This is Alex’s new favorite thing.

His grandmother (Eric’s mom) showed him how to do this, and he took to it like a duck to water. He gives us smoochies, gives his sister smoochies, gives his stuffed animals smoochies.

It’s really cute.

Of course, “smoochies” are just rubbing noses with someone. But he loves it. He even initiates it. Gotta love it!

I have been hoping for a moment of witty-ness to share with you today, but nothing is coming to mind. I guess this will just be a normal post. Oh well.

Eric took yesterday off because he was just too tired and felt bad. So he took a day to recover and play with babies. It was nice to have him home for the day. And I got to run a couple of errands, sans babies, during nap time. Yay!

My errands involved trying to find some clothes for my poor Alex, especially dress clothes for church. I have tons for Erin, but I really have to scrounge some days for the boy. And I hear that doesn’t get better as boys get older. Sigh.

But that unfairness also raises another issue…

Rant Warning

Why is it, I wondered on my errands yesterday, that as soon as March hits, children’s clothing goes from fleece to short-sleeves (for boys) and no sleeves (for girls) with no in between? Why is that?!? I mean, seriously, are girls not allowed to wear short-sleeved shirts? And why weren’t there even sweaters or jackets out for covering those bare arms? Who decides on these things?!? Why should my children freeze just because someone in NYC doesn’t have any common sense? Okay, I feel better now…

End Rant

We have discovered that Alex is a totally visual little guy. He will not make animal sounds back to a picture. But if the real thing is there…he can make the sound like a champ. If you are blowing bubbles, he can name them. But not if he’s looking only at the bottle of bubble stuff. Eric describes is as “his eyes outweigh his ears.” He’s such a boy.

My children have started experimenting with throwing things. We encouraged it when they were throwing balls. Now, however, they have moved up to books and other toys. It’s going to take some time, I think, to teach them that balls can be thrown, but nothing else. And in the meantime, the number of bruises they give each other may just go up.

I just had to pause in my blog to “rescue” Alex who had pulled my water cup off the bedside table, all over the floor and himself. He was pretty wet, poor guy. It’s not the first time this has happened. I may have to start using a capped water bottle for nighttime sipping.

Okay, I need to go dress my children who are currently running around in only diapers. Happy Tuesday!

It’s pretty much the clearest thing she says now, other than “moo” – and it’s all because we actually brought home our favors from Eric’s cousin’s wedding last weekend.

She says, “Bubble.”

They love when I blow the bubbles for them. Alex just giggles, grins and chases them down. But Erin has learned their name.

Too cute.

It’s been a normal, mostly quiet week. Normal naps, normal bedtimes, normal routines. That has been good for us all, I think.

I’ve also been somewhat amazed by my lack of interest in the internet these days. I realized a couple of weeks back that I would spend a lot of time just flipping between a few different sites but not really accomplishing anything by looking at them. And I realized I was bored. I was doing it because I was bored, and I was increasing my boredom by doing it.

So I’ve tried to be better about not just hanging at my computer during the day, especially during nap times.

Of course, some of that was the the first trimester “blahs” (aka borderline exhaustion), but I also know myself well enough to know that I can fight the mental fatigue by doing little things that aren’t just wasting time in front of a computer screen.

So I’ve been trying to be better about reading books again. And playing with the twins (though building block towers and reading their books can get a little boring, too). And trying to do at least one chore a day. And it’s helping, I think.

And most happily, the sun has been shining more recently, and that helps my solar-powered self A TON! We are definitely going to have to invest in yard toys so I can take the babies outside.

So anyway, I’m enjoying my quiet week, trying to focus more on the cross as I approach Easter, and keeping myself from being a lazy chick. And that is all I’ve got for today! Happy Wednesday!

That’s the order for the day.

The weekend was full, busy and tiring. But the wedding went well, and the babies did great. There were no major issues the entire day, that I knew of. But my favorite “story” from the event was a misprint in the program: the Exchange of “Vowels”. As my sister-in-law said…”well, at least they’ll be short!”

