The Fabulous Baby Striblings

2 Year Dr Appt

2012-01-31T10:04:00.000-06:00

We had our big 2 year appointment this past week. Although I would LOVE to say we passed with "flying" colors, we alas, did not. We are healthy and all, but these babes need to grow! (which is hard when you have one little girl who is obsessed with only eating Cheerios this week)

The good news is that we got through the visit with no vaccines, which has been rare for us! We did get a flu shot, but that was ok. And for the first time EVER Josh did not cry! He was so good. Once we got in the parking lot, Jules proceeded to puke all over her dress, which was awesome. It's like t hey are dogs and they know they are going to the vet. We also had eyes tests (passed) and hearing tests (passed, Josh only, Jules refused)

Here are our stats:

Josh:
Weight - 24lb, 9.6oz - 10% percentile
Height - 34in - 30% percentile

Jules:
Weight - 21lb, 12.8oz - 2% percentile, sigh...
Height - 33.75in - 45% percentile

They want to bring them back in 4-6 months for a weight re-check - Jules mostly, not really Josh, but they travel in packs, so I assume we'll both go back.

I Heart Faces - Silly

2012-01-29T23:25:00.000-06:00

I Heart Faces's them this week is being silly. So, here I am, snapping shots, of my giggly boy kicking his feet up at me while laying in the floor, thinking it's the funniest thing he has ever done. Love this guy.

In General Updates, and our weekend

2012-01-29T23:09:00.000-06:00

Apologies in advance for the lack in blogging. My life is just crazy right now! I work for the American Heart Association, and February is Heart Month. So, that means my booty is in uttercrazytown planning events right now that will happen next month. Add that to potty training...and I am lucky I haven't checked myself in somewhere.

I will saw that my sweet Jules is a super star. She had a few little setbacks and accidents, but she has done fantastic during the day. I plan of (hopefully) writing a post all about our potty training journey. I probably will, because it is quite the milestone in the life of that Baby Stribling, and thats what this blog is about after all. but, man, I love that girl, and am over the moon proud of her.

Friday night my sister Ginny came up and we went to see Spamalot at TPAC. I have season tickets, and there are only so many that Jake will agree to go to, so I am usually looking for dates. This one Ginny was really wanting to see, so she came over to go with.

At Spamalot at Tpac

I also had an ulterior motive of her going with me to check our a gymnastics place on Saturday morning (Let It Shine in Franklin, TN). Every Saturday for the past year we have been involved in Gymboree Play and Music. I love it so much, but the kids were kind of outgrowing it, and I just wanted to see what else was out there for them, so I cancelled it. So, now my journey is to find something else for us to do. At two, the kids can be more exposed to different things. Jules can now start dance, which is beyond preciousville, and if I entered her in for classes, it would pose danger, because I would die, DIE of cuteness overload. Plus, I;m not too sure we would enroll Josh, so I was wanting them to do something together. So, I was thinking gymnastics! We have two places here (well, three is you could The Little Gym). There is Let it Shine and MPact that I have heard people talk about.

So, Ginny and I set off to Let it Shine. There were so many things that I didn't like about it, I just was confused. I have heard so many wonderful things about it, so I had high hopes. But, I will not go back there. At least not yet, not at this age. First off, it was HUGE, and chaotic, and just loud and crazy and crowded and a circus. I guess most gymnastic places are like that, but I guess I wasn't expecting quite all the craziness. Second, the teacher weren't all bubbly and sweet and oozing with sugar and spice like my ladies over at Gymboree. These girl were strict, and expected you to follow the rules and wanted my kids to mind and wait their turns and all things they absolutely SHOULD be doing. And I agree with their "schtick" for sure, and love that they have expectations for the kids, however, me and Ginny were nervous wrecks thinking we were going to get in trouble the entire time if Josh and Jules didn't go though the tunnel correctly. The mommy and me part lasted about 30 minutes, then you spent the next parts out in the big ~~HUGE~~ gymnastic arena, - with.everyone.else.like.alot.of.freaking.people.were.everywhere. It was just chaotic, like I said. And then after all of this with out trial class and after we were done, she informed us that "they told you up front that this class is full right" - "um, no, she actually wasn't sure where this class even met, so no" - So, we couldn't even join even if we wanted to.

Anyway, it just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I felt like an outsider "new kid in the class" - and not in a good way. So, we'll check out the other one and see if its any more "us".

If anyone has any other suggestions, please do tell! The pics below are from after church on Sunday. I didn't grab any pics from Saturday - I totally forgot.

oh and p.s. I had their 2 year portraits taken this past week too, and I must say, they looked sooooo cute! I can't wait to get them back!

On my super big (weep) almost completely potty trained Jules:
Top: Gymboree//Dress: handmade//Leggings: Baby Legs//Shoes: Target

On Moi: Dress, Cardigan, Boot Socks: HandM//Boots: Journey//Belt: Target//Necklace:Etsy

Had to add this one - cracks me up. Story of my life, people

This boy runs, and runs, and runs, and runs. Challenge number one was getting a picture of Josh and Jules in the same frame. Challenge number two was getting a picture of Josh standing still
On Josh://Shirt: Gap//Pants: Old Navy//Shoes: Gap

Linking Up with Harpers Happenings and Pleated Poppy

Questions for my Two year Olds on their Birthday :)

2012-01-23T21:46:00.000-06:00

I have had this post saved for a while, I just keep forgetting to publish it. So, I have seen this questionnaire floating around on Pinterest, and again on The Paper Mama's Blog, and I love it. So, it's never to early to learn what YOU think of your child's favorite things versus what THEY really think is their favorites, no?

1. what is your favorite color?
PINK/PUPUP(purple, said loudly) - Jules
BOO (blue) - Josh

2. what is your favorite toy?
Mimi! Minnie - Jules
BOO - Josh (The color blue, natch)

3. what is your favorite fruit?
ME! - Jules
Nana (banana)- Josh

4. what is your favorite t.v. show?
Dabba Dabba (Yo Gabba Gabba) - Jules
Abba Abba (Yo Gabba gabba) - Josh

5. what is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?
Dabba Dabba (Yo Gabba Gabba) - Jules
Shoes - Josh

6. what is your favorite outfit?
ME! - Jules
BOO - Josh

7. what is your favorite game?
Mosse Boss (Monkey Preschool Lunchbox ipad game) - Jules
(jumps up and down) - Josh

8. what is your favorite snack?
ME!! - Jules
(eats play phone) - Josh

9. what is your favorite animal?
ME - Jules
(ignores me) - Josh

10. what is your favorite song?
Bossy (Frosty) - Jules
Rowrow (Row Row Row your boat) - Josh

And then they completely started ignoring me. Okay, so I'll try and answer the rest to the best of my knowledge :)

11. what is your favorite book?
This changes so much, because we have a TON of books. But, right now:
Goofy the Babysitter - Jules
Penelope Says Good Night - Josh

12. who is your best friend?
Josh - Jules
Jules - Josh

13. what is your favorite cereal?
Riros(Cheerios) - Josh AND Jules

14. what is your favorite thing to do outside?
Throw balls - Jules
Run and run and run - Josh

15. what is your favorite drink?
jooth (Juice - they only get 25% juice to water,lol, just FYI I don't feed my kids juice all day long) - Jules
jooth - Josh

16. what is your favorite holiday?
Christmas/Birthday combo - Jules
Christmas/Birthday combo - Josh

17. what do you like to take to bed with you at night?
Baby Emma, our mouse lovey, our bear lovey, our pottery barn bunny, our max daniel blankey, Foofa, puppy dog, Minnie Mouse, Minnie Mouse lovey, and an actual blanket and 2 or 3 books (no joke, by the way - we have come a long away from the sleepingwithnothingatallbecauseitssodangerous) - Jules

Brobee, monkey I got him in NYC, George the monkey, puppy dog, max daniel blankey, bear lovey, Mickey Mouse lovey, and an acual blanket - Josh

18. what is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Riros! - Jules
Riros! (although he also likes oatmeal well) - Josh

19. what do you want for dinner on your birthday?
Hmmm, they ate a hotdog and a cupcake, so maybe the same?

20. what do you want to be when you grow up?
Loved and happy - Josh and Jules (so your mommy hopes)

Our Week in iphone Pics

2012-01-22T20:04:00.000-06:00

Um, if you are following me on instragam (@apstribling) you knwo how I am now even more obsessed with taking pics of the babes. Is that even possible? Clearly, it is. The downside is that I didn't use my D-SLR at all this past week, so I have to make sure I am playing the camera game fair and square. Alas...here is what we were up to this past week. Let's just say it was potty training, and didn't leave the house, m'kay?

Looking out at the birds//we heart Yo Gabba Gabba//Potty training with a companion is always better//Eating at the big boy/girl table//carrying Woody around in the Bitty Baby carrier//Sleeping on brobee//WE LOVE YOGURT//Ready to get now Mom//Josh is neater with yogurt//our new panties/underwear. I might just die//Looking out at the snow. I just did die//Ready to go play in the snow!//Feeding Gus a snack//me and Jules//me and Jake//Reading Books//Playing with our Leappad tablets//playdoh!

Do you know they potty dance?

2012-01-20T21:12:00.000-06:00

Because we do. We have perfected the art of the potty dance. That right, people. We are knee deep in potty training. I am not brave enough to potty train both kiddos at the same time. I talked about it here and got LOTS of great information, tips and advice from her, her, her, and her. (so sorry I haven't responded to you girls, I have been slammed, but I do appreciate it)

Why, do you ask, am I potty training? I have no idea honestly. I work for the American Heart Association, and February is heart month, and I have about 125 events happening next month, so I am knee deep in event planning. HOWEVER. She's ready. My little girl is growing up,and she's ready. And the more I put it off, I think the harder it might become.

The how. We started day one (on Monday) with diapers but trying to get her to go potty throughout the day. And I quickly decided against that. I could possibly be doing this for six months. Um, no. So, then I decided to do the three day method, although I'm not exactly doing it in three days, am hoping for a week. We stared on nothing below on Tuesday and just watching her like a hawk and keeping her hydrated and multiple times to the potty and multiple minutes on the potty. She gets to pick a sticker and gets either some fruit snacks or raisins is she goes on the potty. We also get to do our super fun made up potty dance. (and Josh wants all these things too, natch)

Tuesday was horrible. I am not going to lie. Potty training sucks, ya'll. REALLY sucks. And I have help during the day!! We had numerous accidents and I wanted to give up. (we might have popped a squat and pooed on the floor)

Wednesday was horrible as well, but a little better. We had one or two times in the potty, the rest were accidents. (on this day I was about over it, and might have had a glass or two of wine..might have, lol)

Then Thursday came. Wow. This girl is getting it. This girl is a big girl!!! We maybe had ONE accident and everything else in the potty. And our ONE accident was in her high chair for dinner. We are getting there. Oh yes, we are getting there. I also added clip on earrings for her because she is a big girl when goes potty!

Today is Friday. We did not have any accidents this morning, and she even went on an outing to Target with NO accident!!! YAY!! However, she then decided this afternoon to potty on the floor next to her potty...sigh....but thats ok. Then proceeded to do it again....but thats ok. Then went again in her high chair....but thats ok. We are getting it and she is SO PROUD of herself. (this girl is my people pleaser, so I know she will get it). I am just d.r.e.a.d.i.n.g. this weekend. Wish me luck, and say a prayer. My girl can do it. I know she can.

Wordless Wednesdeay - Guess who finally got an iphone?

2012-01-17T22:44:00.000-06:00

So, in case you were wanting even MORE picture of the kiddos, well...you are in luck my friend! Welcome to my new obsession, and I am super stoked to finally be able to be a part of the cool clique. (adios LG vortex) And, if you want to follow me on obsession #2, come hang out with me on Instagram. (@apstribling)

White and Family Fun Photos

2012-01-15T21:54:00.001-06:00

This week I am linking up to The Paper Mama. Chelsey is having a photo contest entitled "White". And then I Heart Faces's theme this week is Family Fun! So, I thought I would enter this fun photo for both. Our neighbor across the street is Jim Ed Brown. He has a few horses over there, but they never get close. Until today! So, for the first time EVER, the babes got to get up close and personal with a beautiful horse! And we fed him an apple. And I petted his nose. And my father-in-law about freaked. Its was hysterical. What a fun ten minutes! So, here is Vicki, Jules and Mr. Horse.

Here we Go....Potty Time

2012-01-15T15:31:00.000-06:00

It's Time.

I know it's time. How in the world am I going to attempt potty training with two two-year-olds. Do I want to attempt potty training with two two-year-olds?? Nope. But, I must. Jules is ready. More than ready, actually, but I've just been lazy. Yes, I know 2 is still early to some. But, she';s smart. She gets it. And she has used the potty now off and on for the last couple of weeks with some prodding (like 6!!) I have clearly never done this before, so this is a big step for me and for her. I have no idea what I am doing, and for once, have not read up on it and am not 100% prepared for what I am going to do, which troubles me. There seems to be no right/wrong way of doing it, but I want to do it right to where we don't have any slip ups or regressions. Here is where I am:

1. We are ready emotionally and milestoney.
2. Pull ups or no? I don't know. Some people use them, some people don't. Some people only use them for naps/nighttime. Here is where I am super confused on what I want to do for reasons **
3. 3 Day method/2 week method/6 month method? - definitely not the 6 month method, but then again, I'm not sure we are ready to do it in three days either. So I guess once I for sure am 100% committed to this, we will probably do a two-weeker (I think...)

