I Know . . .

I know I haven't been keeping up with my blog very well.

I know I haven't been a good listener recently.
I know my babies are growing up too quickly and merely typing that brings tears to my eyes.

I know having twins is exhausting, but I wouldn't choose to have it any other way.

I know I can barely keep up with life right now.
I know I love champagne.
I know Brody has two more teeth coming for a grand total of 9!I know Mason is standing up by himself in the middle of the room.

I know my family is so supportive and helpful with our precious boys.
I know I'm having a hard time emotionally right now.
I know my head and heart disagree at times.
I know the boys' crawling styles are completely different.

I know Mason loves his Daddy.
I know I have been working my rear off at work.
I know Mason has been spitting up like crazy, but the doctor says he is just an active little boy.
I know Brody has been needy and cranky, likely due to all his teeth coming in at once.

I know I have neglected some of my friends.

I know Sam's has double-wide shopping carts that make our shopping trips much easier.I know I get to watch about an hour of TV a week.

I know that sleep sounds dreamy, but I've been having trouble sleeping.
I know my back hurts from hauling around two little dudes.I know two of my friends said my boys weight more than their older children.
I know I've been having a hard time coping with my babies growing up so quickly.
I know I have a hard time remembering things; if I don't write it down, it doesn't get done..
I know I'm finding it difficult to concentrate because I haven't been sleeping well and I have so much on my mind.

I know Allen likes cigars but rarely has time to smoke them.
I know I need to clear my mind.
I know I need to pray more.
I know I'm thankful for my husband.
I know my babies make me smile every single day. I know I use my phone to "check out" when I need down time.
I know Brody is in love with our dog, Moxie.

I know Allen is an amazing father!
I know Brody started signing "milk" about a month ago.
I know it is going to be great when both of the boys start signing back to us on a regular basis.
I know I need to cook more and eat out less often.

I know I need to cut myself some slack.

I know my boys love their bath!

I know both of the boys love when we wear hats.
I know I need to send some cards in the mail.
I know I am stressed.
I know I need to tell people more often how much I appreciate them and am thankful for them.
I know I need to get out of the house more.
I know I need to drink more water.
I know I need more sunshine.
I know Allen and I thoroughly enjoyed our mini-getaway for our 8th anniversary.

I know the boys are lucky to have such wonderful grandparents.
I know I am loved.
I know I would go ziplining again in a heartbeat.

I know I need more humor in my life.

I know I need to be less serious.
I know I crave coffee when I am tired.
I know we can't have another baby right now.
I know I care.
I know I can't sleep because I care.

I know wax museum people remind me of a dead person in an open casket. Creepy!

I know the boys are more aware of each other now.

I know Mason's chubby arms and legs are adorable.
I know I need to paint my fingernails and stop biting two of them down to the quick.
I know I need more time for relaxation.
I know I need to be more thoughtful.
I know I need to unplug from technology during the evenings so I can spend more time with my family.
I know I like to be loved and needed.
I know Allen likes my hair better blond.

I know my boys are loved.
I know I offer my opinion when sometimes I should just listen.
I know I need to change the sheets on the boys' beds.
I know I need to give my dogs some attention.
I know I can't stand to think of my life without these babies.
I know it cracks me up when Brody shakes his head, "no, no, no, no" and then his brother starts doing it too.

I know I need to take advantage of each stage of the boys' lives.
I know Mason always wants to have the toy his brother has.
I know my roles have changed since becoming a mother.
I know I have never seen so much poop come out of something so little.
I know I have never smelled anything as rancid either.
I know I need help more then I like to admit and more than I ever have right now.
I know I have a full plate.
I know I love my best friend wholeheartedly. I know I need to learn to say "No."
I know my life will never be the same.
I know this is all just a part of life.
I know the boys have discovered the doggy door.
I know I have learned from my mistakes.
I know I still make mistakes.
I know I don't like waterproof mascara.
I know life is moving way too fast!

What do you know?

The Glass House

There once was a lady that lived in a beautiful glass house. She loved her life, her husband, and her children, but the glass house had small fissures erupting everywhere, causing the foundation to wobble....

