Nostolgia

My friend Lindsay. Just her name floods me with wonderful memories of awkward teenager years. With Lindsay and Bethany I remember:

Bad haircuts
Thrift stores
NOFX
Trips to Santa Barbara
Doc Martens
Hume Lake
Hudsons Grill
Camouflage anything
Bad hair dye
The Big Fam
Skyway Drive-In
40 oz. of Old English
Boyfriends with mohawks
Shower caps
The bowling alley
Colored plastic hair clips
My So-Called Life (the best TV show ever made)
Bands I was never allowed to see at 'The Compound'
An old blue Honda
A new life...Beautiful Sophie...


The memories are endless. Years have gone by and we've lost touch but I recently celebrated with Lindsay at her bachelorette party. I don't know if it's motherhood, hormones, or just age but I feel nostalgic and a great fondness for my past. Tomorrow Lindsay gets married and I am overwhelmed with happiness for her. Here's to a beautiful life together Lindsay, Craig and Sophie!

Congratulations Lindsay Jean~

What's my age again?

I've recently noticed that sometimes I think I'm still 20.

Example #1: Shopping. Any time I go to a store I head to the juniors department. Ummm, there's a reason it's called juniors. I recently saw a young teenager wearing the same shirt I tried on at Target. Oh...that's how it's supposed to look.



Example #2: The other day I said to my Mom, "I think I'd like to join a Mom's group, but I'm not sure. I want to meet other young Moms and I'm afraid I'll show up and it'll be a bunch of old ladies." As soon as I said that it struck me that although I'm not old, a young Mom would be a 19 year old girl. What if the 19 year old shows up to the group and thinks that I'm the old Mom still trying to wear juniors clothes. Hmmm.



Example #3. THE MOST EMBARRASSING EXAMPLE YET. Right before I got pregnant I went out for drinks and dancing in SLO with my stepson Michael. We were having SO much fun. I looked up and saw girls dancing up in the D.J. booth. 'Ohhhh goodie!' I thought to myself! I'll go up there to request a song and dance. I make my way through the crowd laughing and dancing as Fergie blares over the speakers. I start to climb the ladder to the booth and this big guy taps me on the shoulder. I turn around and prepare to tell him NO, I am not interested. I am married and enjoying a night out with my son. But before I can shut him down, the bouncer shakes his head tells me that I can't go up there. What? Why? I look up at the girls again. Clearly they either have fake IDs or they have just turned 21. Their halter tops and low rise jeans reek of sex appeal as they bust music video dance moves. The bouncer doesn't say anything, he just shakes his head again. Oh. Oh no. OH MY GOSH. I can't go up there because only hot young girls get to dance in the D.J. booth. HOW. EMBARRASSING. I look down at my cuffed jeans and white GAP tank top. My outfit is suddenly dorky and lame in this swanky bar. I make my way back to Michael (who is dressed unbelievably cool by the way) and tell him what happened. He laughs so hard that I start laughing too. After all, I am a step mom. Step moms really shouldn't be dancing in the D.J. booth.

So I'm thinking I don't have to dress in long khaki skirts, but it may be time for me to realize that I'm not 20. And I am a Mom.

It's about time.

Dancing Queen

Little Maegann graduates from high school in less than a month. Time truly does fly. While writing this I realize that I started this blog over a year ago. How much has changed in a year! Maegann will be starting at the junior college and Michael is moving to L.A. to start an internship. Maegann went to her senior prom this weekend with her friend A.J. But first, a few pics from the past...

Sophomore prom

Junior prom

And now...senior prom

Is it just me or does the girl look like a bronzed goddess?

Us

Her Dad's #1 girl

Ooops...sideways post

A.J. and Meg

I love you Maegann Elizabeth~

Mid Week Gettaway

Nana and Papa needed some work done on their home so Mike offered to do it. It worked out great for us as we enjoyed two nights in Santa Barbara at their hotel, The Castillo Inn. It was great to spend time with family and it was good to get away.

Nana swooning over Ella

Studly-I mean Mike, fixing cracks in the wall

Maxwell and Ella snoozing in Nana and Papas backyard while we enjoyed the view

Uncle Spencer and Max

A shot during our tour of Channel Islands Surfboards, where Spencer works glassing boards

Ella being adorable

Hangin' with Dad

Reluctant Models

Both babies were flashing insanely adorable smiles at me so I ran to grab the camera. The minute I opened the lens they put on their aloof/annoyed looks. I even poured on my over the top baby voice. Still, nothing. My reluctant models.

They had their two month Doctor visit and...
Chubbylicious Maxwell weighed in at 9 13 oz.
Ms. Ella 8 6 oz.

Mike said that these weights are almost identical to what Michael and Maegann were born at. Crazy.

"Enough already"

Old Friends

When Mike and I got married I had guests from high school and from college. At our wedding, these worlds collided and new friendships were formed. I spent Saturday at Dave and Kathy's wedding with the best of both worlds. Both sets of friends were there-and they are all friends. Mike and the babies stayed home and I had my first night out alone. I had such a good time...even if I spent most of the night talking about the babies. It was great to be out with friends and have me time.

