Yesterday I got a million emails asking if I had seen that video of the twin toddlers talking to each other. This one:
Yes, I have seen it. That's the age when kids start to mimic things around them. Remember this video of Nate at the same age, imitating me with a purse on his arm?
As a twin mom who has been around the block, I had different questions and observations about this video:
1. I can verify this is an authentic and unstaged video because the toddlers are in diapers. Twin moms start to give up on keeping clean clothes on their kids at this age as it is a futile effort.
2. Are the doors to the fridge and warming door locked? Because my twin boys would have torn that shizz up if they weren't locked.
3. How on earth did they get toddler twins to stop tearing up the house for two entire minutes???????
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Pretty sweet birthday
When Jon turned 30, we celebrated by going to Hawaii. We hiked for hours to Kilauea. See the silvery stuff just to the right behind us? That's active lava flowing. It was AMAZING. Certainly in my top 10 life experiences.
Here's how we celebrated my birthday last night:
I am pretty much made to be a boy mom. Nate and I tore up that track (Alex was more reserved until he got in and loved it), then we all played video games. I'd still love to take the boys to see active lava flowing one day but for right now, this was the best birthday I could imagine.
I also love this photo because it is a good reminder of just how small the boys really are. Lately I've felt sad about how fast the time is passing but this picture reminds me we still have a lot of years together.
Here's how we celebrated my birthday last night:
I am pretty much made to be a boy mom. Nate and I tore up that track (Alex was more reserved until he got in and loved it), then we all played video games. I'd still love to take the boys to see active lava flowing one day but for right now, this was the best birthday I could imagine.
I also love this photo because it is a good reminder of just how small the boys really are. Lately I've felt sad about how fast the time is passing but this picture reminds me we still have a lot of years together.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
37 wishes for the upcoming year? Nope, just a few.
Last year, I felt like I was at a crossroads in my life. I decided to do Mondo Beyondo to see where it took me. That course gave me the confidence to experience some pretty amazing things in my 36th trip around the sun. Last year on my birthday, I shared 36 things from my Mondo list. Here is what I did from that list since then:
(Thanks Nate for the picture.)
18 of 36 wishes. Pretty freaking sweet.
When I wrote that post last year on my birthday, I had grand plans of getting it all accomplished and coming up with 37 new items this birthday. As you all know, I did a lot of awesome crazy stuff last year. It was a full year but I was tired. And overstretched. It was too much.
Today, on my 37th birthday, I'm narrowing down my Mondo list to a few items:
This year, it's about the quality of dreams rather than the quantity. And let me tell you, it's going to be one HUGE FREAKING YEAR.
Happy 37th birthday to me!
- Learned to walk in heels
- Skipped stones with Nate and Alex
- Spent an hour outside (almost) every day
- Filled my home with beautiful objects. Bonus: moved to dream house
- Lived in a beach house
- No skin cancer. Or other cancer. Or major illnesses.
- Spent as much time barefoot as possible
- Continued to work on my tribe of women
- Had boudoir photos taken
- Killed Warrior Dash twice
- Read 52 books
- Got lots of quality beach time
- Wore makeup regularly
- Had time and ability to see my loved ones more frequently by going part time
- Woke up every day with my best friend
- Wrote a book (this blog)
- Saw where my camera took me, emotionally and physically. It was FAR.
- Got in front of the camera more
(Thanks Nate for the picture.)
18 of 36 wishes. Pretty freaking sweet.
When I wrote that post last year on my birthday, I had grand plans of getting it all accomplished and coming up with 37 new items this birthday. As you all know, I did a lot of awesome crazy stuff last year. It was a full year but I was tired. And overstretched. It was too much.
Today, on my 37th birthday, I'm narrowing down my Mondo list to a few items:
- Continue to make a commitment to daily exercise
- Continue to make a commitment to developing and maintaining relationships
- Continue to be present in the moments with Nate and Alex
- Continue to have no cancer or other major illnesses
- Continue to spend that time barefoot, that time at the beach, that time outside, that time living life
- Launch my photography business. Oh yes, this is happening in 2011.
This year, it's about the quality of dreams rather than the quantity. And let me tell you, it's going to be one HUGE FREAKING YEAR.
Happy 37th birthday to me!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Happy 36th to Jon!
As someone who has blogged every Monday through Friday for 5.5 years, a day's absence from normally scheduled blogging results in emails, phone calls, tweets, and facebook messages. You might have noticed I did not post on Friday. That is because Jon and I took the day off to spend time together to celebrate our birthdays.
We shopped, we ate at The Pit, and we saw a movie (in a theater! without paying a babysitter!) but mostly we just talked. It was much lower key than previous birthday trips to Europe and Hawaii. And it was very different than the first birthdays we celebrated together in 2000 where we stayed out until 2AM doing shots. Yes, on a work night. Yes, including tequila and ouzo.
Our way of celebrating may have changed over the last 11 years but our birthdays are that much sweeter with two extra people in our family to celebrate with:
Happy 36th birthday to my best friend.
