I am doing it again. Last year, a whopping 8 months after the babes were born, I got the crazy idea to run a half marathon. I am not a runner. In fact, I quite despise running. The problem is, I quite like sugar and all other things that are terrible for me. So last year when I ran, the goal was to shed some of the 80 pounds I ate myself to (let's not kid ourselves- all of the heft we carry around we have happily eaten our way to, 16 pounds of baby or not) while my babes were incubating. This year the goal is to perhaps lose that last 5 I still can't shed and to get active again- caring for three one year olds and a man whom I swear has air leaking out of his ears leaves very little time to work out...in 156 days I will own that 13.1 miles! Indianapolis here I come!

After our weekly Sunday dinner at Grandma's house (of broccoli, tater tots, and meatloaf, PLUS some of mom's twice baked potato and filet mignon, PLUS chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin cheesecake dip) we got home late. I was hoping to get in a quick bath and put our sleepy heads to bed when Parker started signing. I had to do a double take. He pointed, said 'na-na,' signed eat, then signed please. Do you want a banana I asked incredulously? Again he pointed up at the bowl of fruit we keep on the counter, said 'na-na,' signed eat, and then signed please! I was SHOCKED! Not only was he somehow STILL hungry but he was totally communicating in SENTENCES!!! As I lie in bed last night I thought to myself had he not signed I probably would have mistaken his grunts and neediness for tiredness and put him to bed with an empty tummy...sad. YAY for sign language and being able to communicate at such an early age with our babes! I am sooo beyond amazed at how quickly they are picking it up!

We can now add turkey to our repertoire of animal sounds...so far we know lion, bear, cow, horse, sheep, cow, puppy, and elephant. Turkey, however, is by far the best!

The experts say children 'parallel play' (playing by themselves- not interacting with the others- while in a group) until they reach the age of 2 or 3 when they start actually playing with each other and not side by side. I think this is bologna. Maybe it's just because we have twins, however, our babes started playing WITH each other months ago...I like to encourage independent/alone time every morning (just long enough for me to skim through USA Today and the WSJ) and then again in the evening when I make dinner. At first they didn't really understand why I wouldn't play with them, but now they read, ride on their trucks and trains, build, and LAUGH...oh, how they love to laugh at one another! Excuse me 'experts' but I consider THIS playing with one another!

We had a rough night last night...we were awake, correction we were MANIC from 11:30p to finally falling back to sleep at 3:30am. Rough nights mean rough days. Rough days mean cupcakes! Sugar cures crabbiness. I'm pretty sure of it. Besides who doesn't love a good batter spatula?!

Our babes LOVE to give each other hugs and kisses...it melts my heart every time I walk into the room and they're giving each other love. The problem is that Parker is SO big and SO strong that even the best meaning 'bear hug' (as we call them) somehow ends up with Fin on the floor...

The Hug
The Kiss
The Takedown
The Floor
The devilish grin while his sister cries behind him...

Let's hope our hugging and kissing doesn't become any more violent in the future...I can just see it now- as Parker is beating up his sister he's claiming 'but Mom, I was just giving her a bear hug!'

We went to PB Kids last night to get the babes the Anywhere Chairs (like the one Fin is sitting on) for Christmas and I couldn't resist sharing this pic...I can't wait for dress up and fairy headbands!

We had our 15 month checkup this morning...we are healthy and BIG. Very big. Parker measures in at 28 pounds 10 ounces and is THIRTY FIVE inches tall! This makes him the size of a 32 month old! Finley is 23 pounds 6 ounces and is thirty three inches tall, making her the size of a 22 month old! Fin is 50% in weight and waaay over the 100% in height. Parker is 75% in weight and waaaaaaay over the 100% in height. Let's keep in mind he was NINE POUNDS THREE OUNCES at birth!

I was a very excited mommy today when we got to go to the second developmental quiz (the one you fill out about what they can and can't do and after so many 'nos' you stop). They each have about six words they use regularly, four signs (we just started last week and I am sooo impressed with how fast they are picking them up- almost one a day! - and they use them correctly too!), about ten animal sounds, and three body parts. Parker uses the potty every night and both are now using spoons (with a little help every now and again- corn and peas are tough!). Both can pick their nose (is this a developmental skill?) and love going down the big kid slides all by themselves at the park (ok, now I'm just bragging). For the first time ever we walked all by ourselves from the car to our destination (no stroller) and did a VERY good job at holding hands and following directions!