I am wide open to any tips/tricks you have to help out, or any experience you think will be helpful. Yes, I know people potty train every day, but it makes me nervous.

Josh, poor guys, will just have to wait a bit. He hasn't yet peed or anything in the potty, but he likes to sit and hang out. So, he'll take some more time, and thats ok. Twins are hard, ya'll.

**Jules is NOTORIOUS for waking up each and every morning with a diaper from H.E.L.L. - I have never seen anything like it, and we are not sure when it happens. We check on her between 10-10:30pm. and she's good then. So, it occurs sometime between 10:30pm and 7:00am. It never wakes her up, so I am hoping it might happen at around 6:55am :) (ha, right). Anyway, this little but of info is why potty training terrifies me a bit, because of these nightly nighttime episodes. She could be doing it in the middle of the night and sleeping in it all night (blech). It's so bizarre to me. Josh very, very rarely does it so I am baffled. Any thoughts on this as well, and how to correct this during potty training?

Steppin Out Saturday- Birthday Party

2012-01-15T15:17:00.001-06:00

We have had a pretty fun/low key weekend over here at Baby Stribs. Friday was a no-joke snow day here in Middle TN. Even though there was .00000002 inches of snow on the ground, all the schools were closed - crazy no? All you people up north probably make fun of us, but we seriously freak when snow hits. Kroger was jam packed with people picking up emergency bread and milk. (because you know, it was an emergency snow storm). The babes got out to play in what was left of it on Friday, though!

We got to play with our tricycles though. The gloves didn't last long, because they coudln't figure out how how to grab.

Little Buddy

She is like, "Honestly Mom, this is snow??" (you can see the light dusting - seriously, they closed schools)

Just for funsies - let's add some snow.

Balloon - not snowball

Saturday Jake and I stepped out to a friend's 40th birthday party at the Tin Roof 2 in Cool Springs (when did we become old enough to attend 40th birthday parties - yikes!)

There were tons of people there and it was a super funzo night! Jakes Mom and Dad came up to keep the babes so we could get out for a bit.

This girl is super happy to use her dust buster. I think I may just buy her a real one. She could help out alot.

Precious, precious precious:
On Jules: Dress: Consigned//Jeggings: Childrens Place//Shoes: Target

Me and Joshie. His hair is so pretty, but we are getting closer and closer to haircut #1

Seriously, he's so sweet

Me and my girlie Jules. (they wouldn't pose for pictures with me together)

On Moi:
Straight Hair: Chi//Top: Cabi//Cardigan: White House, Black Market//Jeggings: Target//Fab Boots: Gift from SIL(I think bought in Argentina)//Belt: Target//Necklace: Anthropologie

On Josh:
Sweater://Gap//Tshirt: Polo//Jeans: Gymboree
Currently Shoeless

iphone pic of the night! Marette, Moi, Katie, and Andrea

Me and Jake :)

Next on the agenda is good ole MLK day - another vacation day! Yippee!

Linking Up with Harpers Happenings and The Pleated Poppy and Mingle Monday

Happy Birthday Video

2012-01-12T11:34:00.000-06:00

Clearly I want their 2nd Birthday to continue on for the next month...so here is their Happy Birthday video :) They are funny little bugs. My sister, Ginny shot this with an old school app on her iphone, which is why it looks like that.

Wordless Wednesday - Last Night As A One Year Old

2012-01-11T08:02:00.000-06:00

Big Boys and Girls :)

SOS - Mickey and Minnie Birthday Party!

2012-01-09T22:33:00.002-06:00

Yes, I know I'm supposed to be Steppin on on Saturday, but we simply stepped out to our birthday party, and was just too excited to post about it! We did a Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse theme (because they are obsessed with them right now, plus it didn't hurt that they were Mickey and Minnie for Halloween, so we already had outfits).

So, without further adieu, their party...(cue the red curtains opening)
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Dining Room, AKA, the food table

Front Door, with DIY wreath and DIY sign

Dining Room, part 2

Cutie patootie food signs, DIY

Water Bottle Labels, DIY

Pompom Balls, on Christmas clearance from Party City, Mickey Mouse Centerpiece: DIY

Banner: I did a banner of a picture of each month from the last year - I loved this idea and it turned out so cute!

Jules' "year" banner

The mantel. I made a Mickey and Minnie banner for this.

The dessert table: We had cupcakes, Mickey Mouse ear rice krispy treats, and a chocolate chip cake

Josh's cupcake tray. I made the topper myself and they were two sides and alternated between his name, his age, and Mickey

The chocolate chip cake (Mom made the cupcakes and cake, while Vicki made the sandwiches, and Ginny dipped the rice krispy treats) Basically I was the planner and decorator, lol

DIY centerpiece - loved it!!!

Jules' cupcakes

Josh's cupcakes were chocolate with buttercream frosting. Jules' were red velvet with cream cheese frosting.

Party hats: PRECIOUS

Their birthday banner. I got a little banner crazy (clearly)

Me and Jules (her outfit I made myself for Halloween)

Us with the babes before blowing out their candle :)

Make a wish!

I had to bribe Jake to wear these, lol. And yes, they are also DIY - super easy and so fun!!

YAY!!! So MUCH FUN!!!

Party Outfits: DIY
Party Hats: Etsy
Cupcake Holders: Ebay
Cupcake Toppers, Invite, Paper products, Banner, and Centerpieces: DIY
Tablecloth, balloons, plates, napkins, etc: Dollar Tree

Linking Up with Harpers Happenings and The Pleated Poppy

Second Birthday!

2012-01-08T22:13:00.000-06:00

Oh how I have so much to post on. I have had such a wonderful weekend of birthday fun. But, for now, I will say this:

Happy, happy, happy Birthday Josh and Jules! You are my sunshine on the cloudiest of days. Your personalities make my life brighter. I adore both of you so much, and thank God every single day that I finally got my miracles I hoped and prayed for. I am so very, very proud to be your Mommy, and I love watching you grow and leave babyhood behind and turn into this amazing, wonderful, beautiful, funny, smart little boy and girl. I hope you have had a wonderful weekend of family and friends, and have had a wonderful birthday. I know I will remember it forever. I love you both so very much!!

Love,

Mommy

2012 - Resolutions and Goals

2012-01-04T10:00:00.000-06:00

Well, here is it. The annual resolutions list. Will I keep them all? No, probably not. But, it's something to shoot for, and a goal to set, if you will. They are all actually pretty similar to last year's, because (ahem) I didn't really stick to them very well. Again, they are goals people. - GOALS.

1. Money. I am just going to title this one money. I have got to do better with this. It's a MUST. Why am I so terrified of looking at my balance online? Why should I let my money control me? It should be the other way around, right? I have enough, I get by just fine, but why am I always worried about it? We are going to end this in 2012.

2. Eat more local and organic. (again, this was last years). We did go to the Farmers Market more. But, I am still wanting to cook WAY more vegetables than I do now. And luckily, my 5 year old husband is now branching out a bit more and is willing to at least take bites and maybe even eat some, which makes it easier. I just wish organic living wasn't so darn expensive. I am thinking of enrolling this year in E-mealz. I haven't done it before, but they started a Whole Food plan that looks pretty neato. If you have never heard of it, it's like $5 a month and they plan your menus out weekly depending on what is on sale.

3. Photography. I really want to get better at this. I got some classes for Christmas, so hopefully I'll knock this one out.

4. Sewing. Yes, this was as well on my list last year,and I went to one lesson and then nada. Sigh....And I love my machine, I just need to devote time to it.

5. Devote time to me. I have GOT to get over feeling guilty about being out of the house in the evenings. I feel like I have to be home on the weeknights and feel so guilty if I have something to do (which I never do). Does Jake even care? Probably not. But, I feel bad when I'm not there. Why do I do this to myself? I have no clue. So, this year I am going to get out more - because there are lots of things that need to happen on weekday nights that I need to do for myself: such as exercise classes (I love Zumba, but never get to go), or just a workout, sewing classes, photography classes, seeing friends, etc. Its my goal this year.

6. And as a side note to number 5, when we are at home, spend time doing stuff together! The kids go down between 7:30-8, and what do we do? Jake watches sports and plays on his ipad, while I am on the computer. Now that is communication at its best! So, I vow this year to do more - whether it be playing games, watching a movie, etc - I want to make our evenings together better spent - so if you have any ideas - send them my way.

7. Daycare - not really a resolution, but a goal. The babes are turning two, and they need to be in a more school type setting now I think. They need to be around other kids more, and really do want it. They are both so smart and just eager to learn as much as they can. And when it's one on two with 2-two year olds, its hard to do much teaching. You are more just maintaining :)

8. Classes for the babes. Again, just a goal. They are two now, so I'm doing some research and seeing what kinds of fun stuff they can get involved in more. I cancelled our Gymboree Membership yesterday, so I think they are ready for older things that they can get involved in.

Any others??? probably. What are yours?

WW - Future's So Bright....Gotta Wear Shades

2012-01-03T21:06:00.000-06:00

And if you must ask why a set of sunglasses appeared on Christmas morning...Well, I have no clue.

PLEASE!!!! Please...no pictures.

Rockin' with Rudolph

2011 a year in the life of the Fabulous Baby Striblings

2012-01-03T17:26:00.001-06:00

I have seen this over at Mandy's Blog, and thought it was pretty neato, so I decided to copy it. Plus, it WAS a great year. My babies went from one to almost TWO!!! It's kind of neat that they use their whole year as their age year as well (they turn two on Jan 8).

Anyway, here is a look back at our uber fabulous year:

JANUARY
January was a fun month for us! We turned one, and had a super fun Elvis Birthday party. I ended our monthly pics (sniff), I made some New Year's Resolutions, and we played in the snow!

FEBRUARY
In February, I started doing Weekly Photo Projects, couldn't figure out what to feed my "now toddlers", had my peeps help me with what to do with all my pictures, and started getting super excited about consigment!

MARCH
March was fun! It was starting to get warm again! We started doing Mommy and Me Mondays (which I need to start back), I posted about consignment sales, celebrated St Pattys Day, and I did a DIY tutorial on photo canvases!

APRIL
April was Easter - yay! We met the Easter Bunny, and I did my first Steppin Out Saturday. We got our one year portraits back, we went to the Masters, and I did another DIY on Bow holders.

MAY
Shoo - I have a super cute little boy. I realized poor Jules will forever be my little mini-me :). I celebrated my "line-aversary", and we celebrated my second Mothers Day!!

JUNE
In June, I posted about a "day in the life" with the twinnies, and decided it was time for a bigger car.We surprised Jake in his office for his birthday, which was fun, and we also looked back on his 30th birthday! Jules wanted to be a diva for lunch, and she is also a super cutie. We celebrated Father's Day, and I started having to think about outfits for their 18m photoshoot. Worst thing? My harddrive crashed and I lost everything that was on it.

JULY
I went to the super-awesome U2 concert, and discovered how awesome the Dollar Store is when you have 18m olds. Josh and Gus became BFFs, and we had a pretty fun 4th of July. I remembered when I was really cool and ran the Country Music Half Marathon and also blogged a bit about what it was liking owning your own business.

AUGUST
We hit another milestone and moved up to big girl and boy car seats.I pondered if I was a photogaholic, and the little blog was a favorite over at Circle of Moms! Jake's sister got married, and I flashed back to lots of pictures from my past. I also went to the beach, and also participated in another surprise wedding!

SEPTEMBER
Football season kicked off, and I had a birthday! I talked about how I am obsessed with Musical Theater, then wrote a bunch more posts about college football, which I'm sure noone really cared about, lol. I also looked back on my maternity fashion, and we got our 18 Month photos back.

OCTOBER
The Nashville Heart Walk happened, and was fun. Jules cracked me up. We went to many more football games. I did a tutorial on a DIY growth Chart, and looked back on my trip to Paris last year. We celebrated another anniversary, and I looked back on our wedding! I started posting about decisions I have made as a mom, and I also did another DIY tutorial on Tutus! Um, and the babes were Mickey and Minnie for Halloween, and super cute.

NOVEMBER
I traveled to New York and to Las Vegas in November, so didn't post as much. I was super thankful for lots of things, and also did a Holiday Home Tour of La Casa

DECEMBER
I started a 25 days of Christmas posts (although didn't quite make it, oh well) Among the fab ones were The DIY tree topper, the Advent Calender,The opryland Hotel, and my Christmas Card Display. I also showed off my Christmas Cards. I also recapped on Christmas in these three posts. It was SO MUCH more fun this year with the babes!

I hope your 2011 was as much fun as ours was! Thank you so much for reading my blog and keeping up with the Fabulous Baby Striblings! we love sharing our lives and our journey with you!

Steppin' Out Saturday - NYE

2012-01-02T21:57:00.000-06:00

Saturday was New year's Eve, of course, so it fell on a super fabulous Stepping Out Saturday! Ok, so ya wanna know my thoughts on New Years Eve? Its is beyond a doubt, the most overrated holiday on the face of the planet. I always get super excited about it, and get something fun and new to wear, only to be let down and grumpy, and this year was no exception.

