Just venting...

OK, I'm just venting here...so just a warning. Whenever the boys and I or the whole family go anywhere in public we get a lot of stares, comments, compliments, etc. People think just because you have twins you need a comment. And I know that some people are just curious or trying to be nice. I'm not talking about these people. It's funny how no one really looks at the twins as individual babies right now...when they see them usually the first thing people say is "Wow, they are so cute...my, you must have your hands full!" It's the "hands full" comment that really gets me. Really? Duh? Do you think? What makes a stranger think they can tell me that? It's just starting to get old...because I hear it 15,000 times a day...

See, I told you....nothing to exciting to post today. Brady and Jack have developed a separation anxiety and a little jealousy when I'm holding one and not the other. Maybe if I had octopus arms I could hold all three boys...now wouldn't that be nice?

Otherwise, just a typical day at home. I must have a lot of time on my hands (boys are napping, I should be cleaning) but instead I'm researching training for a marathon and Paula Deen recipes...now that makes a whole lot of sense, doesn't it?

My little budding musician

Harrison got a guitar for Christmas from his grandparents in Iowa. He loves playing with it. We think he's going to be more musically-inclined rather than athletic. On Saturday, he was accidently hit on the head by the football at his game and according to Dan did not take it well. So for now we will encourage whatever he wants to do...it looks like playing the guitar in his sock monkey PJ's is high priority right now...

Know what makes me happy?

Scoring this $300 Lilly Pulitzer dress for $30 on Ebay...NEW.WITH.TAGS! Gotta love someone else's junk...(I know, I know-it was last season...but it's my treasure now)

Did I mention I also bought a pair of brand-new-authentic-with tags pair of Citizens of Humanity Kelly Jeans for $35 last year too?....You betcha! (These were my "I"ll feel good when I can get into these babies" jeans)

Oh! One more thing...

My weight on 1/28/07-188 lbs-YIKES (Hey, I was pregnant with twins!)

My weight on 1/28/08-119 lbs

What a difference a year makes! I normally wouldn't post my weight for the entire blogosphere to see, but you see...this blog is for ME too and I have worked SO.DARN.HARD that I'm throwing caution to wind and posting it. For those of you doing the math..I know, I know but some of it I had gained with my first child too. Look, Kate Hudson gained 70 lbs with ONE child and she's got a killer bod now! Although I've reached pre-baby status there's still so much work to do. Ladies who have birthed babies...I think we ALL know what I'm talking about! And for those of you who don't, that is down right AWESOME! And that's all I'll say about that...

A matter of perspective...

Dan and I are closet "Friday Night Lights" fans. We don't watch it when it is actually on, but we DVR it and watch it later. I guess it is because we are both from small southern towns. We also both love anything football. Anyway, there was something Coach Taylor said on an episode last week that hit me when I was on my run yesterday. (I do my best thinking when I run...)

Let me build the story for you....We spent the latter part of the day yesterday (Saturday) in the Peds ER of the Medical University of South Carolina Hospital. WAS.NOT.FUN! They are both fine today, but not so much yesterday. You see, their little bodies were still getting over this nasty stomach bug that invaded our house (Dan did NOT get it! He's the only one.) and poor little Jack was not producing wet diapers and had not kept anything-liquids or solids-down all week. He was literally shivering Saturday morning in his high chair, so we began getting concerned about dehydration. Brady, was fine, eating, drinking, etc but we noticed when we got him from his morning nap that his hands, feet and lips were purplish, blue. I put a call into our doctor and he recommended going the the ER at MUSC Children's Hospital. I, of course, was a wreck. He was breathing fine, though. But the blueness lasted all the way to the hospital (until we pulled in the parking lot, then it went away...). So, we spent about 3 hours there, while they assessed both boys. Jack started perking up and had held down his breakfast and snack. He started acting a little like himself and the blueness never appeared in Brady again. They could not figure out why it happened after thoroughly looking him over. So, they sent us home with two-on-the-road-to-recovering boys. Dan and I were SPENT from the week. It has been such a long and terrible week, it was the last thing we wanted to do...but we HAD to take them there.

