks compared to the other.  Number one: don't say that to a mother, and secondly: they have the same face and cheeks.  Are you blind?  Then she proceeded to say: you are lucky you have two gorgeous twins and neither of them are ugly.  Most twins I see one is ugly and one is cute.  WHAT?!?! did you really just say that to me.  Lets just say I looked and at her and walked away...it may have gotten ugly if I continued to let her talk to me.
Picnic at the park, they are such girly girls!  Just got done freaking out over a  bee that was 15 feet away!  


Wednesday, August 1, 2012

2012 Olympics!

One of my favorite times every four years is the summer Olympics! I love everything about them, the thrill I get sitting at the edge of my seat during gymnastics and swimming.  At times I feel like Aly Raisman's parents.  I feel like I am living through them, that I know them, and that they are my best friends!  Weird? Right, I know!

There were only certain times our parents let us stay up late, during  special occasions such as the winter Olympics and the Cleveland Indians world series in 1997 (yes it was a school night, but it was a once in a probably (the way Cleveland is looking) lifetime event our parents wanted us to experience!)

I remember the summer Olympics of 1996 so vividly! Maybe because it was in the United States,  it was live during our U.S. time, and there was no facebook, twitter, internet ruining it.  Does anyone else think the NBC coverage is horrible?  Maybe because I wished I was those girls, but I still remember that day!  I remember watching it with my family, sitting, jumping, clenching our fists and eyes during the balance beam routines, yelling at the gymnasts like they could hear me: land it, don't fall, come on girls!  The magnificent 7 were amazing!  I loved those girls!  I even went to college with Dominique Moceanu (very sweet person, she even performed some skills during anatomy and physiology class for the 12 of us that were in it!)

Kerri did it though.  I still remember that moment, where my sister and I started crying.  The moment she landed it, the moment her coach carried her off, and them receiving the gold medal.  I could lie and say we just got teary eyed and that I don't have any of the newspapers saved, but that would be awful of me.  Yes, I did cry (not tears, full blown crying!), yes I did save every magazine and newspaper article from those Olympics.  You ask, do I still have them?  Absolutely, in my memory box! Even for my birthday that October, my mom took me to see them perform at the Gund Arena.  So to get to relive that moment last night watching the fab 5, it brought be back to when I was a little girl watching the magnificent 7!  No, I did not cry, but I did get teary-eyed.  I wanted to cheer, but I had a very sick little girl laying next to me and did not want to wake her!

So I will cheer now, AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! It was a great moment!  A moment I hope I get with my girls.  I can't wait til they are older and understand.  I can't wait to keep them up late for moments like this and to see them so happy and excited!  I don't know if they will be able to experience that with any Cleveland sports (they may have to be a Pittsburgh fans like their daddy, before you throw me hate emails, Ian was born and raised in Pittsburgh so you can't be mad at the man!)

I am most excited for those little experiences with my girls, like I had with my mom and sister.  I pray there will be moments like this.  Like the Magnificent 7, Fab 5, Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin, and so on...

I also hope they find that hobby that they absolutely fall in love with.  It was dance for me, competitive cheerleading for my sister.  Who knows I may have two gymnasts or dancers, two amazing little girls who may want to go all the way.

here are some videos of our dance parties we have every evening in our household and just because I think they are so cute!
Just wait til you see their singing videos!  Coming soon....call me maybe?!?!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Twin fact from snapple cap!

My sister sent me a picture of her snapple bottle cap that had an interesting twin fact!  Here it is:

Funny thing is:  This is true!  Both the girls are left handed!  Interesting what you can learn from a bottle cap! Will start paying more attention to these things!

Just thought this would be fun to share!  Thanks Titi!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Thank you Jessica, Thank you Jennifer!

I started my own Revolution a couple months ago.  I didn't do it for anyone, I did it for myself, I wanted to feel better about me.  Now, I am going to get a ton of comments from my family and Ian, so let me make it clear--- I am not trying to lose weight guys!  I am under my pre-pregnancy weight.  I got back to my pre-pregnancy weight when the girls were 6 weeks old (I credit nursing twins).  Once the girls turned a year old, I was under my pre-pregnancy weight.

But... I carried the girls to almost full-term.  I only gained about 50 lbs, but when you are carrying twins, your skin stretches.  I was all belly, so it took a beating.  I have met a couple of other twin mommies and are jealous of them because they don't have the extra skin.  They don't have it though because they delivered their twins too early and had to deal with them being in the NICU.  I would rather have extra skin then have my kids in the NICU, so I sympathize with them.  With all this being said, I just want my abs back, the abs I have had for almost 10 years.  I also don't want to be that mom yet.  I am not ready for mom jeans, or a mini van (even though I know this vehicle is in my future), I am only in my mid/late 20's, I want to wear a bikini again.  Then this photo changed everything.

