earning my good housekeeping seal of approval

Tonight, for the first time I can ever recall, I was able to make chocolate chip cookies without it being premeditated. I am on a quest to lose the last 10 pregnancy pounds (because in 3 more months it doesn't count as baby weight, just regular weight) so I have rid my house from the normal stash of oreos (don't worry, I can get my fix when I visit Grandma Helen). Anyways, I was desperate for a sweet treat... I had a few plain chocolate chips, and even thought about concocting a mixture of chocolate chips, peanut butter, and cheerios... Staring in the cupboard, I realized I had flour, brown sugar, and regular sugar. A quick check of the fridge showed I had both butter and eggs (thankfully Justin's parents had visited us recently- that is pretty much the only time we have eggs just because). Thanks to my coworkers recent (within the past two years, anyways) trip to Mexico, I have a lifetime supply of vanilla. The only wild card was baking soda... it took some digging, but I spotted that rectangular orange box in all of its glory.

To add to the excitement, I was able to have raw cookie dough in over a year! That was the hardest thing for me to give up during pregnancy- wine? No big deal. Luncheon meat? Sold. But cookie dough??? Seriously, how much harm could a tiny bit of raw egg have anyways... but not wanting to take the risk, I abstained. Besides, my Grandma Verna always said raw cookie dough would give you worms (although my cousins and I all had copious amounts of it growing up, and I have yet to hear of any of us ever suffering from that ailment) and I had more serious complications to worry about (remember my pupps??)

Anyways, time to enjoy my cookies while they are still warm!

silly baby

Tonight Audrey only wants to sleep in my arms... The minute I put her down in her crib she starts fussing. Occasionally she'll need a few extra snuggles before bedtime, but tonight it has been an hour and a half of fighting bedtime.

I think she looks so precious in this picture- check out those eyelashes! Thankfully I am home with the girls tomorrow, so I *should* get the chance to sleep in a little. 

Off to see if my little sweetie is ready for the crib- this could be a long night!

 

tiger mother

It is never too early to start with piano lessons...

I make Claire practice until she passes out from exhaustion. Move over Amy Chua, there is a new Tiger Mother in town!

prepping for solids

Claire and Audrey will be ready for solids in about two weeks. Our preparation started months ago, when we (ok, everyone in the family but me) planted a garden at my parents' house. We planted a small garden last year, but since we have 2 more mouths to feed we went all out and planted a giant garden. We might just start a stand at our local farmers market. My dad even bought a fancy smancy rototiller... Let me tell you, we are not messing around with this operation.

Part of our bountiful harvest- this was just two rows of beans! We also planted squash, beets, and a few other things... the girls will have a well rounded palate.

I couldn't wait to test out the food processer.

I think we are going to invest in the baby brezza- it steams and purées in one step. I'm pretty determined to make all of the girls' food, so it should be a good purchase.

Because I have a compulsive need to prepare, I washed the baby dishes and found cabinet space for them.

The bambinos even had the opportunity to test out their high chairs and practice using utensils.

royal baby

I'm excited about the impending arrival of the royal baby... Pretty sure I woke up in the middle of the night to watch Will and Kate's nuptials, so imagine my delight when Audrey woke up for her 5 am feeding and I learned the baby is on his/her way.

In my dream, the baby was a girl named Penelope Treasure... Lets hope they come up with a better name!

grocery shopping

Tonight we visited both local targets and bought out their entire stock of enfamil. I am convinced that it would be less expensive to feed a ravenous pack of 16 year old boys. 

Our girls are super adorable... Maybe enfamil wants to use them as models in exchange for 7 months of free formula?

early readers

Audrey and Claire are quite precocious  and have already started reading novels- Sophie Kinsella is a favorite.

I have found that reading my favorite books aloud is a win-win... I get in extra reading time and the girls get extra story time. I'm sure it won't be long before they demand that I read them Goodnight Moon 20 times in a row, so I am taking advantage of having complete control of their literary pursuits.

Audrey taking advantage of independent story time.