Double Trouble

Double Trouble is now walking. Watch out, world.

Un-Green Thumb

I have whatever the opposite of a green thumb is. So, I guess a black thumb? Plants come to my house to die. The only plant I've successfully kept alive is this one:

It's some type of grass that is supposed to keep bugs away. I forget to water it for days on end, but it hasn't given up on me. In fact, it's getting a little out of control and bigger than I thought it would. None of my "gardening" ever goes as planned. And please notice that it's next to an empty pot. That wasn't always empty (R.I.P. pretty orange Geranium). I'm coming to the realization that the only living things that can survive in my house are the ones that can walk up to me and demand a hot dog.

I love plants, though, and am always wanting to try again. And again. I saw this glass terranium on sale at Urban Outfitters and just lit up with excitement at the thought of having it in my kitchen and growing some parsley in it, or something.

I'm pretty conflicted about actually getting it, though. It's not that expensive, but I just don't know if I can take the possibility of any more gardening failure. Plus, it wouldn't surprise me if the plants at the store grew legs and ran away from me the next time I went to buy them. I'm sure they've heard it's a plant cemetery around here.

Little Aggies

These little Ags say "Beat The Hell Outta SMU!"

I'm kidding, I'm kidding. They don't talk, yet.

And if they had said that, they would totally be in Time Out for saying the H word.

Small Talk

Boy: "We are gonna go to the fair."

Laney: "My mommy has an owie."

Boy: "But not today...we're going a different day."

Laney: "My brothers are Parker & Brooks."

This little two-year-old conversation in the grocery store line just made my day. Isn't 2 the cutest age?

Oh, and here are some pictures. Just because I'm trying to get better at pictures.

Product Review: { STROLLERS }

Verdict: Obviously you need a stroller ha. I just want to recommend mine because I like them.

I researched a lot before deciding on a stroller system. And I did it all over again when I had twins. I've been through a few different ones but these are my favorites:

Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30 Travel System

Here's mine that I just sold because we've outgrown it. Loved it. Totally recommend it.

I actually used the same system for the twins (I just bought a second carrier and this Chicco Cortina Together Double Stroller). I liked it just fine.

But I ended up selling it and buying this Joovy Big Caboose Stand On Triple Stroller because it worked better for all 3 kids. Sorry for the blurry iPhone picture. I wanted to give you some real life shots of these strollers since you can look at their stock photos on their websites:

You may be wondering why I didn't do a Bob. I "test drove" several (haha), but felt like they were enormous and wouldn't be able to fit through doors. I may be in the minority on this, but I like the tandem ones better. I also might feel that way because no part of me has ever wanted to go jogging with my kids. You better believe if I'm jogging it's because I'm taking a Mommy break and I left the kids at home with Dad. So I only looked into "every day" strollers. Not any jogging ones. The Joovy Big Caboose is my favorite because the back seat is higher than the front seat. So whoever is in the back isn't just staring at the front passenger's head. And Laney loves her little "nook" there in the very back where she can sit down and be buckled in or just stand facing forward and hang on to the rails. This was the most light-weight option I found for a stroller that accommodates three. And to say it's light weight is a complete joke. It's a bus. BUT any stroller that fits three kids is going to be huge! If you're looking for one that isn't, you're not going to find it. Trust me, I tried.

Those were my picks and I've been really happy with them! I am looking to get a really small double umbrella stroller for small trips with the boys. Like for when I'm just running them into Mother's Day Out and don't need to take Laney. Any suggestions are appreciated!

Surviving: Three Under 3

The birth of our twins left us marveling at the fact that we had three kids under the age of 2. Now, a short and long year later, they've turned into three under 3. By now, I thought we'd be thriving. The fact is, though, we're still surviving, at best. As each day draws to a close and I'm once again sitting in my bed and crying in my beer (sometimes metaphorically and sometimes quite literally), my surpressed thoughts surface. I didn't ask for this. I never would have picked to have twins when I already had a young child. I'm not one of those moms. I want a spotless house and a set routine and perfectly dressed kids. I should be there by now.

I then notice myself accelerating down that very slippery slope of negativity and quickly dig my heels into the surface of my mind (yes, even THAT surface is covered in granola bar crumbs). I have to catch myself there and make my way back up to the cliff where I started, because even I know that teetering on the edge of my sanity is better than wallowing in a valley of self pity and depression. I remind myself that we've only made it this far unscathed because of the affirmation we've been fed by all the wonderful people around us and the positivity we've exuded (sometimes forced...fake it 'til ya make it). I must get back to there.

