We had a quiet, relaxing Christmas in our new house. It was everything I wanted our first Christmas to be as a family. We love our families but it was nice not to have to rush and make sure to fit everyone in for the holidays. We are a little sad that the babies didn't get to spend their first Christmas with our loved ones but we also couldn't imagine traveling again so soon.
Santa brought the babies some new toys, puffs, and Santa dollars. Mommy and Daddy bought them new carseats.
Santa brought us a new camcorder so we could record our first Christmas and we bought each other some candy and things for our stockings.
Overall it was a great holiday but it feels strange that after all the anticipation it is over already.
I finally updated flickr and even have the Christmas pics up already! My resolution for the new year will be to keep everyone updated.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Updates
We are finally moved into our new 4 bedroom house on base. We have almost all of the unpacking finished and now we need to do the decorating and some organization. It is so nice to have a playroom for the babies and have a living room without huge toys in it! The town is pretty small and nothing like what we were accustomed to in Virginia but I guess it could be worse.
If you don't have our new address or phone numbers yet, e-mail me and I will get it to you!
The babies like their new house and Joey does too. Still no crawling yet (Avery just goes backward right now). Evan is still teething and we are hoping they break through soon so he can stop being a grouch. They like being back in their crib and not sharing a room with me I think (I like that part too!). We moved them up to convertible carseats last week. They are growing up too fast! They "talk" alot more now and sometimes Andy and I have to talk over them to hear each other. Evan likes trying out his voice now and will yell and make different sounds and use a deeper voice just to see what it is like. They are still fighting over toys and it drives me crazy. Avery likes to take whatever Evan has but then she gets bored with it and puts it on the other side of her where he can't reach it. He gets mad and yells at her now if she tries to take something.
I finally updated the flickr site with alot of new photos so go check it out. I don't have any new pics from Mississippi uploaded yet but will work on that soon. They are growing so fast!
Before we left Alabama they met Santa!
If you don't have our new address or phone numbers yet, e-mail me and I will get it to you!
The babies like their new house and Joey does too. Still no crawling yet (Avery just goes backward right now). Evan is still teething and we are hoping they break through soon so he can stop being a grouch. They like being back in their crib and not sharing a room with me I think (I like that part too!). We moved them up to convertible carseats last week. They are growing up too fast! They "talk" alot more now and sometimes Andy and I have to talk over them to hear each other. Evan likes trying out his voice now and will yell and make different sounds and use a deeper voice just to see what it is like. They are still fighting over toys and it drives me crazy. Avery likes to take whatever Evan has but then she gets bored with it and puts it on the other side of her where he can't reach it. He gets mad and yells at her now if she tries to take something.
I finally updated the flickr site with alot of new photos so go check it out. I don't have any new pics from Mississippi uploaded yet but will work on that soon. They are growing so fast!
Before we left Alabama they met Santa!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
We have a rocker
The babies are moving around alot more now. They both lay on their tummies and push up so their arms are straight then scoot backward. Avery can move around pretty quickly that way. Today I went to put something in the bedroom and when I came back she had pushed herself under the jumperoo from the activity mat that is at least a foot away. Evan will keep busy with a toy for a bit then pushes himself around backward. Lately, I spend alot of time chasing them down and putting them back on their mat. Avery has now mastered pushing up onto her hands and knees and into a push-up position. She is also rocking on her hands and knees which means crawling will be next! She gets mad when she can't figure it out. Stay tuned because I am sure there is more to come soon!!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Andy is a Lt. now!
Andy was commissioned Tuesday so he is now a 2nd Lieutenant! It was a busy two days with the events at OTS. It wore us all out (especially the babies). I pinned on his bars (which was such an honor). The parade was really cool watching the flights march together. Andy was a guideon for his squadron so he was out front (great for pics). The babies were rowdy during the commissioning ceremony and part of the parade but overall did pretty well. Now we are able to hang out as a family for a few days before he flies to TX to do his pilot physical then we will be heading to Mississippi to our next base in a week. It will be nice to get a house and get settled in!
Me pinning on his bars
Me pinning on his bars
Thursday, November 15, 2007
It has started already....
For the past couple of days, the babies have both been VERY interested in the mirror hanging from their activity mat. One of them will play with it and the other takes it. Then they end up fussing because they both want it. This morning I made them lay on their bellies to play so neither of them could have it.
This afternoon when we got back from running errands I laid them both on the mat so I could eat lunch. Evan kept rolling to his side and grabbing Avery but she would fuss and he would stop for a bit. Just as I sat down to eat, Avery started squealing. Evan had her by the hair (what little she has). I had to separate them so I could eat. Surely this isn't a sign of things to come......
