{What a difference a year makes!}

Trying on our new hats/coats for winter!  We did the very same thing almost exactly a year ago.  Oh my goodness how they've grown!

{First kiss}

At Grady and Greer's first birthday party on Sunday we not only celebrated two beautiful babies turning one, we had our first kiss! 

The pictures are in order (going clockwise) and the last picture of the series is in the middle. 

Adorable!  Greer's twin Grady was having some milk while this was all going on.  He missed out :(.  It was such a funny turn of events.  I wish someone would have video taped it, but we were all too busy ooo-ing and ahhh-ing to get our phones/cameras out!  Jami and I sang "I kissed a girl and I liked it" when Greer and Fancy kissed. 

We've been fighting a MAJOR sleep battle with Fancy Face.  About 3 nights ago she started screaming when we'd put her to bed.  Nap times too.  Nothing we did helped.  We ended up bringing her into our bed for naps and bedtime.  But before we did that we wrestled with her for hours trying to get her to sleep in her own bed.  Exhausting. 

I rearranged their room 3 days ago (I put them on opposite sides of the room and the dresser between them to combat naptime playtime) and we thought she might just not like being by the window.  We moved her into Coach's bed and that seemed to be the trick for all of 15 minutes.  Then it started again.  Today while they were napping and while Fancy was screaming I decided to move their beds back together.  Problem solved, well for nap time at least.  She missed her brother.  Naptime went great...on her end of the nap, anyway.  Coach didn't sleep at all.  Right now Coach is out like a light and Fancy is screaming.  Frustrated.

All that sleepiness culminated in Walmart this evening while we were picking up stroller tires and a new watch for The Daddy.  They wanted nothing to do with the stroller and their favorite game is darting in different directions.  Running away from momma and daddy is hysterical, you know.  They didn't want to be held.  They didn't want to hold our hands.  They ran all over, pulled stuff off shelves, threw themselves on the floor, screamed, kicked and generally made that trip one from hades. 

Never again.  NEVER. 

We grabbed Smithfields for dinner and let them play outside when we got home to burn off some energy.  I love our yard and the view.  The fall folliage is incredible here.  So blessed to live in such a beautiful place. 

{A, B, C...}

Today we went to Grady and Greer's first birthday party and of course, as luck would have it, I forgot my camera AND my phone.  I was so mad at myself.  Thankfully the daddy had his phone and got a few cute pictures.  We had a fabulous time with Chris and Jami's families and G&G had a great day!  It was so fun to watch them dig in to their smash cakes, though they were so proper about it, there wasn't a lot of smashing!  Adorable. 

Coach and Fancy had their first kiss. They were side by side in a couple of cozy coups with Greer in between them. She kept going back and forth kissing Coach and Fancy. It was so sweet! Jami got some adorable pictures, I can't wait to see! Fancy is still having a major issue with sleep.  Naptime was met with screaming and only when I pulled her into our bed did she fall asleep.  Only for an hour.  She was kind of a hot mess at the party, but we pulled it off and we all had a great time.  At one point she threw herself down on their concrete garage floor.  During another spazz episode, The Daddy was holding her hand and she got mad and started kicking.  It ended up being a full circle round house kick.  Pretty awesome! 

Tonight in the tub we were talking about the party and singing our abc's.  They repeat after us, so I said a letter and Coach repeated the letter.  Well, we got to "C" and I said "can you say C?"  He thought about it for a second and said "Wee wee!" and proceeded to find it.  Later on when we tried again they got to "G".  Go babies GO!

Speaking of the bath, tonight we noticed Coach was looking like he needed to poop.  The Daddy picked him up and sat him on the toilet.  He pooped!  It was purely coincidence, but its great that he actually pooped on the potty.  Everytime we've tried this before he held it in until we put his diaper back on.  We made a big deal about it and clapped for him.  He didn't really know what just happened but he was proud of himself. 

When we got out of the bath they were running around naked and Fancy peed on the floor.  It freaked her out in a major way!  She's never really noticed when its happened in the past.  I'm thinking they are starting to figure out the whole potty thing.  We're in no way ready (or going to push) to potty train, but its great to see an interest.  I'm going to buy potties around their second birthday and keep them in the bathroom.  I think we'll really start to consider pushing it around 2.5 if they don't seem to be interested before then.  Scary. 

A new week already.  How do the weekends go so fast?

