Monroe, Louisiana

Let me just start by saying I have never heard of Monroe, LA, that is, until about 15minutes ago. My husband's client, Qwest Communications, was just bought out by a company that is headquartered in Monroe, LA. What does this mean of us? Well, I'm not entirely sure, but I did just get a phone call from the hubbie asking if I wanted to move there. I think it would be fun to move somewhere, like an adventure. But I can't say I was thinking Monroe, LA, or anywhere in the South for that matter. When I think of moving I think San Diego, Hawaii, or somewhere overseas. That would be an adventure! But Monroe, LA? Ughh! According to the official Monroe website there is a swine flu outbreak, flood hazards and information on hurricane preparedness. Ok, um, not the best first impression! Hopefully Qwest (and thier business) will stay in Denver otherwise I'm in big trouble. I could be broke or a resident of Monroe, LA! Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Disrespectful, really?

I met up with a friend the other day who has a son a couple months older than my girls. We met at my friend's mom's house, weird, I know, but it is central to both of us so it worked. Anyway, there is absolutely NO baby proofing in the entire house and the strangest part is that the little boy (15 mos.) doesn't get into anything. Not a single latch on a cabinet, tables are full of doo-dads, mostly glass, picture frames everywhere, I mean nothing is protected. It took about 6 seconds before my girls realized they could reach all of the glass doo-dads and proceeded to try and grab every single item in the house. My friend's mom commented that her grandson is just incredibly respectful. Now, this has me a bit confused. Is it possible that my girls are disrespectful? Until now, I just wrote off their curiosity as, well, just that, curiosity. Isn't it normal for babies to explore their surroundings using ALL of their senses? And, isn't touch one of those senses? I'm not afraid to tell my girls, "no" when they are around sockets, getting too close to the stairs, etc., but I also have socket plugs and a baby gate blocking the stairs. Does this make me a bad mom that my babies aren't incredibly respectful, or, is it just really weird that this kid isn't going through the Tupperware in the cabinets? I'd like to think that he is a little off, but he really does appear to be quite normal aside from the lack of curiosity thing. Who knows, but I'm not going to write my girls off as disrespectful just yet.

Best Day Ever!

So, I'm minding my own business this morning when my dad called. Very calmly he said to me, "I got you a gift that you might like." Now I love my dad, but it is hit or miss with his gifts. I've gotten a fluorescent green, one size fits all Olympics hat: miss. Hand held roto-rooter: miss. I was skeptical. Let me just say, he hit the nail on the frickin' head this time. I am the proud new owner of a BOB twin jogging stroller! I cannot explain to you how awesome this thing is! Aside from the fact that it is the size of a Smart Car, it is wonderful! I LOVE it!!!

I've been thinking about my next stroller purchase a lot lately after my dumb-ass mom moment and a run in with some Thornton thieves, but I have not once mentioned any of it to my dad! Completely on his own, he goes to REI, buys a stroller (the best stroller ever) and now it's mine!

I went running, well, run-walking this afternoon, and it really is the best. It rolls so smoothly, turns on a dime and the girls were in shade the whole time. Big improvement from the Twin Jeep stroller I've been rockin' since the girls outgrew the Snap'N'Go. Anyway, life is good! Such a good day!

A Lot Has Been Happening!

In tune with my last post, I've been busy! The most exciting thing that has happened lately is the girls' first birthday! I know everyone says this, BUT, it went by so fast! I can't believe it's already been a year. It is incredible to see just how far they've come. They both can walk (well at least take a couple of steps before plowing into the ground), express themselves, chatter, play, and even joke. When the girls were itty bitty, people always used to tell me, unsolicited, of course, that it gets so much better. I brushed them off because I couldn't imagine that it could possibly be any more fun that it already was, but they were right!

I saw a one month old the other day and didn't miss it a bit! Yea, their sweet and cuddly at that age, but I would much rather be pushed away when I try to give hugs because there is nothing better than, fill in the blank: watching them rolling on the floor laughing, feeding themselves, seeing them get so excited they can't contain themselves when, again, fill in the blank: Daddy comes home from work, they discover a squirrel in the tree, they see chickens, ducks, rabbits, the list goes on and on! It is the best!

