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.

One Lovely Blog and Liebster Awards!!!

Thank you MelodyT for honoring me with these two fantastic awards! As new as I am to your blog I keep coming back for more... must be 'hunger' or something... check out her blog to see what I mean.

The first one I was nominated for is the "One Lovely Blog Award"

And the second one is the "Liebster Blog Award"

Here's a little bit of info on what the Liebster award is: Liebster is German for sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. They are given to bloggers with 200 or less followers. 

So here are the rules:
1. Link back to whoever nominated you.
2. Write 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Nominate 11 bloggers.
The next couple were rules from the Liebster award:
4. Let everyone know when you nominate them.
5. Make up 11 questions for them to answer.
6. Answer the questions that have been given to you.

So if I pick you, I am nominating you for two awards instead of just one. Then you can just follow the 6 rules listed above.

My Random Facts:
1. I am addicted to listening to my kid's laughter. And the other one too.
2. I'm not a phone person, well not to talk anyway. For texting on the other hand, heck yeah! I guess I'm just not good at carrying on a conversation on the phone, you must be in my face if you want to talk. Jeff is the chatter in our relationship.
3. It bothers me to no end when people don't use their signals while driving. They are there for a reason and I'm not a mind reader!
4. I am loving being a stay at home mom... shhh! Don't tell Jeff.
5. I am addicted to my Kindle Fire.
6. I do NOT miss the stress of work, I honestly think I'm still burnt from it.
7. After about, say 7 months or so, I finally separated the kids smaller clothing from their current sizes. It's not called lazy, it's called attachment, I swear.
8. I really wanna see Magic Mike... ahem, the story line is the only thing that interest me... really... it's not the Magic or the Mike at all. (wink wink)
9. I am dreading potty training time. I don't know that I want to deal with that just yet so I'm waiting a bit longer. Anyone with twins, ideas are welcomed.
10- I am scared of Spiders.
11- I am afraid of failing. At anything.

Questions from MelodyT for the Liebster award:
1. What is you favorite book of all time and why?
    I have to go with the whole Harry Potter Series, not just one book... sorry.
2. What is your dream vacation destination?
    Probably Hawaii again. Or even better a cruise through the islands of Hawaii.
3. What is your favorite TV series?
    Of all time? Friends. Of right now? Probably Once Upon A Time...
4. If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive. Who would it be?
    Umm, not sure if it counts but probably my 2 lost babies.
5. What is your favorite recipe?
    Coffee, 2% milk, Splenda, stir... tada!
6. Do you have any special talents?
    Yes! I can walk around carrying two toddlers at once... and that's probably about it.
7. Do you have any pets?
    Nope
8. What is your favorite movie of all time?
    I'm not sure if favorite but I enjoy watching the Lord of the Ring movies, which if funny because I love romance, but the bravery in those movies really touch me.
9. What item in your make-up bag could you not live without?
    My eyeliner.

My questions for everyone:
1- Do you have a phobia? What is it?
2- What came first, the chicken or the egg?
3- Describe yourself in 3 words.
4- Are you a night person or a morning person?
5- What is your favorite dessert?
6- Love at first sight, yay or nay?
7- Which one would you choose: books, clothes, or gadgets?
8- What is your favorite hobby?
9- Where are you right now?
10- Why do you blog?  
11- What is your favorite season?
 
Here are the Nominees! (For both awards)
1- Z's crafting and Recycling Life +
2- Baby Steps- Life as a parent
3- Stealing Baby Kisses
4- Fertile Ramblings
5- Learning to be a wife
6- Lilahbility
7- Solo Pronto
8- Newlywed Giggles
9- In Her Shoes
10- Expect the Unexpected
11- Waiting for that special Miracle 

Because what kind of Sister-in-law would I be...

...... If I didn't welcome my very own (sister-in-law) into the bloggy world?

She is awesome.... I mean, that's obvious since she married into my family. Or crazy... you know... same thing really.
She is a fantastic friend.... I'm expecting $5 for this sentence. I dropped it from $10 cause its true.
She is a wonderful mother and wife... this one is just too true, I can't squeeze any money out (darn it!)
She is brutally honest... and I like it! Everyone needs someone like her to tell you like it is. Go find your own person though, this one is mine.
and....
She is incredibly crafty.... don't believe me? check out her Etsy shop... (run over RIGHT NOW! she is having a X-mas in Summer Sale)

So what's her name?
It's Zaira.... but we call her Z for short. Why? because yes.
and you can follow her right here: Withlovebyz.blogspot.com... I even made it clicky for you so no excuses!

So, Z? my darling? WELCOME!
and prepare yourself... I think I found the perfect blogger to pick on here on this lovely Internet world... ready for some cyber fun? (that didn't sound right, I know.. but still)

The 3rd Baby talk...

Don't be silly, this is not about Jeff and me.
It's about just me.
My womb feels a bit empty.
No, I'm not dying for another baby. But this topic is coming up, because why? Well because its only logical that it should come up at some point.

There are a quite a few Internet friends that are basking in the joy of pregnancy after twins. God bless them. I was shocked to see that so many of them are on their way to their third child, mainly because this third child is from a surprise pregnancy... after infertility...umm, wow! I'm happy for them, I am, but the infertile in me is a bit jealous. I mean, think about it, isn't it natural for a woman who was so used to being envious of knocked up women to still feel that little bite in the heart? I'm not saying always, but once in a while? it hits me. And of course I immediately turn to my kiddos and love them up.

I know from experience that the third child is simply the best. Don't take my word for it though cause I happen to be a third child so my brain may be pre-programmed to such thoughts. Anyway, my tubes have been taken cared of so there wont be any surprises here, and if there is? well surprise wouldn't be the word I would use... and of course my jaw would fall right through the floor. My twinies are simply the best and they bring the most joy to my life, kids in general are amazing and fantastic, but two is the right number for us. On the other hand, if I become miraculously millionaire overnight, I'm not going to lie, I just might call up my RE to check things out about another IVF... either that or I'm going straight for a tummy tuck. OR... I might see about the tummy tuck right after the C-section... why not do combos? I mean theoretically speaking I 'would' have the money for it... so why not? And right about now... do you hear that? that's Jeff fainting on the floor at the thought of me possibly wanting another kid.

But no, we are happy with the two. I am too, really really. It's just hard for me not to wonder after all our struggles and especially when I see so many of the girls I went through my first pregnancy journey with doing it again. And joking around aside, I have one big reason why wouldn't try again. As thrilled as I would be, I would also be very very scared. You may or may not remember that my little man was born with a life threatening condition named Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia that was passed through genes. It's very rare and you can only get it if both your parents are carriers and by coincidence or bad luck somewhere in both Jeff's and my family that gene is there. We are from opposite ends of the world and we both have the genes, go figure. Noah will have a perfectly normal life he just has to take several medications daily forever. I can't do this to another child, yes there is a chance that like Natalia this other child wouldn't have CAH but if he/she does? I couldn't deal with it. I cannot tell you how haunted I am by the image of my 5 day old son staring at me in an ambulance. It's an image I constantly struggle with trying to forget but a lot of nights? I relive that nightmare and doing it again would be too much. If I didn't have this to worry about though... I can't say I wouldn't have wanted to add to the family... fainted husband or not...