Callie Reading, "No David"

There is no sweeter thing than hearing your daughter read you a story before she goes to bed!  We have read the book No David a handful of times, and she LOVES it!  The other day, she read it to me, so I asked her if I could record her tonight!

She still has her nasty cough, so you have to work past that :)

I adore this little girl!  She really pays attention while we read her stories at night!

Halloween is near...Doc McStuffins & Stuffy X 2 are ready to celebrate!

This past weekend was a busy one, but a very fun one :)  We went up Saturday late morning/early afternoon (we travel around our kid's nap times so we don't have tantrums in the car!)  We had to stop by the Mall of America to buy my nephew's birthday presents (they have expensive taste and the stores are only in the MOA).  We had only a couple hours there before we headed to the Como Zoo for our 2nd annual trip to Como Boo!  Unloaded the kids to go into the mall was a nightmare.  The mall was so crowded that we had to park on the top level - seriously, the roof top.  Take an elevator down, cross into the mall, take an escalator down to the floor we needed (because heaven forbid they actually have the parking ramp go into each level without stairs)... YES we go a lot of looks on the escalator with our double stroller and Callie in hand!  Dude...I am way too impatient to wait for an elevator to people who are too damn lazy to take the escalator!

We took Callie into Nickelodeon Park to go on some rides.  She was such a trooper and totally excited!  Thankfully the pass is good until it is gone, so we can go back another day to use the rest of our ride points :)  Here are some pictures from Nickelodeon Park!

Callie had her picture with the giant Dora! She isn't a fan of Dora, but was excited to see this!

Callie and I waiting in line for the "mini" roller coaster!

She was so excited!

Callie went on the "Frog Hopper" ride next...

The little girl next to her convinced her to start with her hands up...that did not last long, nor did she like the ride at all!

Daddy took Callie on the Carousel - that is always a good time - she loves this ride :)

Notice Callie's Stethoscope - we did get stopped several times with people inquiring where we found it, because they can't find them anywhere!

We treated Callie to some ice cream for being so brave on the "Frog Hopper"!

After we started heading out (left the mall when we wanted to) and saw the "line" of cars waiting to exit the mall, we realized we were going to be a little late.  So we unloaded the stroller from kids, bags (both diaper, bottles and shopping) and had the kids all settled...we waited in the ramp with screaming children!  Oh joy!  After propping a couple bottles, we were on our way to Como Zoo (only a 20 minute drive...we can do this!)

We met Grandma Lynn at Como Zoo!  She came with us last year and this has become a tradition :)  We arrived 15 minutes later than we wanted to, but that was okay, because we were still there before their gates opened :)  Lynn was there waiting for us in line, so we quickly put the kids in their costumes and headed off to find Grandma :)

My kids :)  Halloween 2012

Doc McStuffins

Stuffy # 1 (Collin)

Stuffy # 2 (Carter)

Callie was beyond excited to be in her Halloween costume and loved having her brothers along side her as "Stuffy".  My personal highlights: 

* Seeing the joy in Callie's eyes as she walked with such pride dressed as her favorite, "Doc McStuffins"

* Having people say, "Hey, it's Doc McStuffins" - and actually recognizing her (as there isn't a costume out yet, this one we threw together on our own-okay I did!)

* Hearing Callie's giggles

* Watching the boys look around in amazement at everyone and everything!

* Spending time with my family and creating these wonderful memories with our kids!

Enjoy the pictures :)

Callie found Grandma in line :)

Grandma & Collin

Grandma & Carter

I think she really enjoyed this quality time with her favorite grand kids!

She told us we couldn't call her Callie, we had to call her "Doc" - she really plays the part :)

Posing with a froggie!

Then she had to pose with everything (don't worry, I won't post ALL of the pictures)...

Daddy maneuvering our "Bus" through the crowds!  This was the first time our boys were in this stroller without their car seats!  I think they liked it!

Callie receiving some treats!

Grandma sticking close to Doc

Tickling her brother, Carter!

This is sweet!

Walking through the crowds, waiting for the next "station"

There really are tons of people there, but they have it pretty organized and down to a science!  I highly recommend taking your children there if you can!

Collin was racked out!

Sweet sleeping Dragon!

My Doc!

Waiting for games - yes, they gave away a number game!  Incredible what they give you :)

More treats for Callie!

High fives!

Checking out some animals

I think she was getting a bag of fruit snacks here!

While walking, Callie shouts out "It's Lambie" - so we walked over, asked her mom if we could take a picture of the girls together!  Lambie is Doc McStuffins "Best Friend", so Callie was SO excited to see her!

Carter zonked out - such sweet dragons!

My favorite girl and I with the pumpkin :)

Callie wanted Doc to have her picture taken in front of the pumpkin!  Haha

Grandma pushing the boys!

Seriously - this thing is a beast, but she did well!

Ah Yes!  Captain Jack Sparrow and I :)  I couldn't resist...

He had me at "Hello Darling"

I love my family!

Grandma with her Favorite Grand Kids and her son, Josh :)

After Como Boo, we headed over to Pizza Hut to eat together!  Terrible Parenting moment of the day: This was really truly the first meal we all ate!  Callie had crackers for lunch, but I am justifying this as okay, because she had been sick...we weren't sure if we were going to come up or not, but she pulled through for us!

