I don't think we could be much happier

Reading and Claire snuggles? Yes please!

double trouble?

Sometimes it seems that people think having twins is an insurmountable ordeal. 

Those people don't know what they are missing out on.

Twins aren't double the trouble...they are double the cuddles!

style file

Believe it or not, I feel like becoming a mom has made me more stylish. I'm willing to be more of a risk taker- when I'm out with the girls, nobody is really looking at me, and when I am at work, everyone knows about my two little ladies, so any fashion faux pas can be played off as sleep deprivation.

Dress from American Eagle (I rarely shop there, but it pays to check out all of the stores from time to time), necklace is from a boutique called Lillian's, shoes are DV Jude (from piperlime last year- Justin got a boat, I got shoes... It seemed like a fair trade at the time) and Tory Burch purse is my anniversary gift (there is a back story, but that is a tale for another day).

I am also loving a bold lip these days. Justin isn't the biggest fan, but I think it is cute! If I am delusional and it actually looks bad, feel free to leave an anonymous comment :)

At any rate, I am having fun playing around with my look- in my teenage years I would try different looks, often with varying degrees of success. In 7th grade, I was channeling my idol du jour Cher (from clueless, not the singer- I'm not that old) and wore high heeled loafers, knee high socks, a grey mini skirt, and a blue short sleeved turtleneck (seriously, unless you burned yourself with the curling iron or have major akin issues, what is the point of a short sleeved turtleneck? Unfortunately this one made the rounds, and is forever documented in my 7th grade picture and one of my younger cousin Kelci's school pictures. Come to think of it, I also wore a short sleeved turtle neck for my 5th grade picture- and yes, if my brain retained useful information as well as it did random factoids I would totally be Amex black card wealthy). Anyways... needless to say my little ensemble in a sea of silvertabs, dr martins, and abercrombie wasn't the hippest look ever. And who could forget my beloved clown shoes? The thing about fashion is that it is always evolving- if I'm not cringing at my statement necklace and pleated dress in 15 years, Claire and Audrey most certainly will! I think the point of my whole soliloquy is wear what you love and what brings you joy- even if others (including your future self) laugh at it.

momiform

I've found that having a go to look makes getting ready much easier. My uniform includes a blousy button down (awesome ones available at express), crops, skinny jeans, or my new find- shorts (!), a statement necklace, and wedges or flats (I'm all about 4 inch heels or flats, no in the middle mullet shoes for this girl) and voila, I am ready for the day. The best part of this look is that it can be worn for work or play.

I've had lots of comments on how well rested and put together I look for having twins- I attribute this to 3 factors: picking out my outfit the night before, babies with awesome temperaments, and highlighting makeup. 

outings

Audrey and Claire had a fun filled weekend visiting family. We did lots of shopping and went out to eat several times. The girls are angels and do so well in public.

super power

All moms need at least one super power (maybe as a MOM I'll get two?). With the girls' adventures in solids came new stains to fight. I am awesome at getting out formula stains, but puréed greens were a new battle.

Justin did a few days worth of baby laundry (mistake #1 was not treating the stain immediately) and we failed to realize that the green stains didn't come out in the wash and dried the clothes (mistake #2).

I made a concoction out of vinegar, oxy clean, baking powder, and dish soap and let the garments soak overnight. When I checked it out this morning, the stains were still quite noticeable. 

I took to Facebook and got quite a few good ideas (including giving the garments to the original stain fighting super hero Grandma Helen). I did a bit of googling and read that lemon juice can work wonders... I had a whole vat of lemon juice that we bought to flavor ice chips while I was in labor (the nurses never let me use it- I was lucky to be able to sneak a couple of ice chips because I was under strict instructions not to eat or drink... True story, while I was pushing I kept thinking I could really use a snack- the wonders of epidurals). Anyways... the point is I figured I had nothing to lose by using a little lemon juice and sunshine.

I don't have a before picture, but imagine the food smeared on the girls' faces all over their adorable outfits.

 And now for the after...

Ta dah! I am proud to be a second generation stain fighting super woman. Not bad for the girl who didn't do laundry on a regular basis until graduating fro college (yes, I have less than a decade of laundering experience...just think how awesome I'll be when I'm a nonagenarian like my grandma!)

