Cousins Make the Best of Friends

Ashley is older than Ryan by 5 months. You can't tell that by the height though...




Saturday evening was a time for catching up with the family. We went to see Tim's cousin Ryan play basketball. It was kinda fun. It was definately a change from watching soccer all day. (Ashley had a soccer tournie this weekend - more on that later...) After the game we went to eat at Fajita's. The kids took time to wrestle in the parking lot (always a safe thing to do... ;) and to pose for a few pictures. These two kids have been great friends since birth. They don't often get to see each other, but when they do - look out - they tease, punch, bicker, wrestle, and joke. You wouldn't know that they haven't seen each other since Christmas would you? It's been fun watching them grow up...

11 Weeks Old!

This picture was actually taken before our spring break trip. I think they were about 9 weeks. We were just sitting in their room talking and I was able to get both of them smiling at the same time! I absolutely love this picture.

OK - the boys are 11 weeks old today. Sometimes I feel every single minute of the those 11 weeks, and sometimes it seems like just last week they came home with us.



Keep us in your prayers - Aiden has slept through the night the last 2 nights! AND he has taken a nap both days. That is a first for him. He hasn't slept during the day since he was 3 or 4 weeks old! I hope this is a pattern that is going to stick. I actually got to pull a straight iron through my hair, brush my teeth, and do some baking. Today was a different story. He napped while at the doctor and at Ashley's award ceremony. I'm glad he napped - but I didn't. Isaiah is still waking up at 2:am, but I'm hoping he will start following in brother's sleep habit soon. (9:pm to 6:am could be heaven on earth for me...)

The Doctor Visit

I know that this is what most of you are wanting to know about - the details.



Aiden
14.10 lbs/oz

25 in. long

43 cm for head circumference



Isaiah
13.2 lbs/oz

25 in. long

43 cm for head circumference



We went to a new pediatrician today. I really like the office. First of all, it is in town. Yeah! No more crazy driving in Phx. Secondly, my wait was minimal (always a plus when you have twins!), and most of all - they helped with holding the babies while I filled out the paperwork. I'm very happy with my decision to switch peds. I saw the nurse practitioner today - she answered all of my questions. Overall, despite the multiple shots they were given, the experience was pleasant.

Random Thoughts at Some Insane Time of the Morning

Tim, Ashley, and Isaiah

It is 5:00 am and I can't sleep! I hate when this happens.

I had Bunco last night so the boys didn't go to bed right on time. It wasn't such a big deal - we just fed a little later that was all. Well, apparently it threw off their schedule. I woke at 3:00 am in a panic. Normally they eat around 2:00 am. I didn't hear them so I went running in to make sure they were still breathing. Yep - all was well. They were sleeping soundly. So, what do I do? Toss and turn. I know they are going to wake up as soon as I drift off. That was driving me crazy. I hate to lay in bed and not be able to sleep. As soon as I got out of bed to check the emails, Isaiah woke up to be fed. Aiden is still asleep. We will see how long this is going to last. I'm not waking them during the night to feed anymore. I figure if they are going to sleep - I'm going to let them. They both weight enough now.

So - Bunco... it was at my house last night. The house wasn't as clean as I wanted it, but it worked. I made a new dessert recipe. It is called Banana Cream Brownie Squares.

Here is the recipe:

Banana Cream Brownie Squares

1 pkg brownie mix

3 medium bananas

1 1/4 cups cold milk

1 pkg (5.1 oz) instant vanilla pudding and pie filling

1 container (8 oz) whip cream topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Bake. Cool completely. (I did this part in the morning to give it plenty of time to cool)

Slice 2 bananas. Layer over brownie. Whisk pudding mix into milk; beat until mixture just begins to thicken. Fold in 2 1/2 cups whipped topping. Quickly spread pudding mixture over sliced bananas. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

To serve, cut into squares; put a dollop of whip cream on.

