Flash Back Friday

MY MOM

I came across some old black and whites at Mom and Dad's.  I love the look and lighting of the old black and whites. This is my Mom, she is fun, generally very happy, and has a legendary laugh.  Wish I could have known her back in the day, I think we would have been great friends:)

One week left as a twenty-something...

I have one week left of being a twenty-something. As I prepare to enter my thirties, I have been reflecting on my twenties.
When I turned twenty I cried. Not because of the age, but more my perception that you must "be more adult" as a 20 year old. Prior to twenty, when I would royally mess up, I would think...I am a teenager. For some reason it was comforting. Therefore, the transition to 20 was a frightening undertaking.
My twenties were full of growing pains, and amazing growth. Some moments where I was beaten down, lying flat on the floor, to others where you could not pluck me off the ceiling:) During this decade I made peace with not being "normal". I also learned playing it safe is not the FUN choice:) My twenties were challenging, striving, exciting, briefly stagnant, fun, loving, and alive.
Overall, how could I not love a decade in which I turned back to God, found a career I love, met my love in life, and was blessed with Quint and Russell. I learned a lot in my twenties, and although I don' t know if I am ready to say goodbye to them, I am so grateful for this decade.
I am going to enjoy this last week:) If anyone wants to know how old I am today I will gladly tell you 29!

Bath Fun

I finally splurged and got a bath mat. It was very challenging to hold on to Russell in the bath, but with the mat he doesn't slide around as much. The boys love taking baths and it is fun to see them play in the water together. I love baby bath pictures, it is ineveitable they will be used to embarrass them as teenagers. This looks like a good one for the yearbook page...haha

Spring Break

We had a super spring break! The weather was fantastic, and we were able to be outside most of the week. We loved having Daddy home. We have decided everyone is happier when it is possible to play outside. We played in the yard, took walks, and visited our favorite park. Although everyone assures us it will snow again, these glimpses of spring are so exciting!

Flash Back Friday

Little Christy and little Rebecca:)  This is us on our yearly family vacation to the Thousand Islands.  The Taylor's have always loved the water.  We went every summer till we moved to California.  We camped, boated, swam, cliff jumped, learn to ski, and made countless memories.  I am wearing my first swim team "team suit"  go Southeast Sharks!

Will I miss this?

Tonight I was washing dishes, and Russell was just cruising around the kitchen. He is very proud of himself lately because he is a competent crawler and furniture surfer. He was standing using the cupboard as his crutch, when he grabbed on to my pants and began moving around my legs. He stood there for a while, jumping and pulling on my pants and I began to wonder, am I going to miss this?
With two young ones under three, I can feel more like a jungle gym than a mom. By evening I am exhausted. During these evenings when I just want to scream "stop touching me" I reflect on what many older, wiser people have told me. These are the best years. I am a bit weary of these words. Different people have told me high school, college, just married, and now raising young ones are the best years of your life. I am not sure who is correct or how I will feel when I am older and wiser, but it has helped me to relish the moments. Maybe that is the wisdom. Every stage has "bests" in it, but the important part is to relish the moments. So, as I wash dishes and Russell pulls at my pant leg I take a breath and enjoy the moment. Because, wise people have told me...you will miss this.

Russell can stand

Russell is learning to stand alone. We caught one of his attempts on video one evening. Russell is our night owl, and although we are a bit tired we treasure our evenings alone with him. Tonight we caught a milestone. Our little night owl is the cutest.

Where are you going?

Everyday I am amazed by how much our boys grow and learn. Today I caught a video of Quint playing with his blocks. While I watch him maneuver the blocks questions run through my mind...what is he thinking? Why that block there? Does this mean he will be a designer or builder? Maybe architect? Did Gallo do this as a young child? BK mom recounts how he loved order as a child...is he just like BK? I could go on and on....but when raising children it is hard not to wonder when you look at them...where are you going? And, can I tag along? Watching you grow and learn is like witnessing a miracle and I don't want to miss it. I am so excited to see where Quint and Russell go, and I plan to enjoy the journey. I don't know if this song was intended for this, but it goes with my questions, and sometimes I don't feel like the superwoman I need to be to raise our boys properly. That is why I choose it.