This afternoon when we got back from running errands I laid them both on the mat so I could eat lunch. Evan kept rolling to his side and grabbing Avery but she would fuss and he would stop for a bit. Just as I sat down to eat, Avery started squealing. Evan had her by the hair (what little she has). I had to separate them so I could eat. Surely this isn't a sign of things to come......
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
We went to the zoo
Yesterday we visited the Montgomery Zoo. It was fun although exhausting for me. Andy didn't seem to be bothered by it but he is in much better shape. The babies rode in their stroller for most of the walk and after they ate, we carried them in the front carriers so they could see more. They liked that and could see the animals better.
They are growing so fast and learning more and more each day! Avery's second tooth is now poking through and she says mamama (especially while she is crying or fussing). She is also pretty mobile. She pushes up on her arms and will push herself backward or lays on her back and scoots backward. It is pretty funny to watch. She finally rolled back to belly on Saturday and Andy saw it. I missed it! She has also figured out the jumperoo now. She usually stands in it and plays with the toys but lately she has been jumping up and down.
Evan still doesn't have teeth and I swear he has been teething for months! He is now saying mamama too. He also pushes up on his arms and pushes himself backward. He does this new thing when he smiles where he will squint his eyes and look all cheesy. You can see it in the pic with him and Andy. He also does this thing where he opens and closes his mouth like he is talking but no sound comes out. He babbles alot but the silent mouth moving is new. He is so funny. He will also put his hands on our face and pull us down for a sloppy kiss.
They both give hugs and kisses but Avery doesn't give kisses as often! They are both sitting very well. We bought a foam alphabet mat for them to sit on so when they fall over, it isn't on the hardwood. Now I don't have to hover as much! We are up to 2 meals of solids a day and I tried to get them to eat puffs. They aren't having it though. They both gag and act like I am trying to poison them or something. Eventually they will have to eat something besides purees though....
Andy graduates Tuesday and we are all excited. He has worked so hard for this and he will finally be an officer!! We will finally be all together again for good as well. He should be able to come see us around dinner tomorrow (and help me with bedtime) and Friday also. Then I think he can spend Saturday and Sunday with us. We can't wait to get OTS behind us and move on to our next base and get settled in!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
We made it
We finally made it to Alabama. We are settled into our new one bedroom apartment and although it is small, we have room for our stuff. It is much better than staying in a hotel.
The babies are doing so well with all the travel and changes. I think poor Joey is having a much harder time but he is settling in. Avery is getting her first tooth so that bothers her occasionally but she is handling that better than I expected.
We saw Andy Friday then he was able to come back Saturday afternoon and stay until 7 Sunday night so that was great. We won't get to see him again until Saturday though. The babies remembered him and Evan is daddy's boy. Avery is still a bit of a mommy's girl so at least I still have her. lol
The time change has us all a bit thrown off. Friday we came into the central time zone so that took some adjusting then today we had to do the time change an hour back again! The babies are dealing with it but waking up earlier and want to go to bed earlier too! I am hoping we can all adjust soon!
The babies are doing so well with all the travel and changes. I think poor Joey is having a much harder time but he is settling in. Avery is getting her first tooth so that bothers her occasionally but she is handling that better than I expected.
We saw Andy Friday then he was able to come back Saturday afternoon and stay until 7 Sunday night so that was great. We won't get to see him again until Saturday though. The babies remembered him and Evan is daddy's boy. Avery is still a bit of a mommy's girl so at least I still have her. lol
The time change has us all a bit thrown off. Friday we came into the central time zone so that took some adjusting then today we had to do the time change an hour back again! The babies are dealing with it but waking up earlier and want to go to bed earlier too! I am hoping we can all adjust soon!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
So much to do....so little time
Well the final countdown is on! We will be leaving VA in 8 short days and I am trying to tie up loose ends, say goodbyes, get errands done, and have all the house things completed so nothing can fall through with this closing! It is not a one person job but I am managing!
Yesterday I took the babies for their 6 month pictures and what a mess that was. We did get some fantastic shots of them separately but not too many good ones of them together. Avery was crying most of the time and Evan was being silly and chewing on props! It was very hard to juggle both babies. I even called and let them know that I have 6 month old twins and will not be bringing help with me but they did not have anyone to help! So frustrating. I was in a sweat by the time we left! The pics are great though and I will try to upload them to flickr soon.