We got home about 6:15 last night. And went to bed about 8:00 (I went to sleep around 8:30). I was so beat that I couldn’t even read for more than about 10 minutes. I did have a good night’s sleep, which was nice. But I think I’ll probably run out of energy again long before the day is over.

Man, I’m ready to be out of the first trimester so I get some “oomph” back.

IN other news…Erin did finally come down the stairs on her own on Saturday morning. I think I finally just ignored her there long enough to force her to try.

Oh, and we are realizing how much Alex LOVES animals. We introduced them to the real cows on the farm this weekend. He could not get enough of them (Erin prefers to appreciate animals at a distance). He thought it was hysterical when one licked his head. He even “moo-ed” at them when asked what a cow says. He’s never done that before to the pictures in a book. Too funny! And he followed the dogs around grinning and pointing. He also loved playing in the dirt in the driveway. He’s such a boy!

Okay, I should go shower before naptime ends. Happy Monday!

Just Stuff:

I have almost no gumption this morning. I have been very productive for 2 days. But now I’m tired.

We are heading back out to the farm this weekend for a wedding. Honestly, I don’t want to go. I’m sure it’ll be a good time once I get there, but I’m struggling to be excited right now.

I didn’t sleep great last night, and it wasn’t the babies’ fault. I just dreamed a lot and kept waking up. Weird.

Alex was up before 7:00 this morning. Yuck!

I made banana bread and cookies yesterday. And fresh guacamole (first try). And I made Greek yogurt dip the day before from scratch, too. They all came out pretty well, I think.

Apparently, some of the first trimester “blahs” are starting to wear off. That’s nice. I can’t wait until I’m totally past these first weeks. I’m ready to feel a bit more normal again.

Baby Updates:

We’ve taken walks in our Radio Flyer wagon the last two days. The babies LOVE riding in the wagon. And it’s SO nice to be outside. I spring!

Erin is jabbering up a storm these days. I am looking forward to the day when I know what all her sounds mean!

Alex is LOVING exploring the outside. At first he thought the grass felt weird on his hands when he tried to crawl. But he’s starting to get over that. And both of them are learning to walk on the bumpy, squishy ground.

I bought baby swings yesterday at Meijer. I can’t wait for Eric to hang them up for us. I know they’ll love to swing!

Okay, two random mommy questions, mostly about Erin.
1. How did you get your daughter to leave barrettes in her hair. She takes them out to look at them and tries to put them back, but (obviously) can’t do that. Any suggestions?

2. Alex has learned to come down stairs pretty well. Erin knows how to, but won’t. She comes down about 3 steps and then stops and fusses until someone comes to get her. I’m trying to leave her longer so that she’ll start trying it again on her own. But so far…no luck. How did you get your kids to be willing to come down the stairs on their own?

Happy Friday! Happy Spring (tomorrow)!

A friend of mine posted this on FB yesterday. Since most of you don’t know her, I thought I’d just paste it in. Enjoy!

If you have the attention span to read this, it’s hilarious . . .

*Laws When at Table*

And if you are seated in your high chair, or in a chair such as a greater person might use, keep your legs and feet below you as they were. Neither raise up your knees, nor place your feet upon the table, for that is an abomination to me. Yes, even when you have an interesting bandage to show, your feet upon the table are an abomination, and worthy of rebuke. Drink your milk as it is given you, neither use on it any utensils, nor fork, nor knife, nor spoon, for that is not what they are for; if you will dip your blocks in the milk, and lick it off, you will be sent away. When you have drunk, let the empty cup then remain upon the table, and do not bite it upon its edge and by your teeth hold it to your face in order to make noises in it sounding like a duck; for you will be sent away.

