Wiggle Worms!

The girls are becoming so interactive, with such expressive personalities! This is such a fun age. We're having a BLAST! We've been spending a lot of time outdoors lately; playing in the grass and taking walks in the jogger. The weather has been, well... perfect. And I feel so blessed to live in the country with gorgeous views and fresh air to enjoy with my small litter of humans. And not only that, I consider myself very fortunate to be able to stay at home and enjoy our family all day, everyday! I know many don't have this privilege. And I'm so grateful for my lovely husband for working his hiney off to provide for us and allow me this amazing opportunity and I've dream of for so long, and fought for against all odds.

Here's this week's Friday Picture! I had trouble getting a a clear picture, because the girls were all over the place! Soon they're going to hate that darn orange chair. When I plop them in it each week, they just kinda look blankly at me, like... 'seriously? AGAIN?'

Also, please note the ponytail on the top of Paisley's head. Sooooooo CUTE!



Nick's 30th Birthday is tomorrow, so please comment and tell him how OLD he is! It's going to be a gorgeous weekend to celebrate!

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44 weeks!

In the last week or so, Paisley has had some exciting milestones to share! It took her 10 months, but she finally got her very first tooth! (Adelyn beat her on that one, getting her first tooth a couple months ago. And now she has 3!) Additionally, Paisley has started pulling herself up on furniture! She hasn't started cruising along the edge yet, but she definitely gets up to a standing position... which gives her access to a whole new world!

I have conflicting feelings about the girls' varying developmental skills. I know that all babies progress at different paces, but having twins... it's so hard not to compare them and worry that one might be a little behind. Adelyn is far more verbally developed and jabbers mama, dada, baba, juju, etc. Yet she seems happy to sit and play without any desire to crawl, let alone pull herself up on furniture. And Paisley may be more physically developed, but she doesn't talk at all. She screeches and grunts... but that's about it!



I've hear that sometimes with twins, one will be more verbal and one will excel more physically. And I'm sure it has nothing to do with their long term abilities or skills. I'm just being a paranoid mama! They're both such sweet loving girls, with wildly different personalities. I love them soooooooooooo much!
Happy weekend my friends!

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Class Clown?

This week was a lot more enjoyable than last week. The sun has been out... and I think that does wonders for my state of mind AND the girls' happy-meter! We've been spending several hours outside everyday, which is so super wonderful! The girls love that there are so many things to look at outside, and strangely enough... they love Reuben.  Weird!

So it seems that whenever I put the babes in skirts or dresses, Dell takes the opportunity to be as UNmodest as humanly possible (remember this?). I was going to post a different picture where they're sitting perfectly and smiling... but then I just couldn't help but post this one!

...mommy, I love you thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much!

Girlfriends are crazy. I love that each week, the girls seem to take turns being the class clown.

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Challenges (two of them)

This past week has been... well let's just say more challenging than most. The girls are very busy, in such a way that keeps ME very busy. They seem to be going through a needy stage. Especially Paisley. She's not having fun with her toy unless I'm WATCHING her have fun. Otherwise she does this extremely loud fake cry, where her mouth is WIIIIIIIDE open, and eyes tightly shut... making a shrill cry loud enough to wake the neighbors. And that says a lot, cause our neighbors aren't all that close here in the country. Adelyn's a little less high strung, but still doesn't like it when I walk out of the room. I like to blame their general crabbiness on potential teething... but in reality, I think the girls are learning the art of manipulation and tantrum-throwing. Happily, they're still going strong with their night-sleeping-efforts, getting in around 11 hours a night. Their daytime napping has even been above average. It's just those darn awake hours. Time that they should be giggling and playing and learning, is spent in great distress by all parties. At least they're still turning on the charm for the camera.



Another new development around here is the frequency by which I sweep the kitchen floor. I used sweep, oh about once a week... and even then it was mostly just grass clippings and the occasional chocolate chip (gasp! what a waste!). But now that we're giving the girls more and more finger foods, I promise more of it ends up on the floor (or mashed into their highchairs) than what makes it into their mouths.

Seems a lot like I'm complaining today, but it's just the week I've had. Things aren't always roses around here, and I refuse to pretend like they are! Each new stage has own delights and challenges!

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Foolery in the Orange Chair

Sometimes I wish I could post the entire progression of pictures I take on a given Friday. It would be hilarious to view it as a flip book... girlfriends are ALL.OVER.THE.PLACE. Usually the best picture is the first or second one I take. And after that, it's like trying to corral two wild circus animals to not only sit still, but also smile and both be looking at the camera simultaneously. If you follow us on facebook, you saw an example of this week's shenanigans. Each Friday, I consider it a legit miracle to come out strong with a picture like this:



Sure, it's no Molly Long Photography, but it'll do.  :)

Adjectives that I would use to describe current personality traits, starting with my firstborn:
     Paisley (left):  mischievous, comedic, ambitious, stubborn, independent, tense, athletic.
     Adelyn (right):  soft, fluffy, cuddly, sensitive, shy, content, sweet, curious, loving.

