Getting my life organized!

Sometimes I feel like my life is living me and I am  just holding on for dear life.  Lately I have decided to take some steps to try and get ahead of that.  There are a couple things I am doing to try to improve things (and they are not all fun)

One things I am trying to do it get up early.  The babies usually get up at 730.  So I am dragging myself out of bed at 630.  For those of you who know me, you know I am NOT a morning person.  I don't think I ever will be.  Just having that hour to myself to organize my thoughts, unload the dish washer, throw some laundry in, even if I just sit down with my coffee and watch the Today Show, it gives me a jump on the day.  When I hear those sweet baby babble I am so much more ready to go and get them and deal with the craziness that will ensue.

I am also trying to get myself on a cleaning schedule.  Being in a messy house has a big impact on my stress level.  I don't get much time to relax, but I never truly relax if I try to relax in a messy house.  Don't get me wrong I will sit and watch some tv or blog or do what I want, but there is that naggy feeling that I should be doing something useful.  Now I know that once it is all checked of my list I am good to go.  Also I have certain days for certain tasks, which doesn't make me feel like I have to get it all done. (Honestly that usually makes me feel like I have too much to do so I am overwhelmed and don't do anything)

I am also making a meal schedule.  I try and have meals planned for 2 weeks out.  This just take out some of the thinking of my day.  This also keeps me from ordering out, which is a bad habit of mine.  My only problem is grocery shopping with twin one year olds is still really tricky.  There are certain places I just can't go with them.  So trying to find time for that can be a bit hard sometimes.

The last things I have been trying to do is get those babies on a schedule!  They pretty much are, but writing it down and planning for it helps.  Making sure nap times and meal times happen at pretty much the same time everyday help me and them.  They like knowing whats next and they protest their nap much less because they know that after lunch and a few songs its time for nap.  Also I have been planning at
least one fun activity a day.  That can range anywhere from crafts to grocery shopping to library story time.

The schedule and menu are going up on the wall and the chore sheets for the family are going on the fridge to be checked off.  I will let you know soon how this is all working out.  I need will power to stick to this, but I think I can do it!

This week I plan to write more on our schedule and our day to day routine.  It has really been working for us, make sure you check back if you are interested. 

5 favorite photos

I love the blog of Multi Mommas.  It is a great place for multiple mommy to meet up.  This week they asked to see our 5 favorite photos.  This was a hard one!  I love so many of them, but with out further adieu, here we go!

 Our first photo as a family, I know you can't really see the babies, but I love this picture (don't mind me face... labor for 14 hours then a c-section will do the a to you.)

 I was so happy to capture some of those newborn moments.  They sure don't last long.

I love their faces in this pictures.  It is really hard to captures a cute picture of them both as the same time, but I love this one.

Look at those eyes!  How could I not love this pic of the babes?

I love how blue their eyes look in this picture!  I also like that is captures the fun things we are starting to be able to do with them.

So these are just a few of my favorite pictures.  Good thing it said to limit them to 5, this could have been very long!

Getting ready for crazy!

So starting this weekend we are going to be on the go until late September.  We have showers, weddings, out of town guests, camping.  We are going to be go go going!  This would have been draining before twins... now I can't imagine.  I have always been a creature of habit who likes to be at home, but with two little babes that has just intensified.  I love to get out and spend a afternoon at the park or go to a play date with some friends, but I love coming home to the schedule.  So I am preparing myself.  Luckily everywhere is fairly baby friendly, so that is helpful. 

So today we are enjoying a day at home.  We have been reading books and building with blocks.  Some days I enjoy this more than going anywhere.  They are at an age where they are so much fun to play with.  Penny makes faces and will do some animal noises when you ask her.  She is learning a few signs.  Ben is starting to exert his will more.  He is getting quite the temper, and this is new for him.  He has always been my laid back guy.  They are just at an age where they are growing and changing everyday, I love spending watching them grow and learn new things.

So I might not be posting quite as much with how busy we are going to be, but I do have somethings planned.  I will be talking about the new schedule me and the babies are on now.  My blog is getting a complete over haul and maybe done sometime soon, AND I am getting close to 100 people and I have a pretty special give away planned.  So stay tuned!!

Here are some pics from out lazy day at home.

He was really playing happily.  I know he looks so sad in this pic, but I thought it was cute!

Again camera out... no smile!

This is a scrunchy face makes when she is pretending to blow her nose.  I love it!!

Twin Perks and link up: Monday Mom Musings

One nice things I am starting to realize with twins is the built in playmate.  I have always heard that, but they were just too young to play together.  While they are still a bit young, the other day I was in the kitchen and I heard Ben laughing.  He was just belly laughing over and over.

This is what I saw.

Of course by the time I got there Ben wasn't laughing quite as much, but Penny crawling into the toy box really amused him.  But for a few minutes he thought that Penny had gotten in the toy box was the funniest thing ever!  I look forward to seeing what they come up with in the future. (I may live to regret saying that)  They amaze me everyday.

Today I am teaming up with Jelli at Jellibean Journals for her link up Monday Mom Musings.  Please share your mommy stories with us!


Now it’s your turn! Please join me and link up your {Monday Mom Musings}; anecdotes, game & activity ideas, gems of wisdom, crafts, recent triumphs, or anything else that you’ve learned or would like to share with us this week about parenting.
HOW do I link? Read here.
Mama “MUSTS”:

Make a pal! Visit {at least} the two posts ahead of yours & COMMENT!!

Make it family-friendly {of course!} Please link to your specific post, not your homepage
Optional, but appreciated:
*Follow me pretty please!
*Place the Mom Musings button link on your post.
Button Code (copy & paste):
<a href=”http://jellibeanjournals.blogspot.com” title= “Jellibean Journals"><img src="http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg481/fairyjuliet/JBMomMusingsButton.png" border="0" alt="Jellibean Journals"></a>

Beating the heat!

I tell ya, this summer has been a doozy here in the midwest.  In the high 90s or 100s everyday in July and no rain!  It is impossible to get the babies out to enjoy any outside activities that don't include water, and by myself that is not usually possible.  Today we are supposed to get some storms, we'll see... 

So this week we went and spent some time at grandma's house.  With her help we played in the pool.  Ben was a little hesitant, but Penny loved it from the moment she sat in the pool.  By the end they were both crawling and splashing around.

So how have you all been beating the heat this summer?