Mommin' ain't easy

Life lately. 

Being a mom is hard, being a twin mom can be even harder.. emotionally.

Most look at it as "well I have four.. you only have two" or "well mine are a year apart"

.... I have two who needed diaper changes at the same time, potty trained at the same time, learning to walk/crawl at the same time, and now as toddlers.. they both go to school at the same time.. one isn't older than the other so they go through the same emotional stages together, one isn't more mature than the other as other children who are a year apart.. physically we all may feed our kids of all ages at the same time, and bedtime may be at the same time.. however, emotionally/mentally my children are on the same level which makes it hard at times when trying to teach them basic life rules, trying to get them up and motivated for school.. so yes, your four kids and children with a one year gap -- I'm sure are hard, I don't doubt it one bit, but twins are on a completely different level than children who have a one year gap between them. 

If you're a twin momma, you get me. 

Our schedule looks like this. 

I wake up around 5:30am / the girls at 6:00am.

They eat breakfast (unless they choose to eat at school that day)

Kaylee gets a bath every morning before school, Kylee gets a bath every night before school.

In the meantime, I'm getting myself ready. Normally it's hair up from the day before, or I'll just throw it up with a hat on for the day with very minimum makeup. 

7:20 -- we are out the door and headed to school.

7:40 -- the girls go in

8:00-- I'm at work

1:20 -- I leave work to pick the girls up.

1:40 -- the girls are out of school

2:00-3:00pm -- cooking for dinner already

 (depending on their daddy's work schedule for the day) 

3:00-4:00 -- picking up the house normally from the day before + in between the girls playing if they aren't cleaning their room at the time.

5:15-5:30 -- girls eat dinner 

I try to rest in between, normally it doesn't happen. I'm usually on my feet from 5:30 on. 

6:00 -- Kylee is in the bath

6:45-7:00 -- girls are heading to bed

By 7:00pm they are normally out.. if they don't get a full night of sleep.. it isn't pretty.

And by that time, I'm dead to the world: I'm normally out by 7:30 every night besides weekends.

Being a stay at home mom was no different other than school and work is thrown into the mix now which does make it a tad bit crazier since they have to get up and get ready daily instead of staying in pj's all day, but we're getting the hang of things. Getting two (girl) toddlers ready at the same, isn't fun.

Behavior lately. 

Tv has been cut back to 30 minutes before school and maybe an hour after depending on if they play on their tablets. You call other parents "strict" growing up, until you become one and quickly realize you have to limit your child, and you also have to make it known who's the one with the rules. Kaylee tests us often, almost every day now.. she tries to hit/kick at times, she cries/gets mean when you take the tablet away (another reason why we limit them with electronics) 

 As a parent, you want nothing more than to always be the nice parent, the one who gives their child everything  and constantly smiles/laughs with her kids.. but, it's more than that. Being a parent is crying in the bedroom when you've had enough in one day, arguing with your child to eat dinner unless you want your child eating donuts and cookies, of course.. - it's telling them a million times to "go to sleep" at night due to school the next morning.. it isn't always sunshine and rainbows as I always say.

Kylee's behavior has been the usual.. she's usually full of smiles, but at times even she likes to give attitude because she sees her sister doing so but she quickly realizes who is and who isn't the boss.

Not every day is going to be perfect, and I get that. They're growing and learning as we had to do.

Kaylee's temper does get the best of her, and lately it's been at an all time high. Just yesterday morning, JD had to take the tablet and put it up until she decides to cool it a little with her attitude/hitting. I'm not sure if it's the brand new schedule, or if she's just going through a different phase.. regardless, it isn't okay, and surely isn't acceptable to treat others that way so the tablet is ours until he says otherwise. We're not ones who believe in making your toddler do chores, but when I'm sweeping up your mess and you look me dead in the face and purposely throw your lunch meat down on the floor for me to clean.. I do not think so. Kaylee learned her lesson when she threw a piece of ham down while I was already cleaning up her mess. she thought she would get away with doing so.. she thought wrong when I handed her the broom and made her clean up her own mess. it didn't phase her much.. due to the fact that even though she's the one who gives us the most fit, she's also the one who's the most helpful and will help me load the dishwasher (without me asking), and she'll help me put clothes away. she's a great kid, just a bad attitude problem at times.

Sleep lately.