We had the chance to go to Flyte, the restaurant my brother-in-law owns, (Carrie Underwood was there!!), the the other couples we went out with wanted a more "normal" menu (their menu is a bit frufru, but fabulous), so we made reservations at 1808 Grille, a hot spot type of place in the Hutton Hotel. we got there,. and the atmosphere was great and all, then they seated us - by ourselves in the back in a completely private room. Huh? Normally this would be fun, but it's NYE,and you really want the fun energetic crowded atmosphere, ya know?? I was highly disappointed and asked to switch tables, but that was all they had for a party of 6. Hmph. Oh well, live and learn. Jake and I decided to do something low key this year and have a really fun New Years Day instead. Thats when all the fun happens anyway, right?? Any fun New Years out there?

The Happy New Year's Couple - ready for a night out on the town
On Moi: Dress: Burlington Coat Factory (no joke - a hidden jem for dress shopping)//Cardigan: HandM//Shoes: Aldo//Belt: Target

Babies in their PJ's ready for night-night

The girls in the group - Me, Tina, and Andrea

Us again!

Tom and Andrea

This was uber yummy

Isn't he super cute with his winter beard??? :)

Linking up with Harpers Happenings and The Pleated Poppy

Christmas #3 - Santa's Visit Collage Style

2011-12-30T14:26:00.000-06:00

We came back home to Nashville on Christmas Eve and had Jake's Mom and Dad and my family come and stay. So, JV, Vicki, my sister Ginny, her hubs Jason, my Mom and Dad, my sister Leslie, and her boyfriend Shawn were all around for Christmas cheer! Isn't family fun over the holidays? Although chaotic at times, its sure is lonely now that they've left (and yes I'm serious!)

JV, Vicki and Jules with her new American girl doll - Jason and Josh playing on the ipad - we love our new baby "Emma"! - Josh though, loves her too - Rock Star Josh - new train table - playing with an octopus - Trains - more trains - fun Yo Gabba Gabba toys - Foofa and Broobee! - Jules - Foofa - More trains

Christmas #2 - A Small Town Christmas Collage Style

2011-12-30T14:19:00.000-06:00

Christmas #2 took place in Waverly, TN, the small town where Jake is from. usually we come here on Christmas Eve, but not this year, because we wanted the babes to be home on Christmas morning for Santa's visit :) So, we moved it up a day. Christmas Eve is met with Jake's mom and dad, his sister Jen, and her hubs Scott. We drink champagne and open all of our family's presents and end the night by watching Darlene Love perform "Baby Come Home" on the David Letterman Show. (it's her 25th year performing, and our fifth making it a tradition)

The next day we welcome Jake's aunts and MeMaw and Grandad and cousins. We exchange names for presents and eat a fab lunch, then on to home. A quick but super fun trip!

Julesy posing (she figured out she can pose, then see herself on my camera afterwards, so we did this about 10 times) - Jules and cousin Sherry - Josh and a large present - opening many, many more - Sweet Charlie - J.V. and his new favorite headband - Jules! - more presents - Josh and granddad - Vicki and Jules - JV and Josh on our new powerwheels! - Whee! - Traffic jam!

Christmas Recap #1 - Dysfunctional Family Christmas Collage Style

2011-12-30T14:12:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas, and all that bag of chips! I apologize so much for my lack of blogging, but I needed a blogging vacation/break. It has a been a wonderful week of family, holidays and traveling! I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season so far!!! The Stribling fam traveled three times over the holidays: once to Knoxville, once to Waverly, and then back home to Nashville. So, I am breaking up my recap into three posts. We are doing it collage style because there are LOTS of pictures, and lemme tell ya, these are just tipping the camera. I have many many more, lol. I don't know why I take so many, because I dread editing so many, many of these pictures!!

Christmas #1 - what we in the Prater house call the "Dysfunctional Family Christmas". We meet at my Aunt Clara's house in Knoxville (Farragut). My cousins come up and its a big family tree of dysfunctional fun! We eat a big dinner and have a wonderful time of talking, laughing and boozing :)

Some fun things:

- My Aunt Clara is a pianist. So every year after dinner, we sit in the living room and she plays Christmas music on the piano and we all sing along. Its a life long memory we cherish.
- When we were younger, My Uncle Everett would dress up as Santa Claus for us kiddos. This year, my cousin Benjamin dressed up for "now" our kids! It was super funny and super special. My cousin Seth has two kids as well.
- We had people that came in from Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Colorado, and Texas. A big gathering!

Ella was the best babysitter ever - Aunt Clara and Jules on the piano - Me and Josh - Jake, Jules, and Santa! - Josh wasn't too sure of this "Santa" - the three sistas with Santy and the babes - Me, Les, and cousin Melly - ths three crazy boy cousins: Benjamin, Jonathan, and Seth - les and the elf - Ginny and Jules - Dad and Josh - Josh finally making friends - The annual pic - the three girls and the three boys :)

25 Days of Christmas - (21) - WW - Decorating Your Children

2011-12-21T08:33:00.000-06:00

I mean, come on, this is basically the only way I get anything done around here*.

*No babies were harmed in the taking of these photos :)

25 Days of Christmas (20) - Christmas Traditions

2011-12-20T13:42:00.000-06:00

When you have young children, it's kind of hard as parents to come together on what types of Christmas Tradition ton instill upon your kids. Jake and I grew up very similar, but very different all at the same time. We grew up with different traditions, so its nice now that they are kind of old enough to be able to start our own as a family. So, here are some traditions I would like to start:

Yearly Ornaments
I did footprint and handprint ornaments last year. This year, I attempted to do this fabulous ornament from asortoffairytale, but it was a complete disaster. Next on my list in the snowman one. I am going to attempt to do an ornament with the kids every year. Next year they will have their "own tree", so this is where we will put on all their special ornaments.

The Read-Aloud Advent Calendar
I did it this year, and LOVED it. I loved that they got to open up a Christmas book each day leading up to Christmas. Plus, they learned about it, and we read that boy that day. It has been wonderful!

Other Advent Calendar
My friend Maggie also did another advent calendar this year where each day held a craft, charitable act, or Christmas related activity to do. Loved it!!

Opryland Hotel
This will be a yearly tradition as well for us. I went while pregnant. I then went last year when the babies were almost one, and we went again this year. I can totally see this being a yearly thing. Plus, next year they will be old enough to see the ICE exhibit, and do some other"older" kid things.

Christmas Cards
We will always sen these out every year, of course, but I read about another neat thing to do. Each year, their parents send a Christmas Card to the children. I love this because I hardly ever keep all of mine. This way they have their own Christmas Card with a special note from their parents. They as they grow up, they will have each year's card to keep forever. May start this one next year!

Baking
I see myself really getting into baking. I would love to do gingerbread houses and decorate cookies with the kids. My mom always made fudge and chex mix growing up.

Riding the Polar Express
I am going to do this next year. We have a train that runs from Nashville to Lebanon and back. The kids will love this story, and Santa is on the train and the read the book, and it's a very magical experience!

Pajamas
Okay, so we haven't done it this year, but I remember always receiving a new pair of Christmas PJs from my grandmother every year. I think its neat to get a new pair every year for Christmas :)

Movies
My kids will learn to love Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and of course, The Sound of Music (because it always come son at Christmastime!)

Charity
We usually do a couple of Angel Tree children every year. One thing I will absolutely instill upon my children is the gift of charitable giving. My kids are, what I assume, spoiled. I can only say that because they have more now that I ever did my entire childhood. Are they really spoiled? No. But, they have and never will go without. I think its very important for them to know how very blessed and lucky they are. And how so many families aren't as fortunate. We will always do Angel Tree. I would even like to take it a step further and go through another organization to "adopt" a family, so they know the kids and know how much they are helping that family have a wonderful Christmas. There are many charitable organization out there during this time of year. Every little bit helps, and its humbling to know that I could always do more. Other things include going to local nursing homes and delivering cookies or cards, and/or doing the same for the Children's Hospital.

Church
I would like to start going to Christmas Eve service at church. We went when I was pregnant, only because we were here and I wasn't allowed to travel. There is a possibility of us going this year, but it's still up in the air. Jake's family always went growing up. And there is something so magical and spiritual about Christmas Music on Christmas Eve

Santa
We are absolutely doing Santa. I think that is the magic of the season, the ability to believe in magic. I love the tradition, and love Santa. I am kind of sad that I don't believe in Santa anymore :(

Other gifts
Some friends of mine do three gifts from Mom and Dad to the kids. No more. They tie it into the Nativity Story because the wise men only brought three presents to the birth of Jesus. I really like that, and it's a good way to separate the birth of Jesus from Santa and for them to learn about both, and see the importance of Christmas. We may even open these "special" presents on Christmas Eve. Nothing big, of course, just small, meaningful things.

Elf on a Shelf.
Love this little guy. He will be coming back for sure :)

What traditions are you doing/or want to start? Would love anymore ideas you have!!

25 Days of Christmas (19) - We met Rudolph!

2011-12-19T22:15:00.000-06:00

Oh, how I love our sweet little town of Brentwood, TN. Its is beyond precious. One of the fun little things it did this past weekend was host a Santa/Reindeer gathering. Kids could come and get their picture made with Santa for free, and he also had two live reindeer there! Woohoo! Although we did NOT partake ion yet another Santa picture (that would be 4), we did hang out and look at the reindeer, or "Rooroff" if you will. The babes were SO EXCITED. They were just beside themselves! At first I was kind of like "Aww, why won't they let them pet them"? Then realized it probably because they would probably trample people with their aggresiveness. Hmmm, that wouldn't make for a Happy Christmas. Good decision on their part, I suppose. Yay for Christmas Fun!!

Oh dear. Yes, I am the mom with the child who had her dress stuffed into her tights, and didn't realize it until I was editing pictures. Sigh...

And I am also the mom with the sin who is carrying around a balloon that is just dirty looking to me (how did he get out of the car with it??) But...aren't they the sweetest?? They had the best time!

Jake and Josh. Aww :)

Rooroff!!! And I suppose his friend...Rooroff!!

Me and the babes! Josh is really happy!!

Jake and Josh

25 Days of Christmas (18) - Stepping Out to a Brunch with Santa!

2011-12-18T21:36:00.000-06:00

Christmas is so much fun this year!! It's so much different than last year, and I know next year is going to be even better. Saturday was yet another meeting with Santa Claus. (this is number 3 for those that are counting). Our Country Club, Old Natchez hosted a breakfast with Santa. They have a big brunch, a Santa Claus with a photographer, arts and crafts, and balloon animals. The babes had a blast and were wild the entire time (I know, you are shocked). It was a super fun morning. They also got to meet Rudolph afterwards, but I'll save that for another post :)

Later that night, we also "stepped out" to Jake's company's Christmas party. Jake's Mom came up and her and his sister babysat while we went. It was super fun as well. Have I mentioned that I love this time of year??

Standing in line at the balloon animal station. Then wearing our creations - Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears, lol!!!

Their sweet friend, Sarah Grace showing Santa her wish list :)

Jules giving Sarah Grace a hug for letting her play with her Barbie.

Josh looking out on the golf course. Its like he already knows his Daddy will have him out there as soon as he can remotely hold a club.

On Josh: Shirt: Ralph Lauren//Vest: Osh Kosh//Pants: Old Navy//Shoes: Madison Avenue
On Jules: Dress: Kmart (really, no joke!)//Tights: Janie and Jack//Shoes: Kid Express//Barbie: Borrowed :)

Jake and the babes at the craft station

Moi, attemping a picture with the kiddos, unsuccessfully...

On Moi: Top: Cabi//Cardigan; Macys//Jeans: Target//Flats: Nine West//Necklace: Ann Taylor
On Jake: Boy Clothes
Please pay no attention to the balloon in Josh's mouth. I am well aware how vulger it is, but if you tried to take it away from him for the picture, you will understand why it's in there.

And...drum roll...this is a winner, winner, chicken dinner. The funny thing is that jake and I got in for a few pictures outselves, but this one was just too perfect not to purchase, no?

Attemping a family picture before heading out to our Christmas Party.

Little bit better one...yoohoo Josh, over here!! Bonus points for peeping our Elf on a Shelf!!
On Moi (again): Top: JC Penney//Pants: Victoria's Secret (the best pants on the planet, promise - I have them in several colors)//Shoes: although you can't see them, black peep toe Nine West heels//Necklace: White House Black Market//Watch: Michele

Would love it if you could vote for us! yippee!!

Linking up with Mandy at Harpers Happenings and The Pleated Poppy

25 Days of Christmas - Santa's Little Elf

2011-12-17T13:04:00.000-06:00

She loves her Santa hat. She wears it constantly. The funny thing is she like sto wear it like this, over her eyes, and it looks like a dunce cap. Lol. Silly Jules.

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25 Days of Christmas - (16) The "other" Christmas Card and Outtakes

2011-12-16T17:59:00.001-06:00

Like I mentioned before, I had some issues this year with the Christmas Card, and couldn't figure out what I wanted to do. What I originally wanted was to have the kids hold a mirror up in front of the tree. Then, I was going to photoshop the mirror part out, and write "Merry" in one, and "Christmas" in the other. I had one really good little child who was so good about holding the mirror. (in fact, he still does, and poses with it still in front of the tree, because we were so excited when he did it the first time, he gets a kick out of it!!).

And then....we had another bad little child who absolutely refused to to any such a thing. And she only did it because she is as stubborn as an ox. Wow. We bribed her with bananas, juice, a cookie, etc. No go.Eventually, I decided just to photoshop her face off and use a nice pretty face of hers, lol. But, then I decided to just go with the picture of the kids in front of the tree. Anywho, thought I would bless you readers with some outtakes from the disastrous photoshoot. Enjoy!!

