Pictures Galore

So I finally figured out how to get the pictures from my cell phone onto the computer - hooray! Bring on the pics!

From September 2008
Claire was super happy to play with Zach Shipman when we went to visit Sean, Kari and Zach in Prescott on September 4th. I mean, who wouldn't fall in love with this adorable guy?


From September 2008

Things have been calming down for me on the work front, which means I actually get to enjoy my new work schedule of only going into the office two days a week (Tuesdays and Fridays, if you're curious). I'm loving spending my days off with the girls. They seem to get cuter and more fun every day!
From September 2008
One of the games we like to play is Peek-a-boo. I throw a burp rag over their heads and yell "Peek a boo!" at them when they pull it off. Yes, sounds thrilling, I know, but they love it! Here I caught a pic of them right when they pulled the rags. Just look at the excitement on their faces!

From September 2008
Here we are playing in the kitchen with some of our favorite toys, Alphabet Pal and Octopus. Claire also got to try on my sunglasses. I think I may have a future diva on my hands. . .
From September 2008

On those days when I do actually have to go earn my paycheck, the girls get to play with Grandma Gwen (who drives all the way in from Eau Claire, WI to hang out with her grandgirls - what a saint!) or Grandpa Mike. I love how much time they get to spend with their grandparents (and not paying for daycare ain't too bad, either).
From September 2008

Here are the pics of the girls giving each other "kisses." As you can tell, Claire's not too sure what to think about all this affection, but I think it's darn cute!

From September 2008

And here's proof of "30 Things" #1 - My sister and I went to get haircuts together on September 5th. I like mine a lot, but I'll keep you in suspence a while longer until I actually take a picture of myself (maybe when the girls turn 18). And my sister's new haircut is awesome! Here she is, post haircut, looking fabulous!
From September 2008

From September 2008

Even though we've been busy, I want the girls know the importance of beauty sleep. So no matter how busy we may get, I make sure to work in plenty of time for napping into our schedule to keep us all (especially me!) happy. Oh, what a rough life!

Has It Been Three Weeks Already?

Okay, sorry! I suck at blog life. I blame my cell phone. Ever since I got my NEW cell phone that actually has a CAMERA on it, I've stopped taking pictures with my ACTUAL camera and have only been using my cell phone camera. FURTHERLY unfortunate, I don't know how to get the pics off my cell phone camera and onto the computer. BUT I am learning, so for the two or three of you out there that actually read this blog, hold on! More pics are a-comin'!!

To entertain you until then, I am using LOTS of CAPS, the key phrase "a-comin'," AND I will tell you why I spent most of this past weekend in tears.

#1 - I was reading "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult. Every time - EVERY TIME - I read a chapter from the mom's point of view, I was reduced to a sniffling mess. Hey, you try putting yourself in the perspective of a mom whose daughter is dying of cancer while your two PERFECTLY HEALTHY baby girls are napping in the next room and just try to stop the flood from a-comin'.

#2 - Just when I thought there was absolutely nothing better than the girls attacking me with kisses and snuggles, this weekend they went and did it on each other. Now, I'm not always entirely sure if they're trying to KISS their sister or BITE her, but I'm pretty sure it was kissing and it was gosh-darn adorable. The fun just keeps a-comin' with these two! And I got it on [cell phone] camera, so with any luck, the pictures will be a-comin' shortly, too. Until then, feel free to check out the blogs of people who actually know what they're doing, like my sister!

Oh, and here's a video of Claire splashing in the tub. [If you have dogs nearby, watch out. My high-pitched voice may cause them to spin wildly in circles.]

Abby's Funny Face

If you keep watching this video to the end (it's only 43 seconds, people! You can do it!), you'll get a small taste of the funny face Abby has been making lately. It cracks me up!

(Sorry for once again making you look at your computer screen sideways.)

The List

Here it is! My "30 Things To Do To Celebrate Turning 30" (Bolded items have yet to be done, unbolded ones are already accomplished - yippee!)

