Just another day

I watched this show yesterday called Making_Room_for_Multiples, and this couple had the same situation as us. They had a toddler boy, then newborn twin boys. The mom was a stay at home mom. As I was watching this show, I was like - do I really do this all day long? I felt like they made it seem harder than it really is, but I think I am just getting used to the chaos. I am a pro at burping one baby while nursing the other. Paige now thinks of my breast pump as a toy. She even calls it "pump!" I have Braley on my lap right now, Paige is walking around the house with her waffle, and Jack is cat napping in his bouncy seat. They will eat in about 15 minutes. This is just life for me!

Braley bubber after his bath last night. What a freaking cutie!

I love his sweet little face. I seriously die for this baby boy!

Twin love after their bath.

New elliptical is being delivered today. Project: lose the twin skin is starting. Man, I shouldn't have made cinnamon rolls for breakfast! Oh well.

The reign of The Fat Jack

seems to be coming to a close. I'd like to introduce you to...

The Fat Braley.


Braley is so excited about starting to pack on the pounds that he is attempting smiles : ) Melts my heart.

Today, we were brought back to reality. Daddy went back to work, and I had to manage getting all three kids in the car by 9 to get Paige to school, pick her up by 2:30, laundry, washing pump parts...sheesh. I'm wiped out. Thank goodness David didn't have to work late and is already home!

Have a great week, everyone! Let's get 2011 started off right!

2011

Jack and Braley kicked off 2011 by snuggling.

Poor Paige kicked it off by getting a cold. But she didn't let that stop her from cheering the Sooners on to a victory in the Fiesta Bowl! Yay SOONERS!!!

Our New Years was awesome. David and I decided to get a babysitter and go downtown to eat and to the Thunder game with some friends. This babysitter was from a professional service, so I felt like we were leaving the kiddos in capable hands. But the closer the hour got to actually leave, the more I freaked out. I just had horrible visions in my head of her losing her cool and getting too stressed by everything. I can barely handle it, and I'm their mom!

But she seemed very capable and was not nervous at all about it. She listened to all my instructions, looked at my notes, and took notes herself. Paige warmed up to her very fast and was coloring on her art table as we walked out the door. I pumped enough during the day so she could feed the boys their bottles, and they finished all of them! I was like - shoot - the babysitter has this down more than I do : )

I was very anxious to get home to the kids, but we really had a fun night. Although, while the group was waiting for our tab at the restaurant, I had to go to the car to pump. Good thing it was dark outside.

The boys are making excellent progress in the sleep department. Last night, they went to sleep at 12 (we had to watch the game!), slept until 5:15 (!!!!!), ate, right back to sleep by 6, then slept again until 9. I am really thinking we should be in a good routine in a month or so.

All about Jack and Braley

The funny thing is - Jack is much, much heavier than Braley. But when you get them in their diapers, you can't see much if a size discrepancy in them. Jack is just a lot more dense.
Getting in some tummy time before our bath

Braley:

Nicknames: B Money, B Money Maker, Braley no legs (he likes to curl his legs up in a ball by his stomach)

Good eater, but not like his brother. I am nursing the boys, but when I pump and give them a bottle, he eats around 3 ounces. He wants to eat every 2-3 hours during the day, and every 3-4 during the night.
He has the sweetest little face. I love him.

Jack:

Nicknames: The Fat Jack, Jack Attack

Excellent eater. He downs 4 ounces from a bottle like it's nobody's business. He nurses for about 5 minutes longer than Braley. He is happy to eat anytime it is offered. He is a bit of a better sleeper. Braley normally wakes first, and we have to wake Jack to keep them on the same schedule. Jack is a beautiful little boy and looks like his big sister.

Both boys like to be held. Unless they are sleeping or doing tummy time, they want to be up with me, looking around. So I bend down, pick up, set down, pick up the other...many times a day. Their cries are very unique. Jack lets out a heartbreaking little scream, where as Braley has the more traditional baby 'wail.' Both break my heart and I instantly run to them. The good news is that they only really cry when they want to be fed or held. They are very good babies.

