Where's My T-Shirt?

I survived a week-long out-of-town trip with the twins--I deserve a t-shirt that says as much (wait, that's selling myself a bit short . . . I deserve a spa day and yes sweet husband you can have one too).

We had a wonderful time visiting my family. For the most part, the babies were fabulous (they get that from me, of course). Their bedtime routines were disrupted and we reverted back to middle of the night feedings during the trip, both were sleeping through the night before we left town.

Overall, the trip was a success and as long as our destination has at least 10 adults ready to care for the babies we should be fine for future travel.

Here's some highlights from our grand adventure:

Oma-ma & Finn reunited

This year's Christmas card photo (kidding . . . or am I?)

Mirabelle's one and only girlfriend, Naomi

(her Mama and I go WAY back . . . embarrassing high school photos and all)

My three favorite ladies posing for a photo at South of the Border . . . of North Carolina.

So Very Proud

Our social calendar perked up once we had kids (who knew!?!). We've had back-to-back events over the past few weekends--a birthday party in Myrtle Beach, potluck at our own house and Thanksgiving with my family.

Yet through this bevy of activity, one thing has remained constant: Mirabelle's ability to sleep through it all (a girl after my own heart).

Exhibit A:

Mirabelle sleeping at Cullen's birthday party

Exhibit B:

Mirabelle sleeping (in the middle of a very loud living room) at our pot luck.

Exhibit C:

Mirabelle sleeping while Uncle Charlie watches the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

I, myself, have been known to sleep through wedding receptions and rock concerts (it must be genetic).

Thankful Part 2

We survived our first house party. Nothing caught on fire, broke or needed medical attention (clear indications of success).

We had 19 adults and 12 children invade the homestead. Three sets of twins roamed the house (hired a babysitter to help out . . . so worth it). Most importantly, a beautiful mixture of old and new friends helped us celebrate our first Thanksgiving party in a new town, with new babies and a new house.

It was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

Finn & Cull-pepper kickin' it exersaucer style.

Lady Belle showing off her mad napping skills in the middle of the party.

Brave Or Just Plain Crazy

A few weeks ago we decided to throw a Thanksgiving Potluck/ House Warming party. Seemed like a good idea at the time. It's tomorrow.

What was I thinking?

Picture Perfect

Ever seen those magazine photo shoots of garden parties with 'how-to' tips on throwing your very own? Ever thought to yourself 'who in the world actually throws parties like this?' Well, I know who: my dear, sweet friend Sarah.

Her baby boy just turned 1 years old. She threw an amazing backyard birthday party that put Real Simple and Southern Living to shame. Dave and I packed up the kiddies and headed to the party on Sunday.

Here's some highlights:

Of course she wore heels

(this is the same woman who wore heels at 7 months pregnant and on semi-bed rest . . . and I'm sure who's already specified in her Will which heels she'll want to be buried in)

The birthday boy and happy family

The first birthday cake made to look like an owl.

(no owls were actually harmed in the making of this photograph)

Attempted family photo

(interrupted by the photographer's son)

Finn & Belle enjoying the great outdoors

(from a safe, well padded distance)

Good Times!

What do new parents of infant twins do for fun on a Saturday night . . .

. . . they drink wine and play Guitar Hero while the babies all sleep.

We packed the babies up and had 'game night' with Max & Ollie's parents.

Then, like the horribly cruel parents we are, woke them up and took them home. Honestly, they didn't seemed phased by it and slept the entire night once we got back home (insert sigh).

Letter In The Mail

Earlier this week we received a letter in the mail from the fertility clinic asking us if we wanted to renew our annual storage on the remaining embryos from last year's IVF (holy cats, it's been a year already?). We ended up with 7 embryos, 2 of which are Finn & Belle, the remaining 5 are in cryopreservation (here's a link to last year's embryo update for those wanting some nostalgia).

To be honest, last year we were pretty cavalier about the whole storage process opting for the 'cross that bridge when we come to it' philosophy (currently staring at said bridge). At the time our embryos felt oddly scientific, clinically alien blobs that were neither here nor there; but now two of them are DEFINITELY here (all pensive stares and goofy smiles).

If we want to keep the remaining embryos we send a check immediately. If we don't want them, we complete a form regarding our wishes for disposal. Clearly this is the not-so-bright side of a successful IVF treatment.

Personally, I think dressing the babies for the appropriate day's weather is still most challenging.

Here are some recent pics of the love bugs:

Thankful Part 1

There's a lot to be thankful for this year so instead of waiting till Nov. 26th I've decided to get an early start on things.

Today I'm grateful for my 'not-so-old-but-infinitely-wise' sister (Aunt G). She's known me all my life and is the one person who can give me truly tough-love advice (there's no fooling an older sister).

Just yesterday she let me vent about my horrible might-be-teething-or-just-bored-wouldn't-stop-crying-both-needed-holding twin day (it's not always roses for Clan Donovan). And just like magic, after our conversation, I felt cured (we've evolved from the teen-ridden pity parties on 'why do boys not like me' to much more sophisticated 'why do my babies not like me' conversations).

