whipped topping

Can you say whipped topping?

My good work out

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to vacuum with two babies around?  I never thought about it until I actually had to do it.  My babies LOVE the vacuum.  When they see me pull it out they get pretty excited.  They crawl as fast as they can to it and try to pull themselves up on it (before it's turned on).  So when I finally get them off of the vacuum to turn it on, I try to push it down the hallway.  I try to figure out why it's so hard to push, but wait, I know why it is.  I look behind me and their are 4 little hands around the cord pulling on it.  It's like tug-of-war.  If they are holding on tight enough to the cord, I pull/drag a baby behind me with the vacuum.  Usually one breaks free and tries to keep up with the vacuum.  I have to be extremely careful not to vacuum over their tiny fingers.  You  may be asking yourself, why doesn't she do it when they are sleeping?  The noise wakes them up.  I would wait until Ross gets home, but I can't stand it when I feel a crunch beneath my feet. Vacuuming is not only adventurous, it's a good work out too.

My other good work out of the day is keeping them out of my food pantry.  It's a closet we converted into a pantry.   As soon as they hear that door open, they are in it.  That's not the real problem though.  It's getting them both out of the closet.  I get one out and take him pretty far down the hallway and I head back to get the other one out.  By the time I grab the other one, the one down the hallway is already back.  In order to shut the door, I use my foot/leg to keep the baby on the floor out.  And then I finally shut that door.

But the ultimate favorite of theirs is the BATHROOM!!  They always bump their heads against the door to see if it will open.  And if it does, viola, they are in there.  They usually stand by the side of the tub and dump anything that is sitting on that side of the tub in.  Then they move on to play with the door stopper and they ding it over and over again.  Bringgg, bringgg, bringgg (in my mind that's what it sounds like).  I usually just pick them both up at the same time to get them out of there. 

All day they are into everything.  Luke usually follows Reed around.  Reed is definitely the instigator.  I feel like I get a really good work out every day and I usually collapse into bed at night from being so busy all day.

my time at the library

I decided to be a good mom today and take my kids to the library to sign up for the summer reading club.  It turned out to be quite an adventure.  It's not the first time I took them all there, but the first time I used a different stroller, the one that one kid sits in front and the other behind.  Today I used my jogger side by side.  It was a ginormous mistake!  I got everyone out of the car and the twins were buckled in their side by side stroller and got up to the door.  IT WOULD NOT FIT THROUGH THE DOORWAY!!!!  Most mom's would have quit right then and there, but I knew my older kids would be so disappointed.  We got through the first door by tipping it a little and jamming it through.  Not so fortunate with the second set of doors.  After struggling for a few minutes, 2 ladies that were getting books for themselves unbuckled my babies so I could fold up the stroller and get it through that way.  I thanked them over and over.  Now that we were in, I couldn't concentrate on helping my kids pick out books.  All I could think was how will I get these babies to the car after we are done checking out.  I devised my plan.  I would get all the kids in the car first and come back in for my books and stroller.  I now able to help the kids pick out books.  They are very well behaved in the library so I don't mind taking them there.  After picking out a mountain of books, we went to check them out and sign up for the summer reading club.  I asked the librarian to hold onto my books for me until I got everyone loaded up.  I had a baby in each arm and had the older kids push the handicap button to open the doors for me.  I got everyone buckled in and parked in front of the library.  I know you're not supposed to leave kids unattended in the car, but I could see them from the front window and I felt like there was no other way.  So I folded down my 30 lb double jogging stroller and hoisted it up and walked it to the back of my car.  And then I started laughing at myself-I feel like this could only happen to me.  Phew, one thing done, one more to go.  On the way going back inside the library to get my books, I also happened to pick up a sock and a bag of cheerios that fell out of the bottom of my stroller.  Now as for my books, the librarian had put them behind her desk, so I waited a few seconds by the side of her desk until she was done with the other person she was talking to.  One eyeball on the car, one eyeball on the librarian.  Instead of quick getting my books, she proceeded to help the next person in line.  I was peeved.  I have kids waiting in the car.  I went back to check on the kids and then went to try to get the books again.  Finally, she was available to help me.  She looked at me with a blank stare and I asked about the books.  She came to life and felt bad for making me wait.  I forgave her.  It's not her fault that my stroller wouldn't fit through the door.  Then we came home.  Ross says I'm a strong woman, not like in muscular but strong as in I can handle pretty much anything.  I have to agree with him today. 

