Hot Mess Mommy Express

At this time last year, this day felt so far away! My girls are turning one in just two days! Some might say "We made it!" And while I'm so incredibly proud of not only myself and my husband for raising two precious baby girls at the same time, I'm also so proud of these two beauties and who they are becoming. This time last year I couldn't wait for them to arrive. I was miserably pregnant, hot and just ready for the next phase in our lives. Now I look back and think to myself, that was the last time that I would ever experience pregnancy. Everything that we've experienced over this last whirlwind of a year was for the last time. I remember leaving the maternity ward in a wheelchair with our new bundles in tow. I looked back and my eyes filled with tears, because having spent so much time there last year for testing, I got to know the nurses and I realized that I wouldn't be back.  Everyone told us how challenging this would be; that raising two babies w...

You may have noticed the viral photo of two twin girls in a stroller. Attached to the stroller is a sign showing the mother's response to the most common questions that she receives while out and about. I found it hilarious, because I totally understand where she's coming from. It also inspired me to make my own list! We're approaching the one year mark and I've heard it all! Here are the responses to the most common questions/statements that I get on a regular basis.  "Yes they are twins." "Yes they are mine." "Yes I am old enough to have kids." "No I did not use IVF." "They were conceived naturally." "No I was not trying to get pregnant with twins." "Yes I was surprised." "Yes my hands are full."  "Yes I am busy, but I love it!"  "Yes I DO have a job and do not stay home."   "They are not boys." "I am not exhausted or miserable at all. I lov...

It goes without saying that a lot can change in just 10 (short) years. It's been 10 years since I graduated high school. It's made me really reflect on my life thus far and how I'm nowhere near the person I was back then. Back then I set huge goals for myself:  1. Go to College 2. Find a Husband 3. Travel the World 4. Get Married 5. Find a Career 6. Start a Family  I came from a small town full of people who either thought they were better than you, a class full of peers who always fought, several teachers who put us down instead of encouraging and a school board full of well-connected parents. All of that equals a recipe for disaster. It's had an effect on me that weighs well into my adult years. I tell people how much I disliked high school and they just can't believe it. Let me tell you how it has shaped me as a person and a parent.  I'm taking you back to my sophomore year. The assignment was to research colleges. This assignment excited me a...

Dear Rhy Guy,  Over the last year, it goes without saying that your life has drastically changed! It used to be you and me against the world. I just want you to know that even though you are big brother now, my love for you will never change. You will always be my first baby and I am so very proud of the little boy you are and the man that you will become.  I'm sorry that I am not always readily available like I was in the past. But know that your needs are still among my top priorities and even though I can't always be right there, right now, that I'm always doing my best to give you and your sisters the best care possible. I love our little moments; our evening snuggles when the babies are asleep, our movie dates, our games of tag and I love taking you with me on my outings.  I promise to always make that extra time for you, just you. It's important for us to reconnect whenever possible. Thank you for being my little helper with the babies and for loving them...

"Twins....what's that like?" This is a very common question from many strangers when I'm out and about. My response is always "It's great!" But there is so much that goes into that statement!  What's it like from my experience? Well let me tell you! Overwhelming Amounts of Love Working full-time means that I'm missing my babies for 8 hours every day. But the moment that I walk into the door, those two little faces light up and suddenly it's like the weight of the world disappears. Walking into their room first thing in the morning and seeing those early morning, sleepy smiles....there's nothing like it! I could go on and on! Everything Times TWO  Yep, everything! Two bottles first thing in the morning, two servings of baby food, two burp cloths, two diapers at a time, two baths, you get the idea! It really is not that much different than caring for a single baby, just do everything twice!  Crying It Out Have you heard those...

Seven months old and SITTING! To some this may not seem to be all that exciting, but to any mom, it's a huge milestone! It's one of those things where you don't want to rush the baby stage, because it's so wonderful, but once they start sitting up, it becomes a whole new adventure. I love seeing them taking in the new perspective; no longer staring at the ceiling, but really taking their surroundings in. And of course, this opens up a whole new world of toys! I love that cute little wobble too; that cute little dance that they do while trying to maintain their balance. Thanks to the new carpet, which we installed just in time, we are spending a lot more time on the floor playing. Now that they are sitting up, they interact a lot more, converse and can watch their big brother with much amazement.  The next phase will be crawling, so at this point, everything can definitely slow down. We all know, that it's going to be a challenge chasing these two, but we are ...

6 Months! We've hit the 1/2 birthday milestone in what feels like the blink of an eye! Adjusting to life as a twin mom over the past 1/2 year has not only been smooth, but FUN! We have been absolutely, 110% blessed beyond measure to have two happy, healthy baby girls.  At their 6 month check-up, both girls' measurements were identical! It absolutely blew my mind, because Emersyn has always been smaller and Everly has always been referred to as "the bigger one", which makes me crazy! Well Emersyn decided to catch up to her sis. They both weigh 13 lbs, 12 oz and are 23 1/2 inches long.  Introducing solid foods has been easy and the girls LOVE to eat! Most of the time, they like to eat faster than this mommy can keep up, while going back and forth between baby bites. They're looks have drastically changed over 6 months and compared to their newborn pictures, they are unrecognizable. They have the cutest puffy cheeks that you just can't help but kiss, sque...