Tuesday twin tidbit

Uncle Spencer and aunt Amy were kind enough to take the family to Jackson Hole last weekend. It was our first vacation with the girls and while we were anxious about the whole road trip the girls did great and we had a blast!!! The best part was rafting down the Snake River with Troy, Rebecca, Nate, Sam and the infamous Captain Ron. Here's a fun pic, hopefully this link works...Thanks again Amy and Spencer for planning a fun trip and getting us a sweet room!
There was this one incident I had with the girls during our last morning there. Sara was excercising and I was left in the cabin with them for an hour. I thought I would dress them and get them ready for the day, so we could check out when mom came back. However, while attempting to dress Audrey (she was being extra squirmy for me) I decided to distract her by giving her the first thing within my reach. It just so happened that it was a half-full formula canister. It distracted her quite well, especially after she managed to pry the lid open and spill the remnants all over herself, the bed, the floor, etc. There was formula everywhere! I think what finally made me react and snap out of my "did I really give her the can of formula and did it really spill all over the place" moment was seeing Audrey lick the formula from her face with her tongue. Never a dull moment with these two.

Also, last week my mom (Abuela Betty) came for a visit. It was fun to see her spend one-on-one time with the girls and they had lots of fun with her. She helped with babysitting, cleaning, and cooked several excellent meals. Thanks abuela!

Tuesday twin tidbit

This is what happens when you leave zucchini w/in reach of babies. I guess she was hungry.
Doesn't that face say 'eww, I don't like this...'? Well, I took it away from her and she came storming after me wanting more!

My new blog "For a healthier me..."

I started another blog (thanks to Lori), so I can keep track of my exercise and food intake. Feel free to give me any ideas, inspirational thoughts or whatever--I'm going to need all the help I can get! Today I ate way too much...why does fattening food have to taste so YUMMY!

Tuesday twin tidbit

This is mostly the work of Audrey, but Lucy was a willing accomplice. I have no idea what to put on the shelves, so they are mostly empty with a few baby books. Oh well....I can't wait until they can reach the third shelf.

10K here I come...

My friend Kristi had a baby just 3 weeks after my twins were born and she ran a half marathon last weekend. She's really inspired me to get moving. I searched all weekend for the perfect 10K to run and I've found it. It's put on be Wasatch Woman and it's called 'LOVE YOUR BODY!' It is held on the UofU campus AND it is only for women. I am by no means a runner, but I starting running last month in the morning before German leaves for work and it's been such a great way to start the day. I'll have to see what my goal time will be after a few practice runs, so I'll post that later. If anyone wants to join me let me know! It's a run/walk race and you can do a 5K or a 10K. Click here for more info...

Tuesday twin tidbit

This is a video of our crazy girls last night before bedtime. Lucy just started doing that head shake and tongue clucking thing yesterday. Today was their 9 month appointment--Audrey weighs 21 lbs 1 oz and is 29.25 inches long. Lucy weighs 22 lbs 9 oz and is 29.75 inches long.

10 things I'll miss about Kiersta as a neighbor...

1- Her cooking & recipe swapping
2- Borrowing whatever whenever
3- Sitting by her at church
4- Chatting on the front lawn
5- Exercising together
6- Seeing her pretty hair
7- Hanging out late while listening to the girls on the monitor
8- Letting her try the food I make to get feedback
9- Her amazing Sunday school lessons
10- Being able to learn from her example...she is such a great mom & friend!

This is what I made to eat tonight as a tribute to her. Kiersta introduced me to the wonderful world of REAL freshly whipped cream. She gave us all the yummy food from her fridge/cupboards and told me how she loved these frozen cherries from Trader Joes with whip cream. So, I had to try it out! Thanks for everything Bailey Family, we miss you already...

Tuesday twin tidbit

Thursday Lucy and Audrey got to meet some old friends from our Wyview days. Man, we loved living in that area and making such amazing lifelong friends! We said farewell to the Qian Family who leave for their big China adventure today. Best wishes William & Lori...keep us updated. Next year we'll have to plan a BIG Wyview reunion for everyone!

Wyview crew minus the Shelleys who were inside feeding baby Porter

As much as I love our little baby girls, last week was very rejuvenating for me. It's funny how as a new mom I felt guilty being away and for enjoying myself so much. I went out with friends a few times and then left for a fun slumber party on another night. I guess it just surprised me because I thought I'd never want to be away from them. Actually, I think it's not so much that I wanted to be away, but that I needed it. It helped me remember who I was before becoming a mom and how much I now need to find a healthy balance. Any of you veteran moms understand what I'm talking about or am I alone on this? Anyway, thanks for all the fun times girls!

girls just wanna have fun

Too busy Tuesday twin tidbit

Sorry to all you Tuesday readers. Yesterday was a busy day! Last night was my first night away from our baby girls. I missed them alot, but it was really fun to have an overnighter with some friends at a hotel. I love girl's night out! German has been so great taking care of the girls and is such an awesome dad. More of Audrey's top teeth are coming in, so she was moaning a bit in the night. Poor German woke up a few times to check on her and he's pretty tired today at work.

