Freeze Frame: Tony

Tony is passionate and independent. He tends to hit milestones first. He's persistent. He learns by repetition and doing things himself. He prefers green vegetables over most other foods. He's always on the go. He needs his naps to recharge him. That's why I have so many pictures of him sleeping...it's the only time he's still! He likes routine. He likes picking on his big brother. He loves bath time and playing in the water. He's a total boy and loves getting dirty and making messes. He loves dogs and even our cats. He's daring and willing to try new things, but wants to do it his way.

First (Ice) Hockey Game

We got tickets to tonight's Ontario Reign game and the boys did great! Tony snuggled on my lap the whole time and kept me warm. Alex moved around from Striker's lap, to my lap, to standing unassisted in the seat between us. Not only did the game go into OT, but a shoot out as well - bonus, bonus hockey! Even better? Reign won! Looks like we'll be heading to a Kings game soon!

Thanksgiving 2010

Freeze Frame: Alex

We're in the home stretch to Alex and Tony's first birthday and I'm feeling their babyhood slipping away. I am thankful for each of them and all that they have taught me about myself, them as individuals, and as brothers. I thought I'd try to do a quick post for each of them...Alex first, because he's always first...except for milestones, which Tony usually hits first. ;)

Alex is sensitive. He learns by watching. He's cautious. He's neat and orderly. He doesn't like to get his face wet or be dirty. He's a lover. He's almost always good for a smile or a silly face. He loves to be spun in a circle or hung upside down. His giggles melt my heart. He can be loud, but prefers quiet. He sings and dances. He loves all of his baby friends. He loves to kick a ball around. He's friendly. He is very determined and focused when he sets his mind on something. He's a chatterbox, especially in his carseat or crib in the morning. He hates to nap because he might miss something. Especially when it comes to food, he knows what he likes and doesn't like to try new things. He takes his Sesame Street watching VERY seriously and is GLUED to the TV when an episode is on. He's become quite the snuggle bug when he's sleepy.

First Step! Tony

Today Tony took his first official step all by himself! It was actually shuffle-step-shuffle...I stood there staring trying to process the whole event. Sadly no pictures or video were captured...however I did take a picture of the exact spot to commemorate the event.

He was so exhausted after playing with Oma and Opa all afternoon, after watching Striker bowl this morning, that he passed out and stayed asleep even when Striker sat him up in an effort to wake him up.

Side note: How cool are Tony's eyes that matched my sweater yesterday? He totally has his dad's eyes that change various shades of blue, green and gray depending on what they wear.

Linbrook Bowl

And Tony...

I Wanna Bowl Like Daddy!

Today while Striker got his new bowling balls drilled and then tried them out, Tony decided he wanted to bowl like Daddy, and crawled up onto the approach. Brunswick Moreno Valley Bowl.

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Water Babies

When out and about, it's a requirement that Alex and Tony get to watch water fountains or splash pads. They will literally sit still and just stare. Occasionally they have a snack too like they are having popcorn at a movie. I took this pic at The Shoppes on Monday.

Crock Pot Chili

I'm pretty sure that Striker is sick of this recipe...but I could eat it all the time!

2 lbs. ground chuck (I use ground turkey)
1 cup chopped onion
1 green pepper, chopped
2 to 3 ribs celery, chopped
1 large (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 cans kidney or pinto beans, drained (I usually use one of each)
1 tsp. pepper
3 tsp. chili powder
hot pepper, to taste, cayenne
1 tsp. garlic salt

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain well. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker; cover and cook for 7 to 8 hours on LOW, or until done, (or until you remember to turn it off). :)

I usually throw a pan of Marie Callander's Cornbread in the oven and eat until I'm stuffed.

Fake Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce

So when trying to decide on a cranberry sauce recipe for fake Thanksgiving in October, when the only cranberries I could find were Craisins (thank you Costco), I decided to improvise. And the result became the only cranberry sauce that Striker will eat... Here's the recipe because several people have asked for it, and I've forgotten whom.

2 cups Craisins
2 cups water
2 cups Zinfindel
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup natural/no sugar added applesauce
1 TBSP sugar

Throw it in a saucepan. Boil it, the cranberries will plump back up, reduce heat until sauce starts to thicken.

That's all. You had to know that if I came up with it, it's simple to make!

Crackerin' Me Up

Today we went over to my mom's house so that Striker could either fix a light fixture in her laundry room or determine whether the wiring had gone bad and would require a "real" electrician. Unfortunately, it was the latter, but he was able to replace a few old up/down flip switches with the new push ones.

While we were there, I decided to let the boys try a Ritz cracker...they had a lot of fun throwing them on the floor and smashing them into tiny little crumbs on the table. I sent a picture to my sister, who immediately replied "is mom freaking out?"...in the land of OCD, this apple didn't fall far from the tree, but my mom's floor is literally clean enough to eat off of...if anyone else had done this except her grandsons, they'd be smashed into tiny little crumbs!

Striker's Stay-cation

I think we all need a vacation after Striker's stay-cation...

Monday - Disneyland with Oma for her birthday
Tuesday - Striker went to a funeral and I had a "normal" day
Wednesday - Disneyland with the KFujs and Iowa and Chloe
Thursday - Thomas the Train with KFuj and Kyle
Friday - Striker in Vegas (bowling) and making growth charts with KFuj and Iowa
Saturday - spa day for me and Rachel, Striker and the boys hung out then went to Striker's hockey game where I met up with them
Sunday - a princess' birthday party and softball

And somewhere in all of that, I managed to get a good amount of cleaning and organizing thrown in.

Christmas Cards 2010

I am a complete Christmas card junkie…I send out a ridiculous amount every year and I LOVE to receive them! My favorites are those with a photo and I usually get mine from a certain member warehouse store because they’re easy and quick and cheap! 

