CoopCorb

Well, I've not been anymore physical

2007-01-06T20:23:00.000-06:00

I swear... New Year's resolutions are so bunk. I told you I don't normally make them. You know why? Cause I hate to break them. I hate to not be a woman of my word.

Thus far in this newest year, I've performed zero formal exercise. I suck.

I did take the boys with me shopping on Friday and unloaded tons of stuff by myself when we got home. Does that count? Not exactly what I was resolving for, but I'm still managing to lose a pound or two here and there. That's all well and good for me and the wicked scale sitting in my bathroom, but it's in the clothes that really counts! I'll try harder next week. The weather was bad and I didn't make it to the Y to sign up. (I love using the weather as my perfect excuse. The weather is my friend)

Today was boring. It's next to impossible to get my hubby out of the house on the weekends. I can't say I blame him but I hate just sitting around the house all the time. I'm ready for Spring!

My inlaws are coming over tomorrow. Finally! They haven't seen their grandsons for 5 months! They are going to be so surprised at the changes. Both boys are still trying real hard to officially crawl. They get around, rolling and scooting, just fine. And love to stand, oh how these boys love to stand up. We have two pack -n- plays set up in the living room just for their standing pleasure. I tell ya, it's good times around here. They are so cute.

Cooper was not himself today. Daddy dearest gave him cran-grape juice, diluted, first thing this morning and he's had a rash on his face every since. Then this afternoon one of his eyes started swelling and turning red. I gave him Benadryl before his nap. Then as the evening progressed both eyes seemed red and puffy, the rash worsened and he was even running a low fever, 100.8. Daddy rocked him to sleep at 6:45. Poor little guy. Looks so pitiful with a rash-y face and his new "brain bucket".

So now the boys are tucked in bed, sung and sound while I sit on the couch eating pizza and hubby plays warcraft on the 'puter. Oh the JOYS of parenthood :)

On the bandwagon

2007-01-03T07:07:00.000-06:00

I don't normally make New Year's resolutions, but this year I have resolved to simply (ha!) take better care of myself. I still have about 20 pounds to lose to be at my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm not too ashamed of this considering I gained almost 60 pounds.

I know my inability to lose the last 20 pounds has to do with some poor eating habits I've created and neglecting to formally exercise. I'm sure my AGE doesn't help much either, but we won't go there. :(

All those weeks on bedrest really did a number on my body. Sometimes after sitting for awhile I get up and feel like my legs aren't going to work. My muscles are no more. This is super depressing to someone who used to take spin class 3-4 times a week and worked out with a personal trainer. I want to get back there. I'm ready to put in the hard work to make it happen.

I never felt better when I made exercise a daily priority. Our bodies need it! And it is proven that diet without it just doesn't last.

So wish me luck. I'm going to join the YMCA and get to moving! I'll keep you guys posted on my progress.

Now onto all things baby... Cooper got his Doc Band yesterday. ;And I think he looks cute in it! Daddy doesn't like it at all. But little Cooper doesn't seem too bothered with it. He slept through the night, as usual, and hasn't seemed to pay much attention to it being there. He's so laid back and cool. I love my kids.

In fact I love them enough to get in shape so I can keep up with them :)

So needless to say, I'm on the bandwagon with the rest of you. My resolution this year is to get in shape so I can wear the clothes in my closet again, and because I'm worth it!

Five things you may not know about me...

2007-01-01T07:55:00.000-06:00

I saw this on Miss Zoot and thought I'd kick off the new year sharing some of my secrets.

1. I went by Mandy growing up. My older brother and sister had me convinced Barry Manilow's song Mandy was written to me. And I believed them forever.

2. I am obsessed with having a clean kitchen sink. When I get bored, upset or before I begin cooking I have to scrub the sinks. (I know, OCD big time) I also wash my hands 800 times a day.

