Kisses for Monk

It's happened. His name is Monkey or Monk for short. Riley holds him tight to her chest when I put her down at night and I find her asleep on his plush, furry belly. I wish I could sleep on his belly. It really is super soft. And there he is in the morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed – ready for kisses. Riley opens her mouth as wide as she can and stuffs Monkey's face into it. I'm sure there is some literature on the rules of having, or not having, a Monk. I never read any pregnancy or baby books. I wanted to trust my own instincts as a Mom. So there are some nights I slip it out from under her arm. But most of the time it's too endearing and I don't have the heart.

I love Whirlpool

My brand new Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer are here. I have officially moved up in the world from top-loader to front-loader. And I'm in HE heaven. HE stands for high efficiency, which basically means I have to buy detergent that says HE on it. The washer has this cycle called Whitest Whites that makes my entire laundry room smell sanitized. The dials say things like EcoBoost and Steam Refresh. The drums actually weigh my load of laundry and calculate washing and drying times. And there's a drum light for the dryer so I can light up the clothes while they spin. Jonah and Riley love this. Although, I'm not sure what Whirlpool was thinking. I imagine there was a meeting about how to make drying clothes more spectacular. Drum light. Done.

I figure it was a year of bibs and burp cloths that pushed my trusty Sears Kenmore over the edge. But when I smelled smoke, I had no idea. I smelled smoke and I was home alone. I quickly moved from room to room trying to remember if I left the iron on, a candle burning, something. I could see smoke. It was floating in the air. Where was the fire? I call Matt and tell him, knowing I am the textbook example of what never to do in an emergency. I should note here that Matt graduated from the Fire Academy. So he says it could be in the walls. It could be in the walls. What was I suppossed to do with that? He says go look outside. Good call. I go outside. Nothing. He asks if it smells like wood burning or a mechanical fire. Again, really. I say it smells like something is burning. Then I realize it's coming from the laundry room.

And well, here we are. Matt picked them out all by himself in a very cool industrial, brushed silver finish. I'm so proud of him for leading our family toward HE – and myself for letting something go.

Easter Morning

I'm so thankful for Jonah and Riley.

Jonah and Riley's Birthday (Part 1)

Matt tells me next year I can’t be so extravagant. I argue that the party is not extravagant; it’s detailed. “Fine,” he says, “It can’t be so detailed.” I nod my head full well knowing that my OCPD (Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder), not to be confused with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), doesn’t understand this. So from now on, I refer to their first birthday party as the Birthday Extravaganza.

Four months ago, the planning began. I was inspired by the vintage toys of the Fifties: Sock monkeys, jacks, dominos, Slinkys.

Using the color scheme of the sock monkey, I fell in love with two fabrics. I discovered the wonder of Wonder Under and glued the fabrics together to make an envelope. I stitched two red buttons on the envelope and tied it up with red and white bakery twine. Tutorial can be found at Design Sponge.

I bought a sewing machine for $15 and when it broke I used my Mom’s to stitch a red-thread border on the card.

I took the same fabrics and made "his and hers" party hats.

I bought these wool balls in Christmas colors for our tree from HandbehgFELTS on Etsy. I loved them. So I bought them in these colors for the Birthday Extravaganza.

I ordered nine dozen of mini cupcakes from Sugar Shack (Chestnut and Perrin, Fresno) in the following flavors: Peanut Butter and Jelly, Red Velvet, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Cookies N Cream, Snickers, Hot Fudge Sundae, and Vanilla. They were amazing. And the Sugar Shack people were amazing. I was adamant about colored sugar on Jonah and Riley’s standard-sized cupcakes because I imagined they could choke on sprinkles. But the nice lady assured me it would be fine. And it was.

I handmade paper flags as cupcake labels and adorned each with a button and thread.

I found these cute little cups for ice cream at Garnish and tied them up with the red and white bakery twine.

I found the reasonably-price vintage toys at Tin Toy Arcade for table decorations and favors.

I made chocolate bowls to hold animal crackers by dipping ballons in melted chocolate and then deflating them after the chocolate hardened.

I love my Cost Plus World Market jar-with-a-spout purchase for only $15. And do you see the lemons. Fancy. Worthy of a Birthday Extravaganza.

Jonah and Riley are turning one

Today.

From the fullness of grace we have recieved one blessing after another. John 1:16

I am still in awe that God entrusted these two precious, beautiful babies to us. Look back at their first year on video at http://vimeo.com/21249496.

At birth, Jonah Matthew (4lbs, 12 oz, 5:29 pm) and Riley Renee (4 lbs. 6oz, 5:27 pm)

3 months

7 months

Monkeys, Cows and Pigs

I scheduled Jonah and Riley's 1-year vaccination appointment on Monday. These things make me nervous. Matt says everything makes me nervous.

I digress. Right before their 3-month vaccination appointment, my Mom's cousin calls to say she was very upset her daughter was given the Rotavirus vaccine not knowing it’s contaminated with pig. She sends me an article and a website so I can read up on “The Vaccine Shock of the Year.” So I get online and Google Rotavirus. The FDA pulled the vaccine, but soon after, decided it was safe. Apparently, it does contain pig virus, but it’s not necessarily harmful to humans. So here I am, trying to decide if vomiting and diarrhea from a somewhat common intestinal virus – and the slight possibility of death by dehydration – is more detrimental to Jonah and Riley than the unknown side effects of the vaccine.

When I found out I was pregnant I refused to eat deli meat because it could carry harmful bacteria. Likewise, I avoided hot dogs, all sushi and picked feta cheese out of my salad. I ate my usual Turkey and Cranberry sub with sprouts until my Mom informed me of a contaminated sprout outbreak. Matt thought I was crazy, but I figured not more or less than the usual crazy.

Then I spent my entire second trimester evaluating the pros and cons of the swine flu shot. It was fairly new. What would be the long-term effects to my unborn children, if I get it? Will I get sick and kill my babies, if I don’t? It was awful.

Now I realize I will have to make these kinds of decisions for the rest of my life.

Pick them up? Let them cry? Vacciniate? Don’t vaccinate? Change the poopy diaper? Hope they don’t notice and go back to sleep? Don’t judge.

In my obsession to do the right thing or at least the educated thing, I purchased “The Vaccine Book” by Dr. Sears. “Chapter 5. Rotavirus. How is the Rotavirus Vaccine Made? …mix of monkey cells nourished by fetal cow serum…”

Huh. I guess pig was pushing it.

I will tell you that I gave both kids the Rotavirus vaccine, which is administered orally. Riley went first. She made ugly faces; her lips puckered up and she tried to spit it out. Jonah guzzled it like candy, sucked the tube dry and asked for seconds.

Brazilian Bottoms

I love Anthropologie. The clothes, the candles, the housewares. I'm especially in love with their window displays and product packaging. But today I was so excited I found a beautiful floral top and matching brown linen pant for the kids' birthday party, well until... I stumbled upon my ass in the dressing room mirror and bent over to get a better look. I definitely don’t look like this at home. What was I thinking? Did I really spend 30 minutes evaluating the entire line of swimsuit bottoms from Victoria Secret and decide on the cheeky one for this summer? Low rise. Hot short. Mid-scoop. No. I decided the Brazilian cheeky cut was the answer to all of this pimply cellulite. I haven’t worn so much as a side string bottom, let alone a situation where my butt cheeks hang out. I have to be the only woman who is on the brink of 35, a few months from giving birth, and so delusional she buys a swimsuit just short of a thong.