Mmmm... those cheeks!

Don't ya just want to eat those cheeks up? Scccrrrumptious!!

And here are mom's little "helpers." Not so helpful, but loads of fun!

Good Mail!

Today I received quite the treat... a letter in the mail, just for me! I can't remember the last time that happened. And to make it even better, it's from a great friend that I've known for 20 years. (whoa... that just made me feel old because I met her in 7th grade! Was that really 20 years ago?)

So, thank you, Michelle, for the note and the cute pics of your twins in their "just-starting-mobility-stage." She sent me a picture of her twins almost five years ago getting into the same cereal-all-over-the-floor-mess that my guys are pulling off almost daily. (Alex, can you pppplease keep the pantry door shut?) My SIL, Julie, and I often comment that until you have twins of your own, you just never quite understand all the implications that come along with it in your daily life. (Although, I still can't imagine my mother and MIL having 7 children... how did they do it??) So, it's nice to get a reminder that I'm not in this boat alone.

And Michelle, you have the greatest attitude! One little part of the note that I'm really clinging to is this line (hope you don't mind if I share): "One day you will look back and laugh and then cry - because those little trouble makers are all grown up." So, I'll enjoy the moments, even if they make me a bit crazy at the moment. Because I know I too will look back with fondness, and wonder how in the world these little ones all-of-a-sudden got so big.

Here's to many more messes and memories. And to good mail.

Trouble...!

This mobility thing is really gonna give me a run for my money, I'm afraid. With Alex, he spent his days at Gma's or Aunt CJ's, so I didn't have to deal with him getting into things much. Plus, he just didn't get into things anyway. But boy, oh boy. These babies are curious about everything! Andrew is way into cords, and anything electrical. Jackson has figured out how to open and shut cupboards and drawers. Today, while I was unavailable to stop it in action, I heard some sounds from the pantry. When I arrived on the scene, this is what I found. Doesn't he look happy? He's so proud that he's learned to feed himself! Trouble... And although I don't show Jackson in the picture, never fear. He's right beside his two-minute older brother, helping him spread the crumbs and grabbing a bite to eat for himself. How long does this stage last again? heh heh...

What to do...?

This scene is an all-too-familiar scene at my house -- Alex lounging on my bed, watching his "kid shows." Part of me feels so much guilt, because I didn't want my kids to be those kids that spend their days and nights parked in front of the tube. However, it works out sooo nicely that he loves to watch tv. The babies get a nice, quiet nap, and mom gets a nice, hot shower. Sigh... What to do? Is everyone's house lacking in the insulation that mine is, so that sounds carry through every wall? If he's not sitting here, then he's making noise which wakes the little ones... So anyway... venting away. Oh well. Much worse things have happened than Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, right?

Jealousy...

The babes are starting to realize that big brother can do a lot more than they can, because he can walk on those two things called feet! Yesterday, they sat at the window and watched with envy while big brother played outside in the beautiful spring weather.

I just missed catching AJ at the window here with Jackson

I love this picture of Jackson staring at Alex, who I happened to catch in action, shootin' hoops.

"Hey, mom! Look at me! I can stand up! woo hoo!"

Kind of fun!

This was fun. This is as close as I'll get to an official type-test. Are you faster? Give it a try!

80 words

Speedtest

Where have you been?

I've got quite a few places to visit still... I plan on making Georgia a stop before the end of this year! Mom and Dad, you probably hit a ton of states on your drive to Georgia, huh? Lucky you. John, your map will be entirely red, won't it?





Create your own personalized map of the USA

Where have you been?

Poor kid...

Man, there's just no break for poor little Jackson. After being sick for almost 10 weeks this winter, he was finally well... until today. Poor kid has a miserable head cold. I drugged him up good tonight, so hopefully he (and we) sleeps well tonight. I just had to take a picture of the running faucet known as his nose:

But hey, if you're gonna have that stuff running all day long, you might as well make the most of it, right?

And finally, every sick kid deserves to have his first Oreo cookie. It sure makes a kid happy! (And you can't give one to one brother without sharing with the other!)