We celebrated their birthday at our house with friends old and new. It was mostly for Will and me because, let's be honest, they're never going to remember it! But it is important to celebrate these milestones because once we hit them, we can never go back. Soon it will be kindergarten and not too long after that, college. I look forward to watching them grow. If the years to come bring half the joy of the previous year, then I have a lot to look forward to!

Blog On...This One's for you, Kelly!

I'm laid back. I live life a little bit slower than some. Could be why I don't write as much as I should. I swear I'm busy. Though, my busy is looking a lot different than it did before kids. For example, today I was busy. 9:45: met tenant in Boulder (sans babies), did walk through of condo. 10:30: Target, desperately needed pacifiers and sippy cups. Home by 11:00 to relieve babysitter. 3:00: met friend (with babies this time) in Longmont for walk. 5:00: picked up Efrain's for dinner, Will's favorite!

Sure there was a lot going on between these tasks: 12 diaper changes, seven feedings, play time, nap time, break downs, laundry, dishes, etc., but when did all of this become my life? I suppose the answer to this question is obvious, but it's only just now becoming evident to me how different my life actually is now that I have kids. Why now? Perhaps because I'm finally coming up for air, perhaps because I'm bored, perhaps because I'm surrounded by people who in my opinion are doing so much "more" than me. I'm not entirely sure why, but I do know that I want "more" for myself too. I'm feeling inadequate, not because of the comparisons I make of myself to others, well maybe a little, but mostly because I'm not feeling fulfilled.

I'm stuck though, a crossroads I guess. What's next? I have NO idea! School? Back to work? Something new, something old? Again, I have NO idea! Sometimes I wish someone would just tell me what to do. It seems like that would be so much easier. Until then, it's time for me to find purpose again. I just hope that I figure it out soon because today's busy just isn't busy enough.

Ughhhh...Bikini Photos!

So, it was a great trip, how couldn't five nights in paradise be a great trip, BUT, pictures are now coming up on my friend's Facebook pages and I can't say I'm all that excited to be tagged in photos with nothing more than a bikini! Ughhh! It is especially confidence busting that I'm standing next to really skinny girls. Don't these people know I had twins less than a year ago (I'm going to be milking that for as long as possible)! I can't say I look any different in a bikini now than I did before having kids. I guess that's good, all the baby weight is gone, but I also can't say I would have been pleased in bikini photos pre-babies. My non six pack abs of today are the same ones I was rockin' pre-pregnancy. I seriously considered buying a tankini for this trip, but after trying on the 10th one with a God awful print and no support, I decided it would be better to let it all hang out. Oh well, I guess it could be worse, this time last year I was pregnant and had horrendous back acne. Gotta love hormones!

Settled In

It seems to take so much longer to get settled into my routine after coming home from a trip now that I have kids, but I'm finally done. I am back. Bags are unpacked. Laundry is done, well, most of it anyway, and we're back in the swing of things here in suburbia.

I just spent an amazing five nights away on an incentive trip through my husband's work. First night was in Hotlanta at the W Hotel and the next four were in beautiful Puerto Rico. We stayed at El Conquistador Resort. It is stunning. Built on 500 acres, tons of pools, and its own private island with the most wonderful Carribean blue water. Check out the website because I can't give justice to how lovely this place actually is. www.elconresort.com Oh yea, and it was FREE! Keep up the good work, honey!

The girls stayed with my parents which sounds like it went really well. That or my mom lied, knowing that I would be overly worried if something weren't working. None the less, Grandma, Grandpa and the girls made it through the week without any reported troubles. THANK YOU MOM AND DAD! I really am lucky to have such wonderful parents close by so that Willy and I can do things like this. Oh, I must also extend my appreciation to my mom's book club. Two people visited daily (morning and afternoon) to relieve some of the burden. Again, thank you!

Overall, it was a great experience. First time away from the girls and I will definitely be doing it again! I'm in a better mood now that I'm back which I attribute mostly to the trip, but it can't hurt that the girls are sleeping again too. Life is good!