We shopped, we ate at The Pit, and we saw a movie (in a theater! without paying a babysitter!) but mostly we just talked. It was much lower key than previous birthday trips to Europe and Hawaii. And it was very different than the first birthdays we celebrated together in 2000 where we stayed out until 2AM doing shots. Yes, on a work night. Yes, including tequila and ouzo.
Our way of celebrating may have changed over the last 11 years but our birthdays are that much sweeter with two extra people in our family to celebrate with:
Happy 36th birthday to my best friend.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The big kindergarten explanation post
I have gotten a ton of questions about kindergarten so I thought I would write up some explanations of some decisions and logistics. If you're not interested in reading about our decision to separate them or year-round kindergarten, skip this post! If you have more questions, post them in the comments and I'll answer.
Separating the boys
In our ideal situation, we would have separated the boys when they were 3. They are not dependent on one another, but we do feel that them being together prevents them from developing particular skills on their own.
To prepare for this, we picked a day care that had multiple rooms for every age. Unfortunately by the time our boys got to the 3s and 4s rooms, the rooms had different curriculums. We (and the director) did not feel it was fair to give one kid a more advanced curriculum since they are twins so we kept them together. Rather than move them to a new day care to be separated, we decided to keep them at a place we know they are loved and delay the separation until kindergarten.
We talk ALL THE TIME about the upcoming separation, strongly emphasizing the positives. We believe it will be great for Nate and Alex to be apart for many reasons. Our strongest reason is that we think it will be good for other people to stop thinking of them as "Nate and Alex." We also think it will help stop people from comparing them directly so much. And it will be good to have different sets of homework. Right now, them having the same homework is difficult to manage because they overhear each other and end up chatting with each other about it.
Even though we talk about the positives, we also listen to the boys' worries and concerns. We are preparing for a transition period. By the time they leave their school, they will have been there for 59 months of the 62 they've been alive! It will be a HUGE change just to go to a new school and then to also be separated will add even more change. Even though they'll be apart at school, they will still ride the school bus together, see each other at recess, see each other in the cafeteria, and be together the 16 hours they're not in school
Overall, when Jon and I talk about our "jobs" as parents, we think of our role as helping our children grow into independent, self-sufficient people. To us, separating them is part of the job, and it seems most logical to do it when they go to kindergarten and everyone is starting fresh and making new friends.
Year-round school
Wake County has multiple choices for public school options. We have traditional calendar schools (off in summers), magnet schools, and year-round calendar schools. When we bought our new house, we narrowed our search down to specific schools in Cary. Our new neighborhood school is a year-round calendar school.
Some parents may not like this, but as a family with two working parents, we are thrilled with the idea of a year-round schedule. The boys will go to school for 9 weeks then have 3-4 weeks off for four quarters. It is much easier for us to get a week of vacation four times a year instead of trying to take extended time off in the summer.
In the year-round calendar, there are four different schedules. They are staggered so there are only 3 tracks in session at a time. The idea is that you can fit more students into a school by utilizing the school 12 months of the year instead of 9.
We got notice this week that we got our preferred track, Track 1. The boys will be "tracked out" (on vacation) for the months of March, June, September, and December every year. We already have a beach vacation planned for their first track out in September, a great way to celebrate their entry into kindergarten!
While we will take some time off at each track, they will go to day camps the rest of the time. Since our county has many year-round schools, there are a lot of options for camps for tracked-out kids.
Was this helpful? And do you have other questions?
Separating the boys
In our ideal situation, we would have separated the boys when they were 3. They are not dependent on one another, but we do feel that them being together prevents them from developing particular skills on their own.
To prepare for this, we picked a day care that had multiple rooms for every age. Unfortunately by the time our boys got to the 3s and 4s rooms, the rooms had different curriculums. We (and the director) did not feel it was fair to give one kid a more advanced curriculum since they are twins so we kept them together. Rather than move them to a new day care to be separated, we decided to keep them at a place we know they are loved and delay the separation until kindergarten.
We talk ALL THE TIME about the upcoming separation, strongly emphasizing the positives. We believe it will be great for Nate and Alex to be apart for many reasons. Our strongest reason is that we think it will be good for other people to stop thinking of them as "Nate and Alex." We also think it will help stop people from comparing them directly so much. And it will be good to have different sets of homework. Right now, them having the same homework is difficult to manage because they overhear each other and end up chatting with each other about it.
Even though we talk about the positives, we also listen to the boys' worries and concerns. We are preparing for a transition period. By the time they leave their school, they will have been there for 59 months of the 62 they've been alive! It will be a HUGE change just to go to a new school and then to also be separated will add even more change. Even though they'll be apart at school, they will still ride the school bus together, see each other at recess, see each other in the cafeteria, and be together the 16 hours they're not in school
Overall, when Jon and I talk about our "jobs" as parents, we think of our role as helping our children grow into independent, self-sufficient people. To us, separating them is part of the job, and it seems most logical to do it when they go to kindergarten and everyone is starting fresh and making new friends.
