Date Night

Our first official date as parents was to Outback, of course. Surprisingly, our entire conversation was not about the boys. Thanks Oma and Opa!!

Apple Doesn't Fall Far From Tree

Aside from the out of place blue and yellow ring, enjoy the OCD of my tree ;) Thanks Mom!

Suits Him Just Fine

Almost 2 months later, Striker and I are alone in the car together for the first time. We're off to buy Striker a new suit because his navy one has gone missing (someone may have accidentally left it at the dry cleaners). The boys are home with all 3 grandparents being spoiled I'm sure.

Synchronized Napping

For the first time since Tuesday...

Sleep Strike

Dear Alex and Tony,

It's 1 AM, sleepy time. After your day long sleep strike yesterday I really thought that you'd sleep A LOT tonight once you finally fell asleep shortly before 8 PM. And then 12:30 rolled around, you both woke up starving, I fed you, and now you are both sitting here WIDE AWAKE babbling. It's been half an hour of sitting in your Boppy's and you're showing zero signs of going back to sleep. Please babies, back to sleep for a few more hours at least.

Love, Mom

Food for Shared Thought

Today while on BBM (the main reason I did NOT get a Droid, ahem), Queen B and I had the following conversation:

Participants:
-------------
Jenn, Queen B

Messages:
---------
Jenn: Be thankful the boys decided to nap. I'm about to comment
(Seconds later)
Jenn: We have a problem..Chip bags, or in this case pretzel bags wake the boys up. They can sleep through Oskar barking, the TV, the vacuum, doorbell, me talking loudly or yelling downstairs, but the pretzel bag just woke them up. This does not bode well for middle of the night Ruffles binges (we enjoy Ruffles while watching The Biggest Loser)
QB: Lol!

Jenn: OMG OG has new dishes that look tasty! But I'd just get chicken parm
QB: Yes. The King always goes for their new stuff and gets disappointed
Jenn: Sad. But he has high standards
QB: His fave is spaghetti meat sauce. Doesn't have to be complicated, just taste great
Jenn: Lol Striker's too
QB: Geez. We're mirrors!
Jenn: Yep. We have good taste ;)

So when I'm not posting or commenting, assume that I'm eating pretzels or Ruffles ;)

Suitable for Public Viewing

At a day short of 7 weeks postpartum, and with the exception of a desperate need for a hair cut (scheduled for 2/12), I officially declare myself suitable for public viewing. This means that my toes are neatly pedicured - and I went for a metallic purple shade since I'm pretty much barefoot 80% of the time, nails manicured, eyebrows waxed, and legs shaved. Since I also fit into my prepregnancy jeans (with a slight muffin top - hey it's only been 7 weeks), I feel free to move about the country...okay let's be honest, the city of Chino. YAY!!! Thanks to Striker, the grandparents, and Auntie B for making this weekend possible!

My New Target!

Once upon a time, I would go to Target to get shampoo and leave $100 poorer. Since the creation of Alex and Tony, Babies R Us has become my new money pit.

I went in for 1 $10 item this morning and left with 3 large bags, 1 regular size bag, a box of diapers and a box of wipes. Since it's only a few weeks until KFuj's shower I got a "few" things for Kyle and his mommy ;)

I then went to Target for several things and spent less than $40!

Thanks to Striker for letting me get out of the house with the 12 million other people who'd been trapped inside all week (welcome to my world). I also went to the gym, bank, Old Navy (love gift cards), and Bath & Body Works and picked up lunch all under 5 hours, with a stop home in between to feed the boys and shower. On the agenda for tomorrow: Costco and a pedicure/eyebrow wax.

Why You SHOULD Use a Changing Table

Grandma had a run in/step on the wipes container.

Lion Luck and Sticky Thoughts

Alex and Tony are wearing their lion outfits in support of the Petersons today. I'm sending all sorts of sticky and zen thoughts Lisa's way and secretly hoping that she's blessed with twin IVF babies too, though we'll be thrilled with one baby too!

Forgive Tony...he was distracted by the ceiling fan. He LOVES that thing!

