Two steps forward...but Mommy takes one step back

This week the twins did great at their sitter. By Friday morning they were walking up to her house and trying to open up the door to get it, and when I picked them up that afternoon they smiled at me when I walked in and went back to playing with their toys! They also slept 2 hours on Friday which is the longest they ever have while there. As I've said before they are going down to one nap a day (11:30ish-2ish) but usually they wake up after an hour or so. Their cots are right next to each other and she said they never get up from their cots but sit there and talk and play with each other when they wake up...how cute!

So this weekend Kyle and I were determined to keep her schedule and go down to the one nap. Since there aren't 5 other kids and fun crafts to do at our house, we took them to the play area at Ridgmar Mall. They'd never been and they had so much fun. My friend Lauren met us up there and I'm so thankful she came, even with both Kyle and I we needed her help! We got there around 9 and two other kids were there, but the closer it got to 10, more started showing up. Finally around 10 some older, not-so-well-mannered kids came and we decided to leave. Both kids fell asleep in the car, and when we put them down after lunch for their nap, they didn't sleep very long. Then they were whiny and fussy the rest of the day. So needless to say I said "forget this" to the one nap and as I am typing this they have been asleep for almost two hours this morning! Hopefully after this week they will be more adjusted to the one nap and next weekend it won't be as difficult. :)

This whole "working mom" thing is going to be HARD! By the time I pick them up and get home it's 4:30-4:45 (will be closer to 5 during school) and immediately have to make/come up with dinner. Kyle usually gets home a little before 6:00. Then baths start at 6:30 and in bed by 7:00. THEN Kyle and I eat and I can start doing school stuff. There will be as much in class grading as possible this year so I'm not up all hours of the night grading papers! I miss spending so much time with them already. :(

Side note, Kyle and I went to the Stevie Nicks concert Friday night and it was AMAZING. When you go to a concert of an artist that is a songwriter, there is just no comparison. It's a completely different and more intimate experience. My dad and I both enjoy Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. In fact, when I first told my parents about Kyle, my dad asked me what his last name was. His response, "Oh like Stevie Nicks? Awesome!" No dad, different spelling. :)

Mommy Compliment

Yesterday the twins' sitter said something that warmed my heart and brought a tear to my eye. She told me that all kids are adaptable, but that mine are even more so than other children. She said, "and that is because of YOU, and what a wonderful job you have done with them." Of course I told her how sweet it was of her to say that and she said, "it gives me chill bumps to tell you this, but I've seen a lot of kids and parents and you really have done an amazing job with them, and the fact that there are two of them and they are this great says a lot about you as a mom."

Wow! So nice and it made my day! As moms we hope that we do a good job raising our children, but 90% of the time it's our family or best friends telling us how good of a job we do. To hear that from someone who doesn't know you (very well), and has taken care of many children over the years, was reassurance that hey...you know what...maybe I AM doing good at this whole "mom" thing! :)

Hasta La Vista...babies

The time that I have been dreading is here...I am sending them to their babysitter full time starting Monday. She said it takes two weeks for kids to fully adjust and I want them completely adjusted BEFORE school starts. Plus, they will be going down to one nap a day, which will definitely take some getting used to.

I have MAJOR guilt when it comes to leaving them. For instance, week before last I had an oncologist appointment at 1:30. There was no way I was taking them to Texas Oncology with me! For one, my doctor always runs behind (but I love him), and another thing...I am the youngest patient there (when I go) easily by 30+ years. It just isn't a good idea to bring them and have to chase after them around a bunch of (mostly) sick older people. So I dropped them off at the sitter that morning (due to her nap and lunch schedule). I came back home and felt super guilty that I was sitting around with nothing to do while they were with someone else. Oh yeah, and I called Kyle crying when I dropped them off telling him what a bad mom I was for leaving them. So I went and ran errands for school, buying a bunch of stuff I didn't need that I later returned. :)

