Easter Weekend

We traveled to Marietta, Oklahoma for Easter weekend.  I can't believe how much stuff we took.  Just take a look at the back of our car. 

 

You would think we were going to be gone for a week, nope just two nights.    

Bottles, diapers (lots of diapers), wipes, formula, baby food, several changes of clothes for each kiddo for each day, jammies, blankets, toys, etc.  Then stuff for me and stuff for Trent.  We considered taking Bailey, but so glad we didn't because she and her stuff (toys and dog food) wouldn't fit in the car.  I'm pretty sure I over packed, but better to have too much then not enough. 

  

The Boys did pretty well in the car considering the 2 hour trip took us 3.5 hours with construction and we got stuck in a hail storm.  Luckily no hail damage to the car.  I'm so glad we have a big vehicle because I was able to crawl in the back and feed them during the ride. 

It was great to get away for the weekend and to spend time with family and friends.  It was a lot of work getting us all packed up, but well worth it. 

More posts to come on our weekend adventures.

Travel Tip:  Fill extra bottles with water for the car ride so if they get hungry or just need some comfort all you have to do is add powdered formula.  I only packed two bottles for the car ride down, but wished I would have packed extra, if for nothing else, just peace of mind. 

My handsome Boys on Easter Sunday. 
Brooks is on the left and Jackson on the right.

How To: Baby Food - Carrots, Applesauce and Green Beans

I've been eager to make baby food, but haven't had the time or ingredients when I did have the time.  Luckily, one day last week I came home to two super happy babies so I jumped at my chance to do a little cooking/experimenting and here is how it went down.

I started with fresh baby carrots. 

Steamed until fork tender.

 

Chopped

Added water to get desired consistency.

  

Finished product

 I repeated the same process for applesauce.

Cored and pealed two apples.

Steamed

Pureed

Next up was green beans; I didn't have fresh so I used frozen.

Microwaved for 6 minutes in the steamer bag.

Chopped

I later realized I should have used the blender on the green beans to get a smoother texture.

I poured the carrots, apples and green beans in ice trays to freeze.  This way I can thaw what I need each day or every couple of days.  There are all kinds of products on the market to streamline this process, but I wanted to try it first with what I had before spending $200 on the cooking gadget and individual storage containers.

All-in-all, it was relatively easy and didn't take that much time to make.  Cost wise, it's a lot cheaper to make fresh then to purchase pre-made baby food. 

Since I enjoyed making it so much, I think I will treat myself to one of these cook books.

The Boys chillin in the kitchen while I cooked.

Working the Vocal Cords

Jackson's new thing is to squeal.  Have a listen. 



I have a few more videos to post.  Hopefully, I'll get to them tomorrow.

Let's Go Thunder - Playoffs 2011

The Thunder made it to the Playoffs again! 

First round is against Denver.

This sign is hanging between the buildings Trent and I work in.
I love working downtown!

Yummy Yummy

According to Doctor V, it will take the Boys about 2 weeks to master the art of eating from a spoon, therefore we started the Boys on rice cereal so they'll have the hang of it by the time they get to the 6 month mark. Then they'll start on veggies and fruit.

Speaking of veggies and fruit, every time I flip through the William Sonoma catalogue the Beaba Baby Food Maker jumps out at me. It's calling my name. It says buy me, use me, I will make your life so much easier, then I think about all the free time I have (zilch) and realize it probably isn't that great of an idea.  Gerber Baby Food it is.

When I feed Jackson, he makes funny faces and pushes most of the cereal out of his mouth.  Brooks acts a little confused, but eats it anyways.  


Brooks

 

Jackson

I feed them in the kitchen sink sitting in their bathseat so I can just hose them off after the whole feeding expereince.  I need to start putting a bib on them so they can get used to it.  Matter of fact, I should probably wear one too, since some of it always ends up on me.  As you can tell from these pictures, they need more practice so more stays in their mouth and less on their face!

Wordless Wednesday - Jackson and Trent

What a mess

My hair has caused me angst the majority of my life.  When I was little, I can remember sitting at the vanity and Mom painstakingly combing out all the tangles.  It was awful.  I would protest and she would tell me "you have to suffer to be beautiful." 

When I got a little older Mom permed my hair.  I still question this decision considering I have naturally curly hair.  I guess it was the thing to do.

When I was in high school I wanted big beautiful curls, not the tiny messy curls I naturally have.  So I got a perm from some beauty school flunky at JC Penny's in the Ardmore Mall, then cried as I left because the curls where even tighter than I had to begin with. 

In my 20's I straightened my hair.  I would spend hours working on it.

Now in my 30's, I've finally accepted my hair for what it is.  I don't perm, I don't straighten, I just embrace it.

Then I got pregnant. 

Due to a spike in your estrogen level, you loose little hair while pregnant.  I had thick beautiful hair.

Now, post pregnancy my hair is a mess.  That fabulous estrogen level has plummeted and I now find my hairs everywhere, EVERYWHERE.  I thought our dog shed a lot, now it's me.  I loose it by the handfuls.  My ponytail is wimpy and my hair is just...yuck.  It should be back to normal within a year.  Just one more way my body has suffered for these great babies. 

Speaking of babies, here they are just two weeks old.  So tiny. 



Jackson and Brooks



5 Months Old - April 6, 2011

Yesterday, the Boys turned 5 months old!  I sang Happy Birthday to them.  They just looked at me funny.

I'm so amazed at how much the Boys have grown and developed in five short months.  They've gone from having a bobblehead to holding their heads high.  They used to sleep a lot and now are awake most of the day.  They used to stare through me, now they turn their head and follow me as I walk away.  They are ticklish, they giggle, Jackson squeals and Brooks is scooting across the floor.  I can't wait to see what the next five months bring.

For their five month picture, I tried to recreate the picture taken of them on their first day at home.

And this is what I got...

When they both get going, they sure can be loud!

After I finally got them settled, I was able to get some great shots.  I couldn't pick just one for the blog, so here they all are. 



Their facial expressions really make me giggle.



Jackson loves to swat at Brooks' face.



Happy Birthday, Jackson and Brooks!

Rocking in the Nursery

After a long night of feedings, a crazy morning of getting the Boys packed up and out the door, working all day, entertaining the Boys after work and then bathtime, I find that I need some downtown.  I mean I really need some downtime. 

After the Boys go to bed, I know I should be doing something more productive (like laundry), but I find that sitting in the rocking chair in the dark and quiet nursery makes it all melt away. 

There is something so peaceful about the hum of the fan along with their sweet breathing sounds.  Jackson is a quiet sleeper and Brooks, true to form, snores, but it's a sweet snore.

I sit in the dark, sometimes with my eyes closed, sometimes playing on my phone, but mostly just listening.