The babies are doing well and growing. They are doing some weird nap thing where they don't want to stay on a routine or schedule lately. Today we were all out of whack and that makes it harder on me to get them down for a nap before they get overtired. They talked themselves to sleep this afternoon for a nap and actually yelled at me a few times but I made them stay in bed. I needed a break and they weren't crying so they had to stay in there and play. They know how to turn on their crib toys so they lay in there and play in the mornings as well before I get up.
I think they are getting closer to crawling. Evan will push up on his arms and inch backward. Avery will push up on her arms and turn herself in a circle. They are tolerating tummy time for longer now and will go 15 minutes or more without getting mad.
We tried green beans this week and it is definitely not a favorite for either one. I feel the same way over green beans but lie to them and say they are yummy. Avery actually gagged when she first tasted them. It was hilarious. They are such good babies though and they will eat them for me even though they make a face with every bite. We are starting peas tomorrow so we will see if those fare any better.
The movers will be here Tuesday and Wednesday and I have to unhook the computer Monday night so this will probably be my last blog entry for a bit. I won't have internet access in TN for the week I am there but I should be back up and running in Alabama once I get settled into our apartment.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
So much going on
Well we have been pretty much just trying to stay on schedule with our day while getting everything done that we need to do before the move. I have been making appointments like crazy and trying to get everything set up. Although I don't have to pack just to do the prep for the movers to come and getting it all set up is stressful.
I am not sure how the babies will do with all of this but my friend, Jessica, is kind enough to let Joey come stay with her for a couple of days so he isn't going crazy with the movers being here. My friend, Christina will come help with the babies (Evan in particular since Avery only likes me and Jay). Jay is coming to help me with the movers and I am so relieved. He is great with the babies and will also help me take them to their 6 month appointment. He is a lifesaver!
So today is 6 months for the babies. It is their 1/2 birthday! Time is just flying by and they are learning so much and getting so interactive. The other morning Avery let Evan suck her thumb for a little while. When he gets noisy, she likes to put her hand in his mouth to get him quiet I guess. I love to watch them play together and they will look at each other and smile and laugh. It melts my heart! They are also grabbing everything. I went to get a new phone the other day and had taken Evan out of the stroller since he was fussy and when I turned to look at Avery, he grabbed a pen from the desk and had it in his mouth. He also almost threw a brand new cell phone in the floor. I forget that they can grab things now!
We got their halloween costumes in the mail yesterday and they are a little big on them (well I could probably fit them both in one costume) but they will work. I was laughing so hard when I was trying them on and taking pictures. You have to check out our Flickr account to see them. They are adorable!
We are going Monday to get their 6 month pictures done. I am a little nervous because I am taking them alone and I am not sure how I will manage that. Hopefully we have a better photographer and I can stand back and watch and make them laugh rather than position them and do all the work. I am having the hardest time deciding on outfits though. I keep changing my mind and taking things back. It is so hard to coordinate boy/girl outfits!!!
I think we have our arrangements set up in Alabama. I found an apartment complex that rents out furnished apartments with a short term lease so the babies, Joey, and I will have a 1 bedroom apartment while we are there instead of a hotel room. I am so glad. It may be small but we will have more than one room and I can "get away" from them for a bit when I need to. We will only get to see Andy on the weekends so I am going to catch up on my reading I guess and try not to go shopping too much. I can't wait to see him. Only 3 more weeks!
I am not sure how the babies will do with all of this but my friend, Jessica, is kind enough to let Joey come stay with her for a couple of days so he isn't going crazy with the movers being here. My friend, Christina will come help with the babies (Evan in particular since Avery only likes me and Jay). Jay is coming to help me with the movers and I am so relieved. He is great with the babies and will also help me take them to their 6 month appointment. He is a lifesaver!
So today is 6 months for the babies. It is their 1/2 birthday! Time is just flying by and they are learning so much and getting so interactive. The other morning Avery let Evan suck her thumb for a little while. When he gets noisy, she likes to put her hand in his mouth to get him quiet I guess. I love to watch them play together and they will look at each other and smile and laugh. It melts my heart! They are also grabbing everything. I went to get a new phone the other day and had taken Evan out of the stroller since he was fussy and when I turned to look at Avery, he grabbed a pen from the desk and had it in his mouth. He also almost threw a brand new cell phone in the floor. I forget that they can grab things now!
We got their halloween costumes in the mail yesterday and they are a little big on them (well I could probably fit them both in one costume) but they will work. I was laughing so hard when I was trying them on and taking pictures. You have to check out our Flickr account to see them. They are adorable!