{"I don't know"}

The phrase of the day is "I don't know, Momma."  When we ask them a question they answer is always (I uhn ow, Momma:Coach, I duh duh, Momma:Fancy) "I don't know" with an exaggerated head shake.  They think its the funniest thing!  They also love to say "tant too" (thank you) when we do something for them and "bit too" (bless you) when someone sneezes.  Slowly learning "I love you", but its not as consistent.  Everyday is a new phrase/sentence.  This is such a fun age!

We played all day today.  A little bit inside, a little bit outside.  So great to watch them run around and have fun. 

Coming home from Fayetteville the other day we saw some interesting car decals/license plats.  Here's one.  I really hope its got some kind of non-crude significance, but knowing the folks here I'm not sure...

The other, which I did not get a picture of, was a family decal on a car.  The ASS family.  Mom, dad, three kids.  The Asses.  I'd bet money that it was a joke, but still pretty darn funny.  The Daddy and I were joking that it reminded us of this clip from Spaceballs:

Happy weekend!!!

{pool time!}

Its been hotter than hades here and everyone knows the only reprieve from the summer heat is some pool time!  

For the record, I narrowed that down from HUNDREDS of pictures taken today.  What?  

I've also been hoarding some pics from our trip so far.  I convinced my dad to let me upload "some" (292 in total).  Here's our trip so far!

This child loves to be photographed.  I swear when I pull out the camera she gets all doe eyed and lovely.  She's starting to pose also.  We're in big trouble ;)  

Our sweet boy.  The big photo was "somewhere" in KS and the rest are from our first walk once we got to my dad's house.  

That prairie church I mentioned a couple posts back.  Shitty pic, but you get the idea, right?

Yes, Coach is wearing Fancy's pink hat.  He wanted to wear it, so I put it on him.  I love this pic.  If he's got a problem with it later in life, I'll change it to b/w or sepia.  I personally think pink looks fabulous on everyone!

Coach calling daddy.  He's really into it in the big pic!

This is majorly narrowed down.  I didn't feel like watermarking tons of pictures.  

We're having fun in CoMo, but so anxious to get on the road and get our new life started.  As I mentioned, its hotter than shit here right now.  Its been in the mid 90's with like 90% humidity.  What-the-fuck mother nature?  You wait until I get here and blast this place with heat and unbearable humidity?  We went garage saling this a.m. and I was dripping (seriously) within like 30 seconds.  We're moving to somewhere EVEN hotter and more humid, so I realize I need to get used to it, but come on.  No segway at all, just BAM crazy fucking heat.  

Babes are doing well.  They're missing daddy something fierce, but I'm hoping they can understand when he gets here.  They've been calling random people "dada" and it breaks my heart.  They started calling my dad "dada".  They're so confused :(  When they talk to daddy on the phone they seem to remember who dada really is though.  Just a few more weeks of chaos.  I hope.  

I'm getting a jogging stroller (on the cheap) soon.  I'm excited to implement two 20+lb babies into my workout routine.  I can't tell any difference in size yet.  I still look like a whale.  I'm going to be excited for the day when I can look in the mirror and feel pretty again.  I hope that day comes soon.  I'm gonna work hard for it.  

That's really it for us.  We're seeing some family tomorrow and Monday and eating some yuuuuuummy bbq. I guess that would derail the diet a smidge, but at least its just a couple days.  

{Catching up}

I'm bad about catching up on what the babies are doing this very minute.  Well, I guess this very minute Coach is running around the "pit" with a shoe in his mouth while Fancy is yelling at the door "Dadadadadadadadadadada".  Currently in development world, this is what's going on. 