So, we were having a little pity party on the way home...and weren't in very good moods. When I got home, I decided I really needed a run to sort out and process this week. While I was running, (random I know) I remember something Coach Taylor said on an episode when his wife was complaining about staying at home or going back to work with their infant daughter...and he said "This is not our burden, it is our gift"....It really hit me when he said it on the show and it hit me again as I was running. Five years ago, I would have NEVER, EVER dreamed I would be sitting in the ER with my twin boys and my 3 year old at a friends house. I didn't think I could ever carry a baby to term and it be healthy and happy.

My children are not my burdens (healthy or sick), they are my gifts! Sorry to ramble, just had to put my thoughts in print today. Don't worry, I'll be back to being funny tomorrow.

Who knew it would be this easy?

This week is definitely one for the record books. It looks like the boys are on their way to recovery-wow! Thank goodness. However, one good thing has come out of this stomach bug-no more bottles. Zip-zilcho-nada! I was hoping to wean then from their bottles when they turned 1, which is about 2.5 weeks away. I was dreading this, considering they have had them since they were born, unlike Harrison, who wouldn't take a bottle to save his life. I figured I would have my hands full weaning 2 babies from a bottle. Well, with the stomach bug, the doctor recommended to lay off the formula. Because they wouldn't take pedialyte, propel or water from the bottle, we gave them all liquids via sippy cup. Today was the first day I reintroduced formula, but offered via sippy also. Dan didn't think it would go well, but I handed Brady his sippy cup of formula this morning and he downed 6 oz as fast as he could. Jack didn't quite finish his, but he is still gaining his appetite back. Now I can check off that...all I need is to wean from formula to whole milk....maybe it will be as easy as this!

Oh, and there were tons of "cougars" at the bar of the restaurant last night. There were two of them primping when I went to the restroom-it was really quite a site! AND, the female C-17 pilot from Charleston that tried out for American Idol but didn't make it, was performing there. I didn't think she was that great. The food was AWESOME, especially dessert-I had something called "Sugar and Spice"-homemade warm cinnamon doughnut holes dipped in a Dulce de Leche sauce-YUM!

Happy Friday everyone!

On the prowl?

So tonight the moms are headed to Red Drum for Mom's Night Out. I can't wait to eat there, I've heard so many great things about the food. It was even featured in last month's Southern Living. The one thing I'm dying to find out is-is it really a "cougar" hang out?

What's a "cougar" you ask? Well, I myself just discovered what it was last year. According to Urban Dictionary, Cougars are only usually interested in men under the age of twenty-five. Also, Cougars are non-committal, choosing to move from mate to mate without ever settling down. It is not uncommon for the same Cougar to attack (sleep with) many different men in the same group of friends. Furthermore, Cougars are older and more practiced in the ways of snaring a mate so they will rarely broadcast their intentions to sleep with you until you are already in her Jetta, headed for the condo she just bought. It is this elusive behavior that earns her the name “Cougar.”

Apparently, the bar is crawling with them. I can't wait to people watch. And, if anyone mistakes me for a cougar-ha!ha!, I'll just flash the wedding ring...I'll give you details if I have any! Otherwise, just looking forward to hanging with the girls!

What goes around, comes around...

Well, well, well...where do I start? Yesterday was a disaster. Remember when I told you on Monday about Brady's stomach bug? Well, yesterday I woke up with it and by 10:00 am Harrison had it. We both had it and had it bad. So bad in fact, that I had to relinguish all parental duties and call Dan to come home from work. It was brutal. By 4:00 pm, Jack got it too. So it went through 4 of us in less than a day. Dan is still the last man standing! He should get some kind of father of the year award for cleaning up so much vomit and doing so much laundry. Thanks sweetheart! We are all on the mend today. I am feeling MUCH better and have managed to keep down my breakfast thus far. I'm, of course, not sending Harrison to school today-so we will spend the rest of the day getting our strength back. Here's hoping that Dan doesn't get it-it will be a miracle if he doesn't!

What would you do?

Watched this on Friday night. Such a good movie-great love story and a message that is still with me! It's about this couple who meet and both have terminal cancer and don't know about the other until later in the relationship...it really made me think about living my life in the moment and as if I didn't know when my last day on earth would be....What would you do? I cried my eyeballs out! I love movies that I still think about days later.

