Lens cap = teething toy.

I may never get a good picture again.

Whirlwind

I'm still here ... I'll give you the Cliff Notes version of the past few days.

- Two 10-hour car rides.
- Two visits to Cracker Barrel and Denny's. *I swear, these places aren't on my top 10 list, but were awesome places to stop and feed the girls ... they brought us hot water for bottles and didn't care if we spilled 900 cheerios on the floor. Well, since Hubby's a good tipper, I don't think they cared.
- A 13.1 mile run for Hubby, who beat his previous time at this race.
- A 8 mile + 2.5 mile run for me. Long story ... I was supposed to run 10 miles to train for my half-marathon, but ran out of sidewalk (longer story), so I had to break it up into two runs.
- Lots of 80+ degree weather.
- Two nights away from sweet baby girls in a nice hotel, with a king bed, and fluffy pillows, without sweet baby girls, with a Starbucks in the hotel lobby. This is when I wish we had Grandparents in the same city.
- A wonderful dinner with old and new friends.
- A crazy family dinner with yummy food and lots of laughs.
- Picnic lunches, complete with bubbles for the girls by my parents. I really think this was so my Mom didn't have to continually pick up food off her floor.
- A tooth for Maddy!

Two months to cake!

Every month I take Maddy and Libby's "chair" picture, on the 21st of the month to document another month of their lives. I blatantly stole this idea from Goddess in Progress. Well, up until today, it had always gone swimmingly. Today, not so much.

We started off with some that looked like this.

That stopped working rather quickly and I became too scared to keep snapping, and decided to put them on the floor.

Well, that didn't work out and crawling ensued.

Maybe we'll try again later with straps, or duct tape! Oh, and can anyone tell me where the past 10 months have gone!?

Interesting article

Oh, I loved this article about the Comic Sans font. It just always seemed to me like this font was the one that came free with your Microsoft Word software ... it was just different enough to stand out from Times New Roman and Arial, and it always seemed that it was getting overused.

I think my personal favorite overuse of Comic Sans was one of my former coworkers who used this font as her email signature. If that doesn't scream unprofessional, then I don't know what does. I guess dress it up with some blinking pink neon and you'll be all set.

Can you tell?

Can you tell what I thought of my tendonitis diagnosis earlier today?

I have to wear this lovely 24/7, with the exception of baths. Wish I had time to take those long hour long bubble baths now. It basically holds everything "rigid" and "rested" so I won't continue to hurt my gentle little tendons. Oh, I must have small wrists, because the size small brace was too big, so this one was custom made. You would think I would have had a better selection of colors. I opted for black bands so they wouldn't show dirt. Nothing says "ewwww" like a sweet-potato stained hand/wrist brace.

Crack

Observations

On my way to the park for a run this evening, I noticed the following ...

A platinum-blond driving a Jag, wearing big ol' black sunglasses, talking with her fake french-manicured hands, while sporting leopard print fuzzy dice on the rear view mirror. I swear it looked just like Kim from the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Then, I was coming to a stoplight and I let a guy out in front of me. He waved and I waved back. Wish I would have made him wait after I saw his truck window decal of a nudie girl. Nice. Wonder what his wife thinks. Or his Mom. Do guys think that this will get them a date?
"Ooh, lookie there Martha ... that guy has a nudie girl on the back of his truck! Drive faster, I gotta check him out!"

Then on my way into the park, I noticed a sign stating that Registered Sex Offenders were not allowed inside the park. Well, great ... because is there a check-in for those registered sex offenders so they will politely be asked to leave? If so, I think I missed it. Just a little creepy, because unless this is just some sort of state law, I bet it means that they have had a problem in the past.

I guess you could say I might be reconsidering my city for a moment! Maybe I should take that Facebook quiz to see where I should be living.

Busy weekend and Happy Easter

It has been a busy weekend ... On Friday, Maddy and Libby came along to file their first taxes(they said yay for tax deductions) and took a much needed trip to the grocery. They are excited about orzo pasta, kiwi fruit and pears. On Saturday, they went on a 9-mile trail run with Dad, (I ran 8, but Hubby pushed the stroller 9 miles, up and down big hills.), then went to an Easter Egg hunt and an dinner with a few friends. Today, we went to about half of our church service, visited the nursery for the other half, checked out Easter baskets, then traveled to visit Grandparents, had another Easter Egg hunt, then traveled back home. Whew.

I hope you all enjoyed a Happy Easter with your loved ones.

Maddy visited Libby in her crib.

I hope there are some sunglasses in those baskets!

Maddy likes to shake-it, shake-it.

This egg hunting is serious business.

Wondering

Is it in bad taste when my doorbell rings at 12 noon to hug the person, kiss them, and dance around like a crazy person? I guess it would be different if I really knew this person, but it's my cleaning lady who is coming for our first "official" cleaning.

