Horse Flys, Stink Bugs and Babies- Oh My!

Since the blizzard, and hence an ever so slight warming trend, we have begun to see Horse Flies in our house. There were 4 in the basement and one upstairs in our back room. The kind that you find on the beach! I don't like them on the beach, but if I lived near the beach and had them I maybe wouldn't be so offended that they've taken residence in my house. Luckily they are a slow moving variety (maybe due to their appearance while it's still cold?) so it's easy to kill them. We've killed a couple of stink bugs too in various locations.




Bugs are not something I enjoy getting rid of in the house. I try to be brave for the kids' sake, but I fear it's not quite effective, as Caed screams every time he sees one. (this includes the ever present "spider cricket", which we haven't see much of lately) I still try to calm him down and remind him they aren't dragons, or something else quite as viscous as he makes them seem when he screams. I try to convince him he's supposed to like them and take them to play outside for his mom. It's been a tough sell. even the "take the bug back to his mommy" doesn't work.


Aldan and Theron are mostly 11 months old today (darn short month!). I have been trying to figure out how to officially celebrate their birthday next month. They will be 1, so they won't remember it, but I feel as though I need to celebrate for us. The blessing it's been to have them, and how we've really be blessed by others as a result of their birth. I'm still thinking it through....it's been amazing to have made it this far.





I started weaning them a little earlier them I thought I would, but I am ready. I can't believe I nursed them both for quite so long. When I am presented with a challenge like that, I usually want to overcome it, or back way down. I was up to do it. I committed and there was never a second thought- I wanted to get through most of the winter with nursing them, and I did. Whew! Now to gain a little more independence. I will also be gaining a bunch of time I hope. Right now, nursing two, dressing two, changing two, preparing food for two, feeding two, getting two cleaned up, changed again, and put down for naps/bed takes a lot more time then I give it credit. Cutting out nursing will hopefully give me the chance to squeeze in a clean up of some sort, or working on something developmentally with them instead. I usually run around during their nap times trying to catch up on everything around here...and I still have a 3 yr. old to give attention to and help. I hardly get the chance to blog or e-mail, one because they don't nurse as long, so I don't sit with the computer, and two because since they are more mobile, I need to chase after them, or they are pulling on me....it's just this stage. I am okay with that- but I am trying to be patient and enjoying this for this time in our life.

The babies are lots of fun, laughing a lot and making tons of messes around here. And I am laughing with them, and going around cleaning up after them. Rado helps occasionally too. Our furniture will need to be replaced after this stage. We wrongly chose a non-busy fabric and well everything shows up, even where we clean shows up....Caed has been playing with Aldan a lot lately too, running after him- getting him to chase him...and well Theron just cries to play along. He's still not moving- much. He will spin himself around, and scoot a bit, but he's pretty much left in Aldan's dust. I try to make up for it, but I do want him to be frustrated so it motivates him to move himself. I try to balance it.

It is amazing how two kids, fraternal twins, can be so different. They both do things in such different ways. I love comparing their differences because they are so obvious right now. Theron turns the pages of the books. Aldan will touch those touch and feel books, Theron won't. Aldan moves around, Theron doesn't. They are both offered the same food, and yet Theron is solid and Aldan is "squishy". It's fascinating...

Happy Birthday to my Valentine!

Jon's Birthday is February 13. It's always tricky for me to plan for both his birthday and Valentine's Day- I usually end up realizing I didn't think both "holidays" through. Nonetheless, I am so lucky to get to celebrate his life and our love so close together!

As I wrote about just a few posts earlier, i am so thankful for Jonathan as my husband, he's such a wonderful partner for me. He is sensitive and kind, loving and generous (when he's not being frugal) funny and supportive.

Although I woke up cranky this morning (that happens when you stay up way to late watching the Olympics!) he still is making the best of it! He bought me 2 dozen roses, took us out for breakfast (my favorite meal!) at IHOP (yes, all 5 of us, only for the second time since the twins have been born) and planned for me to go get a manicure/pedicure today. I love this man!

I decorated the house and planned to make a pot roast for dinner. I am thoughtful aren't I? See, I come up short somewhere...but yesterday for his birthday I had presents for him, I made a special meal of NY strip steak (grass fed) flounder stuffed with crab meat (trader joes) mashed potatoes and steamed carrots. I also made a Black Forest cake (his family tradition) mostly from scratch too. He got out for some father/son haircuts and a few errands to make his day complete. (I actually would love to run errands all afternoon with just Caed- how easy, and what a joy!)

Happy (belated) Birthday and I love you!

Do we like all the snow?

