Half Way to School Days

The days are just FLYING by here and I cannot believe that summer is halfway over.  Luckily, last weekend we were able to sneak away from the daily monotony of naps and house work to spend a few days ocean-side at Hershey's family's beach house.  It's so weird to be able to sit down and read a book without having to worry about what room should be painted or cleaned or organized or where I should be taking the girls to wear down their TIRELESS and BOTTOMLESS pits of energy.  I finally got to finish a book that I've been trying to read since DECEMBER, and if you know me, that's a REALLY LONG ASS TIME.

On Wednesday, we packed the truck from top to bottom and threw the girls into their car seats right before their morning nap.  We were on the road by 10:30, but Jane and Emma just weren't feelin their morning nap in their car seats.  They full out lost their shit for about 3/4 of the ride, despite how many Puffs, sippies and songs we stuffed them with.

By the time we got to the house (a 2.5 hour drive), everyone was ready to be OUT.  Hershey unpacked the car while I got the girls into their porch swings and worked on filling up the little pool.  The result was happy toddlers (finally).





The next day was super overcast and muggy, so we decided to trek to the Cape May County Zoo.  We figured no one would be there since it was such a crappy day.  Boy, were we wrong!  There was a line to get in, we could barely move, the whole place was smelly, and the animals were all sleeping.  Plus, the girls were less interested in the animals and more interested in playing with the other little kids and running away from us.  We stayed for about an hour and headed back home for nap time.


On Friday, we packed the girls up early and headed to the beach for lunch.  We got a full 2.5 hours in on the beach!  I'm telling you, packing a lunch and taking them up right after their morning nap is the way to go.  They did great until the last 20 minutes when Jane fell and smacked her head on the wagon and then spent the entire walk home trying to stand up in the wagon as Emma threw every toy that we brought with us onto the street.  

That night, Hershey's parents arrived.  That meant much-needed extra sets of hands to help with the girls, who were running around ripping books, smearing milk on the windows, and banging their heads on everything and anything they could.  Emma has also learned how to take outlet protectors out of the outlets, and gave us all a run for our money sticking her fingers in sockets.

Saturday, we headed up to the beach again, despite some imposing looking clouds on the horizon.  We got about half an hour in before the rain started.  Janey stormed the beach while Emmy splashed in the tidal pools.  I love watching their little faces as they run, without abandon, arms outstretched, towards the ocean like it's the best thing they've ever seen because it is.  







Day 5, the A/C decided it didn't want to work anymore.  It was about 83 degrees in the house, and Jane and Emma were all about NOT napping.  We decided to take them for a little boat ride to try to distract them and to get them out of the heat for a little while.  That was a total BUST, but they enjoyed the first 10 minutes!







(I got the girls' life jackets here.  When taking them on a boat, the life jackets MUST be Coast Guard Certified.)

Unfortunately, because of the heat, we were forced to leave prematurely after a 25 minute afternoon nap fiasco.

All in all, it was a good 5 days.  The girls had fun, it was a good change of scenery, but I think we were all happy to be back to our familiar home.  Jane and Emma ran in the house as soon as we got here and petted the cats, unloaded their book shelves, and leaped into their high chairs for dinner.  And once we put them to bed, Hershey and I got to work unpacking and moving BACK into our home.   

We will be here for 2 more weeks and then we are headed back to try for a 10 day vacation before going back to the grind.  I have a few things to share with you, including a couple of DIY projects that I've been working on and a home tour (FINALLY!!!). 

How are you all enjoying your summer?  What will you be doing with the remaining month of sunny days?

Happy Hump Day!

And also a BIG Happy Birthday to one of my very best friends in the world (and the mother of the best godson in the world), Jenny!  Love you girl!

xoxo

Fin.


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Life's a Beach


Tonight is the eve of my LO's 3 month birthday, and we are in sunny Avalon, NJ, with my hubby's family for vacation.  A few fun things happened this month that are worth mentioning.


First, Emma broke the 8 pound mark!  She's finally a REAL BABY!  Jane is not far behind at around 7 lbs.  Since they are gaining weight and the momentum of their weight gain has increased, we also got the OK to do away with one feeding a night!  So instead of waking the girls up at midnight, 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., they wake us up when they are hungry.  Our new feeding schedule is 9 p.m. and then around 1 a.m., 5 a.m. and then I get the girls up for the day at 9 a.m.  Woohoo!  Three hour sleep sessions every night!


Peacefully sleeping in the Big Girl Bed.

Last week, the heat in NJ broke and I have been able to start bringing the girls out for walks.  Hershey patiently built my Baby Jogger City Select and we were OFF!  We took walks every morning last week and have begun making walks a part of our daily routine.  The girls really enjoy the fresh air, even though they usually sleep through the walks.  And I love bragging about them ("Yes, they are twins, yes I take them out all by myself, yes they are the cutest things EVER!").

Walking at the Duck Pond in B'Field
Strolling at the Marina in Avalon

We also are now allowed to SOCIALIZE!  With that great news, we planned our trip to Avalon, packed up the car, and got on the road to attend my sister-in-law's bridal shower, where the ladies got their first look at the bay!

Janey gazing out at the water.

Aunt Heather with Emmy.

Janey saying 'hi' to her Godfather (aka the Groom), Uncle Brett.

Jane with Grandma, looking out at the boats.

Emma loves her Aunt Heather (aka her Godmother, aka the Bride).

In addition to all of this excitement, the girls have met several milestones.  Being that they were 8 weeks premature, they have what is called an "adjusted age".  Their original due date was July 6th, which makes their "adjusted age" actually four weeks.  That being said, they should be meeting the same milestones as a 4 week old baby.  However, they are developmentally very far ahead!  They have begun smiling, holding up their own heads, chewing on and being entertained by things other than their choopies (aka pacifiers), and practicing sitting up!  They also track Hershey and I around the room when they hear our voices, recognize our faces, and coo in an attempt to communicate. It is SO COOL!

Noms, Sophie, you taste NUMMY!
Good morning, Mama!  I know you!  Thanks for the Big Girl bed slumber party this morning!

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Every breath you take...every move you make.......

I'll be back later this week with more pictures and stories, because I have many!  If you have questions about anything or are curious about the products that I am using, feel free to leave me a comment.

Hope that you have a great week!  Happy twinning!


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Cute baby feets to brighten your week!