dirty binky.

I have held off on posting about the dirty binky due to how gross it is.  But LIv has two binkies.  One for her mouth and one for her hand.  She calls the one in her hand her dirty binky.  If I clean it, she freaks.  She rubs in on the carpet.  The walls. Her shirt.  Anything.... to make it dirty.  And no she doesn't put it in her mouth.  Thank god!  I mean I really hope not.

If she gets up after I tcuk her in for a retuck, while walking back to her bed, she will lean over and rub it on things to make it extra dirty.  I mean I love extra dirty martinis; but dirty binkies, not so much.  

Overheard.

Liv:  Mommy, where are we going?

Me:  To drop the car off for an oil change.

Liv:  But Why?

Me:  Because it needs new oil so it can run better.

Liv:  But, Mooommmmmmmyyyyyyy, our car doesn't run!

Me:  I know, honey. I mean so it can drive better.

Wedding weekend!

We all headed down to the Seaview Marriot on Friday to start the weekend celebration for Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Brian.  All I can say I was prepared for anything with my 6 bags of luggage for 2 nights.  The girls were amazing.  Other than a few mishaps and falls, there were no tears.  Ry and I had a room with two doubles so we each had a kid.  Liv was quite the kicker and beat her daddy up a bit.

Charlotte was able to take every nap in her stroller and Liv was a trooper with no naps.  She did everything a flower girl does except walk down the aisle.  Knowing her personality, we know she would have cried and made a scene as soon as she saw everyone staring at her.  During the reception, Ry's parents helped alot and took the girls up to the hotel room so Ry and I could eat dinner.

I was up on the dance floor and haven't done that in a while.  Anyone who knows me, knows I used to live on the dance floor.  Something with making two humans, made me lose my rhythm or time to leisurely dance.  ;)  I got it back on Saturday night.

On Sunday, we had brunch in the morning and headed home.

The weekend was amazing and every little detail was perfect.  We are so happy for Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Brian.  They are off to Aruba.  YAY!

more playtime.

Olive and Beans.

I have a new hobby. Well, not a hobby because my hobbies have been the same for awhile. But now I have a site to share my hobbies with you. I have lots of passions but being an at home mom, limits my means to express. I guess it is the teacher in me. I know I am no genius. I know what I am into is nothing new to alot of people, but for some it may be. If you have any desire to read more, go to oliveandbeans.com. Thanks to my lovely designer of a husband, he has set me up with my very own domain name (website). To all of you, it is quite obvious where the name came from (Olivia and Charlotte's nicknames - one of a million nicknames).

the moment has arrived...

the girls were playing together by themselves (as I eaves dropped)

pledge of honor.

Lately, when I go out with the girls, I have noticed how other women interact with me. Lots of moms like me react the same way I react to them. We usually look at each other, make eye contact, and nonverbally agree. Agree that these kids keep us on our toes. A 7 day a week, 24 hour job that throws so many curve balls and unpredictable events. It feels good to know that you aren't in it alone.
I have been reflecting alot lately on how older women react to me. Women that I can tell have been there......right where I am at that moment. For example, walking out of the grocery store pushing a cart full of groceries, holding an 8 month old on my right him, with a binky handle hanging out of my mouth, holding a receipt and keys in my hand, and my 3 year old holding onto my pant leg as we cross the street. Only if I were an octopus would I have enough hands to handle what being a mom entails.

These women look at me with such understanding. At the same time, I see a spark in their eyes where they may wish to be back in my shoes ( or flip flops with unpolished toenails). They let me cross in front of their car while crossing the street or let me get rung up before them at the store because they know that a baby is like a walking time bomb ready to explode. Or they glance at me while sitting on the floor in the corner of a toy store nursing my baby while the toddler is busy getting a free chance to play with all new toys. These women, also, open the door for me so I don't have to perform a gymnast move just to get my body and the stroller through the door with all of our limbs attached.

I may be a little analyitical but I also look at these women with a strong connection. I know I will be that women in about 20 years. As difficult as it may be to meet the needs of a baby and a toddler, I wouldn't trade it for all of the money in the world. Or all of the silence in the world. (although a single MOMENT of silence is well needed). As my 30th birthday approaches ( 4 days), I have accomplished more than I ever imagined; yet being right here at home with my toddler laying on my left thigh and my infant trying to crawl over my right shoulder is the only place I want to be.

But that MOMENT of silence may be the next place I want to be....... but for just a moment. I will never wish this chaotic time away. I wish I could keep my two little girls by my side on this couch forever (the fact that all three of us are sitting still is a miracle, but we are all on the same couch cushion). I know as they get older they will want to get off of it for a little......as long as they promise to come back.

silly sisters.

little ms. piggy.

My little Charlie has a huge appetite. way more than Liv ever had. My energy of making my own baby food has been substituted with me finding fun, alternative vegan (with meat) recipes for me to enjoy (and indirectly going to charlotte). I have also realized that with all of her allergies, buying premade organic baby food is the way to go. I know it is allergy free, therefore stress free.

Liv used to eat about a half of a jar to a jar a day (she nursed around the clock). Charlotte on the other hand has a fruit/cereal for breakfast, a veggie and fruit for lunch, and a meal (including organic poultry, veggie, fruit) and fruit for dinner. So she is going through 5 jars of stage 2 food a day! And nursing about 5 times a day.

WOW!

Holy Hail.

Slumber party.

The girls and I slept over my parents at the shore while Ry and the boys were in AC for Brian's Bachelor party. We had so much fun!!!

Beanie Babe.

swingset fun.

snoozing on mama.

Overheard.

This girl is a ball of fire.... gotta love her. I have to take shots of wheatgrass during the day to keep up with her.

This morning Liv came into bed with me at about 7. I was still half asleep and Charlotte just finished her morning feeding. So Liv was on me while Lo was next to me. Three bugs in a rug....

Liv put her head on my chest and said, "Mommy, I can hear your belly."
I said, "That is actually my heart beating."
She said, "Mommy, is there another baby going to come out?" (in an excited voice)
I said, "No, honey, that is my heart beating."

YOU know I have a heart tooo!!!!
haha

photoshoot.

Milestones.

Charlie has been saying baba for a while now but has been calling Dada for the past few days;) Looks like we have another daddy's girl on our hands. She also started waving. When she waves she uses her entire arm and waves it up and down.

mother of the year.

So while I was neglecting my child and in my room with Lo (and on the phone), Liv got a hold of my red nail polish and painted her nails. I wanted to yell, but instead I couldn't help but compliment her fine motor skills ( k, I am a dork).

the big apple.

On Saturday, the four of us ventured to Manhattan. We parked at MOMA, walked up and down 5th avenue, park avenue, and madison avenue. We spent alot of time in central park (CP zoo, Strawberry Fields, Sheep's Meadow). We walked over 50 blocks. The girls were amazing and barely complained (even though Lo's diaper leaked and who knows how long she was sitting in it...)

I have to say FAO Schwartz is just as magical as it was when I was little. I lived it through Liv's eyes..... she loved it!

liv the photography.