Coach
---He's walking more and more on his own.  Still not a primary form of transportation, but we're getting there. 
---He points to his belly when I ask him "where's your belly?".
---He points to his nose when I ask him "where's your nose?".
---When he's tired he lays his head down and says "nigh night".
---He steals toys from his sister and when he see's her coming to take it back, he jets across the room
---He loves greek yogurt.
---He's getting more expressive.  He's frustrated by his lack of words and he's starting to point and sound out words more. 
---He's a madman in the tub, splashes and giggles, he loves it.
---He dances and sings.  When there' a song/dance on Sesame Street he goes to town.  Cutest thing ever.
---Kind of a poopy sleeper.  He takes a one hour-two hour nap in the morning and the same in the afternoon.  He goes to bed around 7pm and usually sleeps well until around midnight-2am.  This is my fault for co-sleeping so long.  We drag him into bed with us.  This should improve when we move them back into their own room. 
---He's a big eater.  He could eat all day.  Favorites (other than greek yogurt) are kiwi, blueberries, strawberries, squash, avocado and broccoli. 
---He's still Elmo's biggest fan.
---He learned to take his bibs off, so we had to switch to the terry cloth over-the-head bibs.  He hasn't figured those out yet. 
---He's an escape artist.  About 4234123 times a day he gets out of the pit somehow. 
---He is really long and skinny, like a string bean.
---He got his first haircut last Sunday.
---He's very affectionate towards his twin sister.  He loves to hug and kiss. 
---He's very impatient.
---He studies EVERYTHING.  He likes to take things apart.
---He loves books. 
---He's destructive.  As they say "all boy".  He loves to throw and tear/rip things.  We've lost many a book this way. 
---He gives kisses when asked for them.
---He loves to use his walkers, lawn mower and cars.  As long as he's moving, he's happy.
---He's mastered the "no" shake and uses it appropriately.
---He loves to wear sunglasses.




Fancy
---She's got a very quick temper. 
---When she's mad at her brother she grabs his shirt and head butts him.  We're working on this.
---She's a great sleeper, she could sleep all day if her brother didn't wake her up. 
---She's taking steps on her own here and there, but like her brother, she's not walking as a primary form of transportation.
---She points to his belly when I ask him "where's your belly?".
---She points to his nose when I ask him "where's your nose?".
---When she's tired he lays his head down and says "nigh night".
---She loves to play peek-a-boo with her brother.  She squeals when she see's him coming.
---She loves to hug and kiss on her brother.
---She's a petite little thing.  She can still wear some of her 9 month clothes.  On the other hand, she fits well into 12m and 12-18m stuff too. 
---If you ask her for a kiss, she leans in and puckers up.  So cute!
---She loves a good walker race.  She gets so excited when she's running around!
---When she see's Coach doing something he's not supposed to (playing with the controller, escaping the pit) she looks at him and shakes her head no.  She's my alarmist.  I know he's in trouble when I see her little head shaking at him.
---She loves her brother.
---She loves to wear sunglasses and bows.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something.  If I remember, I'll blog about it. 

I love this.  I found it on facebook, so I don't have the source link.  

This isn't me, I'm not that brave AND my twin skin looks WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY worse.  That's not an exaggeration.  Regardless, this picture couldn't be more true.  I'm glad to be able to remind myself of this picture everytime I get a little down about how far I have to go.

To all the moms in honor of Mother's Day.  Its nice to be reminded :)

{a rainy day in Colorado}

I realized I haven't talked all that much about stages and what we are and aren't doing in terms of bottles, pacifiers, foods, etc.

So to kick that off, as soon as we got the all clear to start Organic Whole Milk we kicked bottles cold turkey.  They don't miss them at all.  Coach hasn't been taking them for a while and so the switch to 100% sippy cups was one he was so ready for.  The first few days we had to heat up the milk in the sippys because they didn't like it cold, but they take it right out of the fridge now.  I can't tell you how much easier this is and how much cheaper!  Formula was an arm and a leg.  While Organic milk isn't cheap, its nowhere near what formula was.

We're weaning pacifiers.  As of this week, they only take them for naps and bed time.  They're a little more fussy, they're always looking for the pacifier clip, but it doesn't seem to phase them overall.  Whew!  I'm counting on bed time and nap time paci weaning being a little more challenging.  They're pretty easy going kids though, so we'll see.

Right now they're eating 100% big people food and have been since 10 months.  Here's what a normal day looks like:

Wake up-8:30am

Breakfast-8:30am-I usually choose a fruit (whole blueberries, grapes, banana, strawberries, kiwi, orange, pineapple, mango), a grain (whole wheat english muffin with butter, whole wheat pancake with butter, toast with butter and occasionally oatmeal) and some yogurt (used to be baby organic, now its greek organic which they LOVE).  They have milk in their sippys for breakfast.

Snack-10:30am-a sippy with milk and they share an orange/banana/yogurt and some cheerios.

Nap-11am

Lunch-1pm-Pretty much the same as breakfast, but we usually have a veggie in place of the grain or whole wheat pasta.  Sometimes we'll do grilled cheese or mac and cheese (judge away).  But everything else is mainly the same.  Sippy with water.

Snack-3pm-see morning snack.

