Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
7x7 link awards
My sweet and wonderful friend Erica mentioned my blog in her post about the 7x7 blog award she received so I'm passing along the challenge!
1. thank the person who nominated you
Thank you, Erica! I aspire to be like you when I grow up...with all your cute and quaint craftiness. I don't know if I'll ever get there but here's to trying. Anyone reading this should really check out Erica's blog: The View From Africa. Erica and I went to Taylor together, were el ed majors together, and moved down to Charlotte in the great Taylor Teacher Migration of '06. I didn't know her that well at Taylor but loved getting to know her the first couple of years in Charlotte. And then she moved to Africa to teach--where she subsequently met her Prince Charming. (Go check out that post!) She only had to travel halfway around the globe to find him. Now they live in New York and have an adorable baby boy. I seriously love LOVE their story and love her more. She's just great.
2. share 7 things about yourself
I feel like most people who read this or know me pretty much know everything about me...I'm an open book like that. But maybe someone new is reading?
1. My favorite season by far is fall. I love everything about it. Granted, autumn in the south has taken a bit of getting used to. {This is bound to happen when you come from a state that's the primary destination of countless tour buses chartered just to look at leaves. Which I still think is funny. But now I totally understand and would hop on a bus in a heartbeat to see the foliage I so took for granted growing up.}
2. I am the clumsiest person I know. This is ironic because I was also a ballerina from the age of 3 until I graduated high school. My dance teacher was definitely brave for slapping a pair of pointe shoes on me but it worked out.
3. I love coffee more than almost anything. But not in the truest "I love strong, black coffee and I can tell the difference between roasts and what?!? You're going to dilute the flavor with cream and/or syrup?!?" way. I leave that up to my little brother who is a coffee connoisseur and a bit of a coffee snob, if we're being honest. No, I love coffee that is flavored and creamy and more like a dessert.
4. I have one sister and two brothers. People always thought my family was big. I don't think so. Four kids is not that many. I'm already halfway there.
5. I have an embarrassing affinity for reality tv shows. It's really humiliating but I just can't help it. Not ones like The Jersey Shore, though. You gotta draw the line somewhere, people.
6. I met my husband the very first night I was in Charlotte. Little did we know then how things would turn out.
7. I've been a lot of places in my life including: Russia, Haiti, Bolivia, Germany, France, Spain, England, Switzerland, Ireland, Greece, Italy and I'm sure a few others. I used to be a really interesting person. Now my babies are interesting and that's enough for me.
3. share 7 of your blog posts, in the following categories:
most beautiful: The girls' birth story...it may have been a C-section and nothing like I would have imagined it to be but it was still the most beautiful day of my life.
most popular: The post where I told the world we were pregnant. With twins. I basically shared how I told Paul I was pregnant which was a pretty great story.
most controversial: I'm the least controversial/most non-confrontational person I know. I wasn't always like this. I used to debate and argue all sorts of things...philosophy, religion, rainbows, anything. Now. I don't have time for that. But maybe my post about the goat cheese and beet salad? Some people have really strong feelings about both of those ingredients. My mother being one of them. Or maybe this one about when I split my pants at school. I mean, I do talk about my booty hanging out. Or the one I just wrote about The Hunger Games. People really love 'em or hate 'em.
most surprisingly successful: Our gender reveal party was a big success. This surprised the heck out of me because I'm constantly overbooking, running behind, and forgetting things. But that night was wonderful. Mostly thanks to Dionne and Warner. Who can also be credited for anything that went right at my wedding.
most underrated: Ummm...maybe this one? I don't know...
most pride worthy: SInce I already linked to my post about the girls' births, I guess....this one. Because I'm proud of him. Especially for putting up with me. It can be hard sometimes.
4. nominate seven other bloggers
Friday, February 3, 2012
i have a problem
And it's called The Hunger Games. I promised myself I wasn't going to read them. There was so much hype about them and, to be honest with you, the premise of the books made me a little sick. Children forced to fight to the death!? What a weird and deranged thing to write about.
