The Best Christmas Yet!

What a fun Christmas. This year was really magical for Zander (4yrs).

Let me start by saying whenever anyone asked what Zander wanted for Christmas he would reply, "Anything. I will like whatever Santa gives me. I like everything...but I do need socks. None of mine fit me!" In my defense he DOES have socks that fit him, but one of my least favorite chores is putting away clean laundry. I don't know why, it just seems to finish drying at very inconvenient times:) Well Zander is referring to my not matching his socks up and putting them into his drawer. We have a laundry basket half full for mismatched socks. Whenever he goes to put on his he gets frustrated looking for his. By the way, I matched ALL the socks this week...his drawers are stocked!

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun. My sister Jacque, Aunt Duque, spent the night. We baked cookies for Santa and watched a xmas movie. Zander was so excited, Gavin went to bed early he wasn't feeling well. When it was time to go to bed we set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. We then wrote Santa a note. It read:

Dear Santa,

I love cookies.

I love presents.

I want toys.

Do you want to give me some presents?

Love, Zander

After thirty minutes of lying in bed Zander called me into his room. He told me that I had to make sure I don't leave the xmas lights on for Santa...it may cause a fire. Just make sure I clean the living room so Santa doesn't trip and fall or step on anything in the dark!

Busy, busy

Cami Rose...one of the 4 reasons I'm so busy

I just thought I was busy with a preschooler, a toddler and 2 newborns....but now that the twins are 7 months (time sure does fly!) it's a whole new ball game. They are nearly crawling and need to be entertained constantly. Ely and I have a bet going, I said they will be crawling by Christmas....but deep down I hope I'm wrong! We've got to baby proof our home again, ugg.

Tomorrow my sister Jacque and I are driving to Harrison, AR to go to our great grandfather's funeral. He was in his mid 90's and ready to go. It will be good to see family I haven't seen in years. Funny how it takes a death in family to get together.

Wish I had something grand to write about, but my mind is blank right now. I finally get time to blog and my mind is mush...maybe I should finish my drink and sleep while I have a chance!

Sneaky Sneaky

Most of you know that my boys are day and night. Zander wouldn't dream of disobeying his parents. He follows most of the rules and likes to do things the "right" way. Gavin on the other hand, is constantly testing boundaries and flat out defies us. I think they balance each other out...Gavin helps the very cautious Zander step out of his comfort zone and walk on the wild side...and Zander helps keep fearless Gavin safe and out of trouble.

Yesterday for lunch we had mac & cheese (with pureed zucchini & cauliflower...sneaky mom!) and green beans. After lunch we rushed off to take Zander to preschool, leaving our lunch dishes on the table. When I finally got to clearing the table from lunch (Gavin was taking a nap) I noticed Gavin's napkin was full of green beans! He's two in a half! This isn't the first time this has happened...but I never find it until after the fact. What do I do? The first time I laughed it off...but now he's just being sneaky. Him being only 2 years old I didn't think he would understand if I "lectured" him about it hours after it happened. But then again, he's probably smarter than I give him credit for...he is being deceitful hiding his green beans in his napkin. Is it even an issue at all? He is getting his veggies...I add puree to our dishes daily...

I decided to confront him before dinner. I told him he must eat his veggies and not put them into his napkin. I told him that was lying. He said, "Okay Momma, no green beans in napkin. No okra in tissue." What!? I never caught the okra in a tissue! I gotta keep my eye on that little one...

Happy Thanksgiving!

maya & camille...can you tell which is which??

What a great day! We went to my Aunt Peggy 's for lunch and then to my sister's for dinner. I ate entirely to much today:)

Last night the boys spent the night with my dad and Jacque watched the twins, Ely and I went out celebrating our 6 year wedding anniversary. We had such a great time. We ate at the Garlic Rose on Brookside. It was incredible. The ambiance was romantic, great service. We ordered a bottle of wine and ate until our hearts desire....food was spectacular...can't wait until we can go back.

It was so nice to be "kid free" for an evening. Ely and I don't get to go out alone together very often. Funny how our conversation kept shifting toward our children...they are the ONLY thing going on in my life right now. I love them but...

I think I'm going to join a "non kid related" club. Maybe a book club or something. I realize that I am a mother first and forth most but don't want to lose myself in my kids. I don't want my kids to define me...I think that is unhealthy. If only I can find a balance to be a good mother, a wife and true to myself all in one....We'll see...I'm turning 30 next month...maybe I'll be a little wiser and figure this life out.

Potty Mouth

pic of jacers...such a ham...

