Tuesday

1. Raising Happiness
This is the title of a book that I just read. Yes--I read an entire book. I really enjoyed reading it and I will be sad when I have to return it to the library and it isn't in my possession any more.

2. My Boys
Found this on my DVR today. I am watching a pretty funny episode right now during nap time.

3. Getting some errands completed
The Gosser family came over again today and I was able to rush around and get lots of errands done.

4. Justine and my dad
Owen had a pretty bad..phsyco...crazy night on Sunday while Justine was here. I was so happy that she continued to call me at work and keep me updated. He finally went to sleep at around 1:30am to wake up and have a crabby morning. Then I called in my dad at 11:30am to put him down for a nap so I could get some sleep as well. Success.

5. Crawling
These pictures are all of Owen trying to climb. Yes...climb. I am happy that he is still just crawling.

9 months

1. Daily life
Last night I really enjoyed our evening together. We had dinner, did baths, and brushed teeth. Not too exciting when I write it out but I loved every moment of it. The boys are getting so big (now that they are 9 months!) and it was crazy to have Owen crawling around the house as I did dishes.

Cameron actually started crying when I took his toothbrush away!! I think these are the days I will miss.

.

2. Nap time

So yesterday I had pure physical exhaustion. I could not get a handle on my sleep. I was able to call my dad in the morning and within the hour I was back in bed. This was essential to the rest of my day.

.

3. Bethanny Getting Married

Last night I watched this because I wasn't able to fall asleep. There were times I was actually laughing out loud. I ended up taping the next show. I know, I know....more bad TV.

.

4. Lauren

I wish that I didn't have to work tonight so I could sit and visit with Lauren but I am very happy that she will be here and put the crazy boys to bed and watch them for awhile when I am at work.

.

5. New Gate

Not only does Tanya provide us with new toys, today she brought us a new gate. Now the boys are locked into their playspace.

Bacon

1. New Toys
Tanya brought us over some new toys. If it were not for her we would not have any. No really...we would have only a few things to play with. Anyways, I am so grateful for letting us use them.

2. Smiles and Frowns
If you put a camera in Owen's face he will instantly smile for you. Last night I was trying to get the boys to bed and I placed him back into a sleeping position and he immediately gave me his little frown. It was so sweet I started laughing and had to cover my face with a blanket so he didn't think that he were all of a sudden playing.

3. Sleepy time bribes
So I will admit to my terrible habit. I use bribes to help my children sleep. Not only do I bribe them with bottles, but bottles with formula. In every book I read about babies...they all say not to give babies bottles of milk in their crib. So I am very happy that this is working right now but I need to just quit it.

4. Productive Playdate
So not only did we get new toys, I have new interior designers, Shelby and Tanya. Today we did the playdate at my house (even though I am not totally childproof yet,) and I am SOOOO grateful that we did. They helped me move furniture around and actually start to make my space more crawler friendly. Thank you!!!

.

5. Bacon

Has this made the list yet? Bacon is so freaking amazing. This morning I made some to have in my lunch. I decided to eat lunch at 10am just so I could sit and eat more of the bacon. And then I ate dinner a 3pm to eat more bacon. I am not going to say how much of the package that I devoured today. I bet you could guess. I still have some left...but it isn't even 5pm. How someone could not at least LIKE bacon is strange...and just basically wrong.

Enjoy

1. Play time
As the boys get older (almost 9 months!!!) it has been easier to play with them. It is always nice to sit on the floor and just enjoy.

2. Cameron on his knees

I have been trying to help Cameron work on being on hands and knees. The PT suggested that he do this with an elevated surface. I thought that this picture was great because I always think the boys are so big....and it makes him look TINY compared to me. Anyways, he is doing much better on his knees. It will be crazy when he starts to crawl.

3. Pajamas

Talk about growth...these were one of my favorite hand-me downs. They were soft, worn in, and looked felt so comfortable. As you can see in this picture there is now a hole in the big toe. Guess that is a sign to move up to the next size. Either that or take these out of the rotation.

4. Standing

Today was the first time that I saw Owen pull himself up to stand. He wanted the computer. I don't know if you are able to tell in this picture but he immediately started crying. It must not of been as wonderful as he thought. That...and he was super tired.

5. Gates

I had to put up a gate this afternoon. Tomorrow I am going to be in a hunt for another one. Wow how quickly it all changes.

Friday Morning

1. Ceiling Fans
Very simple but true. Ceiling fans make a big difference.

2. Generosity
I am amazed every single day by the generosity of my friends and family. Even my mom asked me how am I ever going to repay my friends for everything that have done for me. (And yes...we know that people don't help in order to get something in return....) Trust me--it has been unbelievable. It restores your faith.

3. Night Out
Tuesday night the Gossers came over again to help out. They stayed and watched the boys while my mom took me to get a pedicure and out to dinner. It was a great night out.

4. Listening to songs on repeat
It is sort of like I am in 4th grade and I am rewinding my tape. I love to listen to a song over and over.

5. Cleared
Now that I am number 5 I feel like I already posted some of these in a post this week. Sorry if you already know this...but Cameron was cleared from the Pulmonologist. I am very excited about the whole thing. I love Dr. Tsangaris but I glad we are done with Riley for now.

I didn't put them together to play...Owen always crawls over to Cameron to play with him.

Krista AND Blaise

1. Cameron looking Krista up
Krista and Blaise came over on Saturday night and it was just what I needed. I laughed and laughed at the boys interacting with them. During dinner Cameron looked at Krista, then looked her up and down. Krista and I both caught him and then called him out. It was hysterical. Little did he know his dad had the same crush on her years ago!!

