Oh sweet coffee

I missed you yesterday.

Yesterday was a blur of feeling like I had a vice crushing my head, watching our 44th Presidential Inauguration, taking my temperature, trying to help Hubby with the girls, looking at our teeny amount of snow outside, sleeping, and more sleeping. It must have been some kind of 24-hour bug, because I feel better today. So, no coffee yesterday and I'm not sure if I really ever ate yesterday. Yuck.

So, I am glad to be up today and not feeling like I want to crawl under a blanket. I hope to work on cleaning up our den that looks like an explosion has taken place, get some work done, mop the floor where I spilt 7UP yesterday, and grab some kisses from my girls ... that may be the hardest part of being sick ... no kisses from Hubby and no giving them to the girls.

I leave you with this ... we did manage a photo opp of M & L yesterday while they were "watching" the Inauguration. And to the makers of the Bumbo chair, I realize you aren't supposed to put these on an unstable surface, but I promise that Hubby was just out of the camera shot ... waiting to grab a baby with cat-like reflexes!

Jan. 20, 2009 - an important day in history when we were almost 7 months old.

We marked the day by having a PJ Day!

Just wondering

For you tea drinkers out there, will teas that contain Matcha make you feel like you are craaaazee?

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

I don't think Maddy is one bit pleased at Libby's latest trick ... rolling over, then pinning her down in wrestler-like moves. It does give Maddy a good opportunity to stick her thumb in Libby's mouth, or her finger in her ear, or for easy pacifier stealing.

Can't you feel the love?

Baby Food Making, Attempt One

Well, I guess it's really my 2nd time ... I baked and pureed a sweet potato for the girls last week. Today, was butternut squash. I know I've never bought a butternut squash and I may have tried one, but I think it was in a ravioli?

The one I bought looked like a gourd and I wasn't sure if to use the stem part, so I didn't. It smelled and felt like a pumpkin when scooping out the seeds. I just used the round part and I was surprised that I didn't end up with more "meat." Maybe I should have used the stem. I cut it in quarters and baked it for 45 minutes, then scooped out the meat, and gave it a blend with our hand-held food processor thing.

Sorry for the blurry photo ... aren't the pink ice cube trays so cute?

Anyway, here it is pureed and in the cute little silicone ice cube trays, ready for the freezer. I saved a portion to use for dinner later on today. I guess to get 9 servings out of one squash is still very cost-effective. The squash cost $3.00, so about 33 cents a serving. The organic squash baby food was $1.49 a container, which is 2 servings, so about 75 cents a serving. I'm not trying this out solely for cost savings, but also that it seems pretty easy to do, plus it's fresher and not sitting on a shelf for two years.


Now, don't get me wrong ... I still consume plenty of processed and packaged foods and I'm sure the girls will later on in life as well. Which we really shouldn't eat the crap, but I guess I would rather start the girls out with as fresh and healthy of foods as possible. If they turn out like me, I'm sure they will discover Wheat Thins and Hot Tamales all on their own!

Chili Day

Just like in elementary school ... well, I wish! I can remember back in Elementary School when it was the day that they were serving Chili for the school lunch, they would also serve a cinnamon roll for dessert. Yum! I think that was about the only day that I would eat the school lunch.

I've been wanting to make chili lately, but haven't wanted to make the time to find a good recipe and let it simmer for 6+ hours. I lucked out yesterday when I went to my favorite place for when we need something good for dinner, but again have no time to cook, which is often lately. Best chicken pot pies, ever! Anyway, I found out that Saturdays are "Buy one, get one 1/2 off" soups and entrees! I bought two types of chili - regular and southwest and plan to have the regular later today.

Do you eat in plain or with toppings? I think it's great with cheese, Frito scoops, and maybe a little sour cream or jalapenos on top.

Growing up

I just packed up a box of 4-ounce bottles, since they were taking up cabinet space and we haven't used them in months. Sigh. It's so hard for me to believe that 6 months has flown by this quickly! Some days, it seems like only yesterday we were making daily trips to the NICU and Maddy and Libby were eating out of the little NICU bottles that look like baby doll bottles. I think they may hold 2 ounces, plus they were taking about 22 ml, which isn't even an ounce and they normally would end up finishing those bottles via their feeding tubes.

It just seems so long away now and it's hard to remember them being this small. I'm sure it will be even harder to remember when they turn 13 and are wearing their generations version of Maddona t-shirts, and I will look back at these pictures and smile. Or maybe cry. Or both!

Mix it up

I recently found this mixing pitcher, made by Dr. Brown's. We have always used their bottles and have loved them. This may be my new fave, plus it's BPA free.

It holds up to 40 ounces and has a mixing wheel inside of the pitcher to easily mix formula. It really worked well - no clumps and it has a spout so you can easily pour the formula into bottles.

It's nice to have a large batch of formula made, so no more making up small increments of formula whenever it's time to eat. It definitely is a time saver and when you have a hungry baby or babies on your hands, that time is precious.