3. I actually LOST weight over the holidays. I've been trying to for the past couple months so I was thrilled when I stepped on the scale again yesterday and managed to lose 5 pounds just over Christmas. I guess spending the holidays at home kept me away from all the mounds of food. Yay!

4. I sit in the floor and play with my boys at least 4 hours a day. I feel guilty if I don't. It seems many of the problems children have today stem from lack of love and ATTENTION from the people they depend on most. I'm trying to be different and show my children, with my attention, they are my world.

5. I have a really hard time with balance in my life. I guess you can call me an all or nothing type personality. Lately my biggest neglect has been me. I don't care about fashion or my hair and make up like I did when I worked outside the home. I miss taking care of me.

Hope everyone has enjoyed the holidays. Happy New Year! May all your dreams for the new year come true!!

Whew, I'm glad this day is almost over!

2006-12-29T19:12:00.000-06:00

I worked my butt off today (I wish) cleaning house. My mom and step dad are coming down tomorrow, basically to see the boys and give them their Christmas gifts. (Does anyone ever come to see us anymore? probably not)

I always clean like a maniac when we're having overnight company. Gives me great motivation to see just how much I can get done. I was thinking today of all those days my husband had to tell me to sit down and stop doing stuff when I was pregnant. My obsession with cleaning and organizing was so crazy before I became a mother. I've relaxed my everyday standards soooo much, and I like it. It's nice to feel free to live comfortably in our clutter and dirt when we want to. And it's nice to have it all spic and span every now and then too. I just don't have the energy to keep up with everything all the time. These boys take it out of me! This job is NOT for sissies, I tell ya!

I got my husband to make a stop at Walmart during his lunch hour today and get all 10 things we needed on our list. It was nice to not have to make a trip to hell this week. (I actually love walmart, but it can be such a beating this time of year.) Especially when you have to remember to shut and lock all 4 doors before entering the store. haha

I've been surprised how many bloggers vacation from blogging this week. There is so much to tell this time of year... what the kids thought of Christmas, what you did, where you went, who you saw, what you ate :) We stayed home by ourselves this year. It was nice but very different and unchristmasy if you ask me. I think from now on we need to be with family so it feels like it's supposed to. My husband was insistant we stay home since we traveled for Thanksgiving, so I compromised like a good wife. We'd already given the boys all their presents, as we bought them. They were in need of new toys anyway, so we couldn't wait. I'm pretty sure they would have only tried to eat the packages so we skipped the whole wrapping process. Ba hum bug, eh? They got a new wagon from their uncle, which they love so much.

I'm getting a little work out pulling them around the house inside. The weather's been too crappy to take it out much.

Hope everyone has enjoyed the holidays and has a nice long weekend. Happy New Year!

Hope everyone is having a joyous Christmas Day!

2006-12-25T11:01:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-24T17:08:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the long absence!
Our computer went ka-put when my computer genius husband tried to install an additional hard drive so we could "back up" all our stuff. (How ironic, eh?) Thankfully he eventually was able to recover all our data. AND he bought me a shiny new laptop, of my very own for my birthday, so I'm finally back online and back to blogging. I can't believe how crippled I felt without access to the computer. I couldn't even get on blogger because I saved all my login information in my computer, and for some odd reason blogger could not help me retrieve it. oh well!

Gosh, where do I begin? Our boys are growing like weeds. They are 7 1/2 months old! (So incredibly hard to believe.)
Cooper has 6 teeth and is up on his knees rocking like crazy. He also babbles ALL day long. His favorite "words" are maaaaa ma and ba ba ba. I swear he knows he's saying mama :) Corbin doesn't have any teeth yet, but he got his first hair cut last week and can make his way across any room in seconds, while on his belly. He also babbles and yells lots. They are super sweet babies and provide us loads of entertainment.

