Story time

We love visits from family - I'd say we're proud to have raised kids that LOVE LOVE LOVE their family. Though this visit was a little bit of a surprise to the girls, they couldn't wait!

After a fun lunch out to... PORTILLOS (papa's fav and one of ours too!) and a stroll around the block to watch the girls on their big girl bikes - the girlies enjoyed some play time and story time with Papa.

I LOVE my family too. And its always so sweet to see my girls with my Daddy  :)

Beach Babies all grown up!

It's not even JUNE and we've already had 5 beautiful days in the sun at the beach, Our little slice of heaven, Bethany Beach!

We are so blessed by this good weather and with nearness to the beach. And we couldn't enjoy it more.

So here's to more beautiful sunny days on the beach with friends!

Linnea is in turquoise and Signe is in purple ~

Beach babes...

{{{{Happy Memorial Day!}}}}


This last visit to the beach we brought up some friends with us... here's a peak at their time with us!

I LOVE YOU

The pictures say it all - my girls are learning to write and they are learning to LOVE! 

Love my girls, raising you two is a sweet sweet journey!

Linnea on top, Signe below

Happy Mother's Day

Today I celebrate my Mother... 

I am especially thankful in these last 4 years as she
raised me not just to be a strong woman but an awesome mom as well! Thanks for being right here, whether my phone or my plane, all the time. I love talking with you every day and treasure our talks! I love how much my girls LOVE their Mormor!

I celebrate my Mormor (grandmother), as she passed away recently. She was the sweetest lady that I had the privilege to spend most summers of my life, being hugged and loved. Mormor always encouraged me,  and was my biggest supporter of singing in the volunteer choir on Sundays! I did it for her!

I celebrate my sister, a mom of two adorable boys. My childhood was spent looking up to her and wishing I could be as cool as her, as smart and sweet as her. Now I just love that I get to be her sister and I LOVE YOU! It's special to share the motherhood journey with my sister.

I'm thankful for all the wonderful friends in my life that are also mothers. For the support and friendship they offer. For their willingness to laugh or cry with me along the way. For the many prayers lifted up in my name, and that I may pray for you each along the way as well. It is an honor to mother with you and be awed by how you each are the mother God created you to be.

Thank you God for loving me. And creating me to be just the mother my children need.

And a special thank you to the sweetest girls that made me a mom.. it is a blessing to laugh and giggle, smile and hug, to love on you each and every day! Thanks for helping me be a better mom and loving me along the way.

Earache woes!

Have you missed us? We've missed you.

This is where we have been... Snuggled up on the couch letting Linnea recover from a HORRIBLE NO GOOD VERY BAD EARACHE!  ((I took this time to enjoy the chance to hold my little girl while she napped on my lap for the first time in YEARS - they sure aren't babies anymore!))

This one was particularly rough because she had a bad reaction to the antibiotic we tried, then went to ear drops (which did nothing) before hitting on the right antibiotic that is KICKING THE EARACHE TO THE CURB! Of course the meds taste nasty and Linnea gags every time. 

BUT we are so thankful that she's mending. After 3 nights of screaming, mornings screaming, days of asking to go to the doctor... we are on the mend. And we're all a little LESS tired than we were a couple days ago!

Life beyond CHOCOLATE

So on October 24th I quit chocolate! You can read about it here. From that moment until Feb 18th I went without chocolate. Now that first time, well it was my sweet twins 4th Birthday and I had been dreaming, salivating for that Chocolate Cake with Buttercream frosting that I had ordered for them.

Their party arrived and that slice was finally in front of me. It was a little like a party in my mouth and on my taste buds!

BUT... it wasn't the heaven I thought it would be. While yes, it was amazingly delicious it wasn't all that I remembered. Then again, the chocolate that I usually over ate was in the candy form such as Kit Kats! So I was and AM really proud of myself to eat that cake and not EAT too much of it.

Occasionally the sweets taste oh so sweet. But the longer I go without chocolate and overindulging on treats I feel like I'm in control of what I'm putting into my body. And I'm feeling healthier and stronger.