Yes! We love all the snow!! (don't ask Jon, he's the one shoveling it all!) Now back to our light show put on by Caed in our living room. He's got all the lights out and our camping lantern on, dancing and singing around. His brothers love it.

midnight blizzard

i went out and took my tripod out for some photos tonight of the blizzard...it was VERY cold and windy. But I love taking photos like that. Wish I was brave enough to take a walk around my block, i wasn't wearing snow pants though so I didn't want to be caught freezing cold and sopping wet! Caed is going to love it tomorrow!

facts

Some facts so I don't forget.

Started nursing the twins separately after Thanksgiving- they were 8 mo. old. I am probably going to wean them at the end of February.

They eat so much variety, even now at 10 months. I never gave Caed grapes until much later, but I find if I cut them up small, I can give them to they with no problems. Thanks to a good friend of mine who has a baby only 2 weeks older and she gives him everything too, it's helped me broaden my options. (thanks nina!)

Caed will take himself potty, flush and wash his hands all by himself- and pulling up his own underwear and pants (finally!) this has helped tremendously. His communication has grown so much lately, and that's help the general workings of our day....he will keep himself busy with drawing and play-doh or lots of pretend play with his trucks. Or on those days he ends up watching the movie "UP" three times and then at bedtime tells his dad he's "going to rip him like a library book" (yes he did say that!) and we center our TV/Movie views habits back to minimal.

While Theron still doesn't get around, Aldan is making up for it. I have a feeling Theron is going to do some sort of other type of scooting though- and soon. He's getting frustrated and will rock himself back and forth so much that he finally can turn himself or propel himself in a direction...so he's getting there, i just hope he "hones" his type soon, it's very funny looking! Theron just got two more teeth finally, but he keeps up with Aldan no problem. They are both drooling hounds lately...Theron listens to books much more patiently then Aldan.

The two of them have started talking and laughing at the beginning or end of nap time- it's too cute. I hope to somehow foster the same sort of thing for Caed- maybe all three should share a room....hmmm...

I just took on a small graphics project. I think I am regretting it. Nothing else will get done around here since I only have small windows of time, and I'll need to them to do the work and communicate with the client. Good thing it's a weekend and Jon can pitch in...

10 months

We've made it another month...looking at these pictures gets me all teary! Amazing. Amazing that we've been so blessed with these monkeys.



Yup, it's pretty hard to keep Aldan still..



Caed asked to get into the photos...that was really funny...

My joy runeth over!

Morning

This morning I snapped a few shots of the kids. I have not taken my camera out since Christmas! My mom was here a whole week, and my sister and her fam came to visit- I didn't snap a single shot! What is wrong with me? I couldn't help but be in love with my babies this morning! I sent Jon off to the gym alone, thinking I'd get there after he came back...I was feeling too tired to motivate the whole family. The kids were apparently too! Caed slept until 8, Aldan until 8:30 and Theron woke up at 9:15! It was a lazy morning for me, in terms of getting myself ready. When Jon returned the roads were just too slippery to get out- and there had been no plows or salt trucks that had gone by yet. So i stayed in.

Don't these kids look totally different? Amazing they are twins!

When enough snow had fallen I let Caed get bundled up and go outside to play. He loved it. Stayed out there nearly and hour by himself in the back yard. He was playing with Rado and throwing the ball to him too. So cute, my boy and his dog! (love it!) Although the other day driving in the car, we had been quiet and Caed blurted out "got it". I asked him what he was talking about, and he said. "I have a plan. We'll give Rado to MB (former owners) and then we can get a cat!" I told him Rado wasn't going anywhere....and we could get a cat when we got a bigger house. He immediately asked if we could move. I told him no. The kid desperately wants a cat. It was really cute that he was devising a way to get a cat while riding in the back seat....but he loves Rado, so it was a strange request!

I also recently found a way to get him to drink orange juice! Give it to him in a cup with a twisty straw....and BAM! it's all gone! See, kids just need to have things presented to them in different ways, and they will feel differently about anything....now he's getting his vitamin c! (we drink OJ with Lots of Pulp, so it's not easily drinkable in a sippy cup) Here he is with his second breakfast. He was hungry this morning....

Theron's been a little clingy lately, which is hard with twins..both babies usually demand some of your attention, and when one wants to be on your hip....well i am thankful I've got a husband to hold one too. this morning, Jon was getting ready to head out- and theron looks slightly drugged. He wasn't, but I liked jon's smile (and tired eyes) in this photo.

Aldan's my mover....and here he is perfecting his sitting from standing...a difficult task to master of course. He usually plops to the ground...I work on very little with these guys, and while it's worked for Aldan, I've started helping Theron out with getting around- he'll be a little happier when he can join the fun by his own choice.

I am so blessed by these boys. Now to get some sleep so I can keep up with them in the morning- and motivate us out the door to church!

