Target

Jude & Sloane's afternoon nap was very short yesterday and by 2:30 pm it was clear we needed to get out of the house.  I did a quick scan of our kitchen and realized we needed the following items from Target:

Blueberries
Bananas
Strawberries
Salsa
String Cheese

I loaded everyone up and off we went.  I don't know about your kids, but mine do not like their stroller -- haven't in quite some time.  They're also a little restless in shopping carts because one is completely contained (not fair) and the other is typically found rolling around the cart with reckless abandon.  I get the side eye every time I go shopping because we're just a little crazy.  I get it.

I looked at my list and pictured everything in the store.  Four of the items were at the front while the last item was at the very back.  Still, I felt we could be in and out in 10 minutes.

Ha.

Hahahahaha.

The kids hopped out of the car and held hands like angels.  We walked inside and I gave each of them a basket and took one for myself.  I'm not going to lie, I felt like an awesome mom as the three of us walked in a perfect line with our three baskets.  How adorable were we?  So adorable.

Until I put the strawberries and blueberries in my basket.  Suddenly, Jude wanted to hold MY basket.  His was empty.   I smiled and reminded him this was my basket and his important job was to hold his basket.  He whined a bit and then cheered up when we got to the bananas.  He let 14 shoppers know we were getting "NANAAAAAS!!"  I dropped them in my basket.

And that is when all went to hell in a Target hand basket.

Jude flipped out.  He kept looking at my full basket and his empty basket.  Meanwhile, his poor sister has arms like her mom and was struggling to even carry her empty basket.  I mentioned we could put them back but neither liked that idea, so what did we do?  Walked to the very back of the store with a wailing Jude and Sloane the snail.  You know when people talk about an unfortunate event when it feels like everything happens in slow motion?  That was literally my life at that moment.  Jude continued to scream while Sloane carried her basket and walked one mph with a giant smile on her face and an occasional "Hey girl!!" to a random stranger.  She was completely oblivious.

Seven years later we grabbed the string cheese and finally headed to the checkout counter.  I convinced them to get rid of their baskets and we waited in line.  Sloane reached for a little box of goldfish crackers and in the 2.3 seconds it took me to put them back, Jude decided to emancipate the blueberries by shaking the package to death.  Blueberries everywhere.  Sloane squealed with delight and started shoving them in her mouth two at a time (from the Target floor - yep) and Jude just cheered.  I grabbed the runaway berries and put them back in the basket, which I put on the conveyer.  Except the basket was full of holes so now the blueberries were barreling down the conveyer belt.

It.  Was.  Awesome.

And by awesome I mean the WORST.  I apologized 100 times (never made eye contact) and said we would happily pay for the ruined blueberries.  The kind lady told me not to worry about it and checked me out in record speed.  Jude and Sloane were both crying because they wanted disgusting Target floor blueberries so we high-tailed it out of there so they could cry in the parking lot.

Except the second (and I mean the SECOND) we walked outside, the tears disappeared and the two cutest kids on earth emerged.  They were excited to hold my hand, chatted about the sun and the sky and what a wonderful world it was.  I looked around so someone... ANYONE could witness the cuteness, which would maybe make me forget the last 30 minutes.  Not a soul in site.  I'm pretty sure they were all in the back corner of Target waiting for us to get off company property.

Moral of the story:  My kids hate Target.
Second moral:  Target must keep clean floors because Sloane is still alive and well.  Hooray!!

52 Project | 11/52

52 Project | Week 11

March 8-14, 2015

BFF

Jude is outside for two seconds and has dirt on his hands, clothes, and face

If Sloane wears a bow, Pinky wears a bow.  Sloane's rule.

#adventureswithpinky

 How many kids are in this picture? 

Answer: 2

Fun Memory:  THIS...

Happy Birthday Twin Talk!

Happiest of birthdays to Twin Talk!  I guess it's technically an anniversary but birthdays = cake so we're calling it a birthday.  Now someone bring me some cake.  

I asked Twin Talk followers to link up and share how they celebrated their twins' first birthday.  I would love for you to visit the blog and check it out!  And if you want to contribute your own post? Oh I would love it even MORE (to be said like Olaf) (I need a vacation).