I can't tell you how happy this makes me. I have days that I feel like I should be able to keep our house as clean as I would like, but in reality ... it just isn't happening.

The fact that instead of scrubbing a toilet or mopping a floor, I can use that time to love on my girls, do a little work, talk to my husband, or actually think about making something for dinner and that makes me insanely happy. There. I said it.

I'm that girl

If you happened to be in my neighborhood this morning, that was me. Yes, I was the one huffin' and puffin' behind the orange BOB stroller, pushing nearly 40 pounds of baby + 23 pounds (the weight of the stroller.) There were times that I thought I might lose a lung, but it was OK. I ran about 3.25 miles and did walk most of the hills, but I am feeling like a real woman right now.

We survived!

Hubby and I took our first trip by ourselves this weekend. Gasp! Gone for three nights and two airplane rides away from home! I thought it was a success since we didn't drink entirely too much and make jackasses out of ourselves and we also didn't sleep away the entire weekend. There were definitely periods of imbibing and rainy, Saturday afternoon naps, but all in moderation!

It was a trip to Vermont for my work, but we were able to take families along to enjoy the weekend after our meetings were over on Friday. Since the girls are a tad too young for skiing, we decided to leave them entrusted in the care of their grandparents. All in all, it was a win-win. The girls were spoiled rotten, and the grandparents, albeit tired were able to spend uninterrupted time with their newest grand babies.

Today, I had to pick up Zeus and Zoe from their kennel and poor Zeuser broke his dew claw nail getting into my car. Ouch. Poor guy ... he wouldn't let anyone touch his paw and there doesn't seem to be much we can do about it. The kennel owner tried to wrap up his paw, but Zeus was having none of that. It's no longer bleeding, so that is good. I think he is totally milking us for extra attention.

So it really is back to reality - - emails, phone calls, dogs, laundry, meetings, peas in the hair, and sweet potatoes on my shoulder. Never a dull day.

And the winner is ...

I had a lot of fun with our little April Fool's contest and it turns out that I am going to designate two winners! The first is Meg who hinted at the fact that there may have been some baby switching ... and you were right!

In the first photo, Libby was wearing blue and Maddy was in red.

Later that same day (as if I don't have enough to do), I switched their outfits for another photo opportunity. So for the second photo, Maddy was dressed in blue and Libby was wearing red.

So, I am giving Meg the 1st place price, then chose another name at random from the other guesses and congrats go to Natalie!

Thanks for playing along and I'll be sending each of you a special surprise from two of my good friends who have recently started their own business! Check out BE Creative Goods for great paper products and jewelry. Ladies, I will be in touch for your monograms and shipping information!

April Fool's riddle for you

An April Fools riddle just for you …

Nine months ago,
on the longest day of the year
twin girls were born
both whom are very dear.
Maddy and Libby are their names,
Peek-a-Boo and Patty Cake are some of their favorite games.
We think they are very sweet
From the tops of their heads down to the bottom of their feet.
But they were feeling a bit naughty today

since it is April Fool’s Day.

They want you to see if you can guess who is who.

So, dear readers, what say you?

I have decided to make this a true contest, complete with a special giveaway! Oooooh! Ahhhhh! Ooooo! Here's the deal ... please leave your answer in the comments, and I will pick a random winner from those who answer correctly. You will have until Sunday, April 4 at 5:00 PM EST to enter and the winner will be announced on Monday, April 5. Good luck & have fun!

And a partridge in a pear tree

Today consisted of ...

18 pounds and 10 ounces (Libby)
16 pounds and 3 ounces (Maddy)
27 3/4 inches (Libby)
26 3/4 inches (Maddy)
A combined 6 shots
A few smiles for Dr. L. and a fascination with her cool belt buckle and stethoscope
A few cries for the nurse who had to give the shots
And a TOOTH for Libby! It hadn't quite broken through yesterday, but it was sharp and shining for their 9-month appointment today.

Big pimpin'

Hubby and I were talking about something work related (his work) when we were feeding the girls and getting them ready for bed. He's in outside sales and always carries a small photo album of Maddy and Libby so he can show off the latest pictures.

I think the conversation went something like this.

Hubby "Dr. So and So really liked the latest picture of the girls. She said they are really getting big."

Me "Oh, that's nice. Just as long as she's using your products, I guess you can keep pimping out M&L."

Hubby "Of course ... I have the (insert product name here) sticker on the back of the album."

Me "No you don't."

Hubby "Yes I do. That product may pay for college."

Next thing I know, they're going to be wearing little t-shirts and going along on calls with him.

Whatever works, I guess.

Maddy - Libby, 9 months old

un-friended

I may have jinxed myself.

