Flashback Friday - when they were littles

So, I have pretty much been a sappy mess this week, no thanks to this post about time going by so fast, or the fact that they are now two AND A HALF. So, I have been going down memory lane a lot.

Here is an oldie but oh so goodie of the babies doing sign language. Remember before when they couldn't talk??? Yeah, thats hard to think about now that I have a couple of chatterboxes on my hands. I also loved Jules' outfit. Funny how clothing also taking you back in time too, huh?




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The Post That Makes Me Bawl My Eyes Out

Every once in a while a post come along  by a fellow mommy blogger that puts into words everything you think, thought, and will think.  This post rocked me to my core, (and it obviously did to every other mom out there too, because her server shut down!) Its very hard to stay in the present with my kids, even though I know how important it is. I constantly look backwards and forwards to who they were and how fast it's gone, to where they are going. I feel guilty lately for putting on videos instead of talking to them. I feel guilty getting frustrated with them because let's be honest, they are two and toddlers and crazy and there are two of them  and OMG and I feel a little outnumbered at times.

And it's ok. We have all been there.

I get really sad at times when I can't remember things and it gets me all teary eyed. Maybe it's because I'm probably not having any more "babies", and now I have kiddos. I don't know. Other moms of twins told me it would happen, even though I didn't think it would. I remember so much of when they were little babies. And I remember a lot of when they were 1-2, but then I come across pictures like this:

And I can't remember ever using this thing, even though it was a part of our daily life for months and months. Did my babies really take a bath in the sink?? I digress..

I take a ton of pictures of them. Some people say too many, and they're probably right. But can you ever take too many pictures of your babies when they grow up at lightening speed right in front of you? And then I realized that I haven't been taking many pictures or videos of them this summer, and it makes me sad. (must get back on that)

I urge you all to read Baby Rabies' post. It is one of the most beautiful eloquent posts I have ever read. It's something that I could have written myself, and should have. Parenting is really, really hard. Freaking hard. It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. And, also, the most rewarding, proud, amazing, fabulous, blow-your-mind miraculous thing I have ever done in my life.  It's just awesome.

Thank you, Jill,  for making us all proud to have the best job in the world.

You guys are two...AND A HALF

Dear Josh and Jules,

It seems this is how it has happened every time you guys have hit a new age. When you were around 9 months old, I started getting daily panic attacks, because it would hit me that you were close to one. I couldn't believe it. How is that possible? You were JUST BORN!!! Literally, I would be sad every day. Then all of a sudden you guys were 11 months, and we would just casually tell people "Oh, they're one!" And by the time you actually WERE one, we were already used to it.

Forward on to around 20  months, honestly your dad mentioned that "hey, they will be turning two in four months!" I think I went into a coma then too, because it honestly didn't even cross my mind that you were anywhere near the age of two. That just couldn't be, because you JUST turned one. Then, again, around 22-23 months we were already telling everyone that we met that you nuggets were two. And again, once you hit two, we were used to it.

Well, it has happened yet again! We have been telling everyone  that you guys were 2.5 for the past couple of months now. (And if you are thinking we meet a lot of strangers, you have to remember that you are twins, so strangers stop us on a daily basis. Add a mess of curls to that, and we are pretty popular) So, now that that magical age hit us on the 8th of July, we are so used to it now that its not so hard to accept. Which is good, because let's be honest - to think that you sweet things are 2 and a half years old makes me really, really sad.

But, on the flip side, it makes me really, really happy!!! I love, LOVE you guys right now! I can have actual conversations with both of you that make sense. It's like talking to teenagers sometimes, but still. You both make me belly laugh on a daily basis and you both are so much fun to have around. This age is priceless and I am obsessed with your giggles and your bursting personalities.

Thank you both so much for being born. You were definitely worth the wait.

Love,
Mommy

Steppin Out Saturday - Cheekwood and Movie Fun

Apologies for the late posting on what we did this weekend! It has been a crazy week. And by crazy, I mean lots of furniture moving around/rug buying and a new vacuum. Yay. Welcome to my blissful life, I know you are jealous!

So, anyway, I decided to punish my children by taking them out in 110 degree heat this weekend! No, really, I clearly did - it has been HOT here!! I have been dying to take the kiddos to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens this summer. One, because its so beautiful and there are flowers and trees everywhere. Two, because they have had an exhibit opened that I have wanted to show the kids. Treehouses: Great Works of Literature - "Treehouses focuses on great works of literature with whimsical and traditional Treehouses in the landscape at Cheekwood. "

In a sense, its a bunch of cool, different treehouses scattered across the gardens for the kiddos to climb on. It would have been super fun, had it not been for the heat. I tried to get there right when it opened, and we packed a picnic lunch, but it was still pretty hot. The good news? Where there are flowers there are sprinklers! So, they also got to have some water play and went home naked. Ahhh, the joys of being a babe in the summertime :)

The Conch House Treehouse
"His ordinary voice sounded like a whisper after the harsh note of the conch. He laid the conch against his lips, took a deep breath and blew once more. The note boomed again: and then at his firmer pressure, the note, fluking up an octave, became a strident blare more penetrating than before." -- William Golding, Lord of the Flies, 1954
Also, Jules is a rockstar

The Jolly Roger
“One green light squinting over Kidd's Creek, which is near the mouth of the pirate river, marked where the brig, the Jolly Roger, lay, low in the water; a rakish-looking craft foul to the hull…She was the cannibal of the seas, and scarce needed that watchful eye, for she floated immune in the horror of her name.” – J.M. Barrie, Peter and Wendy, 1911
Also, a slide manaic on the Up and Down Again House from A Hobbit's Tale

Posing and saying "CHEESE" with her apple. HeHe.
On Jules: Dress: Old Navy//Shoes: TJ Maxx//Monogrammed Bow: Consigned

The Rainbow Fish - the scales were CD's!
"The Rainbow Fish shared his scales left and right, and the more he gave away, the more delighted he became. When the water around him filled with glimmering scales, he at last felt at home among the other fish." – Marcus Pfister, The Rainbow Fish, 1992
Also, Josh running as.fast.as.he.can

Picnic Time!

