In the short span of a week, Tyler has started crawling like a mad man, going from all fours to a sitting position, pulling up, and saying "momomomomom" (today!). Is it bad that I'm so hype this came out before "dadadada" like Caroline has been saying for weeks? Yes, it's just babble (no true word association just yet), but a small victory for the mama nonetheless. Speaking of Caroline, she's not quite ready to crawl but she loves to bounce on her rear and scoot around the room. I think I'm going to start turning up the hip hop and letting her groove. (And no, it will NOT be to something like "All The Single Ladies." No Toddlers & Tiaras up in here!).
I just feel like my head is spinning with all these new developments. They will be nine months old in a little over two weeks, and in case you didn't get the memo, that's THREE FOURTHS of ONE YEAR OLD.
::Breathes into brown paper bag for a bit::
Oh! And another major development of sorts is that we've joined a fun playgroup! I decided that I might go completely batty if I didn't find some outlet for adult interaction; plus, Tyler & Caroline probably get really bored with both me and their own toys on occasion. It's called the "Busy Bees" and let me tell you... these ladies keep a full calendar. If I wanted to do something every single day (often multiple times a day), I could. We went to our first play date at a park this morning and it was great - I met two other moms who have babies within a month's age of T & C! We all decided that we should get together at least a few times a month and do "at home" play dates, and one of them mentioned having a great neighborhood pool that's perfect for the little ones. I am anxiously awaiting that meetup, particularly because I will get to be in the water with them instead of on my knees on the garage floor. As you have probably caught my drift by now, all that energy and mobility they've discovered is a tough thing to combat. Tyler did a complete face-plant on the concrete on Sunday when I couldn't lurch over to him fast enough, and while they were in there this afternoon, they both started lunging over the side and trying to climb out. I was dripping with sweat just trying to go from one to the other, sitting them back in the pool and watching them turn immediately around to do it again.
No wonder I wiped out an entire carton of Cookies n' Cream in 12 hours... this gig is hard work.
Alright, not only have I done nothing but ramble, but I have no adorable pictures to post either. Pointless post, huh? Check back soon, though. I have something to post for my new review & giveaway site! :)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Growing Up
I mean, every day they grow & change, but it hits you in the face like a ton of bricks when you walk into your babies' nursery and see one of them practically jumping out of their crib. Be still, my heart.
Here's a picture to upset your mental health:
I highlighted my own hair ("oh no she didn't," I hear you and my sweet stylist from Greenville say in unison) the other day. Fact of the matter is, I don't need to drop my usual $120 at the salon right now, and I'm tired of having dull blonde hair. So Frost & Glow it was! Anywho, I'm in the process of attempting to finish up the left side of my head when Tyler & Caroline decide to pitch hissy fits. They'd been watching a little Baby Einstein and playing with their toys from their play pen, and I suppose one of them pulled the other's hair or climbed over them. Whatever it was, I rapidly slung the blue sludge onto my strands (sticking out of the plastic cap, old school style!) and went to take care of business. Tyler was sooooooo sleepy after fighting his way out of the morning nap, so I picked him up and nursed him on the bed while Caroline lounged in the play pen by her lonesome. I thought it was under control enough to transport him to his crib (he nodded off while nursing), because as I looked at myself in the mirror across the room, I noticed my hair looked reeeeally blonde on top. Probably ok, but I decided I'd rather be safe than sorry so off I went to drop him in the crib and madly dash to the shower.
Needless to say, he didn't go down easily, but I realized he was going to have to work this one out on his own. Mama can't have her hair fallin' out because a little boy is having a sleep strike!
As hardcore as I thought I was by leaving him there, I did nothing but worry the entire two minutes I furiously shampooed my hair. He has been so incredibly mobile this past week, who knew how long it would take him to figure out pulling up on the crib?