I commented on Lisagh's post this morning about how nice it would be if life were like Facebook and you could simply "unfriend" someone. Then later, I was on Facebook and for what ever reason, I realized that I hadn't noticed any recent comments from one of my friends.

Well, I'm not his friend anymore.

Do you think he un-friended me? People just don't disappear off your friends list, do they? Should I just request to be his friend again or just sit quietly and brood about it?

This is why Facebook is often too much like high school and it gets on my nerves! All those same feelings of insecurity rear their ugly head again.

I promise that I am really NOT scary, psycho-Facebook stalker girl that this post makes me appear to me.

oh my lord

It's a lovely Lilly explosion! Click here to view the deliciousness. I think these three below are my favorite of the stationery. They also have Lilly party and wedding invitations. I am so ready for Spring. Of course, it's foggy and 54 degrees right now, but these really make me ready for warm weather.

picky, picky, picky.

Maddy has always been the picky eater of the two girls. She's always been a slower eater and my Mom finally admitted that she used to scoop up Libby first because she was easier to feed. Even with her bottle some days, she'll just press her lips together and turn her head away when she's telling you "no!" She's finally eating applesauce, cheerios, and bananas. Maybe a few bites of oatmeal, sweet potato, and carrots, but those are few and far between.

I decided to try out blueberries and yogurt for lunch today. They both gobbled up the blueberries. My only "fiasco" was when I gave Maddy a bath this evening and noticed that she had a bruise on her arm. I nearly panicked trying to figure out what had happened to her, when the "bruise" washed off. She had dropped a blueberry inside her outfit and it left several "bruises" on her arm and tummy.

Anyway, Maddy loved the yogurt. It's the full fat plain Stonyfield. It makes me pucker a little, so I didn't have high hopes. Shockingly, she ate two servings today. Whoo-hoo ... I think it will be the new item on the menu.

No mo' drama

Tonight I had an appointment to get my hair cut at 6:30. I had envisioned a leisurely evening of getting my hair cut, visiting with my hairstylist who is also a good friend & former boss, maybe even having a glass of wine. After that, I was going grocery shopping so I could buy my lemon bar ingredients, plus all the other stuff that we're out of.

So, how in the hell did my evening turn to crap?

When I was leaving the salon, I was swilling down my last few drops of wine when I went to pull out my debit card and pay. But there was no debit card. I rummaged through my purse, pulled out my other cards to see if it was in the wrong place, but still no debit card. CRAP. Luckily, I did have a credit card, because I don't think the $7 in cash was going to get me anywhere.

I called Hubby who looked around the house, but didn't see it. I came home and got online to find that luckily no strange activity had taken place. I called my bank and ordered a new card. I really think that it may be wedged somewhere in my car and I hope that it isn't floating around.

Anyway, the girls were still up so I helped feed them and tuck them in. Then, I went to the grocery.

I was checking out and thought to bring my checkbook, because again, that $7 in cash wasn't buying me squat. Well, as the clerk was scanning my last few items I realized that I had bought the wrong kind of yogurt. Typically not that big of a deal, but somehow I think it's frowned upon to give 9-month olds fat free yogurt. I ran back to the dairy, exchanged out my yogurt, then ran back to the checkout.

Of course a line has now formed behind me and I had to pay with my antiquated check. I don't think I've written a check in a grocery store since I got a debit card. Well, of course they had to call the manager over to approve it and I could feel the stares. I felt just like those Visa commercials where the guy uses a check and the entire place comes to a screeching halt.

Geez Louise. Let's just say I am glad to be home and not out causing any more drama!

lemon bars

Martha must have some sort of tracker on my craving for the day. I was thinking about lemon bars and (poof) an email appears with her best lemon recipes, including one for lemon squares. It's magic ... just like those ads on google!

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/lemon-squares?xsc=eml_edf_2009_03_24

Don't they look good? I think I may need to pick up lemons and the rest of the ingredients on my grocery store trip tonight so I can try to make them tomorrow.

Other staples in our house that we are either out of or as we say, "on alert" that we are almost out of ... coffee creamer, peanut butter, oatmeal squares cereal, whole wheat bread, bananas. I'm sure there's a dozen other things too. Hmmm, maybe it's selfish that the things always replenished are items that I always need for my own breakfast and lunch. Well, Hubby eats the peanut butter too, so I guess that counts for something.

I also want to pick up some blueberries for Maddy and Libby. They are into feeding themselves, so I'm going to try to "smoosh" the blueberries and cut into pieces to see what they think. So far, cheerios are the favorite, but they'll also eat bananas, sweet potato, and baked apples cut into tiny bits. The dogs think it's great too, because there is usually about a 70/30 ratio on what actually makes it into their mouths.