We had a great weekend. Despite the all-day rain, we loaded up the boys and went to Five Loaves for lunch. YUM! They have the best soups, salads and sandwiches. The boys got lots of stares and comments and definitely loved flirting with everyone. Afterwards, we stopped at a mattress place. We are in the market for this mattress. Anyone have one? Any comments or complaints? We also went to Lowe's and picked up some paint for the powder room, which Dan painted later that afternoon. Go Dan! Now we have the kitchen, family room, office, powder room, our room and half of the dining room done-thanks to Dan! My job is to keep the boys happy while he paints. It rained literally all day on Saturday so I made a black bean and chicken soup in the crockpot which hit the spot on a cold and rainy day. Dan caught up on Wii Saturday night while I read my US Weekly. Sometimes I love nights like this...

Sunday, I went for a 4 mile run and then we loaded up the boys and went to the Aquarium. It was packed. I think everyone had cabin fever! Afterwards, Dan went home and I did grocery shopping here. I love buying our groceries from here and I'm finding out that milk is cheaper than Publix or Wal Mart as well as other things. Who knew? I am also loving the Brown Rice Avocado rolls in the sushi area and also picked up an organic fig spread that I will put on grilled cheese-yum. It's the little things that make me happy!

Today, is not as upbeat. Brady has some kind of stomach bug. He's been through 5 outfits and I've been through 3 because he's been vomiting all morning. He acts like he feels fine, just can't keep anything down. Poor baby! As usual, lots of laundry being done.

I did manage to make a homemade almond and cream cheese pound cake while the twins took their morning nap this morning. Harrison loved helping me with it! The house smells like a bakery. Hard to believe a few simple ingredients...butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cream cheese and almond extract can produce such a divine pound cake. I'm making it for a family that just moved in down the street. I will definitely have to make another one for us!

Friday Flashback

Discovered some older pictures of Harrison and his friends. This one is of Slacker Mama's "E" and Harrison when they were about 8 months old...

This one is of my friend Amye's little boy Parker and Harrison in April of 2006. Yes, Harrison was bald for a while.

And this one is of Slacker Mama's E again with Harrison at Halloween when they were about 14 months or so....
I miss my friends from Virginia. We had some happy memories. Happy Friday!

my boys...

I haven't posted pictures of the boys in a while...so thought I'd share. Hard to believe the twins are 11 months old! Time flies when you are having fun and a little bit crazy...

Goin' to the Chapel...

There's going to be another wedding in the extended magnolia family this summer. Kerry, my cousin who's basically the brother I never had (on the end-far right) is getting married this summer. I'm so excited for him and Beth! Congrats you two! Can't wait for the big day in June!!! This picture was taken at my cousin Karen's rehearsal dinner in May 06 (she's in the middle). I'm in the strapless dress, my sister Paula in the orange and Karen's brother, my cousin Brian on the far left. We are proud of him too, he just completed his first semester of medical school-Go Brian!

It seems like yesterday that we were building forts in the fields...and now we're all grown up!

Book Club

Tonight I'm hosting book club and this month we read the book above. I don't really know what I thought about it. Our last two books were downers, so I was hoping this would be a little more uplifting....not so much! Anyone have any recommendations on a book for next month? Oh, and I'm making this dessert tonight!

Cashmere Mafia

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this show. It's clever, witty, hip, trendy, funny, sassy....all rolled up into one. Set your DVR's for Wednesdays at 10:00 pm on ABC. Need I say more....

Spring Fever!

I admit it...growing up in S.C. I always dreamed of having 4 seasons. Then I moved to Washington D.C. and got to experience it...it's nice, but after moving back to a warmer climate, I'll take warmer weather any day. I just love the way I feel when the thermometer reads in the 70's. It's so much easier to take the kids out and be outside. So, now that we are having these warmer days...I'm loving it! It was almost 60 when I went for my run at 6:30 this morning. AHHHHH! But of course, it is January and I know that it will be getting colder again.

Tonight is supper club-yea! Love eating and gabbing with the ladies. I'm making this salad. I could seriously live.on.goat.cheese!

Is it a band-aid?

Harrison said the funniest and cutest thing the other day. I was getting ready for Bunco the other night and he was hanging out with me...He opens the bathroom cabinet and pulls out a panty liner...

• Harrison: "WOW! This is a BIG BAND-AID, mommy!" (as he shows me the panty liner)
• Me: "Yes, it is sweetie." (not really knowing what to say)
• Harrison: "It MUST be for a really big boo-boo, huh?"
• Me: "Yes it is...yes it is"

It's all GREEK to me!