Well this year, I just couldn’t find a layout and background that I liked, so I decided to check out www.shutterfly.com and was very happy that I did! Shutterfly has tons of different types of holiday cards. Seriously, if you can’t find one that you love, you’re crazy! I'm leaning towards one of the story cards right now, but I'm still trying to figure out a way for my original idea to work...it'll be a surprise I suppose. :)

Shutterfly even has gifts like wall calendars and ornaments! (Great for family members, because really, how could they not want more pictures of Alex and Tony?!)

Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly, follow the arrow à http://bit.ly/sfly2010 

I am Thankful for...my Friends

When your life completely changes when you have twins and become a SAHM, you find out who your real friends are. You know who you are, and I'm thankful to have each and every one of you in my life.

I am Thankful for...my Family

Family became even more important to me once I had kids of my own. We are lucky that our family is all local in Southern CA and that we get to see everyone regularly.

HRC Reunion 2010

I managed not to cry at all today...I make no promises for a month from now though! Oh all right, I might have got a little teary eyed during the group photo when everyone was all gathered together (hence the term group) around the doctors that made all those babies and kids possible...but I don't think Striker even noticed ;)

HRC hosted a very nice reunion in Laguna with food, face painting, photos, a bouncer, caricatures, and balloons. Alex and Tony were really big fans of the balloons and really wanted to bounce, but settled for playing on a blanket in the grass. We took a picture with our doctor but it's on my real camera so I'll post it later. Things to note: we do comb Alex's hair, he just constantly messes it up...haircut coming soon; how grown up does Tony look sitting there by himself?!

Random odd thought of the day: it is possible that Alex or Tony have an identical twin in storage, who could be born several years after them. How weird would that be?!

Happy 11 Month Birthday!

I can't believe this is the last "month" birthday post. Preparation and planning for their first birthday party is in full swing and that's what's keeping me from crying like a baby. Anyhow, the 11 month update:

Both are in size 5 diapers...it was a length issue...they have long torsos and we had several leaks before I gave the size 5s a try. The tabs completely overlap on both kids, but no leaks!

Tooth count:
Alex: 4 (2 top, 2 bottom) with 3 more visible on top but not out yet
Tony: 6 (2 top, 4 bottom) I think there are several visible, but it's almost impossible to get a good look/feel on this kid

Weight:
Alex: 25 lbs
Tony: 23 lbs

Height:
I have a date to make the growth charts...finally. It helps that Will is on "vacation" this week :)

Both are cruising and LOVE their walkers. The walkers have slowed down their progress towards walking a bit, but they love being mobile and "independent". We're just waiting for them to let go and "forget".

Both are eating lots of food, pureed or otherwise. They aren't really into sippy cups, but will gladly drink water out of a water bottle or cup that we're drinking out of...they are rather particular about their beverages ;)

We're just waiting for Tony's hair to grow a bit more before they both get their first haircuts...Alex desperately needs his evened out.

They talk and laugh constantly. Dog, Mom, Gramma, Dad, and a whole bunch of stuff I haven't figured out yet. :)

They wrestle and tackle each other regularly. Ear pulling and eye poking is a big thing. They also like to run down the furries and our feet in their walker. Yep, we have boys!

We're headed to HRC's Reunion today, so I'll be posting pictures of that later.

Happy Birthday Merry Christmas

Striker got his birthday and Christmas gifts from me a month early again this year. He seems to like it that way ;)
Now he has new, nice shiny and matching pads, glove and blocker for hockey.

I am Thankful for...Being a SAHM

If you had told me 3 years ago that I'd ever be a stay at home mom, I'd have told you that you were crazy. And yet, life happens. Plans change. Priorities change. It has been the absolute greatest experience of my life to spend every single day of Alex and Tony's first 11 months with them and to only have been away from them for a few hours here and there. They are super fun side kicks and we have made a LOT of new friends and memories together!

I am Thankful for...my BlackBerry Tour

Without my BlackBerry Tour, there would be almost zero pictures of Alex and Tony's first 10 months since it wasn't until then that I began to regularly pull it out for outings and such. Without it, I would have lost my mind, isolated from adult contact throughout the day. I'd have been bored to tears in the middle of the night. Yes, it's almost always in my hand and when it's not, I need to know where it is at all times. Yes, I have worn one out already. I love it and I just can't imagine not having a BlackBerry.

I am Thankful for...Alex and Tony

I'm thankful that I was given the privilege of being Alex and Tony's Mom. It's almost been 11 months and I can barely remember life without them. There will be a bunch of sappy posts coming up on the countdown to their first birthday, so I'll spare you yet another post of the awesomeness that are Alex and Tony. ;)

I am Thankful for...My Mom

Aside from the fact that she's my mom and raised me and all of that stuff, she's also been a SUPER DUPER HUGE help to us the last year with making sure that her grandchildren were not being raised by crazy people who lived in filth. My mom's standards of cleanliness are a little obsessive (think operating room sterile), but she actually enjoys being busy and keeping things clean, which has allowed me to breathe and enjoy being Alex and Tony's mom and Striker's wife.

Thanks Mom!!!

I am Thankful for...Striker

Since it seems that every year I find it necessary to thank Striker for putting up with me, I've come to the conclusion that I might be difficult to live with. Mom and Lil Dahl, hush! Anyhow, Ruth started what appears to be a thing a day that she is thankful for on Facebook, so I thought I'd steal the idea for the blog. Thanks Ruth!

So, Striker, thank you for putting up with me during the transition from insane workaholic, to hermit, to crazy mama of twins...I hope I've made you happy along the way too and if nothing else, have been good for a few laughs. I love you!