He was a pro

This one I photoshopped a new face on her from the previous picture, lol

Little Monkey

25 Days of Christmas (15) - Traveling

2011-12-16T17:43:00.000-06:00

Is everyone as crazy as I am every Christmas? I try not to get stressed, but I have been very late in the game this year on many, many things. So, when I know that the first "Christmas" of the families starts on the 21st, I am getting a little overwhelmed. I know I will get everything done...somehow. I just now got our Christmas Cards stamped and addressed. (they are going out tomorrow). Whew. One thing checked off.

Next is Christmas Shopping. I felt like a man today being at the mall today, the weekend before Christmas, trying to get all my shopping done in one day. Ha. Did it work? of course not, lol!!

Next is wrapping. Don't quite know when I'm going to fit this in. Hmmm.....maybe this weekend also??

It will have to be. Again, our first Christmas starts on Wednesday - Wednesday!! My and my husband's family is almost 5.5 hours apart, while Jake and I live somewhere in the middle of each. So, they are just enough apart to where we can usually make each family's Christmas events. It just gets a little crazy is all. I am not complaining, I promise. I am very blessed to have so much family to spend the holidays with. Again, its all about getting organized and getting my priorities straight, and this year is just not my year for that for sure.

So, Wednesday is Christmas #1. Christmas #2 is on the 23/24th, and Christmas #3, (the babes' Christmas) is actually on Christmas at our house!! So, everyone will eventually make their way back to us. So, again, I am not complaining, it is just alot for sure. What are your Christmas traveling plans??

Twin Toes

2011-12-16T08:47:00.000-06:00

She thinks they are "pitty" and she loves that they are "puhpuh". We used to do pedicures in the summer, but for some reason, she has been SUPER excited about this latest one :) Makes it kinda hard to keep socks and shoes on her right now, though, beacuse she keeps wanting to look at them. Love her...

25 Days of Christmas (14) - The Christmas Card

2011-12-15T23:24:00.003-06:00

Whew. I don't know why this year was so very hard to design our Christmas Card, but it was!!I put so much pressure on it this year for some reason. And I'm not even totally crazy about it, but I had to do something - quickly!! I adore designing our Christmas Cards, though. As you may remember, I used to own my own stationery and invitation business, so I love doing the design process... usually, lol. I am a huge fan of doing yearly recap things. It has usually been in pictures. I try to do a grouping of trips we've taken, etc throughout the year. Last year's was a monthly recap of the babes. This year was a recap in words. And it took my so long to pick out pictures and things. I post so many here on the blog, so I wanted new pictures and new things to send out, ya know?

So, before the grand reveal, I wanted to go back in time and take a look at our previous years' cards:

2009:

2010:

Now, here is this year's!!

Wordless Wednesday - Thank goodness for the Magic Eraser

2011-12-13T20:35:00.000-06:00

Remember last week when I posted about my magical mischievous boy?

Well....just follow the pictures of Little Picasso...

We like to color the chair...

And the windowsill...

And the table...

Even poor Mr. Potato Head!!

And the floor...

"But Mama, why am I in Time Out? I'm just making things prettier!" :) - Josh

25 Days of Christmas (13) - Displaying Christmas Cards

2011-12-13T17:07:00.000-06:00

As much as I totally adore getting Christmas Cards in the mail, and adore designing mine every year, I hate displaying them. I think there is a fine line between organization, decoration, and just plain tacky when it comes to displaying your Christmas Cards. And we get so many each year (thanks friends!) that it can quickly look junky if you're not careful.

Thanks to Pinterest, I have gotten some really neat ideas on a Christmas Card Display. I kind of took those and modified them this year. (what I really want to do is something else for next year, but didn't have the time and resources to make it work this year).

Basically I utilized our under-used dining room and used our big silver framed mirror. Then I went to Michael's and bought this really pretty pearl wire garland from the Christmas section.

The dining room

Card display on the mirror

I very carefully looped one end around each end of the mirror, and then did it again using slack for the bottom row. I love the pearls and love that it's wire, so it doesn't droop as much. I think its looks elegant. I then can attach the cards any way I want. Here, I used paper clips, but you can use other things as well. I thought about clothes pins, but again, that was almost tacky for me, and would take away from the pearls.

Close ups of the wire garland

So, here you have it! A creative, pretty way (at least I think) to display Christmas Cards. I have a feeling I'll use up all the space come Christmas!

Please vote for us!

25 Days of Christmas (12) - Elf Yourself

2011-12-12T18:00:00.000-06:00

Isn't one of the best parts of Christmas to Elf Yourself??? Sorry, but these just make me giggle...A LOT. Please do not ask while Jules is so much bigger than any other member of our family.
She clearly is a good eater, natch.

Vote for us if you like the REAL Santa.

25 Days of Christmas (11) - Ghetto Santa Visit - Santa FAIL

2011-12-11T22:23:00.001-06:00

Aren't they the cutest ever?

So, the babes met Santa for a second time this past week. And let me tell, you I was super excited!! One of our local indoor play places has been advertising all week that Santa will be there for pictures, and to bring your camera! So, I told my nanny all about it and she was excited. They, of course, have already met him once, but they keep talking about him, so I'm going to try and let them see him many times if they can.

She's really not about to cry. She just likes to make this face.

He's so funny.

Dates/times/location: Check
Cutie patootie outfits that look all cute and stuff with twinnies: Check
Playplace that they adore, so loads of fun to be had: Check
Babies not wanting ANYTHING to do with this Santa??? - non-check

Quick hugs before we go!

When I got home and asked all about it, my nanny explained that they wanted NOTHING to do with Santa. I couldn't believe it, really I couldn't. We have been reading Santa books. We have been coloring Santa in our coloring books. We have been watching Santa Claus cartoons. I just didn't understand....UNTIL I SAW THE PICTURE.

"Mom, seriously??? This guy is wearing New Balance" - Josh. Jules was just to embarassed and they both had to be coaxed with candy canes.

Well, its no wonder the babes didn't want anything to do with Santa! He was a Ghetto Santa! This "Santa" as they called him just sat in an old folding chair against a blank wall. No decorations, no garland, no tree, no presents, not even a red table cloth draped over the chair. Jeez people! And come on, is it too much to ask to wear black shoe covers, or black shoes, or even just just black socks?? No offense to the play place (I am purposely not naming them, because typically I adore them, but give me five minutes I could have created a cute backdrop of out practically nothing. They could have done better than this)

"I got dressed up for this?" - Jules

Hell, I wouldn't want to have anything to do with this Santa either!

Santa Visit FAIL. Wasted cuteness.

Vote for us if you like the REAL Santa.

25 Days of Christmas (10) - Steppin' Out to Opryland Hotel

2011-12-10T22:56:00.001-06:00

Saturday we "stepped out" to Opryland Hotel! I love, love, love the Opryland Hotel. I brought my SUPER HUGE pregnant self here in 2009, brought the kids back in 2010, and we came again this year. My mom and her friend, Dolores were in town for a girl's group party at the hotel Saturday night, so I thought I would take the kids over there for the day and look around. The boohiss was that we were there during the day and not the night, where you can see all the spectacular lights. If you aren't familiar with this hotel and the super-awesomessness that is their Christmas decorations, here is a peep:

- It is a huge tourist attraction at Christmas and attracts thousands of visitors every year
- The hotel begins installing lights in JULY each year. (no joke!)
- Millions of lights are on display each year

We had fun, the babes did ok. They were up at the crack of dawn on Saturday, so were a bit fussy and certainly weren't fans of being confined in the wagon. Oh well, we got a few pictures and they loved looking at the trees, Santa, Shrek and his friends, etc, etc. Its totally going to become a yearly tradition I think!

A couple of terrible pics from the past two years:

While preggo:

Oh whee. I was a BARN. If I had a nickel for every time someone said "You're about to pop", I would be worth a lot of coin. I probably should have been in a wheelchair, but no. I was determined to walk everywhere. Whew.

I have no idea who took this picture last year, but surely this can't be the only one I have with me and the babes. Surely. Must look.

Now, from today!

Mom, Dolores and the babes.

Eating lunch. Jules playing Peepie.

Josh getting a KICK our of the pepper shaker. Seriously, he thought it was the best thing ever. (and this was while he was sitting very far from the table because he decided to color on the table, menu and wall. AARRGH). But look how cute he is!! (forgiven)

Inside of a small part of the hotel, but it is like this everywhere. Its beyond gorgeous.

The babes and I in front of one of their GIGANTIC trees. Its seriously like one million feet tall. (ok, not really, but its tall)
On Moi: Sweater: Ann Taylor//Tank: Target//Leggings and Knee Socks: H and M//Boots: Aldo

Mimi and the babes

Aren't they cute?

On Josh: Sweater: Polo//Shirt: JCPenney//Pants: Old Navy//Belt: Childrens Place//Shoes: Balducci (love these shoes, they are cute and vintage looking, and they happen to also be his faves, he wants to wear them every day)

On the Snow Princess: Dress, Shirt and Tights: Gymboree//Shoes: Target

Seriously, see how big this tree is?

I couldn't get the whole thing in frame, but do you see little Josh there at the bottom? Its a big tree

Who wants to vote? Just a couple of little clicks!

Linking up with Harpers Happenings and The Pleated Poppy

25 Days of Christmas - (9) - Crafting at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

2011-12-10T21:25:00.000-06:00

Every Tuesday Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville has what they call "Tuesdays for Tots". Cheekwood is famous here in Nashville for hosting some of the beautiful lands in town. You can tour it, or come and visit. They also host some upscale charity galas as well.

Every Tuesday they have a special activity just for toddlers, which is way awesome!! The babes have never been before, but I read online that this week's project was making their own Christmas ornaments, so I thought it would be fun for them to go this week and check it out, in an effort to fit in as much Christmas as we can this month. I have always thought they weren't old enough yet and wouldn't get it, but apparently they did great (the nanny took them, not me...sigh). But, they came home with two Christmas ornaments and they just had a ball!

The little Picassos are ready to go!

They have tons of supplies like paint and glue! (egads!)

Josh is going to work.

Clearly she thinks paint is tasty. Look how carefully she is dipping her paint brush. HeHe. Soooo her.

Hello??? Who do you reckon he's talking to? And, sigh, I am assuming that is his tub of paint. Soooo him, lol.

Tada!! Our masterpiece ornaments!! They are so fab :) They are so talented :))))))) Love Them.

Please vote for us!!

The Weekly Project 21 - Boy Being Bad

2011-12-08T16:30:00.000-06:00

Dear Josh,

You are ALL boy and find the biggest joys in this life to be when you are getting into something you aren't supposed to. Jules tends to mind us "pretty well", and she will grow up to be a people pleaser one day. You? You are a sweet, loving, kind hearted little boy who likes getting into trouble. You test the boundaries we set and think it's hysterical. These pictures are from where you snuck into the living room and decided to climb up on the couch and jump up and down - a big no-no. However, you were the happiest little boy in the world, so I had to grab my camera and take a few shots of your sweet giggly face. Sometimes its ok to be bad. After all, "If it makes you happy...it's can't be that bad" - right???

Love,

Mommy

25 Days of Christmas (8) - Twins are Super Cute

2011-12-08T16:08:00.000-06:00

Just for fun...

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25 Days of Christmas - (7) - The Gift List

2011-12-07T21:57:00.000-06:00

This has been a hard year to get gifts for. Last year, Jake and I decided to get them one bigger gift from us. They got a ton of other gifts from friends and family members, so I don't feel compelled to get them multiple gifts each year. Another problem is that their birthday is January 8th, so it's right after Christmas. So, we get lots of gifts all at once, and then nothing for an entire year (ahem, yeah right). But, it does make it hard to estimate what they can play with for an entire year. Well, (drum roll) we have made our decision:

Jules is getting her first American Girl doll. (eeeeee!!!)

I have gone back and forth on this alot, and I have decided that she is mature enough to have this doll. She is not one that tears things up, and she really loves her toys (like Minnie Mouse) and treats them well. So, I have decided to do it. (and let's be honest, I am giddy with joy to get her an American Girl). But which one you ask? She is much too young for the American Girl, so you have your choice between Bitty Baby and Bitty Twins. Well, I am not a big fan of the Bitty Baby. I get that it's old school and it's supposed to be, but I just don't think it's nearly as adorable as the Bitty Twins with their sweet little pig tails and cuter outfits. However, I don't want the Twins. I just want the girl. So, I am buying a Bitty Twin girl separately. I know, I'm weird. But, I started to get kind of excited about her and her doll to have matchy-matchy doll/toddler dresses (which I have ordered) and just do the baby doll thing instead of doing the twin thing. (maybe because she is one?? I dunno). But, this will be her "big" Christmas gift. I also got the starter kit and some matchy matchy things. I ended up ordering a generic set of stroller, high-chair, pack-and-play from JC Penney. I didn't want to get those from AG. I feel like those she WILL tear up. (or her brother)

Josh is getting a train table!

Where am I going to put this contraption? I have no idea. but, I have a feeling he will kind of love it. He loves trains and I see me and Jake playing with him alot with it, which I am excited about. I haven't bought one yet, because I haven't decided which one to do. There are lots of things to consider: size, colors, storage, trains, etc. So, I am still doing research. I know for sure I want some Thomas Trains, but I am not for sure if I want to get the Thomas Table, or the Imaginarium Table. Still pondering...