Sharing a room

Quint and Russell share a room. Overall, I think it is great for them, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Russ is teething and wakes up crying...which makes me worry he will wake Quint, then there is always the times we go to lay Quint down when Russell is sleeping and he yells Rus-ell! Rus-ell! Sometimes this wakes Russell which leads to a very angry momma:) The cute part is when they play together like this. I found them interacting after a nap session and it was so cute I recorded it. Hopefully they will overcome our sleep challenges, but at least there are cute moments like this to help us through the hard ones!

Sledding 2009

We have decided to embrace winter:) This video was taken in mid-January when we got some nice fluffy snow. Our neighbor Betty had gotten a big chair for Christmas and offered us her cardboard box. Turns out it makes a good sled! I can't wait till Russell is big enough to join us.

My Sister

Most of you know my sister Rebecca. I can say that with some certainty because she tends to leave an impression. She is a loving, spirited, outrageously fun/funny, and in many ways she is my complement. Where I am weak she is very strong, and vice versa. She challenges me daily, and has helped me grow into a much better person since I began listening to her back in 2001. Because of our differences, we shared a volatile sisterhood. It has grown into a grand friendship. She tells me when I am being an idiot, challenges me in my faith, and loves me even when I don't deserve it. We became sisters at birth, but we became friends in Europe in 2001. Again, Rebecca to the rescue. (She historically has taken care of me, who is the older sister?) I had no plan after college, and Rebecca was in London. So, I went to live with her in 200 square feet, in a foreign country. We bonded, learned about each other (good and bad) and thus began our friendship. Since then, we have always lived apart, but managed to stay connected, trips to California, Dominican Republic (my high roller younger sister paid!), meet at the lake, bus to Boston/NYC, more trips to the lake, even a trip to Iowa. Countless phone calls which sometimes end in someone hanging up on the other, but most the time just sharing life.
Today my younger sister is 27. I wish I could be a super sister and go to NYC and take her to a spa day and a fancy fun night out. But, babies, budget, and Rebecca's work schedule preclude that. So, I blog about how fabulous she is. Therefore, the whole world will know why they should celebrate February 23 1982!
W orth-knowing
A ll about football
B eautiful
E nteraining
C ompletely fabulous
C hrist-loving
A ward-winning Aunt!

Grammy comes to town!

Mom came to visit for a few days. It was such a treat to have her here, to spend time with the boys and give me an extra hand during this busy time. She is a great guest, and the boys love to see Grammy. The only way it could have been better was if Papa could have came too.

I used to think: will I survive raising boys, now I wonder will they survive me?

When I delivered Quint the nurses joked that I would need to move next door to the hospital when I have the next one because they anticipated a fast labor. Well, Russell took his time, but I am starting to believe we should move closer to the hospital so I can keep my boys alive!
Sometimes in parenting I just want to lie on the floor and cry because they are getting the best of me, but recently, I want to cry because I worry how are they going to survive me as a mother! Don't get me wrong, I love the gift of being a full time mom, but with any challenge there is going to be ups and downs. Hopefully I will be a pro-momma in the near future, but right now I feel like a novice.
First, while I was changing Russell, Quint spilled/drank all the allergy medicine. I was freaking out, because some went down the drain so it was hard to decipher how much (if any) he ingested. Just so you know, a boy around 30 pounds can drink about half the bottle and be fine.
Second, I tried to go to Target which is always an adventure, but Russell leaned out of the stroller, slipped out and fell on his head. I was freaking out again. Picked him up to sooth him, and then thought oh my gosh what if i paralyzed him! We left Target (without the milk we desperately needed) and drove straight to the doctor. They almost laughed, and reassured me that it happens and just be glad it wasn't a flight of stairs. (I didn't tell them that happened to Quint last winter, luckily it was only to the landing and he bounced well).
Most recently, an ear infection for Russell and Quint and I were in the ER last night for a terrible fever and cough. I should have called earlier but I thought he was turning a corner till his temp was 103 degrees. Turns out he will be fine but I was freaking again.
What really worries me is they are only 2 years and 7 months, can they really survive me till 18. Better start praying for protection now!
Please don't call social services.

