Ants!

Greg came home this afternoon and said "Did you see these ants on the windowsill?" There were A LOT of ants on the windowsill. Little orange ants, some with wings. The awful thing is that I think I can HEAR them in the walls. It sounds crazy. I'm calling the exterminator tomorrow.

Baby rain gear?

So, its raining right now. Not like that has been unusual. We had the rainiest year on record. Previously I just;
a. wouldn't go out
b. put them into the car in the garage
c. rush them into wherever else

That probably won't work when its rainy and cold.

I am answering my own question (talking to myself). There are baby rain coats, but they are not in season right now. Seems to be a Spring thing, and all the outerwear out right now is more for cold/snow.

They do have some on ebay though...

"veggie" rain coat


wooo hoo! I just won it!

Fall Wardrobe

The girls have an almost complete Fall wardrobe - jumpers, turtlnecks, fleece, jackets,sweaters, tights and lots of corduroy of all flavors. I've been very busy shopping the consignment stores and Fall sales. Now, if it will only dip below 90 degrees.

Here's the girls modeling some of their Fall looks.

Tiny-dogged Freaks

After today, I decided to start a new feature about our Neighborhood Crazies. Both of these neighbors share neuroses associated with their tiny, useless dogs.

Safety First - this overweight(naturally) woman came walking toward me with her two yorkie poodle mixes. The dogs are tiny, but completely uncontrolled (like toddlers)yapping and pulling. I see them frantically pull toward the middle of the street toward a dog I see them pass ahead of us. So, naturally, I think she will veer away from me with my double jogger and 80 lb lab. But no. She needs to squeeze between me and the curb, basically pushing us now into what is the middle of the (completely traffic free) road. She mutters as she passes, "I'm trying to stay facing traffic." O.k. I need to teach the girls the sign for "Batty."

Inappropriate - this middle-aged normal looking man walks his jack russel terrier past us. Jack Russel immmediately goes into hysterical barking and pulling. He says to dog, "Inappropriate. Inappropriate." I didn't know dogs had such good vocabularies. I think a yank to the chain would be a little more appropriate.

Water Fun

Today after stroller fit, we all cooled off at the new park near Palmer Events center with an impromtu dip. There were tons of kids there. There are fountains to run in and small pools for soaks. Lucy was a little distressed by the fountain spewing near her, but she got over it. They played with their friend Francie, who also lent them some swim diapers. Side benefit of it still being 90+ degrees in almost-October.

Much better

I think Lucy feels much better today. After 14 hours of sleep, and no dinner, she woke up very hungry and immmediately began signing for milk. She got some pedialyte and we went for our walk and came back for breakfast. I had planned on just giving her some chicken broth and pedialyte, but she started freaking when she saw a banana, so I gave her a little, and 1/2 a piece of toast. Have the rice and ground turkey all ready for lunch. Hold it down, little one.

First Vomit

We had our first vomiting incident. I was out shopping, and Greg was on duty. I came home to a very distressed daddy, and vomity shirts in the tub. Apparently, Lucy got him pretty good, including right in the mouth. I was a little more prepared for the second incident. Mostly hit my shoulder, and the kitchen floor. Poor little thing. I put her to bed about an hour ago. She was so tired she was snuggling on my chest and sucking her thumb. She is resting quietly now, but I'm gearing up for a potentially difficult night.

Security devices

don't work unless you have them "engaged". Just heard too much quiet from the bathroom. Harper was "playing" in the toilet. We have toilet locks. You just have to actually lock them for them to work...

Grrrrr

So, its 10:19 and Harper and Lucy will not take their naps.

Gymboree should be interesting today...

From our West Coast bureau....

Cousin Scarlet is living it up


Do all babies like to sit in their basket and read?

Scarlet

Harper

One year checkup

We had our one year checkup today. Harper was 27 3/4" tall (15%) and weighed 17 lbs (3%). Lucy was 28" tall (15%) and weighed 16 lbs 9 oz (<3%). We all got shots. The flu for all of us, and MMR, Varivax (chickenpox), and PCV7 for Harper and Lucy. A kid in our stroller class just came down with chickenpox (we saw him on Wednesday) so I hope its not too late.

Family Connections

For local moms, you need to check out Family Connections on 51st just east of Airport. They have toys, videos and books (child and childcare)that you can check out. They ask for a $5 voluntary contribution up front and that is it. Helps combat "toy wearout" with no expense to you, and you are not contributing to the addition of extra plastic to your home or the world in general.

