Easter 2013

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Hope you all had a blessed Easter!

The twins had fun this weekend but are still much to young to fully enjoy the holiday. They didn't quite get egg hunting but sure had fun digging into Easter baskets from Aunt Karen, Gamaw and Papaw, and the Easter bunny!

The Easter bunny brought Mallory her very first purse and some flower bracelets!

Bubba showing me his talking Thomas! He loves trains!

The family on Easter. It was horribly windy! :(

Baby girl in her pretty dress. She obviously attempted to pull out her bow. Surprise. :)

Mallory Grace - 16 months

My big boy having fun outside.

Mason Alan - 16 months

Playing out at G&P's house!

He is a little stinker!

Hunting eggs!

And throwing the eggs!

The Easter bunny came to Gamaw's house too!

It was a fun weekend making memories with my little family!

Lovin Life

Mason watching cousin Cainen play a game on the iPad. We loved getting to spend time with the boys and Aunt Sandy over spring break.

Mallory snuggling cousin Cameron. She used the stool to climb up there with him and just nestled in. Melted my heart!

Mason loves to wrestle with Daddy. This is his signature move. :)

My sleepy girl and her beloved Ellie and paci.

Daddy took us to eat at On The Border. The kids were so good and loved talking to everyone there!

My cutie pie dancing to some music while we ate.

We are starting to learn how to eat out of bowls and use spoons. My big girl having fun.

Mason just likes to bang the spoon on the bowl while using his other hand to pick up his food. Ha!

Had our first ice cream experience at Honey and Poppy's house.

Trying to decide if she is a fan or not.

Swim classes with Gamaw. We have loved it so much!

And my Princess finally got enough hair for a teensy tiny ponytail! So sweet!

Hope you have a great week!

Reality

There are days. Days where the challenges of being a stay at home mom of 15 month old twins are magnified. Yesterday was definitely one of those days. I needed to go to the grocery store. Not the run in and grab a few things type trip. It was a, been eating pb&j everyday, using Kleenex for toilet paper, squeezing my babies size 4 buns into random leftover size 3 diapers, an hour and a half and 325 dollars later kind of grocery store adventure.

My husband had graciously offered to handle the nighttime duties so I could go alone after he got off work. But I so cherish the evenings we have as a family and it is actually a good thing to get the kids out of the house. So, against my better judgement, with my two monkeys in tow we headed to the store.

Thank heavens for double seat shopping carts at HEB! I brought sippy cups and a few snacks. About 30 minutes in I could sense some boredom setting in. Out of snacks I decided to bust open an unpaid for can of blueberry cereal puffs. (Gasp! Yes, I was one of thoooose moms.)

While my children entertain themselves with snacks and singing loudly, I overhear a mom of two school aged children. She is on the verge of tears saying "ok, I'm done, this is not working, I'm calling dad to see if he can come get us, yeah, I can't do this" while her children both cried and pushed each other. My heart gets sad for her, I am sure I will be there one day. But, I am thankful for my children's patience at that point and venture on.

We reach the one hour point and all is still smooth minus the 1,457,320th old lady to stop and admire my children. Don't get me wrong I love it and am in no way ungrateful, but, the questions about if they are boys or girls, are they identical, how old are they, who was born first, was I surprised to have twins... Holy crap grandmas, I am already on borrowed time here. So forgive me if I walk briskly the other way when you reach out your arm to stroke my child's semi-bald head.

The last 30 minutes however, things went sour. Most sane people would forget the last 10 things on the list and call it quits. My personality just can't do it though. I have to finish things in their entirety! That and attempting another trip sounded about as fun as poking a fork in my own eyeball.

So I become the crazy lady singing every song that came to mind, making car sounds and driving my cart wildly around every corner while my daughter attempts magician-like tricks trying to free herself from the safety restraint without actually unfastening the buckle and my son flails his long arms behind him grabbing every grocery item within reach in my cart and throwing them violently on the ground below.

At this point my stress level has increased twofold. I become feisty and yell at two young Asian men who have proceeded to block me from my own cart and children while I am attempting to scrounge 572 half gallon cartons of lactose free milk from the tip top shelf of the coolers. (Seriously, some people.)

We finally reach the checkout where I run into my dear friend Allison. Between the glazed over look on my face and the sighs I kept letting out, I fear I may have terrified her from ever having kids! I pay my outrageous bill and attempt to help pile more groceries into my cart where I knock baby girl on the head with a carton of milk. I can't catch a break.