Year-round school
Wake County has multiple choices for public school options. We have traditional calendar schools (off in summers), magnet schools, and year-round calendar schools. When we bought our new house, we narrowed our search down to specific schools in Cary. Our new neighborhood school is a year-round calendar school.
Some parents may not like this, but as a family with two working parents, we are thrilled with the idea of a year-round schedule. The boys will go to school for 9 weeks then have 3-4 weeks off for four quarters. It is much easier for us to get a week of vacation four times a year instead of trying to take extended time off in the summer.
In the year-round calendar, there are four different schedules. They are staggered so there are only 3 tracks in session at a time. The idea is that you can fit more students into a school by utilizing the school 12 months of the year instead of 9.
We got notice this week that we got our preferred track, Track 1. The boys will be "tracked out" (on vacation) for the months of March, June, September, and December every year. We already have a beach vacation planned for their first track out in September, a great way to celebrate their entry into kindergarten!
While we will take some time off at each track, they will go to day camps the rest of the time. Since our county has many year-round schools, there are a lot of options for camps for tracked-out kids.
Was this helpful? And do you have other questions?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Kindergarten tour
As part of the kindergarten tour, the school principal took everyone to see the cafeteria, gym, playground, technology room, art room, music room, library, and the kindergarten classrooms. Since school was in session, the boys got to see what they will be doing in the rooms. The classroom is not much different than their existing classroom except the cubbies are much larger and they have multiple computers in each room.
After the tour, we played "thumbs up, thumbs down" where we asked the boys about different aspects of school and how they would rate it. Playground? Thumbs up. Music room? Thumbs up. Art room? Thumbs up. Classrooms? Thumbs up. Cafeteria? Thumbs up.
Every single item was thumbs up. I asked if there were any thumbs down. Alex said, "I know one sad thing, thumbs down to [Nate and Alex in] different classrooms." Then they both put their thumbs down.
Say it with me..... AHHHHHHH, so sweet.
After the tour, we played "thumbs up, thumbs down" where we asked the boys about different aspects of school and how they would rate it. Playground? Thumbs up. Music room? Thumbs up. Art room? Thumbs up. Classrooms? Thumbs up. Cafeteria? Thumbs up.
Every single item was thumbs up. I asked if there were any thumbs down. Alex said, "I know one sad thing, thumbs down to [Nate and Alex in] different classrooms." Then they both put their thumbs down.
Say it with me..... AHHHHHHH, so sweet.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The first chink in the armor
I've been pretty excited about the boys starting kindergarten. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, has warned me that my happy shiny positive attitude will turn to tears the first day the school bus hauls them away. I've said it won't be a big adjustment as they've been in day care so long, it will just be like a new school. Plus think of the money we'll save. And it will be great for them to be separated.
This morning we are going on a kindergarten and school tour and my only thought is WAHHHHHH WHEN DID MY TEENY TINY BABIES GROW UP?!?!?!!
Dude, I am going to be a blubbering crazy mess the second week of July when they start year-round school. Waterproof mascara recommendations, please.
This morning we are going on a kindergarten and school tour and my only thought is WAHHHHHH WHEN DID MY TEENY TINY BABIES GROW UP?!?!?!!
Dude, I am going to be a blubbering crazy mess the second week of July when they start year-round school. Waterproof mascara recommendations, please.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Another 13.1 miles
Yesterday I ran the Tobacco Road half marathon. I had grand plans to run sub-2:00 but my training went SO FAR off the tracks with illnesses and Jon's international trip. After all my training runs I knew I could make 2:10 (a personal record - PR) if I had a good race.
It was 46F at race time, perfect running weather. So of course, I got about four hours of sleep the night before the race since Nate woke up crying twice with a fever. Then they started the race 20 minutes late. By the time we took off, I was freezing and my carefully planned meal was long digested.
First 5K? 30:00
Second 5K? 27:00. That is a PR for me. BOO YAH.
Third 5K? 29:00.
And then, hello BONK. It was a combination of not enough sleep and running out of fuel because of the delay. Getting old sucks, these kind of bonks never happened in my 20s. The last 3.5ish miles were bad. I'm about 99.9999% certain I saw Dave Ramsey cheering people on at mile 11.5 but I didn't want to stop because I wanted that PR so bad. At mile 12, I realized I was *so close* to a PR but I could not bust it out.
I finished at 2:12:48... missing my PR by 19 seconds. Do you know how little 19 seconds is in a 13.1 mile race??? Oh well, let's look at the bright side.
(Thank you Mannly Mama for the post-race picture since my entourage had to stay home.)
I am strongly considering declaring 2011 the year of Go Big or Go Home but I need to think more on that one.
It was 46F at race time, perfect running weather. So of course, I got about four hours of sleep the night before the race since Nate woke up crying twice with a fever. Then they started the race 20 minutes late. By the time we took off, I was freezing and my carefully planned meal was long digested.
