Love September Favorite Skirt Pattern GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Love September Favorite Skirt Pattern GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

The days of September

So, since summer is coming to a close, I took the kids 'camping'. I did it without Adam, since anything other than home with the kids can make him feel overwhelmed. I joined my parents at our family friends' cabin, The Millers. It was wonderful. Just being out in nature, no cells, no internet, just family and the stars above you. Ok, so when I say camping....I mean we were in the cabin, but the boys all did get really dirty outside. I wasn't sure if I was crazy for trying this alone, and almost gave up a few times just in the packing phase. But upon arrival I was so glad I did it. My family helped me with the kids, but I still had to break out the large fenced area for play time. We sat overlooking the river....and a deck with no rails.....so it was man on man (no zone here) or the 'cage'. It takes almost as long to do all the things I do, even with help, and even camping. But once the kids were in bed, and asleep, I got to join the adults....so fun! Drinks and campfire and catching up. Wonderful old memories and new ones, now, too. I think for me it means even more, since the past year I've given up doing a lot of things, because it's just not feasible or would be really crazy. So my heart is grateful to have gone for a day (and night). I loved that in the morning....the coffee grinder and Jim were up and louder than Colby. (Colby and Jim both wake at 6 am). So I joined them for coffee (Colby drank water) and we waited as we woke up the rest of our gang. The rest of the morning, while the twins slept, I took Colby hiking, crossed the river to a swim beach and then swam back across with him on my back, wow, didn't know I could do that still.

Packing, unpacking, re-packing....I do tire from it, but it's the only way to get out and take my kids to make memories outside our home. I realize they are a bit young for remembering besides all the pictures I take, but I look at them as practice runs and sanity for me.

Now, I am ready for a family 'camping' trip back to the cabin.

Better a short story

than to never hear from me. So, I always think I need a good chunk of time, uninteruppted, while my mind is fresh and creative. Nope, hasn't happened yet, so I am realizing I just have to write, if I want to note for myself (and others) the life I get to live.

So, currently I am sitting in my kitchen, with a pile of dishes from the past 2-3 days. I am not a great house keeper, but trying to get better. I get distracted by the computer, my books, my kids, my stomach, and all other varieties of excuses. I do keep up on my laundry....you can see the clean stuff piled high in my room (another goal to get to tonight after I've mastered my Sangria for tomorrow). Yes, we are having company, so I need to get on it. I've already detailed one of our bathrooms....and have all the cleaning supplies overwhelming our other. (If this is too scary I can edit nicer versions, just let me know). I hope to become cleaner person in this life. I don't know how my husband is creative and hard working....I seem to only be able to move in one at a time.

So my hubby is off beer tasting....I think he's only have one...since he has to drive home. But I'm glad he's out with his buddies. He is the hardest working person I know, and I'm so glad he loves his work (sometimes a little too much).

Update on life.....so Colby is currently 2 1/2 and then some....I was never good at the weeks thing....and so I just say 2 1/2 until he hits 3.....much easier that way. He has just started to jump (I think he's catching up...yeah!) and he's singing all the time and signing, too. He can actually hold a tune, and is pretty handsome (he looks exactly like Adam as a young boy).

Kyle (1 year 1 month) - my independent (most of the time at home) son, who gives the best smiles, is starting to chat and coping words I say. He is so sweet! His fake cry is pretty cute, totally turned on and off.....smarty!

Ryan (a few seconds younger than Kyle) - my cheesier attention grabber, (makes me have to single out mr. independent -kYle) adventure boy.

All 3 run around the house exploring.....and playing. They love the water, outside, inside -especially behind the bookshelf or on the shelf. The twins teach Colby some new (and sometimes bad) habits. They seem to all copy each other. We just got the twins shoes, seeing that they have been walking for a few months and someday we have to un-contain them and so the fair was our first attempt at letting them 'run free'. (I know some will think I'm a 'mean' Mom, but I think for safety I may be getting a twin leash).

I do have to say that I couldn't have made it through the last year without all the help of my family (and friends, who I never see). Life has been so busy, and I always am expecting myself to jump back into the way it was with just one. That's when it helps to hear your mom say...."Hey, you have twins."......oh, yeah!

Well, my dishes can talk, yes, they are alive via the stuff growing (o.k. - that hasn't happened yet, I'm not gross). And I need to tidy our house for the weekend and fun = company.

Love to all and to all a good night,

Becky

P.S. I still have to figure out how to add pics and stuff .....any one good at developing a blog page and could help a sista out with some tips...

It's been a long time baby!

I think the title for this blog is from a cigarette commercial or something from when I was little. Do you ever find it weird that you can say " When I was little". I have people look at me oddly, like I'm still young. I am...especially at heart, but now I find that I have memories that go back to 'when I was little'. On that note of retrospect, I'm sitting here, all my kids are in bed, my husband is on his way home from work, and I'm sipping an adult beverage (tonight it's a dark beer) while I attempt to blog (and hopefully continue on for those who find it interesting, entertaining or just fun to read). It's a way to journal my life, especially since the past year is really a blur or a blob.