I swing her onto my hip while she full on melts down while Bubba still insists on emptying the shopping cart onto the floor. I reach the exit (clearly marked with red symbols exclaiming do not enter) and the automatic doors open. A lady attempts to enter with her massive empty shopping cart. I ram straight into her. Intentionally. And I am not the least bit sorry. She pulls her hands back from the ricochet of the cart and gasps at me in pure shock. I respond firmly "that's what you get, it's an exit not an entrance." Nope, still not at all sorry. How dare she try to cut me off at an EXIT while I am guiding an overflowing cart with one hand/arm with a screaming tiny human on my hip! (Seriously, some people!)

I am however happy to report that we survived, I didn't forget anything, and my house is now nicely stocked with necessities that should last a couple weeks. And then, when all that runs out... I will use better judgement and get some babysitters next time! :)

15 Months

The buggies are 15 months old! 

(On Feb 21st actually, I am just way behind!)

(Big boy exploring)

We had our 15 month well check and the twins are doing great! Mason weighs 24 lbs 2 oz (69%) and is 31 in tall (41%). His head is 19.5 in (98%). He wears 12-18 month clothes, size 4.5 shoe and size 4 diaper. Mason is walking like a pro and talks all the time, mainly baby gibberish. The doctor assured me this is good, even though we can't make much sense of it, he sure knows what he is saying and he has lots to say! He can speak the words "Mama", " Dada" and "Bye bye". More importantly, he can understand many things. He will clap and say yay when I finish singing the ABC's. He will obey when we tell him to sit down in the bathtub or on the fireplace. He will come when you call his name or say come here. He will go to the bathroom when we say let's take a bath. He is doing wonderful developmentally. Other fun facts about my little man: he has 16 teeth, his cuspids just broke through in the last couple of weeks. He LOVES his milk. He drinks about 50 oz of 2 % lactose free milk a day! Yes, I said FIFTY! I have learned though that its mainly because he uses his cup somewhat like a paci for comfort so I purchased some smaller cups with handles the same brand as his milk cup to try and get him to drink more water, especially since he is struggling with constipation. But he's definitely my little milk lover!! He also just started pointing a lot as well as reaching when we wants something. He likes to read. He loves sticks and playing in the dirt. He loves to wrestle and sit on people's heads. He tries to be sweet to sister but it often comes across as pure ornery! He thinks giving kisses means to bonk you on the lips with his forehead. He bites the edges of his crib and likes to take off his diaper. He loves to sing and dance. He is full of personality and so loving and happy!

(Lovin on the baby)

(Blowing bubbles)

Mallory weighs 22 lbs 6 oz (66%) and is 28.75 in tall (4%). Yep, she is still incredibly short! Her head is 19 in (97%). My kids have large noggins!! Lots of smart brains I guess!! She still wears a lot of 9-12 month clothes mainly because of her height but we have started wearing some 12-18 month clothes because she is getting too chubby! She is in a size 3 shoe and size 4 diaper. Mal is a great walker and getting more steady every second! Mallory can say many words but is actually not as vocal as her brother. She has said "Dada", "thank you", "bye bye", "brush", and my most recent favorite "bless you" which she says sweetly after you sneeze! :) She still refuses to say Mama, and says "Dada" when I try to get her to say it! Stinker! She can wave and point to things. She understands many things as well. She can sit down, look at her toothbrush when you say lets brush your teeth, come when you call, give big slobbery kisses when you ask, and look for Daddy at the door when she hears him unlocking it. She is very independent and likes to play alone. She gets fascinated with certain things and will entertain herself for at least 30 minutes doing it over and over. She has a strange habit of touching her snacks on the floor before she takes bites. Trying to discourage it but its hard not to laugh! She has 12 teeth and is a food lover! The girl can eat and snack and snack and eat some more! She also drinks 2% LF milk but only about 30 oz a day. She is a climber and a little thrill seeker. She loves being sang to and likes to dance. She poops in the bathtub at least once a week. She loves her brother, but does not like when he touches her at all. She is a sweet and gentle baby girl!

(Mal modeling her "purse")

This is my favorite age! The kids are so much fun right now and love to interact with each other and me.

Happy 15 months babies! We love you!

Project Pinterest

I love Pinterest. Now, I am not addicted and only get on for a little while each night after the kids are asleep. But, I get a lot of motivation from there for projects. I really never just do or use anything I pin, even though there are some really useful things pinned all the time.

