We're BACK!

It's been forever since I've been to the blog. But I'm back!

We had a great time in LA and got to see a lot of family and friends. The babies did quite well on the airplane each way. But they both are suffering from colds and poor Libby gagged herself and threw up alllll over me on the way home. It was awful. The flight attendant was so helpful in handing us like 1 napkin. Thanks. And since we were in the back row, a man waiting in line for the bathroom offered to help, too. As I was covered-- all over my shirt and pants (yeah, but none on the seat or wall whatsoever-- just all on me), I looked at him as if to say, "Thanks, but no thanks." Poor guy was only trying to help. And I saw him with his wife and 3 kids at baggage claim. So at least he could relate to throw up. Luckily, Darrell carried on a fleece zip-up jacket, so I wore that as a shirt home. I looked great.

Now we're back to work and to our routine and all is going well. Drew has been going through some strange moaning and whimpering at night. He just wants to make sure we're still here. As soon as you enter the nursery and stand by his crib, he stops. Wierd. And so not like him at all. Guess he's realizing just who we are! But I'm sure it will pass.

I'm still a little nervous about them not sitting quite yet. They are 9 months old tomorrow and most babies have done it by 6 mos. I know my siblings and I all sat late, but still. It will be so much easier to sit them down to play! That sounds horrible-- like I want them to do it for my own selfish reasons. Ok, partly true. They can both sit for about 30 seconds and then PLOP on their face, back, or side. Not even trying to catch themselves. Their sitter Brenda says not to worry since they're getting better each day. She practices a lot with them, so that's good.

Gotta run and do a few Cayenne Paper orders, but have already posted some of the 500+ photos we took over the holidays. By the way, we LOVE our new camera. We got the Nikon D40 (thanks for the recommendation, G and P!) and it's great. I feel like the paparazzi since it's so fast. Much better than our old digital camera. It was tooo slow and we never caught those quick moments you see with babies.

Christmas 2007

Sorry it took so long to post some photos, but I had to sort through about 550 of them! We had such a fun time for the babies' first Christmas and got to visit a lot of family and friends.

Mr. Mischief

After dinner tonight, I went to the sink to rinse the caked on green beans off of me. I turned around and saw this-- my little rascal had taken off his sock and put it in his mouth like a dog. I don't know what was funnier-- the sock being in his mouth or that goofy smile he kept on his face for about 2 minutes. He is a little ham, I tell ya. Then I looked at Libby and she just stared at him like he was crazy. They certainly keep me entertained!

Christmas Portraits and Card

We had portraits taken last week, so I thought I'd post a couple of cute ones. I used them for our Christmas cards, too. I just love how Drew is sticking out his tongue. His funny personality is really coming out lately!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

We went to see Santa at Cox Farms down the street on Saturday. It was a very cold day, so we bundled up! The babies didn't mind sitting on his lap, but we couldn't get them to both look at the camera for the photo. We had some hot cider and kettle corn and went to buy our tree. I know we looked foolish having someone take our picture, especially when Darrell and I were looking so rough. But it's now documented that we went together to buy our tree for their 1st Christmas.

Now my house looked like Santa and his elves came in and just threw up everywhere. There are boxes and boxes of decorations, lights, ornaments, and the like in every room. I look at all of it and suddenly become overwhelmed. It literally took us 4 days to put a few lights on the house and the wreaths on the windows. Neighbors probably thought we were crazy. One day, there was 1/2 strand of icicle lights, then 2 wreaths on random windows (missing the 6 others), then garland on 3/4 of the door... you catch my drift. Am I crazy, or does every year it seem like you have to go to Target, Michaels, Lowe's, etc. about a zillion times to buy the same thing you had last year? We put garland out last year, but suddenly this year, we're short. What the heck?

We finally finished outside. Although, I'd like to put more lights out, but D doesn't find it amusing to climb up on our roof to have the icicle lights hanging from our gables 3 stories up. "But Clark Griswold did it every year and he had it much worse," I say. Not amused.

