Houston Day 2

Boy oh boy did I learn my lesson yesterday!

Two toddlers stuck in a hotel room all day will FIND something fun to do. And by fun, I mean gross, nasty boy stuff. Aka the toilet.

Bathrooms (and toilets!) are strictly off limits at the Herman Household and this picture says it all. After having less than 24 hours with a toilet, Jackson can lift the lid with his eyes closed and Aiden can flush like a pro!

I'd like to say that we've been potty training them, which is why we allowed them to play in the bathroom, but then that would just be a lie. No, they just rule our world. There is no stopping two stubborn, pig-headed toddlers.

So today I decided that I was going to wear them OUT! I should have known that I would be the one to wear out first.

We woke promptly at 6:30 am. Just long enough for Daddy to give us our morning kiss and leave for "work." The boys had their Drink-of-Soy and then we jumped on the bed some...because hey! This isn't our house so we don't have to follow our Herman Household rules, right? After the rough-housing, we ate some breakfast then I gave the dirty Monsters a much needed bath. After all of that, it was about 9:30 am and time for a nap!

They woke up promptly at 11:30 and that's when we set out on our adventure.

All of us were hungry and I wasn't feeling confident enough to try to make it to the Museum so we opted for the Galleria instead. Once we found it, we spent a GOOD 30 minutes driving around the insane parking garage trying to find ANY parking. FINALLY we found parking in the middle of nowhere-ville. I got the kiddo's out, put them in the double stroller, grabbed my huge bag with two juice cups, diapers, wipes and about everything else I could possibly think I might need and we took off. Unfortunately for us, the only way to the store was up a flight of stairs. Oooooohhhhhhh. Had it not taken me almost an hour to get where we were, I would have just left. But no. There we were, starving. haha There was no turning back. I was going to get my kids up those stairs and we were going to find something to eat!

So I started trying to push the double stroller up the stairs, one stair at a time. Then this wonderful woman on her cell phone stops to help!! She told her friend that she needed "to help this woman with her stroller get up the stairs." How NICE!!!! I thanked her over and over again. Had it not been so awkward, I would have kissed her right then and there. She wasn't my type though. Then yet another kind woman was coming out of the Galleria as she saw us going in and she held not only the first door for us, but she went BACK IN to hold the second door for us! I'm SO impressed with the people of this city.

We ate at Chick-fil-a and window shopped for an hour or so. I could tell the boys were getting tired and fidgety so I thought it was a good time to get going.

Going DOWN the stairs was MUCH easier than going up them, of course. And again, there was this sweet old woman who was outside and asked me if I wanted her to help me carry the stroller down the stairs. God bless her heart!! I told her that they were WAY too heavy, but thank you very much. They are rough, tough boys and they love bumps.

It was sooooooo freaking hot out there that by the time I got the boys both in their car seats, the stroller in the back and myself in the front, it looked like I had just got out of the shower. GROSS. I love the people of this city but I could do without the heat. I don't know why it feels so much hotter here in Houston than in Austin, but I swear it does.

Yadda yadda yadda. Jackson took an afternoon nap. Aiden did not. Jason got "home" from training early and he decided that he wanted to go to the Galleria too. So we took him. This time we paid for valet. $5 was WELL worth it.

We got "home" around 8:00 and the boys fought going to sleep until about 10:15!! Those little boogers!!

Jason and I have had about 15 minutes of peace and quiet and now I think we are going to take advantage of it and go to sleep.

Tomorrow I think we are going to head on over to the Children's Museum. That should be interesting. Two mobile toddlers and me. Oooooh, I already know I'm in for a long one tomorrow. Wish me luck! I know I'll need it.

Until next time!!

Hanging at the Hilton (Houston)

(a sweet picture of the best guys ever)

Hello friends and family!

We are in Houston, TX for the week for Jason's work training. We just got in today and the boys have taken full advantage of not being at home. They've had maybe a total of an hour's nap between the two. We are hoping it will be an early night. Hoping. We'll see.

I'm planning on hanging out with my dear friend, Miranda and will make sure to keep the blog updated while we are out of town. Be sure to check back for Houston, TX pictures!! We love you all! Have a wonderful week and we will talk again soon!

Love,
Jas, Tee, Jacks and A-D

Changes at the Herman Household

You know what I found most funny when the boys were little babies? How shocked outsiders were at how different Jackson and Aiden were. Yes, they are twins. No, they are not clones. Of course they are different. They are two different people.

We thought we had them pegged too! Jackson was going to be the rough tough linebacker and Aiden was going to be the thoughtful Mama's boy. That was how things were going for quite some time, too. When Aiden was smaller, he had the acid reflux issues so I think due to being in pain, he was more of a Mama's boy. He found comfort in being held. Jackson was Mr. Independent. The first to roll over. The first to pull up. The first to sit. He was just always on-the-go.

