Do I Cry or Get the Camera!

It was Memorial Day weekend and we were all getting in and out of the pool waiting for it to warm up to just that right temperature. I look over and one of my boys has escaped, scaled the steps in my parents back yard and was on the grass overlooking a rock wall. I exclaim, "You and your darn obsession with stairs!"

Then I grabbed the camera and took a picture. My sis-in-law laughed and said, "My oldest says, 'You laughed mom that means I'm not in trouble.' Your boys are going to say,'You got the camera mom that means we're not in trouble!'"

Sadly it's true, but I've found it has become a great way to cope with a situation, not get overly stressed or loose my temper. Granted I can't always sigh, smile then say, "If I take a picture what a fun blog post this will be!" But it does tend to help in certain situations. So there you have it. The reason I post so much is because it's a stress relieving coping mechanism for me as a mother. I'm glad I've made this discovery!

So here is my stress relieving post of the day. My moments of "Do I cry or get the camera!"

While driving around Salt Lake my children were crying off and on because of the darn sun. I finally had it when it woke one of them up after they had finally fallen asleep. I started to search for a solution. Luckily I was wearing a two shirts to try and stay modest and keep from showing off my bra. Voila! We have a sun shade. Don't worry the shirt meant to keep me modest was the one I was able to leave on :)



We stopped for for lunch and decided to rearrange the car so that the night stand we just bought cold now block out the sun. This was not a popular decision.



For some reason they did not like that night stand being next to them Oh! and we discovered why it is our children have a middle seat to separate them. Because when they are placed together like this they fight and steal things from each other.



Now that we've mastered finger foods I've decided to try and introduce silverware. These pictures do not properly capture the mess we had.




*And speaking of changes in eating utinsels I was told by the lovely people at WIC that when switching to regular milk, instead of formula, I should put it in a cup instead of a bottle. This makes the transition easier. Oh but it can't be a sippy cup because you still have the same problems with those as you do with bottles. Well sorry, but I'm not going to sit and help my children drink from an un-lidded cup for their meals. But their straw cups came to mind. We have some that don't leak and that they can't pull the straw out of. And though I don't feel like we have to get rid of our bottles ASAP I thought maybe this suggestion would help my boys take cold milk. Well it didn't, and a whole cup of milk ended up spilled all over the floor. I turned to my husband and said, "We're sticking with bottles!" I'll still give it a try here and there and just put less milk in. But I really don't feel that my boys are ready for the transition and I think sometimes a mother can make those decisions on her own.*

Bath time has become exhausting. For some reason one, or both, of my children start screaming the moment we put them in the tub. The only solution is to play a game of peek-a-boo or to stay out of sight until they get interested in the toys. But once you pop back into sight the crying usually begins again.

Last night was OK. They cried but stopped and they were playing really well. Bed time was near so I got my little boy out and started to lotion and dress him- he dislikes baths the most. I got him all ready for bed and I decided to give my big boy more tub time since he likes baths. I went out to change the sprinkler and I hear some weird splashing and a cry. This totally freaked me out and I ran into the house expecting to find my big boy bawling in the tub. Instead I find this.



At least his diaper was spared. I would have been more upset had a brand new diaper been wasted on the tub splash. If you have water in the tub make sure the bathroom door is shut. It's a lesson I've had to learn the hard, totally freak you out, way.

*Insert Exasperated Sigh Here*

I love those little tater tots but this past week and a half I've just felt like the energy has been sapped out of me faster then their little crawling butts can get them into trouble. I don't know if it's the contractions,- they do a pretty good job of sapping energy- the lack of sleep, because they are entering a new phase I am unaware of and having trouble adjusting too, because we had a cool down and now it's heating up again, just the fact that I'm pregnant or all of the above. I was feeling so good and loving that I could keep my house in somewhat of an order, but then I hit rock bottom and I just want to cry when I think of all the things I need to get done on top of all the new messes they make for me.

On top of that are the crazy mixed up emotions of motherhood. I can't wait to put them to bed and I tell myself, "Just 5 more minutes and then you can start getting them ready." Then I go to put them down and I suddenly miss them and want them to stay up and play with me- as if I had the energy to do that. Then my husband and I took some money to spend on a weekend away for his birthday. Oh my gosh a vacation sounds so nice! But then I get sad when I think about leaving the boys behind with my parents for two days. Of course we'll go, but in the mean time I sit and wonder, "What the heck is wrong with me?"

And why on Earth can they not just sit and play with their toys? I try to drag them over to the toy box, but they always find their way back into my room and they automatically go for one of 3 things: the remote, the cell phone or the car keys. And letting them play with those is such a nuisance. If the channel changing, the dialing of weird numbers,- or accessing the internet- or the lost car kets doesn't get to me then the fact that they sit and fight over them does.