Then we move inside to the decorations. I put up as much as I want this year. But then I spend time rearranging over and over. Now I look at them and want to start all over. I think I want all new decorations. Can't decide... then the tree. We had it soak overnight and now it's in the stand. Yay! That only took 2 hours. I'm excited to put the lights up. But wait, someone's crying, then it's dinner time, then bath time, then bedtime. I come back downstairs and look at our sorry tree with one strand of lights covering about 1/8 of it at the bottom. And they're still lit. It took all of my might to put the rest of the lights on. Oh, and about 3 more hours as I multi-task Cayenne Paper orders, etc.

Now it's Monday night and we have a beautiful tree, but still with just lights. Pretty, but lights and only lights. Think the babies will notice if we stop there? Only kidding, of course. I'm slowly realizing that this is how life will be for a while. All that free time I had before to spend an entire day decorating. Now, it's just lights.

Did I tell you I have a Dept. 56 village with about 10 buildings and a zillion accessories? Yeah-- it's still in the box.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Yes, the weather has finally gotten colder, which means that Christmas is not far off. I can't believe that I drove to Target for the umpteen time today and saw that several of my neighbors have their houses and trees all decorated already! I'm still coming up for air from Thanksgiving! Which reminds me that I need to pick up the turkeys, pumpkins, cornhocks, etc... another day.

But the babies look so cute in their Carter's bear jackets. I crack up and have to smother them with kisses whenever I dress them in these. Too bad they have colds, too. So the runny noses and red eyes make them look so pitiful. And the teething is coming back in full force, too. I'm hoping those choppers will break through soon! But first we need to work on sitting up. They're still not doing it! But mom says my siblings and I didn't sit up until we were 9 mos. old. That explains a lot! Actually, Libby sat unsupported for about 5 seconds today! Drew, on the other hand (aka El Diablo part 2) just wanted to jump and kick and flail his body around, so not much sitting with him today. What a nut. Oh, by the way, he's discovered how to make raspberries and it's hilarious. And at dinner tonight, Libby imitated me sticking out my tongue and making a silly noise. I was shocked and tickled. She really DOES notice me!

We're So Thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful day and pigged out as usual on turkey, sweet and mashed potatoes, crawfish stuffing, green bean casserole, and warm apple pie. Everything was so delicious and I'm happy to report that we've had leftovers for 2 days now. Mom, Paul, Tim, Todd, Krista, Clay, and Katelyn stayed with us for Thanksgving, so it was nice being with family. The babies sat in their highchairs and watched us eat on our fancy china in the dining room. It's nice using the fancy things only once or twice a year!

I'm thankful for:
1. Libby, Drew, and Darrell
2. the rest of our family
3. fuzzy warm socks
4. Cool Whip (soooo good and underrated, IMO)
5. Baby Vicks VaporRub and Saline Drops (my boo boo's have colds)
6. The smell of my babies after a bath-- better than Cool Whip! ;)

The Babies' Christening

Last Sunday was so special because we finally had the babies baptized. It was such a beautiful service and I just love our new little church we found down the road from us. It is so quaint and cozy and everyone is so welcoming there. Plus the building is over 200 years old, so we like that it's historic, too. We had so much family here-- about 20 people in all! It was nice having everyone together and some stayed all the way through Thanksgiving. The last visitors left Friday night, so we've been doing laundry and feeling strange with so much quiet around here. We're so excited to be going to New Orleans for Christmas so we can catch up with everyone again!

Looks like surgery is on the way...

Just to update my previous post... we had the ultrasound for Libby's bump on her eye and it's not a lipoma after all. It's a cyst that will grow, so will have to be removed. The doctor says it's nothing to worry about, but we don't want something so close to her eye to grow and possibly interfere with her vision. Not to mention that it will become unsightly. So, he recommended waiting to close to her 1st bday (Happy Birthday, Libby) to have it removed. It's a simple procedure for adults usually done in the doctor's office, but since she's a baby, they'll do it in the hospital. She won't be put under, but perhaps in "twilight land". We are trying to schedule an appt with the excellent surgeon he recommended, but wouldn't you know they don't take our insurance (which is actually a PPO plan). Go figure...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We had a great time with our "Cayenne Pepper" and our "Crawfish" babies today. We took them to the block party down the street and everyone loved their costumes. They also had a party today at their sitter's house (apparently Libby was a cow and Drew was a puppy-- hope to see those photos soon), so they were wiped out when they went to bed tonight. We're enjoying the last year or 2 at home in the peace and quiet before we have to venture out up and down the neighborhood trick-or-treating with 2 little ones...
Here's a Halloween card we sent out to family and friends:

There are "good bumps" and there are "bad bumps"

When my mom arrived last Saturday, she noticed that Libby had a small pea-sized bump under her left eyebrow. We've been feeling it and studying it and although it doesn't seem to bother her, we thought we'd get it checked out once it appeared to be growing the past few days. The pediatrician looked at it and believes it is a lipoma. He told us that there are "good bumps" and there are "bad bumps" and that this was definitely a "good one". Apparently a lipoma is an accumulation of fat cells underneath the skin. The bad bumps (as in cancer) are usually fixed and don't move with the skin. Luckily, hers does move. He ordered an ultrasound so we can get a baseline, so we'll be scheduling that soon. He said it isn't dangerous, but that she'd probably have it for life unless removed. And basically that means it would be a cosmetic issue only. That, combined with the hemangioma (and we thought it was a blood blister that formed after scratching herself) and the curl on her forehead makes her my cutie patootie. But I'm not so sure she'll think the same on Prom night!

I'm officially a suburban mom...

So this week came and went in a flash. Being back to work full time and running a home-based business (www.cayennepaper.com) is tough. As soon as I pick the babies up from daycare, it's off to the high chair for dinner, then bath, then bed. Only to wake up the next morning and do it all over again. The good thing is that the weeks fly by. The bad thing is that I can't remember if I stopped at that stoplight I went through earlier that day! Not really, but sometimes I wonder what it will be like not to be sleep deprived and running on "automatic" during the day.

Darrell started a new job at BAE Systems on Oct. 1st. So far, he's liking the change. He is going to be in New Hampshire all week for a training of some kind, so Nana came up (after I basically begged her) to help me this week. It's been so nice having her already, plus the babies laugh more at her than at me. What's the deal with that?

And I'm officially a suburban mom-- no turning back now. It's not because I now have 2 kids and really DO live in the burbs. No, it's because we traded in my Camry today for a MINI VAN. GASP! I know--- the horror of it all! But it's really nice and full of things we needed-- like SPACE for 2 babies, a huge stroller, groceries, my work stuff, and whatever else. It was quite comical if you ever saw me in the parking lot of Target alone with the babies. I'd have to put them in the car, then put the stroller in the trunk (pushing and shoving until it fit), then strategically place shopping bags all around and pray they fit. Now shopping will be much easier. Yay for that-- boo for the new budget we have after having twins, though. We save every last cent for diapers, wipes, formula, clothes, and so on and so on and so on. I hear it only gets worse once they go to school. There are field trips, ballet/soccer classes, and so on and so on...

At The Farm

Today we went to Cox Farms down the road for their Fall Festival to celebrate our friend Charlie's 1st Birthday. It was our first time there and it was fun! We went on a hayride, visited with friends, and went to the pumpkin patch, too. I had this vision of taking the babies' photo while laying in a sea of pumpkins. I even put them in some denim overall-type clothes that I thought would look so cute at the farm. So we get to the patch at the end of the party and see the perfect spot for the babies. They sat against a huge pumpkin with tons more in the background and were looking just right. Then... the camera's batteries died! I can't believe it.

Great news! We went for their 6-month checkup yesterday and the pediatrician feels it is time to wean Libby off the hypoallergenic (and VERY expensive) formula! Then we're gonna phase out Prevacid, too. This is great news for Libby as she is catching up with her brother in the growing bit. Speaking of, their stats were this: Libby- 16 lbs, 5 oz; 26 1/2 inches; Drew- 16 lbs, 8 oz; 27 inches. They're growing like weeds and I have a feeling will be out of their infant carrier carseats soon... The doctor said they're looking great-- in the 50th or 75th percentile for everything, except Drew's peanut head is in the 25th percentile. Looks cute to me, though.

finally got some giggles

After many attempts, we finally got some cute giggling on video. Here is Drew playing with his daddy right before a bath...

Jumper Boy

Drew loves his jumperaoo! We caught him having some fun the other day...

Six Months Old Already!