We are going Monday to get their 6 month pictures done. I am a little nervous because I am taking them alone and I am not sure how I will manage that. Hopefully we have a better photographer and I can stand back and watch and make them laugh rather than position them and do all the work. I am having the hardest time deciding on outfits though. I keep changing my mind and taking things back. It is so hard to coordinate boy/girl outfits!!!
I think we have our arrangements set up in Alabama. I found an apartment complex that rents out furnished apartments with a short term lease so the babies, Joey, and I will have a 1 bedroom apartment while we are there instead of a hotel room. I am so glad. It may be small but we will have more than one room and I can "get away" from them for a bit when I need to. We will only get to see Andy on the weekends so I am going to catch up on my reading I guess and try not to go shopping too much. I can't wait to see him. Only 3 more weeks!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Being a mother has changed me
I cannot believe that Avery and Evan will be 6 months old on Saturday. Here I am sitting here getting all nostalgic and sad that my tiny babies will be 1/2 year olds in less than a week. Why is time going by so fast now?
It took us almost 2 years to get pregnant and that felt like an eternity. Every day I was consumed with the thought of babies and how all I wanted was to be a mother. I had to go to work every day as a teacher knowing I was teaching other people's children but couldn't have my own. I felt like a failure for not being able to conceive a child for Andy and me. We went through so much heartache every month when nothing was happening for us. We went through tests and more tests to try to figure out why 2 healthy, young adults couldn't conceive a child. Drunk teenagers do it all the time in the backseat of a car and end up pregnant without even trying so why couldn't we have what we wanted so badly? I went through treatments with hormones and shots and it was so crazy that I wouldn't have imagined that being my life now. I felt like my life was on hold waiting for that positive test. Then that day arrived and my life has never been the same.
I was finally pregnant. I had the pregnancy and delivery from hell. I was so sick and felt horrible except for a few short weeks in the middle. It felt like I was pregnant for years instead of 8 1/2 short months! It ended up I needed more drugs and shots to stay healthy and keep those babies in. I was so done with being pregnant by 34 weeks but I was determined to make it to 36 weeks. Every appointment my doctor was surprised that I was still pregnant but I guess he doesn't know me that well. I had my mind set that I would be a great mom and that started with keeping those babies cooking. Then at our 36 week appointment, he told me I should go ahead and have the babies and admitted me. I was so terrified of labor until that point and then I just wanted it over with. It was awful. So many things went wrong but the babies were okay and that is all that mattered.
Now it is so hard to imagine that I grew these two babies inside me. As I try to hold them and cuddle them now and they are getting so much bigger, it is hard to imagine them being inside me kicking me and each other.
Becoming a mother has changed me forever. It is so much more than I ever thought it would be. I have never wanted anything so badly in my life as I did to have these babies so I am thankful every day that we are so blessed to have two gorgeous, healthy babies. It is exhausting being a mother but it is the best job I have ever had.
I didn't cry before I wanted to be a mom. I would cry at times while we were battling infertility but I was never a crying type of person. I hate to cry but now I feel like my emotions are constantly at the surface. The babies did this to me. Becoming a mother did this to me.
I never thought I would worry so much and want to protect them from everything. I never thought I would wish so hard and work with them every day so that they would reach milestones on time and then be sad that they are becoming more independent. I never thought I would want them to gain weight and grow and then be sad when they do and I have to pack away another size of clothing. I never thought that I could be about to lose it because it has been a horrible day but I get one big, toothless grin and everything is okay again. I never thought they would sleep through the night the first time and I would wake up in a panic thinking something had to be wrong. I never thought that going to bed at 10pm on a Friday and Saturday night would be okay because I have to get up early with the babies the next morning. I never thought that everything on the news or television show about children and babies would have me in tears because I think that could have been one of MY babies. I never thought that deciding whether or not the babies should nap with socks on would be something I would fret about afraid they could pull them off and choke. I never thought I would drive a minivan!
I do realize that the house gets cluttered, I may not cook a good meal for a few days, and laundry could pile up but none of that matters as long as the babies are cared for and happy. In ten years, I am not ever going to think wow I wish my house would have been cleaner back then. I will never say I wish I had done more laundry. I will never say well I wish I had continued working and put them in daycare. I realize that and I make every day count. I don't want to have regrets and I want to enjoy these babies as much as I can. I could work and we could have nicer things, but I am lucky enough that Andy works hard and makes enough money so that I am able to stay home and raise our babies.
Our life won't be the typical life since we will have to move where the military decides to send us but I hope that everyone can be fortunate enough to spend time with the babies as they are growing up and the babies can get to know their family.