Today we checked out soft stacking blocks, puppets (giraffe, octupus and elephant), one of those twisty metal things where the beads move around, a bunch of plastic cars and some toddler behavior books. And now I can sit here and blog while they play. Win/win.

Mom Find

Found. Good mom Fall shirt. Mossimo "elbow sleeve" crew tee. Its tightish, but long enough to cover any muffin top (lovely mommy lumps). Perfect for wearing under trapeze-type jackets or sweatshirts. $8.99 at Target.

Enzo's B-day

Been meaning to post pics from Lorenzo Shield's birthday party on Sunday. Fun morning of breakfast tacos and coffee at Shipe Park.

The birthday boy


The girls had the most fun watching a sheltie fetch



Harper sips her Starbucks

New kicks

Lucy and Harper got some kick-ass kicks. Cute little Geox leopard-print trainers that velcro. Love dressing them.

Mom sues when IVF brings twins

An Australian woman is suing her embryologist for implanting two embryos when she only wanted one. The amount for raising the "extra" fraternal twin girl until age 21? $332,000.

I see the point of being upset at the doctor for disregarding your request for one, but I don't think they have that anywhere in writing. Right up until implantation time, they were asking me if I wanted to put two or THREE in. No offense to Team Freas or Sharp Trips. But her reaction? She's upset about having to shop for a double stroller? Poor thing.

You know you need to slow down when....

You spent all day searching the house, the car and the diaper bag for the left metallic pink pediped, bemoaning the fact they only wore them twice and blaming a particular baby for the loss, post it in the lost/found section of Craigslist only to find it in the shoe drawer that evening.

You go to the bathroom and realize your skivvies are on inside out. Even worse when they are on backwards. And its a thong.

Party duds

Lucy
Harper
Mommy with the birthday girls

Baked goods

Lucy cake
Harper cake

cupcakes

Party tips....

We threw the girls' 1st birthday party this past Saturday. This was my first party in a LONG time (I swore off parties in 2005 1. when people neglected to attend when they said they would and 2. I threw a "lame" party), and the first child-tolerant party ever. I think it went off pretty well, but I definitely learned a few things that I feel compelled to share.

1. Baking is hard. Its organic chemistry hard. Bake ahead of time. First batch of cupcakes didn't rise and 1/2 of them burned. If you are using a cake mold - lots of crisco and flour. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Then flip it onto a cooling rack. I have made the mistake in the past of letting the cake sit in the pan overnight. Chunks of cake will stay with the pan.

2. Decorating with pastry bags is a mess. Make lots of extra icing because half of it will end up on your hands, your clothes, your hair. Icing also must have the perfect consistency. Thick enough not to melt and run everywhere, but soft enough to spread. Use a failed cake as a tester if available. I was dreaming of cupcakes the night before the party.

3. The party will actually start 30 minutes after what your invitation says. I thought "fashionably late" did not apply to the under 2-toting set, but was wrong.

4. Have booze available. Especially if its a child party. Will make it more fun for everyone. Even better - have a few in the 1/2 hour before anyone comes where you're wondering if anyone is going to show up and eat your 72 baby quiches.

5. Everyone will eat your 72 baby quiches. Buy backups.

6. Cutting the crusts off sandwiches makes them "fancy".

7. Costco artichoke spinach parmesan dip. Place in shallow baking dish and broil.

8. Guest list explosion. I tried to keep the celebration "small" and only sent out 15 or so invites, but everyone now has a spouse/date, plus an average of 2.2 kids. I looked around at one point and couldn't believe how many humans were in my living room. This is a testament that we are truly blessed with close friends who are willing to tolerate pink-iced cupcakes and finger sandwiches.

Photos to follow.

It might be love

My new stroller arrived. It is compact and the girls seem to like it. The rear seat gets to bop her sister on the head. And it folds up small. Its really maneuverable too. Can't wait to take it for a test run.

Pink Cupcakes

Jessica brought Harper and Lucy huge, delicious pink cupcakes.

Word to the wise

Don't cut your baby's bangs.




Thankfully, kind Margot at Hair's Lair (darling tiny children's salon at 26 doors)fixed them for free. She got two customers for the forseeable future.

BreastFest 2007

This weekend might be ACL, but on September 29th, Austin is trying to set the record for the most babies breastfeeding at one time. Sync your babies to 11 a.m. CST. The Lactivists will be converging on the Austin Farmer's Market downtown.