A warning to all moms out there about to have their 15 month checkup- the MMR shot SUCKS! It hurts really really really bad! I volunteered Fin to go first because she usually doesn't cry much during shots, not today. I've never seen her like this. Stiffening like a board, and then bucking her little legs, slapping at her thigh...it was TERRIBLE! The worst part was I had to put her down still screaming to hold Parker down for his...so mis. The nurse said it will probably be even worse tomorrow! Give Tylenol before going and bring a binky or whatever else soothes your babe- it's bad!


Fin signing 'please' for a cookie at SEVEN AM!


Loving Mimi's pie crust cookies

Tonight I find myself all alone in our cute little house. It is a terrible feeling. The babes are at Grandma's, Brian is on call, and I was planning on spending the evening out and about with friends and a cocktail. After a last minute cancellation I found myself trolling aimlessly around Target and Home Goods not really needing anything but not wanting to be in my quiet house either. It was strange to be in a store and not be rushing against the clock, trying to get everything on the list before a meltdown, naptime, snack time, dinnertime, etc. I strolled up and down every aisle (literally). The highlight was when I saw a man with twins- poor guy, I think I attacked him with my need to talk to someone. I was exactly the person that I hate when I go out with ours- the one that runs up to you and asks if they're twins (duh) and then tells their story about how, 'oh, I have twins too' (good for you lady) and then (gasp) touches them (I tickled a foot, I couldn't help it). He was obviously annoyed by me (rightfully so) and on I went about my own twin story (and on and on and on). I only realized what I was doing when he started inching away from me mid-story. Geez, I'm pathetic. I mean, did this guy really need to know about my son's love for Brobee? I HATE when people do this to me and here I was talking and touching- being THAT person! I called my mom three times to check in on the babes...THREE TIMES! Who am I? I looked forward all day to a baby-free evening and the second they drove away I couldn't stand to be without them. Guess what I bought- baby socks, baby mittens, a new book, fridge magnets, and Christmas cookie cutters. On a 'me' evening I couldn't even buy myself anything! My nights alone make me sooo appreciative of my nights with a full house- those crazy, pull your hair out, work up a sweat, wonderful nights with my family! COME HOME FAMILY!

I think something is going around. I've got that bug where you hear things all day and all night. The one that has you seeing everything in miniature. The bug where you constantly smell sour and stinky. The one that gives you bags under your eyes and keeps you in sweatpants and t-shirts all day. It makes you leaky and tired and emotional. I think the babes gave it to me. I just can't seem to shake it. I can't stop thinking about it- I go to sleep with it and wake up with it...it is consuming me. Brian keeps telling me it will go away...that we have to wait awhile.

I'm pretty sure the only cure to my illness is to make it a reality. I've got baby on the brain and, I'm not going to lie, I've been praying for another set of twins. Four under three- does that make me crazy? Baby crazy maybe...

I was greeted all day today with little surprises...the kind of surprises that put a smile on your face. A long time ago (all the way back to University of Michigan) I hid post-it notes with 'I Love You' scribbled on them all over Brian's room- on the keyboard, under his pillow, in his sock drawer. Today I found little 'I love yous' all over our house- chapstick in the fridge, sunscreen in my closet, toys in the apron drawer. I like to think they're leaving them there just for me...

I have fleeting moments of insane jealousy for all those mothers out there with just ONE beautiful infant...just one to rock and sing to, just one to hold for hours after a boo boo, just one to snuggle with on the couch. Last night Brian was on-call and I had TWO beautiful babies needing rocking and singing, needing holding, needing snuggling. Fin had a mid-bath meltdown and I couldn't JUST focus on her like I wanted to, needed to. There was another body to dry off, to lotion, to diaper, to dress- the whole while Fin standing there looking so pathetic with huge tears streaming down her face. Every time I would pick her up she would melt into me, squeezing me tight as if to say, 'don't put me down again mom. I need you to hold me until I fall asleep.' Then Parker would lose it. Half dressed, he would look up with big wet eyes, 'hold me too mom!' They are too big now to snuggle and rock them both to sleep at the same time...what do I do? Who do I let down? Fin's need won out to Parker's jealousy last night. But as I rocked her to sleep with Parker standing up in his crib looking on I couldn't help but wish there were two of me to hold them both. I suppose we'll grapple with these situations for the rest of our lives- whose game to attend, whose graduation to go to (heaven forbid they fall on the same weekend), who to pick up when they both fall and there is only one set of arms to run to. In those moments we have to choose I wish more than anything there could be two of me...just for that moment as not to let anyone down- I can't handle the disappointment in their little faces when I do.