My problem is that my mother-in-law shared the book with me and with plenty of nursing time to read things on my phone, I got sucked in. And now those few minutes where both girls are napping, I'm reading instead of doing productive things like the dishes or diapers or showering. Charleigh wakes up needing her diaper changed? Sorry, Charleigh. Doesn't she realize that Katniss is about to be engulfed in a huge wall of fire?! Can't this wait? {I promise I put the book down and tended to my child. Promise.}
I still haven't decided whether I really like the book or not but I feel like I have to keep reading to find out what happens. I also feel like I should take a self defense class or at the very least learn how to fashion a weapon out of tree bark and cattails. Or learn to use any weapon at all. And brush up on what plants are safe to eat in the wild. {Should have stuck it out in the Girl Scouts. Darn.}
I managed to stay out of the Harry Potter and Twilight craze. (Although both series come highly recommended by some pretty rad people, I just couldn't get into them.) This one got me. Dang it. And now I'm just one of those deranged people reading about a fight to the death set in some strange future world.
My problem is that my mother-in-law shared the book with me and with plenty of nursing time to read things on my phone, I got sucked in. And now those few minutes where both girls are napping, I'm reading instead of doing productive things like the dishes or diapers or showering. Charleigh wakes up needing her diaper changed? Sorry, Charleigh. Doesn't she realize that Katniss is about to be engulfed in a huge wall of fire?! Can't this wait? {I promise I put the book down and tended to my child. Promise.}
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| Hunger Games time. They're excited. |
I managed to stay out of the Harry Potter and Twilight craze. (Although both series come highly recommended by some pretty rad people, I just couldn't get into them.) This one got me. Dang it. And now I'm just one of those deranged people reading about a fight to the death set in some strange future world.
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| And this is what I get. Because I didn't do the dishes while she was asleep, I have to do them with a baby strapped to me. Luckily, neither of us mind. Thank goodness for the Moby. |
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
be still
Today was a big day. I got to meet these little guys.
These boys are one of the sets of twins I mentioned in this post. They were born right before Christmas at 32 weeks and are now at home weighing in at a hefty 6 pounds or so. Praise the Lord. I left my own little twinsies in the care of their aunt and headed over with baked pasta in hand.
They were SO tiny. Be still my heart. And so floppy and newborn-ish. I know my girls were that little when they were born (and that floppy, too) but I almost can't remember it. And that scares me. How can the months go by so fast but the hours between 5 until P-dubs gets home from work at 8 seem like an eternity? Seeing those sweet babies and hearing their tiny little voices and cries just reminded me again that I need to enjoy EVERY moment. Because it won't last forever.
Tonight when I got home, I held little Lo as she fell fast asleep on my chest. I almost put her down. The dishwasher needed to be unloaded and I'm sure the laundry was ready to be folded. But I stopped myself. She will only be 3 months and 6 days old today. And she will only need me like this for a little while longer. Someday, all too soon, she will be too busy to want to fall asleep on her mom. So I held her and enjoyed the stillness of the moment.
And, you know, the dishwasher still needs to be unloaded and I'm gonna have to run the dryer again to fluff out the wrinkles from letting the clothes sit there so long but I don't regret it a bit. I'm so excited for Amy and the changes that are in store for her boys in the next few months. But I'm glad she's truly cherishing her moments with them now. Everyone always says it but it's true: They grow up too fast.
They were SO tiny. Be still my heart. And so floppy and newborn-ish. I know my girls were that little when they were born (and that floppy, too) but I almost can't remember it. And that scares me. How can the months go by so fast but the hours between 5 until P-dubs gets home from work at 8 seem like an eternity? Seeing those sweet babies and hearing their tiny little voices and cries just reminded me again that I need to enjoy EVERY moment. Because it won't last forever.
Tonight when I got home, I held little Lo as she fell fast asleep on my chest. I almost put her down. The dishwasher needed to be unloaded and I'm sure the laundry was ready to be folded. But I stopped myself. She will only be 3 months and 6 days old today. And she will only need me like this for a little while longer. Someday, all too soon, she will be too busy to want to fall asleep on her mom. So I held her and enjoyed the stillness of the moment.