For their birthdays:

The Leappad Explorer Tablets in purple and green. Yes, I know you just chuckled a little and thought "yeah right" because they are sold out everywhere, but it has now been a personal mission of mine to have these in hand by January 8th. And, I am hoping after the Christmas rush dies down, it might be a little easier to find them. (one will wish, anyways). And can I just say that these babies will LOVE these. They are both obsessed with playing games on Jake's ipad (especially Jules). Their hands down favorite app game is Money's Lunchbox. If you haven't heard of it, please go check it out. It's great.

I'm also going to get them another Mickey and Minnie Mouse, because that will probably be the theme or their party, and they "might be" getting some other Mickey things from other peeps.

Other fun things on their list from other people are Power Wheels and tricycles. Noone has really told me. I like to be surprised too :)

So, that is our list this year! I would also like to take this opportunity to say how incredible blessed we are to be able to buy these wonderful things for our kids. They have more now than I ever did growing up. We are very lucky and fortunate, and I don't for one second take it for granted. I absolutely love this time of year and to be able to experience it all over again through their eyes is nothing short of a miracle. I am now thinking the main purpose to have children is to experience Christmas with them. This year has been so much more fun than last year and I know it's going to get better and better each and every year! I am so thankful for these sweet babies!!

Please vote for us! We appreciate it so much!

25 Days of Christmas (6) - Wordless Wednesday - The Christmas Thief

2011-12-06T21:48:00.001-06:00

You never know when she will strike. It could be first thing in the morning. It could be right after her nap: it could be after lunch time, or even right before bed. It's hard to be prepared, because she's quick and fast. All I know is that I have a Christmas Thief in the house. First it was just Baby Jesus ("Thesus"). That was her "loot". Then it got worse. She couldn't stop with just Baby "Thesus". She had to have more, the hoarder that she is. Then it became the whole nativity scene. I warn you...beware. Watch out for her. She is a thief, and you never know when she will strike next.

Her name is Jules, and she is a thief.

Please vote for us!!

25 Days of Christmas - (5) Elf on a Shelf

2011-12-05T17:42:00.001-06:00

One of the first things I was super excited about this Christmas was Elf on a Shelf. For those who are not familiar with Elf on a Shelf, it is quite possibly the best idea ever in the history of ideas.

What is the Elf on a Shelf you ask?? It is a precious old school pixie elf. Your child's elf "appears" after Thanksgiving and stays until Christmas Eve. It is Santa's personal messenger elf, if you will. Each day he spends in your home, then every night, he uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa whether your child has been naughty or nice. I told you, genius no???

Here comes the fun part. Those elves are silly little buggers and like to hide in lots of different places every day. This is where the fun comes in for the adults. We get to choose what crazy place the elves have discovered, so each day your child gets to find him! Although my babes are too little yet, they still LOVE trying to find him every day. Pinterest has lots of great ideas for this too. Some I have seen:

What a egocentric elf.

This elf loves playing with cars!

This dirty elf needs a bath

Why, this elf is just a trouble maker

This elf loves making snow angels!

This elf got all tangled up causing mischief I bet.

Seriously, if you have a child between the ages of 2-7, I highly recommend you getting one! He comes with his own storybook and your child gets to name him too. So cute! I mean, its genius really, because it helps your kiddos be "good" until Christmas. Again, my babes are still a little young, but they love him already. I can't wait until next year!

Vote, cote, vote (pretty please!)

25 Days of Christmas (4) - Steppin' Out Saturday - First meetigngwith Santa!

2011-12-04T13:06:00.001-06:00

What a fun Saturday we had! The local Brentwood Library was having a special Saturday with Santa party. So, I thought it would be super fun to take the kids in the beginnings of many "Christmasy" family things to do this year. The library had a free magic show with a magician, face painting, crafts, an area to write Letters to Santa, actual Santa Claus, and snacks and an small orchestra playing Christmas music! So fun!!

The babes did great. We watched the magic show as best we could (still a little young for that) and colored and did the snacking mostly. I also thought they were a bit too young maybe for the face painting. Not the painting part, more the "sitting still in one place" part. And of course, the oh so lovely meeting with Santa! We have been talking and reading ALOT about Santa the past couple of weeks, so they knew exactly who he was when they saw him. It was so fun!! YAY for fun Christmas things! Stay tuned for photo overload!

The magic show. This guy was really good and super funny too.

Seriously, so freaking cute.

Jake and the babes watching the magic show. So calm and quiet and well-behaved ALL the time. (ha, right!)

Writing our letters to Santa! With our new balloons which we have eaten, slept, and bathed with since!

Jules' masterpiece of a letter. Pretty much sure it says to bring more Minnie Mouses.

Future world traveler and explorer?? nah, it's just a BIG "baaaallll" that goes round and round!

making new friends - pretty sure it will always be them against the world :)

YAY for juice!!

Meeting with Santa wasn't super. Jules was scared at first (see left) so she just sat at his feet while Josh was like, "So, you're Santa, huh?"

sigh..the best we got. Jules turned sideways, Josh acting bored, and Santa covered in balloons.

Pretty much the BEST PICTURE EVER. Jake: "Can I get a pic with the kids?" Where's Jake? He's hiding, lol! Peepie!

On Moi: Jeans: Lucky//Top: HandM//Cardigan and Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft//Sunglasses:MK
On Josh: Pants: Old Navy//Shoes: Target//Top: JC Penney//Sweater: Polo
On Jules: Dress and Top: Cracker Barrell (they have the CUTEST girls stuff - seriously!)//Shoes: Jelly Beans

Family Pic! Merry Christmas!!

If you like the babes and think they are super sweet, please vote for us to keep us ranked!

25 Days of Christmas - (3) - Read-Aloud Advent Calendar

2011-12-03T15:09:00.000-06:00

I loved this idea. I saw this on another twin Mommy's blog, and totally stole it. But, I told her, and she is fine with it :) (aside, I met her online - she was one of my "infertile friends" - she now is the proud Mama to also-adorable boy/girl twins, born just a few days before Josh and Jules, and she lives close too, which is so cool)

Anyway, like I said, I LOVED this and decided to be a thief and steal it. It's called a Read-Aloud Advent Calendar. If you aren't familiar with it - you should be! You basically collect 24 Christmas or winter-themed books, wrap them up, and allow the child to unwrap one each day in December leading up to Christmas. Then you get to read the books together as they're unwrapped. I loved this because it's one thing to open every day, it's reading, and it's something we can all do together as a family. An added bonus for me this year is that they will start to learn what presents are and how to open them. Mine have Christmas coming up, and then their birthday right afterwards, so this way, they can dip their little baby toes into the "gift unwrapping" water.

Another REALLY cool thing is that I thrifted about 95% of these books. Books are a very major part of my babies life, and no lie, I bet I have hundreds of them. And 90% of those are thrifted, so when it came time to get them some Christmas/Holiday books, I went straight to a few thrift stores. And got them all! I had a few given as gifts last Christmas, and those are certainly special, but I am always amazed at the quantity/quality of thrifted books. So, here is what is wrapped up this year:

Ho, Ho, Ho – A Christmas Peek a Boo book, - by Lark Carrier
Is it Christmas Yet? By Amye Rosenberg
Pooh’s Winter Music
Santa’s Visit – A holiday Touch and Feel
Snow Place Like Home, by Diana Manning
Biscuit’s Pet and Play Christmas, by Alyssa Capucilli
Can you See What I See? – The Night Before Christmas – by Walter Wick
A Grouch’s Christmas (Sesame Street)
Clifford’s Christmas Presents
The Nutcracker Story
The Stable Where Jesus Was Born, by Rhonda Greene
All I Want for Christmas – by Nancy Parent
The Night Before Christmas
Frosty The Snowman
The Sweet Smell of Christmas (scratch and sniff) Golden Books
Pooh’s The Holiday Tree
Pooh’s The Sweetest Christmas
The Night Before Christmas Pop-Up Book
Barney’s C is for Christmas
Big Bird’s Tree Trimming Party
I Can’t Wait Until Christmas (Sesame Street)
Christmas Tree – by David Martin
Disney’s Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Bob The Builder’s Bob’s White Christmas

Flashback Friday - one year ago

2011-12-02T17:46:00.000-06:00

For this week's Flashback friday post, this is a picture from a year ago. Sigh....seems like yesterday! I have been telling everyone lately how I don't think they are at all different then they were at one. To look back on these pictures just amazes me. They have changed so very much!

Linking up with Jen!!

25 Days of Christmas - (2) - DIY Monogram Tree Topper

2011-12-02T14:57:00.000-06:00

Day two of my 25 Days of Christmas posts! Today I am going to show you a fab tree-topper idea I got off on Pinterest, and kind of modified it to me and my tree. I have honestly not had a tree topped maybe ever. I don';t like the cheesy stars, I don't like the cheesy angels. (no offense if you have them, they're just not my style). So, I have been just making a big bow every year and let the ribbons hang down. Then I saw this fabu tree topper on pinterest, that was a monogram initial! So cute! So, I decided to try it out this year. So, here is my DIY Monogram Tree Topper. Its so easy its ridiculous.

Supplies Needed:

Letter found at craft store (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc)
Two clothes pins
Spray glitter
Glue Gun (not pictured)

Step 1 - attached clothes pins to letter in some way using glue gun. This way, you have a way to attach it to your tree.

Step 2 - Spray paint your letter and let dry

Step 3 - attach it to the top of your tree! See??? Easy Peasy!

Isn't it fabulous??

Don't forget to vote for us!!

25 Days of Christmas - (1) - 2011 Holiday Television Schedule

2011-12-01T12:31:00.001-06:00

In honor of the babies' second Christmas, and the fact that I am obsessed with all things Christmas (and that I am also obsessed with the babies learning all in the next month about it) I thought this year it would be fun to post about all kinds of Christmas related things each day. Most will be kiddo related, but some won't be.

I am already ahead of the game this year on Christmas television programs. I made it a mission this year to find and record every Christmas-related tv program that I think the babies would enjoy (and, ahem...me). It seems every year that I miss the shows, and I finally figured out it's because they start showing them at the beginning of December, and I'm usually looking for them to be on closer to Christmas (huh, crazy I thought they would show them at Christmas - silly me, lol)

While you can keep it on Lifetime and catch every made-for-tv Christmas movie ever made, my list is really to focus more on the specials more kid-friendly. The kiddos so far this year have watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. Christmas is going to be so fun this year!!

So, here ya go! This year's 2011 Christmas TV Schedule.

December 1, 2011 Thursday
Mickey's Christmas Carol ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too ... ABC Family ... 6:30 PM
The Santa Clause ... ABC Family ... 7 PM
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town ... ABC ... 8 PM
The Santa Clause ... ABC Family ... 9 PM
CMA Country Christmas ... ABC ... 9 PM *NEW

December 2, 2011 Friday

The Santa Clause ... Hallmark Channel ... 3 PM
Dr. Seuss on the Loose ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax ... ABC Family ... 6:30 PM
Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat ... ABC Family ... 7 PM
Jingle All the Way (Cartoon) ... Hallmark Channel ... 7:30 PM *NEW
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas ... ABC Family ... 8 PM
Good Luck Charlie: It's Christmas ... Disney (east) ... 8 PM *NEW
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas ... ABC Family ... 10:30 PM
December 3, 2011 Saturday

It's a Wonderful Life ... NBC ... 8 PM *FAVORITE CLASSIC

December 5, 2011 Monday

Rudolph's Shiny New Year ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys ... ABC Family ... 7 PM
A Charlie Brown Christmas ... ABC ... 8 PM
Miracle on 34th Street (1994) ... FMC ... 8 PM
The Polar Express ... ABC Family ... 8:30 PM
Miracle on 34th Street (1994) ... FMC ... 10 PM
Mickey's Christmas Carol ... ABC Family ... 10:30 PM
December 6, 2011 Tuesday

The Santa Clause ... Hallmark Channel ... 8 AM
'Twas the Night Before Christmas ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
The Polar Express ... ABC Family ... 6:30 PM
A Michael Buble Christmas Variety Special ... NBC ... 8 PM *NEW
A Christmas Carol (1984) ... AMC ... 8 PM
A Christmas Story (1983) ... TCM ... 9 PM
Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) ... TCM ... 2 AM

December 7, 2011 Wednesday

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ... ABC Family ... 9 PM

December 8, 2011 Thursday

Frosty's Winter Wonderland ... ABC Family ... 7 PM
Cranberry Christmas ... ABC Family ... 7:30 PM
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town ... ABC Family ... 8 PM

December 9, 2011 Friday

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town ... ABC Family ... 7 PM
The Santa Clause ... ABC Family ... 8 PM
Frosty the Snowman ... CBS ... 8 PM
Frosty Returns ... CBS ... 8:30 PM
The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story ... CBS ... 9:30 PM *NEW

December 10, 2011 Saturday

Snow ... ABC Family ... 7:30 AM
Elf ... USA ... 1 PM
The Santa Clause ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
Rudoulph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ... CBS ... 8 PM
Fred Claus ... TNT ... 8 PM
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ... ABC Family ... 10 PM
Fred Claus ... TNT ... 10:30 PM
Elf... USA ... 11 PM
Jack Frost (1998) ... ABC Family ... 12 AM