Sleep has been better than normal. Usually bed time was one of the worst times of the day, and at times it still can be. I saw another twin mom use the "sleep coupon" theory.. so we tried it and it's worked. I printed mine out on Pinterest and illuminated them so they can be kid friendly without giving a paper cut if the girls were to carry them around. As long as they sleep all night without getting up, they receive a sleep coupon the next morning. If they get up in the middle of the night other than to go to the bathroom, one gets taken away. Every couple of sleep coupons they receive, they earn a reward in return. If they turn in 2, they receive a small reward.. if they wait to turn in 8, they receive a bigger reward.. and so on. 

It's helped, we had a few setbacks with Kaylee on sleep, but for the most part she's been in her bed every night with no fits.

School lately.
school is school. nothing new.
they go monday-friday.. with some fridays off.
they've made a few new friends.
for right now, the teachers are getting the hang of things for the new school year and getting to know their new kids.
 The girls love it, and so far nothing negative has been sent to me through the app we have set up with the classroom/teacher which is all that matters to me.. as long as they're doing great.
Kylee was sick and missed a day aleady, but now she's better and right back to school with her sister.
it's a four day weekend coming up and I'm excited to spend it with my girls.





I believe that's it for the update on how our life is lately (:

If I don't respond to a pm, or I don't respond to a text. More than likely I'm asleep, or my phone really isn't in my hands. That saying for teenagers -- "more than likely I'm ignoring you, my phone is always in my hands" 

Well, clearly I'm not a teenager anymore because unless it's slow at work with no one to talk to or nothing to do, and as long as I'm home cleaning/cooking, taking care of my girls... my phone is back in my room or on silent so I don't even have to deal with hearing the notifications go crazy. 

Life is too hectic to be on 5 different social media outlets at once. I like snapchat because it's a snap of a picture and that's it. I love, love, LOVE instagram because of how many other twin mommies / mommies in general I can connect with. I love seeing all of the pictures, and so much positivity. 

Facebook and twitter have become my least favorite social media. It's full of negativity and drama. I use it for Younique, which i'm keeping at part time/a hobby and I use it to update family members with pictures of the girls due to them being far away. 

Other than that, I try to minimize my time spent on Facebook.

I don't need to update my life daily through Facebook, I blog because it's my favorite outlet and I know reading other mommy blogs, helps me a ton so in return -- I do the same.

I use my social media mainly for pictures, and pictures only.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blogs.

And for keeping up with our crazy hectic life.

Would I throw another baby into the mix? Yep. Sure would and will one day soon. 

No matter how crazy/hectic it gets, this is the life I chose and the life I love.

Stay tuned through out the year because we have plenty of fun, and exciting changes coming our way. 

Xoxo Brooke 

from tiny babes to pre-k

we did it. we made it through the very first week of pre-k.

the girls seemed to love it, they've made a few new friends and they're excited for this new adventure in their little lives. The first week the teachers took some time to get to know all of the students - Kaylee said next week their teacher said they will be painting and playing with play-doh.

I'm so glad the girls are loving every second of it, and I can't wait to see all of the new things they learn.

The first day.. we woke up at 6:30, everyone got up ok, ate breakfast, took baths, and was ready to roll for the first day. We were at the school in the drop off line waiting on the doors to open at 7:40. Both girls did great, walked right in as we were signing them in - they took off.

They wanted nothing to do with hugs and kisses the first morning which was a good thing because momma was already having a hard time letting them be away from me for the first time (longest time) in two years. I was ok, but could hardly say any words as I was walking out of the school I was biting my lip trying to hold back tears. We got into the car, headed back to the house and the tears started pouring along with all of the scary thoughts and fears I've had because it was finally here. you have to let go, and it's hard.. especially when they're all you've known morning-night for the last four years.. literally since birth. thankfully, their daddy works nights (obviously) so he happened to be off the night before to help me prepare lunches and get the kids down, and having him off work to be there with me that next morning helped so much because I knew I was going to need comforted and be reassured a million times that day, that my babies would be ok. They are in great hands, their teachers are awesome and I couldn't be happier for them as their very first week comes to an end.

Here's to the weekend, and to the rest of the school year.

pre-k photo dump.

(orientation)

 

the night before we had to make a quick Target trip for some random things including a few things for them for their first day.

 

the night before as we prepared to send our babies off to school the next day.

the first day.

 

seek all the adventure's baby girls.

this is only the beginning... 

Kaylee had a slight meltdown, nothing major and so far so good since that first night.

we talked about it, she explained her feelings, and I comforted.. however, she melted my heart as she put her hands on her daddy's cheeks as she said "I just want to stay here forever, and ever"

yep.. heart was in a puddle.

all is well for now.

day 2.

up and ready to go.

.... with all the smiles and giggles.

