John Howard is One Year Old!!!

Bill and I went to Dallas for John's First Birthday party on Saturday, Feb. 27. It was great fun seeing Jason, Ashley, John and grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and some of John's neighborhood friends. John quickly caught on to the idea that wrapping paper could be torn off and toys were inside. He also really enjoyed his super-sized birthday cupcake. See pictures below.

John and JanMa
John and Nana Sherrie
John and Dad Jason
Great Uncle Jim holds John Howard with Great Grandparents Pat and Howard.
John snuggles up with Aunt Jennifer. He is always happy to have Jennifer hold him.
Great-aunt Diane holds John.
John plays with uncle Nick and friends on the jungle gym in the back yard.
Nana and John play outside.
John and friend Emma see a new toy! Mom Ashley supervises the unwrapping of presents.

Ashley reads John a card while Emma plays with the wagon from Bill. Uncle Nick patiently looks on while John gets all the new toys.

John and Emma play with ANOTHER new toy!

John plays with Bob the Builder Jack-in-the-Box.

The birthday cake is ready!
Mom and Dad help John blow out his candle.

John tastes his first birthday cake.

The cake is quite good!

John enjoys his cake.

JanMa's Daycare gets started!

Jennifer had her first day back at work, and JanMa got to spend time with the twins. It was great! Next week Jennifer works 3 days, and I'm sure it will be just as great after those 3 days are over! The babies and I played on the floor, had tummy time and activity seat time, watched Baby Einstein, napped and ate twice, and got diapers and clothes changed, and did some stretching exercises. Jake likes the stretching, he smiles and laughs. Claire likes to roll over now, and will roll over and go to sleep in her crib on her tummy. Here are some pictures of Jake and Claire.

Claire smiles often.

Jake sort of smiling, you have to work hard to catch him doing it.

Claire in her activity seat, she is learning to reach for things.
Of course, once she picks up something, it goes right to her mouth!
Jake likes the activity seat too.
Claire is trying to teach Jake to roll over.
He is very close now.

A picture of the snow falling in front of my house in Conroe last week. It didn't stick, but was pretty to watch come down for several hours.

Claire rolls over!

Claire has been kicking her leg and rolling her body 1/2 way over for several weeks. With just a small tug on her hand she can flip right over from back to front. Jennifer and I were talking about how close she was, and I commented that one day Jennifer would turn her back for a second and when she looked back at Claire, she would be on her tummy. Well it happened. Jennifer left Claire on her back, turned to pick up Jake, and turned back to Claire and she was on her tummy!! Jennifer got some video, and I dropped by the next day and got some too. When I was there, Claire was tired and the rolling over is hard work, but she did it. Jake doesn't seem to have much interest in rolling over, he prefers to have a woman dote on him!

JanMa and Claire after she rolled over.
Claire rolls over!

My Favorite Baby Items

With the twins now 4 1/2 months old, I can offer some expert advice on baby items you need to have. First, an absolute essential item that I have never seen on anyone's baby shower list, a small battery powered mixer. Bill had given me one (another of Bill's unique "finds") years ago to mix my Weight Watcher shakes. Well, Jake's acid reflux formula was really thick, and lumpy, even if stirred by a spoon, which is hard to fit into a bottle anyway. I brought the "stir stick" from home the second week the babies were home, and I think it is great. Jennifer does too, because it has a place of honor next to the powdered formula and bottles, and gets used every time. Pour water into the bottle, dump in the powdered formula, and put in the stir stick and push the on button, formula is well mixed within seconds. I have replaced the batteries on it twice, easy to do, and I highly recommend this item for anyone having to mix powdered formula in a bottle that tends to get "lumpy". I don't know where Bill got these, but maybe places like the dollar stores or WalMart. Try googling for drink mixer. Vitaminder (on-line) has a product that is described as being used to mix baby formula.
Second, I recommend the nap nanny over a boppy pillow. The twins started out with boppy pillows, and those were great. Then I heard about a nap nanny from friend Paula, and Jennifer got one for Jake to help hold him at a more upright angle, to try to keep the acid reflux from making him spit up so much. A few days later, Claire had her own. The nap nanny just looks comfortable, and it is softer than the floor, which they are essentially laying on when using a bobby pillow. Claire can even fall asleep on her side in the nap nanny, which seems to be a preferred sleeping position for her now. It is easier for dual feedings when they are both in nap nannies than in boppies. So if you have a choice, go with the nap nanny over the boppy. And I would forgo the bouncy seat things and use the nap nanny instead.



A few other favorites:
The large swing (twins each have one) and for several months they slept in them at night and for naps. Even if they outgrow them soon, they have been worth their price.
The stuffed bear with the noise maker inside that sounds like the womb. We just took out the noise maker and keep it handy in the nursery. Easier to replace the batteries that way, and the babies don't care about the bear anyway, but the noise seems to help them sleep and blocks out other sounds.