Once a week I take ONE day and do ALL my duties- laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. On this day I always feel a tinge of guilt as the two sweetest faces in the world look on as I vacuum like a maniac and dust like a crazed woman. For some reason, however, I think the babes love this day (am I just telling myself that?!). They have their 'cleaners' and they pretend to spray and wipe down just like mommy. They love the vacuum cleaner and push it around when it's not in use. We like to jump in the laundry piles like they're leaves. We have a mini-Swiffer just for them and best of all they get to watch Yo Gabba Gabba TWICE!



Somehow I always pick a day Brian is on-call for this day of madness...just me, my babies, and our cleaning supplies! It's 9 o'clock and I've got the main floor swept, mopped and dusted, two loads of laundry done, cribs changed, babies fed and now sleeping...whew! Unfortunately soo much more still to do. One of my mom friends looked at me the other day and asked 'do you feel like you're always cleaning?' YES YES YES!

In the middle of all this I had to stop in my dining room and smile this morning...I have spent the last three days (hence no recent posting) painting the picture molding we put up (which was the biggest pain the in the you know what). We have been living in our 'new' house since the end of June and I can FINALLY say we have finished ONE room! We still need the perfect mirror for the buffet and our bird pictures that are being painted by a BFF in Dallas...but for the most part it is DONE! YAY! Now I just have to clean it...

President-elect Barrack Obama deserves every bit of his historical win last night (yes, that was a hard thing to type). He waged a stronger, better campaign and inspired thousands through his message of 'change' and 'hope.' They say that some part of Senator McCain always knew Obama would win- I think some part of me always knew it too.

I don’t believe in big government, I don’t believe in higher taxes, I don’t believe in raising the earned income credit or doubling the payroll tax, I don’t believe in timetables, I don’t believe that an infant born alive during an abortion should be killed- for that matter, I don’t believe any fetus should be murdered, I believe that marriage is defined as a man and a woman, I believe in strict interpretation of the United States Constitution, I don’t believe in a welfare state, I don’t believe in government handouts, I don't believe in socialized medicine, I believe in keeping our great nation (and my great children) safe by any means necessary...

And yet, though ideologically different in nearly every way, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of pride as I watched President elect Obama speak on the world stage last night. Even as I type I’m not quite sure how to put into words these extraordinary and unfamiliar feelings...yes, I am fearful whether the most liberal US senator who waged one of the most conservative Democratic campaigns will be a man of his record or a man of his word (I hope for the country it is the latter) but that fear is slightly eclipsed by, dare I say it, a feeling of ‘hope’ and inspiration. No person can deny that Barrack Obama is an incredibly intelligent leader who has a presence about him not seen in a president for quite some time. Our nation has been mobilized, touched, and moved by his words. Words that I pray will be translated into change for the greater good of this country and of the world.

I pray that the absolute power enjoyed by the Democratic Party is put to good use. I pray that this man who believes so strongly in dialogue without precondition keeps this, the greatest nation in the world safe from attack. I pray that the people of the United States keep our new leader in check- with the media, congress, and state governments squarely on his side who will criticize him when he fumbles? I pray that he keeps good on his promise to listen and to reach across the aisle to achieve great things. I pray that President Barrack Obama ACHIEVES A GREAT SUCCESS in the oval office, brings our country back to a time of PEACE AND PROSPERITY, and TRULY changes government for the better...

Democracy: a political system in which the SUPREME POWER lies in a body of CITIZENS who can elect people to represent them

Please vote. It is your duty and responsibility as an American citizen.

At the beginning of October I casually suggested that we skip the Halloween festivities- turn out the lights and save the costume/candy cash for something else. My mother and husband looked at me like I was CRAZY! "How could you skip Halloween?" "Don't you want pictures of their first costumes?" And so the guilt trip began. I caved. We bought pumpkins and I strung jack-o-lantern lights in the bushes. We bought fifty bucks worth of candy (I mean if you're gonna do it you gotta do it, right?) and found some lame costumes for the babes...Halloween night went something like this: take an early bath so we can greet all those costumed kids in our monster suits. Get dressed up to go outside for pictures. Will not sit for anything to get even ONE good pic. Five minutes later they are screaming to get the horrible outfits off. At 7:15p we still had NOT ONE TRICK OR TREATER. The early bath threw the kids off and they wanted to be in their beds by seven. By 8:30 we had had only seven kids. At nine o'clock we put the HUGE bowl of candy we still had on the front porch hoping some teenagers would dump it in their bags. Not a chance. By 11p it was all still there. Moral of the story...I should have saved the $100 (and all the calories I consumed by eating the leftovers) and skipped it. Just call me scrooge but some things really aren't worth the headache...


This is the best picture we got- no heads...


Waiting for the Trick or Treaters that never showed...