Transititions and Fun at the Aquarium

I have been an absolutely terrible blogger, but I am going to try to do much better. 

The last few weeks have been a little hectic.  Ethan and Gracyn are not quite ready to give up their morning nap, but are not taking either nap very well right now.  So, our schedule has been a complete disaster and I have been one tired mama.  I still don't have everything figured out yet, but I think we will try having a morning nap every other day for now.  Then, we will likely try to make lunch earlier and move up the afternoon nap.  This is been such a tough transistion!

Today we went to the Oklahoma Aquarium with a good friend and her twin girls who are about the same age as Ethan and Gracyn.  All the kids were happy almost the entire time, which is no small feat for 4 13 month olds.  Ethan and Gracyn were fascinated by the fish.  Ethan loved touching the star fish and the sting rays.  Gracyn wasn't too sure about touching anything (and I can't blame her).  And I had a good time chatting with a friend and getting out of the house.

Mesmorized by all the fish



Gracyn watching the fish swim by



Ethan touching the star fish

Gracyn not touching the star fish



Ethan pointed at everything.  In fact, he just left his hand up part of the time to save himself the trouble



Busy Weekend and Valentines Day

I have been a bad blogger the past few days.  We had a fun and busy weekend! Friday night we had dinner and played games at Andy's sister, Katie's house with his family. Saturday Andy had to work, but his parents and sister came over to see the kids in the morning.  Saturday night we celebrated my brother's birthday at our house. Sunday I worked in the nursery at church, went with my brother and his girlfriend to look for houses, stopped by and saw my friend's sweet two week old baby girl, and then Andy's sister, Kelly and our good friend Beau came over Sunday evening.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Friday



Ethan with a new do



Gracyn looking out the window



Climbing all over the chair



Whoa poney

 

When I left the room they were in thier own chairs.  I came back in and the were sitting together! So sweet!

Saturday

Ethan dancing

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Gracyn in her new chair

Dustin eating his cake

A delicious chocolate peanut butter cake made by my sister



Valentine's Day

This was a great Valentine's Day!  I spent all day with my sweet little Valentines. 

I also made Valentine's cookies for Andy and the kids (although the kids did not get to eat theirs).

Then, tonight Rebecca watched the kids so Andy and I could go on a date!  It is so nice to get out of the house with my husband!  We had a nice dinner and exchanged cards and sweets.  I have a wonderful husband and had a great time with him.



What my kids are eating these days

The real question is what aren't they eating these days!  Haha!  Don't let their tiny size fool you, my kids are little piggies!  Here is a what they ate yesterday, which is pretty typical:

Breakfast

Organic blueberry waffle with organic peanut butter
1 scrambled egg with cheese
1 organic banana

Lunch

Lunch

Organic mixed vegetables with a little butter (peas, carrots, & corn)
Half a peice of whole wheat bread with a little butter
Diced organic apples
1/2 a peice of cheese
Organic ground beef - about a 1/2 cup

Dinner

Lasagna - cut into small peices
Organic cottage cheese
Organic mixed vegetables (same as lunch)
Organic yogurt

I try to feed my kids organic as much as possible, especially with diary, fruits, and vegetables.  Of course I am pretty flexible with it if we are out or eating at someone else's houses.  The only thing that is always organic is thier milk and they get 4 5 ounce sippies a day.  I figure if they are getting at least 75% organic we are doing pretty good.

I also try to make things as easy as possible.  I buy frozen veggies and heat them in the microwave, they like fruit raw and cut up small or whole bananas, and I often give them what we eat.  For example, yesterday I made us chili and I just took out part of the ground beef to use for their lunch.

I am not a food expert, but I am lucky enough to be married to a dietitian who loves to cook.  With his help we make sure that our kids are getting healthy, well rounded meals. 

Gracyn happily eating her current favorite food, peas.

Ethan eating his current favorite food, cheese.