December 11, 2011 Sunday

Dr. Seuss on the Loose ... ABC Family ... 7 AM
A Very Pink Christmas ... ABC Family ... 7:30 AM
Once Upon a Christmas ... ABC Family ... 8 AM
Twice Upon a Christmas ... ABC Family ... 10 AM

December 12, 2011 Monday

Santa Who? ... ABC Family ... 7 AM
A Flintstone Christmas ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
White Christmas ... AMC ... 8 PM
A Christmas Carol (1951) ... TCM ... 8 PM
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ... ABC Family ... 9 PM
White Christmas ... AMC ... 10:45 PM
Elf ... USA ... 11:05 PM

December 13, 2011 Tuesday

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat ... ABC Family ... 7 PM
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Grinches The Cat in the Hat ... ABC Family ... 7:30 PM
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas ... ABC Family ... 8 PM
White Christmas ... AMC ... 8 PM
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas ... ABC Family ... 8 PM
White Christmas ... AMC ... 10:45 PM

December 14, 2011 Wednesday

Santa Claus: The Movie ... ABC Family ... 7 AM
Merry Madagascar ... ABC Family ... 5 PM
Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special ... ABC Family ... 5:30 PM
Frosty's Winter Wonderland ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
White Christmas ... AMC ... 8 PM
White Christmas ... AMC ... 10:45 PM

December 15, 2011 Thursday

White Christmas ... AMC ... 5:15 PM
A Chipmunk Christmas ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
Silver Bells ... Hallmark Channel ... 6 PM
A Charlie Brown Christmas and Charlie Brown Christmas Tales plus seven-minute short from Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa ... ABC ... 8 PM
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) ... AMC ... 8 PM
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) ... AMC ... 10:15 PM

December 16, 2011 Friday

Christmas in Boston ... ABC Family ... 7 AM
Mickey's Christmas Special ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
Mickey's Christmas Carol ... ABC Family ... 6:30 PM
Elf ... USA ... 9 PM

December 17, 2011 Saturday

Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey ... ABC Family ... 7 AM
The Little Drummer Boy ... ABC Family ... 7:30 AM
Pinocchio's Christmas ... ABC Family ... 8 AM
Rudolph's Shiny New Year ... ABC Family ... 9 AM
'Twas the Night Before Christmas ... ABC Family ... 10 AM
Elf ... USA ... 11 AM
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town ... ABC Family ... 2 PM
Frosty's Winter Wonderland ... ABC Family ... 3 PM
The Story of Santa Claus (animated special) ... CBS ... 9 PM
CMA Country Christmas ... ABC ... 9 PM
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town ... ABC Family ... 10 PM
A Chipmunk Christmas ... ABC Family ... 1:30 AM

December 18, 2011 Sunday

Little Women (1933) ... TCM ... 6 AM
A Chipmunk Christmas ... ABC Family ... 7 AM
Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws ... ABC Family ... 7:30 AM
The Search for Santa Paws ... ABC Family ... 9:30 AM
Elf ... USA ... 4 PM
The Polar Express ... ABC Family ... 4 PM
Elf ... USA ... 11 PM

December 19, 2011 Monday

Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special ... ABC Family ... 11 AM
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus ... ABC Family ... 11:30 AM
I'll Be Home For Christmas (1998) ... ABC Family ... 1:30 PM
Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special ... ABC ... 8 PM
A Chipmunk Christmas ... ABC ... 8:30 PM
Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special ... ABC Family ... 12 AM
Merry Madagascar ... ABC Family ... 12:30 AM

December 20, 2011 Tuesday

Merry Madagascar ... ABC Family ... 11 AM
Mickey's Christmas Special ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
The Polar Express ... ABC Family ... 9 PM
A Flintstone Christmas ... ABC Family ... 12 AM

December 21, 2011 Wednesday

Christmas Every Day ... ABC Family ... 7 AM
Jingle All the Way (cartoon) ... Hallmark Channel ... 3 PM *NEW
The Polar Express ... ABC Family ... 5 PM
Disney Prep & Landing ... ABC Family ... 7 PM
Disney Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice ... ABC Family ... 7:30 PM
13th Annual : Home for the Holidays ... CBS ... 8 PM *NEW
The Santa Clause ... ABC Family ... 8 PM
Elf ... USA ... 9 PM
Rudolph's Shiny New Year ... ABC Family ... 12 AM
December 22, 2011 Thursday

The Christmas List ... ABC Family ... 7 AM
Christmas Caper ... ABC Family ... 9 AM
Secret Santa ... ABC Family ... 11 AM
Once Upon a Christmas ... ABC Family ... 1 PM
White Christmas ... AMC ... 2:45 PM
Twice Upon a Christmas ... ABC Family ... 3 PM
Santa Clause ... ABC Family ... 5 PM
Prep & Landing 2: Naughty Vs. Nice ... ABC ... 8:30 PM *NEW
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ... ABC Family ... 9 PM
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Grinches The Cat in the Hat ... ABC Family ... 12 AM
Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat ... ABC Family ... 12:30 AM

December 23, 2011 Friday

Snowglobe ... ABC Family ... 8 AM
Holiday Inn (1942) ... AMC ... 9 AM
White Christmas ... AMC ... 11:15 AM
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas ... ABC Family ... 8 PM
Shrek the Halls / Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation ... ABC ... 8 PM
Olive, The Other Reindeer ... the CW ... 9 PM
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas ... ABC Family ... 10:30 PM

December 24, 2011 Saturday

The Little Drummer Boy ... ABC Family ... 7 AM
The Little Drummer Boy Book II ... ABC Family ... 7:30 AM
Cranberry Christmas ... ABC Family ... 8 AM
Puff the Magic Dragon ... ABC Family ... 8:30 AM
Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat ... ABC Family ... 9 AM
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax ... ABC Family ... 9:30 AM
Pinocchio's Christmas ... ABC Family ... 10 AM
'Twas the Night Before Christmas ... ABC Family ... 11 AM
Rudolph & Frosty's Christmas in July ... ABC Family ... 11:30 AM
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys ... ABC Family ... 1:30 PM
Mickey's Christmas Carol ... ABC Family ... 3 PM
Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too ... ABC Family ... 3:30 PM
Disney Prep & Landing ... ABC Family ... 5 PM
Disney Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice ... ABC Family ... 5:30 PM
Rudolph's Shiny New Year ... ABC Family ... 6 PM
Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) ... TCM ... 6 PM
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town ... ABC Family ... 7 PM
The Year Without a Santa Claus ... ABC Family ... 8 PM
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated) ... ABC ... 8 PM
It's a Wonderful Life ... NBC ... 8 PM *FAVORITE CLASSIC
A Christmas Story (24 Hour Movie Marathon) ... TBS ... 8 PM
Miracle On 34th Street (1947) ... TCM ... 8 PM
Miracle on 34th Street (1994) ... FMC ... 8 PM
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas ... ABC ... 8:30 PM
The Santa Clause ... ABC Family ... 11:30 PM
Miracle on 34th Street (1994) ... FMC ... 12 AM

December 25, 2011 Sunday

Merry Christmas!

Mickey's Christmas Carol ... ABC Family ... 7 AM
Pinocchio's Christmas ... ABC Family ... 9 AM
Frosty's Winter Wonderland ... ABC Family ... 9:30 AM
Rudolph's Shiny New Year ... ABC Family ... 10:30 AM
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town ... ABC Family ... 11:30 AM
Home Alone ... FMC ... 12 PM
The Santa Clause ... ABC Family ... 1:30 PM
Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) ... TCM ... 1:30 PM
Home Alone ... FMC ... 2 PM
Home Alone ... FMC ... 6 PM
The Polar Express ... ABC Family ... 8 PM
Elf ... USA ... 8 PM
Elf ... USA ... 9:30 PM
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ... ABC Family ... 10 PM

Please take a second and vote for us, we would appreciate it!!

Thanks to It's a Wonderful Life for the list. You can go there to get a much bigger list including those addictive lifetime movies.

Wordless Wednesday - Holiday Home Tour

2011-11-29T20:56:00.000-06:00

I love, love love the holidays! And I love, love, love to decorate for it! Come on in, and see what the babies get to experience on their second Christmas!!

Welcome!

Foyer

View into the family room

Family Room

Mantel

Dining Room (the table hasn't been set yet)

The tree!! LOVE the tree! (will do a separate post about it!)

We are doing Elf on a Shelf this year. Are you??

Navity Scene

Vote for us!!!!

Thankful

2011-11-24T15:54:00.001-06:00

2011 has been a wonderful year. No huge surprises, no huge disappointments. Just beyond blessed.

Thankful for:

This guy. Although we have our ups and downs, and can make each other madder than anyone on the planet, he's my best bud. Love him to pieces and would rather hang out with him than anyone on the planet. He's a great friend and a great dad. So thankful for God for putting him in my life.

My little buddy. He's a warm-hearted, easy going dude. A typical little sweet boy, he will steal your heart in a second.

This girl. Boy, she is a spit-fire. And the sweetest, smartest, funniest, spunkiest little girl you will ever meet.

Other things that top my list this year:

My family: I don't know what I would do without them. We are all alike, and each time we're together one of us is mad. But, that's how we roll. Love them.

My in-laws: couldn't ask for better people than Jake's family. They rock.

My job: I am blessed to have a job that I love and I know makes a difference.

My friends: I am the first to admit I am the worst friend ever. I get immersed in my life and forget to touch base and call and catch up nearly as much as I need to. My friends understand that, and call me. They get it, and don't judge me for it, and I love them for it.

My online friends: Formerly dubbed "infertiles", we are now a life-long group of sisters that have been through one of the most difficult trials we will experience, and now share the bond of motherhood.

Me: I thank God each day for the life that I have been given. I don't deserve most of it. The choices that I made going through life that I thought I would regret. Those decisions lead to other paths in life. I met Jake because we lived next door to each other in college. What if I didn't move there? I moved to Nashville. We have a wonderful house, do not want for anything, and have wonderful friends. I questioned him many, many times through the hell that was infertility. I now know everything happens for a reason. I know I was meant to have twins, and had I not gone though infertility, my life would probably be different. I would be different. I am thankful for the mother I have become, than I was sceptical I would become. And I am thankful for the Mothers around me past and present who have shaped me into the mother I am. Love my babies, love my hubs, love my family, love my life.

Thankful for your votes!!

This Girl

2011-11-23T21:54:00.000-06:00

She is exactly like me in so many ways, good and bad. From her stubbornes, to her wanting to stand in the bath and let the faucet run over her all night long (I can stand under the shower head for hours), to her little knock knees, we are twins. I love this girl. This girl...

Has the sweetest little feet in the world. And she's wearing the eiffel tower socks I got her in Paris last year :)

Loves standing on the kitchen chairs. Also loves Minnie Mouse. You rarely see her without her.

Has a MESS of curls on her hair. Just like I did. However, I vow to try and let them grown out, instead of cutting them off short, like my parents did to us. Let's see what happens :)

Does NOT like when people invade her space, especially her normal space-invader, Josh.

Is awkward, funny, and brilliant.

Oh, those curls...I have been waiting for you for 22 months to get here. I am so happy to see them. But, lord, I am not ready to style them. And sister, they need it already.

Please take a second and vote!!

The Weekly Project 20: Josh,- King of Stickers

2011-11-21T21:26:00.002-06:00

If you can guess the number of stickers, you win a prize.

More stickers! See how happy he is??

More, more, more!

SO HAPPY!!!!!

Dear Josh,

Although you both love stickers immensely, you my Friend became obsessed with my Jump Rope for Heart stickers. You could not get enough of them and kept putting them on your shirt over and over and over again. And you LOVED it!! You thought it was the funniest thing ever. You were so sad when sticker time was over, but the best thing was that Mommy could pull it off in one swoop, because there was such a conglomeration on your shirt. Hmmm, Mommy wonders if I can just bring you along to all my events because you are just a little walking billboard right now for us, lol Your cuteness is sture to raise more money for the AHA, no?

Love,

Mommy

Steppin' Out Saturday - Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt

2011-11-21T08:50:00.001-06:00

This Saturday was the very last home game of the football season, thank goodness. The poor body can't take any more of this eating/drinking/long days/losing games, etc. However, it WAS fun, and we FINALLY came away victorious! And the added plus was that Jake and I got to go on the field on the sidelines!!! I know most of you don't care, but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it was amazing. The downside was that I didn't take my Nikon with me - OF COURSE!! Jeez!!!

Delores, Debbie, and my sweet Mommy

On Moi: Top: Max Studio//Cardigan: White House/Black Market//Scarf: China Town in NYC//Jeggings (yup, and I love them): H&M//Socks: H&M//Boots:Miu

On the Menu this week:

Chili with hotdogs
Queso dip in the crock pot
Chicken Wings
Veggie tray
Cheese plate
Chocolate Chip cookies

The River at Night - pretty!!

On the field!!

Post game interview with Derek Dooley (hehe!!!)

Give us a vote please!!

Linking up with Mandy at Harpers Happenings

If I Could Save Time in a Bottle...

2011-11-17T12:48:00.000-06:00

(How many of you all are singing Jim Croce now?? You're Welcome.)

In the blink of an eye time is going faster and faster and faster. Its honestly unbelievable. What happened to Halloween? Where did it go? What happened to football season (actually, that one is fine to go buhbye - we suck this year)? What happened to splashy babies in the pool? And why we're at it, why does it feel like just yesterday that I was talking about outfits for their 18 Month Portraits? (well, duh, because it was) Actually it wasn't, but you get the drift. It has been so funny, because as you can see from this past post on their outfits for the photo shoot, I was looking forward to them since they were a year old. I LOVE getting their pictures made, and I really do look forward to it.

