2 Years Ago

Two years ago, I was waiting with baited breath for my amnio results. I was 36 weeks and 3 days pregnant. An amazing feat, considering everything that I had been through. I was in pre-term labor at 16 weeks, bedrest at 19 weeks, emergency cerclage at 21 weeks, and then Audrey's water broke. I stayed in the hospital for one month, miraculously was allowed to go home - and then played the waiting game. Every day I waited...and waited...and waited...expecting that day to be the one. I lived in constant fear of either going in labor too early, or of losing the girls in utero due to their weak placentas.

But then the phone rang, and my doctor said their lungs were developed, and I was all set to be delivered the morning of October 1, 2008.

And here I am, two years later. With little girls, no longer babies - the most amazing, wonderful, loving people I've ever had the pleasure to know.

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Well, hello there! Sorry I've been too busy to post, but things are a bit crazy in my neck of the woods. This weekend was my first 5K, and I also decided to re-decorate my bathroom in the same day. I picked up a really cute shower curtain from Target, along with a trash can, soap pump and toothbrush holder. Everything else I already had at home (the towels, rug, and wall hangings). My bathroom hadn't been used in a long time, so I did a major cleaning of it, painted the walls to match, changed out the knob hardware on the cabinets, and am going to change out the shower fixtures this weekend. Natalie walked into the bathroom and said "awww, cute mommy!". It's going to be their bathroom, so I wanted it kid friendly, but it's also my guest bathroom, so I didn't want it to look like Disney threw up in there.



Monday I was able to get into the gym, but only did a half-assed workout (I was still sore from Saturday's race). Yesterday I had a meeting before, during and after school - and didn't get home until almost 6. Then I had to feed the girls, give them a bath, and into bed before Glee came on at 8 (btw, was that awesome, or what?).

I'm promsing myself to get back into the gym today. Hopefully I'll do pilates tomorrow as well. I plan on taking a personal day on Friday for the girls' birthday. We'll be going to Chuck E. Cheese after their morning nap. Then we'll head to my friend Dawn's horse farm for their 2 year pictures. And then, of course, their actual birthday party is Saturday. Saturday night Hayley and I plan on going to a nice dinner together to relax and girl talk.

So anyway, if I'm not around for a while - you know where I am :)

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Race for the Cure

Saturday morning I woke up bright and early (after a measly 4 hours worth of sleep) for my very first 5K. Now, I only signed up for this less than three weeks ago, so I really didn't have time to train. I work out in the gym for the most part, simply because it's way too hot to run before the girls go down for the night, and pushing them in the stroller while trying to run is really, really hard.

I was amazed and overwhelmed by all 5,600 people that showed up in support of breast cancer. My two goals were to finish the 5K in under 40 minutes (especially since this was my first time running outside) and not throw up. And I achieved them both!

It took me a while to even go over the starting line because there were just so many people. I was able to really run the first 3/4 of a mile, and then slowed down to briskly walk. Yeah, bad idea. I ended up walking a lot of the race (it was very hilly), and running on the flat or downhill areas. I also decided that I really, really, really don't like to run. But I finished, and I'm proud that I was able to do that and support a great cause.

The girls were waiting for me at the finish line, and I was glad to be able to give them huge hugs.

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Show Us Your Life - Master Bedrooms

Here are just a few pics I found of my room...

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Hey, Ma!

Hey, Ma! The meatloaf! We want it now! The meatloaf!

We had meatloaf & loaded mashed potatoes for dinner last night - the girls loved it!






Love, love, love their hair



Afterwards, the girls and I went for a walk/run around the neighborhood. The streets around my house are very hilly, and we have a lot of speed humps, so it's hard to run the whole time. That, and pushing an almost 40lb stroller with 50lbs of toddlers is so easy feat. But when I did run fast, the girls squealed and said "Weeee!!" the whole time. I usually had to stop after a few minutes because the only thing I could think of was the Geico pig commercial. Cracked me up!

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Honk Shoo

While I was busy getting dressed for pilates, the girls snuck in my room, grabbed a pillow and some towels out of the laundry basket, and tried to nap on my floor.



Complete with saying "honk shoo, honk shoo".

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Random Ramblings

Well, my mom & I tried out Zumba last Friday. It was so much fun! I think I got a most excellent ab workout from laughing at myself, and the middle aged man who was trying to booty dance and shouting "let's go" and "yeah!". We told my dad he should try it out, and he looked at us like we were crazy. Either way, it was a great workout. After this 5K, I plan on doing that & pilates at least once a week.