I served it cold, but I think I would like it better closer to room temperature. The brownie was a little hard because it had been in the fridge. My piece sat on the counter while I cleaned, then I ate it - it was nice and soft and chewy because it was closer to room temperature.

Happy Easter!

Belive it or not - I think this is our first family photo with all of us together.

Ashley is holding Aiden, and Tim is holding Isaiah and my corgi, Ellie.

OK - we went to the early church service (that's normal), but I couldn't find a brush or a comb and I lost track of time! I am learning not to be so picky about my mop for hair - can you tell?

Big Sis holding the boys. Can you tell they are getting bigger (and heavier!)

For those of you wondering what happened to last weeks posts... We went to St. Maarten. I will post the photos and our thoughts later this week. I hope you all had a great Easter!

Random Photos

Isaiah
Aiden
Aiden
Just Hanging Out Being Boys
Grandpa with Isaiah

Just a Thought...

So, I'm going to have to go back to work eventually. Since I had time today and was in the mood - I took a walk. I decided to walk to the office and time it. What a workout! Between the hills, the ruts in the road, and pushing a stroller with two kids in it - my bicepts got a workout! I found two different routes. One takes 35 minutes - the other 42 minutes. It won't be bad early in the morning, but the afternoons might get sweaty!

I've never been a big exerciser - but my friend Dana (of Charmed Designs) issued a challenge to start running. In December, I began my 5K run training. I soon became bored with the idea and quit. Well, after loosing a little weight when the boys came along I decided to begin again. This time though, I just concentrated on resistance training. I haven't lost any weight because of it, but I'm toning up. (You should see my arms! I don't have the teacher flab anymore!)

Therefore - once again, I'm back on the wagon. Hopefully I will stay with it.

What is your favorite way to exercise?

Girls Afternoon Out

Ashley and I left the boys with Dad so we could get out hair cut. Our stylist is awesome. It is well worth the trip to town. Roland cut mine shorter this time since we are going to the beach for Spring Break. Ashley is still trying out new styles. I like this one on her...
"I'm almost taller than you, mom!"

Hey There Cowboy!

Aiden wearing Daddy's cowboy hat. This was his first posse show.
Aiden and Dad just messing around.
I'm beginning to think he likes it.

Daddy's Helper

I'm glad he remembered to hold Isaiah's head!
"Would you please quit taking pictures!"
Tim's trying to train the boys early on how to feed.

Very Cool Invention - Must Have Been Designed By A Woman

Isaiah wasn't sure he wanted to be out of mom's arms...


Aiden watched a day time talk show while sitting in his chair.

A former student gave these really cool chairs to me. She had twins a couple of years ago and said she liked them. I agree. They are great for strengthening the neck and back muscles. The boys can look at each other and make faces. :P

Monday, Monday...

No makeup, sweats, hair washed, but not dried... Drool all over Isaiah's face... Aiden wondering why yet again Isaiah is in mom's lap...

My glamorous life... This is such a typical Monday. The boys are usually a little "off" because the weekend does not have the rigid schedule that I keep during the weekdays. I'm a little "off" trying to decide whether to ditch the old schedule and begin a new or let it all go.
The boys are doing well. I think Isaiah is teething although I know he is young. He is drooling like crazy lately and he is chomping on his fist. We are practicing tough love today. He (Isaiah) has to try new things - like not being held by mom. Wait till you see some of those photos...

Our Girl

Well, it is definate - our little girl is going to Holland to play soccer on Team USA at the Youth Friendship Games this summer. Please keep her in your prayers.

The soccer teams get to go over to Holland early because they have so many kids involved. She will be playing with other 14-15 year olds from all over the U.S. She will meet the rest of her team when she arrives in Holland. There are a few meetings and assignments that she has to complete prior to the trip to obtain high school credit, but it shouldn't be a problem for her. She is very excited to go. She will have one day of training from Dutch soccer coaches. I think she is most excited about that.

She has a soccer game this afternoon that the boys and I will go watch. They like soccer games - lots of people wanting to hold them!