THANK YOU for all of the support, love, and well wishes this past year.  I've met some incredible people along the way and I am so proud to be a part of this supportive community.  It's been a fabulous year and I'm thrilled with what's to come.  

*Have you heard about the Freshly Picked Giveaway?  One reader will win two pairs of moccs!

52 Project | 10/52

52 Project | Week 10

March 1-7, 2015

Jude received his first doll - Kristoff!  He likes to throw him on the ground.  

Sloane loved her new Anna doll (we are Team Anna in this household)

Pinky is Sloane's new BFF.  This morning she fed her pancakes.  5 minutes before this she'd put Pinky in timeout for hitting.  It's a love/hate relationship.

Their new art wall in the playroom!

Serious Sloane Modeling the latest Sweet T Bow!

Fun Memory: Jude now has a name for Sloane!  He pronounces it: Schloane.  We've also noticed he loves to sing along with songs he knows - but only the last word of each phrase.

This isn't specific to this week but I want to record it so I don't forget.  Sloane rarely says "Yes."  Instead, if she wants something she will ask for it and when you clarify, "Sloane, do you want to eat?" she nonchalantly says, "Oh, okaaaaay."  Like it was your idea and she's slightly bored with it.  That girl!!

52 Project | 9/52

52 Project | Week 9

February 22-28, 2015

Gaga visited and life was good!

Jude the Dude

Synchronized twins

 It snowed.  In Dallas.  In late February.  

Snow bunny

Fun Memory:  I'm actually stealing this memory from my mom.  The kids come to our room and crawl in bed with us when they wake up each day.  Jude woke up in the middle of the night and visited my mom instead.  He was his typically cuddly self until his sister started crying in their room across the hall.  He immediately sat up and walked to the door.  My mom said she thought he was going to run to their nursery to comfort her.  Instead, he abruptly closed the guest bedroom door so he wouldn't have to hear her and crawled back in bed with my mom.  HA!  Not nice, Jude.  

Catching Up

Let's play catch up, with the help of the bullet:

• I'm afraid 52 Project could be renamed Meredith's Instagram: The Abridged Version
• I think it's time for another Day in the Life!  I'm not sure how much has changed since the last one I recorded, but I really enjoyed capturing a typical day for Jude & Sloane and would like to do it again.
• Twin Talk is about to celebrate ONE YEAR - wahoo!  I recently started accepting sponsorships on the blog, which (in my eyes) is a big step!  Speaking of big... Big giveaway coming up.  Big.  HUGE.  Are you following yet (Website | Instagram | Facebook)?  Now is a good time.  :)
• I taught my first photography class!  My second class is next week and I absolutely love it.  If I could teach one a month I'd be thrilled.  Unfortunately, I don't have that many friends so this may be my final class - ha.  I love watching fellow moms get excited about using their "fancy cameras" to take pictures of their kids. 
• Jude and Sloane are best friends.  Give the kids a dang necklace already.  I'm amazed how loving they are toward one another. They're also incredibly empathetic.  I know we'll have screaming and yelling one day, but for now they just get along great and it's so refreshing to watch.  He makes her laugh and she loves taking care of him.  
• That being said, they have plenty of naughty moments.  Neither are afraid to throw a tantrum in the middle of Target (Sloane) or the middle of the parking lot (Jude).  The other day it was both (surround sound - lovely) and the Target lady said, "Well you're having an interesting morning."  Thank you.  Thank you so much.  
• Jude calls himself Jude and does not have a name for Sloane.  Sloane calls herself "MEEEE!" and calls him Cece.  We have NO idea where she came up with the name Cece but it is equal parts hilarious and weird.  
• We love McKinney.  Love it.  
• Today Michael and I completed our first Ikea hack - we hung two curtain wires in Jude & Sloane's playroom and are using them to display their artwork.  A toddler gallery wall if you will.  I will post a picture one day.  My guess is it will be in the next seven months.

I think that's enough for now.  Dear ol' blog, I miss you.  

