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Christmas was definitely a different experience this year. Mike got to be home with us a lot more than usual and I loved every minute of it! Santa didn't come this year but the boys got some fun presents like a new red wagon from Mike's parents!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Maguire has figured out how to get where he wants to go by scooting, rolling or army crawling. He is already over his toys and into things like cell phones and remote controls. I was loving this age because I could lay them on a blanket with toys to load the dishwasher or do some laundry and they'd be there when I got back. I'm in for it now.

We are currently on our way to Santa Cruz to see a homeopath for Keller. I'm listening to him cry as we speak. I would never under normal circumstances take them this far but we are getting desperate! The poor guy itches all of the time and his skin looks terrible. The "help" we are getting in town consists of prescriptions and steroids. I'm praying for a healthy natural alternative for him. I'll let all of you know!

Then and now

Then . . .

I got this mini video camera to take videos of the boys on a whim. I haven't been that great about it but I got it out tonight because Keller was cracking up (which of course stopped when I took out the camera). I thought I'd post one I took of them talking and fussing this evening for my Colorado family and I started flipping through old videos. I found this one of them as teeny tiny babies looking like little old adorable men. Mike was watching them with me and we were ooooing and ahhhing about how cute they were and are. I said, "let's have another one soon." He promptly left the room and I snapped back into reality. That was close.

Now . . .

Just the facts

Bad news: Boys are snorty and congested
Good news: My Christmas shopping is done
Bad news: Keller's face got a rash-avocado maybe?
Good news: Today is Mike's birthday and we get to go on a date!
Bad news: I have to miss coffee with Holly on Friday to go to work
Good news: I went to a twin mom group last night and I think it has the potential to be fun
Random news: We bought a handgun yesterday . . . not quite sure how I feel about it yet

Holy Guacamole

The boys had their first meal yesterday. It was organic as it comes-an avocado straight from their Papa's tree. They loved it! I watched Keller like a freak all day because I was sure he was going to have some crazy reaction but all was well-phew.

Enough said

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Joe and BreAnne's house this year. We had big plans to relax, watch some parade and play some games. All I have to say is that there is no relaxing with four babies in the house. I'm sure the madness has just started!

We tried to take a family picture about 100 times. Someone was always crying, making stupid faces or insisting on having their sword in the picture. Note Sean making it even more difficult it the background.This picture about sums it up.

Thankful for

I had a long day today. Getting ready for the holidays is wearing me out already! I was in a bad mood when Mike got home today. He knows me so well and picks up on what I need before I even know that I need it. He made me take a bath with a glass of wine and a stack of magazines while he took over with the babies. As I was relaxing with bubbles and Mothering mag (which I love by the way) I could hear Mike reading Dr. Seuss to the boys. It made me get tears in my eyes. I just want to say that I am so thankful for my amazing husband. I had no idea at this time last year how great of a dad he would be!

L-A-Z-Y

I haven't done anything blog worthy lately but wanted to post a cute picture-see them holding hands? We stayed in our jammies for way too long today. I am loving job sharing (although I haven't seen my paycheck yet). It gives me the best of both worlds-pjs with the boys some and a little out in the world time for myself!

Something to document

For the first time in days . . . sleeping at the same time! Maybe I can eat something, do laundry, watch a TV program???? The possibilities are endless. Please don't call the SIDS police, I know babies are supposted to sleep on their backs. Why don't you come over and try to make them?

Risky business

Fertility treatments are a scary game to play. When Mike and I were trying to get pregnant I never read the fine print. I gave myself the shots and popped the pills never thinking that multiples could be in my future. What an idiot. June brought Tash over for a bit the other day while she ran errands. I changed all of their diapers assembly line style then thanked the Lord that I only had two eggs! I don't think triplets are my style.

The celebration continues . . .

Everyone came to dinner at my house for another celebration of Bree's birthday. K&M went to bed early that night. It's going to be wild here pretty soon with all four of the boys. I'm so lucky to have a family that I love AND can have fun with. I know many people dread their family functions but I'd rather hang out with my sisters than anyone!

Who is having a birthday?

BreAnne turned 28 this weekend. I felt like it was my birthday-I got to eat filet and lobster and get a babysitter! Thanks Bree . . .

Lovin' Papa and Nana

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I went back to work this week. It was really nice to get back to "real life". I am definitely easing my way into things by job sharing. I think I am really going to like it! I also love the fact that my class has 14 students. Teaching seems like a breeze after four months of taking care of twins! I love my friends at work and even got to go out to lunch on Friday!
My good friend Lorisha was supposed to babysit the boys at her house. We had the whole situation worked out for months. However, the best laid plans often fail! Lorisha got pregnant (with a boy-yay!) and her belly combined with transportation issues made it tricky to babysit.
After a night of tossing, turning and worrying, I think we have a plan. Mike has a friend that recently bought a house on the same block as my school. His wife is a stay at home mom and wants to watch K&M (crazy lady). I'm just praying that everything works out and the babies are safe and happy at her house.
I was definitely ready for the weekend after my stressful week. When my mom invited us to meet her and Mark for margaritas Saturday afternoon I was all over it. The boys loved being outside on the patio and hanging out with their Papa and Nana!