The girls are doing great. I, um, really need to take some pictures of them this month. I normally have 400+ pictures for each month of their life, and I don't think I even have 50 for this month. We are just entirely too busy! They can pretty much say and do anything they want. I'm amazed every day at just how much they know. For instance, coming out of the gym yesterday, there was a VW Jetta driving by. Natalie looked at it, waved, and said "bye bye dada". So - apparently she's going to be a car girl like her mom.

And there really is nothing sweeter than going home to huge bear hugs, and plenty of "I love yous".

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Fall

I love Fall. Well, I love Fall when it first starts getting a crispness in the air, and before it starts getting too cold or rainy. I especially love Halloween, and even Thanksgiving. Which is why I totally broke down and bought the girls a dress with a turkey on it yesterday.

And why I'll probably break down and buy one of these outfits for October.



(The outfits are either Rare Edition, or Bonnie Jean. I've found them at Belk, JCPenney & Dillards around here. Most places usually have them 40% off)

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I'm Ready

I'm ready to sleep in past 7:00am

I'm ready to go grocery shopping without grabbing cookies for the girls, and then making a mad dash for necessities before they eat them.

I'm ready to go to the mall without taking diapers, wipes, snacks, juice, Elmo, Elvis, magna doodles, a stroller to wide for most aisles, and toddlers who hate sitting in it. And then end up leaving after less than an hour because I'm hot, sweaty, carrying two toddlers, and pushing an empty 40lb stroller.

I'm ready to eat Panera for lunch...without a food fight.

I'm ready to watch TV shows I enjoy, without a hint of Nick Jr.

And I'm totally ready to rock this outfit with my girls tonight!



And I totally plan on doing all of this while the girls are with their dad tonight!

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The Best DVD Ever

I was pretty surprised when I came home from work yesterday. I had a package in the mail, and I don't remember ordering anything (well, except the girls' clothing and shoes). So I opened it up, and inside was the new Laurie Berkner Band DVD.

If you guys watch Nick JR, I'm sure you all know who Laurie Berkner is. She sings really catchy, non-cheesy toddler tunes.

So last night after Zumba (which, by the way, was awesome and hilarious at the same time), I popped in the DVD. My girls went nuts. I mean dancing around like fools - hopping on their PBK chairs, and just enjoying themselves. They loved that Moose A. Moose and Z host the show.

I actually think Laurie B and I could totally put together a new workout regimen. I mean, I had one girl on my legs flying like Superman, and the other I was bench pressing at the same time. Or, holding 50lbs of toddlers dancing around like a mad woman. I'm sure it was harder than my Zumba workout.

Anyway, if you like the Laurie Berkner Band, or are looking for something less eye-stabbing than The Wiggles or Fresh Beat Band - get this DVD.

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Zumba

I'm in a running rut, and need to find something else to do at my gym every now & then. I love, love the pilates class, but it doesn't start until later, and it's hard to go with the girls. It's right during their dinner/bath time, so they get cranky in the nursery.

Today, I'm going to try out Zumba. I even bought the same outfit as this chick.


Totally kidding about the outfit. I've heard great things about Zumba, and am excited to try it out. It'll be good cardio and hopefully fun.

I'll probably be around sparsely this weekend. I hope to get a little shopping (for ME) done, mail out the girls' party invites, clean up around the house, see some of my girlfriends and spend time with the kiddos before they see their dad Saturday night.

And finally, a cell phone pic of Natalie. This was yesterday morning as I was getting ready. I couldn't help but crack up at how she wears sunglasses. I wear mine on my head all the time, and I guess she's picked up on it.

I do not, however, chew on my cell phone.

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Shoes

Ok, I finally found some cute for Fall shoes for the girls. These were $11.99 at Kohl's, and they have a 10% off coupon code online. I'm still on the hunt for a pair of brown shoes, and black mary janes.

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Fall Clothes

I had all intentions of driving to the outlet mall this weekend to go shopping for the girls. I still might - but I ran into some great deals online. I spent $160 and basically bought an entire fall/winter wardrobe for two kids. Old Navy was having a really great sale with free shipping, and Target had some awesome deals (like the khaki pants & jeans for $8 a set). Things I bought included jeans, shirts, leggings and coats. The only thing I need for them are some shoes (and I usually pick up some at Target), and maybe a few dresses.

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Shoo Wee

The girls were changing their stuffed animals' "shoo wee" diapers last night before bed

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Funk

I appologize. I'm in such a blogging funk. Well actually, I guess funk isn't the way to describe it. I'm actually doing very well. I'm keeping busy with work, the gym, the girls, planning their birthday party (I need to send out invites ASAP), and socializing with friends. I actually love my life right now. Sometimes I feel spread too thin, but for the most part, it's a great balance. I used to categorize blogging as one of the things I had to do every day, and it seems to have lost it's ranking. I mean, I've blogged on average at least once a day for the past two and a half years.