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| (This is actually Sweet C but I feel the world should be blessed by these eyelashes too.) |
My 'big' girls.
Monday, January 30, 2012
yes, please
My only accomplishment for the day (besides doing 4 loads of laundry and keeping the girls dressed in spit-up free clothes) was sorting through 3 years worth of pictures on various memory cards. I procrastinated long enough that every single one in the house was completely full. And, well, we have babies now and it's really important that we document every smile, every sad face, every new trick...every everything. They just change so darn fast. While going through the cards I found this little golden nugget.
Only in New England and only truly appreciated by a New Englander. Just look at that ginormous, humongous cup of goodness. I wish it were real. I could climb in that thing and take a nap. Or get my caffeine supply for about three years. Either one sounds amazing right now.
Friday, January 27, 2012
things i've loved about this week
sleep:
These girls are sleeping like champs. Last night they did 6 hours and then 4. I can handle that. Only, after the four a.m. feeding I couldn't fall back asleep. My body was like 'Whoa. I feel like a million bucks. Let's get up and get things done.' Apparently, it has forgotten what it's like to get more than 3 hours of sleep at a time.
coffee dates:
Warner had a work day and a hair appointment. I love when she has hair appointments because it means she'll be up my way. And because she had a work day she got out of school early. Hours at Starbucks on a rainy day with your best friend and baby girls? Yes, please.
friends in general
friends who bring scrumptious food in particular:
A wonderful friend brought by dinner for our little family and it was just so great. Great to see her, great to eat her delicious food. She also brought her handsome baby boy. And he was wearing tiny, little baby TOMS. I die. Which leads me to...
baby TOMS:
I meant to get a picture of Adler with the girls but he is a mover and shaker and also I completely forgot. His little TOMS were so stinking cute. The girls saw his TOMS and now they want some, too. Plus, they would like to match their dad. Interestingly enough, TOMS (at the ripe old age of 7 months) also double as teethers. I think it's worth the investment.
Regis & Kelly:
Well, I guess it's just Kelly right now. {Miss Regis a lot.} I used to LOVE teacher workdays (which, by the way, I considered a 'day off' ha!) because while I was working in my room I would have Regis and Kelly on in the background. Now I can have it on everyday in the background. Today, Kelly was talking about how she spends too much on coffee mostly because, while she could brew her own at home, she loves the 'pageantry' of it all...the cup with the sleeve and everything. I feel like we would be friends because that's exactly how I feel. Life's just grand with a Starbucks cup in your hand.
quiet moments:
The girls don't really nap on the same schedule yet. I kind of like this because I get alone time with each of them. But it leaves me with almost zero time for anything else. When they are somehow miraculously overlapping in their sleep, I get to have a few moments to think, read, and pray. Fuel for the rest of the day.
two babes and one hunk:
Seriously. Couldn't love them more.
Oh, and Howard. Of course.
These girls are sleeping like champs. Last night they did 6 hours and then 4. I can handle that. Only, after the four a.m. feeding I couldn't fall back asleep. My body was like 'Whoa. I feel like a million bucks. Let's get up and get things done.' Apparently, it has forgotten what it's like to get more than 3 hours of sleep at a time.
Warner had a work day and a hair appointment. I love when she has hair appointments because it means she'll be up my way. And because she had a work day she got out of school early. Hours at Starbucks on a rainy day with your best friend and baby girls? Yes, please.
friends who bring scrumptious food in particular:
A wonderful friend brought by dinner for our little family and it was just so great. Great to see her, great to eat her delicious food. She also brought her handsome baby boy. And he was wearing tiny, little baby TOMS. I die. Which leads me to...
I meant to get a picture of Adler with the girls but he is a mover and shaker and also I completely forgot. His little TOMS were so stinking cute. The girls saw his TOMS and now they want some, too. Plus, they would like to match their dad. Interestingly enough, TOMS (at the ripe old age of 7 months) also double as teethers. I think it's worth the investment.