Below are some picks of Lucy's first experience eating dirt. She headed over to the flower bed when no one was looking, grabbed a handful of dirt and bottoms up. I don't think she enjoyed it too much, especially me trying to get it out. Silly girl...

Memories...come comment!

This fun little posting game was on my cousin Lisa's & friend Ashley's blog in the same week, and I love sharing memories with people, so I've joined in the fun! Play along and leave a comment!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Yay...I'm excited!

Tuesday twin tidbit

Can we go in the tub mom? PLEEEEASE!

Congratulations to Brian & Liz!

I just wanted to say congrats to our awesome friends and fellow adorers of Argentina. Liz gave birth to their first son on Monday and he's beautiful! Welcome to the world baby Porter...you have great and FUN parents!


Here are the proud parents enjoying empanadas with us the day before induction...yum! Check out a pic of cute baby Porter here.

Tuesday twin tidbit

The girls are pulling themselves up to stand and I really wish they'd stop growing up so fast. It's so weird to walk in and find them standing in their cribs...they're not tiny helpless babies anymore. Sooo sad!

Audrey's personalized book arrived and we love it!

These are a couple pics German took of the girls during breakfast on Saturday morning. Wonder which baby is a morning person, hmm...can you tell?

Thanks Lisa...

My cousin, Andrew (who just found out he'll be flying the B-1 bomber in the Air Force--way to go cuz) and his wife Lisa, came to visit family here in Utah over the weekend. It was great to see all my cousins and their CUTE kiddies. Below is a pic of all my aunt and uncle's grandkids, sure wish we got together more often! I stole this pic of us from Lisa's blog because we haven't taken any family pictures since Christmas and realized we really need to get some taken soon.

Tai, Brian, Clayton, Aleah & Madison

Tuesday twin tidbit

Over the past few weeks I've had some difficulty with naptimes. The girls were getting more aware of each other and waking each other up early from naps. I've had no problems during the night (yet), but their two naps were just too short sometimes. Or I'd have to run in to take out the awake baby while trying not to disturb the sleeping baby. This was usually unsuccessful, resulting in tired, fussier babies and a cranky mommy. So, we've found a solution. The corner between the couches in the front room where we used to have a little table and plant has now become a baby enclosure naptime area. I started this on Sunday and life has been so much sweeter during the day! Babies still start naptimes at roughly the same time, but if one wants to talk to herself or play a few minutes in the crib before, after or during a nap, then the other is not disturbed. Naps have been so much better AND I can relax about it. Audrey has even napped for 2 1/2 hours--I'm sure she's much happier not having to wake up to Lucy's VLA VLA's and/or grunts. I have had to turn off the ringers on the phones and keep it quieter while they sleep, but it's well worth it. Here they are napping in the corner...gosh, I sure love these two little girls!

I love blog giveaways...

I have two friends that started their own blogs with giveaways (citrus and perch). They do reviews on some really great stuff and almost weekly (I think) they do a contest to give away a certain item. All you have to do is make a comment! I haven't won anything from them, but it has added a new facet to my blog addiction--entering blog giveaways anywhere and everywhere I can! I started commenting on a bunch of giveaways just a couple of weeks ago and I have already won two great items. I just wanted to share with you all what I've won...
Crayons A Go Go --I think this is so much cuter than putting crayons in a ziploc bag.
Frecklebox personalized book with Audrey's name (since hers is a little harder to spell), although now I want to get one for Lucy!

It's so much fun to read about and maybe even win a bunch of great stuff! Today I found a CUTE tutu giveaway here & there are six ways to enter. She custom makes them AND with every hundred comments she'll give away another tutu. All you have to do is comment on which tutu is your favorite. Since there are six ways you can enter, the odds of winning are pretty good if you do more than one (thus the reason for this post). This is the link to her Etsy shop, I want the one below for the girls. Isn't it cute?

Tuesday twin tidbit

Fun times in the kiddie pool...They figured out the crawling thing, so now I have to be careful not to trip over one of them. They follow me EVERYWHERE!

Mandi & Lily come to visit

We had a ton of fun and hope we get to play again soon. Thanks for coming over! Lily let Lucy wear her elastic of ribbons!

