10 months old!

Last night I made Jason try to take some photos of me & the girls for their 10 month photos and before I can't hold them both anymore. They are getting so big so fast that it makes me sad I won't be able to hold them like this much longer...So, I set up my camera, scouted out a location and all Jason had to do was press the shutter. This is what we got:








Then we moved locations and I shot a few of the girls in my old wagon:




I can't believe they are only 2 months away from their 1st birthday! My gosh! We have somewhat entered the toddler years as well- tantrums have begun. Addisen threw a total fit the other day because I wouldn't let her steal a toy from Parker. Great.

They have also had scrambled eggs now too! They had them today for breakfast and loved them. No, I didn't do yolks only either. I am such a 'bad mom' but I don't think that egg whites are going to cause a problem for them or that they will be allergic. So...they had them.

Happy 10 month birthday baby girls!!!

Date night!

Jason and I got invited to be VIP at a Kings red carpet fundraising event the other night. We got to get all dressed up and be treated like celebs for an evening!!! Throw in some free cocktails and goodie bags and we had a blast!!! HA HA!

In the car on the way to the executive airport:


We were laughing and said it looks like a prom photo:


On our way home (Mommy had a lot of cocktails!):

Jason thru the ages...

Ok, I think I had more fun laughing at Jason than I even did laughing at myself!!! Check him out!

1956:


1968:


1976:


1978:


1986:


Wouldn't we have been some HOT couples in those days? HA HA!

Jessica thru the times...

I stole this from Nicole's blog and thought it was hilarious!!! Check out my 'yearbook photos'!!!

1952:


1976:


1980:


1990:


1996:

Morning playtime

Morning playtime is always so fun! The girls are happy and energetic, happy to see me and super cuddly...its great! I got some funny candids of them this morning (but it was overcast out, so I had to use the dreaded flash)...excuse the poor photo quality. I always think of that saying "the shoemaker's children have no shoes" when it comes to photos of my own kids-- "the photographer's children have no photos" HA HA!!!

Addisen says the jumper is not just for jumping anymore:


Parker is loving the open area to roam around:


I love the expression on Parker's face:


Look at us go!

Stroller for sale!

I have a new-ish Combi Counterpart 2 tandem stroller for sale. Its in excellent used condition. We used it primarily for carrying the infant seats early on but have rarely used it as a stroller (not because its not great though). Its a great tandem with a 3rd set of wheels in the center for a really easy steering and tight turning radius. Its 'light' compared to other tandems as well (25lbs) and folds VERY easily (with just a finger trigger). It was a cinch for me to do all by myself even in the first months post-partum.

We are asking $100 OBO for the stroller since its almost $200 brand new.



No stains or wear in the seat (just dust, which I will clean up):

Bye Jerry & Sam...we love you!

I gave my 'first born' (Jerry) and our adopted rescue cat (Sam) to my cousins last night. It breaks my heart since I bottle raised Jerry but its for the best. I am NOT the kind of person that makes a commitment to an animal and then goes back on it. I believe FIRMLY that an animal is a life-long commitment and I am SO against breeding animals when there are millions dying everyday. I will NEVER buy a pet. I will always adopt or rescue from a shelter. Having said that, I also know that animals need attention, love and time and its something I have not been able to give to the cats for sometime now. My cousin's wife, Robyn, loves cats and really wanted Jerry & Sam. I know they are in good hands and if it doesn't work out-- I know where they live! HA HA!

Back to work?

I went back to work (my day job) for the 1st time in almost a year on Tuesday. It was actually a nice break from the hard job I have at home. I got to sip coffee, eat some breakfast, visit with friends and co-workers, catch up, read a book (it was a really long meeting). I didn't even cry like I thought I would. AND, to top it off, my mom kept the girls PERFECTLY on schedule and routine! All in all, an awesome first day. Now, as to whether or not I will stay remains to be seen. I can't help but want to stay home with the twins all the time before these moments pass. It goes in a blink and its over.

This spoke to me tonight...

As I am mentally preparing myself to return to my "day job" tomorrow, I was flipping through my newest book "The No-Cry Discipline Solution". The author quoted a poem in one of the early chapters and it spoke to me tonight as I embark on this big change...it reminds me of all that I might miss out on in that 4 hour stretch.