There are other things that I'm sure will become essential as the kids get older, like baby gates to keep them from the stairs.

Claire and Jake try out the tray on the bumpo seat. The babies are not yet reaching and grabbing things intentionally, and but I suspect this bumpo seat/tray arrangement may become a favorite item soon!

Valentine's Day

I would like to see the movie, Valentine's Day, I bet it's funny; but I also have a couple of Valentine Day doozies myself. Like, Valentine's Day 1980, I found out I was pregnant. That was followed a year later by Valentine's Day 1981, the day I signed my divorce papers. Oh well, such is life, and who decided that February 14 was the "day" for romance anyway?

This year, Bill was in Dallas on Valentine's Day. But that is sort of typical with his job, over the years he has been gone for Christmas, Thanksgiving, my birthday, his birthday, probably multiple times. One year he had arranged for presents to be at my house on my birthday while he was on a trip out of the country. Then he called and we talked on the phone while I opened up each present. He went to a lot of trouble to make that happen, and made it a special day for me even if he wasn't here. So we still celebrate special occasions, but maybe just not on the exact day/date. This actually can be a good thing. It will be much easier to have a Valentine's Day dinner at a restaurant on a weekday night rather than last Saturday night, when everything was packed. And also we appreciate the time together rather than just the "day" or "event".

So this year I spent Valentine's Eve enjoying the twins, while their Mom and Dad enjoyed dinner at a restaurant. Valentine's Day I read a book and napped, did some JanMa's work while Bill went through some flight training in Dallas. Tuesday night we will have our Valentine's Day bottle of wine and chocolate while watching the Biggest Loser, our special time together. After all, I don't know who picked February 14 as a day for romance, probably Hallmark; and don't care. I will choose my own special times to celebrate whatever occasions are worth celebrating.

Jake and Claire show off their Valentine's Day outfits.

Jake having some tummy time.

Jake and Claire watch Baby Einstein on a large TV
The twins practice their sitting up skills.

Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies

Along with millions of others, I watched the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics last night. But I REALLY watched, every minute, no potty breaks or nothing. I was captivated, totally caught up by it all. But why?

I am not a winter sport person, can't ice skate, wouldn't dare try to ski anymore, and not the least interested in hockey. I don't care for cold weather, there is a reason I never want to live north of Willis. Snow is pretty, when viewed through the window while sitting in front of a warm fire with a cup of something hot to drink. A short walk in the white fluffy stuff is fine, especially at night with twinkling lights around the trees and warm, lighted windows ahead and a heavy coat, boots and gloves. But I don't want to live, work and play in it.

I am impressed by the athletes, but most of them are now 1/2 my age or less, and I really haven't heard of many of them. Oh, I know Chad Hedrick is from Spring, and Shaun White is an incredible snowboarder, but I'm not watching to follow the athletes.

But something about the opening ceremonies really showcased Canada, and I think that is what is taking root. A country much larger than the US, yet with 1/10 of the population, think of all that space to spread out in. OK, so probably over 1/2 that space is very cold and barren, not fit for my kind of existence, but that still leaves a LOT of room, especially for summer visits.

The opening ceremonies showcased the variety of scenery, seasons, and cultures of Canada with incredible visual effects and talented performers. (Except Celine Dion did not perform, and she is Canadian, I was disappointed.) Canada came across to me as friendly and welcoming, with relaxed attitudes, yet a backbone and spirit for substance. I loved my one trip to Montreal and Quebec and the Maritime Provinces. Next trip to Canada will have to be to British Columbia, in the summer, and hopefully, soon.

Can't not post this picture, John Howard Robin with his snowman, both sporting the latest fashion in pacifiers. Click on the picture for a larger view, and check out John's brilliant blue eyes.

Daily Grind of LIfe

I want to say up front that although I called this post the Daily Grind of Life, I am still thrilled with being retired. Leisurely mornings, lap swims, babysitting twins, daytime grocery shopping, and just having time to wait around for all the service folks to show up is a nice way to live. Plus I have a roof over my head that keeps the heat in.
Now here are some of the "grind" things that are happening.
First, the pool still leaks. The leak detection guy is coming out today, more on that later. I suspect that all the water I've been adding that has been leaking out into the yard (not on the surface, but down deeper) is what has been seeping into the foundation, and has gotten the new tile grout in the bathroom discolored.

Second, the aforementioned discolored tile grout. It is caused by moisture, which might be from the pool, or might be from the only side of the house I have not had the drainage resolved. I have had drains installed on the front and back and south sides of the house, but not on the north side, which is where the bathroom is. So once the pool problem is fixed, I'll get a foundation/drainage company out to evaluate the moisture in the bathroom grout problem. I guess once the moisture issue is fixed, then I'll have to figure out how to get the grout back to "clean" condition. Grout cleaner doesn't seem to do it. I hope it doesn't require re-laying tiles.

