Wordless Wednesday-Jacob & John

You asked, the answers...

I shouldn't have asked. I feel sort of overwhelmed. Maybe because my answers are so underwhelming. So, I'm just going to start with a few. When I get around to it, I'll post my top favorite questions and leave it up to you guys to pick the winner of the amazing $5 gift card. Pathetic, I know.

Jocasta asked, "What is the earliest thing you remember? "
My earliest memory is waking up very early one morning.......it was still dark and walking into the kitchen to see my mom helping my dad get out the door for work. He was carrying one of those big silver coffee thermos'. If I'm pinpointing time correctly, I must have been about 2.

Casey asked a few, "How has parenting become easier or more difficult as each baby was born? I can only imagine the change from having 1 child to 5, but what was it like in between?How much sleep do you average each night?If you ever get quiet time in your house....just you, how do you spend your time?And most importantly....in your dream when you were holding my kids all at once (effortlessly, I might add) was I out having fun while you were babysitting? Was my house clean?"

I think parenting has become both easier and more difficult. The stages I've experienced over and over have gotten easier. Like changing diapers. Knowing when they are tired, hungry or just need some loving. The stages that I experience for the first time with Grace (since she's my oldest) are hard. I find myself much more patient with my babies and younger children than I am with my older ones that I perceive as more capable and I'm too hard on them (especially Grace) many times. I think it's difficult to know when to push, when to back off. When they need a little affection, or some discipline. The hardest part for me is watching them grow up and hoping and praying that I haven't failed at my job........too terribly.

The sleep question......I don't know if I should admit this. I think some people assume I must not get any sleep and are amazed that I get done what I do during the day being sleep deprived. The truth is though that I routinely get about 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. I'm not sleep deprived. Now. When the twins were newborns that was a different story though. I didn't think I'd ever sleep again back then. Besides having babies (plural) that wouldn't settle down and sleep at night, I was a glutton for punishment and pumped every 4 hours around the clock for 7 months. I don't know what I was thinking. I should calculate how much I saved in formula. When I see that it was substantial (like more than the $500 I lost) maybe I can trick myself into thinking it wasn't such a lame thing to do. Because I do. I nursed my singletons until they were well over a year so pumped because I wanted the twins to have all the benefits of breast milk too. In hindsight, I think the benefit of a mother that wasn't tied to a pump and slept more would have been more helpful.

When I have quiet time (it does happen!) I like to take a bath in my big ol jacuzzi tub and read a book.

In my dream when I was holding your girls I don't recall what your house looked like, and you were not out doing something fun. I was discussing with you (like it was a totally normal every day thing) their stats from their last doctors appointment and saying that one doesn't feel that much heavier than the other......while somehow holding all 3. Effortlessly. Ha

"If money were no object would you have more kids? How many if so? If Jacob & John had not been twins would you have had another? And the most important question off all...When do I get to meet you? :) " is the question Jenny asked.

If money were no object, I still wouldn't have any more kids. That sounds terrible doesn't it? What I really mean is that if we were rolling in the dough, my decision would not change to not birth more children. When I felt done, I didn't really let finances play too large of a role in the decision. I just felt like I had hit my threshold and didn't want to try to divide my time with more. It didn't help that my last 2 pregnancies were really stressful for me. I never loved being pregnant in the first place (I liked knowing it was the means to a baby, but I wasn't one of those people who love being pregnant), but adding the extra stress that a high risk pregnancy brings, I didn't think I'd be able to do it again. If Jacob and John were not twins I would not have had my tubes tied.......so perhaps. As for meeting, when this darn house finally sells I'm so looking forward to chatting in person and letting our twins play together!

Carissa asked, "Did you wear those fabulous deal/steal pants?" Oh yes. Well, except for one pair. I happened to be out shopping again and found another pair of jeans that I loved even more, so I bought them. But then I felt guilty for buying yet another pair of jeans so I sold the pair I hadn't yet worn (the blue crystal "A" pockets)......for $30 more than I paid for them.

Elizabeth asked, "If you could find two more hours in your day, how would you use the time?"
I'd go back to school and get my brain cells moving again.