Adam and I have come through so much with the arrival of our twins. It'll be a year at the end of this month. It's good that we don't know what to expect sometimes, otherwise we wouldn't sign up for it. I think I would still do it again.....but I do have to say, Thank you - God that it's easier and I've come to be so very thankful for all our support. When I say support, I am including those who've supported us in prayer, as well as, encouraged us through the rough ground of a pure crazy 3-4 months of newborn/infants, plus a 20 month old, to a hectic year, and now to a period of I believe, possibly the lull before the storm. We've been supported by family and friends in our family, marriage, and especially with our kids. I can look back now and say I'm thankful for all the growth (and stretch marks - I'm literal, as well as, figurative). There were times I wanted to give up on how hard twins were, but add to that real life, a toddler, and marriage that all need to be handled with love and attention. I have to admit there were a few times I felt 'done', shed some tears and went back at it, not sure how I was going to keep going on. I received (we both did) a lot of help with our kids from family and friends the first few weeks and to any mom's of twins out there....or expecting. I am willing to come sleep over and help! We still thankfully live close to both sides of our family, and are blessed to have family watch our kids when we need to do an errand or go on our bi-annual date.

I am hoping to post more regularly, in efforts to share my life, as well as document it for myself. I don't remember much of the past year, but there are some highlights. The night the twins slept through the night. My first time sitting down to finger paint with Colby, while our twins slept. Our first outing (I think around 9 months?) to the park, alone. Yep, I cried with joy, that we were finally out and that I could take my kids to the park. Weaning them to a bottle and then to a sipee, both give you more energy to put back into your kids, but again, bitter sweet. It all means they are growing up. You want them to, but then I realize that they are no longer babies, and becoming little men. Hearing momma and dadda and owww. Smiles, priceless! They are the reward right now for all the hard work and love you give.

I am enjoying the fact that today I fingerpainted with my son, Colby, who is now a little over 2 and 1/2. There is a bittersweetness to it all, since we are out of the busy, busy times of care taking, it also means we are out of babyhood and moving onto toddlerhood. Ryan has been walking more and more....and Kyle is getting ready to. Saying their first words, wonderful smiles, new foods, first steps, scary antics of climbing up on things, and don't forget the opinions and attitudes of maturing.

In reference to when I said the lull before the storm, it's just been getting easier, but when they are both walking, I don't know what that will look like or if it'll get harder, I'm sure it will. For now they enjoy a large sectioned off play area that they can't get out of. I did have to secure it when they figured out a way of getting out. It's a safe area and allows me to do my chores and then join them to play. When I let them out, they are on the 'go', and so am I. Exploring and hiding in the smallest places, and also getting stuck or in trouble. My twins think they can swim and have attempted to crawl right into the lake and just keep on going (under water). So, as you can imagine, I always go to the pool/lake/river with someone else. My sisters and brothers have been great at accompanying me places or letting me go to the grocery store for an hour alone.

Well, before I write a book on the past year and the future thoughts, I'll go a head and sign off and fill you in more regularly in shorter increments.

This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Enjoy your day.

Three kids under two...