Oh yeah! And today the girls are wearing shirts that were given to us by one of our readers, who coincidentally used to live in the town I grew up in! She sent us little Go-Hawk t-shirts from my high school alma mater WSR! Goooo Go-Hawks!  Thanks Wendy!!

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Weekly Pic!

Happy Friday the 13th! (emphasis on FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!) Are you experiencing an icky/wet/blustery/spring  day like we are? The girlfriends and I are happy to stay indoors on a day like today. Although I wouldn't mind going garage-saling later this afternoon, weather permitting. Only a torrential downpour will keep me away!

As a side note, I had a terrifying nightmare about trying to navigate our 'semi-truck' in-line double stroller through a crowded garage sale... and have instead decided to pop one girl in the Bjorn, and the other in a single umbrella stroller so we can zip around and dominate each sale with our ease of mobility. I'll keep you apprised on how that pans out.

This week, Adelyn started sitting consistently without being propped! Paisley gets up on all fours, and makes her way forward... but hasn't figured out how to make her legs and arms work in harmony. Perhaps she got Nick's lack-of-coordination gene. (sorry honey!) What else... OH! Paisley's hair is growing slowly but surely, and Adelyn's CHEEKS are growing at an alarming rate! I know it looks like I have one skinny baby and one fat baby, but they're actually very comparable in weight. Paisley naturally has a long skinny face (like mommy!), and Adelyn's face is quite round. Her ten-gallon cheeks don't help matters though.

Anyone have any fun projects they're tackling this weekend? We have one that we hope to finish up and share next week! Yay!!!

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Easter Chicks

I realized after the fact that I should have put them in their Easter dresses! And then I realized that they don't have Easter dresses... OOPS! Good thing they're unusually adorable in whatever they're wearing! I'm not normally arrogant, but I think my babes are pretty darn cute. Guess that probably a mom-thing, huh.

The girls are 9 months this week! And they're already starting to move into 12 month clothing! CRAZY! We're at such a fun age... watching them interact and play together. We're loving the spring weather. Planning a garden, the smell of freshly cut grass, and GARAGE SALING! Everything they wear is either given to us, or bought at a garage sale/thrift store. I wouldn't have it any other way! Girlfriends are learning to be frugal already! HA!

Happy Easter Weekend my InterWeb friends!

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Growing TOO FAST!

Yet another week has passed, and I desperately wish that I could freeze time. It just goes by so fast... that's all.



I just got back from the 'Mothers of Multiples' Garage Sale in Des Moines, and I'm excited to go dig through all the new-to-us loot! Baby girls clothes are soooooo fun!

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Pure Mischief

We're at the point now where it seems there are new milestones all the time! Adelyn popped a 3rd tooth (and may be working on a 4th) this week and has started saying DAH! Nick thinks she's conveying who her favorite parent is, but I gently explain to him that it's phonetically the easiest things for babies to say first ...Hehe!

Paisley is on the verge of scooting/crawling. This mobility has brought with it the need for us to use of the word 'NO'. And I think she knows what it means already! She absolutely LOVES cords of any kind... but she especially loves the cord to my laptop (likely because it's always out!). But she knows it's off limits, so she looks at me out of the corner of her eye and slowly moves her hand closer and closer... waiting for the 'NO' followed by redirection. Girlfriend is testing us already!

Adelyn is just a sweet snuggly thing that would rather play quietly with a toy or cuddle with mommy or daddy. She could roll across the room if she wanted to... but she doesn't want to. Paisley is more 'spirited ' at the moment (they go through phases of switching personalities!) and her favorite pastime is taking things away from Dell. It's starting already!!!



We've come to a fork in the road with regards to the tandem-crib-sleeping sitch. They nap separately during the day downstairs (in pack-and-plays), but we still have them sharing the crib at night. Miraculously, until recently, the girls fall asleep almost immediately and wake up 12 hours later in the same place we left them. But the last few nights, there's been some mischief and foolery happening before the drifting off to sleep action. Listening to these shenanigans on the baby monitor makes me have two very different feelings.

1) awwwwwww, how cute that they're playing and loving each other!
2) those crazies need to go to sleep.