From October to today, April 25th, I have lost 22 pounds. This was not my intention. But the first 10 lbs dropped off in the first 4 weeks from giving up chocolate. Let's just not even calculate how many extra calories I was eating in chocolate and candy. Seriously, if you think about it - WOW and YUCK!

The last 10+ lbs have dropped away slowly. I guess when you start eating the right servings of fruit and vegetables (getting LOTS of variety), getting a healthy amount of milk, protein, nutrients & vitamins... well your body finds the normal weight for your body. Since Oct 25th there hasn't been a day that I've skipped a meal or had more than a serving of the stuff on my plate (carbs) that I shouldn't. Those extra servings I take are off the veggies and fruits, proteins. And I have snacks that I've learned to love... popcorn, cheese and crackers, veggies and hummus, raisins and dried fruits, and other things. If you have some great healthy snack ideas please send them my way. I also made granola recently, AMAZING with yogurt!

This doesn't mean that I don't have dessert occasionally. About once a week sometimes twice. But it is vanilla soft serve, fruit with cool whip, angel food cake and things along the like. And again, I don't do more than a kids size cone which too me is probably PLENTY of a serving.

My hubby jokes that I should have taken a before and after picture. But I don't need it. All I know is that when my parents visited my mom and I went shopping!! For clothes, bathing suits and new bras. (I'm down 3 pant sizes 28 to 25, about an 8 to a 2/4 - thats where I stored all my extra calories, an area easy to hide... and down 1 cup size, and let's talk BIKINIS!!) Because this new body of mine, the one that disappeared when I got married and had kids, is back.

That's right, I AM BACK. And to stay. This is a lifestyle change.

It takes a LONG time to catch up!

I think I know why it takes WAY WAY longer to catch up on this blog than it used too... and I'm guessing the little reasons I have are known as Linne & Signe!

Anyways, Thanks for bearing with me as I've done some photo dumps. We had such a wonderful visit with my parents. It is always bittersweet once they arrive. As we know that they'll be leaving us again in a couple days. I'm just SO thankful every time they're here or we are there with them, that we have that time with family and that my girls LOVE LOVE their family so much!

Its like a 'heart hug' seeing my kids loving my parents and seeing their excitement for family visits. And then your heart squeezes when they drive away while your kids are saying "I'm a little sad. I'm gonna really miss Mormor & Papa."

Getting Caught UP!

Today's the day for me to get a little caught up in posting. So look back to see our week with my parents visiting and all the fun things we were up too! And then later tonight a CHECKING IN on the No Chocolate stage of life I'm still in! :) Happy Day to you all!

Individual Styles

Where are these lovely ladies off too? 

Why the park of course! 

You know what happens when I, mommy, forget to lay out clothes for the girls or 'assist' in the process? Yup... you see it for yourself! They choose whatever looks good to them, whether it fits or not. Time to go through their closet so they're only grabbing stuff what works!

Aren't they adorable though? We love watching the girls develop their own unique, individual tastes and styles. For example, there were a couple days that both of them left the house in tutus over any outfit they had on. Sometimes it is skirts with clashing/matching leggings, t's and sweaters... while other days they just might be walking out the door with a tiara & jewelry!

In this picture Linnea is wearing a scarf as a bracelet, Signe is actually wearing a scarf properly... and OOO LALA... the shoes are on the right feet!

To the ZOO!

Off to the Zoo we go... that's Brookfield Zoo!

With Uncle Mike and Mormor we took off for the Zoo. We went late afternoon, which we would probably NEVER do again. The girls were in fair to unpleasant moods. But we still had a great time, just required a little more holding and cheering!

Signe LOVES to hold her map and tell us where to go. Can anyone say 'Princess'?

Linnea took to Uncle Mike's shoulders and didn't want to come down.

We had fun seeing the animals. For Sig it was the Penguins that had her at 'hello' or rather their picture on the map is ALL she saw! For Linnea it was the Zebras and Giraffes.

Children's Museum

Today it was off to the Navy Pier Children's Museum! 

And it was a blast... from our last visit to this visit so many exhibits had been changed. So this was as good as a whole new museum. Plus, the girls are about a year older than the last time we visited.

 Firehouse dog Mormor, Firewoman Linnea and Bystander Signe

Waitress Linnea amazed us with her balancing abilities...

