Mompetitors

This video has been going around and I feel like it's pretty apt for how I've been feeling lately. I think about every 6 months or so babies around our age start going through major developmental changes. This time around it's toddler beds, talking and potty training.

That video above while funny isn't really true. I haven't ran into moms as bad as that, but sometimes in my head it feels that way. I think I put so much pressure on myself and think "omg what if I'm doing it wrong". I hear criticism that isn't there.

Logically I know there isn't one set way to parent and I like how my kids and I are with each other. I like letting them grow at their own pace it just seems RIGHT for us, BUT there is always that voice that thinks maybe it's wrong maybe I am messing them up for life.

I am pretty sure this voice never goes away and that I should just be a little easier on myself. They will talk, they will be ready for potty training and toddler beds much sooner than I'm ready for. I guess I just just lighten up on myself and if you're reading this and you're a mom you should too.

49lbs of adorableness

Today someone said something that I think about a lot. "I wonder what it would be like to only have one baby."

I usually think about this when I take the babies out in public by myself. Do you know how heavy a double jogging stroller is?? Especially when it's crammed in the trunk of a Hyundai Elantra. Lately though every once in awhile I get to leave it behind.

The babies are great walkers now. They love walking around you can see how free and independent they feel. I don't let them walk around parking lots much at all. Really, I only allow it when we are in small parking lots to and from parks.

So we sort of have a routine down. First I go to Ty's side and put on his Elmo harness, then he gets to walk over with me to Lexi's side. He REALLY likes tires so that usually keeps him occupied until I get her out. She refuses to walk just sits and cries and it makes me sad so I carry her. Then we slooowwwlly let Ty walk into the playground area.

This process takes about 15 minutes. Gravel and sidewalks are very fascinating to a 17 month old. Finally we make it to the gate and I can let them free and then spend 45-60 min chasing them in opposite directions trying to keep them from running up the stairs and falling and breaking their necks. Such as today when Lexi did have a bit of a tumble but she was ok just scared and luckily another mom grabbed Ty before he ran up the stairs on the other side of the playstructure.

Finally when it's time to go I have to convince them to leave as you can imagine getting to the car is much much harder than getting out. Usually it ends with me lugging a baby under each arm across the parking lot. (like today!) And when that happens it's usually when I think jeez it must be nice to just have to lug 26lbs of baby around... BUT I still wouldn't trade my 49lbs of baby for all the non-aching backs in the world.

Hi Lexi where is your brother?



Oh wait there he is, Ty ...Ty..... Come back here!

I love you sunshine

The past week has been a bit of a blur for us. We had a couple days where Ty got a random fever and crankiness. I'm guessing teething? I wonder when they'll get all their teeth in and I have to stop blaming teething for every ailment. Soon I hope.

Lexi and I got to spend some quality time together on Friday. We went to a local children's resale shop that was collecting donations for the San Bruno Fire victims. We droped off some stuff and helped out. Well mostly I helped and Lexi took advantage of being able to run around the store. Still it was nice to just take out one baby and be able to help.

I don't often get to spend time with just one of them at a time and especially taking one out in public with me. People always ask where the other twin is and if I feel like I'm forgetting something. And while yes of course I miss whoever isn't there, it's nice sometimes to feel like a "normal" mom. To be able to just carry one baby into a store for a quick trip in and out without lugging around a double stroller.

I think even more than being able to take out just one baby at a time I love having family time with all of us. It's just so much easier! We spent the last day of Craig's days off at Golden Gate Park. With him working nights I spend so much time taking them out alone that I treasure our family time. We spent an hour finding parking and couldn't really get to the good part of the park, but we did find a little grassy area for the babies to run around in. The bonus was they got to watch older kids play soccer they loved it.

Pretty good week even if there were a few hiccups, and the sunshine always makes everything better.

This place is a zoo! (yes I do know how cheesy I am)

So we live on the coast and it's foggy, A LOT, like most of the summer. Today though was actually beautiful and warm so I decided at 10:30 to get the kids ready for an impromptu trip to the zoo.

For their birthday we got a family membership and it has been one of our best family purchases. The SF zoo is small but really lovely there are nice nature trails and a huge playground. The babies always love to go there but lately as they are getting bigger they are not wanting to be in the stroller all the time. They want to RUN!

This might be possible if there was only one of them or maybe two of me, because there isn't we have LEASHES. Yes that's right I'm one of "those" parents.

I was very apprehensive about using them in public especially living in the bay area. Surprisingly I really only got one glare and I didn't let it phase me. Lexi was a bit cranky and preferred to be held or in the stroller (the dreaded molars!) but Ty was in heaven!

He ran and tugged on his leash and yes tripped a few times, but I think that was more from being a newish walker than the leash. He was so happy I wish I could have gotten it on tape but it's a bit harder to hold a leash and push a double stroller than I thought it would be.

Just imagine the hugest happiest proudest grin you can and that was my little boy today. So I don't care how many glares I get from people that don't understand.

Did you know Croup still exists??

That's where I've been for a week and half. We have had the croup around here. When I told a friend that Ty had it she said "Isn't that like smallpox didn't we get rid of that?". My thoughts exactly!

I had to rush poor Ty to the ER at 5am last week because of his breathing and a nasty cough. Of course I caught an adult version to go with the nasty allergy cough I've had for the past 2 months. And then Ty and I got better and I thought *whew* Lexi is safe...no such luck. OH well I think we are all now finally on the mend.

As I was trying to figure out how in the world we caught it since no one in our playgroup has it and those are really the only kids we hang out with. I even thought OK maybe from the park? Then, I remembered that 2 weeks ago we were desperate. Babies were climbing and terrorizing the living room so I let them go to the mall and play there. You know those play areas where all the kids in the city play. I used to call them germ havens. TURNS OUT.. I was right.

As I thought about how I vowed never to take them there I realized how far I have come as a preemie mom. If you have ever had a preemie you know how the NICU drills cleanliness and sanitizing into your head. I mean I haven't always followed every single rule and over the last year I've gotten a lot more lax.

I still am pretty strict on some things (such as the germ haven!) but yesterday we went to the beach as a family and even though it killed me thinking about dogs, other kids, seagull poop, etc. I let my kids chew on sticks. Let's hope they don't catch smallpox.

YUM Stick!


Wonder if the whole thing will fit...