Disconnected

Last week Mike shut down the laptop before bed. Give the guy a piece of bubblegum and some duct tape and he can fix anything but he is seriously challenged when it comes to computers. When I woke up in the morning the computer was a mess. Of course, I freaked out on him blaming him right away. He WAS the last one that touched it. Turns out the whole hard drive was bad. This was in no way, shape or form Mike's fault-oops. I'm sure he has done something lately that I missed freaking out over though so we can call it even.

So I just got my computer back and can't wait to share a bunch of cute pictures and stories! And I may just complain just a little too . . .

A new definition of fun

We used to spend our Saturdays in Santa Barbara shopping, sleeping in or having margaritas for lunch. Today, we spent the morning at a carnival/craft fair/art show at the park. I think it's been a fair trade. Isn't Mike a good sport?

New homies

Keller and Maguire made some new friends yesterday. Really, they just sat there like the drooling baby blobs they are while I visited with my friends Andrea and Janelle. These lucky girls used to teach with me and now get to stay home with their babies Emery (orange) and Maddy (pink). It's nice to have stay at home friends for those days when I don't work and need some playdates for myself. And I'm sure that way too soon Keller and Maguire will thank me for hanging out with these adorable girls moms!

What would I do . . .

without Mike? What husband lets his wife go out with her friends on Saturday nights, gets TWO babies in their pajamas, feeds them and puts them to bed with no problem? He is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Two cute

My friend Christie made us these onesies. We love her and anybody else that gives us cute clothes! They weren't just for show either-we went out on the town this weekend with Sean, June, Jett and Tash. The boys are getting so much easier get out with (especially with Mike's help)!

Maguire's new grill

Ok so I'm exaggerating about the grill. Maguire is now rockin' a teeny, tiny white dot of a tooth. I tried to take a picture of it but I really need a zoom lens. I thought the picture was funny. And then I thought, I cannot believe that this is a big enough deal to me that I would document it with a photograph. And then I thought, if he wanted to reach a developmental milestone early I wish it would be sleeping through the night-this tooth does nothing to benefit me.

A little something for our fans . . .

As the weather in Bakersfield dips below 90 degrees it can only mean one thing for me-FALL CLOTHES. For some of you that may not know, shopping is my drug of choice. The boys have given me a new excuse to shop so I have quickly started assembling their cold weather wardrobe. Mike asked me if fur lined booties were really necessary already. Are shoes up to the ceiling in my closet necessary? Define necessary. Apparently, he doesn't mind if our children freeze. I got a package from Gap last night and today we had ourselves a little fashion show.

Kissing cousins

My sister in law came over today with her family. My ten month old niece Leah couldn't get enough of Keller. She loved kissing him all over. I use the term kissing loosely; it was more like an all over open mouth slobber but he seemed to really enjoy it!

We ARE the treat

Mike's mom came over to babysit last night. She brought the boys the cutest outfits for Halloween. She dressed them up and took their pictures and we got to go out! We had a really good time but were yawning about 9:00 and ready to come home! Who knew a year ago how different our lives would be . . .

TGIT

Thank God it's Thursday. Which means one day closer to Friday. Which means one more day until Mike is home for 2 days with us. I've never missed my husband more. I am having one of those feeling trapped days. When I was pregnant I had visions of taking the stroller for a nice walk around the neighborhood or to the mall or to visit other stay at home mom friends. Ya right. I took the boys on a little trip today-to the dang backyard. I had to get out and since they hate the car, stroller etc. I settled for the patio! They liked it and I think we will have to do it more. I took a picture just because it was a new setting.

They are finally on a "schedule". I hate that word because it reminds me of some psycho mom looking at the clock. I have to admit it is nice though. The "schedule" makes me stay home more because I have realized that when they get off "schedule" we are all miserable.

Cheryl came over last night and brought wine. It is so nice to see someone from the outside. So nice that I think I might have overdone it on the wine. I feel like I have no friends or contact with the world these days since June went back to work. Except for maybe Lorisha who will talk to me via text and instant messaging all day. This way if I end up falling off of a chair or something, at least she will worry and maybe call someone.

So . . . come visit us anytime! and bring wine

Operation rooster

We live in a tidy little neighborhood. All the houses look the same etc. etc. As if we aren't having enough trouble with the whole baby sleeping thing (see previous posts), we are dealing with farmlife in our front yard. The stupid thing cockle doodle doos at the first hint of light. This happens to be around 5:00 am! The crowing doesn't stop and goes all day. There is some sort of a rooster epidemic on Ravenwood Dr. Last month Mike and Mark chased one down the street and trapped it in a box. Mark took it somewhere (I didn't want to ask). We thought we'd seen the last of our noisy friend until his cousin/brother/father arrived. This guy is a little smarter and we are a lot less patient. Mike has been sneaking out with his pellet gun at the first crow in the morning-before the neighbors call the cops. He pokes in the bushes with the flashlight but the thing won't give himself away. Little did we know that he roosts in the tree above our roof about 50 feet up!

