Liliana

I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life. Words can't even describe the swelling of emotion I feel when I look into her smiling eyes.

I truly understand the scripture: "Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy." There is no joy like being a parent.

I would do anything for this perfect being. She is one of the most precious things I have ever been blessed to hold. I hope that she will truly know how much I love her. Sweet Lily.

Girlz Rule!

So, this was my first night out with friends in, let's see.... 4 years? I'm not kidding. I've done a few lunches, and had some evenings where I brought Jordan, but last Saturday was my first night out in ages. It was all to celebrate my BFF DawnAnn who's getting married at the end of the month. We had a nice dinner at the Elephant Bar and then some games at Dave and Busters (I had no idea that place was such a meat market!) It was really nice to go out, meet new people, have a little bit of freedom and hang with other women my age! Alas, after just a couple hours playing skeeball and earning tickets from coin push games, I was wracked by "mommy guilt". The anxiety was terrible, and I had to leave at 10p

Then, to make matters worse, when I got home after being gone a full 6 hours, I got the third degree from my husband who was unable to cope with our children for that length of time. I guess I won't be going out without kids for 17 years, 7 months.

Little Man

Funny Jordan. He can always make me laugh. Even today, when he brought home a yellow slip because he was horsing around in music class. He's great at making other people laugh and has excellent comedic timing, which is wonderful, except during music class. He does so well in all his other subjects and is a model student the rest of the time. It's music that does him in. He doesn't like the songs or the teacher and gets so bored that he goofs off. I believe it's good for him to learn now that there will always be classes he won't enjoy, but must pay attention and respect the teacher regardless. Seven's as good a time as any to learn. I hope he absorbs this reality so he can succeed throughout the rest of his educational career.

100% Organic

My babies ate their first real food! Yummy organic rice cereal. They could not get enough. I think this new addition to their routine is their favorite. I could tell they were ready because they both had began watching me intently as I ate and copied the opening and closing of the mouth. They are doing a great job. V.V. eats a bit more than Lily (though I have to hold her hands cause they go straight in her mouth, full of cereal or not).

Lily is a much more "artistic" eater. She is still so thrilled that she can blow bubbles, she doesn't yet know that eating and blowing bubbles are not really compatible if you prefer your food in your stomach rather than on your bib. I love these awesome girls. I'm so excited to try adding vegetables to their diet in a few weeks. Thank you Safeway for your O line of organics. It is greatly appreciated!

Bored?

Did you ever purposely put glue on your hand as a child, wait for it to dry and then scare your friends pretending your skin was peeling? I don't know if I was attempting to reclaim my childhood or if I was really bored... but here it is. While working on an art project, I intentionally squirted Elmer's glue on the palm of my hand and held my hand really still for 40 minutes until it had completely dried. Does that make me weird? (I accept the fact that I'm weird, but should this behavior be added to the "what makes me weird" list of personality traits?) It was neat to pull it off and see a complete replica of the my skin, the life lines, scars and palm prints in a glue copy. I was thinking of saving it, but that would be borderline crazy!

It's such a blessing to finally be friends with my mom. It simply took a lot of growing up. Our relationship was so tumultuous throughout high school and the years following. I have come to realize that the insight she offers has value and she truly wishes only for my happiness.

Your entire perspective of your parents changes when you become a parent. You are finally able to empathize with them and see where they were coming from and why they demanded so much of you. It's because they love you! When I look at my children, my heart just oozes love. It comes billowing out of me, there's so much there I'm unable to contain how much I care for them. How then must my parents feel about me? And how much more so the Lord?

I'm so lucky to be born into a large family. How neat that I have a brother so close in age to my son. So great that they can be best friends, that my children can be so close to my siblings. I wish that my family could be closer and that my sister will wake up one day to realize how lucky we really were. No matter what happened, we always had each other.

Genevieve aka "V.V."

She wakes up so wonderfully happy. I don't know if it's the full diaper or the good dreams or if she's just happy to be alive and wake up next to mommy. Either way, it's wonderful!

She's talking now, in that just woke up voice. Slightly hoarse from not speaking all night. So excited to start the day and huge smiles for anyone that will wish her a good morning.