I could see Caroline hanging out in the play pen contentedly, but I just knew (maternal instinct?) all hell was breaking loose in the nursery. I figured my hair was rinsed well enough, so I quickly grabbed the towel, threw it over my head, and ran (yes, soaking wet & nekkkkkkidddd) to see what might be going on in there. *You are so welcome for that mental picture as promised.*
As expected, there was the little fella on his knees, bent over the crib railing and pulling the bedside lamp over. I'm not sure if he would've actually made it over the side or not, but I almost had a heart attack at the thought of it. I swooped him up and carried him back to my bedroom for safe-keeping while I assessed the hair scene, and lucky for me, everything turned out quite nicely (no orange locks! sweeeeeeet!). I texted Nathan once I had composed & dressed myself that TYLER'S CRIB MUST BE LOWERED, LIKE IMMEDIATELY. He said ok, that he would do it when he got home, but he was sure it wasn't as tragic as I made it sound...
Below are pictures from after he lowered it. You tell me what you think.
Here's a picture to upset your mental health:
I highlighted my own hair ("oh no she didn't," I hear you and my sweet stylist from Greenville say in unison) the other day. Fact of the matter is, I don't need to drop my usual $120 at the salon right now, and I'm tired of having dull blonde hair. So Frost & Glow it was! Anywho, I'm in the process of attempting to finish up the left side of my head when Tyler & Caroline decide to pitch hissy fits. They'd been watching a little Baby Einstein and playing with their toys from their play pen, and I suppose one of them pulled the other's hair or climbed over them. Whatever it was, I rapidly slung the blue sludge onto my strands (sticking out of the plastic cap, old school style!) and went to take care of business. Tyler was sooooooo sleepy after fighting his way out of the morning nap, so I picked him up and nursed him on the bed while Caroline lounged in the play pen by her lonesome. I thought it was under control enough to transport him to his crib (he nodded off while nursing), because as I looked at myself in the mirror across the room, I noticed my hair looked reeeeally blonde on top. Probably ok, but I decided I'd rather be safe than sorry so off I went to drop him in the crib and madly dash to the shower.
Needless to say, he didn't go down easily, but I realized he was going to have to work this one out on his own. Mama can't have her hair fallin' out because a little boy is having a sleep strike!
As hardcore as I thought I was by leaving him there, I did nothing but worry the entire two minutes I furiously shampooed my hair. He has been so incredibly mobile this past week, who knew how long it would take him to figure out pulling up on the crib?
I could see Caroline hanging out in the play pen contentedly, but I just knew (maternal instinct?) all hell was breaking loose in the nursery. I figured my hair was rinsed well enough, so I quickly grabbed the towel, threw it over my head, and ran (yes, soaking wet & nekkkkkkidddd) to see what might be going on in there. *You are so welcome for that mental picture as promised.*
As expected, there was the little fella on his knees, bent over the crib railing and pulling the bedside lamp over. I'm not sure if he would've actually made it over the side or not, but I almost had a heart attack at the thought of it. I swooped him up and carried him back to my bedroom for safe-keeping while I assessed the hair scene, and lucky for me, everything turned out quite nicely (no orange locks! sweeeeeeet!). I texted Nathan once I had composed & dressed myself that TYLER'S CRIB MUST BE LOWERED, LIKE IMMEDIATELY. He said ok, that he would do it when he got home, but he was sure it wasn't as tragic as I made it sound...
Below are pictures from after he lowered it. You tell me what you think.
"Hmmm, how am I gonna get to that lamp now?"
And in true fashion, I must insert loads of adorable pictures here. They have nothing to do with Tyler's Great Escape Attempt, but I think they further define this post title. Just look at how big (and how everywhere) they are at this point...
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Beach Babies
Tyler, Caroline & I took off last week for a quick trip (like, 24 hours quick) to Myrtle Beach. Granna was there with her best friend of 30 years (the twins' honorary "Auntie Kathy"), so we had to pay them a visit. Nathan was spending most of those two days at the hospital, so I figured what the heck! and off we went.
They were mostly sleeping angels in the car, but thank you Zac Brown Band for your awful song Sic'em on a Chicken. I absolutely hate it and prefer Chicken Fried, Highway 20 Ride, Toes, ANYTHING but that song... but something about it made the last 30 minutes incredibly peaceful for Tyler & Caroline. I guess I'll quit talking junk about it every time the cd gets to that song from now on.