Nap-3(ish)pm

Dinner-5:30pm-Pretty much the same as lunch, but we don't really do yogurt here unless they're not eating anything else.  Like tonight.  We try to have veggies (steamed broccoli, steamed squash, steamed sweet potatoe, steamed zucchini, etc.) instead of another grain. Sippy with water.

Fancy is mildly allergic to eggs or we'd serve those more.  We do a lot of fruit.  They love fruit and its good for them, so why not.  I wish they'd be more accommodating with veggies, but they're 1 and they're exploring, so we're being very patient while they figure things out :)  We do avocado's every couple days.  We try to rotate out so they don't get sick of things.  Which happens anyway.  

I should also add, we add milled flax to their yogurt.  Coach has poo problems sometimes and this helps takes care of that naturally without pumping him full of sweet artificial juices.

Just tearing apart a book, Momma.  Shamefully, I didn't actually know they were shredding it until I edited these pictures. 

She loves a good thunderstorm, like her momma!

This kid makes me smile.  I white out their names at M's request.  I think its silly, but he insists. 

Reading a book. 

Thunder!

Surprisingly decent light, given the clouds and storm.

Silly little man.

Two posts in one day.  Aren't you lucky ;)

{code brown}

Coach pooped in the tub tonight.  Poor kid.  Poor Momma & Daddy.  Poor Fancy (who was in said tub).  We got both babies out and I was holding Fancy in a towel and M was holding Coach.  We were discussing how to clean the tub and disinfect the toys when Coach started to pee.  All over Daddy.  Fancy and I got a good chuckle.  In his defense, he was firing off man sized farts for like 3 minutes before he launched.  We now know better than to laugh when he farts in the tub.

That's the second time in 13 months this little sweet face has done this.  Oh Coachie.

Fancy was none the wiser.  She kept playing with her toys. 

At the pediatricians today we saw a baby about their age.  He was stripped down to his diaper to be weighed and his mom took him over to the murals on the wall.  This kid pointed at each picture (mural of tropical animals) and said "monkey", "bird", etc.  I looked at M and at our barely speaking 13 month olds and felt inadequate.  Am I doing something wrong?  They both repeat everything we say, but it sounds like a baby sounding words out, not the actual word.  Needless to say, we're working on our words :)

MMR vax update:  they took a 2.5 hour morning nap and woke up smiley and chipper.  They ate well all day and played just like usual.  They took their normal afternoon nap, took them a while to settle down though.  Slept for about 2 hours.  Ate dinner and played as they usually do.  Fancy's leg is no longer sensitive, but the two places she got stuck are bruising over.  I guess that's normal.  No fevers to speak of.  They just went down for the night, so we'll see how that goes.  

I think we've decided that the babies and I will leave CO a week earlier than M.  His out-processing is all on military time and that means we can't plan around the babies if we wait to leave together.  It will give us time to get there on the babies time, see family for a week and when M catches up with us in MO we'll head to NC.  He's keeping the animals with him.  He's got buddies to help him load.  He's dealing with housing.  To show you how fucked up housing is:  they were driving around on a golf cart all day with cameras taking pictures of yards with too much poop, broken blinds and any other infractions they could find.  FUCKED up.  

Like I mentioned previously, our cat clawed two small areas of carpet down to the fibers.  One right outside our bedroom and the other right outside the nursery.  They also sometimes use the stairs as a scratching post and the carpet looks fuzzy in a few areas.  Nothing bad, but if they're as nit picky as the wives say...we're in trouble.  Thing is, we've lived here three and a half years.  That's a long time and a lot of $$$.  We stayed when everyone moved out 2 years ago and housing was only 25% full.  We stayed when they raised the rates and when they changed companies FOUR times.  The townhomes were only 2 years old when we moved in.  

The life span of the carpet is said to be seven years.  Its been in for 5.5 (at least).  PLUS, we lived here with pets.  Logic tells us that the carpet needs to be removed and replaced after pets (obv), but who knows.  I'm afraid they'll try to gouge us for the damages (we expect to pay for the damages sustained while we lived here, we're not trying to get out of that).  There are parts of the carpet where you can see that they've cut out sections and replaced them.  The entire home doesn't have the same age carpet.  Tough to say what they'll throw at us.  

Of course M is militant and says "I dare them to try to _________ (insert bogus charge)."  But, they've been known to be punks and call security forces at the slightest raised voice.  I'm afraid to leave him to deal with it all, but my nerves cannot handle it.  M's brother is a lawyer and so is my step-father, so we'll have them on standby.  My fingers are crossed that a call/letter from a lawyer will right the situation and  make sure they only charge us for what we actually OWE.  

