2008 in a nutshell

I've seen this questionnaire floating around a few other blogs. I thought I'd write a deep retrospective of the year, but with the colds I'll take the easy road and just use this:

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Gave birth to two babies at one time, duh!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didn’t really make any for 2008. But I plan to set a couple goals for 2009.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Do I count? Then yes.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
There were many losses, but thankfully no one I was really close to.

5. What countries did you visit?
Sadly, I did not leave the US in 2008. But hopefully I’ll break away in 2009.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Some “me” time. And more will power to stick to my diet & exercise.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2.13.08 – we gained two new tax deductions.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Keeping two babies alive.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting back in shape (oh who am I kidding – not getting in shape in general!).

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing other than recovery from bedrest & c-section.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Granite countertops. (glorious!)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hmm, I’ll nominate Tim. He has become quite a good daddy.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Can I nominate Tim again? Just kidding, can’t really think of anyone for this question.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bennett & Kendyll (in the form of medical bills, pampers, Similac, baby gap, gear, etc.)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My gift certificate for a massage for Xmas – I cannot wait to use it!!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
“Sexy Can I” by Ray J. Hey – no judgment!!! I have a funny story about Ray J from a few years ago . . . this coupled with the fact that our former nanny had this as her ring tone and I changed the lyrics and sang this song to Kendyll is why it will remind me of 2008.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Technically thinner, but feel fatter
c) richer or poorer? Even, I think

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercise

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eat

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With family, but sick. Better than last year, though, which was with family, but on bedrest.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes, with B&K

22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office, with LOST a close 2nd.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No – hating people is bad (wait, didn't I say in an earlier post that I hate people?)!

24. What was the best book you read?
I didn’t get to read like I normally do on vacation this year, but Tim gave me a couple of books for Xmas so hopefully I can catch up!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That B&K like my singing. No really -- they do!!

26. What did you want and get?
The granite countertops. If you had told me this time last year I’d have infant twins AND had gotten my countertops I would have told you that you were nuts!

27. What did you want and not get?
To win the lottery.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Um yeah, didn’t really see many films this year. We did just watch "Dark Knight" and the new Narnia movie and they were both pretty good.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 33. Tim brought home a red velvet ice cream cake from Coldstone Creamery and invited our friend Jodi over to celebrate. It was a small gesture, but very lovely.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More sleep. Seriously though, it was a pretty good year.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Black, brown & bland.

32. What kept you sane?
Having a husband who’s sense of humor is as sick (if not sicker) than mine.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Can’t think of anyone . . . how sad!

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election in general – it was fun to watch the results come in.

35. Who did you miss?
I miss all our friends all over the place.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I gotta give a shout out to my new multiple mommy friends. I don’t know what I’d do without you --- especially Alicia, Marie and Debbie (although I knew you before, I know you so much better now!) as well as all of the support I’ve found through my online MoM friends.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Don’t take your blessings for granted.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it
And I feel fine".

Let me explain . . . R.E.M. is my favorite band of all time (little self disclosure here . .. I've actually been a member of their fan club!). I thought for sure that my life was over once I had kids. But it turns out it isn't over -- just different -- and I feel fine about that.

A Christmas Story

Sadly, I did not get to watch my all time favorite movie at all over Christmas. Oh well . . . there is always next year. You'd think with it running for 24 hours straight I'd actually get around to it. But I did hear it in the background (my dad & brother were watching it) . . . "daddy's gonna kill Ralphie", "I can't put my arms down" -- it is just as if I watched it myself. :-)

Highlights from our festivities:

- B & K take after big brother Tabasco -- they enjoyed eating the paper more than opening gifts (or even playing with what was inside).

- They received just the right amount of stuff. Although I assume everyone being nice to us since B & K's birthday is right around the corner.

- Everyone referenced how much nicer it was to have me helping out this year instead of being immobilized on bedrest on the couch (thanks guys! Just kidding!).

- Even though we were all a bunch of snot balls, everyone managed to make it through a meal without hurling. (already a step up from Thanksgiving).

- We have enough cookies in our house to feed a small nation. Seriously. I think I may never eat a cookie again (yeah right!).

- B & K had their first taste of Grandma Z's homemade from scratch Italian wedding soup last night. They ate the tiny noodles and shredded chicken and LOVED it (OK, this one may seem random, but with us both still feeling a little under the weather we decided to heat up the soup Mom brought down. Normally we eat the soup on Xmas eve, but this year we waited a few days . . . but it is still technically part of the "festivities").