Oh me, oh my...

Little Lucy has learned a new sound today "VLA VLA VLA VLA VLA." She has been doing it all day, it is quite loud and a bit incessant. So cute, right? Well, I took the girls to Walmart and Costco and I'm somewhat pooped. Audrey fell right asleep when we got home, which is what I expected (and planned) both girls would do. Yet, little Lucy with her VLA VLA VLAing (and some random sobs) won't fall asleep, oh and she woke up poor Audrey. I blame teething and maybe too much grocery shopping (who knows). I have a pounding headache and just want some peace and quiet. Please, oh please little Lucy go to sleep. Oh me, oh my...I need a nap. What do you women do when you're ACTUALLY really sick (I'm just being a whiner) and kids are being, ummm, so cute?

Tuesday twin tidbit

I know my mom loves videos, so today's tidbit is a videofest. These are just some of the things I do for entertainment with the girls. I probably shouldn't be teaching them to compete against each other huh? Obviously, they haven't quite figured out the crawling thing yet, but they are always on the move. Next is a conversation between Audrey and Mr. Lion, then giggles with a plastic bag. The last video is of Lucy getting what she wants, the snotsucker.

Sara: Supermom, Superwife, Superwoman!

On this, my first official Father's Day, I'd like to pay tribute to Sara, an extraordinary woman and the love of my life.

Marriage has a funny way of allowing you to fall in love with the same person so many times and in so many ways. When I first met her, I loved Sara for her independent, free-spirited nature, which was a stark contrast to my traditional, conservative, dull self. She was daring (evidenced by committing to a life next to me), full of life.

At BYU and beyond, I saw her evolve to take on her new role as wife and student head on. She has the flexibility to adapt to new challenges without compromising the traits and characteristics that make her unique. She went from wanting to study horticulture, to sociology, and eventually settling with economics. Those of you who battled your way through Econ 110 like myself will know that was no small feat.

As we struggled with the challenge of wanting to start a family, through each disappointment, even when I was ready to give up for a while, she never once hung her head in defeat. Her calculating nature combined with a "never-say-die" attitude kept her from giving up on that goal.

Since Lucy and Audrey came into our lives, Sara has taken on yet another role, the most important she'll ever undertake. The maternal instincts she has developed almost from night to day have me falling in love with another facet of Sara I didn't know existed. As a new mother of twins she has risen to the challenge yet again and has surprised us all. Her resiliency has helped her weather the storms of extreme fatigue and sleelplessness while giving Audrey and Lucy the love and protection that makes them light up when she walks in the room.

Through it all she has made me one very lucky dad, a role that still seems too big for me to fill. I'm lucky to have her example inspire me to do my best.

Our first garden...

I am most excited about these herbs. I planted cilantro, two kinds of rosemary & sweet basil. I hear cilantro is hard to keep from shooting up flowers, so we'll see how I do. I love cilantro in salads and of course, in fresh salsa! I also found a recipe that is supposed to be like the rosemary bread from Macaroni Grill, which we love, so again I'm excited. Basil goes great on homemade pizza and I'm putting some in the lasagna German wants me to make him for Father's Day...oh yum. It's only 8:00am and I'm hungry for dinner!

I also planted some spearmint to put in our mate drink, German and I love the added flavor! Then a row of green bell peppers which incidentally, aren't looking too hot.

This is our flower bed in the front yard with a zuchinni plant in the middle. It needs to grow more, so it doesn't look so barren.

We share this part of the yard with our neighbors (the Bailey's), so we tried to make it match. More flowers and two little butternut squash plants.

Then in the backyard I planted four tomato plants. Two beefsteak tomato, one cherry tomato and one yellow tomato. I wanted to see if one does better in a pot...we'll see.

Last but not least, this lonely smooth pumpkin plant is doing quite well. I love homemade pumpkin pies made from real pumpkin.

Any tips or pointers would be much appreciated! I've been reading alot, but anyone who has some experience (good or bad) with growing these plants in Utah, please feel free to enlighten me. THANKS! I hope you are all enjoying summertime.

Tuesday twin tidbit

Today the girls kept me company outside while I finished planting some more flowers and herbs. This is my very first time having my own garden, so we'll see how it goes. I hope I can keep everything alive and maybe even harvest something edible. The girls love being outside and going on walks. I love it too, because they usually end up like this.

