Twin Tales +1: The life and times of Ella and Aidan, and their baby sister, Lauren
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Struggling
I have been absent on this blog for what seems like an eternity.
Posts are rushed, if done at all.
I owe my family and followers an apology, but life just seems to be getting the better of me these days.
With a husband who is only home on an average of 24 or so hours in a given week, I basically function as a single mother. I may be a stay-at-home mom, but I really hold three full-time jobs.
First and foremost are the kids and husband. Simply maintaining the house, laundry, grocery shopping, school schedules, homework (yes, even pre-schoolers do have homework!), meals, and cleaning are more than a full time job! I am not ok with a dirty house, unmade beds or unkempt looking children and therefore refuse to let anything just slide.
Second is my Executive Board postion with Charlotte Mothers of Multiples.As the VP of Communications, I manage the monthly newsletter, Facebook Page and all internal (and often external) communications within the club. This alone averages roughly 20 hours per week.
Next is my business - FireWife Photography. Maintaining my website:
http://www.firewifephotography.com/
Facebook Page (which, if you are a follower I would love to have you "like" my page!)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/FireWife-Photography/125431617560790
And completing all of my sessions and post-processing editing with my beloved clients, this alone is another full-time job. I probably spend around 30-50 hours per week on just FireWife Photography related items, give the season.
So, in all, I am struggling to stay afloat - both just with the day to day and with my mental state of being.
Someone very near and dear to me de-friended me almost 3 years ago stating that I could not possibly understand how difficult her life was when she had her third child (fellow twin mommy who had a singleton post twins) and that she preferred to only be friends with those who could relate to her new life.
Who knew that I would one day join her in the twins +1 club! But, she was right. I had no clue - the third child adds an entirely new dimension (i.e. flashback) of naps, feeding and sleep schedules and just overall - more work.
But today, I just have to laugh. Her husband comes home each and every night and is home every weekend and every holiday. She is given time to exercise, blog, or just do whatever in the evenings and on weekends as he is always there to relieve her after a long day and have fun in family / holiday adventures.
So, while she was initially correct, she is oh-so very deeply incorrect.
I say all of this as part excuse, part apology. This very blog has been so near and dear to me and my family since I began writing back in 2007, and to have let it slip like this is unforgiveable in my mind. This is my legacy to my little ones and it is so imperative to me to document each and every moment - the good AND the bad!
I am ashamed to admit that I have missed quite a few moments as of late.
I promise to get back on track.
Posts are rushed, if done at all.
I owe my family and followers an apology, but life just seems to be getting the better of me these days.
With a husband who is only home on an average of 24 or so hours in a given week, I basically function as a single mother. I may be a stay-at-home mom, but I really hold three full-time jobs.
First and foremost are the kids and husband. Simply maintaining the house, laundry, grocery shopping, school schedules, homework (yes, even pre-schoolers do have homework!), meals, and cleaning are more than a full time job! I am not ok with a dirty house, unmade beds or unkempt looking children and therefore refuse to let anything just slide.
Second is my Executive Board postion with Charlotte Mothers of Multiples.As the VP of Communications, I manage the monthly newsletter, Facebook Page and all internal (and often external) communications within the club. This alone averages roughly 20 hours per week.
Next is my business - FireWife Photography. Maintaining my website:
http://www.firewifephotography.com/
Facebook Page (which, if you are a follower I would love to have you "like" my page!)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/FireWife-Photography/125431617560790
And completing all of my sessions and post-processing editing with my beloved clients, this alone is another full-time job. I probably spend around 30-50 hours per week on just FireWife Photography related items, give the season.
So, in all, I am struggling to stay afloat - both just with the day to day and with my mental state of being.
Someone very near and dear to me de-friended me almost 3 years ago stating that I could not possibly understand how difficult her life was when she had her third child (fellow twin mommy who had a singleton post twins) and that she preferred to only be friends with those who could relate to her new life.
Who knew that I would one day join her in the twins +1 club! But, she was right. I had no clue - the third child adds an entirely new dimension (i.e. flashback) of naps, feeding and sleep schedules and just overall - more work.
But today, I just have to laugh. Her husband comes home each and every night and is home every weekend and every holiday. She is given time to exercise, blog, or just do whatever in the evenings and on weekends as he is always there to relieve her after a long day and have fun in family / holiday adventures.
So, while she was initially correct, she is oh-so very deeply incorrect.
I say all of this as part excuse, part apology. This very blog has been so near and dear to me and my family since I began writing back in 2007, and to have let it slip like this is unforgiveable in my mind. This is my legacy to my little ones and it is so imperative to me to document each and every moment - the good AND the bad!
I am ashamed to admit that I have missed quite a few moments as of late.
I promise to get back on track.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day
true love isn't grand
you can't read it
it doesn't taste like chocolate
and it doesn't have the smell of roses
it doesn't look like pink or red conversation hearts
or feel like a big fluffy stuffed teddy bear
love is simple
it defies the senses
and it holds no monetary value
it disarms the negative
and it nurtures the positive
it eases and enhances life's journey
and if I were to describe it tangibly I think
it's the bubble wrap to my spirit
Sunday, February 12, 2012
A Birthday and Stomach Bugs
Well, I am seriously behind on working on the blog. I came down with that terrible norovirus that has been going around town in the middle of the night on January 29 and it was terrible! I was literally up all night long getting sick over and over again - not even 20 minutes of sleep!