I put down my knife beer and grab my phone to start Googling phrases like "How to survive twin toddlers" and "When do twins get easier?" And what I found was comforting. Sure, there were those freak mothers posting about how they have one set of triplets and two sets of twins and swear they were born to have children and never want to be out of baby phase. But, mostly, there were mothers of multiples like me, struggling through each day and feeling like a failure most of the time. They love their children with all their hearts and fear that they aren't being able to provide what they need as individuals because...there's more than one of them. It was those mothers I needed to hear from. And what they said was this:

LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

I needed to hear this. I have always had high expectations for everything. Mainly myself. I'm the girl who never took a single home-ec class because I filled my schedule up with extra AP science classes to boost my GPA. I mean, what a dork, right? If I could go back, I'd lighten up. And that's just what I need to do now. This is not a phase that we'll be in forever. Perfection is not something we can do right now. I have to learn to be OK with that.

The mothers of multiples who were the happiest when their kids were babies were the ones who said they expected NOTHING. They just made it through the weeks one day at a time. This made me really take a look at my daily frustrations and examine what causes them. When I'm stressed out most is when I'm just doing too much. It's when I'm trying to juggle the kids while crocheting a Halloween costume, painting a wall, and preparing a Pinterest dinner. It's too much. And nobody expects me to do any of these things except for ME. Sometimes I just need somebody to grab me by the shoulders and tell me to cancel my Pinterest account and throw a Stouffer's frozen dinner in the microwave. I need somebody to throw my arts and crafts supplies in the trash and tell me to go sit on the play room floor and watch Barney with the twins for the next year. There will be a time when the kids are in school and I can decorate my house and cook fancy meals and craft until my little heart desires. But now I just need to expect to do NOTHING but make it through the day and make those kids smile.

And I have to forget those unrealistic, almost nostalgic notions I have about how certain things should go. I set myself up for disappointment when there's no reason to. Let's be serious, when was the last time Christmas went perfectly with a family full of adults who all dress themselves and use the potty unassisted? So, it's moronic for me to "expect" any situation to go as planned when I have three very needy, unpredictable babies.

I'm done. Done with expectations. From now on, I'm just going to enjoy the chaos. I know this is easier said than done (especially for a perfection-oriented person), but I'm going to work on it. And when I do have expectations for a situation, I'm going to work on making them realistic. Examples:

My expectations of a family zoo trip:

Realistic Expectations: Make it through the zoo without any child being eaten by a lion.

My expectations of nightly dinners:

Realistic Expectations: If nobody cries until they pass out, call it a win.

You get the idea. Ah...I love a fresh start. We get one each day, if we're lucky. So, I'm going to publish this post without even proof reading it (watch out. living on the edge.) and go do NOTHING but play with babies today. I'm so glad I have this blog. It's much cheaper than therapy. I hope you all have a great day full of realistic expectations!

A Day in the Life

Just stopping by to give you a little peek into my life these days. I hope your week has started out wonderfully!

 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF PARKER & BROOKS:

Sometimes we swing.

Sometimes we destroy the play room.

Sometimes we climb on counters and cabinets.

But mostly, we work. We push these toys around the house for hours as if we're mowing a yard or waxing a floor.

Brooks usually ends up stealing Parker's toy carpet mower. Some emotional break downs are then had.

But we finally all decide that we're OK.

And just carry some McDonald's hash browns around in whatever toy carpet mower we currently have.

Laney Lou and Cousin Kate

I feel like I don't take / post enough pictures of the kids. I just never have an extra hand for my camera! And when I finally do get the chance to sit down and blog, they're asleep. Ha. I post the most pictures on my Instagram (Go follow me! melanie87), but even that hasn't seen any action in a few days.

Since I don't have any super new pictures, I'll show you some from a few months ago of Laney and her cousin, Kate. I guess they're not technically cousins. She's Marshall's cousin's daughter. So what is that? A 2nd cousin? Anyway, Kate and family just recently moved to town, too, which we're SO excited about! I never had family close when I was growing up, so I'm thrilled that Laney will.

These two could not be more different, which is so neat. Kate has a big brother and is very rough and tumble. She's just precious! She's always up for rough housing and a scrape on the knee or a trip-and-fall-down won't even elicit a cry from her.

We all got to hang out at Lake LBJ for my mother-in-law's Sister Reunion about 2 months ago, and it was TOO FUNNY to watch these two! Kate was splashing around and Laney would not even get her hair wet. Ha. Maybe if we hang out enough, Kate will toughen our girly girl up a bit!

Marshall's other cousin also just had a baby boy, Tristan. He is the perfect little pal for P&B! Look at those proud dads with their sons! I'm so glad Marshall's whole family likes to pop those kids out early like us...ha! These "cousins" are going to have a blast growing up together!

Product Review: { BABY WIPE WARMER }

Verdict: Not needed.

There may be some people out there who loved their wipe warmer, but I found my useless. It sounds perfect in theory, but never worked out for me.

The first few times I tried to use it, it dried all the wipes out completely before I ever even used one! I just ended up holding the wipe in between my hands for a few seconds to take the "chill" off of it. Also, you can't use the wipe warmer when you're on-the-go, so I would think it would be better to get your baby used to the temperature of the wipe straight out of the box.