All the doctors kept telling us to "watch out!" That "one day Aiden is going to catch up to his brother. He might even pass him up!" and of course we laughed. Our little tiny baby would never catch up to his BIG brother. Little did we know...

I have to say that yes, Aiden is still physically the smaller of the two but just barely. Now Mr. Aiden is all over the house. He is officially a walker now. He will walk from the living room to the kitchen, then turn around and walk back. He's still wobbly on his feet but they get him to where he wants to go. He also is very independent when it comes to playing. He doesn't need me to play with him anymore. He loves to go off and play by himself or with Jackson.

Jackson has gone from Mr. On His Own to Mr. Mama's Boy. They've switched roles!!! Jackson now loves to give me kisses and hugs. He always wants to be sitting in my lap, reading a book or snuggling. He's become my sweet baby boy! He is more steady on his feet but he's not as confident as Aiden when it comes to actually taking steps. Jackson is more hesitant to let go of whatever it is he is holding onto.

They are growing up waaaaaaaay too fast. I don't believe that it's the children going through the so-called growing pains. It's us, the parents.

Over a Quarter of a Century

Yes, I'm over a quarter of a century old. How depressing.

I had a wonderful birthday! When I woke up, my compassionate husband asked me how I liked being 24! God, I love him!

Here we are out at the lake. The Boys took me out for dinner at Hula Hut. Yummy!!


I guess we really DO look alike! ;o)




And here is Aiden clapping for Mama!

Thank you Jason, Jackson and Aiden for such a wonderful and memorable day! I love you boys with every ounce of my being.

Counters and Cabinets and Floors and Carpet and Brick...oh MY!

These are the cabinets that we selected. The same cabinets that are in our kitchen will be in the bathrooms. The counter top will be different, of course. Pictured is the counter top we selected for the kitchen. The counter tops in the bathroom are the same ole' normal cultured marble that's in everyone's bathroom. Nothing fancy. Below is also the flooring we selected as our entrance, kitchen, utility room/pantry and powder room.
We picked a darker brown for the carpet...which is in the picture with Jackson.





















I'm sorry for the quality of these pictures. I didn't have my flash on and it was dark in the studio. This is the brick we choose for the exterior. The front door and garage will be painted the dark brown (top accent color) and the trim and siding of the house will be the more tan color (second accent color from the bottom). The brick is a little more red than what the pictures show.

This is about all I have for now. Can't wait to share with you when they start on our foundation.

Pictures! Get Your Pictures!

They are such big boys now! Part of me is bursting with pride and the other is aching for my little tiny helpless babies
We have the Sippy Cup issue under control now. Thanks to the wonderful advice of so many other Mama's out there, we went with the Nuk Sip and Save Sippy Cups. Jason is still convinced that having them drink from straws will cause permanent mouth deformation causing us hundreds of thousands in dental bills...but I say, "Look, Jason! They can hold it themselves!"
And you will never truly understand how important it is to have your kids hold their own bottle/cup/whatever until you've got two thirsty/hungry screaming FOOLS that don't like to wait their turn.



Aiden is now the King of the couch. He's a master at standing up without holding on to anything. He's been taking more and more steps, becoming more and more sure of himself. And here is Jackson caught doing something he knows he shouldn't be doing. This is the face he makes and he always grabs at his thigh/diaper when he knows he's in trouble.



Here's Aiden sporting his Hawk and Jackson showing off his new haircut. It's not near as "wild man" as before. Maybe people will stop asking us if they are boy/girl twins. Grrr. Curly hair is not gender specific, people!

Dearest Jackson and Aiden..

To my sweet Jackson and Aiden,
this is a very brief list of things I feel we should work on:

Recently it has been brought to my attention that you both feel very strongly about certain aspects of your life. I feel I can respect this, however; when you slam your head into my cheekbone while throwing a tantrum because you want to talk on the phone with Dada, I lose some respect for your plight.

I feel I can only tell you so many times that screaming "MAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" does NOT always get you what you want. When we are in public, I will admit that it will get a faster response...but do not believe for one second that I'm doing it for YOU. I'm doing it because I hate the unsympathetic stares and glares I get from all of those who either a) don't have kids (yet) or b) are too old and have forgotten what it's like. Mama doesn't need their crap, too.