The gift of motherhood

I remember back when Leanne was born, I actually cared what I wore and what I looked like.  Hair and make up done everyday and I would actually wear somewhat nice things.  Things have changed quite a bit from 6 years ago.  With every child I had things became more relaxed.  After I had Allison, I didn't care if I didn't put make up on during the day as long as I wasn't going anywhere.  Now, since having the twins, I'm happy if I have a clean shirt on.  It may start out clean, but I've become the human napkin.  Not only do I get food smeared on me, I get lovely boogers and lots and lots of drool.  I don't have as much time to get my hair done and makeup on, so I'm happy if I grab a quick shower before the babies are up. Otherwise I have to wait until nap time and I loathe waiting till 10:30 until I can finally get cleaned up.  I don't call it letting myself go, like many people on TV would say, but that my priorities changed.  I'm fine with not being first on my list.  I think that's the way God intended it. 

The dentist

I went to the dentist on Monday to get a cavity filled.  It was probably the easiest one I ever had.  I get quite a few cavities because I don't have the best teeth.  Then the dentist called me the next day and said I had to go back in to see him.  So I did.  He was going to numb me without any topical so I stopped him and told him I wanted the topical.  With some irritation, he called his assistant over to put that pre-numbing stuff on.  He told her I needed it all over my gums because he was going to numb my entire mouth.  When he stepped out of the room, I asked the dental assistant what I was getting done.  She wasn't really sure.  As soon as the dentist walked back in I asked him.  He said he needed to file down all my teeth because my voice was whiny like Rachel Ray's.  I shot out of that chair and ran for the door.  As I was running I said "I don't care if my voice is whiny, there is no way I'm going to let him numb my entire mouth."  And then I woke up.  I was so happy it was only a dream.  It was so real.  I really did go to the dentist on Monday and had a minor cavity fixed.  I'm so thankful I didn't need my entire mouth numb.

pure insanity

Pure insanity.  Yup, that's what it feels like when you have 2 babies crawling at the same time.  I thought the hardest part was when they were first born, but this, for now, comes in second.  One twin goes one direction and the other goes the opposite direction.  Or they follow each other and get into stuff together.  Today, while I was cleaning up the dining room, I felt the need to check on them in the living room and they were both trying to pull the lamp cord out of the socket. 
For the longest while, we thought that Luke would be the leader and Reed the follower.  We were definitely wrong.  Little wiry Reed is the instigator.  Luke is usually following him around.  Reed is into everything and he can not sit still.  At least with Luke, the toys captivate his attention for a couple of minutes.  I really need eyes in the back of my head. 
They are also starting to feed themselves.  I thought baby food was a mess, this is way worse.  Smashed up bits of cracker everywhere.  Well, at least if I don't have a chance to clean up the floor right away, they can help themselves to a snack while they're crawling around.  I know it's gross, but I wash my floors quite a bit, so it can't be that bad, can it?  Like they say, a little dirt never hurts.
Yup, it's crazy here.  Yup, it's busy here.  Yup, there's plenty of kisses and hugs going around in this crazy busy house. 

Tulip Time

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to dutch dance.  I loved the costumes and the sound of the dancer's wooden shoes hitting the pavement.  Three years ago, me and my friend Tara went for it.  We practiced with the high school students to become alumni dutch dancers.  There were probably 20 of other women doing the same thing as us. 
This is my 2nd year dancing.  I took last year off because I was pregnant with the twins.  It's a wonderful work out and so much fun!!!  Every year our costumes have to go through inspections.  And the inspectors are STRICT!  They can make you replace certain parts of your costume and make you shorten/lengthen parts of it too.  If you fail inspection, you have to get reinspected after you fix your costume.  This year I passed, thankfully. 
Friday night was our first time dancing.  The first time I always feel a bit clumsy.  The wooden shoes have no give or bounce to them so it feels funny.  And I have to get used to people watching us too.  It can be a little nerve wrecking, but it is so much fun.  I'm sure Tuesday night I'll feel much more at ease with the whole thing.

Tara is the one in the orange and you can't see me in this picture(I'm holding her hand)

not the greatest picture either, but Ross only took these 2 pictures of us dancing