52 Project | 8/52

52 Project | Week 8

February 15-21, 2015

Once he was feeling better, Jude and I celebrated Valentine's Day a few days late!

Handsome like his dad!

#judeandsloanessleepjournal had its craziest sleep position yet!

Fun Memory: I was reading a book to Jude and noticed he was saying all sorts of words.  His vocab has really taken off in the last month!  I started listening to the words he was saying and realized he was finishing each sentence for me... before I could get to it.  I decided to test him so I read each sentence/phrase and didn't say the last word.  He happily finished most of them for me.  Way to go, Jude!!!

52 Project | 7/52

52 Project | Week 7

February 8-14, 2015

Tiny dancer

Bless his heart.  A very sick Jude. 

Love, Hugs & Rock 'n' Roll!

Fun Memory:  I'm struggling with this one as sweet Jude was SICK all week.  He ended up having a nasty virus, two ear infections, and a viral rash.  I spent so much time taking care of him that poor Sloane didn't get much attention.  Michael took Jude to the doctor on Thursday night (one of three doctors visits) so I dressed Sloane up in her leotard & crown and we had some much needed girl time.  She loves to twirl and stand on her tip toes!

52 Project | 6/52

52 Project | Week 6

February 1-7, 2015

First trip to the dentist!  No cavities and great patients! 

Jude got a big boy haircut and aged 12 years


The Haynes girls love their sunglasses

Sweet girl

My heart

Fun Memory: It was really warm over the weekend so we decided to put the kiddos in their umbrella strollers and walk to the new snowcone place.  It ended up being a disaster of a trip - lots of roads without sidewalks (we chose to walk in the grass vs. the street), 30 minute wait to get our snowcones in a shop with no air conditioning... etc.  And as we were walking back (in the wilderness) we couldn't stop laughing.  Absolutely ridiculous  We had a blast.

52 Project | 5/52

52 Project | Week 5

January 25 - 31, 2015

 

LOTS of pictures this week!

 

Born to be wild...

Bathtime is the best time

Sweet Sloaney

 Jude the Dude

Jude sandwich!

This was a weird day (they napped at 10:30) but we still had a blast.

Fun Memory:  I'm not sure I can call it fun, but Jude & Sloane had their last week of MDO at Bright Beginnings in Coppell (we were on a wait list in McKinney and two spots recently opened up).  I know it's only two days a week but I am so grateful for Mrs. Cheri and Mrs. Katie and what they taught my babies.   Watching your kids love (and be loved by) others is the sweetest gift.  We will all miss them!

 

52 Project | 4/52

52 Project | Week 4

January 18 - 24, 2015

 All of this in less than 15 seconds.  They are the best!

Jude the (old looking) dude.

Sweet Sloaney

Fun Memory:  Last night we had a last minute triple date with some friends!  Ann Marie, Erika, and I (along with Ashley and Meri) text daily about life with twins but my favorite part of the evening was listening to our husbands recount the early days - what little they could remember.  All three of them had invented (most likely after severe sleep deprivation) some sort of contraption that would make life with newborn twins a little easier.  Too bad we were all too tired to copyright any of the ideas at the time.  The girls have heard each other's stories again and again, but I loved hearing the dads' perspectives.  Such a fun time!

Random Thoughts on a Wednesday

The other day I was writing back and forth with a dear friend and our emails, as they often do, went from lighthearted and funny to quite serious.  We started talking about social media: the highs (so high!) and the lows (so low).  I've been thinking about it ever since.  These days, if I think about something for more than a millisecond, that means something.

I happen to be a huge fan of social media.  It was my saving grace when I planned my 10-year high school reunion.  It's allowed me to completely document our engagement, wedding, first years of wedded bliss, pregnancy & birth of our twins, and now our toddlers.  I can visibly see how much my photography and waistline have grown and how much my grammar and youthfulness have declined.  I have met some of my very best friends.  I started a twin blog with followers I now consider family.

What else has social media done to me?  It has made me envious and jealous.  It has caused self-doubt.  It has shown me what the world sees is only a snippet of someone's life.  It has disappointed me.  Confused me.  Hurt me.