1. Get a haircut.
2. Give myself a reward (buy a treat, take a bubble bath, read a good book, etc) every day for 30 days (or longer! :) )
3. Make a list of 30 things you like about yourself
4. Make a vow to do something for myself EVERY DAY!----take a few minutes to meditate, reflect, count your blessings, smell the summer breeze and the freshly mowed grass--just enjoy all the sights and sounds and smells of life!
5. Watch 30 episodes of Gilmore Girls
6. Get a manicure and/or pedicure
7. Make a photo diary of the day. Take a photo every 48 minutes.
8. 30 shots (of beer) – aka get drunk!
9. Fly a Kite
10. Movie Marathon!
11. Hang out with my sister, since she knows my pain!
12. Food Fight!
13. Work out
14. Get a massage and/or a facial and/or some other girly beauty ritual
15. Join Facebook
16. Spend a whole day playing with my girls
17. Family bar-b-que
18. Jump on the bed
19. Go on a date alone
20. Do an anonymous kind act
21. Take a Community Education class
22. Be taken out to dinner
23. Send someone a gift
24. Dr. Mario tournament!
25. Rid my closet of all things that scream, "I'm in my 20s!" Replenish, as necessary, with things that scream, "30 and Fabulous!"
    
26. Reread my journals
27. Meditate for one hour
28. Beautiy my surroundings
29. Plan a trip
30. Smile, then pat myself on the back and reassure myself I’m a great mother and a great person and I am just the place GOD has chosen for me to be! Thank him! (aka take time to recognize my blessings and be thankful)

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions! Some didn't make the cut, but not because they weren't good suggestions. They just weren't things I'd actually probably do. For instance, I'd love to win $10 million by building an unmanned rocket capable of reaching orbit, but rocket building just isn't my thing. Tragedy!

Faceoff

Just a typical day in our house! Yes, I realize I sound like an idiot - Jumpin', jumpin'!

This Too

The phrase that has most been in my mind these last couple of weeks is, "This too shall pass." But, before you start to thinking things must really be going badly, let me explain.
People always say their babies grow up fast, but you really don't understand how fast until it's your babies doing the growing. One minute they can't do something and the next, very suddenly, they can. It's remarkable! Literally, each day they are at least a little different from who they were and what they could do the day before.
Especially now. Six months is such a fun age to watch. The girls are interacting more with us and with their environment. Each day is full of surprises and new discoveries for them. I love watching to see what they will do next. (Lately, it's grabbing something -- their food bowl is a favorite -- picking it up and throwing it back down. Messy but entertaining.)
So, when I say to myself, "this too shall pass," it's not to help get me through the crazy busy episodes that come with having new babies, but to remind me to enjoy them. Even when the girls are crabby and crying, I remind myself to enjoy the fact that I can hold and comfort them. They won't always let me do that.
Rest assured, Ryan and I are having tons of fun with our girls! Moments with them go by faster than I ever imagined they could, and I plan on enjoying each and every magnificent minute.


P.S. Sorry the video is sideways! I can't figure out how to turn it...

P.P.S. I love, love, love that Abby is now sleeping on her side. It is so adorable! I didn't have a clue that babies even did this until I saw my niece Lily sleeping on her side. Is there any other totally adorable things I should be aware of???

30 Things

As many of you know, I'm turning 30 this summer. I considered going into hibernation this dreaded event had passed, but that sounded too boring.
Instead, in an effort to embrace this new milestone, I've decided to make a list of 30 Things to Do to Celebrate Turning 30, and I need your help! I'm looking for your suggestions on things I should do to help celebrate (not run screaming from) my passage into this new decade. Your ideas will motivate me to go from this...



...to this!

So email me, post a comment, give me a call, hire a skywriter -- however you prefer to let me know what YOU think I should do to ring in my 30s. Keep in mind, Ryan and I are not related to the Hiltons, so as fun as backpacking through Europe or buying a convertible would be, it ain't going to happen. Bonus points will be given to those with super cheap, fun ideas!

Thank you in advance for helping me celebrate!