The mornings are crisp, the sun isn't frying your skin, and yellow buses once again clog the roads, which can only mean one thing.......another summer gone. Although I have enjoyed every summer since my birth, I place this summer in special part of my heart that is only reserved for the best of the best memories. This summer I had the unique and wonderful opportunity to enjoy the hot days with my beautiful daughters. An opportunity that I am saddened to say probably will not be repeated anytime soon.
Most days were truly lazy days of summer. Playing in the yard, pool, or an occasional trip to the squirrel park. (Side note: squirrel parks are nature areas in our neighborhood in which squirrels reign supreme. Don't mess with the squirrels, they know where you live.) These days may seem boring to some but leave it up to the girls to make every minute a memory. So I will spend the rest of my days paying the girls back for one of the best times of my life. So, here is a list of things that made summer, well, summer.
Grass stains, sweaty babies, excessive sunscreen, balls, popsicles, tomato sandwiches, shorts, turtles, rocking chairs, sand, Barbi bandaids, red checks, water, hot deck-baby feet dance, peppers, ribbit, 3-2-1, birds, Oww Siii (girls saying outside), animal crackers, Sarasota, first time flyers, hanging swimsuits, sleeping in the car, lowes race car shopping carts, lil swimmers, strawberries, sliding board, big girl cups, couch gymnastics, mulch (its everywhere), Yo Gabba Gabba, dirty feet, sniffing flowers, knee scabs, neosporin, toilet paper, ants, thousands of diapers, weed eater terror, lizards, bikes, boat shoes, raisins, wagon, Northlake, lunch with Momma, uh-ohs & boo boos, No, long walks, Maggie, cameras, milkshakes, rocks, laughs, butterflies, pretty dresses, chalk, hugs & kisses.
It was an amazing summer!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Froo Loo Fever
Froo Loo? You don't know what that is? All the cool kids are trying it.
Well I have created a monster. I tried to be the cool Dad this week and give the girls a treat just for being awesome. I have been giving them fruit loop cereal as a reward for saying or doing the right, or at least cute, things. Now the girls are starting to expect them with every move they make. Usually Raleigh will yell out a big DADA! when I get her out of the crib in the morning, but all I got this morning was a FROO LOO being screamed at me. I am amused by the excitement and enthusiasm the girls have for fruit loops but cycle ends this morning when multi grain cheerios will be on the menu. I just hope I don't have a breakfast revolt on my hands. Gotta go, Ella just hit Raleigh in the face with a golf club. No worries just a fisher price golf club.
Well I have created a monster. I tried to be the cool Dad this week and give the girls a treat just for being awesome. I have been giving them fruit loop cereal as a reward for saying or doing the right, or at least cute, things. Now the girls are starting to expect them with every move they make. Usually Raleigh will yell out a big DADA! when I get her out of the crib in the morning, but all I got this morning was a FROO LOO being screamed at me. I am amused by the excitement and enthusiasm the girls have for fruit loops but cycle ends this morning when multi grain cheerios will be on the menu. I just hope I don't have a breakfast revolt on my hands. Gotta go, Ella just hit Raleigh in the face with a golf club. No worries just a fisher price golf club.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Miracles
Some people don't believe in miracles. Just like some people don't believe in prayer. I feel sorry for these people. Whether praying brings miracles or miracles bring people to pray, well, I'm just not sure. I would like to think it works both ways. In my life I will have to say my prayers have provided me with great miracles and in turn those little miracles, sleeping right now in the next room, have certainly put me on my knees more and more each day.
At first I prayed to have a child and I was given two miracles. Twins. During the pregnancy doctors told us that Ella, or baby A at the time, had clubbed feet and may indicate other problems. Again I still prayed knowing that modern medicine is usually pretty accurate. Ella was born with perfect tiny feet, "miracle feet", and no other problems. I was so relieved and thankful for what I was given, but I was selfish. I came into the neonatal intensive care unit for almost two month and for a while I ignored the miracles that surrounded me.
One day in particular has been burned into my brain, and I hope I will never forget it. For anyone who hasn't been into a Neonatal ICU here is a brief description. Its dark with most of the light coming from monitor after monitor. These monitors beep and alarm when the babies stop breathing or heart rate drops. To hear a heart or lung alarm go off on your child's monitor occasionally is normal, but terrifying. The babies are in incubators or are in scary bassinets with heating elements. However the most disturbing thing you see is tubes, IVs, and wires all connected to your baby. All these things are in place to help your child and all you can think about is getting all this off them. Privacy in this area is very limited, which brings me to my story. As I was holding one of the girls I noticed a group gathering beside us. Then only a few feet away I witnessed a team of nurses and doctors tell a couple that their baby boy would not survive. As I was holding something so dear to me in my arms, the very same gift to those parents was being ripped away. The couple was visibly upset but quietly sat and embraced the time they still had. I'm sure there wasn't a minute that wasn't cherished that night. All night and the next day I was sincerely bothered by the scene that unfolded before me. I grieved for a total stranger. The next day, just an empty space. No lights flashing, monitors beeping, and no more tubes. Why did I receive miracles and they didn't? Some things are probably better not to question. It will drive you crazy to keep asking why. In my heart I do feel somehow there was a miracle hiding somewhere that day. Hopefully one day I will get my answer, I'll be praying for it.