There is a very fine line between documenting your life for your sake and documenting your life for others.  Oftentimes I take pictures of Jude & Sloane and convince myself, "I'm taking this for me" and then I realize I've checked to see how many likes the picture received and let that number rule above all else.  It feels good to be liked - no one can deny that.  But it is a slippery slope, isn't it? 

I remember learning about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in high school and being blown away by the simplicity of it.  To reach self-actualization (the highest tier) is to see your full potential, which can only be achieved after you've mastered basic needs of safety, love, belonging, esteem, etc.  It seemed easy enough to achieve at the time but that was before Facebook.  Sometimes I wonder if social media has thrown such a kink in things that it's nearly impossible to ever reach this level.  But then I read emails from Twin Talk followers who've said a post someone wrote gave them hope and encouragement in a really dark time.  And in that moment I realize, if treated correctly, social media can be an enormous blessing.

As I said to my friend the other day, my thoughts on this are a jumbled mess, which is apparent with everything I've said above.  I'm not even sure why I'm writing about it except I think it's good to keep myself in check from time to time and this is the easiest way to do it.  Via social media.  :)

I also want to include her words (hope that's ok, Aubrey!) because they really hit home with me:

Acceptance and approval are impossible on the interwebs.  For every supporter, there is an equal and opposite detractor.  It's Newton's third law of the internet.  

Hugs to you, my friend.  Living in the 21st century sucks sometimes.  Know that I loved you way back in the 20th century when life was simple.  :)

It's heartbreaking and refreshing all at once - It takes the pressure off once and for all.  I'm grateful for friends like her.

Moral of the story?  I blame Kim Kardashian for all of this.

52 Project | 3/52

52 Project | Week 3

January 11 - 17, 2015

Love, Hugs & Rock 'n' Roll (x2)

They rarely do this anymore so it was such a fun surprise the other night!

Just a boy and his (sister's) stroller.

My sweet baby girl

Fun Memory:  We've all been sick this week.  5/7 days to be exact.  My memories may sound small and insignificant to you, but they were the absolute highlights of my week. 

With Jude:  We found out two spots opened up in an amazing MDO very close to our home.  I was both thrilled and devastated (Jude & Sloane love their current teachers).  I was sitting on the couch, thinking about the switch, and a few tears ran down my face.  Jude walked over to me, gently held my face with his hands, quietly said "Mama," and kissed me. 

With Sloane: Growing up, my family used to "draw faces" (use your finger to trace the other person's facial features).  It's wonderful and so relaxing.  I've done it with Sloane since she was a tiny baby, typically before I kiss her goodnight.  I was tracing her face and quietly saying each feature.  "Eyebrows, eyes, nose, chin, cheeks..."  When I was done, she decided she wanted a turn and started drawing my face.  She carefully traced each feature as she said its name, ending with the "moe" (mole) on my forehead.  :) 

52 Project | 2/52

52 Project | Week 2

January 4 - 10, 2015

New coffee machine for mom, new toy for us!

 "People always ask our mom if we're 'natural.'  Of course we're natural!  Weirdos."

Synchronized Brushing

Fun Memory:  Now that J & S are two, we're all about starting new family traditions!  Michael and I decided to meal plan every Saturday morning, go out for breakfast somewhere fun, and then grocery shop together.  In our pajamas (well, Jude & Sloane at least).  This week we went to a cute donut shop and Jude & Sloane were in awe of everything around them.  This particular shop had a tiny train that went around the entire store and a GIANT stuffed Mickey & Minnie.  We shopped at Market Street and got the car cart, which they loved.  So excited for this weekly tradition!

Terribly Sad Memory (I promise not to feature this every week): No more pacifiers.

The Story of the Pacifier

When Michael and I knew everything about kids (read: before we had kids), we publicly declared our hatred for the pacifier.  Our kid(s) wouldn't need one and that was that.  If we DID ever use a pacifier, it would be called exactly that: a pacifier.  No paci, no binky, none of that silly stuff.  I remember throwing around the name "The Binkster" and Michael told me to stop talking.