I realize I ramble incessantly about this.  I'm sorry.  We all do.  I was just talking to 2 wives on my block and they said the same thing.  They're moving out the same week as us and they're terrified too.  One has hard woods, so she doesn't have much to worry about and the other has only been there a year.  I know its a silly thing to ask for prayers for, but if you can think of me and my crazy anxiety as we carry out this move, I'd appreciate it.  In two days M will be in NC with my dad putting an offer on a house (OMG).  In 2 weeks we have to have this place spotless and ready for inspection.  In 3 weeks we have to have EVERYTHING done.  The babies and I will leave in 4 weeks and M in 5 weeks.  

Rambling again, sorry :)  I hope Monday wasn't too terrible!  On to Tuesday!

{MMR}

Today the babies got their second round of 12 month shots.  We broke them up to make them a little bit easier on them.  They got Varicella (chicken pox) earlier in April and today they got MMR and Hep A.  I wanted to postpone MMR until 15 months, but measles in on the rise BIG TIME and I couldn't put them at risk like that.  I've gone back and forth a million times and decided that I just couldn't gamble with their health. 

So, today, we took the plunge-pun intended :).  Fancy had a nasty reaction to Varicella, so I'm extra vigilant.  She got a large, hard, red welt on her leg at the injection site that is just now starting to disappear-3 weeks later).  Its just a bruise now.  I actually had the very same reaction when I had the vax a couple years ago.  Only mine was really painful. 

So far-an hour out-Coach seems indifferent.  He's playing and laughing and doesn't seem to notice.  Fancy is extra clingy and cranky.  She won't let me touch her leg where she got the shot either.  I suppose that is to be expected after you've had two shots in the same area though. 

We're going to snuggle a lot today, snooze and hope that my apprehension is unfounded.

On another note, THREE of the homes on our list sold this weekend.  What the fuck?  My favorite and M's favorite went under contract the same day.  We have eight houses left on our list.  I'm getting pretty nervous.  Especially since two aren't what we're really looking for.  One of them doesn't have a garage and the other has bright red carpet, is over-priced and needs paint.  My dad and M are going to NC this week, so cross your fingers/pray that we are able to buy a home that we'll love.

There's my anxiety dump for Monday :) 

{thoughts on a solemn January day}

I got a wild hair up my ass and decided to NEEDED a haircut NOW.  I called the salon yesterday and they told me my stylist was booked until next week.  Fudge.  In my hastiness, I asked if they had another stylist available Saturday.  They did!  She had an 8am appointment!  

I got there and I told her I was desperately in need of a change.  My hair was well past my bra and half way down my back.  It was mousy, heavy, the babies pulled it and I just need to look cute.  We decided to leave some length but clean it up and make it stylish and cute.  Well some length turned into 8+ inches.  As soon as I saw how much she was cutting I had to hold back tears.  I truly do like the cut, its just too much too soon.  You have to work up to a bob when you've had looooooooong hair for 4 years.  I grew that length while I was baking my babies.  I have attachment to that hair.  

This is what I ended up with.  In these pics its not styled at all, but you get the idea of length.  I also have bangs that I'm not sure I like yet.  Ready or not...

SUPA short

I miss my hair :(

The good news is, its a great cut/style, so when I get used to it I'll have a lot of fun with it.  Also, its JUST HAIR.  It will grow back.  I needed a fresh start.  When we move to NC and its deathly hot, I'll be able to wear it curly and be relatively cool.  Its cute, I really do like it, but the shock of losing all my beautiful hair in a matter of 15 minutes is just jarring.  Cheers to getting used to my new *short* do!

The babies are just crazy fun these days.  Talking up a storm.  Repeating simple sounds and saying about 4 words.  Mama is no longer among them :(  Everytime I ask them to say Mama they say Dada.  Little turkeys.  They are laughing so much.  They play and laugh together in "the pit" (our baby enclosure).  Its adorable.  BOTH babies can now high-five on demand.  They think its hysterical.  Fancy is in her Momma phase.  I have to be the one holding her at.all.times.  Its precious, but heartbreaking when I have to leave for work.  