And since Paisley is the more aggressive baby, I find myself worrying about kicking/scratching and other playful injuries. Or just simply worrying that they're preventing each other from sleeping. We only have one crib, and no room in the nursery for a second crib. Nick seems to think that they'll adapt as they grow and we don't need to change anything until they're ready to move to toddler beds. But I don't know. Any twin mommies that kept their twins in the same crib past 9 months?

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Spring Babes

Wow... I feel like it's been a whirlwind week here at the homestead! The weather has been Awesome with a capital A. I'd probably be sitting in the grass with the girls if it weren't for all the Reuben turds and... Reuben himself. He's so large, and enthusiastic in a bad way.

In case you're new to the blog, and feel like you're seeing a dejavu... we take weekly pics of our girls to see how they grow and develop each week! Click here to scroll through the previous weeks and see how tiny they used to be!



Even though it's only March, I broke out some adorable spring dresses for the girls! They look so summery and cute! Oh! And great news! Yesterday, Paisley decided she could sit! By herself! She used to always throw herself back and not even try. But all of a sudden, she just did it! For about 45 minutes without falling over! This mommy was sooooo excited! And baby Dell has a second tooth! Yay for milestones!

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8 Months Old

The girls are getting so big. I almost can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday the doc pulled them out of my pelvic cavity. I knew time would fly, and it has. I've been trying desperately to cherish and fully enjoy each stage of their babyhood... because it's a fleeting moment. Just a whisper. And taking as many photos and home videos is the best way to capture it and hold onto it forever.

And so, I give you installment #33 of their weekly pictures!

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In the Orange Chair

Today, I'm a little moody and... bloated. And I've been thinking a lot about whipping up some sort of baked good that incorporates chocolate a peanut butter in an appropriate ratio. I'm also SO sick of my current 'project' that I've been fantasizing about dousing it in gasoline and setting it ablaze.

But  more importantly, it's photo-Friday! And here are my princesses sporting a couple little overalls that were mine as a little girl! I realized after taking the picture that the blue overalls (even with the pink lace on the bib) makes Adelyn look like a boy! Especially with her lack-o-hair. If you're able to overlook that, aren't the completely adorable?

Speaking of Baby Dell, girlfriend popped a TOOTH this week! YAAAAAAAY! It was an exciting day! And I'm secretly happy that she beat her sister Paisley at something (who was firstborn, first to smile, first to roll, first to hold her bottle, first to laugh, etc).

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Little Women

I'm feeling a little under the weather today, but not so much that I can't take pictures of the little ladies!



Thanks for not minding me keeping it brief. Hope you have an awesome weekend!

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Heirloom Outfits and Obnoxious Singing

Taking weekly pictures of the girls each Friday is becoming... INTERESTING. They're so used to having their pictures taken that they look at everything but the camera. No amount of bouncing around making peculiar noises on my part grabs their attention anymore. Today during their photoshoot, I was literally singing the national anthem at the top of my lungs. This may explain the concerned, confused expressions on their faces. But I'm lucky I get them even to look at the camera. Paisley's like 'Mommy my ears hurt! Why WHY are you doing this to us!'

The girls are both wearing sweater 'blouses' that were mine when I myself was a bouncing baby! And you know how much I love meaningful sentimental things. Makes me a little emotional just to think about my own offspring wearing my clothes that my mom was thoughtful enough to keep all these years.

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Tweedle Dee and Tweedle... nevermind

It's the middle of February, and winter has finally arrived here in Iowa. There's no snow on the ground, but it sure is chilly and blustery. A great day for the little ladies and I to stay IN!

Girlfriends have become more like little people than little babies in the last few weeks. They have feelings, and know what they want. They see a toy on the other side of the room and cry because they can't get there. However as a new development, Paisley has realized she can reach a destination by rolling... which has turned our household upside down! Now we're considering gates and outlet plugs and rethinking our sharp-edged furniture. Little Dell is a lot more content to lie stationary on her back and play quietly, but just today she rolled from back to belly, which is a FIRST! It's not that she couldn't roll until now, she just didn't have a burning desire to be doing anything other than playing happily on her back. I think she sees her sissy's newfound mobility and decided there are definitely benefits.



Today the girls are wearing matching T-shirts that they got for Christmas from their Auntie Laura! She got them as souvenirs when she was studying abroad in Spain last semester. The shirts say something in Spanish. What? I do not know. Laura! I forgot what the shirts say! Enlighten us all!

Happy weekend.

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It's February!

Oooook, well I wasn't AS productive as I planned on this week... but I accomplished a fair amount. I didn't completely fast from the computer (as you well know if you follow me on Pinterest) but I consciously cut back and tried not to 'linger' ...if you know what I mean. Did anyone else feel like this week lasted forever? And yet it feels like January flew right by!

