20 things for 20 months

Twenty months ago today, my beautiful boys were born.  It's hard for me to digest that it's been so long.  Sometimes it seems like the days just drag and drag but before I know it, a month has passed.  Then six.  Then twelve.  Then eighteen.  Now we're at twenty, with the two year mark just lurking around the corner.  It seems so far but December always sneaks up on me.  So, to commemorate these short twenty months, here are twenty things I love about my babies.

1 - the way they take a bite of their food and then put the "yucky stuff" on their brother's plate.

2 - the little curls on the back of their necks.

3 - their "hippo teeth" when they smile.

4 - when Eli tells me that he pooped when I'm tucking him in (when he didn't) so I'll stay a little longer.

5 - when Jude sticks his fingers under the bedroom door because he knows I can see them.

6 - the way they knock on doors and ask for "Dadda?" or "Momma?"

7 - how after we visit people with dogs they think it's appropriate to lick the people they love.

8 - how they hold any flat object up to their ears and say, "Hewwo?" like it's a phone.

9 - the way they climb into the toy box because they can't just choose one toy to play with.

10 - when Eli wants to help and puts away his toys before nap-time without me asking.

11 - when Jude hands toys/food/sippy cups to Eli when he's still in his high chair.

12 - the way they cuddle with each other and go out of their way to hug each other.

13 - the way they try to brush my hair when my hair is in a bun.

14 - the sweet kisses they give (even when they slip a little tongue!)

15 - the way they bat their eyes and pretend to be shy around girls.

16 - how adventurous and fearless they are when climbing and playing.

17 - the way they think all four legged animals say "Moo!" and all birds say "Quack!"

18 - when Jude dances to music and laughs.

19 - when Eli tries to sing along to songs on TV or the radio.

20 - the way they put their heads on my shoulders and relax, even when they're trying to act like big, tough boys.

Menu Monday - End of August

I cannot believe that August is coming to an end.  Normally my favorite month, this one seems to have dragged on and on!  I'm getting excited to fall to come and make the weather a little cooler and more pleasant.  Then maybe we can go to the park again without worrying about heat stroke.  : )

Monday - Alex at AMOM meeting, leftovers for Travis and the boys

Tuesday - "West Wing" Night, Beef Roulade with Gnocchi

Wednesday - White Veggie Lasagna

Thursday - Go out to eat!

Friday - Grilled Salmon with quinoa and veggies

Saturday - Ratatouille Pappardelle with Sausage

Sunday - Travis at game, leftovers or dinner with the Melnicks for Alex and the boys

Splish Splash, I Was Taking a Bath

So, I won't lie.  I love to take embarrassing photos of Eli and Jude.  I don't mind being "that mom" that whips out the giant photo album full of naked baby pictures, or babies making silly faces pictures, or even sleeping baby pictures (if you haven't noticed that those are the bulk of my photos...) and I'm kind of looking forward to it.  I love to look back on photos and reminisce about the past.  I can only imagine how precious the pictures I take now will be to me in 10, 15, or 20 years.  I know I'll always remember how cute Eli and Jude were when they were small but it's nice to have photographic evidence to prove it, right?  And, when they're being total angst-filled teenagers it will be nice to think back to the days when they could not talk.

I just couldn't resist when Jude looked up and smiled at me with two toys in his hand and Eli grinned at me while brushing his teeth.  I made sure to pick the photo that did not show any little-boy-parts so when Eli and Jude apply for their first serious jobs their bosses won't find any pictures of their naked baby selves.  If they screw it up for themselves later, that's their own fault.  :)

Menu Monday - Post Road Trip

I'm a little uninspired by food for dinners this week.  Maybe it's because I'm so currently obsessed with food for lunches (I'm even dreaming about bento boxes!) but dinners just aren't doing it for me right now.  I'm really struggling with coming up with this week's menu so I'm sure we won't stick to it.  But I'll try.  : )

Monday - Chicken Roulade with mashed potatoes and veggies

Tuesday - "West Wing" Night!

Wednesday  - Alex at Mom's Night Out, leftovers or frozen pizza for Travis and the boys

Thursday - Pesto Chicken with quinoa and veggies

Friday - Go out to eat!

Saturday - Caldo Verde with crusty bread for dipping

Sunday - Travis at game, leftovers for Alex and the boys

Sleepwalking Hubby

Some of you may know that Travis is a somnambulist (sleep walker) but doesn't have very many episodes.  The last time he did it was when I was pregnant and I found him sleeping on the couch at 3 in the morning during one of my many mid-sleep bathroom runs.  I thought I'd been snoring or something so he camped out on the couch.  In the morning he asked me how he got there.

I've never actually seen him sleep walk until just now.  He tends to talk to me while he's sleeping though so we have a "code word" that he has to tell me before I believe he's awake.  He typically doesn't even remember the word when he IS awake but the way he responds to the question always lets me know whether or not he is actually sleeping.  Our conversation from just a moment ago was just so cute I want to share it with all of you.

*      *      *

The bedroom door creaks open slowly.  I get up off of the couch to see what's going on.

Me: Travis?

No response.  Travis peeks around the door and starts to walk towards me.  I notice his eyes are closed.

Me: Are you sleeping?

Travis: (indignant) No!

Travis shakes his head vehemently and then gives me a hug.

Me: Okay, what's the password?

Travis: (whining) Aww, I don't know the password.

Travis hangs his head, turns around and walks back to bed and lies down.   

*      *      *

Is he not the cutest husband ever?  : )

Home Again

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it's been a week since my last post!  We got back from Chicago very late on Tuesday night and yesterday I was trying to run around and get us all settled again.  Today I have a lot to do because I'm hosting this month's Book Club meeting for my Moms of Multiples group.  I'm really excited but I have a lot of cleaning and food making to do before I'm ready.  : )

Our trip to Chicago was a lot of fun.  We went to the Museum of Science and Industry and Eli and Jude were upset that they didn't get to spend the whole time looking at the baby chicks or playing with the interactive water exhibits.  We ate some DELICIOUS food (as always) including Lou Malnati's pizza, Portolli's hot dogs, Rockit's hamburgers (supposedly the best burger in the country, according to Good Morning America), Emilio's Tapas, and some tasty Chinese food in Chinatown.  Beyond the food, we did a lot of walking and some shopping in downtown Chicago and spent an afternoon at Millenium Park.  And, above all we had a great time hanging out with the whole family!  We were sad to head home but I really missed my bed.

Sadly though, Eli and I are now sick.  I have almost no voice, and what voice I do have sounds like a man.  Not sure where we caught this gross bug, but it's no fun.  Jude seems to be coming down with it too and I'm hoping that we all get over it quickly.  I feel like we JUST got over the last sickness!

Wordless Wednesday - Thursday Sleep Edition