Being a mother has changed me in so many ways and I wouldn't trade it for the world!
It took us almost 2 years to get pregnant and that felt like an eternity. Every day I was consumed with the thought of babies and how all I wanted was to be a mother. I had to go to work every day as a teacher knowing I was teaching other people's children but couldn't have my own. I felt like a failure for not being able to conceive a child for Andy and me. We went through so much heartache every month when nothing was happening for us. We went through tests and more tests to try to figure out why 2 healthy, young adults couldn't conceive a child. Drunk teenagers do it all the time in the backseat of a car and end up pregnant without even trying so why couldn't we have what we wanted so badly? I went through treatments with hormones and shots and it was so crazy that I wouldn't have imagined that being my life now. I felt like my life was on hold waiting for that positive test. Then that day arrived and my life has never been the same.
I was finally pregnant. I had the pregnancy and delivery from hell. I was so sick and felt horrible except for a few short weeks in the middle. It felt like I was pregnant for years instead of 8 1/2 short months! It ended up I needed more drugs and shots to stay healthy and keep those babies in. I was so done with being pregnant by 34 weeks but I was determined to make it to 36 weeks. Every appointment my doctor was surprised that I was still pregnant but I guess he doesn't know me that well. I had my mind set that I would be a great mom and that started with keeping those babies cooking. Then at our 36 week appointment, he told me I should go ahead and have the babies and admitted me. I was so terrified of labor until that point and then I just wanted it over with. It was awful. So many things went wrong but the babies were okay and that is all that mattered.
Now it is so hard to imagine that I grew these two babies inside me. As I try to hold them and cuddle them now and they are getting so much bigger, it is hard to imagine them being inside me kicking me and each other.
Becoming a mother has changed me forever. It is so much more than I ever thought it would be. I have never wanted anything so badly in my life as I did to have these babies so I am thankful every day that we are so blessed to have two gorgeous, healthy babies. It is exhausting being a mother but it is the best job I have ever had.
I didn't cry before I wanted to be a mom. I would cry at times while we were battling infertility but I was never a crying type of person. I hate to cry but now I feel like my emotions are constantly at the surface. The babies did this to me. Becoming a mother did this to me.
I never thought I would worry so much and want to protect them from everything. I never thought I would wish so hard and work with them every day so that they would reach milestones on time and then be sad that they are becoming more independent. I never thought I would want them to gain weight and grow and then be sad when they do and I have to pack away another size of clothing. I never thought that I could be about to lose it because it has been a horrible day but I get one big, toothless grin and everything is okay again. I never thought they would sleep through the night the first time and I would wake up in a panic thinking something had to be wrong. I never thought that going to bed at 10pm on a Friday and Saturday night would be okay because I have to get up early with the babies the next morning. I never thought that everything on the news or television show about children and babies would have me in tears because I think that could have been one of MY babies. I never thought that deciding whether or not the babies should nap with socks on would be something I would fret about afraid they could pull them off and choke. I never thought I would drive a minivan!
I do realize that the house gets cluttered, I may not cook a good meal for a few days, and laundry could pile up but none of that matters as long as the babies are cared for and happy. In ten years, I am not ever going to think wow I wish my house would have been cleaner back then. I will never say I wish I had done more laundry. I will never say well I wish I had continued working and put them in daycare. I realize that and I make every day count. I don't want to have regrets and I want to enjoy these babies as much as I can. I could work and we could have nicer things, but I am lucky enough that Andy works hard and makes enough money so that I am able to stay home and raise our babies.
Our life won't be the typical life since we will have to move where the military decides to send us but I hope that everyone can be fortunate enough to spend time with the babies as they are growing up and the babies can get to know their family.
Being a mother has changed me in so many ways and I wouldn't trade it for the world!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Pics question
I have a question for all of you. My Flickr Pro account will expire in a week and then I will only be able to show 3 sets at a time. I know some of you go back and look at older pics of the babies but I want to get an idea of how many people actually look at the pics. I don't mind paying for the Pro account if people are looking at the pics, but I don't want to waste my money if you don't really look or only look at the most recent pics. So please leave me a comment on here and let me know if you look back at pics or even look at the site. If you haven't signed up and want an invite please let me know. I have to invite you to view the pics.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Big things
Our contract was ratified yesterday so our house is pretty much sold! Our closing date is October 26th (only 21 short days away). The movers will come the 23rd to pack everything and load it onto the truck on the 24th. My stomach is in knots just thinking of that stress but I am glad we are moving forward now. I have so much to do before the move and a crazy amount to pack for the babies, Joey, and I to live on for 4 weeks before we go to our next base. We cannot wait to see Andy though. I can't wait for him to see how much the babies have grown and all they can do now!