24 Fans

When Kim and Jane got us the collection of A and B onesies, I knew I'd be faced with a dilemma-put Tony in (Tony) Almeda or Bauer (Baby B). Since tonight is the Season 8 premiere of 24, it was time for the boys to suit up (just ignore the fact that Tony is SWIMMING in his 6 months onesie-it'll fit him by the finale).

Tony ended up in Almeda since he's Tony and rule breaking goes hand in hand with Kim ;)

As we got them dressed and fed (for optimum happiness for pictures), I sent Kim pictures of the boys individually. We got them side by side for their 24 photo shoot and got ONE picture together before Alex lost it and started crying. Since Tony looks a little "special"(not that there's anything wrong with that), or drunk perhaps, I've included their individual pictures too.

We're on pace for the boys to be asleep so that we can watch the episode mostly live, even though commercial breaks stink. Wish us luck!

Got Hair?

One of these heads belongs to an infant (Tony), the other to an adult (Shades). If I were to take the time to photoshop out the surroundings, we'd have a really fun game on our hands!

Congratulations Shades on having more hair than a 6 week old infant. Alex has both of you beat though ;)

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Sanity Test

When I'm exhausted, I find pretty much everything to be funny. Yesterday morning Striker assumed this position. When I asked what he was doing, he said "stretching". Is it as funny to you?

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When All Else Fails...

Lower your standards.

I had lofty aspirations of taking weekly photos of the boys with them on the same background or next to the same stuffed animal (like Sydney and her ladybug). I also had aspirations of taking a monthly family photo. Matching/coordinated outfits for the boys were the plan.

Today I finally got them in coordinated outfits and took a picture when they were both awake and relatively happy. This counts! Were it not for my BlackBerry, I'd never have a camera on me for these glorious moments when the stars align. My goal is for a family photo at 2 months. Wish me luck!

Changing table update (For those of you who will continue mocking me until I use it): Still hasn't been used, but neither has the crib in their room. Once they start sleeping in their room, the changing table will be used. I'm standing by this statement.

Like Mother Like Son

This is how Alex chose to watch the Kings vs. Sharks game tonight. Just like his mother, he ate until his stomach was content, then promptly passed out.

Tony on the other hand, had Daddy give him the play by play and explain all of the important things to him (literally). He waited until the first intermission (almost) before he got his grub on.

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Cranium Rocks

New favorite game!! Tonight we played WOW Cranium with the KFuj's, Lil Dahl, and Shades (Lil Dahl's boyfriend). We also played last night with Strikers parents and another friend, where I set precedent at being a good guesser at Puppet Master Cards.

For Puppet Master Cards one player makes another member of their team act out the activity or thing for another team member to guess. I correctly guessed "milking a cow" and "bobbing for apples" last night. Since none of tonight's guests witnessed my talent, I cautioned them that I rocked that particular type of card.
Apparently they didn't believe me, and when it came down to the game winning card, they selected the category containing the Puppet Master cards. Mr KFuj was the puppetmaster and Lil Dahl was the puppet. I correctly guessed "barista" to pull off our come from behind victory!

Side note: The game is also educational. Last night we learned the meaning of "skosh" and tonight we learned "eponym", both words that my BlackBerry underlined as misspelled.

Infant Thoughts

AJ: What is that thing? Dude, you're tiny! My diapers are bigger than you!

Tony: Holy crap, don't eat me! Or roll over on me, or kick me...That kid is HUGE!

Sticky Situation

This morning I saw this on my bathroom counter after Striker had left for work: empty bottle of gel, open toiletry bag, travel size gel tubes on counter - clearly he'd run out of gel getting ready and went for the reserves.

I sent him a BBM...
Wife: Need gel?
Striker: Yes. How could you tell?? LOL
Wife: Did you check cabinet in the hall?
Striker: No
Wife: Ok, I'll check when the boys finish eating
Striker: Ok

Wife: (sent picture of nice big bottle of gel in cabinet)
Striker: Excellent
Wife: LOL You know this is a blog right?

Girl Scout's Motto: Be Prepared.

Happy 1 Month Birthday!