Lu and Me

Audrey is getting a top tooth, so she hasn't been napping too well. Yesterday she was acting tired, so I put her in her crib and she fell asleep pretty quickly. I didn't want Lucy to wake her, she's a bit noisy at first, so I put her on my chest and we laid on the couch together. She was quite squirmy for a little while, but then settled down. I was going to get up and put her in her crib, but I loved cuddling with her. She fell asleep and looked so cutie pahtootey--I was wishing for a camera within reach. I realized my phone was on the floor and I took a few pictures with it. Sorry the quality is so crappy, but I'm glad I captured the moment. She hasn't fallen asleep in my arms since she was 2 months old. I loved it! (She only slept 30 minutes, though and wouldn't go back to sleep. Needless to say she was a bit cranky later, but it was worth it.)

Tuesday twin tidbit

This is a story I read on Melissa Zuber's website and I thought it was hilarious. And I know it is long, but trust me it's worth it. It will be crazy fun when the girls start talking...

A 3-year-old tells all from his mother's restroom stall By Shannon Popkin

My little guy, Cade, is quite a talker. He loves to communicate and does it quite well. He talks to people constantly, whether we're in the library,the grocery store or at a drive-thru window. People often comment on how clearly he speaks for just-turned-3-year-old. And you never have to ask him to turn up the volume. It's always fully cranked.There've been several embarrassing times that I've wished the meaning of his words would have been masked by a not-so-audible voice, but never have I wished this more than last week at Costco. Halfway, through our shopping trip, nature called, so I took Cade with me into the restroom. If you'd been one of the ladies in the restroom that evening, this is what you would have heard coming from the second to the last stall: "Mommy, are you gonna go potty? Oh! Why are you putting toiwet paper on the potty, Mommy? Oh! You gonna sit down on DA toiwet paper now? Mommy, what are you doing? Mommy, are you gonna go stinkies on the potty?" At this point I started mentally counting how many women had been in the bathroom when I walked in. Several stalls were full .. 4? 5? Maybe we could wait until they all left before I had to make my debut out of this stall and reveal my identity. Cade continued, "Mommy, you ARE going stinkies aren'tyou? Oh, dats a good girl, Mommy! Are you gonna get some candy for going stinkies on the potty? Let me see doze stinkies, Mommy! Oh ... Mommy! I'm trying to see in dere. Oh! I see dem. Dat is a very good girl,Mommy. You are gonna get some candy!" I heard a few faint chuckles coming from the stalls on either side of me. Where is a screaming newborn when you need her? Good grief. This was really getting embarrassing. I was definitely waiting a long time before exiting. Trying to divert him, I said, "Why don't you lookin Mommy's purse and see if you can find some candyWe'll both have some!" "No, I'm trying to see doze more stinkies. Oh! Mommy!" He started to gag at this point. "Uh oh, Mommy. I fink I'm gonna frow up. Mommy, doze stinkies are making me frow up!! Dat is so gross!!" As the gags became louder, so did the chuckles outside my stall. I quickly flushed the toilet in hopes of changing the subject. I began to reason with myself: OK. There are four other toilets. If I count four flushes, I can be reasonably assured that those who overheard this embarrassing monologue will be long gone. "Mommy! Would you get off the potty, now? I want you to be done going stinkies! Get up! Get up!" He grunted as he tried to pull me off. Now I could hear full-blown laughter. I bent down to count thefeet outside my door. "Oh, are you wooking under dere, Mommy? You wooking under DA door? What were you wooking at, Mommy? You wooking at the wady's feet?" More laughter. I stood inside the locked door and tried to assess the situation. "Mommy, it's time to wash our hands, now. We have to go out now,Mommy." He started pounding on the door. "Mommy, don't you want to wash your hands? I want to go out!!" I saw that my "wait 'em out" plan was unraveling I sheepishly opened the door, and found standing outside my stall, twenty to thirty ladies crowded around the stall, all smiling and starting to applaud. My first thought was complete embarrassment, then I thought, "Where's the fine print on the 'motherhoodcontract' where I signed away every bit of my dignity and privacy?" But as my little boy gave me a big, cheeky grin while he rubbed bubbly soap between his chubby little hands, I thought, I'd sign it all away again, just to be known as Mommy to this little fellow.

Forgotten Tuesday twin tidbit

With Monday being a holiday, I totally forgot about Tuesday twin tidbit yesterday. Sorry... Here's a video of Lucy last week starting to develop more mobility, she's been perfecting it everyday. Audrey is also just beginning to get on all fours. Crawling is just around the corner...Lucky me! They both enjoy the yoga move of downward facing dog. German loves it. I haven't caught a picture of that yet, but it's pretty cute.

just wanted to share some thoughts...

