We are going to be late.

My mom used to say "I love you, but I don't really like you" to me all the time. It stuck with me. I kind of get that statement now. Ugh...I debated about writing this it being Christmas Eve and all. But OHMYGOSH!!! The Diva has been out of school since Wednesday. She doesn't go back to school until JANUARY 3RD!!!!! She is a good kid. She is strong willed. She is stubborn. She is creative. She is sensitive. She is dramatic. She is a complete joy. She is majorly excited about Christmas. In addition to her excitement I have been letting her stay up late since she hasn't had school. If there is one thing about this child that has never changed. She has to have her sleep. She is a bear if she doesn't have it. I should learn. Yesterday was trying. She wasn't listening. She was back talking and I was having to remind her a lot that her brother's were babies and she could hurt them. Today. Today was no better. She was in rare form. The high point was when...

I have always been told that attitudes change and parenting styles change when you have your second child. I have never considered myself to be an uptight parent. When I had Diva I thought I was pretty laid back. Looking back now that impression is wrong. Looking at my current situation I realize that what I was told about the "second child" really is true. Some examples: When Diva was a baby if she had drool, spit up, dirt of any kind on her clothes I changed her. Now...Shrek and Donkey have to be looking pretty bad to get their clothes changed. Or have poo on them. My first thought is I don't want the extra laundry. Good enough and not pristine is okay with me.  When Diva was a baby her eating times were very scheduled and I was very particular about what I would let her eat. I followed all the guidelines about when she could have milk, nuts, honey, etc. Now...I'm pretty sure the Dudes had peanut butter somewhere around 8 months. I take the "if they can...

What is it about this time of year? The time seems to fly by and my schedule seems to get crammed. I do it to myself. I could say no to a few play dates, parties, and other holiday festivities. The problem is that I want to give my kids the full holiday experience. So I pack our schedules with cookie decorating, parties, Santa Claus, looking at Christmas Lights, etc. I don't want them to miss a thing. This past week was no exception. That weekend we had been out of town visiting my family and came back Sunday evening. We hit the ground on Monday with physical therapy appointments at the crack of dawn. I took Shrek and Donkey in for evals on their crooked little feet. The Physical Therapist suggested we go see an Orthopedist, but that the boys feet and legs should straighten out in the next couple of years. I hope so. I don't want my babies to be pigeoned toed forever. That afternoon I had to take Diva to have an ultra sound. She had been so sick and had such a high fever for so...

Yup...that's the one. We had a "photo shoot" yesterday in the living room. Owen has an aversion to photography. The camera comes out and he starts crying. I decided not to fight it this time. Here are a few of our other pictures...

Well the dudes had their 15 month check up this morning. A big thank you to my friend Amy and KiKi for helping me wrangle them at the doctor's office!! Gosh they are getting big! Carter has felt rotten for 2 days. They have both had snotty noses and a little bit of a cough so I wasn't sure if they would have to have shots this morning. No fear~ they got shot. I hate that. Here are the stats as of this morning.... Owen Weight: 22.6 lbs~ 22% Height: 31 inches~ 48% Head: 47cm~ 46% Carter Weight: 24.8 lbs~ 51% Height: 31 1/2 inches~ 63% Head: 47cm~ 46% What they are up to.... Busy.Busy.Busy. I'm exhausted. The past few days they have been playing with each other, a little. Kind of. It counts right? Owen has been doing things to get a laugh lately. It's funny. He will stick things in his mouth or on his head and walk around and make sure you see him. When you laugh he will take it out/off and start laughing himself. It's so cute. They both run for ...