The babies had a big weekend this past weekend when their Pappy Jay and Aunt Rachael came down for a visit. I was a little nervous with how Avery would handle it since she is having some stranger anxiety but she LOVED Jay. As soon as she saw him, she was smiling and laughing. She is such a stinker. She only does that with him so far though. She would be good for Rach then turn on the tears in a heartbeat. She is very dramatic. Evan was his usual laid back self and didn't discriminate....he will go to and spit up on anyone and everyone.
We had a good time and the babies got a little spoiled. They were pretty grumpy Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday after our visitors left. They were still on that visitor high I guess and expected to be held and entertained all day. Avery especially wanted me to hold her or at least be touching me at all times. They are having a much better day today and we are back to our normal routine after our crazy week last week with all the showings.
The babies had a big weekend this past weekend when their Pappy Jay and Aunt Rachael came down for a visit. I was a little nervous with how Avery would handle it since she is having some stranger anxiety but she LOVED Jay. As soon as she saw him, she was smiling and laughing. She is such a stinker. She only does that with him so far though. She would be good for Rach then turn on the tears in a heartbeat. She is very dramatic. Evan was his usual laid back self and didn't discriminate....he will go to and spit up on anyone and everyone.
We had a good time and the babies got a little spoiled. They were pretty grumpy Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday after our visitors left. They were still on that visitor high I guess and expected to be held and entertained all day. Avery especially wanted me to hold her or at least be touching me at all times. They are having a much better day today and we are back to our normal routine after our crazy week last week with all the showings.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Real Estate is not for the weak
We had a crazy week last week with trying to sell our house. We decided to drop the price of the house by $10,000 and that had people coming in droves. We had 2-3 potential buyers come through almost every day. That made for a very exhausting week for me to try to schedule it around the babies so we could get out of the house. It didn't always work out and we would be here when people wanted to come through but there wasn't much I could do about it. I was really starting to get worn down by the whole process of trying to stay in a routine but keep the house clean and be ready to go. The babies would get grumpy and I was too by the end of the week. Joey hated people coming into our house so he had to be tied to a tree in the backyard while they came through or we had to go for a walk. A few times I just loaded them up in the van and we would go for a ride.
We had an offer that wasn't great so I was getting disappointed when we had another offer Saturday. We accepted the offer and now we are waiting for the contract to be ratified. The closing date will be October 26th!!! That is only 23 days away so now I am feeling a little panic. I don't have to pack our big things because the movers do it all for liability reasons. I do have to gather up and pack what the babies and I will need to live on for 4 weeks until Andy graduates.
Andy and I have been going back and forth on where the babies, Joey, and I should go and we have decided that we will go stay in Alabama for the last 3 weeks before Andy's graduation. We will get to see him on weekends so that will be nice. I am just a little nervous about living in an efficiency for that long with 2 babies and a dog without going a little stir crazy! It will be so great to get to see Andy though and he will get to spend time with the babies and catch up on all the new things they can do now!
I also won't have a computer so I am not sure how I will survive for that long with no internet. I may convince Andy I need an early Christmas gift of a laptop!
Speaking of the internet, I just added pics to flickr. You have to check out Evan's wild outfit!
We had an offer that wasn't great so I was getting disappointed when we had another offer Saturday. We accepted the offer and now we are waiting for the contract to be ratified. The closing date will be October 26th!!! That is only 23 days away so now I am feeling a little panic. I don't have to pack our big things because the movers do it all for liability reasons. I do have to gather up and pack what the babies and I will need to live on for 4 weeks until Andy graduates.
Andy and I have been going back and forth on where the babies, Joey, and I should go and we have decided that we will go stay in Alabama for the last 3 weeks before Andy's graduation. We will get to see him on weekends so that will be nice. I am just a little nervous about living in an efficiency for that long with 2 babies and a dog without going a little stir crazy! It will be so great to get to see Andy though and he will get to spend time with the babies and catch up on all the new things they can do now!
I also won't have a computer so I am not sure how I will survive for that long with no internet. I may convince Andy I need an early Christmas gift of a laptop!
Speaking of the internet, I just added pics to flickr. You have to check out Evan's wild outfit!
Monday, September 24, 2007
The ultimate multi-tasker
Today I realized that although I am very forgetful and feel like I would lose my head if it wasn't attached, I am the ultimate multi-tasker all day long.