So hold the ones you love close and know that miracles may be closer than you ever imagined.
At first I prayed to have a child and I was given two miracles. Twins. During the pregnancy doctors told us that Ella, or baby A at the time, had clubbed feet and may indicate other problems. Again I still prayed knowing that modern medicine is usually pretty accurate. Ella was born with perfect tiny feet, "miracle feet", and no other problems. I was so relieved and thankful for what I was given, but I was selfish. I came into the neonatal intensive care unit for almost two month and for a while I ignored the miracles that surrounded me.
One day in particular has been burned into my brain, and I hope I will never forget it. For anyone who hasn't been into a Neonatal ICU here is a brief description. Its dark with most of the light coming from monitor after monitor. These monitors beep and alarm when the babies stop breathing or heart rate drops. To hear a heart or lung alarm go off on your child's monitor occasionally is normal, but terrifying. The babies are in incubators or are in scary bassinets with heating elements. However the most disturbing thing you see is tubes, IVs, and wires all connected to your baby. All these things are in place to help your child and all you can think about is getting all this off them. Privacy in this area is very limited, which brings me to my story. As I was holding one of the girls I noticed a group gathering beside us. Then only a few feet away I witnessed a team of nurses and doctors tell a couple that their baby boy would not survive. As I was holding something so dear to me in my arms, the very same gift to those parents was being ripped away. The couple was visibly upset but quietly sat and embraced the time they still had. I'm sure there wasn't a minute that wasn't cherished that night. All night and the next day I was sincerely bothered by the scene that unfolded before me. I grieved for a total stranger. The next day, just an empty space. No lights flashing, monitors beeping, and no more tubes. Why did I receive miracles and they didn't? Some things are probably better not to question. It will drive you crazy to keep asking why. In my heart I do feel somehow there was a miracle hiding somewhere that day. Hopefully one day I will get my answer, I'll be praying for it.
So hold the ones you love close and know that miracles may be closer than you ever imagined.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Water Fun
So I have been having user error problems with my blog and computer so this post is about a week old but this really could be any summer weekend in our house.
This weekend the girls and I has a great time with a little help from water. With the thermometer creeping into the 90's it really is the best, and most economical, way to beat the heat. The girls are at the perfect age where they really don't care if the water is from the sprinkler, pool, or lake. They just know that water equals fun.
Friday Jessica and I took Raleigh to the neighborhood pool. While Raleigh seems to enjoy the pool, she is very distracted by the environment. She often wanders from table to table, chair to chair. She needs to know what everyone is doing at all times. I cant help but laugh because her face says, "Wow this is all for me". I do my best to keep order when she borrows toys, without asking, from the other kids. She does enjoy ruling her Olympic size kingdom, and who am I to tell her any different.
Saturday morning I met up with my buddy Travis and his daughter Felicity for a little daddy-daughter play date. We visited Beaties Ford Park. Anyone wanting a great park for kids, well this is it. The girls loved the playground. It was pretty manageable with the help of Travis and Felicity. Felicity is going to be a great big sister. Around 10:30 the park opens a splash playground with fountains and sprinklers. Much more impressive than the garden hose varieties at our house. The girls were pretty hesitant at first but once they realized that the fountains weren't going to eat them they had a great time. Although the girls were having a great time I did have to cut it short. I was the ill prepared father that did not dress my kids in a swimsuit. I know, you would think I could do the math when Travis told me "splash" park. Well the girls were getting hungry and a little sleepy from all the fun too. The park definitely made it on the kid approved list.
Sunday we all had a relaxing day at home, but you guessed it, water was absolutely involved. So for all of you out there, grab some SPF 100 and jump in.
This weekend the girls and I has a great time with a little help from water. With the thermometer creeping into the 90's it really is the best, and most economical, way to beat the heat. The girls are at the perfect age where they really don't care if the water is from the sprinkler, pool, or lake. They just know that water equals fun.