One of the things on my list to do this week was visit my cousin's tiny preemie newborn in the NICU... brought back so many memories!! Only her baby was 3 months early and weighs 3 pounds. I shoulda taken a picture, but didn't even think of it. You would have been blown away by how tiny and perfect that baby was. AND, she made my little monsters look like 5-year-olds.

I got out the 9 month clothing this week, and these two shirts are... well, on the smaller side. This is the first and last time they'll be wearing them! And while we're talking about clothing being a little snug... I'm totally breaking my diet this weekend in the name of SUPER BOWL FOOD!! (I don't even know who's playing) heh..

I've got some fun projects to share next week! Have an awesome weekend!

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Little Rascals

The girls have been... well, NEEDY this week. Fussy little crabsters. I want to be extra loving and snugly if they're teething or not feeling well. But I don't know if it's that, or they're just plain crabby. So I try to maintain a happy medium between catering to their every cry and letting them cry it out from time to time. Nick took a vacation day today, for the heck of it. And about an hour ago, he exclaimed "HOW DO YOU DO THIS EVERYDAY"! That's about the best complement I could get... I think.

What are you doing this weekend? Let's talk.

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TGIF Anyone?

Whataweek yo? I haven't left the house since Saturday (that's right, 6 days), but it's been kinda nice to just chillax with the girlfriends and get back into the jive of life after my near breakdown last Friday at the Dr's office. We've all recovered from the trauma, although Dell's been feeling a little icky this week.

Babes are becoming a little more accustomed to eating their baby cereal now that I'm mixing bananas in, but it still seems like they spit out more than they swallow. I'm just gonna keep persevering though! We tried apples yesterday, and Paisley gagged so hard I thought for sure she was gonna lose her lunch! Maybe we'll revisit apples some other time?

Know what's weird? Sometimes I'm just not sure how to end a post. You see, I don't really have anything else to say, and all I can think about is the bag of chocolate chips that's calling my name. So sometimes I probably end abruptly, and other times I'm sure I just ramble on and on because I'm terrible at wrapping things up.

Good talk.

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Momma Trauma

I recognize that I'm blogging in the evening and that it's not characteristic of me... but the girls had their 6 month appointment late this afternoon, and I wanted to wait so I could post their stats! I should begin by saying, it was one of the most traumatic experiences I've had in my recent memory. So traumatic that I think I might remember it for years to come. See these glowing little faces?

 Caption: our girl Dell wouldn't listen when I told her to sit like a lady and keep her legs
together when wearing a dress or skirt. It won't be long before Paisley's playing house 
with her Popple, and Dell is outside digging holes in the mud.

They were not so glowing for the 2 hours we were in tiny cold exam room. This was the first time ever that I've felt like I wished I had a second person with me. Nick, my mom, the neighbor... ANYBODY. Adelyn screamed for the whole visit. And not just regular screaming. The type that she reserves for her night terrors. And there was a loose stool incident that I blocked out. The whole visit was pure chaos. Mayhem if you will. I didn't get a chance to ask any of the questions I had come with. I didn't get to console Paisley after her shots. I barely even heard this information:

Paisley:  16.5 lbs  26.5 inches
Adelyn:  16.5 lbs   26.5 inches

In case you're skimming and not really caring, it's really crazy that the girls weigh the EXACT same and measure the EXACT same. The nurses couldn't believe it. They definitely carry their weight differently... Paisley is bigger-boned, and Dell has a big head and cheeks that are heading south for the winter.

Girlfriends are asleep for the night, and I'm going to get back to my glass of wine and  homemade pizza (complements of the sensitive man-boy). Cheers.

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Half-Birthday Girls!

Here in Iowa, we've been having record high temperatures. Normally we would have 18 inches of snow on the ground right about now... but it's been in the 50's and 60's this week. Yesterday we even went for a walk on the nature trail!! It feels so much like spring outside... it's got me anxious to start planting my veggie garden! I'll be living in denial that the whole winter will be this way... until further notice.

The girls were born 26 weeks ago today! That's exactly half a year! But their true half-birthday is on Sunday (January 8th). We have their 6 month Dr's appointment next Friday, and I'm so excited to see how they "measure up" (pun intended!) with their weight and measurements! Paisley's always been bigger... heavier AND longer. But I have a sneaking suspicion that Adelyn is giving her a run for her money. Girlfriend carries her weight a little differently... in her FACE. Am I right? Check out those cheeks! I should add that by nature, her face/head is rounder... which I find makes her appear exponentially larger than Paisley almost every week in our Friday pictures. But in reality she's very similar in size to her sissy. It's gonna be a close call this time around. So stay tuned next week.

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