My Other Blogs

While I'm working on answering those fabulous questions, go check out my other blogs. I started my cooking blog (Cooking for a Circus has to be Simple) to record easy recipes that work for my family, and the other blog I started with Laura to share monoamniotic tales (Monoamniotic Stories). This blog will probably be of absolutely no interest to many of you, but the goal in mind was to have a blog that had personal stories and pictures of families that have had monoamniotic twins. It also includes factoids and links to THE support site for monoamniotic twins. If you are a relatively new reader and don't know what I'm talking about, then hop on over and read my story....you'll understand a little bit about what my family went through to get our twins, and then you can probably infer how that changed me.

Hanging my head in shame

I almost don't want to admit this, but I can't not admit it. It's a sad, sad, sad day when your child's second grade homework throws you for a loop. One of her "challenge words" was one I didn't know. Nope. Never heard of it. Jeff joked that I could fill a library with all the things I don't know........which is kind of funny. But kind of not. Especially in the wake of this. I mean, a second grade word? I'm totally dejected.

Spelunker. n. One who explores caves chiefly as a hobby. Please tell me I'm not the only one that didn't know what this was?

How fast are you?

Not running. Typing. No one even asked how many words per minute I can type. Vital information, and apparently no one cares (smile). How many wpm do you type?
85 words

You asked, I answered

Part II is in the works. (See here for Part I.) Well, almost. First I need the questions. Then I'll answer them. Go on. If they are good questions I might even reward you with a decent answer. Did I mention that the person who poses my favorite question gets a $5.00 gift card to somewhere?

Destination Decided

and the winner is....(drum roll please):
CANCUN

Despite many, many comments to go to Cabo. With absolutely NO reason why. So, yes, I DO have a bone to pick with some of you. Why didn't you say why? But all kidding aside, there were two HUGE factors that made us decide to go to Cancun.

Yep, we are going away together ALONE for a week. A week. Our first time away together without kids since we've begun reproducing. The occasion? Our 10 year wedding anniversary. I'm beyond excited.

But I regress. I'm sure what you really want to know is WHY we chose Cancun. And I'll tell you. ONE: I've/we've always wanted to see the Mayan ruins. TWO: one can actually swim in the ocean there. From what I've read and heard, the beaches in Cabo are beautiful, but un-swimmable because of strong undercurrents. I want to swim in the ocean and snorkel. Plus, Cancun is in the Caribbean. Heat and Humidity. I'm fully planning on sweating out all the calories from food I'm planning on ingesting at the All-Inclusive 5 Star Resort we are visiting. I think I forgot to mention that the resort we are going to looked the greatest to me. And had the best traveller reviews. That's another reason.

So, now all I have to do is find at least one more bathing suit. Get a base tan, and get in shape. I'm going to try not to let that last one daunt me. Thinking positive thoughts here.

Electronic Signature

Ever wonder how people make an electronic signature? Thanks to Casey at Quilao Triplets, I now know how. Go to a site like http://www.mylivesignature.com/ and they'll walk you through it. On this particular site, you need not register. You can either scan a signature in, or use customize your own with an assortment of fonts.

Wordless Wednesday-After 3 hours at the park

Opinion, please.....

I need to know: If you could go to Los Cabos/Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta or Cancun, which would you chose, and WHY? I need to know why.

The Hoodlum Speaks

So the other day (Ok, it wasn't the other day, it was a few months ago) I was a Target shopping with all of the kids. Just for a visualization, shopping with the kids looks like a woman speed walking (in order to get done ASAP) with a cart full of kids and a few following in the rear. Anyway, as I was speed walking to the toothpaste isle, a young male adult with a sideways hat and ridiculous clothing said in a very self satisfied, smirky way, "she gets BUUUUUSY". (You get the reference, right?) I was annoyed by his intrusion yet laughed internally because his remark was just so, I don't know, inappropriate. When he started following me around the store saying the same thing over and over to his sidekick I didn't laugh. That's when I decided he was a hoodlum. What I really wanted to do was kick him in the yarbels. I mean, for crying out loud, I haven't had the birds and the bees talk with my kids yet. Even though the words sound innocent, the tone wasn't, and kids pick up on that. Sometimes. Luckily, this wasn't one of them.