I've written about this before but the first night home with Jude & Sloane was a total nightmare.  Everyone cried.  No one slept.  I cursed myself for not reading any books and Michael cursed himself for marrying me (he didn't say that, but I'm fairly certain he was thinking it). We finally broke down and gave the kids pacifiers.  And - I am not kidding you - the booming voice of God (or someone - it was really late) said "FINALLY."  It may have been my mom who was trying to sleep upstairs.  The kids quieted down and went to sleep immediately.  We looked at each other with wide eyes and shook our heads in disbelief.  Why did we ever curse this beautiful, magical piece of heaven? 

From day 5, our kids have been phenomenal sleepers.  In the rock n play, the pack n play, the crib, the carseat, the sofa, you name it.  And every single time (except for the car), they've had a pacifier in their mouth. 

When Jude & Sloane were a couple months old, we discovered Wubbanubs.  I'd seen other babies with these strange devices and couldn't understand why anyone other than a dog would want a stuffed animal hanging out of their mouth.  But as with everything else, we gave it a go and were so glad we did.  After losing 429 pacifiers around the house (they're worse than socks in the dryer), we easily found their Wubbanubs.  They had just enough weight to sit on the twins' stomachs while they slept, never to be lost again. 

The first time their Wubbanubs broke, we decided we'd buy one more set and that was it.  Once those broke, we'd be done.  And we stuck to our plan.  When the final Wubbanub broke, I cried.  I looked at this tiny stuffed elephant and saw the worn ear where Jude rubbed it each night.  The grey fur that looked like it'd been washed far too many times.  From there on out, we used regular pacifiers.  In hindsight, this was a good thing as the kids were both walking and the only thing weirder than a Wubbanub is a Wubbanub on a walking toddler.  Jude and Sloane had these tiny animal pendelums swinging back and forth, back and forth.

We've been pretty good at limiting their pacifier use to naptime and bedtime.  When they wake up in the morning they know to hand me their pacifiers and we put them away until it's time to go to sleep.  The only exception is when we're in public or when they're sick.  Michael and I will not leave the house without them as they have been lifesavers too many times.  They truly do pacify these kiddos.

One day I noticed I'd started calling it a "paci."  Michael cringed.  I told him I could start calling it "The Binkster" and he left the room.

We promised ourselves we would take away the pacifiers when they turned two.  10 days before their second birthday they were proud new owners of toddler beds and we knew better.  Too much change in too little time is not a good thing for our toddlers.  No, we would let them use them a little longer.  

Today was a big day.  Today we took away the pacifiers.  Poor Jude & Sloane were so confused at naptime.  They kept asking for them and we explained they were big kids and no longer needed them.  Sloane fought it at first but went to sleep in typical fashion - on her back with her arms directly above her head.  But Jude.  Poor Jude didn't understand.  He was so sad.  He cried off and on for 75 minutes before he finally fell asleep.  By that point he had no energy left to fight.  I took a shower and cried right along with him.

I think you all know by now that I do NOT like obvious proof that my babies are growing up.  When they started crawling, started walking, turned one, starting talking, stopped nursing, turned two.... I smiled on the outside and was their biggest cheerleader.  But on the inside?  On the inside I kept saying, "Please don't.  Please stop.  Stay little."  It's not that I don't look forward to their future.  I just want to let them be little for as long as possible.  Giving up the pacifier was more proof they are growing up so fast.

Tonight we let them play a little before we put them to bed.  We tucked them in and Michael said the nightly prayer (including the "P word," which we'd already decided we weren't going to say in hopes they'd already forgotten).  He said "Amen" and I carefully glanced at both of them, waiting to hear them ask for their pacifiers.  But they seemed quite content without them.  We kissed Jude & Sloane goodnight and walked out of the room.  (And then back in the room - these toddler beds are not for the faint of heart.)

On the day they were born, I feel like I was given a checklist of their entire life.  It seemed long at first, but I swear I'm checking off another item each day.  Check, check, check.  And I'm not sure I've made it through any of them without tears.  I know I will never be voted Mom of the Year (if there is such a thing I would at least like to be invited to the after party, thank you), and I will never be the one who writes parenting books, but I fiercely love my kiddos and am so very proud of them. 