I just finished reading this book German gave me for Mother's day. It's not an amazing life-altering book, but it helped me meditate and feel God's love. For the first time, I was reading a book as a mother of two girls. I felt the weight of my great responsibility to teach them how much God loves and values them no matter what. That their worth is infinite and not based on how they look or how thin they are or what they do or don't accomplish in this life. I don't want them to hear me stress over my body image, which could lead them to someday worry about their own. I think German bought me the book because I've been wanting to shed this extra 20 pounds of baby weight I've been carrying around. In reading this book, I've been asking myself "Why is that SO important to me? Will I be more beautiful or happier with myself if I lose the weight? Will my husband and others love or value me more? Why am I being so hard on myself sometimes?"

I have honestly never been happier in my entire life...I absolutely love being a mother! I feel blessed in so many ways. I want to cherish and enjoy every moment with my husband and girls. How can I let Satan creep in and try to bring me down by leading me to believe that I can't be happy until I lose those 20 pounds? Don't get me wrong, I know it is important to eat healthy foods and exercise. But I want to do it for the right reasons. I want to take care of this gift of a mortal body that God has given me. Not just so I will lose weight and look better in my clothes.

In the end of the book she quotes President Hinckley which reads,

"I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to acheive. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass."

Anyway, I just wanted to share my thoughts with all of you beautiful girls (and guys) out there! My goal is to follow President Hinckley's advice and just try to be a little better. I'll start with eating a little less chocolate! I'd love to be able to run a marathon, but for right now I am going to do what I can do the best way I know. And who knows maybe someday running a marathon will be within my capacity to acheive. Thanks, German, for getting me this book and for being so loving and encouraging.

Tuesday twin tidbit

Lucy's turn to start getting teeth. I can't get my pictures to upload, so I'll have to post the pic of her tooth later. I think Audrey is getting more teeth because they are both a bit cranky! Gotta love two fussy, cranky, needy, beautiful babies. It's not too bad, at least they are still sleeping through the night. *Here's Lu showing off her tooth and Ree with her two bottom teeth!

Random question...Anyone have some advice, info or weblinks about food storage. How much is needed for however many people in your family and organizing it and such. Thanks!

I lost all my bloggy friends

I forgot that when I changed the layout, I'd lose all my bloggy friend links (duh). As I try to remember everyone and make the list again, it'd be great if you could all help me out by posting a quick comment. That way I'll have a link to your blog...thanks!

NEVERMIND, I found most of you again. But there are still a few invited only blogs that are still missing, you know who you are. Email me!

Tuesday twin tidbit

I have to write a little tidbit about Mother's day. Over the past few years Mother's day kinda just sucked for me. I'd feel sorry for myself, wallow on my pity pot and wonder if I'd ever be a mother. Looking back it seems so silly because I am grateful for all I've learned about myself and God's plan for me. I love our girls so much! Who knew something so tiny could produce such a wide range of wonderful and scary emotions. On Sunday I broke out into tears at least three times. German made some delicious french toast with fresh whip cream and strawberries. He even cut a few strawberries in the shape of hearts to go on top. He's so sweet! We went to pick lilacs and planned on taking a few photos, but Lucy fell asleep in the car, so I only got this pic with Audrey. In the evening my sister planned this great dinner get together and had these amazing bundt cakes. OH MY GOODNESS...so scrumptious! I want more soon! My mom gave me a beautiful plant and a sweet first Mother's day card. I love my mom & my sister & my girls! I hope you all had a wonderful day!

6 month checkup

I predicted the girls would weigh close to 20 pounds and that Lucy would weigh about two pounds more than Audrey. Well I was off, but not by a whole lot.

Audrey weighed 17lbs 12oz, 26.5 in long
Lucy weighed 18lbs 12 oz, 26.5 in long

Sooo, pretty similar except for that one pound more Lucy is carrying in both sets of cheeks and in her muscley thighs! I also wanted to post a picture of Audrey with her Abuela Betty who came to visit last month.

Tuesday twin tidbit

The girls are six months old today--here's a video of pics from 3-6 months.

Little Lucy

So Audrey was having a hard time falling asleep tonight. As Sara tried for the third time to get her to fall asleep, I decided to check on Lulu and noticed she was fast asleep on her belly. While Audrey remained resilient and even let out a few defiant yelps, I suddenly noticed Lulu pick her head straight up and look right at me, her eyes wide open. It was an annoyed look, as if to say, "What's with the noise? I'm trying to sleep here!" As I stood there in amazement, she plopped her head back down, shut her eyes, and resumed her sleep. Here she is looking over at Audrey before a nap...I love seeing how animated they're becoming, each with a distinct personality that is already evident. I love my girls.