Don't even get me started on the messes. Oh there are days when a mess is well worth the clean up, but lately the lack of energy just leaves me sitting there wanting to cry. Today I dressed them, and my big boy somehow cut his mouth and bled on his clothes. "Well," I thought, "They are dirty anyway." So we went outside to get some use out of the clothes before I changed them and me wanting to water the lawn at the same time led to messy clothes and ruined diapers- which of course we are out of. So I had to throw overnights on them, but 5 minutes later one of them pooped. Nice use of an overnight diaper there. Then I go to get my glucose test, and stop by the cemetery to visit my grandpa- since we didn't make it on Father's Day- and a car door left open led two little curious boys to wonder into a dirty ditch. Yes another change of clothes for us. Then at dinner I caved and gave them chocolate since they wouldn't really eat much else- and that much else ended up on the floor. I knew it would be a mistake, but I still had to let out a sigh of exasperation as I scrubbed the chocolate stains out of their white shirts.

And then whenever I give them a bath and go in the next room to take a breather guess what always happens? One of them poops. Oh it is such joy to have to drain the tub, clean the tub, clean the toys, refill the tub, clean the boys and then sit and wonder if any of that water made it into their tummies.

I now know why some people only have two kids- or two pregnancies. Pregnancy is so much harder when you have to chase little one's around. I'm hoping in 11 weeks life will feel wonderful again. I guess it will for at least a few days, and then the late night feedings will drill their way into my patience.

Give Me a Head with Hair!

This post will probably be proof of just how much I need to have a girl.

I love playing with the boys hair, and one of my favorite do's is the little mo-hawk curl on top, but it's not one of my husbands favorite so I play around with their hair all the time trying to find new ways to do it. This has been fun but not all around successful.

Here are the results of a little tiny curling iron.





This is from my small straightener. I tried to do curly spikes on the top of their head. Held in well, but did not look all too well.




We decided to stick with the curly Mohawk do. But I've recently discovered that a little curly Q in front looks just as cute, and also receives my husbands approval.

Here are some of the best ways I've found to get that hair to stay the way I want it too:

The boys have discovered that their breakfast food helps hair hold it's shape really well. Especially Gogurts.

Baby lotion works pretty well. I'd use this and just curl the top with my fingers. though I found that when it's hot outside the baby lotion can fall flat. But it's a good way to get their hair done, and not have to deal with the sticky crustiness of gel.

We do use gel, however, when we got to get pictures done. In fact we use it a good majority of the time now. I used to put the gel in, curl the top with my fingers and then brush of the back so it would curl. But not I put the gel in, curl the top with my straightener- I've found this to be an easy way to curl their hair, and it holds, and looks nice- and then comb the sides and the back. But beware nap time can do scary things to hair that has gel in it.



If we've used gel and didn't give them a bath the next morning I get their hair wet and re-curl it with a comb. It looks decent and the left over gel helps it to hold up.

The Battle Continues!

The battle of the stains still continues at this house. On most days you'll see me take my boys' clothes straight to the sink to be scrubbed with dish soap and the to soak for a bit.

This is helping keep new stains out, but does little for the old set in stains. My efforts to battle those are this:

-I purchases some of those Tide Stain Release in wash boosters. Since putting them in with every load sounds too expensive I separate out the clothes with stains and wash just those. This worked pretty well.

-I'm also trying my Grandma's secret recipe- if you know my Grandma and how clean she is you'll know this to be a very reliable source. According to her this will get anything out: 1 cup of Ammonia, 1 cup of water and 1/2 to 1 cup of All Liquid Laundry Detergent.

How to Fight Summer Boredom

I'm bored! So bored that I anxiously wait for my children to wake up from their naps- I think it's because taking care of them makes me feel constructive and I don't exhaust myself be say, mopping the floor. One Saturday I was upset that there was no laundry to fold- once again I feel like I'm doing something and it takes less effort then other things. Seriously it's pathetic how bored I am. And being bored is not a good way to get through pregnancy. I remember that last excruciating month of pregnancy with the twins all too well.

It would appear that this summer is going to be even longer then I thought, and when my husband informed me that his job is commission pay only, and that it requires him to work 60 hour weeks for the remainder of the summer I got a little perturbed.


So I spent all of Friday an the verge of having a breakdown. My husband was going to be gone 6 days a week for 10 hours each day leaving me to keep the household together while in my third trimester. Cleaning house is one thing, but now mowing the lawn and yard work would be on my chore list. And all those plans I had to try and fight off summer boredom- going to Bear Lake, having a garage sale, going to the Zoo, refinishing some furniture, going to water resorts and playing in my parents pool- were all flying out the window. I know family and friends would be willing to help, and the help is always nice. But there is nothing that can replace the support of your husband.