Just because you CAN feed yourself does not mean I want you to when it comes to messy items like soup, yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, ice cream, etc. Utensils are specialized items meant for privileged children we will call "Singletons" and their Mama's who we will call "Lucky." See, these Lucky mom's get to give their Singletons baths once a day because it only takes them about 30 minutes. We can't because Mama has no place to put baby #2 while cleaning baby #1. Babies #1 and #2 need adult supervision at all times now and Mommy and Daddy aren't rich enough to hire a nanny or a housekeeper. Singletons get a chance to try out new and fun things because the Lucky mom's just have one baby to clean up after. I however; have two. All three of us know that as soon as I focus on one of you, the other one pulls some crazy and messy stunt. Yes, you boys are smart. Most times, smarter than I am. Let's face it. During the day, you already outnumber me. You boys own me and I love it. :o)

Jazmin does NOT like you. She doesn't like anyone. Trust me. She's made it painfully obvious.

On the other hand, Peanut loves ANYONE who will give her the time of day. She doesn't care if you pet her, love her, hug her, hit her, punch her, kick her, sit on her, barf on her, call her names...as long as you are doing it to her.

My name is Mama, not Dada. I know I'm not as cool as the parent who gets to leave each day, but I do have a name, too! While we are on the name subject, it's nice to hear you call my name at times other than only when you are hungry. Mama does NOT mean " I'm hungry" or "feed me." I have to admit, I'm starting to get a complex.

We do not need every single spec you find on the floor. Nor do you need to EAT every spec off the floor. Jackson, you are 13 months old and hardly fit in your 18 month old clothes! Aiden, my little guy...well, it's actually believable that we don't feed you, but Jackson! Come on! You have NO excuse! Not only do you both eat three square meals a day, you also get snacks and you eat much better than your father and I.

Aiden, I know you like females-- a lot-- however; you can not stop to "talk" to and flirt with EVERY SINGLE ONE. This would take us days and quite frankly, we don't have the time, Buba. One day, those eyes are going to get you all the women you want, but we don't need the practice at just 13 months old. We've got lots of time to perfect the art of picking up women. Potty training before spending the night with strange women, please.

Jackson, I know you are more like your father and have 0 interest in pleasing complete strangers, but would a smile every once in a while kill you? I know the question of, "Are they twwwwwiiiiiins?" gets really old, believe me. I've been asked that question for much longer than you can remember. Just every once in a while, a smile or a laugh might be nice. Lighten up, Pal.

Aiden, it's not necessary to spit out each new taste that you put in your mouth to look at it, only to put it BACK in your mouth. Yes, we know that if the taste is different, the LOOK probably is too. Trust me, you don't have to take it out and smash it with your hands. This creates one of those messes that only Singletons are allowed. One day, when you have your own Singleton, you can do this at EACH MEAL! I promise I won't laugh at you. HAHA!

If you hang food over the side of the highchair, it will be stolen. Do not doubt this-- ever. Do not abuse this-- ever.

It is not necessary to whine when you are tired. We don't need to cry or push and fight with our brother, either. We can say, "night-night" or we can climb on Mama's lap...something along those lines. I promise I won't keep you up, forcing you to play for one minute longer than you want. When it comes to WANTING to take a nap, you guys are the boss! When it comes to NOT wanting to take a nap, I'M the boss.

I know you like my glasses but we have a strict "hands off" policy when it comes to other people and their personal belongings.

The same goes for: hair, dogs, cats, faces (noses, eyes, ect), necklaces, watches, rings, earrings, ears, food, trees, plants, clothing, hanging clothing in stores, food in stores, people in stores, other shoppers' baskets, straws, forks, knives, spoons, drinks, keys, cell phones, scissors, paper, tape, anything in my hands, anything in Dada's hands, anyone other than family, any railing or fences (or other germ covered surface) we might pass, yogurt, soup, cottage cheese... etc.

Being gentle is important-- both for animals and people alike. Mommy is NOT fond of her eyes being poked out or her face slapped repeatedly. She also doesn't appreciate being used as a trampoline and/or punching bag.

I know you both know what a kiss is and how to give one. The same goes for hugs. Don't be so stingy.

Thank You For Your Continuing Efforts,
Mommy

PS Just kidding about the "Lucky" comment. You both know that your Mama is the luckiest Mama in the world. Period.

Home Sweet Home

This is NOT our house but it is what the outside will look like. This is the exact same floorplan of our home but they went and got the awesome Texas Star front door. Our home will be made of a darker red brick.

And this is where our home will be built. Not much land, but it's OUR land. ;) Not much of a backyard, but that means less to mow.

Anyway, we got the news that due to the "wonderful Texas weather," they are expecting our house to be done in 2-3 months. I had a personal goal of getting in our own place by 2009 and it looks like we might end up in our own home by Halloween!!

It's all exciting and stressful and everything everyone has said it would be. Much like having a child, you won't know how stressful it all is until you are there, going through it yourself. Yes, we are excited but we are also scared. This is a big step. As silly as it sounds, we always knew we wanted kids but buying a house was never an issue with us. It was never something important. I'm far more into having babies than I am into buying and selling houses, that's for sure. I'm sure my views will all change once all of the decision making is over and we are actually in our home but right now it feels like a lot more work than I want to have to deal with.