I remember the days of coming home from school, and eating anything leftover in my lunchbox, and anything I could find in the house. #starving

 

JD had an appointment to get to for blood work, as he had been fasting ALL day from midnight that night through 3pm so after the appointment we headed to a restaurant for a quick meal.

it turned into this below...

we requested to-go boxes before even receiving our food.

this is the parent life.

tablet time has dropped down to 30-45 min after school after we talk to them about how their day at school was... asking all the questions.

Kaylee said to me "mom, please stop asking so many questions"

sorry not sorry, kid. get use to it. (:

this is the most favorite part of their evening.

Day 3.

their daddy took them to school on this morning. (benefit of having a night shifter as a dad)

Kylee said to me on this morning -- "mom, I'll miss you with my whole heart"

ugh. they keep my heart in a puddle.

Day 4 -- we did not snap a picture this morning.

JD had a physical therapy appointment bright and early, and I had to get ready and get to work.

so. here's to the weekend with this after school picture of Kylee with all the babies she can possibly take care of at once.

when you're a twin mom, your kids don't know anything other than being a multiples mommy.

at least she's got it down. look at her go even with an added child into the mix.. she has officially one upped her momma in that department.

I'm so excited to spend the weekend with these babes.

who knew letting them stay up an hour past bedtime would ever be something I looked forward to?

this life is so much fun. hectic, but fun.

 their daddy and I make a pretty great team at raising these two wild thangs together.

x0 Brooke

a random day in the life

 

9:00 am -- we woke up to a kid at our feet playing.

 9:45 am -- make/drink my iced chai while their food is heating up. 

 10:00 am -- breakfast 

grapes + oatmeal for Kylee

blueberry waffles for Kaylee

 11:00 - 11:30 am -- playtime

11:30 am -- time to get myself together for the day.

kid free with the door shut because their daddy was off work.

12:00-12:30 pm -- get the rest of the crew ready for the day. 

annnnd then a quick photoshoot.

1:15-1:30pm -- head for the movie theater

 

 2:00-2:15 pm -- the movie began annnnd we had already eaten through one whole thing of popcorn between the four of us. refill please.

selfie in between previews.. movie theater picture quality is horrible fyi

 4:00 pm -- dance party in the living room apparently.

no pants required.

6:00 pm -- dinner

7:00 pm -- yes.. this was my dinner.  

somebody buy me this stuff in bulk. please & thank you.

7:30 pm -- bedtime.

one down (top picture)

one to go. (bottom picture)

8:00pm -- dessert. 

lava cakes from dominos. yum

10:00 pm -- cuddles on the recliner with my only (fur) baby boy.

that was our day yesterday.

what did you and your family do?!

x0 Brooke

Happy Birthday, JD

Celebrating this little boy in this picture below. 

over the weekend. 

yesterday on his birthday.

 now & forever.

How cute was he? ugh. the cutest blonde hair little baby.

we were both blonde as blonde could be. don't ask where my girls brown hair comes from because I have no idea other than both of ours actually did darken especially his as we got older.

anyway. we spent Sunday in Fairfax, Virginia going to the NRA Museum which was pretty awesome, to be honest. I actually had more fun than I thought I would. There were guns in the museum that was actually used in a ton of different movies. It's a one story building besides one set of small stairs when you first enter the building, so strollers/wheelchairs can be taken in. it's completely free, they have a gift shop to look around in once you're finished, & if you enjoy guns + history type of things than it's the place for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the NRA Museum we were all dying for some food. we hit up Buffalo Wild Wings and decided to sit out on the patio part because it was SO nice outside. However, on the inside of Buffalo Wild Wings my Aunt and Uncle were also inside eating, we haven't seen them since Christmas so it was definitely a nice surprise seeing them as we were all heading to our cars. They invited us over later on that evening, we had dinner, talked & laughed for a few hours while the kids played. but first we headed to Cabela's to look around, do a tiny bit of shopping.. also Cabela's peanut butter fudge + Strawberry Cheesecake is to die for. incase you're wondering. then we headed to my Aunt's house where we spent the rest of our evening. 

Cabela's and the NRA Museum were the two perfect places for his birthday. 

if it involves hunting or guns, he's totally in.

buffalo wild wings for the win.

Sunday turned out perfect, such a fun day together and then ended it with visiting family we don't get to see very often.

 JD, the girls & I hope you had a great birthday. It's hard to believe we started dating when you were just 17 years old, now we have two beautiful girls together & you're 28. 

time is flying right before our eyes & the years are passing by faster than we expected. 

I wouldn't want you spending your birthdays with anyone other than us. 

We love you so much! x0

x0 Brooke