Amazon has them listed around $40, but last week, I found it for around $25.

teething

Could Zoe, the nearly five year old lab be teething? She has managed to destroy two new teething toys that obviously (to every one but her) belonged to someone else. Luckily, I caught her with the 3rd toy before she started chewing. Of course she picks the new toys from Christmas and not the hand me down toys!

I really need to find a way to attach the leashes to the stroller so I can walk everyone at once. I know they are in need of more exercise and attention ... we're just having a hard time giving it to them.

I did it

Just had to put this out there, if nothing else but for me and my own documentation.

I signed up for a 5K running program, since it's been oh, I don't know, about 18 months since I've ran or jogged. We were supposed to start last night, but due to heavy rains we are starting on Thursday night. I'm looking forward to getting back into it ... the program is women only and you are given a personalized training program that will culminate with a 5K race in March.

Since I still thought I should get in some kind of workout, I ended up going to the gym and did the elliptical, then ran and walked on the treadmill. Not for long, but it felt good to run again. Well, it finally did when I got used to the way my hips, boobs, and other body parts jiggled and shook to the beat. Once I got used to that again, then I was fine.

I think that feeling is the worst part of running, at least for me. That feeling that your hips are swaying back and forth and may actually become a big ol' swinging pendulum of their own.

Oh well ... I did it and I'm looking forward to more. I also discovered that the Katy Perry Hot N Cold song is a good running song. A bit cheesy, but good to add to your running mixes.

Day One

I feel like it's Day One of my "new" job. This is the first day that I've worked without parents or Hubby around since I started, so it's up to me to work, take care of the girlies, and play on Facebook, I mean work really hard today. Here's to hoping that I can get some work accomplished today, and all of the girls (myself included) out of their PJ's and into real clothes!

All I can say is Thank God for email. I've been emailing and working since around 7AM. I could never do that if I had to be on the phone.

So far, so good. Libby is awake and downstairs with me. She's currently entertaining herself with a toy in each hand and trying her hardest to insert the largest toy, in it's entirety in her mouth. Maddy is sleeping and I'm tuning in via baby monitor.

So, here's hoping to a good first day and for all of you who are back in the office after a two-week break, I'm going to get myself a second cup of coffee ... how about you?

Down the drain ... or more literally, in the landfill

How is it that I have been to Target exactly three times since December 29 and really don't have anything to show for it? Besides a few cute mercury glass candle holders and a new pair of yoga pants? And, how is it that the two cans of formula that were purchased there are G-O-N-E and we had to make the late night run to the grocery store last night to purchase two more? I also want to know how that for the measly amount of things that I bought today, how was my total $124.58? Humph.

Over Christmas, one of our relatives was asking us how many diapers, cans of formula, etc. we used in a week and I don't think we have really ever added it up, but I can tell you it's scary.

2 babies x 6 to 8 diapers a day = 12 to 16 per day x 7 days a week = 84 to 112 per week. Wow!

Formula ... I don't have a great calculation to use here. M & L both drink about 6 1/2 ounces of formula and breast milk, usually 5 times a day, so 2 babies x 32.5 ounces = 65 ounces per day x 7 days = 455 ounces per week. The amount of formula depends on how well "Bessie" has been making the milk that day. Sometimes I've noticed that Bessie's left side gets a little lazy, and that Bessie likes to get into the wine at night, so that gets thrown out. Let's just say that formula goes quick around here.

What else is in high demand these days? Bibs, pacifiers, burp cloths, lovies, and M & L's towel dolls, oh and we can't forget OxiClean. Never enough!

Happy New Year!

I still can't believe that 2009 is here. 2008 flew by, especially the last six months for obvious reasons.

I would rather look toward the future, but I can't help remember that last year on New Year's Eve, Hubby and I ended up at the hospital for a little scare early in my pregnancy. Nothing was wrong, but I will say that it was the craziest place I had ever spent a New Year's Eve. Women who I think were trying to get a tax deduction would walk the halls to only be sent home. We met another woman who was there to "find out what was going on." She knew she was pregnant, but hadn't been to an OB yet. (!) Plus, I was pregnant and hungry and trying to survive on vending machine snacks.

I am really looking forward to 2009 ... it's amazing to me to think that by the end of the year, Maddy and Libby will have celebrated their 1st birthdays, be full-fledged toddlers ... eating, chatting, and walking! I am so excited for new phases, but I also want to savor each stage of their lives.

Once again, I have a new job that is fulfilling to me, plus it has so many good perks. Let's just hope that Karma is good to me this year and I can keep it. 3 layoffs in one person's career is about as much as I can handle!

I hope to spend more time with Hubby, family, and friends this year. We are lucky to have good health and happiness. Perhaps a little less sleep than before, but so worth it.

Happy New Year!

Paper chaining

My mom and I started this little craft project yesterday and I hope to finish it up today. I'm going to hang it over Maddy & Libby's cribs and changing table in their room. We originally saw it in a Land of Nod catalog and decided to make one ourselves. I feel like I've stepped back into the 3rd grade making this, but it's so much fun.