Needless to say my Friday did not go well. I spent way to long mowing a very overgrown lawn. When I was done I was in much need of a shower, but of course the boys woke up right as I walked in the house. I quickly got them some lunch and chocolate milk and hopped in the shower knowing they were safe. Ahh! Now that I'm all cleaned up it's time to see what damage the boys did. It was worse then I imagined. Gold fish all over the floor and my big boys cup of chocolate milk spilled everywhere- there comes a time when juice boxes and cups with straws need be replaced by sippy cups, we have come to that time. I got way too mad at the boys and took them down to sit in there crib- to think about what they'd done ;)- and then yelled at the dog for not obeying my order to lick up the spilled milk. At this point two things were obvious to me: I needed to not take my anger out on the children and the dog and I needed to get out of the house. So in an effort to save this disastrous day we took Wendy's to a pond and we fed some ducks some moldy bread. Well, while we were at the pond a kind gentlemen needed some gas. I wanted to help but didn't want to let him in the car so I arranged to bring the gas back to him. While making these arrangement the dog got out and barked at the man's little boy. With all the confusion, and me being flustered and nervous, I drove off without the dog in the car. Yes I now had a lost dog on my hands. I called my parents, which was my mistake. I vented everything to my mom that I had been holding in all day.

*Before I go on I must explain that all the men in my life have an annoying trait. According to others they can do no wrong. I often hear, "I just can't believe- insert Craig or the twins here- would act like that! This makes venting about them really hard because no matter what my feelings are they are insignificant because my husband treats me so well and my babies are so good. Granted yes he does and yes they are, but humans are humans and we all have flaws- and these can make any one of us hard to deal with at times.*

Well all I got in return was to be told how I needed to be supportive of my husband.

Well my husband and I have worked things out. I know how much we need this job, and that it works well in its own little way. I didn't really know if there was an answer that would make me happy, but I just wanted my feelings on the subject to be validated for a moment.

Anyway. . .my husband did end up working out a smaller work schedule. And I had a good talk with my sis-in-law about the pressures of having a husband gone all the time- my brother was working two jobs and going to school. And we also found a new solution to our boredom. Our plan is to get together once a week at each others houses and have a cleaning party of sorts. We'll help each other clean, and enjoy each others company. Tonight is the first trial. If anyone else is struggling with summer boredom you're welcome to join us.

How Early Would You Guess Sibling Rivalry Begins?

I was thinking back to being pregnant with the twins and remembering all the different comments I heard:

"Once they're out you'll wish you could put them back in." (so not true)

"They're a lot easier to take care of when they're in there." (maybe true for other people besides the pregnant woman)

"When they come your life is going to be crazy. Your not going to be able to shower or eat or do anything. You'll be freshening up with wet wipes and your new hair do will be a pony tail. Take any help that is offered. The first year is going to be crazy. When they turn 1 is when you'll really start to enjoy them." (This was told to me by a woman who had twins. Maybe my babies are really good or something because life just wasn't as hectic as she made it sound out to be. I started to really enjoy them at 6 months and I can't say that I feel the first year was over all crazy. It was hard, I lost my temper and got more upset with a baby then I ever thought I would, but those were just moments they weren't life.)

My personal favorite however is:

- "When they turn one they'll get really cute, and you'll really enjoy watching them interact with each other. This is when having twins is nice because they play with each other and are each others best friend." (I'm afraid I have to disagree again. Though cute they are get along they don't. Now people tell me, "They will." Right now I gather that will be sometime after they move out.)

They hit, scratch, push and bite each other. And one is getting really good at leaving an impression on his brother.



But don't be so quick to pity this child. This is not the bitten arm of an innocent boy. I'm afraid both boys are equally to blame for the latest in baby brawls around here. This one makes his brother cry by stealing toys from him. And the bites are usually his retribution.

The fighting actually started when they were 6 months old. Before you even knew what was happening innocent playtime had resulted in scratch marks.

When I found out I was having twins I told myself I would take each boy out for his own "Me" time with mom or dad (or both). I just didn't expect it to be so necessary so soon. Yes at 6 months old, when the fighting began, we'd find a way to separate the two for a date with Mommy- or Daddy- and it actually seemed to help a lot.

Back then it was just a happenstance trip to the store, but we've since improved the practice.



The boys have been at each other for a couple weeks now. And I don't mean on occasion I mean almost every waking minute.

So on Wednesday, my little boy packed his bags and spent an evening with Grandma and Grandpa.

My big boy packed his fish stick dinner and went to Dairy Queen with Mom and Dad.



He was so happy to be out on his own you could just tell.



Mmm. . .ice cream.



Though sibling rivalry is definitely expected and there's no real way to end it, these little date nights really seem to improve the situation. You can see a definite difference.

Got Milk?

My boys still will not touch cold milk. Though this isn't my solution, I thought it was still a fun idea.

You've seen those Chocolate Milk straws right?

Baby Contest!

The boys are in a Local baby Contest. The public votes on their favorite pics, so go vote if you can. To vote just go to the Springville City Civic Center. It's on the corner of Main and Center (pic below).




Big H is 36



Little H is 37



Voting ends on the 12th! Thanks everyone!