I'm on some kind of vacation...

.... from house management.

Since I've been home, I've decided I am the House Manager. Is there a difference between now and when I was working? No... this is just more full day/night time  and official. Well that..... and I want a title darn it!

Anyway, after the kids birthday they decided to get a cold and to turn up their crankiness. So I, like any understanding boss, gave myself a vacation no questions asked. I know... you are jealous.  I am a pretty cool boss... errr don't ask Jeff though, you know there is always one who doesn't appreciate a manager's authority. And yes, technically I should write him up or give him a warning of insubordination but like in any other workplace... we happen to be the two with the inappropriate office romance. What can say? I am a shameless boss. No worries though, the President and Vice President of the house (Noah and Natalia) are quite OK with this romance, they find it makes me more... uhh... efficient. They even gave me a raise. I get way more hugs and kisses than before, woot woot!

But back to this vacation... what exactly is different? Well yes, I am home STILL, taking care of the kids and even MORE now with that cranked up cranky behaviour, and cooking and doing dishes and all that... this is starting to sound not-so-good so I'm going to stop now before I start hating on my boss, so moving on.... BIG DRUM ROLL: 1-No laundry! Wooohooo! OK, so I realize this may not be a big deal to you but not doing laundry right now with these two hanging on me like little monkeys is a big deal... 2-Not picking up after their toys.... if they see them and want to play I say GO. 3- I'm blogging... cause you and I both know its ALL their fault that I'm not around. 4-More TV and 5-More reading on my Kindle. There.... that's all. That was the whole big deal. Whatever, at least I wrote something this time instead of posting a ton of pics ;)

They are TWO!!!

My, my... how quickly they grow...

My little Angel Noah and little devilish Angel Natalia turned 2 on Monday.
And what did they do for the big day? They went pumpkin picking, then out to eat then had their birthday cake cut with us and their grandparents... BUT before that they had a little cake cutting on Saturday also. We opted out of a big party but had their immediate first cousins with their parents and their grandparents to share their pre-birthday with.

The kids sure enjoyed all the attention. And the presents, of course. And since they are obsessed with Minnie and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse I decorated a corner for them to take pictures and to set the cake. Let me tell you, they are still going crazy over it... at this point I think I might be dreaming of Minnie every darn hot dog night!

Anyway, here are those two old farts:
Saturday 10/06

Daddy and his girl

Mommy and her boy

 Cake, cake, cake!

 

And more cake!

We also celebrated my sister and my brother-in-law's

20th wedding anniversary

 

On their actual birthday

Monday 10/08

 

 

And later that day....

It's my birthday!
No, it's my birthday!
Then why is there only one cake?
Cause Mommy said if we share a belly we share a cake...
That's going to get old soon...

Happy Birthday Natalia, I love you!

I love you too Noah, Happy Birthday!
... Man I really wanna lick your cake...

Grandpa Pedro, Tim, Natalia, Noah, Grandma Paddie and Grandma Joyce

The whole family:
Jeff, Shanny, Natalia, Noah,
Mickey, Minnie and Daisy...

The Kids:

 They grow way too fast!

Yes, everyone says that, like all the time about all kids...

well, everyone is right.

These two little ones are up to lots of good things:

They like to spell words,

Noah more than Natalia... typical girl, she has to be in the mood.

They like to have family dinner, even if they are forced to sometimes.

They like it I say!

They are obsessed with balls.

Noah loves basketball & really knows how to dunk, even from a distance.

Natalia can kick a ball with a fantastic force and good aim.

They are still all about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,

though they call it Minnie.

They also like Little Einsteins. Good, that's what I need them to be.

They say "excuse me" if they fart. And if you do they

will remind you to say it too, no if's and's or but's.... once again

Noah more than Natalia because she just likes to do what she wants,

when she wants, and if she wants.

If we sneeze or cough, they love to fake cough & laugh at us. Over & over.

And over again.

If they go into the bathroom with you,

once you are done they say either: "Bye bye peepee"

Or "Bye bye bathe."

They also like to say "Bye bye nite nite" when we take

 them out of their bedroom.

If they are in their bedroom, you must knock the door before going in,

and you are only allowed to enter if they say: "come in"

All in all,

they are very good kids, Noah is an angel and umm...

Natalia is too... you know, in an evil kinda way.

After almost two years,

I'm fairly confident that I'm keeping them.

Summer Pictures

A few weeks ago we took the kiddos to

a park. We denied their grandparents

their usual Sunday visiting rights

just so we could do this.

One day,

but they get pictures so it's not mean, right?

And before you ask why they are wearing jeans,

well....

they like to run and fall when they are outside and

they get scratches so I figured I was protecting them,

turns out...

the floor at the park is very cushion-like and soft, ah well!

On the wobbly bridge,

Noah is trying to catch me

And Natalia is holding on to Daddy for dear life,

she is such a scaredy cat.

On the swings,

as you can see...

Dunno why I have the need to describe but whatev!

I wont describe this one...

...Or this one.

Obviously I have faith in you to figure it out.

But this one? I shall explain,

They are on some musical noise making jumpy thingy.