Because of this guilt, I am going up to school next week to get my classroom in order. I am UBER stressed about this upcoming year for many reasons. One, I have no clue how to teach GT kids. Two, I have never taught fifth grade and I am teaching EVERY subject. Three, I have three tested subjects. Four, Kyle goes out of town for work at least once a month. Five...I'm leaving my babies. I know they are in good hands, and I think they are a perfect fit with their sitter. I know she loves them and they will have a good time and learn. Even though there have been MANY days this past 15 (almost) months when I didn't know if I could survive the day, I would not trade one second of it to be at work. Did I miss my friends? Yes. Did I miss the students? Not very often. :) Even though it is tearing me up inside, I have to go back to work for several reasons. One being that the twins need interaction with other kids. Even if I was able to stay home another year, I would still send them to a church or something two days a week. It helps them to develop socially and learn stuff. I teach 11 year olds, I don't know how to teach toddlers! :)

I am forever grateful to Kyle, who allowed me to stay home this year. I got to witness every single milestone for both babies...not many people can say the same thing. He has worked his tail off over the years and has wonderful job security at his company. Last July he started the biggest project his office has ever done. They are designing (and won the construction bid too) the new College of Engineering building at UT in Austin, and he is one of the project managers. This is a big moment in his architectural career, and even though it has caused him to start traveling more for work (and will be for several years), he is still an amazing dad and husband when he gets home and doesn't get much of a break. I know he reads this, so I am going to say I love you very much, Kyle, and thank you for letting me have this year with our twins. I hope I've done a good job and that you know I have not taken one single moment for granted!

So there might not be a ton of posts in the coming weeks, as I will be busy and stressed, but I'll try my best!

Latest tricks

Well they aren't really tricks per say, just things they can do. It is amazing how much they have changed in the past two weeks! They are understanding and following instructions (most of the time) and just comprehend what you are saying. They are so fun right now, and I'm sad they will start going to their sitter full time on Monday. :(

Presley
-if I start counting "one..." she will say "two..."
-when you say "come on Presley let's put your shoes on", she stops and sits down so you can put on her shoes
-says tractor
-her hair is growing a ton (unfortunately not on the sides where she needs it)
-has developed a contact allergy for strawberries (gets red like with cinnamon)

Marshall
-blows kisses and does the "muah" sound
-will sit longer for you to read books
-still sucks his fingers and finds comfort with his lovey
-eats like a champ
-nods yes

Both
-love to eat apples...whole and with the skin. They feel so independent and they love it! And yes I watch them while they eat to maker sure their bites aren't too big.
-are getting better at using their spoon
-love grapes. As my mom said, "they eat so many grapes they'll pee wine!" That's a direct quote. :)
-giving things to one another by choice. For instance the other day Presley broke off part of her cracker and gave it to Marshall. So sweet!
-are learning to play better together
-wear 18-24 month clothes and some 2T







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Let's Art Party

Last week my twin mom group organized a night out at Let's Art Party here in Fort Worth. If you've never heard of it it is one of those places where they teach you how to do a specific painting (ours was Starry Night by Van Gough) and the best part is you get to drink while you paint!

It is BYOB, but if you take a class there you get a complimentary glass of wine too. You can book a private party or certain days of the week they have classes. There are tons of paintings you can pick from for your private party, but if you take a class then they pick it. Now, I am definitely not an artist, but was pretty happy with the way mine turned out. My husband, who is an artist, even complimented my painting and said, "I'm not even being sarcastic, it's really good!" :)

Our instructor was really cool and so, so helpful. So if you are looking for a fun girls night, go to Let's Art Party down on Camp Bowie!

I didn't get a shot of the whole group, but here are Sarah, me, and Lacey with our finished products!


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Great minds think alike...

Or should I say two little minds that like to be naughty! And yes they were being told to get down while I took these pictures. Isn't the climbing stage fun?!? (insert sarcasm)







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Snuggle Time

Presley LOVES to snuggle and I have to say that I love it too! When I rock her before a nap (whether it be in the glider or standing up) she wraps her arms around me and holds on tight. P also loves to sit in laps, whomever it may be. Last Monday at the pediatrician's office, when our doctor came in and sat down, Presley walked right up to her and climbed in her lap! It is so sweet and I love my snuggle time with her! I hope it lasts, even though I know in reality it won't! She really is such a sweet little girl. :)