I want to be included in this momentous occasion. Do you think that Harper and Lucy will fake it for me? Last year 55 moms and 56 babies (so, if I do my math right, at least one set of twins) showed up, making Austin the largest site of the 157 participating.

Breastfeeding mamas and babies, please must register 10:30 a.m. at the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies booth near the corner of 4th and Guadalupe.

Feels like old times

The girls were up multiple times last night. Finally went down for good at 2 am. They seem perfectly happy watching Sesame Street and drinking their bottles this a.m. Daddy and I, however, are zonked.

9-11

During my pregnancy, I never really thought about having the babies on 9-11. But as my blood pressure started creeping up, and the 34 week mark was mentioned as a goal, I noticed that 9-11 was in my 34th week.

I'm just glad they came out on 9-10. I don't know if it will really matter to other kids their age, but all the parents would say, "oh, september 11th".

Another benefit of their 9-10 birthday is that I completely forgot about 9-11 until I saw the ceremony on the a.m. news today. I can't believe its been 6 years, and WHY is W still President? Their baby book is going to be like mine...

President: Richard Nixon (ugh!)

Birthday Cake

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Birthday Events

To StrollerFit in party dresses



Harper takes a moment to chill




Playtime with their monkeys from Henry and Lucas


Party hats


Auntie Bean and the cake


Lucy lika the cake

Happy Birth Anniversary to Me

I'm a bit of a stroller junkie. Before the girls were born I got the Peg Twin Aria -a sort of side x side more compact stroller AND the Peg Duette which is the tandem stroller that the car seats can strap in. Later on I bought a jogger. I use the jogger everyday, and the Twin Aria for shopping, errands, etc. Given that I am using the jogger so much, and I want to do more running, I decided to upgrade. Bought myself one, for a pretty good deal, but still an investment. I tried it out at REI and CAN'T WAIT to get it.

I also bought a more compact front/back umbrella stroller, since I am continually backing in through stores and struggling in tight spaces with the Twin Aria (doesn't corner well either). And I just bought a single umbrella stroller ($8 at consignment sale). So, right now, I own SIX strollers. Three in the house, one in the storage shed, two en route.

I am selling the jogger (InStep swivel wheel, less than 1 year old if anyone wants it)and the Peg Duette with their infant car seats. Would be perfect for anyone expecting #2, or for twins on the way (call me). Hopefully this will partially fund my stroller buying spree.

BOB Revolution



The double umbrella

Birthday Girls!

I've been emotional lately - my babies are one. Part of the emotion is thinking about where I was a year ago, how worried I was. They were so small, and I missed them so much. Suddenly, they weren't inside of me with their reassuring kicks and turns. They were a floor up, and I couldn't see them or hold them.

Lucy (poor swollen eyes)


Harper


I am so grateful that they are so healthy. Most of my emotion is thankfulness that I get to be their mom. Here are just a few of the reasons:

*Lucy's Dimples (two on her right cheek)
*Harper's infectious and easy laughter
*To see them with their Daddy
*Lucy's stank face
*Harper's squinty smile (her biggest smile)
*Lucy's schtick of holding things in her mouth for comedic effect
*Their eyelashes
*Hugs and kisses upon request (for me, and their stuffed animals)
*Unsolicited hugs and kisses (even better)
*Rocking Harper to sleep on my chest
*Lucy's emphatic "WHOA" especially when I take her for a spin in her wagon
*Leaning forward and grabbing the roll bar of the stroller
*Kissing their baby ears
*Baby feet
*Baby butts
*Maammaaaa
*Daadaa
*Army crawl (no longer in the repetoire)
*Look of pride, and excitement when they stand and take steps
*Lucy's "ooh ooh" when I mention Coco (her poodle lovie)
*Pointing and waving little hands and fingers
*Baby breath
*Harper leaning forward when you're holding her (so she can look at your face and smile)

A year ago today...

I was laid up in Seton Hospital, and they were trying to get me to go into labor. UT was playing Ohio State, and I was worried if I did deliver the doctor on call would rather be watching it. Fortunately, nothing progressed, and they gave me the option to sleep on it. Anxious to give them as much time as possible in the womb, I agreed to go for it the next day.

1st Birthday Party - Busted!

I went to a first birthday party today for Lucy, my friend Tricia's daughter. The police came. That's right.

