What a month!

So it's been kind of a long time since I last blogged. Let's see, what has happened? Well, as for me I have apparently broken through that disgusting plateau that had been hovering around since January - yes, January. I really would be happy to just tone up at this point but also wouldn't turn down a little more weight loss if it comes my way without any unhealthy efforts. Oh, yeah, I might want to explain the picture. I bought my first pair of size 8 shorts in the past couple weeks. I didn't just buy them, I WORE them! :) I'm not sure I ever wore a size 8. I'm not sure what I wore growing up, but I don't remember anything before a 9/10. Anyway, it was a HUGE accomplishment and I'm still smiling about it.

We spent a few days in Branson recently and had a great time. The girlies enjoyed miniature golf, seeing and getting their picture taken with Cecil (if you've seen the Presley's, you know who I'm talking about!) and our trip to the Landing for our every-trip visit to the Disney store. It really was a fun trip and one we look forward to taking again in August. Yesterday they had their 5-year well-child check and 4 shots. It wasn't fun for them but they did an awesome job. Obviously there was a trip to Toys 'R Us afterwards (it's conveniently located just a block from the doctor's office) to help ease the pain. They had sore legs last night but are doing fine this morning. Hopefully that continues. They're such big, brave girls!

Big Bird Yoga and Ernie Does Walking

Where do I even begin? I think it's safe to say that my enjoyment of exercise is spreading. Who would've guessed?! Doodle and Boo have a stack of books that they have informed me are all books telling what exercises to do. According to them, Big Bird gives yoga instruction and Ernie imparts his wisdom in the form of a walking workout instruction book. Doodle and Boo are giving many instructions, apparently interpreting for Hanny, who is the lone exerciser at this point. They have my exercise bands, weighted ball and hand weights out so Hanny can exercise appropriately. They've also told her that she needs to bring her drink of water into the living room because "that's what Mama does." She's been doing lunges, jumping jacks, some yoga moves and is really doing pretty well remembering what moves to do. While lifting weights she said, "I'm so full of muscles I'm about to tip over!" Doodle and Boo just keep telling her to "C'mon, exercise!" Okay, it just got better... Apparently they are all three going to exercise now. They all had to go get their drinks to put on the fireplace, but it just gets funnier. Now, they are all three kicking forward and backwards wearing a variety of shoes. Doodle is in some patent leather dress shoes she found this morning. Boo is in some wite fancy sandals and Hanny is in green flip flops. It's just too cute for words. This is what fun really is. It's the enjoyment of the little things. Gotta go - Hanny wants me to feel her muscles... Does it get any better?!

Big, long, exhausting day...

First, but only because the picture will show up above, the birds are getting feathers. That's not to say they are any more attractive because, let's face it, they're not. They have made amazing strides in a week's time, though. They are almost to outgrow the nest. Every morning we notice more of the nest poking up and out due to the cramped living conditions. Maybe by tomorrow afternoon they'll be a little cuter and not so...well, ugly.

We spent the day on the go. We had a trip to Wal-Mart this morning - woo hoo - and spent the afternoon outside. It was 85 degrees here today which is warmer than we really like. Just to make the day complete we decided to grab a pizza and take it to the lake for a picnic and some play-time. We spent the greatest amount of our time looking for shells along the shore but also took in the girls' favorite slipper slide. It was worth the trip, although I'm not sure their tennis shoes will ever be the same after getting wet in the water and then getting a 1/2-inch layer of sand on the inside and outside both. Needless to say they're in the washer now - the shoes, not the girls! :) Bedtime will be here soon, thank goodness! We're all wilting pretty quickly now as Dad reads. There's just something so wonderful about that exhausted feeling you get when you've been outside all day. Granted, I wish I could say I accomplished something in the house today, but I guess the laundry & cleaning will wait another day or two...

Cute? Not quite. But getting closer!

So with another nice day to play outside we got another chance to check on our nest of robins. We've decided that while they're not officially cute yet, they are at least moving in that direction. The girls have enjoyed watching the parents bring food to the babies today. They were shocked when a mayfly was delivered yesterday, but they were amazed when a full-size worm was delivered to one open-mouthed baby today.

As for the girlies, they are already cute and get more intelligent and hilarious by the day. Boo is currently going through a fearful phase that centers around wasps/hornets while we're outside. She's never been stung but knows that it's possible which seems to really upset her. She's very lucky to have one sister (Hanny) who is exceptionally caring and compassionate and makes sure she comforts Boo during her troubles. Doodle doesn't feel the need to be quite as compassionate to her twin and basically tells her to get over it. Obviously, sensitive little Boo doesn't respond well to the "tough love" she gets from Doodle! Every day is a lesson in compassion around here!

She burped...OUT LOUD!

I realize that to most people an out-loud burp isn't something to rejoice over, but in our house we are still thrilled and amazed when we hear a burp out of Boo. Due to the surgery she had when she was two months old she hasn't had much luck in burping in the past five years. Apparently that fundo has loosened up enough now to allow for some much-needed venting and she can now burp out loud. I'm sure I can count on one hand (the count is three, if I'm remembering correctly) the number of times I've heard the child burp. It doesn't give her the same satisfaction it does me, but she doesn't remember (thank goodness) the gagging and retching fits she used to have during and after her tube feedings. So for me, a burp from her is just another gift from God. Some people need grand displays to see the existence of God, but not me. I just need to hear my angel burp.

Back at the Nest

First and foremost, I had a dentist appointment today and am, for the second time in a row, CAVITY FREE!!!! I know, most people expect to be without cavities, but I have a mouth just full of Wal-Mart quality teeth. You know, they do the job just fine, but they just don't seem to last like the high-quality ones that Gary seems to have. The man has only had one cavity EVER. It's just disgusting to me, but I really hope the girlies have been lucky enough to gain his teeth by DNA. Moving on...

We are still watching our bird family. Since yesterday they haven't improved in appearance although they do seem to be growing. They should be since the parents spend all their time flying back and forth with worms and have even brought back a mayfly or two. It sounds like all we do is watch the nest, but because it's right outside our dining room window it makes it very easy to check in on the nest as we walk by. We just can't help taking pictures of them so we can watch them change from day to day. You might say we're easy to entertain around here. You'd be right...

Mother's Day - for the birds...

We have had a nest of 4 robin eggs on the back porch for a couple weeks now that we have have all been watching. On Mother's Day, ironically, the baby birds began to hatch. As of this morning all four are hatched out and eating almost continuously. The girls have thoroughly enjoyed checking up on the babies and are torn between calling them cute and ugly. It seems there's no middle ground. I think we're all leaning a little more toward calling them ugly, even though they should be cute, being babies and all. While we were outside this afternoon we also got to see another nest of baby birds in what seemed to us to be their first day after being kicked out of the nest. There was a lot of squawking and several young robins flying as best they could from one tree to another only to sit for hours at a time.

As for me, after the whole slipper-slide/tailbone confrontation I'm getting back to normal. I was able to sit on it for awhile Friday night and worked out this morning for the first time in almost 2 weeks. Don't get me wrong, I can still feel it and the whole incident isn't funny yet. It will be, though, I'm sure, once the pain goes away. I'll have a lot more understanding of those cartoons when the chaser, after climbing up the ladder and continuing into thin air for a few steps, realizes that there's no solid ground beneath him and has that startled look before gravity finally takes hold. I can definitely sympathize. So can my tailbone.