All you need is construction paper in colors of your choice, (I used orange, yellow, blue, pink and green) scissors, pencil, ruler, and glue or a stapler. We are using the stapler because it's quicker. Cut evenly sized strips of paper (around 1"-1 1/2" wide), decide if you want them random colors or in a pattern, and make some rings. The stapler makes this job go very fast.

Can't wait to get it hung and show the final project.

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to share our 1st family photo with all 6 of us. Photographing two babies is hard, but to add the dogs was quite an accomplishment!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the D family.

gowns

My parents are here visiting, and Mom and I decided to take a few more photos of Maddy and Libby in their christening gowns ... since they won't likely be putting them on again anytime soon. They have teeny tiny little buttons that are nearly impossible to button, so the entire act of getting them dressed is quite a production in itself. These dresses were from my Great Aunt Lucy's family (who Libby is named after), so it was really special that they are still in good enough condition to wear. I really hope that we can continue to use them for years to come.

We set up shop on top of our duvet cover and took almost 200 shots. I think we were all exhausted when it was over! Here are a few of my favorites for your viewing pleasure.

in my inbox

Is somebody trying to tell me something? The email said something like "have you entered yet?" Ummm, yeah ... I need to do something more than thinking about running and maybe we'll see.

pros and cons

Working from home has several pros and cons. One pro that I have noticed the most is you can literally work in your pajamas. Today, I wore my favorite Pine Cone Hill PJ's while talking on the phone, working on my computer, attending a webinar, but is it a con that at 5:15 PM, I'm still wearing them?

I guess you could say that I was just prepared early for bedtime, but you also might say that my neighbors may look at me funny when I stepped outside around 2PM to check the mail.

Hmmm, this could be really dangerous. PJ's 24/7?

Still here

It's just been a blur the past couple of weeks and I don't even know what I've done that worth mentioning! I started back to work two weeks ago and I'm loving it. There have been days that I literally worked in my pajamas. I probably shouldn't admit that, but it's wonderful! I'm still learning the ropes, but so far, so good.

We also had Maddy and Libby's christenings yesterday ... they were perfect during the service. We had no idea what they would think about the new sounds and experiences, but they were great. We had to sit up front, so they were entralled with the children's choir and the row of 8 -10 year old girls who sat in front of us. We are Methodist, but our Ministers believe in using a lot of water on the head for the christening, so they were both dripping a little, but it didn't seem to phase them. I was lucky to have 5 family dresses to choose from for the big day, so they were both in dresses that are at least 100 years old. We wish we knew the stories behind the gowns, but they have been lost over the years. They fit them well and they looked so sweet. They also loved to grab handfuls of the dresses and chew on them. Hey, a toy and dress in one!

After the church service, we hosted about 30 people for lunch. Mom and I had been busy this week ... we made 4 pans of lasagna, 2 pans of brownies, a red velvet birthday cake ... all made with love. My Mom doesn't claim to be a cook, so we had our share of mishaps along the way, but everything turned out great. We won't talk about the cheesecake that had to be thrown out ... that's another story! The day was a blur, but it was a great day of celebration ... we used my holiday china for the first time, along with my Grandmother's china, so that was special. A lot of dishes to hand wash, but nice that they were used.

Hubby also turned the big 38 yesterday, so it was fun to have family and friends around to help him celebrate.

So now it really feels like Christmas is right around the corner ... the stockings are hung, cards are mailed, some presents are purchased, wrapped, and under the tree. 10 days to go ... where did the time go??

Monkey time

Monkey's here!

To Do list

I typically feel better when I write down my to-do list. Otherwise, I just feel like all of these things are swimming around in my brain and that begins to make me feel like I'm a bit off my rocker. So here goes ...

1. Do some work. I started my new job on Monday and while it's part-time, I'm still getting the hang of truly working during the day. Things are still kind of "loose", so I've been able to just dig around on my own and look for events, see what's been done before,etc. I pulled out my old business contacts, started making a few calls, and it feels pretty good to be back in the saddle.

2. Have some fun with Monkey! He arrived yesterday afternoon, so I'm hoping to get him out and about while he's here.

3. Get some things done around the house since my parents are here - - hang a mirror, couple of pictures, put up wall monograms for Maddy and Libby, paint our cell phone cubby, etc.

4. Bring in the Christmas tree off our patio, trim it, decorate the house, hang the wreaths, etc.

5. Get ready for M&L's christenings on the 14th and also the luncheon that follows for about 30 people! Ack ... we are crazy for planning it right now, but the date worked at church so we went for it. Oh, and that also means making sure the house is clean including all of our catch all rooms that are typically ignored. Ugh.

6. Shop for Christmas ... Hubby and I are done with our gift for each other, but hardly anyone else on our list is done.

7. Get a mani/pedi. My nails look awful and are driving me crazy. I was a horrible nail "picker" when I was younger and I finally kicked that habit several years ago. Having my nails look like this makes me want to start all over again.

Now that I'm rereading that list, it doesn't seem so bad. But for some reason, it's never as easy as it looks.