Miss you old friends~

APU Buddies

Chris, Steve, and Scotty

St. Joe Crew

Zachary and Sarah
They had me laughing so hard it hurt playing 'Remember When?'

Somehow I have no pictures of the bride and groom

Two Months

Maxwell and Ella,
These past two months you have brought our family love and so many smiles. We watch you closely- looking for the little ways you change and grow every day. You have taught me...

* You like it when I sing to you when nobody is around (even if I can only think of highly inappropriate songs on the spot)
* There is no better smell than Burt's Baby lotion on you after your baths
* Sometimes, boogers have to stay there because you HATE when I pull out the blue boogie bulb * I am a patient Mom. Though I am not perfect, God has blessed me with calmness
* You are individuals. You may be twins but you are each unique in your appearance and personality
* When I'm not sure how to comfort you, you settle down when you are laying on your Daddy's chest
* Maxwell just wants to be cuddled. ALWAYS.
* Ella need only bat her big eyes at me and I melt. A puddle on the floor I tell you.
* When talking with other adults, I struggle to not talk about babies and how many times a day mine poo
* I am so very proud of you both. I beam when we introduce you and I hear my heart gush, 'I am their mother'

Two months and our lives are completely changed. I love this life.


Another video of baby pictures at two months...because I can't help myself

No Rest For This Breast

I'm trying not to feel like all I do is breastfeed, but Ifeel like my life is defined by nursing. I am grateful that the babies are able to latch on and they are growing. I am grateful that it doesn't hurt horribly. I just didn't anticipate how emotionally draining it can be. It breaks my heart to have one of them crying hysterically while I'm feeding the other baby. I'm not able to feed them both at the same time yet, but I am going to contact a lactation specialist to see if they have any tips. I just thought it would be easier...and I'm tired.



On a happier note, Maxwell and Ella got to spend the last couple days getting loved on by their great grandmother Vita...pictures to come soon...

Go Michael

As I sit here eating my Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ben and Jerry's ice cream, Michael just set off for a quick 40 mile ride. Michael is training for the 2009 AIDS LifeCycle- A 7-day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. To read more about it, check out his website here and consider supporting an amazing cause...and an amazing guy :) Love you Michael Charles~

Growing Like Weeds

Mike and I took the babies to their 5 week checkup yesterday. Have I mentioned that Max and Ella are celebrities? EVERYWHERE we go people are enamored with them. Obviously we think they are the cutest babies ever, but the attention we get is unbelievable. We walked into the pediatrician's office and the front desk receptionist jumps up, "Max and Ella are here!" She whispers to us, "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but your twins are the doctor's favorite patients." At only 5 weeks. Unbelievable.

(Yes, I'm already a bragging Mom. But wouldn't you?)



Max and Ella then...

And Now...
Maxwell
7 pounds, 5 ounces
21 inches long

Ella
6 pounds, 4 ounces
20 inches long

(Please pretend I'm not talking in an obnoxious baby talk voice)

Babes

This is what we get to wake up to everyday...

I love how Ella always falls into Maxwell and he looks like he is barely tolerating her.

Family Visit

Wonderful hospitality and wine tasting at Chateau Margene

Babies entertained on the patio by Grandma and cousins- thank you!

Deano and Maxwell

Max and Ella's first night out to dinner

Maxwell and big cousin Lauren

Auntie and Mom

Maxwell and Ella brought us our family from Seattle. The Benvenistes spent part of their spring break meeting the babies and spoiling us with their company. I felt like a grown up again with adult company- going out to a yummy dinner and even an afternoon wine tasting. We had such a great time and can't wait until this summer when we get to spend more time together and see the rest of our Washington family...we miss you all and think about you lots.

Max and Ella, Weeks One~Three

I can't believe Max and Ella have been with us for three weeks. They are changing every day. I am changing every day. Maxwell is our patient, curious boy. He is constantly making different expressions and seems to always be listening to everything around him. He already cooes and smiles to himself. Sweet Ella is a bundle of personality. She let's us know what she wants and when she wants it...NOW. She is tiny like a doll but strong and independent. Yet when she gets herself worked up, she loves to be held close and cuddled. As I write this I am overwhelmed that I am writing about my children. I am the Mom. I am their Mom. I am falling in love with Mike in an even deeper way as I watch him with our babies. Michael and Maegann love them and all of the sudden- our family of four is now a family of six. We are blessed.

At Last

Maxwell

Maxwell

Ella

Ella~signature kissy face

I have so much I want to say...and no time to say it. Although our lives are incredibly blessed, it seems I only have time for feeding. feeding. and feeding. Max and Ella are perfect. I can't even believe how much we love them. Please be patient with me as I am slow to return phone calls but know that your congratulations are much appreciated. I hope to write their birth story soon. At 36 weeks we are thrilled that they were healthy enough to come home with us. In the meantime, welcome Maxwell and Ella. I plan to post more pictures soon~These pictures courtesy of Uncle Louie, Reflections Photography.

March 4, 2009

Maxwell Daniel
5 lbs. 10 oz. 18 1/4
2:40 a.m.

Ella Vita
4 lbs. 14 oz. 17 1/2
3:01 a.m.