It's amazing how fast they learn new tricks. I swear, watching them develop and grow is the best gift in the world! I truly enjoy being home with them and am slowly learning how to be more than just mama. My husband is home after work every night now so I try to get out alone as often as possible. Friday night my friend took me for a pedicure and the movies. I almost didn't know how to act out alone, as someone's friend. I can count on one hand the times I've left the boys with someone else for more than an hour. I know I'll be a better wife and mother if I take care of myself first. ha!

I've been working on their first year scrapbooks and have already filled up two complete albums. I'm excited to start their first Christmas scrapbook next week. I got a bargain on them at Hobby Lobby earlier in the season. I'm going to try doing an 8x8 for the first time.

We're spending Christmas at home alone this year. (We'll get together with my family next weekend.) My husband's family has all been sick with either the flu or pneumonia so we're keeping our distance from them right now. It's been really nice just being home with our little family, cozied together around the fire.
The boys got up before the crack of dawn this morning so we used the opportunity to get our grocery shopping done at 7am without the crowds. My hubby and me are going to cook a traditional dinner together tomorrow. It will be fun. We're slowing giving the boys table food here and there. They've had avocado, banana, and now yogurt. We're going to try cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes tomorrow :)

Cooper is getting a Doc Band next week. If you haven't heard of this it's essentially a helmet that will help round out the shape of his skull. He had the casting made this past Tuesday. Bless his poor little flat head. We were hoping it would round itself out, like many people said it would, but no such luck here. I think we're going to have it painted like a football helmet, or soccer ball. He has to wear it 23 hours a day, so needless to say, the way I take pictures we'll be reminded of his helmet for years to come.

About 6 months ago we decided we wanted to move to San Antonio in January. Unfortunately it doesn't look like the timing is right to move now. My husband just received an awesome promotion and with me no longer working the raise is hard to pass up. We still want to get there eventually, and hope that will be possible soon. For now we are content with the decision to stay in Dallas awhile longer.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday! See you around again very soon!

This is so COOL!

2006-10-24T16:50:00.000-05:00

http://www.myheritage.com

There's no place like home. There's no place like home.

2006-10-21T16:18:00.000-05:00

Whew! It's so nice to be home.
The boys and me went to San Antonio for the week to visit some friends. It was so much fun but I am BEYOND tired. The boys did pretty well, but just did not sleep like they do in their own beds. I probably averaged 5 hours of sleep a night... needless to say I'm dragging ass big time.
And now that they are down for a nap, instead of napping myself I'm typing an entry on my blog. :) Gosh I'm not very smart sometimes.

My husband missed me (us) and had the house all clean when I got home, so that was sweet.
I've got the car about half unloaded and that stuff unpacked. The work never ends, does it?

The friends we visited have 3 kids (5, 2, and 1) so it was chaos all week. And I'm pretty sure I've decided 2 kids are PLENTY! Their last one was a oops... bless their hearts. He's a sweet baby but wow, 3 kids is nonstop work. All day long it's "mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy". I don't know if I could handle it as patiently and cool as she does.

It's so nice to be home. I'll be updating lots this week. I've missed bloggy world :)

Toodles

I never thought I would hear myself say this

2006-10-11T19:52:00.000-05:00

I did not particularly enjoy pregnancy.

After waiting years to finally get pregnant, I sorta felt obligated to journal the experience, take monthly belly pics and glow like a good pregnant girl. Not only obligated but excited at the chance to do those things, and feel the joy of bringing a little person or two into the world.

Of course, there were many cool perks to pregnancy... like no period for 10 months, thicker hair, a crazy, intoxicating belly laugh, the right to eat just about whatever I wanted, and then some! I had the perfect guilt-free excuse to saying "not tonight" to sex, all those naps I was forced to take, massages for back pain, pedicures, baby showers with more baby stuff than I could ever imagine, weekly trips to the chiropractor (the best cure for preg back aches, by the way), shopping trips to the baby super store for baby stuff for MY children (finally, a reason to shop there other than someone's shower gift), and all those hours spent chatting it up with my own personal Dr. McDreamy, whom I give loads of credit to for getting us to twin full term. (oh how I miss him. We even exchanged emails quite frequently. He is such a rare find in the medical profession. )

Anyway, it WAS cool to see my belly grow, feel their little kicks and movements, get lots of pampering by friends and family; but, overall I was miserable and could not wait to get my body back. Of course my misery was compounded by having to suddenly quit work at 23 weeks, being in the hospital on strict bedrest for 3 weeks, then strict bedrest at home for another 2 weeks.