It feels silly to cry over something we were so determined never to use.  But I think being a parent has changed me in more ways than I will ever understand, and (for the most part) I think it's for the better. 

Two years, two months, and two weeks with pacifiers.  Today began Day 1 without.

Check. 

Today at naptime...

52 Project | 1/52

I recently decided to participate in the 52 Project. The concept is simple… Post a picture each week. Since I'm no longer doing Jude & Sloane's monthly updates (at least that's not the plan), I want to make sure I don't go another two months before my next post. Some weeks I may post one picture, others I may post three. Who knows?! I also plan to include a fun memory from the week to help me remember these precious moments that go by too quickly.

52 Project | Week 1
December 28 - January 3, 2015

Early dinner at Breadwinners - lots of hugs & kisses!

Fun Memory: Tonight we had our very first family movie night and watched Cinderella. We had the fire going and all of us were in our pajamas, snuggled close on the couch. Sloane enjoyed it but got restless toward the end.  Jude was captivated the entire time.

2014

Hello, old friend.

It's been two months since my last post - a lot has happened and one post couldn't begin to cover it, so I'm going to give myself grace and move right along.

Well, maybe a highlight reel is necessary... for prosperity's sake.

• Sloane might be the funniest little person I know.  Michael and I spend our days cracking up at her antics as well as being a little terrified of our future with this sneaky, silly girl.  The world is her stage, and the rest of us are merely players (I just butchered Shakespeare but you get the point).  She got her first haircut (Jude got his 8th) and is the cutest little pixie I know. 

• Jude the Dude is pure sweetness in a 33-pound body.  All he wants to do is hug his friends and make out with everything in site (it's not concerning at all) (hide your daughters).  And big news for this guy - he's currently on Nordstrom's website, sporting a dapper bow tie! It's silly to be so excited about it but we may have visited the page 10+ times the day we found out. Michael joked that Jude now refers to himself as "The Talent." 

• We LOVE our new home.  We still have random boxes to unpack and pictures to hang, but we're just so happy to be here.  One day it will be practically perfect in every way (in our eyes) but we're taking our time to get it there.  Until then, it is loud and chaotic and messy and FUN.

• Twin Talk is alive and thriving - it's my third baby and I'm so grateful for the connections made through the blog.  It's something I so desperately wanted while I was pregnant and makes the twin journey a little less daunting and no longer isolating.  I'm so excited for 2015!

• I also started a fun little apparel biz with my twin mom friends in DFW: Multiplicitees (yes, it's purposefully misspelled).  I love these girls and have been so blessed by their friendship.  We have lots of fun ideas in store for 2015 - woohoo!

• Michael changed his work hours to 7-4p so the commute is less daunting and he gets several hours with the kids each night.  This has been HUGE for all of us.  By 5p I'm waving the white flag and we are all ready for dad to be home.  He continues to be the rock of our family (though Jude is slowly creeping up on him and will probably be the strongest family member by 2016).  

• Thanksgiving and Christmas were wonderful! Lots of family time both here and Arkansas. It is so fun seeing them around their cousins - the past few times consisted of independent play but this time they played together so well! 

Overall, the kiddos are doing really well and are the very definition of toddlers. Lots of highs and lows, sometimes happening within one minute. Jude loves to build tall towers and Sloane loves to destroy them. Sloane loves to color masterpieces (as well as remove each crayon's clothes) and Jude loves to throw her artwork on the floor. But then I'll I look up and they're in their own twin world, laughing or hugging and I realize for the one billionth time that I'm so, so lucky. 

2014 was an amazing year.  Of course it had its ups and downs but it was my very favorite year to date.

I have a few resolutions for 2015 but my main one is to be intentional with my time. I'm not a busy person - I have friends who do more things in one day than I do in a week.  But at the end of each day I feel overwhelmed and behind due to poor time management. And what's worse, when I'm in the middle of something, I'm oftentimes thinking of what comes next. My advice for myself last year was to BE PRESENT and most days I failed miserably.  So here's to a new year and a more organized me. 

If 2015 is half as good as 2014, I'll be thrilled!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Pics from the last two months in absolutely no order...