So 'Aunt G' I'm grateful you are my big sister and even more grateful you answer the telephone while in the middle of making sandwiches.

me and my sister playing in a sand box at Oma and Opa's house

(Germany 1979)

Like Peas & Carrots

The babies are four months. Which means we can introduce solid foods whenever the babies feel ready (how does one know when a non-verbal baby is 'ready'?). Our pediatrician said when they (a) begin showing interest in people food and (b) have good head control--to prevent choking when swallowing.

On the menu for their first feeding: peas and carrots (in honor of Forrest and Jen-A). They love it when Daddy feeds them (he sings . . . always worth a good laugh).

Lady Belle loves peas, carrots, bananas, sweet potatoes and squash, but still hates rice cereal (so we sneak it in her bottles when she's not looking). Daddy fed Mirabelle (worth remembering when you see Finn . . . who was fed by Mommy)

Finn loves it all: rice cereal, peas, carrots, bananas, squash, and sweet potatoes.

Welcome To FinnCam & Bellevision

Decided to see what the world looks like from Finn & Belle's perspective. They took a few pictures from my camera today.

Here's the world according to FinnCam & Bellevision:

Bellevision:

View from my car seat. There's my goofy brother.

Bellevision:

Looking at my pretty feet.

You like my shoes? I do too.

Bellevision:

Sitting on the front porch with Mommy while Finn takes a nap.

The way life was meant to be.

Bellevision:

Playing on the floor. There goes Bailey . . . again.

She stinks and makes funny noises all day.

FinnCam:

View from my double-wide, low-ride, pimp-daddy Caddy (aka stroller).

Mommy took me for a walk in the park.

FinnCam:

There's my whiny sister, Mira-hell.

We're playing with Mommy on the floor.

FinnCam:

See my feet? I didn't think so!

I'm like lightening, by the time you see me I'm already gone.

FinnCam:

Ceiling Fan . . . they ROCK!

FinnCam:

Lavender gettin' all up in ma grill.

FinnCam:

'Aunt Teppie' came to visit and brought her dog Max.

He's on the back porch and I'm chillin' in my exersaucer . . .

FinnCam:

I bet you wanna lick me, Doggy Max.

But I'm too fast for you!

(you can't see it, but I'm kickin' my legs super sonic-like)

Finally Putting Pampered Chef Products To Good Use

I cooked a fabulous meal this evening (if I do brag so myself). Since Nana left us (for colder, baby-less weather) our kitchen has been lonely. So tonight I rocked some online recipes and cooked a pretty well balanced meal.

My favorite website is Martha Stewart's 'Everyday Food' section. The recipes are simpler and taste really good.

Tonight's menu:

Chicken stuffed with Feta Cheese (5 ingredients, 25 mins)

Roasted Roma Tomatoes (2 ingredients, 35 mins)

Sauteed Sweet Potatoes (Nana-inspired, which technically means ingredients and cooking method changes every time)

Spinach with Bacon (3 ingredients, 20 mins)

Pumpkin Pie (cheated, store bought)

Dinner tasted so good Dave offered to clean the kitchen for me!

4 Month Update

The twins had their 4 month infant cruelty session today. Both babies are growing like weeds (literally . . . Mirabelle's height is still off the chart and Finn is about to join her).

The day's activities were exhausting for Lady Belle (she retired at 6p). Finn, on the other hand is still up and smiling (it's 8:32p).

Nothing outstanding from this appointment, other than convincing our doctor to moonlight as an overpriced 'Board-certified' babysitter to the rich and famous (we negotiated a 10% cut). Keep your fingers crossed on this new venture (Harvard ain't cheap, but then neither is community college these days).

Our poor babies also endured another round of immunization shots. We tried the infant Tylenol 30 mins. before appointment (they still cried something close to pathetic). As a consolation prize, Mommy and Daddy enjoyed ice cream cones on the drive home.

Mriabelle weighs 14 lbs and is 26.5 inches tall. Finn weighs 13 lbs 6 oz and is 26 inches tall. I found a pretty cool growth chart tracking device on the Gerber website.

Here's a snapshot of the babies' growth rates since birth:

Mirabelle's weight at 4 months

Mirabelle's height at 4 months (SU-PER Model!)

Finn's weight at 4 months (lean and mean lovin' machine)

Finn's height at 4 months

(see that steep incline between 2 - 4 months? It directly correlates to an increase in late night feedings . . . grrrrh)

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was a success! Friday night we hired a babysitter and went to a pumpkin carving party. Saturday my folks came up to help us celebrate the twins' first Halloween.

The day started with a cookout at Max & Ollie's place, followed by a trunk or treat event in our neighborhood. Then we headed home to put two exhausted babies to bed.

Here's some pics from our weekend of fun:

Halloween party at Max & Ollie's

Finn, Belle, Colin, Ollie and Max

Master Yoda prepares to give out treats

Princess Leia with Aunt Quinn

Belle and Finn passing out halloween candy