When you chew your food, keep your mouth closed until you have swallowed, and do not open it to show your brother or your sister what is within; I say to you, do not so, even if your brother or your sister has done the same to you. Eat your food only; do not eat that which is not food; neither seize the table between your jaws, nor use the raiment of the table to wipe your lips. I say again to you, do not touch it, but leave it as it is. And though your stick of carrot does indeed resemble a marker, draw not with it upon the table, even in pretend, for we do not do that, that is why. And though the pieces of broccoli are very like small trees, do not stand them upright to make a forest, because we do not do that, that is why. Sit just as I have told you, and do not lean to one side or the other, nor slide down until you are nearly slid away. Heed me; for if you sit like that, your hair will go into the syrup. And now behold, even as I have said, it has come to pass.

*Laws Pertaining to Dessert*

For we judge between the plate that is unclean and the plate that is clean, saying first, if the plate is clean, then you shall have dessert. But of the unclean plate, the laws are these: If you have eaten most of your meat, and two bites of your peas with each bite consisting of not less than three peas each, or in total six peas, eaten where I can see, and you have also eaten enough of your potatoes to fill two forks, both forkfuls eaten where I can see, then you shall have dessert. But if you eat a lesser number of peas, and yet you eat the potatoes, still you shall not have dessert; and if you eat the peas, yet leave the potatoes uneaten, you shall not have dessert, no, not even a small portion thereof. And if you try to deceive by moving the potatoes or peas around with a fork, that it may appear you have eaten what you have not, you will fall into iniquity. And I will know, and you shall have no dessert.

*On Screaming*

Do not scream; for it is as if you scream all the time. If you are given a plate on which two foods you do not wish to touch each other are touching each other, your voice rises up even to the ceiling, while you point to the offense with the finger of your right hand; but I say to you, scream not, only remonstrate gently with the server, that the server may correct the fault. Likewise if you receive a portion of fish from which every piece of herbal seasoning has not been scraped off, and the herbal seasoning is loathsome to you, and steeped in vileness, again I say, refrain from screaming. Though the vileness overwhelm you, and cause you a faint unto death, make not that sound from within your throat, neither cover your face, nor press your fingers to your nose. For even now I have made the fish as it should be; behold, I eat of it myself, yet do not die.

*Concerning Face and Hands*

Cast your countenance upward to the light, and lift your eyes to the hills, that I may more easily wash you off. For the stains are upon you; even to the very back of your head, there is rice thereon. And in the breast pocket of your garment, and upon the tie of your shoe, rice and other fragments are distributed in a manner wonderful to see. Only hold yourself still; hold still, I say. Give each finger in its turn for my examination thereof, and also each thumb. Lo, how iniquitous they appear. What I do is as it must be; and you shall not go hence until I have done.

*Various Other Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances*

Bite not, lest you be cast into quiet time. Neither drink of your own bath water, nor of bath water of any kind; nor rub your feet on bread, even if it be in the package; nor rub yourself against cars, nor against any building; nor eat sand.

Leave the cat alone, for what has the cat done, that you should so afflict it with tape? And hum not that humming in your nose as I read, nor stand between the light and the book. Indeed, you will drive me to madness. Nor forget what I said about the tape.

*Complaints and Lamentations*

O my children, you are disobedient. For when I tell you what you must do, you argue and dispute hotly even to the littlest detail; and when I do not accede, you cry out, and hit and kick. Yes, and even sometimes do you spit, and shout “stupid-head” and other blasphemies, and hit and kick the wall and the molding thereof when you are sent to the corner. And though the law teaches that no one shall be sent to the corner for more minutes than he has years of age, yet I would leave you there all day, so mighty am I in anger.

But upon being sent to the corner you ask straightaway, “Can I come out?” and I reply, “No, you may not come out.” And again you ask, and again I give the same reply. But when you ask again a third time, then you may come out.

So I think we are finally moving past the low point that was most of last week.

Eric was gone from Monday morning to Wednesday night with his brother on a farm trip. His brother is planning to install robotic milkers in the next couple of years, so they visited a farm that has them together. It was good for them both, for sure.