First 5K? 30:00
Second 5K? 27:00. That is a PR for me. BOO YAH.
Third 5K? 29:00.
And then, hello BONK. It was a combination of not enough sleep and running out of fuel because of the delay. Getting old sucks, these kind of bonks never happened in my 20s. The last 3.5ish miles were bad. I'm about 99.9999% certain I saw Dave Ramsey cheering people on at mile 11.5 but I didn't want to stop because I wanted that PR so bad. At mile 12, I realized I was *so close* to a PR but I could not bust it out.
I finished at 2:12:48... missing my PR by 19 seconds. Do you know how little 19 seconds is in a 13.1 mile race??? Oh well, let's look at the bright side.
(Thank you Mannly Mama for the post-race picture since my entourage had to stay home.)
- I ran 13.1 miles.
- I'm now easily averaging 20 running miles a week.
- During training, I lost 10 pounds.
- I can run a 27 minute 5K! After running 3 miles. And then run 7 more.
- I said no to the Pabst Blue Ribbon stand someone set up at mile 9ish.
I am strongly considering declaring 2011 the year of Go Big or Go Home but I need to think more on that one.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Springing
Every year, I struggle through January and February in a funk. I have very little motivation. I brood. I stay up too late thinking. March comes along and it brings back a spring in my step. All those swirling thoughts finally have an outlet. In March, I am ready to DO.
I barely took any pictures in January and February. I needed a break from my camera to think about where I'm headed.
I've finally realized I like my photography like I like my blogging like I like my friends like I like everything: REAL. I like my blog with public diarrhea stories along with the "look at our happy perfect family on the beach!!!" stories.
Taking those beach photos made me realize that while I am always trying to capture that elusive "perfect" shot of the boys, what I love the most are the real moments. This is Nate's "real" face.
I'm pretty blessed with my subjects as Nate is uber-photogenic and Alex's face is uber-expressive. Why don't you ask Alex how he felt about having his photo taken? I'll post his REAL response. Goodness, this picture makes me laugh out loud!
Big things are coming in 2011 with my photography, this I know after these contemplative months. I am so so so ready for spring in so many different ways.
I barely took any pictures in January and February. I needed a break from my camera to think about where I'm headed.
I've finally realized I like my photography like I like my blogging like I like my friends like I like everything: REAL. I like my blog with public diarrhea stories along with the "look at our happy perfect family on the beach!!!" stories.
Taking those beach photos made me realize that while I am always trying to capture that elusive "perfect" shot of the boys, what I love the most are the real moments. This is Nate's "real" face.
I'm pretty blessed with my subjects as Nate is uber-photogenic and Alex's face is uber-expressive. Why don't you ask Alex how he felt about having his photo taken? I'll post his REAL response. Goodness, this picture makes me laugh out loud!
Big things are coming in 2011 with my photography, this I know after these contemplative months. I am so so so ready for spring in so many different ways.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
March Madness!
I love love love LOVE March Madness. My favorite thing about it is that every single team plays their heart out in every single game. You rarely see that in professional sports and I love watching that.
This is the first year we created a bracket with the boys. Jon had the idea to put all the teams in a hat and pick teams randomly. As we pulled teams, it was so fun to watch the boys get excited about Florida (that's where grandma Jen lives!), Ohio State (that's where grandpa Turtle lives!), and UNC (that's where we live!).
After all that excitement, I worked on my bracket and Nate wanted to help. I asked him his picks and he was lightning fast at his answers. He didn't just pick the better team or the first team, he seemed to know what he was thinking.
The only issue came with the Southeast bracket. He lined Butler all the way to the Final Four. He even tried to make Butler upset Kansas for the final. Jon said, "You know why he's picking Butler, right?" I thought it was because he thought it was funny that a butler would play basketball. I asked Nate why he liked Butler and he said, "Because it has THIS (pats his own butt) in the name!"
Is this a better method than other people use for their picks? I can't decide. All I know is if Butler is the Cinderella story this year, Nate and I are going to smoke Jon with our picks.
This is the first year we created a bracket with the boys. Jon had the idea to put all the teams in a hat and pick teams randomly. As we pulled teams, it was so fun to watch the boys get excited about Florida (that's where grandma Jen lives!), Ohio State (that's where grandpa Turtle lives!), and UNC (that's where we live!).
After all that excitement, I worked on my bracket and Nate wanted to help. I asked him his picks and he was lightning fast at his answers. He didn't just pick the better team or the first team, he seemed to know what he was thinking.
The only issue came with the Southeast bracket. He lined Butler all the way to the Final Four. He even tried to make Butler upset Kansas for the final. Jon said, "You know why he's picking Butler, right?" I thought it was because he thought it was funny that a butler would play basketball. I asked Nate why he liked Butler and he said, "Because it has THIS (pats his own butt) in the name!"