Future 'Well worker' Signe served up some delicious icecreams

Here's part of the gang sitting back and enjoying the circus foods

One of the new exhibits going on now is the CIRCUS exhibit. The girls played with serving circus foods for quite some time before trying out the balancing beam, clown clothes, trapeze and other fun things.

This was a first, both girls wanted to try out the climbing nets that children can climb from floor to floor instead of taking the traditional stairs. Linnea was first and then chickened out when she looked down. So SIGNE climbed on out and across without hesitating. Linnea made friends with a older girl who helped coach Linnea across. She was so sweet and we appreciated her helping SO MUCH!

Another new exhibit was a construction/building exhibits. This was perfect for Papa! He taught the girls what to do and helped them build. They really enjoyed this activity!

Linnea & Papa playing some chess!

The water exhibit is always there and Linnea, Signe & Mormor had fun writing with water, Papa had them creating water ways and in general everyone enjoyed getting a bit cooled off!

New as well was a 'collections room' full of little drawers, table top displays and such of many MANY different collections of small things, similar things, and so on. Perfect because it was right near the bathrooms and we took turns looking at the stuff and using the restrooms!

THUMBS UP for the Navy Pier Children's Museum!

Look who came to visit!

While it is Spring Break out east my parents are here visiting. 

L & S couldn't be MORE thrilled 

to have their Mormor and Papa visiting! 

As the days leading up to their visit grew to be fewer and fewer, the girls anticipation escalated. 

On Mormor & Papa's first day here, 

all the girls wanted was some snuggle time!

Snuggle bugs

These girls can be so cute and snuggly ... when the moment is right.

And today it was!

Linnea and Signe were reading books together and just started

hugging and loving on each other.

Luckily the action didn't stop when I picked up the camera.

Jesus is Alive!

We were greeted upon picking up the girls from Sunday School with this:

"JESUS IS ALIVE!!"

- makes your heart squeeze to hear your children joyous about Jesus!

Happy Easter to you and yours! God bless you. Jesus is Alive!

Celebrating Easter

There is nothing like the faith of a child.

Tonight's prayer by Signe:

"Dear Jesus, thank you for mommy & daddy. Thank you saving me. Thank you for loving me. I miss you. Sorry you died. Amen"

Tonight's prayer by Linnea:

"Dear Jesus, thank you for mommy & daddy. Thank you for saving me. Loving me. And the angel that came too. Amen"

At this time of year, Easter, while we celebrate the cross and the sacrifice made on our behalf, when we think about our sins and that God loved us so much He sent his son. Whose ultimate gift to us would be the sacrifice of his life to save ours. That he might rise again, we rejoice and celebrate life.

To our sweet girls, as you can see from their prayers above, they are beginning to learn about how much our Lord loves us. And it is so precious to hear them talk about Jesus and start connecting the things they learn each sunday.

Not that they aren't also totally excited about the Easter 'goodies.' We started our Easter weekend by spending Good Friday with my in-laws. And L & S LOVED every moment of the treasure hunt that Grandma put together for them. This was a fun visit as it seemed like the girls were more open, playful and loving with Grandma and Grandpa - doing it on their own. Such big girls we have these days!

And today, well all they can think about and dream about is what's to come tomorrow. After an Easter egg hunt at preschool and MOPS, a treasure hunt with Grandma & Grandpa, the girls are anticipating great things from tomorrow!

Personally I am looking forward to Easter sunday service.

With all my heart I wish you and yours a very special Easter Sunday.

Blessings,

Caitlyn

It's a girl thing!

This has been a fun experience - linking up to Kelly's Korner! Just last week I linked up as a Mommy of Multiples and met some new 'blog friends.'

http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2012/04/show-us-your-life-moms-of-all-girls.html

TODAY - I'm linking up as a mom of all girls! My twin identical girls are the sweetest gift God's given me. That I might be just the right mom for them is a huge calling each and every day! Recently at the our local MOPS group our speaker talked on how it is NOT A MISTAKE, we have each been created 'just so' to be the mom that our children need. And we were blessed with the children God wanted us to have. LOVE that message.