This morning I was feeding both babies in our normal position (Avery on the boppy beside me and Evan on the boppy that is on my lap) and Evan finished before Avery. So I swing him up to my shoulder for a burp and to be upright while she finishes. They are usually pretty wound up in the morning lately so today instead of grabbing at my face, he goes right for my glasses. I am powerless to stop him since I have one hand feeding Avery and the other holding him up so he doesn't do a backdive off my lap. He grabs them off my face in one motion and sticks them in his mouth. It was pretty funny but also irritating at the same time. (Andy was just talking about how he misses that first morning feeding because they are cuddly so he is in for a rude awakening).
Then this afternoon as I am feeding them both again and Evan is finished, I have him propped up on my shoulder and holding his back to avoid the backdive, holding Avery's bottle for her with my other hand, and I am rubbing Joey with my foot and trying to grab toys to kick for him to fetch. That is the ultimate in multi-tasking. Now if I could do something productive with my other foot I think I could join the circus!
This morning I was feeding both babies in our normal position (Avery on the boppy beside me and Evan on the boppy that is on my lap) and Evan finished before Avery. So I swing him up to my shoulder for a burp and to be upright while she finishes. They are usually pretty wound up in the morning lately so today instead of grabbing at my face, he goes right for my glasses. I am powerless to stop him since I have one hand feeding Avery and the other holding him up so he doesn't do a backdive off my lap. He grabs them off my face in one motion and sticks them in his mouth. It was pretty funny but also irritating at the same time. (Andy was just talking about how he misses that first morning feeding because they are cuddly so he is in for a rude awakening).
Then this afternoon as I am feeding them both again and Evan is finished, I have him propped up on my shoulder and holding his back to avoid the backdive, holding Avery's bottle for her with my other hand, and I am rubbing Joey with my foot and trying to grab toys to kick for him to fetch. That is the ultimate in multi-tasking. Now if I could do something productive with my other foot I think I could join the circus!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Homemade food vs. Gerber baby food
This past week, I introduced sweet potatoes to the babies. We are also practicing with a sippy cup. They are doing well with both (actually better than I expected).
We had been doing cereal for a few weeks and I felt like they were ready to move on to bigger and better things. I have all these grand plans of making my own babyfood to save money and to give me something productive to do after they go down for the night.
I did my research, bought fruits and veggies, bought a book called Super Baby Food and was all ready to start. I get the sweet potatoes cooked and peeled and put them in the blender to puree and all of a sudden the blender sparks and starts smoking. Not a great start to my grand plan. I fed the babies their bottles and we loaded up and headed to Target for a new blender.
I got home and wrestled the monster babies that I must have mistakenly brought home with me and didn't get started back on the sweet potatoes until after they were in bed hopefully sleeping off the fussiness.
So here I go getting them pureed and frozen in ice cube trays then transfer them to freezer bags (they are in single servings that way).
We do our first attempt with them on Thursday. I get the chairs set up, the bibs out, burp cloths, thaw and warm the sweet potatoes, then go to get the babies. I turn around and Joey is eating the sweet potatoes out of the bowl. I could seriously leave an entire plate of food on the floor and go upstairs or outside and he knows better than to touch it but for some reason he had to have those sweet potatoes. So here I go thawing and warming another batch. The babies tolerated them and started doing better by the end.
I do my sweet potatoes for a couple of days then try the gerber kind I bought on sale at Target. They were wild for them. Avery loved them and couldn't get enough. Evan liked them and loved blowing rasberries with them. Apparently gerber wins this round over my hard work with sweet potatoes.
We will see when we do my peaches vs gerbers!
We had been doing cereal for a few weeks and I felt like they were ready to move on to bigger and better things. I have all these grand plans of making my own babyfood to save money and to give me something productive to do after they go down for the night.
I did my research, bought fruits and veggies, bought a book called Super Baby Food and was all ready to start. I get the sweet potatoes cooked and peeled and put them in the blender to puree and all of a sudden the blender sparks and starts smoking. Not a great start to my grand plan. I fed the babies their bottles and we loaded up and headed to Target for a new blender.
I got home and wrestled the monster babies that I must have mistakenly brought home with me and didn't get started back on the sweet potatoes until after they were in bed hopefully sleeping off the fussiness.
So here I go getting them pureed and frozen in ice cube trays then transfer them to freezer bags (they are in single servings that way).