Is this a better method than other people use for their picks? I can't decide. All I know is if Butler is the Cinderella story this year, Nate and I are going to smoke Jon with our picks.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Second worst date ever
Right after I graduated from high school, I worked at a movie theater at the concession stand. My friends set me up on a blind date with a guy from another movie theater. He was 26, took me to a free movie, and made me pay for my own dinner at Checker's (which I don't even like). The date was terrible and awkward, but the worst part was when I realized I had to pay for my own food.
I had a lot of bad dates between the ages of 18 and 27 but that was by far the worst. And I never let my friends set me up on a blind date again.
My second worst date was on Friday night. I went out with one of my sons, who shall remain nameless. We ate a nice dinner out, then he wanted to go to Target to buy another beyblade.
As we walked through Target, he complained his stomach hurt. I asked over and over if he needed to use the bathroom and he refused. Finally, he screamed out and started to cry, then scream. I asked what happened.
He said he had a diarrhea accident.
I marched him, still crying, as fast as I could to the bathroom, while other shoppers stared at this screaming kid who was walking oddly. When I looked down his pants, I was HORRIFIED. Let's just say the underwear, the pants, and the socks were ruined. And here I was, alone in a Target bathroom stall with NO IDEA what to do. I had wipes and a change of clothes in the car but no way to get the boy to the car without more damage.
I called Jon on his cell and fortunately he was nearby with our other kid. Jon bought a new pair of pants and some pullups. While he did that, another mom got me a garbage bag for the kid to stand in so I had a place to put his soiled clothing.
As we walked out of Target, both boys said OVER and OVER in their loudest four year old boy voice:
DID YOU HAVE DIARRHEA?
I HAD DIARRHEA. IN TARGET.
DIARRHEA IN TARGET?
Laura: Please stop talking about it!
WHY CAN'T I TALK ABOUT DIARRHEA? I HAD DIARRHEA.
YEAH, HE HAD DIARRHEA. IN TARGET.
Jon: No more saying diarrhea! Or at least use inside voices!
Motherhood, it is glamorous.
I had a lot of bad dates between the ages of 18 and 27 but that was by far the worst. And I never let my friends set me up on a blind date again.
My second worst date was on Friday night. I went out with one of my sons, who shall remain nameless. We ate a nice dinner out, then he wanted to go to Target to buy another beyblade.
As we walked through Target, he complained his stomach hurt. I asked over and over if he needed to use the bathroom and he refused. Finally, he screamed out and started to cry, then scream. I asked what happened.
He said he had a diarrhea accident.
I marched him, still crying, as fast as I could to the bathroom, while other shoppers stared at this screaming kid who was walking oddly. When I looked down his pants, I was HORRIFIED. Let's just say the underwear, the pants, and the socks were ruined. And here I was, alone in a Target bathroom stall with NO IDEA what to do. I had wipes and a change of clothes in the car but no way to get the boy to the car without more damage.
I called Jon on his cell and fortunately he was nearby with our other kid. Jon bought a new pair of pants and some pullups. While he did that, another mom got me a garbage bag for the kid to stand in so I had a place to put his soiled clothing.
As we walked out of Target, both boys said OVER and OVER in their loudest four year old boy voice:
DID YOU HAVE DIARRHEA?
I HAD DIARRHEA. IN TARGET.
DIARRHEA IN TARGET?
Laura: Please stop talking about it!
WHY CAN'T I TALK ABOUT DIARRHEA? I HAD DIARRHEA.
YEAH, HE HAD DIARRHEA. IN TARGET.
Jon: No more saying diarrhea! Or at least use inside voices!
Motherhood, it is glamorous.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The first step into dork-dom
I am very sensitive about Nate and Alex not turning into dorks or dweebs. Being a proud geek, I am fine if they are geeks, but being a Caltech graduate I have seen the importance of social adjustment in both professional and personal satisfaction.
I couldn't even watch The Social Network because the opening dork scenes reminded me way too much of my fellow classmates in a bad way. Dork PTSD, if you will.
Wait Laura... aren't geeks, dorks, and dweebs pretty much the same thing? NO THEY ARE NOT (via laughingsquid):
Most of the boys in Nate and Alex's classroom are into beyblades. For those of you without young boys in your home, beyblades are metal tops that you spin and battle against each other. They look like this:
The boys proudly bought their beyblades with their money and .they play with them by themselves for long periods of time....basically the perfect toy. Beyblades are originally from Japan so when Jon was there last month, he bought some Japanese beyblades for Nate and Alex as gifts. Jon also mentioned there was a beyblade tv show, so I TiVoed it for the boys and didn't preview it.... breaking my hard and fast rule of previewing any show before the boys see it.
I will forever regret breaking my rule of not previewing that show because the boys love it. And.... it is one huge step in the WRONG DIRECTION of dork-dom because it is an ANIME SHOW.
Now if you'll excuse me, seeing this anime picture is giving me some bad dork PTSD flashbacks and I need to go lay down.
I couldn't even watch The Social Network because the opening dork scenes reminded me way too much of my fellow classmates in a bad way. Dork PTSD, if you will.