"Hmmm, this looks fun! Wonder what happens if I do this right here" - Josh
On Josh: Top: Janie and Jack//Shorts: Gap//Shoes: Tommy Hilfiger

Taking a break.

Ocean of Notions. This was 100% on water via a bridge!
“He looked into the water and saw that it was made up of a thousand thousand thousand and one different currents, each one a different colour, weaving in and out of one another like a liquid tapestry of breathtaking complexity; and Iff explained that these were the Streams of Story, that each coloured strand represented and contained a single tale.” -- Salman Rushdie, Haroun and the Sea of Stories, 1991

Also, Mom and my sister Leslie came in town. Leslie has moved back to Knoxville from Dallas to take a job as a buyer for Altar'd State boutiques. (Super cute stuff - for those local, there is one at the Avenues in Murfreesboro) So, Saturday afternoon we went and did some shopping. I bought a couple of dresses, a top, and some candles. Highly recommend their cute clothes!

Me and Les!
On Moi: Shirt: Atlar'd State :)//Shorts: HandM//Shoes: Aldo//Accessories: Mapel Boutique

Later, Les, Jake and I went to finally see Rock of Ages. For those that keep up, I am obsessed with musicals. We saw Rock of Ages in November on Broadway and I fell in love. It is fun, fun fun. Nothing to get moved by or inspired by. Just great fun. And the movie was no exception. I highly recommend. Russel Brand is hysterical, and Tom Cruise rocks. Sorry :)



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Random shots of cuteness

Oh ya know...just a casual Sunday and the babes were looking extra cute and in good moods. And, I really haven't been using my DSLR a lot lately, so I thought why not stage an impromptu photo shoot.

I mean, aren't they the most cutest ever???? (tis' ok. You can say yes. I already know it)

oh, and p.s. Jules is in wedges. I die. Again. And if you really want to curl up in a ball in the corner and  cry, go check out their 18m pics. Jules is wearing the same Matilda Jane dress and all of a sudden I have teenagers. sniff. sniff.

On Jules: Dress: Matilda Jane//Shoes: Consigned
On Josh: Shirt:Gap//Shorts: Crazy 8//Shoes: Timberlands.
Handholding: Gift from God

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One-on-One

On Friday, something happened, that, in our little world of multiple living, doesn't happen often.


Friday was Western Day at School. The babes got to dress up like little sweet Western twinnies and got to do all sorts of fun stuff. A pony was even coming that they could take rides on! Well, this is the shot I got of the babes dressed up:

(Yes, I know Josh looks more like a hillbilly sheriff, but I only had two days to get their outfits together, ya'll)

Right after this picture the proceeded to throw up everywhere and I knew he had the trusty old stomach bug. Yay. So, the decision was made that Jules would go on to school, and I would stay home with Josh. Woah. Thats huge.

You see, in the world of multiples, that just doesn't happen. I have never, EVER spent a long length of time with them one-on-one. Yes, I know I should, and I realize its important.I honestly do.  I have taken one to the grocery store solo, and maybe to a doctor appointment, but that's about it. . But, there is nothing so sad that to have one in the car and see that other carseat empty. And I know Jules was sad all day because Josh wasn't there. (luckily, the pony helps, no?) (and the cuteness? I die.)

So, Josh and I spent all day together, just the two of us. We went to the store, and I had a hard time not shouting "He's a twin!!!!!" Whenever someone would stop us to say how cute he was. "You should see his twin!!!" (stop it)

Because, let's be honest. They are two peas in a pod. Its hard to have one without the other. We thought preschool was going to be a HUGE deal because they are separated into two different classes, but those classes are together all the time, so it's really been great. A little independence, but not a lot.

And, Josh had a great time with just Mommy. He loved all the attention that he usually doesn't get when Jules is around. We had a fun day. And we missed Jules. Next is finding a Mommy/Daughter day to squeeze in. We can make it work.





Linking up with Extraordinary Ordinary for Just Write.

Happy Birthday Jake/Daddy!

Friday was Jake's "Mid 30th" birthday. Its always fun to do things for Jake on his birthday. He hates most of them and is not big on celebrating. However, I make it life's mission to make it special for him, whether he likes it or not.

Friday was also Western Day at pre-school and Jules got to ride a pony! However, Josh was a bit sick, so he stayed home with mommy (more on this later)

So, Josh and I decided to bake Jake a cake for his birthday. His favorite - chocolate with chocolate icing (and for a guy that really doesn't even like sweets, thats weird) Anywho...

I got him an iphone for Father's Day/Birthday. He unfortuanetly gets these lumped toegther every year, lol. Last year was an ipad. One year was the Green Egg grill, and then maybe a laptop the year before. He gets good gifts, but I usually make it a combo :)

However, we did do a little photoshoot for him for some new pictures to have in his office. I thought it was a cute idea. And he liked it, so score!

Then we went and surprised him at work with said cake and said pictures.

And, in honor of Fathers Day and his Birthday, I decided to ask the babes a few questions about their Daddy- in their words :)

Happy Birthday to Jake! We love you oodles!