Speaking of hunger-have ya'll tried the Fage greek yogurt yet? This stuff literally rocks my world. Can you tell I'm still trying to lose the last 3 lbs?-all I can think about is food! I know there is a cult following for this stuff, but I wasn't a believer until I tried it myself. It is so rich and creamy (watch out Giada, I'm going to take your day job). Seriously though, run to your nearest grocery store and buy some. I tried the one where you add your own honey on the side and it knocked my socks off-so, if I haven't convinced you to try it now...I never will.

Cravings, cravings

And no-I am not pregnant! What is is about Giada de Laurentis and her expressions and comments on food that make me so freakin' hungry and crave whatever it is she's eating? I watched Giada's Weekend Getaway this weekend and she was in New York City. Now I'm craving a bagel and lox so badly, it's on my list for the grocery store tomorrow. I honestly can't stop thinking about the combination...ok, off to bed now.

What a beautiful weekend it was. It was 74 degrees out when I went for my run-loving it! It feels like April out there. I am not complaining-after waking up to 18 degrees last week, I'll take it any day.

The girls day out was fun-highly recommend Blossom for those you dining in the Charleston area. I had this amazing Carribbean Chicken and Crab soup with a coconut milk base with an awesome mixed green salad with goat cheese, pistachios and champagne vinegarette for lunch. So scrumptious (move over Giada!). I also bought a pair of ginormous black "Hollywood" sunglasses from White House, Black Market on our shopping excursion for $7 bucks-gotta love that. Of course, Dan made fun of me!

So, night-night all and I'll leave you with this, so you too can dream about it....

Surprise, surprise!

My sister has no idea that I'm surprising her today...shhhh (I hope she doesn't read this before the surprise!) She thinks it's just the two of us going to lunch downtown....but it's going to be 6 of her friends also. We are meeting at Blossom for lunch and walk around some afterwards-I LOVE surprising people!

Another reason I love the fact that I live so close to my family now! (And near great restaurants!)

Happy Happy Birthday Little Sister!

Happy Birthday Paula! Hope you have a great one! I'll see you tomorrow. Just remember, when you're feeling old, think about me-I'm 20 months older than you. Here's to a great year!

A Brand New Year!

First of all, I must tell you, I just had the BEST lunch...in my own home. I put a bed of arugula on a plate, then fresh sliced mozzarella, grape tomatoes, homemade croutons (yes, I made my own!), drizzled olive oil and balsamic vinegar and freshly ground pepper. I felt like I was in my own little bistro. It may be 30ish degrees out (with a windchill of 16) but I feel like I'm in Italy-a million miles away! The meal itself put me in a good mood...

Anyway, Happy New Year everyone. I just love this time of the year....a fresh start! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I know we did. I ended up surprising Dan with a Wii-he was really surprised and I was surprised that I actually found one without having to wait in long lines-just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I'm telling you it is worth the hype-it is really fun, especially the tennis game. You actually feel like you are playing.

I enjoyed my holidays so much, I think it truly was one of the best ever. It was so much fun watching through the children's eyes.

As far as my New Year's resolution, I really only have 1-to run a half marathon this year. Fortunately it's not until December, so I have 11 months to train. Then next year, it will be to run a marathon. I've met so many people who have run marathons lately, I feel like it is something I can definitely do.

We spent the last day of 2007 on the beach. Since we only live 15 minutes away from the beach and it was a warm day, we took the twins in the wagon and Harrison chased birds and looked for shells. It really was a great day to send off 2007. We had some friends over New Years Eve for cheese and chocolate fondue and champagne and watched our Tigers lose to the Auburn Tigers. 2007 will be hard to top, but I think 2008 will be even better. As a matter of fact, Dan came home yesterday and informed me that our mortgage payment will be dropping $200 because of our much lower tax bill. That was very good news!

I can't believe the twins will be turning 1 next month. Where has the time gone? I sure am a lot busier with them now that they are into EVERYTHING. It keeps me busy. I felt it yesterday when Dan went back to work after being off for 10 days -being a stay at home mom is just as hard of a job as any!

Just looking forward to getting back into my routine. Funny how much of a creature of habit I am. Tonight is Bunco, so should be fun to see the ladies of the neighborhood.