This year I am Thankful for...

... that I am a Mom

... for the kind of father Aaron is

... that both my babies came home from the hospital

... for my healthy happy boys

... that I am no longer pregnant

... for my grandparents

... for my marriage

... for the joys these precious boys bring into our life.

Black Friday Success

We got up at 2:30am after just an hour or two of sleep, and headed out! We were in line for our first item at 3:00, where I left Aaron and headed out to a few places opening at 4. By 7am, we had hit 9 stores and were back home as our boys were waking up!

We got a car full of stuff, but my favorite is a gorgeous cashmere-wool blend peacoat (MUCH needed to replace my old ratty one!) for $49 that was originally over $200! We got a new digital frame for $30 ($70+ off), Webkinz Lil'Kinz for $3.50, a few gifts for others (that I'm not sure what to do with, considering I'm already "done" with shopping and most of it is already wrapped... might end up keeping some :)), some picture frames and things for around the house, and a small (22") HDTV for $250 (was $550). There was more, but it's all piled in the living room downstairs and my brain is fuzzy.

We got great bargains for sure, but I was mostly impressed with our efficiency! ;)

I hope you had a great Black Friday!

Wordless Wednesday

This time last year....

I was getting my "headcount" ultrasound, because of my ridiculously high beta and it revealed.... it's twins! Weren't they cute :))

Baby A


Baby B

This is the life...

We just got back from getting holiday portraits and running some errands. The boys are due to eat, but are surprisingly just opting to play instead of freak out.

Ryder is on his belly, leaning 'over' Kyran, who is on her back. Ryder blows raspberries, Kyran cracks up at him. Ryder looks at Kyran sweetly, Kyran talks -- telling him to do it again? He does so, spraying spit all over his brother's face, making him laugh even harder.I in turn laugh at them, out loud, causing them to look quickly in my direction. I get on the floor with them and laugh some more... they laugh at me... we all erupt in giggles at one another.

I am so blessed.

We are Happy to Be Home!!!

We got home Sunday night from Tahoe. It was a fun, relaxing trip. Bobbie and the boys had a blast while we were gone, and I was glad to have these next two days to catch up with her, as Aaron heads back to work.

Right now, Bobbie and I are experimenting with the boys, with sweet potatoes.

It seems to be going over very well, what do you think???

My Hubby is so full of surprises!

The day started off perfect today, with Aaron whispering in my ear, sleep in today. I will get up with the boys. I was not going to complain, and fell back to sleep. I must of been exhausted because the next time I looked at the clock it was 10:30 AM. I paniced and freaked and jumped out of bed, Aaron and the boys were no where to be found. This was odd, he had to be at work 2 hours ago, and definately could not take two 5 months old with him.

I called his cell... no answer. I called his work the secertary said he took the day off (HOW COME I DIDN'T KNOW!!!). What could those boys be up too??? Well 20 minutes later, they walk through the door, with none other then his sister Bobbie. I was delightly and estatic. We have not seen family since our move. I was overwhelmed with joy that I started to cry.

She politely informed me those, that she was here on business, to give Aaron and I a weekend away, because we have not had much time to ourselves and that it was our 17th anniversary from the first time Aaron kissed me, we were 8 yrs. old and it was a joke.

Aaron thought it would be great to go to Tahoe for the weekend, just the two of us and celebrate. As Aaron gets the snacks ready to watch a movie, and I read my e-mails, I have to share this picture I received from Bobbie tonight. I know the boys are having way too much fun, and our in the perfect hands, while Aaron and I get some R & R, before I big trip with Auntie Leslie.

I should of slept at the airport!!!!

Aaron had his first business trip since we moved to Los Angeles in New York City today. We would have went as a family if a) they boys were feeling better b) we were not going on vacation in less then 25 days and c) if he would of been gone longer than 24 hours.

Yes, my wonderful Hubby flew to New York at about midnight last night and returned home around 6:00 tonight.

Since there was no way, I was going to allow him to take a taxi to or from the airport. We as a family, took him down, which is about an hour away from our house. Therefore, the boys and I did not get home to about 2:00 AM, I will tell you that they slept through most of this. They are getting very good at falling asleep anywhere (We are practicing for our upcoming trip). We left our house again 4:00 PM, to pick him up.

I have seen too much of LAX today, and I hope that the next time we all leave as a family.

Wordless Wednesday

My poor baby! :(

So Ryder has been sick for a while now. About 13 days ago, he had a bit of a stuffy nose. Nothing special. A few days after that it started draining, but still nothing special. On Tuesday, I called his Pediatrician because he started these AWFUL coughing fits. As per evidence the AAP has, we wouldn't start antibiotics until the 2 week mark because it's more likely viral. I totally get that.

Today, the cough sort of subsided! Ryder most certainly was not better, because he is a different child than I have ever seen today. Sleeping non-stop, clingy as all get out (crying if left down for even a second, and usually even crying in my arms), not eating (what?!) and... spiking fevers left and right. After Tylenol, it was 102. It was 103 and climbing quickly when the Tylenol faded after an hour or two.

Ears looked "pink but not 103 pink". Throat looked "pink but not 103 pink". Lungs sound ok, but per our (brilliant, I think!) pediatrician, sometimes kids "hide" pneumonia. "Let's just rule it out", he says.

Or, let's just rule it in. He has pneumonia! :( I'm glad we caught it fairly early, and praying that it's bacterial and responds to antibiotics quickly, because he's miserable. He had a terrible day as it was, then went to the doctor and had stuff stuck up his nose and on his fingers, then to the hospital for xrays, IV blood draws and heel sticks.

Please keep him in your prayers, and Kyran as well -- he's about 7 days behind in symptoms but following the same path. The good news is, that likely just means he has the same virus that started it all. The odds are in his favor that he won't also have it settle into pneumonia, but at least we know what we're dealing with.

We'll see Dr. B again tomorrow to make sure he isn't getting worse. I'll keep you posted!

Wordless Wednesday

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

The boys are still way to young to understand Halloween or go Trick or Treating. Aaron and I decided to get into the Halloween Spirit and check out the Los Angeles Haunted Hay Ride. Well I have never been so SCARED in my whole entire life.

The main event is the Hayride, it is about 20 minutes long. You are pulled by a tractor which is driven by a friendly neighbourhood zombie, through the forest. Spiders fall from the trees, insane asylum inmates greet you at every turn, and creatures that don’t even have a name threaten to jump into your trailer. I was so frightened that I was clinging onto Aaron for dear life.

We also purchased tickets for the Ghost Stories event (which is more up my Halloween speed ). On our given night we were presented with stories called Halloween old and new. These stories included the ones of urban legends and mystery that everyone swears is true. I was content to sit around the fire and drink my hot chocolate, and ease some of my nerves from the thriller hayride.

The last attraction was the Haunted Carnival, which is more family friendly. I would never take the boys on the Hay Ride until they are teenagers, but give them another year, and they would enjoy the Carnival. We tested out the Hay Maze (not very difficult), painted a pumpkin (I am a child at heart), and Aaron tested his skills at Carnival Games. While I had another Hot Chocolate.

All in all, it was nice to have some alone time with my hubby, but was more excited to get home to my sleeping boys.