After I saw the pin below, I decided to start a blog series titled "Project Pinterest". I want to try some of the ideas on there, especially the free or inexpensive things and post my results or feedback. I would love for you (all 3 people that read my blog, ha!) to play too if you would like. I probably wont do one weekly, just when I have free time. But it will be fun and like an online Pinterest party! :)

So back to the pin...

I love bows. My daughter is in a stage where she hates having them on her head and pulls them off the second I put them on. Sometimes I can distract her but it's tough! I am sure (or hoping) she will grow out of it because I think they are so fun! Hobby Lobby has precious ribbon and accessories so I waited for the half off sale and stocked up. My intention was to use the website tutorials pinned but I couldn't ever get them to work on my iPad so I just looked at the pictures for help and made up my own bows.

My clip creations!

My bow creations!

I love how they turned out and I was even able to make a few to match some of Mallory's spring outfits. I just glued alligator clips onto the back since my girl still has no hair so will be wearing headbands for a while! I still have a ton of ribbon left to make more and even ventured into making some cute headbands today. And the best part, it's way cheaper than buying bows. They can get expensive!

Now I am on the lookout for another fun Pinterest project! :)

OYW

Since I have missed the last few Wednesday posts, I thought I would play a little catch up!

February 27, 2012

March 6, 2012

 March 13, 2012

(Two of my absolute favorite pictures of the buggies!!)

Gosh they grow so fast!

My (Not So) Baby Girl

If you haven't already figured out the big news, Mallory is finally a full time walker!! Last week my Dad watched her while I had Mason at the doctor and when we came back he said that she had been walking by herself a lot. He just assumed I forgot to tell him but no, she hadn't been doing that before. After that she started walking alone a little more each day. Within 4 days she was walking unassisted everywhere!! We are so proud of our big girl and it still shocks me to see her walk out of a room or follow me. Mason thinks having someone else running around with him is pretty special too! Oh my how my world is changing now with two walkers!! We are proud of you Mallory Grace!!

Walking around Gamaw's house talking on her iPhone. :)

Dusty was outside loading the truck and Mallory decided to take a stroll down to the neighbors. This was just a few days after she started walking, and she looks like she's been doing it forever! Way to go baby girl!

iPhoto Catch Up

We are still here! Sorry for disappearing for a while. The last couple of weeks have been busy. We have been battling ear infections, going to dr appointments, started swim classes, and still doing all the daily stuff that keeps us busy. But life is good and we are so blessed!

And to catch up... A bunch of iPhone pictures! :)

My big boy at his doctors appointment for his double ear infection. Poor guy!

So, I was doing laundry and came in the living room and found a wet diaper on the floor. I just assumed it was one I had changed and forgot to trash earlier. About 5 minutes later I found this little dude laying in a pile of blankets, free as a bird! When am I going to learn I can't leave him running around in a diaper. Just a couple days before this we found him with his diaper off peeing all over the living room wall. Boys!!!

Princess started getting an ear infection and had a really rough night last week. So she joined us in bed and played on my iPad. She just looks so big here!

The kids had a blast tearing down their tent and crawling all over it.

Mallory's trip to the doctor for her ear infection. If we could get a break from the 24/7 west texas wind, that would be totally fab. :(

Daddy bought us a playhouse for the backyard. The kids LOVE it!

Notice Maser, stick in hand. All. The. Time. :)

Mason had a really bad day on Monday and it took me until 4 pm to figure out that he was severely constipated to the point where he was getting impacted. I have never seen him so miserable poor baby. Our nurse was able to guide me on some things to help him through it and I will spare you the details but he was as good as new by the evening. Nothing worse than having a baby in pain but you can't figure out what's wrong!

We started swim classes on Tuesday! Yay!

The  babies LOVE the water. Their favorite part? GOING UNDER THE WATER. Yep, they think it's the best. Mallory even fusses during the songs and motions. "Mom, no more of that baby stuff for me, I am a big girl, dunk me!" Haha. I think it's hilarious.

We had our first trip to the car wash. I had several drive thru errands to run one morning so we loaded up in our jammies. It was so fun to watch their faces. My Mal watching all the water.

Maser man watching all the machines and hearing the noises.

My happy sweet buggies!

After our second swim class we worked up an appetite.

Enjoying some rice rusks after a good swim!

We are sure enjoying our month so far! How about you?

Stay tuned for more posts this week including BIG NEWS about my baby girl, OYW catch up, project pinterest, and our 15 month update.

Hope you had a fun weekend!!