Weekly Recap #13

This week started off with one of my favorite holidays. I look forward to it every year. My calendar is marked, and I'm always ready to celebrate.

National Margarita Day. 

It's a thing.

According to the "official" National Margarita Day website:

Loved and consumed by millions, friends and families around the world honor this sacred tequila, triple sec and lime drink every year on February 22. National Margarita Day was started to celebrate the margarita, plain and simple. Friendship, good times and memories of somewhere warmer are all great reasons to enjoy a margarita.

I celebrated the momentous day with my very good friend, and fellow favorite drinking buddy, Kristen. We both have newborns at home so we've been looking forward to this for a looooong time.

And then I was lucky enough to come home to this. I love when I get to capture the kids with their Gram. She loves them all so much!

On Tuesday I tried taking pics of both twins together. Unfortunately for me, the pics never come out the way I envision them in my head. I get this (because Peytie is still always crying):

Or this:

Or even this:

This was the best shot on Tuesday. I don't know how those Bella Baby people get such great shots. Taking pics of these babies is HARD!

On Wednesday I was quite proud of myself because I learned how to do this:

I picked them up this way - by myself - and was able to snap a pic! #proudmommymoment

I tried another photoshoot on Thursday, and it went pretty much the way it did on Tuesday. Here are some of the outtakes:

I did get a few that I liked though.

On Friday I gave the twins a bath, and I love taking pictures of them after bathtime. Even Peytie cooperated for this one. By the way, can you tell I didn't do much this week. Seems like I only took pics of the kids all week. Cuz that is about all I did.

I also got proof that at one point Lauryn's eyes were blue. Peyton's have already changed to brown, but Lauryn is still rockin' the baby blues.

Not all the pics came out good though. The reason being that I was the photographer, of course.

Saturday was mostly spent at home, where I got to watch my boys with the babies. Brayden was being a good big brother. He has a hard time with this most days and just wants the babies to stop crying. **NEWSFLASH** We all want that, buddy.

Brayden is cool with the babies for awhile, and even WANTS to hold them. That is, until something better captures his attention. In this case, it was a commercial. Reminds me of Dory from Finding Nemo. (Side Note: Can't wait for the Dory movie to come out!)

Daddy is also home on the weekends and he loves spending time with the babies too.

Why does it look like Peytie is giving side eye in this photo? HA!

Jimmy and I also went treadmill shopping this weekend. We stopped by Precor Home Fitness in Geneva on Saturday to check out what they had. We like a BH Fitness treadmill, but hesitated on the purchase. We didn't want to buy the first one that we saw.

So we stopped by Sears on Sunday to check out their treadmills. I ran on a $1,600 NordicTrac treadmill...and it was GARBAGE! Cheap plastic, made a lot of noise, and definitely wasn't worth the price. I hope to call Precor back today to see if the one we liked was still available.

Sunday was also a gorgeous day (even if it was a bit windy). I basically had to force Brayden outside though (he's starting to become such a homebody). We rode his bike (which made me realize that he needs a new one), blew bubbles, and drew with chalk. It was a nice hour outdoors...in 60 degree weather...in Chicago...in February. Crazy!

I also had to watch a YouTube video to figure out how to do this, but I learned that it can be done. This will change my life, I'm sure!

It's funny what I've learned through YouTube. From the more technical problems, like how to fix some computer issues to more practical things like how to use a credit card to open a locked door. Gotta love that YouTube!

Lastly, I made my recipe of the week late on Sunday night. It was a Cherry Revitalizer Smoothie from my Drinks board on Pinterest. My husband and I both liked it and it was our special drink to watch the Walking Dead late Sunday night.

Next week is a busy week so I'll have lots more to share!

Weekly Workouts:

Zero. Yeah, that's right. That is not a typo. I skipped workouts all together this week. Why, you ask? Because I'm lazy. And I do realize that if I stay that way, I'll just get fatter and fatter. There, I said it. I know. Maybe if I could get some sleep I'd have more energy to work out. Chew on that.

(Disclosure: I am watching the Oscars as I typed that - making me a little irritated and a little extra snarky I guess.)

Weekly Goals:

• Goal #1: Log calories everyday this week. I barely logged in. So I overate. And gained weight. UGH!
• Goal #2: Work out 3 times this week. Not even one. :( 
• Goal #3: Spend 30 more minutes organizing the basement. I swept the steps going down to the basement. Does that count?
• Goal #4: Write a post for my other blog. I have one started! But nothing was published. :(
• Goal #5: Send email to preschool director. Still have yet to do this. I hope they don't think I died.