6 years

We recently celebrated our six year anniversary! Justin worked on the actual day, so we took a quick trip to minneapolis the weekend before. We checked out a few of our favorite restaurants downtown (solera and Hell's Kitchen) and tried out a few new places.

Claire and Audrey spent their first overnight away from home with Grandma Lu and Grandpa Larry. I had great success shopping and scored a Tory Burch purse (now I just need the reva flats... Maybe for Christmas? *hint, hint Justin*) I also realized that in our 6 years of marriage, I have only bought 3 purses... I hate to play favorites with my handbags... But miss tory had won that coveted spot... Supple camel leather and gold hardware? Yes please!

We stayed at the Hyatt- it was a nice location within easy walking distance to our favorite spots. Next time we go I really want to stay at W- we stopped by their lounge prohibition for a drink and loved the atmosphere! Pink lighting in the lobby? Sold! Maybe for my birthday when I turn the big 3-0?

6 months

Claire and Audrey recently had their 6 month check up- they are doing great! Claire is still a bit of a peanut and us in the 20%, but Audrey grew like a weed and is in the 92% (compared to 10% at birth). 

They received immunizations again- only a few tears were shed by the babes. I act like the shots are no big deal, so I think that helps... I've even given myself a shot before, and I'm kinda wimpy... so the girls can handle it for sure.

The girls have started solids- so far they have had green beans, broccoli,  avocado, and spinach (their fave). After edamame, they can move on to orange veggies. It will take about 2 weeks, and then they will be ready to try fruit. I've been making their food and so far it has been a cinch- I love the baby brezza.

Last Saturday Claire's two bottom teeth came in. I think she might have more coming, as she has been uncharacteristically fussy today- a trip to the mall did little to lift her spirits!

Solids

Claire and Audrey have had the opportunity to try avocado, green beans, and broccoli.

Claire has seemed more interested in her veggies than Audrey.

It will be fun when we can give fruits a try- we'll see what the doctor says tomorrow, but I think we need to go through more green and orange veggies first.

Claire says "more broccoli please!"

getting ma'amed and other shennanigans

I am officially old. I got ma'amed by the bag boy at the grocery store. Before today, the only people that have called me ma'am are over the phone customer service reps and southern gentleman.

Lets rewind to a few hours earlier. I had just gotten home from work, and the door bell rang. I wasn't expecting any visitors or packages, so I should have just ignored the door... but I went for it. Lo and behold, it was a door to door salesman. It was a young woman on an exchange program from Estonia peddling books. We chatted quite a while- she was impressed that I had actually heard of her home country. I knew I wasn't going to buy anything from her, but let her give me the song and dance.

Because I am a chatterbox that can't say no, I learned that she was celebrating her 21st birthday tomorrow. She wanted to experience local night life, so I tried to steer her in the right direction (keep in mind that for the past several years my idea of a good time has been appetizers, wine, and dessert at home or happy hour that is over by 6 or 7 pm). Anyways, as we were exchanging our goodbyes, she asked me if I had anything that could "boost her energy"... perplexed, I inquired "umm... like a glass of water?" She then responded sure- or a glass of coffee or something. I found her a bottle of tea and sent her on her way.

After some reflection, I thought that perhaps it was like a moment from the movie Clueless when Tai asked for some "herbal refreshment"

Tai: I could really use some sort of herbal refreshment.
Dionne: Oh, well we do lunch in ten minutes. We don't have any tea, but we have Coke and stuff.
Tai: No way. You guys got Coke here?
Dionne: Well, yeah.
Cher: Yeah, this is America.

As a total aside, Clueless is one of my favorite movies. I have watched it countless times. My grandma used to belong to the movie of the month club (wow, that really dates me) and my cousin Amanda and I tended to have creative control over what we ordered. Not one to fret about things like parental ratings, Grandma Verna happily obliged and ordered it for her tweenage granddaughters. (If you really want to hear about scandal, you should hear the story about the time she tried to buy my brother special lemonade at Pamida, but that is a story for another day).

Anyways, in the course of one evening I went from being mistaken for Nancy Botwin to being ma'amed. Oh well, I hope my Estonian pal enjoyed her tea.