It's hard to believe that my babies are now SIX months old! Time has been flying and before we know it, their 1st birthday will be here. Better get the party planners ready for that one. Hmmm... I think I have some ideas for invitations... actually, not this time! I can barely remember what I have to do in 5 minutes much less months from now. It's funny- when I was pregnant and on bedrest, I had so much time on my hands that all I did was think ahead and plan the silliest things. I swear I changed my mind about their announcements a thousand times before I actually made them. And the nursery-- I love how it turned out, but I crack up thinking about my big giant belly getting in the way as I hot-glued pom-pom fringe on the bottom of lampshades and debated for days about whether the white or off-white matched better. Hilarious! But so ME, if you know me well.

Well, let's see what's been going on with the babies... LOTS!

They are both eating cereal and we've mixed some veggies and fruits in, too. I'm scared b/c I'm realizing that Drew is just like his dad-- with a bad sweet tooth. He HATED the veggies at first. I mean, hated them. He would get this stern look and then lock his jaw when we brought them to his lip. It was so funny! Libby, on the other hand, laps up everything she sees-- more like her mother. But tonight I fed them carrots again and actually Drew liked them more. He ate more than Libby, but that's because...

Libby's cutting her first pair of pearly whites! She was fussy and fussy (not too unusual), but then showed the symptoms and it wasn't until I was on the phone with Gretchen that she said, "I bet she's got teeth coming in." Sure enough, I look at her bottom gum and can see 2 little white nubs about to poke through. Poor baby! My heart breaks when she screams that scream. And you moms out there know it-- different than all the others, even the reflux scream (and that's a bad one, too). But fortunately for her (and us), Motrin and Orajel are working so far. Teeth already! I thought it would be later on-- especially since they were born a month early. Oh well to that theory! Drew won't let me near his gum at all to see anything. He just licks and licks my finger. I tried to feel a few times, but can't really tell. He's drooling like crazy and chewing on everything, but no signs of pain.

Both babies are starting to try and sit up in the baby bathtub. To be honest, I can't wait til they can sit and be in the regular tub. They are in that in-between phase. Probably too big (and acrobatic... ahem, Drew) for the baby tub, but can't really sit yet for the big one. They are rolling over a lot, which means you can't leave them laying on our bed anymore while I shower. Nope, it's officially time to be even more "on your toes" than you thought. Just wait til they're crawling!

More later...

Libby's Commentary

Libby was quite vocal after her first cereal meal, so we thought we'd catch her on tape. She's been laughing her head off at the sitter, but not so much at us. I guess we're not as funny as I thought we were!
Oh yeah, so I found out AFTER I fed Drew his cereal in a bottle that you are not supposed to do this for 2 reasons: he needs the practice with a spoon plus it's a choking hazard. Oh well, it's only my 10th mistake as a new mom! I'm sure there will be more to follow...

Rice Cereal

The babies had rice cereal for the first time on Sunday night. It was a little messy, but fun. Take a look:

Who Dats!

It's hard to believe that the babies are now FIVE months old. Time is just flying by and before we know it, they will be mobile. Speaking of, Drew is going to be either an athlete or acrobat. He rolls over as soon as you put him in his crib. But not to fall asleep-- instead he likes to flop all around like a fish out-of-water. He literally leaps his legs up in the air and does the centipede upside down. My little monkey. Plus he's found out that he can change the pitch of his voice. So all I've heard since I picked him up at the sitter's is what sounds like a cross between a screech owl and a dying crow. Beautiful music to my ears!

As for Libby, she's rolling over to her tummy when she's in the crib. But she's not as active as Drew. She's also more conservative with her laughing. Her brother loves to laugh out loud at just about anything. But Libby is saving them for a rainy day. I swear that sometimes she looks at me and rolls her eyes. I can't wait til she's a teenager!

The babies have really switched roles. Even in utero, Libby was always the active and dominating one. But now Mr. Drew is coming out of his shell. Interesting to see if it stays this way or constantly changes...

Dr. Shannon says that the babies can start cereal in a few weeks. Then it's off to real food (or at least processed baby food). Now those should be some interesting pictures!

So we surprised D with the Saints PJ's the babies have on in these pictures the night of the Saints game. Too bad the babies went to bed and didn't have to see such a terrible loss to the Colts. Better luck next week! At least LSU was victorious.