We do our first attempt with them on Thursday. I get the chairs set up, the bibs out, burp cloths, thaw and warm the sweet potatoes, then go to get the babies. I turn around and Joey is eating the sweet potatoes out of the bowl. I could seriously leave an entire plate of food on the floor and go upstairs or outside and he knows better than to touch it but for some reason he had to have those sweet potatoes. So here I go thawing and warming another batch. The babies tolerated them and started doing better by the end.
I do my sweet potatoes for a couple of days then try the gerber kind I bought on sale at Target. They were wild for them. Avery loved them and couldn't get enough. Evan liked them and loved blowing rasberries with them. Apparently gerber wins this round over my hard work with sweet potatoes.
We will see when we do my peaches vs gerbers!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Rolling over....finally
So this week they both decided it was time to roll over. They have both rolled in the past, but haven't done it in months. I have been working on it every day with them but they show no interest. Then on Thursday as soon as I flipped Avery onto her tummy for tummy-time she flipped herself right back over onto her back. Evan did the same thing to me Friday. Little stinkers know how to do it but only do it a couple times a day now. I finally caught it on video.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
5 months today
The babies are 5 months old today. I cannot believe how fast time is flying by so far. A week ago I had to put away the 0-3 month clothes for Evan and get out all the 3-6 month clothes and I was so sad. I just keep thinking how they will never be this small again. I am thrilled they are growing and learning new things but I miss things already. They aren't as cuddly anymore. There is so much going on and they want to be looking around or playing and not just held for very long (unless I need to do something of course then they want me to hold them lol).
They are learning so quickly. They play with toys now and will laugh at me, Joey, and each other. They have figured out they can turn on their crib toys but they prefer to kick them rather than use their hands. We are practicing sitting up and Evan is pretty good already. Avery likes to fall forward on her face and get mad. She has a stubborn streak already when it comes to doing things she doesn't want to do. They still aren't rolling over but I know that they can. They have no interest though. Avery hates being on her stomach so tummy time is still a struggle. They both love to grab their feet (which can be a hassle changing diapers or in the bath) and Avery can almost get her foot in her mouth.
We just got a new baby bathtub yesterday and it is the luxury of baby bathtubs. I could almost fit in this thing. It barely fits in our bathtub. It is awesome though. Poor Evan was starting to hang out of the old tub we had and once they can sit up, I can put them both in this one and get bathtime over with at one time.
We started cereal a few weeks ago. We actually tried at 4 months at the doctor's suggestion but they weren't quite ready. We waited a few weeks and they are doing great. We have tried rice cereal, oatmeal, and the rice cereal with bananas in it. Evan likes the more bland, plain cereal. Avery has a sweet tooth like me and liked the kind with bananas in it.
We are waiting until 6 months to start trying stage 1 foods like fruits and veggies. We have quite a stash from a sale they had at Target but I am going to attempt to make my own baby food. I hate to cook but I have done research online and bought a book and it guarantees that it is easy and not time-consuming once you get started. We will see!
They are learning so quickly. They play with toys now and will laugh at me, Joey, and each other. They have figured out they can turn on their crib toys but they prefer to kick them rather than use their hands. We are practicing sitting up and Evan is pretty good already. Avery likes to fall forward on her face and get mad. She has a stubborn streak already when it comes to doing things she doesn't want to do. They still aren't rolling over but I know that they can. They have no interest though. Avery hates being on her stomach so tummy time is still a struggle. They both love to grab their feet (which can be a hassle changing diapers or in the bath) and Avery can almost get her foot in her mouth.
We just got a new baby bathtub yesterday and it is the luxury of baby bathtubs. I could almost fit in this thing. It barely fits in our bathtub. It is awesome though. Poor Evan was starting to hang out of the old tub we had and once they can sit up, I can put them both in this one and get bathtime over with at one time.
We started cereal a few weeks ago. We actually tried at 4 months at the doctor's suggestion but they weren't quite ready. We waited a few weeks and they are doing great. We have tried rice cereal, oatmeal, and the rice cereal with bananas in it. Evan likes the more bland, plain cereal. Avery has a sweet tooth like me and liked the kind with bananas in it.
We are waiting until 6 months to start trying stage 1 foods like fruits and veggies. We have quite a stash from a sale they had at Target but I am going to attempt to make my own baby food. I hate to cook but I have done research online and bought a book and it guarantees that it is easy and not time-consuming once you get started. We will see!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
New blog
I thought this would be a great way to let everyone know how things are going with our busy life with Andy being away at OTS and me taking care of the babies. Hopefully I can learn how to post videos and pictures. I am hoping to find a new photo sharing site since people have said Flickr can be difficult to navigate. If you have any ideas of a good place to share photos, let me know.
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