Each fissure was tiny and insignificant alone, but together, they created a rockiness the sturdy and beautiful house had never known. The stained glass windows were dingy and seemed dark. The carpets were dank. The sunshine was rarely let in because of the filth, although any glimpse of brightness lit up everything in the room with a sparkling glow. The glow, the reflection- awe-inspiring and a sight to behold.

The inhabitants, mere robots, continued on the schedule the Master had laid before them. They worked and worked and worked, never taking a break but always tiring before the batteries of life had time to rejuvenate.

The roof leaked, but the leak created an opening for more light, more hope. Each new task, such as the roof, however, brought more stress and strain on top of the already over-worked robots. But they continued on, for the glory and the light and the small fissures would surely give way to the dark if they didn't.

Seven and a half months

My sweet boys are just growing up way too fast. They are so fun, but I want time to stand still.

Mason:

• Weighs 18.9 pounds (50-75th percentile)
• 26 3/4 inches tall (50th percentile)
  
• Is crawling as fast as we can catch him
• Is now beginning to eat table food along with his baby food and really likes turkey deli meat, prunes, and macaroni and cheese
• Still has the most gorgeous blue eyes
• Sits up on his own
  
• Naps about two hours a day (an hour in the AM and an hour in the PM)
• Chews on everything
• Is attracted to cords
• Likes to spit his food when he is finished eating what you have given him
• Has an adorable chuckle, although he doesn't laugh as often as Brody
• Is content playing on his own
• Has one tooth coming in on the bottom
• Bullies his brother
• 
  

Brody:

• Weighs 18.6 pounds (50-75th percentile and is catching up to his brother)
• Is 27 1/4 inches long (75th percentile)
  
• Is long and lean
• Not interested in crawling but rolls to get what he wants
• Has FIVE teeth (three on the bottom and two more coming in on the top)
• Laughs and smiles all the time
• Prefers to be entertained and in the room with you
• Cries when you walk out of the room and leave him
• Is a good eater and really likes Vienna sausages, turkey deli meat, and peas
• Naps 3-4 hours per day and is an excellent sleeper during naps and at night
• Has been a bit cranky because he has so many teeth coming in at the same time
• Chews on anything and everything he can get his hands on
• Laughs and grins from ear to ear often
• Adores Moxie and Tucker and laughs at them and watches them anytime they are around his play area
• Loves to splash water everywhere when taking a bath
• Doesn't sit up on his own for very long yet
  

My sweet boys are going for their first overnight trip this evening at my mom's house. Allen is geeking- not because my mom is taking care of them but because we are "abandoning them." Really? I'm stoked to get an extra hour or two of sleep tomorrow! Allen keeps asking me how I can "just let them go so easily." They are seven and a half months, you know. Geez.

We upgraded to the next car seat size, and both boys are pleased with how much room they have to move now.



We're still in love, but how can you not be with these faces? I've only (literally) taken 406 pictures of the babies during the month of May. That's not too many, is it? I'll have just about every second of their lives documented! HA! Hey- at least they will know they were loved. My children will NEVER be able to say I didn't have pictures of them while they were growing up! I mean, 406 in one month should count for something, right? Maybe it will keep me out of a nursing home for an extra month when I'm old and decrepit.

Favorite Pics

Leah's Beef Pot Pie

1 pound ground beef (drained)
1 can Veg-All mixed vegetables (drained)
1 can diced potatoes (drained)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 pie shells (I buy the frozen ones)
2-3 cups cheddar cheese
salt and pepper for seasoning

Once your ground beef has been cooked and drained, mix vegetables and soup into it. Pour the mixture into the pie shell. Cover with cheddar cheese. Take the other pie shell and lay it on top of the cheese. Pinch sides together with other pie crust so it doesn't overflow while cooking.

Cook at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until top pie crust is light brown.

It is scrumptious and easy! Thanks for the recipe, Aunt Leah! We love your pot pie, even if yours does look prettier than mine.

Bucket List

On my Bucket List-

1. Take a photography class
2. Take a cooking class
3. Take a cake-decorating class
4. Buy a $100 bottle of champagne and drink it with dear friends
5. Go on an Alaskan cruise with my husband
6. Got to Jamaica
7. Waste less food

What's on yours?

"Babe Questions"