Its my blog, I can vent if I want to?

To the lady at the grocery store:


No, don't sympathize with me and my double temper tantrum toddlers. Oh but you've been there done that you say? Oh, well in the case. . .lets chat.
So, you have had twin 2 year old boys with one on the way and a husband who is deployed for a year? You just know exactly what its like to realize you have completely run out of diapers and milk AFTER you have bathed the kids and are ready to put them down to bed for the night but since you don't have a husband to relieve you of your "duties" to make a diaper/milk run at 6pm without the kids?
And you know then what its like to be up for 7 weeks straight with not one but two crying babies that don't understand where their Dad is at night? And that you still have to be up at 6am to be "on" because you don't get a day off? Or an hour off?
That there is no difference between a weekday and a weekend? 


Thats what I thought. I don't need a pity party. Maybe just a clone. HA!


PS. Its just been one of those weeks. . .This too shall pass.

You can call me Mrs.Fix-it

Since Andy has been gone I have obviously had to do everything on my own. This actually seems to work for me and I seem to get a TON of projects finished. My trick? Hire someone!! Ha! No but seriously. We have been talking about putting light dimmers in our kitchen for over a year now. Andy gone, and voi la! Light dimmer!
But there are some things you cant really hire someone for. I ordered the boys a "Nantucket style" table and chairs for the kitchen to take over the spot of high chairs (I know, we are big boys now!). When they came I was so excited until I opened the box and saw 1 million little pieces and an instruction packet. Ugh. Well, 30 minutes later I realized that I am pretty darn handy with tools! I guess you don't realize how much you can actually do until you try. My little lesson for the day. :)


Here are some photos of my 1st project since deployment:

Ugh here we go. . .

Finished project!

Its a hit with the MO!

The weather has been absolutely wonderful and we have been spending our days either at preschool, the beach or having picnics at the park. Something about warm fresh air really reboots the system.

Play day at the beach

Picnic at the park

We have been doing a lot of baking (metaphorically & literally).

Literally:


Since Andy has been deployed I have been testing out my baking skills. Anyone that knows me well enough knows that I DO NOT bake! So far with the help of two crazy toddlers we have come up with oatmeal,chocolate chip walnut cookies and cookies ironically called World Peace cookies. I think I am going to leave it at that and just secretly hope my Aunt Natalie who is an amazing baker can take over the deployment baking duties. ;)


Me & the Boys whipping up a batch for Daddy-O

Metaphorically:

I have been baking a bun in the oven for about 9 weeks now! We surprisingly found out 2 weeks before Andy left. I think this will speed up the deployment time. Don't you?! Either way, we are very excited to be adding another little one to our not so little family. In only 9 short weeks we will know the burning question. . .Boy? or Girl? This little cookie won't make its appearance until September 11, 2011.

"It seems like the fire department is always at your house"- Tia Nina

Of course something has to happen 10 minutes before we leave for preschool this morning. Ollie locked himself in his room. I contemplated leaving him in there to see what it would be like to only have one baby for the day. (Kidding! sheesh) 
I panicked and called my Dad who tried to talk me through a way to get in the room. We went over all of the options. Take door knob off, use wire hanger to flip lock, knock out the window pane from outside (which I decided against). I ended up calling 9-1-1 for the millionth time this month, OK year.
Three long minutes later sirens were blaring in front of our house and the door was pried open from THREE firemen. I guess it was a slow morning for someone!
Later in the afternoon we went to Lowes to find a new non-lockable door knob for the babies room. I realized AFTER we got home that the stupid door from 1930 needs and exterior door knob. Whatever that is. 


So in order for the babies to sleep with their door shut tonight, this is what we (Kendal) has come up with. Ghetto. I know. 

We needed today more then ever!

After spending 4 and a half hours in the ER last night for Max's "bulging" ear infection, today was a much needed day. It was the most beautiful 70 degree, blue sky day. After the boys took a whopping THREE hour (yes, I said 3) nap, we headed out to Wrightsville beach for some fun in the sun.
Its amazing to see how different our process is now, then from 5 months ago when we were at the beach last. The boys walked themselves all the way from car to beach (and back!). They were able to follow directions while we were there and they actually seemed to notice that the ocean exists! They played in the sand and ran up and down the coastline. It was bliss.
I talked with Andy on the phone today which is always bittersweet. Its great talking and catching up on our day but at the same time it makes us realize how far apart we are. I get to send him his first care package this week and I am looking forward to loading it up with lots of Valentines Day goodies and handmade arts and crafts from the boys.


Here are some shots of our lovely beach outing. . .

On our own again. . .

Well, it has been two weeks since the big deployment. We seem to be holding up great! I guess its actually easier going through a deployment when you have two toddlers and a home to juggle. This week we went through a nasty stomach bug that took us over for about 3 days. We were very fortunate to have some good friends bring over (or should I say, drop off at door step to avoid said virus) lots of fluids, ice pops and saltines.


Ollie & Max looking pitiful on Sick Day

On a really cute note. . .Max has started saying, "I love you"! Andy got to hear these heart-melting words on the phone this afternoon when he called. Loud and clear he said, "I love you,Daddy". With a cute "Mmmmahhh" noise afterwards. It doesn't get much better then that.