Back.

Not a bad post to have left up for three weeks, but it's time to change...(although I don't like change too much)

It's been tough getting back into the routine since coming back from Myrtle Beach. coming back was a lot of work. There was never ending laundry, and I mean for real. Besides, I've realized that in one single day my family can produce one load of laundry for the most part. So I just couldn't get on top of it. I did something everyday that kept me from just being home and unwinding. We had to take down Christmas and then one of my childhood best friends came for a visit. She stayed with us one night, and then a last minute stayed two. My mom came in the following Thursday and leaves tomorrow. (luckily she's been helping me keep up with the laundry)

We tried the gym out for the first time as a family the second Saturday we were back. It was really good, and great for me to see the work required to do it too. I was glad to do the first time with Jon. I went once by myself, and we've gone again as a family.

Now school has started back for Caed, this week is already his third week. Last week I had to be in the classroom, so that means up and at 'em early for me. I've got to get out the door by 7:30. think it's possible? It's not, that's why I was calling the teacher both days to tell her I was running behind. Luckily the tasks at that early hour are relatively easy to do since it's my second year...seriously, traveling with rush hour is no easy feat in addition to trying to get all the necessary arrangements. I have a list of everything that I need to do on those mornings- including what I want to feed Caed and myself for breakfast- and I didn't actually get to eat either morning even with my carefully thought out plans! How is it you get yourself ready, and three kids (okay really only one, I was just nursing the twins and leaving everything else for my mom to do both these mornings.) to do anything early? I don't think i ever see a solution. Maybe once the twins are 2 and they are doing more on their own...who knows...

Aldan has seven teeth- and is crawling all around the house now. And he says Uh-Oh all the time. It's incredibly cute. He's got this spiky hair that just isn't tameable. I love it. He wants to be on the go all the time! He's got a smile that lights up every corner of my being!

Theron, well he likes to do things on his own time. He's quite content to sit and watch. My mom has been giving him tons of tummy time though, and he's finally moved up to scooting backwards! The pediatrician will be proud! He's so cute though just happy as can be sitting and watching us and playing with his toys until he's hungry or tired...he loves to lean in for a kiss and have you snuggle him!

Caed is seeing the benefits of his brothers all the time, and he's getting better at engaging them too. I love this. the other night he was cracking Theron up in the car....oh boy, that sound was amazing...i didn't want to get out of the car! He also is showing more of an attention span for longer books, and is getting more and more out of our conversations and book reading. He's become a big helper too- pretty much whatever I ask him to get, he'll run and get it...that's a huge help!

We'll be back in the swing of things in a couple of days...sad to see my mom go tomorrow- but thankful she was here so I could have my days in the classroom, and go to the dentist, and the doctor (for a general physical)- I wouldn't have been able to do it as easily without her....

my heart.

Sometimes I don't do a good job of being grateful on a moment to moment basis. Overall I am grateful for what I have in my life- but on days when babies are sick, toddler hasn't napped, I am short on sleep, and then Jon comes in the house an hour late, I forget how thankful I really am. In fact I probably sound extremely selfish. And I struggle to remain calm and in control. Perfection hasn't been my strong suit. But I am a work in progress. I could elaborate on this further, but I'll get to my point.

This Christmas I wasn't feeling particularly needy for anything. I don't know if it's because I feel such satisfaction over my family right now- or because my birthday was just a month ago, or I was so happy with what I was giving this year, but I couldn't think of anything that I really would want. I LOVED what we gave Caed, and I was so happy I was getting to see my mom, grandmother, aunt, and sister and her hubby. I also loved that I gave Jon his first tickets to an NFL game. I arranged with his brother and he flew in to go with him!

Jon was planning something for me. I didn't know what it could be because I didn't know of anything I wanted! I was thinking if I had mentioned anything and I really couldn't think of anything. I mean, maybe some kitchen something here or there, or some new clothes- but it was obvious that he wasn't planning on getting me a crock pot or a new pair of jeans. The gifts were arriving by mail, and he had to go out and go to physical stores too. What could this be? I had happened upon a new CD that he got me, when he left it on top of the stereo. (it's up high and I typically don't look up there, but I had misplaced the checkbook and was searching everywhere!) So I only knew I was getting the new Switchfoot CD.

Christmas Eve he wrapped my gifts while i was putting the kids to bed. I came downstairs and there was a stack of 5 small-ish gifts. Tied together.