Wait Laura... aren't geeks, dorks, and dweebs pretty much the same thing? NO THEY ARE NOT (via laughingsquid):
Most of the boys in Nate and Alex's classroom are into beyblades. For those of you without young boys in your home, beyblades are metal tops that you spin and battle against each other. They look like this:
The boys proudly bought their beyblades with their money and .they play with them by themselves for long periods of time....basically the perfect toy. Beyblades are originally from Japan so when Jon was there last month, he bought some Japanese beyblades for Nate and Alex as gifts. Jon also mentioned there was a beyblade tv show, so I TiVoed it for the boys and didn't preview it.... breaking my hard and fast rule of previewing any show before the boys see it.
I will forever regret breaking my rule of not previewing that show because the boys love it. And.... it is one huge step in the WRONG DIRECTION of dork-dom because it is an ANIME SHOW.
Now if you'll excuse me, seeing this anime picture is giving me some bad dork PTSD flashbacks and I need to go lay down.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday gumbo
Irene came to visit this weekend for a much needed girls' weekend. While we did run 9 miles, go shopping, eat sushi, watch a movie, and hit the spa, we didn't take a single picture of us together. The pictures over the last 17 years of our friendship will have to suffice.
Before kids, I was a spring time change hater. After kids, I am SO GLAD we will be able to go outside after school because hello stir crazy!
Our external hard drive crashed. Good thing I am a crazy backing up fool and have all our pictures and videos backed up on disc as well. And we always have the old school prints as another back up. Just *another* friendly reminder to back up.
Spring is HERE. Yesterday we got front porch furniture so we can sit while the boys play out front. I love sitting on the front porch. And the back porch. And being outside. Can I tell you how happy I am about spring and the time change???
I am pretty much in denial that I am doing a half marathon on Sunday even though I have been training for months. I was hoping for a PR with this race but it's not going to happen.
SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before kids, I was a spring time change hater. After kids, I am SO GLAD we will be able to go outside after school because hello stir crazy!
Our external hard drive crashed. Good thing I am a crazy backing up fool and have all our pictures and videos backed up on disc as well. And we always have the old school prints as another back up. Just *another* friendly reminder to back up.
Spring is HERE. Yesterday we got front porch furniture so we can sit while the boys play out front. I love sitting on the front porch. And the back porch. And being outside. Can I tell you how happy I am about spring and the time change???
I am pretty much in denial that I am doing a half marathon on Sunday even though I have been training for months. I was hoping for a PR with this race but it's not going to happen.
SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Show Me the Mommy! 11 years edition
This weekend marks the 11 year anniversary of me and Jon meeting for the first time. Has it really been a year since I told the story of how we met?
The point of that story, which got lost by my tendency to be verbose, is that your life can change at any moment. In that moment, my life changed forever for the better. I also love thinking about this mini-anniversary day because it means March Madness is about to start, our birthdays are close, and the weather is about to turn spectacular here.
I may be slightly insane to hand over a Canon 50D with a 50mm 1.2 lens to a four year old (it IS insured peoples!) but totally worth it for pictures like this, huh?
The point of that story, which got lost by my tendency to be verbose, is that your life can change at any moment. In that moment, my life changed forever for the better. I also love thinking about this mini-anniversary day because it means March Madness is about to start, our birthdays are close, and the weather is about to turn spectacular here.
I may be slightly insane to hand over a Canon 50D with a 50mm 1.2 lens to a four year old (it IS insured peoples!) but totally worth it for pictures like this, huh?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Why I will never be a gazillionaire with twins
Despite my genius car invention, I truly will never be a gazillionaire with twin boys in the house. Why? EXPENSES.
Newborn: hit our out of pocket medical maximum for their one week NICU stay and my twin c-section.
Newborn: hit our out of pocket medical maximum the following year due to Nate's reflux and subsequent ear tube surgery, Alex's physical therapy and helmet, ENDLESS sick child visits because they were in day care (we're talking $300 a month just in sick child co-pays, not to mention medicine x2).
Newborn: formula. Had to do soy due to Alex's dairy intolerance. Couldn't do generic.
Newborn - age 3: diapers. Times two. And don't get me started on what a dairy intolerance and antibiotics for endless illnesses do to the insides of diapers.
Ages 3months - age 5: day care. I can't tell you the real total because if I add it up, I will cry, but it is in the 6 figures.
Age 1: more endless sick child visits. Also, an entire mountain of goldfish crackers.
Age 2: boy clothing destruction begins as Alex ruined 10 pairs of jeans over winter
Age 2-18: in which they eat us out of house and home. I dare you to take Alex to IHOP to see how much he can put away.
Age 2-18: swim lessons, music lessons, soccer class, gymnastics, spanish. OY.
Age 3: all of Laura's crazy pursuits as she tries to reclaim her life after twins. Evidence: photography and running expenses.
Age 4: BAND AIDS. Seriously, I should have bought stock in band-aids a long long time ago. Complete meltdown if there is not a band-aid around in an emergency.