We snapped a ton of pictures, but my favorites happen to be these. This is Xmas morning, just before B&K's breakfast. Kendyll has taken to sucking on her paci again . . . Bennett uses his as a teether and hasn't really put one in his mouth the "right" way in ages. But as we snapped a few Xmas morning pics, here is what unfolded -- priceless!

Well at least someone is feeling better . . .

B & K want you all to know they are feeling a lot better. We went back to the pedi yesterday and they now both have ear infections, but after two days of antibiotics they are smiling and happy again (even Bennett, who on top of all this sickness has managed to start cutting two more teeth!).

Mommy & Daddy on the other hand -- yeah, we're not so hot. We both started to feel sick late last week and pretty much have only left the couch to tend to B&K (and to take them to the dr yesterday). Hopefully we'll be back to 100% by New Year's.

I promise to post pictures & put an update on our Xmas festivities up here later this week. Maybe when I stop coughing up my lungs and can actually type without wiping my nose every two seconds. :-)

Are we nuts?!?!

This one is for my good friend and fellow twin mommy, Alicia. She & I had lunch earlier this week and we were talking about our up-coming Xmas festivities. I told her we planned to bring B&K to our favorite upscale steakhouse for Xmas eve dinner and I'm pretty sure she thought we were off our rocker. ;-) Well, I'm very proud to report that B&K are so on the mend that we not only made it to Xmas eve mass, but we also made it to our dinner. And they were little angels throughout both events. They are now snuggled in bed waiting for Santa to arrive while we are getting ready to watch the ND bowl game. Woo-hoo! Photo evidence of our dinner adventure. :-)

Merry Xmas again to everyone! B& K are "Seacrest OUT!". :-)

Our Savior

No, I'm not talking about that guy. I'm talking about "Baby Einstein" DVDs!! Lauren had them on constant rotation yesterday and we took to popping one in today. B & K are on the mend, but the DVDs are pretty much the only thing that will keep them occupied (and quiet) while awake. Here are a few pics of them chilling on the couch with Tim's little brother, Archie (his parent's dog) and Tabasco on the floor.

We hope that everyone has a safe and joyous Christmas!! Special love & shout outs to our family & friends all over the place -- we miss you all!!

How we roll . . .

Good grief, as my “Charlie Brown” would say! Why is it every time we look forward to something we are disappointed (see Vacation and Thanksgiving)? As Tim put it this morning “that is just how we roll”. We had a decent weekend . . . we took B&K on an adventure on Saturday. We purchased new booster seats to bring with us for restaurant eating – this way we know they are secure and that they will have a seat (I always have this great fear that we’ll get to a restaurant and they will only have one high chair available -- weird, I know). Anyhoo, they loved sitting up, chewed a bunch of Puffs and we called our lunch adventure a success. Then we were off to shop and then headed home to wrap up some gifts. On Sunday it was balls-ass cold in Ohio and we decided to keep the babies holed up all day. Plus Kendyll had developed a nasty cough and Bennett would chime in with his version every so often. A LONG sleepless Sunday night led us into Monday when we decided to take both babies in to the pedi. Bennett was diagnosed with a slight case of bronchiolitis and Kendyll has it much worse (borderline RSV). NICE. K was tortured with a lovely breathing treatment in the pedi’s office and we were sent off with a play at home version as well. She is also on a steroid to help her lungs. Last night wasn’t much better as Bennett has now caught up to Kendyll and we’ve started the breathing treatments on him too (he’ll get his own batch of the steroids today as well). Fun times in our house.

So looks like we are in for another rough holiday. I’m trying not to complain too much because I realize there are many others out there who are worse off than us. It just sucks . . . maybe we’ll learn not to look forward to things.

Regardless, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get on again before the holiday, but hopefully everyone will be on the mend by then.

We've got spirit, yet we do . . .

Time to pimp yet another football team. This time it is MY turn . . . GO STEELERS!!! :)

Note: Sorry for the lack of smiles . . . I think they both may be coming down with a cold - lovely!

Home for the holiday

I am a little behind in participating in another blog's "Holiday Tour of Homes", but I loved the idea and thought I'd share some pics of our home all decked out.

We decided to have the outside of our home spruced up to get us in the Xmas spirit.