Well, I guess it's just Kelly right now. {Miss Regis a lot.} I used to LOVE teacher workdays (which, by the way, I considered a 'day off' ha!) because while I was working in my room I would have Regis and Kelly on in the background. Now I can have it on everyday in the background. Today, Kelly was talking about how she spends too much on coffee mostly because, while she could brew her own at home, she loves the 'pageantry' of it all...the cup with the sleeve and everything. I feel like we would be friends because that's exactly how I feel. Life's just grand with a Starbucks cup in your hand.
quiet moments:
The girls don't really nap on the same schedule yet. I kind of like this because I get alone time with each of them. But it leaves me with almost zero time for anything else. When they are somehow miraculously overlapping in their sleep, I get to have a few moments to think, read, and pray. Fuel for the rest of the day.
Seriously. Couldn't love them more.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
beet and goat cheese salad
What I Ate Wednesday
So after I wrote about the oats that changed my life last week, I promptly ate half a jar of Nutella. So much for getting back on the healthy eating bandwagon. Nutella is just so good. And I'm a firm believer it goes with pretty much anything (which is why it's so dangerous). But the next day I went to my sister-in-law's for lunch and she spoiled me with some homemade chicken orzo soup and an arugula-beet-goat cheese salad. And I thought those oats changed my life. This salad was amazing. I've never liked beets but, paired with the goat cheese, arugula, and the dressing she made, they were scrumptious. I highly recommend anyone needing a salad makeover try this.
The original recipe is from Giada. I love her. I would like to be her when I grow up. And to make this salad even better...my sister-in-law put chia seeds {!} in the dressing because she's healthy like that. {She's also wonderful and sent me home with my own little bit of chia seeds to try. I'm definitely going to try the banana oats with the chia seeds and see if there's a difference.}
In other food related news, my sister has started eating gluten free. She's had some random health issues over the last few years and I've definitely noticed a difference in her skin when she's eating g-free. {At one point, she was convinced she was allergic to the sun. And grass.} You can read about her journey here. When she came over for a breakfast date and to watch some recorded highly educational and edifying television shows that may or may not involve certain leanings toward reality TV, I tried my hand at making gluten free waffles. Despite having a more sponge-y consistency than regular waffles, these suckers were really good and really flavorful. Thank goodness for almond flour.Try 'em out. You won't regret it.
And that jar of Nutella is long gone making it safe for me to jump back on the healthy eating wagon.
So after I wrote about the oats that changed my life last week, I promptly ate half a jar of Nutella. So much for getting back on the healthy eating bandwagon. Nutella is just so good. And I'm a firm believer it goes with pretty much anything (which is why it's so dangerous). But the next day I went to my sister-in-law's for lunch and she spoiled me with some homemade chicken orzo soup and an arugula-beet-goat cheese salad. And I thought those oats changed my life. This salad was amazing. I've never liked beets but, paired with the goat cheese, arugula, and the dressing she made, they were scrumptious. I highly recommend anyone needing a salad makeover try this.
The original recipe is from Giada. I love her. I would like to be her when I grow up. And to make this salad even better...my sister-in-law put chia seeds {!} in the dressing because she's healthy like that. {She's also wonderful and sent me home with my own little bit of chia seeds to try. I'm definitely going to try the banana oats with the chia seeds and see if there's a difference.}
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| Miriam's not only healthy but fancy, too. |
In other food related news, my sister has started eating gluten free. She's had some random health issues over the last few years and I've definitely noticed a difference in her skin when she's eating g-free. {At one point, she was convinced she was allergic to the sun. And grass.} You can read about her journey here. When she came over for a breakfast date and to watch some recorded highly educational and edifying television shows that may or may not involve certain leanings toward reality TV, I tried my hand at making gluten free waffles. Despite having a more sponge-y consistency than regular waffles, these suckers were really good and really flavorful. Thank goodness for almond flour.Try 'em out. You won't regret it.
 |
| http://allrecipes.com/recipe/almond-flour-waffles/detail.aspx |
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