First steps

Today the kids are feeling much better! It is so good to see their smiling faces and to watch them speed crawl and climb all over everything again.
Unfortunately our Internet is down so I can't post any pictures!

Yesterday afternoon I saw Gracyn stand up from the floor without holding on to anything for the second time. (The first time was about two months ago at Andy's parents house and I missed it and she hadn't done it since.) She pushed up into a downward dog position (hands and feet on floor butt in air) and then lifted one hand, her head, then the other and stood right up. I cheered for her and she was so proud of herself. She has stood up about 10-15 times today trying to perfect her new trick!

We were playing in the playroom this afternoon and Ethan was standing holding onto me and I was playing with him. Gracyn got a little jealous and came over to me and pulled up. I let go of her and backed up and she took two steps on her own to me!! I was so proud of her!

Sweet Ethan has no interest in walking or standing right now. However, if their was a baby speed crawling race I would put good money on him to win. I have never seen a baby crawl so fast as he does when is on a mission! It is pretty funny to see.

Tonight I made chili baked with hashbrowns and cheese on top. It was good, but would have been better if the hasbrowns would have been a little crispier. Then, I did some scrapbooking. I finally finished my pregnancy and twin's arrival scrapbook and started their first year scrapbook. I got 7 pages finished and was pretty proud of that accomplishment!

Trip to the Pediatrician

Today both kids woke up feeling pretty terrible.  It is so sad when they are sick! So, I called the pediatrician's office first thing and got them an appointment for this afternoon.  In the meantime, I gave them Tylenol, ear numbing drops (I assumed ear infections), and did whatever I could to keep them happy.  Thankfully school was canceled again so my sister was able to help me with the kids all day.

The pediatrician confirmed, they both have ear infections.  Also, Ethan sounded a little croupy so he got a steroid prescription to go along with his antibiotic and ear drops.  I am glad I took them before they got too bad.

On a positive note, despite barely eating for the past 3-4 days, Gracyn gained 1 pound 4 ounces in a month!!  She is now in the 6th percentile in weight at a whooping 18 pounds 6.5 ounces.  I think it must have been all the peanut butter and cheese I have been putting on everything.

I hope they both get to feeling better really quickly!

Too Much TV

This morning the kiddos woke up with a little fever and were not feeling too well again today.  I am concerned we may be dealing with another round of ear infections (please no - last time they lasted two months!!)  Also, Andy woke up with the dreaded cold I just got over.  I am really hoping he does not have it as bad as I did.  So although I was looking forward to going to church this morning, we were not able to go.

After breakfast we were playing downstairs and Gracyn and Ethan both wanted to sit on the big couch.  Gracyn grabbed the dvd player remote, pointed it at the tv, and got frusterated when the buttons she was pushing did not start her movie.  I guess the kids have been watching a little too much tv the last few day.  I normally don't let them watch more than 30 minutes a day, if that, but since they have not been feeling well I have let them watch much more and now I am feeling a little guilty about it.  Needless to say, I did start the movie for her and both kids sat there the entire 30 minutes happily watching and motioning along appropriately with the Baby Einstein video (pointing to their noses, eyes, head, etc.)  This could pose a problem once they are feeling better, but probably not since when they feel good they usually won't sit still for more than a minute or two unless they are sleeping.

Since the kids and Andy weren't feeling well, Rebecca and I planned our own little Super Bowl Party.  We made spinach and artichoke dip, spicy buffalo chicken strips, potato skins, and rice krispi treats.  Andy said he wasn't going to eat, but ended up feeling good enough to eat at quite a bit - luckily we had made a ton of food!  I will confess that I hardly watched the game or the commercials.  It was more about the food and spending time with my husband and my sister. 

Hot spinach and artichoke dip

A Much Needed Afternoon Out

After basically being stuck at home since Monday (apart from a few short grocery store trips) we all desperately needed to get out of the house!  So, after the kids' nap this afternoon we loaded up and ventured out.  After exploring our options, we finally decided to go to the Kaleidoscope Children's Museum.  We wanted to go somewhere were the kids could burn off some energy and explore!  The best part was we had the entire place to ourselves!