2. Roxy
They brought Roxy with him and that was the first experience that I had with the boys and a dog. They loved Roxy and were smiling, laughing, and trying to grab at her. It was nice to see that they are not scared of dogs.

3. Blaise sweating

The highlight of Cameron's day was not Krista. It was Blaise holding him and running around the middle of the house. It was hilarious. Cameron was laughing so hard and Blaise was being his normal crazy self. He did it over and over. Needless to say, it was a great evening for me and the boys.

4. Car

I did it...I got a new car. I am very bittersweet about this experience. I LOVE that I can see the time and radio station, enjoy air conditioning, and most importantly feel that I am not going to break down on the side of 465. Yet, I am so sad about having a car payment and though I like my new car I think that my tiny budget made it hard to fall IN LOVE. But yes...I am very grateful to my new car.

.

5. Movers

Owen is moving like crazy. It looked like he was trying to pull himself up yesterday. It has been fun to watch him crawl all over and get into everything. Now I have to see what room he is crawling into. Cameron is sitting up for longer by himself and it has been great to leave him sitting and be able to leave the room while he plays with his toys.

Debt Free

1. New TV
A few of my favorite shows have started back up again. I am not able to watch them during the day unless the boys are in bed (and usually I try to lay down as well) but at night I catch up. Right now on DVR I watch Top Chef, Raising Sextuplets, and Big Brother. Yes I know...not that great of selection...but there is not much else I can say about it...I like bad TV.

2. Owen's laugh
Forever Cameron has been very ticklish and has had the best laugh. He can belly laugh for hours. Recently I have been loving Owen's loud, cheerful laugh that he uses every muscle in his face to create. He just started laughing all the time and it is great.


3. My mom
This afternoon my mom came over to help with the boys. I was able to get some extra sleep and kept the boys busy while I got stuff done around the house. She also cooked food to make into baby food, did dishes, helped move stuff around, and picked up toys. Thank you for the help and it was great to just hang out.

4. Dave Ramsey

Those who know me well know that I am all about being debt free. With student loans, house payment, a car that is in hospice, and eight month old twins...it is far from my future. Regardless I am grateful that I have this goal and that it can keep me focused.

5. Friends

I am thankful that I have so many friends and people that I enjoy and I am able to spend time with. I think that is such an important part of my life and who I am and I am so grateful for my friends.

Buddy

1. The photo
Today Owen had a dermatologist appointment. Both the boys were very tired so neither of them smiled much at the staff. When we were alone in the office though Cameron found a friend who caught his eye. He kept smiling and looking away...then smiling and looking away at this photo on the counter. When I figured out what he was doing I could not stop laughing. I am sure those in the hallway could hear. I had to take this with my phone. Yes...my 8 month old son was flirting with a picture of a 40 year old woman.

2. Buddy

I am not sure when this started...NICU maybe...who knows...but I am calling the boys "buddy" like crazy. It has become so bad the past few days that I thought to myself, "Will the boys know their real names? Will they know that their name is not buddy?" I can't help myself, but yes, I am trying to stop.

.

3. Champps nachos

I am not going to lie...I have been thinking about Champps nachos all day.

4. Rain

It has been so freakishly hot here but right now it is pouring down rain. I hope that it cools down outside so we can go on our walks again.

.

5. Sleeping all night

The boys have been awesome the past two nights about sleeping and not randomly waking up and needing their pacifier. It might be because I turned the monitor down...but still. Yesterday I woke up before them. Amazing...I know. When I went into their room, Owen was sitting in his bed playing with a stuffed animal. It has been a great change.

It is time

1. Hospice
Last night I decided to put my car into hospice. The past month it has totally leaked out two tanks of antifreeze, gone through lots of cans of freon, and has eaten through tons of money. It has been hanging on for me and has not died while I am out with the boys...but we had a talk...and it is time. Wish me luck.

2. The yard
Today, in the 95 degree heat, my dad and I worked on my front yard. We were only able to take a few hours because holy moly it is hot. I want to add that even though I am SOOO grateful we are getting started on this terrible project....I HATE ivy.

3. Sunscreen
I refuse to be wrinkly and old looking...when I am old. Hopefully those years working at the tanning bed don't count. Ha. (And those of you who know my favorite thing is laying out at the pool...I do wear sunscreen.)


4. Cardiologist
On to the things that matter...... Cameron's appointment and echo were PERFECT. Not only did he sit still for the entire echo he was released from the cardiologist. His murmur his pinpoint size.

5. Updates
Cameron is now sitting on his own for extended periods of time. I put some pictures below. Owen on the other hand is crawling around and pulling himself in and out of sitting. Owen is going to be doing First Steps once a month and soon stop all together. We are still working on getting an occupational therapist for Cameron and he continues to improve.

100th Post

1. Ma-Ma
The boys have been saying Ma-Ma now for a week or so. It is not purposeful but it is very fun and so sweet. Thank you dad for teaching them such a great first word!!

2. Bike Rides
Today I went on a long bike ride with Sarah. It was fun to talk and get exercise at the same time...something that I obviously don't get enough of. (At least I didn't have to walk up the hills!!)

3. Sullivan's
Thursday night at Sullivan's with Steph was a blast. I haven't had that much fun and laughed that much in awhile. It was definitely the highlight of my weekend.

4. Pictures
I am so, so grateful to Greg for sending me pictures of the boys almost everyday via text. I miss the boys like crazy when they are in Chicago and these always make me smile.

5. Free Food
Forth of July weekend means lots of cookouts. Though I work at night and could never participate, today I received TONS of free food. I think that I am the most excited to have fresh fruit.