The babies have their own language.  I'm not sure how that will develop as they learn to talk, but Coach will shoot out some jibberish and Fancy will repeat it and laugh hysterically.  When M or I tries to join the fun, they both turn and look at us like we're an un-invited guest to the party.  Woops!  Currently they're cracking up over something in the pit.  Gosh I love them :)  I ask M all the time why we waited so long to have kids.  They're so fun!  I also ask when we can have the next one ;)  Nope, not for a bit, we'll be sure to let everyone know if/when we're blessed to be expecting again.  

Speaking of work, just 2 weeks left!  I'm so ready to be home with my babies, but very sad to leave such a wonderful place.  C & J have taken such good care of me and have been amazing throughout my ectopic (the first month I started working for them 3 years ago), my pregnancy, maternity leave and our issues with M's unit.  They're so great, I'm blessed to have found them :)  I'm planning on working as needed, M's schedule permitting, and so I'm not completely done.  Its been a joy to work for them for the last 3 years!  

Baby Coach chillin' with my comb at Chipotle today.  The kid would rather dig in my purse and find things to chew on than his toys.  Whatever works!

Fancy already after my wallet.  Her fave toy from my purse is my phone, but since I got a new iphone last weekend, she not longer gets that pleasure.  We do let them play with the old iphone from time to time though.  

We're easing into table foods now.  So far we've got avocado and banana's under our belts.  They looove them both, so we'll continue that and hope to have them off baby food completely by the end of January.  Holy cow, my babies are almost 10 months old.  Its been an absolutely wild 10 months!

One more thing.  My great aunt M was recently diagnosed with cancer.  They think it has metastasized to her brain.  Her husband also is having some major medical problems (stroke, I believe) and is very sick as well.  Can you remember them in your prayers?  This is such a hard time for their kids and the rest of us.  I have so many sweet holiday/childhood/family memories with them.

{new things}

I forgot to add our latest achievements.  By "our", of course I mean the twins.

Coach
-  He started standing and pulling up last week, well now he's scaling furniture.  He's taking a few steps here and there.  He holds onto things as he does this, so its not walking, but he's getting close!
-  He nods "yes" now.  He is a HUGE fan of nodding "no" so getting a yes nod here and there is a huge accomplishment!
-  He loves puffs and yogurt bites
-  He loves music and baby dancing!  He'll be playing intently and music will come on and he'll stop in his tracks and just listen.
-  He still goes bananas over Elmo and Sesame Street.
-  He makes his sister laugh!  They've really started to play together...and fight over toys, but we'll learn sharing eventually, right?
-  He mimics simple words we say, like "hi" "mama" "dada" "nigh nigh" etc.
-  He is getting is top two teeth!  We would have had no clue except when he bit me the other day I had teeth marks on both sides.  He's such a chill kid.
-  He loves meeting new people, especially the ladies.  He's a charmer ;)
-  He's the most handsome, intelligent, goofiest baby boy ever!

Fancy
-  Little Miss Attitude.  She's got ZERO patience and is ultra fussy.  Still no teeth, we're thinking this a precursor to teeth.
-  She's crawling!  She's trying to stand, but she's lazy and would rather whine until someone picks her up and takes her where she wants to go or gives her the toy just out of reach.  We're working on this.
-  She's figured out all the buttons that sing on her toy kitchen.  She pushes them over and over :)
-  Her hair is long enough for tiny little bows (see previous post).
-  Also likes to repeat simple words we say.  "Hi" is a fave of hers.
-  She is ALWAYS laughing.  Her daddy and brother know exactly what makes her giggle.  So sweet!
-  She also loves yogurt bites and puffs.  She sucks the puffs to the roof of her mouth.  She's funny.
-  She dances when she hears music or see's us dancing.
-  She LOVES to snuggle.
-  She's starting to go to bed by herself a little better, gotta starts somewhere.
-  She loves meeting new people!
-  She hates getting her hair fixed.  She gives me about 3 minutes before she starts throwing her arms down in frustration.  She keeps us on our toes, that's for sure!
-  She's the prettiest, funniest, smartest baby girl ever!