Bloggy Awards

The time has come again to proudly display/graciously accept my blogger awards. Thank you, thank you.

I personally love this blingy award. Melissa graciously gave it to me after I informed her she had given me an award I already had.

The same Melissa at Hope for the Hopeless sent me this award a few weeks ago. She knows how much I love awards, and never disappoints me.

This award was passed along to me by Debra at Tales From the Zookeeper.

Since I can't just pick a few of you I'm awarding all of you your choice of one of these awards. Make sure you let me know which one you've selected though so I can come by and personally congratulate you!

Super Steals

I am always impressed by those that search out deals and then really score on their purchases. I'm most impressed when the things they buy are necessities, but even when they are not (like most of mine, sigh), I love to hear about the bargains. With that being said, I have to share my "super steals" this month. I have to preface this by saying that it's not normal for me to buy 3 pairs of jeans in one month, but in my defense, I literally couldn't pass up the deals, and, I don't fit into any of my old jeans, so I really needed them. OK, really wanted them.

This adorable, oh how I love it, jacket was normally $124.00 and I snagged it for $29.00. These crystal "A" pocket Seven for All Mankind jeans retail for $235.00. I picked them up for a mere $54.00
These "Ginger" Seven for all Mankind jeans are pretty rare. The style (ultra flare) is not the most popular, but they look So. CUTE. on. And the waist is a little higher rise than normal. Retail price is $189.00. I couldn't pass them up for $44.00.
And lastly, these Citizens of Humanity jeans were a real find. I NEVER find Citizens at Nordstrom Rack (where I picked up all of these gems) but what's better is that they had been previously altered, and the length is PERFECT for me. That and these $156.00 jeans were marked down to $59.00.
So, I picked up a total of $704.00 worth of designer clothing for less than the price of the "A" pocket jeans. Now, if that $500.00 would only show up, I'd really be happy.

I AM worth something

At least that's what Humans for sale says. According to their poll, I am worth just under 2.5 million dollars. Wow. Jeff'll really be impressed. Erin, another momo mom here in Oregon posted this on her blog, and it's one of the more interesting quizzes I have done. It takes into account ones intelligence (they provide a free IQ test to determine this number), mental, lifestyle and personality factors. It's amazing how a simple little test can make one feel good about certain areas (Okay, I admit it, the IQ test said I'm gifted, or of superior intelligence, and that made me very, very happy) and discouraged about others. When it came to the portion of how much I make, I could just feel my "value" slipping away. That lasted about 2 seconds until I reminded myself that it's a quiz for crying out loud and that the job I have, although unpaid in dollars yeilds higher dividends than cash. And, I found out that although my hair color is rare, it's valued highly...by the people who made up the quiz, that is!

Oh, and Jeff, if you want to sell me when I'm dead, my corpse is worth a little under 5 grand.

CadaverForSale.com - http://www.cadaverforsale.com">How much is your cadaver worth?

Photo Editing

I just started playing around with Picasa's free editing software by actually adding effects and cropping (rather than just making collages). Look what a difference it makes on this picture:

with a little cropping and "warmifying"

Original, straight from the camera.

This was taken at my birthday party, by the way. Fondue dinner party extravaganza. More picture to come! I want to crop, straighten, reduce red eye, sharpen, fade and do a bunch of other fun things to them first.

FREAKING out here....

This is funny. Not ha ha funny, but funny, I'm going to go crazy funny. I just saw this part of an old post of mine,

"I appreciate that my mind has a built in projector that can do more than just rewind. It has the capacity to replay certain scenes in any order at almost any time I want to recall them".

Except I guess when I need it to. I'd like to use that projector and rewind and discover what I did with the $500.00 I was supposed to deposit. Because it's nowhere to be found and I'm seriously freaking out.

Going Home

My most memorable "going home" was bittersweet. I tried to put on a smiling face. I was happy, yet I wasn't. I was excited to finally get home and see my children. Get on with life. Yet I wasn't.

The sun was shining and it was incredible outside. That alone should have made me euphoric since I had only been outside for a total of 5 minutes in 2 1/2 months, yet I was still sad. The world seemed incredibly large after spending so much time in an 12X20 room. As we "jolted" along in the car my insides physically felt like they were being pulled out. After all that I had been through to get my babies, it didn't seem right that I had just left them.