Horrible. Not even one goal completed. What's the point if I don't make an effort to complete them? I'm cutting it down to three goals for this week. Hopefully that will keep them manageable enough to complete. I'll keep them health-related because I'm struggling with that right now.

Goal #1: Log calories everyday this week. Not only do I need to login, but I need to stay under my calorie goals.

Goal #2: Work out 3 times this week. My ultimate goal is to work out five days a week, but I'm starting off slow with just three times for a few weeks.

Goal #3: Drink at least 6 cups of water every day. I basically drink coffee all day long (I have to keep up with these twins!) Water is so important so I need to make sure I meet my daily goals.

I'll let you know how it went next week! I really want to tackle them all this week. There's only three!

Things We Love: Baby Breeza Formula Pro

It's been five years since I've taken care of a newborn and SO MUCH has changed since then (already!). Changes in baby products were expected from the time I had my first child in 1999, to when I had Brayden in 2010, but never did I think that some products would be so different from the time I had Brayden to the time I had the twins.

Case in point, the first product we're loving: the Baby Breeza Formula Pro.

No joke, this thing has changed my life, y'all!

I've been pumping breastmilk as much as I can, but already I can see that my supply is staring to decrease. My goal was always to have the twins drink breastmilk for 12 weeks, and I'm pretty sure we can make it to that mark...as long as I supplement with a couple of bottles of formula throughout the day (we are currently doing every other bottle).

We keep it in our room (where the babies are sleeping too) on my dresser.

I can't believe I raised two other kids without this thing! Whoever designed this thing is a genius! The Formula Pro makes a warm bottle, ready to feed the baby, in LESS THAN 15 SECONDS! Do you realize what a game changer that is?!?! No more waiting around to get the water at the right (warm) temp - the bottle will be ready and waiting in 15 measly seconds. Such a time-saver and baby-sanity saver. Parents are happy, babies are happy. Win-Win!!!

The company that manufactures the Formula Pro also sells a baby food maker and bottle sterilizer. I have a feeling that the baby food maker is a product that will make it's way to my house in the future.

So if you have a baby, and are using formula, I can't recommend this product enough! The price is a little high (around $150), but I promise you - it's worth every penny.

A Baby Ultrasound

My twins were born at 34 weeks and 6 days, earning them their stay in the NICU. But Peyton, being breech or transverse for my entire pregnancy, also earned another "honor" - a hip ultrasound that had to be done between weeks 6 and 8 of age. Go Peytie! **GRR**

I scheduled the ultrasound at Delnor Hospital because it's actually much closer to my house than CDH (where they were born). Waking up that morning, I was nervous for Peyton because he does have the tendency to curl into you (which might be a spine thing, and not so much a hip thing) and he's also a screamer so any medical procedure is met with hesitation and foreboding on my end. I dreaded this appointment before it even began.

But as much as I didn't want to take him in, I knew it had to be done. So we were off to Delnor.

One of the first things I noticed about this hospital was how fancy it was. As soon as you walk in you're greeted with an expansive reception area and a grand piano! What hospital has a grand freakin' piano? Well, Delnor of course! Wish I got a pic of the reception area!

I did get a pic of the Outpatient Registration area though - it's almost just as fancy (minus the piano).

We registered and were taken in within 5 minutes. No joke! That just doesn't happen. In my experience, most hospitals have you waiting for a little while. Points to Delnor for making this a quick process.

The whole ultrasound was pretty fast too. I had to lay down next to Peytie to hold his leg bent and close to his body. The technician had him lie on one side, and then the other. I thought - FOR SURE - that putting the warm gel on his leg would send him over the edge. In fact, I braced myself for the noise. BUT NO! Not a peep out of that little guy. Proud (and relieved) mommy moment. When the tech stepped out of the room, it was time for some pics while we waited.

When the tech returned, she told us that she didn't need any other pictures and we were free to go. Such a quick appointment! The doc would call me within 48 hours with the results of the scan.

On the way home I was going to stop at Toys R Us to pick up a birthday present I needed to buy on my first solo trip out with Peytie, but of course he started wailing in his stroller after his appointment all the way to the car. Didn't feel like chancing it at a store...in public. I did stop at the drive through, though, because of course I run on Dunkin'.

GOOD NEWS! The doctor's office called me the same day and said that little Peytie's hips are JUST FINE! Phew! I was afraid we'd have operations and therapies in our future, but at least not this time. I'm happy to report a great appointment with an equally great outcome.