But you know, I would definitely do it all over again for these boys. I can't imagine not having them. And I would want to die if anything ever happened to them. They are worth it all!!

And now I miss it. All those days on bedrest, all the guilt free eating... the massages, pedicures, lounging around, waddling to and fro... looking back it doesn't seem so bad. I might even want to do it again some day. Maybe? Just maybe, I said.

When I realize I might not be fit to be a mom AND drive a car...

2006-10-10T08:04:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I'm about the admit this, but I totally tried to give me car away to car thiefs TWICE in a 7 day period!!

First, last Friday I took the boys to Walmart for our upteenth trip that week to buy "stuff". After being in the store for about an hour I began to wheel the buggy to the car and noticed from a far that my driver's side door is WIDE OPEN!!! Shit! I could not believe what I was seeing. As I got closer I just kept saying I can't believe I did that. Oh.my.goh! Someone could have totally stolen my car. (I own the most stolen car type in America!) Thankfully... luckily, everything was still there (including the damn car!). Whew! So then when I'm driving home I kept thinking why wouldn't someone, any one of the 10-20 people who had to walk by and see it wide open, not just shut the door?? Oh well. Dodged a big one!

THEN, on Saturday me and some friends took our kids to the pumpkin patch. And after an hour of being there I had to run to the car to fetch Corbin's pacifier and the DAMN.PASSENGER.DOOR was WIDE OPEN!!! No way! I cannot be so absentminded to do this twice!! in a week. Again, there was a guy in the car right next to mine loading his child into his car seat. Like our OPEN doors were almost touching. I am wondering again, why wouldn't someone have just shut the door?!

I guess we are all so busy minding our own business we ignore oddities like this. Or more likely, most people have never seen such a site and they don't know what to do.

So, if you're in the Dallas area and you see a parked Honda Accord with one of the doors WIDE OPEN, it's probably my dumb ass... so, please shut the door for me.

Thanks!

Okay, I like my life again

2006-10-08T22:00:00.000-05:00

I finally got it all off my chest.
I sorta blew up at my hubby today when he was being very impatient with one of the boys. I was already irritated, because it's our only day together, as a family and after he sleept in until 10am he laid down at 3 to take a nap. rrrrr

I never say anything because I know he works so hard and needs a break sometimes too. But when I saw he was not caring for our child with the love and patience I know he's capable of giving, I blew up. Then I cried. Then I proceeded to avoid him and ignore him as best I could.

After an hour he scouted me out and apologized. He admitted he needs to step up when it comes to taking care of the boys. And explained that he feels out of the groove because he has been gone so much over the past month (since football season began).

He also said lots of other great things... but what's most important is that he understands! And he cared enough to admit his shortcomings and wants to do more. That's really all I needed to hear. I know the season is temporary. It will all be over in 6 weeks and we can go back to our routine as a family, and I can get away without the boys more.

It's so nice to have validation. I'll be good for awhile now.

Ho hum... it's Friday

2006-10-06T20:49:00.000-05:00

I had a really shitty day. The boys refused to nap. My happiest baby turned into the crankiest baby. My husband was home for a total of 2 hours between work and football games... and he SLEPT during those 2 hours.

I'm sick of my life. I want to go back to working out of the house and being single with no kids. I want to remember what it's like to be excited about Friday's arrival, because it means the weekend and I get a break.