We arrived around lunch, ate hot dogs & french fries (just fries for them... I gotta keep it healthy, you know), then just hung out around the house for most of the day. They crashed in their separate pack n plays around 10pm (gasp!!), woke up at 6am (gasp!!), then strolled with Granna for about two hours while I got some rest (thankGod!!). After getting our act together and hauling all matter of shade apparatuses to the sand, we finally got out to the beach at noon. Tyler & Caroline LOVED the ocean this time, and promptly sat their little fannies in the water and splashed like nobody's business.
They were mostly sleeping angels in the car, but thank you Zac Brown Band for your awful song Sic'em on a Chicken. I absolutely hate it and prefer Chicken Fried, Highway 20 Ride, Toes, ANYTHING but that song... but something about it made the last 30 minutes incredibly peaceful for Tyler & Caroline. I guess I'll quit talking junk about it every time the cd gets to that song from now on.
We arrived around lunch, ate hot dogs & french fries (just fries for them... I gotta keep it healthy, you know), then just hung out around the house for most of the day. They crashed in their separate pack n plays around 10pm (gasp!!), woke up at 6am (gasp!!), then strolled with Granna for about two hours while I got some rest (thankGod!!). After getting our act together and hauling all matter of shade apparatuses to the sand, we finally got out to the beach at noon. Tyler & Caroline LOVED the ocean this time, and promptly sat their little fannies in the water and splashed like nobody's business.
The beach is just sooooooooo relaxing... :)
Thanks for such a fun time, Granna & Auntie Kathy. Let's do it again soon!!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Father's Day Fun (in the scorching hot sun!)
So, for those of you who don't know a lot about Columbia, I'll let you in on the major deets:
It is "South Carolina's Hot Spot" according to the billboards, which means it's hotter than ten hells on a good summer day.
On Sunday morning we woke up to a bright, beautifully sunny Father's Day. I let Nathan sleep in while I got Tyler & Caroline up, then the three of us went downstairs to make his breakfast. I strategically placed his cards around the house (Connor left him one at the dog food bin, Tyler & Caroline had one at the breakfast table, and I left one at his sink in the bathroom) so that he would stumble upon surprises throughout the morning. Between the cards, his "I Love Daddy" book, and his sausage & cheese omelette (that I actually cooked, believe it or not), I think he was pleased with his special day.
Before long, though, we were itching to do something outside, so I recommended blowing up the little baby pool I'd found and letting T & C splash around for a bit. We have a great backyard with a deck, but unfortunately it isn't shaded at all (meaning you could fry an egg on it in about two seconds flat)... so that wouldn't work. The garage, on the other hand, was what the doctor ordered (super cheesy pun, but it's a Father's Day post... I should get a pass :)
Here is how we spent our somewhat redneck-inspired afternoon. Don't judge!
It is "South Carolina's Hot Spot" according to the billboards, which means it's hotter than ten hells on a good summer day.
On Sunday morning we woke up to a bright, beautifully sunny Father's Day. I let Nathan sleep in while I got Tyler & Caroline up, then the three of us went downstairs to make his breakfast. I strategically placed his cards around the house (Connor left him one at the dog food bin, Tyler & Caroline had one at the breakfast table, and I left one at his sink in the bathroom) so that he would stumble upon surprises throughout the morning. Between the cards, his "I Love Daddy" book, and his sausage & cheese omelette (that I actually cooked, believe it or not), I think he was pleased with his special day.
Before long, though, we were itching to do something outside, so I recommended blowing up the little baby pool I'd found and letting T & C splash around for a bit. We have a great backyard with a deck, but unfortunately it isn't shaded at all (meaning you could fry an egg on it in about two seconds flat)... so that wouldn't work. The garage, on the other hand, was what the doctor ordered (super cheesy pun, but it's a Father's Day post... I should get a pass :)
Here is how we spent our somewhat redneck-inspired afternoon. Don't judge!
Then, in true summer fashion, a storm passed through.
Tyler was pretty hard to contain... he was crawling all over the place and trying to slide over the edge.
Connor enjoyed the pool, too.