Christmas morning I was overjoyed to be with the family! The babies slept in, so we really got to watch Caed open his gifts. For those that are curious, we give each kid 3 gifts. Representing the three gifts the wise men brought to Jesus. Caed knows this. He gets three gifts- and all from mom and dad. Since he's been exposed to Santa, he thinks, and we direct his thinking, that Santa only fills our stockings. So if I have something outside the three gifts I want to give him and it's small, I'll stick it in the stocking- but I find it really helps me be intentional about the gifts we buy him- and we don't go overboard since we keep to the three gifts. I got this idea from another former roommate of mine, shauna. I don't know if she still does it- but that's where I got the idea for the three gifts. We bought Caed a small Wall-E figure, a Mack truck from the movie Cars, and a Woodland House Playmobil set (with a thousand small, cool pieces).

Jon then had me open my gifts- in order they were stacked. Gift 1- an Ipod nano. we had talked about me getting one before, but we always say it doesn't make sense right now with small children. I am not typically putting headphones in my ears at any point in the day. I need to hear them. But I LOVED the gift! Gift 2- TWO cd's! The switchfoot album I came across, and a Live Toby Mac album. Both are christian artists. LOVE it. Gift 3- a clothes box (yes!) a pair of workout pants and an arm band for the nano. How sweet. He wants to help me get back to running! Gift 4- another clothes box! Yes! Some more workout clothes and what is my METS key chain doing in there...with three cards attached to it....? A gym membership for me, with the kids enrolled in the childcare there!!! HOLY COW!! WOW. I was speechless. See- a gym membership with childcare is one of the only ways I could see me being able to get back into shape. I recently asked a friend if I could run with her, but she runs marathons...I am not in the shape to start back up with running with her. I need some warm up runs. And I don't think that I can leave early enough in the morning before the babies wake up. I just need some extra time with childcare. Gift 5- a beautiful book of historic Paris maps. Inside Jon wrote "Lauren, Thought you could use these to study up on the Paris Marathon course. Love you, Jonathan"

Grateful. I get tears in my eyes even as I write it again.

the gifts were more then the money spent on them. It was such a demonstration of Jon supporting a dream of mine. He cares for me, and the desires of my heart. Even when I show some ugly behavior and I am not the best person I should be- he still shows me how much he just knows my heart.

I want to run the Paris Marathon in 2011. That means I have to know by about Oct. 2010 if I can commit to it. That means I need to start working on it. Jon is supportive. It means a big trip but he wants me to follow through on it. I am so filled with gratitude to have him as my husband that for this week, and hopefully at least the next couple of weeks I can work on remembering this. No, really- to have this tangible thoughtfulness will be a reminder on those evenings I want to be short on patience and frustrated with him arriving home at the kids' bedtimes instead of at dinnertime. And hopefully getting some workouts will help alleviate some stress and tension too. :)

Again- I am so thankful. Thankful that when I was a junior in high school and still had my braces on (a total of 7 years, thank you!) and dyed my hair "red" (read: orange) he still decided to like me. That even though 5 years later he thought I might be a good girlfriend and I did not,he still pursued me. And when we dated those 5 years later while I was still in college, I finally knew we would get married. And even though we had COMPLETELY different upbringings, we had our faith as our common ground and it's kept us together and in love from then on. Thank you sweetheart! I am so thankful for you and how well you know me and what's on my heart!!

I just wanted to Blog this so that I share the good that happens when I maybe let the bad leak out too.

A week long visit!

One of my former college roommates, Heidi Lyn, came for a visit at the beginning of November. We had such a great time. It was funny after the fact, to think about having a friend staying with her one year old daughter (and hubby came for the weekend) in my basement for a week. I felt like I was 16, and got to have a sleepover! They live in Seattle, so the trip was a welcomed one! The last time we saw them was when we went cabin camping in the Seattle area a little over two years ago.

I can't imagine traveling on a plane with three kids 3 and under- so I'm glad they came here for the trip. Their daughter Petra is so sweet. Having 4 kids in the house didn't mean lots of pictures, or well composed ones. So I have the few here....


On Saturday HL and Dan went on a morning date and headed downtown to see some sights, and then in the afternoon we all visited the American History Museum. Again on the metro with all three kids! It was so nice to have them here....we love getting to spend time with Petra too.

We stopped to eat with all the kids before we got to the museum- can you imagine finding space for 4 kids and 4 adults? It's tricky. Sometimes you have to fight for space!





Caed wasn't all that agreeable for the dads and kids picture...



While HL was here I took the kids on their first metro ride ever. We did it one day when Caed had to go to school, so it was my first trip with all three too! what fun and chaos we had. Finding all the elevators to get in and out of the metro...hysterical. And after we dropped Caed off at school we skipped nap and headed to the building museum in the cold rain! I can't believe it rained the whole week they were here...such is life- and well they are from Seattle, so they know they won't melt...

And the wrong angle gets such a bad view of the weight I need to still loose!! Oh well, worth posting anyway...

We miss you guys!