Until now. I am adamantly refusing that these babies will be two years old in two months. I just can't wrap my brain around it. From year one-year two has flown by, like Marty-McFly-meets-Doc-Brown-takes-off-in-the-DeLorean fast.

However, I had to go ahead and book their shoot, and it has taken its toll on me. Instead of looking forward to it, it makes me so sad. And when I'm sad, its very hard to get excited about outfits and props and photo cuteness.

So instead, I am going to ask you for advice and suggestions, and then take a stroll down memory lane on their professional shots. Please excuse me while I grab a tissue and go sit in a corner and rock back and forth.

Newborn Photos

4 Months Old

Almost 7 Months

1 Year

18 Months

Please click on the link below and vote!

Wordless Wednesday - Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles

2011-11-15T21:00:00.000-06:00

And then after all the bubbes are gone, its time for hugs. Good grief these babies are sweet.

Please click the box below and vote for us. Its only takes a second and we appreciate it!

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Linking up with Paper Mama, Project Alicia, 5 Minutes for Mom, Parenting by Dummies, Naptime Momtog, And Then She Snapped, The Hump Day Hop, and Live and Love Out Loud

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-11-15T20:43:00.001-06:00

Today was a bit of a dressier day. Had some businessy stuff to attend to with work. Am SO happy to be back it town with my babes!! Aren't they the cutest ever?

On Moi//Top: Cabi//Pants: Victoria's Secret (best pants on the market, have them in several colors)//Shoes: Nine West//Belt//White House/Black Market//Necklace: White House/Black Market

On Josh//Top: Gymboree//Pants: Old Navy//Shoes: Polo

On Jules//Dress and Top: Gymboree//Leggings: BabyLegs//Shoes: Target//Accessory: Minnie Mouse

My votes have been slacking due to being out of town, so would really appreciate them!!

Wordless Wednesday - Back in My Arms Again

2011-11-08T21:16:00.002-06:00

Yes, I adore vacations. Yes, I adore New York City (fave city in the world). Yes, I adore shopping. Yes, I adore seeing awesome Broadway Shows. Yes, I adore spending time with my mom and sisters. But, let's be honest, life now comes down to my babes, and when I got home, this is what happened, and I couldn't have loved life more. I missed these babes...like crazy, even more than NYC, and that's saying alot.

Wanna vote for us??? Swell!!! I've missed your votes!

Linking up with Paper Mama, Project Alicia, 5 Minutes for Mom, Parenting by Dummies, Naptime Momtog, And Then She Snapped, The Hump Day Hop, and Live and Love Out Loud

What I Wore Wednesday, NYC Edition (with characters)

2011-11-08T18:18:00.003-06:00

Although I plan on doing a full recap of my NYC trip in another post, I thought I would do A What I Wore post from one day in NYC. I stumbled upon Elmo and Minnie Mouse along Times Square. I think they were collecting money for something. I'm not really sure. Nor do I think they spoke my language, so there is no telling what I gave them $5 for. What I do know is that the mere fact that by chance this was Elmo and Minnie Mouse, and my twins are HUGE fans of both of these characters was super awesomeness. Some might think this was random. I think it was a sign for a picture. I immediately texted it to both the babes, whom I am sure loved seeing Minnie and Elmo more than me :)

On Moi (what you can see)//Jacket: XOXO//Scarf:Gap//Boots: Nicole//Purse: Tori Burch

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I'm in New York City!

2011-11-05T09:32:00.000-05:00

I had the best of intentions to set up some guest bloggers while I was gone, but just couldn't get it together. Anyway, I am in New York City this long weekend with my Mom, my sisters, my Mom's best friend, and her daughters. One of her daughters is running in the marathon, which is awesome! And I am doing all kinds of shopping, eating, drinking, show-seeing, etc. So, I will not be posting until at least Monday, and I hope you will forgive me and still keep reading when I get back!

And please don't forget to vote if you get a chance!

21 Months Old - Update on the Babes

2011-11-02T17:21:00.000-05:00

Sigh...another month down the drain of childhood. Why is is going so very, very fast? It seriously hit me this past month that they will be two--TWO-- in two--TWO--months! Please explain to me why I feel like we JUST their 18 month pictures made, and I had to make an appointment yesterday for their 2 year portraits? I swear it makes me so sad. I remember when they turned one, and other moms with 2 year old would say, "Oh I know! Mine are two! Seems like yesterday!". And I would smugly think, "Yeah, right. You have a two year old. That is two years since you gave birth. My situation is COMPLETELY different. You can't possible understand". And here, I am saying the same thing. The eyear 1-2 has gone by WAY faster than 0-1. I think maybe because there aren't as many milestones like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking. From 1-2 its just been walking, then running, then running faster :)

21Months old!!

Feedings: They are still doing awesome with feeding themselves and can use a spoon or a fork! And they can pick up and eat cereal and little things like that. We have started eating dinner with them now at night most nights, so that I think has helped with them eating in no more than 3 minutes and being done. We have also been taking them out (in public!) to dinner on Friday nights, to get them used to eating at the table with us and staying put for a while. Its a journey...

Sleep: They are such good sleepers. I can't complain at all. They are now sitting in the rocking chair with Jake at night before they go to bed at reading a story. Before they would sit in their crib while Jake read from the chair. It means I don't sing to them before bed, but this is nice too :)And we have started putting them down at 8 now instead of 7:30, so we can eat dinner with them. They also changed jammies and now have Mickey and Minnie flannel jammies. They LOVE them. So much that they cry in the mornings when we take them off and change their clothes. I even had to button Jules' shirt as a poncho over her outfit yesterday because she wanted "MeMe" back.

Our Schedule:

7:15- wake up then a sippy cup of milk mixed with two scoops of formula. (my sneaky way of sneaking in some vitamins). They drink it and read books while we get dressed.

8:00 - cereal with fruit or waffle with cream cheese spread or eggs and toast with fruit

10:00 - snack. either juice or milk with some fruit or a cereal bar (with no high fructose corn syrup, natch)
11:00 - Lunch is either a pasta, ( I have found Annie's Organic boxed pasta and they love it! You can sneak in some veggies here too) beans, rice, usually avocado. I try to have a little bit of the biggies: whole grain, fruit, veggie, protein. We also are fans of Yummy brand chicken nuggets (Canadian product so gov't mandates hormone free and natural - way cheaper than organic. Harris Teeter sells it) and fish
11:30-12 - Nap (they nap anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours)
3:00 - This is either some of a pasta I have in the fridge, or toast with hummus and fruit. There also might be cut up tofu, cut up string cheese, chicken, cut up veggies, beans, or rice. I try to keep some easy things in the fridge to grab.
5:00 - we are doing a snack here - they haven't been eating well at the 3:30 time and they have been hungry here.
7:00 - eat with Mommy and Daddy
7:30-8 - baths, story/bedtime

Activities: We are loving our Mommy and Me music class and still love Gymboree! Am thinking of starting them in an arts and crafts class too. I'm not sure ethey start until 2, though.

Structured Playtime: We are trying to block specific activity times. Our nanny takes them out on MWF, and TR they are at home all day. There is coloring time, arts and crafts time, reading time, puzzle time, reading time, block time, etc. I just don't want it to be free-play-run-wild-all-day.

Diet: Back to dieting and exercising! And it feels good!

Stats: Jules is still is some 18m clothes, although she can wear quite a few 24m stuff. Josh is 100% in 24 month clothes, and they both still have a problem with pants. They are too skinny! (oh, to have such a problem). They are still in size 5 shoes, although closer to 6 every day. We have startedmigrating to size 5 diapers especially at night, so whenever I buy them I'll just buy 5s (even though there are more diapers in the 4 boxes)

Milestones: Boy, oh boy, these last few weeks they are saying so much! They pretty much try and say anything you do. They now sign AND say what they are saying, which is awesome. They are both now doing phrases of words, which has recently exploded! They know most animal sounds and love to show you them. They know most of there ABC's expect for a small few letters. They know all their numbers 1-9 which amazes me. And they know most of teh more popular colors. No haircuts yet, and not even close, lol. They are spounges now for sure, and love to learn!!

Please don't forget to vote! You just click once, then click again. SO EASY PEASY!

Wordless Wednesday - Trick-or-Treating!

2011-11-01T20:32:00.001-05:00

We went up our street for trick-or-treating. There are multiple streets in our subdivision, but the babes only lasted about 45 minutes, so this was enough for us.

Awesome things:

They LOVED it. They totally got it. They loved knocking on doors. They totally got that you were allowed ONE piece of candy. They understood that you got a piece, left and went on to the next house. They have no idea what candy is, they just knew that is what they were supposed to do, and got a kick out of it. They loved their pumpkin treat bags. They aren't even two!! They are brilliant. I love these kids.

Please, please vote for us! Thanks!

Linking up with Paper Mama, Project Alicia, 5 Minutes for Mom, Parenting by Dummies, Naptime Momtog, And Then She Snapped, The Hump Day Hop, and Live and Love Out Loud

Pumpkin Patch Party at Gymboree

2011-11-01T20:24:00.001-05:00

As most of you know, my kiddos are members at Gymboree Play and Music, and have been for almost a year. This year, we found out that they were having a Halloween Pumpkin Patch Party on Sunday. The kids could come dressed up in tehir costumes, and have a big party. There is music playing, and a big arts and crafts section with snacks and such. Their was also a professional photographer there taking pictures (um, thats honestly all they had to say. We were SO THERE)

The babes love Gymboree, so add juice, cookies, and other kids in costumes, and you have a wild time.

Arts and Crafts and Josh (he was obsessed with all the balloons)

Poor Josh - he looked more like a dog than Mickey Mouse

Seriously, I am in love with (and so proud of) her costume! I can't believe I pulled it off!!

Linking up to The Paper Mama

Bubbles!!!

Parachute time! They put all the kids in the center and go round and round.

Halloween Event Number 1 - Trick-or-Treating

2011-10-30T21:34:00.002-05:00

This is our second Halloween, and already, MUCH more fun than Halloween Number 1 last year. Halloween Number one consisted of 5 minutes of VERY fast picture taking in 90 degree heat ( big difference this year) in our neighbor's fall vignette they set up in their yard. After that, the kids were done, and that was that. Don't get me wrong, they were the cutest bears you ever did see, but it wasn't all that much fun.

We have had so much fun that we have three Halloween events picture-worthy this year. The first is this post. Then I will do two others as well! How fun is that???

On Friday, the local Moms Group that I belong to had an event where we took all the kids to a local retirement community and lets the kids go down each hall and trick-or treat. It was wonderful!! We were there about an hour, and to see the faces of these sweet older people just made my heart melt. The kids did AWESOME. Honestly, they got the hang of trick-or-treating immediately and ran with it. They have no idea what candy is, but by golly they know they must get as much of it as they can and put in in their orange pumpkin. That's the good part. You can't let Jules part with her pumpkin now, but all she wants to do it pull it out, name the colors of everything, and put it back in. Josh just wants to dump his out and run away.

Jules' costume turned out wonderfully. I just love it. Josh was super cute too, but he hated his ears, so those didn't last long. I just tend to love handmade outfits more, and so therefore, because my effort went into Jules', I'm a little more partial to it :) They were the aboslute cutest in their matching Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Halloween Costumes!! How cute are twins as Mickey and Minnie Mouse?

**I am an idiot yet again, BTW. I ended up accidentally deleting all these pictures from my memory card before I moved them to my October folder. So, I had to do a data recovery of the card and a lot of pictures were corrupted. I know I still have some good ones, but there were some other cute ones of them trick-or-treating, and lots more of Josh too. They are on my phone pics, so thats good***

Jules as Minnie Mouse in her DIY Tulle Dress. (Tutorial of the Minnie transformation coming soon!)

Sweet Josh as Mickey. (check out his candy stash already!) They both had their noses painted, but his was the only one still visible.

Sitting down counting their candy. Jules is already mad, probably candy-related.

All the kiddos! We had a Carmen Miranda, Cowboy, Star Wars. Thomas and Henry, Mr. Potato Head, Nemo, A Princess, Clifford, and Spiderman!

Note how Josh is now ~~not sitting still~~ running around with the kiddos while Jules is fully aware there are still camera flashes going off.

Isn't she precious? LOVING this costume!!

Stay tuned for Party #2 pictures!!

Vote for us if you love cute kiddos in costumes!!!

Videos from our first trick or treating experience:

Steppin Out Saturday - UT vs USC

2011-10-30T20:41:00.002-05:00

Apologies again for no baby pictures on this week of Stepping Out Saturday. We decided kind of last minutes to make it a one day trip, so Saturday was nuts: getting everything together, driving, dropping off babies, then on to the game. The babes were dressed in their UT finest though, and looked super cute (and you will get lots of the CUTEST pictures from this weekend in another post - or two! I heart Halloween!!)

This weekend we lost (again) and I have decided it is much more fun to tailgate rather than partake in that football nonsense. And, we don't go back until The UT vs Vanderbilt game, which is around Thanksgiving, so you don't have to put up with more tailgate photos for a while. (I will be in NYC next Saturday, then Las Vegas the Saturday after that - no joke!)