All you mothers with little boys will be able to relate to this story. My boys think it's hilarious to add "poo poo" "pee pee" and "wee wee" to ordinary phrases. Example: "Have a poo poo day mama!" and then they both crack up like it's the funniest joke ever.

Well today the boys were sitting up at the bar in our kitchen having an after school snack, peanut butter crackers. I beat them to the punchline saying, "Here's your peanut BUTTer crackers." They laughed. Then Gavin said, "No, PEE PEE nut BUTTter crackers!" Outwitted by a two year old.

Leo Leonni

Zander likes to play school. He informed me that there are "guy teachers too ya know." He tries to make Gavin be a student in his class, but he just gets angry with him because Gavin won't listen him. Most of the time he has imaginary students.

Yesterday he was playing school looking through all his books, trying to decide which one to read to his class, and said, "Mom why don't I have any books by Leo Leonni?"

WHAT!? He's to grown up for being only four. He must really listen in school...I can't believe how much he is learning!

Breastfeeding Twins

I love this picture of Maya!

I just read an article about Angelina Jolie breastfeeding her twins, her difficulties and her finally weaning them from the breast at 3 months. Wanted to share my struggles and triumphs.

I nursed Zander for 12 months & Gavin for nearly 15 months. I assumed I was a pro and wouldn't have any problems. Well let me say, breastfeeding twins is tough! You have to be 100% committed to making it work...and still some women have problems with milk supply. When my milk first came in it was SO MUCH! (ouch!) I never had a problem with my boys latching on, but the girls were a different story. Maybe because they were a little smaller? (6lb 3oz & 5lb 9oz...big for twins) They couldn't seem to get their little mouths latched on correctly. Eventually...about a week of practice they got it :)

The "experts" (whoever they are) say that nursing twins doesn't make your nipples any more sore than nursing a singleton....I beg to differ! For the first 3 weeks I was almost in tears at feeding time. That never happened with my 1st two! At one point I even considered quitting and switching to formula. Without a supportive husband to cheer me along I might have. I'm not saying this o scare anyone...but to encourage. It's tough emotionally and physically to nurse twins, but you can succeed!

Here is my advice on how to make it work:

• Be committed 100% Failing is not an option.


• Take care of yourself! Those babies are taking a lot out of you. You need 2000 EXTRA calories a day (I'm no expert...I just remember reading that somewhere) Keep your pantry stocked with healthy snacks nuts, power bars, fruit, etc. Eat every 2-3 hours.


• Drink LOTS of water! If you're dehydrated you're not going to produce enough milk.


• Feed your babies at the same time, esp at night, wake the other baby if needed.

On that note, I want to add that when you're expecting twins you hear all this advice on how to do it "right." My twins are only 6 months now, but I through out most of the advice I received out the window. I think you have to do what works for you in your situation. For example, I was told you have to feed your twins at the same time & keep them on the same schedule. Easy enough right? Well when your busy with a preschooler and a toddler PLUS have twin newborns that's a different story. Don't feel guilty if you don't do it "right." I didn't have a strict nursing schedule or nap schedule (funny though...I did with my 1st born...I think you relax a bit the more children you have!) The first few months I just did what I could to get by. It was easier for me to take care of one newborn at a time. I would nurse one at a time, that way if I had to get up and attend to the other children I could. I loved my baby ktan sling! No hands nursing.

The turning point in my way of thinking happened this summer. I was busy nursing both twins at the same time, the boys were running around the house being extra rowdy. I would yell at them to settle down...but they knew I was busy and weren't listening to me. They went into the kitchen where I couldn't see them and started to wrestle. I didn't see what happened, but apparently Zander "body slammed" Gavin into the floor face first! Long story short, we had to go to the ER. And let me add that was a stressful 10 minutes...Gavin's mouth bleeding, teeth pushed back, he's hysterical...Zander's crying because he thinks he's in trouble...the twins were in the middle of nursing and I had to stop so they are screaming...while I'm tending to Gavin one of the twins poops her diaper. By the way, it's just me and the kids at home! While hugging Gavin, mouth dripping blood, I have to change the girls diapers load them in their carseats. Get Zander dressed...they are always taking their clothes off and running around in diaper or underwear...We eventually got to the ER. Anyway, the moral of the story is, do what works for YOU. Nursing one twin at a time works best for me. In the evening (and throughout the night) I get them on the same schedule...when Ely's home...that way he can help burp plus you get more sleep if you feed them at the same time at night!

Wow...look at all my run on sentences...girls are waking from their morning nap....more later!