On July 7th we made our preliminary decisions on the house. The counter tops, cabinets, flooring, ect. All the upgrades. Then on the 9th, we went back in to finalize those decisions. Of course we changed just about everything but I think I'll be much happier with my kitchen counter selection, along with the new shade of carpet. Anything to cover up dog hair and baby boy mess. Yesterday (the 10th) we went out to San Marcos and gave our go-ahead to start construction on our house. Yikes.

The house is nearly 1900 sq feet. 2 stories, obviously. 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 car garage + loft. All the bedrooms are upstairs and the laundry/washer/dryer is downstairs! Now, how smart is that? grrrrr. As if we don't have enough laundry issues as is...The kitchen is HUGE. And we need HUGE when it comes to feeling these kiddos. They are going to be sharing a bedroom until we decide that they are going to kill each other and something MUST be done. I grew up sharing a room with my brother and I have very fond memories of us getting into trouble and making wise cracks behind our parent's back. Sharing builds character. We need more character! LOL The extra room will either be a guest room or office, we haven't decided yet. Umm....what else? I just HAD to get my 42 inch tub upgrade. lol How can you NOT get a garden tub in the master?

PLEASE please please know that I've been working my BUTT off trying to get out the thank you cards for the March of Dimes. I know that was back in May...but it's absolutely insane with twins and time is something that can NOT be bought. I'm trying to go as fast as I can and still make the thank yous meaningful. Which brings me to some bad news. For those of you who actually remember what it was like to raise a child or two, I don't get much free time at all. The time I do get, I try to spend updating family and doing thank you cards....selfless things, honestly.Well, I have spent hours and HOURS on this amazing photo slide show that all I needed to do was add some sappy music, burn them to DVD and then send them out to family as thank yous for their BIRTHDAY. Well, that computer crashed. I lost ALL the work I had done. Hours and HOURS of free time is now a complete waste. So...I'm so sorry it's taking me so long to send out thank yous for that. Needless to say, it's been one thing after another but you know what? That's life. It's a crazy life and we wouldn't change a bit of it for anything!

Please bear with us. Much love to you all.

It's been a while but I do have a good excuse. My computer is down and out. It's been acting up for some time now and it just finally gave out. Thank goodness I married such a smart man who knew to spend an arm and a leg on the warranty! Dell will be sending a technician out to our house on Friday to replace basically everything minus the screen. At no extra cost. Thank goodness. Also, when Jason was on the phone with tech support, we were able to speak to an American who works locally in Round Rock, TX. I do however find it sad that we had to pay extra for this. The average home-user laptop support is straight from India. We just got lucky that we happened to get the top of the line, as far as Dell's home-user computers go. Which is also why we have no pictures to share with you. :o(
My extremely intelligent husband was always on my back to "back up the pictures from the computer," and I'm proud to say that I don't think we lost a photo one....even though the hard drive failed! Can you believe that?? See...we can be responsible adults! Sometimes! haha

We went on our Family Vacation to Schlitterbahn!! It was the boys' very first visit to a water park so of course, we take them to the BEST! The world's BEST water park voted by the Travel Chanel year after year!!!! The hottest, coolest time in Texas, SCHLITTERBAHN!!!!!
We had such a BLAST! We planned this trip for so long that we remembered to take a water proof camera!! The only problem is that we have to still find the time to take it to be developed. But rest assured, as soon as we get around to that, I'll be posting the new photo's here. We were there July 2-3rd. Let me tell you, if it weren't for our family, it wouldn't have been near as much fun! It's not easy keeping up with two 1 year olds in a huge water park! For the other twin Mama's....do NOT try this alone. You will only leave frustrated and upset. Take lots of help. Lots.

More updates....
The House. ohmygosh. Talk about stressful! We know we were warned...but I guess this is another thing much like having a child, it's impossible to grasp how hard and stressful it really is until you go through it yourself. Haha But it will all be worth it.
We are having a house built in San Marcos, TX in a well established neighborhood. For some of you, I'm sure this news is out of the blue but rest assured that this is not an overnight quick decision. We've been talking and thinking and planning and researching this for a long time now. Children always have come first to Jason and me. We don't care to have the nicest cars or the biggest house. We don't care to have all new furniture or any of that. God has answered our prayers. He has given us the two most wonderful, beautiful, loving and caring little guys I could ever ask for. I can honestly say I feel I am living in my dream world. Now that we have our children, we suppose it's time to build a little equity.

There's so many more little things but I just got the kids down for a nap and I've got about another billion things to do today. I'll update more when I get a chance.