She had an afternoon barbecue at a local park. The park also was hosting another party (baby shower?) in the rec building at the park. Tricia went into the building to use the bathroom and got into an altercation with the woman who paid $300 to rent the building. Ending up calling her a b*itch.

The outside bathrooms were locked. Eventually, I went back into the building with her. The woman working behind the desk said we could use the facilities, and I happily went ahead and did my business. Tricia, however, decided to go throw the bird at the woman throwing the party before using the facilities.

We had a discussion with the woman running the show who 1. said we could not use the bathroom. 2. even though the doors of the outdoor bathroom were locked, and 3. there were many children at the party.

About an hour later an officer came and asked us about the situation, saying he heard it had gotten "nasty". Thankfully, momma was not arrested. Something interesting for the baby book though!

misDirect Marketing

Yesterday I received this catalog children's outfitter Papo d' Anjo. The cover featured a sandy blonde boy who's hair is a little too long, but deliberately so. It is a mix of outdoorsy and charm, standng next to an old fashioned log wagon. All I could think of was "how the heck did I get on this list?"

I opened the catalog and saw many more attractive white children (boys all with shaggy hair). The clothes are exquisite. Seriously, though. Who is buying $189 cashmere sweaters for their kids who eat cheerios off the floor and like to touch their own poop? People who consider Janie and Jack playclothes. And will they please adopt me?

If anyone is interested in what Papo d'Anjo means... its literal translation is "tummy of an angel", the name given to a delicious little cake that is apparently made of 100% egg and topped with a sweet sauce.

If I buy the cashmere, will they be as sweet as an egg cake?

Misnomer?

At my playgroup today one of the other mom's said she had a hard time keeping straight who was Harper and who was Lucy because harper "looked" like a Lucy and Lucy "looked" like a Harper.

When in the hospital, I did want to see them before we settled on names, but I went more on who was who in the womb than what I saw in the tiny incubators.

What do you think a Lucy looks like? A Harper?

Can I backdate this?

Speaking of guilt...

We neglected to mention a very important family birthday. Katherine White, Lucy and Harper's Auntie had a birthday on August 28th.

She is Henry and Lucas' mom. Number 2 is only 2 months old, so maybe she forgot she had a birthday too. :)

A pic of Aunt Katherine with Henry (who is now 3)


This pic REALLY makes me want to go to the beach.

Guilt.

As I am trotting around the Arboretum, sipping on my chilled Pacha latte, it hits me. Guilt. What right do I have to be out, running errands, SPENDNG money while my brood are at home with the nanny? I see mothers pushing around THEIR babies at Babies 'R Us. I'm just toting my purse.

When I first hired the nanny, I really needed it. I was doing contract work while still getting up several times at night. Greg practically begged me to find someone. And I did. And I couldn't be happier with her. She is (now was) a preschool teacher who sings and plays with the girls. And they love her. I think they like her more than me sometimes. I enjoy spending time with her too. She's funny. She happily accompanies us to storytime and music class. She cleans when they are sleeping. Has reorganized my tupperware. She brings me cinnamon rolls. She cooked us a delicious vegetable lasagna today.

She works about 10 hours a week, and I'm not bringing in any income. Should I give up this expense? I ran into another twin mom today who left Dell. She doesn't have help. Brooke & Kaitlyn's mommy doesn't have help. My mom never had help or a maid while we were growing up.

But, damn its nice to go to Target by myself. On a Tuesday. I'd probably rather drop the housekeeper. But I like mopped floors, not just dog-licked ones.

I guess I am struggling with feeling spoiled, but maybe I should just feel blessed and lucky. Or maybe its time to go get some more contract work. Or have another baby.

Violet Beauregarde

Post juicing. She loved the blueberry pancakes Daddy made.

We have a winner!

58% of you were right. Harper took her first steps today. 2-3 to the nanny from my legs. Then 2-3 to me from the chair.

Cheap Thrills

This is the stuff that makes my day.

I went to Babies 'r Us to get the Britax Marathons (thanks to BB and Granddaddy!). I was going to go to USA Baby b/c in general I hate Babies 'r Us. Laziness won over, as I decided I didn't want to drive south to Brodie where I don't even know where the World Market or Michael's are. And they offered the same discount - 10% off the second car seat if you have multiples.

My cashier said, "You saved $54 today." Hmmmm, that is more than 10% off the second, I thought, as I scurried out of the store. She gave me 10% off both! Oh, happy day.

We named one BB and the other Granddaddy Dale