Haha - that night we headed back to my parents to crash there...also knowing that we could sleep in the morning and not hear the kids is a major bonus!  But Callie had a runny nose!  She ended up with this booger bubble and she let me take a picture :)  Haha!!

This was all Saturday - it was a fun filled day and our kids were AWESOME!  Josh and I are always so shocked at how well behaved they are and how they go along with everything...but then we have to remind ourselves that we are blessed with really good kids :)

Sunday was a very fun day as well - Tyler & Trey's Halloween Birthday Celebration!  This was a costume party, but you'll have to wait on that post until AFTER Josh and I wear our costumes to the Woodson Kindergarten Center Halloween Costume Contest on Halloween...don't want to give away our costumes :)

Collin & Carter: 5 Month Update

Well, my boys are officially 5 months old!  I can't believe it!  Everyone we run into that has twins always said to us that after the first three months, "Don't worry, it gets easier"...yeah, but they forgot about teething...It's like God's way of saying, "I don't want you to forget how brutal that first month was, so I'm going to have your boys teeth...at the same time!!!"

Collin & Carter!  

"He did it" - Thank you Val Cipra for the adorable shirts!  Can you believe they already fit them!

Carter looks suspicious in this picture :)

This has been a very busy month for us.  Josh is on a modified teaching schedule, so he was at home with the kids for 3 entire weeks!  It was amazing for our children!  I'm not sure Josh would say the same thing...from what I gather, it was more work to be at home :)  The kids were all fed, happy and loved whenever I returned home.  I know Jessica (our daycare) said her house appreciated the break!  It is a win-win situation!

Collin :)

Carter :)

Five Month Update

Food - Both of the boys are drinking 5 ounces every feeding of strictly breast milk.  They each eat about 7-8 bottles a day - yes, that is about 35-40 ounces each!  I feel like that is a ridiculous about of milk, but they are hungry, growing boys!  That much milk means I need to start producing A LOT more...which I'm not...so we are using about 2-3 bags of frozen milk per day.  We think they are hitting a huge growth spurt right now as well.  We tried giving them rice cereal in their bottles, but they didn't seem too interested.  So we pulled out their table chairs, strapped them in and SPOON FED them some rice cereal...they didn't really want that either!  They ate some of it, but they didn't seem too sure.  We're going to try again in a couple of weeks.

Collin & Carter together in their new chairs (thanks to the MOM sale in Rochester - 

scored both of these for a total of $30.00!!)

Collin is ready to eat :)

Carter isn't so sure about this, but willing to give it a try!

Yup, I think he likes it :)

After spitting it out a bunch, he still likes it :)

Sleep - They were doing such a great job sleeping - then those darn teeth started coming in :)  Collin has been waking up between 2-3 times PER night...and Carter has been waking up between 1-2 times.  Carter USED to sleep through the night...but because they are waking up in the middle of the night more frequently, they want to eat - which is why we've been going through so much more milk.  Before we would feed them before bed, Carter wouldn't eat until morning, and Collin would only wake up one time (some times he would sleep through the night as well)...  Josh and I would really like our sleep back!

Clothes - Both boys are in the same size still - which makes the world a happier place for me!  They are wearing size 3-6, but mostly 6 months now (the closer we got to the 5 month mark).  I know we will be in 6-9 months in no time at all.  Yes, I still dress them the same - they are cute and I LOVE doing it!  Yes I can tell them apart...sorry if you can't :)

Weight - Both boys are weighing at 14 lbs 12 ounces!  They are the SAME weight - crazy!

Height - 26'' long each (roughly)

Diapers - Both boys are wearing Size 2 Diapers, but I think we will be moving to Size 3 very soon...it's crazy how quickly they grow out of these bad boys!  I remember Callie wasn't in Size 3 diapers for SO long...and these guys are almost already there!

Health - They have been very healthy - just teething.  So they are more fussy at times, their hands are always in their mouths, they're always drooling, they sometimes get a rash around their mouth from their teeth, etc...  But they are so happy and healthy!

Whatever you do, don't tell Callie that Carter was wearing her stethoscope during her nap :)

Collin being silly with a rag on his head :)  He looks like Common Law Uncle Herold 

during the MN Twins game :)

Fun Facts - Collin has officially rolled over from his back to his tummy!  This is a hard skill to master, and he has officially done it!  Carter is so close that he will do this in no time :)  I bet within the next couple of weeks.   Both boys are teething, and it looks like Carter is VERY close to cutting his first tooth...WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN!!!??!??  Both boys are very close to eating rice cereal with their meals!  Both boys are beyond happy!  Collin is one that you look at him and he'll smile at you :)  He laughs and giggles all the time!  Carter still makes you work for a smile!  He always gives his mommy one though :)

Extremely proud mommy moment here:

Our boys are noticing each other and playing together more :)

The fun we had during their fifth month has been exciting and exhausting all at the same time :)  I am so glad our kids had this time with their daddy :)  We are so fortunate to have such wonderful jobs :)  As for Carter, I think he is going to be rolling very soon!!!!