Mother's Day

Well, I was able to celebrate my very first Mother's Day as a mom! It was a GREAT day!

It began with Madison and I going to swimming class (which she still LOVES!) and Bob and Riley going on a boy trip to Home Depot! HA! I think we all had fun on our adventures!

Later on in the day, Bob's Mom and Dad and my mom came over. We had some snacks and played with the kids for a bit. OMG! The kids were a hoot! Constant entertainment for sure!

Madison dumped all the toys out of the basket and put herself in it instead! HA! Riley was checking out the bookshelves for something new to read...






After the kids went to bed, we had a nice steak dinner. I got some gifts too! I got a card from "Riley" and in it said "Read this to me!" I then opened the book Where the Wild Things Are! We think Riley is like Max, the main character in the story! I got a card from "Madison" too as well as a pop up book to read to her! They are her favorite! I then opened yet another surprise, a super nice spa certificate, from....Brewsky, our dog! SOOOOO sweet.

It was a great day! I know I say it a lot, but I am truly blessed.

OH! Forgot to say...topped it off with Madison saying "Da Da!" He....he! Hopefully "Ma Ma" is soon to follow!

Fun Day with Grandma!

I cannot believe I am saying this again, but it was yet another RAINY, COLD, DREARY day here. This is getting to be a serious drag! The kids were thrilled to have Bob around during the day and the fact that Grandma came over was the icing on the cake! Fun! Fun! The kids, as always had bright smiles that lit up the room. Who needs sun when you have them around! They are the sunshine, for me at least! After a great morning nap, they had some lunch and then got to spend some time reading with Grandma! They all cannot resist a good book!




The rest of the day the kids and I hung with Grandma (even squeezed in trip to Lowe's together!) Giggles filled the house around bath time as Bob was playing with the baby that was not getting a bath at the time and having a BLAST!

After a full day, the kids went to sleep without even a fuss and Bob and I treated ourselves to sushi to round out a great day! YUMMO!

The Diaper Debacle!

Sounds like an awful title, I know! No worries, no gross or messy stories here. Another challenge conquered is all! Ok, so here is the situation. For a week or two now, I have found this "gel type stuff" on M and R's tummies in the morning when I change their diapers. It is the weirdest thing! Kinda goopy, clear and sticky! Bob and I had been conducting experiments to try and figure out what the heck stuff was! We knew it was mostly in the morning, but sometimes appeared during the day and that it was totally weird. So with that the games of trial and error began. We thought it may have related to something having to do with their bedtime routine, so we began the investigation with their nighttime bath ritual.

We...

bought new lotion...nope still random gook.

tried using no lotion...nope still random gook.

tried lotion on one kid but not the other....nope still random gook.

used bubbles in the bath...nope still random gook.

did not use bubbles in the bath...nope still random gook.

At this point we are beginning to suspect the diapers, the weird thing was that it occured sometime and not others. Can you say driving us crazy??? OMG!

So, at this point, I decided to use outside sources for help. I called Pampers!! Well, proved to be a good move as I got my answer. Even though the kids fit the weight limit of the diapers they were in, they have "outgrown" them. Nuff said. They were full and the gel inside the diaper was coming out! ICK! I was reassured it was not in any way harmful to the kids.

Result:

Go get new type of diapers! HA! An excuse to go to Target! Hence the picture above. When we got home, playing with the new diaper box became the best activity of the day! The fact that grandma stopped by to visit and see it all was the icing on the cake.

Mystery solved! :)

Looking...

In the morning, the kids and I hang out in the kitchen before they eat breakfast. I do a few "household" things, they watch, play and crawl around. During this time, Bob is getting ready for work. When he is ready, he heads to the kitchen for coffee, a quick breakfast for the car and a goodbye! The kids know he is headed toward the kitchen because they can hear his shoes on the wood floor! They perk up when they know he is headed their way! They follow him when he walks around the kitchen, gets coffee etc. Well, then he says "bye-bye" and heads off to work. He is sure to shut the door so the kids stay in the kitchen with me. Both kids always look confused as to where he has gone. I always say "da da went bye-bye to work, he will be back later!"

We went to the school I used to teach at today to say hello to people as well as drop off a couple of things. It was a hoot! The kids seemed to really like looking around at all the people and "chatting."

All in all, we had a wonderful day together. They did new things, smiled and laughed a lot. Could it get any better?

So much exploring to do and someone to share it with!

Let's just say there was not a bit of fussing or crying when Madison and Riley went to bed tonight. They were EXHAUSTED! They are finding out this crawling, pulling yourself up and climbing stairs is hard work!! (but, oh, so fun!!!!!!!!!!!) They are finding new places to sneak into and realizing they can do so much more and experience their world in new ways. Like I mentioned it before, it is neat because they really look for each other to show what they have found or done! They are beginning to follow each other or if they hear or see something cool their sibling is doing, they are there in a flash!

They do, however, still have the desire to explore things on their own...

Part of our exploring today was an adventure to our favorite store...Target! HA! It is actually a fun place for us to go, sad as it may be! Lots for the the kids and me to look at! Honestly, I try and take the kids somewhere every day. It is good for them to get out, breathe fresh air and see the world around them. It is good for me for those same reasons!

Who knows what tomorrow will bring!

Goofballs!

Honestly, taking care of Madison and Riley is a true joy, but I am not going to lie to you, it is really hard work! Both kids are on the move and totally into everything! (Especially the things you wish they would leave alone!) Oftentimes, in the middle of my frustration, because I have rerouted (as Bob calls it) them several times, I will look up and break into pure laughter. Yes, these kids are everywhere and are a handful, but, wow, do they enjoy life. This photo says it all...

I mentioned yesterday that the were going to be adding a lot more "real" food to their daily menu and today was a big day! They had mac and cheese for lunch and pancakes with butter for dinner! (Supplemented with baby food as well as bottles after of course!) Both were a major hit! Look at these "cheesy" faces!

Finally, a nice day!!!

Ahhhh, FINALLY a nice Spring day! It was about 65 degrees and sunny today! So, of course, outside we went! The kids LOVE being outside! It was so sweet to see them taking it all in, the breeze, the sun, as well as the new things to feel and explore.

I spoke with the kids doctor today and we had a chat about what to feed the kids now that they are 9 1/2 months old and really seem to be wanting more "people" food. She said they should be eating any of the food that we eat! So, look out! There will be new information about trying new things like fish, mac and cheese and even breakfast sausage! :)

Riley is "talking" up a storm! It is so much fun to hear all the new sounds coming out of his mouth! Ba! Ga! Ba Ba Ga Ga!

Madison is a fast crawler already! Wow! She catches on fast! Get this, she has moved on already to pulling herself. Her brother has been showing her how to move from one end of something to the other! Cool and yikes!

Finally, I must say I had an "awww cute" moment today with the kids. They were sitting next to each other in their high chairs this afternoon for dinner and they caught each others eye. They both reached out a hand to each other and held hands for a minute. Can you say "melt your momma's heart?"