I CANNOT believe how fast the last month has gone!!! I'm going to make a valiant effort to write a brief recap of the boys individually each month...we'll see how long that lasts, but were it not for mobiley uploading to Facebook, I'd already have forgotten many moments over the last month. Maybe one day I'll actually write stuff in a baby book. Ha!


Tony

Tony is the king of the drunk baby face as he eats like a champ! I will likely compile a series of his drunk face pictures at some point, because they are really hysterical.

While tiny, he's catching up in size to Alex and officially outgrew Preemie sized clothes on January 5th. It's going to be sort of sad to pack those away.

He's had some issues with a blocked tear duct in his left eye which necessitated my first call to his pediatrician when he was 10 days old. Overall, it's not bad...has only been goopy twice for a day or two.

He's always been the better eater of the two, but I finally figured out this week why he was getting so fussy after eating. We thought it was gas or colic, but it seems that he may just have mild infant reflux. (LOVE Google!) So I started keeping him more upright after eating and not putting pressure on his stomach for at least 20-30 minutes and he hasn't spit up (other than a little drool) or had a screaming fit once. Assuming this trend continues, I'll just discuss it with his doctor at his 2 month appointment in a few weeks. He's eating regularly, gaining weight, and sleeping almost as much as Alex (and Alex sleeps A LOT).

Tony loves his awake/play time. He loves looking at lights and the ceiling fans. Loves his swing. His legs are very strong and he scoots himself up towards the top of his crib. He seems like he'll be the one that is always running around and leaping before he looks.

Alex

Very early on, I nicknamed Alex "The Thinker" (it was December 9th actually) and also the "Sleep Expert" and those are both still 2 of his strongest personality traits (so is "Cry Baby", but that's less cute). When he's not sleeping or eating (or crying), he's wide awake looking around, taking everything in. He'll not only look before he leaps, but will sit there contemplating the best way to do so. Hopefully he balances his brother out a bit!

He was my little yellow jaundiced baby until shortly after 3 weeks. Thankfully that is gone, because he HATED naked baby sun time. He hates to be naked/exposed/cold. He's guaranteed to cry/scream during diaper changes unless you catch him during one of his intermissions while eating. The kid takes his time eating and savors his meals (despite his regular gulping and initial attack). He is most content snuggling against his boobie...we're concerned that his first word will be boobie, but it's cute how much he loves those things!

Alex has slowly been transitioning from Newborn to 0-3 month clothes...just in time for Tony to get all of his hand me downs ;) He has good control of his head and arms, and thankfully is foot is starting to be almost "normal". At birth his right foot was turned out to the right at an almost 90 degree angle because he had been holding Tony up with his foot and it was tweaked that way. We were told it wasn't anything to worry about and that it'd straighten out on its own, which it appears to be doing with a little stretching help from the 'rents.

Happy Birthday Little Men!

Triple A's

The Suttons came to visit us today - YAY! This will be the first of many pictures of the Triple As - AJ, Alex, and Anton. AJ was born 2 weeks overdue on July 17th. The boys were 3 weeks early, so we're saying that AJ is 6 months older for size comparisons. As of today, AJ was wearing 12 month clothes, Alex was squeezed into Newborn, but really should be wearing 0-3 Months, and Anton finally outgrew his preemies and was in Newborn too.

We used one of the quilts made by ABBA as our measuring/reference point. Thanks again ABBA!

Surprise Gift

We all love surprise packages in the mail. Today I received this necklace from the original (non-blogging) Andrea in my life. It's my first piece of mom jewelry and I love it! THANK YOU!

2009 Recap

I stole this from Queen B - see her post to see who else it was stolen from :)

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’ve never done before?
Became a mom after spending 5 months (almost exactly) on bed rest and not working...very odd concept for me. I also spent more time cooking than ever before and took better care of Striker (I think).

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I thought for sure that I made a 2009 Resolution list...can't find one...hmmm. Will make 2010 resolutions in a later post.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Me! Can't get closer than that!!! Seems like almost everyone I know is currently pregnant though.


4. Did anyone close to you die?


Not really, but attended 2 funerals for family members of close friends.


5. What countries did you visit?
None. Spending half the year in my house sort of prohibited travel, though I did make it to Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. Yes, I realize those are states. ;)


6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Freedom to leave my house and exercise. Yes, I said exercise.