This is the sign that greets you upon entering our home. Some might think it is a sweet innocent sign. Tim & I bought this last year on our vacation. We saw it and instantly took it the same way (and immediately purchased it) . . . let's see if you "get" it the same way we do. ;-)

Our Willow Tree Nativity Scene, given to us by my parents.

My Charlie Brown Christmas Collection.

All of our stockings hung by the chimney with care.

Our dining room all decked out.

And last but not least, our Xmas Tree.

FINALLY!!!!

After a little glitch with our systems, I have in my possession the “official” 10 month birthday shots of B&K. Nana & Papa were nice enough to snap these last Saturday on their actual birthday. I've also include a pic of B&K showing off their musical skills last weekend, too. Enjoy!!

In other news, sleep continues to be an issue in our house. We’re not sure what’s up with Miss K these days, but she continues to wake up during the night. We have a feeling it has to do with her developmental explosion over the past few weeks – she’s just so excited to try this stuff out that she has no time to sleep at night. Oh to be so young & busy. Fine example was early this morning. After waking 2 prior times, she started screaming again around 5am. When I snuck into her room I discovered that she had rolled on to her belly and backward crawled to the end of her crib. In her freak out moment she forgot how to roll back over and thus started screaming for a rescue. Good times.

We’re looking forward to a low-key weekend. We have some shopping to do (should be LOADS of fun with all the crowds), we’re going to try to sneak B&K into their pedi for their flu boosters (FINALLY!) and hopefully get around to lowering their cribs (I have this deep feeling that in one of K’s revelation moments overnight she’s going to learn how to sit up on her own and then we’ll all be screwed).

Happy Holidays!!

Like the new header? In case I don't have your address or I don't *technically* know you in real life, we wanted to pass along some holiday wishes! Although our card calls out what holiday we celebrate, the HR person in me wants to pass along a happy holiday no matter which holiday you celebrate!!

Watch for 10 month pictures (I swear!!) and pics of our house all decked out soon!

The day has come

I know, I know . . . I owe you B&K's 10 month pictures. Sorry, haven't had a chance to snap any yet this week, but I'll work on it tomorrow night.

In bigger news, the day I have been dreading for MONTHS has arrived. Mobility is upon us. Kendyll has been sort of army crawling in circles for the last few weeks. Well, she's now figured out how to crawl backwards!! ACK!!! Guess we need to get our butts in gear and start the baby proofing already!

Not to be outdone, Bennett is cutting his 5th & 6th teeth -- both on top, which have proven thus far to not be fun! He is also much more vocal these days, very quick with his "mama", "dada", "baba" sounds.

They have both officially graduated to their new "big kids" car seats. We gave our old seats to a very nice lady who is expecting twins in the spring (she also has an active 18 month old at home, so her life is going to get really interesting very soon. :-)

B & K are also very into eating finger foods all of a sudden. They'd much rather eat their puffs (and we're starting real chunks of bananas and stage 3 foods with chunks) than their puree foods -- they LOVE to feed themselves, which is awesome (and also messy!).

Ok, so you got an update instead of pictures, but I'll try to put some up later this week!

Happy! Happy!

First, we'd like to wish my parents, Mike & Angie (Grandma & Grandpa Z) a VERY Happy Anniversary!!

We'd also like to wish my cousin, "Aunt" Julia a VERY Happy Birthday!! (Sorry Jules, for some reason these are the only pics I could find with you & the babies!) :-)

10 Months Old!!

Happy 10 Months, B&K! They are actually staying with Tim's parents this weekend and are getting all kinds of love from Nana & Papa (and I'm sure Grandma & Grandpa, too). Tim & I have a big holiday par-tay to go to tonight, so we thought a nice 10 month birthday present would be a weekend away. :-) We're planning to do our "Black Friday" shopping today (since I missed out due to illness a few weeks ago) and then see friends & have fun tonight.

So I'll post 10 mo pics & updates later this weekend when B&K are back home.

Happy Birthday, Tommy!!

I want to wish my friend & former roommate Sarah (aka "Tommy") a VERY happy birthday!! I hope Jamie & the kids treat you to something wonderful today!! :-)

Teeth & Terrors

I'm gonna warn you upfront . . . no new pictures tonight. Just a quick update. Bennett is cutting another tooth. A top one this time, which will bring his total to 5 (although I wouldn't be surprised if he is cutting both top teeth). Thus explains why is has been a major crab-butt for the past week. Poor little dude. Kendyll is still sitting at two . . . although I have a feeling she will pop through, like, six at one time sometime soon.