I wish everyone in the world was this happy. I've had co-workers who needed 3 cups of coffee before they could even be cordial!

Chevy Nation

So I watched a special on the impact that our driving has on the environment as well as global politics, and as I'm on my way to the store I'm pondering this new shopping center being built over farmland. Then I'm wondering why farmland is being displaced so that I can shop at Babies R Us? And why does it take me 10 minutes to drive 3 miles? If we're aware of the impact that our lifestyles have on a local and global scale, why the heck aren't we doing anything about it?

Sure, you can make a difference and buy a hybrid vehicle, carpool and shop for local organic goods, but why isn't there a national movement to build up, not out. Why are people still choosing to buy 4 wheel drive vehicles, when you know darn well, they've never been off-roading and probably never will.

Lets make our cities walking friendly. I should be able to walk to most every destination and errand I might have. Picture a world of Red Flyer wagons, fit and healthy bodies and glowing smiles. I shouldn't have to commute to work, it should be close enough to at least bike. Lets slow the development of box stores and encourage local artisans and farmers. Not only could we make a positive impact on our local communities, but also on global politics, global warming and the national health. But be selfish and at least do it for the positive affect it will have on your health and your family.

Did you know the US was able to meet all its own oil needs internally until 1970? (12% of global demand) Did you know we are responsible for 25% of the worlds oil needs and oil pollution? Did you know that automobiles cause more pollution than anything else in the world? Think: global warming. Think: traffic. Think: war for control of oil. Think: oil spill pollution. Think: how we're getting ripped off at the pump. Think: auto accidents. Think: environmental impact. Think: less exercise.

I hereby vow that I will purchase as much as possible from local, organic sources. I will recycle all goods that I possibly can. I will keep my car parked except in cases where walking or biking is not feasible and my next vehicle purchase will be a hybrid. I will not support the white mans lawn syndrome. I will encourage everyone I know to do the same. Will you?

Jordan

Jordan is an amazing young man. We just measured his fingers and his ring finger is longer than his index finger. What does this mean? New research indicates that people to whom this applies have more athletic aptitude than others. This is good because he loves to run and swim and hopes to join both of these teams when he's in HS. He still does his little spastic routine (as I call it). It's actually quite funny. It started when he was a baby and unable to crawl, he had so much energy to get out that he would shake his arms and legs vigorously, now that he can walk and run, he will stand in one spot and bounce up and down while shaking his hands and feet. I'll have to make a video of him doing it. I'm pleased at least that he has a way of releasing his pent-up energy in an acceptable manner. (Until his peers make fun of him later and he becomes a juvenile delinquent, j/k, it will be all my parenting mistakes that make him do that). I'm sorry I ever fought in front of you Jordan! I love you! It's hard to connote sarcasm in the written word, please inflect the proper note yourself.

Genevieve has started squealing. She's just practicing her vocal talents and making the most adorable sounds. Liliana has been listening intently but isn't interested in yelling. It's so neat that two people with an identical genetic make-up are so different. They're on opposite ends of the spectrum.

They showcased they personalities starting in the womb. VV always aggressive, kicking and moving, dominating the food source and the living arrangement. Lily just quietly accepting what came her way. Lily reminds me a lot of Jordan when he was a baby. Completely content (as long as she's in my arms).

I wonder what the future holds...

So big

I'm amazed at how my girls grow everyday. Somewhere along the way, I forgot what it's like to have a baby. They're so amazing. I thought I didn't want any more children, (that's what I told the Lord) and especially not a girl! (I prayed for a boy when I found out I was pregnant). So of course, the Lord blessed me with two girls!

It's spiritual, it's deep, it's gratifying. I don't need to eat or sleep or take a shower or leave the house as long as they will smile for me. (Don't worry, I do shower). That one little smile makes up for every moment of tummy ache, over stimulation and exhaustion. As long as they give me that soulful look of unconditional love, all is right in the world.

Jordan is the greatest son a mother could want, and is growing into an amazing big brother. I pray every day that he will be a great strength and example to his sisters. This is an amazing opportunity for him and I want him to know how lucky he is to have siblings. He will be a fine young man.