Ethan rolling on mat



Gracyn and me going down the slide

Ethan climbing around



Rebecca, Andy, Me, Ethan, & Gracyn





Rebecca & Ethan





 We had a blast!  The kids loved playing in the room with the black lights and music.  We had a mini dance party!  They also loved the big three story play center.  I could not get Gracyn up the slide quickly enough and Ethan loved climbing all around the different levels and looking out the mesh netting.  They also played on stage trying on hats and weren't even the least bit tricked when we put on masks.  The only downside is the place could use some better up keep.

After we left the Children's Museum we all went to Hideaway for pizza and pasta for the kiddos.  Both Ethan and Gracyn can officially use a straw now and were very excited to consume thier water from a "big kids cup".  A good time was had by all.

As soon as we got home the kids went straight to bed and Andy, Rebecca, and I continued round two of game night.  We played a little Sequence and Last Word.  It was pretty fun and beats watching tv every night.  I would have to say today turned out to be a pretty great day!





Sledding, Great Food, and Game Night

It snowed AGAIN today! I think we got about another 4 inches or so on top of the 14 we already had.  And amazingly there is more snow in the forecast for this weekend and next week. 

This morning I stood on my front porch and watched the snow fall for a few minutes.  It was so beautiful!  It was quite and it felt good to breath in the cool crisp air.  Although, I know we don't need any more snow, I really enjoyed the peacefulness I experienced watching it fall.

Our car almost completely buried.  Taken just as the snow was starting today.

Luckily our SUV with AWD was parked in the garage.  Andy and I got out today and went to Wal-Mart for milk,eggs, and other essentials (Dr. Pepper, chocolate - I have a bit of a sweet tooth).  It was nice to get out and amazing to see the effects of this amazing snow.  And it was fun to have a little alone time with my husband even if it was just going to the grocery store.

Today we took the kids out sledding.  Although, they hate getting bundled up, they always have a blast as soon as we get out.  They really love for us to pull them around on their sleds.

Gracyn upset about being bundled up





Ethan getting bundled up - not happy



Sledding from last snow, but you get the idea

Tonight after we put the kids to bed Andy made homemade pretzels with cheese sauce, Italian sasages, and roasted potatoes, onions, and yellow bell peppers.  Very yummy!



 





 Then Rebecca, Andy, and I had a game night. It was a lot of fun!

 I have really enjoyed this week being home with my husband, my kiddos, and my sister.  She has been a tremendous help with the kids and around the house, especially, when I was not feeling good.  I have the best sister!  Did I mention she got up with the kids this morning and let me sleep in until 11:30! Yes she is awesome!  (I was up with Gracyn until 2:00 am - she wasn't feeling well).





Movies and Bath Time Pandamonium

Thankfully I am feeling much better today.  However, my sweet babies were not feeling that well.  Gracyn woke up with a slight fever and they both were not their usual active, happy selves.  In fact, they only wanted to sit on my lap or watch movies pretty much all day.  Typically, my kids (especially Gracyn) are NEVER not moving.  And I typically do not let them watch much tv, but made an exception since they were not feeling well.  Although it completely breaks my heart to see them sick, I will have to admit that I do enjoy the extra snuggle time.

Ethan and Gracyn watching Baby Einstein in their favorite chairs

Oddly enough at dinner time they both perked up and got a little hyper.  We were feeding them yogurt and they insisted on attempting to use the spoon to feed themselves and actually did a decent job making it to their mouths.  Then as I was teaching them the word spoon, Gracyn got the giggles.  She thought spoon was the most hilarious word she had ever heard.  I love how they get amused at the smallest things.  Then, of course, Ethan began cracking up too after he heard his sister so hysterical.  It was nice to see them happy and feeling better.