7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
4/9 & 14 very important days for Alex & Tony ;)
7/8 because it was the last day I worked in 2009
12/7 because I got the 2 greatest gifts EVER
12/9 because it was Striker's 30th birthday (spent in the hospital)


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

A healthy Alex and Tony that avoided the NICU and got to come home with me after avoiding any additional complications and hospital bed rest. (And proving that stupid nurse wrong - still bitter).


9. What was your biggest failure?
Hmmm, nothing to list. Lots of tests this year and I'm proud of how I changed and grew as a person.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Does the C-section count? What about months of injections? Otherwise, no.


11. What was the best thing you bought?
The 3rd round of IVF and all of the doctor/hospital co-pays.


12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine...I'm proud of myself...deal with it ;)


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?


Tiger Woods and John Gosselin, lol...stealing this from the Queen...were it not for them, I'd have had far less entertainment while on bed rest though!


14. Where did most of your money go?
Alex and Tony...pretty sure this will be a repeat answer for the next 18-25 years...


15. What did you get really excited about?
All events leading up to 12/7 and all of those after (are you sensing a trend?)


16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Stealing ABBA's answer...Miley Cyrus or Lady Gaga


17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

- happier or sadder? Happier...a billion times over. Was definitely not in a happy place this time last year (despite purchase of annual admission to the happiest place on earth) KT, we need to make a new commitment after Katherine is old enough to start going...
- thinner or fatter? fatter by only 5 pounds...so close to my pre-pregnancy weight...but that was still higher than I'd like thanks to the IVF process...I will be thinner by my birthday for sure!
- richer or poorer? Have not worked in 6 months, but so much richer in happiness!


18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Blog...my post count was significantly lower this year.


19. What do you wish you’d done less of?


Sitting on my butt...but it was worth it!


20. How did you spend Christmas?

At our house with family...it was an Italian Christmas...no Henrys this year. :(

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
everyday...even more on 12/7!


22. What was your favorite TV program?
24...possibly my next greatest accomplishment was watching all 7 seasons in 2009


23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?


nah..... no hate


24. What was the best book you read?
Hmmm...The FBI series by Catherine Coulter...it passed time while on bed rest...thanks Queen B for the recommendation.


25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Anton's naming himself


26. What did you want and get?
Alex and Tony...only asked for 1, but got a 2fer!


27. What did you want and not get?
Hmmm...sleep?

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Hangover...I saw more movies this year than in the last 10 combined!


29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Glad I recapped here. March was a lifetime ago!


30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
winning the lottery


31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Maternity/bed rest/new mom...stylish, I know ;)


32. What kept you sane?
Striker


33. Who did you miss?
Just about everyone....I don't get out much


34. Who was the best new person you met?


Alex and Tony...don't make me choose ;)


35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

All By Myself...don't want to be...All by myself

Guest Blog: Striker Goes to Target

I had to go to Target to return a digital pocket viewer. I went to the same one that Jenn had her excellent experience with returning. I stood in line and they told me I had to go to electronics section. I stood in line there and they got me a new viewer.
I went back to returns and I went up to the counter. The following conversation ensued:
Striker: I would like to exchange this one (showing the old one) with this one (showing the new one).
Target Associate: Sure, was there anything wrong with it.
S: Yes, it wouldn't save any pictures.
TA: I see. Would you like a rain check?
S: Huh?
TA: For the price you paid for it.
S: Um, sure (totally confused).
The associate then checks the old one in and begins to give me a refund.
S: Actually, I want to exchange that one for this one.
TA: Oh, sorry about that.
She then hands me the money and rings up the new viewer, but the only problem is that we originally bought it on sale. So now the associate had to call a manager. The manager voids the sale. Then the associate proceeds to scan the new one as the return (probably returning the second viewer of the three we bought originally because she never reversed the first return). Then, she scans the old one as the exchanged item and hands me the old one.
S: Um, this is the old one.
TA: Oh, sorry about that.
Why can't they figure out returns at this Target? Seriously, do they stick their dumbest people in that section?

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