How is that for a description?

A few videos

(mostly for grandma's enjoyment)

Mmmm, a rare treat, me likey!

Heaven!

I'm cute!

Me too! 

We Like Quack Quacks!

Yes, even if they are cut outs.. and we can't see them. Sup wid Dat Mommy?

O.0.

Guess who! 

Sometime later,

Maybe a week or two or even before, Natalia enjoying mashed potatoes:

Ummm, just the way you are supposed to eat them,

with your whole face!

 Messy Baby!

You are supposed to eat it like me:

clean and serious.. food is no joke!

Oh yeah?

Well, let Mommy give us a bath and I'll tackle you

for calling me messy!

You can tackle me BUT

can you DUNK like me?

And No, I wont fall my Aunty will catch me,

it's not like Daddy was holding me and was photoshopped,

I'm this good! (I swear!)

This past Sunday:

gosh they are growing!

Natalia chilling!

A rarity...

Noah.

Right after Mommy & Daddy attempted to give him

his first Mohawk.

Never mind that it's not perfect: He is perfect!





When You Are Not In Control Anymore

Do not let guilt overcome you,

Do not fight faith,

Just pray.

Don't immerse yourself in the "what ifs"

if you said it or not, they know.

Just believe.

Do not give up on miracles,

they do happen,

even if its within you.

A change for the positive is a miracle,

isn't it?

Learn from your mistakes,

teach those around you what you learned

simply by doing.

When your world seems to be in a turmoil,

know the importance of not taking anyone for granted,

especially yourself.

It's OK to need others,

to rely on them,

and to be scared.

Be appreciative for the memories you've made along the way,

enjoy them,

be grateful you have them.

Before you ask: I'm just sad because my grandfather isn't doing well. I'm sad to know that my Mom and Aunts are under stress and breaking down, and I'm guilty of not visiting him enough. Being a new Mom doesn't stop me from being a granddaughter, and yet here I am, not by his side. Noah is sick at the moment so I can't be there but before that? I'm guilty of letting my life getting in the way. Say a little prayer, would you?

We Have Poopy Parties Up In Here!

Errr... the kids do...

These two little ones love, and I mean LOVE, to poopy at the same time. Always.
Okay most of the time, like 9 times out of 10, they go at the same time. They are very considerate I think. I get to change their diapers at the same time and have it be over with. The downside? The smell of course... you know the rosy smell I'm talking about... its fantastic. They like to come around each other when one is being changed and they give each other dirty looks like... what's that saying? Their own shiiiit don't stink. Noah goes for the dramatic gag once in a while and Natalia rolls her eyes at him.

The nerves of her... she once got picked up by her father while I was in the shower (thank God) and he came running in asking: "Shan? What did she put on me face? It smells like poop." I of course had the natural response: I burst out laughing. If I could have taken a picture I would have.... the petrified look on his face was priceless. It was also on his shirt and arms so I did the other natural thing... I ran away from them and went to clean my boy. Their shit: their problem, heehee.

So yeah... that's what happens in my house. Come over and maybe you'll catch one of the usual two party sessions they have. And who said non-identical twins weren't in sync?

For You Facebook: Hiding, Posing & Dieting...

Thank you Facebook. I think...
In all fairness this could be for all Social Medias.
You guys are great tools... and I do mean "tool" in all forms.

Me? I am talking directly to Facebook because I don't have the other stuff. Facebook has inspired me even more than I already was to become fit. First of all, I hardly... if ever... post pictures of myself so I like hiding behind the camera, thankyouverymuch. But if I go out, I'm always trying to pose because, well... have you seen the pics people tag you in? They don't exactly take the same consideration in looking for the best poses and flattering shots that you do for yourself. You know what I'm talking about, don't you? Don't lie now.

Yes, I could delete my account but then I wouldn't know which pictures of me are floating around would I? So now I'm using my love/hate relationship with FB to work out even harder so that I don't cringe when I see myself on other people's pages. Or in my "tag" album... where anyone can see them, eek! I'm not doing this only because I lack self-confidence but also to save others from going blind. I hope the effort is appreciated, that's all I'm saying.

And it's not that there is really anything wrong with the pictures, not much anyway, but aren't we our biggest critics? Photos that Jeff has posted of me have me hanging my head in shame while he loves the looks, so no they aren't bad. This post is basically about two things: I'm hard on myself and I have FB to thank for my (depending on how it goes) anorexic or sexy future. So since I can't control what pics go up of me I can control the "me" they take a pic of. You have the summer and the beach as inspiration, I have FB.

I know I sound like a cry baby... but deep down, I'm sure you get it. If you don't, then clearly you don't have a frontal ass to deal with. I have issues, obviously, and yes FB has made me face a reality that I can't ignore but because this is a sensitive topic I'm putting a disclaimer: I don't have a disorder or taking this overly too serious. I know that I have the pouch because of my laziness it was home to my adorable twins but I can still want to look better can't I?

Also, I'm not stopping anyone from taking photos or posting them, I'm just saying: prepare yourself for a tinier facebooker... fingers crossed.