Ethan using a spoon



Gracyn laughing at the word "spoon"

After dinner it was bath time and just to mix things up a bit I decided to take out their bath chairs and let them "swim" around a bit.  They LOVED it!  I have never seen Ethan act so happy and hyper before.  It was hysterical.  He was crawling around, splashing, sitting, laying, going back and forth, dunking his face.  He had a blast!  Gracyn had a great time too.  She was splashing and squealing and trying to keep out of Ethan's way.  Haha!



Having a blast at bath time!



Ethan "swimming" around

After the kids went to bed Andy made an amazing dinner: Chicken pot pie from scratch and asparagus.  It was the best chicken pot pie I have ever eaten and he did not even use a recipe for any of it.  I have very lucky to have such a talented husband!

So all in all today was a pretty great day! Hoping the kids feel better tomorrow so maybe we can attempt to go outside in the snow for a little bit.  They love sledding and I haven't even been outside since Monday.  I am started to feel a little stir crazy.









The Only Advantage to a Cold

So while I am still miserable with my cold, I do have to say that I have found one advantage: a diminished sense of smell can be a good thing when you have two one year olds.  And by diminished I mean I can't smell a thing.

Last night I was having trouble sleeping and decided to go check on the kids and make sure they were covered up.  First, I covered Ethan.  Then, I went to cover Gracyn.  As usual, she was laying on her blanket .  I reached down to carefully pull it out and immediately fealt cold wetness.  You guessed it, she had puked all over her bed.

I went downstairs to get my husband who had fallen asleep on the couch watching tv.  As soon, as he hit the stairs he smelled the puke.  I never smelled a thing. (Although, if I would have I possibly could have avoided sticking my hand in it).  Not being able to smell came in handy while I changed her pjs, washed the puke out of her hair, cleaned the sheets enough to put in the washer (you don't want to know), and started the laundry.  Rebecca (who is thankfully still snowed in with us) and Andy were also assisting in all the commotion and informed me that the smell was very bad.

Meanwhile, Ethan had also woken up and apparently unattached his diaper somehow and peed all over his bed.  So, we got to change his jammies and sheets too.

Long night! I finally got in be about 11:30 pm, but then was worried Gracyn might puke again so was up much longer.

Today my non-existent sense of smell also came in handy.  Both kids had diarrhea.  I couldn't smell a thing. 
They both don't feel very good and I am hoping they don't get my cold.

My evening was nice.  Andy made Groundhogs day dinner: homemade beef sasage patties, mashed potatoes and gravy, sourkraut, and homemade cinnamon apples sauce from scratch.  For desert he made snow ice cream.

Hoping to feel better tomorrow!

Breanna

Blizzard and cold

Tulsa had quite a blizzard!  Our car is almost completely covered and we have a drift in our back yard that almost reaches the kitchen window!  I don't think I have ever seen so much snow!

View from covered back porch which had at least 3 inches of snow in it.

This is the view out our front door.  I think we probably have about 12 or so inches.  It is tough to measure because of all the drifts.

While I would have loved to spend all day playing with the kids and baking yummy foods, I was not able to.  I woke up this morning with the worst cold I think I have ever had!  I feel like a total baby because it is just a cold, right?  But I feel like my head is about to explode!  Luckily, my sister is snowed in with us and she took care of the kids for me most of the day.  Thank you Rebecca!

 Here is a picture of sick me with my two sweeties! I tried to stay away, but I had to get a little time with them.  I did wash my hands, face and change my shirt. Hope they don't get it!

Andy was lucky enough to be able to work from home today.  So, he did not have to venture out in the blizzard.  However, he was starting to get a little stir crazy and he left to walk to Wal-Mart about 15 minutes ago.  He is getting stuff to make the traditional Hooker, Oklahoma Ground Hog dinner for Ground Hog's Day tomorrow.  Looking forward to it!  (Hopefully, I will be able to taste again tomorrow)