Being a mom to girls is a huge thing. When they turn three, it is not the terrible twos for girls oh NO, it is the troublesome three's - and it is just a little taste of what we have to come in the years ahead. Do you feel me, moms of girls? Now my girls have just turned 4 but it was during the trying year from 3 to 4, that I felt like we saw some big ol' glimpses of attitude... attitude that I'm sure will rear its ugly head again from time to time over the years but definitely when we hit those magical girl years of 13, 16, 18. High drama years!

But its the days when my girls are so sweet, compassionate to each other and others, curious, crafty, silly goofy wacky, dressed to the nines in dress-up or real clothes, mixed in with their moments of drama, trauma and misplaced hysteria that make me know for a fact:

I AM RAISING GIRLS!

Here's the breakdown...

I am a non-girlie girl momma, who used to be a bit of a tomboy preferring sports and horseback riding to dance or piano lessons, that learned to love singing & reading as I grew, became a bit obsessed with clothes and COACH, never dreaming I'd be a mom.

Now I am a child of God, wife, mother of identical twin girls, MOPS Coordinator, volunteer helper for Sunday School classes, mom thats learning to braid hair, do pony tails, barretts*?, clips while praying for intervention on behalf of my girls adorable curly hair that leaves me clueless... Blessed to have some of the best friends a woman could have, seriously addicted to talking to my own Mother on the phone multiple times a day (*praying that my girls will call me just as often), still feel like a Daddy's girl, learning to embrace my girlie girl/rough-n-tumble girls and loving life as a MOM OF GIRLS!

Linnea is our first born (by a minute) and she is a compassionate, loving, rowdy, tough, caring girl. She finds certain events or situations to be very TRAUMATIC. There is not a whole lot of drama with Linnea but she can put serious backbone into being stubborn. While she's not quick to say sorry after time outs, she is incredibly sincere with her hugs and love once she's back on track.

Signe is our second born (by a minute) and she is very sweet, gentle, princess like, precise & particular. She can find a way to make anything DRAMATIC. Signe is a girl with a MILLION looks - she's got a way of using her eyes to make her point! She's quick to say she's sorry because she wants nothing more than to be with her people!

My dear girls, you are so fun and fun-loving! Often we, Mom & Dad, are so thankful for how happy you both are and how much joy you find in daily life. You are both a constant reminder that life is precious and wonderful. We love how creative and thoughtful you both can be! It is a joy to see you love each other and love your family & friends.

Love you!

Silly Songs with Signe

I really need to try and get a picture of us on one of our family bike rides!

With my early birthday present of a sweet new bike, we as a family have started taking bike trips. Short ones as we're hoping to build up to longer ones (my knee is still giving me problems). The girls chill out in the CHARIOT CARRIER while Daddy bikes hard and I enjoy a leisure ride on my own. Seriously a beautiful moment.

The entire way our girls can be seen playing or taking pictures with their cameras, playing with an etch-a-sketch or making up songs.

Today we stopped at the park on our way home and this is the song that Sig made up:

Signe sitting on the swings, Singing!

"I am swinging, swinging, I love swinging.

Mommy is pushing me, I can't stop.

No I can't stop, I am swinging.

Don't wanna get off,

Don't wanna go home,

I'm swinging, don't want ride the bike."

All this sung to a melody created by Signe.

We LOVE when they make up songs.

Complicated Conversations

Here is how Linnea is carrying on a conversation these days...

Backstory: My hubby and I had just finished changing the sheets on our bed when L came in and over heard me saying that it is difficult to change our sheets because of our bed frame.

L: 'What's difficult mean?'

Me: 'Difficult is how you describe something that is hard to do or complicated'

L: 'What's hard mean?'

Me: 'Hard means that it is not easy to do'

L: 'What's easy mean?'

Me: 'Easy is something that you know how to do or something that is not complicated'

L: 'What's is complicated?'

Me: 'Complicated is answering all of your questions'

L: 'What does question mean?'

Me: 'A question is when you ask me to explain things. Linnea you are being a silly obnoxious girl right now' As I tickle her to laughter.

L: 'What is obnoxious mean?'

Me: 'Obnoxious is when something is annoying or frustrating'

L: 'What is annoying or frustrating mean?'

Me: 'Annoying means that something or someone is being persistant or irritating'

L: 'Daddy, your annoying!' as she laughs because she finds this COMPLETELY hilarious.