For me, however, it was a pretty long hard week.

I got a cold from Alex over the previous weekend, and it just wiped me out. It wasn’t really a virus or the flu or anything. But what little reserves I had left between first trimester exhaustion and chasing babies was GONE. So that’s why I stayed for an extra day with my MIL, which both she and Eric were glad for.

I definitely felt a lot better by Wednesday and Thursday, but it took until yesterday to really feel “normal” again. Some of that was that our schedule didn’t let up much. We were pretty busy on Thursday (15-month checkup) and Friday (Moms group meeting for which I had volunteered to take an egg casserole). Then Saturday we had a party for my mom’s birthday in C-ville. Then Daylight Savings sucked an hour of my sleep away, and we had a social gathering for small group on Sunday.

So, today, after staying in bed until after 7:00 am for two mornings in a row…I am finally feeling a bit more like myself again. Which is nice. I’d sort of forgotten what “feeling like myself” felt like!

Oh – and as for the babies’ checkup last week, the doctor said they looked great. They are both on the small side (low 20th percentiles or so in weight). Alex was in the 15th percentile for height. I’m hoping for a growth spurt soon from him.

My mom told me that you can double a girl’s height at 18 months and a boy’s at 2 years for a close guess at how tall they will get as an adult. Erin is looking to be about my height or a little taller, but we’re hoping for about 5 inches from Alex in the next 9 months so he will be at least close to “normal” and not short like his momma’s side of the family. Hopefully, that isn’t just wishful thinking!

And now, I don’t really have much else to tell you today. So I guess I will just go back to playing with the babies before I put them down for a nap and go exercise. Happy Tuesday!

So I’ve had a number of unexpected things happen in the last few days…

I didn’t expect to be offline for 4 straight days.

I didn’t expect Alex to get croup again. He was really miserable on Friday, though he recovered quickly.

I didn’t expect to get a cold from Alex that kicked me to the curb. I was getting sick on Saturday, and by Sunday, I was just wiped. It got better daily, but it was a rough few days.

I didn’t expect to stay at my in-laws for 3 days. We got there on Sunday, planning for me to head home on Monday. I stayed until yesterday afternoon because I just realized, and decided to stop denying, that I needed help with the babies (Eric was gone on a short trip with his brother).

I didn’t expect my MIL to be so gracious, so helpful, such a servant. I mean, she’s usually great, but she went above and beyond. She’s really a fantastic lady!

And finally, I didn’t expect to be telling you so soon that we are expecting baby #3 in October.

Yes, you read that correctly. I’m pregnant again. And yes, it’s only one this time.

It’s a bit crazy, for sure, but we’d stopped preventing when we were okay with the idea, figuring it would take awhile (it took 2 years the last time). And it didn’t take long at all.

So we will have 3 under the age of 2 in October (the twins will be 22 months then). Crazy, I know.

And that is all of my unexpectedness for today (I hope!). Happy Wednesday!

I wish I had some super exciting post for today…but I don’t.

I wish Eric wasn’t going to be gone for 3 days next week…but he is.

I wish I had slept the entire night last night…but I didn’t.

I wish I had someone coming to hang out with us today, too…but it’s back to the norm for today.

I wish I had the gumption to do any of the chores on my chore list…but I don’t really care about my carpets or bathrooms this week.

I wish I had made it to the grocery before today…but it just wasn’t feasible.

I wish it would be sunny again…oh wait, it IS sunny today. Yippee!

I wish I could bottle the sounds of my babies playing, giggling and enjoying being together…but I will have to just keep it in my heart, I guess (’cause the video camera is never close when that happens, of course!).

I wish I could get to the post office today…but that isn’t likely to happen.

Oh well…I guess that’s why God tells us to focus on Him and not on what we “wish” was true of our lives.

Hope you all have a marvelous Thursday!