Bath Time

This was the sight of last evening’s bath time. I had this brilliant idea (or so I thought) to try and cut corners with bath time. I am usually home alone during the evenings since Andy works late. So bath time is quite frenzied. So, I thought that I could put a laundry basket in the bathtub and bathe both babies at the same time. The basket would keep them supported and contained.
The result? A disaster! Elinor screamed the whole time. She screamed like she was in pain and bath time is usually quite enjoyable for her. John tried to climb out of the basket the entire time. Then, I did not plan ahead and foresee how I would get them out and diaper and dress them at the same time. It’s not like I could leave one in while I dressed the other one. So both of them were on the floor wrapped in towels… crying. I was sweating!
So, the laundry basket is not fit for baths… just laundry.
However, is it legal for me to put one over John so he doesn’t crawl away while I am dressing Elinor? That would be a call to Social Services, wouldn’t it?

Lesson Learned

Yes, that is my kitchen ceiling. Just like the blender manual says...
"Do not take the top off while the machine is running". I wish I could tell you that I was adding more ice to the margarita mix... but I wasn't. I was pureeing the twins' lunch.... mixed veggies. Good grief! How do I remove that off a textured ceiling!

A Dog's Birthday

Lloyd had a birthday. My pup is 3 years old. We don’t know his actual birth date since we rescued him. I decided to count 12 weeks back from my birthday – since that is when he was given to me. The best birthday present ever!
So here is Lloyd celebrating his birthday with a peanut butter carrot cake I made for him. The frosting was pureed cottage cheese. He was not especially fond of the candle. But he loved everything else about it.

Oh get a good look at that ugly vinyl flooring… because it’s gone.
(pictures taken with phone)




Andy tiled the floor over the weekend with some help from Chuck, our neighbor and lifesaver. It was a lot of back breaking work – but the final product is so worth it. Now we have a beautiful ceramic tile floor. It really makes the kitchen and the whole house look so much more bigger and beautiful. I love the way it feels underneath my bare feet. I know most people probably have ceramic in their homes – but looking and walking on that tile makes me feel like I am in a home right out of a magazine. Thank you Andy – great job!

On another note…
I have been told that my blog seems a bit negative. I apologize to my readers if you feel that way. I do not want to be perceived in that manner. I have a wonderful life with so many things to be thankful and grateful for.
I suppose that if a person is outwardly negative that must mean that person feels negative on the inside. Negative thoughts and beliefs about oneself initially form when we accept a critical or negative opinion that someone else has given us.
So, first I need to try and identify when I am being negative. That’s a tough one for me. I don’t usually see the negative. Once I can conquer that, then I can shift any negative thought to a more positive one.

Now that John is crawling – this is one of his favorite things to do. He just likes to look out the window to the back yard. Too cute!

Confession

I have to make a confession.... My house is not clean. I know it. I accept it. I see the dust on the coffee table. I see the dust mites on the floor in the corner. I know there are a few spills on the kitchen floor. I try to keep up with the mess. Seriously! It is out of my control. I just do what I can. My house will never be spotless. There will always be piles of stuff on kitchen counters. Andy's socks will litter the house (along with many other pieces of clothing). The kids' toys cover the livingroom floor. I trip over dog toys.
When you come to my house you will see this mess. It is a mess that sometimes overwhelms me. It makes me crazy. And then I settle in and accept that this is me. This is my house. This is my family. So, if you notice the dust on the ceiling fan... please don't be disgusted or embarrassed for me. Please know that I am aware of it. I will get to it someday. But for today there are babies to play with, dogs to walk, fresh sunny air to take in, a husband to sit with and talk to and places to go.
If I have to choose between a clean house and spending time with my family... .the family wins.
So, do come visit.... but come at your own risk.

The Weekend is Here

It's going to be a really nice day today. We will definitely take in a walk.
John has yet to start crawling. I really thought it was going to be soon. Perhaps he will move right into walking. Who knows? I caught him chewing on a dog toy yesterday. I moved him way across the room away from the dog's toys. A couple of seconds later, it seemed, he was back over by the toys. It was quite impressive considering that he does not crawl, he just rolls. What really made me proud was that somehow he got himself into a sitting position. Incredible!

As you know, I am not much of a wine drinker. However, Leslie brought me a bottle called "Yard Dog" and I really liked it. It's a red wine but it almost has a peppery cinnamon taste to it. Very good. Try it.



And love, love, love this...

Rainy Tuesday

The kids are down for a quick nap so I thought I would, I could, take a couple of free moments to upload some images. Leslie and the boys were here for a quick visit... along with Penny. It's nice to see the baby cousins altogether. Elinor and John John laughed and laughed with Ben. He is so silly. Ben is all boy and a typical 3 year old - if there is such a thing. The thing that makes Ben so great is that he is curious, inquisitive and imaginative. He is also sensitive and loving. Drake is just a very squishy baby. My mom would have loved to squish him. And Leslie is a wonderful sister-in-law. I didn't get to choose her but I am so glad my brother did.
It's just a rainy Tuesday here, so I doubt we will get out much today. So I am busy making baby food for the kids: chicken noodle soup (I will puree), peas, squash, and apples. They had cauliflower for the first time last evening. I jazzed that up with a little apple. They loved it.
Enjoy the photos. I am feeling a little blah today... maybe it's the weather.
Wishing that all of you feel loved today and hoping that you receive lots of hugs and kisses from people around you.


Ben


Leslie & Drake


The crazy crew minus John


John was just about to grab a fistful of Penny's fur.

New Pics

My neighbor took some shots of the kids the other day. Cute!

Home Again

I got back from NY/Boston late Monday night. I am so glad that I went to be with my girls. Even under the unfortunate circumstances, I do think Kell, Meg and I managed to enjoy the time together. There were even a couple of times when the laughter got the best of me. I can’t wait to see them again for the Reunion in June.

The three of us met in college. We weren’t even very close while in school, but somehow our friendship has transcended for 20+ years. Long-term friendships, like ours, share a history. It’s the history that can never be duplicated or matched in any adulthood friendship. Friends from my youth anchor me in a way, especially since I have relocated so many times. Even though Kell and Meg are hundreds of miles away from me, I can pick up the phone or send a quick text or email which continues to reinforce our friendship. There is something so comforting about being around them… I don’t have to explain myself, they just know. I would much rather have a few best friends scattered around the country than have numerous casual friends close by.

Andy did a great job with the kids. Even with his parents in town, I am sure that he did most of the work which the kids probably appreciate. They are starting to cling to Mom and Dad by the way. On top of taking care of the kids, dog and his parents, he even managed to keep the house tidy and took care of the laundry. Kudos to Andy!

We ran out of baby cereal and I had to grind oats this morning and make the babies oatmeal on the stove. They were unsure of the texture. Elinor definitely did not enjoy it. Note to self: PICK UP BABY CEREAL.
However, Andy said they both loved the Split Pea Soup I made before I left for the weekend.

Leslie, Ben, Drake and Penny arrive tomorrow for the night. I can hardly stand it. I can’t wait to get my hands on the boys. I believe Penny is staying with us through the weekend. That should be interesting… 8 month old twins, a Newfie and a black Lab… I will have my hands full for sure. I’ll try to get some pictures.

April Fool's

Happy Birthday to my dear godchild Lex. She is a precious girl and I love her and miss her dearly!
Can't wait to see her on Sunday.