{sleep and standing}

***WARNING***  screachy, excited mommy voice ahead.  You might want to turn down your volume :)  

Well, my kids won't sleep, but they can pull themselves up to stand!  This video was taken about 10pm last night.  They're back on a sleep strike.  Cool.  Anyway, I put them in their cribs and I heard giggling and rustling coming from Coach's crib.  Usually they're fussy or screaming, so I looked over in his general direction and here's what I saw:

I thought to myself, I just lowered their cribs, no way is that kneeling!  So I flip the light on and find this:

He's been kneeling for a while, but still somehow scared to take that next step.  Well ladies and gents, he's figured it out, my son can pull up to stand!  He's so darn proud of himself, if you can't tell in that video :)  My babies are becoming little kids. 

lack of Sleep.  The babies go down around 7:30p.  We put them in their beds and if we're lucky they'll snooze for a couple hours.  If we're not lucky, they skip this "nap" all together and are monsters.  I'm not a big fan of CIO, but my babies need to go to bed MUCH earlier than what they're averaging now, which I'm embarrassed to say is around 10pm.  They nap all evening, but they won't stay asleep.  I'm at a loss.  They sleep in late in the morning, so I'm not worried about them getting too few zzz's, I just want them in bed at a reasonable hour.

I'm scared CIO is our only option.  Here's the thing.  Fancy REFUSES to CIO.  She just keeps on crying.  And crying.  And CRYING.  Literally.  She's like her momma, she never lets anything go.  Ugh.

Also, my great Aunt Mary and Uncle Jim have had some very bad medical news lately.  Can you keep them and all my cousins, etc in your prayers?  Much appreciated.

{Hugs and Sesame Street}

(Breaking my own rule, no pics this post)

Lots of new things to report!

Fancy watches us very closely and has become a little copy cat.  She copies sounds we make and expressions too.  She's so funny!  She's also started giving hugs.  Last night Coach was fussy and she crawled over to him and gave him a big hug (!).  She wrapped her chubby little arms around her twin brother and laid her sweet blonde head on his shoulder.  These kids melt my heart.

She also baby dances like its her job.  She hears music (of any kind) and she starts be-bopping.  Coach likes to dance too.  He's started taking things apart.  He's figuring out how to take his diaper (and his sister's diaper) off, how to get his paci off the lanyard, how to break things, etc.  Typical baby boy :)

Lots of giggling and Coach loves to smile a lot to show of his new tooth.  Oh ya, ANOTHER tooth is popping through right next to the one he's already got.  We've run through Yo Gabba Gabba several times and now we're on to Sesame Street.  They LOVE Sesame Street.

They're pulling up on everything.  Not quite standing yet, but getting close.  Their hair is getting long and both have a hint of curl.  They both have mommy/daddy preferences depending on the day and how sleepy they are.  At this point, Princess Fancy is a daddy's girl and Mr Coach is a momma's boy.  Though they both love to snuggle with momma AND daddy.

Their 9 month appt is coming up on the 4th (the soonest we could get in) and I'm excited to see how big they are!  Cruising to their first birthday incredibly fast.  Which we'll be celebrating in our new house in NC-God willing.  What an incredible 9 months its been!  I'm pumped to see what the rest of this year and toddlerhood have in store for us.

On the home buying front:  We've found several houses that we're pleased with, or at least from what we see on the MLS listing and pictures.  M and my dad are going to NC in a couple weeks to see them in person and hopefully put an offer in.  I'm a bit bummed that I'm not going, but dragging the babies (I am not ready to leave them with a sitter, especially for that long) on (nearly) cross country flights and home viewings is probably WAY much more trouble than buying a house should be.  I trust M and my dad...I think!  I'll be in close video contact so I can chime in as needed.  Wish us luck!

On the medical front:  I had a lymph node biopsy last week.  It was benign.  At this point, things are sort of status quo.  I have a referral to neurology for my previous symptoms, but they're gone, so I'm not sure what to do at this point.  I probably will keep it just to run things by the Dr.  We'll see.  So for now, I'm healthy.

Blogging has become harder and harder with mobile babies.  Bear with me!

{boots with the fur}

I've been searching high and low for booties for them when it snows.  I didn't want boots and all the leather/faux fur booties were like $30/pair.  When you buy everything in doubles, that just won't do.  Shockingly BRU had these and they are perfecto!

We have had a snowy, freakishly cold week, so we layer babylegs under everything.

Yes he's playing with a cord (don't worry he was closely watched) and yes they're in the same outfits as Thanksgiving.  Woops :)  

Our little chia pet.  This kid's hair grows like crazy.

This kid's does too, but his lashes grow even faster

I'm still in shock that this blonde, blue eyed little beauty came out of me.  She did though and she's got my nose, ears and body to prove it!

Go go gadget Coach.  He's huge.