When we passed the downtown village and I heard Christmas music playing I started to cry. The music reminded me that I had spent a whole season in the hospital. I had been gone from my children and husband for 10 weeks, and as the long awaited reunion neared, I was coming home hunched over, split open and with empty arms. I had nothing to offer. I couldn't lift my children, my physical interaction with them had to limited, I was in pain, and I wasn't bringing their brothers home with me.

But that isn't entirely true. I actually had a lot of offer. I had open arms and a heart full of love. And I had stories of the babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. I felt gratitude when I saw my healthy children playing and I walked in the house and saw it full of people and flowers to welcome me. I felt incredibly blessed to have my husband help me over the threshold and know that through it all, he was my rock, that I had come home.

My sister...

A good friend recently pointed out that my siblings don't get enough blog time around here. Do any of you know how many siblings I have? Here's a then and now picture of of one of my sisters and me. We were born 14 months apart. And in case you are wondering, she's older, even though I mistakenly get taken for the older sister more often than I like. Urg.

Europe, 1994
CA, 2008

Notice I din't share any stories, Jeremiah? I think I can safely say she has as much dirt on me as I have on her! If nothing else, I know how to be prudent.

Easter

Just when you thought you'd seen all the Easter pictures out there....here's us on Easter at my sisters Easter egg hunt.

Exercise?

If someone (who shall remain nameless) would rather clean toilets than go for a run, what would you infer about the person? Just curious.

Mail

A guilty pleasure for sure. Because I check for it too frequently. And probably derive too much pleasure from reading a quick note. Growing up, a highlight was checking 6 days a week to see if I had any personal snail mail letters. I always had penpals (whatever happened to my 10 year penpal Elizabeth Winslow from Tewksbury, MA?) and I got so excited to see a letter for me delivered right to my home. Now that "letters" can be delivered right to my "office" via the internet any time of the day, I check every chance I can get. I mean, what *if* someone sent me an email that can't wait? :)

Which makes me ponder my internet habits and wonder about others. When you go online, do you surf the internet or just stick to a few choice sites? I realize that I'm a creature of habit. I never surf the net. I check my email, check my bloglines to see if any blogs have been updated, update my own blog and then pop in on monoamniotic.org to see if any posts need attention. And I do this really, really quickly because I have to get back to real life, but the break is always enjoyable.

April 2nd

Twenty-five years ago today, my mom died. Seven years ago today my niece was born. I'm thankful for joyous events that make the day less.......sad.

Joke's on me...

When I was born though, the joke was on my dad. Or was it my mom? I can't decide. I've been trying ever since to trump my first April Fool's joke, but for some reason I always fall short. It's sort of hard to top my April Fool's genius when I was 0. I mean, do you know anyone else with the fore thought and ingenuity able to pull off the trick I did at birth? When my moms water broke on April 1st, I'm sure my mom and dad thought they'd been fooled. When I couldn't wait 15 minutes to get to the hospital to be born like most Western civilization babies, and my dad had to "catch" me on the way out (on the side of the road with a foot of snow on the ground and no interior vehicle lights, I might add) he surely must have felt that the April Fools joke was complete. But no. I didn't stop there. I decided that the rural hospital wasn't to my fancy so I held my breath and decide to labor my breathing. Voila! Trick worked and I got to be the very first passenger in a brand new transport ambulance.....that was too high for the outgoing arches. Crash, Boom, Bang.

So, I ask you. Have you ever had someone pull an April Fool's prank on you that rivals the one I pulled on my parents? One of these days I'll tell you about my second best April Fool's prank, but for now, I've got to get the birthday bustle in my hustle. Or something like that.

Are you wondering yet whether nor not you should believe what you see? I'm picturing a few internal dialogues like, "is she really pregnant? Again? I thought she was done? Isn't 5 enough?" Did I "get" any of you? Please tell me I did, because I love a good joke, and believe it or not, I've had this idea in the back of my head since I found this positive pregnancy test about 5 minutes ago laying in my drawer from the twins.

Happy Fooling!