In the future:
Glasses and contacts
Braces times two
Putting TWO 16 year old boys on our driver's insurance on the same day!!!!
Ongoing injuries
Ongoing eating and clothing
Two kids starting college at the same day.
So... I will never ever be a gazillionaire.
But they are worth it.
Newborn: hit our out of pocket medical maximum for their one week NICU stay and my twin c-section.
Newborn: hit our out of pocket medical maximum the following year due to Nate's reflux and subsequent ear tube surgery, Alex's physical therapy and helmet, ENDLESS sick child visits because they were in day care (we're talking $300 a month just in sick child co-pays, not to mention medicine x2).
Newborn: formula. Had to do soy due to Alex's dairy intolerance. Couldn't do generic.
Newborn - age 3: diapers. Times two. And don't get me started on what a dairy intolerance and antibiotics for endless illnesses do to the insides of diapers.
Ages 3months - age 5: day care. I can't tell you the real total because if I add it up, I will cry, but it is in the 6 figures.
Age 1: more endless sick child visits. Also, an entire mountain of goldfish crackers.
Age 2: boy clothing destruction begins as Alex ruined 10 pairs of jeans over winter
Age 2-18: in which they eat us out of house and home. I dare you to take Alex to IHOP to see how much he can put away.
Age 2-18: swim lessons, music lessons, soccer class, gymnastics, spanish. OY.
Age 3: all of Laura's crazy pursuits as she tries to reclaim her life after twins. Evidence: photography and running expenses.
Age 4: BAND AIDS. Seriously, I should have bought stock in band-aids a long long time ago. Complete meltdown if there is not a band-aid around in an emergency.
In the future:
Glasses and contacts
Braces times two
Putting TWO 16 year old boys on our driver's insurance on the same day!!!!
Ongoing injuries
Ongoing eating and clothing
Two kids starting college at the same day.
So... I will never ever be a gazillionaire.
But they are worth it.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
The rest of the Florida pictures
Growing up in Florida, particularly a retirement community like Sarasota, was weird. I'm sure most teenagers think that about their area... but seriously, my brother worked at a bingo parlor. There are very popular mall walking groups. Restaurants and roads are clear by 8PM. I've lost count of the number of sickly tan elderly men I've seen walking the beach in speedos and/or.... THONGS.
But, I get it. The beach is my happy place. I can imagine wanting to end out my life in my happy place. The beach is also Jon's happy place.
We started at Coquina Beach in Bradenton because they have a great snack shack and it is generally uncrowded. We looked for shells and built sand castles and I taught the boys how to find coquinas. I didn't bring the big camera to Coquina but I did have my phone.
Happy place, right?
We also went to Siesta for the afternoon and sunset one of the days where I did bring the big camera.
One of the ways I keep the boys interested in being in photos is that I ask them what picture they want taken. Here is what Alex chose, a picture by himself. I freaking love him.
And Nate chose to hang out on the lifeguard shack because he was pretty sure you're not supposed to do that.
The other way I got their cooperation was I promised they could feed the seagulls after we were done. If you know me, you know I hate when people do this because it brings a bazillion birds flying around you. But oh my, they were so excited to feed the birds. Totally worth it.
I never really got "the" shot I wanted of the two of them, but when looking at the pictures, it truly reflects how they are at the beach. Crazy, wild, and HAPPY. Of all the pictures I took though, this one remains my favorite. The boys were fascinated by the sand at Siesta, and Alex could not get enough.
Thank you mom and John for letting us stay at your house!
But, I get it. The beach is my happy place. I can imagine wanting to end out my life in my happy place. The beach is also Jon's happy place.
We started at Coquina Beach in Bradenton because they have a great snack shack and it is generally uncrowded. We looked for shells and built sand castles and I taught the boys how to find coquinas. I didn't bring the big camera to Coquina but I did have my phone.
Happy place, right?
We also went to Siesta for the afternoon and sunset one of the days where I did bring the big camera.
One of the ways I keep the boys interested in being in photos is that I ask them what picture they want taken. Here is what Alex chose, a picture by himself. I freaking love him.
And Nate chose to hang out on the lifeguard shack because he was pretty sure you're not supposed to do that.
The other way I got their cooperation was I promised they could feed the seagulls after we were done. If you know me, you know I hate when people do this because it brings a bazillion birds flying around you. But oh my, they were so excited to feed the birds. Totally worth it.
I never really got "the" shot I wanted of the two of them, but when looking at the pictures, it truly reflects how they are at the beach. Crazy, wild, and HAPPY. Of all the pictures I took though, this one remains my favorite. The boys were fascinated by the sand at Siesta, and Alex could not get enough.
Thank you mom and John for letting us stay at your house!
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
How I am going to become a gazillionaire
I am putting together a prototype of a car for parents of small children. So far, my list of requirements includes:
- A board of nails on the backs of the front seats to prevent kids from kicking the adult seats and/or generally getting their dirty feet on them.