Third, the yard looks pitiful. Armadillos or some other snout digging creature has taken been dining on bugs or grubs in my yard, front, back, sides, all over. I finally spread Scott's GrubEx all over the yard. Hopefully this will start killing the grubs, so the 'dillos will go next door or down the street. I may have to get a professional yard fertilizer service, the yard Mexican hasn't done the best job of that aspect of yard care. Mowing and trimming, great, but not so much the weed/bug/fertilizing part.
These are all "grind" things not so much because they can't be resolved, but they cost money, and being on a fixed income and all....

Now on to better things. I have started making protein shakes in the morning. Sometimes you feel like an egg, sometimes you don't..... Lately I abhor eggs, so a chocolate protein shake and a small bowl of oatmeal (the regular cook in a pot on the stove kind) makes a good breakfast. I add some cinnamon, Truvia sweetner and instant coffee to the mix, along with ice cubes. My new blender (Christmas present from Bill) has an ice grinder setting.

I also made a new soup recipe I got from Lillie, Southwestern Soup. Usual stuff of browned hamburger, various cans of beans and Rotel, and a special ingredient - a package of Ranch dressing mix. I think this is what gives it a totally unique flavor, it is very good, makes a large pot of soup, tastes better the next day, and is more the consistency of chili than soup. Easy recipe if anyone is interested.

Bill (who amazingly finds the neatest things for the kitchen and to eat) got me to start buying the "skinny buns" (picture below). They are great for hamburgers and make good toast too. Some of Bill's other finds are the microwave steam bags (great for green beans, cut potatoes, carrots, whatever) and the liners for the crockpot (makes for an easy crockpot clean up, plus something to hold leftovers from the crockpot).
Finally, one of Jennifer's necessities, the Bjorn baby carrier. Jake needs to be reasonably upright for about an hour after eating, and this carrier is great. He is upright and she is hands-free to do other things. I plan to try it out next time I watch the twins.

Can't quit without more pictures of twins.
Claire
Jake
And here is a picture of Mom in the snow in Asheville. Another reason I'm glad I live south of Willis. Very pretty, but.... looks very cold too.

Visit to Dallas

I spent the past weekend in Dallas. I wanted to visit with sister Diane and see baby John and Jason and Ashley, and I needed to return a completed JanMa's project to a client in Irving. Plus Bill had to start G4 school on Monday, so he was there on Sunday and we watched the Super Bowl together. GO SAINTS!!! Diane and I want to see the George Clooney movie Up in the Air. It was entertaining, but would be a good rental, or On Demand, or streamed, or however you watch movies at home. What I did love about it was the opening sound track, the Woody Guthrie version of "This Land is Your Land", sung by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Tones. This may be an ancient rendition of it, but I really liked it. I immediately bought it from ITunes, made a slide show on Animoto of some of my travel pictures using this song. Click on the link at the bottom of this post to see it.
Sunday Diane and Richard took me to lunch at Black Eyed Pea in Plano, then Diane and I went to visit John, Ashley and Jason in McKinney. We got to see John walk and dance and play. He is getting around very well, and is such a happy boy, he smiles all the time. He let me hold him and acted like he remembered me!! Then he acted the same way with Diane, so..... who knows. Jason says he just likes people. He certainly knows how to smile for the camera, and is very cute.

JanMa and John

Diane and John
Jason, Ashley and John

Blair shows off his big screen TV at his new house. He is very happy to own his house and I know he will enjoy it. This is the second house Blaire owns, the first one he bought he rents out to some Texas Tech fraternity brothers in Lubbock. I'm sure there will be many more properties in Blair's future.

Getting ready to watch the SuperBowl at the hotel with Bill. He has a LOT of Marriott points, so when he checks in he gets special treatment. Like a bottle of wine with cheese and crackers and nice chocolates delivered to the room! Plus he is on the concierge floor (you have to swipe your room key in the elevator to access this floor) and there are happy hour drinks and snacks in the evening, and breakfast items in the morning. I'm impressed! The pizza below came from a local pizza place close to the hotel.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Jan and Lillie Babysit

Last week Lillie helped me babysit the twins. We had a great time, and Jennifer had her hair and toes done. The babies have a new activity center that they can sit in, with some blankets helping to prop them up a bit. Claire seems to like it better than Jake. I put in a DVD Finding Nemo and they watched the colors and movement on the screen. It kept them entertained for about 15 minutes, Claire more so than Jake. Jennifer tried out the DVD trick today and was able to jog on the treadmill for 35 minutes while the babies were entertained.

Claire watches Nemo, Jake watches Claire.

Claire naps on the boppy pillow.

Jake nods off while Lillie holds him.

JanMa and twins have a good look at each other.