They are both in size 1 diapers, although Braley could still easily fit in newborns. If I did that though, I would be buying: newborn, 1, 4, and 5 overnights. Good grief.

The same goes with clothes: Braley fits much better in a newborn size, but Jack doesn't. I like them to coordinate/match, so I have them both in 0-3 now. I can't believe in just 6 weeks, we are finished with newborn clothes.

I'm excited to see their personalities come out in the coming months.

I've said it before

and I'll say it again! Paige and Jack are twins.

Freaky.

Home on break!

Not me - I'm always home on break (insert sarcastic eye roll from me...I NEVER get a break!). But really - David took this week off of work and we are loving having him home!

He took Paige and my grandfather (Jack original) out to breakfast so I could stay home and love on my baby boys

He let me go get a pedicure! Hadn't done that since the babies were born and it was much needed.

He is home to get to enjoy his boys while they are still tiny! Wait - back up...Jack is not tiny any more. I don't know how much he weighs, but it is a lot more than his brother. We call him The Fat Jack (lovingly, of course).
Look at that little gorgeous chuncker! I love it!

And he is getting to love in his mini-me! Braley is the spitting image of his daddy.

Goofy girl

Paige is hysterical. Her latest thing is dancing. She loves to do the hokey pokey (spelling?) and any time she hears music, she puts her hands in the air (and waves them like she just don't care). David tells her that she dances like a white girl. Unfortunately for her, she probably always will. I have NO rhythm and look ridiculous when I dance.

These Pittsburgh Steelers jammies she has on were a gift from David's aunt and uncle. They live in Pennsylvania and are big Steelers fans. We got this last October. I remember looking at them thinking - these are huge! There is no way my baby will be that big! Well the time has come. She is that big. Cherish your babies. They grow very fast.

Merry Christmas from our family

to yours!

I am enjoying a wonderful Christmas with my family. Today, we hung around the house and enjoyed some relaxation (well - what little relaxing you can do with 3 kids...) time. We went to mass at 4 (where this picture was taken) with my mom and dad, then headed back to our house for some grilled sandwiches and BBQ. We are doing presents and a steak dinner at my parents' house tomorrow.

Right now, David and I are eating ice cream and preparing to watch Christmas Vacation. I can quote every single line (not exaggerating here), but it is tradition and we must watch it every Christmas Eve!

Edited to add: yes, I cut 7 inches off my hair last night. I went to get highlights and told my long-time stylist, Melissa, that I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to cut all my hair off. That was a lie. I had really decided about 20 minutes before I left for the appointment, but knew she wouldn't cut it if I hadn't "really thought about it." But I love it. I needed a change.

ETA one more time:

Paige bug "coloring" in church. Don't worry, this was just a Christmas program that she defaced.

What a big girl!

Paige eats apples like a big girl and can wear her hair in a full-on pony! I can't believe it! She walks to the fridge and says, "apple!" I cut it into 4ths for her and she eats the whole thing with no problem. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She is a GIRL now. There is very little baby left to her. : (

Look at that pony! Crazy!

Mouth full of apple
Wishing we could play outside but it is way too cold.

I love her.

Beautiful Paige

First, our cute stockings. We didn't do a tree this year. I was so sad about that, but it was the best decision. I don't have time to keep a curious toddler away from it. One day we will have tons of presents under a great big tree...but this year, we just have stockings.

All 5 of them : )
I know I am biased, but I can't get over how beautiful Paige gets every day. She has the most amazing eye lashes, big, red lips, and such a lovely smile. She is going to be a heartbreaker!

And I couldn't resist throwing in sweet baby Braley.

I got a new camera, and am having fun playing with it. Too bad I have zero time to learn about all the settings. Some day.