I NEVER get a break anymore!

Ho hum. Poor me. Life sucks.

Costco ROCKS!

2006-10-05T14:40:00.000-05:00

LOOK, we finally got to ride in the cart together at Costco. And Mommy didn't have to mess with our BIG bulky car seats. It was good times!!

2006-10-04T12:41:00.000-05:00

I've GOT to lose weight! I know the boys are ONLY 5 months old (almost) and everyone says it takes time, but I'm afraid I've developed such shitty eating habits that I'll never lose anymore weight if I don't make some serious changes.
I guess most of us normal people struggle with wanting to lose weight all the time. When Miss Zoot came up with the idea to start an accountability group by taking pictures of everything we eat on a daily basis I had to jump on the bandwagon. What a great idea! First of all I love to take pictures :) AND second I need to lose weight. AND third I believe if we all keep track of what we're eating it would make us THINK before we eat. It definitely got me thinking when I started to reach for a reese's pb cup out of the first bag of Halloween candy I bought less than a week ago. I didn't want to embarrass myself so I skipped it. Accountability is where it's at folks... in my opinion! I can't wait to lose weight and be able to wear my pre-pregnancy clothes again.

I took the boys to the park this morning and walked 2 miles. It was enjoyable but ick!, is it ever going to cool off here. I hate all the boob, butt, and belly sweat I produce.

Carry on!

2006-10-02T16:17:00.000-05:00

Of course the day I decide to finally start writing my blog my husband decides last minute this morning to take the day off. So, as I sit here trying to type my first post I am continually stopping and starting because he can't make sandwiches for us and feed the boys a bottle at the same time. Surprised, right? NOT! My husband is the worst multi-tasker I know. Bless his heart.

It's taken me days to think of how to start my blog. What do I say? I have nothing to say! My life is so boring, who cares to hear about my stuff. Blah! But I've finally decided I have to write, good or bad, so please excuse my randomness for now.

I whine, but honestly I am so thankful for my dear husband. He is a great provider, fun and loving companion, and a very hands on new daddy. His ability to care for and the relationship he's developed with our boys has amazed me from day one of their life. I remember for the first month I was sure he would make a better candidate to stay home with them than me. He's just a natural.

Our boys are almost 5 month old twins. They are happy, healthy little guys that are growing and changing faster than I can keep up. I dreamed of keeping track of every important milestone and taking pictures of them everyday, keeping their baby books up-to-date and scrapbooking their first year as we go along. Need I admit that was overly optimistic, to say the least?

It's so awesome to finally have children of our own to nurture and love. They truly are the joy of my life!! I'd quit working a hundred times to have the chance to stay home with them. They are a lot of work... 24/7 diaper duty, bottle making/washing, loads and loads of dirty laundry, daily baths, hours of playing/entertaining/stimulating, and problem solving when only mom will do by reading their little cues and being in tune with their different personalities, likes and dislikes... I must say, it's all much harder than I anticipated. And I realize we are in a very easy stage while they are still virtually immobile and can be contained quite effortlessly. The real work begins over the next half year as they learn to sit up, crawl, pull up, and take those first steps. I can't wait!! There are definitely days that I miss going to work, just having a reason to leave the house. But overall I love my new job and wouldn't change my life a bit.

Thanks to all you great women bloggers that have inspired me to start my OWN blog. I promise little. I don't have the talent you have and feel pretty intimidated about trying my hand at bloggydome. I first started reading blogs when my husband and me were preparing to begin our first round of IVF. I'll save all those details for many other posts, but nevertheless that's how I happened upon my first blog... and then it was there I was lead to many other wonderful blogs that kept me inspired and entertained :) I would like to honor each of you in time on my blog.

Wow, I just heard the news of another school shooting today. What gives? WHY? How does this continue to happen? Those little innocent girls! I am saying lots of prayers for their families right now. So devastating and unneccessary!

Until next time,
Cheers!