First ER visit

Quint has had a terrible cold, but I just thought it comes with WINTER. Last night his temperature spiked to 103 and he had a cough that was very concerning. We called the doctor and they told us to go to the ER. I was scared because his breathing was so labored. After being in the ER for a while Quint's Tylenol kicked in and he was flirting with the nurses. I felt ridiculous, but when he woke up at 3 AM screaming and coughing I was reaffirmed we made the right decision getting him checked out. I was very grateful for the inhaler and peace of mind given to me by the doctor at the Emergency Room.

Medical School Formal

Early in the fall, we heard that there would be a formal for the school. I was so excited. I envisioned a swanky event, tall cocktail tables, classy music, and adult conversation with BK's classmates and teachers. Well, it turned out to more like a well dressed frat party. I was a little disappointed, but then I remembered the majority of the students are 22, and that maybe I was just old. But, we got our first babysitter in Iowa, I found a dress on super sale, and I was not going to let it go to waste! It was great to get out, have some drinks, dance and spend time together.
The cutest part was BK got me a cortsage. He is a great hubby.

Lauren is my great mommy friend. Her husband (Tim) is in school with BK and she is a full-time mom as well. She has become a great friend in a short time, and I am so grateful. Usually, we are holding babies, changing diapers, and speaking in phrases between babies care. It was nice to have a grown-up evening together, although we both felt hanging with the babies is just as fun, and cheaper:) I guess I am getting older!

BK with his two of his new school buddies. Gabe and Tim add some sanity to the crazy experience of medical school. It was fun to see them laughing and (most likely not thinking about the next test...at least for a few minutes)

Christy and Brian Visit!

To me she was always the "other Christy". We have shared a lot in life, same church, school, move cross-country, first name, and birthday. Old friends are extra special because they know all your bad things and still seem to like you. This weekend we were blessed to have Christy and her husband Brian stop by. Brian is a talented trumpet player and was playing in a nearby town so they stopped in for the evening. We got a lot of time to catch up, and Brian even gave Quint a trumpet lesson. What a treat! It was fabulous to see them and I am so glad that we have a mid-west connection!

Denise and Aaron visit

We had a special visit from our first mid-west friends Denise and Aaron! We met them in Boston when Aaron and BK were in the BU masters program together. They were our sanity in Boston, and we became great friends. They were passing through Iowa City and stopped in for a visit this weekend. It was a wonderful time! Denise is 6 months pregnant and she is the cutest pregnant woman. They showed us some famous mid-west eats in our town including Buffalo Wild Wings and Culvers. They are both soooo tasty:) It was so wonderful to spend time and catch up. We really appreciate them coming our way. Quint bonded with Denise and Aaron immediately, they are going to be super parents!

Cutest Diaper Butt!

This fall we became cloth diaper people. I did a lot of research because it was an investment. My friend Lauren (who is a cloth diaper mom) finally pushed me over the edge:) I am so glad we did it. I wish I could say it was for the environment, but to be truthful it was financially motivated. The environment was just a bonus. The best part is we have not bought diapers or wipes since October! With two babies in diapers that has a huge impact on our budget. It is a bit gross at times, but overall I don't mind it. Plus, there is nothing cuter than these diaper butts

Where are the wipes?

IN THE FRIDGE! I didn't even realize the wipes were missing but I opened the fridge and they were in there. Experiences like this confirms my suspicion that I lost some of my brain during pregnancy. Is this just me or can other mothers relate?

Quint is a Californian:)

Quint has never lived in California, but I think it is in his heart:) It never got above zero this week. "Dangerously cold" is what the weather man said. I braved the cold and brought in some snow for Quint to play with. Quint chose to play with sand toys and wear his sunglasses while playing in the snow....I think in his heart he was wishing for different weather conditions! I know I was!