Later, we had a smoothie treat of mixed berries. Can you tell how much they loved it?
Good thing they're water babies, because they spent about as much time in the bath as they did the pool.
All in all, Nathan said he had a wonderful first Father's Day and we really enjoyed it as a family. I tried to show him how much we appreciate him, and also how much we appreciate living in SC's scorcher city. Thanks babe, for getting us to Columbia! We will take this heat any day and love it! Haha!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Better late than never
As I've told you before, I'm working with Pear Tree Greetings on monthly promotions and giveaways, simply because I adore them and I think you should, too. This month's giveaway is super exciting, and it's something that everyone can use. My fault for not bringing it to you sooner, but y'all are just going to have to forgive me for this entire month of sporadic posting. Moving was hard work, folks!
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
8 Months
Sweet Babies,
I feel like I need to address you as my "babies" as much as possible these days, because each morning as I peek over your cribs and scoop you up, I notice that you're looking so much more like a little boy and little girl and so much less like those little newborns we brought home from the hospital. Now that we're in our new house, I've gotten to hang up a lot of your pictures that have been packed up for so long and it's just incredible how much you've changed in this short time. I can hardly imagine you a year from now.
Miss Caroline, you have really come out of your shell lately, and you honestly talk non-stop. You say just about everything, but we're pretty sure you don't mean a word of it yet :) Daddy keeps hoping that the "da da" is directed at him, but it's pretty random so we're not sold at this point. Whether we're in the car listening to you jibber jabber from the back seat, or you're in the tub with your brother, fussing at him for stealing the highly-sought-after washcloth of the night - you are hilarious! If I happen to walk in the room (or just look at you and smile), your face lights up with the biggest grin and you just loooooove showing me your pearly whites. You're happy-go-lucky for the most part, but you're extremely attached to me right now and need me in your sight at all times to stay that way. While we've been settling into our new house, I've worn you in the backpack just so you're close to me... Heaven forbid I sit you down for five minutes or your little feelings are totally crushed! If you ever decide that you can play on the floor, though, your legs move constantly and you love to kick your feet. In the mornings, I can hear you banging around kicking your crib rails, and what used to be a nice, quiet time on the changing table has become an all-out war to get you to be still. I guess you have loads of energy to burn these days!
As for your daily routine, you've really taken to eating finger foods and Cheerios are your absolute favorite thing in the world. If you're unhappy or having a meltdown at any point in time, I can pop a Cheerio in front of your face and all is right with the world. You chew like a pro and really enjoy the "crunch" -- which makes me laugh out loud as I see you using those two bottom teeth to do so. You seem to hate almost anything that isn't a fruit, and you still aren't a fan of pureed anything. I can get a few bites of pears and applesauce in you, otherwise, you want to use those teeth. Haha! Also new this month is the fact that you have enough hair to keep in a BOW! I only thought that diamond earrings were the cat's meow... nope, it's diamond earrings and a bow. Too precious, seriously.
Tyler boy, where to begin with you? You're my little man now, and I can hardly stand how fast you are growing every day. That huge smile you wear is the one thing that never changes, and everyone you come across comments on your sweet, happy demeanor. You're not as talkative as your sister yet, but you get quite feisty when it's time to eat and you're ready for the next bite. As far as you're concerned, Caroline doesn't need any of my attention when veggies and rice are on the table. Oh yes, that's right... you love love love vegetables and seem genuinely uninterested in the sweet stuff. Don't get me wrong, you'll eat what I put in front of you every time, but if there's some kind of vegetable involved then you'll grunt and scream until I'm handing over your next bite. (Even if you're mouth is full. :) Pretty soon you will be chomping like Caroline, though, because you're getting your first tooth! You haven't really been fussy enough to merit teething, but as we were playing during your bath a few nights ago, you roared with laughter and I saw the tip of one little bottom tooth poking through. I think it's adorable that it's all by itself down there... how cute you're going to be when it makes its appearance!