Speaking of K, I think she is going to have developmental explosion sometime soon. She is scooting / army crawling-ish and she turns 180 degrees when she is on her belly. Her desire to do new things has caused her to not be the best napper AND have terrifying screams in the middle of the night. We're pretty sure she has been having night terrors for the past few weeks. The bad news is she wakes up (or more like wakes us up) with these blood curling screams. When we pick her up she is in a dead sleep -- poor girlie is just dreaming. So we hold her until it is over and put her back to bed, which is the good news -- thankfully she goes right back to sleep. But let me tell you, my horror movie, suspense watching mind goes to scary places when I go into her room while she is screaming (lame, I know). I'm dreading this happening this week when Tim goes to Chicago. Guess I have to just put on my big-girl pants and help her (which I know I will, I just think it is so funny that I'm such a scaredy cat).

What else. . . B & K are getting SUPER good with their finger foods (mainly Puffs). I actually think they are starting to like feeding themselves more than us feeding them the smooth stuff, so YAY for almost self-feeding babies!!

Ok, that's all I got for tonight. I promise pictures soon!!

The big white bearded dude

I don't think I've mentioned here lately how much we big fat puffy heart LOVE our nanny, Lauren. I could go on & on (and probably don't tell her enough), but I don't know what we would do without her.

I have been DREADING taking B&K to the mall to get their picture taken with Santa. We were going to do a brunch with Santa tomorrow to avoid such an event, but alas we missed the deadline to sign up. So I figured to appease the grandparents I'd probably sacrifice an evening next week when Tim is traveling to schlep B&K to a mall for such a pic (because come on . . . you guys know you want one!). I was not about to try it on a weekend . . . as previously mentioned I hate people and the thought of waiting in line with two fussy babies (and a million other kids) was not cutting it for me.

Fast forward to tonight. I came home from work and Lauren gave me an early Xmas gift . . . she & her equally awesome hubby-to-be took B&K to the mall on Wednesday and secretly got their picture taken with Santa for us. She took them during their "happy time", got them all dolled up in super cute outfits, carted them to the mall and got this cute pic snapped. I love her!!

Enjoy (and grandparents -- copies are coming your way).

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Get ready for the cuteness!! Here are B&K in the other set of festive jammies . . . Kendyll is still Miss Supermodel (we have snapped a ton of cute, happy, smiling pics of her this week trying to catch our "one" for the cards) and Bennett was again not in the mood (I think he may have lingering stuff from our crud last week . . . he never really "officially" came down with it, so I think it has been hitting him later than the rest of us. Enjoy!

Cha-cha-cha-changes

Many people already know this, but I started a new job today. Same role (HR Mgr), same customer group (Finance), just new company. I needed a change and in this economy it is so nice to have been able to find a new challenge. Survived day one -- so far, so good.

We all also survived our holiday, too. There were many times we didn't think we'd make it -- it kicked our assess HARD -- but today is the first day I actually have an appetite (Tim, too). Bennett still seems a little fussy, but Miss Kendyll is pretty much back to herself. We tried to snap some pics for our Xmas card tonight, but B wasn't into it. Maybe tomorrow.

We managed to put up our holiday decorations yesterday and I snapped a picture of B&K in some of their new Xmas jammies (both sets of grandparents brought a set, so I'll be sure to take a picture of the other, soon).

That's all I got tonight. I am EXHAUSTED . . . with the sickness none of us have been sleeping well so I'm hoping to get to bed early tonight. It also doesn't help that I thought we had a carbon monoxide leak in our house last night. I had a hard time falling asleep and just as I was drifting off Kendyll let out a loud scream. As I got up to check on her, Tim noticed a weird smell in our room -- it smelled peppermint-like. My mind instantly went to a gas leak or carbon monoxide (nevermind the fact that the latter doesn't have a smell and the former doesn't smell like peppermint). I was super tired, people! So I rush down to the babies room to check on them, turning on their light on low (it has a dimmer). Long story short, the smell was a new bottle of Scope that fell over in Tim's cabinet under the sink, I accidentally left the light on in the babies' room and woke to them "talking" about a hour later (probably thought it was morning already!), Tabasco started to get our stomach bug and needed to go outside 3 times last night and I think I got a total of 2 hrs sleep the night before my first day on the new job. With that, I'm going to bed!!