I plan on going out with some co-workers this Thursday to On the Border for appetizers and comaraderie. This weekend, I hope to make it to Gaffney to go outlet shopping for the girls. They have honestly like 2 things to wear this Fall and Winter. Next weekend is my first 5K, and I've been training at the gym daily, running at least 3.1 miles each time. I've got it down to 22 minutes on the elliptical, but I'm sure it will be a whole different ball game actually running outside. I'll be happy if I finish in under 40 minutes.

I did take some pictures of the girls recently. I meant to upload them to Picasa to put on here, but I've not yet. My family pesters me if they don't see the girls every few days :)

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McFatty Monday

Because I'm a slacker extraordinaire, I don't have my measurements or weight to post. I will say that I did get to the gym 4 out of the past 5 days! And on the last day I ran 3.1 miles in 22 minutes. Now, I don't expect to come anywhere NEAR that close for my 5K in less than two weeks, but I hope to run it in under 40 minutes.

But the biggest thing I'm concerned about is my music. Currently, I have my phone, and just listen to Pandora (love this). But I think my phone is too bulky to actually run with. I've found this tiny MP3 player on Amazon for $17 that I think I'm going to get. It only holds 2GB, but it small enough I can slip into the small pocket inside my running shorts. It's similar to the iPod Shuffle, except it has a digital display.

And of course, I'm probably going to fill it with Eminem - his anger issues help me to focus more on my running, lol.

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Away

While mommy is away, the children will play...

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A List

Here is a list, because I'm too busy/tired/sore/insert adjective to actually sit down and write. And forget about posting pictures, ha.

1. Audrey went to the potty last night! We were getting ready for bed, and I realized I'd not been to the bathroom all day (ahem, we joke about wearing Depends at work now). So I told the girls I'd be right back, I had to go potty. Audrey follows me in, sits on her own princess potty (which has normally just been used as a foot stool), and goes to the bathroom! She even scrunched up some toilet paper and then threw it in the real toilet. Of course the minute she was done, she wanted to try and splash in it. Gross! I asked Natalie if she wanted to go, and she said yes. However, when I tried to set her on it, she squealed. I'll let her take her time. She was proud of her sister, though. She'd point to Audrey and say "Audrey pee pee yay".

2. I ran over 3 miles today - yay!

3. Stirrup pants are not cool. And I giggle at the 8th grade girls who try to rock them. All they are missing are layered scrunched up socks and Keds.

4. How crazy would I be to try and take both of my girls tailgating at Clemson this weekend? Nuts? Certifiable?

5. Natalie met with her physical therapist today at our house. The PT said she tested around the level of an 18 month old (and she is now 23 months). The physical therapist pulled out all kinds of toys and both girls played. Whenever she'd ask Natalie to kick, Audrey would run and kick the ball, and then Natalie would follow suit. She asked Audrey if she was three years old, haha. Even though they are the same exact size, favor each other a lot, and were wearing the same outfit.

6. I bought my Halloween costume! No, not the one I'll wear to Boo in the Zoo, or Trick-or-Treating with the kiddos. I found a Saucy Snow White costume for $12.99 (originally $60) from Buycostumes.com. They had an extra 25% off coupon code for all clearance costumes - so it was $9! I already have 3 friends who are planning on going to Halloween at the Hyatt again for this year. It's put on by our local radio station, and is by far the best Halloween party I've ever been to.

7. That's all folks :)

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My First 5K

Ok, so I did it. I bit the bullet and registered for my very first 5K. This is HUGE for me. I seriously hated running when I was younger. And to top it off, I haven't been to the gym since before school started back (so, um, a month). But I went today and had a great workout (I ran my first mile in 7 minutes and 30 seconds). I know it will be different running outside, but I really want to do this. Plus, I can think of nothing better than running for such a wonderful cause, and to support my Grandma who is a breast cancer survivor. I know it is late in the game (the race is TWO weeks away), but I'd like to try and raise $100. If every one of my followers donated 13 cents - I'd have it in no time! Just wish me luck, though - I have a feeling I'll need it. Oh, and keep your fingers crossed for cooler weather.

Goal:

$100

Raised:

$5

5%

[Refresh]

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Labor Day

Yesterday, we went to Black Mountain, NC to celebrate my grandpa's 77th birthday! The girls had a blast playing with their cousins. I fell back in love with my 50mm lens. Now if only I could get the f 1.4 instead of the f 1.8....

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