I've already commented about your walker abilities, but let me just say that you have become a weapon of mass destruction while in that thing. Unfortunately it's summer and barefoot-weather, because Daddy, Granna and I have all fallen victim to the wheels of the walker a time or two. We'd get mad, but to glance down at your cherubic little face and see that smile... well, who could? You're just trying to be where the action is, or where Connor is (he's your favorite toy right now). You also love electrical cords, the cat/dog food bowls, and trees/plants around the house, so I have to keep a close eye on you while you're on the move. Even when you're on the floor, though, you can get around faster than the speed of lightening. Though you don't exactly crawl yet, you do these maneuvers that involve being up on all fours, twisting, sliding, rolling, turning, lurching yourself toward the object of desire. It's so entertaining to just watch you play!
Overall, the two of you are full of surprises each day. You've found your little voices and love to communicate, and you really enjoy each other's company so much. Daddy and I were saying during your bath tonight that we could not imagine having just one baby... how lonely it would be for one of you to be without the other! You have so much fun splashing each other in the big tub, playing tug-of-war with the ducks, frogs and washcloths, and having staring contests over dinner. During playtime, one of you will grab the other's hand or foot and chew on it... wildly enough, it doesn't phase whoever that hand or foot belongs to.
I think that out of all the memorable moments I witness these days, the ones I'd like to always remember are the belly-laughs you give when I drape a blanket (or anything that hides you) over your head and play peek-a-boo. Or when I'm in the back of the car with you and I tease you with my hands, and just pretending that I'm about to tickle you makes you burst with laughter. Those are the sweetest sounds in the world, and no matter what kind of day your parents are having, we absolutely turn to mush when we hear you so happy. Which reminds me, Caroline, you are super ticklish on your neck and immediately fling your head around to keep prying fingers from getting to it, and Tyler, you are ticklish everywhere! (Particularly your knees and thighs, though... you lose your mind when I squeeze them :) It's also made my heart melt over the past month that you reach for me, and when you don't want anyone but me to hold you, you make it a well-known fact. There have been numerous times that someone has tried to carry you and you scrunched your face up, started to cry, then leaned back to me and put your arms out. Although it looks so pitiful, I have to smile. It's so nice to be the only one who can make your baby happy... even if it wears me out sometimes! :)
I'll leave you with a few pictures I've managed to take over the crazy past few weeks. With graduation and moving, you two couldn't have been any better and I am so incredibly thankful that I have such angels on my hands. The stress of it all should have been so much worse, but somehow you bring out patience in me that I never knew existed. Thank you!
Love you always, sweet babies.
Mama
I feel like I need to address you as my "babies" as much as possible these days, because each morning as I peek over your cribs and scoop you up, I notice that you're looking so much more like a little boy and little girl and so much less like those little newborns we brought home from the hospital. Now that we're in our new house, I've gotten to hang up a lot of your pictures that have been packed up for so long and it's just incredible how much you've changed in this short time. I can hardly imagine you a year from now.
Miss Caroline, you have really come out of your shell lately, and you honestly talk non-stop. You say just about everything, but we're pretty sure you don't mean a word of it yet :) Daddy keeps hoping that the "da da" is directed at him, but it's pretty random so we're not sold at this point. Whether we're in the car listening to you jibber jabber from the back seat, or you're in the tub with your brother, fussing at him for stealing the highly-sought-after washcloth of the night - you are hilarious! If I happen to walk in the room (or just look at you and smile), your face lights up with the biggest grin and you just loooooove showing me your pearly whites. You're happy-go-lucky for the most part, but you're extremely attached to me right now and need me in your sight at all times to stay that way. While we've been settling into our new house, I've worn you in the backpack just so you're close to me... Heaven forbid I sit you down for five minutes or your little feelings are totally crushed! If you ever decide that you can play on the floor, though, your legs move constantly and you love to kick your feet. In the mornings, I can hear you banging around kicking your crib rails, and what used to be a nice, quiet time on the changing table has become an all-out war to get you to be still. I guess you have loads of energy to burn these days!