Weekly Recap #12

It's funny how I always think that I don't do much, then when the end of the week rolls by, I check my pics from the week and realize that I was a heck of a lot more busy than I thought I was. This week was one of those weeks. I didn't do something everyday, but I did pack a lot into this week.

Monday

Here's looking at you cutie pie!

I love watching them in bed together. I know this stage won't last too much longer so I snap pics of this phase whenever I can.

Tuesday

Pretty girl

Handsome boy

On Wednesday I realized that Brayden had another case of cabin fever. He's been helping a lot (or as much as he can) with the twins, so I figured he could use a little treat. The library books were due so we made a trip there to pick out some new books, and then we headed out for one of his faves: froyo at Spirels! 

And then I came home to this adorableness. It was a good day.

On Thursday I had to take Peytie to Delnor Hospital for a hip ultrasound. I'll tell you all about that trip in another post later this week. Here's a preview though.

The rest of the day was spent chilling pretty much like this (Peyton is always crying).

On Friday I woke up to this gorgeous face, who gave me his first bonafide social smile. I went in to say "Good Morning!" and was greeted with a whole lot of this. Melts my heart!

I also take Brayden to OT on Fridays, and this week I decided to take him to get some gourmet popcorn on the way home. I've heard a lot of hype for Mama Lee's Gourmet Popcorn from friends and online, so I wanted to check it out for myself. 

The interior is pretty much what you see in the pic (no tables/chairs or anything), so you just go in to purchase your popcorn fix. They rotate over 70 specialty flavors every other day, along with selling their staples, the Chicago Mix and Elgin Mix. I took home a bag of Elgin Mix (caramel and white cheddar) and Bacon Cheddar. Both were outstanding. The bags didn't survive my house for two days. GONE! This place does not disappoint! So glad I stopped in.

I also visited my friend Sarah who recently added the gorgeous Amelia to her family. (CONGRATS, Sarah!!!) There's been a bit of a baby boom among my circle of moms over the last year. It makes me happy that the twins have a ready-made group of buddies already. 

And this is how the twins spent the rest of Friday.

I think Lauryn has a "thing" for beating up on her little brother!

Peytie FINALLY enjoyed a little bit of tummy time!

"Where's MY tummy time, Mommy???" LOL

We had a EPIC birthday party to attend on Saturday. Brayden's friend, Sammy, had a Star Wars themed party and it was so fun! There were even edible light sabers! Happy birthday, Sammy!!!

The only really fun thing we did on Sunday was bake this week's recipe, Soft and Chewy Lemon Cookies. They taste fantastic, but look nothing like the original picture. I followed the directions to the 'T' too! I'm glad they tasted alright, otherwise I would have had to chuck the whole thing - and Brayden loved helping me out with them.

Here are a few more pics of Sunday.

See, Lauryn cries too!

Weekly Workouts:

Tuesday: Beginner Boot Camp Workout -- Easy Toning & Low Impact Cardio Workout (20 minutes) I used 2 lb dumbbells

Low Impact Cardio and Toning Workout for Beginners (10 minutes)

Thursday: Zumba Workout #1 Custom Playlist (35 minutes) I really like Linda Edler's YouTube channel for dance workouts. She's so high-energy - but I did modify someof the moves so I wasn't jumping around so much.

Sunday: Day 2 - Stretch & Soothe - 30 Days of Yoga (35 minutes) The Day 1 routine was easy, but I don't think that's the case for the rest of the program.

Weekly Goals:

• Goal #1: Log calories everyday this week. Sorta. I logged some calories into MyFitnessPal, but not all. My weight loss has stalled though so I need to make sure I'm eating better.
• Goal #2: Work out 3 times this week. YES! Hoping I stick to this. 
• Goal #3: Spend 30 more minutes organizing the basement. Not this week. Is this ever going to happen???
• Goal #4: Write a post for my other blog. YES! Post was published today!
• Goal #5: Send email to preschool director. Working on this one today.

Ok, but not great. I think I have yet to complete all my goals for the week. I really need to try harder.

Goal #1: Log calories everyday this week. Not only do I need to login, but I need to stay under my calorie goals.

Goal #2: Work out 3 times this week. My ultimate goal is to work out five days a week, but I'm starting off slow with just three times for a few weeks.

Goal #3: Spend 30 more minutes organizing the basement. I can always spend more time in the basement. I have to get down there this week!

Goal #4: Write another post for my other blog. I know what I want to write about, I just have to do it.

Goal #5: Clean up the closet where all the baby stuff is. That closet is a nightmare...already! I need to get it back to normal.

I'll let you know how it went next week! I really want to tackle them all this week.