Note that AJ is pretty good at containing his mess... Always has been. Jackson has a bad habit of putting something in his mouth, then taking it out again, just to check it out - over and over again. :)

Mommy

Sometimes it's hard to be the mommy when you miss your mommy so much. I know she's only been gone a couple of weeks, but it seems like an eternity. My mom was the emotional relief of my week. She would show up to my house, miraculously clean it in two hours flat, comfort every grandbaby, and make me feel like I was the best mom and person in the world. I don't know how she does it, but it sure is a nice pick-me-up. Anyway, with her gone for the next year and a half, I sometimes wonder how I'm gonna hold up emotionally. Today I broke down in front of Alex (bad idea... I know, I'm a fabulous mom) and he was so sweet telling me that he would stay here with me all the time and take care of me. aw shucks... But even a 3 yr old's tender comments don't quite compare with a mommy's comfort. I miss you, mom!

Buh-bye Binky!!

Well... it's finally done. Alex's binky sucking days are over. Yesterday, he woke up and said, "Mom, let's cut up my binky and throw it in the garbage." Uh... Okay! I've been dreading the day for months now. I knew I needed to take the binky away, but I just didn't want to deal with the whines and cries at bedtime. However, he went down like a champ last night, and was so excited that the "Binky Fairy" brought him a present under his pillow - a Derek Jeter baseball guy! Can life get better than that? "I submit that it cannot!" So, goodye binky, hello big boy!

What kind of cake are you?

Okay... I've jumped on the bandwagon.... Me? High maintenance? Anything but. I think this thing is way off course. The only thing they got right is my loooove of ice cream cake. Other than that....? Or am I really easily overdosed on? aww shucks... :(

You Are an Ice Cream Cake

Surprising, unique, and high maintenance. You're one of a kind, and you don't want anyone to forget it. You're fun in small doses, but it's easy for people to overdose on you!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

An oldie, but goody...

Theft Problem IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
You've heard about people who have been abducted and had their kidneys removed by black-market organ thieves. My thighs were stolen from me during the night a few years ago. I went to sleep and woke up with someone else's thighs. It was just that quick. The replacements had the texture of cooked oatmeal. Whose thighs were these and what happened to mine? I spent the entir e summer looking for my thighs. Finally, hurt and angry, I resigned myself to living out my life in jeans. And then the thieves struck again. My butt was next. I knew it was the same gang, because they took pains to match my new rear-end to the thighs they had stuck me with earlier. But my new butt was attached at least three inches lower than my original! I realized I'd have to give up my jeans in favor of long skirts. Two years ago I realized my arms had been switched. One morning I was fixing my hair and was horrified to see the flesh of my upper arm swing to and fro with the motion of the hairbrush. This was really getting scary - my body was being replaced one section at a time. What could they do to me next? When my poor neck suddenly disappeared and was replaced with a turkey neck, I decided to tell my story. Women of the world, wake up and smell the coffee! Those 'plastic' surgeons are using REAL replacement body parts -stolen from you and me! The next time someone you kn o w has something 'lifted', look again - was it lifted from you? THIS IS NOT A HOAX. This is happening to women everywhere every night. WARN YOUR FRIENDS! P.S. Last year I thought some one had stolen my Boobs. I was lying in bed and they were gone! But when I jumped out of bed, I was relieved to see that they had just been hiding in my armpits as I slept. N ow I keep them hidden in my waistband.

Redneck Classic

I saw this on Camille's blog, and I had to share. So funny! I totally agree with the sentiments expressed.... heh heh.

Cute stuff!

This is a shout-out to Jen Cotter, who is starting her own business. She's selling little aprons that one can wear while nursing. She also has coordinating changing pads and cute bows. So... if you're interested, check out her website. Her fabrics are DARLING. I'm gonna ask if she might do a diaper bag for me.

Nursing Neck Tie:

http://www.nursingnecktie.com/NursingNeckTie.com/Nursing_Neck_Tie_Home.html

Oh Dear!

"Oh dear..."
"Oh no..."
"On my..."

-quote from Five Little Monkeys...

So... the babies are on the move! Like I said, Oh dear, oh no, oh my! It's baby-proofing time. This may not seem like a surprise, since they are ten months old now, but believe me, we tried our hardest to prevent mobility. We were dreading this day. Oh well, bound to happen, huh?

Anyway, at least they are super content! (unless they're taking nose-dives into the tile floor) So, here's to the next stage of parenting twins. Should be good.