And, lemme tell ya - It was FREEZING on Saturday. Sure, it got up to the 50's but it was a night game, and very, very cold.

The menu this week:

Chili in the crock pot with all the fixins' like a Petro (if you don't know what a Petro is, well, that sucks) Its Fritos, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, green onions, tomatoes, lettuce. You can make it as you wish
Hooter's wings
Key Lime Dip w/ graham sticks
Cheese tray
Veggie tray
Fruit tray
Pork Tenderloin with Sister Schubert Rolls

This is why tailgating is so fun too. This is our view. Our tailgate spot it the top of a parking garage that overlooks the Tennessee River.

The gang! Katie has a cool blog about thrifting and fashion, go check her out.

Mi y Mi Madre

Like I said, ya'll, it was COLD. I hate the winter!!
On Moi: Sweater:Cabi//Jeggings (yes, yes I did): Target//Boots: Nicole//Coat: XOXO//Scarf: China Town in NYC//Headband: gifted//Sunglasses: borrowed

Come on, give us a vote please!!

Linking up with another fabulous Mandy over at Harpers Happenings

Our Favorite Things - 20/21 Months Old

2011-10-28T08:54:00.000-05:00

These are our favorite things for 20-21 Months old! (I have completely slacked on these posts and am so sorry! Where has the time gone?)

Activites: Oh my, they are into everything lately. They love laughing. They love dancing. They love singing. They love playing chase and getting "scared". They love playing "beep, beep" when you beep their belly button. They LOVE LOVE being outside and can just run around forever. (and this is new, because they used to have to be constantly entertained). They love going to the playground and can slide so shorter that 2,307 times. They love animals. They love our cat, Gus (we have another one, but she doesn't come near them lol). They love walking around the neighborhood and looking at all the dogs and occasional squirrel. They love just being active! And I love that they love to run around like little crazy people. They are also constantly climbing on things. Their favorite things to do in our living room: climb on the ottomans, climb in our leather recliner, and climb on our upholstered chair. Seriously. They also love going on outings. They love going the zoo, and love going to indoor play places, like those that have a bouncy house, or Gymboree. They love their weekly music class and storytime at the library!

At the zoo looking at the pink flamingos

At the playground!

Books: Their love for books is nothing short of amazing. They really, really love them. And I am proud to take credit for it. There is a collection of books in every room in our home. There is always easy access to a book. Their favorites still consist of Sesame Street and Pooh, but they also like Dr. Seuss and any other very colorful books with words and pictures. I bought a book called Boz Says at Goodwill, and they love it too because the whole book is "Boz says clap your hand, hop, etc" and they love going through the book and mimicking everything. We have recently began learning our ABC's and they are rock stars at this. So, any book that has large letters that they can point out is also #1 right now.

Reading with Daddy

Reading with Grampa

Foods: Foods are pretty much the same. They have been better at eating sandwiches. They like most pastas and anything creamy or cheesy, lol. Josh is really good at eating vegetables, while Jules is not so much, which is still ok, because I try to feed them high fat foods because they are still small, and I still obsess over it. They love avocados still. They have recently become obsessed with juice. I don't offer it very much, hardly ever, and if I do, its low sugar without the ~~Satan Blood~~ high fructose corn syrup (hehe, joking, but I do try to avoid it, lol). They don't like sweets much, and if I offer them any type of chocolate to get a taste, you would think I was offering them gasoline. So, I'm not 100% sure these are indeed my kids.

Songs: "If You're Happy and You Know It" has taken the Number 1 spot at our home in the past couple of months. And the cool thing is that you can sing "If You're Happy and You Know It" with ANYTHING!! You can do it with: going to sleep, sit in your chair, touch your head (or other body parts) eat your food, drink your milk, clap your hands, stomp your feet, do a dance, give mommy and hug (shameless). It is an awesome learning song, and also one to help them mind you! :) We also still love Wheels on the Bus and also the ABC song. We also march around the house in a little Mom and Kids parade to "The Ants Go Marching" just about every night. We also do our parade to "The Alphabet Parade" by Melanie Dill (they love this song too)

Arts and Crafts: They are now SUPER into coloring, and have done little arts and crafts projects, and they love them!

Coloring

Wearing our new construction paper crowns!

Toys: They are now into a doll/stuffed animal phase and we take them with us wherever we go. Mickey and Minnie Mouse are Jules' favorites, with Minnie being attached to her at all times. Josh is abig fan of Pooh and Elmo and they both want to take everyone with us when we go on our afternoon wagon ride (and yes, almost daily a neighbor has to come to my door with something we have dropped along the way) They are still really into puzzles. Bubbles and balls are also still a favorite. We have a bit outgrown our riding toys, but they still love them. I think new ones on on our Christmas/Birthday list. Jules is really into "dressing up" and loves bracelets, fairy wings, necklaces, etc. Josh also loves them, but not like Jules does!

J.J. with Jules

A caravan

Hanging out with our pal Minnie

Hugging Pooh and Piglet

Shows: Yo Gabba Gabba is still up there as their favorite show. They also still love their toddler Baby Genius music videos. They have also started watching a bit of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, which they like now that Mickey and Minnie are a new obsession. We have been watching Sesame Street some, its still a bit too much talking that they like. I have just quit turning Barney on. That solved that. Other than that, we don't watch a lot of TV. They do like music videos and like to watch people sing. They are still obsessed with The Band Perry, and Taylor Swift. They also really like Blake Shelton for some reason, which is weird.

Bath: Bathtime is still our favorite time of the day. They splash, they play, and say their letters and numbers and colors. They wash their hair, THEY brush their teeth (they won't allow you to do it anymore).

This is just the most fun age yet!!

Don't forget to vote!!

Flashback Friday - Sweet Dreams Books

2011-10-27T21:47:00.001-05:00

Yes, I know this is a baby blog. And, yes, I know you are here to see pictures of my sweet, precious babes. But, because its Friday, you know I will do an uber fab Flashback Friday post! And I could have posted a flashback picture of my sweet babes from last Halloween (well, okay, here you go...they are so cute!).

Halloween 2010. They were bears. Super cute ones.

My sister and I were recently reminiscing about these oh so cheesy books from our teenager years called the Sweet Dreams, and it cracked me up so bad that I felt I should dedicate a Flashback Friday post about it, since I have read almost every single one of them in my lifetime. Yes, so let's just go ahead and say this is the most pointless blog post in the history of blog posts.

Sweet Dreams was a teenage young-adult love book series that consisted of over 200+ books. They were written from the 1980's until 1996 I read, which is crazy. It makes me giggle to think back on it because it was so cheesy, but the funny thing is that many celebrities got their start in modeling on the books covers. (such as Courtney Cox Arquette, below)

So, here are some of my favorite Sweet Dreams books. I swear, I LOVED THEM. It honestly seems like yesterday! (How old am I??? Please tell me I'm not the only one who remembers these books!) and again, apologies for this being the stupidest blog post ever. Hopefully it will take you down memory lane, and not make you want to un-follow the blog. *We will be back to baby posts tomorrow :)*

This one was themed around sailing

Hehe! here she is! I think this one was about a debate team

A classic - Love on opposite rival teams. Will school loyalty or love win out?

Probably my favorite one :)

Three cheers for votes!! Come on, please?

DIY Tutu! A Do-It-Yourself No-Sew Tutu Dress!

2011-10-27T11:52:00.004-05:00

Pin It

I am all about these crafty projects as of late! As you know, I had a really, REALLY hard time trying to decide what the twins were going to be this Halloween. I kept going back and forth between three choices: Dorothy and the Lion, Pooh and Piglet, and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. I am normally not a fan of store bought costumes, because I am naturally a creative person at heart. So when I started googling Minnie Mouse costumes on Etsy and Pinterest, and saw these cute Tutu outfits, I was sold! It didn't look that hard to do, so I thought I would give it a shot. This will be Part 1 of two. Part 1 is how make your own DIY Tutu. Part 2 will be transforming this into Minnie Mouse (but have to wait until after she wears it! It will ruin the surprise!)

This was a VERY easy thing to do. I had to idea how easy and cheap it would be! This is also a no-sew tutu dress, which is good for all those people like me who have a very nice sewing machine, but still haven't quite figured out how to use it, lol. So here we go: a very simple, very cheap, very easy no-sew DIY Tutu Dress

Materials needed:

Tulle: You can buy the rolls of 6in tulle, which will be easier. I always go cheaper, so I bought 8 yds of red tulle at Hobby Lobby for $1.39/yd.
Elastic Roll: Around $2
Scissors
Stuff for Minnie costume: Ribbon and Pompoms and Felt (to be continued)

Step 1: Roll the Tulle up into a tube, making sure there aren't any wrinkles and that its even (saw this on YouTube, and its genius)

Step 2: Measure and cut the roll into 6in sections. It doesn't have to be exact. (Here is where it will just be easier to buy the roll, where its already in 6in sections, but I went for cheap)

Step 3: Measure your child, and see how long you will need each section to be. For Jules, it was 23in from her armpit to the floor (I am doing a dress, if you are doing a skirt, measure from their waist to the floor, or to your preference). Then you double that. So, each strip for me was cut to 6in wide, and 46in long. So, you just need to determine how long you want your tutu to be, then double it!

Step 4: Gawk at the big old pile of tulle in your floor

Step 5: Grab a roll of paper towels. This will be great in helping you make your tutu. I will note here that I decided against using the elastic. I got a great idea to use some old head band wraps that Jules wore some as a baby. You attached bows, etc to them. They stretch, are elastic and red! If you do the elastic, just measure your child around, cut the elastic, and you can tie the ends together.

Step 6: Start your Tutu. Double up the strip so that its 23in long, then loop in underneath your waistband and pull the long strip through. So, just loop it thtough, then pull the remainder down. (kind of like you did with old school jelly bracelets, lol!)

Pulling the long part through

The finished loop will look like this.

Step 7: Just keep going and going and going.

And you're done! The amount of tulle you buy will depend of your preference. I wanted mine very full, so I got 8 yards.

Isn't it pretty??? Next I will add pompoms, a halter, and ribbon!

Vote for us if you like to make easy crafts!

Linking up with Bunny Decor

The Fabulous Baby Striblings

2 Year Dr Appt

I Heart Faces - Silly

In General Updates, and our weekend

Questions for my Two year Olds on their Birthday :)

Our Week in iphone Pics

Do you know they potty dance?

Wordless Wednesdeay - Guess who finally got an iphone?

White and Family Fun Photos

Here we Go....Potty Time

Steppin Out Saturday- Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Video

Wordless Wednesday - Last Night As A One Year Old

SOS - Mickey and Minnie Birthday Party!

Second Birthday!

2012 - Resolutions and Goals

WW - Future's So Bright....Gotta Wear Shades

2011 a year in the life of the Fabulous Baby Striblings

Steppin' Out Saturday - NYE

Christmas #3 - Santa's Visit *Collage Style*

Christmas #2 - A Small Town Christmas *Collage Style*

Christmas Recap #1 - Dysfunctional Family Christmas *Collage Style*

25 Days of Christmas - (21) - WW - Decorating Your Children

25 Days of Christmas (20) - Christmas Traditions

25 Days of Christmas (19) - We met Rudolph!

25 Days of Christmas (18) - Stepping Out to a Brunch with Santa!

25 Days of Christmas - Santa's Little Elf

25 Days of Christmas - (16) The "other" Christmas Card and Outtakes

25 Days of Christmas (15) - Traveling

Twin Toes

25 Days of Christmas (14) - The Christmas Card

Wordless Wednesday - Thank goodness for the Magic Eraser

25 Days of Christmas (13) - Displaying Christmas Cards

25 Days of Christmas (12) - Elf Yourself

25 Days of Christmas (11) - Ghetto Santa Visit - Santa FAIL

25 Days of Christmas (10) - Steppin' Out to Opryland Hotel

25 Days of Christmas - (9) - Crafting at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

The Weekly Project 21 - Boy Being Bad

25 Days of Christmas (8) - Twins are Super Cute

25 Days of Christmas - (7) - The Gift List

25 Days of Christmas (6) - Wordless Wednesday - The Christmas Thief

25 Days of Christmas - (5) Elf on a Shelf

25 Days of Christmas (4) - Steppin' Out Saturday - First meetigngwith Santa!

25 Days of Christmas - (3) - Read-Aloud Advent Calendar

Flashback Friday - one year ago

25 Days of Christmas - (2) - DIY Monogram Tree Topper

25 Days of Christmas - (1) - 2011 Holiday Television Schedule

Wordless Wednesday - Holiday Home Tour

Thankful

This Girl

The Weekly Project 20: Josh,- King of Stickers

Steppin' Out Saturday - Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt

If I Could Save Time in a Bottle...

Wordless Wednesday - Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles

What I Wore Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday - Back in My Arms Again

What I Wore Wednesday, NYC Edition (with characters)

I'm in New York City!

21 Months Old - Update on the Babes

Wordless Wednesday - Trick-or-Treating!

Pumpkin Patch Party at Gymboree

Halloween Event Number 1 - Trick-or-Treating

Steppin Out Saturday - UT vs USC

Our Favorite Things - 20/21 Months Old

Flashback Friday - Sweet Dreams Books

DIY Tutu! A Do-It-Yourself No-Sew Tutu Dress!

Christmas #3 - Santa's Visit Collage Style

Christmas #2 - A Small Town Christmas Collage Style

Christmas Recap #1 - Dysfunctional Family Christmas Collage Style