What the babies are up to lately:
*Lots of gabbing.  They look at us and say Mamamamama and Dadadadadada.
*They laugh whenever they see daddy.  He's the funny man :)
*They both want Momma when they're sleepy or not feeling well.
*They both sleep in their cribs exclusively.
*Their hair is growing like crazy.
*Fancy twirls my hair when I'm holding her.
*Lots of fighting over toys.
*They dance when we play music or sing to them.
*They give hugs and kisses when we ask for them (!).
*Coach shakes his head "no" to everything.
*Fancy makes this hideous new noise that she thinks is so funny.  She'll do it and peek over at us waiting for a laugh.  She's a card!
*They figured out how to take their diapers off.  Let the fun begin!

We ran behind this morning and missed church, I hate that.  Hoping for a good week regardless!

{EIGHT months old}

Wow.  Unbelievable.  INCREDIBLE!

At 11:44a & 11:45a my babies crossed from seven months to eight.  I'm continuously in awe of these little miracles.  As they grow we see more and more of their incredible personalities.  We also see more of who they look like.  I think that's one of the best parts about all this.

In our beautiful blonde baby girl, I see my nose, my lips and my body.  Other than those teeny tiny features of mine, she's the spitting image of her daddy.  Its sweet to see this bond grow :)  M has a tenderness about him when he's got Fancy.  The way he looks at her, like only a daddy truly in love can, make me melt.

Our sweet little boy looks like me.  He resembles my baby pics and has most of my features.  Its amazing to look into his face and see mine.  A feeling I prayed for my entire life.  He's all M from the neck down though.  While he's a HUGE momma's boy, he and daddy have a lot of fun!  M knows exactly how to get him giggling!  Another bond I'm blessed to witness.

Its amazing that M and I actually made these perfect munchkins.  I'm still completely shocked (and forever thankful) that they are ours.  Eight months later, I still wake up and look at their sweet faces and marvel at this blessing.  Enough on that, I think I've accurately expressed my obsession with my babies over the last 8 months :)

Coach:  up on hands and knees, rocks on hands and knees, he's classified as a beginner crawler, hates veggies (except squash and sweet potatoes), LOVES fruit (I can't stress this enough), "talks" non-stop, says ma ma, da da, na na, and a bunch of other nonsense (that I love b/c I'm his momma!), he sits so well these days (but prefers his belly or hands and knees), loves the animals (constantly chasing the cats and dog around), loves electronics and chews on everything.

Fancy:  up on hands and knees, rocks on hands and knees, she's also classified as a beginner crawler, loves veggies, likes fruit, "talks" even more than her brother (shocking, right?), sits perfectly, also loves the pets (kitties more than puppy), has a serious attitude (I want what I want when I want it), steals toys from her much more patient brother, has the sweetest ring of blonde hair :)

I'm going to break my own rule (about not posting pics) because I have two sweet babies waiting for me to snuggle!

{convertibles}

After humming and hawing over which convertible car seat to get for months, we've decided to go with the tried and true Graco My Ride 65's.  

Fancy's in "Cuddle"

Coach's in "Prentis"

I was having a tough time deciding whether or not to go gender neutral with two black ("Mavo") or live life on the wild side and get these.  In the end, I went with color.  Most of our stuff is gender neutral (for babies 3, 4, 5 and 6 to use)<<<JOKE, but VERY colorful (example uno, example dos and example tres) so the thought of just plain black just wasn't doing it for me.  

I'm happy with our choices, but in a perfect world, where $ does in fact grow on trees, I'd have a couple of these bad boys in my back seat.

Britax Boulevard 70CS in "Cowmooflage"
Just couldn't quite find an extra $680 (+ taxes and shipping) in the budget for these (According to Amazon's low price of $340 a pop) and I'm not quite to the point where I'll prostitute for $<<<another joke.  

They should arrive sometime in the next week and a half.  Raise your hand if you get REALLY excited for internet buys to reach your front porch!!!  Now I'm just praying they fit in our Accord.  I hear convertible car seats are all pretty bulky.  We're hoping to fit them side-by-side this time so I don't have to climb in between the seats.  We get smarter as we get older :)

I always thought we'd push the infant seats to the max (in our case 30 bleeping lbs).  Can you imagine carrying around a thirty pounder in an infant seat?  Well I can't.  I'm struggling with two 17 pounders.  Coach is long and they seem to be outgrowing their seats (and everything else) rapidly, so we're jumping the gun and making the transition.  

{sitting}

Its such a miracle to watch

these two learn to do new things.

We've *almost* got this sitting thing down pat ;)