I spent that Monday in a state of disconnect from my own brain and body, yet still had to care for the kiddos since Mike was at work. Thank heaven for Grandmommy who gave me a brief moment of rest and came over after I took the twins to school so I could rest for an hour. Then it was back at it to to entertain them all afternoon until she came back around 4:15 to keep all three until Mike got home around 5:30. I was completely non-functional.
I managed to sleep a bit Monday night, and then Tuesday we celebrated Mike's 36th birthday! I was still in pretty poor condition, but was not about to let it get in the way of my man's special day! We enjoyed a nice lunch together (well, eating was not really going too well for me yet, but I managed to do ok) while the twins were in school and then the kids and Mike had a fun afternoon (more on that in another post), and Grandmommy and Grandaddy came over for cake that evening.
It was low key, but a fabulous day together!
Happy Birthday, my Love!
Wouldn't you know it, that Friday evening Aidan, Ella and Mike all came down with the bug as well and spent one rough night getting sick over and over again. Everyone was pretty sick all weekend and enjoyed a few days on the couch watching lots of movies.
I spent that Monday in a state of disconnect from my own brain and body, yet still had to care for the kiddos since Mike was at work. Thank heaven for Grandmommy who gave me a brief moment of rest and came over after I took the twins to school so I could rest for an hour. Then it was back at it to to entertain them all afternoon until she came back around 4:15 to keep all three until Mike got home around 5:30. I was completely non-functional.
I managed to sleep a bit Monday night, and then Tuesday we celebrated Mike's 36th birthday! I was still in pretty poor condition, but was not about to let it get in the way of my man's special day! We enjoyed a nice lunch together (well, eating was not really going too well for me yet, but I managed to do ok) while the twins were in school and then the kids and Mike had a fun afternoon (more on that in another post), and Grandmommy and Grandaddy came over for cake that evening.
It was low key, but a fabulous day together!
Happy Birthday, my Love!
Wouldn't you know it, that Friday evening Aidan, Ella and Mike all came down with the bug as well and spent one rough night getting sick over and over again. Everyone was pretty sick all weekend and enjoyed a few days on the couch watching lots of movies.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Curious George Returns!
After visiting with Aidan just a week or so ago, Curious George came back for a return visit - this time with Ella!
It was her turn to share in some weekend adventures with the little monkey, and you can imagine how thrilled she was to tote him around!
They played outside on Friday afternoon....
...and enjoyed spending time at the airport overlook on Saturday....
Sunday was spent hanging out at the Nature Museum and Freedom Park, where George enjoyed visiting the butterflies (always a favorite of Ella's)....
....seeing the turtles....
....feeding the ducks and geese....
....riding in the stroller with Lauren....
...and enjoying a pizza dinner at our favorite local spot....
George was sad to go, but is looking forward to returning in a few years once Lauren makes her way into the four's class!
PS - Yes, Ella insisted on wearing her wonder Woman dress all weekend!
It was her turn to share in some weekend adventures with the little monkey, and you can imagine how thrilled she was to tote him around!
They played outside on Friday afternoon....
...and enjoyed spending time at the airport overlook on Saturday....
Sunday was spent hanging out at the Nature Museum and Freedom Park, where George enjoyed visiting the butterflies (always a favorite of Ella's)....
....seeing the turtles....
....feeding the ducks and geese....
....riding in the stroller with Lauren....
...and enjoying a pizza dinner at our favorite local spot....
George was sad to go, but is looking forward to returning in a few years once Lauren makes her way into the four's class!
PS - Yes, Ella insisted on wearing her wonder Woman dress all weekend!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
7
Happy 7 Months Old Lauren!
Could someone please stop the clocks - just for one day? I want more time to savor these last few months of babyhood before you are on the move and walking and talking!
Yet another month has passed, and it was another one filled with lots of firsts!
Your first ear infections (a double set!)....
....your first time sitting up in the grocery cart....
....your first time sitting in a highchair at a restaurant....
....your first time playing in your jumparoo (which you LOVE!!)....
....your first time eating puffs....
...and attempting to feed yourself with a spoon....
....your first time being a practice subject for Mommy with her new backdrops and mini studio set-up....
....and we said goodbye to the beloved carrier and snap-n-go and you had your first ride in your new carseat and stroller....
Sweet little Lauren - what an absolute delight you are! You still do not sleep well at all and keep us up about every 2-3 hours at night. We tried the whole "cry it out" concept, but rather than eventually fall asleep, you just throw up.
You are really into textures, colors and patterns and love to touch and feel everything - especially tags!
You weigh about 17 pounds and have finally graduated to size 2-3 diapers. I have even begun to put you into some of your 9 month outfits as everything else is getting too short!
You are a great eater, and the only thing we have found that you really do not care for is banannas. You even eat meals on the go now and your bottle consumption is beginning to decrease just a tad.
The sound of your laughter is amazing....and you love to blow raspberries and make all sorts of other funny sounds....we even hear the hint of "mama" and "dada" beginning to sneak out just a bit!
Like I said, the time is going by just too quickly. Our last little baby is growing up before our eyes, and I just want to savor every single moment.
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