As for your daily routine, you've really taken to eating finger foods and Cheerios are your absolute favorite thing in the world. If you're unhappy or having a meltdown at any point in time, I can pop a Cheerio in front of your face and all is right with the world. You chew like a pro and really enjoy the "crunch" -- which makes me laugh out loud as I see you using those two bottom teeth to do so. You seem to hate almost anything that isn't a fruit, and you still aren't a fan of pureed anything. I can get a few bites of pears and applesauce in you, otherwise, you want to use those teeth. Haha! Also new this month is the fact that you have enough hair to keep in a BOW! I only thought that diamond earrings were the cat's meow... nope, it's diamond earrings and a bow. Too precious, seriously.
Tyler boy, where to begin with you? You're my little man now, and I can hardly stand how fast you are growing every day. That huge smile you wear is the one thing that never changes, and everyone you come across comments on your sweet, happy demeanor. You're not as talkative as your sister yet, but you get quite feisty when it's time to eat and you're ready for the next bite. As far as you're concerned, Caroline doesn't need any of my attention when veggies and rice are on the table. Oh yes, that's right... you love love love vegetables and seem genuinely uninterested in the sweet stuff. Don't get me wrong, you'll eat what I put in front of you every time, but if there's some kind of vegetable involved then you'll grunt and scream until I'm handing over your next bite. (Even if you're mouth is full. :) Pretty soon you will be chomping like Caroline, though, because you're getting your first tooth! You haven't really been fussy enough to merit teething, but as we were playing during your bath a few nights ago, you roared with laughter and I saw the tip of one little bottom tooth poking through. I think it's adorable that it's all by itself down there... how cute you're going to be when it makes its appearance!
I've already commented about your walker abilities, but let me just say that you have become a weapon of mass destruction while in that thing. Unfortunately it's summer and barefoot-weather, because Daddy, Granna and I have all fallen victim to the wheels of the walker a time or two. We'd get mad, but to glance down at your cherubic little face and see that smile... well, who could? You're just trying to be where the action is, or where Connor is (he's your favorite toy right now). You also love electrical cords, the cat/dog food bowls, and trees/plants around the house, so I have to keep a close eye on you while you're on the move. Even when you're on the floor, though, you can get around faster than the speed of lightening. Though you don't exactly crawl yet, you do these maneuvers that involve being up on all fours, twisting, sliding, rolling, turning, lurching yourself toward the object of desire. It's so entertaining to just watch you play!
Overall, the two of you are full of surprises each day. You've found your little voices and love to communicate, and you really enjoy each other's company so much. Daddy and I were saying during your bath tonight that we could not imagine having just one baby... how lonely it would be for one of you to be without the other! You have so much fun splashing each other in the big tub, playing tug-of-war with the ducks, frogs and washcloths, and having staring contests over dinner. During playtime, one of you will grab the other's hand or foot and chew on it... wildly enough, it doesn't phase whoever that hand or foot belongs to.
I think that out of all the memorable moments I witness these days, the ones I'd like to always remember are the belly-laughs you give when I drape a blanket (or anything that hides you) over your head and play peek-a-boo. Or when I'm in the back of the car with you and I tease you with my hands, and just pretending that I'm about to tickle you makes you burst with laughter. Those are the sweetest sounds in the world, and no matter what kind of day your parents are having, we absolutely turn to mush when we hear you so happy. Which reminds me, Caroline, you are super ticklish on your neck and immediately fling your head around to keep prying fingers from getting to it, and Tyler, you are ticklish everywhere! (Particularly your knees and thighs, though... you lose your mind when I squeeze them :) It's also made my heart melt over the past month that you reach for me, and when you don't want anyone but me to hold you, you make it a well-known fact. There have been numerous times that someone has tried to carry you and you scrunched your face up, started to cry, then leaned back to me and put your arms out. Although it looks so pitiful, I have to smile. It's so nice to be the only one who can make your baby happy... even if it wears me out sometimes! :)
I'll leave you with a few pictures I've managed to take over the crazy past few weeks. With graduation and moving, you two couldn't have been any better and I am so incredibly thankful that I have such angels on my hands. The stress of it all should have been so much worse, but somehow you bring out patience in me that I never knew existed. Thank you!
Love you always, sweet babies.
Mama
And finally, this is what happens when I try a "chair picture" now...
Happy 8 Months, Tyler & Caroline!
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