- A sheet of glass and/or plexiglass between the front and back seats, similar to a cab. It will be one-direction sound proof so that the kids can hear the adults (when necessary) but the adults can not hear the children.
- One set of audio for back seats, another set of audio for front seats.
- Answer EVERY SINGLE QUESTION kids have in the car.
- Provide snacks and drinks to children upon request, even if you just left the house one minute ago and everyone is whining they are thirsty.
- Clean up fingerprints from windows, trash from the floor, and any vomit.
- Happily respond with joy to every shout of "fire truck!" "bulldozer!" "ambulance!"
- Deal with any potty emergencies without you having to stop the car!
Monday, March 07, 2011
#1500
October 5, 2005, post #1, We're having a baby!
Well, we were completely surprised (and thrilled!) by a positive pregnancy test this morning. I sat there staring at the test for a long time thinking it had to be wrong. I showed Jon, who was incredibly excited and happy.
March 7, 2011, post #1500, Life's a Beach
We have completely wild (and wonderful) twin four year old boys who love the beach as much as we do but are incapable of being cooperative photo subjects.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit C, in which you can also see the silken white sand of Siesta:
Exhibit D:
Exhibit E, part 1:
Exhibit E, part 2:
Exhibit F, disturbing the wildlife:
1500 posts ago, I didn't know it was twins.
1500 posts ago, I didn't know I'd still be writing here as my boys prepare to turn 5.
1500 posts ago, I never knew my passion for telling stories... both with and without pictures... would continue in this space.
1500 posts ago, I didn't know I'd be at this point in my parenting journey, in my photography journey, in my life.
1500 posts, 5.5 years, and two boys later, I wouldn't change a single moment. The only thing I'd change would be to slow down time because the best years of my life are going too quickly.
Thank you to every single one of you along for the ride.
More pictures and stories tomorrow, of course.
And y'all best comment, hello 1500 posts and beach pictures!!!
Well, we were completely surprised (and thrilled!) by a positive pregnancy test this morning. I sat there staring at the test for a long time thinking it had to be wrong. I showed Jon, who was incredibly excited and happy.
March 7, 2011, post #1500, Life's a Beach
We have completely wild (and wonderful) twin four year old boys who love the beach as much as we do but are incapable of being cooperative photo subjects.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit C, in which you can also see the silken white sand of Siesta:
Exhibit D:
Exhibit E, part 1:
Exhibit E, part 2:
Exhibit F, disturbing the wildlife:
1500 posts ago, I didn't know it was twins.
1500 posts ago, I didn't know I'd still be writing here as my boys prepare to turn 5.
1500 posts ago, I never knew my passion for telling stories... both with and without pictures... would continue in this space.
1500 posts ago, I didn't know I'd be at this point in my parenting journey, in my photography journey, in my life.
1500 posts, 5.5 years, and two boys later, I wouldn't change a single moment. The only thing I'd change would be to slow down time because the best years of my life are going too quickly.
Thank you to every single one of you along for the ride.
More pictures and stories tomorrow, of course.
And y'all best comment, hello 1500 posts and beach pictures!!!
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Spring fever
I have no interest in blogging.
I have no interest in working.
I have no interest in taking pictures.
I have no interest in doing anything after the kids go to bed other than sitting on my butt watching tv and playing Words with Friends on my iphone.
Two weeks on my own with my job, two houses, and two kids while also training for a half marathon knocked the wind out of my sails. Perfect time for a little family getaway this weekend to recharge at the beach. My favorite beach in my hometown, a Florida beach, a white sand beach, Siesta Key.
Something tells me this will be exactly the recharge I need. See you on Monday.
I have no interest in working.
I have no interest in taking pictures.
I have no interest in doing anything after the kids go to bed other than sitting on my butt watching tv and playing Words with Friends on my iphone.
Two weeks on my own with my job, two houses, and two kids while also training for a half marathon knocked the wind out of my sails. Perfect time for a little family getaway this weekend to recharge at the beach. My favorite beach in my hometown, a Florida beach, a white sand beach, Siesta Key.
Something tells me this will be exactly the recharge I need. See you on Monday.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Correcting the miseducation of Nate and Alex Case
At breakfast this morning, Nate and Alex said they wanted to go see Justin Bieber in person. They said the school director had seen Justin and they wanted to go too. I said they might be confused and maybe they meant the Justin Bieber movie? Nate said he wanted to see it.
It was funny in the beginning.... but now, not so much. I busted out Michael Jackson's History (disc 1) for the car ride to school. This morning's car dance party was to Beat It. Part of me is not sure if two four year olds singing "Beat It!" as they walk into the classroom is appropriate but it is certainly better than them singing Bieber songs.
It was funny in the beginning.... but now, not so much. I busted out Michael Jackson's History (disc 1) for the car ride to school. This morning's car dance party was to Beat It. Part of me is not sure if two four year olds singing "Beat It!" as they walk into the classroom is appropriate but it is certainly better than them singing Bieber songs.
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