Friday Jessica and I took Raleigh to the neighborhood pool. While Raleigh seems to enjoy the pool, she is very distracted by the environment. She often wanders from table to table, chair to chair. She needs to know what everyone is doing at all times. I cant help but laugh because her face says, "Wow this is all for me". I do my best to keep order when she borrows toys, without asking, from the other kids. She does enjoy ruling her Olympic size kingdom, and who am I to tell her any different.
Saturday morning I met up with my buddy Travis and his daughter Felicity for a little daddy-daughter play date. We visited Beaties Ford Park. Anyone wanting a great park for kids, well this is it. The girls loved the playground. It was pretty manageable with the help of Travis and Felicity. Felicity is going to be a great big sister. Around 10:30 the park opens a splash playground with fountains and sprinklers. Much more impressive than the garden hose varieties at our house. The girls were pretty hesitant at first but once they realized that the fountains weren't going to eat them they had a great time. Although the girls were having a great time I did have to cut it short. I was the ill prepared father that did not dress my kids in a swimsuit. I know, you would think I could do the math when Travis told me "splash" park. Well the girls were getting hungry and a little sleepy from all the fun too. The park definitely made it on the kid approved list.
Sunday we all had a relaxing day at home, but you guessed it, water was absolutely involved. So for all of you out there, grab some SPF 100 and jump in.
Finally a picture of Ella without a dirty nose.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
It Za Meatball, Spaghetti Night Success
Its a fact that most kids like, or love, Chef Boyardee. However, being the over protective and "only the healthiest" parent I have become, I find it hard to find an alternative. Well I let the reigns go ever so slightly and decided an organic whole grain version just might be ok. I opened the can, gave a little taste, and will admit that it was not the delicious canned product that I remember from childhood. I heated and dished out the first orange glowing serving. Both girls at once----ATTACK. To my amazement the girls finished the entire can within 5 minutes. Ella savored the spaghetti much like I would a huge filet mignon. While Raleigh occasionally paused to give me her "cheese" face. I took both as a good sign, as if both were saying "give my compliments to the chef". While I am still not sold on the canned version of Italian food, I couldn't help but love every minute watching the girls. The daddy's job here is done..............wait................who is going clean up this mess. Answer: Do you girls want to go play in the sprinkler?
Problem solved.
Problem solved.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Long time coming!
Welcome to the Ella and Raleigh Show. The girls will be filling the void for millions of Oprah fans now that the queen of daytime is gone. Now let's get to know the girls. Ella is a vivacious 17 month old bouncing, bumbling, stumbling baby girl that truly marches to her own drum. Her independence amazes me more and more each day. She is the 19 pound version of my wife; beautiful and stubborn. Stage name: Ella Monster. Raleigh is the younger twin sister by an astonishing 1 minute. Raleigh is a shy, bashful baby with blushing checks and beautiful smile. Once Raleigh is over the 2 minutes of hiding behind daddy's leg...... watch out. She becomes the most loving, huggy, and cuddly baby you will ever meet. She is the adventurous one of the girls and constantly exploring and investigating. Stage name: Raleigh Bear, aka Partyboat.
You could say I have been procrastinating for 17 months on starting this blog, however, my excuse is that I have been prioritizing. The life of a working family with twins was a bit more involved than I expected. Days filled with so much love is exhausting, but you look forward to the next crazy day as soon as the last has ended. In short, the girls are beyond amazing!
This is a girls only blog, not any girls...my girls. I am going to try to keep everyone up to date with what is going on with Ella and Raleigh, and occasionally play catch up with memories worth sharing. I hope you will find a little time in your busy lives to follow the adventures and misadventures of the girls. A little time in return for a lot of love and fun.
I would like to thank my great friend Travis Sinclair, and the brains behind the operation his wife Jennifer for giving me the motivation to start the blog. They really should be one of those famous super couples, like Travifer or Jennivis. I would also like to thank our family that gives continuous love and support to our dysfunction. I am blessed to have both a great family and great friends.
You could say I have been procrastinating for 17 months on starting this blog, however, my excuse is that I have been prioritizing. The life of a working family with twins was a bit more involved than I expected. Days filled with so much love is exhausting, but you look forward to the next crazy day as soon as the last has ended. In short, the girls are beyond amazing!
This is a girls only blog, not any girls...my girls. I am going to try to keep everyone up to date with what is going on with Ella and Raleigh, and occasionally play catch up with memories worth sharing. I hope you will find a little time in your busy lives to follow the adventures and misadventures of the girls. A little time in return for a lot of love and fun.
I would like to thank my great friend Travis Sinclair, and the brains behind the operation his wife Jennifer for giving me the motivation to start the blog. They really should be one of those famous super couples, like Travifer or Jennivis. I would also like to thank our family that gives continuous love and support to our dysfunction. I am blessed to have both a great family and great friends.
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