Thank you Jennifer Garner!  Here is the Link.  Thank you for being the celebrity who is not worrying about getting back into shape after having a baby 4 months ago.  Thank you for showing people that you can wear a one piece and still look cute!  I guess I was so worried about society these days, you get judged just by walking in a store.  It is not that I can't wear a bikini, I could and no one would really know about my belly, but I am so self- conscious about my body.  Why?  I don't know, maybe because my sister just had a baby and is already back in a bikini, but I have to remind myself that she only carried one child.  I have always been fit, and then it changed when I had kids.  Don't get me wrong, I would rather have my two blessings then my body!  I hope all of you mommies out there can feel that way too.  I also would rather spend every moment with my children, then at the gym, ( have I ever told you how much I hate the gym!)  At some point I will start going back to my workout classes, but for now I will remember that I don't need to wear a bikini to fit in with society.  I need to remember that my husband loves me for me, and that i will be chasing two, two year olds on the beach so I will stick with what is comfortable: a one piece, or tankini!

One more thing:  The Honest company.  I receive the parenting magazines, and a couple months ago there was an article about Jessica Alba.  She started her own all natural baby and home products and its all made in America.  I signed up for it, but they weren't selling things individually, you had to buy in bulk.  At that time they were only selling diapers.  I use cloth so I didn't buy anything.  Well just recently the shop opened.  I knew someone who tried her stuff and raved about it.  So I decided to order some things.  Mostly household cleaners, detergent, and sunscreen.  I am very excited to try it.  I have not gotten the stuff yet, but when I do, I will share with you!  If you would like to check it out go to http://www.honest.com/ and sign up (its free to sign up!)

My promise:  I promise to never talk about weight, or body image in front of my girls.  Everyone's focus is on this.  We as a society look at celebrities and wish we could be like them.  The media jumps on them if they gained 5 lbs.  I don't want my children to feel like they need to look a certain way to be accepted in this society.  This also needs to change, because too many little girls are comparing themselves to celebrities at a very young age.  Reality T.V. shows aren't helping this either.  I want my children to feel beautiful in their skin, whatever body type they are.  I want them to be happy and comfortable.  I will have to teach them that there are not so nice people in this world who will try to bring other people down, but that they need to stay true to who they are and want to be.  I promise to teach them to never judge somebody else, that everyone has their own situations and we don't know what it is.  True beauty comes from the inside.  It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, as long as you are happy inside...that your heart is full of love!
My goal! (this was taken a month before we got engaged!)

 I got two gorgeous girls!

Our two blessings!
I will keep you all up to date on what I have been doing.  Maybe something I am doing will help you too!



Monday, July 9, 2012

fun, fireworks, friends, Dee Dee, LIFE!

We had our first 4th of July in our new house!  This is the third 4th of July the girls were apart of.

1st- they were only about 6 weeks old, we were all in bed by 7!

2nd- they were 13 months old.  We were all in bed by 8!

This year fireworks were on July 3rd, we were debating on letting the girls stay up for the fireworks.  That morning, we decided to put them to bed at their normal time....

well that changed...

We moved into a large development.  Every house was having a party except us (family and friends, next year!)  We were invited to our next door neighbors party.  We went over there for a little bit after dinner. The girls were having so much fun playing with the other kids, we decided to just play it by ear with bedtime. 

then...

Everyone and their mother decided to shoot off fireworks right in front of our house, and the girls flipped.  then it started pouring down rain out of nowhere, and we took cover under a patio umbrella.  Oh yea and I left my iphone outside at our house...

Best part about the fireworks is you can see them from our backyard.  they shoot them off the bridge on the river.  They were far enough away that it was not loud.  They both started falling alseep in our arms around 10 and we were about to walk home (there was a delay from the rain), but they finally started and the girls woke up.  they loved every minute of it!  We said goodbye to all our new friends and the girls went to bed without a fuss and slept in! 

4th of July day, Grandma DeeDee came to visit for a couple days!  Here are some pictures from the past couple days:
Our first juice box

so happy about it

Harly and me watching fireworks
Zoey hanging out with the neighbors and daddy
Watching the fireworks!

4th of July- Harly

Zoey

getting ready to blow bubbles with grandma Dee Dee

farm animals at imagination station, checking out the chicks

Loved the nursery and hospital section!

taking very good care of her baby!

They will be great big sisters one day!

turning on the lights and sirens

Zoey got the ball on the air tube

playing the piano

ended the morning back at the farm animals section

just hanging out the rest of the weekend

having so much fun!



 We ended the day Sunday at the neighbors house, playing with all the kids!  Have I said how much I love our house and development!! The girls already have so many friends, it is awesome!  So happy with our decision!!

 Advice regarding noise:  I really don't have any, the girls are afraid of everything!  We have a train that is about two streets away, (sometimes I don't even hear it but they do and come running and crying).  They are afraid of the train, fireworks, if you raise your voice, little noises.
                    * I try to make the noises interesting, such as
Train: Train is not going to get you, its just tooting its horn for you to hear!
fireworks: They are loud, but they won't get you, they show you all the pretty colors you know in the sky!
Thunder:  It is just grandpa Benny and Jesus bowling in heaven!