Three kids under the age of two...yes, when I hear myself say it, it sounds scary. But I believe God designed us to allow Him to work through us and that He made us capable of carring large loads (with His help).
My mind still thinks and ponders our first days and weeks togehter. I am still asking my husband, Adam and mom, Janet....to tell me about our hospital stay. And when I talk with family and friends who helped or visited...they remind me of what the days were like. Sleep really helps the memory bank. I still am in awe of the miracle of two healthy sons and all the love and support we still receive.
So...3 under 2....yes, it's fun and crazy. I admit there are moments of questioning how I can do it, or listening to babies cry...let's just say there have been times when all 4 of us are crying and are so happy when Adam gets home, though I know he may not be as happy to arrive into such a spectacular display of loudness. Most days...good days consist of getting up, feeding my kids, packing my husband up for the day, sending him off, getting my own food and beginning to do the many loads of laundry per day, along with dishes and various chores. I've become way more ogananized and even have a list of chores each week to accomplish. I am so thankful for my mom who ecourages me to overcome my scatter brainness and learn to discipline my self as well as my two year old. I'm learning that in my heart to be the best mom I can, I've cattered to my son and now it's my turn to be in charge. He's still a very good and well behaved kid, I've just let him have his way about what foods he'll eat and allowing him to wine....whine way too much. So...we are on a new course to ecourage him and guide him to be all he can be. You may not realize...nor did I, that when you begin to teach and disipline your children, you also get to discipline your self. How do you teach a child to pick up toys and books, well, you sit with them and show them by example, then you let them do it, not perfect, but just as well as a two year old can *yes, he just turned two, but I had to use this title...becuase it's been my reality for the past 4 months.
So as I've grown to expect my little man to pick things up, take trash to the trash can, put dirty clothes away....I've grown and my son is better for it.
I still don't go anywhere alone...but soon as I can begin to put both babies on me, I may try?! I have a baby back pack and front...so I may try, that's a maybe. The best idea for me is staying home. I've gone from a social butterfly to a stay at home mommy. (I just put on a veggie tail movie for my son,the first time I've done it to get something done...)
There are still things that we don't do or can't do. We have taken a family picture...but we still need to get a 'good' one. I'm going to 'try' to get a Christmas letter out..,that's a goal, but maybe not a reality. We don't go out to eat, we did once, but that was with the help of my mom. I don't go to the store with my kids, I leave them at home with Adam at night or at my parents when they are napping. I am so grateful for the time my mom-in-law watched all 3 so I could go out and buy a present for a cousin. Much of my to-do list that can't be done at home are on hold...I just do what I can each day around feeding, naps, playing and loving.
When I do go out...that's only to locations where my family or Adam's will be...I must plan around naps and feedings. If I'm not ready when the twins are up...then it's time to wait till the next feeding. Which means I better hury and get ready for our tea party at my Aunt's. That is if it works out. You see I have to be laid back and flexiable..which is good I'm mostly that way naturally.
I've had to say 'no' to things becuase it's just too much for me or for my kids, or husband.
The first 2-3 months were so intense, but now life is better. I have my hard days, but like my mom reminded me last night as I was frustrated and figuring out how to be a mom and what to do, that "this to shall pass". I have to let go of being the perfect mother, and just do my best. I think in some ways my kids will be more balanced for it, too. I am already seeing the personalities and needs of my kids are in the order God gave them to me in. Colby needed lots of one on one and bonding, but also needs now the balance of sharing and giving. My twins, are not very needy and content most days. Teething has begun...not so fun and so goes the holding and for me considering pain relievers for the gums...I'm so natural it's hard to think of doing, but crying sad babies who don't sleep need help and love. Right when I think it's getting 'easier' I then come upon new challenges. First it was just cooking, then cleaning up and laundry, and now it's helping my 2 year old not fuss or be a picky eater, and for my twins, Kyle and Ryan helping them grow (trying to only nurse..but some formula still) and help them through teething.
Well, I'd love to ponder and share my life more, but it's time to get ready to go to town, my every other week grocery trip and a tea party and dinner at my folks. Tomorrow I try to host a b-day party for a girl friend once all the kids are in bed....My first time to host anyone in months.
Now to pry my child from the tv (I was so proud when he didn't like tv) and get ready.

Life with twins

Getting creative...most moms I know implement this idea..but creativity with twins for me is sometimes born from desperation.
Legs....almost as good as arms....who knew?! I am able to hold one in the crook of my knee and bottle feed while nursing one. I finally figured out a way to nurse both that works for me. But am sure not going to try this in public...no way to be discreet. I can hold and carry both babies at once, but they sure do weigh a lot!!! Last month they were 11 lbs....so we'll see how much they are on their 3 month b-day of Oct. 25.....
Cuddles....some days it takes a while to take care of them....and so when they are not on the same schedule...it can be hard. But at the same time I get more cuddle times in when they are off schedule from one another. I get to cuddle them, carry them around now that their heads aren't so wobbly (though I still have to support them), or put them in a wrap and get stuff done, till they fall asleep.
3 under 2 = fun, love, craziness, and less sleep. Colby (who'll be 2 in Nov.) is fun (when he's not whining) and a mellow kid. He wants to potty train, though we've only had 1 time of success...so some where in between nursing, diapers (for 3), and trying to feed us all (including my self at least 6 times a day, yes, that's just for me the 6 times a day, yikes) I'm pretty busy. I'm learning to be more organized with my time, my house and my brain. I'm more care free and social, but need to be more focused to get more done. I'm good and taking a break and just playing with my kids or having a cuddle time.
Well...ta, ta for now..I hear a baby and a big boy who want up from naps and to be fed (I already ate my second lunch for the day).

a smaller blog on the twins birth...

For those who don't have the time, nor stomach, for the longer version..here is a bit more..on our twin boys.
Kyle and Ryan born on June 25, 2008
Kyle was 6.13 and 19 1/2 in
Ryan was 6.11 and 18 3/4 in.
Kyle was born first...(both emergency c-section in 20 mins flat) and Ryan followed loudly.
Kyle recovered quickly from the stress and lack of oxygen, hemoglobins, etc.....
They are fraternal twins, though I have days I can't tell who is who...we luckily have a mole on one (so we don't mix them up permanently).
They are doing great...and gaining weight.
Again...once I have time to figure out pics..I'll add...