This morning I am laying in bed and hear the worlds loudest screech. Mike shot him out of the tree and I haven't heard him since. Before I was sleep deprived I might have felt bad.

Twenty toes

We have no life. Seriously, we sit around with our cell phones and video cameras waiting for the boys to do something that we think is cute. We have hundreds of these funny little clips so far but nobody but us and maybe the grandparents are interested in seeing videos of two babies cooing. This one however is very adorable so I had to post it! Try to ignore the blaring television in the background. Remember, I said that we have no life. Do the fall TV shows count?

Sinking to new lows

We have heard that some people would do anything for a good nights sleep. I'm kidding people-the can isn't even open! My friend Kelly saw this picture and insisted that she was calling Child Protective Services. Sadly, being a teacher, I know it takes more than giving your 3 month old a swig of Bud Light to get your kids taken away! I just thought it was a funny picture and please know that we aren't actully considering this method of sleep training (yet).

Addictive behavior

I have this guilt. It is the guilt I feel when the boys are awake. I feel like I should be putting on some sort of show at all times. I should be dancing, singing, reading or "stimulating". I have the hardest time just letting them sit in their swings or seats when they are awake. Maybe it is the Kindergarten teacher in me. It truly is exhausting. However, this is the best of both worlds. I get a break from performing and they get entertainment. This is one of their favorite activites (it better be, I spent $65.00 on it at Target one desperate day). They are addicited to the annoying nature sounds it makes and the light up butterflies. I can do my chores, check my e-mail and talk on the phone without feeling like they are missing out on me giving them some valuable brain development activity.

You kinda look familiar

They shared a womb for 35 weeks but up until the past couple days have been completely unaware of each other. I hear stories of twins comforted by sleeping together or being next to one another but I haven't gotten the sense that it matters one way or the other to the Babb boys. Just in the past few days however they have started to check each other out. They stare at each other and will smile and "talk". True to form, Maguire (nicknamed by us "The Detective") will lift his head and crane his neck to see what Keller is up to. He hates to miss anything going on around him. I can't wait until they can start entertaining each other-I need a break.

I am a teacher, not a barber

We are so busy with the boys and Mike's new job that we hardly have time for anything. Mike thought it would be a good idea for me to give him a haircut. He'd seen it done a thousand times and he has all the tools. He was convinced he could talk me through it. I told him that I didn't think I could do it. He insisted . . .

It was awful. I definitely COULDN"T do it. With every cut it just got worse and he got more frustrated with me. What's worse is that I could not stop laughing. In the end, he had to shave his head with Pixley as the audience. It took him a few hours to not be mad at me anymore and I think he learned his lesson.

Mike is famous

For those of you that don't know, Mike recently started his own business with a friend. They are doing mobile RV repair. They have a shop on Easton Drive and a trailer that serves as their mobile shop. It was so scary for us to start this when I was eight months pregnant! It had a slow start but is finally getting busy! So busy in fact that Mike isn't home until 7:00 some nights. Can you imagine what I look like on those nights? He has already had some funny stories about the people he has met and the RV's he has worked on. It has been a big change for him but a good change. This is his commercial that has started airing on Channel 23. Watch it and check out his website. http://www.mobilervrepair1.com/

Matchy Matchy

Before these guys were born, it was really fun to buy cute matchy outfits. Funny new mom. Little did I know that nobody would ever see them outside of Mike and I (unless you count the cats). It's not like we are taking them to many social events. Also, the second I put them in matching cute outfits, one inevitably spits up, drools or worse and needs to be changed. Do I change the other one so they match again? Heck no-I have enough to do. So, when they look especially adorable I have to take their picture-even if we don't leave the house.

A sea of babies

After days and days and days of being cooped up inside the house, June suggested a trip to Morro Bay to stay at our grandma's beach house. It would be all four of the kids! Seriously, it sounded like so much work to get ready and so much chaos once we got there but I was losing my mind and thought a change of scenery might be nice. I was right. It was crazy and hard but really nice to see the ocean and enjoy the fresh air.

People stare at us when we all go out together. It's a mixture of pity and amusement. We all tried to take a walk on the beach with the baby carriers but it was way too windy and turned out that trying to keep them covered was more trouble than it was worth.

Overall the trip was really fun with the exception of Jett throwing up in the bushes outside and passing the flu to our parents. At least we got out of the house . . .

testing, testing

Up until now I have avoided Myspace, Facebook and any of the others that I am unaware of. It seems so weird to me to have your life and picture splayed across the internet. And, who has the time to constantly update? But . . . my cousin Calgary suggested a blog. I have many relatives and friends that live far away and although our lives are not so exciting these days, I don't want these people to miss the opportunity to see our kids and watch them grow. I am inspired by Holly, a friend living in Albania. She blogs frequently and her blogs always make me laugh out loud. I will try to be entertaining but please remember that I am living on very little sleep. Please excuse any grammar, spelling or punctuation mistakes. Again, I'm going to blame it on no sleep and the dumbing down one experiences spending all day with three month olds.