"If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again"
by Diana Loomans

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I would finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I'd do more connecting, and less correcting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd build self esteem first, and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.

Tonight, as I get ready to take my first steps back to the office in almost a year, I can't help but worry that I will miss out on something great or that I wasted too much of this precious time worrying about the floors or the laundry.

9 month well-baby check up

The girls went today for their 9 month well baby check up appointment. Overall, they are doing really super! They are ahead and/or on track for a normal 9 month old which is great since developmentally, they are still technically 7.5 months old. That's awesome! Parker weighed 17lbs even and Addisen weighed 17lbs 4oz. They are both 27.25" long and doing great on the percentiles. We don't even have to correct for the prematurity but if we do, they are above the 50th percentile for size.

They didn't get any shots today (YAH!!!) and just had a little finger stick to check for anemia (no tears on the finger stick either!). Unfortunately, they are mildly anemic which is common for preemies around this age. They don't have as much time in the womb to build their iron stores from their cord blood. So, we are increasing our leafy green veggies and meats as well as increasing our vitamin C rich foods for the girls. The vitamin C helps the body absorb the iron easily. They are already 100% formula fed with a formula that is iron fortified and are both eating lots of iron fortified baby cereals. The health graduate in me can't help but worry about potential lead posioning given this news and especially since we have lead paint in our kitchen. Hmm. Just gives me that extra urge to move! =)

Well, that's all for now. I do have a little thing to show you...since the girls turned 9 months I have been thinking this...they have been OUTSIDE of me longer now that they ever were INSIDE of me. It was a sad day when I realized that. Look how far we've come...



Its twins! (8 weeks)


1st trip to Labor & Delivery to stop labor (25 weeks)


26 weeks & officially on 'modified bedrest'


Work baby shower- belly to belly with another mom expecting twins. I am BIGGER and she is a month ahead of me!!!


Made it to 31 weeks!


The LAST belly pic to be seen on the internet...me at 33 weeks 3 days...still had 8 days to go!!!


Look at us now!

What a trip!

I am not even going into details but lets just say that the girls were INCREDBILY patient with all the goings-on and car rides. They did not sleep well but they played ok and ate well. They even did ok being passed from one stranger to the next.

Now, lets get down to business...the photos everyone wants to see! More to come soon, I'm sure!

Parker (crawling onto my lap while I am trying to take her photo):


Addisen (trying to eat the sand):


Parker LOVED the lake and wanted to sit and splash in the waves:


Addisen was scared of the water after a bigger wave got her and only wanted to be held:






I LOVE holding them both at once and try to do it as often as I can before they get too big for me to be able to...

List time!

So, I am trying to get everything together that we will need for two weddings in two days with two babies on a trip that is two hours away! So far, I have packed:
6 dresses
2 dressy pants outfits with cardigans
4 "icky" onesies
6 footed jammies
4 pairs of dress shoes
4 head bands
4 pairs of shots
4 tops
2 pairs of jeans
2 pairs of capris
2 "cute" onesies
4 hoodies
6 swimsuits
4 cover-ups
6 burp cloths
2 washcloths
2 towels
2 pack n play sheets
2 silky bed blankets (don't leave home without 'em!)
2 zippered blanket/sack sleepers
6 johnson's & johnson's head to toe washcloths
baby shampoo
baby lotions
desitin
tylenol
orajel
alcohol swabs (you never know when you might need one...or two)
q-tips
baby wipes
2 jugs of pre-mixed formula & one can of powdered
2 spare suckies (we call pacifiers "suckies")

Ok, and this is just THEIR stuff!!! I still have to get baby food, baby snacks, toys, spare silkies, beach stuff (towels, sunblock, etc), bottled water, bottles, spoons, bowls, baby oatmeal, diapers...

Then, for me...well, this list could get too long to post on here! Suffice to say, Mommy has to pack light this time! Only 4 pairs of shoes for a 3 day trip! HA HA!

Wish us luck- we leave on Thursday! Lots of pictures to come!...oh yeah, I gotta pack the camera, memory cards, spare battery, battery charger...Lord help me!