Ah the inquisitive mind of a 4 year old. And the day that I need to buy a thesaurus and dictionary and encyclopedia and all other learning materials to keep up with my learning girls growing brains. Clearly my explanations need more work!

What's cooking?

Evening all!

We've been busy today, the girls and I, preparing a special treat for Uncle Mike whose birthday is tomorrow. April Fool's day, baby!

So I'm here to recommend a blog, AGAIN, because her desserts just can't be beat on ease and deliciousness...

http://www.tasteandtellblog.com/2012/03/cake-batter-blondies/

Taste and Tell always has great recipes! And these blondies were so easy to make... my twinners made them and loved doing it! Of course nothing gets left alone by 4 year olds so they dyed them different shades of green for their Uncle Mike!

I packed them up in a tupperware and eventually wrapped it up with a bow and some cards colored with love from my brothers favorite(only) nieces!

Happy happy birthday to the best brother and uncle there is,

we LOVE you Uncle Mike!

Linking up...

Today I'm linking up to Kelly's Korner... she's helping all Moms of Multiples link up today!

http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/

So here's a little bit about our pregnancy/birth story as I've never shared it on here before.

Hubby and I were married not even one year when we found out we were expecting. Little did we know that a week after our 1st anniversary we'd find out it was not one but TWO babies! To say I was shocked is an understatement. Both my mother and husband were there to find out... which prompted my mom to have the fab idea of heading off to BabiesRUs. After about 5 minutes of hearing her say "Just think Cait, 2 of EVERYTHING" I ran for the door and told them it was time for lunch.

We had a great pregnancy aside from a car accident and kidney stones. The girls did great - beating up my ribs and stomach. Causing major heartburn along the way. There were those moments of fear when we couldn't hear one heart beat or the other, thankfully only due to one blocking the other from front to back.

For the 36 week appointment I headed in alone as hubby was at work. We'd been having contractions from 30 weeks on so I wasn't really feeling anything different. At the appointment my doctor did an ultrasound to check growth from the week before and felt that it was their time to get on out of them! Hallelujah!! Since the doctor I saw that day was the one I wanted doing my c-section my only question was when he could do it. His answer was either today or thursday. Since Thursday was Valentine's day and didn't want to give the girlies a holiday birthday - I said "See you tonight!"... called my hubby and said come on home we're heading to the hospital to have the babies in a couple hours.

By the time we arrived at the hospital I was in labor - so it turned out to be perfect timing!

Linnea & Signe joined us a 5:50 and 5:51pm at 5lbs 0z and 18inches, 4lbs 15 oz and 18inches long respectively.

We've had a crazy wonderful busy 4 years and are so happy for our happy girls!

Wouldn't have it any other way.

Piggy Pile

Its a piggy pile kind of day - and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Double the love and double the fun ~

Sun is Shining

We are so thankful for the sun, Thank you Lord!

And so so happy to call these two girlies ours -

we're blessed to be there parents and

having a blast trying to keep up with them.

Linnea's on the left with her hair a blowin' and Signe is on the right giving us her fake smile!

Clippety Clop!

Ride 'em Cowgirl!

(Signe)

Here comes the sun!

We got out today and enjoyed the sun

before the wind sent us back inside!

Here's hoping that the warm sunny weather that's being predicted

for the next few days actually comes and stays!

(Linnea top, Signe bottom)

Could it be?

Could it be? Snow?

Yup. Seems winter is not quite gone yet even though the weather has been very mild. Earlier this week we spent a day at the zoo and today the girls played in the snow!

While Daddy grilled dinner the girls helped build a snow man - the first we've made in our yard this year.

So here's our snowman, named "Booty" if you ask the girls!

Forts

Serious FORT Building

Little girls LOVE fort building...

with sheets and flashlights

and DADDY!

While Mommy had an evening out,

L & S had some serious tent building with Dad.

And this is one of the best birthday ideas

and gifts the girls got from their Mormor!

EZ-FORT can be found on line

and in multiple package options.

We got the multi-colored without a sheet

as we have TONS of sheets in our house.

And it has been so fun to play with

and create tents & tunnels.